Round Robin Challenge: Flower Power

"Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men or animals. Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and different; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the hollyhock."

-Henry Ward Beecher

When I saw the theme for this edition of the Round Robin Challenges was, "Flower Power,"I couldn't help but think about what is was like to be a little girl, living in the Bay Area, during the peak of the "Flower Power" counter-culture movement. The summer of 1967 saw the exodus of more then 75,000 young people coming to San Francisco and Berkeley to experience the hippie movement. Some stayed in the Bay Area at the end of the summer, but some returned home, and brought with them, new styles, ideas and ideals, and behaviors that were embraced during that summertime. Earlier in the year, and what may have actually kicked-off the philosophy of "Make Love Not War" was the Human Be-In, which was held in Golden Gate Park in January of 1967. To wear a flower was a symbolic statement of peace and love.

I was 5 years old that summer, but I was well aware of what was going on around me. My brother was half-way around the world in Vietnam, my sister was in high school, and she and her friends all wore flowers in their hair. One particular memory that stands out, was when she and a her friend painted different types of flowers on my face and arms, then made me a flower crown. I was thrilled to be a part of something that, at least in theory, was about cherishing life filled with beauty, not destruction, understanding not intolerance, peace, not war. While I may not have understood for a few more years that the counter-culture movement also had a darker side to it, I knew I wanted my brother home. When I look back, I think I learned during that summer to not take things, places, people, or flowers for granted. :)

Be sure to pay a visit to all the Round Robins, to see their interpretations of this challenge. Just click on the links below. Thank you Renee, this was a lot of fun. :)

Renee - TCS2
Karen- Outpost Mavarin
Carly- Ellipsis...Suddenly Carly
Valorie- Retrospect USA
Sara- Animated Seasons
Julie- Julie's Web Journal
Connie- MOMENTS TO REMEMBER
Patrick- Patrick's Portfolio
John- Personal effects***Welcome New Member***
Dorn- Through The Eyes Of The Beholder
Deslily- Here, There and Everywhere 2nd Edition
Nancy- Nancy Luvs Pix
Robin- Search The Sea
Suzanne- New Suzanne R's Life
Tammy- The Daily Warrior
Julia- The Bohemian Eye***Welcome New Member***
Janet- Fond Of Snape ***Welcome New Member***
-rRose- WAIT-NOTYET
Phinney- Paragon
Pamela- Times of My Life, One Nurses Story***Welcome New Member***
Amy- My Life And Pictures

NOTE: I will be out of town until Saturday. My Birthday is Thursday, so I will be taking a few days off to have a little fun-in-the-sun in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, where apple juice awaits ;) I promise to update my blog to add any additional links that come in late, and pay all of you a visit when I return. See you soon!

Always, Carly

-OndineMonet
"Flower Power"
Berkeley, California
June 28, 2006
Evening