In A Vase On Monday: Indecision

For a few weeks, the pink/purple tulips and the foliage of Persicaria 'Red Dragon' have been begging to be combined in a vase.  Due to our recent warm weather, Chelsea Chop time for the latter came early this year so there was a lot of it available.   Then the red, white, and green parrot tulips really looked smashing so they were going to come in this week.  For them, I chose this feathery vase, a cast off from my friend, Sandy.  Also a small cloth embroidered with a parrot and other colorful bird props came out of the hoard.

However, when I went outside, the wind and rain had done quite a job on the purple/pink tulips which were now all akimbo, some flopped over on a path where they would surely be stepped upon if not staked.  Tulips in bondage  are so sad so out went the parrot tulip idea and back came the purple/pink combination thought for which I might have chosen a different vase, and out went all of the parrot props. Sometimes we make a decision but fate throws tulips on our path and tells us to go with an original thought.

Outside, with the sun shining through it, this foliage is a beautiful shade of wine red that would perfectly compliment the tulips.  Inside, it looks a bit brown.

The idea of a simple arrangement containing only this one foliage and the tulips was discarded as the result was heavy, oppressive, and needed something airy or grassy to lighten things up a bit.

 Bracken fern and golden variegated bamboo joined the somber duet and livened/lightened a bit.

The tulip stems did NOT want to cooperate at all and kept flopping wherever they wanted to.  The whole thing ended up being a bit lopsided to preserve the view of the half-naked winged cherub (or is she a fairy?)  on the left. The pink flower on the bottom is made of seashells and came from Tom's trip to Mexico.  It got added because it was sitting nearby and was the right color. 

Then again, maybe the parrot tulips would have been a better choice and the  pink tulips in the path were a simple coincidence. However, once a decision is made, there is a finality and the rejected choice lies forever unexplored. By choosing one, the other is eliminated.   What does she think who holds the whole thing together?

I'm facing a choice in my life between two equally appealing options, one easy, comfortable, and familiar, the other a bit of a change, a new challenge, and a bit unknown.  Indecision is difficult for me.  Like this arrangement, I'm a bit scrambled and unsure.  By this evening, I've promised a decision and am hoping that something will be blown across my path today to tell me what to do.

In a Vase on Monday is sponsored by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden.  Click here to see her vase and links to those of other participating bloggers.