~Lao Tzu
In Lieu of upcoming Father’s day~
“Just look at this Earthly creation”. My father’s words are ringing in my head: “Who designed this beauty? Who is the creator? How did it appear on this planet all on its own?”
Did you know that this Sunflower is the Ukrainian national flower? We ate it as kids and still do eat its seeds as the crunchy snack? Do not wish to share it with birds or squirrels. It’s my, human snack!
I love it raw most of all. The yellow leaves can be eaten or brewed in tea. I love everything about this nature’s gift: the sun looking pedals, brightness it adds to the household and its nutty taste.
Funny memory comes up when Ukrainian middle school boys would run up to farmer market Babushkas, dig their little thief hands in the burlap full of roasted seeds, grab a full fist of black seeds and run for their lives. Phew. Glad I didn’t dare to do so. Paying 20 cents for a paper cup of freshly roasted sunflower seeds was satisfying enough.
My dad used to bring surprises home to me of fresh Sunflower heads. Stick them under the pillow and say that some magician sent that to me as a gift. I love my Papa and his little surprising edible flower gifts for me.
He taught me how to add sugar to the raw seeds and eat it as a desert. Oh, so yummy.
Perhaps the biggest gift he installed into me is the love of nature and constant sense of wonder.
Thank you, Papochka, for everything.

Your Lu-dochka.
The Russian speaking friends will get that meaning 🙂
Happy Father’s day to all my dear friends.
Luda@PlantsandBeyond🌿
The images listed here do not belong to Luda @PlantsandBeyond.com except for the very last one.
©PlantsandBeyond.com
What a wonderful testimony of your love for your Papochka, Luda!
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Lol – thank you, Peter !!! You got it the sweet derivative of the name , wow 😲 :))) now I have to tell him how to serf the net to read this post ;)))
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thank you for sharing this ❤
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Thank you Abdul for reading and visiting !!!
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I love your posts ! they are different ❤
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Just music to my ears, I so appreciate your kindness to me.
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Sometimes it’s good to know, people value us !
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😊😊
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Great tribute Luda. I did not know you are Russian. I learnt something new from you…raw sunflowers can be eaten. You are a good daughter to love your Papochhka💗👍☺
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Aww- thank you so much , GF/ means a lot to me – I love the raw seeds the best! They host melt in your mouth !!! And they are so sweet, at the same time.
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Beautiful post Luda with lovely images and interesting information.
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Thank you, Rupali 💕🌱💕
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Beautiful post and amazing images so interesting and lovely testimony for your Papochka. Blessings to you Luda.
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Oh , you warned up my soul – thank you so much, Nanette 🤗💕🤗.
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Sweet memories! Thank you for sharing what you learned from your father.
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THANK YOU DEAR ELIENE! XOXOXO
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Lovely memories in tribute to your father and to the sunflower!
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Thank you dear Andrea!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Now I know how you got interests in gardening. Behind every great daughter there is always an amazing dad !! 🙂
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LOL, thank you, Megala, for your heartfelt comment. Appreciate it very much 🙂
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Beautiful photos and words !!
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Thank you very much!
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Soo pretty !! Mine were all eaten by slugs when they were young. I was soooo angry !! I don’t mind if they eat a few lettuce leaves or have a bite here and there but all the leaves and buds of my little sunflower plants !!!??
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Beautiful knowledge
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Well, that is very very kind of you. Thank you for your comment.
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My pleasure my friend. ..
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Beautiful post. Lovely tribute to your father!
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What a beautiful post, Luda! What a wonderful tribute to your father and to share your memories 💗 sunflowers are absolutely gorgeous and sooo delicious!! Love to you my friend!
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Love , peace , joy , kisses and hugs to you, dear, Lisa !!!
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Such beautiful words! 💙Thank you for sharing and I just had sunflower seeds! 😄
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Haha, Diana and thank you, dear! Where they raw? So yummy !!
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You’re welcome and yes, they were! 😁
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Oh, so very lucky! Must have tasted so yummy.
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Sure was! 😄
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Interesting! The first time to know you are Ukrainian looking forward to know more about Ukraine and learn some Russian 😄and beautiful sunflower.
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LOL, I have mentioned that in my first posts some time ago. I was born there and my parents brought me here when I was 15 years old. My second language is Russian and I lost Ukrainian now bc I had to refocus on English to survive. LOL. Thank you so much for your comment, though :)))))))))
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You’re very welcome. So your name is Russian or Ukrainian? 😃
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Luda goes with both cultures, I think. I met Russian and Ukrainian girls with the same name when I resided there.
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It’s so simple. Does it have a special meaning?
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Well, the full/documents name that is Ludmila means liked by people. I hope to live up to that meaning, LOL.
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That’s nice!
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These photos are stunning, and Lao Tzu is so wise…great Wednesday reminder 😉 Thanks for sharing! Xx
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Thank you very very much – glad you are aware of Lao – its very special to meet enlightened souls ✨
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What an amazing post, Luda! 🙂 ❤
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Thank you so much, my dear Vero!
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You are very welcome, dear Luda! ❤
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Lovely sunny post!
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Very good article, a very good read so I am going to reblog this one for you.
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OldPoet , you made my day – thank you very much – this is so kind of you
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Reblogged this on Truth Troubles.
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