Even Van Gogh’s Starry Night pales in comparison to the fresh beauty and scent of flowers brought indoors from the garden.
Whether they’re lilies, peonies or another seasonal favorite, fresh blooms have the ability to bring any room in the house to life.
Although I don’t usually bring cut flowers indoors, these peonies fell onto the ground after a recent rain . As peonies require ants to complete the pollination process, I was careful to inspect the blooms prior to bringing them indoors.
Little did I know that something else had hitchhiked in with the blooms, likely on a leaf. It was only a matter of a few minutes before it had made its way onto the table leg. Can you see it?
Nature is always full of surprises.
Whether you’re enjoying nature indoors or outdoors on this beautiful sunny day, Happy Canada Day to you! By the way, this slug will be spending the rest of the day outdoors 
Text and photographs copyright Amy-Lynn Bell 2012
One is likely to encounter a variety of little “riders” when bringing outdoor things inside.
Patti, I was prepared for ‘riders’ but this slug was beyond my expectations.
Happy Canada Day, Ms. Amy-Lynn. And your indoors probably appreciated the gift from the outdoors.
Thank you Kathy. We had a wonderful long weekend of great summer weather. The indoors did appreciate the fresh scent of flowers.
We don’t have slugs in my neck of the woods so I find them fascinating…not that I would want them inside tho…
Judy, I wonder how far north slugs are found. Our moist environment in Nova Scotia makes them quite common here. In British Columbia on the other side of the continent, I’ve seen them six inches long near misty waterfalls. They were a bright orange and quite meaty-looking.
Love the peonies. And the slug too, of course. He’s a lovely slug BTW.
I didn’t know that ants helped pollinate peonies.
Sybil, yes a very photogenic slug. Ants and peonies seem to have a good relationship that’s of benefit to both.
Giggle… the peonies are gorgeous, what a striking heart-opening pink!
The slug – urgh – we have those ones too, and they sometimes squiggle inside the house, so it’s best to switch the light on when you need to get up at night. Glad you took out back outside.
Reggie, those peonies have opened more in the past couple of days and are absolutely gorgeous.
What attracts the slugs inside your house? To they prefer the cooler temperature, or do you have some scrumptious houseplants?
Well never know where a slug might lead you– Meet the Banana Slug String Band. Who says you have to be a child to adore their music?
http://www.bananaslugstringband.com/
Eva, I’ve never heard of the Banana Slug String Band (which surprises me since I work with kids). I’ll have to give their tunes a listen. Thanks for letting me know.
If you work with kids, you SHOULD explore their songs which include the likes of “Dirt Made My Lunch”, “Decomposition”, among other tunes that teach children about the workings of the natural world. They’re great FUN too. I hope you enjoy them.
I was just thinking that the top photo could be a painting, when I read your lines
Swaps, it’s a print of a favorite painting – not as colorful as the original – though even that might not be quite as brilliant as those flowers.
What a wonderful picture and quote by Einstein.
I’m up in hot, smoggy Oakville, ON for a couple of weeks and longing to get back to my beloved home-by -the-sea slugs and all.
Margaret, I can just imagine how hot southern Ontario is these days compared to here. Nova Scotia’s refreshing sea breezes make such a difference. The slugs await your return
I’m for the slug going outdoors! love your peonies though. I always think of them as an American memorial day flower.
Tammy, it’s interesting how we associate different flowers with the holidays that take place around their annual blooming period. That you associate peonies with Memorial Day in May just goes to show how far behind our growing season is compared to yours.
Looks like we have the same lovely soft pink peonies, flowering at the same time this year. I didn’t know about the necessity of ants, that is interesting. I have started to look for more at the internet, but until now only found ideas of how to get rid of the ants. Big slugs doesn´t have a good reputation at the moment, because we have an invasion of Arion vulgaris, nicknamed “killer-slug” because it eats everything on it´s way.
Giiid, I looked up the ‘killer slug’ aka Spanish slug. It’s considered invasive even in places where it’s a native species! Apparently its eggs are now able to survive dry spells which would normally threaten its populations. Besides that, it is not considered a ‘tasty’ slug by hedgehogs and its other potentially natural predators. Thankfully, I don’t think it’s in North America (yet!)
Fresh blooms are always best, but I have found that artificial flowers also have a cheering effect, though they don’t smell half as nice. Thanks so much for sharing!