Sunflowers

I was at a work event on Tuesday that was part of the Farmer’s Market. As I was leaving, I noticed a booth selling sunflowers so I bought a bunch for Sherry. Needless to say, there were big kisses, and big husband points, when I got home.

Actually, maybe I do need to say. You see, Sherry loves sunflowers! She always tries to have at least one vase filled with them in the house at all times. One of her favorite moments in every Tour de France is when the peloton is cycling through the sunflowers fields of Provence.  A few years ago we were lucky enough to be in Provence at end of the season and she got to stroll around among them with a big smile.

What is it about sunflowers that make people smile? Is it because they look like they’re smiling at you? Or is it the beautiful hues of yellow and gold?  Maybe they remind us of sunshine and that’s what makes us smile. Of course, they have the word sun in their name and I am sure that also helps.

I think it’s the name.  It just sounds happy.  However, that may only be true in English.  While you would think the French name would be la fleur du soleil it’s actually tournesol, which isn’t as nice in my book.   The same is true in Spanish where the name is girasol and not la flor del sol.

In the end, I guess the “why” they make us smile doesn't really matter and we should just accept the fact as one of life’s little pleasures.

Au revoir!