Flowers Were Made for People

The sun shines not on us but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Thrilling, tingling, vibrating every fiber and cell of the substance of our bodies, making them glide and sing. The trees wave and the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls, and every bird song, wind song, and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song, our very own, and sings our love.  (John Muir)

Abronia fragrans, Sweet Sand Verbena

Balsmamorhiza sagitata, Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Calochortus nuttali, Sego Lily

Delphinium occidentale, Tall Larkspur

Epilobium angustifolium, Fireweed

Fragaria vesta, Strawberry

Geranium viscossisimum, Sticky Geranium

Helianthella uniflora, One-flower Helianthella

Iliamna rivularis, Mountain Hollyhock

Juniperous osteosperma, Utah Juniper

Lupinus caespitosus., Utah Lupine

Mimulus guttatus, Yellow Monkeyflower

Nasturtium officionale, Watercress

Oenothera fruiticosa, Evening Primrose

Pedicularis groenlandica, Elephant's Head

Quercus gambelii, Gambel Oak

Rosa woodsii, Wood's Rose

Solidago missouriensis, Goldenrod

Tragopogon dubius, Salsify

Vaccinum scoparium, Low Huckleberry

Veratrum californicum, False Hellebore

Wyethia amplexicaulis, Mule's Ear

Xerophyllum tenax, Bear Grass

Yucca baccata, Spanish Bayonet

Zigadenous elegans, Death Camus

Whence?

When you see such an image, you must be thinking of some specific word, in your mind.

What is that word?  Have it fixed in your mind. Now, tell me, how is that word pronounced?

For me, the word is M.O.U.N.T.A.I.N.  But for a distressingly growing number of the local populace, it seems to be pronounced something more like "mou-un".  I've been trying to imagine where the traditional middle part of the word got lost.

How does this mysterious evolution of language take place?  Who started it?

I fully recognize that the actual spelling of the word, M.O.U.N.T.A.I.N., has never in my recollection been strictly related to how we actually pronounce it.  But I was always of the impression that the mangling we do is fairly unanimous, and we have some consensus, about how to say this and most other words.

It appears that my impression was mistaken.  Not only do words change meaning, right before our eyes, but they also sound different.  I feel somehow let down by all of this.  Like an article of faith that I cling to has been callously violated, with some impunity.