Monday, February 2, 2009

A String of Pearls

Today's Wonder of the World is...the Pearl!

Flickr photo by GlossyRock
Talk about turning lemons into lemonade! Hooray for the lowly mollusk, which, when a parasite or bit of pesky organic matter sneaks inside its shell and irritates it to death, creates a pearl to seal it off!
Hmm. I wonder if we could apply that concept to other more human like irritants?
It's something to ponder.
But back to pearls...

Flickr photo by Melinda van den Brink
Eww. A little gross there. But I could sink my fingers into all that gushiness if it would get me some pretty pearls around my neck.

Almost all pearls in jewelry today come from pearl farms, like this one.

Flickr photo by cocodaikos
Not a bad place to work, I think.

Unless you were the poor guy that had to pry open the giant clam that birthed this baby.

Wearing a string of pearls like that one might land you in the hospital.

I think I prefer these.

Flickr photo by thelewisfoti
Wait! Those aren't strings of pearls, though they are every bit as lovely.

How about this one?

Flickr photo by Epiclectic
I bet you know the song, even though you might not recognize the title. Hop over here and I'll prove it to you.

I also love this string of pearls.

Flickr photo by mythlady
The string of pearls plant! Isn't it interesting?
Just wait until you see the flower!

Flickr photo by joeysplanting
Freaky! I think Dr. Seuss invented it.
Speaking of wacky pearls, how about this one...

Howww-deeee! It's Minnie Pearl!
Mmm. That chicken looks tasty.
I'd sure love to sit down with a drumstick and a good book.
(What? Everything goes great with fried chicken.)


Have you read Girl With A Pearl Earring? I read it several years ago and loved it.
That photo of the cover, though, really doesn't give the painting justice. Here, take another look.
Vermeer's colors are more intense.

Breathtaking.

Here's another amazing pearl.

I love anything by Steinbeck. How about you?

I also love anything by this Pearl.

(If you're in a rush, Ms. Bailey starts to sing at the one minute mark. I LOVE the way she cleans house!)

Have a wonder-full Monday, y'all! I hope you have a pearl of a day!
Love, Becky

17 comments:

a Tonggu Momma said...

You are always such a breath of fresh air! Love you. And I love my pearls. (We purchased several strands in China.)

LW said...

I do not think there is anything more beautiful then a string of pearls.

My dad loved Minnie Pearl, I could always count on a big smile on his face when
she was on TV…what a hoot.

Louise

Cat Moleski said...

I love pearls more than any other gem or jewel. Thanks for the pretty pictures. And the wonderful start to Monday!

Unknown said...

Pearls are such lovely things, aren't they? I think that String of Pearls flower does look "Seussical" doesn't it!? I don't know how to break this to you, Becky, but even after going over to that You Tube link I still didn't recognize the Glenn Miller "String of Pearls" song, NOPE! There are other Glenn Miller numbers I might find familiar, but not that one. Hey, ya learn something new everyday! Thanks for the fun post, once again! :)

lotusgirl said...

I LOVE pearls in all their forms. I love the song String of Pearls too. I knew it even before I heard it. I used to play in a big band, and it was in our repertoire.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post--string of pearls plant? You're always teaching me.

Rosemary said...

Hi Becky,
A great post on a Monday!!
My birthstone is the pearl.
I hope you have a pearl of a Monday yourself.
Rosemary

Suzie said...

Ewww what was that giant white thing?

Ronnie said...

Minny Pearl would be a great addition to my family faces series. MoooWahhhHaaa! Thanks for the continued inspiration, Becky.

Adrienne said...

That string of pearls plant is interesting! Pretty spider web, too.

Kelly H-Y said...

I just love how much I learn on your blog! :-) I'd never heard of the string of pearls plant!

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Ah, pearls. I wore mine yesterday.

CC said...

Oooo! I love pearls. They are my birth stone. Feel free to send me some. :)

Jojo said...

My sister believes in the superstition that pearls bring tears. I on the other hand, believe that no girl should be without them. Even sweatpants look dressy when you wear your pearls.

David Ebright said...

I'll take the oysters - steamed if you don't mind. Deb has a set of pearl earrings with matching bracelet & necklace. Very fancy. She won't wear them 'cause the set is about 100 years old. (Maybe she oughta hock 'em & take the cash?)

Deb recently purchased (this is where, as a guy, I get confused) a bunch of oyster shells all put together as a candle thingamajig that now sits on the coffee table. (Another thing I don't get - you know what would happen to me if I put a cup of coffee on that table?) I won't mention what she paid but I did offer to save all oyster shells in the future. She wasn't amused by my lack of appreciation. I still think she got hosed.

Fete et Fleur said...

This is right up my alley. I adore pearls! It's amazing that people used to use pearls as marbles!


Nancy

Sara's Sweet Surprise said...

My love for pearls was at first sight! When I saw June Cleaver with a strand adorning her neck. She would dust and wash dishes with such elegance. I like soft pink, although cream/ivory colored are more authentic in nature.

Sweet wishes,
Sara