The Flower Hour #45: Advice from a Sunflower

For the Flower Hour, share your images of flowers, gardens, fields of flowers, seasonal leaves and plants, fungus, algae, cacti, trees and tree blossoms, berries, and wildflowers. Bouquets and silk/faux flowers are welcome.

Advice from a Sunflower meme

“Advice from a sunflower. Be bright, sunny, and positive. Know your roots. Spread seeds of happiness. Rise, shine, and hold your head up high. Keep on growing. Even on the darkest days, stand tall and find the sunlight.” –Unknown

Remember, there are no specific themes for the Flower Hour, but please use your own photography from your archives or new images. Your original images reimagined with AI tools in post-editing are also welcome. And you have all week to link to this post.

goldfinch on sunflower
Goldfinch loves sunflower seeds
Sunny Skies
Mellow sunflower against stormy summer sky

New to The Flower Hour photo challenge? Please check out my page for more information! I encourage “double-dipping” with other blog challenges if you do not want to create a separate post.

alphabet graphic

Next week, we’ll tackle the Floral ABCs again with the letters P Q R.

“Sunflowers end up facing the sun, but they go through a lot of dirt to find their way there.” – J.R. Rim

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NOTE: this post was repurposed for the Flower Hour. Previous comments are from the post forst published in 2023.

© 2026 Terri Webster Schrandt | secondwindleisure.com. All rights reserved. All content on this blog is protected by copyright and may not be copied, reposted, or reblogged without written permission.


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145 responses to “The Flower Hour #45: Advice from a Sunflower”

  1. Sunflowers are one of my favorites. We’re growing eight of them now, which are destined to be 10 feet tall. Blooming is still a few days away.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh good luck with those giants ones, they’re pretty amazing!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. If they turn out well, I’ll post photos 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Beautiful, Terri! Great shot of the Goldfinch. 💛

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Jane! They put on quite the show for those seeds!

      Like

  3. LOVE the advise from the sunflower 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Maria! I borrowed the quote from somewhere but we all can benefit from the advice!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. […] Terri’s and Brian’s lead on Sunflowers, I went in search of Sunflowers amongst my archives. I found some […]

    Liked by 1 person

  5. So… I have no idea how it happened, nor do I have an excuse, but today my friend asked me where my Flower Hour post was this week. Um… I realized I’d not even seen yours and have no idea how that happened either. I love that you chose Sunflowers this week, perhaps the happiest and most joyful flowers ever. How can you not smile when you see them?!? Plus, the quote is lovely! Thanks for another great prompt, I thoroughly enjoyed working on this one (yes, even though I damned-near missed it altogether). Heaps of love from your imbecilic Canadian friend. xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Maybe you should resubscribe to my posts? I’ll have another sunflowers post next month. This Tuesdays post is ABCs (PQR). I will mention your name and link to your about page and encourage people to subscribe to your blog to continue staying current with Flower Hour. 😁🌻

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Nope, I’m definitely the idiot:

        >

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Do you despair? Cam does, and tells everyone so! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Who can resist sunflowers this time of year? I love your sunflower and bird. Since I did a sunflower just a week or two ago I decided to look at Fan Palms instead, So much thought went into your editing choices and the results of each truly lift each one up into the extraordinary. I was going to say I like the black and white transformation of the house best but going back I like the others just as much. Here’s mine: https://elizabatz.wordpress.com/2026/08/28/artworks-and-photos-of-tropical-fan-palm-trees/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Eliza! I always remind folks to post whatever flower floats their boat at that moment.

      Like

  7. […] More of Terri’s Flower Hour: Advice from a Sunflower. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  8. […] For Floral Friday and Terri´s Flower Hour Weekly. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  9. […] this to Cee Neuner and sharing with Terri’s The Flower Hour and XingFuMama’s Whatsoever is Lovely […]

    Liked by 1 person

  10. […] Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour […]

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Beautiful sunflowers, Terri! The goldfinch clearly knows where to find a good meal. 😊 I also love the sunflower advice — especially “keep on growing.” A lovely reminder for all of us. 🌻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Anita! The goldfinches are hilarious as they contort for seeds!

      Liked by 1 person

  12. […] For Pepper’s One Step at a Time #24 & For Terri’s The Flower Hour #45 […]

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Hi Terri, sunflowers are one of my favourite flowers and the quotes you’ve shared are all spot on! Great photos too…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Debbie! This year all of mine grew from seeds and gifts from birds. 😉 I didn’t plant any of my exotic seeds. We were traveling for 6 weeks during the time I would have planted them.

      Like

  14. I love your sunflower shots. In keeping with the theme, I’m submitting a yellow flower, too.

    https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/a-thread-of-gold-in-a-field-of-fire/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Egidio! It would just be wrong to NOT post a few sunflowers over the next few weeks, right?

      Like

  15. […] This week I’m combining two challenges into one for Sunday Stills, Insects and The Flower Hour. […]

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Your sunflower is beautiful, but the birds love those seeds when the flowers fade. Here’s mine this week: https://grahamsisland.com/2026/08/26/ixora-flowers/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Graham! I end up harvesting so many seeds by the end of September or even later.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well, that’s a good thing.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. […] Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour. See more responses here. […]

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  18. Have a brighter day, Terri. I love that advice.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Hazel, simple but true!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. So true. My pleasure, Terri

        Liked by 1 person

  19. I love the cheerful optimism of sunflowers! And a goldfinch is just a bonus. 🙂

    No sunflowers in my selections this week, but a very similar color theme: https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/2026/08/the-flower-hour-late-summer-blooms.html

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Kym! I repurposed and old post to make the timely ew Flower Hour post. Cheered me up too!

      Like

  20. I love sunflowers – yours are bold and beautiful Terri and I love the quote. We need to be more like sunflowers. Goldfinches are made for sunflowers to blend in with them!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Linda! I don’t have as many as I did last year. The birds plany them for me anyway. I love when the goldfinches consort for seeds!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes, the birds are helpful for scattering seeds … the wind too! Yes, they are picture perfect then!

        Liked by 1 person

  21. […] am participating in the Flower Hour this week once more. I took this picture in the rose garden at Cal Poly Pomona when I went there […]

    Liked by 1 person

  22. Sunflowers. Everyone loves sunflowers Terri

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes indeed, thank you, Brian!

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Your sunflower images really brightened my day. Thank you for hosting Flower Hour.

    Here is my entry:

    Hey, EveryBuddy #56! Happy Tuesday and The Flower Hour! – booomcha.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Kym, we’re so lucky that we have quite a few volunteers sunnies in the yard this year!

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Something to treasure for a rainy day, Terri- it’s so full of sunbeams xx

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Definitely, thank you, Jo! Now about that rain…

      Like

      1. I’m heading right into it- 7 days worth in the UK xx

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That’s great to hear, Jo. I’ve read Europe is/was suffering through drought!

        Like

      3. It was waiting for us to return xx

        Liked by 1 person

  25. Beautiful pictures

    Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re most welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  26. What a lovely message dear friend. Thank you for always posting such loveliness!
    Prayers for those in harms way with all these fires. 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, dear Nancy! I always appreciate your positive comments! We have a few more hot days with dry wind, so keeping our collective fingers crossed for a few more days.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Bright and happy flowers, what’s not to love?

    Here is mine:

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Brilliant images, Terri. The macro of the sunflower is picture perfect…gold! I appreciate the quotes… great wisdom and inspiration for the day. Sometimes, a reminder is very important.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Suzette! Do old posts of yours pop up in your memories? This had been an old Wordless Wednesday post from many years ago and I thought it make a lovely Flower Hour post as a refresh. Sunflower have a lot to tell us! 😁🌻

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You are welcome, Terri. I turned off this feature in WordPress. But yes, I do have it. I agree that it is good to look back on accomplishments… a reminder of the journey.

        Liked by 1 person

  29. […] Terri’s The #Flower Hour – #45 – 25 August […]

    Liked by 1 person

  30. One of my favorite flowers. I love the one with the goldfinch.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Dawn! The goldfinches were crazy that year! When does your festival of leaves begin this year!

      Like

      1. Not sure. I was thinking about that last night. Won’t be long, though. I’ll let you know.

        Liked by 1 person

  31. Good on you! I hope the advice was sound!

    Liked by 2 people

  32. Nice angle and details

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you for noticing 🙂

      Like

  33. Hi Terri, that sunflower quote is spot on! Great advice for us all 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  34. Thank you so much for sharing your blog post for the first link up of Denyse’s Words and Pics. I hope too, that you will be back next Wednesday. Warm wishes and appreciation from Denyse.

    Liked by 2 people

  35. Beautiful, Terri, and sunflowers seem to always make us smile!🌻 🌞

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Eugi, they really do!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My pleasure, Terri.

        Liked by 1 person

  36. That’s some really good advice from the sunflower! Thanks for sharing and stay safe from the fires.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Susanne! Wildfires are inevitable in the west US. We live one block away from a firestation.

      Like

  37. Wonderful advice!

    Liked by 2 people

  38. That is great advice, Terri xxx

    Liked by 2 people

  39. Of course you found sunflower quotes!! Great photos. Bernie

    Liked by 3 people

  40. Nice photos and quote Terri. I’d heard some about Washington wildfires, but it looks like you have some close by. Not too close I hope.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Close enough for a lot of smoke, Graham. We’re about 20 miles away from each fire.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I hope they’re taken care of before they get much closer!

        Liked by 1 person

  41. Beautiful sunflowers, expert advice and I see the goldfinch you were stalking took an attitude and turned his back on you – that’s okay Terri as you still got a close-up of that vibrant plumage which perfectly matches those surrounding sunflowers.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Linda! Mr Goldfinch is quite the ham for sure and very brave.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. I LOVE the upbeat sunflowers. So much tragedy with the wildfires. Praying for all affected by them.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thank you, Donna! Spokane area has made national headlines, I’ve had lot of friends and fellow bloggers checking on us. It’s hard to wrap my brain around all these fires, including Lahaina. 😪

      Like

  43. Very lovely Terri. Only one thing to add to the quote.
    Try not to let anything stand on your head 😂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Brian! Now why didn’t I think of that? Good one!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m your ideas man Terri 😁

        Liked by 1 person

  44. I adore Sunflowers, Terri. It was birthday yesterday so your post brought sunshine to my special day. Thank you x

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Oh happy birthday, Sue! Sunflowers are the best!

      Like

  45. Good advice! And I do love the goldfinch resting among the sunflowers! I rarely see them in my area.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Right? The goldfinches are quite comical and the other birds are hilarious–we also have a huge generational family of quail that run around here.

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Such awesome pictures. Your pictures have motivated me to buy a gorgeous sunflower plant for my patio. We bought a gorgeous boulder to go at the front of the patio as well. It is like one of the Granite Dells rocks. We get it Sept. 5th.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks, Marsha! I still have 100s of sunflower pics from over the years. I can’t wait to see yours and your patio boulder!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I will take one today.

        Liked by 1 person

  47. Beautiful, Terri! Cher xoxoxo

    Liked by 3 people

  48. Lovely words and pictures, Terri. Glad you’ve had some rain there.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, Stevie. Our unhealthy air took a toll on my throat!

      Liked by 1 person

  49. Beautiful message! Sweet and lovely photos. I am hoping the rain is falling for you to put out the fires!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Nancy! We had 10 hours worth of steady rain and one fire is mostly contained.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s very good news!

        Liked by 1 person

  50. I’ve been seeing your smoke is way bad from the fires. Hope you are staying inside most of the time to give your lung a break. Your sunflowers are giving wonderful advice 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Cee! Today is a clean air day and I’m off soon to walk my poor dog 🐕

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I so hope you two had a wonderful walk 😀 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      2. We just got back, one hour, whew!

        Liked by 1 person

  51. We will keep them coming ☺️☺️☺️☺️

    Liked by 2 people

  52. I am so glad the rain is helping even if not everywhere. It must be terrifying! As I say we’re praying for everyone 💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Your prayers help believe me ❤️🙏

      Liked by 1 person

  53. A lovely advice🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks, not hard to live by 🌻

      Liked by 1 person

  54. […] Terri Webster Schrandt’s WORDLESS WEDNESDAY. […]

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  55. I was thinking of you yesterday, Terri, when a sunflower bloomed in my garden, in the middle of my chard! I think a squirrel or bird planted it, and I didn’t have the heart to pull it out with the weeds. I was so happy to see its yellow face yesterday. I love the advice. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aww, thank you for thinking of me, Diana! I’ve been dubbed a sunflower from Colleen. I could do worse. Isn’t it fun to fund a volunteer flower?

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Isn’t it, Jacqui? Not sure where I found this quote but it seems to work 🙂

      Like

  56. I love this so much, Terri! Beautiful message! 🌻💛🌻

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Colleen! I’ve been wanting to use this quote for a while and this seemed like a good time 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. It was perfect! I love it.

        Liked by 1 person

  57. Beautiful …words and pictures praying for everyone in the line of the fires 💜💜💜💜

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Willow! Good news, the rain we got dampened one of the fires and people can return to their homes. The other one is still being fought but the wet foliage will help the firefight efforts.

      Like

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About Me
woman and dog on trail

I’m a former university adjunct Professor and retired recreation & parks practitioner living in North-Eastern Washington State near the Idaho border. Second Wind Leisure Perspectives is my blog about living a leisure lifestyle, including photography, friends, fitness, and fun.

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