A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 

To Bless the Space Between

As this year draws to its end,

We give thanks for the gifts it brought

And how they became inlaid within

Where neither time nor tide can touch them.

The days when the veil lifted

And the soul could see delight;

When a quiver caressed the heart

In the sheer exuberance of being here.

 Surprises that came awake

In forgotten corners of old fields

Where expectation seemed to have quenched.

The slow, brooding times

When all was awkward

And the wave in the mind

Pierced every sore with salt.

The darkened days that stopped

The confidence of the dawn.

Days when beloved faces shone brighter

With light from beyond themselves;

And from the granite of some secret sorrow

A stream of buried tears loosened.

We bless this year for all we learned,

For all we loved and lost

And for the quiet way it brought us

Nearer to our invisible destination.

~John O'Donohue

 

I chose red flowers today because red is the color used in celebrating Chinese New Year's. The red keeps evil away and is used for protection.

Thank you, Grass People Tree for sharing this poem.

Happy Chinese New Year's to each of you and may your new year be blessed.

Friendship and Tea

During the past couple years I have missed tea parties and friends sipping tea together. I realized too how much work putting a tea party together was for me these days; so I decided I would invite one person at a time to come and have a simple teatime.

There are almost always frozen scones in the freezer; so that would be easy. There is always tea and water in my kitchen readily available.

I would just invite them for a cup of tea and a scone. Then depending on my energy level and the time of day I might add some fruit and a sandwich. My motto has become, keep it simple.

In keeping it simple I can relax and just sit for a good visit and sip tea, one person at a time.

When the weather allows we can sit outdoors or in the garden house, but in winter we have moved in by the fire or sitting at the dining table.

Candles were lit for the simple teatime last week and I see in the bottom picture there was a lit candle at Christmas time too.

A quilt was tossed over the coffee table by the fire at Christmas time. Each teatime is different and each one I treasure. I love it because of time spent with someone special.
 

Do you miss spending time with a friend or family member during this time of upheaval?

I certainly have. This is my remedy for having shared time. Before they come I let them know what I am serving and make sure they are feeling well. It has worked well for me and satisfied my longing for friendship and teatime.

Look for ways that work for you that satisfy your longing for friendship and a cup of tea.

 

Happy weekend, dear friends! 

If you were nearby I would invite you to come for a cup of tea, one person at a time.

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 

 

Today is more than one flower. As I walk into my market I cannot resist stopping for a few moments to admire the flowers. Sometimes a bunch of flowers get tucked in my market basket and home they come. Do you love "supermarket flowers"? They make my heart happy.

The words today come from a song by Ed Sheeran. I first heard of this song at a memorial service and it has remained in my heart. I think it is the perfect song for such an occasion.

 

 Supermarket Flowers

I took the supermarket flowers from the windowsill
I threw the day old tea from the cup
Packed up the photo album Matthew had made
Memories of a life that's been loved
Took the get well soon cards and stuffed animals
Poured the old ginger beer down the sink
Dad always told me, "Don't you cry when you're down"
But mum, there's a tear every time that I blink

Oh I'm in pieces, it's tearing me up, but I know
A heart that's broke is a heart that's been loved

So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home

Fluffed the pillows, made the beds, stacked the chairs up
Folded your nightgowns neatly in a case
John says he'd drive then put his hand on my cheek
And wiped a tear from the side of my face

I hope that I see the world as you did 'cause I know
A life with love is a life that's been lived

So I'll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you'd be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we'll say Hallelujah
You're home

Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
You got to see the person I have become
Spread your wings and I know
That when God took you back he said Hallelujah
You're home

 

Sad on one hand, but it makes me happy too. 

Whoever he wrote this song for, she had a sweet life with super market flowers, tea in her cup, and memories.

Have a great week, dear friends!

Recovery Days

 

 Recently I read online about taking a "recovery day" or year. It was suggested that 2022 be a year of recovery. YES! I think that is why the word "BE" must have chosen me. I need to learn to just be. Be in place, Be gentle on myself., Be aware that others are hurting too.

 

So for a few days this week my "live-in gardener" and I visited his sister. It was also the first time in many years that we have celebrated her birthday with her. The first two pictures are views from her windows. Isn't it beautiful? It is a place we can just "BE", breathe, sleep, read a book, and visit.

I read Mitch Albom's new book, The Stranger in the Lifeboat. It is an easy book to read in a day or two, or even in one sitting. I would definitely recommend it if you want to also stimulate your mind to think on the existence of the Lord.

There are gorgeous vistas to visit, walk, and savor too. What you are seeing in the rest of the pictures is the center of Port Ludlow, Washington. The port empties into the Puget Sound region. There are definitely places to see and things to do.

 My "live-in gardener" and I are happy where we live in Portland, Oregon; but there are times when it is lovely to just venture out and see new surroundings especially when they are as beautiful as this and a place to just "BE".

Happy Weekend, dear friends! 

Take time to just "BE".

 

 

Comfort of Home, a Chair

 

 

Recently my friend, Mary, wrote about her comfort of home in her favorite chair. She encouraged her readers to share their chair. Here is my chair. It sits in my office/studio. Most often Joey sits there waiting for me to feed him or taking a nap, but late at night when I can't sleep you can find me here reading.

I found this chair at an estate sale about 40 years ago. It needed to be reupholstered, as the horsehair brown upholstery was quite worn. I paid $35. for it. It was so comfortable to sit in, but the bottom of the seat was also falling to the ground. For many years it sat in our garage waiting, but neglected. My daughter took it to her little home full of cats and they totally destroyed it. Sadly I put it out to sell at a garage sale, but of course no one wanted it. Back in the garage it went. Then about 7 years ago I said either we take it to the dump or have it upholstered and rebuilt. I found someone that could give it the love it needed. He said it was over 100 years old. Now it sits in a place of honor where I can enjoy the comfort of this old chair and love it as it deserves to be loved.

This is my chair of comfort, a "comfort of home". Joey and I both love it.

I loved it all along, that is why I couldn't release it.

Do you have a chair you love, a chair that is your "comfort of home"?

You can find Mary at https://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/

Happy weekend, dear friends! 

I will be away from my computer next Monday, but I will return soon. Take care!

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 Often early in the morning I walk in my garden. I am searching for what is beautiful or what is new. This week on a frosty morning I found a snowdrop blooming. I was so excited because I just planted a couple bulbs about two years ago and this was my first sighting. Do you get excited when you discover something new growing, especially when you least expect it? This snow drop reminds me of a ballerina twirling and dancing in my garden. I am in love.

 

frosty winter morn

anticipates spring to come

my snowdrop appears 

~m.miller 

A haiku written just for you!

 

Happy Monday, dear friends!

Have a great week.

I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me

 When I was a young girl growing up in California there were many evenings as the sun went down that I laid back on the grass and watched the sky. I loved seeing the moon and the stars. I still watch many nights and will step out on my front porch just to watch for awhile.

 

 There is an occasional evening I will say to my "live-in gardener", "let's drive to the river to watch the moon come up".  Looking the opposite direction along the river I see the sunset.

I often watch for stars too, but in the city it is hard to see them.

“I See the Moon” song

by Meredith Wilson

Chorus
Over the mountain, over the sea,
Back where my heart is longing to be,
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

I see the moon; the moon sees me
Down through the leaves of the old oak tree.
Please let the light that shines on me
Shine on the one I love.

I hear the lark; the lark hears me,
Singing a song with a melody.
Please let the lark that sings for me
Sing for the one I love.

I kiss a rose; the rose kisses me,
Fragrant as only a rose can be.
Please let the Rose that comforts me
Comfort the one I love.

When I spot a full moon from my kitchen window I smile and run for my camera. The view isn't always clear, but I can't stop watching. On Susan Branch's blog each year I print her bookmark that gives the full moon dates for the coming year. There is one for me and one for my D. I thought you might like to print one too. Here is the link:https://susanbranch.com/  Look for the November 30, 2021 post and find the link for the full moon bookmark about 2/3rd the way through the post. Enjoy! And join me in watching the moon.

This picture makes me think a large mouth is wanting to gobble up the moon. I wonder how it would taste, maybe like a moon pie? Savor each sighting! And if you find yourself on a warm summer night and a full moon in sight lay on a soft bed of grass and dream awhile.

Happy Weekend, dear friends!

The next full moon is January 17th.

A Gift for You - A Flower and a Poem

 As you know each Monday for a year I have a theme. The last two years have been to share a word. It is time for something different and a challenge for myself. This year I will share two things each week, a flower and a poem or a word of inspiration just for you. Often I will challenge myself to write a haiku, but sometimes it will be a poem from someone else. I will try to make it a positive one, but I might slip from time to time into something that is a bit uncomfortable. I hope you follow along with me and enjoy 2022 with a flower and a poem.

Witch hazel blooming in my garden right now.

This is a favorite of mine, so I just smile when I see it start blooming in winter.

It reminds me of fireworks, a celebration.

 

 Auld Lang Syne

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet
For days of auld lang syne

 

Today really is a poem in song, but so appropriate for the beginning of a new year. I have sung these lyrics many times, but for some reason today the words "a cup of kindness" really just jumped up and grabbed me. Let's remember to celebrate the beginning of each day with "a cup of kindness".

Happy New Year, dear friends!