Words of Kindness and Joy

 

 

When I visited the Lan Su Chinese Gardens last week there was a stop along the way where you could read and write messages to the world on little origami art pieces. As I was reading some of the messages others had shared this one on kindness jumped out and grabbed me. I am finding all around me signs that others are focusing on the need for kindness.

 

Sometimes our world does feel so "bleak". There is so much sadness, selfishness and anger all around us if we focus on the news.

 

Focusing on kindness has helped me notice those little sparks of the good side of humanity, the kind that cares about people and things around them. I see the gardener tenderly caring for their plants, the mother that sacrifices for herself to give to her child, the man that walks into the humane society and carries out a tiny kitten that needs rescued. All around us we can see kindness when we only stop to pay attention.

 

Happy Kindness day, each and every day!

Yes, we can express ourselves with kindness in our words.

Sending love,

Marilyn
 

Sharing the Garden with a Friend

 

 This month the Lan Su Chinese Garden is celebrating AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander) Heritage Month. As you follow along in this post you will see the color yellow which they are using for this celebration. 

A friend had never been to the gardens; so yesterday she visited with me and we shared tea together as we celebrated a beautiful spring day.

There were clothes representing each of the ethnic groups on display.

Spring was definitely in the garden.

It was lovely to sit over a good cup of oolong tea and a mooncake. My sort of perfect day.

The teahouse really beckoned to sit awhile.

A walk over the bridge. We did spot a few koi, but the water was rather murky. I thought of the song "Bridge over Troubled Waters" as I peered down. Normally we have a better view of the fish.

Some glimpses of yellow in the lanterns and flowers.

Well there were other colors too, but I was noticing the yellow for the celebration.

There was an art show of Japanese Mending. I was fascinated. It is visible mending in beautiful stitches and patterns. I am really tempted to try it on some vintage quilt squares I have tucked away.

"Sashiko is the Japanese art of repairing fabric with geometrical patterns to give it strength and beauty. It is similar to the kintsugi technique of repairing objects with gold."

Because yellow is my favorite color, it just made me smile to see the yellow lanterns.

It was a special day to spend with a friend in the garden.

I hope you too find opportunities to enjoy springtime and share with a friend.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Words of Kindness and Joy

 "Kindness is Magic, Sprinkle it everywhere!" unknown 

 

In between the sprinkles of rain this week I went into the garden. I took a very special teacup from a friend that has passed and a very old wildflower book that inspires me to paint pictures.
 

The garden has been kind in the rain it has shared, it thrives.

It gives me gorgeous flowers to bring indoors and beauty in my garden.

Spring is like magic.

It gifts us with hope and joy.

 I laugh at the discoveries I find hidden there.

Do you like to walk in a garden and discover beauty beneath your feet?

Does it sprinkle your heart with laughter and joy? It is a form of magic!

Sending love,

Marilyn

 

 

It's Apple Blossom Time

 

Growing up with a family of apple growers there are two seasons that just make my heart sing. One is springtime when the blossoms are in full bloom and the other is fall/autumn when the fruit is heavy on the branches. One of my dear friends knows me well enough to know this and loves going to this public apple orchard for each season. She is moving away later this year and I will miss going here with her; so this was our farewell to the apple orchard picnic. I will still come, but either alone or find someone to go with me. It is a dear place to my heart. The address is Portland, but really it is in the country on Sauvie Island. It is maintained by the county, but not very many people seem to visit it. That suits me just fine. It is a special place of my heart.

The blossoms seemed to be in full abundance this year and I loved it.

Usually there are picnic tables under the trees, but no tables this year; so we pulled out the picnic blanket and enjoyed a rare day in the sun and blossoms.

The little ground daisies were also in bloom, thus you see my friend photographing them.

What a perfect way to celebrate friendship and the return of the sun.

If anyone is reading this post and you come to Portland, let me know and I will take you on a picnic to my secret get-away. Come in the springtime or fall/autumn. We can sit, share some stories, and just feel the sunshine on our faces.

 

Do you have a secret get-away place you like to share with a friend? I hope so!

Sending love,

Marilyn