Focus on the Starss

 Someone on social media recently said we must accept discomfort without losing hope.

Sometimes I find as I have gotten older it gets harder to just get out of my comfy chair and be in the world. Moving and walking, especially on unknown paths, can put up roadblocks to life. And yet, we must keep moving, keep trusting the unknowns around us, and hold on to hope. 

Where will the path take us? Who will we encounter? What magic can we find?

Saturday I told my "live-in gardener" about an open garden we hadn't visited in many years.It is managed by the Master Gardener's in the county. My "live-in gardener" wasn't sure he wanted to go because the weather was going to be hot. But we went and he was glad he had gone.

It was a beautiful time of connections with people and plants.

We even had opportunity to share information. This garden plot right now is probably the least pretty, but someday those little plants will grow into a lovely little tea garden. As I stood there I was able to share my knowledge with the gardener and another passer-by. For you see, in my home garden I had 8 tea plants and could produce my own tea.

And yesterday I met with a group of tea lovers and shared the tea I had made last year from my garden.

 

So hold on to hope and keep putting yourself out there, even when the trail is unknown and a bit rocky.

 Sending love and hope in a dark and rocky world.

Marilyn 

Focus on the Stars

 A collector of dreams: what does that mean to me - spending memorable moments with someone dear to me, seeking out beauty.

In seeking out beauty I came across this hidden courtyard on my July adventure. Isn't it pretty? I was searching for that shop, which was closed; but instead just enjoyed the courtyard. I stood for some moments of quiet and took in my surroundings and the sound of trickling water in the fountain.

 And then the flowers in my own little yard make me smile each day.

 

A few days ago I shared summer flowers. I have thought of how important "adventure" is to me. When I don't have an adventure planned, even if it is to somewhere fun, I am sad. The adventure might actually be hopping in the car to visit a favorite market and find a treat or it might be a cup of tea with a friend. But adventures are little glimmers of light for me. 

 

Spending moments with someone dear or seeking out a beautiful flower, I delight in each moment. They create a memory, the dreams, that decorate my day and my heart sings with joy. 

Sending love,

Marilyn 

Summer Flowers

 "The earth laughs in flowers" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

It was a simple day. A day to walk among the flowers. There were not many people around. It was peaceful and quiet. And yet, it was wildly filled with summer flowers.

There were fields of sunflowers, plus cosmos and zinnias. Then there were other flowers, too many to name. 

"Every flower must grow through dirt" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Resilience and growth!!! 

They brought out laughter and smiles.

"Love is the flower you've got to let grow," by John Lennon

Simple pleasures, flowers. 

Places to sit and savor the moments. 

"Let us live like flowers, wild and beautiful and drenched in sun,"  by Ellen Everett.

 

And a bouquet came home.

  

Do you enjoy summer flowers?

Do they delight your heart?

 

Sending love,

Marilyn 

Focus on the Stars

"...here it is, hope, in the midst of darkened skies. A candle in the midst of the darkness. A bright morning star, shining the way forward. The call for today—this week—and in the weeks to come, is to remember in whom we are to place our trust. It is a call for us to lift up our heads, to search the skies, and behold the glimmer of a promise—the very hope of the world—given to us to light our way in the darkness and despair of this present time."

 If you would like to read more, the quote came from this link:

 https://stpauls-dedham.org/content/darkness-when-you-can-see-stars-shine  First Sunday of Advent from St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Returning to my word for the year of HOPE. I knew I had to hold on to it this year. I knew it would be a rough year with my move and politically too. I had no idea how dark our world would become though. Some days only watching for those glimmers of light and hope can I survive the darkness. I image holding hands with each person in despair and walking with them through the mud. I just have to believe we will come out on the other side, breathe in the fresh air, laugh, and sing a new song.

What are you noticing that brings a smile to your heart?

This morning I just had to peek out on my patio and enjoy seeing the birds at the feeder and flowers blooming. There was even a ripe tomato ready to pick for my salad tonight. 

Sending Love and Hope your way,

Marilyn 

 

The Second Half

The road back home was more about people and produce/food.

The first stop heading north was at a dear friends home for lunch. She always surprises me by the creative foods she shares. It was so good to sit awhile and just chat. Then for lunch she started with nibbles smoked under a dome. Then there was melon infused with lemoncello and a delicious chicken salad with tea.

 

 

That evening we continued our journey north and had dinner with dear, very long time friends.

The next morning we headed for Solvang, California, a Scandanavian community.  

I had seen some of the sights on previous stops, but this time we were searching for a troll by Thomas Dambo. Nope, that wasn't him, but we knew he was in the area.

 

We found him at the art museum, taking up the space of the full room.

After our stop to visit the troll and have lunch, we continued venturing north.

All along the highway we saw these bells and I was reminded of my California history from school. The bells were spaced along the Camino Real as the priests would travel from mission to mission they would ring the bell to let residence know they were in the area. It was fun to see they have been preserved. 

There were many windmills on the back roads and we enjoyed discovering some new roads to travel.

 A lot of amazing trees and brown grass and hills along the way.

Our goal for the next stop was Hollister, California at Apricot King farm. After all it was apricot season and that part of California grows that best apricots I have ever had. You just can't find a good apricot at the local market and I wanted some good ones.

I buy dried apricots from this farm each Christmas, but I wanted some fresh ones.

 

 

The farm reminded me so much of my grandfather and uncles apple farms when I was growing up.  The owner greeted us like long lost family and gave us the full tour of their facility, introducing us to the workers. What a delight. Can you believe that visiting an apricot farm would have been one of the top highlights for me of the trip. I loved it.

We brought home some fresh apricots and I have one pie in the freezer for this winter, but a small batch of jam too. They also grow walnuts, and a few walnuts also came along with us. The owner kept saying they are better than what we can get at Costco. 

Apricots drying in the sun.

OK, it was time to continue heading north and across the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Just across the bridge we stopped by the bay for clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls. No picture of the food, but it was delicious. I did say this second half, headed home, was about produce and food.

Once we got to my hometown, where my sister still lives, there was a stop to place flowers on my grandfather and mother's graves. The cemetery is very old and not cared for as I feel it should, this reminds me I need to write someone and complain.

We met my sister and her husband for tea and French pastries and a visit while in town.

That evening we had dinner with a dear friend and I forgot to take a picture. It was a good, good visit.

With a brief check online I saw that Corey from the blog,  French le Vie, was visiting her mom in California. We would be driving right through the town where her mother lives and I said we must stop for a brief face to face meet and a hug. I have followed Corey's blog for 20 years and I was thrilled to finally meet her. What a treat.

Her mother's garden was enchanting.

I could imagine taking a nap right there in the garden.

 

One more stop at the Olive Pit. OK, don't laugh, but they have the best olives. We stocked up on olives and brought them home. And home is where I am now, resting, a good massage, and resuming day to day life. It was a good trip, but did I say exhausting. It was like a farewell to friends and places of memories one more time.

Now back to living in the Pacific Northwest and all the beauty that surrounds me each and every day. I love my little corner of the world.

Hoping each of you has adventures of memories, then has time to return home exhausted and happy to be home.

Sending love,

Marilyn