tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16152748820685979372024-03-18T13:06:59.172-07:00Delights of the Heart
Seeking Beauty In Everyday LifeMarilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.comBlogger3124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-88900350594688804482024-03-18T09:49:00.000-07:002024-03-18T09:50:44.654-07:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCIoO6re55GfUOLi8lw0iU1PXhuy2rl3MVO-xCYIwJzy6pUKXpHD_vITlRInbTLV1w7tIFj0EnivzHIFO54fwOzYxHuvyizngBLcWTpcpWmZh6VdtM-45iDQIT9gDH12yQN_M2ECCoYIHbQSd8EqG7qsPmviKP7tJhwAy6PYGEQAVS2EFAwRHTnSltTU/s4000/20240316_075418.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCIoO6re55GfUOLi8lw0iU1PXhuy2rl3MVO-xCYIwJzy6pUKXpHD_vITlRInbTLV1w7tIFj0EnivzHIFO54fwOzYxHuvyizngBLcWTpcpWmZh6VdtM-45iDQIT9gDH12yQN_M2ECCoYIHbQSd8EqG7qsPmviKP7tJhwAy6PYGEQAVS2EFAwRHTnSltTU/w434-h579/20240316_075418.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier;"> On Joy </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier;"> In the Company of Women </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier;"> </span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Make me laugh over coffee,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">make it a double, make it frothy</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">so it seethes in our delight.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Make my cup overflow</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">with your small happiness.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">I want to hoot and snort and cackle and chuckle.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Let your laughter fill me like a bell.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Let me listen to your ringing and singing</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">as Billie Holiday croons above our heads.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Sorry, the blues are nowhere to be found.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Not tonight. Not here.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">No makeup. No tears.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Only contours. Only curves.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Each sip takes back a pound,</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">each dry-roasted swirl takes our soul.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Can I have a refill, just one more?</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Let the bitterness sink to the bottom of our lives.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto">Let us take this joy to go.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto"> </span></span><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier;">by January Gill O'Neil</span></span><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto" style="font-family: courier;"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto"> </span></span></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since sometimes we just need to focus on JOY, today I am doing just that. Can you remember the last time you laughed with a friend so hard that you could hardly catch your breath? tears were running down your cheeks? May you be blessed with great laughter and delight each and every day.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-63527680347529523592024-03-14T14:17:00.000-07:002024-03-14T14:17:37.206-07:00Winter Flowers<div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> "The color of springtime is in the flowers, the color of winter is in the Imagination." Terri Guillemets</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQgx0TTj-5GwHKnkJ3SFZzo10ShbVG1C38WpIdc7yRxrhbLrpm1NJN4Wv40jC6IwEDTf37JrqjONrF_rPf64wZSl5vq8G85q425KqE-7bdfHww9wnoT7VuuFN11DTvT9Xb93PYEltDO8mOHwfG4w__XlWzQbvOYW5-QmW5AAuIkL3f7H4gjJUn9SqghA/s4000/20240213_083053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQgx0TTj-5GwHKnkJ3SFZzo10ShbVG1C38WpIdc7yRxrhbLrpm1NJN4Wv40jC6IwEDTf37JrqjONrF_rPf64wZSl5vq8G85q425KqE-7bdfHww9wnoT7VuuFN11DTvT9Xb93PYEltDO8mOHwfG4w__XlWzQbvOYW5-QmW5AAuIkL3f7H4gjJUn9SqghA/w331-h441/20240213_083053.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each day of the year I watch for flowers and color around me in nature. In winter I particular search for color, as it is such a joy when I find it. Out of curiosity I did a search online this week to see what would pop up for winter flower quotes. I loved what I found and the thoughts behind each quote. As I share the quotes I am also sharing the color in my pictures that I have found as we quickly approach the end of winter and the beginning of springtime. The flower above is in my garden. It is called Hellebore or Lenten Rose. It is one of the first flowers I find in my garden during the waning winter days.</span><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxmyOwimFCj_Xi1E56Yloe4NgGbL-N-q92DcJxCE9Q7FoOEKOadignvOS4lWazLPAKPTxXQ8wpEYyrRqIx4Uzi5M-Ct4HFaKxcbfs3DD-B0IQYB2JZjC4a6_zOfoAl4irqhQJ42_WkBUI8eqJ8neJwW4hHaXQ50hFSYjTJ5IYQDP-La0-Rtqm6mofoxU/s4000/20240215_124237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxmyOwimFCj_Xi1E56Yloe4NgGbL-N-q92DcJxCE9Q7FoOEKOadignvOS4lWazLPAKPTxXQ8wpEYyrRqIx4Uzi5M-Ct4HFaKxcbfs3DD-B0IQYB2JZjC4a6_zOfoAl4irqhQJ42_WkBUI8eqJ8neJwW4hHaXQ50hFSYjTJ5IYQDP-La0-Rtqm6mofoxU/w327-h435/20240215_124237.jpg" width="327" /></a></div></div><div></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> "The flowers of spring are winter's dreams related at the breakfast table of the angels." Kahlil Gibran</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Camellias are beginning to bloom in my garden and here at Lan Su Chinese Gardens too.</span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFpnM0eh8OhxnwGAXWKDsTF5122A_PBL_meeKHWY9epBPR3lnDQlQNhw_Afd9K1ssOvHwWb-64I5cmSZys6U5jXji5Dm3Jb37aXZ9J4WYFqVvD-rA0sNKNy-7c1dYWJCYgkUacN8qRlGBD3Fjvw1b2p63s8EROE8qwKJt-pSTvYAhJK8aXk2MX0naxfU/s4000/20240215_124249.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFpnM0eh8OhxnwGAXWKDsTF5122A_PBL_meeKHWY9epBPR3lnDQlQNhw_Afd9K1ssOvHwWb-64I5cmSZys6U5jXji5Dm3Jb37aXZ9J4WYFqVvD-rA0sNKNy-7c1dYWJCYgkUacN8qRlGBD3Fjvw1b2p63s8EROE8qwKJt-pSTvYAhJK8aXk2MX0naxfU/w338-h451/20240215_124249.jpg" width="338" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I was amazed to find plum blossoms above and Daphne below at Lan Su Chinese Gardens too.</span><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6xplZUQVMEw2pvZ1dSVLvBdZg1-6W7_ilsjjx_0LxFwCCxvYDy1KnkGcpQGqBpj7937yryFOgvx5IxqTN1isVBCJLRB_i8ZFGAI1qTtsQhC9pP0LQTxIsmKaLOOZ5wLSsVZnaCcMgWApwbPk2p-Ky-xkght3_BK_ljNAACQgFdRlv33fPsHIWjtryfw/s4000/20240215_124454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr6xplZUQVMEw2pvZ1dSVLvBdZg1-6W7_ilsjjx_0LxFwCCxvYDy1KnkGcpQGqBpj7937yryFOgvx5IxqTN1isVBCJLRB_i8ZFGAI1qTtsQhC9pP0LQTxIsmKaLOOZ5wLSsVZnaCcMgWApwbPk2p-Ky-xkght3_BK_ljNAACQgFdRlv33fPsHIWjtryfw/w338-h451/20240215_124454.jpg" width="338" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you think the gentlemen sitting in this garden are talking about finding winter color? We can only imagine?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRTqC2M4GqaiePQQ4J47GItRKYt2wy6fd05BWhiAtzPaq3ZbUOKFaoBXlkEXLNh4XmU2fnZYW3gpLWsD9xe9b3Lj1KfL9WEU95XdR_3yw6MHpAchI4Y9QTP5_P1zaPq1OcKZzCpS_vp464rYcZhkaqE629jzcgaQ5vHtM1VFfOVZf0AU92rUjjqWYOxY/s4000/20240215_132113.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="579" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRTqC2M4GqaiePQQ4J47GItRKYt2wy6fd05BWhiAtzPaq3ZbUOKFaoBXlkEXLNh4XmU2fnZYW3gpLWsD9xe9b3Lj1KfL9WEU95XdR_3yw6MHpAchI4Y9QTP5_P1zaPq1OcKZzCpS_vp464rYcZhkaqE629jzcgaQ5vHtM1VFfOVZf0AU92rUjjqWYOxY/w434-h579/20240215_132113.jpg" width="434" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"Some flowers can bloom in winter reminding of the tenderness that can conquer the cold harshness." Unknown</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorfhQFvE4OyppcoJJwQ3ETATP-eqJSjyGC_mWr8r1W5vvyZJc6SvtHyl6AiVrLBaraJoGN76HAG3Dlsk4WSkX4d8VMlUa377BvXE2PnGX3xmRJ7D6Qfs5UzjKVCNbphD8ME2p7giXzpbeRZSwccxZBFK1rN0115Xz_4EC4x1GIMHURjY_9K0I7Ibndlg/s4000/20240312_105119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorfhQFvE4OyppcoJJwQ3ETATP-eqJSjyGC_mWr8r1W5vvyZJc6SvtHyl6AiVrLBaraJoGN76HAG3Dlsk4WSkX4d8VMlUa377BvXE2PnGX3xmRJ7D6Qfs5UzjKVCNbphD8ME2p7giXzpbeRZSwccxZBFK1rN0115Xz_4EC4x1GIMHURjY_9K0I7Ibndlg/w410-h547/20240312_105119.jpg" width="410" /></a></div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Daffodils have begun blooming in my garden. </span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"If flowers can teach themselves how to bloom after winter passes..........So can you." Noor Shirazia</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Do you search for winter color?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Do you have flowers beginning to bloom around you?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;">Notice what you notice.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn </span><br /></div>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-89112622966422131162024-03-11T09:49:00.000-07:002024-03-11T09:49:42.955-07:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sit awhile and have a cup of tea. <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9tAfLZ2EJWivHYMxzzAU4qWUllB9PsKNovTmiSP-pmER5bvmp-Cv8cPVeK1eG486jD6BplKP0q9k71wzywIsFPLIMrnC_9iSYibzepIUAOP4TC8zz9XxZwtBbLzX8PAa4tyEMxbDeJCIWWG-7LPhFoPLM-4opyAFrlX1wIsSlfSCE4KTmf8OfrAJE7Q/s600/AppleBlossoms-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG9tAfLZ2EJWivHYMxzzAU4qWUllB9PsKNovTmiSP-pmER5bvmp-Cv8cPVeK1eG486jD6BplKP0q9k71wzywIsFPLIMrnC_9iSYibzepIUAOP4TC8zz9XxZwtBbLzX8PAa4tyEMxbDeJCIWWG-7LPhFoPLM-4opyAFrlX1wIsSlfSCE4KTmf8OfrAJE7Q/w509-h339/AppleBlossoms-4.jpg" width="509" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> What most inspired me to write this year about Kindness was viewing Steve Hartman's series on Kindness 101 on CBS and YouTube. He said that when sharing kindness, "their joy, that's the gift to you". I thoroughly enjoy seeing the joy in someone's face when sharing kindness. It is indeed a gift to me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I encourage you to watch some of the series or all of it on YouTube. It will touch your heart.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1A58bZXaBM&list=PLJzm9BhU_wL9co3T1JYzfld3xtL3_kKnA&ab_channel=CBSMornings">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1A58bZXaBM&list=PLJzm9BhU_wL9co3T1JYzfld3xtL3_kKnA&ab_channel=CBSMornings</a></span><br /></p><p><i> </i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS__e00bjMMPU6KSX3ZXoh0xBUAjcnRqITtbKqfzwe3uE1OAeL42BCQcZPuSfAl20JYkzJLPS1uNYMcpEEtx50AvcEBiV0gCiULdg7W9YfUsfedMQfC-n68PweXYiutD87gIx15enc7ZIBkdZy2ZoqfY15THGUpV13wkJA4srVv1kQIbmiAxQbHVX-OPA/s600/BodegaBay-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS__e00bjMMPU6KSX3ZXoh0xBUAjcnRqITtbKqfzwe3uE1OAeL42BCQcZPuSfAl20JYkzJLPS1uNYMcpEEtx50AvcEBiV0gCiULdg7W9YfUsfedMQfC-n68PweXYiutD87gIx15enc7ZIBkdZy2ZoqfY15THGUpV13wkJA4srVv1kQIbmiAxQbHVX-OPA/w466-h349/BodegaBay-2.jpg" width="466" /></a></i></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Walk somewhere pretty and enjoy the day!</span></p><p><i><br /></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwKurYQHbaBeeLhuz_FflcZ1pSj7rotYPJTIFIZNPpbfHfxUfNzkyqgI63iih-72Sa0Ar9spzI4oe6nZGXMITYrEz_46wx0Db37Xhc4r1BXfcZkCo6MlaBq81v-nAN8-1bg5wDGyh2OQMfalwBJ2hOZgBz-1RviXf8wStpoqAzWD-S48QOL8S8MgHjOs/s600/BishopsClose-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwKurYQHbaBeeLhuz_FflcZ1pSj7rotYPJTIFIZNPpbfHfxUfNzkyqgI63iih-72Sa0Ar9spzI4oe6nZGXMITYrEz_46wx0Db37Xhc4r1BXfcZkCo6MlaBq81v-nAN8-1bg5wDGyh2OQMfalwBJ2hOZgBz-1RviXf8wStpoqAzWD-S48QOL8S8MgHjOs/w446-h297/BishopsClose-9.jpg" width="446" /></a></i></div><i><br /></i><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is a short post today; so you have time to watch Steve Hartman and his kids on YouTube. Enjoy!! </span><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week. Seek out kindness wherever you go.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn</span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-1021366246308879322024-03-09T09:54:00.000-08:002024-03-09T09:55:24.904-08:00Strong Women<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yesterday was International Women's Day. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently I had been thinking about strong women in my life, women I know that are strong. Now I don't necessarily mean that they lift weights and have strong muscles, but they are women that know themselves, speak out, and at the same time respect those around them. I have always been drawn to strong women and have wanted to emulate them, be them, and find my place in among them. I have met them in different parts of my world and observed them from afar. It makes my heart happy to see them move forward gracefully in a career, as a mother, as a political activist, a teacher, a single women, or a wife. I love that they speak up for women and speak out for equality and rights.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is my friend, Diane. She amazes me with her strength. She is raising her two grandsons after her daughter was in a serious car accident. Each day she has her struggles, but rises above them to smile and be the strength needed for her family.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXz1r42sOQuvgMOnfbnrD6xRCOg3b8hJTf4T8iWMHt5eL7eSKgItidxqk1CMxo5gywAMvZhsvHGDaRnH5qZJmPH9xZXARwkBDt8V2J3QirxUeCBOU96DLS7vLoKoyPlsEJDVFbC1608y7S7E87kbvRJe1KQ3dbsZbQnfO8Y2vxhS74fD9xmBygJXTee0/s4000/20230813_142805.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXz1r42sOQuvgMOnfbnrD6xRCOg3b8hJTf4T8iWMHt5eL7eSKgItidxqk1CMxo5gywAMvZhsvHGDaRnH5qZJmPH9xZXARwkBDt8V2J3QirxUeCBOU96DLS7vLoKoyPlsEJDVFbC1608y7S7E87kbvRJe1KQ3dbsZbQnfO8Y2vxhS74fD9xmBygJXTee0/w361-h481/20230813_142805.jpg" width="361" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My daughter amazes me each day too. A strong single mom that works to keep food on the table and a roof over her and my grandson's head, plus goes to school where she will graduate in June with a Master's in Social Work.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciFS2XmFOngCZKnnQTR2dzcV-75Fl0eQyXOmXWvgU4u_ku8dVXX8LwHgJafpJXJlxrwxOZgzrOxaw0hWM7LkPGnVfTIEIKHNPdzCC9WtAZf-63dehbJXCwWhFR77dFOJDfKvcFVV0sq8vCIqSsEn8ZarZHhJkqgtBGTRpaCvELJHwqzN_t5XdQtMjc2M/s2587/20230517_180759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="1994" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciFS2XmFOngCZKnnQTR2dzcV-75Fl0eQyXOmXWvgU4u_ku8dVXX8LwHgJafpJXJlxrwxOZgzrOxaw0hWM7LkPGnVfTIEIKHNPdzCC9WtAZf-63dehbJXCwWhFR77dFOJDfKvcFVV0sq8vCIqSsEn8ZarZHhJkqgtBGTRpaCvELJHwqzN_t5XdQtMjc2M/w354-h459/20230517_180759.jpg" width="354" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This was my mom. She was a woman that her family called "the stupid one" and yet she raised two daughters to become good women, she prayed for us each day, she kept a clean house and she loved most dearly her family and her close friends.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now
I most often didn't think of my mother as a strong woman, but as I have
become an older woman and looked back on my mother's life I realize she
was exactly that. If she didn't believe in something or agree with
something there was no way anyone could change her. She stood for what
she believed. It might have been in silence, but there was no moving
her. Some people might say she was stubborn, but now I believe she was
being strong.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExaYTvNh54BBS34EIZdYLUZexpcAMAMCBzbJa5JWkQyMVk1-ch1LMxfN3LRlenxLkHBimzBxvCUUv73_HbYnCC3pPrOGp6eFfLxYYaDWBcbtLZR3ZyjAo8kHrup_PP8RpDv7zPvqrOmFLRoxxS24Z0hvbiNV-kqx5EW-XhWVSX3zu_N78xPxp5z5ZMYA/s4000/20230514_080246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjExaYTvNh54BBS34EIZdYLUZexpcAMAMCBzbJa5JWkQyMVk1-ch1LMxfN3LRlenxLkHBimzBxvCUUv73_HbYnCC3pPrOGp6eFfLxYYaDWBcbtLZR3ZyjAo8kHrup_PP8RpDv7zPvqrOmFLRoxxS24Z0hvbiNV-kqx5EW-XhWVSX3zu_N78xPxp5z5ZMYA/w313-h417/20230514_080246.jpg" width="313" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is my dear friend, Annette. She also raised a beautiful son as a single mom, has fought for social justice and works for Habitat for Humanity. She is an amazing spokes person.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM4xkm5Xe9xRHCXYH40JiX5fKUxoJH7uTtvQvqY3j_w8Mc6_oSfW5lvAFPzDGG3dVAGOXxwt1ttGmlYWpEk4NB52DTNMzacxpP4oguB31eMl0MqiDa6pB0ZdKSpZSw60w-Bu8rpCF8Z1PzAozstBD_dA0SPLDn3R7N1Nyhhep_UWlRisvqLdE94Iwaxw/s4000/20230129_135921.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFM4xkm5Xe9xRHCXYH40JiX5fKUxoJH7uTtvQvqY3j_w8Mc6_oSfW5lvAFPzDGG3dVAGOXxwt1ttGmlYWpEk4NB52DTNMzacxpP4oguB31eMl0MqiDa6pB0ZdKSpZSw60w-Bu8rpCF8Z1PzAozstBD_dA0SPLDn3R7N1Nyhhep_UWlRisvqLdE94Iwaxw/w353-h471/20230129_135921.jpg" width="353" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Here is me wearing the quote that I will end this post with. I love being a support for strong women and doing my best to be one too. Sometimes we don't see the virtual in ourselves as readily as we see them in others, but I try each day to be the strength I see in others.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL8-0nc2rMisrRYcgCYj8bSYN4CkLnbkE084gPiGtwsoup27UVMWFVGP9UqcEQuIXlkoRqEU0oLap8LHFFswqYZDaF4xGWOPhug56ECZWgcMy8_i_0BgbGSMIu3nynHhfgO-k3WiY2xB6yJeWwMj7wWVwnIS7QulJu_0Lwl7QpgOMFkincJscpudUc-k/s3648/20220912_112926.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGL8-0nc2rMisrRYcgCYj8bSYN4CkLnbkE084gPiGtwsoup27UVMWFVGP9UqcEQuIXlkoRqEU0oLap8LHFFswqYZDaF4xGWOPhug56ECZWgcMy8_i_0BgbGSMIu3nynHhfgO-k3WiY2xB6yJeWwMj7wWVwnIS7QulJu_0Lwl7QpgOMFkincJscpudUc-k/s320/20220912_112926.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I met Stephanie through blogging and have become dear, dear friends. She is one of my tea buddies; so yesterday we celebrated together over tea. We both have March birthdays, so part of the celebration was just celebrating us. Stephanie is a kind and gentle spirit that educates writing, meditation and diversity. I am so proud of the work she does.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHt9hzOIfdIj0TsOJoloWd0YsLAPNtSiRCt3TAsKmkMOVy6C8p6oXHaSVqLlxjjiYgCYd2ZV95NUCbaiaK442ppjBs5wkruQM6UYOKFMLQPa0WThTI06mXXmDKW4a3GhiQOtHuGdKoxQTvnrSxw65-KM45GHFvS5OUuAKN3TOW6xzz9VBEakkDkQba2w/s3648/20240308_104849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsHt9hzOIfdIj0TsOJoloWd0YsLAPNtSiRCt3TAsKmkMOVy6C8p6oXHaSVqLlxjjiYgCYd2ZV95NUCbaiaK442ppjBs5wkruQM6UYOKFMLQPa0WThTI06mXXmDKW4a3GhiQOtHuGdKoxQTvnrSxw65-KM45GHFvS5OUuAKN3TOW6xzz9VBEakkDkQba2w/s320/20240308_104849.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I have met many women online and through the tea world and smile to see them speak up for what they believe. They may speak about world issues that touch their heart or injustice to a child. In my church there are women that stand for the rights of the indigenous, those who have had to leave their country because of political strife and those that genders are different than what they were born with. Each woman is different and in their strength let's their light shine. I love all the variations and colors each woman brings to the table.</span><br /></p><p> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Here's to strong women</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">May we Know them </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">May we Be them</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">May we Raise them</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Anonymous<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy weekend, dear friends!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn</span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-2676852324523277252024-03-04T14:50:00.000-08:002024-03-04T14:51:27.630-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V_zMIRR0kK305ctye4wv9oddh11_DfZDyjs7ypiJZuDWDc_uDJe8ZExEeDGijqhDDt7SxQorWGXmfmJ8GLBDOHsOLbmzSMu0ua-KwGOGPjXGbZ_2z1H4_HWRxkZVDpXES2oehyphenhyphen6BwMFJlHnzUyGA6rOEixRKF56AqlAH230bfCOGV6M1wFAxTAgoWdo/s3000/20240301_075224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3000" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V_zMIRR0kK305ctye4wv9oddh11_DfZDyjs7ypiJZuDWDc_uDJe8ZExEeDGijqhDDt7SxQorWGXmfmJ8GLBDOHsOLbmzSMu0ua-KwGOGPjXGbZ_2z1H4_HWRxkZVDpXES2oehyphenhyphen6BwMFJlHnzUyGA6rOEixRKF56AqlAH230bfCOGV6M1wFAxTAgoWdo/w471-h354/20240301_075224.jpg" width="471" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> Just a couple days ago as I was sipping my morning tea I was thinking "what would the world look like if everyone including world leaders showed kindness to each other?". I was picturing Putin saying only kindnesses to other world leaders and sitting together to enjoy a sip of tea or a glass of wine. There would be no need to migrate to another country because the country you lived in was kind and loving. What would the world look like? And then the song, Imagine by John Lennon, came to mind.</span></div><p></p><div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine there's no heaven</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>It's easy if you try</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>No hell below us</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>Above us, only sky</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine all the people</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>Livin' for today</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>Ah</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine there's no countries</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>It isn't hard to do</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>Nothing to kill or die for</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>And no religion, too</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine all the people</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>Livin' life in peace</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>You</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>You may say I'm a dreamer</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>But I'm not the only one</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>I hope someday you'll join us</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>And the world will be as one</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine no possessions</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>I wonder if you can</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>No need for greed or hunger</span></span><br aria-hidden="true" /></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>A brotherhood of man</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>Imagine all the people</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>Sharing all the world</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>You</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span>You may say I'm a dreamer</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>But I'm not the only one</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>I hope someday you'll join us</span><br aria-hidden="true" /><span>And the world will live as one</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmm1wTHzR1RhM2s8aLn8vfSNCVvYbgG9wzk-M-VCvXZ1LN5k8nZga2Dne2njayMOi-EydGcLsItR1OxEU-xQGeeSbWb9uizBVG7HFFsVbhNhZ1DyKeVWhCESr8UTjHg8sVNWcBuxUpNbDBALGwmdcq6lHx9HoE7Ku5KLDKHerWQ0jrvrwfe6ajQf4VOg/s4000/20230321_080023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmm1wTHzR1RhM2s8aLn8vfSNCVvYbgG9wzk-M-VCvXZ1LN5k8nZga2Dne2njayMOi-EydGcLsItR1OxEU-xQGeeSbWb9uizBVG7HFFsVbhNhZ1DyKeVWhCESr8UTjHg8sVNWcBuxUpNbDBALGwmdcq6lHx9HoE7Ku5KLDKHerWQ0jrvrwfe6ajQf4VOg/w374-h499/20230321_080023.jpg" width="374" /></a></div></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span> </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>What was truly amazing is when I attended church yesterday morning this same song was sung by the congregation. It feels like many people around me are on the same wave length of imagining a better world. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Just imagining brings tears to my eyes. There is so much anger and hurt in the world, some days it is overwhelming. Let's show kindness wherever we can to make the world a little better place. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span>I am sharing daffodils today with this post because </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="NA6bn UiGGAb ILfuVd" lang="en" style="font-family: georgia;"><span class="hgKElc">"The daffodil symbolises <b>rebirth and new beginnings</b>.
It's one of the first flowers to bloom at the end of winter, announcing
the beginning of spring and signifying the end of the cold, dark days.
Less commonly, daffodils may also symbols of creativity, energy,
resilience, forgiveness and vitality". In imagining a better world I believe we can shine like the face of a daffodil, show kindness and joy to those around us.<br /></span></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Sending love,</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Marilyn<br /></span></span></div></div><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-21125596666165892872024-03-01T11:38:00.000-08:002024-03-01T11:38:04.466-08:00Celebrating<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lSAPBPw3tsLnjtQTthqda2OilUNdgVCiaI4gdy9VScA3eywA9UWRUwucm2QntZWkVcLyT4ULIuFptnZPVMPRjjpiV2vcHZb5CYPqMCNNfaOq4N4LXWpX_FGcdxCTwvE1h1M9i8jBTn-b5zjUBhFk9wIAS1avBCLzXA6fQZxrgKcX9_UGKOesYRt3Esk/s4000/20240228_082823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lSAPBPw3tsLnjtQTthqda2OilUNdgVCiaI4gdy9VScA3eywA9UWRUwucm2QntZWkVcLyT4ULIuFptnZPVMPRjjpiV2vcHZb5CYPqMCNNfaOq4N4LXWpX_FGcdxCTwvE1h1M9i8jBTn-b5zjUBhFk9wIAS1avBCLzXA6fQZxrgKcX9_UGKOesYRt3Esk/w341-h454/20240228_082823.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As my "live-in gardener" and I have gotten older we realize we don't need gifts of things; so sometimes we give gifts of experiences. For his birthday this year I gave him a gift of a couple nights at the coast. I found a place that had a fireplace and view of the sea; so if it was too wintery we could sit inside by the fire, enjoy the view, sip tea and read. This week that is exactly what we did.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyByIbJdyB6izrGUAXsGxxxp5uducCzJvCg1VxuMdUniWgRMsmKIwa32HLXUaOl8pXVy5k3-B9zFZ439_LBGDpshlo9qvKy22tYKcCs9F-F924zHqxFJ-Nfkn8pRZ-b-L69M4Xxgy-vQz37diPonlCTefzvxCdfqoocD8wcoC_wVLvIeWExBEGZDN0oc/s4000/20240228_082500.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyByIbJdyB6izrGUAXsGxxxp5uducCzJvCg1VxuMdUniWgRMsmKIwa32HLXUaOl8pXVy5k3-B9zFZ439_LBGDpshlo9qvKy22tYKcCs9F-F924zHqxFJ-Nfkn8pRZ-b-L69M4Xxgy-vQz37diPonlCTefzvxCdfqoocD8wcoC_wVLvIeWExBEGZDN0oc/w408-h544/20240228_082500.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The view from our window.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-SlTouQMAWBiILGlvGbrkxvzbn2PtYmfnTvIMZIFHhJCueSUS3HYQlEmQDfqTkHQFDgnMjJ5h7BOMIK6JCwCFgU4No5F5S-45BGxLf-1k9Kn4RFjqoeBBncbr9VYFQBkhTV2YVYlXceBkp6g1dw9MxS0XUuSUfh6vjhLMJCRmmRfa267b9MFJ7xRGZE/s4000/20240228_111836.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-SlTouQMAWBiILGlvGbrkxvzbn2PtYmfnTvIMZIFHhJCueSUS3HYQlEmQDfqTkHQFDgnMjJ5h7BOMIK6JCwCFgU4No5F5S-45BGxLf-1k9Kn4RFjqoeBBncbr9VYFQBkhTV2YVYlXceBkp6g1dw9MxS0XUuSUfh6vjhLMJCRmmRfa267b9MFJ7xRGZE/w397-h529/20240228_111836.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On Wednesday we took a drive in the rain just to see the sea from different locations along the ocean highway.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7iIyLF3TXTh-iuIyb3Gwtf55E0fZk4vjf3e7LZBqOzdHpVTbuWdYSzdzvpUOA3CBrVDH-8ozzGkH6MT45K8ha-t_KVAGRtYGGZ8aULliRBGPPSA-oqF8NHSBCPk8S7oxMn9dgnOHFeDQevaMR4tbqLG-bKeC_f5-ik9rVB5UpTVpqQXXZOlcDzXi8cI/s4000/20240228_113017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7iIyLF3TXTh-iuIyb3Gwtf55E0fZk4vjf3e7LZBqOzdHpVTbuWdYSzdzvpUOA3CBrVDH-8ozzGkH6MT45K8ha-t_KVAGRtYGGZ8aULliRBGPPSA-oqF8NHSBCPk8S7oxMn9dgnOHFeDQevaMR4tbqLG-bKeC_f5-ik9rVB5UpTVpqQXXZOlcDzXi8cI/w348-h464/20240228_113017.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r8cuuFRWoXFIvIJ6LRfpZtPlvVdz8-jPv_bO1FF-3xyTE86MgRcQy_j3VNX2pr6KpUPyUyUE1rYlEkkZyvI9w6vfLbZKlJyJqBms9SVKmV2gVUKm4wwpaiXClrHrdL-OR-f7_jty3m5CMaCm_m7cTTSBns3TvAuJcuFqBCGJ5LCiXPQI4Xh938-56-0/s4000/20240228_113153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="467" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3r8cuuFRWoXFIvIJ6LRfpZtPlvVdz8-jPv_bO1FF-3xyTE86MgRcQy_j3VNX2pr6KpUPyUyUE1rYlEkkZyvI9w6vfLbZKlJyJqBms9SVKmV2gVUKm4wwpaiXClrHrdL-OR-f7_jty3m5CMaCm_m7cTTSBns3TvAuJcuFqBCGJ5LCiXPQI4Xh938-56-0/w350-h467/20240228_113153.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Two lighthouses were on our radar; so we drove south from our motel. The first was at the south end of Newport, Oregon and the second was spotted on the way back north at the top end of Newport, Oregon.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ngDlxvYnyEgCwkY1sVrWXEjLnrXVw9a9JzOpDZtSq2zwguuuGum4tJV2NYfWksIFbZ1o0NdUrmCjQ9G3EDflg7RT-GzdesE1NZNvtstAxl-JrqX-6Y88VtU9yx8sF2ZBt9pFen46qqds1UanZ3YxvZ4tk4q2bounb56ymmG7iuMBusAo3bvLWs2WJh4/s4000/20240228_120804.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ngDlxvYnyEgCwkY1sVrWXEjLnrXVw9a9JzOpDZtSq2zwguuuGum4tJV2NYfWksIFbZ1o0NdUrmCjQ9G3EDflg7RT-GzdesE1NZNvtstAxl-JrqX-6Y88VtU9yx8sF2ZBt9pFen46qqds1UanZ3YxvZ4tk4q2bounb56ymmG7iuMBusAo3bvLWs2WJh4/w487-h365/20240228_120804.jpg" width="487" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The bridge over the bay in Newport, as seen from the first lighthouse.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyIzqo2-7w-9Cqs4U8bNXjaQbQAEZp5Tq9JNbGPVhb9G_wYhmiO179-1Vx_u8cUBjW2WnElHlX7OqgatsBd5CIWb8wZgR247ZLCisICkT6s9rf4LGqd1vIiwCwHAIriSLsF4d8tBiVaamBlbHMwNkxfs26LA7c0RYtknVyKsxWKgLGkNlAniT6y3ksE4/s4000/20240228_121004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="529" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyIzqo2-7w-9Cqs4U8bNXjaQbQAEZp5Tq9JNbGPVhb9G_wYhmiO179-1Vx_u8cUBjW2WnElHlX7OqgatsBd5CIWb8wZgR247ZLCisICkT6s9rf4LGqd1vIiwCwHAIriSLsF4d8tBiVaamBlbHMwNkxfs26LA7c0RYtknVyKsxWKgLGkNlAniT6y3ksE4/w397-h529/20240228_121004.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">OK, here is the second lighthouse, which I think is quite beautiful. It sits out on a bluff and I thought I would step out of the car to snap this picture. Let me tell you, I have never tried to stand in such a strong wind and pouring rain to take a picture. I almost blew away and had to hold onto the fence to do one snap. My hair was soaked and began it's curly adventure on top of my head. It was indeed quite an adventure for one picture.</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3kgPHQPs6Xzx7NpFIWWIKa1hvm0z_Z4eoWNBpfaESe41IdI7_s-A3xZfRqYd5-0_O9S3oZ9IuEGozz6Izx8MRrGXFqQVzwWKVTaUHdSzqceKm9UJIqEeTEFceP_QKslK68_GUAAX6BcPaoVMHEWmK9yTCqo_2IBj8scSO4DTBnIqsiGcnpb9xSmYd7o/s3000/20240228_130653.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2872" data-original-width="3000" height="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3kgPHQPs6Xzx7NpFIWWIKa1hvm0z_Z4eoWNBpfaESe41IdI7_s-A3xZfRqYd5-0_O9S3oZ9IuEGozz6Izx8MRrGXFqQVzwWKVTaUHdSzqceKm9UJIqEeTEFceP_QKslK68_GUAAX6BcPaoVMHEWmK9yTCqo_2IBj8scSO4DTBnIqsiGcnpb9xSmYd7o/w468-h447/20240228_130653.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The last morning before we left I actually spotted the first sign that there was blue sky behind those clouds. It was wild weather, winter weather indeed; but we loved it.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It does the spirit good to take a little adventure occasionally and this was both a gift for my "live-in gardener", but I benefited too.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO0buGhpI_kZczqFDyuZS1HjD226Bc6Kbb9zYiJREn06ChSzz7yNjwysBSMzmdOCw42bG3MSysyppP3SiiPh1xy44MD_jCpprfccC30Cpys_RYtAAA_5r5B480z5oz4jz-p7u2dL7lckpFgi7lQIyRyg-X_KiJDhsteeLMifxsyANqJl8eyzJQK8TORo/s4000/20240229_085946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMO0buGhpI_kZczqFDyuZS1HjD226Bc6Kbb9zYiJREn06ChSzz7yNjwysBSMzmdOCw42bG3MSysyppP3SiiPh1xy44MD_jCpprfccC30Cpys_RYtAAA_5r5B480z5oz4jz-p7u2dL7lckpFgi7lQIyRyg-X_KiJDhsteeLMifxsyANqJl8eyzJQK8TORo/w436-h327/20240229_085946.jpg" width="436" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now there was one more stop before leaving the sea. There was a pod of food carts not far from our motel and I had found on Instagram one that announced it was crab season. I love crab, but hadn't had good crab for years. This particular food cart said they had crab rolls and who could resist if you love crab? So before we headed home we treated ourselves to the best crab roll ever. It was truly amazing. If you ever find yourself in Lincoln City, Oregon I highly recommend stopping at The Pines Dine food cart pod. This cart was Rook and Larder, but there were other amazing carts with all kinds of delicious looking food.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What a treat.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwX9q5PZ1jXK9Kijm61Zlk-LxRb2ByTqKz_c4-2oT-wnsed-rHXt2XzGS_HjeJ31a4C83lLOIaStw4T40yZ1trGorjngFVdBc9blRoGGSh4y3mI-Y66WplvnAvE_Ke7-wWBy4LXOPi4IqNNHZq8B45yxtIjBDznUUTFOvKBdOUKIXI4AVu8eQGIpWrI4/s4000/20240229_112030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwX9q5PZ1jXK9Kijm61Zlk-LxRb2ByTqKz_c4-2oT-wnsed-rHXt2XzGS_HjeJ31a4C83lLOIaStw4T40yZ1trGorjngFVdBc9blRoGGSh4y3mI-Y66WplvnAvE_Ke7-wWBy4LXOPi4IqNNHZq8B45yxtIjBDznUUTFOvKBdOUKIXI4AVu8eQGIpWrI4/w331-h441/20240229_112030.jpg" width="331" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">Do you give gifts of experiences?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I highly recommend it. In fact, I like it so much I have begun giving my grandson gifts of experiences. For Christmas I got tickets to a play for he and his mom and they really enjoyed it. Then just because gift, I recently found tickets for them to go to another improv adventure with the Children's theater in town.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well now it is Friday; so have a terrific weekend, dear friends!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></p><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-72998899894116659692024-02-26T08:21:00.000-08:002024-02-26T08:26:20.354-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<div><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: medium;">This week my goal was to clean my bookshelves in the on-going process of downsizing. So at moments I stop to leaf through a book I had forgotten was sitting on the shelf. This short chapter jumped out at me. It was a reminder that we must be kind to ourselves too. </span><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXRbo3KX9l6lSGAEVOZVeQS45nxXQ0XsqLao9MoYr048w8c8ElMjPdoGV1o81BIE0iveNqv6f0ra8yWoQ0addFpokgUrB5CGQCJtD8_1yN1aLW7txePn__1Tw02YBJtPUPu3ilBw1aUcypUPmF0qigYRnfHm6AoVVYiriK80sXcDahsq3gQM5MpDHVWs/s4000/20240226_080518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtXRbo3KX9l6lSGAEVOZVeQS45nxXQ0XsqLao9MoYr048w8c8ElMjPdoGV1o81BIE0iveNqv6f0ra8yWoQ0addFpokgUrB5CGQCJtD8_1yN1aLW7txePn__1Tw02YBJtPUPu3ilBw1aUcypUPmF0qigYRnfHm6AoVVYiriK80sXcDahsq3gQM5MpDHVWs/w440-h586/20240226_080518.jpg" width="440" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kindness is my Nature and my Gift </span> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way) in the book Blessings </span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"My heart is a deep lake of loving-kindness. I count myself fortunate to hold tenderness with my soul. I forgive myself my fears, frailties, and failures. I am compassionate toward myself in times of turbulence and change. I remind myself that I am a gentle soul and that I have need of cherishing. I treat myself as I wish others would treat me. I treat others as they wish to be treated. I allow myself, in times of difficult and demanding strife, that I am loved and lovable, that I am worthy and respected. I do not allow temporary anxiety to distort my view of the whole. I gently seek the blessings in all difficulty while I am compassionate to myself for my lingering doubts and fears. I remind myself that my life is in the care of God and that it is unfolding with beauty and harmony."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyL2VaKYUxLX_Gku9St7bj5jG63AInhyphenhyphenO7aRkH4YKfxVNUY6SqZmOl1krn0yBKzQLOtUhP0-3z469-P4HqseqlEkEOIBMqMi_gFfq4pU3-cxPcexJ_zjdEqnUg4n891um583FsuvZiPpUyMbtPvbh0ShFn5MQ99q3rAGhlRckVGPi108NaHyGxkSzPPe8/s4000/20240226_080531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyL2VaKYUxLX_Gku9St7bj5jG63AInhyphenhyphenO7aRkH4YKfxVNUY6SqZmOl1krn0yBKzQLOtUhP0-3z469-P4HqseqlEkEOIBMqMi_gFfq4pU3-cxPcexJ_zjdEqnUg4n891um583FsuvZiPpUyMbtPvbh0ShFn5MQ99q3rAGhlRckVGPi108NaHyGxkSzPPe8/w513-h385/20240226_080531.jpg" width="513" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> What jumped out at me was the need to be cherished. Sometimes I find I treat others better than I treat myself. I don't allow others to cherish me. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One thing I do for myself that seems to make others happy too is taking a walk in my garden each morning and sharing on Facebook what I found on that morning. The pictures you see are what I found in the garden this morning. I didn't get pictures of the two birds that sat nearby, but they also brought me joy this morning.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_2nmvXcrAX23eXc1bH8HjQWuNj06t2pV870G4MpsRkb4oCiU4seR0E7LeTCrB49u2ByT8TDIOY1ZVjJqPHG4AdLHj8gcqfr5-YLUDqzeCXGCSMm-NAQVVrZKj2NOcGsu7PS7lk9Kxmaz2cZOzgz1p-ZaazNb0QG66ZBWvFDD_dZkOHgplPr2UhaoxTk/s4000/20240226_080846.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_2nmvXcrAX23eXc1bH8HjQWuNj06t2pV870G4MpsRkb4oCiU4seR0E7LeTCrB49u2ByT8TDIOY1ZVjJqPHG4AdLHj8gcqfr5-YLUDqzeCXGCSMm-NAQVVrZKj2NOcGsu7PS7lk9Kxmaz2cZOzgz1p-ZaazNb0QG66ZBWvFDD_dZkOHgplPr2UhaoxTk/w398-h531/20240226_080846.jpg" width="398" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> So this week I encourage you to show kindness and joy to yourself.</span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You are special and deserve being cherished.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">PS: I just realized a whole week went by and yet I shared the same first flower that I shared last week. Ugh! I think cleaning and downsizing is scrambling my days. </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-74544895179463035552024-02-19T12:24:00.000-08:002024-02-19T12:24:22.387-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Flowers are from my garden this week.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AnjyE7W_KEnCIQo5GXOCdlUFG21WLDYmq5TDwDxIPfADep4hzcma9hqjp0Oj9h5Ippi2HTuxcpfH_tE5-0vOy9U-JJr8FdicW_vnmzoSA0-JtfRpRhgAqJp-50I7e95zV8H2WsZExUZgVig2pdyNClsZu37B1iIeL0ggS1IJoUhJZbxvmIZCEU0LFo0/s4000/20240213_083053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AnjyE7W_KEnCIQo5GXOCdlUFG21WLDYmq5TDwDxIPfADep4hzcma9hqjp0Oj9h5Ippi2HTuxcpfH_tE5-0vOy9U-JJr8FdicW_vnmzoSA0-JtfRpRhgAqJp-50I7e95zV8H2WsZExUZgVig2pdyNClsZu37B1iIeL0ggS1IJoUhJZbxvmIZCEU0LFo0/w345-h460/20240213_083053.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">"I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed." </span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">-Mary Oliver </span></b></div></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb7GCpW7ib2jh6W0mHOksS73QsyBs5TSpvYcOj492vVi9ou05ULCUTpu7jmtd7-8hra5733U853gzn6UD5Lk7uSqTo-KHtzvBBwatM7jho7XvcYXPBZwfW7BWJoHaiZ2oeZ2uYcOA8stXyhjcA0Realian_gq-twtndmPJqrCcjDzVDLaAEcqR9MVi6o/s4000/20240130_161342.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2170" data-original-width="4000" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAb7GCpW7ib2jh6W0mHOksS73QsyBs5TSpvYcOj492vVi9ou05ULCUTpu7jmtd7-8hra5733U853gzn6UD5Lk7uSqTo-KHtzvBBwatM7jho7XvcYXPBZwfW7BWJoHaiZ2oeZ2uYcOA8stXyhjcA0Realian_gq-twtndmPJqrCcjDzVDLaAEcqR9MVi6o/s320/20240130_161342.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am thinking about Mary Oliver's comment about mischief and kindness. What do you think? </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I grew up in a family that loved to tease and joke. It was a way of letting someone know they trusted them enough to be silly with them, let down their hair. My "live-in gardener" didn't grow up with teasing; so he took my joking with him as unkind. I still struggle with that one, even after all these years. Kindness does matter, but does it matter with a bit of mischief? </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I loved the lanterns in this restaurant recently. Does a business that takes the time to decorate with their customers in mind show kindness?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yep, I am full of questions today.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPq9AYe21gmO2WTE7hPN6xxQPuUuLY-12tT0cYDsJwV6PYzOh7itIGOegTbVdG-i2cmI7wkdLVEUWEQQ-QNMuVYRnBvto9dVeBbSuL7yDUoMir2w_nMQrjv2bk7YVmXK1phNJGjQ56I5uI3H3vP7Aauxw29tKJopNbcEPasQaHWpH-TofKEcpAe3gk1A/s3000/original_8d4b5bc6-970d-4365-856c-4011a7b4d47c_20240112_170751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2060" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPq9AYe21gmO2WTE7hPN6xxQPuUuLY-12tT0cYDsJwV6PYzOh7itIGOegTbVdG-i2cmI7wkdLVEUWEQQ-QNMuVYRnBvto9dVeBbSuL7yDUoMir2w_nMQrjv2bk7YVmXK1phNJGjQ56I5uI3H3vP7Aauxw29tKJopNbcEPasQaHWpH-TofKEcpAe3gk1A/w465-h320/original_8d4b5bc6-970d-4365-856c-4011a7b4d47c_20240112_170751.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do hummingbirds sing?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Are they showing kindness in sharing their beauty and song? </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As a young girl I sang all the time. My children didn't like my singing and I found I no longer sang out loud. It seems like I am revealing my heart today. When someone sings to you is that kind even if they sing off tune? </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxUlmFjFg27kcSBWVs6DBaDGcvBAVIQEMoluE7JS0Dax2t6rTrw70D0lJwketpmhZjB5FHtgnhTNYvR8B7dZJ2KVKNM0uKlZjLFUeaqunm61CJ-UNJVHQ6yxyQnAuOyWDVR1dbH6X_Gl2VpEVLgPXAsyajHNX325FOnNxGWxJgzvd_PIeKibrV0RbHM/s4000/20240114_090025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="561" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoxUlmFjFg27kcSBWVs6DBaDGcvBAVIQEMoluE7JS0Dax2t6rTrw70D0lJwketpmhZjB5FHtgnhTNYvR8B7dZJ2KVKNM0uKlZjLFUeaqunm61CJ-UNJVHQ6yxyQnAuOyWDVR1dbH6X_Gl2VpEVLgPXAsyajHNX325FOnNxGWxJgzvd_PIeKibrV0RbHM/w421-h561/20240114_090025.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sharing my heart today. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Remember to be kind to each other and sing out loud, even if you are the only one that hears it. It is kind to oneself.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-37261870404237279772024-02-17T11:46:00.000-08:002024-02-17T11:46:01.666-08:00Chinese New Year's at the Garden<div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNH4y_yQJW9NRWCv9v50vK4T9rQkONY5hwgWeczn3Rge6wWsvJSk9XRDhG5iSrRxUF-Ew7Bk73SJxP25tEKsXSdEoUhWHgTISSNW2gRowDH2Q76degeActvTagn116OswUqNo7hOVkEgnZt8Uua0AfEhnbFCGnNZQrB22yEXOo70DLsORYly1vqrBCODM/s4000/20240215_123538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNH4y_yQJW9NRWCv9v50vK4T9rQkONY5hwgWeczn3Rge6wWsvJSk9XRDhG5iSrRxUF-Ew7Bk73SJxP25tEKsXSdEoUhWHgTISSNW2gRowDH2Q76degeActvTagn116OswUqNo7hOVkEgnZt8Uua0AfEhnbFCGnNZQrB22yEXOo70DLsORYly1vqrBCODM/w358-h477/20240215_123538.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Welcome to the Lan Su Chinese Gardens once again. They are celebrating Chinese New Year's with red lanterns and even a dragon. It is now the year of the Wood Dragon, leaving the year of the Rabbit.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This week my grandson, D, had a day off school; so we walked in the garden to see what we spotted. Over the bridge we went. </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x8Zz8bFUCU-D9ps6711SshsNiFs7MCzlslUW7tQ_OacpYkXlWi6UCf8tw6TwzO2HWKJ6vsqm4-n57sjQqyavfpvW6JSaabPvYXc0RF825aJXd3w_8EvV5wKKzhCGgoTLZ-HzlPzhywg0S5VE8bs7I5dvVL5Kxg8ZdxkuUQpu5is9eIsE3DRneV9QMPk/s4000/20240215_123552.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x8Zz8bFUCU-D9ps6711SshsNiFs7MCzlslUW7tQ_OacpYkXlWi6UCf8tw6TwzO2HWKJ6vsqm4-n57sjQqyavfpvW6JSaabPvYXc0RF825aJXd3w_8EvV5wKKzhCGgoTLZ-HzlPzhywg0S5VE8bs7I5dvVL5Kxg8ZdxkuUQpu5is9eIsE3DRneV9QMPk/w392-h523/20240215_123552.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He was asked what he noticed when we were leaving. He noticed many red lanterns and an alter to ancestors.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEL99evgLQoOYz7yTEQ4Qt3sCsi8ULLgoeaC8C0Iew2KG6Ylsf3aHzcPfTz8F4vIWOpvNpGvYCRaqpYl2t0e6sbfw3S5fw1EJR3xb5wsN9A1C6C8CmeRxGZsAtN_zRbq90CiUXX4l55TeJX4TCiJENW8kYHKMTrIRpYs9u88rsBXJFJuxhObMyOnRDGg/s4000/20240215_123647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEL99evgLQoOYz7yTEQ4Qt3sCsi8ULLgoeaC8C0Iew2KG6Ylsf3aHzcPfTz8F4vIWOpvNpGvYCRaqpYl2t0e6sbfw3S5fw1EJR3xb5wsN9A1C6C8CmeRxGZsAtN_zRbq90CiUXX4l55TeJX4TCiJENW8kYHKMTrIRpYs9u88rsBXJFJuxhObMyOnRDGg/w351-h468/20240215_123647.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tg5TgUr5EDMg5_qHPYnZRFNlZumzzP0dGMR3cIR6iS-Z_tBVsJUz3JZPorgO7oSoe5WAg0HKC6RBwyiOia3yrEFNPZ4J2hY9D6qga4HjIj33-ePDyzekuwZPBYm2sfpN-D6_N42BB9qKoFo6mzquc_y1Wv9SALfdnnzfbsMUdxHmv632BqTRdeVc1hs/s4000/20240215_123712.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="555" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7tg5TgUr5EDMg5_qHPYnZRFNlZumzzP0dGMR3cIR6iS-Z_tBVsJUz3JZPorgO7oSoe5WAg0HKC6RBwyiOia3yrEFNPZ4J2hY9D6qga4HjIj33-ePDyzekuwZPBYm2sfpN-D6_N42BB9qKoFo6mzquc_y1Wv9SALfdnnzfbsMUdxHmv632BqTRdeVc1hs/w416-h555/20240215_123712.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9qAAwmLJeCMTw6iZWWFN2RpsDwavsAy6ndgU-rNnxDLysB5pp0sH-FBHIQN6gBCDk5JPFB-v1h9jLakVqM0n3X1V8QDHqT4IUhLqYeclM5AmI8bQWUvM59oeyPLXZN6pQHVJ5nplB0a99JxxGDZImvNhHIJuOY2DFLar-NgO9RodW72Qghki3AJ9awc/s4000/20240215_123729.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9qAAwmLJeCMTw6iZWWFN2RpsDwavsAy6ndgU-rNnxDLysB5pp0sH-FBHIQN6gBCDk5JPFB-v1h9jLakVqM0n3X1V8QDHqT4IUhLqYeclM5AmI8bQWUvM59oeyPLXZN6pQHVJ5nplB0a99JxxGDZImvNhHIJuOY2DFLar-NgO9RodW72Qghki3AJ9awc/s320/20240215_123729.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OOqK8bKrIE51NsdxmS2Vgn33wxr0_xy4FKQuq9OMFsUTVwkYMz19vut2I2HdGRgyUO1o9nxK4bj5IPX5hYO6BKhj1Yx9W9zUcF01_m4Qp2jwh1ThC03ONlThc9UvXmaDTMM6Tnb0sURs16cKnh6HWoEQJ7SnGr9pvRv7HBqEA1ocSvu8lpTsvSynfAA/s4000/20240215_124028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OOqK8bKrIE51NsdxmS2Vgn33wxr0_xy4FKQuq9OMFsUTVwkYMz19vut2I2HdGRgyUO1o9nxK4bj5IPX5hYO6BKhj1Yx9W9zUcF01_m4Qp2jwh1ThC03ONlThc9UvXmaDTMM6Tnb0sURs16cKnh6HWoEQJ7SnGr9pvRv7HBqEA1ocSvu8lpTsvSynfAA/w334-h445/20240215_124028.jpg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqP1WVIpbZ323ppCiqrX28nGTJ6LmeyNXiovLIfRMq8WPYN3w6ixxdBXBc2i9aQSQ3cPNw90p7mi6lFRgxI9VQkvIk3cYMbni04_ZH7Vh_sWl9jy1uC6U3fzpmuCFWjevCE3osGY9A1GfPW68_SJKKYwZBwrcs0YKxtaKHXkrumhunWtLBZRfSZ1c95Y/s4000/20240215_124129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqP1WVIpbZ323ppCiqrX28nGTJ6LmeyNXiovLIfRMq8WPYN3w6ixxdBXBc2i9aQSQ3cPNw90p7mi6lFRgxI9VQkvIk3cYMbni04_ZH7Vh_sWl9jy1uC6U3fzpmuCFWjevCE3osGY9A1GfPW68_SJKKYwZBwrcs0YKxtaKHXkrumhunWtLBZRfSZ1c95Y/w395-h527/20240215_124129.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I noticed the color red everywhere I looked and blossoms beginning to make an appearance.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This bird was honoring blooming camellias. </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHHrCHaKMrBAjWKRH3bj0Rz_6zVjgD7KcudG4RNhXUnQCFCd9dLzlkKUvObLW_IwbeovAZXsfX3yqXj-jTcnwkYWvIVJoLcIxPdn3GJA6S1Q9hDFJcanc-doh37xnVlFjPDL7Zn07yuL4LjHPUrVKuW8loCLVTyAVtct_38BpalzIPx59MJv713oCfew/s4000/20240215_124213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="511" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHHrCHaKMrBAjWKRH3bj0Rz_6zVjgD7KcudG4RNhXUnQCFCd9dLzlkKUvObLW_IwbeovAZXsfX3yqXj-jTcnwkYWvIVJoLcIxPdn3GJA6S1Q9hDFJcanc-doh37xnVlFjPDL7Zn07yuL4LjHPUrVKuW8loCLVTyAVtct_38BpalzIPx59MJv713oCfew/w383-h511/20240215_124213.jpg" width="383" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And here is the dragon in the small lake.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxJmWTfGcbOj-K4912ZHDFhVzDPcpQcZ3Of0beZyQpq-ibl3N8NI10_FCgFh0HhpWU0IyOAu_0BGyV2j9lnyscJ72rxqP0gVcvjP96Ny3hVVJ3jOEDFSWuLasxEW0w6fiRCk1mr0zOZLgtqtnrJ_0W8nqmBc8oqvPSF8DryB7U58Jyj0GohPwfvyMLUA/s4000/20240215_124527.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxJmWTfGcbOj-K4912ZHDFhVzDPcpQcZ3Of0beZyQpq-ibl3N8NI10_FCgFh0HhpWU0IyOAu_0BGyV2j9lnyscJ72rxqP0gVcvjP96Ny3hVVJ3jOEDFSWuLasxEW0w6fiRCk1mr0zOZLgtqtnrJ_0W8nqmBc8oqvPSF8DryB7U58Jyj0GohPwfvyMLUA/w371-h494/20240215_124527.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">D enjoyed the day. He even spotted a few pandas along the way.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOrpszctaM4SZTANr6I8bwAOwSn9-0rSbB4EsTFlxtP4q2g0ixuHbFZLDF4FuhslTwyLac3ChG1HYSeFRvdScTpxNjFs1PdOzfdCC3RiNcivBZkZFYQslA-wr71SE5AXNDz_lPAgoZyuTNx0GY1rck-lJhHPFJ0uhhLgWvHd1ZxIR9fngkeF-GkVxYYo/s4000/20240215_124639.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOOrpszctaM4SZTANr6I8bwAOwSn9-0rSbB4EsTFlxtP4q2g0ixuHbFZLDF4FuhslTwyLac3ChG1HYSeFRvdScTpxNjFs1PdOzfdCC3RiNcivBZkZFYQslA-wr71SE5AXNDz_lPAgoZyuTNx0GY1rck-lJhHPFJ0uhhLgWvHd1ZxIR9fngkeF-GkVxYYo/s320/20240215_124639.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfjJXKFeZkucD2phOXS9Pv1OffZJSnNTJu_k8OqttPACvkfH3ABzpGL5q9JYfFgqHSGyuW9DL-9sqZ_oODOkO3L0kdxjDlluyB4xt7BrM289KQK9vp8ksyLRdj5N6MzbCzXebbu-_3wc05sjD5oFY6b2-1vox6h2s1YG5oPvyUSbSzL_UcltDS7Lfxk0/s4000/20240215_131358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfjJXKFeZkucD2phOXS9Pv1OffZJSnNTJu_k8OqttPACvkfH3ABzpGL5q9JYfFgqHSGyuW9DL-9sqZ_oODOkO3L0kdxjDlluyB4xt7BrM289KQK9vp8ksyLRdj5N6MzbCzXebbu-_3wc05sjD5oFY6b2-1vox6h2s1YG5oPvyUSbSzL_UcltDS7Lfxk0/w354-h472/20240215_131358.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO4Q9zLV5HUlQ9sZ3NiGx84as16Qpu-RKGsNxjlqD32_fzusTyPgEEt2R1O4ci3TzQ7pjL7tYAQTcdKOONyaaOgs-IlAwH5J0CdW7qUudCNiJuoNU1ZUk260JTOWrHS7V4Oj9g0H_L_7j0CIB2ID_CnczFZjuOe53B5c1zkV_GmxzdJyp7lR-DdStCQc/s4000/20240215_131810.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzO4Q9zLV5HUlQ9sZ3NiGx84as16Qpu-RKGsNxjlqD32_fzusTyPgEEt2R1O4ci3TzQ7pjL7tYAQTcdKOONyaaOgs-IlAwH5J0CdW7qUudCNiJuoNU1ZUk260JTOWrHS7V4Oj9g0H_L_7j0CIB2ID_CnczFZjuOe53B5c1zkV_GmxzdJyp7lR-DdStCQc/w467-h351/20240215_131810.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I3RQo3nCun7XlCYMgvmoah0yPeYsCzvDNqhl0qhWI8Rn78HmrjFsoLu8ydJd4jHyUFKyxs4wj7Mj4M4j9ZZN08hn_BHOK5XggJIVNVONKWeds4NfZJk9tUj_qdCOQ-XKHLyAaH9_Rf4x7SkOHIa0DjhgBQL6j0tGsxIx3UcFdsFKJSTOLDPHgAVAwFs/s4000/20240215_131912.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2I3RQo3nCun7XlCYMgvmoah0yPeYsCzvDNqhl0qhWI8Rn78HmrjFsoLu8ydJd4jHyUFKyxs4wj7Mj4M4j9ZZN08hn_BHOK5XggJIVNVONKWeds4NfZJk9tUj_qdCOQ-XKHLyAaH9_Rf4x7SkOHIa0DjhgBQL6j0tGsxIx3UcFdsFKJSTOLDPHgAVAwFs/w451-h338/20240215_131912.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And as we left the garden, I turned for one more look at lanterns hanging from the tree.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrJdCXDsLef5-USnDFxJd46WzH-DW-mmsld9EwtIVQ_hlH43sSd70Siwjb2Ou2xTB_L0L3adbC1sYL_FxgJLLlKqwBWYXPCp2XB9LCMcYwD3L9dxBfw9H9G6ro16bJ66NYWR-10si8NP2YMWgoWq79peHNv1DINWOkzSbUldnDPf15Ko16U2zo0oQrUg/s4000/20240215_132813.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghrJdCXDsLef5-USnDFxJd46WzH-DW-mmsld9EwtIVQ_hlH43sSd70Siwjb2Ou2xTB_L0L3adbC1sYL_FxgJLLlKqwBWYXPCp2XB9LCMcYwD3L9dxBfw9H9G6ro16bJ66NYWR-10si8NP2YMWgoWq79peHNv1DINWOkzSbUldnDPf15Ko16U2zo0oQrUg/w354-h472/20240215_132813.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> It was a typical winter, rainy day in Portland walking in the garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Next week my "live-in gardener" and I will be visiting in the evening for a special event. I am looking forward to seeing the lanterns lit up and some dancing dragons throughout the garden.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Do you like celebrating different cultures throughout the year?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Is Chinese New Year's one you celebrate?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">What celebrations from other countries do you enjoy celebrating?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a terrific weekend, dear friends.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></div><div><p></p></div>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-47301250765770746712024-02-12T08:50:00.000-08:002024-02-12T08:50:11.578-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Valentine's day is in a couple days. A friend emailed me this morning asking what I was doing for Valentine's day; so with just starting to write my blog post I began thinking about the words from the Bible that say "love is kind". </span><br /></p><div data-hveid="CCUQAQ" style="text-align: center;"><div aria-controls="_-UPKZYfVHu2d0PEPmLqmSA_71" aria-expanded="true" class="dnXCYb" role="button" tabindex="0"><div class="JlqpRe"><span class="JCzEY ZwRhJd" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="CSkcDe"> </span></span><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en" style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span class="hgKElc">Love is patient, <b>love is kind</b>. It does not envy, it does not boast, it
is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it
is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. I Corinthians 13<br /></span></span></div></div></div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoKvDb9FeH0KNSdc2kQrPw145GFDWR2BVoEDsGyFLIKixbXIplZtftl6tQaoFfY52a3Ci9oUjRgAUTzkk3rUFCDqFe11SZev6YzRq8nrVaeGQbaIieflqDG5WabC5rctyYRFGKlB7at2l5BmCaFu2mAyBRRLo7xDvx-mS0h1tAs9Fsxzk_05Y5JOjwl8/s4000/20230415_120309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLoKvDb9FeH0KNSdc2kQrPw145GFDWR2BVoEDsGyFLIKixbXIplZtftl6tQaoFfY52a3Ci9oUjRgAUTzkk3rUFCDqFe11SZev6YzRq8nrVaeGQbaIieflqDG5WabC5rctyYRFGKlB7at2l5BmCaFu2mAyBRRLo7xDvx-mS0h1tAs9Fsxzk_05Y5JOjwl8/w344-h459/20230415_120309.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div data-hveid="CAQQAQ"><div aria-controls="_HUPKZYqwCoyAm9cPo7-oqAU_3" aria-expanded="true" class="dnXCYb" role="button" tabindex="0"><div class="aj35ze" style="transform: rotateZ(180deg);"></div><div class="L3Ezfd" data-ved="2ahUKEwjKss-0mKaEAxUMwOYEHaMfClUQuk56BAgEEAI" style="visibility: hidden;"></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="hgKElc">“<b>The
best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for
more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds,
and that's what you've given me.”</b> Allie waits years to read these words, written in a letter to her from Noah a year after they broke up. I found this quote online and not sure what book it comes from. But it reminded me again of love as kind. Kindness brings a "peace to our minds" for sure.<br /></span></span></p><p><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycFTLtOKRJ3Xg2qs5UIobFSKEuadEa_kVLClvGhghieJ3DVIAXjJPMtKVkhhFHeuf1tGY04ulafLjMyClgykPGa7s_kvP7Rbf3R7BB_itZejfhDoDA0iqRTJOYFGiKfbecYNYLxA0Hv9hD557duQXPdU5ku22owOs52CLoKCXwfW2SVc1c7ue7gBqDGw/s4000/20220920_083041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="405" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgycFTLtOKRJ3Xg2qs5UIobFSKEuadEa_kVLClvGhghieJ3DVIAXjJPMtKVkhhFHeuf1tGY04ulafLjMyClgykPGa7s_kvP7Rbf3R7BB_itZejfhDoDA0iqRTJOYFGiKfbecYNYLxA0Hv9hD557duQXPdU5ku22owOs52CLoKCXwfW2SVc1c7ue7gBqDGw/w304-h405/20220920_083041.jpg" width="304" /></a></span></span></div><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtgCVkRirZ7Q9UulQ_M7jrz7-eXpwNwDubK4EnTOPhihcGxr-r44aqLABQbdXXzSchc3DPfcd5owWfo8g-ZT1d9y5q6NeFNvG1nZhoBDzOZ64AfsPiRL5v54UIfzU_Qn3LhUf-wVcAkdrDyUYyiiOGf4YCnQw4fUusRPWFvCVEW-23TFdZQHqjjRdEps/s4000/20221017_075202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtgCVkRirZ7Q9UulQ_M7jrz7-eXpwNwDubK4EnTOPhihcGxr-r44aqLABQbdXXzSchc3DPfcd5owWfo8g-ZT1d9y5q6NeFNvG1nZhoBDzOZ64AfsPiRL5v54UIfzU_Qn3LhUf-wVcAkdrDyUYyiiOGf4YCnQw4fUusRPWFvCVEW-23TFdZQHqjjRdEps/w339-h452/20221017_075202.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then I found this poem by Thomas Moore. In some circles I understand it is sung. But in my kindness, I won't be singing it for you. Smiling!</span><br /></p><h2 class="title" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">When Love Is Kind</span></h2>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">When Love is kind,<br /> Cheerful and free,<br />Love 's sure to find<br /> Welcome from me.<br /><br />But when Love brings<br /> Heartache er pang,<br />Tears, and such things—<br /> Love may go hang!<br /><br />If Love can sigh<br /> For one alone,<br />Well pleased am I<br /> To be that one,<br /><br />But should I see<br /> Love given to rove<br />To two or three,<br /> Then—good by Love!<br /><br />Love must, in short,<br /> Keep fond and true,<br />Thro' good report,<br /> And evil too.<br /><br />Else, here I swear,<br /> Young Love may go,<br />For aught I care—</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKvJy9xg9IJYof0NCkw8CcuIBIkN4LHuGBOX2SziVM2rpo8Vvn8vS35LdOY7VNGmESJhPAIBR5mF_UmMIecNkvtpa2eUR0qHYYgPkcIxWH4INWUJpeBKSrcY0SxR8llpyUQXyMhoIsZwe1zRTVNZyn7img17YmhoyubM04lZLMsRwxiF8tmar0_vJ-wY/s600/Peony-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKvJy9xg9IJYof0NCkw8CcuIBIkN4LHuGBOX2SziVM2rpo8Vvn8vS35LdOY7VNGmESJhPAIBR5mF_UmMIecNkvtpa2eUR0qHYYgPkcIxWH4INWUJpeBKSrcY0SxR8llpyUQXyMhoIsZwe1zRTVNZyn7img17YmhoyubM04lZLMsRwxiF8tmar0_vJ-wY/w472-h314/Peony-11.jpg" width="472" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">I was trying to find some Valentine pictures to share, but not finding them I resorted to the color red. To me the color red says "love". And then that dragon just needed to appear to send best wishes to you on the Chinese New Year's being celebrated this week. Of course with the celebrations there will be the color red and much joy, laughter and kindness. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Enjoy bouquets of kindness and love each and every day.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Marilyn<br /></span></div><br />Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-49493315829441001422024-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:002024-02-09T16:04:08.094-08:00Tea Review<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> iteaworld kindly sent me some new samples of their oolong teas.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf2by_GWXUH8WRyFXMmdVwm7d4v3J6jg3OoUfUFEHJcGlrbiyCKV4cEIccFjRNc3s_UDRi1lnQHllPTsblyi741_Kohqt-aFIEkL7rRDSIxjfX8WLl9_QDNsjvH_iPI54ldohkAIufkFqfRDGKNBo-Qt1i6OIn_-sQUgs1BAeiWXwkXH3Z8Hbbdm5c8I/s4000/20240205_105657.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf2by_GWXUH8WRyFXMmdVwm7d4v3J6jg3OoUfUFEHJcGlrbiyCKV4cEIccFjRNc3s_UDRi1lnQHllPTsblyi741_Kohqt-aFIEkL7rRDSIxjfX8WLl9_QDNsjvH_iPI54ldohkAIufkFqfRDGKNBo-Qt1i6OIn_-sQUgs1BAeiWXwkXH3Z8Hbbdm5c8I/w476-h357/20240205_105657.jpg" width="476" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know I have reviewed them before, but each time they send me tea I am just blown away by their beautiful packaging. Inside are individual packets of tea, which is just the right amount for an average sized teapot or Asian style gaiwan or small teapot. This time they even included some ready to fill teabags with the box of samples.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bEV3WwVXIfiUrKImEIca-koYRkr-sh-JnpMHXezvYbp9Ux9wZQTpNc4QaZsRBtE0s4ix-ZSW7uJ3c0iGSk3ytpSSHV84ZI1Z8PYrAhGmyWuY4XSfrFHVtsQX6Yz_YtI9Pi960ITFwk7MV7RBSS-4lml2sr5_Z_ztBvFNZTg2rtCSgT164PvKv-qzHWo/s4000/20240205_105750.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bEV3WwVXIfiUrKImEIca-koYRkr-sh-JnpMHXezvYbp9Ux9wZQTpNc4QaZsRBtE0s4ix-ZSW7uJ3c0iGSk3ytpSSHV84ZI1Z8PYrAhGmyWuY4XSfrFHVtsQX6Yz_YtI9Pi960ITFwk7MV7RBSS-4lml2sr5_Z_ztBvFNZTg2rtCSgT164PvKv-qzHWo/w395-h527/20240205_105750.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">With each day that I tried another oolong tea this past week I thought "oh, this is my favorite". But of course, I must have liked them all because I said it with each of the four different samples. I steeped all four in a gaiwan on separate days. Each was steeped 10 times and held up quite nicely.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Zhangping Shui Yian was a flowery, smooth tea. It was what I would expect from a nice oolong. It came in a pressed cube and reminded me a little of a white tea.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Tie Guanyin was a bit more earthy, but still definitely an oolong tea. It had a nice light sweetness and really opened up to a beautiful, clean tea.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Da Hong Pao was quite pretty with a beautiful color and fragrance. It was slightly roasty and rich. It was a nice full mouth feel then changed flavor as it hit the throat.. Roasty in the front and more fruity in the back with sort of a pineapple taste.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Fenghuang Dancong was full body with a slight tartness, similar to a pretty tropical fruit. It was rich, golden with an intense flavor which accentuated the sweetness of the grapes I was nibbling after drinking this tea. I had not noticed how a tea could effect the flavor of my food before.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquAfoGwgQkUtlpp36SlP_FsRy7qXp5hRBfPKTLx2eGjxbp5XeAq_Y4Tv8hqIZUtvXXvOdr4VJiTFe5_KgDl-ck87H0NAxNTjlp8eA9yCQPnq7yRqkWQOIPaTF4m7mfJokwbNl8I3ODHZZvO_rxL9sQ3J99q-sAtq4aW1p9GAzrJL_jG4-3TM4zBWuEAg/s4000/20240205_111139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="531" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquAfoGwgQkUtlpp36SlP_FsRy7qXp5hRBfPKTLx2eGjxbp5XeAq_Y4Tv8hqIZUtvXXvOdr4VJiTFe5_KgDl-ck87H0NAxNTjlp8eA9yCQPnq7yRqkWQOIPaTF4m7mfJokwbNl8I3ODHZZvO_rxL9sQ3J99q-sAtq4aW1p9GAzrJL_jG4-3TM4zBWuEAg/w398-h531/20240205_111139.jpg" width="398" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A second tasting of Tie Guanyin, English style was just as good.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ2GgA0gAfRFt87rpP8mv46wsnw0Ebc7SSq3HhcE_V8qi24GTchsHUQFikv0CRHIciDW7bFSctcvkB-676vy7-JPVMSc82Ht6FK9_oTElDP-p7jyxPTVBN-DmvPfedSS5dqTqGQ2H9Tdb3SqKezZwgq2y6ylqOuv7_qkL-YePY9ddsuGyTOJy5GgVg7s/s4000/20240205_111131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ2GgA0gAfRFt87rpP8mv46wsnw0Ebc7SSq3HhcE_V8qi24GTchsHUQFikv0CRHIciDW7bFSctcvkB-676vy7-JPVMSc82Ht6FK9_oTElDP-p7jyxPTVBN-DmvPfedSS5dqTqGQ2H9Tdb3SqKezZwgq2y6ylqOuv7_qkL-YePY9ddsuGyTOJy5GgVg7s/w411-h548/20240205_111131.jpg" width="411" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Check out <a href="https://iteaworld.com/ ">https://iteaworld.com/ </a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-19000020629105730152024-02-05T14:44:00.000-08:002024-02-05T14:44:45.976-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Recently I came across the song Try a Little Kindness. On YouTube I found it by several singers, here is a link to one of them: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX7NNMKBPsw&ab_channel=drlandy">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX7NNMKBPsw&ab_channel=drlandy</a></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Enjoy this one of Glen Campbell in concert.</span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then last week I bought the book, The Boy, the mole, the fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Have you seen this book. It has the sweetest message. It will be my Valentine gift for my grandson. Here is a copy of a page from the book. I love the artwork and the words.</span><br /></p><p><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfig59nzi0vsapogMqVcbZDnVAkMDxc0viYnxWr739RX7WYbBK2R2tzZRnrGmO-UpW14xytVlnDmhMDz5lP-iPHW27smbyModBZOQ1JDKmNtiHkV2weXtkO-rEgysAL4EzV5wYro8xfUCJv3V3zsizNlUcMm2ZZBuPsvyIC5F_Eab_rgjl91mo4MVPz4/s4000/20240202_075444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfig59nzi0vsapogMqVcbZDnVAkMDxc0viYnxWr739RX7WYbBK2R2tzZRnrGmO-UpW14xytVlnDmhMDz5lP-iPHW27smbyModBZOQ1JDKmNtiHkV2weXtkO-rEgysAL4EzV5wYro8xfUCJv3V3zsizNlUcMm2ZZBuPsvyIC5F_Eab_rgjl91mo4MVPz4/w356-h474/20240202_075444.jpg" width="356" /></a></span></div><p><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;"> Each day I pray that the world will become a little kinder.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;">Kindness is definitely what I want to be when I grow up. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;">How about you?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto" style="font-size: large;">Marilyn<br /></span></p><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-81084253078053729132024-02-02T14:20:00.000-08:002024-02-02T14:20:08.789-08:00Troll Scavenger Hunt<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Thomas Dambo is a creative troll builder that I have become intrigued by. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I knew there was one troll named Ole Boele in Portland. I believe I shared him before. He is located at the Nordia House on the grounds. I saw him before Christmas and recently returned to share the charm with my cousin and his wife. When I was there a woman said "this is my final one to find in the Pacific Northwest". What a fun thing to do I thought. So I went on the website and realized they just give hints where the six are located and you have to figure the location out. I love a scavenger hunt; so I was up for the challenge.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGHV7vJzl6gX0c42G53jSgDtBdA-RFDjXu78IkdTcGpOXwFNbSqssSf3Hxk6aIP2t6lDjjUR_2-dfkdQWnNDb5BfPjZeSUdNnHCMfTaobG94Pm83V14_RS3A6_Ean_OZ-eOhp0fpfDNxa7o0JTlcO-Fn8l9FloCY9IV9zEL_-oeLsm7tr9Kw4Byp5TWU/s4000/20240124_130053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGHV7vJzl6gX0c42G53jSgDtBdA-RFDjXu78IkdTcGpOXwFNbSqssSf3Hxk6aIP2t6lDjjUR_2-dfkdQWnNDb5BfPjZeSUdNnHCMfTaobG94Pm83V14_RS3A6_Ean_OZ-eOhp0fpfDNxa7o0JTlcO-Fn8l9FloCY9IV9zEL_-oeLsm7tr9Kw4Byp5TWU/w328-h437/20240124_130053.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Ole Boele is looking in the roof at a plate of pastries. What a sweet face.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0m3w4sBCjS0F3nVFww1VXgq4j9tPuIWaNxw1X_uVjCD_sC5EMYVXfKNb9k42dDkWBKeC9c8DAD8_wW_ttvYRgbCr7-z7m5HC_CWv3uWoCoyBhj5U7GTPwcFt9mVL6ZXo6fRfKxRIIAhHZnL5iYWA0Oo5YW_q9FJ1yeIb4Y25k97aQk4Tx6DvJRRb930/s4000/20240124_130302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0m3w4sBCjS0F3nVFww1VXgq4j9tPuIWaNxw1X_uVjCD_sC5EMYVXfKNb9k42dDkWBKeC9c8DAD8_wW_ttvYRgbCr7-z7m5HC_CWv3uWoCoyBhj5U7GTPwcFt9mVL6ZXo6fRfKxRIIAhHZnL5iYWA0Oo5YW_q9FJ1yeIb4Y25k97aQk4Tx6DvJRRb930/w346-h461/20240124_130302.jpg" width="346" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well this week my live-in gardener and I were driving 4 hours north to visit my sister-in-law. I went online to see if there might be a troll near her. I knew there were 5 in the Seattle area. I found one on Bainbridge Island and knew it would be a fun outing to take her along with me. We found Pia the Peacemaker in a park on the island.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSTJ4N-EDL1kpfVD6HFRcYJGbsW_rNfMrxmZ52PSRBx5ZQseb-QVjLEwO2aKIdzlHtQ5iiRca10Dhv28S2Xwf-pv8_JcYwBk2gzAblfu-WpnPJQ9rWzFEseF-Xls7vA1VoGwtbzhXqRp7qAbqjoJChMNfAabC63Y26vvxG3Sj36PKoGvyOLS0MTxkC9E/s4000/20240130_130616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUSTJ4N-EDL1kpfVD6HFRcYJGbsW_rNfMrxmZ52PSRBx5ZQseb-QVjLEwO2aKIdzlHtQ5iiRca10Dhv28S2Xwf-pv8_JcYwBk2gzAblfu-WpnPJQ9rWzFEseF-Xls7vA1VoGwtbzhXqRp7qAbqjoJChMNfAabC63Y26vvxG3Sj36PKoGvyOLS0MTxkC9E/w435-h327/20240130_130616.jpg" width="435" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You can see the size as I stand in Pia's hand. OK, now I am obsessed to find them all! Ha!</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDWEuM3tN-Sz1edHjn-7L4mu8XRaYDlDtuPG6NyG9io5DBraNbcfL5KGnP2tQ5ADIsg-YCx6vxblgIgFaN0pjzRjAyr7n4r4r7Tsf0ZprOUVM_PoYihwlTRTKE6nqIm0jXJqk-aKJ7W0TX_xePGwM62hxFHHSbgOatrcLcxBTbWzU_4jOVumWoVY-tdo/s4000/20240130_125837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDWEuM3tN-Sz1edHjn-7L4mu8XRaYDlDtuPG6NyG9io5DBraNbcfL5KGnP2tQ5ADIsg-YCx6vxblgIgFaN0pjzRjAyr7n4r4r7Tsf0ZprOUVM_PoYihwlTRTKE6nqIm0jXJqk-aKJ7W0TX_xePGwM62hxFHHSbgOatrcLcxBTbWzU_4jOVumWoVY-tdo/w462-h347/20240130_125837.jpg" width="462" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">They are made out of recycled material, mostly old pallets.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then on our way home yesterday we made a side trip to Vashon Island where we found Oskar, the Bird Kind. Beside the bird houses in his crown there were bird house all around the grounds surrounding him. The toenails were seashells.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDY72GpX-QxHGvz9yl7kY2nXJd54tONyR3pfaXUDO-wyKfl2cUOfEjKkAVpItui46JYrvfL3fGbZ67Oc4k5Uigo_K3tj9Z1ndDpY45kYojCQC5wgNphvDhEPF22X0P78yyyVaJrEOROCuGjxSh1iCdHIE4XdPSdd5oKNTUZbAZtKRkyParEWoMy_7ftc/s4000/20240201_142317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSDY72GpX-QxHGvz9yl7kY2nXJd54tONyR3pfaXUDO-wyKfl2cUOfEjKkAVpItui46JYrvfL3fGbZ67Oc4k5Uigo_K3tj9Z1ndDpY45kYojCQC5wgNphvDhEPF22X0P78yyyVaJrEOROCuGjxSh1iCdHIE4XdPSdd5oKNTUZbAZtKRkyParEWoMy_7ftc/w345-h460/20240201_142317.jpg" width="345" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLcwlZS1VI1ZAoR349NK7tAkWIXW3cVJsE7Heq9n7PruAMEPWh3YQwG-ali2d9zeaZq7WWN8S9f19ZwHFQXHy7-NXAkIvdxQgHU7x7uO1agbFsS6QfFiQL5vxtXlP2LJbcMdWXqm16eivIRYCrHqb-rTbsqGmonF8ea5tYuFX3L6x2a7YEMc0ZbEjBG0/s4000/20240201_142612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLcwlZS1VI1ZAoR349NK7tAkWIXW3cVJsE7Heq9n7PruAMEPWh3YQwG-ali2d9zeaZq7WWN8S9f19ZwHFQXHy7-NXAkIvdxQgHU7x7uO1agbFsS6QfFiQL5vxtXlP2LJbcMdWXqm16eivIRYCrHqb-rTbsqGmonF8ea5tYuFX3L6x2a7YEMc0ZbEjBG0/w394-h525/20240201_142612.jpg" width="394" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCZfigZr7uXoTqMAPufTOTl2MMQ2jyj3CzJdyzp6zUrALJgS_NdS1IZpY_devtG8PfPfqxxG9Tyx4PacS9DzJf9ZMVtYRtwOapY9THhfhTWc2inq3OPNEsFzsfLf_1SktAQZWEHAKlx4TakICJjGv9e8g2-4Ulgjz2sBltKag22T4jmbgpdsVFWl6qUU/s4000/20240201_142241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCZfigZr7uXoTqMAPufTOTl2MMQ2jyj3CzJdyzp6zUrALJgS_NdS1IZpY_devtG8PfPfqxxG9Tyx4PacS9DzJf9ZMVtYRtwOapY9THhfhTWc2inq3OPNEsFzsfLf_1SktAQZWEHAKlx4TakICJjGv9e8g2-4Ulgjz2sBltKag22T4jmbgpdsVFWl6qUU/w275-h366/20240201_142241.jpg" width="275" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One pole with birdhouses. Each of the trolls in the three locations I have found had the poles with birdhouses.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEVwaODeQXomYOTzsLuPiGuqkCt16A9Rmn8pG08XmckyaCqVHaQ5DxPlCJw-KkPsy6Ndd2NxrMsTaSjMDFZLN4G68nIZNM3Ie9_SF5NlaIXD-UmgF8tRyqJXQ0Rg9bJRaJwLglv-64bbSqXDZtz7gbx3kbQTf-zvqte0UlNEiqYtM1SBT9UHrVRZ4BvM/s4000/20240201_142628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEVwaODeQXomYOTzsLuPiGuqkCt16A9Rmn8pG08XmckyaCqVHaQ5DxPlCJw-KkPsy6Ndd2NxrMsTaSjMDFZLN4G68nIZNM3Ie9_SF5NlaIXD-UmgF8tRyqJXQ0Rg9bJRaJwLglv-64bbSqXDZtz7gbx3kbQTf-zvqte0UlNEiqYtM1SBT9UHrVRZ4BvM/w428-h571/20240201_142628.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I thoroughly feel like a child of wonder when standing in their midst. Each one has made me smile.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now I have three more to find and in September I will do that. I know where they are and I am coming for them.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If you search online you will find they are in other parts of the country too. A friend in Maine said there was one near her. I have heard there is one in Michigan too. The search is part of the fun and who doesn't need a bit of whimsy in their life. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-65358104375666364852024-01-28T15:29:00.000-08:002024-01-28T15:29:37.424-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOb45e8WyEDbPswYHJuG2EzEicsDsWrCA405y-B89yjGzdp6jNKTJDZIVOQNfdTVuHhZaYd6yDfwt-V_uMdvnYjj3dsfct1T-EJZEgMJsWdfx6tJYkMYigm34xQYM20K72GjPOrwfryLzYRsH0v6MssM9GAToOxQaM_XuNtVG926fTIv6LLnMdnYM/s4000/20230325_123946.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOb45e8WyEDbPswYHJuG2EzEicsDsWrCA405y-B89yjGzdp6jNKTJDZIVOQNfdTVuHhZaYd6yDfwt-V_uMdvnYjj3dsfct1T-EJZEgMJsWdfx6tJYkMYigm34xQYM20K72GjPOrwfryLzYRsH0v6MssM9GAToOxQaM_XuNtVG926fTIv6LLnMdnYM/w336-h448/20230325_123946.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“</i>Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.<i>” – Jackie Chan</i></span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DjfIZGYlNzszuf1MhteVSaOEpqCPcGteYTQYs3E8oBascC72DdO7Cmaa0kziwCCCEUwAah4rcoP55SFPaPOHC6KVOU0C8zxgy8aD7PARr05-YgtHWzRZpz1FOn-b3KpF5GFLmHy7Bv-fBWDalB1hs-7nDA3syxoHH9Wdiigpo8yn_k-CNeYFGx9z/s4000/20230325_123933.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-DjfIZGYlNzszuf1MhteVSaOEpqCPcGteYTQYs3E8oBascC72DdO7Cmaa0kziwCCCEUwAah4rcoP55SFPaPOHC6KVOU0C8zxgy8aD7PARr05-YgtHWzRZpz1FOn-b3KpF5GFLmHy7Bv-fBWDalB1hs-7nDA3syxoHH9Wdiigpo8yn_k-CNeYFGx9z/w356-h475/20230325_123933.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It is amazing to me already this year that each week I notice kindness around me. When you watch the news, at least for me, I think the world has lost it's kindness.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am sharing pictures of orchid's that bloomed not to long ago right in my living room. It was spectacular to see them all bloom at the same time. They brought a smile to my face. I hope they make you smile too.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTKWB3t1vGXqpgyD21vzX33VOZ11K3DRF9y-qIS2EppAKNPavlebnOa3yzP_Ai35b0OTQggCW_D57o6lXdO4Yg9MKWMBjx14JZMRNoadH2v8TUMQmSGodXGfXW4auMdyNHjjsopK3fJxVbJugk--_FXXKKJZU7LazcrepBSGq7rDVY_PCOpGOm-hX/s4000/20230325_123924.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTTKWB3t1vGXqpgyD21vzX33VOZ11K3DRF9y-qIS2EppAKNPavlebnOa3yzP_Ai35b0OTQggCW_D57o6lXdO4Yg9MKWMBjx14JZMRNoadH2v8TUMQmSGodXGfXW4auMdyNHjjsopK3fJxVbJugk--_FXXKKJZU7LazcrepBSGq7rDVY_PCOpGOm-hX/w379-h505/20230325_123924.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Now back to kindness.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I was beginning to think about kindness this very day a friend shared a story that happened to her this weekend. I am going to share a bit of that story now because it is exactly what I mean in sharing kindness.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Her neighbor in the apartment where she lives knocked on her door and with the translator on his phone asked if he could repair her car because part of the front was falling off. He spoke only Spanish and she spoke English; but the message got across that he wanted to do this for free. She agreed and later remembered that something else had been repaired recently without her knowing who did it. She realized it was this neighbor. Her comment in relating the story was that she was so impressed by his "kindness" and she realized how special these people in her apartment building were "good people".</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's these little things that make our world a better place. </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKN4B7JWkl_YmeRHmk27-MnYP363zj8M2g3UU6ijVnLIlcoRIHyXEPzRQ9MEGa--nhkw7RFgx9asnjgjn1p58BE4SGT8dAYr_rGucHYIUQmMtbUoOAF9lSKIKDcI33SI0Z4fn5B_vItO193pqaM6r9VpzjC48SXkB9cCjszwte7fBTeu4Dw-ESgC_/s4000/20230325_123908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKN4B7JWkl_YmeRHmk27-MnYP363zj8M2g3UU6ijVnLIlcoRIHyXEPzRQ9MEGa--nhkw7RFgx9asnjgjn1p58BE4SGT8dAYr_rGucHYIUQmMtbUoOAF9lSKIKDcI33SI0Z4fn5B_vItO193pqaM6r9VpzjC48SXkB9cCjszwte7fBTeu4Dw-ESgC_/w323-h431/20230325_123908.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of our neighbors came to our door this week and asked advise from my "live-in gardener" on something in his garden and then he asked if he needed anything at the store. Again, it is just watching out for each other and caring enough to share a little kindness.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrFUGTJDol97-xeFUBCC5adhVKBY2Hvx-0nvUEKC0O29JWgzK_UvFBEkgIMwfnsvSIgPFW-IkkkWRMpywVP0V0SwyHqL4oHmubtgN27yMLEz1DhNL8rojNimjbVUuvcsgRvzva9xtJSejatxupSLUCo75x82mC5rUXmbt3oQjceLbvgs41dc7psxt/s4000/20230325_123858.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrFUGTJDol97-xeFUBCC5adhVKBY2Hvx-0nvUEKC0O29JWgzK_UvFBEkgIMwfnsvSIgPFW-IkkkWRMpywVP0V0SwyHqL4oHmubtgN27yMLEz1DhNL8rojNimjbVUuvcsgRvzva9xtJSejatxupSLUCo75x82mC5rUXmbt3oQjceLbvgs41dc7psxt/w412-h548/20230325_123858.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> In sharing little kindnesses our hearts grow a little bigger and our smile a little brighter. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My goal for this year it for each of us to notice and pass it on. Then yes, our world can grow a little kinder and healthier.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What kindness have you noticed this week?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">PS: I am gone for a few days; so if your comment doesn't show up right away it will be there eventually. Off to celebrate my "live-in gardener" and his sisters birthdays because you know you are supposed to celebrate all month long. Glad my son can feed the cat and hold down the fort for a few days.</span><br /></p><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-69123095793081233182024-01-26T10:35:00.000-08:002024-01-26T10:35:29.354-08:00Hearthside Tea Time<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">“May you always have walls for the
winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you,
those you love near you, and all your heart may desire.” —Irish
Blessing</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRV2c0HAWQFV-5rnLHOQ0sdFg0ZfxgZzMajWqm_9E3QfJQwTeebB7li_pqCJuR87C0Iib1BDbb1VRHkxBbZkmub9H7zM3ghRHNsA-05iq5ZoUyyMjggx4jSzZnRGctN3zfeHkdmazQwzppdrsR1b76_bD3CHet0ZGgAVhAJf2KRaPHCSGkT6NKp7RzsY/s4000/20240123_110550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRV2c0HAWQFV-5rnLHOQ0sdFg0ZfxgZzMajWqm_9E3QfJQwTeebB7li_pqCJuR87C0Iib1BDbb1VRHkxBbZkmub9H7zM3ghRHNsA-05iq5ZoUyyMjggx4jSzZnRGctN3zfeHkdmazQwzppdrsR1b76_bD3CHet0ZGgAVhAJf2KRaPHCSGkT6NKp7RzsY/w494-h371/20240123_110550.jpg" width="494" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Recently I was inspired by Tea Time Magazine to do a "hearthside tea". Afterall, I had the same teapot they had in their pictures and it just sounded like the perfect thing to do in winter. I invited a friend to join me.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8lzvAY019XuAMgKdPHPw9_msesMrm-bT17kX11f57MbDitgOTU4NgewKY1hncHeu9760IEFfCoVa0EIWiQBaYOJTkhC1oCTKgM7CCwbokR4xpz_iRbheQvxxRiH_-rwCkj-c9IKEDzPhZbQjuQ4H1LVkftBYfnXqfjcXQSXBrfcCrUih268Eh0yBffk/s4000/20240123_110702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="541" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8lzvAY019XuAMgKdPHPw9_msesMrm-bT17kX11f57MbDitgOTU4NgewKY1hncHeu9760IEFfCoVa0EIWiQBaYOJTkhC1oCTKgM7CCwbokR4xpz_iRbheQvxxRiH_-rwCkj-c9IKEDzPhZbQjuQ4H1LVkftBYfnXqfjcXQSXBrfcCrUih268Eh0yBffk/w406-h541/20240123_110702.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the cup was a nice Darjeeling from Lochan Tea. And because both my guest and I like tea sandwiches the best, I made three different sandwiches and had a bit of fruit on the side. The sandwiches were deli turkey with lingonberry jam on rye bread, chopped black olive on wheat bread and ham, cream cheese and champagne mustard rolled on flat bread. They were all good. The olive was the only one I had made before; so it was fun to have something new.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS5NCxAIkrEI1CCiOTyaRWuh3Gf9Ski5D6QQk6Mfa7yDD2zt1TdA4niS-9e3BJic5ZJUq-sgMMTfx95oHSNyUuFUnZdaKMvT70sRuE43o8D4ix9D3zt95oTZxrq-8qfaFJFFWcUcPSNm1vIK-79QumB9-gfvPYrsrLY4s8zbABhR1GVkn2MINilecSwo/s4000/20240123_120748.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS5NCxAIkrEI1CCiOTyaRWuh3Gf9Ski5D6QQk6Mfa7yDD2zt1TdA4niS-9e3BJic5ZJUq-sgMMTfx95oHSNyUuFUnZdaKMvT70sRuE43o8D4ix9D3zt95oTZxrq-8qfaFJFFWcUcPSNm1vIK-79QumB9-gfvPYrsrLY4s8zbABhR1GVkn2MINilecSwo/w352-h469/20240123_120748.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Of course we needed something sweet to finish teatime. I had the batter for molten chocolate cake in my refrigerator for my "live-in gardeners" birthday this week and thought it would be the perfect way to end teatime. We were so busy visiting I cooked the chocolate cake a bit too long and it was really just chocolate cake, but still good.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For me, anytime of the year is an excuse to have teatime with a friend.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sitting in the gardenhouse during warm months is a delight, but sitting by the hearthside is most wonderful too.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the past when I invited a friend for tea I would work for days to prepare. As I have gotten older I have realized I don't need to follow the rules of teatime. I can do teatime however and whenever I want. My rule is to keep it simple because enjoying sipping tea with a dear friend is really what it is all about. So if you come for tea at my table it might only be a piece of toast or it might be three sandwiches and something chocolate.<br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Happy weekend, dear friends!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy a cup of something warm by the hearth.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn</span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-22370498612593823002024-01-22T10:25:00.000-08:002024-01-22T10:27:35.399-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfKIgW3ILkGeBNV1jj1ZGyLGn9S0Fifemo_46FuSU56v-4-apYlr1Jyl9C5AfDeUtiWQnPI-aUUGXLset-BjfuOc9EFhzEgq1x6d73w-b1esRe47VsVhKkTNCpk-NOjAnNEOc4M7MdUMM66zQUSBxZ_NdYEZEwD2uUq5b1PwWdpXSS158QkXX1ru3aAc/s4000/20240122_095232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfKIgW3ILkGeBNV1jj1ZGyLGn9S0Fifemo_46FuSU56v-4-apYlr1Jyl9C5AfDeUtiWQnPI-aUUGXLset-BjfuOc9EFhzEgq1x6d73w-b1esRe47VsVhKkTNCpk-NOjAnNEOc4M7MdUMM66zQUSBxZ_NdYEZEwD2uUq5b1PwWdpXSS158QkXX1ru3aAc/w328-h437/20240122_095232.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Kindness has the same meaning in any language and in any land." </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Essay, She'll Never Know by Roger Burlington in book, Short Stories as you like them, edited by William R. Wood and John D. Husband - 1940</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMjxiHYf3wplWfB6nku34Gw0FMqhoPlXVbI7CWUqhS3D6L-WzQzbGrrn5Uz4v_WRNkh_zSyt8ZLktBnEl4NdombPI0zwkYCy69dLRgcwgKVKGjVN_NL07FS6rAcOmuRsNtaeCE7G1gjW0EZfDydJROJv1wjySIc4NzchF2oQ7xrgTLVvTzMg8xb6nKrw/s4000/20240122_095321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="515" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMjxiHYf3wplWfB6nku34Gw0FMqhoPlXVbI7CWUqhS3D6L-WzQzbGrrn5Uz4v_WRNkh_zSyt8ZLktBnEl4NdombPI0zwkYCy69dLRgcwgKVKGjVN_NL07FS6rAcOmuRsNtaeCE7G1gjW0EZfDydJROJv1wjySIc4NzchF2oQ7xrgTLVvTzMg8xb6nKrw/w386-h515/20240122_095321.jpg" width="386" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This Short Stories book has been on my book shelf my whole adult life, but recently I realized I had never read it. So this past week I picked it up to read a few essays. The essays were very dated and nothing particularly enticing; but still I had to read awhile. Will I finish reading this book? Probably not! Will I pass this book along, probably not for awhile. This particular book has sentimental meaning to me.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I was a senior at Willow Glen High School I took English literature. Now this book was compiled and printed in the US. But what I treasured was that my English teacher gave me this book. I was very quiet in all my classes and in this one I remember sitting in the back row with a most boisterous boy; so I was even more quiet. But there was something about this teacher, Miss Wood. </span><span style="font-size: large;">She noticed me</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> and would encourage me to read. She even would make sure to ask my opinion of the assigned reading in each class gathering. She was kind to me. So at the end of the year she signed the book and I have treasured having it on my book shelf ever since.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTGG3JnJjWO65we80OjSLJXsFyfprWwWWSVrtHBsE9alz6A3xadVQld52x_0b0B9EQPHc3WzOvYRsCcDRj0BcxRqfi-SVXPjzDDrD6M38dUCAWjDpRq5-qKL0sBJTCIInJfatge6ZyFHwL-ujSkdhJMAyJ1-FIfUH7WLHIY4LnrckJ4_eH4L8hrOZfKg/s3000/20240122_101232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2499" data-original-width="3000" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTGG3JnJjWO65we80OjSLJXsFyfprWwWWSVrtHBsE9alz6A3xadVQld52x_0b0B9EQPHc3WzOvYRsCcDRj0BcxRqfi-SVXPjzDDrD6M38dUCAWjDpRq5-qKL0sBJTCIInJfatge6ZyFHwL-ujSkdhJMAyJ1-FIfUH7WLHIY4LnrckJ4_eH4L8hrOZfKg/w452-h377/20240122_101232.jpg" width="452" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The book must have come from the school library, but she noticed me and gave it to me.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> When I came across the above quote I just thought "of course" kindness would be the same in every language and land.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday my church was honored with lunch of food from Afghanistan. We had sponsored a family from there two years ago and they wanted to say thank you for all we did for them and celebrate getting permanent visas to stay here. It was the kindness of those in our church that they honored with Afghan food. What a treat!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">So again this week I am reminded in many small ways that kindness matters.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-40330484037956641282024-01-20T12:30:00.000-08:002024-01-20T12:31:15.440-08:00This week Tea and Ice<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> The title pretty much says it all.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There has been ice all around me outdoors; so mostly what I have done indoors is sip tea. It's OK for a little while, but then I want to get outdoors, move about, see nature, see friends and go to the market.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-0Yp6kr2VvHpr3KjhPPE5tyTG8tY2E0m3IAGDTCKzTxdQpXkFxCuDYNXbo2oMC97S-BTCXaKBl2yOLI1WvpTYK1ufn1doCL1tlZFGOSmhTCe1pfWYkEhobBd8nWgrOHZ868kQgcRQ24A2Q4CIg0yGJ6s3qaTvps4l-Szr3DU_ES05YV34bHsnmti0d0/s4000/20240120_093754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM-0Yp6kr2VvHpr3KjhPPE5tyTG8tY2E0m3IAGDTCKzTxdQpXkFxCuDYNXbo2oMC97S-BTCXaKBl2yOLI1WvpTYK1ufn1doCL1tlZFGOSmhTCe1pfWYkEhobBd8nWgrOHZ868kQgcRQ24A2Q4CIg0yGJ6s3qaTvps4l-Szr3DU_ES05YV34bHsnmti0d0/w385-h513/20240120_093754.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This first picture might not look like much. The little spiky things sticking up above the ice are the beginnings of crocus to come in the yard.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7pk6yzoQxa7ZzsXItM_MdKM9XfOqr6wDlHoTZg7KUdHw7sreTrXuKk-GA0AaCeyhVFVz53FhScsOgWlpzazrRKvi6VOrWihOgKdtmG-G1rrpJszKIz30nhKfDDY8l6JGNCw4VUHS1E1apy0dXKGCl0nLeW7NXCWC1-8VOXD1FZgDEmAh1K5GGcR-yBo/s4000/20240120_082558.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC7pk6yzoQxa7ZzsXItM_MdKM9XfOqr6wDlHoTZg7KUdHw7sreTrXuKk-GA0AaCeyhVFVz53FhScsOgWlpzazrRKvi6VOrWihOgKdtmG-G1rrpJszKIz30nhKfDDY8l6JGNCw4VUHS1E1apy0dXKGCl0nLeW7NXCWC1-8VOXD1FZgDEmAh1K5GGcR-yBo/w477-h358/20240120_082558.jpg" width="477" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Well OK, I needed to eat too. Any excuse to add warmth indoors included a little bit of early morning baking. There were the remnants of cookies in the refrigerator to bake, lemons that needed to go in a pie and blueberry muffins because there were blueberries calling out from my freezer. Plus just having the oven on made me feel more cozy and warm.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70h_V8-SPWtKb_jHHdhK75qS98f_DpsQfsUdepS8hJbjC1RZEWSFIS2VeICn552vberabNLoymwImxPOx8Abxrgye8tFf9O5BzUTtTY65Pxja3OKRFQ9rqAOYvtJspjW1PBywS6zhYC0FUW3SNVGs-eZzkcikZD1jbFt6MgGRR3vxXeV_oOfX0JMWjvU/s4000/20240120_080429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70h_V8-SPWtKb_jHHdhK75qS98f_DpsQfsUdepS8hJbjC1RZEWSFIS2VeICn552vberabNLoymwImxPOx8Abxrgye8tFf9O5BzUTtTY65Pxja3OKRFQ9rqAOYvtJspjW1PBywS6zhYC0FUW3SNVGs-eZzkcikZD1jbFt6MgGRR3vxXeV_oOfX0JMWjvU/w384-h512/20240120_080429.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday my "live-in gardener" and I decided to drive to the market. We squirmed out of our sloping drive and gingerly made it to the market. The parking lot at the market had been cleared and we did quite well on the main streets and at the market. However, trying to pull into our drive was treacherous. Thankful for a wide drive as we turned sideways and slid back down. There was no way to get the car back where it had been. We parked at the curb, but how were we going to get in the house and carry our groceries up the hill. At that point a kind neighbor came along with his shovel and broke up some of the ice and we walked up the garden, holding on to the bushes along the way. Our neighbor carried our groceries up the hill for us. Whew! What an adventure. Glad there were no falls and my car is safe on the street.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This morning I could see the sun shining on my front walk. It is still ice, but the sun gave me hope for melting. It is warm enough now that the ice is beginning to melt. We are staying indoors today though.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bXkRHb48pVMCKEbeVMV8OH_5jvcYgQsATPtYg44Of5_t2RfVsz_c0kl-6Oece9O5wD779A2hsnKGlUoKWMBUIVc-Ub8PncacE4Q5w5OgHOf13bsTvfCNff1YL86MmI3zt7uwXPEzX_Kk7-dnOAD7PpfRurHN438F6_CLeR4M5__zi659m19zQjR-pFY/s4000/20240119_080702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bXkRHb48pVMCKEbeVMV8OH_5jvcYgQsATPtYg44Of5_t2RfVsz_c0kl-6Oece9O5wD779A2hsnKGlUoKWMBUIVc-Ub8PncacE4Q5w5OgHOf13bsTvfCNff1YL86MmI3zt7uwXPEzX_Kk7-dnOAD7PpfRurHN438F6_CLeR4M5__zi659m19zQjR-pFY/w379-h505/20240119_080702.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I enjoyed a few early morning breakfast's by candlelight just because it made me feel more cozy too. And then you see more tea too.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZ8hiLxDYuatsehTbN076-vf0ZVFoRvRzqG0cup-NVrmMHFASrmf4YGlpJ2C_Gl_mcjPPmqCaLtzwc2hhRCmXePKnnT_q2rkeuBIoDMVd98bDzaL9TIN8teh8OZ26UV5r-RJFnM6q__5PWoiXYJR6z0aaVermPC9ypTipdt2gZJyfevl7vmjkpBqV1LQ/s4000/20240119_074538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGZ8hiLxDYuatsehTbN076-vf0ZVFoRvRzqG0cup-NVrmMHFASrmf4YGlpJ2C_Gl_mcjPPmqCaLtzwc2hhRCmXePKnnT_q2rkeuBIoDMVd98bDzaL9TIN8teh8OZ26UV5r-RJFnM6q__5PWoiXYJR6z0aaVermPC9ypTipdt2gZJyfevl7vmjkpBqV1LQ/w354-h472/20240119_074538.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The plants had frozen rain. Many branches down in our yard. And large branches through the roof of the greenhouse. I have a feeling whatever is inside is frozen too. Not looking yet!! A few things were rescued and sitting in the house for warmer days.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs26YW99ZrOYT5r7xw7kmoRmw0tDCyu16weuk2q9pNV6DeZ9ya9ywlLNLbByaMjjjPPM63dVRRCCc0uzFDGcoCtDmGxWUNKYVI7xeO6guyBvkELpeG_F0-WjgRNkMEWLBajA4qgQ0TGLeY3SzOSqGo8xZtHsDuy814XVCbAufpc7IACT_NzL0sOlPFL0/s4000/20240117_164754.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYs26YW99ZrOYT5r7xw7kmoRmw0tDCyu16weuk2q9pNV6DeZ9ya9ywlLNLbByaMjjjPPM63dVRRCCc0uzFDGcoCtDmGxWUNKYVI7xeO6guyBvkELpeG_F0-WjgRNkMEWLBajA4qgQ0TGLeY3SzOSqGo8xZtHsDuy814XVCbAufpc7IACT_NzL0sOlPFL0/w342-h456/20240117_164754.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And then more tea. I finished off a couple teas in my stash and enjoyed some new teas recently sent from Assam Heritage Tea. The tea in the cup is a Bamboo Smoked Green tea, which quite surprised me. I don't normally drink green tea, but the smoked flavor was quite delightful.</span><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt_E1xdFDEMMTOdtLRMadi30V_zHCrYU0UigziGs5s2Lcciz0rGi8NFXByQN-gCSd-noXcv_Gx-ijrJtwrHeSQo00KU-UwcV4xsLnKp5kqsQmweWmOi688Hf0yzwnb-mxTUOydyPpSNcTTvrDGJqRcvp7-D_60MAp2CR-QJQ0rY1-TTTuttdMFc3kdNs/s4000/20240117_084056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkt_E1xdFDEMMTOdtLRMadi30V_zHCrYU0UigziGs5s2Lcciz0rGi8NFXByQN-gCSd-noXcv_Gx-ijrJtwrHeSQo00KU-UwcV4xsLnKp5kqsQmweWmOi688Hf0yzwnb-mxTUOydyPpSNcTTvrDGJqRcvp7-D_60MAp2CR-QJQ0rY1-TTTuttdMFc3kdNs/w343-h458/20240117_084056.jpg" width="343" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And of course, more ice on everything. This plant held the ice like a necklace of pearls. I thought it was quite beautiful.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDPArjFc7R9tgkyOxjqLDcyK4Yhv0sQ7d95AFO8IxEQidIOCCyS6U5HcW_R_iedztd92k5naoWtgTXtrWNszQAmVOolbrlSIUJoiyKLB4HDbhd2n_onIppI1oFSL4Woq0o88qSq67ojBJxDBY6aEt1LhJb7ghkk5hdnplpmtzYttrZJDIZdW1U2VkFj0/s4000/20240117_081449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="455" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDPArjFc7R9tgkyOxjqLDcyK4Yhv0sQ7d95AFO8IxEQidIOCCyS6U5HcW_R_iedztd92k5naoWtgTXtrWNszQAmVOolbrlSIUJoiyKLB4HDbhd2n_onIppI1oFSL4Woq0o88qSq67ojBJxDBY6aEt1LhJb7ghkk5hdnplpmtzYttrZJDIZdW1U2VkFj0/w341-h455/20240117_081449.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Well even though at time I said it was beautiful, I will be happy to see it go away. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How is it in your part of the world?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope you are staying cozy and sipping something warm.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-87162359875268950012024-01-15T10:27:00.000-08:002024-01-15T10:27:38.559-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"> “One kind word can warm three winter months.”</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"> —Japanese Proverb</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3clF2SskEhmyb0ifTS8zn81Tnboh1vzR1tcxPUoPa78EuLebEhgBtffZmOTvGWmTdmbBMR9UpMxEqQXWU-GccWkSAJCp-LChHducy_o3BT8E7Be0UoO20e9fB4A17hw9m0B17v5My78H5I5dDCEw6Rq6ywGY4Mm3psYn5Hsg8734uY0fntrgWSQoVdUw/s4000/20240114_150139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3clF2SskEhmyb0ifTS8zn81Tnboh1vzR1tcxPUoPa78EuLebEhgBtffZmOTvGWmTdmbBMR9UpMxEqQXWU-GccWkSAJCp-LChHducy_o3BT8E7Be0UoO20e9fB4A17hw9m0B17v5My78H5I5dDCEw6Rq6ywGY4Mm3psYn5Hsg8734uY0fntrgWSQoVdUw/w355-h474/20240114_150139.jpg" width="355" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I know for you in the mid-west this may not look like a lot of snow, but it is very icy.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My tea group was supposed to gather yesterday in person, but instead we met on zoom. There were many kind words shared over tiny cups of tea.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYUvFHmSTla7UtS3k0jlRKzzC-0nZj5tW8XhaAsEdGza7eCY_hwFYIU-V6qI8rujUoNTyUYJko3HRSuFxTbX-Y52eDIFA5hEQpWenPi20Lbr34qie_KvlQpeqxcPQ8dQbltgB6Cwv4XmQ_LzPgDVLDlsJempt1uSx2yPxdkyipoxk4X-a_h3LEUDQjF8/s4000/20240114_082820.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYUvFHmSTla7UtS3k0jlRKzzC-0nZj5tW8XhaAsEdGza7eCY_hwFYIU-V6qI8rujUoNTyUYJko3HRSuFxTbX-Y52eDIFA5hEQpWenPi20Lbr34qie_KvlQpeqxcPQ8dQbltgB6Cwv4XmQ_LzPgDVLDlsJempt1uSx2yPxdkyipoxk4X-a_h3LEUDQjF8/w364-h485/20240114_082820.jpg" width="364" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">My back yard a couple days ago. The snow isn't melting because it is so cold. This morning I tried to open the window to put the hummingbird feeder out and the window was frozen shut. Once the sun came out the window opened. The hummingbirds have been very happy to have the feeder each day. They have swarmed around our arms, buzzing, when we reach out to set the feeder in place. That isn't a kind word, but a kind gesture. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kindness counts in whatever form it takes.</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWkFktmkaPKTMUn6Awo0ANAlOPFZ78cM8_Aban_9ENiSpmNnoCgFpSve06JvWZt1zSp9nQFM-gS9EgV5cUd6c6jybRncrGg60UZO1XQbSCnueOOzmJ3kepUjnSFEVqqtMNOqYRQ55LXYk2wd2kxDG2UUI36BQoaPnWgn_Os83hIXsHC44jCxgA17qQVo/s4000/20240114_083118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWkFktmkaPKTMUn6Awo0ANAlOPFZ78cM8_Aban_9ENiSpmNnoCgFpSve06JvWZt1zSp9nQFM-gS9EgV5cUd6c6jybRncrGg60UZO1XQbSCnueOOzmJ3kepUjnSFEVqqtMNOqYRQ55LXYk2wd2kxDG2UUI36BQoaPnWgn_Os83hIXsHC44jCxgA17qQVo/w388-h518/20240114_083118.jpg" width="388" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Sending kindness to you today.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Stay warm! </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto"><span class="_ap3a _aaco _aacu _aacx _aad7 _aade" dir="auto"> </span></span></p><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-83722956972000260222024-01-11T17:21:00.000-08:002024-01-11T17:21:59.344-08:00Let's Pour the Tea<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlorAlWk0JFRCUejKsKsVp7O8UKWgDZaVHPnD_0RMqkk0TivYFtOnmvrHDSDyQKi2MElT7gUNHIagEvbT9deptpfOOUiXoZcHRPzt5w-4ttBNl9VOOVZ-ALpr1UD_Pl1nbSxgdmjbB0tKm2Keev9k9e-umvc155VicEPw3zFD3mCrzC5phtgkt4NMzxkU/s4000/20231017_152327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlorAlWk0JFRCUejKsKsVp7O8UKWgDZaVHPnD_0RMqkk0TivYFtOnmvrHDSDyQKi2MElT7gUNHIagEvbT9deptpfOOUiXoZcHRPzt5w-4ttBNl9VOOVZ-ALpr1UD_Pl1nbSxgdmjbB0tKm2Keev9k9e-umvc155VicEPw3zFD3mCrzC5phtgkt4NMzxkU/w316-h421/20231017_152327.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I titled this post "Let's Pour the Tea" because I feel like when we sit in silence awhile over a warm cup of tea or coffee and meditate, it gives us time to consider all that we are grateful for. Let's sit together, wrap your cold hands around the cup of something warm, listen to the quietness surrounding you and be blessed with gratitude. I will be the "mum" and pour you a cuppa.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As I think of being grateful I came across a little book on my book shelf, A Year of Gratitude. It ended by listing things to be grateful for:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> "A warm bed, hot coffee (tea), blue skies, fresh fruit, morning walks, dreams to chase, problems to solve, a hug from a child, smiles in passing, an empty parking space, good news, a pat on the back, a second chance, grand intentions, great memories, loving friends, a crackling fire, a bowl of soup, a glorious sunset."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I would add the first snow of winter. It is so beautiful to sit with my warm cup of tea at the window and watch fluffy flakes fall from the clouds and lighten up my garden full of deteriorating brown leaves. The snow puts a blanket over the ground and for a little while the silences sings to my soul. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">The First Snow by Ethel Romig Fuller</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The snow wipes out the writing of the year;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It's swift erasers softly, surely pass</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Across the hieroglyphics of the grass</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And clean the slate of summer, spear by spear.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">Where was a tale of gardens there is now</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A smudged and undecipherable scrawl;</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And where illumined letter of fall,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A dim-inked outline of an austere bough.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">The hills depicted on the sky are blurred</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">As blackboards hid behind a cloud of chalk,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">And fast as feet of pigeons write a word</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">It is obliterated from the walk.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">An ancient picture script alone remains-</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">A panorama etched on windowpanes.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGflzBtLl6bGK6b6T2lHeyZX2suueKfel-CojaKKLedldtpxfrMf8qJ66k_fn14ZDZNhwC59mB5K3sQAwkJhQ25WMhVcFeZofZ8EE1mtIKv5CEvylCVSbJAg3xTbbfc_R1q2cqtX1IuceDXtt1WAUyWzVc_rBWJeOTXoA1cukQ-qli7Kz7bHc53RwN-44/s4000/20230318_133618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGflzBtLl6bGK6b6T2lHeyZX2suueKfel-CojaKKLedldtpxfrMf8qJ66k_fn14ZDZNhwC59mB5K3sQAwkJhQ25WMhVcFeZofZ8EE1mtIKv5CEvylCVSbJAg3xTbbfc_R1q2cqtX1IuceDXtt1WAUyWzVc_rBWJeOTXoA1cukQ-qli7Kz7bHc53RwN-44/w301-h401/20230318_133618.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsdMi0DX9CvoCf2ZpJXckFfIftyqlnnVA0OiGV_zDwmXRTW5IzpvdI9mi4UOEsnZjq5LjYebvI55uljBjkaI7sqC7OD7aFTHCSDECIZObebIAEicaS8kmICbdb4tOG3SQ2jpIhEslTXdnoKOBouDOpHRv347kXgDMvM619YmZgmflHkbuH-1UQO5gXa0/s4000/20230318_133603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="521" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIsdMi0DX9CvoCf2ZpJXckFfIftyqlnnVA0OiGV_zDwmXRTW5IzpvdI9mi4UOEsnZjq5LjYebvI55uljBjkaI7sqC7OD7aFTHCSDECIZObebIAEicaS8kmICbdb4tOG3SQ2jpIhEslTXdnoKOBouDOpHRv347kXgDMvM619YmZgmflHkbuH-1UQO5gXa0/w391-h521/20230318_133603.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVE5CrY3uDurlaklAwOT_XnoN4bURJ5Oe5OwSARapbaeB6DV7jDG_iioAggwAK4l6EikVd4l-FZHJMDujOjuYyMpZHrd4AMVQe_2fYnTPHpA-_FI0gCU1S_IMscPzxDukxy725T2mP5L0DBRsT-VCg9TWGBw4DMLp17DgGKf4_AwUEJvX9VZd1SPg0IM/s4000/20230318_133232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTVE5CrY3uDurlaklAwOT_XnoN4bURJ5Oe5OwSARapbaeB6DV7jDG_iioAggwAK4l6EikVd4l-FZHJMDujOjuYyMpZHrd4AMVQe_2fYnTPHpA-_FI0gCU1S_IMscPzxDukxy725T2mP5L0DBRsT-VCg9TWGBw4DMLp17DgGKf4_AwUEJvX9VZd1SPg0IM/w405-h540/20230318_133232.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG4zVx-aPSD_WM4mFcw4m3GOOR_IaE5bC8Lr2f7N_320iueoXQgpQvWZDeS6F25sUVkY3pKwNJTblsUeXq18dfyfehrIrhsUGKWuwBGLHlF9yBgc8quJFF-hSSqXQwlywPruK649mBawjYMAh6hqZJqHPUMwPUwyApvFju_8VGXF0BIhaofUj_ycU0eQ/s4000/20230223_075214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="509" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG4zVx-aPSD_WM4mFcw4m3GOOR_IaE5bC8Lr2f7N_320iueoXQgpQvWZDeS6F25sUVkY3pKwNJTblsUeXq18dfyfehrIrhsUGKWuwBGLHlF9yBgc8quJFF-hSSqXQwlywPruK649mBawjYMAh6hqZJqHPUMwPUwyApvFju_8VGXF0BIhaofUj_ycU0eQ/w382-h509/20230223_075214.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Sit awhile on this cold wintery day and be bless with gratitude for those things around you. </span><span style="font-size: large;">What would you add to the list of gratitudes?</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">*The first picture was taken in my yard on a stump next to my tea plants. I sometimes pour tea there and read a poem for social media. The first three snowy pictures were taken last March on Mt. Hood and the last picture was from my garden last February. We are expecting a little snow in the next few days, but I am hoping for just enough to dream awhile and wrap my hand around a warm cup of something delicious.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Happy weekend, dear ones!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn </span><br /></p><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-11270375145996998922024-01-08T07:12:00.000-08:002024-01-08T07:12:15.848-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeAU2f4M-ke4feqk1eNdJV8pdtenmQLZ85wii-qiXEvoUNYzpAcKE8RE_kgAgzscAcyjvp24Zi2ijpV_1RZLBKIilxrd1GeR3P1ryBJVOrOqqpYM80GfClFucUwQk3N2w3IzIt2rp2CSTTpdIGPTNDsk6p89xC_jKtTZTzo-YxOsyV5kJxl9mW0bdEzY/s4000/20240107_121804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibeAU2f4M-ke4feqk1eNdJV8pdtenmQLZ85wii-qiXEvoUNYzpAcKE8RE_kgAgzscAcyjvp24Zi2ijpV_1RZLBKIilxrd1GeR3P1ryBJVOrOqqpYM80GfClFucUwQk3N2w3IzIt2rp2CSTTpdIGPTNDsk6p89xC_jKtTZTzo-YxOsyV5kJxl9mW0bdEzY/w309-h412/20240107_121804.jpg" width="309" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /> A cup of kindness in the form of tea poured for me just yesterday.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EYb33I8LihypFsRc1uJgpvURHG9Z1AHv0CVJGXrpI8-1emqmMRiKjX1QdQ6mhz0zHoCObbtO3Ig5BEmAI30Pdk9osCgQ0IBkZTXAG3lDO6kYKc1XX-xKui0nxLwf3TwivtncVgyiO9aR2OXts6F1o-tfcFxW8xSQ9W6pTR-dotgtFzoXBR_vc4xy-5U/s4000/20240107_121700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5EYb33I8LihypFsRc1uJgpvURHG9Z1AHv0CVJGXrpI8-1emqmMRiKjX1QdQ6mhz0zHoCObbtO3Ig5BEmAI30Pdk9osCgQ0IBkZTXAG3lDO6kYKc1XX-xKui0nxLwf3TwivtncVgyiO9aR2OXts6F1o-tfcFxW8xSQ9W6pTR-dotgtFzoXBR_vc4xy-5U/w395-h527/20240107_121700.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Tea pourer extraordinaire! With a smile and laughter he poured the tea.</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"> "You can always give something, even if it is only kindness." Anne Frank</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anne Frank's story impacted me from the time I first read her story, probably about high school age. When I came across this quote on kindness I was just struck by the thought of this. It doesn't take much to give kindness and yet so often we get caught up in the every day life that we forget to say a kind word or give a smile to the person next to you. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's heal the world with kindness!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have a great week, dear friends!</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn<br /></span></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-12485438957444548722024-01-01T10:44:00.000-08:002024-01-01T10:44:20.797-08:00Words of Kindness and Joy<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Happy New Year</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">Welcome to 2024</span><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-l0eFRAKmkWmHVQJBe-5Ik6NKPXVOFwT3Gi-isTxMk_KJY3UHiASjIbHLinIJkiuLvJ_rOSWOJSmAyb2olBqoOHVEoX5GZnydN_trgGvkWkhHB-SVAiiFtA6fIPqM6TSsJd0TvlUa057Nsny_WCbvXkeaYNxxjq8pB5X2IAG2DikADnHGyExt1_QOhg/s4000/20231230_174116.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-l0eFRAKmkWmHVQJBe-5Ik6NKPXVOFwT3Gi-isTxMk_KJY3UHiASjIbHLinIJkiuLvJ_rOSWOJSmAyb2olBqoOHVEoX5GZnydN_trgGvkWkhHB-SVAiiFtA6fIPqM6TSsJd0TvlUa057Nsny_WCbvXkeaYNxxjq8pB5X2IAG2DikADnHGyExt1_QOhg/w366-h488/20231230_174116.jpg" width="366" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> I often think if we ALL spread kindness the world would be a
different place. So this year let's spread kindness wherever we go. Lather it generously like butter on a warm piece of toast. Let it melt into our pores. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Monday theme will be Words of Kindness and Joy. It may be a poem, something funny or maybe just a quote or word.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Come along with me on the journey to explore and embrace Kindness and Joy.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ_-ldtmZriN43apQ4tDFkKDnijbcgygeEBHm82Q4Cwqpd46k5JEwsKeuMOrGb2XgbUVkpSwX8RdcA7mJFwkAmNYZ1W_pkQZqfu1f_boN1f7MypYRAO7HNP2gOcDBErSqWpAND-9UAqHgYyuBaMpNrw9uFhfwCskDR_50ElghfBaNSv_kTonR_BVtPTs/s4000/20231230_153320.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ_-ldtmZriN43apQ4tDFkKDnijbcgygeEBHm82Q4Cwqpd46k5JEwsKeuMOrGb2XgbUVkpSwX8RdcA7mJFwkAmNYZ1W_pkQZqfu1f_boN1f7MypYRAO7HNP2gOcDBErSqWpAND-9UAqHgYyuBaMpNrw9uFhfwCskDR_50ElghfBaNSv_kTonR_BVtPTs/w345-h460/20231230_153320.jpg" width="345" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One particularly line jumped out at me this year in the song Auld Lang Syne:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;">"And we'll tak' a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The two pictures above are my tea table and cup which I embraced with kindness to those around me each and every day, a celebration and meditation I joined for new years. Though it was a zoom gathering, it was two hours of tranquility. Stars surrounded me on this new years night and I felt the warmth infuse me from those sipping a cup of kindness in that moment. Candles were lite to send love and kindness your way. May you be blessed in the new year.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXxR4p6gvF1Gp42r4whqZx5gYwn1pFEcPaKtG0Rkwqdj-J0kIF-FSjec-MVhqoX464_KN7fZ096cixJ8tz0wfDbAL52dITrHILY9Blca5KhgCbm66fvTe_TFuxXJgk4gn1OBretTEIRKnWrYQ3tDBjeIj3aLxdQaQABAKoIL3An_EP4g_6kluWUER0Rs/s4000/20231231_082211.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXxR4p6gvF1Gp42r4whqZx5gYwn1pFEcPaKtG0Rkwqdj-J0kIF-FSjec-MVhqoX464_KN7fZ096cixJ8tz0wfDbAL52dITrHILY9Blca5KhgCbm66fvTe_TFuxXJgk4gn1OBretTEIRKnWrYQ3tDBjeIj3aLxdQaQABAKoIL3An_EP4g_6kluWUER0Rs/w323-h431/20231231_082211.jpg" width="323" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Come along with me as we embrace Kindness and Joy in 2024.</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sending love, Marilyn<br /></i></span></p><p></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-27595628806616640532023-12-29T10:49:00.000-08:002023-12-29T10:49:03.711-08:00Christmas Season<div><div><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxtrLM0_g7kKQR31S3TF1p58gUTk2cqdI0Iso5juQxrOCnzOABKQWa5EW8gPenevyfD-4ckckNEfhO-TRuz7SKPNIJWqvbdE7kF1yxDIVMsMQohekdTNG-e7qacYYTtu1at6x_8o2K7kWBzcpEDig2iwsOYSAzjgegbtwZDNv-Rzb17NdIKWifwIEMbc/s4000/20231224_070848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxtrLM0_g7kKQR31S3TF1p58gUTk2cqdI0Iso5juQxrOCnzOABKQWa5EW8gPenevyfD-4ckckNEfhO-TRuz7SKPNIJWqvbdE7kF1yxDIVMsMQohekdTNG-e7qacYYTtu1at6x_8o2K7kWBzcpEDig2iwsOYSAzjgegbtwZDNv-Rzb17NdIKWifwIEMbc/w407-h543/20231224_070848.jpg" width="407" /></a></div> <p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was a little baking and plenty of tea.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the plate are mince pies, date pinwheels, spicy pecans and ginger cookies. </span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE-j87iSK283OqdjiYAz_QwOStl7rxF-zFSIQxjCRjbQIS7Fx90B9CyG5galSql3KniwiNH-Z0eDt2OojAL_WOUrj1-1FP97gAsuBjRs2ZPPYSgpKq7y274aW2_GoYg_hoJ1fX8GTMMUCFyM66tMzg_uyXlkKRvv4PmUwnhu3sElFfdanexSNWoS1fzc/s4000/20231222_130844.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghE-j87iSK283OqdjiYAz_QwOStl7rxF-zFSIQxjCRjbQIS7Fx90B9CyG5galSql3KniwiNH-Z0eDt2OojAL_WOUrj1-1FP97gAsuBjRs2ZPPYSgpKq7y274aW2_GoYg_hoJ1fX8GTMMUCFyM66tMzg_uyXlkKRvv4PmUwnhu3sElFfdanexSNWoS1fzc/w325-h433/20231222_130844.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Special teatimes with dear friends.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJPwvjW-5IJqG2FnqTepvOUkyooT_-RPevfnjFx9CE8BQ0txtjrprtZEFNs-ryQxwFgnVSo3Fy7ay9XtE38NhHt3L42KdZ4hJJXOB9MkqSuaFCCsSQGSr0BftR7DTV8HvJaIMCqxsRYpZphd2rw6PtoH9ibprWX1JPmpyqoKcR6VcQAm6cOVkmpSVPgg/s4000/20231221_112445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJPwvjW-5IJqG2FnqTepvOUkyooT_-RPevfnjFx9CE8BQ0txtjrprtZEFNs-ryQxwFgnVSo3Fy7ay9XtE38NhHt3L42KdZ4hJJXOB9MkqSuaFCCsSQGSr0BftR7DTV8HvJaIMCqxsRYpZphd2rw6PtoH9ibprWX1JPmpyqoKcR6VcQAm6cOVkmpSVPgg/w363-h484/20231221_112445.jpg" width="363" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">An adventure to downtown Portland on a winter evening for a little night music to celebrate the season at the Old Church concert hall.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3wQt6L4s5O-W04ZXNAWrz2iK7LXv1s8-gzsum9CaRvtEBtkUpLKoc1XY2pP2MWkarMN6Wlc_1JSGLTdObBTcWvKTZlGxwmfHdrdXc6ZUE0jSUY23hYscukhmagoh7lJjCEFE74gxSIDYWwwW6g23TiBjgXzqJvRYTSRgbqWSxZqXDQSnYuZvyKMJYao/s4000/20231221_190455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim3wQt6L4s5O-W04ZXNAWrz2iK7LXv1s8-gzsum9CaRvtEBtkUpLKoc1XY2pP2MWkarMN6Wlc_1JSGLTdObBTcWvKTZlGxwmfHdrdXc6ZUE0jSUY23hYscukhmagoh7lJjCEFE74gxSIDYWwwW6g23TiBjgXzqJvRYTSRgbqWSxZqXDQSnYuZvyKMJYao/w336-h448/20231221_190455.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLhv3617__dYza3pa3YqZwyih9uydhLhGgZH9EAqu40-nV5t0c8eCw9Qd6JbGJiku6QSXp4YRnSVdWVJb0eYV5qP-vbrW3jEe6CnYpR6n8PYcVLz0bF8TSc35o3V0ViMyvTYp4JU7LmlEAVVg3xabxPRbsyREa-Mvrz3WoytMDUo4bAq0SqRPSoGWXqE/s4000/20231221_192532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLhv3617__dYza3pa3YqZwyih9uydhLhGgZH9EAqu40-nV5t0c8eCw9Qd6JbGJiku6QSXp4YRnSVdWVJb0eYV5qP-vbrW3jEe6CnYpR6n8PYcVLz0bF8TSc35o3V0ViMyvTYp4JU7LmlEAVVg3xabxPRbsyREa-Mvrz3WoytMDUo4bAq0SqRPSoGWXqE/s320/20231221_192532.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It's a tradition my "live-in gardener" and I have done for about 27 years.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq2Ts6H05V2oZwlKC47UeP6yapf7huibJivxk3EwhwQf5ccvUpAcxpqHEy-LB225DEUaUi1KFIQmD44wi7j4zJYcPk7Dy1226dTzYo-gDKn5jTzOlB4Jzu6dWBNpcnlToN-J3bahoB7YXlI6IxTZeqwTvc896W-bkTrGGbzFrfe46iz-LdPWG1ycx9m8/s4000/20231221_215410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMq2Ts6H05V2oZwlKC47UeP6yapf7huibJivxk3EwhwQf5ccvUpAcxpqHEy-LB225DEUaUi1KFIQmD44wi7j4zJYcPk7Dy1226dTzYo-gDKn5jTzOlB4Jzu6dWBNpcnlToN-J3bahoB7YXlI6IxTZeqwTvc896W-bkTrGGbzFrfe46iz-LdPWG1ycx9m8/w481-h361/20231221_215410.jpg" width="481" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The gingerbread house, another tradition, was made.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKrnRvMvJ4EAXaZ7-WP8TIMGyik2mXp-tlyih157CPoFcGVUVGnTrQqaSSLLUmopP6AgmhYW-8sHcG5ZxUBOu7q4ZyBUiUA7R4Oc2w1AlwivYGlQYbqTMornR_1yRJB73HKO51xregVGWlEgHzqXqxPgytLn03neCvNxn9tK5EK3f9Gu5jqYPcqamyS8/s4000/20231220_182654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKKrnRvMvJ4EAXaZ7-WP8TIMGyik2mXp-tlyih157CPoFcGVUVGnTrQqaSSLLUmopP6AgmhYW-8sHcG5ZxUBOu7q4ZyBUiUA7R4Oc2w1AlwivYGlQYbqTMornR_1yRJB73HKO51xregVGWlEgHzqXqxPgytLn03neCvNxn9tK5EK3f9Gu5jqYPcqamyS8/w388-h517/20231220_182654.jpg" width="388" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKnhCyHDbDhBiw0jt4hgAFO8uqR3XW6dw6XNwW8XR1rHNeUHLZNnWYDAcNnkTPJG3CD26kyLwi5lPhaYGR3Hj2nwBoTj6jOIwBwocHOIsRVhMKVFCG0FUQNYij5tA4xbdp4pMLWdP1nhQrhehypoZ1xAzZfktOIMVnKn85U6SQ9ah_aLDQeOis4MRSKQ/s4000/20231220_164043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="463" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfKnhCyHDbDhBiw0jt4hgAFO8uqR3XW6dw6XNwW8XR1rHNeUHLZNnWYDAcNnkTPJG3CD26kyLwi5lPhaYGR3Hj2nwBoTj6jOIwBwocHOIsRVhMKVFCG0FUQNYij5tA4xbdp4pMLWdP1nhQrhehypoZ1xAzZfktOIMVnKn85U6SQ9ah_aLDQeOis4MRSKQ/w347-h463/20231220_164043.jpg" width="347" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Night Before Christmas was read at church.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg18ghxUqX9-4MZimozgVqwaW2zOPq3B8mWbzWYkb87T4-7zwBvD4tREaKx8KAGl9lQZPxijeD06NQHs6zBXdGZ0oliNx9LdaEU2EqlCdBoU2blB8nUo0FT3l9nWY7LYelay3kw4cFBkCtEu1F2RiLxudSR47S1aeTY-QazRtE8mPPUB9gkP-pchfySg0/s4000/20231217_114730.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="447" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg18ghxUqX9-4MZimozgVqwaW2zOPq3B8mWbzWYkb87T4-7zwBvD4tREaKx8KAGl9lQZPxijeD06NQHs6zBXdGZ0oliNx9LdaEU2EqlCdBoU2blB8nUo0FT3l9nWY7LYelay3kw4cFBkCtEu1F2RiLxudSR47S1aeTY-QazRtE8mPPUB9gkP-pchfySg0/w335-h447/20231217_114730.jpg" width="335" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> More tea was imbibed at a local hotel.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENZlzBet6dLopL7R8xBe7QRkL05DfxT9Zv5nUTRoij1nmUToInedZt2F1vP68WheP3nCvIUOhOqsgBg8mvHv0HzflCDkvOf-OQz59cLpjVFRN4ReRsmKL2PkZTf-Qq8vUW29Bviy6zVxoLBJTUpWctI91AJP3hCL-0iSK3D0Gp1pPZxLNaUpXHLHVubc/s4000/20231216_132908.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjENZlzBet6dLopL7R8xBe7QRkL05DfxT9Zv5nUTRoij1nmUToInedZt2F1vP68WheP3nCvIUOhOqsgBg8mvHv0HzflCDkvOf-OQz59cLpjVFRN4ReRsmKL2PkZTf-Qq8vUW29Bviy6zVxoLBJTUpWctI91AJP3hCL-0iSK3D0Gp1pPZxLNaUpXHLHVubc/w325-h433/20231216_132908.jpg" width="325" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy7wI3klbt59_qNMun1MZAqpnPInxrw9NCof_06G-6QCVYqkk-mdXH3lTgCtMgiOKSayu5vVXBlNQie-nUy5s8MFqOGiB-caYB3oD-63bT_foKcQ1BvBLWCgN5HNuF6z3vb81T39HWMNAjPoPKJfYH8Ma7FXj8JXRngfpToAvxVgSfr3f-BTWhw-SiII/s4000/20231216_133049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="487" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsy7wI3klbt59_qNMun1MZAqpnPInxrw9NCof_06G-6QCVYqkk-mdXH3lTgCtMgiOKSayu5vVXBlNQie-nUy5s8MFqOGiB-caYB3oD-63bT_foKcQ1BvBLWCgN5HNuF6z3vb81T39HWMNAjPoPKJfYH8Ma7FXj8JXRngfpToAvxVgSfr3f-BTWhw-SiII/w365-h487/20231216_133049.jpg" width="365" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A parade of Christmas decorated boats was viewed from the warmth of a friends condo.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzKuksPTNHckt-gj-jeEtiLKF6UVcJUO-Aw_wve2dfncFJPpvmFx2sPZcLc2oWbRImn6vdBjUYJO68hcTxz-DmA66DDIJ8sb2OVKaElYwIFMmL2QlQX8E8q5sV_HE6AwCqK6NC1o-boKkY83Xxxo-5jAiqRAtXRViyQWVFLkzPTQdI74eoFZROgkJvvQ/s4000/20231216_162723.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzKuksPTNHckt-gj-jeEtiLKF6UVcJUO-Aw_wve2dfncFJPpvmFx2sPZcLc2oWbRImn6vdBjUYJO68hcTxz-DmA66DDIJ8sb2OVKaElYwIFMmL2QlQX8E8q5sV_HE6AwCqK6NC1o-boKkY83Xxxo-5jAiqRAtXRViyQWVFLkzPTQdI74eoFZROgkJvvQ/w341-h454/20231216_162723.jpg" width="341" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And special gifts were unwrapped.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Each year my "live-in gardener" carves a Santa for our D.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This one represents Ukraine and quite special.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">D also received this cozy hooded blanket, which he is living in now.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I hear he even wore it outdoors on his scooter.<br /></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjw0dNX7b-s3nIWn9MMGqNhBhqxHzNvRYqE7IETUPcuvZJ6P-v7ot7PM6T8dz50FuvRYATdF1nc40YsG8rHhOc5efHF6KdcZGOfREJMK2-Bsz5fn12vu8tpXXWIaSh64blbXsS9fD6gLPQpcfk_vz0N6cFFkef6etT4sjjm_uo8tCLMfn6quKHFQuOdM/s4000/20231225_130018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjw0dNX7b-s3nIWn9MMGqNhBhqxHzNvRYqE7IETUPcuvZJ6P-v7ot7PM6T8dz50FuvRYATdF1nc40YsG8rHhOc5efHF6KdcZGOfREJMK2-Bsz5fn12vu8tpXXWIaSh64blbXsS9fD6gLPQpcfk_vz0N6cFFkef6etT4sjjm_uo8tCLMfn6quKHFQuOdM/w375-h500/20231225_130018.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hoping you had family and a little night music to celebrate the season. Merry Christmas!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love, Marilyn </span><br /></div>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-11883200371520357002023-12-26T10:05:00.000-08:002023-12-26T10:05:49.398-08:00Word Magic, The Final One for 2023<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The final word for 2023 is LEARN</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Definition: </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span>gain or acquire knowledge of or skill in (something) by study, experience, or being taught.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg983l7xuubVEA-yNT2aFnilaH4T0HzzuEwsaqpUUj1ysUHZbQca_SDYFBlJ_-Coz6F8YqeNM3Co0Q9BN9KFbNVPDC9DIPDhRdPKzqStpObCLUCMlvrHXhJBippR7NJu59NAN0R8SQ2CloUh4Rkso_8p95zDqQfmpdnEZGbyGfnF6fegrrCfW6u9p31HnI/s4000/20231125_130433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg983l7xuubVEA-yNT2aFnilaH4T0HzzuEwsaqpUUj1ysUHZbQca_SDYFBlJ_-Coz6F8YqeNM3Co0Q9BN9KFbNVPDC9DIPDhRdPKzqStpObCLUCMlvrHXhJBippR7NJu59NAN0R8SQ2CloUh4Rkso_8p95zDqQfmpdnEZGbyGfnF6fegrrCfW6u9p31HnI/w378-h504/20231125_130433.jpg" width="378" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Laying in bed very early on a recent morning I thought about words and what have I learned. As a young girl I loved opening the dictionary and pointing to a word to learn and start including in my vocabulary. Over 30 years ago I started picking a word for the year. Some years I would get through part of the year and almost forget about the word, but then I would say "pay attention" and always I would learn something.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This past year my word was VOICE. It was one of those words that I sort of ignored for awhile. When it chose me I thought I would speak more, but I realized I really wasn't speaking more. Recently what I learned is that there are different ways of using your voice, not necessarily by speaking. For me I realized that in using your voice you are REVEALING you. I needed to reveal me and who I was. So slowly I am revealing who I am by words I write and very occasionally by what comes from my mouth. Sometimes the words in my head trickle out in whispers from spirit.<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-LrSaOMLZpQ5NrbIls_D49g6xCDLp5qly8_xTLDaNqxEW9q22oZEpubOpVsIvHIPH6U1JRuBYyV-mvPDIHaYXzOjnd4HBHuIXSKXnZswj36D1u3B1mIt65_RImgpCgJ8907sPsKydMBqtoEx4IQHVelOaEDlJg8OSGtUc9Ir1uyFphV5YT09uKft1aM/s4000/20231222_130844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-LrSaOMLZpQ5NrbIls_D49g6xCDLp5qly8_xTLDaNqxEW9q22oZEpubOpVsIvHIPH6U1JRuBYyV-mvPDIHaYXzOjnd4HBHuIXSKXnZswj36D1u3B1mIt65_RImgpCgJ8907sPsKydMBqtoEx4IQHVelOaEDlJg8OSGtUc9Ir1uyFphV5YT09uKft1aM/w379-h505/20231222_130844.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Words are Magical, we learn from them. I hope and pray that in my sharing words this year you also have learned and embraced some words into your own lives.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdCg0Q2Ku1Ec_t4OU2uLd5qNlqrjGSfca1EcP_xXmgV1YlxHVsWH7SzvuZp_NLVoDVUE25Wmyatp0msJrE6__wqNh6eYP7IKBgPA_qeCFOfiUYI-Z-3xXimJBzlxFxUNsTLa0rSSGSjS2ve-jMGMvqzYFjnS6EDj-l3tWfkFnvwTEiK_6b3KnNEY8YLc/s4000/20231209_110415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdCg0Q2Ku1Ec_t4OU2uLd5qNlqrjGSfca1EcP_xXmgV1YlxHVsWH7SzvuZp_NLVoDVUE25Wmyatp0msJrE6__wqNh6eYP7IKBgPA_qeCFOfiUYI-Z-3xXimJBzlxFxUNsTLa0rSSGSjS2ve-jMGMvqzYFjnS6EDj-l3tWfkFnvwTEiK_6b3KnNEY8YLc/w359-h479/20231209_110415.jpg" width="359" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In paying attention and noticing what word I was being drawn to for my own personal word for 2024, two words came to me. For several months I have felt that there needed to be more kindness in the world and I wanted to embrace that word. I strongly feel like next year is going to be a year of challenge for many of us and that what will get us through it and grow is kindness. Kindness for ourselves and kindness for others. I can fully take that into my heart, but I also needed a word that would challenge me. Ugh!!! I don't really like words that challenge me, for they teach me lessons I am not sure I want to learn. My challenge word is move. I know, that is sort of a strange word to choose, but I need to move my body more. I feel better when I am moving everyday. So for 2024 my personal words are Kindness and Move.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RKAl72mdB2QuTXA-kyzPRh_wS5j_IIjg_bnCy_bIRmSgsA9Gllx82aTuViAyIwvHtGIGqnSzrlA6go6Oh9ovolwt2Q9KEhrczmW33yUv3yj8uoJOq46DAY0s8Xb4JZ5pcSs8un72ZomSDAR4uGL7JZ2HJ0Rjy7avuVtKENt6wHwy6l2nqG8jPnDiDP4/s4000/20231125_124934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3RKAl72mdB2QuTXA-kyzPRh_wS5j_IIjg_bnCy_bIRmSgsA9Gllx82aTuViAyIwvHtGIGqnSzrlA6go6Oh9ovolwt2Q9KEhrczmW33yUv3yj8uoJOq46DAY0s8Xb4JZ5pcSs8un72ZomSDAR4uGL7JZ2HJ0Rjy7avuVtKENt6wHwy6l2nqG8jPnDiDP4/w511-h383/20231125_124934.jpg" width="511" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">This is my last Word Magic for 2023. For next year I will be focusing on Words of Kindness and Joy on my Monday posts. Who knows where that will take me, maybe a joke or a poem or maybe a story. In sharing words of Kindness and Joy I hope we all learn to share a smile for those that cross our path.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvO3R5WBtF8W2HnHLB3MOLj5lqmDNENBAaBWOBbrE2PWZrqME1ZSR9MDmtMAjWjXYLOu4yDbTLjP8vjX0bNscJsOeI_2orc1gYolxrOaPXwMnBhMg9ccAlF5i04chw3inBKwR2a2BC4pyFkEIjTYyVCjfdtpNuUxIojWb4MzOjGXVxxl01-sXIVl6x9A/s4000/20231109_104742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvO3R5WBtF8W2HnHLB3MOLj5lqmDNENBAaBWOBbrE2PWZrqME1ZSR9MDmtMAjWjXYLOu4yDbTLjP8vjX0bNscJsOeI_2orc1gYolxrOaPXwMnBhMg9ccAlF5i04chw3inBKwR2a2BC4pyFkEIjTYyVCjfdtpNuUxIojWb4MzOjGXVxxl01-sXIVl6x9A/w410-h546/20231109_104742.jpg" width="410" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The pictures I shared today are just to make my words more beautiful. This last one was taken in November as I walked this path with my favorite cousin and dear nieces. We shared words during our brief time of being together and I think we all learned new family stories.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Whatever paths we take words will come to your mind, may we grow and embrace them, learning together.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn </span><br /></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-56326134059363095992023-12-21T17:36:00.000-08:002023-12-21T17:36:31.721-08:00Be Blessed<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ-8KasjvkJ2XNnT5vJ8XXI_D8ULM5nBKTZIsd3qkeAxmmraobkztwVLnkJQAS11y9fijI_WrKvUeiRT-IQ_84okb5JGgffU0Xz2bBetscEbuDtSMGkBZ3tvDsaE-zxNCyvbq2gUM0D1AEclAo_IIEW55JVKK8cUKECWfLXgKwlqxJLRsfGUy0wJzQ-Y/s4000/20231127_105201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ-8KasjvkJ2XNnT5vJ8XXI_D8ULM5nBKTZIsd3qkeAxmmraobkztwVLnkJQAS11y9fijI_WrKvUeiRT-IQ_84okb5JGgffU0Xz2bBetscEbuDtSMGkBZ3tvDsaE-zxNCyvbq2gUM0D1AEclAo_IIEW55JVKK8cUKECWfLXgKwlqxJLRsfGUy0wJzQ-Y/w410-h547/20231127_105201.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I said, “Be Blessed this Christmas season”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">But, dear God, I hurt</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am weary <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am overwhelmed</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">People are suffering</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Devastation by hatred reigns</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Angry words are said</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Natural disasters, deceits and lies abound</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be blessed, I say</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How can that be?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How can we heal the world?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Where is kindness and love when needed?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How do we find faith, hope and love? <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">God of all around the world</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Teach us to be humble, to love each other.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wrap kindness around each word.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Visualize a world that is healing. <br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">For blessed are the peacemakers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be blessed!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvaqUJ8FQCX1R-Kg0qggs7I60za-9SGcaSHPtfSsiID_jKxlj7Mb-0zj8kaOdMpi9vMxn_tu56CSW5-nJKowHKrx9EybJV8czEGSO0g3fln_IN3WIN49ubyG2X3v_zDCv_j3D9zoQ7gntrLcqLLe12qq5wUv15-8MZhhHyYnJh3fkdUvKnahITwitxco/s3186/20231221_104828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3186" data-original-width="2943" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvaqUJ8FQCX1R-Kg0qggs7I60za-9SGcaSHPtfSsiID_jKxlj7Mb-0zj8kaOdMpi9vMxn_tu56CSW5-nJKowHKrx9EybJV8czEGSO0g3fln_IN3WIN49ubyG2X3v_zDCv_j3D9zoQ7gntrLcqLLe12qq5wUv15-8MZhhHyYnJh3fkdUvKnahITwitxco/w388-h419/20231221_104828.jpg" width="388" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The first candle was lite for welcoming in the light of solstice.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Be blessed!!!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYcy1iFcEDvMmm3_7Q8lO0UUZUAM-eCNhabHV5hQUyLD01AB2Rxdl9sUOcSBIylx2bFadnzJS2XxWJycARZqPtrLxNbB1TPFlRNE7SwYCatMeIssytQXWH57-lZ6XFDnEPPZieZ3XY5GtCtQGUgY8FOYKeh7mZO_bG48j5w4XOiNT-GVo9HNzYTwxg7s/s4000/20231211_130006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYcy1iFcEDvMmm3_7Q8lO0UUZUAM-eCNhabHV5hQUyLD01AB2Rxdl9sUOcSBIylx2bFadnzJS2XxWJycARZqPtrLxNbB1TPFlRNE7SwYCatMeIssytQXWH57-lZ6XFDnEPPZieZ3XY5GtCtQGUgY8FOYKeh7mZO_bG48j5w4XOiNT-GVo9HNzYTwxg7s/w415-h553/20231211_130006.jpg" width="415" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /> The second picture has been posted before, but I really feel like we need to light candles and pray for peace each and every day.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The poem was written in response to my Christmas card this year. For some reason I said Be blessed. I am not sure why I said it and as I thought of those words, the words I sent out to friends, the poem came to me. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be blessed throughout the season of Christmas and into the New Year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sending love,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Marilyn</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>
Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1615274882068597937.post-16227691113755585982023-12-18T10:54:00.000-08:002023-12-18T10:54:54.697-08:00Word Magic<p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;">The word this week is SOLSTICE</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">definition: </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>The time or date (twice each year) at which the sun reaches its maximum or minimum </span><span class="AraNOb"><a class="rMNQNe" data-ved="2ahUKEwj2s-aa0pmDAxWfIjQIHQZpDpQQyecJegQIEBAK" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=591924779&channel=frs&sxsrf=AM9HkKlkK8SFIX2MgC7kBO27HrWNiHJB5A:1702925061175&q=declination&si=ALGXSlY7Tk5u3AnUd39hr4eAN0grMJgsV9ucAXjkgmJKFxNq8-8CGlsDhGilzesx-0HxgeuNW_TjlaFYKDJFSgdiXQGXHoVuySZE2gbfhi90JKmBXlGkw6Q%3D&expnd=1" tabindex="0">declination</a></span><span>, marked by the longest and </span><span class="AraNOb"><a class="rMNQNe" data-ved="2ahUKEwj2s-aa0pmDAxWfIjQIHQZpDpQQyecJegQIEBAL" href="https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=591924779&channel=frs&sxsrf=AM9HkKlkK8SFIX2MgC7kBO27HrWNiHJB5A:1702925061175&q=shortest&si=ALGXSlYmNhxeZOJxNGRDYi-2PpnDDnXN8XPbUhNqQANFujZ2SmwwH9WurKmCEwhVRR_Gba5BwUas5cj63nqTxquu2u2dUSIyrL_5hBla33LOtzvnMoS1TQg%3D&expnd=1" tabindex="0">shortest</a></span><span> days (about June 21 and December 22).</span></span></p><div style="margin-left: 20px;"></div><div><div aria-hidden="true" class="xpdxpnd PZPZlf" data-attrid="Etymology" data-entityname="Etymology" data-mh="-1"><div id="_BZOAZbadCp_F0PEPhtK5oAk_29"><div class="FpiMuf" style="margin: 20px 0px 0px;"><br /></div></div></div></div><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When I think of Solstice I think of the night sky, of the moon and stars. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">As the sun set on Saturday I had the joy of visiting a friend that lives with the view of the Willamette River that runs through the middle of Portland. It divides east and west. At Christmas about 25 boats decorate with lights to welcome in the season of darkness and joy. As the light dims the boats turn on their lights and parade down the river. Solstice is the season to celebrate the light. In winter I love to light a few candles as the light fades into night.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGs158lQ2C2lxmHdpKl8RU67PuyrrKiVwWLKHtrFYN7mhCMjWlYeAGz4Q8Qf2uaEpKCR5DSr4k0fACLcvKC5RGBwposlzdNIZft8eaJy1yMJeBEGxWwRgWLPm6bfVoKFXMXIRnDpkLqgTtg4WKOpqGFIouwDMr4qTnyG_nl2lto0yLSwmb2IzDjimoEY/s4000/20231216_164437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGs158lQ2C2lxmHdpKl8RU67PuyrrKiVwWLKHtrFYN7mhCMjWlYeAGz4Q8Qf2uaEpKCR5DSr4k0fACLcvKC5RGBwposlzdNIZft8eaJy1yMJeBEGxWwRgWLPm6bfVoKFXMXIRnDpkLqgTtg4WKOpqGFIouwDMr4qTnyG_nl2lto0yLSwmb2IzDjimoEY/w461-h346/20231216_164437.jpg" width="461" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Stars appear in my kitchen, as I celebrate the light sent by the stars.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNe7kjRhLLD8e5GhPfJwYWoxGU84fq5RGqKViMZjX8nPBBEVhelggDzLAFgtiYRsRUGn27mJfno3N_ZlIPFtCYO_XFyrcL7I2dqbZ5Nij9l8bGQf5UQnSyLQaH7UXI5RcmVCi-mzLUNkdSDMttG4R7QJvj-kAOFKsWmwImPle60TETO3-yy1l3rraJWM/s4000/20231215_170022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNe7kjRhLLD8e5GhPfJwYWoxGU84fq5RGqKViMZjX8nPBBEVhelggDzLAFgtiYRsRUGn27mJfno3N_ZlIPFtCYO_XFyrcL7I2dqbZ5Nij9l8bGQf5UQnSyLQaH7UXI5RcmVCi-mzLUNkdSDMttG4R7QJvj-kAOFKsWmwImPle60TETO3-yy1l3rraJWM/w355-h473/20231215_170022.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASgvIUZDKTQbTTDGB9qDjxx1iMJISPaevOWjaJ7Zn6qQLODj4dem_HcCrulO3Ax85ThTz1ftPuhwNj5k5uQv7a_UGAMZNAhWh4IBgRL797I_yr1wlB8ojJ08cgksRQOu8lpMLtp6jTKTyyeo2-B3gtXhatxwFxqgKPC5dtpvBsUwFx4AVy1yRTQ9c6-4/s4000/20231215_141417.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASgvIUZDKTQbTTDGB9qDjxx1iMJISPaevOWjaJ7Zn6qQLODj4dem_HcCrulO3Ax85ThTz1ftPuhwNj5k5uQv7a_UGAMZNAhWh4IBgRL797I_yr1wlB8ojJ08cgksRQOu8lpMLtp6jTKTyyeo2-B3gtXhatxwFxqgKPC5dtpvBsUwFx4AVy1yRTQ9c6-4/w429-h322/20231215_141417.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">And I pay attention to the moon. Soon it will be another full moon appearing on the horizon.</span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF7OisCij0RcXH9cxhGSpPfgSuGq-g920fXYUOq_-e42vvXs6uaZiqJEgWvEjBTCZrY8GehROJr0ODr1pNizvN7lpux35daAw3CHZkBGvQYXsIcaIjd7kMBbVuSGOSpylonnGlt9GaHrDVin-9lhVjPudSVaXaofgQLk56FxT1nXamN2VYL1ue_g0gqw/s4000/20231126_163033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF7OisCij0RcXH9cxhGSpPfgSuGq-g920fXYUOq_-e42vvXs6uaZiqJEgWvEjBTCZrY8GehROJr0ODr1pNizvN7lpux35daAw3CHZkBGvQYXsIcaIjd7kMBbVuSGOSpylonnGlt9GaHrDVin-9lhVjPudSVaXaofgQLk56FxT1nXamN2VYL1ue_g0gqw/w337-h449/20231126_163033.jpg" width="337" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDfGa1q59aZHd6CgNilmkR-FjrZEF5j8Mm2G0p0edK01Ox16rf1q6eA3ct0hZqiTK0UMtUmcbUtbBehS74k6F2JGNbmGAgt4a0PU4YBwut8PJi45L9XBviuKCrFFtUmKzcS2mBRm5-H4jHbPQ_Zkc9MopywIjq16bUnxS42NfxLbf5cWDCSiKDDIduRg/s4000/20231028_050343.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDfGa1q59aZHd6CgNilmkR-FjrZEF5j8Mm2G0p0edK01Ox16rf1q6eA3ct0hZqiTK0UMtUmcbUtbBehS74k6F2JGNbmGAgt4a0PU4YBwut8PJi45L9XBviuKCrFFtUmKzcS2mBRm5-H4jHbPQ_Zkc9MopywIjq16bUnxS42NfxLbf5cWDCSiKDDIduRg/w288-h384/20231028_050343.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">It's often said to be <b>a time of new beginnings</b>;
with the changing of the seasons, we say goodbye to a long, stagnant
period of self-reflection and welcome the fiery energy of the sun to
propel us forward. This very physical changing of the seasons is a
powerful time to manifest spiritual transformations.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Setting ones intentions and preparing for change. </span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">I don't know if this time encourages you to evaluate and set new intentions for the coming year or not. For me it does.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Just take note, notice the darkness and light a candle to celebrate the coming of the light. Cuddle in with a special person, wrap in a cozy quilt, sip something that warms your soul clear down to your toes and welcome the darkness as we watch for the light.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Happy Solstice week, dear friends!</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">Marilyn</span></span><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc"><br /></span></span></span></p>Marilyn Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13115440271615593122noreply@blogger.com3