Seasons of Friendships

  In the Bleak Mid-Winter

In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago.

    This past week I took the time just to "be", to think, and to be tidy at my desk. It was time in this "bleak mid-winter" to just sit with my thoughts. Tax season will be here before we know it, and it was time to get my papers in order. In doing so, there was time to think. I thought of people I have known and know. What hit me was the seasons of friendship. Some friends come into our lives for a short time and some for a lifetime.        

"Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"   Eleanor Roosevelt
The flowers showed up in a friend's garden, and they felt like friends themselves. Hello little snowdrops, Hello hellebore!

Then on Saturday a dear friend that I have known since high school passed away. He will be missed, a lifetime friend, a dear friend.

Then this week I exchanged phone numbers and a message on my phone with a new neighbor. I wondered, would she become a confident, a close friend, or just for a season a friend that says, "how are you doing?".

Often, I burn a candle on these bleak winter mornings. I read and I ponder.

The book I am reading this week is 101 Teas to STEEP before you die. Fascinating to think like that. The book is a good primer of tea and even though I have learned a lot in the past, there is always more to learn.

So, I sit here with my tea this morning, pondering the mysteries of friendship.

A friend for a brief season made the cup. A friend I love dearly gave me the glass pitcher.

Again, for a season we find friendship in many forms.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 

Let's talk over a cup of tea. Grab your cup and sit awhile.

Just to let you know, I haven't forgotten you. With moving, then having my computer hacked and scrubbed, I haven't been able to download pictures from my phone. Life has moved along, but I couldn't find my little camera to once again take pictures. Excuses, I know; but I missed you. Today I just wanted to share some thoughts I have had lately as I continue the journey of reading, thinking and living. Yes, I finally found my camera.

 In meditation yesterday morning I read "what brings you joy". I thought of my mother's giggles and laughter. I thought of my sister's pierced lips when something didn't please her. I wondered if she felt joy. In the book by Nigel Slater, A Thousand Feasts, Small moments of joy...a memoir of sorts, he mentioned the joy of dipping a spoon into a jam jar of something yummy and tasting. "Little pots of treasure in which to go digging with your teaspoons." What joy he felt at that small gesture. I thought how my mother's family called her "the stupid one" because she didn't behave the way they wanted her to behave. I thought of the times my mother would giggle and laugh with her close friends and take adventures with them. At time she was torn between the sour notes of her family and her pure joy of the simple things of life.

Do you ever pause to think about what brings you joy. A dear friend often says "notice what you notice" and if you have followed along with me for awhile, I have picked up on that phrase and love, especially when I am here, noticing what I notice. What joy to notice those small things that surround us on any given day, dipping in our spoon and savoring for a few moments.

 

Now all the picture in this post were taken at the Lan Su Chinese Gardens yesterday as I snapped pictures with my little found camera. They are focusing on tea right now and had an exhibit on teaware from around the world. The pieces in this picture are from my collection. What a joy to be asked to share a few things and tell their story. The yellow chinzware was made for Victoria Magazine in the 1990's. They were made in England and represented teaware from England. The cup and saucer is probably from the mid 1800's and was made in France. The unique thing about this cup and saucer is that the saucer doesn't have the indent for the cup. Early in the style of cups and saucers, the saucer was made to sip from and there was no indent. I found this cup and saucer several years ago at a little antique booth at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. I was thrilled to bring home this special souvenir of my travels in England.

 

Of all the plants at the Chinese Gardens, this is my favorite. It is a very unique camellia. I have never seen this variety anywhere else. It is clusters of white single petal flowers blushed with what looks like a touch of the most beautiful color of red lipstick. At least that is what I think it is. My phone said it was a camellia, but I remember in the past reading that it was similar to a tea/camellia plant. It speaks to me of springtime and just brings a smile to my face. Of course, since it is related to the tea plant I would love it.

I have more pictures I snapped yesterday with my little camera, but they will come another time to brighten your day. I hope your day has glimmers of JOY, but above all else I hope you notice those glimmers.

Sending love,

Marilyn
 

Words of Kindness and Joy

"kindness (noun) An instance of kind or charitable behaviour. Generosity makes us feel good."  Wikipedia

My tea group met yesterday in a historic cemetery. Needless to say, it was quite peaceful there. A perfect place for meditation and sipping tea. There were two of the attendees that had a difficult time moving about; so the kindness of the one sitting next to them served the tea for them. It makes my heart happy because I know when I get to that point some day I know someone in the group will be there for me.

 

Not too long ago I attended the Aloha Festival. What struck me when seeing these women in their beautiful dresses is that they stopped to share some time with the elderly lady sitting on her walker. It is those little things, generously given.

 

Last year when my "live-in gardener", my D, and I went zip lining I was felt well cared for by those working there. They helped fasten us in to our harnesses and were there to catch us at the end of the line. I felt safe with them.

Sometime ago several tea fans sat in the park serving tea. At my table sat this little girl sipping tea with me. I feel like she felt safe with me and her mother left her there to sip tea. Her mom must have felt safe to leave her with me too.

 

She even felt safe enough to lay down on my blanket by my tea table to rest awhile. In this picture you see someone came on his bicycle and also put out some tea to share with those that dropped by for a sip.

So you see generosity does indeed make us feel good, we feel safe when people around us are kind.

 Have a good week, dear friends.

Sending love,

Marilyn 

Women Holding Things

 

"From the critically acclaimed artist, designer, and author of the bestsellers The Principles of Uncertainty and My Favorite Things comes a wondrous collection of words and paintings that is a moving meditation on the beauty and complexity of women’s lives and roles, revealed in the things they hold.

“What do women hold? The home and the family. And the children and the food. The friendships. The work. The work of the world. And the work of being human. The memories. And the troubles. And the sorrows and the triumphs. And the love.”

In the spring of 2021, Maira and Alex Kalman created a small, limited-edition booklet “Women Holding Things,” which featured select recent paintings by Maira, accompanied by her insightful and deeply personal commentary. The booklet quickly sold out. Now, the Kalmans have expanded that original publication into this extraordinary visual compendium.

Women Holding Things includes the bright, bold images featured in the booklet as well as an additional sixty-seven new paintings highlighted by thoughtful and intimate anecdotes, recollections, and ruminations. Most are portraits of women, both ordinary and famous, including Virginia Woolf, Sally Hemings, Hortense Cezanne, Gertrude Stein, as well as Kalman’s family members and other real-life people. These women hold a range of objects, from the mundane—balloons, a cup, a whisk, a chicken, a hat—to the abstract—dreams and disappointments, sorrow and regret, joy and love."

 

I have had the above quote sitting here in an unpublished post since March. Last night as I lay in bed unable to sleep I thought about what women hold. It isn't always beautiful, like a balloon or a bouquet of flowers. Sometimes holding things is messy. I may be holding together a broken heart or being the strength for your family when things are falling apart. It isn't easy. I wanted to share beautiful pictures of women holding things, but all I could think of was the messy part of what we as women must hold.

What encouraged the thinking last night was seeing a cartoon of three men in suits and three women dressed for the office getting ready to run a race. In the tracks where the men would run it was clear sailing. Where the women were to run there were hurdles of such things as doing the laundry, cooking meals, caring for the children and much more. They took on the challenge, yes; but the way was cluttered with detours and obstacles. Yet, they persevered.

 

I know, this is a lot to read; but it is to say sometimes it is hard for me to even be here at Delights of the Heart. I keep persevering, even though the hurdles are great. I get so weary. So right now I am weary, but thank you for being here to encourage me to focus on delights, joys and kindness. Looking back at my pictures of the past week the only thing I could see is flowers and one dear grandson with more cats in the city. We found 7 cats yesterday. There are sorrows and regrets, but I am going to keep on focusing on those delights.

How are you doing, dear friends? Are you holding an armful of messy? Hoping that there are a few beautiful, delightful things popping up in your week.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Word Magic

 Time is the word for this week.

Definition:

the indefinite continued progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future regarded as a whole.

"travel through space and time"

• the progress of time as affecting people and things.

  "things were getting better as time passed"
• time or an amount of time as reckoned by a conventional standard.

  "it's eight o'clock Eastern Standard Time"
• the personification of time, typically as an old man with a scythe and hourglass.

  noun: Time; noun: Father Time

                A point of time as measured in hours and minutes past midnight or noon.

 

 

 

Even the flowers captured for moments in these gorgeous globes will wilt;

but for a few moments they shine with beauty.

 

Jim Croce's song:

Time in a Bottle Lyrics

If I could save time in a bottle
The first thing that I’d like to do
Is to save every day till eternity passes away
Just to spend them with you

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do, once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go through time with

If I had a box just for wishes
And dreams that had never come true
The box would be empty, except for the memory of how
They were answered by you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do, once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go through the time with

 

How do we capture time in a bottle? Often I put a flower in the bottle, but still it eventually wilts away. I walk by the water side and dream of the ebb and flow of time. It touches my soul and for moments I can pause time.

Have you noticed when little ones enter your life, watching them grow seems to speed up time?

And how are you adjusting to the time change? Did you feel more rested getting an extra hour to use as you choose?  When I retired I stopped setting the alarm on my clock and yet my body knows what time it is and when to wake. It is in the depths of our body rhythm. 

If wishes could come true, what time of life would you pause?

Time is a tricky thing. It really doesn't stop or pause, but sometimes it seems to fly and sometimes it goes so slow.

Treasure each moment and hold it dear to your heart, dear friends!

Word Magic

 Happy Labor Day

This week's word is LABOR

Definition: verb: work hard; make great effort. "they labored from dawn to dusk"

 

This picture was taken a couple days ago as I sat on a coffee shop patio sipping a chai latte. I just appreciated the beauty around me that was provided by the people that run the coffee shop. There was labor in their creating beauty.

When thinking of LABOR most people, including myself, think of those people who get up each day and go to work. It might be to build a house, climb a ladder, clean a sewer, write a story, or run the government. It is all labor. We do the labor, then we go home for another day. We may labor over the stove to prepare a meal when we get home. 

Not a lot of labor went into my breakfast this morning, but the jam on my muffin was made by a friend and a gift. I enjoyed the fruits of their labor. The person that grew my tea and processed it was laboring to make a beautiful thing to go in my cup.

Another thought came to mind of a mother-to-be going into labor to birth a child. She is doing the work to bring forth the child; so again a good name is labor.

 

My daughter birthed this beautiful grandson and for that I am thankful.

An artist may labor to bring forth a beautiful piece of art too.

There are so many forms of labor; some are hard work and some bring us great joy. Often there are rewards for our labor. It might be a pay check or just a smile on someone's face.

So whatever you are doing today to celebrate LABOR, simply enjoy!

Happy new week, dear friends!

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Do you have many bridges in your part of the world?

Since I live near the Columbia River we drive over the bridge often. In fact, my church is in Washington State and we must cross the river to get there. I don't mind. I am a water girl at heart; so I love seeing the water. I love the views from the bridge. We can see the surrounding mountains and trees, even a couple islands in the middle of the river.

The first three pictures were taken on a stormy day driving north to visit my sister-in-law. We must cross at least 5 bridges to get there. In winter we can see the snow on the mountains surrounding the water. It is beautiful with each season.

I have a friend that won't come to visit me because she is afraid to drive over the water, to cross the bridge.

Fear cheats her of having a cup of tea with me here. Does fear sometimes cheat you or me to step out and do scary things? This isn't where I thought I would be going with this post, but now I am thinking "what do I cheat myself of because of fear?" How can we uphold those around us when they need a friend to hold their hand and walk with them? How can I overcome fear and cross that bridge?

A bridge allows us to move forward in places we could never have imagined. Where fear keeps us isolated and unable to grow.

How do we take the next step?

Bridge over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I'll dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

 

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

 

Crossing the bridge to get to the other side.

What does it bring on the other side?

 

Growth 

Joy

New Adventures

Progress, moving forward

 

Today I had to chat with my doctor on a zoom call because the snow prohibited me from traveling to my appointment. My doctor wanted me to take care of some things I didn't want to do. I had hoops to jump to do them, phone calls to make. I just said "Ugh" I don't want to do this, but I moved forward, baby steps, but growing, good for me steps. Some days just are like that, we don't want to do the hard things or cross that bridge to do the scary things. So progress was made and I grew. Now onto the next thing and to eventually face the JOY and the growth. 

It is sort of crazy isn't it? Some days life and hard things get in the way.

We can overcome the fear and grow.

Not meant to be a downer, just a reminder if we push through the hard things we can smile and pat ourselves on the back.

 

Here's to moving forward and facing our fears.

Happy weekend, dear friends! 

Things I Want to Be

Joey saying hello. He is often just being (napping more like it) in this basket in my office/studio. He is tucked away in this cozy basket near the heat vent. He is also always vigilant to make sure if I go to the kitchen there is food in his dish.

 

When I began 2022 I wrote this list and still it remains true:

 Be Happy

Be Healthy

Be Kind

Be Full of Laughter and JOY

Be Loving

Be a friend to others

Be Present

My gardenhouse is waiting for warmer days to sit over a cup of tea with a friend once more. Tea with friends on zoom is very special, but there is nothing like sitting face to face for an in depth conversation. Brrrrrrrr! Doesn't it look cold? Beginning to look for growth in the garden. Sometimes I dig under the leaves and say are you there yet? Is spring far behind?

The picture below is sharing tea with friends on zoom. I set up a little table and pour 4 cups of tea sending prayers out to each one in the world for peace and joy. I gaze out the window and watch the squirrels dance about. The candlelight dances for me.

Sharing with you a few snippets of my world right now.

May you be blessed with the little things that bring JOY into our lives. Happy weekend, dear friends!!!

 

Perspective

 From the dictionary: "a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view."

When I visited the tulip farm a few weeks ago I wanted to look at them with a different perspective, at a different angle, or a different direction. Sometimes we are so focused at looking from the typical perspective that we forget to challenge ourselves to look in a new way or to see things differently.

Do we look from the bottom up?

Or do we look when something is beyond their prime?

Do we only see the tip of the iceberg and never look more deeply?

Sometimes life seems out of focus. How do we bring it back into focus?

Or maybe we only see black and white.

How do we add the color back?

Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality. Share this Quote Jen Sincero
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/jen-sincero-quotes

Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality. Share this Quote Jen Sincero
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/jen-sincero-quotes

Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack to abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into your reality. Share this Quote Jen Sincero
Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/jen-sincero-quotes

"Gratitude is one of the strongest and most transformative states of being. It shifts your perspective from lack of abundance and allows you to focus on the good in your life, which in turn pulls more goodness into reality."  

~Jen Sincero, from Brainy Quotes

I found a lot of really good quotes on Brainy Quotes on perspective. A fascinating word to think on.

How do we push ourselves to look at something differently? 

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

Word for the Week

 Compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.  (as found online in the dictionary)

As once again I have been sipping my tea this morning by the window I shared last week, many words ran through my head. It seems like so many beautiful words came across my path in the past days and compassion wasn't one of them. But as I sat thinking over the past week this morning I realized compassion was in my heart and needed in the world. Several have shared with me this week both online and more directly that they were having a difficult time with depression. I have felt great sadness for the situation in Israel and Palestine, it is just always close to my heart. My heart is heavy for all of those effected by the pandemic with loss of life, dear ones, jobs, and homes. There seems to be so much loss this past year, it saddens me more than I can even share here.

Even at my age I want to save the world, but some days I feel like there is nothing I can do. So I focus on the flowers outside my window, I say hello to the people I pass when out walking, I pray, I hold dear ones close to my heart and check in with them from time to time. What more can we do to show compassion to one another? How can we embrace them as we walk together through this rough time? No one person is untouched by this time of upheaval throughout the world. What healing bandage can we apply? Open for suggestions. How can we help heal this world and ourselves of this great sadness?

Sorry to be more negative this week, I guess it must be where my heart is sitting right now. Sending much love to each of you as you walk this world that needs to heal. Surround yourself with compassion and love, treat yourself with kindness and compassion.

March 8th International Women's Day

These words are for this week.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

 "Here's to strong women. 

May we know them.

May we be them.

May we raise them."

~Anonymous (found in Tea Time Magazine) 

Purple is the color that represents justice and dignity,

it is recognized as the international symbol for women.

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."       

    ~Judy Garland  (thanks Steph for this quote) 

 

A few days ago online I listened to a live chat honoring International Women's Month. What came from that conversation was:

Feminine is internal side of "yin" to the male "yang"

When there are more women involved in politics a country is less likely to go to war.

Kindness is the center of humanity.

Sharing our stories and love we become who we are in the fullest.

The final words were that the world needs more softness, more of the feminine side, less aggression, more kindness.

Part of my story. This picture was taken when I was about 10 years old at my uncles apple ranch. There was also my younger sister and three cousins that I had never met before. I am sorting old pictures right now and just loved this remembrance.

Celebrate who you are and definitely share your kindness and softness! 

Here I am with a cup of tea in hand, meditating on life.

This is not in my home, but a chocolate shop that has now closed here in Portland.

Have a good day, dear friends!

Let's Chat over a cup of Tea

       Let's chat and have a cup of tea.  Sit awhile in this comfy chair. Embrace the stillness. Breathe!        

What tea would you like? This one is a Darjeeling from 2019 and quite light and delightful.
                                 On the side I have a rhubarb tea bread, would you like a slice?

                                             

Have you thought how life changes from birth to death, from a lost tooth to grey hair?

Life is certainly an adventure in change, sadness at times, and hopefully great JOY too.

I have thought a lot lately about just how we face these changes, how do we travel this road?

Do we become terrified, cry, laugh, or embrace each change with a joyful heart?

What shall we chat about, I say?

So much runs through my head these days as I sequester here in my little home.

The smoke remains for yet another day, but soon the rains will come. I do love to walk in the rain, so please dear rain come today and wash it all away. Wash away the smoke of sorrow, sadness and bring back hope and joy. Soon 2020 will be but a memory, soon I dream of new delights where we can walk freely outdoors, embrace each other, and feel love in our world. What are you thinking about these days? Is it heavy on your heart? I hope soon we all have a "singing heart".

Singing Heart

I woke up this morning

To a singing start;

I went about the live-long day,

A song within my heart.

"Sing before you breakfast;

Cry before you sleep, "

Is an old, old saying,

But never one I keep.

I sing, and I go dancing,

With music in my tread,

Until at length I've sung myself

To supper and to bed.

~Ethel Romig Fuller, Kitchen Sonnets

 

 Rest, embrace the adventure!

Happy weekend, dear friends!