Closed Doors

 We have had some gorgeous spring days lately. The sunshine is amazing! Yesterday I decided I needed to sit in the sun and also the hot tub/spa at my apartment complex. Off I went. There were a few children playing in the pool, but no one in the spa. Happy Day! I set up my chair, took my robe off, and turned on the jets of the spa. Getting ready to step into the warm water I found a sign "Spa Closed".  Now I am not sure why it was closed, but I wasn't going to take my chances. I returned to my chair in the sun and sat there for awhile. In my sitting I noticed the joy of the children playing and teasing each other. I noticed parents and friends enjoying the day in the sun. It was a lovely time to feel the sun on my face and rest. Sometimes doors open in a different direction just because the door you thought you were walking through was closed.

That being said, on Saturday I drove to Elk Rock in Portland. It is less than a 1/2 hour from my apartment and has gorgeous gardens. It is on the grounds of an Episcopalian Retreat Center that overlooks the Willamette River. Many people don't know it is open to the public, as it is tucked in a quiet neighborhood and doesn't have markers to find it. You have to know it is there.

I wanted to go see the wisteria, as I knew it would be in bloom.

I drove up to the property, the gate was open; so I drove inside and parked in the visitor parking lot. There was one other car there, but I didn't see anyone. I got out and enjoyed the wisteria immensely. It was the best I had ever seen of it in all the years I have tried to capture it. It amazed me that no one else was there enjoying it. It felt like I had the place to myself in my own "secret garden". 

After enjoying the wisteria, I walked on through the grounds snapping pictures as I went.

Still I saw no one.

The sun was glorious.

The flowers gorgeous.

Ahhh! Another wisteria! I had forgotten there was a white one on the walking bridge.

One trillium hiding under the flowering bush.

The view of Mt. Hood and the river was spectacular!!!

It was a glorious walk. I enjoyed every minute.

Returning to my car I proceeded to leave.

No, I never saw a person in the garden.

As I drove out to leave I realized the gate was now closed, strange!

It automatically opened to let me leave and then closed behind me.

As I looked back I saw the sign, "Closed on Saturday and Sunday".

Did they close the garden just so I could enjoy it by myself?

Laughing with flowers I thoroughly enjoyed.

I guess I was trespassing, but then I had a delightful time in the garden.

My own "secret garden" just for me.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Well Hello! Focus on the Stars

 Happy Halloween week!

Do you like spooky stories? 

How about when you were young?

When I was about 8 years old I had a friend that had a grandmother that was so good at telling spooky stories. I loved visiting in the evening, laying on the floor covered by a blanket as she turned the lights down low and told us the best, scariest stories. I would be shaking and covering my head in terror, but at the same time I looked forward to it. I loved it!

I wish I could remember the stories, but just the idea of that time in my life brings a smile to my face.

I actually think she would have been scolded by the parents for telling us the stories, but what a treat.

Were there bad dreams, maybe!! I won't tell.

Do you like spooky stories?

Just for the fun of it, I am reading a witchy story this week.

Will there be some sleepless nights? I don't think so.

I once had a dolls head similar to this. My grandson made me hide it because it scared him so much.

I guess it could be a little creepy. What do you think?

I love the whimsy of this season. A time when goblins come out to play. Play is good for the soul. It lightens the dark nights. Hoping you find time to play and lighten the dark nights. Maybe light some candles and make some hot apple cider to lighten the darkness and see a glimmer of the stars.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Trolls by Thomas Dambo

If you have been following along with me for this year you will know I have been intrigued by the trolls made by Thomas Dambo and crew from recycled material. I follow along with their adventures around the world on Instagram. So I knew I needed to go on an adventure or two to find the six in the Pacific Northwest. The first one was easy for it was in Portland, Oregon. I ventured there three times this past year and seeing it each time just made me smile.

This is the third time I visited with my "live-in gardener" and grandson. Isn't he cute?

 

 

 Pia the Peacemaker on Bainbridge Island, Washington.

My sister-in-law visited Pia with us and it also delighted her.

 Then there was the Bird King on Vashon Island, Washington found in January of this year.

So my adventure in September to visit my sister-in-law and then the tea festival in Seattle also included a search for the final three trolls in the Seattle area.

This one we found in among the trees in Issaquah, Washington.

It was about a half mile hike to find him.

I loved that part of the search included getting out in nature and enjoying a beautiful day.

And then again walking by the water for another half mile along the water front at Lincoln Park in Seattle, Washington. This walk included walking with a friend and a good little visit.

 

 

You can see, these trolls are not particularly small. Sitting or standing in with the trees they just delighted me.

 

And then finally the sixth one is found right in town. We almost drove right past it, but the GPS said it was here at the Norwegian Center in Seattle, Washington.

All six found. The whimsy and humor of the creator just made me smile.

It was a fun adventure.

It got us out in the world, discovering new surroundings.

It delighted our hearts. 

 

Have you gone on an adventure recently?

What were you searching for?

Did it delight your heart?

 

Sending love,

Marilyn

Troll Scavenger Hunt

 Thomas Dambo is a creative troll builder that I have become intrigued by. 

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.

Ole Boele is looking in the roof at a plate of pastries. What a sweet face.

 

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.

You can see the size as I stand in Pia's hand. OK, now I am obsessed to find them all! Ha!

They are made out of recycled material, mostly old pallets.

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.

One pole with birdhouses. Each of the trolls in the three locations I have found had the poles with birdhouses.

I thoroughly feel like a child of wonder when standing in their midst. Each one has made me smile.

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.

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. 

 Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

Sending love, Marilyn

Word Magic

 

‘If you fall in love with the imagination, you understand that it is a free spirit. It will go anywhere, and it can do anything. ‘~Alice Walker 

The word this week is IMAGINATION 

Definition:

the faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses.

"she'd never been blessed with a vivid imagination"

 

 

I have always had a bit of a child's whimsy in my thinking. When I see a toadstool I can imagine little people hiding underneath them. When I hear the word "imagination" I often think child-like or whimsy. In a way it seems like it could go along with curiosity too.

A bit of magic also can go along with imagination.

This dream catcher I find to be rather magical and whimsical.

Dream catchers were created by American Indians to hang over the bed and catch dreams during the night. I am wondering if imagination might show up in those dreams?

Sometimes, especially with my morning tea, I love to sit in the quiet of the house and let my mind free float, imagining delightful stories and dreaming up whimsical things. I love mind play, I love going outside and finding whimsy in nature.

 

In my office I have a shelf designated the "shelf of whimsy".

On the shelf are miniature tea sets, a tiny chair, a marble, sea shells, a paper boat, some mice, a dormouse, a hedgehog, fake flowers, a tiny car, and a few very cute rocks. This might sound silly and whimsical, but for me when I look at that shelf my mind floats to silly stories, sad stories and my imagination becomes quite active.
 

Are you fascinated with imagination?

Do you enjoy letting your mind play a bit?

 

Happy Monday, dear friends!

Let's play a bit this week.