Monday, April 28, 2025
Saturday, April 26, 2025
A little Tea and Play
I finally feel like I have gotten back to normal life after a year of preparing and moving. Not sure if I overdid, but it felt good to play a bit.
There was open faced Coronation Chicken sandwiches, trout sandwiches, chopped black olive sandwiches, sweet peppers with a cream cheese filling, deviled eggs, fruit skewers, scones, carrot cupcakes, strawberries dipped in chocolate, and macarons.
Yes, Sunday was Easter. There were 8 people having teatime in my little apartment. It was pure JOY and a bit crowded.
Monday I took a walk in the neighborhood to explore "the ditch". Thanks, Jeanie, for that name inspiration. It is only one block from my new abode and quite peaceful. I can see I will be going there from time to time.
Wednesday I attended a fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity.
My friend, Annette, works for Habitat. It was good to sit with her son, Renze, and catch up on the news. Renze is sort of like a "god-son" or extra grandson to me. Isn't he handsome. He is graduating next month from University of Oregon. The speaker was excellent.
Thursday I picked up a friend and we had tea in my favorite apple orchard.
Friday I had a new friend from my church come for a cream tea and visit. She brought lilacs from her garden.
Then we said goodbye to our little blue car while our red car looked on. The blue car has been donated to PBS. After all, how many cars does two people need. We also have a grey, sparkly car that is new to us. Isn't the new technology amazing? I love that I can connect my phone for the map and music. Picture taken from our patio.
And today I will soon venture out to the annual teabag art show. I will try to remember to share a few pictures next week.
Hope your week has been full of delights and JOY.
Sending love,
Marilyn
Monday, April 21, 2025
Focus on the Stars
Kavi Keethu, unknown author.
Kavi refers to Indian poetry, so not sure this is an actual name.
The first two pictures are lighthouses, one on the west coast and the other on the east coast. Very different, but they do the same job. Their light shines in darkness as a warning to travelers on the sea. It tells them that land is nearby and to take care. In it's way it gives comfort to the sailor lost at sea and shows them the way.
As the quote states in other words, there is comfort and safety in small lights or the light from the moon on a dark night.
Hold on! Notice the glimmer's! For soon the sun will shine again. We must not lose sight of HOPE.
Sending love,
Marilyn
Thursday, April 17, 2025
This Week - Back to the Joy of Flowers
Here is the orange ones I mentioned above.
Even the daffodils were pretty!
Then today I took an adventure with a picnic and friend to visit my favorite apple orchard.
The orchard is part of Portland, but out on an island. It is open to the public, but I never see more than a hand full of people visiting there. It is so peaceful to sit with a friend under the blossoms of spring and the ripe apples in fall.
My friend is moving away and I will miss venturing with her here, but it will always call my heart to sit right here and see the white with pink blush blossoms entice the bees and me.
Tomorrow I will venture to the Chinese Gardens for their first ever tea gathering, a festival of sorts. We will celebrate the sun with a cup of tea surrounded by the beauty of camellias blooming while searching to see what else might be blooming in the garden on this fine spring week.
I hope you are finding some flowers and sunshine in your part of the world. Plan an adventure and savor the day.
Sending love,
Marilyn
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Focus on the Stars
Spring time is like little lights found coming up from the dirt of life's ground.
"Iain Thomas, a South African author and poet, included this quote in his book “I Wrote This For You” published in 2011. This quote emphasizes that even in the absence of external light, individuals have the power to create their own sources of light and positivity. By applying this learning, individuals can take ownership of their lives, find their passions, and create their own path towards happiness, even in the midst of darkness."
I search for those lights appearing all around me. I find them in unexpected places.
“Never fear the darkness, for in it lies the power to create.” – Brandon Sanderson, “The Way of Kings” (2010)
And to create is like little rays of sunshine. Flowers are a creation of God. Was God smiling when creating these beautiful things? Did God know we would need them after the dark night of winter?
Hold on, dear friends! We will survive the dark night and be better for it.
Sending love,
Marilyn
Monday, April 7, 2025
Focus on the Stars
“In the midst of darkness, light persists.”
– Mahatma Gandhi, Speech (1947)
I love that this stream under the trees still captures the light through the dark forest.
It seems that having chosen the theme this year has kept me focusing on the same rays of light. On Instagram I find myself saying "In darkness, focus on hope". I say it in so many little ways each day. Then I notice that others are also saying the same thing in their own ways. And in this I am noticing little rays of sunshine, laughter and hope. I know I needed this focus to get me through this year.
What glimmers of hope have you seen this week? Where are you stepping out of your comfort zone?
Sending love,
Marilyn
Friday, April 4, 2025
The Garden
—Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden, 1911
We can sit for awhile and take in the energy of growing things all around us. It can heal us, fill us, and make us smile.