Springtime Flowers

 My favorite time of the year is springtime flower time. I just love the colors of springtime from the chartreuse greens of new leaves to the purple of a blooming iris.

Most often in the spring my "live-in gardener" and I visit  Schreiner's Iris garden near Salem, Oregon. 

I grew up with purple bearded irises in our garden; but each time I visit this garden I am once again amazed at the variety of colors.

Whomever plans this garden is so creative in pairing the irises with other plants. There were columbine, lupines, elder flowers, clematis, and many more plants; but the iris was the star of the show.

My traveling teacup is always in my car and ready for an adventure. It also loved following along in the iris garden. This teacup has traveled far and wide from these gardens to Pompeii, Italy. She likes to always be ready for an adventure.

And then on the same afternoon, not far from the iris gardens, we visited Adelman Peony Gardens. Two gardens in one springtime day was a delight.

We even found fairies dancing in the garden here.

 

 

And children enjoying the day. I thought they made the gardens even more beautiful. This snap of the camera was a surprise because the sun was so bright I couldn't see my phone screen. This is the only picture in this post from my phone. All the other pictures were taken on my little Canon.

A field of peonies is a beautiful thing to behold.

In the garden shop there was a display of all the peony varieties. It was hard to pick a favorite.

 I hope in your part of the world you are also enjoying the beauty of springtime and flowers.

Sending love,

Marilyn 

Focus on the Stars

 "Life is a series of tiny little miracles. Notice them." Anonymous

I saw this quote this morning on social media and had to share. It seems like just when I think I have it together and will get back to my own regular posting, life moves along and I miss you here. It's not because I forget you, but just "life". The little miracles do still enchant me and I still savor a sip of tea and a sniff of a beautiful flower.

Yesterday I attended the Eugene (Oregon) Tea Festival. This is the third year and it was amazing to see how many people came to sip tea.

My tea group gave a demonstration of the WuWo Tea Ceremony.

 

Then earlier in the week, on a bright sunshiny day, I visited some gardens. Very soon I will share some more pictures. It was a glorious day to celebrate springtime and sunshine.

 

 

And of course, my traveling teacup came along on the adventure.

 

There were iris's and lupines everywhere to enjoy.

 

What tiny little miracles for me this past week:

Flowers, sunshine, cup of a good tea, visits with friends, the symphony, seeing my cousin in his home by the river, brief sightings of my two children, and a hug from my #1 grandson. Oh!!! I even sat with my tea one morning by the pool at my apartment. What a treat!!

What tiny miracles did you savor this past week?

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 

“If you can’t run away to a cabin in the woods right now, start small. Make a cup of tea and find a sunset to watch. Turn off your phone and read a book in the bath. Go for a drive and blast some Stevie Nicks. Fight for moments of peace in the midst of the crazy. You can do that.”

— Brooke Hampton

This says to me to "focus on the stars". See the little glimmers. Even this morning I noticed the bubbles in my teacup when I poured a cup of tea. The bubbles made me smile. I noticed a fairy ring of mushrooms right outside my door. And again I imagined fairies dancing there as I slept and I smiled. 

I walked in a garden and again I smiled.

Sending peace and love to you this morning.

Smile, as you notice the little glimmers of hope and light.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Tea poetry

 

Tea

anonymous author

Five times a day, I make tea. I do this
because I like the warmth in my hands, like the feeling
of self-directed kindness. I’m not used to it—
warmth and kindness, both—so I create my own
when I can. It’s easy. You just pour
water into a kettle and turn the knob and listen
for the scream. I do this
five times a day. Sometimes, when I’m pleased,
I let out a little sound. A poet noticed this
and it made me feel I might one day
properly be loved. Because no one is here
to love me, I make tea for myself
and leave the radio playing. I must
remind myself I am here, and do so
by noticing myself: my feet are cold
inside my socks, they touch the ground, my stomach
churns, my heart stutters, in my hands I hold
a warmth I make. I come from
a people who pray five times a day
and make tea. I admire the way they do
both. How they drop to the ground
wherever they are. Drop
pine nuts and mint sprigs in a glass.
I think to care for the self
is a kind of prayer. It is a gesture
of devotion toward what is not always beloved
or believed. I do not always believe
in myself, or love myself, I am sure
there are times I am bad or gone
or lying. In another’s mouth, tea often means gossip,
but sometimes means truth. Despite
the trope, in my experience my people do not lie
for pleasure, or when they should,
even when it might be a gesture
of kindness. But they are kind. If you were
to visit, a woman would bring you
a tray of tea. At any time of day.
My people love tea so much
it was once considered a sickness. Their colonizers
tried, as with any joy, to snuff it out. They feared a love
so strong one might sell or kill their other
loves for leaves and sugar. Teaism
sounds like a kind of faith
I’d buy into, a god I wouldn’t fear. I think now I truly believe
I wouldn’t kill anyone for love,
not even myself—most days
I can barely get out of bed. So I make tea.
I stand at the window while I wait.
My feet are cold and the radio plays its little sounds.
I do the small thing I know how to do
to care for myself. I am trying to notice joy,
which means survive. I do this all day, and then the next.

Generally, I don't personally make tea 5 times a day, but I do make a pot of tea that would hold 4 or 5 cups of tea. Tea is comforting in the early morning hour. On cold days it does warm my hands. When I feel sad it brings joy to my heart. Friendships, very dear to me, have been forged over many cups of tea. It fills a time of solitude. 

I hope you find something that warms you on a cold day and brings comfort when needed.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars

 

Even though I am not Catholic, I was brought to tears by the transition and selection of the new pope. He has such a strong voice in the world that I was thrilled with the choice. Pope Leo can bring so much hope and light to the world in so many ways. His voice can help to sooth the souls of a broken, dark world. I am already impressed by what he has shared.

 

In his first Mass as pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, at the Sistine Chapel, urged Catholics to be a light in the darkness and focus on faith over material things. He knows my heart.

 

Then I came across this quote by Pope Francis, "Don't let your hope be stolen."  What an amazing way to think on hope, my word for the year. We cannot allow others to take our hope away, no matter what. We must hold on even in the darkest night.

 

My hope for Pope Leo is that he can contribute to peace throughout the world. With peace comes gentleness, truthfulness, and love. Just what my spiritual doctor would prescribe.

 

 I hope everyone here had a lovely Mother's day weekend. My afternoon involved a walk with family in the neighborhood where I found these wild roses in full bloom and baby duckling chasing their mama around the pond. Just the perfect sort of day to celebrate mama's.

 

Have a terrific week, sending love,

Marilyn

Victorian Fashions on Display

 Before I get started, my pictures loaded with the reverse of the show. If you want to see it progress the way the show went, start at the bottom and work your way up. If you start at the top, this first dress is the finally.

The main reason I chose to venture north to Port Townsend last weekend was for the Victorian Festival that takes place each spring. A friend from San Diego is actively involved in the fashion show. She wrote all the dialogue and organized the show this year. What a beautiful show. In the audience background you will also see that many of the attendees even dress in costume. It is quite fun. If you ever get a chance to attend, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

There were two men in the show. This one was the mortician. He really was enjoying himself.

 

 

The hearse with all kinds of surprises.

The black dress was the only dress that was original from the Victorian era. All other dresses were made by the models.

The blue dress was the models first dress made for herself. She did a great job.

Many of the models also made their accessories. I was fascinated by the shape of this hat.

This model has been involved in all the shows I have attended. Each time I am impressed with her sewing talents. This particular dress had a fun three tiered bustle.

I loved that there was a variety of ages, shapes and sizes of models involved. They all seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Here is my friend from San Diego. I remember many years ago she barely knew how to sew and now I am so impressed at what she does with her costumes. She even teaches classes at a costume conference.

Even the military was represented. He was carrying all his supplies from his bed roll to his dinnerware and pipe.

 The show took place in the local VA building and his costume fit right in with the surroundings.

 

 Here we are at the beginning of the show. I hope you enjoyed it. Several fabrics caught my attention and I quite loved this plaid.

 

Would you love living daily in one of these dresses? How comfortable are they? With all those layers and cinched in waist, I think I wouldn't be very comfortable. 

Have a terrific weekend, dear friends!

Sending love,

Marilyn

An Adventure - Pacific Northwest

 

It's amazing what you can pack into a week. One week ago today my two adult children celebrated their birthdays. They are four years apart, but both born on May 1st.  We had cake for two, chocolate and vanilla.

And then the next morning my "live-in gardener" and I drove north into Washington State to do some visiting. Along the way there were many sightings of rhododendrons and other beautiful things.

The first night at my sister-in-laws home, she took us out to dinner. Now that was a treat, but the restaurant manager said that we must walk in the garden. It was near sunset which made the garden all the more beautiful.

Each sunrise is amazing from my sister-in-laws home. This one really touched my heart.

One day we walked in the Rhododendron gardens at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington.

The lighthouse at the Fort's park.

Then on another day we took the ferry to Whidbey Island to have lunch with a friend from my youth. We met at a garden shop that has amazing plants and their cafe has amazing sandwiches. I had the best tuna sandwich I have ever had and their special rhubarb/elderflower spritzer was a delight to sip.

 

And because we had a hour before catching the ferry back to Port Townsend, we walked in another rhododendron garden.

There were a few gorgeous primroses too.

 

Then as we headed home there was one more stop to visit a favorite Thomas Dambo troll with friends.

 

I think the past week could be called, Rhododendrons and Special People.

I do love a good adventure and this one was filled with JOY. A perfect ending to the past year of working of moving and personal business. It felt good to be released for awhile to play. It was much needed.

Sending love,

Marilyn