Words of Kindness and Joy

 This past week:

My "live-in gardener and son most often take a walk each day, but on one day this past week my son asked me to walk with him. Isn't it interesting when you get alone with one of your children, either small or big, they talk more openly. We had to pause and take a look at a few things along the way. We were noticing the small things.

 

Two comments I came across this week were:

In the end only kindness matters

Be Kind for no reason

 

Both so true. Kindness does matter and it is so important to be kind for no reason. When I was out and about a woman smiled at me, it felt like kindness was there for no reason at all. I remembered that smile all day long. 

Sending love,

Marilyn

A Rose

" The rose is known as “the queen of flowers,” and much of the rose's symbolism reflects its regal title. Roses symbolize love, royalty, beauty, sensuality, secrecy, and mysticism. They are also associated with achievement and perfection."

Peninsula Park is about a 5 minute drive from my house. Right now the rose garden is in full bloom; so one morning this past week I had to take a walk among the roses. I wasn't the only one enjoying the morning in the roses. There were many volunteers working to deadhead the roses, but there were also many people just out enjoying the morning air and fragrance.

It was a beautiful morning.

Hoping you are having opportunity to smell the roses in your part of the world.

I will be away for a few days and will be back in one week. My computer is going to the hospital for a check up and cleaning while I am away. Hoping they don't find anything serious, but it just needs to be cleaned and upgraded a bit. It serves me well and I would miss it.

In the meantime, dance in the moonlight and savor the sultry days of summer. 

Happy Summer Solstice!

Sending love, Marilyn

Walking

 Do you like walking?  I love going for walks, but lately because of health concerns I became afraid to go walking by myself. Really, it was my own paranoia, but to me it was real. So I am trying to walk again. Recently I walked with a friend at a labyrinth tucked in the woods.

 

Our conversation before beginning our walk was about ancestors.  With that conversation on my mind, as I walked I envisioned my ancestors surrounding me. The smaller tree in the curve of the walk as we approached represented my grandson, so strong, yet still growing. One day he will be as tall as his surroundings and stretch his arms out wide to embrace life.

The large tree behind the wall represented my grandfather. He stood silently nearby, always watching and I believe he is still watching and smiling with a tear in his eye, saying "well done"! 

There was a butterfly that passed by, which to me represented my mother and the women in the family of ancestors. They were always flitting here and there, full of color and delight, always present and beautiful. 

Now I must go walking. I must notice what I notice.

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

Sending love, Marilyn

In the Early Morning Hour

 

In the early morning hour I walk, I discover, and I feel the wind and sprinkles of rain against my face. I delight in these moments.

 

This week I found the first daffodils beginning to bravely open.

 

And snowdrops too!!!

 

A touch of white upon the ground

Icy, frosty morning light

The sun comes up

Color abounds

They light the sky

Listen closely to the morning sounds

The gurgle of water as it warms for tea

The cat’s meow as he asks to be fed

I awaken to the dawn of a new day

Colors surround me

They dance before my eyes

A song touches my heart

And I pray

 

My tea in a pretty spring teacup this morning. Sipping Yunnan Gold from Floating Leaves, a favorite all year long. In springtime I especially enjoy a fresh cup of tea and think of the farmers just beginning to pluck the tea for me. I lift my cup in celebration.

I notice what I notice in the small details of the day.

I savor and delight.

May your weekend be full of delight!

 

Happy New Year - Welcome 2022

 Welcome 2022, You have got to be an  improvement on 2021.

Well yes! Indeed! We made it through 2021. It was a bit rough at times. I am thankful, I stayed healthy; though I gained a bit of weight. I am thankful, I did a little traveling; though I had to wear a mask and wash my hands often - that was OK. I am thankful; for each of you, dear friends and family, though I may have not been able to see you in person. I am thankful; just for the joy of the everyday through the music, the dancing, the art, and the walks around the block. 

 Dr. Seuss said, "You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do."

I love trying new things, learning more about you and me, and playing a bit. 

For many of us it was learning to use zoom just to keep in touch with others. It has been a time of learning how to navigate in a different world keeping 6 feet apart! Ha! How are you doing there?

What new thing would you like to try in 2022? 

 For me in 2022 I know I just need to keep moving, 6 feet apart, laughing, listening to more music, hugging, playing; but most of all BE satisfied with just staying in place. Now that is a hard one for me because I like adventures. So yes, there will be a few adventures too; though they will be planned with care. Tucking my mask in my pocket, my hand sanitizer in my purse, taking a deep breathe, and off I will go.

Again quoting Dr. Seuss:

 Oh, the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

....You have feet in your shoes, You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own......

 May your new year be full of blessings yet unseen, good health, laughter, and a bit of night music. Happy New Year, dear friends!

Pictures are from my own back yard earlier this week.

A Walk in a Park

  

On a cloudy summer day recently a friend and I walked here. Normally I visit Bishops Close in the spring to see all the crocus and daffodil growing, but this year it wasn't until late summer that I realized I hadn't gone on an adventure right here. A friend was invited to come along and walk with me and my camera.

I adore seeing my favorite places in different seasons; so I wasn't at all disappointed.

 I was searching for flowers and flowers is what I found.

 Even in a hanging basket there was the vibrancy of flowers.

During the pandemic I have become addicted to watching chateau renovation shows on YouTube; so as I walked there I was imagining myself walking on chateau grounds in France. You see, I needed an adventure of travel and this was the best I could do for now.

Bishops Close is actually an Episcopal center and offices. They have graciously opened their grounds for people to walk and enjoy the serenity.

The grounds are up on a bluff overlooking the Willamette River. As you can see it was a cloudy day with even a few sprinkles, but it was a perfect day to walk in the serenity of the gardens and grounds, visit with a dear friend, and sip a small cup of tea while sitting on a bench.

Take the time today or this weekend to find some imaginary travel, some serenity, and a walk with a friend.

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Oaks Bottom Nature Reserve

 The weather person said it would rain on Saturday, but for some reason I wanted to go in search of mushrooms. Having painted mushrooms recently and at this time of year I just knew there were mushrooms and lichens to be found. It had been many years since I had hiked through Oaks Bottom Nature Reserve right here in the city; so off I went. No, it wasn't raining, so I thought I would be fine.

At first I didn't think I would find any mushrooms, but as I watched more closely I found wonderful lichens and other fun surprises.What I thought we would see was birds, but only one bird was spotted. At the bottom of the hill was a train track and much to my "live-in gardener" and my surprise the train was coming down the track. There were waves of greeting to be had and then they had passed us by.

I felt like I had found the mother lode of mushrooms when I found this cluster just sitting under a tree.

                                                                      Aren't they beautiful?

                                 There were some individual mushrooms hiding under leaves too.

Beside searching for mushrooms and lichens I knew I would see a fairy or two, but alas there were none to be found. Next time I will go more quietly and maybe I will find them then.

And fun discoveries growing on the trees. By the end of the hike we were soaked, but I learned what to look for and where to look too. Even the rain couldn't deter me and I loved every moment of this adventure.

Walking at Oaks Bottom Nature Reserve was pure delight. Now I can't wait to go on a sunny day and maybe I will discover more birds or a frog at the tadpole pond.

                         What fun to escape to nature right in the middle of the city. I will be back for sure.

Another Walk

A few days ago I walked with my camera in my neighborhood.

The signs people shared on their sidewalks and yards touched my heart.

The sign above was my favorite. I do believe "We are all related".

The more I walk, the more I have traveled I believe this and wish for all people to be able to travel and see this truth.

Then there are murals too. Some rather bazaar and some that made me smile.

Some are just plainly graffiti, but intriguing.

I don't mind some graffiti, but wish they would leave artist murals alone.

Even power boxes are not left untouched.

And in this time of COVID people are sitting on porches to visit with people passing by.

Once we get through this time there will be indeed "A New Beginning".

And this says so much!

I wasn't sure what this sign meant, but there was an ice cream shop nearby.

Was it meant that even zombie's head for ice cream? Ha!

I know I headed there.

Just a sweet horse on a wall of ivy. You just never know what  you will find.

And finally, I was impressed that even the artists put their spray cans in a garbage can.

Everywhere was art/graffiti, even down this alley.

It is an active art community for sure and it always fascinates me when I walk this way.

Most often I watch for nature, but every once in the while I just like to see what these artists are doing.

And yes! in the end "Love wins".

Happy weekend, dear friends!