Words of Kindness and Joy

 Yes, I will share a story of Kindness and Joy; but thought just for your viewing pleasure I would include pictures along the beautiful Oregon Highway my "live-in gardener" and I traveled to Southern Oregon. We had never traveled on part of this highway and decided we wanted a bit of a detour just to see the beauty. It didn't disappoint.

Crater Lake in the middle of Mt. Mazama, a volcano which erupted many years ago forming this lake. One day this picture might pop up again as I think it would be fun to do a post on The Ring of Fire. There was still a little snow on the ground.

The story I really wanted to share today was a "pay it forward" sort of story. Every once in the while on Instagram I see these stories where someone is helped when they are struggling, how it changed their life and how they turn to help another.

I was raised by a single mom, my father removed himself from the family when I was two. Life was often a struggle for my mom. When I was in high school the electric company was threatening to turn our electricity off because my mom couldn't pay the bill. I remember being upset about it when someone from our church stopped by our home and gave my mother the money to pay the bill. Later when my mother offered to pay them back they said to pay it forward to help another. That made such a huge impact on me. I had never heard of that concept before. What an amazing heart of kindness. It changed how I thought of helping another without expecting anything in return.

Again I am reminded a smile, a hug or even a kind word can change someone's heart and make their day a better day.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Southern Oregon, A few more Glimpses

 Across the street from the Orth House, where we were staying was a beautiful garden shop. I loved the look of this garden table and chairs, though it doesn't look that comfortable.

The main reason for this small adventure was to attend a garden party and concert at the Britt Festival. The Britt Festival is an open air summer concert venue. Right before Covid hit in 2019 we were thrilled to hear Diana Krall in this venue. Funny, but even in Oregon many people don't know it exists. We have been to several concerts over the years and each one is a delight. They have never had a garden party before. The garden party had finger food and live music out on a patio. Isn't their cake pops cute?

The garden party theme came from an album in 1967 by the guest performer. 

And then there was the concert. Do you recognize the musician? It was Judy Collins. At 85 years old she entertained us for an hour and a half, along with the local orchestra. I was amazed how well she did, her voice was angelic.

Walking through town is so beautiful. Here are a few sights.

Several buildings looks like this. The La Fiesta Restaurant had really delicious Mexican food.

One more sight we decided to visit was the historic cemetery. Do you like visiting cemeteries?

 

We found Mr. Orth's burial sight. We also found a James Miller, which is my "live-in gardener's" name.

He had traveled there by wagon train and purchased 35 acres at the top of the hill at the edge of town, where he set it aside for a cemetery right where we were standing.

That tree was fun to see all the mistletoe.

With a brief stop to enjoy Lithia Park in Ashland, we were on our way home.

Others were enjoying the park too.

Hope you are finding ways to stay cool on these hot summer days.

It was 101 degrees here yesterday and about 91 degrees here today.

I no longer enjoy hot weather, but putting my feet in some cool water does help.

Sending love,

Marilyn

The Orth House, Jacksonville, Oregon

Sometimes I find places to stay when taking short trips on Expedia. The Orth House was found in just that way. It said it was a historic house in downtown Jacksonville, Oregon. Now Jacksonville is a historic small town with vineyards growing all around it. Note: Jeanie, you would love it there. The Orth House had a tasting room on the main entry floor. They were mostly opened in the afternoons and early evenings. On Saturday evenings they have live music in the patio along with wine tasting. I thought it was a bed and breakfast, but it was more like an Air B&B with only two rooms upstairs that they rent out. Interestingly, we were the only ones staying there all three nights. It was a little bit spooky staying in this big old house all by ourselves. But then we could pretend for awhile that this big old historic house was ours for awhile.

The garden was quite lovely to walk through.

The front porch was perfection for an early morning tea sipping.

The hall upstairs had a beautiful tapestry.

And our room was quite nice, though we were surprised to have a bathtub right in the bedroom. Our old bodies had a hard time climbing in and out of the tub, but it was still fun.

I bet winter time would be quite cozy with a little fire in the stove.

The best part was walking. It was in the middle of town, just one block to a nice coffee shop, one block to great shops and restaurants, two blocks to the restaurant our daughter set up for our anniversary dinner, and four blocks to a concert venue.

We did do a little research and found out Mr. Orth had been the local butcher and then became a civic leader in the years when Jacksonville was being formed and wagon trains were coming west. It almost felt like we were infringing on his private home.

So once we settled in, we were off to a special dinner.

The lemon tart ended the evening on a high note.

 Now I didn't write about Kindness and Joy today, but really Mr. Orth was kind to let us stay in his home without disturbing us. Our daughter was kind in giving us a lovely dinner out.

 

Hope the beginning of your week is starting off spectacularly.

It is very hot here this week and praying it cools down a bit by the weekend.

 

Sending love,

Marilyn

Tea Time on the Road

 I am so slow at posting my adventure recently.

My "live-in gardener" and I were celebrating our anniversary.

We left Portland and drove about 4 hours south where our first stop was to have afternoon tea at Teapot on Wheels in Gold Hill, Oregon. It is a little town along the I-5 highway, tucked next to a lovely winding river, Rogue River. Whenever we are headed south we try to make reservations here for tea. They do such a lovely teatime and the perfect place for a break in the drive.

Sorry I didn't take a picture, but just outside there was a wedding taking place overlooking the river. It was fun to see the absolute glee of the groom as the bride walked through the rose arbor and came into view.

We started with a pasta salad.

I sipped a black current tea that I always enjoy when in a tearoom like this.

Then there was a tier of goodies that included sandwiches: strawberry and cream, egg, cucumber, plus a lovely little quiche.

 

Scones with lemon curd, jam, and cream came next.

Sweets were a moist cake with dried flower petals, chocolate moose, strawberry, and shortbread cookie. Some of these treats traveled down the road with us for breakfast the next morning.

And of course since the Queen was nearby I had to have my picture taken with her.

It was a lovely way to start our celebration.

Once we arrived at our Air B&B in Jacksonville, Oregon that evening we had another lovely meal of celebration. Our daughter gave us a gift certificate for dinner.

What a way to begin a little mini-vacation. It was 4 days of good food and music. More to share another day.

 

Sending love,

Marilyn

Happy 4th of July!

 

Time seems to fly by so quickly I often miss sending best wishes to you.

May you have a 4th of July full of Joy with dear ones close by. Enjoy the day, be safe, and eat well.

I will spend the day with barbecue and deviled eggs and dear ones sitting at my table.

Happy 4th of July!

May Freedom Reign!

Sending love,

Marilyn

Words of Kindness and Joy

 

 Be Loving

and if you don't

feel loving,

be kind.

Kindness is Simply

Love

in her daily clothes.

Alexandra K. Trenfor

 

Sending love to each of you.

I am back home, but still catching up.

I am in my "daily clothes" and struggling to wake up from my little adventure. I will share more soon.

Hugs,

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