I wish it were forever spring
Never the summer or the fall,
But larks forever on the wing
And mating birds that croon and call
each other in the scented dawn
While yet the dew is on the lawn.
I wish that it could always be
Just like today -- the field and flower
Could keep the freshness of today
And build the beauty of this hour
Like precious wine in crystal bowls,
To quench the thirst of weary souls.
I know it could not be -- I know
The blossoms on the apple bough
Must wither to produce the fruit
And all this shining beauty now,
Must pass like moons upon a lake
Unmindful of the toll they take.
But still I wish that spring could stay,
Forever as it is today.
~Edna Jacques, Forever Spring
Fireside Poems, 1950
Of course the real beauty of spring and it's joy is the knowing it won't last forever and so we must enjoy it now. From the first delicate purple of the crocus as it bursts its head above the soil, to the yellow of the daffodil and dandelion, fields of trees festooned in white fruit blossoms, and the purple beauty and scent of the lilac. all these things and more delight because they are fresh and simply passing through.
Yesterday as we were leaving after having Cindy drop Maryann off at her daughter's place at the end of her time together with dad, we noted in the sky off in the distance over the trees a hawk gliding around in circles being attacked again and again by a much smaller bird. No doubt a mother trying to protect her babies.
Nature, so beautiful and yet at the same time it holds a measure of what seems to be so very cruel. I do not like to think about the cruel parts, but there is a measure of meaning in all things it seems. The sweet must be laced with the sometimes bitter.
Not a great photo I know.
The Guinea Hens are coming daily to my front garden. Cleaning up any seed left behind from the smaller birds that are frequenting the feeder. The cats are most mesmerized by these very loud, very big creatures. They sit at the window watching . . . sometimes making that chattering noise that cats make when stalking their prey. Its fun to watch. Yesterday they were in the front for quite a while before they scooted across the lawn and then flew up to the roof top across the way . . .
I did not know they could fly like that. Cindy says she has seen some near her sitting on the telephone wires. I found myself wondering how they would get down and then calling myself a ninny in the next breath because, well . . . what a stupid question. Of course they could get down. Duh.
I noted them at the far end of the street later in the day. I wonder where is it they belong. And do they not wonder where they go off to during the day?? Perhaps they are quite used to them wandering. I would imagine that is so. I have read it is the nature of those birds to wander quite far from home and return again at end of day.
This picture very much reminds me of the home I lived in when we lived in Suffield, Alberta. The whole side of the house was loaded with sweet Hollyhocks and across the whole back was a bed of pretty pink peonies. A previous tenant had spent a great deal of time planting beautiful flower beds. There was a small pond in the front of the house that my husband filled in because he was afraid of the kids drowning in it. Of all the military housing I lived in through the years, that one was my favorite. It was quite large when compared to most of the homes we had. The front door opened into a large eat in kitchen with lots and lots of cupboards and there were French doors leading into the dining/living room, which was very large and had built in bookcases with beautiful picture windows at either end. There was a lovely bedroom just off the kitchen and upstairs two more big bedrooms. The bathroom was of a good size as well.
We did not have much in the way of furniture in those days. Most of what we had, if not all, was other people's discards. We did not mind. We were happy enough. I remember we could not afford to have a telephone. The military pay was not so great in those days. I worked at cleaning people's houses when they were moving out, getting them ready for the military white glove inspection for vacating, and I cleaned offices and the schools in the evenings. None of it was work that was documented. Just cash in hand.
I always did something. Whether it was cleaning jobs, typing jobs, or child minding. It was difficult to be a Military wife in those days and have any sort of career because we moved so often and, in all honesty, I wished to be home with my children. My husband was also away far more then he was at home. I did my best to contribute financially as much as I could. My youngest son has said that I never did anything for them when they were children. I do not know where he ever got that idea. I My youngest daughter as well. There is just no understanding some people and their attitudes I guess. They are who they are. I know different.
Eileen was surprised and delighted to get a lovely package in the post yesterday from my friends Ginny and Tom, who live in New Hampshire. (Ginny is the one who knitted my lovely tea cozy.) Each article was wrapped carefully and beautifully and there were some lovely cards and stickers. It was so kind of you Ginny, and Eileen is most grateful. She loves the colors of the pot holders and cannot wait to use them in her new place and that tea towel with the cats really delighted her. Thank you so very much.
I wish I could convey better the beautiful colors in the pot holders. Ginny makes these and she does such a beautiful job. I have several of them myself and love them. They are so well made and also make wonderful hot pads to put your hot dishes on when serving.
Eileen said, why are people being so nice to me? I said, because you are easy to be nice to. You are just beloved, and people care about you in a special way. She said they are spoiling me.
I thank each of you for your kindnesses from the bottom of my heart. Each card and note, etc. have cheered her up to no end. What a great blessing you are . . . to both of us. 💗
It has been so chilly here that I have had to put the heat on this morning and last night in bed I had to throw on another cover. We will soon be complaining that it is too hot.
I was able to get rid of the broken coffee table yesterday. My cousin Sheri came and got it. She says her man friend will be able to fix it up like new. That made me happy. I was glad to be able to pass it onto someone who really appreciates it. She stopped by on her way to work and both cats made a fuss over her. They did not run and hide like they usually do. I wonder if somewhere deep inside their brains they were remembering that they started their lives in her home, or if perhaps they could smell their mother on her. You never know. There is probably some memory in there.
We have plans to go over to Eileen's apartment sometime today and take a few things over. Her dad was there yesterday and dropped off a sofa and a chair that he got from someone They look to be in great condition from the photos. Those old fashioned floral printed ones. I think we maybe had one just like it once upon a time. I know mom did. Hers was blue with pink flowers. This one is an ecru color with big pink roses all over it. Very pretty. We will have to try to get her a rug for her floor. My sister got her a coffee table from the neighbor across the way who was moving out of their house, and a dvd player. She has a single bed and mattress, fairly new, that can be brought from the old apartment, and my ex said that he is bringing over the dressers as they bought them for her. It is the same with the television. I bought that for them, and it is only a few years old. She will need a small table and perhaps two chairs, so I am on the lookout for that and I think I will be able to kit her kitchen out. She will need some linens, towels,etc. And of course curtains for the windows. She says there is a lot of windows. I will measure them today when we are there and see what I can do.
This is all very exciting for her and a bit scary too. She has not lived on her own for a very long time. She did have her own little apartment once upon a time for a short. It was above the Dollar store/Subway here in town. That was before I moved over to the U.K. so a very long time ago. She will be okay in the long run. It is a nice central location and there is a deadbolt on the door. I will be in constant contact, and of course she won't actually be moving in for several months yet, depending on how long it takes for everything else to happen and her recovery time.
All will be well. God is good.
"Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth." ~1 Samuel 3:10
I have been reading in 1 Samuel this week. I loved this verse. I found myself really thinking about this particular verse. I am a prayer warrior. I pray all day most days. There is a running prayer going through my mind at all times. Some prayers are spoken and some are silent, but they are prayers all the same. But, do I ever really stop to listen for the answers? Am I ever really still enough and listening hard enough to hear His voice. It took Samuel three times of hearing God call his name before he actually stopped and listened to hear God's voice. I wonder sometimes if my prayers are fervent enough.
But then, I get answers to prayers all the time. Sometimes in the most inexplicable ways. Sometimes my prayers even get answered almost instantly. That can't be wrong. So I guess I am doing something right.
But I do so love scriptures that make you stop and think about things like this. It does my heart good in the best possible way.
My oldest son, Anthony, turned 51 years old yesterday and I was privileged to be able to facetime with him in the morning. This is the one who gave me the blessing of becoming a mom for the first time. The whole time I was growing up I wanted to be a mom. He made my dream of being a mom come true. How often can you say in life that you helped to make someone's dreams come true? Not many times I think. Anyways, we got to speak yesterday morning and it was lovely.
It is hard to believe that he is 51 years old. Wasn't it just yesterday? Time sure flies by. I wish we were as smart when we were younger as we are now. So that we might have cherished those moments a little bit more for what they were. Most of that is a wisdom that comes with age I guess. When my kids were all young (I had three in diapers at one time) I was on my own much of the time due to the nature of my husband's career. I did not know if I was coming or going most days. I would fall into bed at the end of the day so exhausted, fall right asleep, and then be up early the next morning to do it all over again.
But, oh, how I loved my babies. They were my world, still are. I pray tender prayers for each of them daily and for my grandbabies as well. I don't think a mother ever stops praying for her babies, no matter how old she or they get. We all want the best for each of them. They are the jewels in my life's crown. Yes, all five of them. I love them and my 8 grandchildren very much.
Dan was just here to sort out all the cardboard in my garage. I had cardboard in there going back two years that I just had been unable to deal with. Too large of pieces, even flattened, to put out with the trash and with my left arm still being pretty useless for much as well as being sick for most of the winter, it had all gotten on top of me somewhat. He also swept out the garage, put the stuff in the back of the car that I am taking to Eileen's later today, hooked up my dvd player and put the skis on the back of my walker. I did not have the strength to pull off the rubber stoppers and pound the skis in.
What a blessing it is to have a brother in law who comes and helps me out the way that he does. I am really grateful for that.
Hard to believe, after all of that, it is already 10 am and I need to be about the rest of my day.
A thought to carry with you . . .
☾ ° ★° * 。
• ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • •。★★ 。* 。° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★*Keep some room in your heart
for the unimaginable.
~Mary Oliver
I am resharing an older recipe in The English Kitchen today. Rewritten for today and updated, but worthy of revisiting.
Apple & Blueberry Eve's Pudding. A delicious twist on an old classic that I hope you might enjoy!
Whatever you get up to on this Saturday. I hope it brings you joy! Bon weekend! Don't forget!
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And I do too!
