Back Yard Neighbors . . .

 

We're backdoor neighbors, Sue YOU and I,

We've watched the marching years go by,

Held little sessions o'er the fence

When life was getting strained and tense,

Talked over problems and our fears,

Shared happiness throughout the years. 

Across that old back fence of ours

We traded recipes and flowers,

Patterns and pinafores and pies;

We've looked deep in each other's eyes,

With understanding strong and clean,

In friendship such as ours could mean. 

We raised our families side by side,

Sharing each other's joy and pride,

Picnics and churches . . . picture shows,

Our little daily wants and woes,

Having been re-counted and re-told

Like misers counting up their gold.

We've shared each other's ups and downs,

Admired hats and new spring gowns,

Settled the nation's big affairs,

Joined hands in small heart-broken prayers,

Loved . . .  laughed and sorrowed down the years,

Companioned by our joy and tears.

I do not know what I would do

Without my backdoor neighbor, Sue. YOU. 

~Edna Jacques  

 

I read this poem this morning and I thought to myself, Hey!  That's kind of like YOU and I!  We are back yard neighbors. Oh, I know you don't live right next door to me, and most of you I have never met in person, but we ARE back yard neighbors in every sense of the word.  We share with each other, the ups and downs, sorrows and joy,  hills and valleys.  I through the words that I have been penning each day for the past umpteen years, and you by the lovely comments you leave.

I know that not all of you comment each day, but some of you e-mail and message, and when things have been really bad I have felt your love and support.  You have all been my Back Yard Neighbors.

  

We live in a very different world than our mothers and grandmothers lived in.  Theirs was much smaller and their back yard neighbors would have been true back yard neighbors, or at least same street neighbors.  Our world is much larger now.  Many of us don't even know our actual neighbors except to say hello to, even though we are the kind of people who would be there to help if we were needed . . .  I know this.  We are kindred spirits.  Our world is vast and large and through the miracle of modern technology we are able to touch and connect with  kindred spirits that are thousands and thousands of miles away and develop friendships with each other.  Its a fabulous thing I think.  So goodmorning to you my Back Yard Neighbor!  I'm  so glad you've come to visit! 

  

This truly is an amazing world however.  A world in which I can work for people who aren't even in the same room . . . building . . . town . . .  country!!! and get paid for it.  *Gulp*  Yesterday I signed a contract to write four articles a month for an American based company, and I will get paid for each article by the hour.  The job starts Monday.  The intitial contract is for a year.  To say I am a bit nervous about it is to say the least, but  as Brene Brown says  . . .  "It takes courage to open ourselves up to joy."  I wasn't going to say anything about it, but then I thought, hey, I need all the help and support I can get, so I am telling you so you can keep me in your hearts and pray that I have the courage and self-belief to see this thing through and actually succeed with it! And I know you will because you are my on-line/back yard neighbors. ♥♥♥  It is a bit of a steep learning curve for me, but I got this . . .  I can do hard things.

 

So this is my little "Alice" creation so far . . .   It is close to being done.  You see here inside the box, the Mad Hatter's hat, a toadstool, with a clock/watch face on top and a house of cards in front of it, along with a tea pot charm . . .  then there are the tiny shoes of course and the dress . . .  

 

A little glass bottle with a Drink Me Tag and little silver spoon  . . . 

  

  

All I have left to do now is to do a Cheshire cat on a branch which I am going to position in the upper left hand corner and antique the box.  Then we will see what happens next.  I am unsure as to whether I should affix everything so it doesn't move around?  What do you think  back yard neighbor???  

  

I've spent some spare time this week, painting oodles of flowers and making bouquets.  I have holly hocks, and iris, pansies, foxgloves, sweet peas, poppies, marigolds, daffodils, lilies, etc.  Its fun to just sit and create . . .  and I cut them out while we are watching tv at night . . .  when I am not crocheting . . . 

  

And I acquired this this week  . . .  Luna Lapin . . .  I have fallen in love with all of the versions I have seen of this rabbit doll online  . . . we'll see how it goes.  You know I love dolls and anything doll related . . .  and Pizza . . . .  potato chips . . . french fries  . . .

  

and Rufus Sewell  . . .  aka Lord Melbourne . . . Mr smouldering eyes  . . . 

Now how did he get  in there.

Life's a complete mystery n'est ce pas?  

Yikes!

 

And I still haven't found the wand to my stick blender, and THAT . . .  my back door neighbor . . . is a wrap.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *When we deny the story,

it defines us,

When we own the story,

We can write a brave

new ending.

~Brene Brown •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Big Time Peanut Butter Cookies.  Oh my . . .

Have a wonderful Saturday.  I need to be working on my RS lesson for next week and some other things.  I have a busy day ahead of me!  Don't forget today  . . . 

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And I do too!