August . . .

 

It is hard to believe that we are already into August and that our summer is fast fading away. The days fly by so very quickly and I am ever cognizant of the fact that all too soon it will be autumn and then the winter will be fast on autumn's heels.

I think I would weary though . . . of a forever summer . . . with changeless weather and a sun's unfading glow . . . If there were always roses blooming in my garden, they would not call to my heart with such words of joy and praise . . . and the sweetpeas that cling to my garden wall would ne'er seem as beautiful . . .

It is because it has been hugely anticipated . . . throughout the winter's cold and spring's promise . . . this expectation of sunshine and flowers, that makes us welcome with delight, the summer's golden hours . . .

 

 

And so I won't complain if the days seem too hot . . . and the air seems too heavy and humid. I will relax and enjoy them as much as I can . . . even though my energy be sapped and my good night's sleep may feel a bit harrassed with oppressive heat and the inability to find comfort in a bed that seems too hot and lumpy . . . knowing that all too soon this shall pass, and we shall notice that the leaves are beginning to turn . . . and the garden beginning to have that faded tired look of autumn about it . . .

"The waiting in the winter, and the hoping in the spring. It's twice as sweet because we know that Time is on the wing." 

 

All of these photos are photos I took at Hever Castle

when we lived down South.  Hever Castle was 

the childhood home of Anne Boleyn.

I used to really look forward to Augusts when I was a child.  The summer seemed ever so long and by about the beginning of August I was looking forward to school beginning again. I was getting bored.  My birthday was also in August.  I was never very happy about having a Birthday that fell during the school summer holidays.  People were always away on vacation and stuff, so there were not a lot of people to invite to your Birthday Party.  My mom did the most wonderful Birthday Parties. Nothing fancy mind  . . .  just simple things like a few parlour games, hotdogs, soda pop, cake and ice cream clowns.

 

I tried my hand at making ice cream clowns a while back. The results were largely laughable.  I gained a new respect for what my mother had done for me!  On the 13th  will be 64.  It will be the first year in my life that I have not heard the sound of my mother's voice on my Birthday.  Somehow I will get through it I know . . .  you just do.    

 

My son Doug printed off my Hello spread at his work. He works at Staples.  That's really probably a great place to print stuff.  I should take my PDF and get it printed.  It makes me happy that Doug is proud of me.  As parents we are all proud of our children.  I know, I am  . . . but it is nice to know sometimes that our children are also proud of us.  

 

He sent me a photo of all of my grandchildren taken recently at my ex MIL's 92 Birthday celebrations.  She is looking great for 92.  I blocked out the faces of two of the children which are not my grandchildren as I felt it wouldn't be proper for me to show you them.  In the back from left to right are Gabe, Jon, Luke and Jake, my MIL and in the front Josh, Cam and Maryn.  They are growing like weeds.  I can't believe how tall Gabe is getting! Oh how I love my grands.  I had always pictured myself as being the best grandmother ever, never dreaming that I would be so far away from my grandchildren.  I wish they just lived next door.  

You know what they say about wishes . . .  "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride."  Nevermind, I do the best with the lot I've been given, and can do no more!   

 

I am really looking forward to Eileen and Anthony coming over in October.  Eileen is really interested in Fairies.  She always wants to talk about them.  At one time over here they were selling Fairy figurines based on the Cicely Mary Barker illustrations.  They had a new one every couple of weeks or so that you could buy on subscription.  I collected them all and sent them over to her.  She just loves them.  I bought this book (see above) second hand to give to her when she comes. It is filled with fairy lore.  I hope that she likes it.  Anything you want to know about a fairy is in there.  I only paid a few pennies for it plus postage and it looks brand new.  There is a small wrinkle on the dust cover, that's all.  I am really pleased with it.  When you buy books second hand like that you are never quite sure what is going to arrive!  

And now I am prattling so I will leave you with a thought for today  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *A 'fresh start' 

isn't a new place,

it's a mindset.

~Unknown•。★★ 。* 。 

 

Cooking in The English Kitchen today  . . .  Maple Caramel Sauced Blueberry & Cornmeal Pancakes.  Yummo! 

Have a wonderful Saturday. We are off to the chapel later this morning as there is a Baptism. It looks like today is going to be dry, so that's great!  Don't forget! 

 

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And I do too!