Saturday This and That . . .

 

Mother Theresa attended a gathering with kings, and presidends and statemen from all over the world. They were there in their crowns and jewels and silks and Mother Theresa wore her sari held together by a safety pin.

One of the noblemen spoke to her of her work with the poorest of the poor in Calcutta. He asked her if she didn't become discouraged because she saw so few successes in her ministry. Mother Theresa answered, "No, I do not become discouraged. You see, God has not called me to a ministry of success.  He has called me to a ministry of mercy." 

It truly is all a matter of perspective. 

 

This is what it looks like outside my dining room window this morning.  Much the same as yesterday, but what a difference from a few days ago when the sun was shining and kids were playing in the bouncy castle next door and swimming in the pool beneath a hot sun!  It is windy and oh-so-cold! Brrrr . . .  I may have to put the heat on for a few minutes to warm things up. 

I had always thought that June was supposed to be one of the loveliest months of the year, which is why so many Brides choose it for the month to be wed in, however  . . . 

  

According to the diaries of this book of mine, it can also be a somewhat changeable month when it comes to weather.  I love this book. It is a reproduction of an Edwardian Country Diary of Sir Edward Grey, and the illustrations and writings in it are a fascinating glimpse into life over a century ago.  Well the life of a country squire/gentleman at any rate.  I doubt it was so lovely for many others, especially those saddled to a life of drudgery beneath the stairs . . .  

 

"My holiday is at an end, and we are going back to London. 

It is very cold. 

Yesterday (Sunday) the thermometer never

got above 45, and fell to 35 at night." 

This sounds very much like it has been here these past few days . . .  comfortable for sleeping, which I never mind. I don't mind it if it hot as hades during the day, but please at night let it be a lot cooler.  On the second of June he was back in London and it had been raining hard, but he says much warmer than it had been in a fortnight. Don't you just love that word  . . .  fortnight . . .   It makes me think of Enid Blyton novels and Downton Abbey. 

 

"The last day of our holiday; It has been bright and hot, 

up to 77, and nearly still. 

We went a walk to Ovington and above it

by the river path in the still warm evening and fell in with a

strange, but friendly, cat on the furthest bridge

above Ovington."  

Ovington is a small village and civil parish in the county of Durham and situated 8 miles east of Barnard Castle. It sounds a quaint little place to visit.   From my readings in this book, it sounds to me like Sir Edward took a holiday every year towards the end of May, beginning of June.

  

 

"Today I picked the first moss rose, a gem, 

and the first gloire de dijon,

we had the first basket of strawberries."

June 7th, 1895 

Written during a Whitsuntide holiday, I suspect in Dijon, France. I do not know alot about Dijon but I do like their mustard. Dijon is in the middle of France, about 203 miles south-east of Paris when looking at a map. It is no an area I am very familiar with actually. According to what I have read it has one of the best-preserved medieval centres in France, some of France's finest cuisine and wines, as well as many cultural museums and festivals. Enough to keep one busy. In fact, in June it hosts a classical music festival, the L'Été Musical (Musical Summer). I am wondering now if Sir Edward Grey attended it. If he did, it was not mentioned, but perhaps again I get ahead of myself as I don't even know if he was actually in Dijon . . .  the mention of the name is not exactly the same as being there I suppose.   

Its a delightful book and I don't read through it near often enough.  I think the illustrations are beautiful.  It is a classic country diary complied by Sir Edward and his wife Dorothy at the turn of the last century, and quite delightful. 

"It is one o'clock and I have just got here and I feel as if

my heart was too full and might burst; the place is so sacred."

Edward to Dorothy, the cottage, 14 August, 1901   

If you are a lover of quaint, cosy, nature drawings, and diaries, then you would enjoy this book.

 

 Mary, Mary  . . .  must have been the month of June, because the Lily of the Valley are in bloom. I have always loved Lily of the Valley, but apparently they are quite toxic to animals and people. Pretty to look at however.  Those little white bells will be a tinkling today with this cold Northerly wind which is blowing.   Yes, June I believe must be a quite changeable month. 

Everyone is being advised to wear face masks now . . .  DUH  . . .  but also warned that we still  need to be vigilant, washing hands, keeping social distancing in place and the Leaders of my church have announced that the October General Conference will again not be held in our big beautiful Conference Centre in Salt Lake City and not open to the public, but held in much the same manner as the April one.  

2020 is set to be a real year for the history books in many ways, and none of them good. Our Government is relaxing all of the rules far too quickly in my honest opinion. I know economically we need to get our economies back on track, but at what cost  . . .  I fear this is a mistake and not very well thought out. I, for one, am going nowhere I don't absolutely have to go. I am staying put.

It bothers Todd much more than it bothers me, but then, he used to go out every morning.  I only really ever went out to shop for groceries and such, perhaps the odd meal out. I do miss eating out a bit  . . . and of course seeing friends, and going to church. 

Thank goodness for modern technology!! 

With this I am able to order my groceries online and have them delivered.  I can talk to my family, yesterday a face to face with my sister and my father, which was lovely, and I got to meet my BIL Dan for the first time face to face.  Plus we were able to read a chapter in the Book of Mormon with Betty (a friend from church) and the Sister Missionaries, and then a bit later in the day the Missionary Elders facetimed us and shared a message of hope with us.  I also chatted with my daughter Eileen. 

 

Jake and friends, Baya, Oreo and Mordar

Reading companions are just the best friends to have, don't you think?  And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . .

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *I write best when
I am either falling in love,
or falling apart.
~Rudy Francisco•。★★ 。* 。 

Psst!!! Monique!! My followers on IG reduced by 20 this past 24 hours, obviously it is not popular to "not" have a black square either.  People are such funny creatures!  

  

In The English Kitchen today  . . .  Small Batch Bakewell Blondies.  Oh my word, gorgeous and dangerous! 

Have a good Saturday.  Be blessed.  Don't forget! 

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And I do too!