All Things Nice . . .

 

(source) 

I jist keep hopin', foolish like,

That you will come again,

To walk once more the little paths

Between the fields of grain,

And listen while the skylarks sing

Amid the sun and rain.

I jist keep hopin' I shall hear

Your step upon the stair,

That I shall open wide the door

And you'll be standing there,

A crooked grin upon your face

Jist like you used to wear.

I just keep hopin', foolish like,

Now that the war is done,

That you'll come home to happy peace,

That you and everyone

Will put away your broken swords

And lay away your gun.

I have the curtains crisp and white

(The years have been so long),

And I will sing for you tonight

That old familiar song,

And keep on hopin', foolish like,

That you will come along.

~Edna Jacques, I Jist Keep Hopin'

Back Door Neighbors, 1946

When I first started to read the poem, I was not sure who Edna was talking about.  I thought about who I wish would walk through the door, and mom immediately came to mind.  And then I thought of childhood friends that are long since gone (Why am I still here?  I don't know. I just got lucky I guess.)

And then I realized as the poem went on, she was talking about someone  . . .  a brother, a friend, a nephew, uncle, son, lover . . .  someone who meant something to her and who had gone off to war and would not be returning now the war was over.

So many lives lost in so many Wars.  So many not returning and each time we say or hope, never again . . .  but human beings are a warring lot it seems for there is always some kind of conflict going on somewhere in the world.  Would that there was not. One day . . . peace will reign.  The Lion will lie down with the Lamb. Oh happy day  . . . 

 

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A tide of yellow is sweeping through the neighborhood as the forsythia comes into bloom and the daffodils are bobbing their yellow heads in gardens and on lawns. Soon, soon . . . dandelions will join them.  It is such a cheery color. Yellow. It brings a smile to the face and a song to the heart. 

I had a yellow dress when I was a girl. It had a row of white daisies across the chest.  It was a happy dress. 

Not a great photograph, but it is hard to capture wildlife if you are not really sure how to do it.  My sister has seen this blue bird in the bushes near her house several days this week. We have been trying to identify it.  We think it is an Indigo Bunting, as it is all blue. Small about the size of a finch, with a yellow beak and black around the beak and eye area.  

It is not usual to see such a bird in our area.  All  my life I have wanted to see a bluebird, but I never have. Apparently they are seen here from time to time, but we are pretty far North and they are not usual here.  We did have a very mild winter so perhaps that is the cause for this rare occurrence. Cindy is thrilled and I do so hope that sometime when I am at hers, I will perchance to see it as well!

 

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Cindy and I have always been avid birders.  We have spent many hours outside watching birds. They fascinate us. I don't get many where I am living now. I have seen a cardinal once. It landed on my front railing.  I have seen the odd goldfinch. A few sparrows.  Starlings, crows, blue jays. Nothing too, too exciting, except for the hummingbirds which will be returning to us soon now.

When we had our house in New Brunswick we were situated in a woodland near to a marsh.  I got lots  and lots of birds at my feeders there. The most exciting thing I saw was a flock of snow buntings.  I just happened to be in the laundry room.  Our house was a split level and we had loads of windows and light in the basement area which was half above ground.   I looked out the window and caught sight of a whole flock of snow buntings which had descended onto the area just below our back deck.  I watched them for quite a while. It was very exciting, and something I have never forgotten.

 

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I had my eye test yesterday. My left eye had deteriorated quite a bit, so a new prescription for eye glasses now. I knew that as it has gotten somewhat blurry, more so over these past six months or so.  It is a cataract, but because they can fix the prescription now to make my vision 20/20, no surgery needed just yet. More worrisome is that the pressure has gone up slightly in both eyes, which could signify glaucoma, and so I have to return in four months time to be tested again.  I have never had this happen before.  So it is a bit of a concern. I really hope it is not glaucoma.  As far as I know there is no history of it in my family.

Cindy and I were just saying the other day how we would rather go deaf than go blind.  I hope and pray that I never go blind, but it is a concern to me. Good that they are keeping an eye on it.   I will not think the worst scenario. It is all in God's hands. He has never failed me or set a trial before me that I could not cope with and that He could not help me through. I can do all things  . . . 

 

(source)

I love to listen to bird song at this time of year. It is so pretty.  The birds are nesting. It is such a beautiful melody to hear.  I may not see them, but I can hear them.  I miss my hedgerow back in the U.K. that was full of sparrows.  It was such a cheerful sight to see their little heads popping up out between the leaves in early morning to greet the day. I have a heart for the sparrow. Such a simple and drab bird, but so sweet . . . 

"God sees the little sparrow fall  . . . it meets His tender view.  If God so loves the little things . . .  I know He loves me too."

I used to love to sing that hymn in Sunday School when I was a child. I used to love going to Sunday School for that matter. Being able to dress up in a special "Sunday Best" dress, learning stories about Jesus, singing the special songs.  It was all wonderful to me. I used to get perfect attendance pins every year.  I had them all in my jewelry box until recent years. They got left behind when I left the U.K. to come back to Canada. No regrets.

I have had to let go of many things. Every now and then something will come to mind that was left behind, but then I am reminded that it is only things and things do not matter. People do, and I am surrounded by and nurtured by the best.

 

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Now that's what I call a lovely beach hut.  Look at all of the beautiful flowers and plants. It is like an oasis in a desert. It would be nice to sit in such a place and watch the sea, the waves lapping at the shore. People walking along the beachfront.  Children playing in the sand.  It would be even nicer to do it with a friend. We could sit and eat sandwiches and cakes and drink cups of tea and lemonade, and chit chat in the way that good friends do . . . 

 

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What a lovely collection of bowls and plates, cups, egg cups, linens, silver, pots, clocks, etc. So beautifully displayed. I like to see open cupboards like that. I am not tidy enough to be able to do the same.  As hard as I might try. Stuff gets in the way.  Tidy clutter is what I call this. I do not have tidy clutter.  I just have clutter. lol  

Perhaps it is the unfamiliarity of it that appeals to me.  My own clutter is so familiar that it breeds contempt.  That saying is true I guess!  Fresh eyes are what we need to see the beauty in some things  . . . 

And with that I best leave you with a thought for the day. I am supposed to go out with Cindy this morning and it is already almost 8:30 and I have not done anything else except share my thoughts with you!  (One of my most favorite things to do, I hasten to add!) I am not sure how much help I will be today as my knee is kicking off again due to a small accident yesterday morning, and then last night in bed I felt the other one go. I am hobbling this morning, lol  But I love to be in her company, even if I only sit.

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *Your value does not decrease

based upon someone's 

inability to see your worth.

•。★★ 。* 。•。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Peanut Butter Sheet Cake.  A delightfully delicious vanilla cake, topped with a lush almost mousse-like peanut butter frosting!

I do so hope that you have a beautiful weekend, filled with lots of lovely things. Whatever you get up to, be happy, be safe and don't forget!

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⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿

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And I do too!