Wednesday Witterings . . .

 

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Yesterday marked the halfway point until Christmas.  Yes folks, only six months until Christmas. Oh, I know we have a lot of other days and occasions to get through until then, but . . . is it ever too early to start preparing?  I don't know.  Every year it seems to creep up on me. I have plans to write nice little notes to put into every card I send, and instead I end up writing them out hurriedly and only getting them into the post at the last minute.  Perhaps this year I should start much earlier. Hold that thought  . . .  nah . . . I will probably end up repeating what I do every years and hurriedly scratching them out in early December, as much as I would like it to be otherwise.

This photograph came up on my memories on Facebook yesterday. From my back garden in Chester.  I used to love watching the Peacock Red butterflies that visited my garden every year.  Some days there would be half a dozen at a time sunning themselves and feasting on the flowers. If you look really closely you will see a bumble bee on the lower left hand side of Buddleia blossom.   I got so much pleasure out of that garden, even though I didn't do any work on it myself really.  My work was just enjoying it. 

 

This little painting came up on my memories also.  Oh how I miss sitting down every day and creating these little characters.  I don't really have the time  now. By the time of the day when I have free time, I am feeling pretty tired.  I also don't have the Copic markers either, which is what I used to use for most of my characters. I have checked into replacing them, but boy oh boy, are they ever expensive.  It would be nearly a thousand dollars to get both sets that I had replaced.  That's too rich for my blood now.

I actually should get my markers out and see which ones are still good and which ones need replacing.  

I am not sure why I stopped doing this kind of thing entirely.  I suppose a tiny bit of depression after all that happened?  I don't know.  I did not think I was depressed, but  . . .  I suppose anyone would be. It was quite a difficult time for me emotionally and mentally.

But what is my excuse now?  Lack of time . . .  as well as motivation. I need to do better.

I used to love going on the swings when I was a child. It was as close to being able to fly like a bird as I could get.  I would soar on that thing.  What a feeling it was.  The wind brushing against my cheeks  as I pumped higher and higher.  There was no feeling like it on earth. 

I suppose that would be the feeling of adrenaline pumping through my veins.   The adrenaline rush. I never really thought about it until this morning. My knees would probably not let me do it now.  Ahh  . . .  youth. We take all these things for granted.  Simple things like being able to pump your legs enough to enable you to soar on a swing.   These days it is a good feeling to just be able to walk to my post box! haha  We must take our blessings where we find them!

 

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It is a beautiful sunny day out there this morning.  I have my living room window open to let in some fresh air. We had a couple of rainy days so the sunshine is more than welcome.  The kitty cats are sitting on the window sill breathing in the fresh air, listening to the birds and enjoying it also.  I have seen photos of these outdoor cat houses.  They attach to a window and are like  a place where they can be outside but without any danger.  Oh to be able to afford something like that, and to have a window that it would be possible. 

I saw one one day which was a hen house, adapted for cats. It was so cool.  The cats in the photograph were really enjoying it.  If I won the lottery I would have something like that.  Mind you, I never buy lottery tickets so it would really take a miracle for me to win it, lol.

My parents bought lottery tickets without fail, every week for years and years and years.  My father still does.   And he buys tickets on the house lottery that the hospital in Halifax sell every year. Those are really expensive tickets. I think $100 a piece.  They are really nice houses to be sure, the ones that they give away, but you would have to be able to afford the taxes on them, which I imagine would be pretty steep.  I don't think you are allowed to sell them for at least a year or two.  I am not sure.

I no longer dream about having a big beautiful house.  I am contented to have what I have.  It is not mine, but neither are the upkeep bills.  Where I live suits me very well. The cats will just have to be content with  enjoying the outside from their perches on the  windowsill.

 

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I imagine all of the kids are finished school now for the summer.  That used to be such an exciting time for me.  Those early days of summer when there was no school.  Just days and days of sunshine and fun. Time to skip rope and ride my bicycle.  I grew up on air force bases so you knew all of the other children in the neighborhood and your father's all worked together.  There was a special sense of family and familiarity because not very many of us had extended family that lived in the same area.  Our families were our neighbors.  We would play together as a group.  There would be games of tag and British bulldog, kick the can, etc.  I don't remember ever being really bored.

We didn't go on "holidays."  My parents couldn't afford it. We might have a day at the beach complete with swimming in the lake and ice cream cones.  My mother was not a person who enjoyed being outside at all.  When we got older, and lived closer to my father's family there were a few trips to Quebec to visit them.  I remember going there for two weddings. My Aunt Arlette's and my Uncle Patrice's. So, special occasions.  Those were really big deals.

My dad was the kind of guy who got us all in the car, put the pedal to the metal and didn't stop for anything but to fill up with gas.   We never got to see the world's largest ball of string except in passing.  My husband was the same way.  We did not go on holidays as such, just home to visit parents. and yes, pedal to the metal.

That is probably why I really enjoyed the holidays I got to go on when I lived in the U.K. and could travel. Germany, Belgium, France, Austria, Scotland, Devon, London.  All very much enjoyed. What a blessing it was to be able to see and spend time in all of those places.  

 

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I am not sure yet what today holds.  A bit of work. A bit of play. Supper out with Dad and Hazel. Dad was supposed to come over for a shower yesterday, but he had a dentist appointment and got up too late, so that didn't happen. Maybe today.  Whatever unfolds, it will be fresh and new.  I know I need to vacuum again!  I could vacuum every day. I don't know how they do it, but the cats make a mess!  Bits of food, hair, etc.  I am not complaining.  I am grateful for their company and do enjoy them very much.   Whatever I get up to today, it will be worthwhile. I would love to drive up to the shore . . . 

And with that I best leave you with a thought for today as time is marching on!

A thought to carry with you . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★

 *The world is a book,

and those who do not travel

read only one page.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

~Saint Augustine° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today . . .  Italian Sausage Meatballs. I made these with some of the Italian sausage that Cindy and I made on Friday. They were really good. I made a simple gravy and some mashed potatoes to enjoy with them. 

I hope you have a beautiful summer day, no matter what you get up to today. Stay safe. Stay happy. Be blessed. Count your blessings.  Enjoy, and don't forget!

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And I do too!