All Things Nice . . .

 

 

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The wind is whispering April

And the woods are all aflame

Today a robin sang for me

From southern lands he came,

He brought the springtime with his song,

And practiced it the whole day long.

The sun is whispering April

And the buds are swelling green

The little creek is running wild

It's foolish banks between,

The pussy willow's silver fur

Is making vain the heart of her.

And we have tidied all the yard,

Raked up the tangled grass,

The little pool that father made

Shines like a looking glass,

Reflecting sky and clouds and trees,

The neighbors clothes-line if you please.

The wind is whispering April

And all my heart is knowing,

There will be clover in the fields

And new grass growing,

Daffodils on a sturdy stem

And golden bees to talk to them.

~Edna Jacques, April

Aunt Hattie's Place, 1941

The wind IS whispering April here.  We have had a mixed bag of weather here this week for sure as March made her transition into April, but on the few sunny days, I (and the cats) have delighted in watching the wind pick up and carry errant dry leaf, leftover from last autumn, dancing them across the lawn and pavement. My two little munchkins are fascinated by the moment and the dance, especially when they dance across the deck directly in front of the window. It cheers my heart to see them so excited at the movement. I have tried but never get any birds out front for them to watch.  Not many anyways. And in the back yard only crows and jays, so these dancing leaves really provide some interest and entertainment.

 

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 Cindy and I ended up going out for a quick grocery trip yesterday morning. I only needed a few bits and so did she. We dodged potholes all the way into Greenwood and back again. Some of them get larger every day. There are quite a few. It is like they are multiplying.  That will provide plenty of work for the roads people when they start filling them in.  Roadworks, not much fun to put up with, but one of the necessary evils of having smoothish roads to drive upon and, they provide a necessary employment for many people here in the Maritime provinces where it is much needed.

 

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The grocery store was fairly busy. One thing of note that I have noticed lately are empty shelves scattered here and there throughout the store. I do not know if it is just because they have not had time to restock them, or if it is things which they have run out of.  For instance, the spot where I usually get my loaf of sourdough, there were only two loaves, and I could see none waiting to be brought out from the back. Also, who is buying all of this overpriced meat, specifically the beef.  A small piece of steak, in the $30 range. All of the beef is really expensive. Chicken also.  Pork is also much more costly than it was in the past. 

And grocery stores are recording booming profits.  Something is wrong with this picture. Just saying.

 

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Fridays is chocolate donut day at Spurr's Farm Market. The day of the week that they make their chocolate donuts.  We like them. They are not too sweet, but just right.  Rich and chocolatey, they are a cake style donut.  I picked up half a dozen so that I could bring a few over to Sheila.  She was thrilled when I knocked on her door with them.  I checked on her heat pump again, just to make sure.  A preemptive strike I suppose.  She said that the office was going to get an electrician to come and look at it, so she was a bit more content about that issue yesterday. Her face lit up when she saw the donuts.

It is a small thing really. It does not cost me much, and it meant a lot to her. Small acts of kindness can go a long way towards making a difference in other people's lives.  I have also been giving her my Senior's papers when I am finished reading them. She loves them and hands them on to another neighbor down the street when she is done with them.

This little paper full of nice stories that Linda suggested to me is now blessing three lives. Thank you Linda!

 

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I was just finishing up my work for the day when I looked up and saw my sister's car arrive in my drive.  She had a yummy salad for me that she had made.  (Look for the recipe soon.) It was such a thoughtful thing for her to do.  I was very pleased at this extra opportunity I had to spend some time with her.  It really cheered my heart and was so thoughtful of her.

When we were girls, we often talked of being like the Baldwin sisters from the old Walton's show when we got old. It was a thought that brought us both peace.  We are not quite the Baldwin sisters. We do not live alone in an old house and have only each other for company, finishing each other's sentences and thoughts, but we are our "own" version of them. Taking care of and loving each other as best as we can in our old age. She means the world to me. I do not know how I would cope without her here. She does not ever make me feel like a burden or extra chore. I can call upon her for help anytime. Everyone who lives on their own should have a Cindy in their lives.

 

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Love.  Acts of love.  They do not make either the giver or the receiver feel "less than" or beholding. Love, real love, does not have a course of action. It simply is. It exists because it knows no other way.

Love is not complicated and does not make things complicated. Love knows no fear.

Love is a gift which keeps on giving of itself. It can trickle down from the smallest of actions and become something greater than great.

Love is such a powerful thing that it can sometimes be scary.  Sometimes people would rather feel fear, doubt or even pain instead.

Love can keep you "here, " despite you wanting to go somewhere or be anywhere else.

Love makes it possible to forgive in the midst of hate.  Hate really isn't hate at all, but another form of fear. Fear is no match for love.

Peace is a natural access point for love and when everything that isn't love is recognized only as fear then that fear will disappear. Nothing fear filled can survive in the face of love.

Love is complete.

 

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Can you imagine eating a cloud? 

 

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Yesterday I was able to open my inside door and just have the screen door allowing fresh air to blow into the house. It was not overly cold. It wasn't really warm either, but it was refreshing. A blowing away of the cobwebs of winter as it were. We three, myself, Nutmeg and Cinnamon, really enjoyed it very much. Now this morning it is back to cold again. It is above zero, but still cold. 

We will soon start hearing the peepers. I just know it.

 

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A peace filled life is its own reward.  If you choose to think peaceful thoughts, then a mind filled with peace will be your gift. When you choose to act peacefully, no matter the provocation, your heart will be full of peace, and a peace-filled life is your reward.

Choose to consume food and drink that brings peace into your body, mind and soul . . . and your body will serve you well by working for you in peace.

If your words are full of peace, then your experience of life here on earth will be filled with peace.

Be peaceful and peace will be returned to you, many times over.

Simple.  Powerful. Truth. Peace reflects peace.

Love on the Spectrum. Watch it. It's on Netflix. These people warm the heart.

 

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We live in a world filled with chaos and turmoil at the moment. It can be very easy to feel like all hope is lost.  If we apply these criteria to our lives, then our lives can be transformed. The rest of it all will not matter. Things of the world will fade away. What begins as a glimmer of hope will burst into full flame. We can make a difference. Here. And now. We can invite brightness into our lives by being and dwelling on the positivity that exists.  It is not invisible unless we make it so.

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day!

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

 *.Life isn't a matter of milestones
but moments.° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
~Rose Kennedy° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

In The English Kitchen today, Buttermilk Blueberry Cobbler, for two.  Simple and delicious. It's a very nice thing. I enjoyed with a dollop of thick heavy cream.

I will be spending a good part of today watching and listening to my church's Spring General Conference on YouTube. I am really excited to see what inspiration the talks will bring into my home and my life.  You can find the sessions on YouTube. The first one will start in four and a half hours. (1:00 PM Atlantic time) Come listen to a Prophet's voice. What can it hurt? It's something we can do together.

I hope and wish for you a beautiful weekend. May your days be filled with joy, positivity and purpose. Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!