flowers — Page 303

The Last of the Roses

August 10, 2010 at 1:02 pm by Claudia

Standing on the porch the other day, I spied these blooms, plus two as yet unopened buds. I think these are the last of my roses. I suppose this could be either good news or bad news. The bad news is saying goodbye to these beauties for another season. The good news is that I thought this particular bush was completely finished with its blooms and then I found these. Glass half-empty vs. glass half-full.

Today I am, unfortunately, feeling half empty. Or more than that – about 3/4 empty. The stress in my life seems overwhelming. Everything seems to be more difficult, scarier, impossible and heartbreaking. I feel like my shoulders and neck are holding enormous tension – that my head won’t stop thinking fearful thoughts. Do you ever have days like this? This year has been a very, very hard one for us and it seems to be continuing. While I often stop to count my blessings and I know there are many blessings, there has been loss, financial stress, loved ones in pain and suffering, fear.

Yes, I’m usually cheerful – especially on this blog. But sometimes it just seems impossibly hard to maintain my cheerfulness. Oh, I’ll get it back. Writing about it helps; and knowing my friends will be reading this and sending positive thoughts my way. This blog/journal is such a wonderful way to share things, usually exciting and good but occasionally sad or scary. I’ve just got to get back to the half-full mentality. Thank you for listening to me.

One positive thing: our own little Lazarus, Mr. Riley, is feeling better. He is almost back to his old self. I am deeply grateful I can leave for Florida with that resolved for the time being. I will try to post while I am in FL. I will also be sharing a book review with you on Thursday. I’ve started to work with TLC Book Tours. Oh, I’m not reimbursed in any way – I’m supplied with a book and encouraged to write an honest review. Since I love reading so much, this is a joy for me. So once a month or so, I’ll share a review with you. I’m reading a few books that I might not have found otherwise so my reading horizons expanding.

Thank you for being the listening eyes and ears that I’ve learned to count on. You are the best.

Flowers and Gifts

July 15, 2010 at 7:22 am by Claudia

Queen Anne’s Lace grew everywhere in my neighborhood when I was little girl. I don’t think I really appreciated the delicate beauty of this flower until recently. It was a weed, everyone said. Weed: implying bothersome, something to be yanked out of the ground. Thank goodness I’m older and somewhat wiser. This is a flower. It graces us with its presence in fields, at the side of a road or, in my case, under the shade of the catalpa tree.

Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions about the table. What varied responses! I heard from some new (to me) readers, too. It seems most of you are pro painting. Some suggested just painting the legs and leaving the top dark, some suggested different colors….I’ve read them all and now I am in the process of ‘pondering.’ As I sit in my blogging chair, I can see it in the kitchen. I stare at it. A lot.

It’s too hot to paint at the moment – which gives me a little more time to consider all my options.

I received packages from two of my friends this week. I met both of them through blogging. First was a box from my wonderful friend, Brenda of Cozy Little House. She was cleaning out her linen closet and found a few things she thought I’d like. And she threw in a book, too.

Beautiful pillow cases, some crochet and a pretty book. Thank you, Brenda!

Ann Marie of Frog Hollow Farm Girl wrote me a note when I was posting my embroidery for the Stitchalong and asked me if I would be interested in some of her late mother’s embroidery supplies. I was so touched and honored that she would want to share something so precious to her Mom with me. I received two packages yesterday.

Beautiful embroidery floss and several hoops.

Also included were some neat metallic yarns and a note from Ann Marie. What a special note this was: she told me the story of her mother, Lilly, who was born in Ireland and trained as a nurse and midwife. She eventually sailed to the United States and met Ann Marie’s father Anthony and became an American citizen in the 70’s. Lilly passed along her love of cooking, gardening, reading and entertaining to Ann Marie.

I know how much Ann Marie misses her mother and I am moved beyond measure at this lovely gift. Thank you, Ann Marie.

How blessed am I by the wonderful friends I have met through this little blog!

What’s Up in the Garden

June 11, 2010 at 12:22 pm by Claudia

Happy Friday, everyone. Lots of late nights here as all 3 productions head into preview performances. It is always exciting for the actors to finally have an audience response. My body clock is going to have to adjust to this new schedule. If only I lived on a quieter street! There’s lots of traffic, noisy trucks, noisy cars and construction going on. Yesterday, I tried to work to the accompaniment of big machines smashing cement. All day long.

My husband sent me some garden photos. There is a shot of the peonies but I am afraid they were past their prime when he took the photo.

We have two peony bushes – the other bush has soft pink blooms.

Shots of our beautiful Catalpa tree. Every year these beautiful blooms appear and they smell heavenly.

A closer look at the pretty flowers.

You can see my hydrangeas, which are taking over! I can see the poor spirea in front of it gasping for air. Here is what is interesting about this view (besides the fact that my husband hasn’t trimmed the grass or weeded around the garden): I have a Julia Child rose, which is the yellow rose in the background. I also have a pink rose bush, Lady Elsie May – the bush to the right.

Where the heck did the red roses come from????

I am so intrigued by this. I want to be there to investigate! You know how hard it is for me to be away from home, but this makes it harder! Don has instructions to find out what bush the red roses are coming from.

Hi, Scout. Do you see her on the porch?

I need to weed. Is it possible to jump into a photo?

The Last of the Roses

Flowers and Gifts

What’s Up in the Garden

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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