A Magical Place

Discovered a most enchanting blog, but sadly it's author has recently passed away. I'm hoping her family doesn't delete it just yet, because I still have a lot of reading to do, and it's such a lovely blog it would be a shame for it to vanish forever. When I visit this blog, I feel like I'm in the English countyside.

So I urge you to pay a visit to Daisy Lupin's blog Cats in the kitchen flora in the garden. I'm sure you will agree-it is a most enchanting place.

Paradise Lost

It was gone. That beautiful garden, the one with the flagstone paths and a bird bath or two, pretty flowers, and tall shade trees-gone forever. I had walked by that garden nearly every day for years, admiring all the work that had gone into creating it. It had taken many years of hard work for someone to transform that narrow city lot into a welcoming oasis, yet only one afternoon to erase it forever. Today nothing remained except bare earth and a few scattered branches, which I'm sure will be tossed to the curb for garbage collection later this week.

I'm not sure what happened to the woman who I would see sometimes tending the garden. We didn't say very much to each other, just a wave and an occasional "hello", but not much more than that. Then about a year ago, I noticed a "for rent" sign in front of her home and I don't recall ever seeing her again. She just suddenly disappeared, I've often wondered what became of her.

This past spring I noticed a "lot for sale" sign had been posted in the garden. And though the property is rather narrow, someone bought it and I'm sure by summer's end there will be a new home occupying the site. I hope all the birds who also called this little piece of the earth "home" safely escaped the jaws of the heavy machinery which uprooted their lives last weekend.

I'm sure the new house will be nice, and the city will be grateful since they will be able to collect more taxes on the "improved" property, but I am really going to miss that garden. Not as much as all the birds and butterflies who lived in and frequented the area, to be sure.

I just hope they find their way to my little "butterfly and bird buffet", still a work in progress. I've planted some of the same types of flowers in my own garden, hoping to attract their attention. Maybe some will choose to make their new home here, and that is fine with me. After all, it belongs to them,too. And I can't think of a better way to "improve" my property than to share it with God's creatures.

Tuesday Afternoon

Tuesday afternoon
I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way
It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away
Something calls to me
The trees are drawing me near,
I've got to find out why
Those gentle voices I hear, explain it all with a sigh

I'm looking at myself reflections of my mind
It's just the kind of day to leave myself behind
So gently swaying through the fairyland of love
If you'll just come with me you'll see the beauty of
Tuesday afternoon
Tuesday afternoon

By The Moody Blues

Sometimes Dogs Know Best

It began as a typical week night, the usual routine- dinner, catch a little news on TV, a little computer time, wash dishes, etc. Then it started to rain and thunder, which is fine because it is much needed here. My vegetable and flower gardens really appreciated it. But it did put a damper on my evening walk with Raven. I could see the disappointment in her sad doggie eyes.

Then it happened-It stopped raining and the sun came out and the sky was many shades of blue, gray, yellow, and orange. I thought for sure there must be a rainbow out there, but when I looked in the part of the sky where I usually see one, there was none. Raven was still giving me those sad doggie eyes, so I grabbed her leash and off we went, into that surreal evening sky, straight out of an Edvard Munch painting. I half expected to see that figure from "The Scream" come running down the street. Come to think of it, that really wouldn't be such an unusual happening in my neighborhood!



Scream

And then I saw the rainbow. It was leading straight up into the clouds, a kind of "stairway to heaven". A cross atop a nearby church steeple had taken on a golden glow and the effect was really stunning.

And I had forgotten to bring my camera along!

So Raven and I continued our walk and then I noticed another rainbow. This one was higher up in the sky, almost directly above us. It was surrounded by orangey-colored clouds and was so beautiful. I only wish I could have taken a picture to post here!

By the time we arrived home, the sky had darkened somewhat and all photo opportunities had disappeared. I guess I'll have to wait for the next evening shower to catch a rainbow.

So I would like to thank my dog, Raven for convincing me to take this walk tonight. If it wasn't for her, I would have missed out on the way God smiled on my gritty little city this evening.

And I learned that rainbows are not always where you would expect to find them. And sometimes it takes a dog to teach you that.

The Philosophy of Charles Schultz

Here's a cute email my friend Al sent to me today:




The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the questions straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3 Name the last five winners of the Miss America.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.





How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners .


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.


Easier?


The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care


Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life. You are receiving this because you made a difference in mine.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.



It's already tomorrow in Australia ." (Charles Schultz)