I love sharing the Action for Happiness calendars and trying to take the advice for myself. Do click on it and zoom in if it isn’t clear enough. .
Porthtowan Beach was our destination with our Ukrainian friends this afternoon. It was wild and windy and very healing which was so good to hear.
The chaotic waves were throwing up foam which had the loveliest colours. I love collecting heart stones and found this one for M who didn’t come on the walk.
Dogs have such a joyful time on the beach in the autumn/winter months when they are allowed on the beach. I really love watching them and was delighted to catch a short video of one catching a Frisbee.
It’s August 1st and here is this month’s Happiness calendar, Altruistic August.
Friends came round this afternoon for tea in the garden and what a joy it was to entertain again after such a long time. Both couples brought a garden posy for us and I put them all together to make a delightful colourful bunch.As you, Dear Readers, know, we have lots of courgettes in the allotment. For this afternoon I made Courgette and Cheese Soda bread which we had sliced and buttered. followed by Chocolate Courgette Cake which was scrummy!
It’s May 1st and Fete de Muguet in France. My dear friend Kath, in whose memory I write my blog, loved France and had a house in Meyssac. She always gave me Lily of the Valley if we were together or sent a card if not. These are for her and since they send good luck to receivers of the little bouquet, for you too, dear readers.
The Action for Happiness calendar is here for May. If you would like a bigger version please click this link.
There were many interested in the steam train going through Cornwall yesterday and some friends went down to Penzance to see it. The driver invited them into the cab! Just look at that beautiful work.
Photos here with thanks to M and S.They also sent me a video but for some reason I can’t load it here.
It’s International Women’s Day today and in honour of all women, everywhere, let’s celebrate friendships.A bit of history for you: 1917
“On the last Sunday of February, Russian women began a strike for “bread and peace” in response to the death of over 2 million Russian soldiers in World War 1. Opposed by political leaders, the women continued to strike until four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. The date the women’s strike commenced was Sunday February 23 on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia. This day on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere was March 8.”
To strong women everywhere and as a friend put it today, “to the stoic women of Ukraine who are suffering the ravages of war, those brave women in Russia who protest at Putin’s barbaric behaviour, and the women of bordering Europe, the UK and the world who have risen up to assist Ukraine. ”
Today is also a special one for our dear neighbour and I have taken a small posy round for her.Somehow I didn’t pass on the Happiness calendar on March 1st. Here it is now!
And while I was picking the primroses and rosemary for S, she was down at the allotment picking some purply stocks for me for International Women’s Day. I’ve put the in my green glass with some white flowers to show the suffragette and I.W.D. colours of purple, white and green.
My lovely SIL told us –
“Today, as well as being the lovely Mr S’s birthday and operation day, is St. Brigid’s Day. She’s the “female St. Patrick” – another patron saint for Ireland, as well as for all manner of places, people, and professions – a very busy saint. But on the eve of her day, she travels about and if you leave a piece of clothing or fabric outdoors, she will bless it as she passes by. It then becomes a powerful charm for curing illness and for healing. Since Cornwall is a Celtic country, I’m sure she also gets around there on the night of January 31, and will no doubt pass your house, especially since she and Mr S share a day. I thought you might like to put out something of his to be blessed and help him in his recovery. Just a suggestion….. ”
Just a suggestion which I thought I’d take up. No sign that St Brigid stopped by but who knows? I put out a hat that had been knitted some years ago by said SIL.
Hat beside the first of our new Narcissi Arctic Bell
Today’s poem celebrates St Brigid too.
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As it is the first of the month, here is this month’s Happiness Calendar. If you’d like a bigger copy, just click on the Happiness page. .
We have an Advent calendar full of chocolates! There are two each day and they are delicious.
It’s time for the next Happiness Calendar – my goodness, the months go by quickly! If you’d like a bigger copy, do go to their website.
There are still a couple of flowers in the garden despite the wind, the rain and the drop in temperature. There was a hoolie blowing as I tried to take these so some are a little wind-blurred!
