I pre loaded my blog for a week thinking I’d be back on the case by now but recovery seems slower this time. A good friend is letting me use some of his beautiful photographs.
Here is A Cornish Sunset over South Crofty mine headgear.
Thank you very much, David.
Thank you to all of you who have been sending your love for a speedy recovery from my hip replacement operation and for the beautiful virtual flowers, Calvin.
I have posted a poem by Naomi Shibab Nye before. I love her work. Here for your delectation is
Valentine For Ernest Mann – Naomi Shibab Nye
You can’t order a poem like you order a taco.Walk up to the counter, say, “I’ll take two”and expect it to be handed back to youon a shiny plate.Still, I like your spirit.Anyone who says, “Here’s my address,write me a poem,” deserves something in reply.So I’ll tell a secret instead:poems hide. In the bottoms of our shoes,they are sleeping. They are the shadowsdrifting across our ceilings the momentbefore we wake up. What we have to dois live in a way that lets us find them.Once I knew a man who gave his wifetwo skunks for a valentine.He couldn’t understand why she was crying.“I thought they had such beautiful eyes.”And he was serious. He was a serious manwho lived in a serious way. Nothing was uglyjust because the world said so. He reallyliked those skunks. So, he re-invented themas valentines and they became beautiful.At least, to him. And the poems that had been hidingin the eyes of skunks for centuriescrawled out and curled up at his feet.Maybe if we re-invent whatever our lives give uswe find poems. Check your garage, the off sockin your drawer, the person you almost like, but not quite.And let me know.
My very own tool box
3 In today’s Guardian was a recipe that I couldn’t resist and I made it this afternoon for a shared lunch tomorrow. In fact, I then made another for us as it smelled just so good! It tastes wonderful too. I will post the recipe soon. The original is made with Hazelnuts. Mine is with Almonds.
Almond, Cinnamon and Sour Cream Cake
It has been a grey day today with a bitter wind blowing so we haven’t ventured out but a lovely friend from choir did and came to visit this morning bringing with her some Narcissi bulbs growing in a pot, my favourites! Thank you so much, S, for cheering me up this morning. We will nurture them into flowering and then I will show you.
My photos today are from our visit to Atlanta last year when we went to the Botanical Gardens.
There were frogs like this all over the garden. I loved this one reading to his froglet. I love how the froglet is all snuggled up to enjoy the story. I’m missing our Grandbabies snuggling up for a good read.
1 Our Malus Everest is almost fully in blossom and it is very lovely.
Malus Everest
2 Kindness cannot be over-rated.
Kindness
3 The Nelly Moser flowers are just gorgeous.
Nelly Moser
1 Grand Baby B stood up all on her own today! It won’t be long before she is walking.
2 A friend sent me this photograph, an example of kindness. What a beautiful thing for one person to do for another.
Kindness
3 We had a walk on the beach at Perranporth at low tide today and could see the effects of last week’s huge tidal surges. The Watering Hole Cafe was lucky to survive the storms.
The sea has washed the sand away
Miles and miles of sandy beach at Perranporth
1 I taught my Senegalese daughter-in-law how to make mince pies this morning. They turned out beautifully!
A’s first ever mince pies
2 Just as we were baking, a low winter sunbeam caught this painting by Sasha Harding. Serendipity!
Sasha Harding painting
3 We had sunshine most of today before the expected return of the storms so we all had a walk up to Wheal Coates. Many, many people had the same idea and A was delighted that everyone we met said Hello or Merry Christmas and one lovely walker offered to take a photo of us all. What special kindness to recognise our desire without a word being spoken!
Looking over to St Ives
Kind stranger
Wheal Coates
1 Half way through my printing of today’s Wedding Ceremony, the black ink ran out! Possible disaster but no! I found my beautiful fountain pen and in my best handwriting ( which I have been complimented upon in the past) I copied out the first three pages from the draft (the rest was printed). It took a while but it looks lovely and it was easy to read for the Ceremony this afternoon….
2 ……..and that was so beautiful! There was a very cold wind blowing through the arch I showed you on Friday but the couple were so happy and just grinned at each other the whole time! They’ve been together for 16 years and have two children and are still so much in love – now that really is beautiful to see! Like our own wedding, almost 45 years ago, lots of things were homemade and quite delightful.
3 This Clematis was pointed out to me by Mr S this evening as I’ve been out most of the day. I just have to say here – I am so loved and very lucky to have this lovely man in my life.
Clematis in our garden
and I have to add No 4 tonight because as I was writing this my lovely friend John phoned me from the pub where a Cornish Shout is happening but I can’t be there as we’re away to London very early in the morning. Over the phone I have just listened to one of my favourites, ‘Estren’ and my eyes have been full of tears at the sound and at his kindness.
1 I was reminded of this piece and its attitude to children by a beautiful post I SEE YOU by http://aleafinspringtime.wordpress.com
Children Learn What They Live By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a good place in which to live.
Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte
2 Lucy posted this delightful photo today. Tabitha must get the drumming gene from her Uncle Daniel!
Tabitha drumming! by Lucy
3 I learnt how to do “Hymn pedalling’ today which my piano teacher tells me is really difficult but that I am a natural! Now I have to remember what to do and to practise it a lot before my next lesson.
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