The "Thank You"

Sometimes words get misinterpreted which is especially troublesome when the original fault is my own fault.  In this case it was my procrastination that started the conversation today at lunch.  David asked what had happened to the Blog?  He had been following it and nothing was happening.  Carol asked when I was going to thank her.  And, yes, I had neglected to do just that.  I procrastinate badly.   I was thinking about the little calendar that Carol gave me for my birthday.  It was a calendar of beloved "Dog birthdays" and Mika, Carol's "wonder dog" was featured.  The calendar was a fund raiser for the Havanese Rescue Organization.  When Carol mentioned "all the work she had put into it" I was still thinking about the calendar.  

I totally misunderstood that she was talking about her role in putting on the party which I certainly have not forgotten.  Carol was asked to provide names and addresses of people in Roanoke and the family and she went way beyond the call of duty phoning every person she could think of to let them know about the party.  It took her hours on the phone and more hours on the computer.  I was amazed at how she managed it.  How affirming it was to realized how many people would take the time to come out and celebrate my birthday.  

One day Carol called and asked if I wanted to go for ice cream.  Of course, I want to go for ice cream.  We walked to Hits Ice Cream but I hardly noticed when she hovered by closely as I ordered the flavor I wanted and then told them all what was my second most favorite flavor.  When the birthday cake came out at the party there were both flavors of ice cream......big tubs of ice cream.  It was almost heaven.

So here I am saying it publicly.........Thank you, Carol, my bestest ever cousin, for all your hard work, time and energy that went into the party invitations.  Thank you also for the lovely calendar which featured Mika, the "wonder dog" (Carol always wonders what she is thinking) three time within it's pages.  It's fun finding her pop up as I leaf through the year.

Stitched With Love

Lynne and Dan gave me this beautiful painting. There it was still perched on the love seat right where I had left it last November.  The purples and pinks glowed a welcome Thursday when I returned home and all the warmth and love of the birthday party sweat over me once again.  

It has been said that beauty will save us and that art can speak to us about how we can love more fully and learn to live in harmony and peace.  For me this is true because art inspires me to be more loving, more accepting, more open to all God's creation.  The greatest joy is becoming a co-creator with the Devine in brining about this kingdom of God on Earth.  

Lynne and Dan, thank you for reminding me again and for the continuing inspiration. You know me well because  my great passion is anything cloth, fiber, yarn, or thread. Holding a needle is such joy!  Your gift says how much you understand my heart and stand with me in this work.  What a gift it has been to know you and call you friends.

Sharing the Fruits of our Backyards

I live next door to one of the best cooks I know.  Bettyann is not a gourmet chief, but she cooks delicious, healthy comfort food.  When one of us is ill or just feeling a little down, Bettyann will show up with a jar of homemade soup, chicken casserole or a dish that is EXACTLY what is needed to lift the spirits and heal the particular illness.  Yes, I do believe that her food heals colds, sore muscles, and headaches.  She also uses her creations as gifts.  Ummmmm!  I did enjoy the peaches!

In addition to the preserved gifts Bettyann reminded me that there was something else in the card that accompanied the gift.  When I went back and checked it out, there they were, the tomato seeds she promised to save for me.  "You may want to take them to Florida with you," she had told me.  Thankfully, I was reminded and I did bring them to Florida.  You see, the seeds are a family heirloom from my Father's tomatoes plants who was given them by his mother.  Where she got them I do not know.  They only grow for me in Roanoke probably because that is their home.  I start the plants while I am in Florida and transport them to Virginia in the spring for transplanting.

Thank you, Bettyann, for the gift of homemade love.

The Best Neighbors

 I've included the card from Tom (on the left) and Patty (on the right) because this neighborhood does party together.  We are all ages, all incomes, some retired, some professional.  It is all made possible because both Tom and Patty Hunt make it their business to learn names and wave as neighbors drive by.

This card is so appropriate because we gather on the front porch on Friday nights in the summer and drink wine.  But the best part is the conversation.  We love to have new folks join us and hear their stories.

Often our conversation centers on the books we are reading so this past fall Patty, David and I attended a talk by Sharyn McCrumb, an Appalachian writer of some renown. So Patty and Tom presented me with a singed copy of her latest book.  It continues to amaze me how appropriate these gifts have been.  There certainly has been a lot of thought given to each one.  I will enjoy Ghost Riders.  Thank you, Tom and Patty not only for this gift but for all the wonderful conversations that we have had.  You are the BEST!

One Fall Day

"....God wishes to see people happy amidst the simple beauty of nature"

One fall day, Gayle, Dolores and I walked the Lick Run Greenway.  Gayle's birthday card reminds me of that morning and the simple pleasure of walking with friends. We were happy just as God intended.  

We gathered Hedge Apples along the way because they were thought to repel spiders.  Gayle's grandfather had them placed in bowls around his basement for that purpose.  Little did we know we were picking up a fortune.  The Coop is selling them for 45 cents each.  Dolores says we can get rich.

And the gift, a bracelet which is in memory of Mel Simmons.  the proceeds go to support the Mel Foundation and the work they do funding cancer research. It's lovely.  Thank you, Gayle.  I look forward to many more Greenway walks.  I treasure your friendship.

My Favorite Things

When I die I want flowers.......lots of flowers.  But not those funeral wreaths or tightly arranged vases of hot house roses.  No, I want baskets of flowers tumbling around and joyfully reaching out into the space they inhabit.  

Although Mary didn't make the party, she got it right when she sent flowers, two large bunches of color which I have enjoyed on the table in the foyer every time I pass through the house.  We know that Mary was involved in her favorite thing, remodeling houses, that afternoon.  Finding herself covered in paint and dust she realized the party was going on without her and this was a problem.  You see, Mary is a party girl as well as a talented designer who has rehabbed two of the most dilapidated houses in our neighborhood. She loves our neighborhood, throws parties so we can all get together, and always checks before renting to a new tenant to see if they will fit in with the neighbors.  We missed you, Mary but the flowers were wonderful! Thank you.

Hard Cider is In

The sale of hard cider is up 65%.  After hearing this on Public Radio I cracked open the first bottle of the Foggy Ridge Cider that Ed and Cindy gave me.  Wonderful!  Not only was it cool and refreshing but that little tangy bite was perfect.  I remember drinking cider as a child that was a bit fermented and then with health laws in place we couldn't get hard cider any more.  Now I find it in all the stores sometimes replacing beer.  

Ed told me about their tour of the Foggy Ridge bottling facility in Dugspur, VA where this gift was purchased.  It's always exciting to find good local items and businesses that are flourishing.  David and Carol had come for dinner and we shared this first bottle which made a good addition to the talapia and salad greens from the backyard winter garden. I felt quite included with the "in" crowd now taking up the joys of hard cider.

Thank you, Cindy and Ed!