As I sit in reflection over my tea this morning, I am enjoying the little bouquet I picked at my house in the garden just yesterday. I am reminiscing on the day just yesterday. Some days are just like this, but it wasn't just an ordinary day. It was time of goodbyes.

Yesterday I walked through the house that I had lived in for 22 years. Where did all that stuff come from? Wow! There is a lot waiting for buyers tomorrow to carry away little and not so little treasures. I feel like I moved a lot, but yet there is so much left behind.

I was their care taker for awhile. Now someone else can enjoy them.

 

Estate sales are fascinating me now. The company actually brought in some more stuff just to make it look full; though most of it was our stuff. The pricing fascinated me and I could tell the person doing the sale knew his stuff. My antiques were priced appropriately.

Can you believe it, but after walking through all the stuff in my house I took myself off to the antique mall. It is my peaceful place. It's not where I necessarily buy, but love taking pictures. And who did I run into, but the guy doing our estate sale. I knew he had several booths there, but didn't expect to see him.

I love the displays of live plants at the mall.

Isn't it beautiful?

Then I came back to the house for another walk in the garden and to pick a small bouquet to enjoy on my tea table this morning.

In the bouquet is a camellia bud and daphne buds, plus a bit of rosemary and tea to sweeten the deal. To me it is a lovely bouquet of remembrance and love for the garden. I will miss the garden more than the house.

Sending love,

Marilyn

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxHnRfhDmrk

Happy Kindness Day!

Looking back at posts I had started, but never finished, this song had been bookmarked. It is rather sad, but beautiful to me. It speaks of starry, starry nights, how people didn't listen until it was too late. I am planning to focus on those stars with more to come on that next month. I hope you will continue to follow along with me as I look to the stars, as I speak my truth, and as I continue to travel with kindness and joy.

I noticed the moon shining through the clouds as they rushed by during last night, as I woke up to enjoy a couple hours where I couldn't sleep. There were no stars, but I could see that moon, the clouds, the rain, and the shadows in my yard. I could imagine the beauty of the sky and grounds as the sun rose to see another day.

My tea plant (camellia sinensus) is blooming, hope for new growth.

The leaves are puddling on the greenhouse roof. I think they are beautiful.

And if I look closely, I find new blooms still shining on a dark day.

I pray people wake up and listen to each other, love each other, and show kindness in little and big ways. I need to believe it isn't too late to listen and embrace each other. Notice those starry, starry nights and wait for the dawning day light hours. Be awake, alert, and notice what you notice. Be Kind!

Sending love,

Marilyn

Once a week I plan an adventure because if I don't my "live-in gardener"  and I get caught up with what needs to be done around the house and life becomes rather boring. Adventures are what make me happy. So last week I found a tearoom I hadn't been to and off we went. I had a bag of left over magazines from the tea festival to give them for their customers. So we had a treat of some yummy tea food and they got magazines.

 

It is fun to play tourist for a few hours in our own city and to see the city and surroundings from a different view. There is a lot more shipping going on then I realized. This boat with the red cross is a floating Naval hospital. It is in dry dock being cleaned and serviced.

 I have seen Love along the river, but never at this angle.

There was a lot of activity on the river.

Beautiful views everywhere too.

And then we arrived at the half way point of the tour, Multnomah Falls. It was fun to see it from the river.

I would love living here and watching the river flow by each day.

All the large rocks and boulders have been formed from volcano eruptions in the past. In fact, the Columbia River was formed by volcanic flows through this gorge.

Here is another home tucked in the trees. I can dream, can't I?

A tug boat! Many years ago we had a friend that had stories of being the cook on such a tug boat. Up and down the river they go, usually pushing a barge.

I think my "live-in gardener" enjoyed the adventure.

Back in Portland. I could also imagine living here to watch the river's flow.

And under the bridges again.

And past downtown Portland.

My daughter holding the mold of Big Foots foot.

My grandson measuring his hand against a mold of Big Foot's hand.

 Across the street from the Orth House, where we were staying was a beautiful garden shop. I loved the look of this garden table and chairs, though it doesn't look that comfortable.

The main reason for this small adventure was to attend a garden party and concert at the Britt Festival. The Britt Festival is an open air summer concert venue. Right before Covid hit in 2019 we were thrilled to hear Diana Krall in this venue. Funny, but even in Oregon many people don't know it exists. We have been to several concerts over the years and each one is a delight. They have never had a garden party before. The garden party had finger food and live music out on a patio. Isn't their cake pops cute?

The garden party theme came from an album in 1967 by the guest performer. 

And then there was the concert. Do you recognize the musician? It was Judy Collins. At 85 years old she entertained us for an hour and a half, along with the local orchestra. I was amazed how well she did, her voice was angelic.

Walking through town is so beautiful. Here are a few sights.

That tree was fun to see all the mistletoe.

Others were enjoying the park too.

Hope you are finding ways to stay cool on these hot summer days.