Home…

Sorry about the lack of activity on Jeni’s blog. The hopeful herbalist has left us. She hoped for heaven and is now there. We miss her. Jeni started radiotherapy the day she posted “Walk in the Woods” but the cancer moved too quickly and on 10 June she passed away.

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Jeni really enjoyed blogging, developing her remarkable talents, receiving feedback and encouragement and making new friends.

 Thank you for stopping by.

A Walk In The Woods

Easter Monday and the sun shone as if to reassure after the rain-drenched Sunday, that sunshine follows rain, joy after despair, laughter after tears…

Catching the sight of the yellow daisies beneath the still bare trees, they just appealed for closer inspection…

Interspersed with bluebells, wild garlic, dog mercury, small comfrey and the fading daffodils; I couldn’t help but stand mesmerised , watching the flowers sway in the morning breeze. We love visiting Culzean, and this was really my first foray into the world for several weeks (apart from hospital visits – they don’t count!) 🙂

Overhead, the birds sang in a loud cacophony of song. The sweet, musty smell of the damp woodland, soft earth underfoot; we can walk wordlessly among the trees, every sense alive. A flutter of bird wing, a flash of colour, a scent on the air, the sound of the sea, a rustle of leaf litter. Simple treasures, simply available, simply wondrous!

Thanks for stopping by today –  may you find pleasure in simple treasure today

 

The Gift

Each moment given, a precious gift…

Every sunset a beautiful ending.

~

Thanks for stopping by today, sorry I haven’t been very active recently. Thank you for your kind words, and thank you to everyone who has recently followed, that’s 501 today!

Life just now is about recovery from surgery and beginning the next arduous treatments. Have some photos for some wordless posts, brain rather addled just now! 🙂

Don’t waste the sunsets – each is a perfect gift!

Flowers for Jeni and family

Thank you Cynthia and Hamlin 🌸💕

Cynthia Reyes

You may know her as The Hopeful Herbalist.

She writes gorgeous poetry and prose, and posts lovely photos of life at her home in Scotland.

She’s also a blogger friend to me and many others. As an example, Jeni’s kind wishes and comforting verses helped bolster my hope and faith at a very shaky time.

Recently, Jeni has been going through a challenging time, alluded to here.

~~

Jeni and Ian and your family: you are in our hearts and prayers.

If I were half as good a poet as you, Jeni, I’d write something wonderful — but as you know, I’m poetically challenged.

And as you might guess, Hamlin took these photos. I didn’t.

But I chose them for you.  And I send you love.

Stay strong, my friend.

From my family, to you and yours, with hugs.

Grace and peace.

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But, Do Not Say ‘Goodbye’

Do not say ‘Goodbye’;

Goodbye is too final,

Too abrupt,

Like a small vessel leaving

The haven for the storm.

~

Do not say ‘Goodbye’;

Goodbye seems an ending – 

A sad farewell

Where distance separates

And divides me from you.

~

Do not say ‘Goodbye’;

Goodbye is the shrinking horizon;

The disappearing point of vision,

Dwindling from sight –

Heart breakingly lonely.

~

Say, ‘See you later’ –

Smile as I slip into blackness

‘Twixt life and death,

Suspended between two worlds –

Wait here for me.

~

Say, ‘Welcome back’;

As you would a traveller,

Opening my eyes to new life,

The wanderer returned.

Hold me in your eye’s embrace BUT

Do not say ‘Goodbye’ 

~

O God the sea is so wide and my boat is so small;

Be good to me.

A Breton Fisherman

(Short Prayers For The Long day – Giles & Melville Harcourt)

Faerie Rock

Sunshine & showers over Ailsa Craig in the Firth of Clyde, also known as Paddy’s Mile stone as it marks the halfway-point between Belfast and Glasgow. The name may mean ‘Faerie Rock’ in old language (? Gaelic). Over the year it marks the Winter Solstice, the furthermost point the winter sun sets, gradually heading north until July sunsets are over Goatfell. A steadfast little rock, sanctuary to seabirds and still mined for granite for curling stones….

Thanks for keeping company today, I’ll be away from my blog for sometime, with a scheduled post tomorrow.

Take care of yourself.

I’ll be back!

~

 

Leaning Into The Wind

The pessimist complains about the wind;

The optimist expects it to change;

The realist adjusts his sails.

William Arthur Ward

~

When the wind blows up around Torbole, Lake Garda, those in the know trim their sails and exploit the wind!

White Waters

When storms come our way, we often feel discouraged, overwhelmed. The waters flow fast and strong; threatening to sweep us away in cascades of white water. But then the rain eases and the angry waters grow calm and still; until only the quiet waters trickle by, leaving pools of reflections.

Life can be a bit like that too. A sudden unexpected squall appears sending us scurrying for shelter. We may wish we had been more prepared but sometimes the unexpected happens, we are taken unawares, surprised, bewildered. It takes time to process alone, with family and friends. From somewhere deep within you summon the strength and courage to face the ordeal, because this too will pass…

‘When you pass through the waters; I will be with you.

When you cross rivers, you will not drown.

When you walk through fire, you will not be burned,

nor will the flames hurt you’

Isaiah 43:2

~

‘We can never cross the ocean unless we have

the courage to lose sight of the shore’

~

A song for the rough days you may encounter on your journey,  whatever  oceans or rivers you must cross…

Thanks for keeping company today!

 

Garden Of Surprises

Suddenly the garden is filled with surprise. Every day I venture out there is something new to delight my childlike heart. Snowdrops garlanded with raindrops. Winter Aconite – Eranthis hyemalis, shines like gold in the morning sun; and Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) in bud…

From the bedroom window, the first dainty blossoms shine like fallen stars, closer inspection reveals delicate, pale blossoms on the slender bough. First hawthorn leaves are bright green in the leafless hedgerow…

 Early crocus (C. tommasinianus) punctuate the lawn as I hurriedly planted in the Autumn, not eaten by the voles but flourishing under  the birch and beech. The first daffodils, their gold petals beginning to burst from their protective capsule. How glorious the Spring garden as winter flees, the warmth and sun returns and the garden takes on colour  once again…

Every day in the garden is filled with wonder

Thanks for stopping by today

Snowdrops

Snowdrops are not innocent:

They fight for what they win.

Beauty’s what comes out:

Blind energy goes in.

J B Pick (1921-2015)

Had a quick foray to the garden to see the Snowdrops grow – love their innocent beauty though they do indeed fight for  what they win

Thanks for stopping by today!