Tuesday, June 26, 2018

HAPPINESS FOR THE SOUL...










"Happiness is
 the settling of the soul
 into its most
 appropriate spot."

Aristotle



On a fine summer morning 
a porch is the quintessential spot 
for soul settling. 
 It is there
 that a comfortable chair,
 a friendly word with a neighbor, 
a cup of coffee...





...or just sitting quietly 
in the dappled sunlight, 
can set things right.


"The power of 
finding beauty 
in the humblest things 
makes a home happy 
and life lovely."

Louisa May Alcott







I would like to
 share with you 
some of the happiness 
I have collected 
this past week:






A burst of sunshine
 freshly picked 
from the market...





...a little Meyer Lemon 
boxed cake mix 
from Trader Joes. 

 Oh, so good...





...two old wood kitchen wares,
 a white pitcher,
 all crazed and perfect,
 two Johnson Bros. blue and white plates,
 a great flag, 
and a coverlet.  
All collected 
from a yard sale 
on our street...




  
I think the coverlet 
may be old, 
but I'm not really sure.
  It is worn and tattered 
but very heavy. 
 I'm hoping to get 
enough out of it for
 a couple of pillows.





It has this inscription 
woven into one corner
 and it reverses to white...






...and the tattered spots 
come off of the backing 
like shown on 
the eagle...






...and on this particular spot.

What do you think? 
 Could it be an old one?





I showed these pillows last week. 
 I was going for a grain sack effect
 with the lines painted 
on the back of my 
"cheap" pillows...






...after perusing Pinterest,
 I felt they were a bit lacking 
so I added some more stripes.
  Now,
 I'm liking them better...






... and it takes nothing more 
than a good karate chop 
to make one 
sit up and take notice.





It seems I've said this
 so many times already but...
the little wrens,
 Romeo and Juliet, (the originals?)
 are back and,
 we believe, 
they are now sitting
 on eggs!







Tami had these
 two sweet little treasures 
waiting for me when we last went down 
for Jake's graduation. 
 She just thought 
I would like them 
and she was so right!
  She is always so thoughtful 
and I love them. 
 Thanks again, Tam.





Speaking of Jake's graduation...
one week 
after all the intense years 
of schooling is over, 
he has accepted a job
 with Kaiser-Permanente.
  He starts mid-July 
and we are so proud and excited for him. 
It is a great opportunity 
for his future.





"Tomorrow morning,
 when the sun shines 
through your window,
 choose to make it
 a happy day."

Lynda Resnick



...Judy...


There are things going on in places 
that are unsavory and devastating,
 to say the least, 
but I would like to tell you about 
a good friend to me 
(and to many of you also).

Is the sweetest, kindest and caring person.
She feels that 
 focus needs to be put
 on the good things in life,
 that we need to take 
special care of each other 
and help lift up those of us 
that need a boost from time to time.

 Sometimes those values get lost
 in everyday life and
 we need to shine a light on them 
whenever we can.

 For this reason, 
I am telling you, 
Kris is sharing an important message 
and giving away some wonderful gifts
 on her blog.
 If you don't know Kris, 
you should take the time to visit with her. She not only has 
a beautiful blog,
 a sweet little cottage
 and a gorgeous garden,
 but her way of looking at the world
is truly happiness for the soul.
 Thank you, Kris, 
for being my voice of reason
 on a day when
I most needed one. 
 It is my pleasure 
to count you
 as a good friend. 





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Tuesday, June 19, 2018

GO FORTH AND CONQUER...








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The sketch, above, 
was provided by Althea Sherman who,
 back in the early 1900's, 
wrote in her journal
 that the little house wren 
was a far cry 
from what I have depicted in past posts. 
 She described them as 
criminal birds,
 and frightful devils,
 performing evil deeds.

 No one agreed with her at first but, 
over time, 
it became known that
 she was exactly right.
  
Of course, 
we know that whatever they do 
is all in the name of 
preserving the specie
 but one thing for sure, 
she didn't say, 
is that they seem to be 
a very fickle little creature.

  They have left the nest 
for a second time 
here at the Cottage.

 We had high hopes 
of watching the birth of their babies
 but they had other ideas 
and now,
 whenever we sit on the porch,
 we can hear their sweet song 
coming through the trees 
from a great distance, 
reminding us that 
they have moved on 
once again.





This last week 
has been a great occasion 
for celebration.

  Jake and Jacenda, both,
 graduated from Santa Clara University.

  There were receptions and 
a party at Jacenda's house 
where her room mate's parents 
supplied food and drinks. 
 We were happy to be able
 to share in the festivities 
and to meet some 
of their friends.




Jake

Graduate Commencement
Santa Clara University
Leavey School of Business
Master of Science
Information Systems




Jacenda

Undergraduate Commencement
Santa Clara University
College of Arts and Sciences
Biochemistry
University Honors Program




With his proud parents




And his proud grandparents





There was a time 
when he pondered 
if he would ever make 
something of himself


Now Jake 
has completed his education 
and will have news soon 
of the next phase of his life 
and Jacenda
 will continue on with her schooling 
and you can be sure
 that there will be more bragging 
(from guess who)
 to come. 

 We are very proud of these two
 and of all they have accomplished so far 
and like the little fledglings,
 they will go forth and conquer.
  
There is a big future 
beyond our small world 
and it is there 
where their songs will be heard
 louder and stronger 
than ever.


...Judy...





You all did so good!

CONGRATULATIONS!!


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