Twice-Loved

My blog is a little like a diary. Personal and therefore somewhat boring – my ‘living large’ is small and quiet – and read by no one but me

and

my one faithful follower.

So this one’s for you sistah!

I commissioned a pet picture from my crazy talented amazing sister as a birthday gift for someone who neither wants or needs anything and thinks his dog is the best dog, hands down, ever!

You may think all pugs look alike. Not a chance. This little fella has personality in droves. He’s funny, mischievous, loving, stubborn, smart and sensitive. Yes, I did say sensitive. But he knows … he just knows … when you need a cuddle! And this pencil drawing – not yet finished – has captured him perfectly! Can’t wait to gift it!

Gave Little Bear a lift to the pond today and because we were a little early, took a road trip to my dad’s hometown. We had a grand chat along the way as I shared with him a little of the family history and we ruminated about how things have changed over the years.

One thing leads to another and I soon found myself reflecting on stories both Mom and Dad had shared with me. ‘I knew he was the one for me the first time I saw him in the post office and I asked Hannah to introduce us.’ (She, Mom, was seventeen) ‘I was always proud to walk into a place with your mother on my arm because every head in the place turned.’ (He was in his seventies when he shared that one with me.) Like everyone, I’m sure they experienced their ups and downs; but if they did, we, as kids, knew nothing of it. Mom absolutely loved going to the New Years Ball. Back then it was a big deal. New gown, high heels, tickets, babysitter, night out. She told me how one year she returned their tickets, thinking that with five children at home the money was better spent. They spent the night home. And dad said ‘never again!’ I don’t remember that night but I do remember New Years Eve, year after year, and Mom looking like a princess. What a shame we don’t do that anymore.

After I dropped Bear off, we did a little excursion out in boat. A trip to Tizzard’s Harbour and a run out to see the iceberg and the whales. Up close and personal. They – the whales – did not disappoint! A very large day!

Looks like it’s going to be another hot one. Again. Not complaining … yet!

This time last year I was recovering from a brush with Covid. Took me down for months and I much prefer this year’s heat – which so far has lasted only a couple days so really not much to complain about. Covid, hopefully, is a thing of the past, though it was most certainly an interesting time in our recent history. For good and for bad. There were Covid Corrections – time with family, a focus on health and wellness, appreciation for the small things that were no longer so small after all – and then there were Covid Mistakes – a resurgence of bad habits born of boredom and Swipe Rights that should have been Swipe Lefts, fuelled by loneliness and a need to connect.

The good is hard to sustain, the not so good difficult to cut from our lives. People spoke frequently about the world ‘correcting itself’. Somewhat simplistic I believe. Rarely is there correction without conscious effort. In anything.

Hot topic. Like the weather.

But the garden continues to flourish … nature prevails.

Mom and I planted tiny rose bushes along the side of the road years ago and let them be. They have grown into a tangle and smell heavenly!

I should probably prune and groom them but that would take conscious effort on this hot glorious summer day.

That was the epitaph my mom chose for my dad’s headstone. It was perfect. Never was there a man who enjoyed his garden like Dad. And whether or not you believe in God, I believe we are all spiritual beings at our core, wishing to do better, to be better. A walk through the garden is forgiving. It is solace. It is hope.

The garden is full of memories of people and days long gone. I pretty much remember when every tree, every shrub was planted. It’s always about the story.

Twice loved!

six over twelve … i remind myself

A perfect day for gardening. Not too hot, no mosquitoes, and lots of help.

There’s been very little gardening done yet this year. The weather just hasn’t co-operated. Today, however, today was a gift. Like all new beds and pots, these look pretty scanty just yet, but if the good weather continues, they will fill in quickly enough. What a shame our season is so short.

We’ve had maybe seven or eight days of truly nice weather yet the shrubs are growing like mad. Brides Wreath spirea already bloomed out; the apple tress dropping their blossoms; lilac trees in full bloom, hydrangea in full bloom, golden chain soon, snowball tree soon and rose trees full of buds. Gooseberries not overly large yet but certainly big enough to see. The plums I can’t see but fingers are crossed. It’s early. And the grass … oh the grass. #1 son and the grandkids have been helping there but now it needs to be raked and when that is done it will have to be cut again. The first cut is the deepest says the song. It has to be when your grass is in supergrow mode!

Absolutely love the face planter and corkscrew grass!

After the gardening, a drive about town to look at the icebergs.

Back seat passenger enjoying the view …

Pug Love. His ‘happy face’ always makes me smile 😃

Many hands make light work … scraping yesterday; painting today.

The old house gets a lick of paint. It is most definitely twice-loved. And then some.

And that’s a wrap!

Until tomorrow.

six over twelve … i am reminded of what is important

And so after a couple days of rain and chilly weather, the sun shines and it makes all the difference.

Breakfast at the Blue Barrel – I love that name – with my gal pal. A short visit with a lovely lady who tells super interesting stories. Gingerbread in the oven, specially requested by Little Bear and then off to the flower shop in my favourite overalls. Tooooo many pretty flowers.

Dirt under my nails because I keep pulling off the gardening gloves. Love my hands in the warm earth. Two cold beer. Fresh fish for supper with rhubarb relish on the side. Rhubarb from my own garden.

Overalls hung up for the day. Donned my favourite wool socks. Kicked back.

Those overalls? Thirty years old if they’re a day and most definitely twice-loved!

And a picture of Bear who would be so not impressed that I took his pic and am sharing it here. But those lashes …

Wish I had a ‘before’ picture. In any case, previously pink; now sage. And the difference is as stark as the white and red roses Alice met in Wonderland. Restored, refinished, and recycled. Twice Loved!

I do love a rainy day … the first one anyway. I may not be quite so content should it rain all week! But for today, the rain gives me the perfect excuse to stay home and piddle away at a few little projects I’ve had on the back burner and/or in the works. Some for months!! If I could ask for anything, I think it would be time. There always seems to be a shortage. Tick-tock. Drip drop.

This particular project is pretty much a dumpster dive. The temptation to toss it on the trash pile was strong but I had a jar of blue paint I wanted to test, so here we go. I’m using Country Chic paint. It’s a thick paint and I’m still on the fence as to where it rates with other chalk paints I’ve used. Long time fan of Fusion and I don’t think this one applies as smoothly though there is minimal difference in the final finish.

I think this ‘plant stand’ was a DIY from the get go. The posts that hold it all together appear to be some sort of plastic molding with washers drilled into the bottom.

Also working on a second piece – an end table. I’ll post pics of both when they’re finished. Both are twice-loved.

Not sure anyone writes letters anymore, much less the ‘Dear John’ variety, but back in the day when letters were still a thing, cool little boxes like these were the perfect spot to store your pretty paper and pen.

Had to put a bottom on this one but other than a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint, that was it.

Teal and sunflowers. Both favourites. Twice loved!