Dear Eternal Sparkle

 Well hello, summer fairies!  Don't zinnias look like fairy pom pom's?  I think so!  The colors are so vibrant and they mix up so nicely. 

 Here is a leftover balloon from Finn's Picnic.  Does it remind you of a pumpkin? 

 Alas, the morning glories are winding themselves around the sunflowers.  Love.

Colorado peaches are here for a short while.  Peaches are so photogenic, aren't they?

 Have you ever read The All-of-a-Kind Family?  They are lovely stories about family life.  I recently found this one at a used book site.  They are written simply and carry a lovely tune throughout.  Sadly, all but the first one are out of print.  

Let's hear a little from Gladys Taber today.  Do you want to?
"I have found that when I cannot possibly accomplish everything I am supposed to, and I feel an unbearable pressure, as all homemakers must, if I just STOP, life goes better.  I get a good book, like Hal Borland's Countryman, and make some Constant Comment tea, and sit down on my own corner of the sofa or in my favorite lawn chair.  I let life settle in around me - and that's the only way I can express it.  After twenty minutes or a half an hour, I go back to the mechanics of living.  And at the day's end, I am just as far along as if I hadn't stopped to think!"


Smart, huh?  Gladys wrote the passage above in September.  I have noticed that many of you are preserving the earth's bounty, making pretty things, cleaning up your gardens, sorting the necessary routines that school children need, looking ahead at your work year, or maybe snuggling in each morning for a dose of spiritual food you know is absolutely essential for your soul.  It's so tempting to assess our progress or plan out impossibly lengthy accomplishments.  I tend to over think my list of "to dos" and I am trying to celebrate what I DO get done while I grab quiet moments throughout the day.  Gladys was wise and we do thank her for penning such "salt of the earth" advice.

 Mags and I have been shooting email missives across the sea, planning our GRAND TOUR for The Wind in the Willows blog event.  Oh, we have some fun adventures planned for you if you would like to join us.  The book below is going to travel around the world.  Mole shall accompany it, and maybe Ratty and Mr. Toad will sneak in, too.  The passport is still being processed (yes, if you are a literary figure who figures into many readers' lives, well, you can get a passport built for three).  The route and map will materialize soon.  Watch this space and watch Fraise Lachrymose, too.  We're planning the launch.

I bought a purple bouquet for you yesterday while at the grocery store.  I thought you'd like the juicy white roses paired with plum colored blooms.  If you like to give your own soul little kisses, you need occasional flowers.  Sometimes I say to myself, "Self, you really should tidy things up a bit before you bring home flowers."  Well, that's just silly self talk.  Look how wildflowers grow in the woods!  They don't wait.  We shouldn't either.  Don't want to spend your pocket money on gifts for yourself?  Buy them for one of the flower fairies in your little sphere then.  Even men like flowers and appreciate a real live gift straight from a Creator who adores them.  
I hope you hear the hum of love in every moment today.  Listen very carefully.  There IS a song singing around you, you dear eternal sparkle.  (Yes, I am calling you a dear eternal sparkle.  Smile.) Today is a good day.

Annotating The Wind in the Willows

When we have a favorite book, a story that stirs us, why not buy an extra copy and love it with pens and pencils?
I started annotating long ago when I became very good friends with my Bible. When I went back to school as a grown up, I found that annotating helped my own reading comprehension.
One day, I decided to annotate one of my all time favorites, Harriet the Spy. I found that annotating (marking up the text) makes me happy.
I found this copy of The Wind in the Willows at a real messy used book store. This morning, coffee and writing utensils at the ready, I jollied up some of my favorite passages.

I've had fun adding my own embellishments to this dear, soothing story of friendship and comfort. I had forgotten that Toad dresses up as a washer woman to escape his confinement. I shall color his dress next.

Hop on over to fraise lachrymose and read all the Wind in the Willows posts. A big hug and a shout out to Mags who thought of this and organized it all.