The Lodge

 We celebrated Sophie and Jason on their recent wedding. The Lodge is always a great place to mark a special occasion. As we waited, these lovelies were on the table in front of me. I have a love/hate relationship with orchids--I'm usually a wildflower/garden rose person. I'd like to get better at growing them though because look how great they look like this, instead of just on the spike. These happen to be exceptional, of course; all the flowers here are incredible. Gorgeous arrangements and artwork everywhere.

Solid

A couple of solid structures. Taking in all the brick and heft and strength and letting it bolster me in this sad time. 

My friend, Sherri, a.k.a. www.foziewisp.blogspot.com, took her step on 2/6/26. She knows all the secrets now. May death truly be just a step into another dimension. I hope you hear me sweet girl, as I continue our dialogue, and I hope Tallulah Mae's sweet face along with your Mom's were perhaps your first encounters on the other side. Rest in all peace and love.

Her light

Her light will shine in my heart forever.

Mary's needlework

 

Stitched by my mother-in-law. I guess this is a sampler? Such perfect stitches on a thick piece of blue and white ticking. She did so much needlework over her long lifetime.

Pacific sun

La Jolla, Calumet Park. A golden sunset captured recently. 

We are lucky to live around such beauty. I call these moments mini sanctuaries. And I am trying to accept more of them in my life. Even with sadness all around, you have to receive joy. It's one of the gifts of being alive, and it's good for you!

Little loves

Gwynnie and Ella (in her holiday bandana) surveying the yard from their safe vantage point. While I whine about people letting their cats run free, Gwynnie is so good at staying close that we make an exception. She never leaves the deck, and only every now and then ventures into the yard. She is so loved. 

Ella, on the other hand will go down the front steps to the sidewalk. Everyone knows her and she is so friendly with people and dogs (she knows which ones to steer clear of). A darling dog and a perfect example of why people should adopt from shelters. 

Remembering

Burning a candle and remembering my Mom.

Also remembering to live life to its fullest, or at least as full as I can get it. Tomorrow is not promised.

Love and miss you, Mom.

Light

In these dark times, it's good to catch a glimpse of something bright. 

And that's just what I'm seeing through these branches.

Wisteria

 

A reliable source of beauty in our neighborhood, this lovely hedge never disappoints. This one bloom caught me by surprise on a walk. 

May the world find its way back to peace.

Moss

 

After our many days of rain, which are now over for a while, I love seeing the green moss growing in the cracks of the sidewalk.

Filled with thoughts of my friend, wishing her all possible healing and so much time to continue her beautiful life.

Inspiration

Inspired to post, by my friend at Foziewisp who seems to never miss a day. 

Here: a painting, an African violet, some garden clippings, a Bauer pot, a card, and the Buddha, all sitting on a Tanzu. 

Outward: All good things for the world.

Mental tune ups

Transitioning to retired life is having its challenges. Where there were weekly deliverables, milestones to meet, colleagues to collaborate with and lots of new information to read and edit and absorb, now the inflow has slowed to a dribble, the community included, and what comes in is self-directed. I'm finding out what it takes to keep a mind in good order, focused in a positive direction. Not so easy. 

My coffee dates with friends, weekly chores (which I've taken on as a sort of structure item) and Saturday morning Sangha are helping add in some of the framework of my life that evaporated last September.

One remedy to my mental turmoil is Rajiv Surendra. Some people may remember him from Mean Girls, though he's far more than an ex-movie star. He paints, he sculpts, plays the harp, makes pottery with Guy Wolff no less, has a way with interiors and space planning, arranges flowers, cooks, and does calligraphy. There's more; you'll have to check out his channel. All his videos are great, but I like these two quite a bit for the purposes described above:

How to become a positive thinker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTCN2hzhxcI

Tidying up your mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-cyLX2eAn0

Walter's key holder

The purge continues, until I hit a payload like that depicted above. 

So many estate sales, many with Mrs Foziewisp, and I have always been a sucker for the remaining sewing hordes of little German ladies. Hence, this one, and I wonder if Walter was her husband.

It was a strange day, full of foggy wanderings in the garage, piling things into the car for the thrift store. 

A couple times now this older woman comes by in her wheel chair, pushed by a caretaker. I've started a little conversation with her both times. I explained how I was doing a bit of Swedish Death Cleaning, and that it really means just getting rid of your stuff so it's not someone else's burden, however long you have, because we never know. She liked the idea. I told her about taking my other Elna sewing machine to the thrift shop and how they treated it like the Hope diamond. She liked this story. Her caretaker asked if I had another sewing machine, and I said yes, would you like it? She's coming by this evening to pick it up. It's a newer model, not an Elna. I have Mary's Elna, which I will cherish and use for whatever needs sewing.

Yes, quite a day.