Hello all. Hope you are all well and good.
Dang it, it is another chilly morning here. Doesn't look that will end for at least a week. So now we have April weather a little late! I am so ready to plant without worrying about frost.
The bed felt awfully good this morning, I did not want to get up. The house was very chilly and the bed was warm and comfy!
I was greeted outdoors this morning by 4 black balls of fir and a bluejay and a red bellied woodpecker both yelling at me. The robins were singing and all the other birdies were here within a minute of putting out food! Sitting here with my Bitsy cuddled up, the sun is out, so all is good.
Yesterday late afternoon I met a couple old friends for a late lunch. It was the sister and the daughter of one of the people that had a funeral last week. All of us, including the one who passed, were camping buddies back in the day. We sure had some good times back then. Sitting there eating, I realized that the 3 of us, were the only ones left (other than kiddos) from that camping bunch (10 adults). All 3 widows.
We had great times, lots of laughs, crazy moments, and a bond back then. Boy if campfires could talk!!!
It was kind of a sad moment, to realize that. Time flies so quickly. We all come into new chapters of our stories and move forward in a new way. Not that we want to - but life just makes it so.
So, we all need to make all the memories we can - to keep the good things going in our hearts and minds.
I received a funeral card at the service and thought I would share the phrase on it. It gave no credits, so I have no idea who wrote it.
AFTERGLOW
I'd like the memory of me
To be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles
When life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering
Softly down the ways.
Oh happy times and laughing times
And bright sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those that grieve,
To dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave
When life is done.
YEP - that pretty much says it. Do what you can today to make the memories of tomorrow good ones. Someday, all we have is memories of someone. Speak their names - that keeps them alive. Smile at the memories, they stay in your heart.
Whether it is a stranger or friends or family - be kind to others.
We have NO idea, what a simple little gesture like a smile, a hello, a helping hand can do to change a day for someone.
Be the afterglow!!!!!!
Farm markets are starting in many places (here last weekend) - so maybe get out an take a walk through one - they are usually happy places. Take a walk, do some yardwork, just sit in the sun - have a lovely weekend.
Enjoy and be blessed.
Oh my, yes, that AFTERGLOW thing is great! Really all we have left is memories. And all we can leave behind is memories, so make them good ones.
ReplyDeleteIt is chilly here too, and we've had rain! I'm so happy about that. Soon I can work up my pots of squash and also pole beans. Planning to use last year's seeds, they should still be good enough. That's what I'm doing this summer, that and the parsley which is growing like crazy. Annual Vinca is potted up - 9 pots of it, and 5 pots of Impatiens. I put the Vinca out far from the house because it need less watering even though in a sunnier location. The Impatiens are so sensitive to dryness, they just collapse when dry, so I want to keep them nearby where I can water them easily every day. :)
MaryB
Glad you got rain. I just wish it would warm up a little more - still worry about planting here. I have Vinca that was once in a hanging pot and touched the ground. Now it comes back every year. It has been there several years and is blooming. It seems to thrive.
DeleteHope your garden goods produce well this year.
I thought the poem said it all!
That poem does say it all Cheryl. Memories need to be cherished.
ReplyDeleteThe rosemary, sage, thyme and oregano all came back with a vengeance and I couldn't be happier. The garlic is growing like crazy and should be ready by late June early July. The small lavender bush is in full bloom and smells so wonderful. This weekend I am planting my basil, arugula, poblano and everything else. It's been chilly here but no chance of frost for us this far south. I'm thankful we've had some really good rain to get us started. Our farmers market started Tuesday and I'm going tomorrow to get strawberries and flowers for the back patio. I'll check out what else they have right now. Enjoy the rest of the week!!
Yes mam, they do.
DeleteHow wonderful that all your herbs are back and thriving. I am glad you will be planting. I can't even till - it is still way too wet.
I have time - daddy always said the ground was still too cool for things to really grow before Memorial Day. I figure next week for me (maybe).
Enjoy your time at the market.
Cheryl, do you ever look at YouTube? Maybe you look down on it as social media or something. If inclined, take a look at the YouTube channel, Model Strangers. A photographer, Chris, stops people on the street various places, mostly UK. It turns out that many of them are desperate for human connection and Chris is kind. They are short, 2-3 minutes. Barbara M.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy YouTube - there are several channels I watch. I will have to look that up, it sounds interesting. I found a new one that is inspiring a week or so ago, can't remember the name. I will look it up and let you know - it is pretty neat.
DeleteNice concept to just stop and talk with people - sure could help those who are alone. I try to talk to strangers everytime I go out.
There's another one but I think Instagram short videos that stops folks and has a cup of tea with them. Just human to human conversation, and some bring a tear, in a good way. His name is Will.
DeleteThat is cool. I love hearing about folks doing these things.
DeleteThe poem says it all. We certainly don't want someone to say, "Sure glad she's gone!". I can't imagine living my life in a negative fashion, not enjoying anything. I remember an wizened old man who was married to the lady who was one of the cooks at the elementary school I attended. He was so tight that he would arise early, do his chores and then sit in the dark in the house to save electricity. Don't think I ever saw him smile. Oh my goodness, there is so much to enjoy on this earth.
ReplyDeleteIt is chilly this morning. I took Riley out to do his business and it was nippy. He has gotten so thin that he chills easily so I wrapped him in his towel to warm up. I'm going out to deadhead peonies and spread mulch this morning. If ambition strikes, I may do some more weeding. The Farmer got the clothes line back up so I'll use it today. Sooo much to do and I'm not sure where to start. Kind of like eating an elephant a bite at a time.
Enjoy your weekend!
I am sure there are some people that negative comment have been said about!!!!
DeleteI just don't understand negative people. I have known many in my years that just can't find a good thing in this world to be happy about. It is truly sad.
I can't look out the window or even around the house without smiling. Life is just so precious.
Yes indeed, it was nippy. I have picked a lot of peonies - nothing to deadhead yet. I just came in from weeding some and doing outdoor chores.
I am like "so much to do and no oomph to do it"!!! I need to get motivated. I do believe the chilly weather has tainted me! LOL
Well said Cheryl. coincidentally one of my fav youtubers addresses a similar topic today. "Ali lives well on less in Scotland"
ReplyDeleteThanks. Nice, another new YouTuber to check out. Thank you for the suggestion.
DeleteYou will love that YouTuber, I watch her all the time.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I started a Gratitude Journal and always find at least one thing a day to be joyous about.
God bless.
Getting some good videos to watch. I appreciate it. There isn't a lot of wholesome out there today.
DeleteEach day is such a blessing.
I did a simple copy and pasted and popped the poem text into google. Easy peasy. The author of the poem popped up. It's: Afterglow - Funeral Poem by Helen Lowrie Marshall. Thought i'd share that in case you wanted to see any other works by the author.
ReplyDeleteJena
Thank you so much Jena. Yes, I would love to check her out.
DeleteI do hope your weather improves soon. We're still cool here, but next week is looking much better.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to get together with long-time friends, sharing memories and a good meal.
Enjoy your weekend!
I hope it improves quickly too as well. Maybe another week or so. I shouldn't complain, after all the cold and snow you northern gals have had.
DeleteIt was nice just to sit and reminisce and share a cocktail.
I love that prose on the funeral card. It really says it all, doesn't it? Isn't it strange to realize how many of your friends have gone on before you? Sometimes I can't bear to think about it--about those I miss from my earlier years. Life changes but we just move along as we need to--xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI thought it said it all too.
DeleteI know, so many people from our lives gone. It is sad to think about. I sure do miss them all. One day together again.