Sunday, May 22, 2016

Celebratory Moon

The moon puts on an elegant show, different every time in shape, colour and nuance.
Arthur Smith, English comedian

From out on the street below my window the whistle of firecrackers is constant. Every once in awhile I catch glimpses of bright chrysanthemums of red and white and yellow blooming in bursts against the night sky. But La Luna, bright and red and looking down serenely on all the celebratory antics, steals the show. I never tire of her glowing pageantry.


Saturday, May 21, 2016

Long Weekend Saturday Bliss

You rest now. Rest for longer than you are used to resting. Make a stillness around you, a field of peace. Your best work, the best time of your life will grow out of this peace.
Peter Heller, American author in The Painter (2014)

Thank heavens for long weekends -- all the "must-dos" can be postponed for an extra day and some real rest can be taken. Cat ensures that I lie quiet for I wouldn't want to disturb her divine somnolent state. She casts a soporific spell and I'm at peace.


Sunday, May 15, 2016

Homemade Happiness

Happiness is home made.
Unknown

Today's quotation rang deep. Mom and I went off for a drive in the country yesterday to discover a new (for us) quilt shop, taking the quiet roads. We had tremendous fun inside U-Quilt-It selecting fabrics for our projects -- and perhaps slipping in a few extras just because they were so fun or pretty. There's happy excitement when finding a fabric that would be just perfect for someone. Home-made quilting brings just as much warmth and happiness to the maker as to the receiver. 

Along our journey, we stopped by the side of the road to eye the old homestead of my great-grandparents. The property seems much smaller today than it did in the eyes of a five-year-old but the memories of the rooms, the flowers, the bees, and the people kindled a glowing warmth from within. Home-made happiness.

And then I got to thinking how the quotation also holds the sense that happiness comes from within ourselves, that it's our own dispositions that create happiness rather than external forces. I'm going to work proactively this week to be a force of home-made happiness.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Tea with My Best Friend

A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend.
Unknown

I was flummoxed trying to think of the best way to show Mom that she's loved. In the end I baked scones, sliced strawberries and whipped cream. If that doesn't say "love" I don't know what does. ;-)

Happy Mother's Day!