Green Wellies

The inspiration tree...

My friend, Margaret, sent me this card for my birthday and it holds such meaning for me.  I'm like that tree and despite being so grateful for good strong roots...ancestral and immediate family, one and all, I realize that I'd be nothing without the friendships I have, filling out the leaves of the many branches that represent the journeys and pathways I've taken in life.  Some of my friends go back to the early times...Willa and Mary Ann, who I've known since I was six or so; Saundra, who became my friend when I was twelve (we promised to be each others maid of honour at our weddings and we were); Jan and Cathie who I met in high school...we've survived marriages, childbirths, divorces and life ever since; another Jan from Toronto Teacher's College; Sue who stood by me during some rough years and stands by me to this day; Veronica and Diane from early Folk at the Forum days and good years beyond; Greg, Peter, Maryruth, Berylanne, Janet, Meg, Bonnie, Barb, Brenda, Margaret, Bruce, Betty, Tom, Susanne, David and Julie...my wonderful school staff family (how I miss the laughter that resounded down those halls); Deb, a volunteer in my classroom for years...a woman with a huge laugh and a huge heart; Mell, who I first taught with and shared child-rearing days with; Liz in Australia; great neighbours who hug and cook fabulous food; new online friends scattered about the globe that I've met through my blog and theirs and even more incredible friends on flickr, through the magic of photographs...this would be one long post if I mentioned you all by name, but you know who you are and you know how special you've become to me, from New Zealand, Australia, Portugal, England, Wales, Scotland, Germany, The Netherlands, the US and coast to coast in Canada.

   

Walt Whitman had his Leaves of Grass...I'll take a tree with leaves of friendship, ever green, ever growing, ever inspirational.

* card credit goes to erica of warmfuzzcards.com

Happy hugs to all...

Phil and Janet, my dear brother and his amazing wife, found this nest while out for a walk.  It was made by a very caring and clever mother robin and it reminds us to feather our family nests with love, hug lots and to always look upward and move onward, so we don't miss a single thing in life.  Happy Valentine's Day!

Circle the wagon...

It's February and seven weeks until spring arrives.  January was not a kind month to some of the people in my life.  A dear friend lost her beloved sister...too fast, too soon.  I found this rock on the beach today and it symbolizes many things to me.  It's large and at first I didn't think I could carry it while I had two dogs on leashes (after the beach run, we went for a long brisk leash walk), but I knew I had to bring it home.  I'm not sure what made the markings...rust, some large sea creature, mermaid scribbles.  All I know is that the concentric circles made me think of the ripple effect that events in our lives have on us, but more importantly, the absolute certainty of circling the wagons around friends and family that need our strength, encouragement, support and love during those times when life hands us a raw deal.  I'd be nowhere without so many wonderful people sharing my journey and the best I can hope for is that in some way, each person knows I'll always be there for them...because I am.  I wish for a kind and gentle February to all who have had a sad and cold January and my hugs go out to you.

A Happy New Year

PEACE. LOVE. WISDOM. INSPIRATION. ADVENTURE. KINDNESS. LAUGHTER. HUGS.

Green greetings

Holiday greetings to each and everyone of you.  Your stories have inspired me, have made me laugh out loud and have taught me things I didn't know.  Your writing continues to amaze and delight me and fires up my imagination.  I feel thankful that you have shared the happenings of the past year with me and I'm grateful to be blessed with your friendship.  I send heartfelt wishes for much love, joy and laughter in 2008 and I look forward to seeing where the New Year takes us.  May we collectively hope for peace for everyone with the conscious energy we send out into the world.

The amazing Calamity Kim rides again...

Who would have ever thought that people you've only met through blogs and their photostreams on flickr would become such good friends!  I've never met Kim in person...the amazing Calamity Kim...but I feel as though we get together and gab over a cuppa at least once a week.  She's the maker of all things magical and I've told her on several occasions that I'm convinced she has a roomful of elves working through the night to sew, stitch, quilt, paint, cut out, glue, write, photograph, cook, clean, iron, walk the dog and create her one of a kind inspirations.  Otherwise, I'm not sure how she does it all herself.  She does have one special elf that I know of.  His name is Fred and together, they spent several hours one night designing a new banner for me...from the goodness of their hearts.  I had no idea how to make a banner and Gwen helped me get a couple of them on my blog...simple photographs that I scanned and sent to her.

Now I've got a real scene, with elves, wellies and woods and not just a few slats of green with a packing tag.  Kim has no idea what the lane way behind my cottage looks like, but it's right there on the banner.  See, she can weave magic.  Many thanks and big hugs to Fred and Kim for my new look! 

Have fun...

* with some help from imagechef.com

IMAGINE PEACE...

On October 9th, Yoko Ono will unveil the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER on Videy Island, Reykjavik, Iceland.  It is dedicated to John Lennon, on what would have been his 67th birthday.  You can read so much more about this wonderful event here and watch a video of Yoko explaining the intention behind the dream.

I will be lighting a white candle and joining the energy of millions around the globe in sending out thoughts of peace for all mankind.  Imagine...

Nice...

Kristy from Vintage Pleasure, across the water in England, gave me this award and coming from her, it means so much...

The award was started by Bella Enchanted and the idea is to pass it on to those who are simply nice people, good blog friends and to those who instill a positive influence in our blogging world.  How can I possibly choose?  Kristy said it was like choosing sports teams in school and I was never good at that either.  I continue to be surrounded in this blogging experience by very nice people indeed...lots of them.  Please except this award one and all.  This may be breaking the rules a teensy bit, but post the award on your blog and wear it proudly.  Kristy probably doesn't know this, but above the windows in my dining area, I wrote these words on the frame for all to read when they sit at my table...BE NICE OR LEAVE, BECAUSE NICE MATTERS.  And...it surely does!

On the road again...

Yup...I'm off gallivanting again, as my grandmother used to say.  I'm heading up to my sister's Sunday morning for three days and lord only knows what we'll get up to...lots of belly laughs and beach walks with the dogs, no matter what else happens.  My niece has been in Vancouver for the week and I picked her up from the bus depot tonight, so she can make the rest of the journey with Casper and me.  It will be great to have her company on the car and ferry ride, but seeing as how she's the world's biggest Harry Potter fan, I know what the topic of conversation will be. 

This weekend also marks a year since my dad passed away, so it's good to be with family.

* Leslie...you should love the title!