A Special Treat

My clever, and very sweet, friend Elizabeth at Woodwings has gifted me with this award. I am lamentabley late in accepting it, in part because I'm not sure it was warranted! She said lovely things about me, and included my blog in the company of wonderful, talented women whose work leaves me in awe. I thank you for this, my friend!

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Elizabeth herself is the perfect choice for an award. Her paintings are winsome, witty and wonderful, and there is always an element of fun at play on her page. I suggest you stop by and visit with her for a while...you'll be glad you did!

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http://wood-wings.blogspot.com/

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To accept this award, I am to sum up my blogging experience in five words...a tall order, but here's what comes to mind!
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Community: In my brief time online, I have found that the blogging community has arms of love and acceptance that reach out unconditionally to embrace new friends as sisters.

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Commonality: We are the same at heart, regardless of surface differences, all of us needing trust, respect and gentle encouragement. These qualities abound in the new friends I have met through blogging.

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Creativity: Creativity can be the lifeblood of contentment, but was in short supply in my life for a long time. Now my artistic cupboards are overflowing with inspiration gleaned from the selfless sharing of ideas.

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Continuity: Bonds of family and friendship are the ones that matter most in the world. I have come to treasure the connections made, and continually strengthened, online.

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Constancy: Though separated by distance and circumstance, I am comforted to know that my blogging sisters are only a message away; that their kind words and support will provide a virtual hug whenever, and wherever, one is needed.

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My grateful thanks to the wonderful women who share their lives and their dreams with one another. As sharing is its own special treasure, we are each of us rich beyond measure in our blessings!

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Friday Blessings

In spite of the problems and setbacks that mark our lives in these busy times, we have much to be grateful for. Too often, our appreciation is overshadowed by fear and doubt…we forget the wonders each day unfailingly presents to us in ways both large and small. I am making Friday a special day to count my blessings. Here are three things I am especially grateful for this week:
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1) A good friend: My longtime pal, and poet, Sherry Blue Sky, surprised me with a glorious box of treasures yesterday. It overflowed with books and cows, incense and soap, and a few very special Yorkie treats. We lost our beloved girl, Angel, not too long ago, though we will carry her in our hearts forever. Sherry was able to find a frame that read, ‘Little Angel’ and download a picture of our Angel to put into the frame. This is a friend who knows me heart and soul. For her presence in my life, I will always be grateful.

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2) A good dog: My little Schnoodle, Meeghan, is a furry ball of pure love! Her eyes shine with it every time she looks at me…we are devoted to each other. Everyone’s life is enriched by having animal friends, and I know I have hit the jackpot!

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1) A good book: Few things feed one’s inner fire like a book that inspires and challenges us. As a continent dear to my heart, I read much about Africa, especially where it concerns her children. Melissa Fay Greene has written a brilliant book about Haregewoin Teferra, an Ethiopian widow who runs an unofficial orphanage for children left alone by the AIDS pandemic. It is not a comfortable read, but it is an important one. One small woman is making a huge difference in the world. What might we do?

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A good friend, a good dog and a good book…life is a blessing indeed!
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What are you grateful for?

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I offer a few links to explore..my other blog has travel pics of Africa and an essay on AIDS orphans: http://theimaginativetraveler.blogspot.com/

Sherry Blue Sky's poetry/memoir site is definitely worth a visit:
http://stardreamingwithsherrybluesky.blogspot.com/

Pixie, of 'Pixie's Pages', has a fun blog: http://pixiepages.blogspot.com/

And she offered a link to Rachel who posts a Happy List that inspired me to try my own take on the idea: http://blackeiffel.blogspot.com/

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Thanks to all you ladies for making blogland a magical place to visit!
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The Teddy Bears Picnic!

On warm afternoons, the Bear family takes afternoon tea on the terrace. Momma Rose sets the table with a nice cloth and her prettiest cups and saucers

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She hums softly at her work,

her pleasure evident as she

picks her favourite dishes from

the cabinet and takes out the cake.

Eldest daughter Wren helps carry supplies,

packing loaves of French bread carefully

into her little pink knapsack.

Poppa Will often works up an appetite by playing a game of cricket before joining his family at table…but this is family time now. He will have a chance to think about his winning ball as he does the washing up later while Momma Rose has a well-deserved rest.

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They have bread and butter to eat, a lovely cake,

and two kinds of fragrant tea. The children

drink ‘nursery’ tea, laced with lots of milk.

They are very, very careful to handle the china with care, and remember to use napkins to dab politely at their lips.

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Momma Rose always uses her English Roses teacup. It was a special gift from her mother and she treasures it.

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Momma can be counted on to play her cello for a while as the children fill their tummies. Her gentle music joins with the sound of birds tweeting and the wind whistling through the trees.

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Sunlight sparkes off the spotless
dishes and helps keep the tea toasty warm.
There is no need for a tea cozy.

Wren Bear is the family bookworm. Afternoon tea is an especially good occasion for a book as far as she is concerned.

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Poppa Will looks fondly at each of his girls in turn. What a lucky bear he considers himself to be!

As the afternoon moves on…and long shadows slant across the grass, Wren brings out her storybook and reads aloud in her best performing voice. Younger sister Ariel listens intently, but baby Jewel soon grows dozy in the sun and always misses the end of the story.



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When night falls at last, the sleepy family trundles up the stairs, sated with the treats of the afternoon and the pleasure of each other’s company. Momma Rose is the last one to fall asleep, taking a few quiet moments to count her blessings. Her loved ones all safe and tucked warmly into bed in their own cozy home…well, there is simply nothing better than that in the whole world, is there?
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xxooxx