This And That Tuesday

Image by Gudrun Becker from Pixabay

"Spring grew on (...) and a greenness grew over those brown beds, 

which, freshening daily, suggested the thought that Hope traversed

them at night, and left each morning brighter traces of her steps."

CHARLOTTE BRONTË, Jane Eyre

When I was a working girl, I used to long for the days when I wouldn't have to rush every morning to get to work. I was fine once I got to the office, because I liked my desk and the office environment, but I really disliked the early morning rush to get there. There was always a kind of angst to it. So now that I can live my dream of slower, more peaceful mornings, I never take them for granted. There's time to wake up without an alarm clock; time for quiet thoughts before breakfast, write in my journal, listen to the birds. Time for little morning chats with my sweetheart over coffee. I wouldn't trade all this for anything!

I started this post yesterday morning. It was the kind of morning that didn't seem sure if it should rain, snow, or break out into sunshine more grey. But when I woke this morning, it had decided—the sun was shining brightly and the skies were clear blue. I felt a little grin forming on the inside as I thought about the possibilities for the day. It would all still be in isolation, but it would be in sunny isolation. A big difference, wouldn't you agree?

I've gathered a few moments from the last couple of days and a few pics....I hope it all pieces together into a post that gives you a moment of pleasure and gladness that you stopped in. I also hope things are safe and well for you and your loved ones.

Out in my world...

Rick and I went for a drive in the countryside on Saturday. Brilliant spring greens were bursting in treetops everywhere--I wanted to fly into them. We found a pond filled with waterfowl and parked by the side of the road for an in-car picnic, all the while serenaded by frogs, red-wings, the odd coot, geese, and mallards.

Not to forget the young fellow on the hills nearby brrrrmmming on his dirt bike. I used to get irritated when that kind of intrusion happened on a quiet scene I was trying to enjoy. But feeling far more gracious these days, I thought good for that young man; he's out enjoying a spring morning and, no doubt, feeling a bit of freedom from his own Covid-19 isolation.

In my kitchen...

Wanted to make blueberry muffins with lemon zest. Having finished off the eggs a couple of days earlier for breakfast, there weren't any in the house (we only shop for essentials once a week these days). Turning to my baker expert sister for advice, she suggested using 1/4 cup heavy cream in place of the egg, which I had, fortunately. She warned the batter texture would be different but should work fine. Yes, it worked fine—the muffins were delicious. We had one with coffee early this morning.

On my night table...

I am slow reading two lovely non-fiction books right now: House Lessons: Renovating a Life (memoir) by Erica Bauermeister and Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace by Christie Purifoy.

I ordered these two books on separate occasions, not realizing that when they'd end up on my bedside table together, they would be perfect 'soul' mates. Both are similar in beauty of language, and each author shares in her own unique style thoughts about the importance of home and place, and the ways our spaces affect us as people. Does your soul ever long for a place where you know this is home for you? Here are two authors who recognize that amazing feeling too. Both are gentle reads, thoughtful, and soul-searching—perfect for this upside down season when so many of us are sheltering physically and emotionally in our homes.

For online excerpts, you can find Erica's book HERE and Christie's book HERE. 

In my journal...

I picked up my fat pencil yesterday to spruce up my journal entry with a wee sketch. Even though I'm not an artist, perhaps with a bit of regular practice I could learn how to sketch some simple images. So every morning, at least this week while the shiny idea sparkles, I'm going to sharpen my pencil and see what comes forth. The above is Day #1.

Image from Amazon Prime

I watched (and loved) the movie...

Love At First Dance with actors Becca Tobin and Niall Matter (Canadian). We saw it on Prime but it's available on other channels, including Hallmark.

With so many movies out there that are violent, sad, filled with broken, messed up characters, here's a movie with likable characters working through complications and struggles without screaming fits, swearing, or someone dying. There's a nice, gentle chemistry between the main characters. And, it has a proper ending, that is to say, it works out right. If you liked You've Got Mail, I'm pretty sure you'll like this one.

An interesting tidbit, although the story takes place in New York, some scenes were filmed in Victoria, British Columbia. The story line: "Hope is tasked with teaching Manhattan's former most eligible bachelor how to dance for his extravagant wedding. As the dance lessons progress, complications ensue when feelings begin to develop between the student and the instructor."

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Memory about Strawberry Tea

The other day, my sister mentioned she was making a homemade strawberry cake for Mother's Day. Oh yum! The very mention of strawberries on a spring morning made me think about the annual Strawberry Tea the ladies of the United Church would host every spring. It was a big event in our village. During high school, I worked at the local grocery store on weekends. Eddy, our lovely boss, would tell the clerks that we were to take turns going to the Tea. I still remember walking down the street with my co-worker Dora, laughing as we enjoyed the sunshine, happy for this break from work, not to mention the delicious anticipation of what we were about to enjoy. I never thought of it as a 'special' memory until this very moment, but it really was. A lovely interlude on a Saturday afternoon.

My mom just told me that, when she'd worked at the store as a clerk years earlier, Eddy gave her the very same opportunity. Now it's even more special.

* * *

" Although the world is full of suffering

it is also full of the overcoming of it. "

HELEN KELLER

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Wishing you a beautiful day. Keep safe.

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

xox