Five on Friday: A Bit of a Catch Up

"In early June the world of leaf and blade and

flower explodes, and every sunset is different."

attributed to JOHN STEINBECK

One. Outside My Window

The tulips are done but they made quite the splash earlier in May. The purple ones above were the last to bloom - the colour makes me swoon, and I hope these bulbs will multiply profusely from season to season. They now make room for the lilacs and irises and alliums. Peonies are still setting buds - nearly ready to add their bright burst of summery brilliance.

A mallard momma duck and her ten ducklings wandered through our garden the other day looking for a way to the pond on the next street. Alas, in our neighbourhood everyone has fences everywhere, so Momma had a time to find a way. After nosing around for a while, ducklings falling over themselves to follow her, she took time to rest in the shade of the leafy elderberry shrub. They nestled under her wings. If I could have spoken Duckese, I would have softly advised her to keep to the left 'round the corner and then head north. She was gone the next time I looked - I hope she 'heard' my little prayer. 

We've had a few warm summery days—the long evenings are such a delight. And this week we've enjoyed some proper rains. We got five inches in two days. Just soft and steady all day, all night. Didn't hear of any flooding in our area. The green has sure popped out. Trees are now fully leafed. Even with the slow cold start to spring, we're finally here.

 

Two. A Wedding Shower

Traditionally, June is the month for weddings. And although my dear niece is not getting married until later this summer, a wedding shower is planned for her this weekend. I don't know if this 'trend' is more widespread, but I am noticing around here that the new flush of brides seem to be enjoying a return to vintage and thrift store finds. And even Grandma's China and pretty bowls. I had great fun 'shopping' in my own home... after secretive chats with the bride's mom as we thought about which of my treasures to pass along to my beautiful niece as she starts her own home (I can't show pictures for then the surprise will be out).

Three. Thinking About

A little stream of consciousness writing for this section. I like stickers and I found one today that said 'Be happy'. Good advice. I have tried to be a happy person over my lifetime. Not happy as in jovial all the time, but happy-grateful for all the good that comes my way even when I feel less 'blessed'. I'm more successful at it than other times, but I learn as I go. And when I came to realize that living life in a spirit of gratefulness really does help me when the ugly stuff shows up, my life became more beautiful.

I'm not saying it's still not a daily struggle. 'Out of sorts' moments can invade in a blink, colouring the atmosphere around us, casting dark shadows. Especially when there seem to be so many horrid situations marking our world and darkening it. And I start to wonder how we can continue to cope when so much comes at us. No wonder so many of us feel unwell in body as well as soul.

I sat writing in my journal early this morning, mulling it all, and I was reminded of some of the words Jesus spoke as recorded in the New Testament, how we are not supposed to carry the load ourselves. Trying to keep on top of things is overwhelming, and in this faulty world there is no way we can do this day by day by day in our own strength and wisdom. Here are the words that refreshed me - I felt the weight lift. I share them in case you, too, have been feeling the weight of the world, with hopes they give a similar relief:

Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you (refer to 1 Peter 5:7).

The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to Him. And the peace ... comes (refer to Philippians 4: 5-6 ESV).

Come unto Me all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (refer to Matthew 11:28).

The perfect love [of Jesus] casts out all fear (my version of 1 John 4:8).

Four. Books I Read in May

Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention by Sarah Clarkson. I spent the last few months slowly rereading this quietly inspiring book by a favourite author. In a world fraught with many cares and terrors, Sarah looks at "practical strategies to resist hurry and cultivate holy attention through stillness, prayer, and listening for God's voice". I felt my mind and heart slowing down, her beautifully crafted words "transforming my interior life into a place of wonder and rest". 

The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung. A standalone, fast-paced political thriller. The story follows Alice Li and her mother, Vivien Li (a famed Tiananmen Square dissident and global human rights activist) through family struggles, digging into the ancient past, political terror, and the precarious balance of world power.

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl. It's a tale about Stella, a cautious young food blogger who books a flight to Paris after her estranged mother's death. Written by acclaimed food writer Ruth Reichl, the story is sumptuously packed with delectable descriptions of food along with romantic, sensory-rich depictions of Paris in the 1980s where Stella learns to embrace life, courage, and friendship. A pleasure to read.

Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie. One of her last books, published in 1972, this novel follows eccentric crime novelist Ariadne Oliver and famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot as they join forces to investigate a cold-case 'murder-suicide' of a prominent English couple.

Five. June at Last

"What is one to say about June—the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade? For my own part I wander up and into the wood and say, "June is here—June is here; thank God for lovely June!" GERTRUDE JEKYLL, from Wood and Garden, 1899

❦

On that note, I'm wishing you a beautiful day

and a wonderful summer ahead.

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photo credit:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life