April's End

I'm having a hard time realizing that another month has passed by quickly. I try to appreciate each and every day, but days are slipping away so fast. I am really glad my journal saves many precious days for me. In fact, I am motivated to write more because of the speed of time. I know it's not any faster, but it just seems that way because I am older. Before I sign off tonight and April leaves us, I want to share a favorite quote that Lauren, Les, and Ryan will certainly recognize. They each have this quote in a graduation gift I made for them several years ago.

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." Albert Schweitzer

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Rain, wind, and sunshine

Our weather is very cool today. I took an exercise walk this morning and managed eight laps. The pebbles on the wood post helped me count them off. After each completed lap I placed a pebble from the driveway on the log. My goal is to continue with these daily walks and lose ten pounds. I hate to admit how long I've been trying to lose these same ten pounds. Thank goodness, we put stakes in the ground to support the peonies. I think they will have gorgeous blooms in a few days. The irises are blooming right now. A few of them were toppled to the ground due to the strong winds. Winds probably contributed to a fallen bird's nest in the front yard and a broken egg shell in the back. Now that I'm inside I should do some cleaning, but...my feelings are like the message below. I don't know who wrote it, but I sure like the writer.

Dust If You Must

• Life is short. Enjoy it! Dust if you must, but wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake a cake or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?

• Dust if you must, but there's not much time, with rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

• Dust if you must, but the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come around again.

• Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind. And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust!

• Remember: A house becomes a home when you can write "I love you" on the furniture.

Self Awareness

There are times when I want to fill a blank page with my own words. Other times I choose to fill it up with pretty images clipped from magazines. I have two notebooks with simple journaling entries. They reveal a lot more about me than I realized. Glancing through them today was like taking a refresher course on the subject ME...showing favorite things, quotes, wishes, projects, thoughts, and ideas. You really do have to like yourself to be happy.

Luscious Blooms

When I park to visit Mom, I marvel at the roses in bloom. There are numerous rosebushes along the building's front sidewalk. You are greeted by an array of colors. There's also a lovely central courtyard with all sorts of plantings. My mom has a large window view of this area. She has loved gardening throughout her life so this view of nature's changes and beauty means a lot to her.

Come Sit A Spell

We have a small patio that we really should use more. Spending this late afternoon out on the patio with a good friend would be extra nice. Thinking of you...so glad you came by...

Sandy

Going By the Booth

April has been a slow month for the booth. I'd like these lovely platters and teapots to have new homes. May have to do some markdowns next week.

I've also been gardening this weekend. April blooms are starting. I'm excited. Now if only I could get all my pots filled...how about you...what's blooming at your house?

Jump for Joy

Yesterday after several splendid hours with friends I made two stops on my way home. At Barnes & Noble I splurged and bought two books. Although I hate to pay full price, this time I did. It was truly hard to leave the second store because I could look around at craft and art supplies all day. Lots of gardening decor to see slowed me down, too. The lady in front of me at the checkout offered me two 40% off coupons to use. How nice was that! I paid for my art supplies and headed home. I felt like jumping for joy. This was my kind of day... treasured friends, inspiring books, and art materials. Too bad there wasn't enough time for antiquing and treasure hunting, too.

Friendship

NANCY

MARY

MARG

One thing I love about dear friends is being able to pick up where we left off even if it's been months or years since we last saw one another. Today four high school friends came together, and we blissfully reconnected. It was wonderful to talk, laugh, and smile about the not-so-fairy-tale lives we have experienced. We have endured, and the journey continues. Thanks, NMM, for the memories. Looking forward to July,

Sandy

Old Magazines, Old Possessions

I save certain old magazines. Often I clip just an article or a particular picture, but sometimes a magazine issue must be kept. My hubby doesn't approve, but I cannot toss issues that contain so much good stuff. This 1999 October issue of Victoria is one of those that I refer to again and again, especially pages 74-77. Love those framed clovers and old books! Another thing I have always loved is the passage by Henry Drummond. It hung in my mother's hallway for years. When she moved into her apartment here, it was placed up in the attic for storage. Recently when I checked on my Mother's stored items, I found that parts of the decoupaged verse had been eaten away...more than likely by a very hungry mouse. Well, I have been working with stains to cover up the damage. Then there's the new art piece I found at Big Lots. I passed it up the first day I saw it on display in the store, but went back the next day to secure her. I thought it was the only one, but discovered four in a pile. The simplicity of the pose as well as the colors appealed to me. And it helps that white wall!

Outdoor Pleasures

watching the growth of new plants

admiring the beauty of this persistent weed

inspecting a patch of clovers

and finding two to press

Nature's free gifts

quickly fill a basket.

The lovely warm sunshine makes me linger outside and enjoy this wondrous time called SPRING. I am anxious for blooms to appear in the flowerbeds and for the planters to be overflowing with color. I am an impatient gardener learning to be patient.