Author: robin

One Day In Memphis Tennessee

- robin

Last Friday, Larry and I got up early and caught a plane to Memphis Tennessee. (Larry was raised in Memphis and after we were married, Larry and I lived there for years…and our daughters were born in Memphis. It is a special place for us)

When we arrived in Memphis about an hour later, we found a taxi and headed to The Peabody Hotel.

Photo: The Peabody Hotel

The Peabody Hotel is where ducks live on the roof and every day, they are escorted to the fountain in the Lobby, where they are the “Stars” of the lobby.

Larry and I love The Peabody Hotel. We have taken our daughters there when they were little and we have been to Weddings and bridal showers there. It is in the middle of downtown Memphis.

Photo: The sweet fountain where the Peabody Ducks spend their day.

After shopping at the hotel boutiques, (I bought nothing) we settled at a table, ordered drinks and watched the people, who came to watch the ducks. It was wonderful. The children were fascinated and the older people tried to hide their amusement, but it was plain to see, everyone was thrilled to watch the ducks.

In the spirit of the day, I ordered a drink called The Rubber Ducky Cocktail. It was lovely and I got a little rubber duck as a prize.

Photo: Rubber Ducky Cocktail

It was wonderful. We were relaxed and smiling. Being part of such a positive environment is always a gift. But, we did not just fly to Memphis to watch the ducks. We had plans for a special afternoon.

We had reservations for afternoon tea at the Peabody Hotel’s Chez Philippe.

Photo: Fountain at Chez Philippe

Soon enough it was time for Tea….I was thrilled that Larry did this for us, for me. It has been a very long couple of years and afternoon tea is my favorite dining event.

Chez Philippe is an amazing space in the hotel. Charming is not quite the word. Exquisite is the word! The elegance is perfect for afternoon tea. The Maitre d’, Mr. Jack, is kind and accommodating. He made our experience one to hold in my heart forever.

Photo: The elegance of Chez Philippe

Our waiter, Chris was an absolute treasure. He was on point and accommodating beyond anything we expected.

Photo: My favorite tea was an orange blossom tea

Chris made our afternoon tea, a special dining experience. We tried different teas, ate the most amazing sandwiches, scones, and sweets.

Photo: Goodies at afternoon tea

Larry and I laughed, visited with each other and our new friend Chris….

Photo: Chris and Larry

It was a long day for me. I was starting to feel sad because the day was ending…

It was time to say good bye to new friends, and it was then that Chris gifted us with the most wonderful book. The History of The Peabody Hotel! (Chris, if you are reading this post, please know that this book and your kind gesture will be treasured forever.)

My heart is still full from the wonderful afternoon tea….I am so glad that I wrote this post including my memories as I would hate to forget even one second of the afternoon.

Larry found an UBER car moments away….perfect timing to get to the Memphis Airport.

We arrived in time for our plane but, it started snowing while we were boarding.

The plane needed de-icing twice, our plane was hours late but we got home in time for us to say.. we spent “One Day In Memphis Tennessee”….

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

The Hope Cards

- robin

Years ago, my daughter, Jami gave me a box of “Hope” cards. They have been in my jewelry box forever until yesterday that is. They are such a dear gift, I suppose that I was going to hoard them.

Photo: Box of Hope cards

These wonderful cards are sealed, and on the back is a space for a note.

Photo: The card opens….
Photo: to reveal a message of hope

The Hope cards are so sweet. They feel like a modern day fortune cookie fortunes in the best way possible.

I love to write letters. And now I will be putting a Hope card in many of the letters I send. There are two cards in the mailbox as I am posting this.

If you created a message for a Hope card, what would it say?

Mine would say:

Be kind to your neighbor. You do not know what the other person is going through.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

A Boyfriend Sweater

- robin

A new sweater is growing on my needles. I found a generic pattern for what is called a “boyfriend” sweater. As I work on this sweater, the pattern is wonky.(meaning very inconsistent) There are things that are not working out and I have to rework the pattern as I knit. I even sketched out a view of the finished sweater.

I am knitting with a dark colored yarn. The yarn is muddy colored, but I will be able to wear it with everything next autumn when we travel. But…I do have visions of knitting this sweater for each of my daughters, using exciting colored yarn. RED! TEAL! Or PURPLE!

Photo: dark yarn in bag

La Droguerie is one of my favorite yarn shops in Paris. It is a unique experience to go buy yarn there. The first time I went there I have to figure out how to buy the yarn. It was very unusual.

In the front of the store, they have sample hanks hanging on the wall. You choose the yarn you would like and flag down one of the service people, telling them how much yarn you need. (remembering that in France, they use meters not yards.. ) the service person goes to the back of the store, and using a swift, they measure out your yarn. The yarn comes out in skeins. They are beautiful little cakes of French yarn.

Next, you stand in line at the sales persons booth and check out. It is quite an experience and almost overwhelming if you have not been there before.

I also go to Lil Weasel Yarn Shop , where the owner is the kindest person you would ever meet and she is always busy dying yarn in new colors for the shop. I am inspired when I go to Lil Weasel. Here is the link to the web site.

http://1-4 Pass. du Grand Cerf, 75002 Paris, France

It has been a long time since I have allowed myself to daydream about buying yarn in France. Larry and I are ready to go next autumn and I have my fingers crossed that everything will stay safe so everyone can start traveling and enjoying life again.

The sun is out today! I hope that wherever you are that you have a beautiful day too.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Finding Joy

- robin

I have writers block today. The things rattling around in my brain are really not worthy of sharing on the blog.

No one wants to hear about the nightgown I just made out of a vintage pattern and absolutely hate or that I would love to write a letter and cannot even image who I would write it to. There is a new canvas started, the sketch pleases me, but the day is gloomy and light in my work area is dull and shadowy. I must wait for a day when the light is strong.

Larry and I are going out of town later this month. I let a few people from the city we are going to know that we would be there and would LOVE to see them, but have not heard from anyone. (Spending time with Larry is my favorite anyway)

I am reading the most wonderful book. (Becoming Mrs. Lewis) I love it so much that I am taking my time reading it, so I don’t blow through it. I have also been reading the bible. I am at EZRA. I did not record when I started reading the bible, but is taking forever. I read a chapter each day.

Happy Anniversary!….it was one year ago, I had hyperthermia. For 4 days our power was out and our house was 34 degrees the entire time. When I went to sleep at night, I did not care if I woke up in the morning or not. That is profound for me...I did not care if I woke up or not. A few days after that experience, I was bitten by a dog. https://robintolbert.com/a-dog-bite/ I am VERY happy that the anniversary is past…but I don’t think I will ever forget the experience and I now stay a safe distance away from any new dog.

I have read my devotionals for the morning. My new journal is a joy to write in and it is a new day. I have all day to be positive, connect with friends, create ART, take a health walk and do something kind for someone else.

I am not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way I lost joy. Perhaps I just expected it to come to me…forgetting that it is my responsibility to bring joy into my day. When I was younger it was easier and now I must work a bit harder for JOY.

I wish you a JOYful day….be happy and please pass it on.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Je Me Sens Impuissant~I Feel Helpless

- robin

Larry and I decided to make a cheese board for Sunday, Dinner and a movie yesterday. (yes, we are trying to keep things as normal as possible) It was more than cheese and it was good. Along with the three cheeses, (cheddar, creamy ca de ambros taleggio and Somerdale cranberry-Wensleydale) we added a pupu platter, pears, flavored pecans and veggie eggrolls. With dinner we drank a sparkling white, Gruet. For dessert we each had a cupcake.

Photo: Cheese Board
Photo: Cupcake dessert

We watched the movie, Because I said So…

We felt very guilty, going on with our regular routine while people are suffering in Ukraine…..

***

Proportion 2:3, Flag of Ukraine.

Our days are often consumed with watching the news. I feel helpless and my heart breaks with each news segment. OH! The impressive strength of the Ukrainian people. They are my heroes. The volunteers in Poland are amazing, I cry when they are shown helping the children. The sweet children and pets….they are put into a situation that they did not ask for.

Je me sens impuissante. (I feel helpless)

I found the prayer below posted from the American Council Of Churches….

Gracious and Merciful God,

We pray today for the Ukrainian people and ask for Your intervention in this senseless war levied against them by Russia. We pray, O God, for protection and that there would be peace. We pray for restoration and renewed hope. We pray for the families, especially, the children living through the horrors of war and all the upheaval and tribulation it brings. We also pray for those protesting in Russia against these violent acts by their government. We ask that You would protect, cover and keep these protesters as they put their bodies on the line in the name of what is just and righteous. We pray for the entire world community, including the leaders in our own country. Give them wisdom and ingenuity to respond in ways that ends this war and moves us all to a world where Your peace abides. Hear the cries of Your people, O God. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Amen.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Larry’s Letter To The World

- robin

Yesterday, Larry and I received an email from a friend in Germany. Joe and his wife have two small boys and wrote a heartfelt letter of concern and love to us. Larry replied last evening and after I read his letter, I felt that it was a letter to the world….

Photo: From the garde. By Robin

Dear Joe, Eva, Lunas, and Luan – just a quick note to let you know we received your email and we are fine…. Very sad times and such a helpless feeling, but the distance makes it seem surreal where that distance is so very close to all of you. We pray for peace and love to prevail in these most difficult times and we have to believe and trust that good will conquer evil, that light will prevail against the darkness, and we will all work towards a better world for the sake of those two boys of yours and all of the other children of this world. They are the future and it is our responsibility to provide them with a life worth living – all of us.

We pray for peace and for the people of the Ukraine who are fighting for their existence. We pray for you and your family in the hopes that our destinies bring us to much better times. Stay safe, stay calm, do not despair for greater powers will prevail.

Much love, Robin and Larry

Love you beyond the moon,

Me

Start Moving Again

- robin
Photo: My Heart In Pieces- 18 X 24″ oil on canvas. Framed

The new painting is finished, dry, framed and yesterday Larry hung it for me. I am ready to sell it, but…I have the uncanny feeling that Larry is in love with this painting. When he loves a painting, he gives it “this is mine” vibe and he protects it in possessive way. Even though it might not sell, I love that Larry loves my work. He is my biggest fan.

I wish That you could see the painting. The colors are much better in person, vibrant and subtle at the same time.

Next up is a landscape. A canvas is on the easel, sketched out and I am waiting for the mood to strike to get my brushes out.

***

Last night Larry and I went to Ash Wednesday services. It must be 2 or 3 years since we had attended. Yesterday was a beautiful day and the evening was spring like. Rev. Angie performed a lovely service that I seem to be carrying with me today….

There is a friend who attended church with us (since about 1990) and I have not seen her since the pandemic started. Today I wrote her a letter, a REAL letter, even though she lives 2 miles away. Sometimes a real note or letter is better than a phone call, email or text messages. (but I like emails and text messages too!) I wanted her to know that I was thinking about her.

I am dressed to take a “health” walk. I have not walked since I had that crazy cold a couple of weeks ago. I guess it is time to start moving again.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Lent In Plain Sight

- robin

Last night, Larry and I went out to dinner at a little diner in Allen Texas. We pigged out on pancakes as we do every year on Fat Tuesday…..

…..and I also started a book for the Sunday School class that we attend.

Our class has already started the book and I am trying to catch up…using the sweetest greeting card as my book mark. Thank you Kathy for the kind card. I send a crushing hug.

I can hardly remember a year ago.(Lent-2021) There was so much going on and that overwhelming feeling has not left me yet. I find that focusing on positive things, along with taking walks and keeping busy helps me very much.

The world is upside down right now. What do you do to stay calm? Help out? Help others? Would you like to be a guest blogger and share your thoughts?

Have a good day.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me .