Blog

Matilda’s 9th Birthday

- robin

Yesterday was Matilda’s 9th birthday. Matilda, Lars and Josh were on vacation so we drove up to the cabin to celebrate.

  • Photo: At the cabin

It takes about 3 hours to drive to the cabin from Plano. The day was beautiful and the country drive was calming.

We arrived to the birthday girl and lots of hugs. For lunch we had pizza, Champagne (Sprite for Matilda) and birthday cake. After cake, GIFTS!

  • Photo: Birthday Cake
  • Photo: Birthday Cake

She blew out 9 candles and one to grow on. Then, she informed us that she would NOT share her wish because it would not come true if she did.

The day went by at record speed. Matilda is growing into such a charming spirit. I LOVE being around her. Her energy is a gift to me every time that I am near her..

Larry and Matilda played air hockey and pool. Then,we said our goodbyes and Larry & I walked quietly to the car, holding hands.

The day went by so fast, except for the 3 hours ride home to Plano.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

That Flamingo Summer

- robin
Photo: Flamingo at the Dallas Zoo June 10, 2020

I remember the summer that I had a major growth spurt. We had just moved to a new city. I did not know anyone and my family was distracted with settling into a new house. I felt out of place in a new city and in my body too.

I felt like a flamingo that summer. Tall, gangley and out of place in just about every situation.

The city we moved to, was near my Grandmothers house. As we became settled, my Grandmother called and asked me to lunch. Not my Mother or my sisters, but me. (me! Out of place Robin! Alone without my sisters! I was excited)

The day I had lunch with Grandmother, I remember feeling comfortable. I felt in charge of my long legs and although I had my manners turned on high, (my grandmother was a great lady) I was beginning to finally feel like a real person. Do you think that is an adolescent thing or a “girl” thing?

I think of my Grandmother a lot these days. Now that I am a grandmother, her impact on me is memorable and wonderful.

Who has impacted your life?

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

TRULY CARE

- robin

Life in the time of Coronavirus is surprisingly calm and the days are wonderfully versatile.

My moments at The Cottage are content. The patio door is open and birds are singing away. It feels like spring.

Yesterday, Larry and I walked 3.5 miles at his lunch hour. We talked about what is happening in the world and why I quit Face Book and Instagram. He understood and agreed completely.

A few times yesterday, I picked up my phone to check FB and IG. I felt like an idiot. My accounts are gone and there was nothing to look at. But I checked anyway. I wonder if I will check again today?

Two people read Blog yesterday. TWO. I have a hit meter on the account and it records the number of and the city where people visit from. On Tuesday, my last day on FB, a friend on FB contacted me, saying how much she liked the post that day. The funny thing is, she never visited the blog that day at all. You know, it is funny…..

If I do not post the blog “LINK” on Face Book and Instagram to make it easy for people to visit, they don’t visit. The good part of that is, the people who truly care will visit. I love that term. TRULY CARE.

Last night, Larry and I ordered dinner from our favorite Italian restaurant in Dallas. We picked it up, brought it home, where we picnicked in bed and watched David Muir. {our favorite news-anchor-man} The wine was spectacular, thank you Larry…and my day ended on the sweetest note.

Photo: Picnic in bed

Please have a happy day. Truly care about the people in your life. You might not know what they are going through…smile when you do not want to. No one, I promise you, NO ONE wants to hear your troubles. They have enough of their own….

Love you BEYOND the moon……

Me

Inside The Window

- robin
Photo: Paris Window

On days when I struggle to post on blog, I go to old photos for inspiration. This image was taken about 10 years ago in Paris. It is one of my favorite photos.

It was cold, as November can be in France and this window was near rue St Antoine. I walked past it a few times before I decided to intrude into the sweet, intimate window setting and take the shot.

Isn’t is wonderful to imagine life inside of the apartment? I think that there is an easel in the corner with an intriguing painting started. The large over-stuffed chair has three books by it and the tea kettle is starting to boil on the stove. One of my abstract quilts is neatly on the bed…and my Larry is waiting patiently by the front door to take me to dinner. {after I turn the stove off}

Larry and I have spent much time in Paris. Each year for many years, we have found ourselves in France, with the discovery of joy and inspiration at every turn. Perhaps one day I will write more, about the special moments. The times filled with ART, love, friendship and visits from family who might be in Rome studying {and you know who you are and we love you}…many years filled with many memories.

Today, let me just share this beautiful photo. What do you imagine life is like inside the window?

Love you.

Me

Sunday, Dinner and A Movie

- robin

Yesterday, Sunday Dinner and Movie was a blessing. The stress of the holiday had caught up to me and Larry made dinner. Potato salad, and grilled burgers.

Our movie was The Holly and The Ivy. {My favorite Christmas Carol}

The movie has an interesting history, it was intense and in the end….well….you will just have to watch it.

I can hardly believe that it is Christmas eve. My heart feels a bit melancholy and I look forward to a brand new, productive new year. 2019 sounds wonderful. {with lots of Sunday, dinner and movies.}

Love you,

Me

Wound Up

- robin

Today started with walking five miles in the fog. The first four miles were a breeze but when I start mile five, cramps kicked in. I suspect this is the pain/gain part of my exercise commitment. I took a picture but it looks like a gray mess….with so much fog. I will be back at the lake tomorrow, perhaps it will be a better day?

I came home from exercise, to wind balls of yarn. Last week, I bought a yarn swift and yarn ball winder. It was shipped in two pieces and I am patiently waiting for the “swift” {ironic isn’t it that the SWIFT is late to arrive?} While waiting, I am making due with the winder. 

I frogged the project I started….to re-wind the balls of yarn that I had wound myself. It is fascinating watching the ball winder. So glad I have THREE MORE TO RE-WIND! Not really. It is interesting though and it is important for me to have the yarn feed from the inside of the ball.

PHOTO: Yarn ball winder and finished ball of yarn.

Here is my primitive set up. I am so excited for the swift to arrive…because I bought the most amazing yarn in France and cannot wait to wind the skeins up. {more about that later}

Larry has gone to meetings in Dallas and I can hear my mothers clock ticking the time and chiming the hours.  How I miss her this time of year. The special way she had of decorating the tree and the wonderful cookies she made.

This  is the time of year to reflect on our faith and remember the special people  who are not with us any longer.  I have a question…..Why does this reflection  change so drastically as we get older?   

I adore hearing from our friends via holiday cards and seeing them at parties. It truly is about the special “moments” and making memories. Good memories.

It is quite true. I am wound up today and ready for anything. Bring it on….Christmas, I am ready!

Love you,

Me.

PS: My friend Molly’s sweet dog passed away this morning. I send you love Molly. XOX …Ricky is with Libby now…..

Moments To Remember

- robin

Larry and I have a good friend who lives in Paris.

We have known his family for 20 years

and

they own the BEST Italian Bistro at Place de Republic.

Bruno helps at the Bistro

and

also works at The Opera house.

This year while in Paris, Bruno invited us to an event.

Photo: Larry and Bruno solving mystery at Palais Garnier~Opera House

It was a fun event and we had to solve the mystery

by finding clues at certain locations in the Palais Garnier.

Photo: Clues to the mystery

 

Photo: Discovering the answers.

 

Photo: A sunny Sunday morning. Opera Garnier~Paris

Next year we will go to an opera , till then, I have the best memories.

{my favorite opera is La Travitia. I asked Bruno to “order it up”….he laughed.}

Love you.

Me

The Red Silk Thread

- robin

Yesterday I had a bla day.

Larry had meetings that went late

and although I had many things to do,

I just sat at my work table, knitting and watching Netflix.

{do you know who Monty Don is?

his current gardening series is now on Netflix!}

Sooooo,

today I have made a list.

It is my “Today List”

A friend who had cancer  once told me,

If you write a list each day,

of the things that you would like to accomplish

and check off  what you do get done,

Photo: The list is on there, somewhere!

you will be pleased with yourself,

even if you do only one thing on the list.

Photo: Formal skirt and top await hemming….

Today there is mail to write,

and a formal to finish.

I must hem the skirt and top with temperamental

red silk thread that knots and tangles easily

if you even look at it with a frown!

There are four miles to walk and

someones {Larry} birthday gifts to wrap.

I started knitting a sweater while in France

and

would like to have it finished

for a holiday brunch on the 22nd of Dec.

The list is full of creative things…

YES! I can get it knocked out…

Dear wonderful Readers.

what is on your list today?

Love you beyond that crazy red silk thread.

Me

Yes, I Cried Too

- robin

First of all, I would like to thank Lauren Miller

for making Word Press my

number one blog once again.

{she FIXED IT!!!}

I am so happy. WP is  my favorite!!!!

***

In the past weeks, strange little things have been happening.

Larry chuckles and says: You just have jet lag.

Today, my phone was a bit stubborn.

I left it at my work table while I took a bath

and when I returned,

it had gone into airplane  mode on its own. {how? why?}

I then had to find a recipe at the shelves,

when I returned and opened  my phone

….Sweet Mitzu’s face was on the screen. {how? Why?}

Photo: Mitzu was Matilda, Lauren & Josh’s pug dog. She has been gone 2 1/2 years now.

 

When Lauren called on her way to Target….

she told me that this morning,

Matilda was  missing Mitzu very badly.

{she cried while on the way to school}

When I told her about Mitzu’s  photo,

she was surprised….like I was.

How wonderful is it that funny little things happen during our day?

Things that remind us, inspire us, support us and most of all, send us love?

Can you hear me sigh?

I loved Mitzu Pug Dog. I miss her very much.

Yes. I cried too.

Love you.

Me

Brain Or Heart?

- robin

He bought me PJ’s.

They are cuddly and cute,

but most of all they are warm.

Photo: New Pajamas-for me! Do you see the heart? {Nordstrom}

Where in our brain or heart, is thoughtfulness located?

Why are some  people more thoughtful than others?

I am married to a selfless, thoughtful man.

I want to be more like him.

Is there someone special in your life

who you would like to be more like?

Have you told them?

Love you.

Me