Robin Tolbert

Netflix Roulette

- robin

Since last Autumn, after my surgery, Larry and I have watched much to much TV. {it is now time to read more!}

We have so many titles on our “to watch list” it is crazy! Larry had to write them all down.

I am thinking about putting all the names on a circle, like a roulette wheel and spin that thing to see what we will watch next. Netflix Roulette!

Last year we watched Last Tango In Halifax. {Netflix} It was so good, that we have started re-watching it again.

Last week, we binged on The Tiger King. I am entertained and sad all at the same time.

We own the old PBS Pride and Prejudice collector CD and watch that only on the weekends. {it is so long but so wonderful on blue ray}

The point of this is…last night we finished BROADCHURCH season 1. Can I say AWESOME?

Photo: Broadchurch, on Netflix

The woman who stars in the show, is the same woman who played Queen Elizabeth in the new episodes of The Crown. Larry and I have enjoyed Broadchurch as much as we loved Harlan’s The Stranger.

Larry and I do not watch TV during the day , just in the evenings…. Looks like we have enough shows to get us through next Christmas!

Photo: ART by Matilda

The ART above is by my favorite girl. She made it a year or two ago. The Bunnies make it an Easter piece to me….an abstract for sure!

Happy Good Friday. May the God you worship grant you peace during this trying time.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

I Cried

- robin

Yesterday started with a 3 mile walk. It was a beautiful morning and I loved being outside.

I wrote a few {real} letters. I talked with both of my daughters and we had meatloaf sandwiches for dinner. I wish that I had taken a photo of the sandwiches because they were beautiful. Hahaha.

Before dinner, Larry transplanted a few Creeping Jenny plants to an area near our entry.

Photo: Pablo and plants

The Creeping Jenny is the lighter green plant the bottom center of the photo. Pablo {statue} has been the gatekeeper at The Cottage for many years. He makes me happy.

***

Yesterday we took a drive to pick up our new face masks. During the drive, we passed the middle school near us. The line of cars this week was 3 miles long. I cried. This is where families come to pick up their food from The North Texas Food Bank.

Larry and I have been involved with the food bank for a long time. {15 years?} Seven years ago, at the Food Bank dinner, Laura Bush awarded Larry with the most amazing award. We have been blessed to be part of the organization.

Yesterday, was so sad, seeing cars lined up for their food. People are out of work, children who count on meals at school do not have that luxury right now because schools are closed. I am crying right now thinking about it. I hate thinking of children being hungry.

Larry came home and made a sweet donation to The North Texas Food Bank in our granddaughter Matilda’s name. We did not know that today was DAY OF HOPE.

Thank you food bank for all you do!

***

The world is upside down. Life as we know it is different and it is so difficult to stay positive and calm.

I wish you

Calm moments.

Sweet friends.

Smiles when least expected.

Compassion and patience.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

All You Need Is Love

- robin

Last night I was having a sweet text conversation with Jamison. We only talked about “fun” things and had the best visit.

Then, near the end of the conversation, we talked about her wedding. It took place a long time ago and was one of the most romantic family moments I have ever been to in my life.

I never felt like it was my place to post anything about that special day, until last night, Jami said, You know Mom, you are welcome to share whatever you want to.

I woke up today, thinking about what she said…..

ABOUT THE DAY…

Jami and Jared were nervous, Jared’s family was happy and fun. I was the wedding planner-photographer and Larry kept everything organized as a true OCD father of the bride should.

It was a rainy Texas day. Fog hung in the sky while Larry and I picked up flowers from the flower shop and a cake from the bakery.

We all arrived around the same time. I helped dress Jamison, Johnny { Jared’s father} and Larry kept Jared occupied while Jared’s nephew, Kamdin kept us all smiling. Julie, Jared’s Mother kept track of gifts, jewelry, something old., something new, something borrowed, something blue.

It was one of the most romantic weddings that I have ever been to. It was loving and spontaneous. Family surrounded Jami and Jared as they started a new chapter on their journey. Each and every one of us in attendance that day, were filled with an unconditional love that only comes during such special time in our lives.

Photo: Jared and Jamison
Photo: Family
Photo: Walking to the wedding lunch after the ceremony
Photo: A toast
Photo: Jared and Larry’s cuff-links
Photo: Untitled, because it is so moving

As I am sharing these moments and the photos, my heart is full. Each moment will live in my heart, even if I did not have pictures to remember them by.

Jami and Jared are blessed. They are blessed to have each other and we are blessed to have them in our lives.

All you need is love….

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

Strong

- robin

Yesterday was eye opening. Wait. Maybe the last two weeks were what helped me realize what was happening in my world. I have been gradually sad and anxious and could not find anything to to help make it better. { I am not on any medications. Smile, organic is best}

The coronavirus is spreading and we are all a bit on edge about it. Larry and I are in The Cottage, safe and happy. We take a walk every day, three miles and Larry is working from his office here. Larry is happy.

This situation did not hit me till yesterday. I did not buy extra food or toilet paper in the past weeks. It was just life as normal for me. How has this been for you? Are you prepared? Are you happy?

I have cleaned out my Facebook and IG accounts and do not know when I will be back. I just cannot do that now….so, if you notice I have unfriended people or vanished, deleted or blocked…it is ok to be angry at me. We all do what we have to do. Right? I refuse to use a social media platform to express my heart.

My work table is cluttered with prep for painting. I have plans for the next few weeks…to keep busy and happy. This blog is where I share. Just here. {Larry said he sometimes reads Blog to see how I am feeling. I love him so much.}

Below, please find a Francis Cabrel song. The title is Dur Comme Fer….translated it means, tough boy or strong person. I love the song. Please listen?

I am here. Just here, being content.

I read once: You have to be at your strongest when you are feeling your weakest……

Love you beyond that beautiful moon!

Me

Oh ! Harry Connick! Oh! Mel Torme!

- robin

So much is going on in the world. I almost cannot comprehend exactly what is happening. My days are filled with my favorite person {Larry} and trying to keep myself busy and positive.

I have limited myself to ART, music and family. What are you doing during these dark days to stay happy and move forward in the best positive way possible?

Ten days ago, Larry and I saw Harry Connick in concert. It was very very wonderful. Harry Connick is my favorite JAZZ man… after Mel Torme that is.

Photo: Tickets

As we are quarantined these days, my mind goes back to our last picnic and Champagne …and of course seeing Mr Connick in concert. Did I mention his amazing band? I feel like it was yesterday. I feel like it was years ago.

Photo: Champagne picnic ~Dallas Texas

Larry is in the restaurant business. The times are difficult right now…and Larry is taking good care of his customers. I am very proud of him. I would like to mention that he is taking good care of me too.

These sad days will soon be done and life will be back to normal. It might be a new normal, but it will be a normal.

Till then, I will keep on blogging, taking photos, painting and loving my amazing family. What will you do to be happy?

Photo: Champagne picnic and Harry Connick Concert~Dallas Texas

Larry and I toast all of our friends and loved ones. May each day bring you joyful moments and toilet paper.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Mid Morning Movies

- robin
Photo: Komen Quilt- Dream The Dream in progress.

I will soon be finishing the Komen Raffle Quilt. It is titled, “Dream The Dream”…..please go to link below if you are interested in a raffle ticket. {and click on Donate Only.}

https://robintolbert.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=7395&action=edit

While I work in my studio or work-room, I like some sort of noise. when I paint, I listen to music. When I sew or knit, I have Netflix on. Most often I watch documentaries, but this week, while working on the quilt, I have watched a few movies.

On Monday, the most interesting movie was on. It is called, Change In The Air.

Photo: Mondays movie

I worked on the Komen quilt and was mesmerized with this movie at the same time! I’m not sure if it made me happy or sad. I did love the characters and the actors who played them. I told Larry about the movie at dinner. He said it “sounded” interesting but is not interested in seeing it. {PS: I liked it}

I have been watching movies all week as I work. It gives me a guilty feeling. Usually I turn TV off at 7 am and don’t watch it again all day. Watching mid-morning movies is not normal for me……wait till you hear about Tuesday and Wednesdays movies!

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Moments Of Normality

- robin

My normal has changed and it is pissing me off. {excuse my French} We hear so much about someones “New Normal” … are they joking?

A new normal can be anything from changing the brand of laundry detergent I use, to moving to another state. In this case it is fighting a disease and how it changes my every day life.

My Larry works every day to help me a create a normal that is workable for the both of us. The little {and big} things that he does are kind and thoughtful. I don’t think that I can ever thank him enough for what he has done these past months for me.

On Saturday, he took me grocery shopping. We bought just regular things and were surprised to see how people have become selfish with the threat of CONVID 19 virus. I say that…but wonder if perhaps I should have bought a bunch of Purell and Lysol? Well, I did not buy that stuff.

But…Larry bought me a new dress and a pair of gold earrings. What is it about a new dress and a pair of earrings that has the ability to make us feel pretty and special? I have not felt like that in 6 months.

Then, yesterday, on Sunday, we went on a picnic and to a concert. We had a picnic in front of the Winspear Opera House in Dallas, Texas, on a table that I covered with the autograph table cloth.

Photo: Champagne picnic
Photo: Picnic: baguette sandwiches, potato salad, cheese, fruit and champagne.

It was a lovely evening. We talked, laughed and planned for the future

Photo: Picnic Champagne

Our good friends, Rosemary and David sent us Champagne this holiday. de Venoge. We drank their gift over the holidays and liked it so much, we try to keep a bottle on hand for picnics. Yesterday we drank a Rosemary and David Champagne. It was perfection.

We had time for dessert before the concert…

Photo: Fruit Tart

To be completely honest, I hated the picnic being over. I felt good! Larry looked so handsome and we had the best time. Being with Larry like that, fills me with love.

We went inside for the concert….oh yes. Harry Connick. It felt like a dream..wait! Maybe it was all the Champagne we drank?

Photo: Nice seats, my favorite jazz and Harry Connick.

Harry Connick sang Cole Porter. It was as if we were transported to a different time and place. Wait! Maybe it was all the Champagne we drank?

Photo: The best Jazz man. Harry Connick

Of course I invited Mr Connick to picnic with us but he was busy with sound checks and things like that….besides,

Larry and I were just enjoying our moments…..and feeling normal.

Love you beyond a Champagne picnic.

Me

A Little Sprinkle

- robin

I don’t know how long I have been reading this book. It is a book on my Kindle and I would pick it up when I was tired but rested, so I would not fall asleep while reading. The characters were my friends and traveled with me during this last breast cancer fight. I cannot tell you how sad I am that the book is finished.

It was 628 of the most wonderful pages, that took me away during a most difficult time. Have you read it? {September, written by Rosamunde Pilcher, was published in 2013}

Photo: I finished September yesterday and have no idea what I will read today

What are YOU reading? I love getting titles.

Yesterday, after finishing my book, I was sad. Larry came home from work and insisted that we get out of the house. We had to pick up a few things from Target and then he said to me, that I needed some spice in my life. He took me to…..

Yes, well you guessed it. Le Creuset. Everything in that blasted store tempts me….but Larry bought me…..

Photo: The new salt and pepper mills

Charming red mills. I needed to replace what we have been using for years….and added a bit of spice into my life at the same time.

“True love can be like salt and pepper, a little sprinkle goes a long way…..

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Mozart and Me

- robin

This morning, before 7:00 am, Larry’s phone rang. It was Matilda! Yesterday at her piano lesson, she was given new music. MOZART. She wanted to play it for her Grandfather. {I could hear it too} A few weeks ago, we went with Matilda to her dental appointment. I took this photo of Larry and Matilda reading the comics. Do you remember reading the comics with your parents or grandparents? Do you remember a special relationship with a grandparent?

Photo: Matilda and Larry reading the comics

Above, find 3 hours of Mozart. {I love this version} Enjoy your moments…and don’t forget to read the comics once and awhile. There is something so wonderful about the “BASICS” of life.

Love you beyond Blondie and Dagwood.

Me