Yesterday was quiet. I hope that your day was ok too. During the day, I remembered a photo or two that had special meaning……that I had forgotten to post yesterday……..here you go……
Photo:by Robin: One November, some years ago,, Jamison showed up in Paris. She was on leave from the Air Force. On the last day of her being in France,, while leaving church, it started to snow. Jamison. and Larry. Magical.
Photo by Robin: I took this on a Friday afternoon.. We had crossed the river to listen to jazz musicians. . I looked back at the Cathedral and the view took my breath away.. It is one of my favorite photos. {2015?}
The weather here is frightful. Storms are expected this afternoon, with possibility of threatening situations. If you are in the danger zone, be safe….
Yesterday the unthinkable happened. The Cathedral Of Notre Dame caught fire and burned extensively.. I got phone calls from old, dear friends, text messages, emails from wonderful people who wanted me to know what was happening. They also shared their hearts and thoughts about the fire.
I loved that part most of all. Kind, sweet thoughts about a place far away. Some of the messages were from people who had never been to the Cathedral. Each and every connection was simply perfect.
Larry and I have the privilege to pray at the Cathedral Of Notre Dame each year. Twenty three years now…..we have many names on our prayer list and we light candles for loved ones and others who need prayer. I cry during the prayers and while lighting the candles of hope. The moments are emotional and filled with faith. Yesterday, I cried, but for a different reason.
Larry and I went through old photos last night. I took photos of the photos, straight from the album.
Photo:: 2018 Going to Cooking class….we passed this way.
Photo: The post cards of the Cathedral change over the years. Larry loves them all.
Photo: 2001 Paris. When we saw this shot, we laughed, asking where it had been taken…. it was at Notre Dame Cathedral. The photo was on film and had double exposure.. We were sitting for prayers. The chairs behind us are for congregation.
Photo:Lauren and Jami with the Cathedral behind them 2001-2002
Photo: This where we have prayed almost each year for many years. This is where we light the candles too.
Photo: Me, 2018. Our prayer list was long….the candles were filled with hope.
Photo: Another vintage post card
Photo:: This is he Cross that remains now, after the fire, This is how the alter looked before the fire.
Larry and I have dozens of other photos of the church. These were the most meaningful for me. I loved seeing old moments captured.
I will be starting the prayer list early this year. Please feel free to email me your name or the name of someone whom you are concerned for…..
Today is a brand new day. Please enjoy each moment, as you never know tomorrow might hold.
Meditation Experience~ Day 17~Grace Is Perfect. Even When My Life isn’t. I know this so well, but why do I expect things to be perfect all the time? My days are filled with constant reminders that life is a joy, Tremendous things can happen, just from a smile, People are generous and kind and just noticing the beauty of the sky, can make the day so much better.
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Photo: Starting a new………
I have finished the first Hawaiian dress and now for the second. No, this is not a typical Hawaiian dress, but it will be my version of one. A classic Batik fabric with a vintage {1972} pattern. It will be full length. I have not chosen a trim for it yet, but maybe I will not put a trim on it….
I have been walking 4 miles each day and I am tired. Just tired. The worst part is, I WANT to move and get things done, but I am just tired.
Larry is in Dallas. The morning is filled with meetings for him. He has a cold today or allergies and feels miserable. Larry never complains. When he does it is bad.
The windows are open and the birds are singing. I am going to cut out number 2 Hawaiian dress.now….I believe that when you are creating and your surrounds are inspirational, the project or ART will absorb the joy of your environment. Life.
Meditation Experience~ Day 16. Every day my being seeks new ways to expand. LOVE. TRUTH. BEAUTY. With gratitude, these are all evident. My days are filled being thankful, but often I get tied up in the demands of my day. I have promised to make time for myself each day. This means giving up other things, to fortify myself…….
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Photo: The New Platter
On Sunday, Larry and I went to a flea market after church. The sweet neighbors who live across the street had a booth and we had a wonderful visit with them. After our visit, we shopped….and bought the most charming platter. It is marked CHINA and had endless little veins through the white porcelain. The edging is beautiful , blue colors still bright and happy. Sunday dinners might never be the same.
Today I feel overwhelmed by things I must get done. One thing at a time. Right?
Meditation Experience~Day 15~ By living my wholeness, I become complete. Today I realized that….I WAS a person filled with love and gratitude. But not so much anymore. How did I hit this bump in my road? Was it family who pretended to love me? Was it having breast cancer and not dealing with it openly and honestly? Was it ignorant people insulting me and thinking perhaps I would not notice? Finding that old, grateful Robin again, has proven to be difficult. I feel totally jaded.
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Sunday dinner and a movie was perfection. We had pork chops, sweet potato fries, salad and dessert was frozen bananas.
Our movie was Rooster Cogburn. Yes, I am a huge John Wayne fan..have you seen his cookbook? {I love mine so much that it is falling apart!}
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Today I have started laundry, almost finished this blog post, will put the sleeves in the Hawaiian dress and I must finish my Easter Sweater. This poor sweater has been finished for months..and I have avoided putting it together because it looks so difficult. With Easter right around the corner time has run out. I cannot avoid putting together any longer. I will post a picture when…….FINISHED!!!
Have a happy day. I send love and good wishes if you need them. Sometimes, life is a bit difficult but it is nothing we cannot handle.
Meditation Experience~ Day 11. The more grateful I am, the more my life is supported. Sometimes I feel like I am not grateful at all. I have been so very distracted. Perhaps the knowledge that I am not grateful enough is what I need to work harder?
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Photo: Playing cards with Matilda
I found the picture above, on my phone a few days ago. It makes me smile. How long does a granddaughter love to hang out with her grandparents? Why can’t it last forever? What good thing did I ever do to have this person in my life? Matilda is one of the things in my life that I am abundantly grateful for.
Meditation Experience~ Day 10~ Gratitude flows in a loving heart. I believe that Larry taught me to be kind and loving. With each different day, we practice kindness and patience. Partners need love and joy. Not anger and discord. Some days are difficult and if we cannot patiently deal with the issues…..gratitude vanishes. Larry, if you are reading this. merci. I love you.
Photo: 7 AM ~ sunrise and the new rose
Yesterday, on Larry’s lunch hour, we went to the garden center and bought a dogwood tree and a rose plant. The dogwood tree was planted in the Zen Garden and the new rose was planted in the entry, neat my sculpture “Pablo”.
The name of the rose is “SUGAR MOON” and I find that creative and……dare I say, sweet? The blooms are white with an undercoat of color that is pink. It is beautiful.
I have honestly not been interested in the garden since since I was sick. Larry, always loves being outside and being busy. This year I will make a better effort to be part of his outdoor experience.
Photo: Dogwood green Isn’t it a joyful color?
I have my sewing machine out, ready to sew, a little painting is finished….and a pile of things that must be delivered to the Salvation Army Donation Center are ready to go. {Larry is in Dallas at meetings this morning}….. It looks like a creative day.
I am thankful for these moments. The ones where I am focused and ready to smile through the day.
Meditation Experience~ Day 9 My personal reality begins inside of me. My family disowned me 20 years ago, after Mothers death. When they did I walked away, not sharing with them how I felt about them except that I loved them. That is true, but they never knew, took into account or respected my personal reality. It is My responsibility to make my personal reality a priority.
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About Lauren
Today’s is my daughter, Lauren’s birthday. She was born on a sunny. day in Memphis Tennessee. Her birth changed me forever and while experiencing that joy, I hemorrhaged after the birth and then I contracted an infection. {hospital germs} As I fought for my life, Mother took care of baby Lauren. I found my mother’s “Brag Book” after she died. Here are some of the photos celebrating Lauren’s birth as seen by my Mother. ( I LOVE these photos so much. They make me cry)
Photo: Mother {Gracie} and new born Lauren
Photo: Mother and Lauren. Lauren was born with all of that hair.
Mother took Lauren to her first Dr Appointment, gave her her first bath and she took very good care of me too. Mother put her life on hold, to care for my sweet family. Her spirit lives in my heart every day. Lauren adored her.
Photo: I could not hold Lauren but I could rest her on my legs for a short time…
Baby Lauren is much as she is as an adult. To know her is to love her.
Photo: Norman, my father holding Lauren for the first time. Because I was sure that we were having a boy, this is one of the “boy” outfits I bought for her.
Photo: Mother and Lauren loved each other very much
Mother stayed with us about 5 or 6 weeks. She had day duty and Larry had night duty because he worked at the grocery store all day. Lauren was the best baby for the odd situation. She was a happy baby.
Photo: Lauren during her first snow storm. (9 months old) photo by Larry….Look at her bangs! I had to already cut her hair.
This is one of my favorite baby pictures of Lars and me.. It was taken at our little house in Memphis.
These photos are from my Mothers baby book of Lauren. I have kept them close for a very long time but it is time that I share them.
Last night I told Granddaughter Matilda, to check the blog today when she gets home from school. There will be photos that she has never seen before of her beautiful Mother.
Happy Birthday Dear Lauren. You have been quite the experience since the day you were born. Thank you for the joy and wonder you have brought to our lives and may this day be filled with the same joy and wonder as you celebrate your birthday.
Meditation Experience~ Day 7 Every thankful moment makes me healthier. I have a problem with anxiety. It started when I was struggling with hyperparathyroidism. {google it?} I was diagnosed with breast cancer and hyperparathyroidism at the same time. It was a nightmare. When I am anxious now, it frightens me because i think that I might be sick again. My check ups are once a year. Meditation and centering myself is best for my cancer and hyperparathyroidism. Being thankful is even better than mediation. Thankful moments are that split second joy that makes you breathe and smile.
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Yesterday we celebrated Lauren’s birthday, even though her birthday is tomorrow. We enjoyed brunch and then went to the Heard Museum in McKinney Texas for a hike, It was perfection. Lauren Josh, Matilda, Jami, Larry and myself hiked. {Jared was working} I have a few shots from the hike on my phone and will post them later.
About Sunday, Dinner and Movie…….Larry and I came home and did a few chores around the cottage, It was a beautiful day. Then…he made one of his famous BOARDS. It is really a cheese plate, only fancier.
Photo: One of Larry’s “Boards”
We snacked in the big bed while we watched Please Don’t Eat The Daisy’s. {in case you do not know, this is my comfort/favorite movie}
Photo: Goat cheese with edible flowers
One of the cheeses had flowers on it and it was delicious. Larry outdid himself.
Today is busy. It has gotten away from me and I might not ever catch up…..Have the lovelist of days. I am thankful for YOU.
Meditation Experience~Day Five. Gratitude awakens the true self. Each of us have many layers. I tend to hide my true {very sensitive} self to make others happy. Then when alone, I am hurt and angry that others have been disrespectful to me…but how would they know that they hurt me? I do not say anything. I just go away. My meditation is going well. Each day, my focus strengthens and my day is a wee bit better. I have sixteen days remaining.
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The Seven Yard Dress
Photo: Hawaiian Dress Pattern:
Last summer while at the beach, I found the nicest fabric shop in Kappa, I had passed the shop for years but her window attracted me that one beautiful morning. On that day, I bought fabric for Larry’s quilt and this pattern. The pattern has ALL sizes in it and it is a traditional Mu-mu but I would rather call it a Hawaiian dress. Mu-Mu has such a hard sound to it.
Yesterday I bought two different fabrics to make two Hawaiian dresses. Each dress calls for seven yards of fabric….I love to sew, design and make garments, I will make the first one in the above fabric in the traditional Hawaiian way and after that, I shall put my own spin on the design. Oh! Just think what I can do!
Now for a serious subject. Debbie next door, let me know, that last month we had a death on our street. The teenage boy caddy-corner to us passed. I noticed lots of cars, and deliveries…but it did not occur me that something tragic happened. Other than that, I had no idea. I am ashamed of myself for not reaching out BEFORE something happened.
I wonder how many of us do not know our neighbors? I have lived here a long time and when someone moves, in I should welcome them…..I have to sort this out in my head. Not sure what I will do.
Happy Friday. Enjoy the weekend, smile often. Maybe reach out to a neighbor you have not met? That is what I will be doing.
