Jeanne's Bliss Blog

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Easter And Spring



A Pot of Pansies for my beautiful late beloved Uncle Ed
He adored pansies as he did bleeding hearts
I have them in my garden also.
Those who live forever in our hearts are never far away.

We both have (had) April birthdays and everything about him sung to my Soul♥
I adored him as everyone did.





A favorite bird cage of mine and fresh shoots of spring
A slice of Heaven for certain




Bamboo candle and black rocks from Asia




I love pussy willows
They are everywhere inside and out in our home






A few scenes from our home this morning.


Spring is the Queen of all Seasons and Easter is her crown♥














My Beloved Late Mom and my Sister and I with our Easter bonnets on
Circa 1950's

Every memory is golden.



Put on your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it.


The story of Easter is the story of God's wonderful window of divine surprise. ~Carl Knudsen


The day the Lord created hope was probably
the same day he created Spring."
~Bern Williams~


My Wish for you Sweet Happy Life

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

On Love


Love:


If you have it, you don't need to have anything else, and if you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have".
~ Sir James M.Barrie

Jennifer's Joys
PORTRAITS are to daily faces
As an evening west
To fine, pedantic sunshine
In a satin vest.

-Emily Dickinson

What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

From a favorite book
The Velveteen Rabbit
by Margery Williams♥

Monday, March 29, 2010

In Loving Memory of Paul Hunt





Me and my dear friend Karen



In loving memory of Paul Hunt

You will live on forever in our hearts

Me and my dear friend Karen celebrating her birthday at our home a couple of summers ago.




I am here for you my dear and precious friend the way you have always
been here for me
I will never forget your love and kindness after Robbie died
You held my hand and stayed with Justin and I and helped ease my extreme suffering
I will do the same for you today tomorrow always♥

And a thousand other friends likewise I will always be there for you
as you have been for me
You know who you are♥
I thank you



My dear friend Karen's husband passed away on Saturday.
Our love and prayers always and we shall see you on Saturday.



Paul Hunt

Paul Gerald Hunt, age 65, of St. Marys and formerly of Stratford passed away peacefully at the St. Marys General Hospital, Kitchener on Saturday March 27, 2010. Born in Stratford, son of Ruth (Racey) Simpson of Stratford and the late Albert (Jack) Hunt and his wife Marjorie Hunt of Stratford.
Paul was a member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Stratford and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. He was a co-founder of the Stratford Judo Club and just celebrated their 50th anniversary. Paul was also an avid brydge player in Stratford and St. Marys. Beloved husband of Karen (Palmer) Hunt whom he married on June 28, 1986. Loving father of Jeremy Hunt, Leslie Hunt (Ryan), Christie Hunt (Darryn Rae), Jason Hammer (Cecilia), Timothy Hammer (Adriana), Emma Hammer (Chad Healy). Cherished grandfather of Dylan Brecht-Hunt, Maya Hammer Healy, Lexa Hammer Healy, Lola Hammer Tuch, Carina Hammer Tuch and Jayden Hunt Rae. Dear brother of Dale Hunt, Dave Hunt (Lea) and Brenda Musselman (Ken). Also survived by mother-in-law Evelyn Palmer of Tavistock, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Ted Palmer (Dianne), Pat Palmer (Margaret), Lynda McGowan (Robert) and many nieces and nephews. Besides his father he was predeceased by father-in-law Rev. James Palmer.
Friends and relatives are invited to St. Pauls Anglican Church, 9 Douro Street, Stratford for a time of quiet reflection and contemplation on Saturday April 3rd from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. With reception to follow. Reverend Canon Tanya Phibbs will officiate. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the St. Marys Memorial Hospital, St. Marys or the St. Marys General Hospital, Kitchener through the W. G. Young Funeral Home.




Time of quiet reflection & contemplation: St. Pauls Anglican Church
Saturday April 3rd from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Funeral Service: Saturday April 3rd at 11:30 a.m.
at St. Pauls Anglican Church
Donations: St. Marys Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, St. Marys General Hospital, Kitchener


The Next Place by Warren Hanson

The next place that I go
will be as peaceful and familiar
as a sleepy summer Sunday
and a sweet, untroubled mind.

And yet….it won’t be anything like any place I’ve ever been…
or seen…or dreamed of
in the place I leave behind.

I won’t know where I’m going,
and I won’t know where I’ve been
as I tumble through the always
and look back toward the when.

I’ll glide beyond the rainbows.
I’ll drift above the sky.
I’ll fly into the wonder,
without ever wondering why.

I won’t remember getting there.
Somehow I’ll just arrive.
But I’ll know that I belong there
and will feel much more alive
than I have ever felt before.
I will be absolutely free of the things that I held onto
that were holding onto me.

The next place that I go
will be so quiet and so still
that the whispered song of sweet belonging will rise up to fill
the listening sky with joyful silence, and with unheard harmonies
of music made by no one playing,
like a hush upon a breeze.

There will be no room for darkness in that place of living light.
Where an ever-dawning morning pushes back the dying night.
The very air will fill with brilliance, as the brightly shining sun
and the moon and half a million stars are married into one.

The next place that I go
Won’t really be a place at all.
There won’t be any seasons—winter, summer, spring or fall—
Nor a Monday,
Nor a Friday,
Nor December,
Nor July.
And the seconds will be standing still…
while the hours hurry by.

I will not be a boy
or girl,
a woman
or a man.
I’ll simply be just,
simply me.
No worse or better than.

My skin will not be dark or light.
I won’t be fat or tall.
The body I once lived in
won’t be part of me at all.

I will finally be perfect.
I will be without a flaw.
I will never make one more mistake,
or break the smallest law.

And the me that was impatient,
or was angry or unkind,
will simply be a memory.
The me I left behind.

I will travel empty-handed.
There is not one single thing
I have collected in my life
that I would ever want to bring
except….
The love of those who loved me,
and the warmth of those who cared.
The happiness and memories
and magic that we shared.

Though I will know the joy of solitude…
I’ll never be alone.
I’ll be embraced
by all the family and friends
I’ve ever known.
Although I might not see their faces,
all our hearts will beat as one,
and the circle of our spirits
Will shine brighter than the sun.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Palm Sunday



Image from a Google Search




Isaiah 53 Passion of the Christ


He was despised as one from whom men hide their face;
and we didn’t respect him.
But he was pierced for our transgressions.
He was crushed for our iniquities.
The punishment that brought our peace was on him;
and by his wounds we are healed.

Palm Sunday



The Passion of the Christ


All through Holy week I wear my Passion chain
as well as the Cross I wear every day


Hand Wash Cold



May Angels Protect you Always

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Earth Hour



Planet Earth Image from a Google Search




On March 27 at 8:30 pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world will turn off their lights for an hour to demand action on climate change. But that's just the beginning. Every hour, Canadians are taking small steps to lessen their impact on the environment. From hanging your clothes to dry to taking transit to work, those small steps add up to huge changes for the better. Get inspired by others who are living Earth Hour every hour, and tell us your story.



http://earthhourcanada.org/earthhour/



Preserve and protect our planet every day

Save our planet it is the only one with chocolate♥


Planet Earth



What a Wonderful World


see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shaking hands saying how do you do
They're really saying I love you.

I hear babies crying, I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll never know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself what a wonderful world.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Weekend Weekend Cha Cha Cha







Photographs above courtesy of my Son
taken in New Zealand

" It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!" - Mark Twain.

Will you be participating in Earth Hour?


Earth Hour




Earth Hour



My Symphony
To live content with small means....
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion....
To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich....
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly....
To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart....
To bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never....
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common....
This is to be my symphony.

William Henry Channing


A Book?... What d'you want a flaming book for?... We've got a lovely telly with a twelve-inch screen and you come asking for a book!

-Roald Dahl, Matilda

Better by far you should forget and smile Than you should remember and be sad.

-Christina Georgina Rossetti, "Remember"

Before I built the wall I'd ask to know What was I walling in or walling out.

-Robert Frost, "Mending Wall"

Much Love Jennifer


Jennifer's Joys for Today
I love you Jennifer♥

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Bird Bird Bird is the word



From my tweet friends Shelley and Dale
Thanks so much for the lovely Shellmark Card and for your love and kindness
all through the years
You make it a Home Tweet Home
and Love surely builds the nicest nests♥

Love you both
Happy Spring♥




Thanks Jennifer for the pictures of your bird houses
I love you my sweet friend♥


I express to my husband each morning as he leaves for work shortly after 5:00 AM
How sweet to have the birds singing to our souls.

Even after their darkest hours birds still continue to sing in the morning.

Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.




Except for the first photograph taken by me of Billie Bird
the rest of the photographs belongt o Justin and Ahram of New Zealand birds
Thanks for sharing your love♥


Birds a song I love


A beautiful prayer found here


Beautiful prayer



Three Little Birds

A Song that always makes me so happy♥


One of my favorities

Bluebird by Paul McCartney

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Easter and Spring



Our beautiful niece in Hong Kong


Easter and Springtime
How lovely to know
The sun and the showers
Have bid the grass grow.

How lovely to feel
The sweet warmth of the air
And see budlets burst
Into bloom everywhere.

How lovely to listen
As feathered friends sing
To bring us the message
It's Easter and Spring♥

"Some days (or some lives), it's not about passion and courage. It's not about heroism and drama. It's not about slaying dragons or conjuring exotic visions... Some days, it's simply about the delicious act of doing simple things." - Jack Ricchiuto

Thanks Chel for this lovely quote

The Jeanne Fest has officially begun
Smiles♥

Monday, March 22, 2010

If I Were



Me as a young girl in Grade School

If I Were


As seen on my two friends blogs

Come Sit by My Fire
and Delights of the Heart


If I were:


a colour, pink
a verb, love
a day(s), Weekends
a TV show, Mad Men
a taste, a meal cooked for me by my Son
an emotion, joy and happiness
a month, April May and June
a flower, a spring bouquet
a holiday, every single one combined
a movie, too many to name one
an article of clothing, a pink cashmere sweater
a book, Any childrens book
a car, cadillac escalade
a piece of furniture, baby crib
a scent, spring or your loved ones colognes
an instrument, piano
a store, The Old J. L. Hudsons
a shoe, wedding shoe
a fruit, raspberries
a song, My Love
a tree, Japanese cherry
a planet, Mars
a tool, my computer
or my pens for writing


Thank you to my friend Cara for baking that delicious cake♥

Prayers for Paul Beauglet's family
We went to Paul's funeral mass this morning

God bless his family real good especially his lovely wife Doris♥

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

Paul in my yard are your flowers and Iris's in every colour and your pussywilllow tree you gave me.
I shall think of you with every visit through the garden this Spring and spend
much time with your beloved wife.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Happy Birthday Sweet Prince



A Photograph sent to us this morning courtesy of my relatives in Europe
This parade was in front of their home.

Thank you for the picture and your constant love♥
Blessings♥











Buds of Spring taken in our back yard yesterday


Today my fabulous housband celebrates his birthday.
He does not like having his picture shared.

He is cherished and adored and loved by us all.

May Heaven hear your every wish my sweet Prince

Cherish the day♥



"It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them." {George.Eliot}



Secret of Life by James Taylor



Oh My Love by John Lennon

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Spring Arrives Today


Unsure of the source of this photograph
It was sent to me via an email


A song I love



Oh My Darlings I wait all year to step into Spring
Be still my heart
She arrives today
We shall celebrate♥




Flower arrangement made my Ahrams's Sister
Flowers are food for our souls♥


"It seems to me we can never give up longing and wishing while we are thoroughly alive. There are certain things we feel to be beautiful and good, and we must hunger after them." {George.Eliot}




Image scanned from a magazine


A song I love to welcome in Spring





Buds of Spring taken by my sweet friend Jennifer
I love you Jennifer






From a greeting card I scanned that arrived for the welcome of Spring
Have I ever mentioned how much I love Spring?

Spring is the Queen of all Seasons.

We will celebrate my husbands birthday this weekend♥

One Crocus...

One Robin...

One Bee...

Can

Start

a

Spring...

you'll

see!

~Joan Walsh Anglund



WE all love Paris in the springtime



Thanks Mary Jane for this prayer
I love you dear friend

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day,

I thank You for my being able to see

and to hear this morning.

I'm blessed because You are

a forgiving God and

an understanding God..

You have done so much for me

and You keep on blessing me.

Forgive me this day for everything

I have done, said or thought

that was not pleasing to you.

I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Please keep me safe

from all danger and harm.

Help me to start this day

with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.

Let me make the best of each and every day

to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.

Please broaden my mind

that I can accept all things.

Let me not whine and whimper

over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response

when I'm pushed beyond my limits.

I know that when I can't pray,

You listen to my heart.

Continue to use me to do Your will.

Continue to bless me that I may be

a blessing to others.

Keep me strong that I may help the weak...

Keep me uplifted that I may have

words of encouragement for others.

I pray for those that are lost

and can't find their way.

I pray for those that are misjudged

and misunderstood..

I pray for those who

don't know You intimately.



I pray for those that don't believe.

But I thank You that I believe

that God changes people and

God changes things.

I pray for all my sisters and brothers.

For each and every family member

in their households.

I pray for peace, love and joy

in their homes; that they are out of debt

and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this

knows there is no problem, circumstance,

or situation greater than God.

Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.


I pray that these words be received

into the hearts of every eye that sees it

in Jesus' name. Amen!






God Bless ! ! ! ! !

Friday, March 19, 2010

Hachi A Dog's Tale





Hachi A Dog's Tale


Image from a Google Search


Hachi A Dog's Tale

If you get a chance to watch this movie
please do.

A Quiet Revolution by Yoko Ono



Beautiful creation by my dear friend Dani
I love you Dani♥


Love by John Lennon




A QUIET REVOLUTION by YOKO ONO

SPEECH FOR OXFORD UNIVERSITY ON MARCH 10, 2010

A butterfly is hopping from flower to flower. Oh, good. I think. The butterfly is busybodying as usual. Peace reins. But what is the butterfly really doing?

When a tiny movement like the flapping of the wings of a butterfly brings about a big change elsewhere, it’s called the butterfly effect in physics. I’ve just heard this one… so I don’t know it’s legitimacy. But if they don’t call it a butterfly effect, there should be a word that expresses this phenomenon. A breeze created by a bunch of kids dancing bringing a stop to an argument going on in the other side of the globe unknown to the dancers? Why not? The latest news is that even a couch potato is useful for us, in that their breathing helps to balance the atmosphere. The world and it’s mechanics are still very much a mystery.

We are like butterflies. We busybody ourselves every day for our survival as we think we know how. But the difference with us, is that we know we are not as innocent as the butterflies. We are about to ruin this planet we call ours through our stupidity. Letting the axis of evil turn the wheel of destruction. What can we do to reverse the situation? The enormity of the task depresses us to no end, to the point that it is almost easier to just give up, or try to tackle the evil force head on. But the truth is, If we try to reverse the wheel of evil, we will end up giving so much of our energy to its power, we will join it instead of reversing it.

Evil often presents itself to us as an illusion of goodness. So by being confused, instead of freeing ourselves from it, we could be destroyed by it. To protect ourselves, each one of us must clearly see what Evil really is. Evil is only a dis-ease (disease) created by confused minds, which eventually disappears by its own steam. But it can do so much harm before it self-destruct. So we must do something to counteract it NOW.

Luckily, there are so many of us in the world, who are now ready to act to save our world. People ask me constantly what they can do to bring world peace. I want to make a suggestion here.

Let’s go step by step. Since destiny is created by first imaging what destiny we want for ourselves, we should IMAGINE PEACE in a big way with total conviction. In the old days, gurus sat and meditated day and night. That was pretty powerful. But we live in a different world. Time is so precious to us now. A million kids can be killed in one second as we are wondering what to do. So we can’t just sit and meditate. We should IMAGINE PEACE day and night, as we go about our daily lives.

Yes. One thing that is interesting is you cannot be violent while you are imagining peace.
If all of us in the world imagined peace at all times, there will be no dis-ease (disease) in the world. In fact, dis-ease will disappear from this planet altogether.

The next thing we should do is to focus on healing the world we have destroyed, by asking your healing power to come out.
Your intent of healing will start to show it’s power by just asking for it.
When all of us in the world ask the world to be healed, it will be.

Know that it is that simple.
We are all connected.
We affect each other right away.
We affect each other even when we are in fear, confusion, anger, wanting to destroy the world and help to increase the dis-ease.
That’s how strongly connected we are.

Start doing what you can do, knowing that you are standing in the midst of an incredible disaster created by us, the human race. It is so bad that the farmers, who are providing what we eat, are being bankrupted for not complying to the ways of greedy corporate needs, losing their ancestral lands and some of them even committing suicide. The saddest thing is that so many children are sexually abused, sold for human parts and die or perish before their teens.

Take a good look at what is happening around you. You might feel you want to strangle the force of evil which is doing this. But I must tell you, don’t move until you changed your energy of anger into pure energy of getting the work done with love. Is that possible? Well, it has to be.

The Universe will be affected immediately as you start to think in the right way to correct the dis-ease in our world.

Start with something small.
Do one nice thing a day.
Call your mom and tell her you are thinking of her. Not just calling her for help. She’ll cry.
Look at the trees and admire their beauty in words and in action. They’ll glow and grow.

Don’t ever be cynical. Cynicism is death. We are now swimming together to get to the shore of goodness and peace.. Cynicism will drown us right in the middle of the ocean and kill us. We need the power of belief to help us reach the shore. Nothing more.
Be a busybody for our collective survival. Send a message to your friend and tell them what you respect about her or him. Because they are your family.

Some people ask me if I get depressed, if I lose confidence in what I am and whether I get upset with those terrible people. Well, I do. for a moment. But I am really too busy, I don’t have time to be depressed, lose my confidence, or think ill of anybody, for long. I just don’t have the time.

Send your message through the internet of how you love life and why. Because the people on the internet are also your family.
If you keep meditating in your mind – not giving yourself the luxury of making a special sit-in meditation, but doing what you can do to change the world, if you did that for three months you will see the difference in your life and even a difference in our planet. Really! Thus, we will make a quiet revolution together.

Be creative. But just do what you can do. Nothing more.
By that, you will be starting the wheels of goodness to turn.

Something especially wonderful was told to me just recently. Two scientists who were researching the effect of waves in the ocean for two years, came to the conclusion that the smallest stimulus to the water be it a drop of a pebble, or a child splashing the water at the shore, affects the whole ocean, each time. Well, I thought we do affect each other on land, but I hadn’t realized that that was true in the ocean as well! What a blessing! Nature is making things so easy for us!

So now I call ourselves the small pebble people. Send small pebbles to the world. Don’t make big splashes with large stones. That will attract people and the wrong people as well. Our quiet revolution will not make announcements, but one day will be accepted by all people as the norm of life. The human race has done that with many things. Like we wanted to fly, and invented aeroplanes. We wanted to see the other side of the moon, and we have. This time, we want to heal our planet, and bring peace to this world. We can do that.

Meanwhile, in my minds eye, I see butterflies disappearing from earth as bees have. There will be birds getting confused by the directions of the new winds we are creating for energy

A group of American Indians protested that the wind power was blowing the wind to their ancestors graves. “They should have protested at the inception of the plan. It’s too late, now” was what they were told. People need jobs. So the project is pretty much going ahead with no protest. Together with corporations which decided that they owned the water rights in some Eastern land, where people suddenly, could not drink water without paying the corporation, and some of them were jailed for not paying for the drinking water which was free for them all these years, I am a bit concerned that now we will have wind rights.

In fact, I am starting to miss the butterfly I saw in my backyard when I was a little girl. I was the kind of child, who just kept watching the butterfly dance – until the butterfly was in my heart. It was floating in the breeze, dancing the dance of life.

Start your own campaign today. You will see that it spreads and covers the world very fast, and meanwhile it will make you one of the small pebble people. Small pebble people are people who know that small pebbles, when they’re dropped in the ocean, will immediately affect the ocean of the whole wide world. Again, don’t throw big stones. It scares people and creates repercussions.

So we’ll just keep dropping small pebbles. Together. That’s how we will change the world. We change, and the world changes. Have trust in what you can do. Have trust in how fast we can change our world for the better. Why? Because we have to.

I would like to share an affirmation with you. Now say it in your mind with the firm belief that we are one, and together. We’ll make it.

In the name of truth, peace and love,
Our planet is healthy and whole.
We, the people of earth see clearly, hear clearly, think clearly,
Make the right judgement, right decision and the right move
For the benefit of us, our planet and the Universe.

We are now bathing in the light of dawn,
Standing in the heaven we have created
Together on this planet.

We wish to share this age of joy
With all lives on earth,
As we are one,
United with infinite and eternal love.

For the highest good of all concerned, so be it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLawHP7lFY
New World in my View by King Britt


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2VktozqkSc
Strict Machine by Goldfrapp


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eDMHyfezxM
One of these mornings by Moby and Patti Labelle




Some songs I love

Thursday, March 18, 2010

March




The spring time wreath on our front door...........

I love wreaths and springtime decorating

Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths,
Enwrought with golden and silver light,
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and the half-light,
I would spread the cloths under your feet.
W. B. Yeats, He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven


Sing and dance and be happy


Thanks Lance for sharing this♥

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day






Photographs courtesy of our lovely Ahram
Her students loved the items I sent Ahram for St. Patrick's day
and they learned about it through their lovely teacher our beautiful Ahram.

Thank you God for sending Ahram into our world
A slice of Heaven each day for certain.
She is one of my glimpses of Heaven right here on Earth each and everyday♥







Céad míle fáilte - a thousand welcomes in Gaelic

From a door in the area where we live♥



Another fabulous creation by my dear friend Dani.
I love you my precious friend♥



A Traditional Irish Blessing

Thank you Dani♥


May your Blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
and may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing~

From an email I received
Praise God in all circumstances.

"I woke up yesterday morning with a sore heart. You see I live in a city that isn't home, far away from my loved ones. My job can be described as stressful and hard. I pined for my old job back in South Africa, for my car and my family and friends. I prayed hard on these things. The answer to my prayers was a harder day than normal with 3 hours overtime and an hour long delay with trams getting home. I was tired and angry and sad all at the same tine. As I stood in the cold night air my mind wondered to the many times I had worked with the poor and suffering people in the villages and townships in South Africa. How with all their hardships and poverty they still smiled, still laughed and still glorified God. I remember the poor walking miles to work or to Mass in the hot son, singing or chatting with each other. I thought of the words of St Paul to praise God in all circumstances. Then I heard a voice in my heart saying, "praise me". It's not easy living with our hardships at times and yet God allows us to, permits it and yes for our own good. No matter how much we pray or go to Mass we can easily fall into self pity and find no joy. Yet we are called to praise God in all circumstances. So next time you feel down, angry or wanting other things in your life take your circumstance as an opportunity to praise God. He knows what He is doing. Trust Him."


Christ shield me this day: Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me." From the breastplate of St. Patrick

"Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me King of my heart; Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me never to part. Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me shield in strife; Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising light of my life. Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me King of my heart; Christ within me, Christ below me, Christ above me never to part."


St. Patrick


When I was young my family parish was called St. Patrick's Church

Céad míle fáilte - a thousand welcomes in Gaelic



Mostly photographs taken by me in our home.
Some courtesy of Ahram and Justin
and in Seoul of Ahram's students wearing my shamrocks
I sent her on their cheeks as she teaches them of
St. Patrick's day (a day they do not normally celebrate in Korea)

and the green green of New Zealand
Thank you Ahram and Justin for sharing your pictures
but most of all your love and your hearts.
We all love each other so well.
We are blessed beyond measure.

Luck of the Irish for us all




The Princess had her 2nd birthday yesterday
Ever since she came into our lives we have all been enchanted♥




Fabulous creation from my dear friend Dani
I love you Dani

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Happy 2nd Birthday Princess K♥



Happy 2nd Birthday Princess K
With you in our world everything is MAGIC
I love you
Kisses sweet Angel♥

Children are the hands by which we take hold of Heaven.

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my

favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given..

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'

I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW
WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS,
BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES.
LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT.


Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child...

How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by
sending this to someone else, you will probably make
them at least think about their influence on others.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.

Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.





"Kindness is the language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see"....Mark Twain

Jennifers Joys for Today


Thanks for all you share Jennifer

Much love♥

Happy St.Patrick's Day! For tomorrow and yes tomorrow we're all a bit Irish.
Much love
Jennifer♥

Monday, March 15, 2010

3900 Saturdays

Sent to me by my dear dear friend Mary Jane
Love you♥

'3900 Saturdays'

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whom-ever he was talking with something about 'a thousand marbles..' I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say....

' Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too bad you missed your daughter's 'dance recital' he continued. 'Let me tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities.' And that's when he began to explain his theory of a 'thousand marbles.'

'You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.

'Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.

It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail', he went on, 'and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.' 'I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles I took them home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear.'

'Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.

There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight .'

'Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time.. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time.'

'It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. This is a 75 Year old Man, K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!'

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter.

Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. 'C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast.' 'What brought this on?' she asked with a smile. 'Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles.

A friend sent this to me, so I to you, my friend.

And so, as one smart bear once said.....'If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, so I never have to live without you..' - Winnie the Pooh.



Hummingbird Nest Cam


Jennifers Joys

Just came home from the movie Alice in Wonderland I love this version better than the older one. Well to me it is more like an afterword because there always refering to your back again alice. Have you seen it yet? What did you think of it? This is one of my favorite movies now.
Much Love Jennifer

I love you Jennifer
Kisses and love and smiles across the miles♥

Thank Heaven for Little Girls




Babies are such a wonderful way to start people.

Babies are bits of stardust handblown by God's own hands♥




Thank you Flickr Friends for your Fabulous Photographs shared


Two new little family members are to enter our world this June
and both of the babies are girls...........we can hardly wait for the most important dates...............



Thank Heaven for Little Girls



Treasure every golden moment with your children for all too soon


Slipping Through my Fingers

From Mama Mia




Most photographs taken by me
Some of scanned greeting cards
Bella Pilar Cards and images from google

Sunday, March 14, 2010




Beautiful creation by my gorgeous friend Dani
I thought very fitting for moving our clocks ahead last night.


Have you sprung forward?

The Clock of Life

The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.



To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,
To lose one's health is more,
To lose one's soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.



The present only is our own,
So Live, Love, toil with a will
Place no faith in 'Tomorrow'
For the clock may then be still.

Robert H. Smith
©1932-1982

Today is the birthday of one of my godchildren James

And today in 1993 I met Paul

Blessings beyond measure♥

“Do not let Sunday be taken from you If your soul has no Sunday, it becomes an orphan.”

Sunday is the golden clasp that binds together the volume of the week”

Jennifer loves these movies

Freaky Friday, The Secret Garden, Home Alone, The Prince and Me and Yours Mine and Ours.
Much Love Jennifer



I love you Jennifer
Thanks for sharing your joys with me♥

Saturday, March 13, 2010

That's God Speaking to you



Image from a Google Search


From a beautiful power point presentation sent to me by Sandy.
I love you Sandy
God bless you.

God Speaking To You - Presentation Transcript
GOD
Have you ever felt the desire to do something special for someone you love?
THAT’S GOD who is speaking to you.
Have you ever felt the sadness and the loneliness of someone who approaches and stands beside you?
THAT’S GOD who has chosen you.
Have you ever thought of someone who is very dear to you and have not seen for a long time, and suddenly that person unexpectedly appears.
THAT’S GOD For there is nothing that ever happens by chance!
Have you ever received something marvellous for which you did not ask?
THAT’S GOD who knows all the secrets which you keep well hidden in your heart.
Have you ever found yourself in a difficult situation for which there seemed to be no apparent solution, and then ‘in the twinkling of an eye’ the answer became as clear as daylight?
THAT’S GOD who unceasingly takes our problems into his hands and helps us solve them.
Have you ever felt an immense sadness in your soul, and then suddenly, as if your inner self was infused with love, an inexplicable sense of peace enveloped your entire being?
THAT’S GOD who consoles you in his arms and gives you peace.
Have you ever felt tired of life to the point of wanting to die, and then suddenly you were able to find the courage and the resolve to continue your journey full of vigour and hope?
THAT’S GOD He is always there beside you, lovingly accompanying you every step of the way on your life’s journey.
Everything goes better when GOD TAKES THE LEAD!
Do you think that this message was sent to you by chance?
THAT’S GOD who touched my heart.
He inspired me to think of you not because you are my friend, but on account of the fact that you are of infinite value in HIS eyes and in mine.
Let God touch your heart so that you’ll feel moved to share this message.
Send this message to all your family, friends and acquaintances…
… because we all need to know that GOD IS ALWAYS WITH US!
Let us share with everyone the GREAT LOVE GOD HAS FOR US.
Glory to God
Thank you my dear God.

Friday, March 12, 2010

My First Robin this Spring Just Spotted


My first robin this spring just spotted♥

It flew away before I could capture it's picture so this google search one will do for now♥

and the red red robin came bop bop bopping along♥


Robin singing


The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hillside's dew-pearled;
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in His heaven -
All's right with the world!
~Robert Browning


No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~Hal Borland

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones, after all."

-Laura Ingalls Wilder


Sweet bird I heard you singing to my soul.

Spring is the Queen of all Seasons♥

One Crocus...One Robin...

One Bee...Can Start

a

Spring...you'll see!

~Joan Walsh Anglund♥

The verse viewed on this beautiful blog♥

Thank you

Shimmy your Shamrock



Another lovely creation by my dear friend Dani
I love you♥



My Dear Friend Connie has a new blog

I love you Connie♥


New Twilight Trailer

Thanks Nia for posting this on your blog.
I love you♥





Montage of various things.
Most photographs taken by me or by those I love.
Some scanned images from greeting cards also inluded.

Many St. Patrick's Day celebrations and parades going on all weekend........

May your Blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
and may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing~

Thanks Victoria for this beautiful blessing on your blog
Too lovely not to share.
I love you♥

Have a Fabulous Weekend♥


I love this video


Save the planet it is the only one with chocolate♥

Our family friend Greg Adler will be performing at Twiggs in Emerville on St. Patrick's night if you get a chance please go out and share in the fun.

Nia I love love love the CD you made for me.............
Thanks for always putting a song in my heart♥

I just started the book
Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda

and have the Bishops Man on reserve at the library.

We enjoyed the Spitfire Game last night and tonight
Thanks Rick and Jim for always thinking of us.


We hope to take in the new Matt Damon movie...........

Weekend Weekend
Cha Cha Cha♥

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Children are Like Kites



Photograph courtesy of Ahram and Justin
Thanks for all you share
especially your hearts and love♥


Soon you two will be reunited..............
As Alice Said
Don't be late for a very important date♥

Children are Like Kites:



You spend years trying to get them off the ground.

You run with them until you are both breathless.
They crash ... they hit the roof ...
you patch, comfort and assure them that someday they will fly.

Finally, they are airborne.

They need more string, and you keep letting it out.

They tug, and with each twist of the twine,
there is sadness that goes with joy.

The kite becomes more distant,
and you know it won't be long
before that beautiful creature will snap
the lifeline that binds you together
and will soar as meant to soar
... free and alone.

Only then do you know that you have done your job.

~~ Author Unknown ~~



Suddenly I found you and the spirit in me sings, don't have to look no further, you're the soul in many things.
~Bob Dylan

Thanks Nia for the lovley CD that arrived today and for always putting a song in my heart.............

I have Spring Fever♥

Splish Splash I was taking a bath



Scanned from a greeting card I love.........
Love is all you need♥



Splish Splash I was taking a bath

I love those telus ads




Beautiful paintings



Angel Meditation


"Know, first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly.”

— Epictetus




Life is not waiting for the storms
to pass .. it's about learning to
dance in the rain!


The Scent of Spring


The National Dance Company of Korea

The Scent of Spring


Thanks for always putting a song in my heart♥

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Jennifer"s Joys


Our front door decorated for Springs Arrival

next when pansies are out for sale I will have a pot on our front porch.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love spring?

Daylight savings time begins March 14th




My little friend Billie Bird who lived at the Nursing home where Grandma lives
He died this winter and now sings eternally in Heaven for me.
Free to fly and sing in Heaven all day long.
Sweet little bird I hear you singing to my soul.


Today's Jennifers Joys
From my sweet friend Jennifer in Nova Scotia

"A star's mighty good company."

-Our Town

Much Love Jennifer

What my sweet friend Jennifer shared with me today.

We area penpals and both love the fabric of social networking with regular mail as well as our emails.

I love you my sweet friend Jennifer.

May Angels carry your prayers on their wings.

Jennifer and I have each been watching to see who can spot the first spring robin.
We shall let you know♥

To my sweet friend Jennifer:

A Friend:

A friend is one to whom one may pour out all the contents of one's heart, chaff and
grain together, knowing that teh gentlest of hands will take it and sift it,
keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

~Arabian Proverb♥