My Hero!

My youngest graduated this weekend.
How is this possible?
Where did the years go?
Such a full heart - to many feelings to put into words.

As usual, there is a song to express it perfectly.

To paraphrase the ballad in "Fiddler on the Roof" -

When did he get to be a hero?
When did he grown to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when he was small?

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze ....

What a life!

Do you think the Universe would allow me to come back as one of my daughter's cats?

Garden of the Gods

My darling daughter gave me the sweetest statue for Mother's day, and perched atop a column I've had for ages (Never throw anything out!), he makes me smile while I wash the dishes. The uncontrolled exhuberance of white blossoms and sweet fragrance of the honeysuckle fill my garden with beauty and wonder - and I am so grateful to be in Georgia. I was told you could plant a toothpick here, and it would grow. I believe it now.

When my dad was here from South Africa, he pruned the two rose bushes outside my lounge window. Actually, "pruning" is not the term I would have used - the once straggly, unkempt but still recognizable bushes ended up looking like kindling for a fire. But look at them now! There are more than 20 buds on the two bushes and every time I look out the window, I am filled with joy, and gratitude for a wonderful man who took me in when I was only four, and loved me as his own.
Thank you, Daddy.

Tea with a friend

My dearest new friend, Jennifer, invited me to tea.

By the time I left, I felt as if I had been feted and honored at an intimate, elegant gala event, where, for a few too-short hours, I was the center of attention. From the silver tray set just for me to the record player filling the candle-scented air with Chopin, I moved through the Universe of Jennifer cannily disguised as a suburban home, and marveled at her skill in creating vintage luxe on a Goodwill budget.

Her unique view of the world and its occupants can be shared through her photographs. Her blog is redolent with pictures that move your spirit and invite you in. She was kind enough to take a few of me to use on my soon-to-be-revamped website and I am so grateful that she has agreed to capture my daughter's wedding. (Best I take advantage of our friendship before she moves into the Annie Liebowitz league!)

This is my favorite photo - taken in her kitchen, on a memorable day.
Thank you, Jen. You make me feel beautiful, special and admired - and that's a gift.

Curiosity Spooked the Cat

Sitting in my livingroom, I hear the cat hissing. Investigation reveals this little guy, calmly sitting inside the kitchen door, scooping catfood into his mouth.
To preserve whatever dignity the twice-as-large, cowardly cat had left, I closed the kitchen door.
But how can you resist those eyes?

Coffee thoughts

We sit here, my laptop and I, at a small table in my local independent coffee shop, and try to look like those millionaires we've heard that run their empires on the free WiFi from such establishments.

My coffee's cold; I've squandered half my allotted time; and I only have an empty Inbox to show for it.

Just how do I step out from reading to doing?

Spring Fever is coursing though my veins. I'm aching to grow and move and DO. So why do I feel like I'm wading though molasses?

Sunday, sweet Sunday

My absolute favorite day of the week.

Which is odd, considering that I probably do more work on this day than any other. For one thing, it's tradition in our house to begin the day with a full English Breakfast, which takes an hour to prepare and twice as long to enjoy. (See the toast-rack in the picture - I got mine at Harrods!)

How I relish these quiet, soul-balming moments when everyone's home and the house seems to embrace us all in a warm hug. There's something comforting, and restorative about having nothing planned; just puttering about a home that you love; washing this; dusting that; with lots of breaks in between to snuggle on the couch with the Center of My Universe and a hot cup of tea to watch tennis or baseball.

Life is good.