CATCH UP ON A SUMMER SUNDAY MORNING

Good morning and welcome to Sunday morning in my little corner of the world where life is sweet and kind.   The weather is hot and steamy - but this is Australia and this is summer.

It's been a busy summer and yet I don't seem to have done very much - my hand is healing very well and allowing me to do more things again - including driving the car which is a great joy to me.  It aches every now and then, but that serves as a reminder to not overdo things.

Another two weeks will see us in Australia at the end of our "official" summer and the start of Autumn - although March can still be very warm.  The hot days at that time of year are fewer and the cool changes always welcome.  It is hard to realize that time marches along at such a pace and six weeks will see us at Easter and three months of the year gone already.

My family are doing fine - very busy with their own lives and jobs.  My son in law damaged his back but it on the mend now and sadly said a final farewell to his Grandfather.  Younger daughter burned her fingers on the barbecue when the gas hose caught alight - but all is well there - lessons learned a a new barbecue on the shopping list.  They are just the normal things that families go through - little dramas in our lives.

My Celtic Thunder concert was a disappointment to me as I feel they have changed their style somewhat and there was not a lot of the beautiful haunting Celtic music I was hoping for - still I was able to go and be out in the world.  Had a nice dinner before hand and did a night time train trip home.  We had bought an extra ticket so that Narelle's Mum could come and I chose to sit in the single seat and met some lovely ladies who had traveled from Mount Gambier for the concert.  It is lovely to meet people who become "friends for just a few moments of the day".

I have done a few movies in January/February and loved being out - we have seen "Skyfall",  "The Hobbit", "Argo" and "Flight" and on my must do list is "Lincoln".   A hot afternoon in an air conditioned cinema with an ice cream and either Daniel Craig or Denzil Washington - what more could a girl ask for? 

We have had meals out and did enjoy a lovely afternoon with "High Tea" - scones, jam and cream, cakes etc.  - It was lovely.  

My little great niece turned 8 and has lots of toys so I bought her a "Cake Pop" maker to use with supervision - she was delighted.  I am not sure her Mother was quite so thrilled :) 

Life and my days are ordinary - and ordinary is wonderful - how I ached for, cried for and pleaded for ordinary days - and I am thankful that they are mine.

As always I am delighted and enthralled at the technology that brings my friends to me by message, sms, email and phone and I rejoice in the wonder of it all.

It is steamy early this morning but not too steamy for me to enjoy a lovely coffee as I write to you.   My hand is allowing me to type properly and I am planning on keeping a much better attendance record and sharing with you the Musings of My Heart.

Thank you for calling by and I wish you a wonderful Sunday - wherever you are - be it in the heat of summer or the depths of winter.  Be comfortable and safe and enjoy the company and presence of those you love around you.

I realize how truly blessed I am to be enjoying such good health and sign off now with a thankful heart.

Love and hugs,

TAKE TIME

Welcome to Sunday morning in my little corner of the world where the sun is shining and birds are singing and my heart is peaceful.    

I had dinner with friends "The Golden Girls" who understand and accept that sometimes I can't see out a long evening and drive me home when my energy sags and I need to sleep.   Thanks girls - dinner was great.

The day is moving on nicely and time for me to go to the Post Office to mail my weekly mail - which you know I enjoy very much, and while out I shall get some lunch and then sit in the sun and read a while.

Wherever you are in this beautiful world please take the time to enjoy the journey and be present to each moment.  You are making memories which will serve you well.

If it is Sunday for you - take a leisurely stroll through the day - walk in a garden, at the beach or just curl up with a book by a cozy fire ~ or if Saturday evening holds family times and celebrations for you - cherish the time, enjoy the people you celebrate with and enjoy the journey.

I had just had a lovely chat on the telephone with my elder daughter who is enjoying her Sunday at home with a good book by the fire. 

Life is sweet and beautiful and despite all the ugly things it is still a beautiful world - enjoy your journey through it and stop to smell the flowers, hold a small child's hand, walk by the river, by the ocean and breathe the air of life.

Today is INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE DAY and I share with you a picture of Cape Willoughby Lighthouse on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

and another Lighthouse at Cape Byron - most easterly point of Australia.

Enjoy your Sunday - and remember to let your little light shine.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of my heart as I dance through life with the daffodils and a joyful, thankful heart.

Love and hugs,

Linda

MUSING ON A SUNDAY EVENING

Welcome to Sunday evening in my little corner of the world - and the days just seem to be going by in a whirl ~ seems an eternity since I posted a blog message and I don't seem to have achieved much either.

I have had a very social few days - lunch out on Friday and then a movie on Saturday and dinner out and a big nap this afternoon - I am still in the running for the gold medal for napping.

I woke this morning to find this beautiful daffodil in full bloom and dancing on the breeze - truly beautiful and a certain herald of spring and if you look very closely you will see petals from the almond tree in the tub - along with the fairy and cherub keeping watch over the bulbs.

Spring stirs my soul - I find joy in the waking up of the world and the new life and blossoms - autumn is still my favourite time of year "Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness" John Keats ~ and I love the mellow days of sunshine and cool evenings.   I am very aware of the changing of the seasons and I think that it is because I am thankful to still be here to see each one.

This is a clip for the movie we saw on Saturday - very Australian and very interesting.

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/2237215793/The-Sapphires-Trailer

An interesting film which covers parts of the Vietnam War, politics and events that happened in Australia.   There were funny parts, sad parts and as usual I came analysing exactly what some parts had meant.

and this is the hotel where we had dinner

The Largs Pier Hotel 

It was lovely to be out and about and to enjoy the company of friends, but I got tired and came home early.

This is the joy that is mine days in the sun, people who love me, laughter and kindness in my life, those who share their time and their story with me and allow me to be part of the making of memories.

I took some time out today to write some letters on paper - good old fashioned "snail mail" and generally that isn't a term that could be used with mail from Australia to USA, but recently it took 115 days for two cards to arrive from East Coast USA - now THAT IS A LONG TIME.  Both the sender and I were delighted that they turned up at all - I have no idea where they have been but suspect that they could have traveled by sea mail and not air mail - slow boat to Australia.

I have friends on holiday this coming week and I am hoping for nice weather, good company and good food and that they will be able to make wonderful memories with family and friends.   I hope the fishing is good Raymond.

I have lots I want to do this week and will make a list and then enjoy crossing them off as they are achieved - I am heading in to clean the bathroom - so if I don't appear for a while someone best come and look for me - a job I never relish - but my new steam mop should make that a much easier job (I hope).

This says it all - and I should have a much better attitude to doing those sort of things, because I have lots of time to do them ~ but I am a dreamer, a writer and I get side tracked easily. hehehehe

Thank you for visiting the musings of this thankful heart on my Sunday evening - or whenever it is for you.

I hope the sun shines for you and you are able to find a quiet spot to unwind, relax, read, or take a nap during your Sunday.   Enjoy making wonderful memories each day and remember to be a little kinder because everyone you meet is carrying some sort of burden and you may be the only contact they have with people that day.   Let the sunshine of your smile warm some one's heart.   

Make that phone call, send that text,  send that photograph that you have been promising to send - pick some flowers, send some flowers - bake a cake or cookies for someone - just be loving, caring and kind.

Love and hugs,

Linda

SLEEPY SUNDAY -DINNER FOR THE FAMOUS FIVE

A beautiful handbag holder - special gift.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGbnua2kSa8

That's What Friends Are For - Dionne Warwick and friends

Good Morning and welcome to Sunday morning in my little corner of the world - all is peaceful and calm and I am a little sleepy after a night out with friends.  The weather here is cool and the paths are a little damp which indicates we have had rain overnight and we are forecast for more rain today - a good day to be inside, quite and catch up on some sleep or rest.

Last evening we had a girls night out to celebrate Ilona's birthday - Happy Birthday Ms. Swann, and her choice was a beautiful Chinese Restaurant at Glenelg.  "Lim's" has been operating for many years and has maintained the wonderful standard over all that time.  Pleasant staff, beautifully cooked and presented foods, laughter and fun.

We girls "The Famous Five" had a lovely evening and pictured above is a handbag holder that sits on the side of the table and holds a handbag - it wasn't my birthday but I received this lovely gift from Dianne (we all received one.) 

I was thoroughly spoiled all evening - Karen drove and picked me up and dropped me back at home.  

In the car driving to the restaurant Narelle gave me a beautiful bracelet (pictured below) - just for and because it is pink and I was quite overwhelmed.

Food was wonderful - steamed dim sims, satay, prawns, pork, salt and pepper chicken, and beautiful fried rice.  All washed down with a bottle of white wine from the Limestone Coast of South Australia and tonic water for me.

Dessert consisted of fried ice cream for me and of course a fortune cookie.

Half way through dinner I heard my name called and turned and was greeted with a lovely hug and welcome from Monnie - my hairdresser whose sister now runs the restaurant and Monnie was helping out.  She was delighted to see me and it really made my day to be greeted and welcomed so warmly. I was very pleased to meet her family and I felt very special.

Ilona was served her dessert with a sparkler burning in it and lovely music of course playing Happy Birthday - and then presented with a bottle of sparkling white wine.  She was so excited.  It was lovely to share laughter and friendship.

The "Famous Five" is a very diverse group of women friends from very different backgrounds who find common ground and celebrate life together.  We share lots of common interests and yet are so different - Karen is a golfer and Accountant, Narelle works in Finance and Dianne works in a separate department of the same Government Department as Narelle.  Ilona volunteers at Mary Potter Hospice and is very good at what she does.   I worked in Community Support until my transplant.  I am the only Mother in the group and we share movie afternoons, dinners, laughter and love.  Dianne gives the best hugs in the world and her smile lights up the room.  I am blessed indeed to be part of this group.

Ilona and I share the same love of books and exchange books often and Narelle and I do beading together.  Visits to the Garden Centre are great with this group.  The Birthday girl makes the best potato salad in the world.

We are all different and yet we mesh together so well - and define the true meaning of friendship.

Today Karen is golfing (what else would a girl do on a Sunday?)   I am resting and the other three are having an "in house" movie day watching the series of the "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who Played with Fire, and The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest." based on the Steig Larson Books.

I value the support these girls have given me - they are constantly aware that sometimes I just can't do things and they just accept it - "come when you can and leave when you must" is their philosophy and these are friendships I will always cherish.  I often feel eyes watching me to check that I am okay.

I hope that you are blessed to have a special friendship with a group or an individual - cherish the friendship, accept them with their faults and failures and nurture and nourish the friendship.    The older I get the more I value my women friends.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born."
- Anais Nin

I am thankful that these four friends arrived in my world and I hope you can share the joy of friendship as you spend your Sunday.

Take care - thanks for visiting and reading the "Musings from my Heart" - your visits are special to me.,

Love and hugs,

Linda.

SUNDAY, SUNSHINE AND SMILES.

Sunday Morning Sunrise in my sky this morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TWd3skb-Rw

Cat Stevens - Morning Has Broken

Good Morning  - and every morning is a good morning - I am alive and well and very aware of breathing in and breathing out.   Waking this Sunday morning warm and snuggled up in my bed made me aware of the fact that I had been asleep.

It is a beautiful winter morning and the sunrise was beautiful - (must have been great for any neighbours who were awake to see me out front with bed hair and in dressing gown with camera in hand.

I have always been a morning person and valued the time before the world woke from sleep and it is cherished even more since my transplant - I am aware that I have another new day to live and breath.

There were times when I was so ill and immediately after transplant that I was afraid to go to sleep - afraid that I wouldn't wake - not rational I know - but fear isn't rational.  Listening again to Cat Stevens singing "Morning has Broken" took me back to my childhood and singing that in School Choir but it is sweeter now to me than it ever was: -

"Morning has broken, like the first morning
blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rain's new fall, sunlit from heaven
Like the first dew fall, on the first grass
Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden
Sprung in completeness where his feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for them springing fresh from the word"

© Eleanor Farjeon

The words "Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning" are sweet and cherished and I do value each new morning and my thoughts are flying free this morning as I have just remembered something else I used to sing as a much younger person, but the words are even more valid now:-

New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life and power and thought.
New mercies, each returning day,

Cherish your Sunday when it arrives for you - cherish each morning and the fresh start is holds for you.

We can't change the past or undo things but we do have the chance to do things a little better on each new day.  Take the promise that comes with the morning and live life to the full, be a little kinder and share the joys that you feel in your heart.

I had a lovely dinner with two friends last night and it was a joy to sit and talk and remember things and share them.   We discussed lots of things and Narelle and I are going to do a full day course making some jewellery - I was a bit taken back that Narelle would want to come with me - taken back but delighted. So now we have to decide exactly which course and get it all booked up and then enjoy the anticipation.  

Just looking through the program for courses I have spotted another one that I may consider doing - "Knit yourself a Rainbow Scarf Shawl"   I am just so pleased to be able to be well enough to even consider these things again. 

I wish you all a wonderful Sunday and when sunset comes for you may you have a feeling of contentment in your heart that you have done your best and not wasted a beautiful Sunday.

Enjoy your family and friends, be well, be safe and be loved.   Thank you for visiting "The Musings of My Heart'

SWEET SATURDAY MORNING

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4p8qxGbpOk

The Beatles "All you Need is Love"

Welcome to sweet Saturday - a truly beautiful morning in my little corner of the world.  The sky is blue and the sun is shining.  We are forecast rain later in the day, but right now it is perfect - very cool, but bright and beautiful.

Last night we drove up into the Adelaide Hills for a birthday dinner celebration for Nick, and it was very beautiful to be driving through the winter mists and fogs.  It was like a gentle blanket wrapping itself around us and then suddenly the wind would whisk it away.

The celebration dinner was lovely and it was delightful to see Nick with his parents, his brother and his wife, John and me and our two girls and their partners.  There was lots of laughter and sharing of anecdotes and things that all of the kids had done which we parents really didn't know much about.  There were spilled drinks and a sharing of new happenings in all of our lives.  Toasts were made and Nick responded that he was very happy to be growing older with the people he has in his life.  So 40 has not been a drama for him.  Family times are very special and these extended ones particularly so. I didn't take the camera so have no photographs to share with you.  It wasn't a late night - but late enough to leave me tired and planning an early night tonight.

Tomorrow is the Annual Tissue and Organ Donor Thanksgiving service in the afternoon and I am looking forward to my family being there with me this year.

News from American tells me Crosby is now having the "heavy duty" immunosuppresent and this means he is not able to leave his room and is feeling rather sick and not sleeping well.   Please continue to hold this young man in your thoughts as he struggles on.

I haven't caught up with news on Tater but I do know that Ethan and his Mum are now able to drive back home to Florida  - please hold these three close.

There really isn't a lot of news from me - I am well and looking forward to tomorrow to be able to attend the thanksgiving service with those I love.  My heart is full and I am grateful for all I have and am and thank you for visiting today and reading "The Musings from My Heart."

Love and hugs,