SOLITUDE

“I have never found a companion that was so companionable as solitude.” 
Henry David Thoreau

Over the past seven years I have spent a considerable amount of time alone. My children have flown and my husband departed. This was new territory. I panicked at first, checking the locked doors multiple times and talking to my kids on the phone when there really wasn't anything to say. Eventually I settled in. I let go of the embarrassment that divorce brings, the feelings of failure and the endless looking back. Then one day I ran across a little book in a used bookstore. The title said,

It immediately became my mantra! I would go forward, I would break new trails. I felt a twinge of excitement.

My "aloneness" afforded me opportunities to see myself more clearly. I was no longer a wife or a mom with a mini van full of kids. There was a "new me"  inside somewhere. I had to decide... would the world break me or would I get strong? 

I started by doing the unthinkable...I went to "lunch" alone. Filling my plate at the salad bar in Jason's Deli, I tried to look nonchalant, and maybe a little mysteries. Inside I was horrified. I didn't want people to stare at me and think ..."Look at that lady, she's all alone, poor thing."
  

I picked a table and quietly began to eat, checking my phone multiple times so as to appear that at least I had contacts in the world. To my surprise no one was even looking at me. They were busy eating. I wasn't a spectacle, I was just a person who was hungry who had stopped to grab some lunch.

Next I took myself to the movies. That was fun. I bought a "kid size" popcorn and a big butterfinger and enjoyed the movie without someone talking in my ear. Hey... I was liking this. My journey continued as I navigated my way single handed through "check in" at the airport... that was hard, and as I learned that attending a social event "single" just required a smile and a willingness to reach out. I gained a sense of real autonomy. I was steering my own boat, course correcting along the way. 

As time passed I settled even more. Although there are plenty of moments in my life when family and friends are paramount, I have come to enjoy and value my solitude... quiet moments when I can reflect and sort things out.


I have had non-stop company for two months. It's always fun to fill the house with people and noise. Good conversation by the fire is my favorite way to spend an evening. When at last the clutter has been cleared and I've waved the last good-bye and hollered the last, "I love you" I shut the door and listen... its quiet!

In the solitude I meet myself again... and I'm great company.

AN EVENING WITH JAMES TAYLOR 

and 

THE MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR

double click on the image to enlarge the screen

Happy and Blessed Sunday

PETER BEATON STRAW HATS 

Darcy Creech owner

I've been snooping around for years, trying to find a summer hat that I will look good in. I discovered this darling shop on Nantucket. They are custom so I'm hoping they have one big enough for my head.  Now which one shall I buy?
508-228-8456

Peter Beaton got its start in 1989 when Darcy Creech wore a brimmed hat decorated with flowers to a party. Not only did she receive multiple compliments but people wanted one just like it. Completely inexperienced, her aunt told her about trade shows. There, the tradesmen connected her with the straw importers and they helped her locate her first hat blocker. Soon she was making hats for re-sale in department stores. She sent one to Hillary Clinton as a gift and to her surprise she was asked to make her a hat for the inauguration.

Six years later, while she and her seven year old son were visiting Nantucket, he suggested they move to the island. She packed up her life in Connecticut and did just that, opening her store and naming the business after him.

"Peter Beaton"

This is the handsome fellow for whom the store is named




Within four years Darcy had taken her passion and created a successful business, opening her doors in the Spring of 1996.

Because they design and make their own hats they promise...

Darcy Creech

"When you come to the store you are getting a personalized

experience, as each hat is custom fitted and custom trimmed, and comes in its own signature hat box to carry it in."

  


I love the label on their rain boots...

"Leave a trail worth following"

BOURTON-ON-THE-WATER   
The village and the model

Nestled in Gloucestershire, England is the small village of Bourton-on-the-Water. Its built along a slow moving river and is known for its outstanding natural beauty, drawing thousands of tourist each year.

In the mid 1930s five craftsmen began construction on a model that would replicate the village It was produced in a one-ninth scale and depicts the heart of the beautiful Cotswold area. This perfect reproduction took five years in the making and was opened for the Coronation of King George VI in 1937

The model sits by the running River Windrush as does the real village and includes the stone bridges for which Bourton is famous. 

Of special interest are the replicas of the two churches. They are accurate in every detail and if you get close you can hear music.

The model village is famous for their bonsai trees but recently they have added miniature deciduous and evergreen trees. 

As one who loves both architecture and miniatures, this was a delightful find. I swore I would never fly over the Atlantic Ocean again but I just might change my mind.  This I want to see in person!

TODAY IS GRADUATION! 

My youngest son is graduating with his Bachelors and his Master from

Brigham Young University

BYU Library

It's been five years of school with an LDS mission to the Philippines tucked in the middle, along with the marriage to his sweetheart and the birth of their first child. He's worked almost full time, used multiple scholarships, completed an internship with Microsoft and maintained a 3.90 GPA.

WAY TO GO MORGAN!

Congratulations!

 LIFE BEGAN IN A GARDEN...

  

The kiss of the sun for pardon,

The song of the birds for mirth,

One is nearer God's Heart in a garden,

Than anywhere else on earth

Dorothy Frances Blomfield Gurney

Frances Gurney was born October 4, 1858 outside London to parents who were both Anglican priests. When she married, she and her husband converted to Catholicism. 

Deeply religious, she spent her life writing poetry and hymns. Her best known poem (above) is entitled "God's Garden." It was inspired by Lord Ronald Gower's exquisite garden at Hammerfield Penshurst. 
 

AN ENGLISH GARDEN

FRANCES GURNEY

A handwritten copy of her poem (circa 1925) was discovered in a book on the Church of England's Liberal Evangelicals in 2010. These little lines have been copied, engraved and written on walls in gardens all over the world. 

 

I am looking forward to my annual "family yard work day" when all my children and grandchildren come to help. I just can't do it myself anymore. We will be planting some flowering cherry trees, some Oklahoma Redbuds and hopefully getting the veggies in the ground. It is such a reality check to grow your own food.  I love it!

Even as I'm typing, there is a pretty big storm howling outside and the heater just kicked on. Spring is so unpredictable!

I'M CRAZY FOR BORDER PRINTS!

I love this border print dress from Nordstrom. I would pair it with a light weight 3/4 sleeve black jacket and it would be perfect for summer. 

NORDSTROM.COM



Found this gorgeous skirt at Dillards. Keep it dressy with a soft orange underpinning and a well tailored jacket in beige. Throw in some gold bling and WOW! 

I see she's wearing her "kate" pumps. 

DILLARDS.COM








Also from Dillards, a perfect cool sleeveless blouse or underpinning. Wear it with white pants or your favorite pair of dark wash jeans. DILLARDS.COM



It's getting warmer... a reason to shop!

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