A FLOWER AND A POEM

My work is loving the world.

Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird - 

equal seekers of sweetness.

Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.

Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.

Are my boots old? Is my coat torn? 

Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me keep 

my mind on what matters, which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be

astonished.

The phoebe, the delphinium.

The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture,

which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,

which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart

and these body-clothes,

a mouth with which to give shouts of joy

to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,

telling them all, over and over, how it is

that we live forever.

The Messenger by Mary Oliver

 My favorite poet of all time.

The plant above is from my archives. It is the Giant Spider Lily. You can click on its name for more information.

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS - SUNDAY-3/29/26 TO SATURDAY-4/4/26

Just a note to tell you that this will be my last full-time weekly happenings. I will just do small snippets of what's going on in our lives every now and again. I hope you have enjoyed them but time to put the whole week to bed for a while, at least after this one.

I am starting late on my weekly happenings. But it's still from Sunday to Saturday. This week's weather forecast from Sunday 4-5-26 to Saturday 4-11-26.

Sunday, March 29th, 2026: a quiet day Nothing of note. The usual things around the house and finished a jigsaw puzzle in the evening. This is for the cat lovers. All the colors attracted me to choosing it, and the cat with the red and white fur fit in perfectly with its surroundings. He reminded me of my own dear cat when I was a little girl.

Monday, March 30th, 2026: we went up to BWI again to pick our son up. As we were leaving we saw a beautiful big cottontail run across my neighbor's yard. It has been so long since I saw one. Seemed an appropriate sighting this Easter week. We arrived half-an-hour-early and had settled in the hourly parking lot. 

I love the fact that we are able to track flights thanks to the airline's app. Son's plane landed ten minutes early. He texted us and was making his way to where we could pick him up outside of arrivals and told us the number of the door where he would be waiting. We didn't even have to wait as there he was. Another fun trip that got us out of our routine. We asked him when his next trip was. We enjoy volunteering for these drop-offs and pick-ups. 

In this photo son is driving home, Dad in the passenger seat, me in the back with my pillows and throws. We didn't have to leave as early this morning and were out the door at 3.00 a.m., again no traffic. I fell asleep going down and coming back, for 20 minutes or so each time. On the way back I woke up sensing the car had slowed down and was turning off the freeway. I knew we were still many miles away from home. Making our way into the drive-thru at another McDonalds, again for breakfast. They were both hungry. That was about 6.00 a.m. 

These were taken out of the back window when we were nearer his place. Never in too much of a daze to take photos and these came out not so bad.

The buildings were lit up like Christmas trees, and then there were the lights on the trees outside. The traffic was a little heavier but there were no delays and we were dropping him off soon after. The rest of the day was spent quietly. 

Tueday, March 31st, 2026: running a few non-important but necessary errands this afternoon.

Gregg and I didn't want to go straight home so we had a late lunch/earlyish dinner at the Bakery and Museum Company. It was on the way home and we pass right by it normally but this time when we checked, there were several parking spaces available. We were very surprised as it was getting close to dinnertime. For a few weeks now and every time we drove by, the parking lot was full with people waiting for a spot to open up. There are other stores there and they have claim to parking spaces in the front of their shops. Obviously, I agree with that as they need their customers too. Anyhow it was lovely to get in for a change. I have a thing about light fixtures and am automatically drawn to them, especially those hung from high ceilings.

Generally we are the oldest ones in there. We do notice these things and smile.

I normally have an all-day breakfast sandwich when I go there; scrambled egg, sausage patty with fresh spinach and sliced tomatoes. Potato chips on the side which I'm not too keen on but Gregg likes and I pass my plate over. He had his usual all-day breakfast; scrambled egg and cheese and that was it for him. 

We also brought home a cake for later, which is what we usually do at this place. So, not cutting out sugar entirely. It's a slow process and doing a lot better. Not huge pieces so that's a plus, and it was nice to have them for a tea that night. I sound like I am justifying and yes of course I am, it's a long road but already doing better.

I was taking a picture of my dear other half but saw later on looking at the photo on my laptop, that I had captured the jigsaw players I noticed when we left. They have a table set up for this pastime and there was a young couple making use of it, concentrating quite intently on the task. They looked like girlfriend/boyfriend in their teens, very sweet. Gregg also noticed that not only were we part of the elderly tribe, which for some reason we see the funny side of, but there were more women in there than men, by 90 percent. Some mothers with young children, students with their laptops out, and some just getting together for a chat.

The temperature got up to 84°F today, 29°C (?) It is the first day I have worn a summer dress. Felt lovely but with not the humidity that you get in the height of summer. Windows are all open at home and there is a slight breeze blowing the curtains.

Wednesday, April 1st, 2026: Happy First Day of the Month! 

We got up very early today as last night after looking at the weather, and finding out it was going to be a warm and sunny that morning, we drove to Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Mountains. We are thankful that we aren't that far away and it is always an easy drive. 

We were hoping to see deer and a few birds, but I think at that time they were safely tucked up in their beds. There weren't many people up there and we passed a few bicyclists getting a real work-out on those steep, winding roads. The trees all seemed to be bare of leaves, no doubt they will be catching up soon. 

When we got home, not 30 minutes later it started raining hard and it rained for the rest of the day.

I get fascinated with the pop-up pictures on my laptop, and thought this one was amazing. I know some of you have these pictures also. I tapped on the top right button, and it told me it was the Thiên Đường Cave in Vietnam. You can click on its name if you like, and it will give you more information. The last time I was in a cavern was at Luray Caverns here in Virginia, and that was when we first got married. I had never seen anything like it before. It's not that far away from where we were, about 20 miles or so.

Thursday, April 2nd, 2026: a day we didn't go out. The weather was cold compared to the start of the week. These high and low temperatures are a bit strange. We got in the kitchen and made the chickpea, feta and cucumber salad I shared yesterday. Also made roasted chicken thighs to go with it and Jasmine rice. The day went very quickly. Nothing else of note.

Friday, April 3rd, 2026: another quiet day but did have a lovely long chat on FaceTime with my brother-in-law on the other side of the pond. The three of us always finds lots to chat about.

Breakfast was a bowl of blackberries and blueberries with a spoonful of plain yogurt, and I got the idea of putting in a tablespoon of almond butter. Mixed it up and it made a delicious breakfast.

Dinner: Leftover chickpea and cucumber salad and mixed in leftover Jasmine rice and we also had one piece of chicken left. Cut that up and threw everything together. It made a very tasty meal and no fuss. 

Unless I write things down the day of, I can't remember what we ate and I'm trying to keep a record of it as hoping to cut down and surprise the doctor on my next visit. I can live in hope!

Saturday, April 4th, 2026: here we are and it is 7.00 p.m. Another day gone quickly. We drove to Green Spring Gardens in the late afternoon. But first we had another lovely long chat with my niece and her boyfriend. Lovely chatting with them both. She said it was a year ago that they were getting ready to come over here and spent Easter with us. A whole year already, where did that time go? 

After we put the phone down, off we went to the garden. It was a warm day, a little more humid, the first time I had felt it. I take along water and drank a whole flask while there. Lots of tulips and other spring flowers to take photos of. I had a great time looking at them all. I also took a photo of this cutie at the Moon Gate. Such a charmer! A bit far away but I like how he was framed. I was sitting on a bench at the time.

Quite a few people but not crowded by any means. There was a wedding photo session taking place and we joked that we didn't get an invite this time, remembering from last year the kindness of the family whose son invited us. We had been chatting at another bench not so far from this one. With all these colorful flowers, they would make a very picturesque backdrop.

Breakfast/brunch today was a ham and cheese sandwich on a multi-seed bagel, with a cup of blackberries on the side.

Dinner was a grazer as we like to say, and what we have in the fridge; three miniature stuffed grapevine leaves, the chickpea, feta, and cucumber salad, a couple of radishes and later, a banana and plain yogurt for dessert. 

It was a nice surprise when our son called up and said our dear d-in-l had been busy with extra services singing at the church this week, and leading up to Easter. He asked if we would like some company. It was really nice to have extra time with him these past few days, and he will be over again in the morning. 

Right after he left we went to bed and that's it for the latest weekly happenings.

Thank you for reading through to the end, and I wish you all a continued good week.

MONDAY MORNING RECIPE POST - CHICKPEA, FETA CUCUMBER SALAD

 We wanted a salad to go with our meal tonight. This fit with our idea of wanting something a bit different than the usual mixed greens. I have no complaint about mixed greens, just wanted to vary things a bit.

The recipe came from 'Thyme and Joy' hosted by Valerie, and the original recipe can be found here. Valerie's bio: "I am a trained natural foods chef ready to help you with meal prep. On Thyme & Joy I share kitchen tips and recipes that use the air fryer, instant pot, slow cooker and more, to make healthy food fast." I have been enjoying looking through Valerie's recipes and will make more of them as time goes on.

Chickpea, Feta and Cucumber Salad 

2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

8 ounces Feta Cheese

1/2 cup Red Onion, diced

1 piece English Cucumber, diced

1/2 cup olive or avocado oil

2 tablespoons Lemon Juice

1 tablespoon Lemon Zest

1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

1/4 cup fresh herbs:

chopped basil, dill, mint 

(optional)

1 teaspoon dried oregano 

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried parsley 

1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste

1/8 teaspoon black pepper, to taste

Make the red wine dressing by adding all of the ingredients to a mixing bowl (or mason jar) and whisking until fully combined.

Drain and rinse the chickpeas, fully removing as much moisture as possible, and pour them into the bowl with the dressing.

Add the diced cucumber, red onion, crumbled feta and fresh herbs, if using. Toss together until all ingredients are fully combined.

For best results chill covered in the fridge for at least two hours before serving. Enjoy!

We liked this a lot, very yummy.

We had no fresh herbs this time but will be sure to put them on the shopping list for the next, as we intend to make it again. Better still I am going to pop down to the garden center and buy seeds to grow them. We didn't miss them, I just like the idea of having fresh herbs.

There was a sweet red pepper in the fridge. I not only like how they taste, but I wanted to add a little more color.

Our sides were Jasmine rice and roasted chicken thighs. 

I sprinkled sesame seeds and then turmeric powder on top of the rice just to make it look less plain, a little white pepper too though it is hard to tell. You probably should see if you like the taste before you use the turmeric before trying it yourself. If anyone out there uses turmeric, I would enjoy knowing how you use it.  Always looking for ideas. 

Below is the full address to today's recipe, which I have added for those who prefer to copy and paste rather than use the link at the beginning.

https://thymeandjoy.com/chickpea-feta-cucumber-salad/

Thanks for dropping by, enjoy your day

and Bon Appetit!

HAPPY EASTER

SATURDAY MORNING AT THE BIRD FEEDER - TALKING ABOUT THE WEATHER?

Ah well now, Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) was the famous "Lady with the Lamp". She earned this nickname for her habit of making solitary rounds through the hospital wards at night, carrying a lantern to check on her patients. I am also dedicating this to all the nurses who take care of their patients' needs with endless kindness and patience. That is very important to those who are feeling very much under the weather. Thank you!

“Kind words do not cost much. 

Yet they accomplish much.”

~Blaise Pascal~

And that's how it goes on a Saturday Morning at the Birdfeeder. 

Thank you for visiting this week's flight of fancy.

I wish you all a very happy weekend.

For our international friends to translate the photos by using my

translation widget on my sidebar.

Photo 1: 

"It's so dark here."   

"She of the house says it is wacky weather!"

Photo 2: 

"That's better!"

"They are going to be calling her the Lady of the Lamp next."

"Who would that be?"

Photo 3:

"Do you knit? I am cold!"

Photo 4:

"Thank you!"

"Did you bring the birdseed?"

FROM THE ARCHIVES - LAST OF THE STATUES FROM THE SEWARD JOHNSON EXHIBIT WE SAW BACK IN JANUARY 2014

McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach, Florida, was incredible. One of the prettiest, tropical gardens I have ever seen. 

The following are the last of the statues that I will be sharing. There were probably ones missed but I think we saw most of them. The links still work but the exhibition is obviously different (the present one at the time of writing is called "Florigami in the Garden". If we were in that vicinity, I know we would enjoy seeing it. The garden is celebrating its centennial. 

The following is what I wrote for a post published on my old blog I (now closed) in March 2014. There may be other things out of date also.

    

"Today I am sharing several sculptures from the garden.  There are more statues today, it will be longer than usual. Apart from the one at the bottom, these will be more present-day pieces. You can follow this link to Seward Johnson's website.

"Best Seller" shows a man who has fallen asleep in an Adirondack chair.  I read that when this sculpture was placed in another exhibition in a park, someone dialed 911 thinking that the man had stayed still for far too long and was worried that he was ill.

"Midstream"
This 'fisherman' is actually wading in their famous lily pond.

"Getting Involved" shows a grandmother knitting....

and on the bench next to her, the reason is clearly shown.

"Out of Sight"

"Summer Thinking"

"Photo Shoot"

"Follow the Leader"

"Shaping Up"

This one is called "Follow Me" and is inspired by Edouard Manet's painting, "The Fifer" painted in 1866.  To find out more you can go to this link."

That's all of them. I will be sharing a couple of posts about the garden and its tropical surroundings eventually. I have enjoyed revisiting and I hope you have also.

Thank you for visiting and for those who have the time to comment, very much appreciated. I hope your day is going well.