MY WISH FOR YOU - POSTED BEFORE BUT WORTH REPOSTING

 

"May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand.  

May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism.  

Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.  

May you discover enough goodness in others to believe in a world of peace.  

May a kind word, a reassuring touch and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them.  

Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.  

Teach love to those who hate, and let that love embrace you as you go out into the world.  

May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them.  

Remember, those whose lives you have touched and whose have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.  It is the content of the encounter that is more important than the form.  

May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.  

Find time each day to see beauty and love in the world around you.  

Realize that each person has limitless abilities, but each of us is different in our own way. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future.  

May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility.  

Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.  

May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgement of your accomplishments.  

May you always feel loved."

~ Sandra Sturtz Hauss~

PHOTOS FROM WILLIAMSBURG ON 4-25-25

I didn’t take as many photos on our short trip here. I was having problems with not being able to walk too far because of my knee issues. Gregg dropped us off not too far from this courtyard. The part of the street you see is blocked off to thru-traffic. There were no regular shops on my side as they ended at the road on my left, and to my right it was the start of the historical colonial homes. There were only two tables in use in this courtyard,  I was sitting on a wooden bench in an area all to myself.  It was relatively quiet in my tiny bubble (also where I was privileged to witness the bee swarm I mentioned in this post). I sent my family off to look around the shops, assuring them that I would enjoy my time in this one spot. I love to people watch, and dog watch! I had a great time and not too long afterwards, Gregg after much waiting and circling around, found his parking spot and joined me. We have the app on our phone that locates each other. This is how he found me. I could also follow him and could see how far away he was. It's comforting to know where we are located and is a big help at such times.

Below is a close-up picture of the dog in the above photo. Williamsburg is a very dog-friendly place. People are very responsible and take care of them. I have never seen anything untoward in all the time I have been visiting Williamsburg and all the dogs, I have seen at least, have all been very well behaved. 

We always took family and friends here when they visited us. 

Years ago we lived an hour away and now it is about three to three-and-a-half hours from home, depending on traffic.

In the photo below, on the right of the picture you can see a round piece of art on the brick wall on the right. I wrote about it before, and it shows it in better detail. That post you can find here.

Last dog for today. I loved that expression. I felt she was saying, "I've had enough of this. I would like to go home now and find a cool spot to lie in by the window so that I can watch the world go by, just like that lady over there.” Our eyes connected and we understood each other. 

One last look at the shopping area and...

as our family joined us, Gregg left to get the car again. He told us to walk up the road and turn left on another road. We were to walk to the end of that road where he would pick us up. One of the buildings had a figure of a sheep placed in a prominent spot. These usually show what is being sold inside. It is part of Williamsburg where you often see people walking around dressed in colonial costumes. To step inside these shops it would have been like stepping into the 1700s. We needed to purchase tickets at the visitor center for access. No one felt like it as the general consensus was that time was getting late, and we still had three-and-a-half hours on the road. We had already driven over three hours from the Outer Banks, where we had spent a very nice few days with my sister-in-law and her husband.

I found a plant outside one of the shops called Wax begonia.

This field of wildflowers took my interest for a while as we waited for Gregg.

The buttercups were everywhere...

and so were the dandelions.

The next one is Sweet vernal grass. 

Next you can see the trunk of a Black Walnut tree.

For some reason I took not the whole tree but the bottom and some of the branches and leaves further up. Everyone’s energy level was a little depleted by this time, or perhaps I was projecting. At this link you can see more info. 

If you click here you will find every post on Williamsburg that I have ever done in the lifetime of this blog. Too much to see in one sitting but if you see something of interest, it will give you a lot more information than I have shown today.

I am at end of our latest trip to Williamsburg. It was short but very enjoyable. I know we will be back there again one day.

I am including another collage above and the signature below, which I put together with the app on my iPad. I never get bored using them, and these clever apps make it so easy to do. 

Take good care of yourselves everyone.

THE CHEROKEE ROSE

These photos were taken in April 2025, when my niece visited with her partner and his daughter. I have shared a lot from their visit, as many of my regular blogging friends have seen. Today I am sharing this pretty flower taken in Williamsburg on our way back home, after visiting family in North Carolina.

It is called the Cherokee Rose, botanical name Rosa laevigata. You can find information from the link I have provided if you click on its name above. There I read that it "is a woody, deciduous, sprawling shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae), that is native to central and southern China to Vietnam and Taiwan. It was brought to the United States during colonial times and cultivated by the Cherokee." It is described as taking a lot of time and effort to cultivate these. "It is a fast-growing vine that will reach from 15 to 33 feet tall, and scramble over shrubs and trees for support."

"Plant in full sun to partial shade and moist soil. Water deeply and regularly, with a summer application of mulch helps retain moisture. Pruning should take place in the late winter."

It has a sad origin of its name and relates to the Trail of Tears. I won't add any more here but have added links in this paragraph for anyone who is curious about its history. The Legend of the Cherokee Rose can be found here. 

"The canes have numerous hooked prickles, glossy dark green leaves and showy, fragrant 2-4 inch single white flowers with yellow stamens that attract butterflies. Rose hips will follow." 

More information can be read if you click on its name in my second paragraph. Alternatively, you can do your own search. There is lots of information out there.

A MOTHER’S POEM ABOUT HER CHILDREN

I am in the middle of another post on Williamsburg and have been reading a lot on colonial times.  As often happens, I came across people unknown to me, such as Anne Bradstreet from 1612-1672, and her photo I found online. There is no connection to Williamsburg as far as I know, but I enjoyed this lady’s writings very much, and she lived in that time frame.  

One of my favorite things to do is read poetry, and when I recently learned of Anne Bradstreet, and that she was described as one of the most prominent early American poets, and the first writer in the American colonies to be published, I was intrigued.

I also read this description:  

"At a time when it was considered unacceptable for women to write, Anne rejected the prevailing ideas of women's inferiority.  She endured criticism, not for the quality of her work but that she, a woman, dared to write.  

"The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America” (1650), was her first volume of poetry, first published in London, and favorably received.  Published under the pseudonym "A Gentlewoman from Those Parts," this collection, like Ann Bradstreet's subsequent work, reflected the duties of a Puritan woman to God, home and family.  She did so skillfully, and occasionally allowed notes of cynicism to creep in - perhaps the only form of rebellion possible for a woman of her time.  For example: "I am obnoxious to each carping tongue that says my hand a needle better fits.""

This poem stood out for me.  It is long but one I thought very much worth my time.  I want to read it again and that's why I am sharing it here, and hopefully you will enjoy it also.  She uses birds as a metaphor for her children.  Another reason I was drawn to her poem.  It is dated June 23rd, 1659.

"I had eight birds hatched in one nest,

Four cocks there were, and hens the rest.

I nursed them up with pain and care,

Nor cost, nor labour did I spare,

Till at the last they felt their wing,

Mounted the trees, and learned to sing;

Chief of the brood then took his flight

To regions far and left me quite.

My mournful chirps I after send,

Till he return, or I do end:

Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire,

Fly back and sing amidst this choir.

My second bird did take her flight,

And with her mate flew out of sight;

Southward they both their course did bend,

And seasons twain they there did spend,

Till after blown by southern gales,

They norward steered with filled sails.

A prettier bird was no where seen,

Along the beach among the treen.

I have a third of color white,

On whom I placed no small delight;

Coupled with mate loving and true,

Hath also bid her dam adieu;

And where Aurora first appears,

She now hath perched to spend her years.

One to the academy flew

To chat among that learned crew;

Ambition moves still in his breast

That he might chant above the rest

Striving for more than to do well,

That nightingales he might excel.

My fifth, whose down is yet scarce gone,

Is 'mongst the shrubs and bushes flown,

And as his wings increase in strength,

On higher boughs he'll perch at length.

My other three still with me nest,

Until they're grown, then as the rest,

Or here or there they'll take their flight,

As is ordained, so shall they light.

If birds could weep, they would my tears

Let others know what are my fears

Lest this my brood some harm should catch,

And be surprised for want of watch,

Whilst pecking corn and void of care,

They fall un'wares in fowler's snare,

Or whilst on trees they sit and sing,

Some untoward boy at them do fling,

Or whilst allured with bell and glass,

The net be spread, and caught, alas.

Or lest by lime-twigs they be foiled,

Or by some greedy hawks be spoiled.

O would my young, ye saw my breast,

And knew what thoughts there sadly rest,

Great was my pain when I you fed,

Long did I keep you soft and warm,

And with my wings kept off all harm,

My cares are more and fears than ever,

My throbs such now as 'fore were never.

Alas, my birds, you wisdom want,

Of perils you are ignorant;

Oft times in grass, on trees, in flight,

Sore accidents on you may light.

O to your safety have an eye,

So happy may you live and die.

Meanwhile my days in tunes I'll spend

Till my weak lays with me shall end.

In shady woods I'll sit and sing,

And things that past to mind I'll bring.

Once young and pleasant, as are you,

But formers toys (no joys) adieu.

My age I will not once lament,

But sing, my time so near is spent.

And from the top bough take my flight

Into a country beyond sight,

Where old ones instantly grow young,

And there with seraphims set song;

No seasons cold, nor storms they see;

But spring lasts to eternity.

When each of you shall in your nest

Among your young ones take your rest,

In chirping language, oft them tell,

You had a dam that loved you well,

That did what could be done for young,

And nursed you up till you were strong,

And 'fore she once would let you fly,

She showed you joy and misery;

Taught what was good, and what was ill,

What would save life, and what would kill.

Thus gone, amongst you I may live,

And dead, yet speak, and counsel give:

Farewell, my birds, farewell adieu,

I happy am, if well with you."

That's quite a poem, with all the emotions a mother would have.  Though words were more poetic in those days, she has many of the feelings modern mothers have for their children and can identify with.  

You can read more about her life here.  

I am slowly getting through my photos from Williamsburg, as you can see.

Have a great day and