Two poems, two photos

I'm nearing the end of this huge paperwork sort out and throw out that I've been having. Well, it seems huge to me! All sorts of things have been muddled up together, no rhyme or reason to it. Amongst all the scraps I came across these two poems, one scribbled down from somewhere, the other torn from a magazine. I thought I'd share them.

What's in a smile?

A smile costs nothing, but gives so much.
It enriches those who receive,
Without making poorer those who give.
It takes but a moment,
Yet the memory of it may last forever.
A smile creates happiness in the home,
Fosters goodwill in business,
And is the sign of friendship.
It brings rest to the weary,
Cheer to the discouraged,
Sunshine to the sad,
And is nature's best antidote to trouble.
Yet a smile cannot be bought, begged,
Borrrowed or stolen;
For it is something of no value to anyone,
Unless it is given away.
Some people are too tired to give you a smile.
Give them one of yours.
No one needs a smile so much
As he who has none to give.

Anonymous


I will not die an unlived life

I will not die an unlived life
I will not live in fear
of falling or catching fire.
I choose to inhabit my days,
to allow my living to open to me,
to make me less afraid,
more accessible,
to loosen my heart
until it becomes a wing,
a torch, a promise.
I choose to risk my significance;
to live so that which came to me as seed
goes to the next as blossom
and that which came to me as blossom,
goes on as fruit.

Dawna Markova

Both different, both inspiring, both a gentle reminder. I hope you like them.

************************

The weekend bought sun, glorious sun, and so I walked up on the moor. You can just about see St Michael's Mount here, out in the bay, on its rocky outcrop.

This photo shows how all our trees go for the windswept look. Compared to other counties, Cornwall has a distinct lack of trees, and those that do survive usually have a raggedy lopsided appearance.


It's time for some crafting, I've missed it. Just a few loose ends to tie up with all that paperwork, so maybe at the weekend. A bag, perhaps?

Heaven Scent

Three hyacinth bulbs are filling my house with their delicious, heady perfume.


The fragrance lingers in every room, wafting, clinging, surrounding me.....I love it!

A Winner!

A wonderful surprise......I've been lucky enough to have my name drawn from the hat for a book giveaway on Rhonda's wonderful blog - Down to Earth. The book is called Choosing Eden by Adrienne Langman, and is her story of leaving a comfortable life in the city for a rural farm and simple, sustainable lifestyle.

Thank you Rhonda, I'm looking forward to a good read......and watch this space, too, as when I've finished there will be a giveaway to pass it on to its next home.

Some colour's needed!

I'm still wading through paperwork here, and will be so relieved to get right up to date. Nearly there. Sort of! So nothing much else is going on, same old stuff, and same old grey dreary damp weather outside. Time I think for some diversionary tactics to brighten these days.

Here's some more of my fabric goodies from my sister - the red/magenta palette. And there's still more, too!


These hotter colours tie in with these anemones I bought yesterday. Even better, they're locally grown and are abundant down here in the damp cornish climate.



Their gorgeous bright colours are echoed in this 'Parrot Tulip' fabric (by Sanderson), part of the gift from G. Can't wait to use it - I'll definitely make some sort of bag. Not long now til tulips will be nudging through outside, too.


It has been said that here in Cornwall winter only lasts for six weeks, usually January into February, as that is the only time temperatures are considered to be cold enough that we can actually call it winter! So spring beckons...just around the corner.

Absent

Goodness, two weeks have flown by since I last posted. I hadn't intended to be so slack, but have been absorbed by other things. No sooner had I come home after the christmas festivities, than I was off again...back 'up country' (as we say down here in the far south west) for a party to celebrate my Uncle's 80th Birthday, which was great fun.

I did come home with a vast new fabric stash, courtesy of my sister (thanks a million, G) who had a bit of a clearout of her workroom. This is only a small selection.....


And a bit more detail here - I love these aqua seaside colours....


I have two large bin bags full, and most of the fabric is furnishing weight, so will be great for bags and cushions and more....I need some ideas! Aside from this, nothing much has been happening (except in my head!), which is partly why I haven't blogged. I am distracted by the need to do my accounts and file my tax return, the deadline is marching ever closer. And I am procrastinating, it's my middle name. Other things seem far more interesting...like clearing the clutter that has accumulated in piles around me. Making space, both physically and mentally, for new things, for more creativity. Still, I always respond to a deadline, So I know I'll get there!!

The days have also been gloomy, grey and wet. Very, very wet, so this little glimpse of sunshine on the sea was very welcome yesterday. It didn't last, but it was enough to lift the spirits.


I'm also distracted by all the blogging everyone else is doing, lots of exciting things here, there and everywhere!

An Ending...and a Beginning

Goodbye 2007, Welcome 2008
How I love this time of year - after the rush and frenetic activity of christmas, a little peace, and all the potential a new year brings. I'm not sorry to be leaving 2007 behind, it's been a very difficult and challenging time, more than I ever could have imagined. So the turning of the year brings the opportunity to start afresh, to re-assess, a clean slate.

Time to reflect and leave behind what doesn't work, what clutters up my life, and move forward and embrace new things as well as familiar things with a renewed sense of purpose and energy. Rhonda wrote a couple of weeks ago about an effective way of embracing the new year and living more consciously. She really summed it up. Go take a look.

And for today, a new year walk on the beach beckons.
May 2008 bring all you could wish for and more. Happy New Year!