Dear friends and followers of Sandra’s journey toward making the world a little more beautiful. She so loved writing and trying to inspire people to not only look, but to see the beauty around and to  share it with others. Oh, the hours she spent on each post. looking for the right quote and photo.

When she wrote this post, her health was failing, but her spirit kept blooming. Less than a year later, she was gone. I guess God needed her more than I did.

Nevertheless, this story is about her special love for beauty. She takes you on a spring tour of her beloved gardens and sprinkles in some amazing quotes.

Walk with her …and not only look…but see the beauty in her gardens, but also the beauty in your own life.

 Sandra, “I love you more.”

ENJOY!

 

“This magnetic pull toward beauty is an inclination most of us carry but too few of us acknowledge.  Even if we are aware of it, we seldom honor it as something planted in us for a purpose.” ~ Christie Purifoy

Iris ~ Cheryl’s Big Blue (Named for my dear friend who gave her to me.)

Good morning, dear friends.  As I write this (Saturday, 5-21) I am under blue skies, lovely warm temperatures, the window by my desk is open and the birds are singing, the peonies and lilacs are in bloom, and on a gentle breeze, the luscious fragrance of the garden drifts inside ~ all just for me.  Believe me when I say, “I am grateful for every sound, sight, and smell.”  This morning, I hope you will join me for a bit of a stroll in the garden.  You may want to find your coffee/tea before we go.

“I opened the large central window of my office room to its full on the fine early May morning. Then I stood for a few moments, breathing in the soft, warm air that was charged with the scent of white lilacs below.” ~ Angus Wilson

 

‘Madame Lemoine’, a French hybrid lilac.

“I cannot understand why my arm is not a lilac tree.” ~ Leonard Cohen

“Adults are content to walk the same way, hundreds of times, or thousands:  Perhaps it never occurs to adults to step off the paths.  To creep beneath rhododendrons, to find the spaces between fences.” ~ Neil Gaiman

It is Rhododendron time in these West Virginia Hills.  The rhododendron is our state flower and was a favorite of my mom’s.  Along the back of her garden, she had a stand of Canadian Hemlock Trees with native rhododendrons in front of them.  It was truly a magnificent sight.

This is a rather new beauty in our garden, which I believe was planted about three years ago.  This spring she has decided to ‘show off.’  Her name is ‘Bright Eyes.’

“May, and after a rainy spring We walk streets gallant with rhododendrons.” ~ Alicia Suskin Ostriker

“The immortality of Flowers must enrich our own. . .” ~ Emily Dickison, In a letter to Edward Tuckerman ~ Jan. 1874

This photo of the peony and delphinium made my heart sing.  The peony is ‘Faith Fenton.’  She is the most fragrant peony in the garden, plus she is a big girl.  Standing at least four feet tall.  The blooms on the delphinium are as tall as the peony.  I do believe it is because we have had a wet and cool spring. Plants have opened gradually and did not feel rushed.  No one likes to feel rushed.

An up-close photo of ‘Faith Fenton.’  She has a long vase life and does not drop her petals.

 

“And the wind upon its way whispered the boughs of May, And touched the nodding peony flowers to bid them waken. ~ Siegfried Sassoon

Most of our peonies are awake.  However, there are many still in the bud stage.   To avoid their feelings being hurt, I will share a few currently in bloom.  I have referred to peonies as “Queen of The Garden” for so long.  Honestly, I do not think they believe there are other flowers that compare to their beauty.  In all seriousness, in my mind, they are quite special. 

In the vase are, clematis~’Josephine, peony~’Command Performance(red),  ‘She’s My Star'(pink), Iris~’Black Knight,’ and Baptisia.  

Peony, ‘Chiffon Clouds.’

‘Chiffon Clouds’ is fully open and in a vase by herself.  Do notice the darker pink speckles on her petals.  God gave her special attention.

Peony, ‘Red Grace’ and my grandmother’s white ‘Chestine Gowdy,’ and Baptisia.

An assortment of pink ladies.  The iris is ‘Beverly Sills.”  She shows more color toward the peach side, where actually she is pink.

 

“My heart spasmed among the peonies like a trout.” ~ E. Lockhart

 

“Sacred spaces need not be perfect, but they cease to be sacred if no one cares for them” ~ Christie Purifoy

Amour,

Sandra

 

Images:  Michael S. Lambiotte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“This magnetic pull toward beauty is an inclination most of us carry but too few of us acknowledge.  Even if we are aware of it, we seldom honor it as something planted in us for a purpose.” ~ Christie Purifoy

Iris ~ Cheryl’s Big Blue (Named for my dear friend who gave her to me.)

Good morning, dear friends.  As I write this (Saturday, 5-21) I am under blue skies, lovely warm temperatures, the window by my desk is open and the birds are singing, the peonies and lilacs are in bloom, and on a gentle breeze, the luscious fragrance of the garden drifts inside ~ all just for me.  Believe me when I say, “I am grateful for every sound, sight, and smell.”  This morning, I hope you will join me for a bit of a stroll in the garden.  You may want to find your coffee/tea before we go.

“I opened the large central window of my office room to its full on the fine early May morning. Then I stood for a few moments, breathing in the soft, warm air that was charged with the scent of white lilacs below.” ~ Angus Wilson

 

‘Madame Lemoine’, a French hybrid lilac.

“I cannot understand why my arm is not a lilac tree.” ~ Leonard Cohen

“Adults are content to walk the same way, hundreds of times, or thousands:  Perhaps it never occurs to adults to step off the paths.  To creep beneath rhododendrons, to find the spaces between fences.” ~ Neil Gaiman

It is Rhododendron time in these West Virginia Hills.  The rhododendron is our state flower and was a favorite of my mom’s.  Along the back of her garden, she had a stand of Canadian Hemlock Trees with native rhododendrons in front of them.  It was truly a magnificent sight.

This is a rather new beauty in our garden, which I believe was planted about three years ago.  This spring she has decided to ‘show off.’  Her name is ‘Bright Eyes.’

“May, and after a rainy spring We walk streets gallant with rhododendrons.” ~ Alicia Suskin Ostriker

“The immortality of Flowers must enrich our own. . .” ~ Emily Dickison, In a letter to Edward Tuckerman ~ Jan. 1874

This photo of the peony and delphinium made my heart sing.  The peony is ‘Faith Fenton.’  She is the most fragrant peony in the garden, plus she is a big girl.  Standing at least four feet tall.  The blooms on the delphinium are as tall as the peony.  I do believe it is because we have had a wet and cool spring. Plants have opened gradually and did not feel rushed.  No one likes to feel rushed.

An up-close photo of ‘Faith Fenton.’  She has a long vase life and does not drop her petals.

 

“And the wind upon its way whispered the boughs of May, And touched the nodding peony flowers to bid them waken. ~ Siegfried Sassoon

Most of our peonies are awake.  However, there are many still in the bud stage.   To avoid their feelings being hurt, I will share a few currently in bloom.  I have referred to peonies as “Queen of The Garden” for so long.  Honestly, I do not think they believe there are other flowers that compare to their beauty.  In all seriousness, in my mind, they are quite special. 

In the vase are, clematis~’Josephine, peony~’Command Performance(red),  ‘She’s My Star'(pink), Iris~’Black Knight,’ and Baptisia.  

Peony, ‘Chiffon Clouds.’

‘Chiffon Clouds’ is fully open and in a vase by herself.  Do notice the darker pink speckles on her petals.  God gave her special attention.

Peony, ‘Red Grace’ and my grandmother’s white ‘Chestine Gowdy,’ and Baptisia.

An assortment of pink ladies.  The iris is ‘Beverly Sills.”  She shows more color toward the peach side, where actually she is pink.

 

“My heart spasmed among the peonies like a trout.” ~ E. Lockhart

 

“Sacred spaces need not be perfect, but they cease to be sacred if no one cares for them” ~ Christie Purifoy

Amour,

Sandra

 

Images:  Michael S. Lambiotte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I am going to try to pay attention to the spring. I am going to look around at all the flowers, and look up at the hectic trees. I am going to close my eyes and listen.” ~ Anne Lamott

 

Good morning, dear friends.  I want to thank those of you who left sweet comments last week on my blog post.  You are special friends and I appreciate each of you very much.  All went well with my eye surgery and hopefully, by next week, I should be back to normal.   

Does today find you with your  “eyes closed, listening to the sounds of spring, looking up at the hectic trees, paying attention, and not missing a thing?”  Certainly, I hope so.  Because spring is too dear to miss a sound or a bloom. 

Spring is a whimsical wanderer, blooming beauty along her path. ~ Angie Weiland-Crosby

While typing is still a bit of a challenge, I thought I would send you beautiful words and blooms.  Simply to send a little joy your way or inspire you to truly open your eyes to all the exquisite beauty of the garden world.  The magnificence is at every turn during spring.  You may discover it on a wee walk in your own neighborhood.  Just imagine, gorgeousness you have never noticed.

 

And now one knows what is behind that brick wall.

“Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.” ~ Bishop, Reginald Heber

“Flowers rewrite soil, water, and sunshine into petal’d poetry.” ~ Terri Guilemets

If a peony is not poetry, I can’t imagine what is.  I have adored them since I was a child and to me, they are the ‘Queen of the Garden.’

They are available in a wide variety of colors, and forms.  There are the singles (such as the one above), the Japanese, anemone, semi-double, bomb, and full double.  When I first began growing peonies (40 plus years ago), I was partial to the semi-double and full double.  Now, that has changed and they all steal my heart.

“The peony was unchaste, dishevelled as peonies must be, and at the height of its beauty.” ~ Robertson Davies

Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit.  Many thanks again, to all who left such lovely comments last week.  I will leave you with a few blooms from our garden that I cut this morning.  May they bring you joy!

Know I wish you and yours a wonderful day and a week full of beauty and blue skies.  Be well.

 Look closely out of the window and you will see the rhododendron just opening.

 

“Open the bloom of your heart and become a gift of beauty to the world.” ~ Bryant McGill

Amour,

Sandra

 

Images:  Tumblr and M.S. Lambiotte

 

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” ~ Leo Tolstoy

Good morning, dear friends.  Thank you so much for your visit and I do hope this finds you enjoying lovely spring days.  

Perhaps, you may have noticed that I am not as quick to comment on your blogs or answer your lovely comments on mine, as I once was.  There is a reason for that ~ I have recently had two cataract surgeries.  The first surgery went well,  as did this last one.   However, after this last surgery, I cannot use my glasses, so reading and typing are difficult.  I won’t have new glasses for a few weeks, so I will try and be a good girl and do all the doctor tells me to do.  And, by the way, I am so very fortunate for my wonderful doctor and our little hospital that is more like a spa.

Things do change in our lives ~ don’t they?    For most of my life, I have been a ‘slow learner.’  By that I mean, I usually go until I drop and perhaps the issue with my eyes was no different.  God knows me and He knows sometimes He has to intervene and place something in my path that  makes me stop for a while and simply ‘just be.’  Thankfully, I see extremely well at a distance.  The colors of my tree peonies seem more vivid than I remember and I can’t wait for the others to bloom.  The weather has been so cool, most are still in tight bud.  I will send photos as they open.

Dear friends, know I wish you and yours a beautiful day.  

And. . .

May your week ahead be full of dazzling spring days.

And. . .

Hopefully, I will be back to normal soon.  Be well and many blessings!

ps.  Many thanks to Rita, Bonnie, Penny, Judee, Jeanie, Pam, Dewena, and Lorrie for your lovely comments on my post last week. 

 

 

“Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words.  They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all for their beauty, though few can begin to capture even fragments of their meaning.” ~ Lydia Maria Child

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

 

 

Images: Tumblr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“All things seem possible in May” ~ Edwin Way Teale

Good morning, dear friends.  As I write this on the last day of April 2022,  I think of how fortunate I am to be sitting in my little corner of the world, with the window open and listening to the local bird orchestra playing their tunes.  Our Carolina Jasmine is in full bloom and the fragrance drifting through the open window is divine.  Yes, May is a real joy.  And, truly Edwin Teale spoke true words. “All things do seem possible in May” ~ don’t they?

“The spring is fresh and fearless And every leaf is new, the world is brimmed with moonlight, The lilac brimmed with dew.

Here in the moving shadows, I catch my breath and sing.  My heart is fresh and fearless and overbrimmed with spring.” ~ Sara Teasdale

May is a sure sign spring has arrived or at least is moving fast toward all corners of our land.  May does offer so much hope ~ new life, new blooms, beautiful green fields, and blue, blue skies.  Gorgeousness lies at every turn, and is a feast for one’s eyes.

“. . .as I wandered the forest, the green leaves among, I heard a wildflower singing a song. . .” ~ William Blake

 

And if it wasn’t the wildflowers that were singing, perhaps it was this pair of sweet baby bluebirds.  Anxious to see what the world has to offer.

“The foxglove, with it’s stately bells of purple, shall adorn thy dells.” ~ David Macbeth Moir

Foxgloves are a favorite of mine and Mike is especially fond of them.  He lets them go to seed and scatter their seeds where they like.  Then, on a cool late summer morning, he transplants the new little plants to a spot of his liking and takes good care of them until the fall rains.  When May arrives they reward him for his work. He so enjoys watching a bumble bee disappear deep into their trumpets.  I love their freckles.  

And then, along comes the lilacs.  Many years ago, Mike gave me a vintage piece of needlework that said, “You will know it is here or getting near when the lilacs bloom.”  The author was not mentioned but the words are true, at least they are true in West Virginia, where one has learned to place a bit of faith in old garden legends.  

“Now that lilacs are in bloom She has a bowl of lilacs in her room And twists one in her fingers while she talks.”  ~ T. S. Eliot 

“When April steps aside for May, Like diamonds all the raindrops glisten; Fresh violets open every day:  To some new bird each hour, we listen. ”  ~ Lucy Larcom

Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit.  May this glorious month of May provide you and yours with dazzling beauty and great joy.  

And…

I wish you days full of magnificent blue skies, sunshine, and many reasons to “hold your breath.”  Be well!

Violet tree peony, Shimadaijin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“. . .Beauty is life-giving and creativity is our birthright ~ and we need these things now more than ever.  They stir our souls and transport us to a place where we, if only for an hour or even a moment, transcend the mire and muck of this fallen world.” ~ Margot Shaw, Editor-In-Chief, Flower

Paeonia (Peony) ~ Raspberry Sunday.  She is about to bloom in our garden.

Good morning, dear friends.  Perhaps you tire of me saying, “I hope this finds you under blue skies.” However, that is truly my wish for all of us ~ every day.  Honestly, I can’t think of a better beginning to any day than to peek outside and see a blue sky. 

My opening quote is from Margot Shaw, Editor-In-Chief of Flower.  The quote is from her column named, The Watering Can.  Her writing is always cheerful, inspiring, and informative.  Should you not be familiar with this publication, I urge you to purchase a copy and then subscribe.  You won’t be disappointed.

“Beauty is a wonderful tapestry embroidered by the many single threads woven together by the unspeakable tender hand of God.” ~ Joseph Jacson K.

Mary Oliver tells us, “It is a serious thing just to be alive on this fresh morning in this broken world.”  Such true, true words.  However, despite the brokenness, there is breathtaking beauty just waiting for us to admire and appreciate. We need to bask in the beauty, it is a balm for our hearts and souls.

“My garden is my most beautiful work of art.”  ~ Claude Monet

I would like to share something I deem quite lovely.  I do hope you will take a few moments to relax and enjoy it, and carry away something you love. It is not long,  although, I believe it is long on inspiration and beauty.  Perhaps, you will be dazzled by the beauty and find enchanting inspiration.  Visit Here.

While many of you have had the extraordinary pleasure of visiting Giverny, I know many have not ~ myself included.  Claude Monet is one of my favorite artists and his garden design knowledge and plant knowledge were truly amazing.  A gifted soul, who continues to inspire and uplift so many.  

“Every day I discover more and more beautiful things. It’s enough to drive one mad. I have such a desire to do everything, my head is bursting with it.” ~ Claude Monet

Dear friends, know I appreciate your visit and I hope you enjoyed your virtual visit to Giverny.  It is my wish that your visit to his gardens was inspiring and a lovely beginning to your day.

Know I wish you and yours a happy and peaceful day.

And. . .

May you find your “Inspiration in Bloom.”  Be well.

 

Amour,

Sandra

“Just when I think I am losing my faith and optimism, Just when I think the world has gone utterly insane, Beauty in her majestic manner, intercedes, …And, with her restorative grace,  resurrects my hope for tomorrow.” ~ unknown

 

 

Images:  Tumblr and Pinterest

Information on Monet’s Gardens from, My French Country Home Magazine.

Video ~ YouTube

“The very first Easter taught us this: that life never ends and love never dies.” ~ Kate McGahan

Good morning, dear friends.  I hope this holy day finds you under blue skies and surrounded by those you love.  To me, Easter is such a glorious day.  A time to celebrate the season of hope and renewal.  Blooms abound, as does new life.  And, there are mysteries to celebrate too.  Mysteries we don’t understand and perhaps, we must wait for our explanation.  However, I do know one day we will see and understand.

 “Mysteries, Yes” ~ Mary Oliver

If you have never held a newborn lamb, I urge you to find a farm and ask to see the babies.  Anyone who has been through a successful lambing season is always proud to show off the precious ones.  They are so sweet, love to be held, and nibble about your face.  They enjoy nuzzling in your hair or smelling whiskers or a beard.

“It’s not just in the air.  Spring is in the light.  There’s a different light in March and April.  It’s in the grass, leaves, and flowers.  It’s in the birdsong and baaa of baby lambs.  Mostly though, spring blooms in my heart.” ~ Toni Sorenson

“There is something of the marvelous in all things of nature.” ~  Aristotle

To be adopted by a wild bunny makes one feel as though they have been chosen by a divine and loving source to enjoy a unique gift of nature.    We had such a gift a couple of springs ago.  A delightful bunny would come to visit when I called him.  He would sit on the patio with me and check out the blooms when I was weeding.  His name was Buggs.  The following spring she returned with her babies and we name her Blossom.

“For I remember it is Easter morn, and life and love and peace are all new born.” ~ Alice Freeman Palmer

 

Dear friends, thank you for your visit.  Know I wish you and yours a beautiful and peaceful Easter Sunday.

And. . .

In our torn and ragged world,  May “peace be new born.”

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

 

Images:  Tumblr and Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Good morning, dear friends.  My thoughts this morning are with the Ukrainian people, as they are every morning and all throughout the day.  Each morning, I sit with Mike in our safe, warm, and sweet kitchen and ask, “Did anything dreadful occur through the night?”  He rises before I do, checks the news, and usually always has the answer.

I have thought about my precious mom and grandmother so much these past few weeks.   As much as I would appreciate hearing their wisdom, I am thankful they are not here to see the current evil and horrific, barbaric destruction of another madman, this time in Ukraine.  Both my mom and grandmother lived through wars and dreadful times, so they well understand evil. However, this time it seems unbearable because we hear it every day from journalists scattered around the world and our communication is immediate. Also, we live under the looming fear of gruesome nuclear destruction should we try and put an immediate end to the brutality.

When I was about ten years old, I remember my grandmother talking about something she thought was evil.  I replied, “I don’t believe in evil.”  And, she said, “Honey, unfortunately, if you live long enough you will.”  She was certainly correct.  When I think there is nothing worse the Ukrainian people will witness ~ it seems as though they do.  However, throughout this war, we have been exposed to something beautiful, unlike anything I have seen in my life ~ the Ukrainian’s unfathomable strength.

“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” ~  Bob Marley

The Carpathian Mountains in western Ukraine

 

To me, being strong is the only choice for the Ukrainians.  They do not want their lives and the lives of their children and grandchildren to be under the rule of a dictator ~ who would?  I pray their strength will endure to the end and I pray our leaders will make sound and timely decisions, oh, how I pray.

 

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.”
~ J.R.R. Tolkien

The Ukrainian people have a will that is gold and its light glitters and sparkles for the world to see.   And in the end,  once again, “the crownless will be king.” 

“Either we all live in a decent world, or nobody does.” ~ George Orwell

Dear friends, in closing I believe we all should have a world where, without fear,  children can walk to their special friend’s home and hand them a bouquet from their mom’s garden.  Lemonade stands will flourish, little ones can jump rope and ride bicycles and neighborhoods will once again overflow with giggles.   Perhaps, “from the ashes a fire will be woken” ~ in all of us.

 

Know I wish you and yours a most beautiful and peaceful Palm Sunday.

Amour,

Sandra

 

“Remember that all through history, there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall.  Always.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

Images: Tumblr and Pinterest

Bluebell wood in Beverley, Yorkshire, England

Good morning, dear friends.  I hope this finds you well and under blue skies.  We are having a few April showers today, but I do know that as April unfolds, she will bring us magnificent beauty ~ she always does. 

While on my weekly journey through my volumes of quotes and poems, I realized there was a significant amount of words written about the month of April.  Some transported me to the enchanted place of which they spoke and yet, others, the writer was almost cruel to this wondrous month. Evidently, April was not a month that appealed to everyone.  Of course, I selected the words of beauty and I hope they will transport you to lovely places, remind you of precious moments, and inspire you to relish the days of this glorious month. 

“Of all the months that fill the year, Give April’s month to me, For Earth and Sky are then so filled With sweet variety!” ~  Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802-1838)

“April’s Charms”  by, William Henry Davies

“When April scatters charms of Primrose gold
Among the copper leaves in thickets old,
And singing Skylarks from the meadows rise,
To twinkle like black stars in sunny skies;

When I can hear the small Woodpecker ring
Time on a tree for all the birds that sing;
And hear the pleasant Cuckoo, loud and long ~
The simple bird that thinks two notes a song.”

In past years, I was never a fan of the Primrose.  I found their leaves to be scratchy and their bloom not outstanding.  However, like many other things that change as we grow older, I have become quite fond of them.  To me, they are a lovely harbinger of spring.

“Today has been a day dropped out of June into April.” ~ L.M. Montgomery

 

 

 I know you can smell them.

“In the first week of April, the weather turned suddenly unseasonably, insistently lovely. The sky was blue, the air warm and windless, and the sun beamed on the muddy ground with all the sweet impatience of June.” ~ Donna Tartt

In closing, dear friends, know I appreciate your visit so much and wish you and yours a beautiful day.    

And. . .

For you, may the month of April be “warm and blue.”

A gift from me to you ~ enjoy!

“Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” ~ E. B. White

 

Amour,

Sandra

 

 

Images: Tumblr and Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago; to take the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.” ~ Robert Kennedy

Good morning, dear friends.  As I write this, it is snowing and we have about two inches on the ground.  But, it is March and although I am ready to see spring in all her glory, there is such a peacefulness to the beauty of snow.  Its tranquility seems to make the world stop and breathe. if only for a moment.   To be calm.  Therefore, this post is about the gentle side of life.  Personally, I think it would benefit all of us if we could find what makes our own worlds more gentle.  It is my hope that such things will take root and let us begin to be a better, and certainly more loving world.  

“A gentle heart is tied with an easy thread.” ~ George Herber

Nature is the place that always manages to lift my spirits.  There never fails to be something to entertain me ~ squirrels doing their acrobatics, birds practicing their songs, or bunnies playing chase.  Nature is gentle and beautiful, it never fails me.

 

I love to watch Mr. Cardinal feed his lovely wife.  They mate for life and it is a pure joy to watch a pair enjoy themselves.

“ It is not the language of painters but the language of Nature that one should listen to. ” ~ Vincent Van Gogh

 

“No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle, and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.” ~ Alan Alda

Dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed your visit and perhaps your heart is a little lighter.  Know, I wish you and yours a wonderful day.

And. . .

In these difficult days, may we remember. . .

 

“. . .There is a crack, a crack in everything.  That’s how the Light gets in.” ~ Leonard Cohen

Amour,

Sandra

 

Images:  Tumblr