The Simple Woman’s Daybook – May

Hello Friend,

How good of you to stop by. Come on in and make yourself at home.

I’ve saved your favourite chair, right here by the window where we can watch the young robin who recently arrived in our back yard. Isn’t he a smart-looking fellow?

Since it’s the first Monday of the month, I am joining my writing friend, Brenda, and others who contribute to The Simple Woman’s Daybook. It’s a blending of slow and simple, yet thoughtful, prompts.

In keeping with the theme, our tea will be a simple one too. Snappy ginger thins, and tea served in my wedding china teacups. The pattern is Royal Doulton, Diana.

I have to admit, when I chose my china thirty-seven years ago the name was significant. Princess Diana was already all the rage, having been married to Prince Charles for two years, and I loved following her in news reports, magazines, and even books dedicated to the fashions she wore. That was the social media of the day. But of course, the name was only an alluring bonus to the pattern of the china, which I loved immediately upon seeing it.

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Are you comfortable? Let’s get to The Simple Woman’s Daybook, May edition.

For Today

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Looking out my window …

I’m sure you noticed, as you approached my door, how the green has popped on our front lawn. And, a few of the tulips I planted in the fall are bravely pushing through the dirt. See? I can hardly wait for them to bloom.

Across the cul de sac, our neighbours have new solar panels on their roof, and I do a double take every time I look in that direction. It took a whole week to install them.

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I am thinking …

of my mom who lost a dear sister this week. And of how she was unable to go to the small graveside service because of the current situation.

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I am thankful …

for sunshine and fair weather, and a cozy home when it’s cold and rainy outside, a comfy corner to lose myself in a book, and health and safety for all my family.

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One of my favorite things …

is this corner I’ve created with photos of our grandchildren. Each photo is a favourite shot of them, and the table on which they stand is my late grandma’s antique treadle sewing machine. Old and new, and a spread of five generations. I am reminded each time I walk past this corner that, just as Grandma’s sewing machine supports the photos of her great great grandchildren, her prayers for her family and future generations, while she lived, still support us and connect us to the past.

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I am creating …

intentional moments, with no multitasking. Just a moment to take in beauty and joy. I mentioned some of these in our May 1 visit. 

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I am reading …

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? [by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle] to my grandchildren via video-chat. It’s a favourite because every page has a small slide-open window. So fun as I hold up the slide-open window to the camera and say Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? I see …. and as I slowly slide the window open, the kids guess what’s behind the door … I see a red bird looking at me! There’s so much suspense as they push their faces closer to the screen to see what it could be. It’s delightful, but I’m so looking forward to the day when I can cuddle them as we read books together.

I’m also reading:

It’s Trevor Noah: Born a Crime – Stories from a South African Childhood (the Young Reader edition) by Trevor Noah

A Train in Winter – An extraordinary story of women, friendship and survival in WWII by Caroline Moorehead

A Light from Heaven (from the Mitford Series) by Jan Karon

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Before we carry on, let me top up your tea. Another ginger thin? There’s hardly anything to them, have a couple more.

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I am watching …

Seachange: an Australian series I found on Acorn TV. It was filmed in 1998! But what drew me to it was the main character – Sigrid Thornton – who played Jessica Harrison in Man From Snowy River, which debuted in 1982.

Some couples have a song. The Cowboy and I have a movie – Man From Snowy River. It had all the elements we loved – horseback riding, ranching, young love, adversity, courage, integrity, and Kirk Douglas. We watched Sigrid Thornton in another mini-series way back in the 80’s – All the Rivers Run – but I hadn’t seen her in anything since then. So, I guess I was drawn to it because of the tie to “our movie”.

In Seachange she plays a high society city lawyer whose life falls apart, and she moves herself and her children to a small seaside town where she becomes a magistrate. It is a lighthearted enjoyable show. Just perfect for the season we’re in.

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I am listening to …

the soundtrack to Foyle’s War.

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I am hoping …

to find more time for reading this week.

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I am learning …

to be gentle with myself in this season. As one friend mentioned, she has a lower reserve margin these days. For me, that’s it exactly. I’m learning that it’s okay if I can’t accomplish “all the things”. And it’s okay if some items on the list get pushed to the back burner until events right themselves. A new normal takes time to get used to, especially when it is always changing.

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In my kitchen …

Chicken soup on the stove and biscuits in the oven.

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In my garden …

The Cowboy is transforming our yard; trimming trees, power-washing and then staining the fence, installing wooden borders around flowerbeds. He’s a gardening machine.

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Post Script …

My writing friend, Brenda, has created a beautiful blog where she reminds us to look for glimpses of heaven in unexpected places. Give her a visit. I know you will feel right at home at It’s a Beautiful Life.

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Shared Quote

Sit with winners. The conversation is different.

Not sure where this quote originated, but I first heard it from Dr. Jody Carrington, Kids These Days

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A moment from my day …

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Closing Notes …

Thank you for visiting today, it was a pleasure to have you. Take care out there.

See you next time.

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Featured image of woman pouring from lemon teapot by Jill Wellington from Pixabay