Do I have Depression?

Ahh! I look at the spring photos posted here and long for those cool days. I am sequestered in my air conditioned bedroom refusing to venture out in the 94 degree heat and miserable humidity. Also my car is in the shop - taken there for a hopefully minor repair only to find that I will be out $700 when they finish some  "necessary" replacement of some timing thing.

Not sure if it is the heat or the isolation but I must cheer up. Hope I am needed soon for some Rory care.

Bartram's Garden

There is a lovely and surprising garden located behind "the projects" of West Philadelphia. Bartram's Garden is an oasis of gardens, woodland walks, and buildings dating to the early 1700's. We didn't go to Longwood Gardens but with a one year old in tow my son suggested the much closer Bartram's Garden.

It was my first visit and a delightful place. It is the oldest living botanic garden in America. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington all visited.

Longwood Gardens

Am I longing for the gardens? I google mapped them and it is an hour's drive from here. It is on my to do list. Last week I made a nostalgic trip to Villa Joseph Marie, my high school. My first time back in over 40 years. Yikes!

Quote for the day!

What a great rainy day to stay in and read. I'm halfway finished a charming book How Clarissa Burden Learned to Fly by Connie May Flower. It is very rural and Florida in mood and tempo. Just right to appreciate being able to stay in on a cool New Jersey spring day.

Fearful that when I finished it I would not have another book in hand I made a quick trip to the public library and checked out The Saints' Guide to Happiness by Robert Ellsberg.  I saw it mentioned somewhere on the web. Just  to make sure rainy days and Tuesdays don't get me down I skimmed through the chapter, Listening  to Sit Still.

This I like: "Quiet places are becoming ever more scarce. But it is not enough to escape the noise of the world. There is still the matter of our own inner noise. Even when it is quiet outdoors, we are filled with the internal voices and alarms, reminding us what needs to be done, what we have done poorly, what has been done to us in the past. These voices incessantly distract us from the time and place--here and now-- where we actually exist.   ....... Yet if we  are constantly living in the past or preparing to live in the future, how can we be sure that we are ever truly alive?"

The chapter notes that finding  this contentment with the present  has been sought and worked at  by saints, philosophers (Pascal) and Eastern religions like Zen Buddhists.

WOW Mother's Day Flowers

A floral bouquet that was over the top. These came from my former husband  - we are friends now - with a lovely note about the blessings of our children.  The bouquet  is massive and best of all the white lilies are so fragrant that my kitchen smells like spring in bloom.

Spring Company

What a great visit last week with my daughter and her boyfriend. Here they are standing behind a wisteria bush in full bloom with the Croft Farm in the background. The Croft Farm is part of the Camden County park system. Located on the Cooper river it has been a frequent place to walk my dog and view the changing flowers of spring.

Four Seasons

There are four seasons here. That 89 degree day was an aberration. Today is a cool and rainy 59. The dogwoods and azaleas are coming out. Here is a photo taken last week of my landlord's daffodil field.

Tuesday

The lesson at the Apple store was very good - as usual. I downloaded a moveie - The Blind Side - can't believe I hadn't done that before. I had some hands on with the IPad and liked it especially the downloading of books. There they are in color - I am thinking what a handy device to have around to amuse a grandchild. I also saw the wifi glitch when I tried to google directions. Much as  I liked it I think I will wait a while till it is glitch free.

Spent the last two days with my granddaughter, Rory. I am in love. While she naps I am working on my latest needlepoint project.  The frog I made for Rory is supposed to be ready for pick up tomorrow - will post photos of both it and my pillow soon. Saturday is Rory's 1st birthday party. That should be a photo opp.

Spring has gone

What the ? It is going to be 89 or 90 degrees here in Jersey today. What Happened to Spring?

Taking a lesson at the Apple Store - will report later

SPRING is here!

It is the day before Easter and it looks like a perfect spring day. The blooms on the trees and the spring flowers are all so pristine. I must go out and take some more photos

"Behold, I never fail to guide all things ...with the strength, wisdom, and love, with which I created all. So How can anything go wrong? Julian of Norwich