Serendipity in a Nutshell

I had the pleasure of attending a performance this evening at Stage Right Studio by a Massachusetts family who is dear to my heart.  I was blown away.  I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to you The Flynns.  I hope you enjoy the performance.



I have been an honorary member of this family since birth.  My mother was best friends with their mother/grandmother.  But, as a young adult, I drifted apart from them after my mother's untimely passing in 1982, and for the next few decades my whereabouts remained a mystery to them.  Until one day, 6 years ago, I received a phone call from Little Sister.  Seems the family wanted my address to invite me to a 65th wedding anniversary celebration. 

"I'll give you Karen's address, but I doubt she'll come.  You see, she's up in Nova Scotia now."

"She is?   Where?"

"On a little island off the coast of Cape Breton called Isle Madame."

You see, I needed to escape, so one day I opened up a map of Nova Scotia, closed my eyes, and pointed my finger.  Where it landed is where I ended up!  And, where the elder Flynn's grandfather emigrated to from Ireland back in the 1800's.  Not only that, but they were on their way up the following week to continue their geneological research.

It is indeed a small world.  After all those many years, we were reunited, and I have been embraced ever since by this wonderful family.

That's My World! 

Afternoon Delight

Sometimes,

life just gets in the way,

repressing inspiration,

inhibiting motivation,
 until one comes upon a scene such as this. 

"Play, Incorporating Animistic and Magical Thinking Is Important Because It:

Fosters the healthy, creative and emotional growth of a child;

Forms the best foundation for later intellectual growth.

Provides a way in which children get to know the world

and creates possibilities for different ways of responding to it.

Fosters empathy and wonder."

-Rachel Carson
The Sense of Wonder

Photo stolen borrowed from
a friend.
Thanks, Michael.

A More Than Worthy Cause

Today, at Wren's site, I became aware of a program to assist children with the financial burden of their classroom projects.  As a former educator, I can appreciate the efforts of this website, http://www.donorschoose.org/, and applaud, not only their goals, but the ease in which they are making it possible for children to gain access to hands-on knowledge across the learning spectrum.

The classroom project that Wren is promoting involves frogs!  Oh, my!  I wish there had been such a project and as dedicated a teacher when I was in school.

There are many more classroom projects that need your support and the website is user-friendly.  So, if you choose to explore the possibilities, you may find a project in your locality that better reflects your personal interests and passions!  Or, you can go to Calling All Scientists: Frog Life on View Classroom Project at DonorsChoose.org and make the purchase of a new aquarium for this one teacher in Detroit, Michigan!!

Won't you take a few minutes to check it out?!?

And Wren, thank you for the heads-up.  To excite children about the wonders of nature fills me with delight.

Quilt Guilt?

The forecast calls for more rain the next four days.

Since Hurricane Earl passed through, our late summer/early fall weather has been unseasonably disappointing.  What few days that the weather has been merely passable have been spent mowing the lawn, splitting and stacking wood for the winter, and putting the gardens to bed.  There has been no hiking or paddling going on.

The not so nice days?  Well, let me tell you - I've been sewing.  I guess you could say that I've been in a sewing frenzy this year, trying every new idea that comes into my head and every pattern I come across.  I've been stitching (embroidering) and appliqueing, piecing and quilting, making quilt tops and handbags. 

Yesterday, The Ranger looked at me and asked, in all seriousness, "Do you ever suffer 'Quilt Guilt'?"  Now there is some serious food for thought. 

My first response was, "No, I've paid my dues, and now I can do as I please, guilt-free."

Not long after, I was sitting at my machine, sewing on a quilt, looking out the sliding glass door as I worked, and I just had to jump up and take a picture of these two doves taking advantage of the birdbath.

This, my friends, is 'Quilt Guilt'.....

A half filled birdbath highlighted with green scum.

I am SO embarrassed to confess that, yes, this is mine.

(Rest assured, as soon as I looked at this photo,

my bird friends had a clean dish!)

This is why.

These are just a few of the projects that I managed to finish

inbetween jumping from one Work-In-Progress to another.

(And starting yet another!)

Stark Naked Beauty

Photos compliments of The Ranger

This area, a low wetland, was flooded by a beaver's dam,
therefore, over time, killing all the trees.

SkyWatch Friday

Looking Out Over the Meadow

What do YOU see?

There are lots more SkyWatch Friday from photos

"from all over the planet",

and you can see them by clicking HERE!

Prince Edward Island Bound

Prince Edward Island

An oasis of gentle beauty.

Finally called my name after 8 years of living in the maritimes.

My journey began as a walk-on on the ferry

from Pictou, NS.

Encumbered with luggage, I anchored myself to one spot for the

1.25 hour journey across the

Northumberland Strait.

A distant lighthouse came into view, as I watched

the Northern Gannets dive for their lunchtime snack.

A bouy, out in the middle of nowhere,

provided safe harbor to this wayward cormorant.

Elsewhere around me was the hustle and bustle

of the other passengers,

free to roam the boat

once they left THEIR luggage

 behind in their cars!

It was a warm and gorgeous day for a journey by sea.

Once upon a time, PEI was only accessible by ferry. 

Sadly, there is now a bridge that spans 9 miles,

connecting PEI to New Brunswick, changing the whole flavor

of the island.