Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Yes, I’m still here

 

One of my followers, Rebecca, asked if I was still here, after that last post of hot, muggy temps. I am, and it is still hot and muggy. Just walking outside the sweat starts to bead up, it is awful! Yesterday morning I mowed, still need to weed whack, but that’s for another day.  I just can’t handle anymore than three hours outside in the mornings during the summer. Then I come in and veg the rest of the day in the a.c.

I visited PicMonkey yesterday and made a collage of the hibiscus, Hugs-n-kisses.  It shows all the wonderful colors and variations.  I just LOVE these flowers. Click on photo for a closer/larger view. These blooms are all from one bush.

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While I was in here sitting at my computer yesterday afternoon I heard a thud.  I thought to myself, what is that? A car door? I checked out the window, no one was in the driveway. I took my camera outside a few minutes later because I wanted to get a photo of the carved wooden arms of an old Italian chandelier that was broken. Well, when I went outside I saw what I had heard. One palm frond was in my Queen Crepe, which I had to lift then pull out.  The fall broke a center limb of the QC, Sad smile but that’s a small thing in the overall scheme of life. New growth will happen. I then looked in the driveway and there was another frond.  I’ve never had two down at once and they look they had been torn from the trunk, they didn’t just come off naturally.  I got the tree saw and cut these into thirds and took them out front to be picked up by the brush people on Friday.

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 I had a wonderful surprise visit Monday afternoon from my sister Cheri and brother-in-law Vaughn. They live in the northwestern part of our state. We’ve not seen each other in about 18 years. It was a short visit but a happy one. It was also very emotional which left me drained afterwards and I felt sad yesterday too.  But, today I am feeling more like my old self again.  When Cheri and I hugged I just sagged into her comforting and loving embrace. I am so thankful for the visit we had, it was a real blessing.  Cheri walked around mentioning things she had seen on my blog, which was really neat. Of course, she saw all the nitty-gritty, not just the select views like I show in my blog. Winking smile

Here are the pieces from the chandelier. I will pull out the light wires later. The arms had an iron rod inserted for the wiring and that rod was then welded to the chandelier framework in the center. I told them what I was thinking of doing but that I couldn’t cut them off. I had tried with a hacksaw, but that didn’t work. Vaughn suggested a saws-all and I told him I have saws-alls but was/am afraid of power tools. He asked if I had one with a metal blade and I said I didn’t know, so we went inside the workshop to look and there was one, and he proceeded to cut the arms off. Thank you Vaughn.  That is a blessing to me and a project to cross off my list of projects to be done.

The chandelier has been sitting on the outdoor workbench since I brought it home. It was broken, in two sections, and my boss threw it out. Well, you know me, I was ‘trained’ by a curbside shopper and after years of finding goodies, I could NOT let this go to the landfill to be buried. The two sections have just been sitting there as an ‘eye sore’. This whole area outside the workshop is a work in progress of cleaning up.

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The arms are 9 inches at the widest part for the small, 8 inches high, and three inches deep at the cup looking part at the top. The larger one is 12 inches wide by about 8 1/2 inches high, cup is the same size as smaller one.

They have a red bole with silver leaf on parts as you can see. I’m thinking of selling these in my Etsy shop in pairs.

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Here is my finished needlework piece, ‘Trust in the Lord’.

Overall size is roughly 9” wide x 8” high and a couple of inches thick.

I crocheted the flower and the butterfly. Used some old lace and trims, seed beads and fresh water pearls, and did some silk ribbon embroidery too.

I made it into a little pillow, lightly stuffed with poly-fill and backed with felt.

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Now here come some sunrise pictures from the other day.

‘Red sky at night

sailors delight,

red sky in the morning

sailors take warning.’

We did have thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Seeing the moon from the bedroom window is what made me go out with the camera to get pictures below.

These are looking west.

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These are looking east.

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Sorry for the power lines, but it is what it is.

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Today is a new day and I am going to be pampered this afternoon, treated to a shampoo and cut for my work with the FNF blog. My hair is long and I want to keep it that way, I’m just going to get it trimmed and tapered up the sides. The stylist has long hair herself and several customers with long hair, so I feel rather safe in her hands.  My dear husband used to trim my hair, but alas. I am looking forward to having this done.  I think having my hair washed by someone else will be very soothing. The last time anyone did that for me was my husband after we had been in a car wreck. We took a shower together and he stood behind me to wash my hair, which had some blood in it from my scalp being cut by my hair beret when slammed against the seat by the airbag.  It was a very tender moment, one I’ve never forgotten. I miss tender times, but have lots of memories of old ones.

Wherever you are whatever you are doing, create and cherish tender moments. Thank the God of all creation for your many blessings. Ask Him for strength whenever you need it. If we believe in Him, He has promised to never leave or forsake us.

 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…Deu 33:27 

Happy Summer ~ FlowerLady

29 comments:

Jean Campbell said...

Rainey, I love how you are able to share moments and feelings in such a precious way.

Your subtle language is reflected by the Hibiscus, beautiful in its various shadings.

Terra said...

Your hibiscus are wonderful, I love the subtle and varied colors. How good to have your sister visit, and to have the shampoo and hair cut.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Sweet tender memories. So glad you got to see your sister after so long apart. God bless you with peace and happiness the remainder of this week!

Balisha said...

Do you mean that all those blooms came from one bush? That's an amazing plant. It would go with my Technicolor post today.
I love the way your describe your moments in life with your husband. Such total companionship. I can imagine how he's missed. A love like yours is one in a million.
Have a nice afternoon,
Balisha

Anonymous said...

:-) Philip trims my hair as it never fails when I go to a salon they cut too much. Apparently as we age, we are breaking some cardinal rule of life by having long hair.

I absolutely love that hibiscus . . . and your latest needlepoint. Your posts are always filled with so many wonderful things!

Love and hugs,

eli

Nancy J said...

Beautiful collage, HugsNKisses is the most gorgeous bloom, and your find, I, too, am an "Op-Shop" huntress, and the other day came home with HUGE cream curtains, that needed lots of TLC. Unpicked, bleached, rinsed, washed and spun, and now to re-sew and re-line!!! I can see those chandelier parts going to a new loving home very soon. Hugs, Jean.

KathyB. said...

It is hot and humid too and this kind of weather wears me out and drains me. I am gardening in the early morning and evenings .

Your hibiscus are beautiful !

There must be so much more behind your words concerning your visit ( reunion ? ) with your sister and this made me happy for you.

What a sweet moment to remember about your husband. I am thankful for your constant reminders to us to appreciate what we have NOW.

The chandelier looks to have a lot of possibilities , I hope you can sell it on your site.

Betty said...

We are finally having some cool temps here after a very hot time. So good to see family and after such a long time. That can be draining on a person, so many emotions. I totally agree with you. Making even some memories are comforting at times.

lil red hen said...

As always, your post is a delight to read! The needlework is precious! I love how you remind us to be grateful for our many blessings.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Your hibisucs really are just lovely Lorraine. I have finally got two on the go - and rightly so seeing that my little community is called Hibiscus Village!
I was deeply touched at your narrative on 'tender moments' brought back many of my own.
Your first paragraph brought home all too clearly what I'll be facing in about a month or two at the most. Summer seems to arrive early and winter late! or, not at all!
Much love dear girl
R. PS: absolutely exquisite needlework!

Sunray Gardens said...

I'm glad you got to have that visit. Sounds like things are moving along there for you and you have plenty to keep you busy.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Unknown said...

We made it home! I was going to call but well duh!, I forgot to get your phone number. Send it to me snail mail please.

It was a wonderful but too short visit we had and I felt so much better after having seen you. Your place is such a sweet haven and I loved walking around and seeing all the things you write about.

Keep up the blogs and pictures and we will try not to wait so long to come see you again.

Hugs and Kisses, Cheri

Sallysmom said...

I was getting concerned about you so I was happy to see your new post. Thrilled for you that you saw your sister. I know you will treasure that memory always. Take care.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Beautiful post. All those precious memories and still making new ones. Have a sweet day.

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I completely lost myself in this entire post. I was so touched at then end. I have such memories as well and they are cherished.
It's thing like this..the cutting your brother in law did for you that make you know how much you have lost. You are still young and there are more good days ahead of you.
I remember how proud I was to do things on my own after I lost Pat.
At first I cried when things came up that in the past he had been there to do. But I learned. It's a long and winding road..this being alone. It took about four years for me to begin to feel normal...somewhat.
I went forward..learned to cope, and made a new life ...twice more.
Looking back...I wonder that I made it. It sounds like you are doing well for the most part. A strong woman. I can tell. The worst was when all the electricity went out..I am afraid of the dark.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

You have a wonderful variety of Hibiscus...they are my absolute favorite.
xx, Carol

Val said...

How wonderful for you and your sister to see each other after so many years! ♥ My mom just had a visit with all her (three) sisters, and it meant the world to them all.

Love to you,

Val

Kit said...

Very hot here too! I have been just staying indoors during the mid day and escaping in the morn and night to work in the yard. Such a lovely Summer so far. Take care, Kit

Marti said...

I love having my hair washed too, when it's done gently, like a massage.

Love your hibiscus. Such beautiful colors.

Do palm fronds break often? That is a big one!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, Strange about the Palm Fronds BOTH coming off.... Hmmmmm??? Wonder why/how that happened...

Love the Hibiscus collage... SO pretty...

As emotional as it was, I'm so glad you had a visit from your sister and BIL. Glad he was able to help you with the Chandelier arms.

Love --love-love your little little pillow. Love the Bible Verse and the butterfly.. Terrific.
Hugs,
Betsy

tina said...

Hope you had a fun time getting pampered. Cuts always make me happy with my head of hair. That chandelier is really neat!

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

You are once again in the midst of a really amazing project. So nice your sister visited. Palms are not something I'm familiar with at all. I always learn from your posts. I hope you enjoyed your pampering today!

Rebecca said...

Thanks for the reminder to cherish tender moments. (I needed that.)

I'm glad you're "still there", that you had such a fine though short visit, and are going to have the pleasure of a shampoo, etc.

The photos of the moon are SO beautiful as is your finished needlework project. Such a powerful message, too...

♥ to you this evening, Lorraine.

gld said...

I was surprised to find that all those blooms were from the same plant! Amazing.

I always enjoy all your pictures. The sky ones impress me. I have never taken a good shot of the sky, day or night.


Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

Thank you for opening up and experessing your feelings, I can only imagine but maybe one day I will be in the same boat. Prayers for you.
Sounds like you had a blessed visit and who would want to throw out that chandelier? That is outstanding and I know in your hands it will have new life.
LOVE your photos and the one of the moon too.
GOD bless and keep you safe!

GretchenJoanna said...

I have never seen anything like the flower variations on your hibiscus. Do you know how or why you are getting such a broad range? Is it temperature fluctuations, or water or fertilizer? Or maybe you got a specially changeable individual?

I am new to the growing of hibiscus, having received my first one as gift this year. After looking at your collage, I feel that a whole new world is opening up. :-)

Mystic Dreamer said...

Love the hibiscus collage. It's amazing so many flower colour variations are found on one plant.

M.K. said...

There's too much good stuff in this post to even know where to begin to reply! First ... I love that last verse you quoted. Adam has preached beautifully on that verse. I love the image of God's mighty arms, always beneath us every moment of life, under all other supports. I showed Julia your hibiscus collage, and she was astounded. Now she wants a hibiscus "as a pet" - haha! The chandelier pieces are lovely; I bet they will sell. You're a smart one! I'm so glad you had that visit with your sister. There's just something about family, about the love and support you feel from them. Glad you have that.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Your needlework is *amazing* and I am envious. Are you self-taught or were you able to sit at someone's knee? We're having rain, lots of rain and right now t-storms. Sundays are difficult although I did go to a new to me church this morning and have decided to go each Sunday. that will help the mornings.
love in Him, Rainey.