Thursday, March 20, 2014

20 March ~ 1st day of Spring & my 65th

 

Good morning Friends ~ It is 7:38 EST and is 66 degrees in s.e. FL. The high today is expected to be 79. We had a lot of strong winds and some rain earlier in the week.

On this day 65 years ago a little baby girl was born one month earlier than expected. She was placed in an incubator and was there until she got up to 5 lbs. and then was allowed to go home. Sixty-five years later, that little girl is now ‘FlowerLady’, living a different life than she was just 15 months ago. Our lives can change in an instant and what we had is no more. I am thankful for my life, for the love and my marriage of 43 years, and I look forward to each new day strengthened by God’s graciousness and love. Each and every day is a gift.

Here are some of the flowers in bloom here this week.

This is a humongous bougainvillea that is growing over the fence from the property to the west of us, it is covering an awning and it is just beautiful!!!

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Unknown orchids bought last year around this time for $4.99 each.  I don’t do Lent, but this year felt compelled to give up something, and it is ‘buying flowers’. There’s a new nursery I was told about but won’t be visiting until after Easter.  I am ever thankful for the beauteous flowers I have here in my humble, weed filled Plum Cottage gardens.

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‘Hugs-n-Kisses’ hibiscus starting to unfurl. This was taken yesterday morning.

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Here is the open bloom this morning.

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These next photos are of Tibouchina.  I just love how the white centers in some of these seem to pulsate or vibrate with life. 

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This is one of my ‘unknown’ roses and I just love the color and scent.

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This is ‘Prosperity’ growing back by my abandoned potting area.

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This is ‘FlowerLady’ with her dear friend Jeanne, known since I was in my late teens.  She and her husband and family knew Mark when he was a boy.  She lost her husband 15 years ago and imagine our surprise when we see each other at the widow’s group I found after losing Mark.  This was taken Monday at our widow’s group St. Patty’s day meeting.

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Below is ‘FlowerLady’ and another friend, Peggy, with one of the leprechauns who was there. I had had a hat on, but it fell off while I was racing around to take photos of our ladies. I’m the group photographer as well as take care of the blog.

You can view the post about it ‘here’.

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Tuesday I was taken to lunch by another dear widow friend, Lois, who has gone to our meetings and was there my very first time going last year. I was so surprised when someone seated me right next to Lois. I called out her name, tears flowing all the while. She was very good friends with my husband’s mother, and also knew Mark from when he was a boy. I did a LOT of crying that first meeting as it had only been about 2 months since losing my love.

Lois gave me this lovely hankie to carry in my purse.  She said every southern lady should carry one in their purse and she wanted me to have one.

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Yesterday I did some errands and stopped at two thrift stores and found 4 books.

The first two books are a wonderful find, at the Goodwill Thrift Store.  I’ve been a fan of Helen Steiner Rice’s writings for many, many years.

I opened the books randomly and below are the writings I found for the day and perfect for me.

From ‘Loving Promises’:  Adversity Can Distress Us or Bless us

From ‘Somebody Loves You’: Nothing Is Lost Forever

Each book is filled with watercolors and oh so beautiful in thoughts and paintings.

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I also found these two books 25 cents each at another thrift store.

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A widow friend gave me the ‘Pink polka dot’ plant and for now it is in the ‘scullery’ window.

She’s taking me to lunch next week.

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These are cards received.

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Here I am in an emotional moment after one of the young men at Macaroni Grill, sang Happy Birthday to me in Italian.  His voice was beautiful! My brother and sis in law took me there Sunday evening. Food was delicious, ambience wonderful. My dessert was tiramisu. Smile My sis in law got part of him singing to me and sent it to me via her phone, but I don’t know how to share that here.

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I want to thank everyone for birthday wishes. They are very special to me.

*****

Nothing is Lost Forever

The waking earth at Springtime

Reminds us it is true

That nothing ever really dies

That is not born anew. . .

So trust God’s all-wise wisdom

And doubt the Father never,

For in His heavenly Kingdom

There is nothing lost forever!

Helen Steiner Rice

***

I will end with a very short but vivid dream I had right before waking up yesterday morning.

My dear Mark came up behind me on my right side, and gently kissed me on the neck and whispered in my ear, Thank you.

That was it and oh so wonderful right before my birthday.

Love and hugs to all of you  ~ FlowerLady

46 comments:

Julie said...

HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!!!!! Looked like such a grand day! Nice to see photos of you! What a day you had! WOWZERS!

I, too, love Helen Steiner Rice! I have bought Somebody Loves You twice, as I lost the first book somehow! I have the other one also! You sure find some good things at thrift store!!!

Love the beautiful shamrock embroidered hanky you received! Very special!

xoxo- Julie

lil red hen said...

Happy Birthday!!

Jean Campbell said...

What a lovely Birthday you had. I love thrift store books, when they have an inscription to someone else in them, I take it as eventually meant for me.

Mama believed in handkerchiefs. I used to go off to school with my lunch money tied in the corner of one.

Balisha said...

What you say is so true. Everything can change in an instant. That's why we should enjoy each day as it comes.
Happy birthday to you....hope this coming year brings you much happiness.
Hugs...Balisha

Sallysmom said...

What a beautiful, beautiful post! Girl, you have come such a long way. I know Mark is very proud of you as he looks down from heaven at you.

Nancy J said...

Birthday Greetings with love, Lorraine, you share so much with us, and in turn we are blessed. Inspirational, full of faith, and thankfulness . our "international family" is huge, and for you, your real friends in real life are there in person, so important, and what a special treat to have a dream , books that inspire, and love from many of us,...sent across the miles. Fondest wishes, Jean.

GRACE PETERSON said...

Happy birthday, dear, sweet Lorraine. It melts my heart to see that so many loving people surround you and share their love. Even Mark, visiting from beyond. I LOVE IT. I hope the rest of your day is as sweet and wonderful as you are my friend. I love your flowers too!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Happy belated birthday greetings dearest Lorraine.
Thank you for sharing all these wonderful photos.
What a wonderful dream to wake up to just before your birthday......
Much love
Rose

Rose ~ from Oz said...

PS "somewhere" among my treasures that I packed I have a Christmas booklet by Helen Steiner Rice and it is a treasure.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Happy Birthday. I trust that this day has been filled with some veery special events.You beat me by a few months in age.

Betty said...

Happy Birthday. I hope you have a very nice one.

denimflyz said...

A most joyous and happy birthday to you my dearest friend. Hugs to you.
Hugs and Love
Denim

L. D. said...

Happy Birthday. I am glad you had a party. I really liked all the photos of flowers. My cousin just moved to the middle lower panhandle. I will share you blog so she can get some flower ideas. It is a beautiful place to live.

Sunray Gardens said...

Happy Birthday! Your blooms are lovely. That bougainvillea is stunning. They aren't hardy here or I would have one myself.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Happy Birthday! Looks like you did a lot of celebrating with good people!

Helen Steiner Rice writes so nice. I enjoy her work.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
and this one weighted
less then 5 lbs
when she was born.
Such beauty
when I look at your flowers.
Take care...

Mystic Dreamer said...

Happy Birthday! Your neighbor's bougainvillea is beautiful!

BernieH said...

Well my birthday wishes may be a little late, but are most heartfelt. It sounds as if you've had a wonderful week, surrounded by lovely people who care dearly for you. Loved the photos of all the celebrating you've been doing. I also love that gorgeous little hankie. What a lovely gift.

Darcie said...

Our Dear Flowerlady,

A very Happy Birthday wish being sent your way. What a beautiful, emotional, joy filled, sorrow filled, yet once again...beautiful life you have had in the last 65 years. I am so glad your were celebrated...you deserved every moment. Love you my friend.

Unknown said...

Lorrainne,
Happy,Happy birthday to you!! I know you must really miss your DH at special times like this, but how wonderful to know with absolute assurance that you'll see him again!!
It looks like you had a lovely b-day with friends and family and found some treasures too. As always your flowers are looking beautiful, thank you for sharing them.
Teresa
sugar. spice and whatever's nice

Joy Junktion said...

Well, Happy Birthday Dear Flower Lady! I absolutely Love your flower photos today! Hibiscus is gorgeous! What type of camera do you use when photographing your flowers, they are beautiful! Happy Birthday again. Blessings, Cindy

Gary said...

A really happy belated birthday to you Lorraine. It was nice to share some of it with you through your blog.

Skeeter said...

Happy Birthday! Form your morning dream to the yummy Tiramisu, a wonderful birthday indeed...

Dorothy said...

Happy Birthday from Australia!! What a wonderful celebration you had. I hope the festivities carry on into the weekend.

I see you're surrounded by some beautiful friends and a paradise of flowers!! I loved seeing them all. Thanks for sharing your special day.

Blessings
Dotti :)

flowerlady said...

Lorraine what a wonderful post, I can see you have had a wonderful birthday, thankyou for sharing your journey with us. So much love always comes out of your post, your love for your DH, your flowers, your friends around you and your faith. You really are an inspirational person and I am so pleased I found your blog. I am sorry I missed sending you birthday wishes but hope it carries on into the weekend for you.big hugs Flowerlady x

Ami said...

Happy Belated Birthday to you! I am so happy that your birthday celebration was filled with lots of love.

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

The Herbal Husband and I wish a very Happy 65th, FL! Our brains are frozen here in the cold north! I'm not kidding we got a tiny bit of SNOW again today! We wish you nothing but wonderful thoughts and beautiful flowers (which you already have) in the coming year! xxoo

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

You've brought tears to my eyes as you have shared of all that's happening for you. Beautiful flowers in your garden to brighten your days too. A visit to the new nursery after Easter will be a wonderful event and something to look forward to now.
Belated happy birthday!
On my father-in-law's 65th birthday he saw and held our elder Miss E for the first time - his first grandchild - and he cried. That's nearly 22 years ago now.

happyone said...

Happy Birthday a little late. : )

Love the flowers - what brilliant beautiful colors.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

We've been out-of-town so I'm a little late ---but HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lorraine. Seems as if you have had a great celebration --and you know that Mark is with you in spirit.... God bless...

Beautiful flowers --and I love your new books..
Hugs,
Betsy

Deb J. in Utah said...

Belated birthday wishes. Looks like you had a very nice day. Happy spring to you as well. I love your flower pictures, as I always do. Have a good weekend.

Rebecca said...

I am very sorry to have missed your birthday, Lorraine. It sound like you had a lovely day with special friends - and what a precious dream you shared! If those flowers are all blooming right now, I'd say you had a colorful garden greeting in your own yard!

I'm eager for the weather to warm up enough here for me to at least sit on our small deck and watch Gary work in some of our flower beds. I shall miss doing that this spring, but trust for recovery enough to perhaps busy myself later this summer...

Unknown said...

"FlowerLady's Musings" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this help to point even more new visitors in your direction.

http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-sunday-drive_23.html

Nancy's Notes said...

Happy Birthday, Flower Lady! Love the flowers, they are beautiful! Aww, what a special birthday dinner and I'm so happy you had that wonderful dream. Bless you sweet lady!
Nancy

sweetbay said...

Happy birthday!!

Your orchids are beautiful. The neighbor's bougainvillea is beautiful too.

Kit said...

Happy Birthday to you! What a lovely celebration you had. I am glad you got to go out and have a great time. I love the photos of you! I get to see my dear friend. Love you, Kit

jerilanders said...

Gosh, I left a message in the post below and forgot to say HAPPY B_DAY!. What an outpouring of love you got on your birthday, I think is is sensational, You look so darling amid all the happiness. It is no wonder, you are a lovely person and everyone knows it! Bask in the glow, you deserve it.

M.K. said...

What a wonderful post, FL, esp. your comforting dream. To have him whisper in your ear! :) I must say, before I forget, that that hibiscus is fabulous -- you photograph your flowers extremely well. It looks like it's made of tissue paper, like a frilly dress a little girl is twirling around in. And the next one -- it looks electric! Really, like the innards of a light bulb :)

So glad you had a lovely birthday, and that you have such a host of loving family and friends around you. I wish every widow had such a group to cry with and be comforted by.

Vetsy said...

Happy belated Birthday Lorraine. Your flowers are as beautiful as your soul! I love this post I see that God has been and still is walking with you in your new Journey. I'm so happy that you have found kindred souls who can relate and comfort you... How Wonderful!

hensintheorchard.blogspot.com said...

Happy Birthday flower lady. What a lovely day you had. Thank you for sharing your pictures such beautiful flowers.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Hi Lorraine, I'm glad you had a great birthday. It's a blessing to have the friends and support you have as you find your way without Mark.

It's a good thing you have some beautiful flowers, since you are not buying any for awhile.

Thanks for stopping by my almost spring post. It's getting closer here!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I should have said without Mark physically. ;o)

Anonymous said...

Such a beautiful post . . . Love seeing pictures of you!

Happy Belated Birthday, FlowerLady!

Loves and hugs,

eli

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

Dear Lorraine, Happy Belated Birthday! Your words are so kind, and you thoughts are so wise. And that little poem at the end... priceless. I am glad to have you as my virtual friend. Thank you so much.
That dream is a wonder! Love never dies...
Special thanks to you for the picture of the beautiful hibiscus flower! Gorgeous!

shirley said...

Belated birthday wishes to you Lorraine. Only back on internet today so sorry I misded it.

I now have a tibochina in the front of my new unit. They are beautiful. your orchids are amazing and I just love that hibiscus with the lavender coloured centre.

tina said...

Happy belated Birthday to you! Ah, you are so lucky to have so many friends!