Friday, June 21, 2019

Summer is here


Hello Folks ~ it's hard to believe we are almost into July and today is the first day of summer. Right now, at 6:22 p.m. EST it is 90 and feels like it is 100. YIKES! No wonder I feel like hibernating. I am so thankful my Friedrich's a.c. is working fine again. A couple of shims, a new hole drilled into the bottom casing, and making a wider pathway for the collected water to go where it should to the outside. I'm thankful to Stephen who came and did this work for me, for free. He's been in the a.c. business for over 30 years. Met him through church.

I bought a Lasko pedestal fan a few weeks back, and it sits in the hallway at night blowing the cool air from a.c. into the bedroom, which keeps the temp in bedroom at around 74. Very comfortable for sleeping.

A week ago I mowed as grass was dry, the next day we had rain and then off and on since then. So I did that at the right time. It needs it again, but I'll wait until next week and then get out early to do it. 

I also got a couple of loads of laundry washed and hung out to dry and that was a good thing also, as a couple of days ago I started smelling something 'dead'. Saw lots of flies, and then saw that it's a critter, either racoon  or possum, in the hedge around the secret garden, hedge next to clothesline area. I know from experience that in a few days nature will take care of it all. When my dear husband was here, he would take care of digging a hole and moving critter to it to be buried. Since I'm here by myself, I'm not even going to attempt that. I don't want to end up wretching.

This morning I saw that I had a regular gardenia in bloom and also a Tahitian gardenia had a bloom. The scents are so wonderful.  I just sat here a little while ago, in my creative space, editing photos while listening to soothing instrumental music, and felt like crying for joy. God's creation is such a beautiful gift to us. These days it is so easy to miss seeing so much loveliness because we are so engrossed in social media, so busy, busy busy. 

So, here is some loveliness for you to enjoy.
  

 





In the picture above, you can see a glimpse of the statue below through the window. We bought her at a local flea market many, many, many years ago for $10. She's made of cement. Her head and arm have been knocked off, but DH put her back together again.
I did a google search a long time ago and believe she is called 'The Weeping Woman'. She has aged nicely.


I've  been feeling a tad down lately. Those feelings come and go. Being a widow has made some drastic changes in my life and I miss my dearest and best friend so much.

I've been re-reading a book titled "Whisper - How to Hear the Voice of God" by Mark Batterson.
I read uplifting books before going to sleep and after turning off the light and laying there in the quiet, praying last night, these words came to me, "Let it go." I knew what the 'it' was, all of the things I'm anxious about. Those three words, calmed my spirit. 

This morning as I read more in this book, these words jumped out at me ~
His, God's, word does not return void. 
I looked it up in my Bible and this is the scripture from Isaiah 55:11 ~

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."
Then in verse 12 it says:
"You shall go out in joy and be led forth with peace."

I then was flipping through pages and came across this verse:

"Call unto me and I will answer thee and show thee 
great and  mighty things which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV 

A week ago, I finished a 549 page fiction book called 'The Forgotten Garden'. Near the end of the book I read the following: 
"You make life out of what you have,
 not what you are missing." 
Boy oh boy, that hit me and I felt like God was speaking to me through those words also. 

He can and does speak to us, we just need to calm down, be still and look and listen.

**************

An online friend sent me pics of rocks she had covered in crochet, with a cross as the focal point. I've made a few and given them away and they are great little reminders that God is our rock.

Psalms 18:2 NIV says this:
 "The Lord is my rock,
my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold
."

Below is the last one I made. I had bought a bag of river rocks at Home Depot for around $9, (much cheaper than buying a little craft bag of them), and I am going through it picking out rocks that will work for this project. I wash then off, let them dry, then paint them with clear nail polish.


  Here's a batch cleaned, waiting for polish then the crocheting.

 
Ok, that's it for now. I pray that any of you who are going through tough times, that you will call out to God. He cares deeply for each of us. He will be our strength when we are weak.
Love, hugs & prayers,
FlowerLady




25 comments:

Deborah Montgomery said...

Those flowers are lovely, and I bet they smell great too. I like your garden statue. Yes, she has aged well, she looks part of the garden. And the stones with the crocheted covering are a great reminder that God is our Rock. xo

Ruth Hiebert said...

"You make life out of what you have,
not what you are missing."
Those are powerful words. I have already copied them to my online journal, so I won't forget them. It is so easy to wish for that or or those which we no longer have.
Hope your weekend will be filled with blessings.

GRACE PETERSON said...

I can practically smell those gardenia blossoms through the Internet. I love them so much. I don't usually pick mine to bring indoors. Now that my plant is big enough I might just do that this year. Happy summer!

Nancy J said...

Love your lady in your garden, and the blooms, truly so beautiful. Your faith is so strong, and I know your prayers are answered in due time, when repairs are needed, when the lawn is mown before the rain falls, and I also know that those who pray for me have theirs answered too.All is good down here, I am so thankful for every tradie.

Ann said...

So glad you have your a/c working again. I wouldn't be able to take care of the dead critter either. It would just have to sit there.
The flower is gorgeous.
That is a really great idea with the rocks.

Dewena said...

I love the Jeremiah 33:3 verse, Lorraine, have seen it proved over and over.

Oh the beauty of those 2 white gardenia blooms! Surrounded by your own handiwork. The purity of your arrangement touches my heart. And yes, I often stand gobsmacked by something in nature outside my own window that I truly believe has been sent especially for me to see and savor. Quiet little personal miracles.

As always, I enjoy the glimpses here into your life at Plum Cottage.

firefly819 said...

You are blessed to be a flower lady and leave such lovely flowers. So many of my friends just buy supermarket flowers because they don’t want to get their hands dirty and ruin their nails. They don’t have a clue as to what they are missing. My garden provides me with a joyous gift every day.

M.K. said...

The crocheted rock covers are so cute! I love them. Sorry you have been feeling down. I also hibernate in the summer. The weather is so awful! It bothers me, as the summer goes along, that I seem to spend all my time in the house, not being active, feeling like a slug. It gets me down too :( I have to remind myself that it's only the weather, and it will pass. I hope it passes for you!

Melanie said...

I'm not surprised it's already hot and humid in FL. I know the summer can be quite brutal for you. We've had cool temps and way too much rain here in northern IL, but this week we're finally going to get the hot weather. I'm assuming it'll be very humid too, from all the rain.

Your photos of your flowers are rocks are so pretty...and lovely words you wrote as well.

Rebecca said...

It was good to visit you today.."listen" to your heart...be reminded of those encouraging Scriptures. I like your old sculpture. I don't mind a few dings and cracks. Adds to the uniqueness and reminds me a bit of my own imperfections...❤️

ellen b. said...

Those blooms are beautiful. Glad that fan is helping send the cool air around your home. Wonderful verses to read and ponder. God's word is so alive!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

That's a very poignant sentiment - the line in the book - so very true. Love your crocheted rocks and the inspiration for them. xx Hope the poor critter settles into earth soon - goodness, what a thing to deal with. You might try emptying a bag of lime and potting soil over it to help it along. Wear a face mask. Can you tell I've had to deal with things like that out here in the woods? hehe. So good of your friend to fix your air conditioner and glad it is keeping you cool. Sending hugs xo Karen

BeachGypsy said...

Love this post and I know that whaetver you post, I am going to like it. Seeing your garden and your flowers is very peaceful and relaxing. Oh my goodness those gardenias are beyond lovely! What a stunning picture that second to the last picture is, of the gardenia, and the last one where you can see the pretty blue glass cup you have it in and the window. Thank you for sharing your faith, and your pretty flowers with us! It's very hot here as well, summer has certainly arrived and the humidity comes with it. I am so glad you have your air conditioning working again now, it's very needed when it gets so hot and sticky. Helps you to get a good night's sleep too. I am staying inside during the heat of the day and we walk in the evenings when we can. I would say "in the cool of the evening" but you and I both know there IS NO cool of the evening in July down here in Florida and South Carolina, ha ha LOL!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Lorraine, that gardenia is absolutely beautiful. I can just imagine the scent is heavenly. Thanks for your nice visit and take care. Happy Wednesday..Judy

Kit said...

Your rocks are wonderful! And that gardenia, incredible. The world has such wonderful things in it. You take care and enjoy each day. Love, KK

A Joyful Cottage said...

I think the sculpture is perfect, Lorraine. It's so quaint. Your gardenia is beautiful, the white is so pure. I'm glad you share your widowhood journey with us. You're so honest and always I see how God is carrying you through it. He's so very faithful. Hugs, Nancy

Terra said...

I love your gardenias, the white of gardenias always looks rather like cream to me. Now that I am a widow I remind myself "I am not alone. I am not in charge. God is in charge." That is what I told myself when I had surgery in May and it is very helpful. You are so good to remind us God listens and cares.

Melanie said...

Hello Lorraine,
Your flowers are lovely and I hope your are feeling encouraged today. God is so good!

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Sweet Lorraine, you are so strong and I'm sure you have bad days and good days....I love that you find the beauty all around you, and that you take some of it indoors to enjoy in the cool A/C. I brought the last of the peonies of the season indoors this morning and sat them on my vanity to enjoy while I get ready for work or bed each day. They won't last long, but while they are here they bring me joy.

Diana Studer said...

You with your fan, and I with a fire going. With flowers for both of us.

Rose ~ from Oz said...

So true Lorraine ...the ebb and flow of grief can take swipe at us at will, out of the blue. And I'm so pleased your aircon is providing relief.

Friko said...

Gosh, what gorgeous gardenias. I can’t grow anything like that; is yours outdoors?

I know what you mean about feeling down for missing your hubby. At least once a day I become aware of my loss.

Paul Forster said...

Thanks for sharing your photos and reflections. It is wonderful that you have your strong faith to help you through those lonely times. Thanks for stopping by on my blog.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi There, Just checking on you --to make sure you are okay.

Gardenias are my all-time favorite flower. Their scent is AWESOME.....

Hope all is well... Glad you haven't had any hurricanes near you so far this summer...

Hugs,
Betsy

bj said...

thanks so much for your visit. i can relate to having days that aren/t as joyous as others. this month is 2 yrs since mr. sweet passed. i guess july will always be a hard month for my children and i.
love your pretty rocks. xo