So Close!

 This is a repost from April 13, 2009.

I hope you'll enjoy reading (or re-reading) this timeless story; it's a sad reminder that timing is, indeed, what it's all about!

Holy week always calls to mind an experience that I had when we lived in Europe over ten years ago. The American Women's Club had planned a day trip, by bus, to Milan. I was excited about going, I knew this would be my once in a lifetime experience to view Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper' on the wall at the Cathedral Maria del Grazie. We arrived in Milan shortly before noon and traveled as a group to a nearby restaurant for a leisurely lunch before we all took off for an afternoon of sight seeing and shopping. Only two of us were headed for the cathedral and the painting, everyone else peeled off to go shoe shopping. We hiked the seventeen or so blocks, stopping to check our map several times along the way, and arrived just shortly after 2:00 PM. We planned this intentionally knowing good and well that almost all European shops and businesses close between noon and two o'clock for extended lunch hours. We entered through a dimly lit side door to be greeted by an extremely elderly lady sitting at a table surrounded by handwritten signs, in every language imaginable, she appeared to be manning the gate post through which we were required to pass; and she looked quite stern. As we approached she started furiously pointing to one of the signs, written in a language I didn't understand. I had a sudden, sinking feeling that something wasn't quite right when my eyes fell upon a sign scrawled in English, I couldn't quite believe what I was reading. I looked at my friend for confirmation, she had discovered the sign at the same time I did: "No Last Supper viewings after 2 PM!" We were confused, seeking clarification we turned back to the woman at the gate, she continued to point and gesture toward the sign. We were too late, it was that simple, we'd missed it by only minutes. It reopened to the public the next day, at 9 AM, we'd be back in Geneva by then. She offered to sell us a "Last Supper" postcard. We each bought one. We strolled through the garden as we exited and looked at some beautiful statues and some artwork on the walls, but the sheer disappointment over what we had missed was palpable. So close, and yet, so far. My Dad always says that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, I'd have to agree with that. We boarded the bus later in the afternoon for the ride back home; our group was showing off their purchases: lovely Italian shoes and leather purses. We each had a map; and, oh yeah, a postcard!

Life is Good!
...timing is everything...

So Close

     This is a repost from April 13, 2009.

I hope you'll enjoy reading (or re-reading) this timeless story; it's a sad reminder that timing is, indeed, what it's all about!

Holy week always calls to mind an experience that I had when we lived in Europe over ten years ago. The American Women's Club had planned a day trip, by bus, to Milan. I was excited about going, I knew this would be my once in a lifetime experience to view Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper' on the wall at the Cathedral Maria del Grazie. We arrived in Milan shortly before noon and traveled as a group to a nearby restaurant for a leisurely lunch before we all took off for an afternoon of sight seeing and shopping. Only two of us were headed for the cathedral and the painting, everyone else peeled off to go shoe shopping. We hiked the seventeen or so blocks, stopping to check our map several times along the way, and arrived just shortly after 2:00 PM. We planned this intentionally knowing good and well that almost all European shops and businesses close between noon and two o'clock for extended lunch hours. We entered through a dimly lit side door to be greeted by an extremely elderly lady sitting at a table surrounded by handwritten signs, in every language imaginable, she appeared to be manning the gate post through which we were required to pass; and she looked quite stern. As we approached she started furiously pointing to one of the signs, written in a language I didn't understand. I had a sudden, sinking feeling that something wasn't quite right when my eyes fell upon a sign scrawled in English, I couldn't quite believe what I was reading. I looked at my friend for confirmation, she had discovered the sign at the same time I did: "No Last Supper viewings after 2 PM!" We were confused, seeking clarification we turned back to the woman at the gate, she continued to point and gesture toward the sign. We were too late, it was that simple, we'd missed it by only minutes. It reopened to the public the next day, at 9 AM, we'd be back in Geneva by then. She offered to sell us a "Last Supper" postcard. We each bought one. We strolled through the garden as we exited and looked at some beautiful statues and some artwork on the walls, but the sheer disappointment over what we had missed was palpable. So close, and yet, so far. My Dad always says that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, I'd have to agree with that. We boarded the bus later in the afternoon for the ride back home; our group was showing off their purchases, lovely Italian shoes and leather purses. We each had a map; and, oh yeah, a postcard!

Life is Good!
...timing is everything...

The Day That Spring Exploded

We experienced cooler than normal temperatures in March and into April of this year, I could feel that spring was trying to arrive; but, like anything else, it's hard to make headway with the one step forward, two steps backward approach. We would have a pleasant spring "teaser" day only to be plunged back into winter-like temperatures the next. On Thursday we had a gorgeous, almost summer-like day, only to be assaulted with heavy thunderstorms overnight, as is typical this time of year. Our Dogwoods and flowering trees have been budded for awhile, but they've been holding onto those buds tightly, even on Thursday. When we awakened on Friday morning, after the heavy rain, I could scarcely believe my eyes. This Dogwood tree on our side yard had burst into bloom overnight... literally! Those buds had released their grip, setting the blossoms free. I ran outside to snap this picture right before the sun came up; I wanted to remember April 12, 2013 ~ the day that spring exploded at my house.

Ecclesiates 3:1 

"To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under heaven."

Life is Good!

November's Gift, God's Timing

An unexpectedly warm, almost summer-like, day yesterday turned out to be just the gift I needed. I spent the afternoon planting pots full of Pansies on the patio and porches. (Actually, I briefly considered offering the flowers directly to the squirrels, saving me time and potting soil; but, ever the optimist, I planted them anyway... we'll see what happens.) I am woefully behind this year, normally I have the summer annuals cleaned out and the fall pots done by mid-October. Thankfully, the nursery still had inventory and yesterday's potting turned into today's rain; absolutely perfect timing! God's timing is always that; and yet, I am struggling to understand the recent untimely death of a family friend. I prepared food to take to the family as I prayed for peace and comfort through these painfully difficult days. He leaves behind a devastated family, young children, and hundreds upon hundreds of stunned and saddened friends. God has called him home, He has prepared a place for him; His is the victory! Our gift is that sure and certain reassurance, the knowledge through faith, that God's timing (though sometimes mysterious) is always perfect.

"I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself,

that where I am, there you may be also". John 14:3

Life is Good!

It's Bagel Time!

It's October and you know what that means, it's Breast Cancer awareness month. At Panera Bread the month of October means it's Pink Ribbon bagel time! I'm a little bit late in posting this as the month is winding down, but there's still over a week left to stop by and pick up a Pink Ribbon bagel or two, (or a dozen and a half*)! They're made with cherry chips, dried cherries and cranberries, vanilla, honey and brown sugar. Plus, a portion of the proceeds go to benefit breast cancer charities. It's sweet in every way, a real win-win. Hurry... they're only available until the 31st; you know you want one!

Life is Good!

*That's what we did, I wrap them up and freeze them!

It's About Time!

We all know that in order for some of the finest wines, and antiques, to reach full value they need to spend the proper amount of time aging. I would suggest that the same is true for quilt projects. In June of 1998 my daughter graduated from college. I traveled from Auburn, Alabama to New England that summer and visited Rachel's Quilt Patch in Staunton, VA along the way. At that time Rachel Brown, the owner, had just introduced an applique project, in a block-of-the-month format to subscribers. Entitled "The Adoration", it featured precious figures and animals in a nativity-themed wallhanging. I happily signed up to receive the pattern and fabric kits by mail, at great expense; as I was still living in Switzerland at that time. But, I reasoned, it would be worth it. Well, I collected all the kits; in a basket. I moved, and took my collection of kits with me. I moved again; and again! Last year I happened to notice that Rachel Brown had published the patterns in book form, a very affordable option. Do I regret my "premature" purchases? "No", I rationalized, "I still have all the fabrics included with my patterns"! And, after all, my kits have now aged to perfection. I finished block #1(of 13) last week; it's about time, and timing is everything!

Life is Good!

Calm Resolve... Yes, That's The Ticket!

It's quiet here. My Mom and Dad have returned to Massachusetts after being here a little over two weeks. The time we spent together was fun, as it always is, but this year with my MIL being ill and ultimately being hospitalized the day to day activities were continually being altered or even postponed. Timing is everything and this just couldn't be helped, but they pitched in and did chores around here for me and filled in as needed while we prepared for Thanksgiving. Looking back now I wish we could have entertained them a bit more than we did. We did make a flying trip (in the car!) to Mary Jo's (fabric paradise) one morning, I picked up some necessary tote bag supplies for a church project in the making and Mom found some pretty fabrics for her current quilt. I think she was inspired to do some string quilts, too, after seeing some of my flimsies. I'm ready now to make my to-do lists, organize my time and open up Santa's workshop for full-time (and maybe even over-time) Christmas gift creating! For some reason I can't get myself motivated to begin on these tasks in June, I certainly admire people who can. I've decided on a new tactic; this year's sewing and embroidering marathon will be approached with calm resolve. I have all the necessary supplies on hand. I still have an adequate number of days, I'll take them one at a time. I refuse to make myself and those around me crazy.My daughter and son in law came and cooked for us this weekend, beer can chickens on the Holland grill. They were delicious! We watched the Auburn-Alabama game (War Eagle!) together with my parents and finished up the rest of the Thanksgiving pies... Apple, Cherry and Pumpkin. I am posting this photo to illustrate the position that I choose NOT to take in preparation for Christmas, the headless chicken approach! I've done that before, it doesn't help one little bit except to raise the stress level. Instead, I am adopting this position, learned from my best little furry buddy:
He has the right idea! (He's going to miss the extra laps to snuggle on now that his grandparents have left.) He searched high and low for them yesterday. Hannes approaches everything in life one day at a time with calm (unless his dinner is late!) resolve and a great big loving spirit.

...I'm going to try and do the same...
Relax, breathe, and know that you are loved!
Life is Good!

Rabbit Rescue

We rescued this baby rabbit from an attack-cat yesterday morning on the way to church. We pulled our car into my mother-in-law's driveway to pick her up for Sunday School and found this little one cowering under a shrub, it had already suffered a flesh wound and the attack-cat hovered nearby, ready for round #2. My husband shooed away the cat. My mother-in-law supplied a box for a temporary refuge while we were gone. This is a feisty baby with a strong survival instinct. It's currently living in our basement in a crate and eating well. We simply can't raise it and set it free here; we have an abundance of hawks soaring above our rural homeplace. We'll pass it on to a family with children this evening who will continue to nurse it back to health until it's strong enough to live on it's own. I'm glad that we happened by when we did...

Life is Good!
... and timing is everything...

Sad update: 10 AM, Monday morning. This little one didn't make it.
It may have been that the wound was too great, or that the rabbit was just too young to survive without it's mother. You never know with the delicate balance of nature and wildlife. We didn't have a choice yesterday but to save it from a certain death,
I'm so very glad that we at least tried; and that it's short life was marked with this photo.

Click, It's Gone...

We've acquired a cat! She's a sweet little cat, but quite elusive, she makes her rounds at night. I don't see much of her during the day, but my detective skills are put to the test and I'm usually able to piece together her nighttime route, which regularly includes a quick tour of the top of my cutting table in the Studio! I find little things; a spool of thread or some cut fabric triangles "mysteriously" on the floor each morning. The day before yesterday I noticed the Olfa mat was askew, no doubt the result of a leap to the floor! I straightened that back into position and went about my day, never giving it another thought. Until yesterday, that is; I was in the Studio and went to turn on the news while the iron was preheating... I couldn't find the TV remote anywhere! I searched and hunted until I remembered the escapades of the previous night. The Olfa mat that needed straightening sits directly above the trash can; the TV remote sits on the Olfa mat at exactly that same edge of the table! Oh, did I mention that the trash is collected on Wednesdays? My discovery was exactly one day too late! We'll have to figure out how to program an existing remote to work or get a new one. Hannes is completely put out with me and my husband these days. He discovers the mysterious kitty, under a sofa, chair or bed; he barks and carries on... then comes to get me. He stands up on his hind legs and whines and begs as if to say "C'mon... you're not going to believe what I found", he seems confused when I pet him and murmur, "It's OK". Nonplussed, he does the exact same thing all over again when my husband comes home from work, he gets the same reaction. This vying for understanding begins all over again after dinner, barking and crying: "Hey guys, there's a cat in this house! Isn't anybody going to do anything about it for crying out loud?" I wish I could push his "mute" button sometimes. Oh, yeah... I forgot, no more remote; timing is everything.

And so it goes...
Life is Good!

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up:
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Count your blessings, give thanks, and remember:
in all things, God's timing is perfect.
Life is Good!