Day Dreaming

I have been catching up with myself, so to speak, 

while on my blogging break. 

Spring cleaning, gardening, making summer plans....

spending time with loved ones, painting and staining, giving dogs baths,

sorting through clothes and dishes. 

And looking ahead to a summer wedding - my youngest son is getting married <3 xo

We will have a new daughter in the family. 

Daughters mean love and joy. 

Everyone seems to be going through transitions lately. 

My Blue Eyes turned 60 - can it really be true?
I am next in line.

We had a lovely dinner in a favorite restaurant

 overlooking Commencement Bay in Tacoma at Sunset, 

with our closest loved ones. 

(Can you see the Tacoma Dome?)

Here he is with my youngest son, Dustin (the future groom).

We celebrated his 36th Father's Day. 

The time has flown by.

Years of love and adventure. 

Building a life and home. 

Raising a family. 

Together. 

Still. 

So busy, all of the time for so many years. 

We are still playing hard - but.

We know our limits. 

We've learned what makes us truly happy. 

The simple things. 

We stop and smell the roses, every chance we get.

We know how fleeting these moments are. 

The roses have been especially beautiful this year. 

Filling the air with their magical scent.

The scent of Angels. 

At the end of long days we stop to visit them. 

It's our time to forget about this busy,
troubled world and connect with nature. 

And each other.

He's my Ramblin' Man, 

frequently on the road.....

Home is sanctuary. 

A place to just 'Be'. 

We have firm roots, 

but always remember to keep a spare set of wings. 

***

'The earth laughs at him who calls a place his own'

-Hindustani-

Yes, the roses have been beautiful this year, 

and so have the bluebells, 

And the mountain Columbine. 

I've wandered around in pure bliss, 

enjoying every blossom, every scent, 

Knowing how briefly they appear. 

Already many are going to seed
 and it is time to tidy up once more. 

I sprinkle wildflower seeds here and there. 

Like fairy dust. 

Dreaming about the future while enjoying the present. 

Where would we be without our dreams? 

Sometimes we have to adjust our dreams; 

back up, and take them down a different path. 

Every path has value if wisdom is gathered along the way.

So in the meantime.....

I've been gathering  roses, enjoying this moment in time,

but always dreaming ......

***
'To create a little flower is the labor of the ages'
-William Blake -

***

Everyone has enough to do in weeding his own garden.
-Flemish Proverb-

'Gardens are not made by sitting in the shade'
-Rudyard Kipling-

My dreams have taken me many places.

Some have not materialized, and not for lack of desire.....

but for circumstance.

As I look back along the path of life,

I see it is all a perfectly divine plan

to bring me to this very moment in time.

Despite and because of the struggles.

Struggles are little gifts in disguise,

showing us that we do have courage, resilience, fortitude,

and hopes for a better future.

***
'There is only one way to happiness, and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.'
- EPICTETUS -

'It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.'
- William James -

Every wonderful little thing starts out as a dream.....

Sometimes we are nudged in a certain direction

by the circumstances of our lives.

***
'Happiness is found in doing, not merely possessing.'
- Napoleon Hill -

But if we look at how we came to follow this path,

we will remember those forks in the road,

and the decisions that led us there.

There lies the treasure of learning that We co-create our own lives.....
***
'Think of all the beauty that's still left in and around you and be happy!'
- Anne Frank -

Along with those we love.

And buckets full of faith, hope, and simple hard work.

***
'The art of life is to know how to enjoy a little and to endure very much."
- William Hazlitt -

'What we learn we learn by doing.'
- ARISTOTLE -

We all have hopes and dreams,

not only for ourselves, but more importantly,

for our loved ones.

'Hope costs nothing.'
- Colette -

Hopes and dreams encircle them and help them along.

Not to imprison them with expectations,

but to lift their spirits with faith when they need it the most.

The world is in need of dreams right now.

Dreams of kindness, compassion, equality, peace, abundance, and lots of love.

'We grow great by dreams.'
-Woodrow Wilson -

'Nothing happens unless at first a dream.'
- Carl Sandburg -

So while I have been gone, I have been dreaming.

But I have missed you, Dear Friends.

I will be catching up with all of you in the next little while,

catching up with all of your dreams.

xoxo

'To make the world a friendly place
One must show it a friendly face.'
- James Whitcomb Riley -

'Every true friend is a glimpse of God.'
- Lucy Larcom -

xoxo