Tea in the Garden of Emotion

Monet's Giverny Garden

I dreamt last night that I was in a Monet Giverny type garden.  The kind where pastel flowers all merge into one blended texture of color and a small bridge spans a pond with water lilies floating on turquoise-smooth water.  Off in the distance flowery arches become bowers meant for long hours of introspection and daydreaming. 

And there was tea poured from a pale blue pot into ringed-flower cups so translucent I could see clear to the other side. 

Spread on the grass was a checked tablecloth in palest pink and cream with edges tatted in lace. The daintiest of sandwiches cut in diamonds held the creamiest butter and fresh cucumbers sliced as thin as a poppy petal. A bite of a tender scone sent crumbs falling to the earth to be collected by ants in waiting.  Oh my the pudding, it outshone the sun, shining from the powder-puff-clouds sky.  This was the kind of pudding my mother taught me to make from scratch, with a good cocoa and rich cream baked in ramekins made from fine French porcelain.  It was a tea fit for fairies and gypsies, queens and thieves. 

My dream was all so proper and refined, with special guests that populated the ever so pleasant party in the garden.  Regret sat to my right, her corpulent self so overstuffed that she couldn’t tuck her thick legs beneath her, but sat ungainly with legs akimbo.  Hope positioned herself on a nearby bench, her hands demurely folded in her lap while she peered into the distance.  Curiosity, in a sprightly gown of yellow rosebuds removed a glove capturing the tears of Heartbreak that fell from behind her blue veiled hat.

Anger stomped across the garden in black boots mutilating blossoms and sending butterflies skittering to the sky.  Gratitude sat to my left, her brown eyes softened by the ever-present smile of appreciation for all life’s gifts.  Wearing a pink rose in her hair Inspiration sipped tea while creating a beautiful necklace of daisies and dandelions.

My tea party guest, Jealousy, wore a green frock and coveted the pretty teacup that Joy held, her pinky finger extended in tea-drinking delight.

I’d like to say that Fear and Contempt did not arrive, but of course they did with invitation in hand.  Each wore a black dress accented with deep purple vowing that it would rain eventually and the party would be ruined.

The last guests to arrive waltzed over the garden paths with such grace that even Contempt could find no reason to spoil the grand entrance of Serenity, Humor, and Awe.  The three twittered an apology for being tardy, while seating themselves at the grassy tea party.

I caught a glimpse of Love, her pink cheeks glowing as she smiled in my direction bringing me peace even as Grief wailed in the distance and threatened to storm. Such a mix of companions attended my dream party, all balancing on a tee-totter of life’s ups and downs.  A faceless voice said, “It is as it should be, part of the magical mystery tour called living.”  Contentment shook me awake as a new day opened before me

Wordless Wednesday

To him...

A touch is a blow, a sound is a noise

a misfortune is a tragedy,

a joy is an ecstasy...

~ Pearl S Buck



Abandoned

When I visit my brother and sister-in-law, I drive past a wee patch of land, abandoned years ago leaving behind the deep scar of a house and the gentle presence of past lives. I’ve no doubt a farm once graced this corner and I wonder what caused the demise of so charming a place.  Could it be the railroad that slices through farmland like two,  never-ending  silver swords or was there some other catastrophe that befell the living, breathing homestead? 

Amidst soft bird calls and the wind whispering through pines there's signs that someone once surrounded their home with the simplicity of country life.

Apple trees were planted that brought white petals falling like snow in May

I'd like to think that the freckled look of cherry trees blooming pink brought smiles of contentment and thoughts of cherry pies

I'm sure someone opened a window of the long-gone house filling it with a clean, sweet fragance from lilacs growing nearby.

The only structure left standing are the skeletal remains of a windmill that once upon a time, caught Ohio breezes with paddles whirring echoing a song over plowed fields.  

There's something romantically haunting about abandoned houses, barns, and farms that invites wool-gathering moments.  In my mind's eye I visualize how it might have been with chickens scratching, cows lowing in a nearby pasture, freshly laundered sheets billowing out like sails on a sea of green, and the laughter of children as they swing higher and higher, almost touching the sky.

The dandelions are reclaiming this bit of earth, but I'll be back for lilacs in bloom and another peek into the past.          

They Color Our World

Sunday I attended the second annual art show at Montpelier school and oh how they color our world.  Viewing the tangible art of young imaginations brings such joy.  As we walked the halls graced with so many mediums, from crayons to clay, a sense of gratitude coursed through me.  I’m grateful that the school my grandson attends sees the magic in art and music and celebrates with exuberance, the too-often first to go classes in an economic down-turn.

Budding artists walked the halls with parents and grandparents in tow pointing at their precious work.

One proud artist stood next to his creation, while his Mimi snapped his picture

What shapes and color were found on this table..imagination in cubes.

And then there were suitcases, covered in magical patterns and vivid colors

"Love Luggage" was a service project created by Ohio art teachers and the beneficiaries are foster children. Because these children are often pulled from a situation on short notice, they have no way to carry their possessions except for in trash bags. This is certainly not a way to honor this person or their belongings. To remedy this, the art teachers came up with a service project that breathes new life into old luggage and turns them into prized possessions. The suitcases are given to children in foster care to keep and cherish forever." Want to know more? Check out Snippety Gibbet.  

I was touched by such a beautful project where children bring love and art together for other children who face uncertain futures.

President Lyndon B. Johnson put it most eloquently when he said....

I couldn't agree more.