Stepping inside Grandma’s house, their eyes zero in on the white candy dish, elegantly painted in pink and pale green flowers. Grandma gives them her approving nod, so their young hands lift the lid where inside they find magic – gumdrops in red, orange, yellow, green, purple, white, and pink. With each bite and new flavor bursting, they give her big smiles. The candy dish is only one way Grandma shows her love.
(Mom passed away in 2012, but this is one lovely memory of her and our children. My sisters and I can’t seem to find a photo of that candy dish, but I found the one above on the web – a close likeness.)
Last Saturday after a delicious breakfast with a girlfriend, we strolled around downtown and found this lovely Magnolia tree. Then we heard the buzzing, and as we stepped a few inches closer, look what we found! I had to try to get some photos of these wonderful insects…
If you look closely, you’ll see the pair…
And if you see the blurr on your right, well, that’s the bee that became camera shy, when I gladly got out of the way. This shot was my second and last!😁
And here are some great honey bee quotes:
“Words are like bees – some create honey and others leave a sting.” Unknown
“The lovely flowers embarrass me, They make me regret I am not a bee.” Emily Dickinson
“Handle a book as a bee does a flower, extract its sweetness but do not damage it.” John Muir
“It is not how busy you are, but why you are busy – the bee is praised, the mosquito is swatted.”Unknown
“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don’t they should, for their feet are dusted with spicesfrom a million flowers.” Ray Bradbury
I hope you enjoyed this nugget of nature at its finest and I wish you a lovely weekend ahead.
Family will always mean the most to me. But as I ride the waves of life, there are many things, and I use that word broadly, that have been significant throughout the years. These are just a few…
Those camping trips when the kids were young: swimming in sapphire-colored lakes and cooling off in sparkling rivers, listening to the them play in the tent – their imaginations leading the way. Sitting around the campfire: singing, laughing, roasting marshmallows. Not just college, but all graduations were joyful events. The dogs that became special family members. Patio time – the talking, the reading, the wine – the outdoor living. Happy blooms in the garden and the hummingbirds flitting about. Walking among Redwoods and the sound of ocean waves. Pinecrest for our 30th, Bodega Bay getaways, and backpacking into serenity. The most loyal friends. Relaxing motorcycle rides. Winter’s coziness: a crackling fire and glowing candles. Chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven and homemade carrot cake (a veggie in our home). Kissing and hugging. Songs that resonate.Acts of kindness.
Lantana smiles
And the list goes on… Isn’t it wonderful that the list goes on?
Though we live under gloomy skies at times, there is always sunshine waiting to peek through…
What would I read on your list?
Lauren ❤️❤️❤️ Carrot cake photos: My son Lantana: Our garden Gratitude stone: Google
Another dog, that’s what I needed back then when our Black lab, Lucky Girl, on that gray November day Crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Then Mom, Doris to those who knew her well, gracefully entered her Eternal home a few months later. I honestly Felt empty inside – all enthusiasm drained, Grasping for unreachable acceptance through the tears. Handling the loss of our sweet furry family member Involved revisiting those memories of the love she gave Joyfully to her four adopted humans. Keeping emotions intact, yet missing Mom – her voice, Laughter, funny off-key singing, and mouth-watering cooking Made greeting each sunrise challenging. Naturally with active emotions, our family felt Overwhelmed. Dad was devastated, losing his Gal of sixty-seven Precious years that began in days of World War II. Mom was the Queen. Another memory was her unequivocal love for dogs. Riley was one of many canines she and Dad loved over the years. So, amid these painful losses came Copper, our lab. The Time was right, and I felt Mom’s otherworldly approval because Underneath Copper’s quirkiness lies his loyalty, cuddliness, and Vigilance in holding the guard dog role. He’ll be at our feet When we call him, shake a paw when he sees our hand. Xenial describes our friendly lab when anyone visits. Even at the not so Youthful age of ten, Copper carries an abundance of Zest for bounding through life, for loving his humans – reminding us that love carries on.
Lucky GirlPrecious, sleepy Lucky GirlMom & me Mom & Dad February 24, 1945Copper BoyRegal Copper Boy
Recently fired and residing with her sweetly overbearing mother, Madlyn needs a job—bad. In a moment of desperation, she accepts a part-time position reading at the bedside of adventurer and amateur writer Cody Lofton. A near-drowning accident left the young man in a vegetative state, and his chances of recovery wane with each passing day.
Cody’s older brother, Dustin, and eccentric grandmother aren’t prepared to give up on the youngest son of Portland, Oregon’s royalty.
Dustin’s a personable guy, bordering on naïve, and overwhelmed by familial corporate duties and cutthroat partners. Grandmother Lillian’s a meddler with an eye for the esoteric, dabbling in Dustin’s life and dealing out wisdom like a card shark. One innocent conversation at a time, she sucks Madlyn into the Lofton story, dubbing her the princess and bestowing on her the responsibility of both grandsons’ destinies.
And all Madlyn wanted was a simple reading job.
Uninspired by her self-imposed stack of literary selections, Madlyn opts for Cody’s work-in-progress. Fantasy isn’t her favorite, but with only four chapters completed, reading The Sorcerer’s Garden should be no sweat, right?
Little does she realize, the story will begin writing itself and, by the hand of destiny, become her own.
*** D. Wallace Peach’s eighth novel is a collision of medieval and urban fantasy centered in the Northwest Hills of Portland, Oregon.
Madlyn is quirky, blessed with a sarcastic sense of humor, and a tendency to say exactly what’s on her mind. At 28, she’s also abandoned her dreams of a fairytale life. A satisfying career and happily-ever-after romance simply aren’t turning up in her cards, and in fact, her junky car is careening downhill fast. A strong female protagonist with a reluctant streak, she finds herself trapped in a heroic adventure through overlapping worlds, unsure whether one or both are real.
Don’t look for a run-of-the-mill fantasy here. This is one tangled tale crafted especially for readers who enjoy plot twists that keep everyone, including the characters, guessing.
MY 5-STAR REVIEW:
A Fabulous Fantasy with a Twist
The Sorcerer’s Garden by D. Wallace Peach ranks high in the unique and clever category. The storyline weaves back and forth between reality and fantasy. Qualities such as integrity, greed, and feeling defeated by life itself play a big part. Peach intersperses delicate pieces of wisdom throughout this adventure that only entice you to press on – eager and excited to see what‘s revealed with each page turn. Madlyn, Cody, and Dustin become likable and genuine characters, keeping you entertained from beginning to end. Grandmother Lillian adds spice to the twist and turns. You’ll run into some bloody circumstances where you may be inclined to cover your eyes, but please don’t. You’ll miss the compelling action and superb description; even the subtle hints of humor add a bit of lightheartedness.
I began reading this book with the niggling awareness that fantasy isn’t my favorite genre. Candidly, I wasn’t sure if I’d like the story for this reason. But let me tell you, I was hooked from page one! Peach has an exceptional skill of painting pictures with her extraordinary words, along with her knack for excellent world-building.
Since I was thoroughly impressed with the writing and story-telling, I’ll peruse the author’s collection for more compelling tales to transport me into exciting imaginary worlds. So, if you’re a fantasy genre enthusiast, then I highly recommend reading The Sorcerer’s Garden. And even if fantasy isn’t your go-to genre, I implore you to dive into this adventure just as I did. Five stars for a fantastic adventure!
If you’d like to pick up a copy, below is the Amazon link:
Visit D. Wallace Peach to peruse her fantasy collection:
There are words for anything in life, so I have some thoughts but where to begin… Donned in whites and golds, dusted with flavors of life, its creamy texture and enticing aromas mesmerize. Palates delight whether it’s spread, sliced, sprinkled, melted, or shredded.So versatile in the industry. Ahh, but why the calories?Yes, where to begin.
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 