Cygnets and Swans
Posted on December 8, 2015 Leave a Comment
I was enthralled!
I love birds.
What’s not to love?
We had been walking with the swans and their three cygnets along the water front. Lots of people had been coming and going passed us, but we, having to walk slow for the nursing of my leg injuries, were enjoying the swan family at their pace.
Without knowing what was happening we were very aware that suddenly Mr. and Mrs. S. were suddenly upping the pace, moving their darlings along, and making lots of eager noises. They had spotted him.
Coming up from behind us an elderly gentleman came briskly past and down to the lake’s edge. They knew what was in store and they liked very much. He talked lovingly to them and they eagerly took his treats.
Every day he says he comes and keeps an eye on them. His love for them is apparent as he tells us what good parents these two are, and how many other families of swans are along the waterfront, and how old each of the youngsters are.
What a treat we had as well.
Grateful for these unexpected moments of kindness.
A Hare’s Whisker
Posted on December 3, 2015 Leave a Comment
You may well be asking yourself how a hare’s whisker even comes into my world, let alone be something I am grateful for. And I concur with you on that.
In fact, I had to go look it up to make sure I wasn’t just having weird and odd phrases rolling around in my head. Turns out I was kind of right and kind of wrong… technically, it should have been ‘a hair’s breadth’.
BUT…
a hare’s whisker turns out to be one of the many ways this phrase has evolved and in this case is quite correct … at least, I think so.
After examining my leg, the doctor told me I had come extremely close to snapping my Achilles. As part of the path forward in order to not let this happen I was given a set of instructions including being very careful about where I place my feet. He was emphatic that I was no longer able to go ‘rabbit hunting’ with the dog. 😦
I am EXTREMELY grateful to have not snapped it. But as you can see, it would seem, I, almost literally, came within a hare’s whisker of a very unfortunate demise.
Very grateful!
Morning Light
Posted on December 2, 2015 Leave a Comment
What is your favourite time of day?
I wouldn’t call myself a great morning person, but I do love the morning light. It has a beauty all of it’s own. Enough to make it worth getting out of bed for…most of the time.
The dog, however, is a great morning, noon and night ‘person’ when it comes to enthusiasm for a walk. She had me out on this morning and I was rewarded with a real spot of beauty.
Here’s the link. What do you think?
Sunflowers
Posted on December 1, 2015 Leave a Comment
Having paid the bill, we were getting ready to leave the supermarket, …
Him pushing the trolley of goodies for our weekend away…
Me folding up the receipt into my pocket and putting cards away…
Suddenly I dived off yelling that I would catch him up.
My poor darling dearest is used to this bizarre behaviour, so after looking at me quizzically he carried on with a shrug of his shoulders to begin packing the groceries into the car.
Those beautiful sunflowers had caught my eye and I saw paintings galore suddenly dancing before my eyes. Grabbing a few stems and rushing round the aisles back to the cashier, I was done in a flash and out to join him for the trip home.
Delighted with my purchase.
I have drawn them a few different ways already becoming more and more acquainted with their smallest details.
Grateful for these sunny spots of beauty.
Kindness Just Blew In
Posted on November 26, 2015 Leave a Comment
Strong winds, rain and more wind…
But we went away anyway.
Eager as a beaver we were down to the beach with the dog leading the way, excitement oozing out of her.
Zipping the jacket right up to the chin, we braced ourselves against the elements and off we went. It was easy one way, but you know what that means for the opposite…she was hard yakka!
Actually I was really enjoying the hard walk into the wind, but apparently, my Achilles was not so keen. I woke the next morning to a swollen lump and very sore calves. So much for a long weekend walking the beach 😦
And what to do with a dog who lives for long walks on the beach…or anywhere for that matter?
Those fantastic kids of ours were over like a shot. Thought they’d pop in and spend time with their Grandparents on the way, and then cook dinner for us as well. After taking Le Pooch for one very long run on the beach, they turned around and took her home.
I am so very blessed. They are kindness personified.
One grateful Mama!
Neath the Pongas
Posted on November 25, 2015 Leave a Comment
Walking in the Kaimanwas on a winter’s afternoon wrapped up all warm against the cold, I found myself looking eagerly for the sunny spots where the sun managed to get through the trees. I was after any warmth possible. Here, ‘neath the Pongas, was a gorgeous sunny spot enveloping us in a kaleidoscope of colour.
How many times have we looked up through a Ponga and seen this beauty?!
Click on the link to find out more.
Treats in Store
Posted on November 19, 2015 Leave a Comment
I am terrible at remembering birthdays. It is not unheard of for me to have finally got the present in a rush and a flurry and then realised too late that I had no wrapping or card, The kids all laugh and tell stories of how Mum wraps presents in teatowels or dressing gowns. Once the present is unwrapped I quickly nick the ‘wrappings’ back.
Reminder messages had been sent to me from one child as another’s birthday was looming close. Could I manage to get myself organised?
A whole day in advance … yes, I made it!…I had gotten to the store and was perusing the card range when I remembered that these stores sell an art magazine I had previously enjoyed in Australia. Would the New Zealand version be as good? There’s only one way to find out and as I had made such a concerted effort to get to the store it seemed a good idea to treat myself to a cup of tea and a read on my return.
And I did have a card to purchase as well.
Grateful for the treat in store.
Highlights
Posted on November 18, 2015 Leave a Comment
I think it is my personal favourite in the series.
‘Highlights’ is an acrylic painting on canvas applied with palette knife only. If you follow this link it will take you to see all the details… lyndasymons.com/highlights/
Let me know in the comment box below what you like about it.
Highlights
Delightfully Delish
Posted on November 17, 2015 Leave a Comment
It was taking a while for her to peruse the dress shop.
I had decided to stay in the car so we could keep the windows down keeping the car cooler for the dog.
We don’t have this dress shop in our town so we were happy to wait. No one was fazed.
And she had been so kind, leaving a fresh punnet of strawberries for my consumption.
Strawberry season is always delightfully delish.
Grateful for this gift of juicy red sweetness.
Sharing Susan’s Sheep
Posted on November 13, 2015 Leave a Comment
It was lambing time and Susan’s sheep are well worth a visit.
Being Pitt Island sheep they aren’t your normal run of the mill whiteys but rather, just a little quirky with dreds of black and brown. Susan likes quirky. I gotta say I like them too. They are interesting.
She takes her bucket of pallets in and they come scampering over for a treat. The food is just an extra as it is obvious that the treat is really having Susan scratch them behind the ear, give them a back rub, and talk kind words to each.
All the time she is attending to this pamper session her eye is checking out the new lambs, and the ewes still to give birth. We get a running commentary as she fills us in on the details, pointing each one out to us. By the time we leave the paddock we feel like we have just met a whole flock of new friends, especially when we are now getting sheep-nose nudges to help with the pampering.
Grateful for this opportunity to share her sheep. Grateful for the bounce of little lambs all energetic. Grateful for the acquaintance of new friends.
Thank you, Susan, for sharing.
Lynda Symons ©2015 Sadly, Boy is no longer with us. Susan has a strict ‘no if’s or butt’s’ policy and Boy crossed the line. Maybe another ram will take his place for the new season.
Lynda Symons Artistry 