Thursday 5 November 2009

Hope.....

I have always liked my own company. I am, I suppose, quite solitary. Nature has always fulfilled my inner needs and my little dog Nella is a very much loved companion. When I started blogging two years ago (thank you dear daughter) I never realised how many doors it would open. I have formed friendships with people near and far. I have shared your joys and laughter.....your sadness and your tears ....I have felt priviledged and humbled to do so.
As I walk into the garden, Canada Geese welcome me. My mind drifts to a lady that walks an unknown path. She walks with grace and beauty....and a heart full of hope. As I watch the geese fly above me, they fill me with hope for her.......

Walking into the copse, I know, there isn't any hope of finding dragonflies........a friend across the pond will walk with many memories today. A heart full of emotion .........


I look up and a sweet Goldfinch takes flight and by chance I get a photograph. It lifts my spirits as it gently reaches for the sky........
Look to each sunset not as the ending of a day, but as a time of renewal before another day dawns.......
Thinking of you my friends.......

30 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Thoughts and prayers are fluttering your way. I feel blessed with your friendship.

Jo-Ann said...

What a lovely post. I, too, like to be "alone" sometimes and after two months of meeting my parent's needs due to their automobile accident, yesterday I took a drive with my camera beside me and found things to take pictures of in spite of the "drabness" and I felt like "my old self" once again! And, like you, blogging has opened up a whole new world! Have a great day!

Liz said...

Lovely Goldie photo Cheryl, i find this time of year tough to spend time out in the garden with it being so wet and living in fear of falling over on the wet grass! :D

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Hi Cheryl, I could have written the first paragraph myself (well, substituting "cat James" for "dog Nella")... I too have hope for Anna and I'm thinking of Beckie (I hope that's who you mean)... My niece was in a bad car accident on Monday with two classmates on their way to nursing school. The car tire blew out and pulled the car into the median where it rolled three times and made its way into oncoming traffic where a semi-truck hit it. Miraculously (and I'm not sure how), all three of them walked away from the accident with minor injuries. Really freaked me out, because it could have been so different! Makes one grateful and reflective... and have hope for things in general.

Cheryl said...

Lisa...thank you....

Hi Jo-Ann.....sometimes we need to nurture our own soul, to get us back on the right path......wishing your parents well.....

Cheryl said...

Thanks Liz.....we have brilliant sunshine here today and it almost feels like spring. The birds are singing......

Cheryl said...

Hi Monica......thank goodness your story has an ok ending. My heart was in my mouth as I was reading it. I do hope that they will not be affected by the accident....it can play on young peoples minds for a long time afterwards......

Yes you are right......I was thinking very much of Anna and Beckie today......

Liz said...

Hi Cheryl, it's a mixed bag here today, cloud and sun... Relatively warm in the sun too.

Actually I had a little walk around the garden and was shocked at the number of bulbs coming up already... I hope they survive winter! I've seen a few already showing their heads, but far too many have since shot up too!

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

Hi Cheryl, My niece is 24 and very sensible... but I also worry if she'll have nightmares or whatever. Her husband had three tours in Iraq, so her coping/handling stress skills are very high, but I still worry (and try not to show it to her!). She has a black eye and swollen face, which is incredible it wasn't much worse. All three were wearing seatbelts or they--like their backpacks, laptops, phones, etc.--would have been thrown from the vehicle through the broken windows...

Rose said...

Beautifully said and captured, Cheryl. Blogging has opened up a whole new world to me, too, and I find myself worried about the friends I have made here when they are experiencing problems. I, too, often think of the Canadian friend who is drawing energy from nature as she fights her brave battle. And, of course, I will be thinking of dragonflies today...

I have been blessed to meet you, Cheryl; may nature continue to provide you with much joy.

Q said...

Dear Cheryl,
It is an honour to call you, "friend." It is a blessing to walk this good red road with you.
I also am filled with the joy of nature. I too have met kindred spirits through this miricle of the internet!
Wonderful photographs. They speak of hope.
You are a true friend. Anna and Beckie are also in my prayers.
Stay strong,
Sherry
PS. my word verification is "heali"
I hold our friends in my heart today too.

Cheryl said...

Hi Liz...no bulbs peeping through here....the sun shines but it is chilly.....damp cold, the sort of cold that gets into your bones. The bulbs would not want to peep out at the moment.....

Cheryl said...

Hi Monica....tku for explaining....your niece appears to have a strong mind....that is good...I do hope that she will feel well soon and that there is not too much bruising.
Thank goodness for seat belts......

Cheryl said...

Thank you Rose...of course, you are very much one of my blessings and I consider you to be a good friend......

Cheryl said...

Dear Sherry....what a wonderful word verification....most fitting...

The internet is very powerful and connects like minded people around the world. As someone who has never had much interest in technology, I am so very glad Michelle encouraged me to start this blog.....

Stay strong.....

Wendy said...

What a beautiful and heartfelt post. I too am thinking of Anna and Beckie as we walk this road together.

Life does throw us heartbreak and pain, but with special friends, kindred spirits, it makes it a little easier.

I too am so happy to have made many friends in bloggerland. My son encouraged me and I think it was two years ago too. How time flies!

Your pictures are lovely, showing hope and courage.
Hugs

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Cheryl,

I can always count on you to have a thoughtful post, and today you did not disappoint. I am a person that needs to have "alone time". I like nothing better than to putter around the house and garden with a trail of dogs and cats behind me. These days, I don't have much of that, but everything changes, and someday I will probably feel too alone so I try to be grateful for where I am and what I have right now.

I think one of the most surprising things about blogging has been becoming friends with so many wonderful people across the globe. So many times I stop and think of them and their personal struggles, and I say a little prayer. I feel blessed and enriched for getting to know you in some small way.

Cheryl said...

Hi Wendy....bloggerland has been a wonderful experience.
There have been times when I am too tired to bother, but I sit myself down and contact people. After a few moments I am back in the swing of things, and I realise now that it is not just about blogging, it is about people. Many I care about, in a special way. We do not need to see people to care deeply......

Cheryl said...

Hi Morning Glories....it has been a pleasure to get to know you too.I imagine, that you, like me, are a little complex. I always feel that your feelings go very deep. Perhaps I am wrong?

There are so many out there travelling unknown paths and I have so much respect for many of them........

naturewitch said...

Hi Cheryl

Lovely post - yes, solitude is such a healing thing. I find myself getting very agitated if I don't get my alone time in the garden - it really re-earths me and melts away the concerns of the world.

Monica's niece may benefit from some arnica cream for her bruising. If this is not available, some rue leaf placed on the bruising for a few hours may help, but that is generally better for injuries to ankles and other joints. St John's Wort or homeopathic arnica will also help her to deal with any lingering concerns she has over the accident. I hope she heals quickly.

I was also wondering what the plant was with the seed pods in the dell. It looks quite interesting...

I googled the mind your own business plant - quite a pretty one, isn't it? Maybe good for around the pond when we get that done; apparently frogs love it.

Thanks for another beautiful post, Cheryl. I'm sure many, like me, feel your friendship across the globe. xx

NCmountainwoman said...

What a lovely post Cheryl. You so articulately express my feelings as well. It is a wonderful world.

Cheryl said...

Hi Naturewitch....tku so much for the information for Monica....I shall let her know.....I am sure she will find it helpful....

MYOB is fantastic around a pond. It is also used in Japanese water gardens alongside moss and makes such a beautiful carpet. It does so well here due to the damp nature of my garden......

The seedpods are teasels..... a native wildflower. I have a charm of Goldfinch feeding on them at the moment. A flock of around twenty come each morning and take breakfast.....it is so beautiful to watch them.....

Have a lovely weekend....

Cheryl said...

Hi ncmountainwoman...it is a wonderful world....sometimes it is hard to see it but if we peep through the haze, it is there for sure.

Have a wonderful weekend.....

Roses and Lilacs said...

I love seeing your birds. Many with the same names as the ones I see here, but very different.
Marnie

Shirty said...

Apologies for spamming your comment section - couldn't find a direct email link for you.

I'm a long-time lurker who has just launched a bird-themed online store, and was wondering if you'd consider adding it to your blogroll?

I make tshirts, hats, Xmas ornaments, buttons, photo cards and magnets. http://www.birdnerdgifts.com

Cheryl said...

Hi Marnie....I have also noticed our Goldfinch is very different to yours....ours has a bright red head......

Anonymous said...

`Beautiful` Cheryl....
Thankyou for sharing all your beauty with us..
Enjoy your weekend:)xxx

ShySongbird said...

Dear Cheryl, I too am very content with my own company and love solitude as I am sure you already know ;) My best wishes go to your blogland friends, one of mine has just started her own difficult journey...

I am behind with my comments and missed commenting on your last lovely safari, all of the photos were beautiful and Riley and Poppi looked so happy to be sharing your sanctuary.

I also liked your antique feeder/planter thingy ;) What a good idea to put it there, I'm sure it will look even lovelier as time passes. I have just taken another look...ten pounds?!!! What an absolute bargain!

I love the Goldfinch on this post.

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

Chery,
What a lovely post. I also like to be alone with nature. I love your photos of the Canada geese, the beautiful Goldfinch and I always love a beautiful sunset. It's truly a blessing to visit your uplifting blog.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I love this post! I like to be by myself, too. I am sometimes sad when a day is over, but I like how you said to see it as a time of renewal for the next day.

Congratulations on two years of blogging!