I am sending you roses today.

I took a photo of my roses here on the carpet for my fellow blogger LPC from Privilege who was amused by a former photo that I posted showing my red roses on the bare floor! 

Red roses in a vintage off white Hyalyn vase, 

on bare fir floors, just because the sun was shining!

I started following her blog when I had been off work, home and ill and was looking for a diversion and all I can say is WOW, this whole cyberspace arena caught me by surprise! 

I started off by getting a google account and leaving comments,

 then it morphed into my Host (ess)-ing the Humble Bungalow Blog.

I viewed Janet's post this morning over at The Gardener's Cottage and see that we have the same taste in bouquets, all white, pure, simple and elegant.
She has a very lovely home and if you get the chance pop over to her blog where she has posted many lovely images of the decor.

White roses in an off white vintage Weller vase.

Excuse me!

When I read blogger mon avis mes amis post this morning I was quite disturbed. She had been enraged by a rude comment directed at her young children by a complete stranger!

Please take the time to read her post.

Some people display a distinct and obvious lack of decorum. Rudeness seems to be infiltrating our society at such a rapid pace I wonder where we as a society have gone awry.

Rudeness rears it's ugly head day to day, from the bull nose drivers who cannot yield or wait their turn to the pushy folks at the market. I for one do not feel that we as a society should stand by and be complacent or accepting of this and that we should show our displeasure and disapproval by politely reminding people that they in fact are out of line. If you have read the post of which I am speaking of you may get the gist of what is amiss. 

Manners, turn taking, sharing, polite conversation, was learned at my mother's knee. She directly supervised my interactions with friends from an early age. She reviewed and corrected my thank you notes and letters which were part of my training, and were required after a gift was received. 

(I also had a pen pal on which to practice my letter writing, we all did, that was grade 3)

 The telephone was not appropriate and stationary was as plentiful as soap was in our home. 

I also was sent to Charm School, not that I led a charmed life, (far from it!) but I did absorb the basics.

I am suggesting that quite possibly families are so busy working and parenting and tired/stressed as a result, that these lessons have been put on the back burner so to speak, and or completely tossed out with the garbage.

It might just be the ripe time for someone very savvy to pick up the pen, or laptop, and write a "How-To Book" on manners and their instruction with the goal of ridding our society of rudeness.

(and I am not suggesting milque toast)

Maybe Disney would consider an animated film on the subject? It might be a 2010 version of Animal Farm without the political metaphors.

May I suggest that the next time someone is rude that you gently remind them of this slight offence. I am not suggesting a full on assault, consider the situation and your risk first...maybe all that is required is a look...or an indignant pardon me did I hear you correctly? Or excuse me but I believe that I am next, or could you kindy wait for your turn? And please if you are in your car no "flipping of the bird" that is Rude!

In our school, we Expect and Encourage good manners and behaviour, we lead by Example and Instruct and Correct where necessary. It is constant and exhausting work however, we as a staff know it is in our best interests to persevere, after all we do not live in the Stone Age.

It has never been good form to throw stones...

Bring on the weekend...

Crazed vintage pudding mould.

Crazy busy day.

I am home at last, busy day at school today in the library. We are gearing up for the Olympics and decorating the space in RED and WHITE with flags and posters and themed books. It looks a little over the top and we still have balloons to inflate and streamers.

Our new big screen TV is installed and we will be televising the Olympic coverage during the games so that students will not miss out when they are at school.

I purchased Olympic mittens to show my support and enthusiasm...it will be very challenging to type and circulate books at the computer...they did not have fingerless gloves!

I hope that the weekend has something wonderful in store for you.

I am planning to let the weekend unfold as it may...no plans at present.

R&R for sure!

Life, death....and unanswered questions.

Something profoundly sad and tragic happened in our neighbourhood this week....something so sad that I am hesitant posting about it.

It is heart wrenching...I'll be brief.

A young girl took her own life, the family lives across the street, the police were knocking on doors, the police dogs were checking the neighbourhood for clues...she was found, but too late.

Many questions remain, many will be unanswered.

I left a bouquet of flowers and a note at their front door, it is too soon to disturb, and I was unprepared should I confront the grieving parents.

I cannot fathom the depth of grief they are experiencing and I want to scream out "WHY?"

Are there lessons to be learned here?

Did this young girl fall beneath the radar at school?

Could we as a society have prevented this?

How did we fail her?

It takes a village to raise a child.

African Proverb

Lingerie day, an intimate affair.

This afternoon I continued my quest shopping the small independent retailer.....this time a fabulous lingerie shop!
I received personal service, did not have to guess my size, or go back and forth from the change room to the showroom. The sales clerk knew what would work for me and what would not and she brought in a variety of choices and helped me get the best fit. It was a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I have been shopping at this same store for about 20 years and I have never had a problem. The costs of the garments are dear but with careful hand washing they stay looking new for years.

I purchased a lovely set, bra and panties by Prima Donna as seen here...Chocolate brown and pink

After reading Jamie Cat Callan's book French Women Don't Sleep Alone I realized that my arsenal was in need of an update...so lingerie day was scheduled and it was a huge success!

I usually shop twice a year for several basic bras and panties and am happy with the performance of the higher end quality companies that they carry.

My other set is basic but lovely and I think everyone needs a bra that disappears underneath a Tee shirt or top,  Rosa Faia Kelly

I use my Aveda shampure to wash my delicates...fill the sink with warm water squirt in a pump of shampoo and let soak and after 5 minutes, gently swish around and then rinse in warm water hang in shower to dry overnight...easy peasy.

And while we were out this afternoon my dear mom wanted to treat me to something in appreciation for the homemade chicken soups, errand running, book loaning and visits during her recent illness. I attempted to avoid the gift but when my mother has her mind set on something it does not do to argue, so graciously I accepted and this jacket was said "gift"...lightweight, will go with lots of colors, and a great little travelling piece (I am heading to Seattle in March) not expensive (just over $100) and totally fun.
The color does not show well in the photo, it is a neutral pea green goldish amber mettalic, even harder to describe with words than the camera!!

Mom and I enjoyed afternoon tea and scones in an English style tea garden, my treat, as we were parched and in dire need of restoration after our expedition.

Do you frequent small retailers? Do they greet you in recognition? 

Are you happy with the service received or does that even factor in your decision of where to shop?