Shedding tears...

I cried when I heard the news...

I have been going to the same hairdresser for many many years...
Her name is Christine
she takes care of my hair, but more than that we chat and share
it's a relationship that involves a lot of trust
it's rather symbiotic.

I sit in her chair every 6 weeks, give or take
and she has the power to change, rearrange and transform
she does so with skill and a remarkable talent
wearing a smile and an energetic spirit
and never lacks of interesting tidbits which she relates with great animation

I went to see her last Monday
a vase of freshly picked garden flowers in hand
expecting my usual color, cut and friendly chit chat

she was not there...
and a teary eyed receptionist greeted me

Christine had been at her doctor's that morning and she had been diagnosed with Cancer.
She spoke with me on the phone.

She had called into the salon to give another stylist who would be doing my hair
the colour details and products that she uses on my hair
I could not imagine how she had the strength of mind to remember those details

she sounded distraught and rightly so
the harsh news so fresh and raw
it's overwhelming
what could I say?

It was just a few weeks back she ran the relay for life, a cancer fundraiser in our area
her clients stepped up to sponsor her team
(they raised several thousand dollars)
she ran on an unseasonably cold and rainy day
her dedication strong
and completed the race

her skill and determination will serve her well

surgery is scheduled soon
and depending on the pathology results
there may be radiation or chemo
or maybe both

my thoughts go out to her
and I will do what I can to help

she must think of herself on this journey

gathering around her those that love support and care

focusing now exclusively on healing

listening to the medical practitioners and scientists that will be guiding her

having faith when faith seems illusive

there is always hope

even if it is a dim light in the dark night

The skies have opened up and torrential rain is falling

rain is forecast for the entire week

it's as if

the sky is weeping

tears...

A Close Encounter...

We live in the city fairly close to the town center and even closer to the ocean.
There are several large parks and a historic cemetery nearby with acres of trees.

Tree lined boulevards were planted years ago by a city arborist with a vision and a passion for flowering plums and chestnuts. These large heritage trees stand today and create a leafy canopy overhead.

In a city that has so many green spaces and trees we also have wildlife.
Deer have taken to munching the plants in our gardens and raccoons have been upending our garbage cans and raiding our berries and fruit trees.

These animals have no predators in the city other than man, so a healthy population survives and thrives.
Occasionally a cougar will show up looking for a meal of venison but when sighted, officers are quick to sedate the cat and take it to a remote forested area miles away.

We often find raccoons in our yard as they seem to like our garden quite a lot!
One year I had a mother raccoon and 4 babies living under the sundeck.
They are adorable to look at but can be very aggressive and you would not want to tangle with one.

Pepper had a close encounter with one the other evening...
fortunately she was inside separated by a pane of glass.

An unexpected visitor...

a captive audience!

Look at her back...

the hair is standing on end and her tail was swollen like a bottle brush!

She chirruped and meowed

at the little raccoon 

who stayed around for 15 minutes or so trying to raid the birds' nest under the eaves.

A mess of straw 

 was left on the window ledge

in the morning

and the birds have been back

so I do not know if any were taken or not.

Speaking of wild life

I am taking a walk on the wild side...

Black Flip Flops studded with sparkly crystals!

Peru-B-Ruby

OPI

lacquered toes

I love dense rose petal formations

David Austen

The Rose Grower of Choice 

 in

The Humble Bungalow Garden

Rose bouquet

Jude the Obscure

Paul McCartney

Charles Rennie MacIntosh

and 

the faithful frothy filler

Lady's Mantle

a lime lady indeed!

the perfume of these all blended and wafting together 

is heady and intoxicating

reminding me 

weeding watering fertilizing and dead heading is all worth it!

This weekend try something new

be adventurous

kick it up a notch...

try a new recipe

eat at an ethnic cafe

browse in a thrift shop

stroll through a designer boutique

read something not normally on your radar

try a new shade of lipstick

sample a new scent

walk somewhere different and new

and above all

smile!

push that comfortable envelope 

just a wee bit farther

growth

is a very good thing!

White Wednesday flowers....

I have often toyed with the idea of a dedicating a spot here in the Humble Bungalow Garden for only white blooming flowers and plants.

I heard about the white garden at Sissinghurst Castle many years ago when I was active in the local horticultural society. Members would make pilgrimages to gardens far afield then return with carousels full of slides and guide a captive audience through their journey abroad. It was so easy sitting back in my chair for a few hours and dreaming that I was walking through those lavish gardens myself.

Stephanie Barron has written a book titled  "The White Garden"
a mystery richly steeped in history and Sissinghurst Castle is the backdrop for the novel.
Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West are characters in this story...I must try and get my hands on it!

Pure white blooms are so elegant.

Radiant brides of the garden.

Strolling in the garden after dark, lit only by the moon and the stars, white blooms glow.
Often when sending flowers I choose all white bouquets as they suit any decor.
Sympathy bouquets in white seem appropriately serene and peaceful.

Climbing Iceberg roses

with Lady's Mantle

a frilly filler

I bought this vintage crystal vase years ago in a local antique shop.

It has a few minor chips on the rim so I arrange the flowers carefully to conceal these imperfections

it has a slight yellow tinge which I think gives it character.

It is very heavy with a sturdy base

so it can handle a lot of flowers without the danger of tipping over.

On an a Arts and Crafts plant stand 

in a corner of the dining room

sit

a white orchid

in a Weller jardinere

a taller Weller vase

and 

a Bretby 3 handled vase 

pink tinges the scalloped edges of the rose petals

a day or two in the hot sun fades this pretty pink 

whiter 

This rose reminds me of Sally Holmes

she was a vigorous creamy rose that I received on the occasion of my 40th birthday from dear friends

sadly she got hit hard by the frost this past winter and died

she is missed 

I think of her every time I go out on the front porch as she climbed up one of the pillars

and 

put on a dazzling display.

What flowers do you love?

Are you particularly fond of a certain shade or do you like to mix things up?

Have you made a pilgrimage to any fabulous gardens far afield?

Hope that your Wednesday is wonderful!

Lazy day; a prescription for happiness in an otherwise busy world.

Ah I am sighing and breathing in deeply yogic restoring breaths of fresh air.
Soothing simple comforts...
I took Mother to the Doctor today...he thinks she might have COPD.
Google that and you will not sleep!
Puffers, X-rays, Pulmonary diagnostic tests...

I need a pedicure!

a day of rest

and some OPI

Be a Dahlia Won't You?

blue skies

the tall acacia tree blowing in the breeze

the scent of the honeysuckle overhead wafts my way

as I sip a warm mug of tea 

and give myself some time to be still

and be grateful

to soak in natural beauty

to dream...

en Francais!

get inspired

en Anglais...

to marvel

(the Cerinthe Major is in bloom!)

Cocooning at home 

is such luxury

it's a gift.

Guests are arriving...

simple fare

Crackers

not quite the 100 mile diet!

Canadian OKA cheese

Okanagan cherries

Bath UK crackers

a glass of wine

and 

some great conversation

Thank you for stopping by for some quiet moments 

listening to the Westminster clock as it gently tick tocks...

in The Humble Bungalow.

Mother has  had a few tests

and we are on stand by...

I hope that she passes....

if she does not

we will face the day with bravery

and only share with the intimate circle...

you know who you are...

and fingers crossed she will be fine!

Tomorrow is another day....

Drum roll please...and the winner is...

Happy Monday morning to you all.
I hope that your weekend had some fun packed into it.

I have started a delightful new book by Julia Glass "I See You Everywhere" it's a page turner.
I read  Three Junes a few years ago and love her writing style.
As with most good authors she hooks you right at the beginning and holds your interest...which makes it difficult to put down and get on with other things...like weeding and laundry!

So without further adieu
the giveaway...

take one bag 

add all the entires

shake well

and

pull one out

Congratulations Pondside!

please email me your address

and I'll pop this off asap

please note though that we have been having a bit of a problem with our postal service

there was a strike a few weeks ago

and now there is a huge back log of mail waiting to be sorted

 so it may take a bit longer than usual to arrive.

Thank you to all who took the time to leave me a comment

and to the new followers

I hope you will stay tuned...

I cannot see you all as Blogger is still acting up!

Hope your week is off to a peachy start!