Tuesday, May 6, 2014

IT'S MAY


Tra la, it's May, the lusty month of May
That lovely month when everyone goes blissfully astray
Tra la, it's here, that shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts merrily appear

It's May, it's May, that gorgeous holiday
When every maiden prays that her lad will be a cad
It's mad, it's gay, a libelous display
Those dreary vows that everyone takes, everyone breaks
Everyone makes divine mistakes, the lusty month of May


Yes, it's May, that fresh sweet month - Spring for the Northern Hemisphere,
Autumn freshness in the air for we in the Southern sphere..

We have plunged almost overnight from summer heat to winter winds, and I for one can't get enough of it...


The exquisite Lily of the Valley, May's floral emblem...
 I found seasonal gifts for a friend whose birthday comes this week:
Scented drawer liners, and a little giveaway with Country Style magazine.


In May 2013 we were in Canada, where I delighted in the tiny white bells in our daughter's garden..


and later made little posies, gathering them with forget-me-nots for the Baptism day of the Little Bebe:


Not so little now, this is his effort for May 2014:


Yes, folks, I can climb upon the dining table and help myself..




Thank you all for your kind and caring comments on my previous post -
I truly appreciate and cherish your friendship.
When I went into hospital last week, I was buoyed by a wonderful sea of well-wishers - thank you all!



Today, I received the best of all possible news...
An excellent biopsy result:  the very large growth I had removed was Benign!!
Thanks be to God, and I am extremely grateful.
As many of you know, once cancer has come into your life, 
these things become a serious concern ever after.



I continue to be very tired and sleep a lot (I prepared most of this post in advance),  but if I had the energy, I would be trilling along like Julie Andrews...

Have a Happy Week

xxxx



39 comments:

  1. Hello Patricia,

    This is indeed a joyful post which certainly matches the moods of your images.

    Lily of the Valley is such a welcome sight and, here in Budapest, small posies are for sale on every street corner. Such a lovely gift to arrive with, we think.

    And, what wonderful news for you. These health scares are so energy sapping and frightening. We can certainly empathise with this. So, be merry in May......life is for the living!

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    1. Hello Jane and Lance, it is definitely time to be joyful! Oh, how I would love to see those posies of Lily of the Valley in Budapest - I would want to buy them all! Happily, with a turn to cooler weather, flowers are beginning to bloom once more in our garden - they are joining me in the celebratory mood. Promise to be merry, and for me, life is indeed wonderful.

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  2. I was so glad to see your post and even happier that you have had such good news!! That really couldn't be any better could it. I hope that you can sit back and enjoy those cooler autumn temperatures and relax a little.

    Lovely to see your pictures of your little fellow, what a difference a year makes hey! He is obviously going to be a real social bunny if he is dancing on the table already!

    Take care of yourself, I hope that you are back to your normal self again soon and once again, I'm so pleased for you! xx

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    1. Dear Amy, thank you so much. It has been a tense few days, not to mention tiring. Yes, we can sit outside at last, and enjoy the flowers and the cooler temperatures. So funny you call our little guy a social bunny - that is exactly how I see him, and in fact, I am stitching a couple of bunnies with him in mind while I take it easy this week. I'm usually on my feet most of the time, but right now, an easy chair and some stitching are just the thing. xx

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  3. Truly a joyful post Trish and I am definitely tra la laing from here. I am so very pleased for you. It must be such a relief. Love the antics of your little table acrobat. Sending you big happy hugs ((((0))))

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    1. Dear Michelle, glad you are tra la laing too. Great hugs there - I'll have to learn to do that too :)) Big relief, I am hardly noticing the cancelled trip right now. Table acrobat is driving his poor Mum to distraction, climbing everything in sight. Meantime, am stitching your bunny table runner, with him in mind - seems just perfect for his room! xxx

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  4. Patricia this is the best news!!! You were in my prayers and I am so glad to hear the excellent results! Your grandson is so adorable, especially the photo of him standing on the table.
    I am loving the cooler weather too, however it is making it so hard to get out of bed in the morning, as our little Queenslander house is not really designed to be warm! I remember a friend of ours from Germany stayed with us during July for a couple of weeks and she said she had never been so cold in her life! It is so nice wearing layers though.
    Take care and I hope you are feeling better soon, Fifi xxx

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    1. Dearest Fifi, thank you so much, your prayers are absolutely valued and appreciated. I know I am being cared for by a higher power - so many difficulties the past 3 years, and we have survived and thrived!! We have a similar style of house, and yes, they are designed to be cool, not warm! I've had similar remarks here from overseas guests, not used to the way we live in a cold house through the winter. Our little bedroom thermometer often registers around 4 or 5 deg. on a winter morning. Yay for an electric blanket, and flannelette! Enjoying layers too - jacket, cashmere, scarf, socks... xxx

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  5. Wonderful wonderful news. I am so happy I could dance... in fact I think I will. have a fabulous May, and start to look forward to things again. Wonderful wonderful xxxxxxxxx

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    1. Dear Janice, Thank you so much. I don't need to tell you how anxious I was about all this. Thanks for your comments on my previous post - I was unable to reply to the last few there, but so appreciated it. France is looking good for you - please dance for me! xxxxxx

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  6. Tra la, tra la. Such great news about your health. I'm sure it is a great relief knowing as well. May is starting out wonderfully isn't it?

    Darla

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    1. WONDERFUL NEWS, the BEST ever!
      I am SO happy for YOU and your near and dear ones.
      The nightmare is off now. Enjoy and hop as soon as you feel well again!
      Thank you for sharing this quickly with us: ).

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    2. Dear Patricia,thought about you on Tuesday,so happy for you,sorry I am late respond ( was looking on M's posts). x

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  7. Dearest Patricia - When the post began the little lily-of-valley seemed to be ringing out a joyful tune so I am delighted to reach the end and discover the wonderful news. I feel like jumping up and joining Little Bebe on the table and cheering.

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    1. Dear Rosemary, yes, I am smiling at last, and the thought of all the bloggers cheering and jumping is very endearing!
      I'm still in shock - how did I have a 6 cm thingy growing in there, and not know about it??

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  8. That is just marvellous news, Patricia! I feel your relief! Your May images are too lovely and I'm sure you are tra-la-la'ing inside. Wonderful!

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    1. Thank you Val, definitely time for a tra la la! Now to get my strength back up - I keep asking Mr C to go out for dark organic chocolate - very Belgian of me!

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  9. This is, without a doubt, the happiest blog post I have ever read. Such great news, Patricia! Now you can look forward to rescheduling that trip to Italy and Paris. You must feel such a great sense of relief. I'm quite sure you must be able to see my smile all the way from Canada to Australia! :-)

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    1. Dear Kristie, you are a sweetie, as we say in Oz. Just a couple more medical issues to be checked before we re-schedule, but yes, it is a great relief. And I can see you Smile!!!

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  10. Such wonderful news, I'm very happy for you. This is a lovely, happy post. Enjoy this beautiful month.

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    1. Dear Jennifer, thank you so much. The older I get, the more I truly value life and good health. Every day is precious! The lovely cool month of May is a perfect symbol for me.

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  11. Alleluia! The best of all possible news, Patricia and I'm SO happy for you. :-) Now my prayers can concentrate on recovery, not results. I love the images you've chosen with gorgeous lily of the valley and your mountaineering grandson both bringing a smile to my face. Take care of yourself and here's to cooler weather and a very happy autumn and winter to come.

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    1. Alleluia indeed, Perpetua. Thank you sincerely for your prayers - I was really very anxious for a few days over Easter. Love your choice of descriptive word for the little guy: a mountaineer he shall be from here on in. I'll tell his long-suffering Mum :) I'm not a good patient, and need to heed everyone's advice to take care - I'm more of an impatient! Nature takes care of me by forcing the sleep upon me - more naps than the average baby...

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  12. I'm sorry Patricia but I've not been around for a while and missed your last posts so was unaware of your recent health concerns. Praise The Lord that you had such excellent test results and I'm so happy for you. I do believe in the power of prayer and will myself continue to pray for your continued good health. Lovely photos of your grandson. Take care dear friend.
    Patricia x

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    1. Dear Patricia, thank you for your kind words and concern, and your prayer is much appreciated. Good health is the best of all gifts - the older I get the more I recognise this fact. Little Bebe says thanks :) xxx

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  13. That is such great news, I have a Peace rose in my front garden it was my Nan's favourite it gives the largest prettiest rose.

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    1. Thank you, Greenthumb. We lost a Peace rose a few years ago, and it seemed a good omen to find a replacement last week, just before my surgery. They really are big beautiful roses. Do you have any tips on caring for them?

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  14. Patricia, so very happy to read your good news.

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  15. Thank you, P. It is wonderful to have so much online support. I really appreciate each and every commenter.

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  16. Thanks Val - btw, still loving your chic new look! hugs to you too!

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  17. First and foremost, wonderful news about your health! How does any parent have steady enough nerves to capture a photo of a daredevil moment in their son's (or daughter's) young loves? That is the best picture ever! And he is so proud of himself. Love the Lily of the Valley scent. And it's beautiful too! Happy May!

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    1. Hi Beryl, and thank you. I was impressed by my daughter's nerves of steel capturing those photos. There was another one with the naughtiest expression on his little face :) So proud indeed - he will drive her crazy. Happy May!

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  18. Great news Patricia, so happy your surgery went well. Rest up and enjoy the month of May, I am seriously hearting Country style this month too, and a little hand cream as a bonus. Lucky us !!! Get well wishes Shell - A Darlings Nest

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    1. Dear Shell, thank you. Finally getting to relax a bit now - I was so tense until the results came through. Get a Country Style mag - the cream is very nice. I am guessing you might be able to grow lily of the valley where you live - much colder than here!

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  19. Dear Patricia, I'm so relieved and happy for you! This is wonderful news! xx

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    1. Thank you sulky, Relief is most definitely the word! Onward and upward, I'm off walking again in the crisp Autumn air.. xx

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  20. Hello dear Patricia
    THAT is the best news for you to hear.
    I'm sorry I missed your last post - I seem to miss a lot now I'm working - forgive me.

    Travel plans are on hold for a while - just think you have extra time to read up on everything you should see and do in both Paris and Florence. I try to cram in as much reading as I can before visiting.
    Do you know I completely missed the Pieta on my first trip to St Peter's in Rome..... I got back home and my dear friend Jude asked.. "and what did you think of the Pieta Shane"...I went hot and cold. The crowds were horrific that day, it was unbearably hot.
    I've seen it and studied it's magnificent beauty and detail since thankfully!

    It's 15 years since my trip to Florence - oh the understated beauty of it all.
    The soft patina that envelops it.
    We stayed at a hotel looking out on the Arno - what memories.

    I can tell you a lovely restaurant to try in Paris - just send me an email!

    Take care my dear friend, I'll keep in touch.
    Love
    Shane xox

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    1. Dear Shane, anyone who can work and blog gets my vote! Thank you for your lovely comment, and your Pieta experience is just what I am thinking might happen to me. One can become overwhelmed in the excitement and miss things, and there is pressure if you believe there will never be another opportunity. I will email! xxx

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  21. A big thankyou to all you Prayer Warriors interceding for our Patricia. It warms my heart to read your replies....you love Patricia as much as her Sewing Sisters here in Australia do, and we appreciate your help with Prayers for her latest Medical "challenge". Patricia has become quite a "Mountaineer" herself, having conquered several summits in the last little while.....doesn't surprise me that her precious Grandson has the climbing gene. :)
    God willing, Patricia will have the best of health from now on in, and it is very exciting to know that so many of her blogging Friends have strong and active Faith, and know where to call for help when it is needed. Patricia, make sure you have a list for each place you are visiting of what not to miss.....I know how much I rely on lists and how effective they are for keeping on task....(even though sometimes I forget to take my list with me)....growing older is a challenge, is it not? :) xx

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