Do you love a Dutch Old Master floral painting?
Me too...
which is why I succumbed to the siren call of these little beauties:
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Then there was this:
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and these:
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A bit of self-medicating retail therapy has been happening, because, dear reader, we have had to cancel our forthcoming trip to Italy and Paris...
Sadly, my health has let me down, several difficult problems have arisen, and I need to have a spot of urgent surgery this week.
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I took this photo in Paris in 2008 - disappointed I won't be there next month...
And the wonders of Florence will have to wait, perhaps all the sweeter when it finally happens.
I am simply praying for a return to good health, and safe travelling later...
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All prayers, good karma or happy vibes gratefully received -
and I'll do my best at this end to keep my little birdie chin up!
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I have potted some pansies,
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encouraged the roses,
and bought a new tree fern.
Gardening as a symbol of life and new hopes ...
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Right, enough of that...
Now, getting back to amusing ourselves:
Did anyone else notice this?
William and Kate in Brisbane, last week:
Charles and Diana in Brisbane, 1983:
Cool Blue and White for the hot climate?
Or another history re-run -
We've watched the passing down of Diana's sapphire engagement ring (nice, although I found that slightly discomforting);
we have seen the bringing of the baby to Australia at the same age,
the similar appearance at Uluru in a soft grey dress,
the Diana military look coats....
all attractive, but I wonder if William has issues, and Kate goes along with it to please him.
Or, is it just a phase they are going through as they find their own path?
What do others think?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
xxx
Or another history re-run -
We've watched the passing down of Diana's sapphire engagement ring (nice, although I found that slightly discomforting);
we have seen the bringing of the baby to Australia at the same age,
the similar appearance at Uluru in a soft grey dress,
the Diana military look coats....
all attractive, but I wonder if William has issues, and Kate goes along with it to please him.
Or, is it just a phase they are going through as they find their own path?
What do others think?
I'd love to hear your thoughts!
xxx
PS: (Mr C. and I were there in Brisbane City Hall, that day in 1983, standing along the red carpet, the closest I ever got to Diana.
I was astonished at how thin she was.)
I was astonished at how thin she was.)
I am sorry you are not well Patricia - I know how you feel, we had to cancel a trip overseas a couple of years ago when DH developed health issues. I do hope you get better and get back to Florence one day.
ReplyDeleteI am sure W has issues - how could he not? And I think she has chosen quite a hard life for herself - if you look closely, she is always paying him a little more attention than sometimes is warranted. I am sure she also feels insecure, coming from an "ordinary"background.
Thank you Sarah Liz, it is hard, and the third time it has happened to us: 2011, 2012, and now 2014. Yes, I think Kate has chosen a hard life, and while it will have many highs and wonderful times, there will be difficulties too. I have also spotted what you see, the extra attention and also a sense of wariness. And no doubt there is insecurity too; I know I could not handle it!
DeleteThinking of you this week, take care and look after yourself. Your garden looks like it has enjoyed this current spot of rain ... J
ReplyDeleteThank you Judith, will do my best. Thankfully the garden probably will now look after itself while I absent myself for a bit.
DeleteSo sorry to hear that you will not be able to make your trip Patricia, I hope that the surgery goes well and that you are back to full health and able to reschedule your trip very soon. While you are recovering you will have to spend some time with your guide books deciding what you want to see when you do go! It sounds as though you are doing well keeping your chin up and trying to stay positive so that is good, well done you! I will be thinking of you and waiting to hear how you get on and looking forward to seeing your pictures when you do make your trip, as you say, perhaps it will be even better when you do go.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the Kate/William vs Diana/Charles thing. Perhaps it just seems that some sorts of clothes are appropriate for different occasions that they both have to repeat and also fashions do go round and round don't they - scarily in some cases!!
Hope that you are enjoying your beautiful plants and clothes shopping purchases, take care, love and hugs. Amy xx
Thank you Amy, for your kind wishes and support. I will continue will planning for Italy, come what may. Seems like the best plan, and when we can go, we should do it, quickly! No doubt about those fashion repeats - I find myself with similar items I have done not just twice, but 3 or 4 times!
DeleteOh no, I'm so sorry to hear that, Patricia. Sending you prayers and all good wishes for successful surgery and a speedy return to full health. I hope your lovely new acquisitions will soften the disappointment until you can settle down to making new plans for your trip.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm so clothes and fashion UNconscious that I never notice what anyone in the public eye is wearing unless it's pointed out to me. :-) I just like seeing how at ease William and Kate seem with each other - a good foundation for a long and happy marriage.
Thank you Perpetua, hope to settle down when necessary procedures are taken care of. I do get scared, though, and I know you understand. Thank you for your prayers - so appreciated.
DeleteI'm not so alert about what is worn really - it was only yesterday I noticed this blue/white for Brisbane thing, and decided to make a little comment about it :)
So sorry about your trip! I hope you're better soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy, working my way through the medical maze; lots going on. Thank you for your good wishes.
DeleteSo sorry to hear of this turn of events. Prayers and best wishes for a good outcome and short recovery time. I love your eagle eye and insight, these things go right over my head. See you back here soon....
ReplyDeleteThank you Barb, I love the idea of having an eagle eye, although it is quite biassed - I see what I want to see :)
DeleteDear Trish, I am sorry to hear you are unwell and had to cancel your holiday. Love your retail therapy and gardening. Sending much love, prayers and healing your way. Hugs xxxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle, your encouragement is always appreciated. The retail therapy was a 1-day wonder, and I am getting down to the medical business now. hugs xox
DeleteI too am sorry to hear the news that you are dealing with your health problems. Cancelling the trip is disappointing I'm sure but all your energy needs to go into getting better. My thoughts are with you. Take care and try to let us know how things are going if you can spare the energy.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Thank you Darla, there are three medical things simultaneously, so all a bit too much to cope with. Fingers crossed for good results after surgery!
DeleteHello Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry that you have had to cancel your travel plans. We do wish you a speedy return to full fitness and are sure that the trip will be all the more welcome and exciting when it does finally take place. Whatever, in the meantime you need to take the greatest of care of yourself and gardening is definitely therapeutic.
We try to pay no attention at all to what any of the Royals may be doing but, even here in Budapest, their daily comings and goings are widely reported upon. There does seem to be no end to the fascination in them by people the world over. Oh dear......we always think that there are so many more attractive young people around who remain anonymous!
Thank you Jane and Lance, so disappointing not to see the Arena Chapel any time soon, but I am not attempting to reclaim admission, and feel happy to make a donation to Giotto! I am surprised that Budapest would be reporting on the royals - it is all a bit much, really. Australia is done with the royal tour, and on with other gossip now...
DeleteMy Dear Patricia - I am in total shock at this news, but full of admiration for your positive approach. I realise that it must be very difficult to deal with but please know that you are very much in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary, thank you, I was quite the mess over Easter. However, once we discussed it all with the doctor who helped guide us to the decision to postpone, life has become more positive for us both. It is really, really nice to have such support from around the world; I was quite moved to tears when I read all these messages this morning.
DeleteOh Patricia, my heart is broken for you. I know how much you were looking forward to your trip to Italy and Paris. It must have been so very hard to write this post. You will be in my thoughts this week as you have this surgery. Hugs to you my dear blogging friend.
ReplyDeleteDear Kristie, it has been a wrench coping with the sadness, but onward and upward as we say. It was tricky to come up with the post, because I didn't want it to be all maudlin. Looking forward to being on the other side of the anaesthetic! hugs
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your health issues. I hope the surgery goes smoothly and that you're back to normal very soon. I'll be thinking of you. As to Kate and William, that's a very interesting question and I hadn't considered it before. I think it could be possible that she wants to follow in Diana's footsteps for Will's sake, but I also think that maybe the world kind of expects to her to do to, to some degree? Like she's a living legacy to the world's love for Diana, maybe. I think she seems like a very kind and compassionate person, and she must care deeply about her husband's loss.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer, fingers crossed everything can be resolved. That is a good point that the world might expect this walk in Diana's footsteps, and the media do tend to encourage this line of thinking. I hope they give birth to a little girl, which would break the chain of repetition!
DeleteJust stopped by to meet you. I'm so sorry that your trip has been delayed. Get better. I really enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteHello, and welcome to my blog. Thank you for your good wishes, and I am checking out your blog now.
DeleteTotally out of the blue - your news.
ReplyDeleteI am totally shocked too. The trip can wait.
First things first. Dearly hoping that your surgery will go well and you will recover fast.
Thinking about you. xo
Dear Mette, yes, it was a shock to me too - nobody contacted me after my ultrasound, and I assumed it was OK. Dreadful shock when I went to the doctor 3 weeks later to find I had to see a surgeon asap. Fingers crossed for no complications! xo
DeleteHow horribly disappointing for you, Patricia! I'm so very sorry you've had to cancel your trip, but get yourself well again and Europe will be waiting for you. Interesting points about Kate vs Diana. You might be onto something. I think Kate is every bit as lovely!
ReplyDeleteDear Val, yes, I won't be coming over to your side of the world this month. Best hope is later this year, otherwise it will be 2015. I suppose it is tricky for the royal advisers to find the right balance between honouring history and developing their own style and way of doing things.
DeletePatricia, I am really sorry to hear about your recent situation. You will definitely be in my thoughts and prayers I wish you all the best for your upcoming surgery and a speedy recovery too. Lots of hugs and healing vibes, Fifi xxx
ReplyDeleteFifi!!!! So good to read your voice!
Deletethank you so much for your kind thoughts and prayers.
Loving the hugs and healing vibes, and sending happy vibes back to you, too. I hope life is going well for you. xxx
Thank you, Val, all hugs and prayers gratefully received.
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely right, Kate's dresses are perfectly royal, and actually getting better all the time. I was just a bit freaked by the twin blue florals! LOL at the idea of William hopping hedges - he seems very different from Charles in that regard, and a steady and devoted type of man. Lessons have been learned!
Paris and Italy will wait for you Patricia, wishing you the very best recovery wishes for your surgery and may your dream of travelling give you hope during this time. Take care - Shell A Darlings Nest
ReplyDeleteDear Shell, thank you so much. The travel dream will keep me inspired and hopefully help me get on top of the medical problems. Fingers crossed!
DeletePatricia,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear about your health issues and that you can't take your trip to Italy right now. I hope your surgery goes well this week. I love that black dress with the red roses, it's so charming. And the Mary and Jesus picture is beautiful. I used to always keep up with the fashions of Diana, and Kate now dresses well too. The blues and whites in their dresses are just right for the season.
Take care, Patricia, and I am thinking of you during this difficult time.
love,
~Sheri
Thank you dear Sheri, and I'm glad you like my new winter dress. It just needs a little tweaking - hem shortened, take in over the hipline, and I'm good to go. Cold weather forecast here for next week!
DeleteWill do my best to be a good patient, and come up well! xx
So sorry to hear this, Patricia. Sending you my very best wishes that you make a speedy recovery from the surgery. Paris and Florence will be waiting in your future,I'm sure you'll get there. Take good care of yourself, first. xx
ReplyDeleteHi, little Sulky Kitten, Thank you for your kind wishes, and you can be sure that as soon as we see a window of opportunity, we'll reorganise and get over to Europe faster than a speeding bullet! Trying to keep self on an even keel... Hope all goes well with you, too, these day. xxx
DeleteI never realized all the coincidences (?) between the 2 trips. You know, for me what is happening about Diana is strange. I used to worship her and always waited until the end of the news in England to see her; they showed pictures of her practically every day. But when I compare her with Kate, the latter is so composed, beautiful, picture-perfect that I have quite forgotten Di. Fickle are the royalty contemplators ! Keep well, dear Patricia and cuddle up under Mr Red Cardinal's wings. I'm sure that you feel good being surrounded by so much love ! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteDear Patricia,
ReplyDeleteI will keep you in my prayers. I am so sorry to hear you wont be able to travel.. but your spirits are high. Lets hope its just a short delay.
love your clothes.
I think that William and Kate are doing what Grandma did too possibly and also to show George , when he gets older that his grandmother was there also.
I do believe that Kate is very different than Diana.. She actually enjoys what she does, whereas Diana was so so unhappy.
Take care and keep us informed..
big hugs dear friend.. val x x x x
Oh Patricia, I am so sorry to hear this news. I am pleased to hear that you are having surgery quickly though, and very pleased to recognise your positive take on it all. These lovely places will wait for you ! Take care, and know that we are all thinking of you. Fondest fondest wishes, Janice xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad things turned out well. I love that black dress with the roses. My Hospital Guild in Seattle was enlisted to guard a huge collection of Princess Di's dresses on display for a month. I was surprised at how tall she was.
ReplyDelete