Hello dear friends,The blue skies of March herald the arrival of Autumn at the Red Cardinal nest.It is a few degrees cooler, and it is very welcome.
We went off to Sydney last week to visit the our twin grandsons, who are six months old already...
We loved being with the little boys... Can you spot the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the above photo?Just a little of the span in between the trees of the park...
I made them some old-fashioned rompers...fiddly sewing, but fun to do.
Tomorrow, March 8th, is International Women's Day:
One of the great joys of blogging is making friends all over the world.International friendships can be very real, as you share details of your lives over the years.Perhaps you have noticed a blog always listed on my sidebar: 'Woke up, got out of bed' by Linda K. We have followed each other on our blogs and Instagram for many years.It is with great sadness I have to tell you that Linda passed away last week after a very long illness. Linda was loved by all, a talented and creative lady whose photos brightened our days, and whose tales of her cottage, gardens, cooking, and beautiful grandchildren charmed and delighted us all.She lived in Ontario, Canada, which long-term readers will know we visit regularly ourselves to see our Canadian grandchildren. I had always hoped one day we could meet but as Ontario is a vast province, the opportunity had never presented itself. We bonded over such shared interests as Ontario barns, milk glass, and thrifting. Linda did not want to make her illness public and I was honored that she chose to share it with me privately. She was brave and giving right to the end, continuing to post photos on Instagram until a few weeks ago.
Yesterday I made a very rustic version of Linda's Sour Cream coffee cake, a recipe she generously shared with me. Rest in Peace, dear Linda. You will never be forgotten.
Take care, and treasure your friends
XXXX
Darling Patricia,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a tender tribute to your friend. It is so true that virtual friendships really can be as true and lasting as the ones forged in the real world. Somehow, one just knows, even through the Internet, that one will just get along if one ever encountered them in reality.
Your post serves as a reminder that life is indeed fragile and is to be treasured every day. How quickly your grandchildren are growing, signs of new life are so joyful and they serve to remind us all of how time is flashing by.
So, yes, we must all make the best of whatever we have in whichever corner of the world we find ourselves. And, in reaching out, we can all share the bond of human kindness that is the greatest of gifts.
Take care, stay safe, dear virtual friend.
Thank you for your beautiful words, dear Hattatts. I have indeed found wonderful friendships via my blog, and the times I have met international friends in person have been truly lovely. Life is fragile as you say, the more so in these pandemic times. Be safe in your beautiful home.
DeleteDear Patricia - I did know about Linda's illness but I am still shocked to learn that she has passed away. I was thinking about her this past week and thought that it was a very long time since she had posted anything on her blog.
ReplyDeleteThis is especially sad news, she was still young and had
so much left to give especially to her lovely grandchildren, all of whom must all be feeling devastated. Rest in Peace dear Linda.
Dear Rosemary, I thought you would know about Linda's illness - she seems to have reached out to her followers privately, a beautiful gesture to her online friends. The news came on Instagram and I was shocked too. Those beautiful grandchildren, how devastated they must be. It makes me so sad. May she rest in peace.
DeleteOh, I am so sorry. May she rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs all the way to Australia from Conyers, Georgia, USA. xx
Thank you Kay, I get tearful every time I think of dear Linda. She will be sadly missed on the good social media of the world.
DeleteHello Patricia. So sad to hear that a good woman has died far to early. You must be feeling sad and upset and I’m sorry.
ReplyDeleteYou have 2 gorgeous grandchildren, to say nothing of the ones that are a little bigger! I love the romper suits. So cool. I wish I could wear one these hot humid days.
Did you have any effects from the storm last week it was worryingly like the Gap storm from 10 years ago in Ferny Hills.
The cake looks delicious.... coffee and sour cream .... yum! What a lovely way to remember her. Cheers Lindsey.
Ah, yes, wouldn't it be nice to wear a little romper suit in this weather. I remember it was a fashion for big girls, long ago, back in the olden days :)
DeleteWe had a lucky escape from that storm last week, having our roof repaired just the day before. It had been damaged in one of the storms before Christmas, causing some internal damage. At least now we can attend to the water-stained walls in our entry. We also lost a computer in a lightning strike in January, and it was a long 10 days before our data was retrieved by the technies. I remember that storm at The Gap, the hills were bare for months afterwards. A real shocker.
The cake is excellent, perhaps I should post the recipe some time. Cheers
Yes please to the recipe. My son in Panama loves coffee cake. It would be a nice way to remember your friend. Linda’s sour cream coffee cake!!! Lindsey xx
DeleteI was not familiar with Linda but I gather she was a special person, a great photographer (I peeked back and her grandchildren were so beautifully captured in her photos) and all around fun woman. If her illness was lengthy and painful, I hope she is now at peace, and I send my condolences to her family.
ReplyDeleteLove the old-fashioned rompers - you are so clever to sew them - and those babies are growing so fast!
Hugs - Mary
Dear Mary, Linda was very lovely and very talented. And I loved that she lived in Ontario, like having a mother figure over there near my daughter even though they never met! It was a long awful illness, she is at peace now. Those rompers were fun to make, dear little garments. I did not even mind stitching on the press studs. Hugs. x
DeleteHello Patricia,
ReplyDeleteIt is always sad when someone we know (even virtually) leaves this world. Her grandchildren have lost a loving grandmother. My sympathies to her family.
The rompers for your 6 month old twin grandchildren are adorable! I hope that one day soon you will be able to travel to see your Canadian grandchildren.
Yes, Lorrie, always sad, and happening more often now we are getting older. I never knew my grandmothers who predeceased me, and I treasure the concept of a loving grandmother. Feel so sad for Linda's family.
DeleteFingers crossed we can return to Canada before we get beyond doing it :) I would love to see the Spring one more time - lilacs, crabapple trees, forget-me-nots, just heavenly.
Hello dear Trish!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's cooling off for you. I'm so sorry for you loss. 🙏
Love the rompers - so cute! I bet it was such precious time with them. I can't believe it's been 6 months already! And thank you for your loving words and prayers and support. They mean so much to me through such a difficult time. I'm so grateful for the wonderful women in my life too and treasure them all - including my blogging besties like you! Blessings to you. xo
Hello there Carrie, it is wonderful to have blogging friends, as well as daily life friends. More than ever in difficult times, such as the past year. I heard your country is doing great work with vaccination, and numbers are going down. Good work! xx
Delete