Friday, February 14, 2025

FEBRUARY THOUGHTS

 


Summer is drifting along at the Red Cardinal nest...
 extremely hot and humid one day or heavy rain and flash flooding the next...

Salads are the usual fare, as it is too hot to cook..


We have increased our exercise and walking routines, getting ready for our trip to Europe before Easter.





What will probably be our last European adventure will feature Easter Music Festivals in three cities in Austria and Germany.
There will be three operas, several symphonies, and other concerts.

During the day we will see historic architecture and the art museums.


I have been looking back at a previous Art and Music tour we enjoyed in 2018.  Who knew that a pandemic would stop us in our tracks for quite a few years?  
There certainly are a lot of viruses around these days, and we will be taking masks (and wearing them!).  

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I have added a few items to my wardrobe, particularly for the nine night events.  My first purchase was an ankle length sheer coat/dress:
 

This can be worn over a black dress or top and pants..


It doesn't photograph easily, but the design features old architectue and creamy roses, a bit like an old photograph.

I like its mysterious appearance...


We will be walking from the hotel to the opera and concert halls, so will I take my white sequin sneakers with the satin bows??
Will there be April Showers in Germany?  Would black boots  be smarter?

Time will tell...


Back into Book Club for 2025, I have just finished 'Migrations' by Charlotte McConaghy.  I enjoyed the beautiful, evocative writing of this surreal story about the challenges we face in preserving and world, especially our wildlife.  The Arctic tern is followed on its migrations across the globe.

I am now reading 'The Dutch House', a family saga by Ann Patchett.  It is the first of her novels I have read, and I love the setting in Philadelphia and New York.  It brings back memories of our visits to these two beautiful cities, back in the early 2000s.


Sadly, three women I loved and admired, all around my age, have recently passed away after tragic ill health.  It has been a bit confronting to realise how quickly things can change in our later years, and to make the most of what we have.

Grateful for our good health, and working hard on our diets and health checks, we celebrated St. Valentine's Day yesterday with dinner at a local tavern.  And an exchange of pretty cards.
Mr. Red Cardinal sent me a little Valentine when we first met at the office, all those years ago.  It was an intriguing way to get my attention, and I guess it worked.....

Happy Valentine's Day to each and every one of you.
Stay well and be safe.

XXXXX











22 comments:

  1. How super it will be to attend the Easter Music Festivals in three cities in Austria and Germany: operas, symphonies, and other concerts!!
    Are you sure it has to be your last European adventure?

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    1. Ah, I suppose never say never Hels, lol. If we do another trip in the next couple of years it would be to Canada to visit our daughter. The Festivals are great, and include the Berlin Philharmonic, a wonderful and famous orchestra.

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  2. Well, that sounds like a really lovely trip to plan - but it certainly is sad that three contemporaries have passed. We certainly have to make the best and be grateful for what we have in this imperfect world. Your new sheer coat is beautiful.

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    1. We are so looking forward to April, Jenny. Reflecting today on those we have lost. Glad you like my coat; I think it will be worn at least three times on the trip. Maybe more?

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  5. How lovely to anticipate travels to Europe soon. Your coat/dress is beautiful and will be a versatile piece to wear.
    I'm sorry for the loss of your friends. It's hard to lose those we love.

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    1. Thank you Lorrie. It is hard to believe they are gone. I do hope my outfit looks good, and will be the pivot of the very sparse tour wardrobe.

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  6. Hello my beautiful Trish!
    First of all, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Friends. Biggest hugs and sympathies to you. ๐Ÿ™๐Ÿป
    Next, I'm SO excited for your trip!! How wonderful and the lovely concerts and symphonies you will attend will be a dream, I have no doubt. And that long jacket you got is stunning!! You will be gorgeous my Dear! ๐Ÿ˜
    But lastly, I'm so proud of you for taking such good care of your health and being smart about masking for the trip. Yes, lots of nasty flus and bugs out these days. But already sending up prayers for you too be safe and healthy when you go and to have an amazing time! ๐Ÿ’—๐Ÿ’—๐Ÿ’—

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    1. Hello dear Carrie. Thank you so much. I am busy taking up hems, getting in the spirit of the trip. Just need to find the perfect Winter stretch pants to round out the wardrobe. The planning is half the fun, as I am sure you know. Blessings to you and have a great week. xoxox

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  7. How fun you will take a trip to Europe, Patricia. Your dress jacket is pretty, but I don't see the roses in the fabric at all. I really like your sneakers with the satin bows. They will come in handy when walking a long distance. You are enjoying lots of books lately. While it is hot and sunny there, it is cold and snowy and wintery here. ; ) Have a good time planning your trip. I will take one soon as well to see the family, but mine is only a three hour drive. I always appreciate your lovely posts, Patricia.

    ~Sheri

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    1. I forgot to mention, I'm so sorry to hear about your three loved ones who passed away recently. Thinking of you tonight, and sending thoughts of comfort and love.

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    2. Hi Sheri, I took another photo of the lower part of my coat, which shows the cream roses, and it is at the end of the post. Thank you for your interest. I think it might be quite cold in April when we travel in Europe, so I will need my good wool coat. I have seen the pictures of all the snow in the US and Canada. Today I watched the livestream of the funeral of the third friend who is gone. Beautiful but very sad. Thank you for your thoughts.

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  8. How exciting to have a lovely trip to look forward to. Your sheer coat looks beautiful and with your elegant style Trish it will look gorgeous! Your recent reads sound interesting....tucking them away on my list! The weather here has been crazy. I don't know about you but I am looking forward to Autumn. I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your friends. Sadly a part of our lives as we age but still confronting. Take care xx

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    1. Thank you Michelle. I always look forward to Autumn, and more than ever this year. It is my favourite season. We will get an extra dose of cool by going off to Europe. I am so pleased I saw that outfit and knew it would be perfect for our trip. Yes, loss of friends (one a relative) is very confronting and they all came at once! Take care xxx

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  9. That coat dress looks amazing and will be perfect for evening concerts. Very impressed to hear about the health components of the trip preparations. Share your sentiments about the passing of special people.

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    1. Coat dress sends its regards; it is pleased with its reception :) We are looking at masks today - planning on the best available to wear en route. So sad to see the third special person go recently...

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  10. I am sorry about the loss of your friends. Losing them so close together is especially tough. It is a necessary thing about aging, we must deal with great loss. We also have to deal with the loss of our health but sounds like you and hubby are still spring chickens! Take me to Europe with you! And please wear those lovely white sneakers! They look like Cinderella 's walking shoes! That coat dress is gorgeous! Did you do a post on the dresses at the Baftas? I do so enjoy your posts on fashion! I am telling folks to stay warm but I need to tell you to stay cool. Take care!

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    1. Thank you Kay. I feel we have been thrust into the sphere of aging these days, and loss is definitely part of it. The idea of losing our beloved home should we need to move would be so sad. Wish I could take everyone to Europe, and what fun we would have. I hereby name those sequin sneakers Cinderella! No I did not do the Baftas - maybe I should have a look at them? We have had a couple of cooler days ie under 30c, and it is bliss :)

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  11. Oh how exciting to be planning your European tour, Trish. I think I’d opt for the boots, given the unpredictability of the weather here. I’m so sorry for your loss of the women you admire. Sadly, we’re at that age where loved ones and people we have valued from our youth are passing on to other spheres. I hope your transition to autumn doesn’t bring any extreme weather events. Xx

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    1. Dear Val, it is very exciting. Yes, I think white shoes is probably a bad idea, especially as I have heard of April Showers! We have some nice breeze this week, hopefully a sign of Autumn on its way. Yay!

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