Skywatch. . . . . . .

Even during bad times keep looking up. . . . . . and raising your eyes

 upward at this time of year can really fill your heart with beauty and hope.

Hope is what we should strive for in all aspects of life.

I truly appreciate how so many of you have written to me, or

commented here, with concern regarding Jasmin's accident. 

This incident has really caused me stress and anxiety. These are

 the times in life when true friends come through and offer support.

I thank those of you who have done that.

Jasmin had started a new job just three weeks ago and was feeling 

really happy about the changes in her young life. No longer having a car is

 going to be a struggle when the rental from the insurance company runs out.
Sadly, a car of that age has a very low book value despite its low mileage and 
good condition (it used to be mine!), and the insurance payment will in no way
enable her to buy another car in such good shape!

However, although worried, she is doing well and hopefully will have no

 long term physical problems from her injuries.

The outcome of this accident could have been so much worse. 

As we all know, and many of you have mentioned, losing a car is nothing when

 compared to losing a life. As one friend said, "be thankful you provided her 

with a sturdy car (Toyota Camry XLE) which probably saved her life, and

 that the airbags deployed".

Today, we've learned the drunk driver does have insurance - he 

is scheduled to appear in court here in two weeks' time.

Soon o'er their heads blithe April airs shall sing;

A thousand wild flowers round them shall unfold;

The green buds glisten in the dews of spring,

And all be vernal rapture as of old.

..........John Keble ~ 1792-1866

 First fig!

 All photos taken in my garden today.

O, how this spring of love resembleth

The uncertain glory of an April day; 

Which now shows all the beauty of the sun,

And by and by a cloud takes all away.

. . . . . William Shakespeare (Two Gentlemen of Verona) 1564-1616

Another weekend here already - how fast the days pass.

April will have perhaps arrived before I get back here.

Enjoy yourselves and stay safe always.

Life. . . . . . .

 . . . . .whether old or brand new, 

always precious.

My granddaughter, Jasmin (22), was fortunate she survived her

 recent auto accident without serious injury------or worse.

Details have shown us once again that being in the right place but at

 the wrong time - such as she was, just two blocks from home - one 

can be hurt, or even killed, in less than a moment.

There are crazy fools, bad drivers, young and old, who should not be

 on the roads.  

There is absolutely no excuse for driving while impaired
 from alcohol or drugs.

The person who plowed into her on the driver's side, at what must have

 been quite a speed as her car is totaled, was arrested for driving while

 impaired and underage drinking as he's nineteen. Looks like he's

also uninsured and from out of state so getting necessary info

has been difficult.

Sadly the car is gone but Jasmin is with us thank God.

Meanwhile, life begins again in the garden as these spring days warm up and

 the sun brings light. Bob has been pulling up sprouting acorns - this is one

 of thousands now pushing up everywhere and once again we are reminded

 of the old saying. . . . . . . . 

"Mighty oaks from little acorns grow"

Raleigh, known as 'The City of Oaks' just doesn't need anymore, 
especially in my garden!

Hoping you and your loved ones always stay safe.

Needing a break ----------

I have to take a break from blogging for at least a few days to get organized.

If I owe you comments or e-mails please forgive me - I'll try to catch up

 later in the week.

We've spent an entire weekend going over the estimates received

 for our new HVAC system - and have now made our decision. 

 It was hard work to say the least. Of course we hope we've chosen

 wisely as it's such an expensive project. Removal of old and 

installation of new is scheduled for three days next week, so 

again I'll have a lot to keep me busy.

To top off all the above, early Saturday morning our granddaughter Jasmin

was hit by an underage (19) drunk driver when in her car alone just two
 blocks from her home. He T-boned her on the driver's side at a major
 downtown intersection. Thankfully she was not seriously injured, probably
 due to the airbags inflating. There were several witnesses to the accident
and the Police arrived within minutes.
We are awaiting news regarding the status of her Toyota (once
 my much-loved car) which was towed away, hoping that it can be
 repaired and not sent to a slow death in the junk yard!!!

I hope to be back here soon - enjoy your week.

Jasmin - the Photographer. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . who will also be our chauffeur to the airport tomorrow.

I love to take photos of Jasmin. . . . . . and she takes wonderful 
photos too.

She was the official photographer at the birthday party on Saturday and
 took some fabulous shots, such as this one of the 'birthday boy', her first
 cousin once removed, cute Colin, and his daddy. 

Trying frosting from his cupcake, a new taste perhaps. . . . . . . 

. . . . . and this one when some of the other little guests were getting tired and cranky,

 but Colin was as happy as can be celebrating turning ONE!

Jasmin is starting a photography business. 
There's a lot of competition out there in that field but many of us have already
 discovered she is very talented. She has a great eye for composition, takes
 great portrait shots, as well as landscapes, antiques, flowers, architecture, and
 just about everything else.

Please wish her good luck and, if you're in this area and would like to 

hire her for a photo shoot, this proud grandma will be happy to put you in
 touch with her! 

MOTHER - a beautiful word . . . . . . . . .

 . . . . . brand new or seasoned, young or old, here or there, no matter where. . . . . . 

To all mothers ~

A very happy Mother's Day

I have a very new mother to celebrate in my family - 

granddaughter Cassie here with little Colin after his arrival

just a week ago.

Cassie dear, a very happy first Mother's Day!

I hope all mothers are remembered in some special way today as

 we celebrate them here in the USA.

I will be thinking of my own, long gone now, but thought about, 

and greatly missed, every single day.

May your day be full of beauty. 

Have a lovely time with family and friends.

A bright star in the universe. . . . . . . . .

I can't begin to tell you how busy I am!

Just know I haven't forgotten you and I will catch up one of these days.

Meanwhile, Jasmin's graduation ceremony is imminent, and all leading up to 

it has been keeping us hopping.

Also, we leave for England next week. . . . . . . enough said!!!

Congratulations Jasmin - those high school years are now sweet memories. 

May all the years ahead be full of wonder and joy as you pursue your dream.

Good mug of java!

Looks like this will be a coffee drinking day!

I'm meeting a dear friend at Starbucks this afternoon, however, later this morning . . . 

I'm picking up my granddaughter Jasmin after early release (she's doing exams) 

and we're going out for coffee, at her invitation, and it will be at our favorite local 

independent coffee shop.

 I'll let her drive as she needs more practice before taking her test for a license. 

Icy conditions of the past couple mornings have gone, thankfully, and we have 

bright sunshine despite the chill. All in all, a cheery looking morning. 

I even spy some robins at the birdbath, always a sign of a distant Spring.

I enjoy coffee. I don't like bad coffee. I usually drink mine black, no cream or 
sugar - it must be strong, not bitter, smooth and flavorsome.

If there's no good coffee available I'll stick with a nice cup of tea.

Do you agree with that statement on the wall above?

Do you have a favorite brand of coffee?

Do you grind your own beans?

Do you frequent a particular local coffee shop?

If so, is it a chain or an independent business?

What are your thoughts on coffee drinking?

She's all grown up!

 Cassie & Richard's Summer photos

My beautiful granddaughter Cassandra met a wonderful Englishman.

They became friends. Very close friends.
They traveled to England to view the Olympic Games.
They became runners themselves.
Neither ran away. 
He bought a ring. She bought a gown.
They set a date.
This week his family flew across the pond.

Last evening in the North Carolina countryside, as the sun went 

down, we had a wedding rehearsal and a fabulous dinner.

We met lovely new people. British accents were heard. 

A little English princess was dressed like a rose, but named Lily. 

Her tiny baby sister never cried, instead smiled at all we strangers 

with her clear baby blues.

As we sleep I think we'll all be dreaming of a beautiful wedding.

Today is special . . . . . . . .

"Good Day Sunshine"

Immortalized in the well known Beatles song, 

the lyrics stated, "good day sunshine". . .  

. . . .and that's what we enjoyed on Saturday for the 

Fall Festival at SuzAnna's Antiques and the 

Vintage Village here in town.

Hand painted signs are really popular again and there 

are some fabulous ones made by dealers at SuzAnna's.

For those of you perhaps waaaay up north, or living abroad, 

and not familiar with southern expressions, "HEY, Y'ALL" 

means Hello/Hi all of you! Yes, there is a different 

language spoken here in the south, and it took me awhile 

to get it. . . and even after 37 years here I still 

sometimes have difficulty when I hear a true southern 

accent rife with southern colloquialisms.

My personal pretty purchase for the day - the English 

(made in Staffordshire) tea pot naturally. 

Never have enough - although I did cull my collection 

some time back so this makes just three. At just $9.00

I couldn't pass it up.

The lovely girls - granddaughters Cassie, Jasmin 

(who works weekends at SuzAnna's), 

my fabulous friend Vanessa who now lives several 

hours away but came to see us, and Susie, co-owner 

of the shop with her daughter Jenny. Sorry Jenny we 

didn't snap you in this one, you were working so 

diligently with your many customers!

This lovely sign said it all. 

As always, we had fun here, then Cassie, Vanessa and I 

headed to Anthropologie for more eye candy browsing - and 

a little buying (show you later), then met up with my Bob 

for some thirst quenching iced coffee at Starbucks.

A perfect day in every way.

Senior Year. . . . . .

A shout-out to Jasmin!

Just a grandmother's proud moment……

As another school year commences many of our 

children, and grandchildren, are already working 

hard as they settle into their classes 

and adjust to new schedules.

Our granddaughter Jasmin, now a high school senior, 

certainly appears to have a very busy year ahead.

Although she doesn't plan a musical career, her 

great love of music plays a huge part in

her daily education. 

As a first soprano in a chorus known for achieving 

many awards, both locally and nationally, and with 

a Director who himself has been recognized in the USA 

as one of the very best, being chosen for this 

important position is just one, but a big one, 

of Jasmin's dreams come true.  

This important senior year Jasmin will be very busy.

I know she'll manage to do it all though because she is 

a very special young person who, at seventeen, has shown 

that she is mature, forward-thinking, thoughtful, 

helpful, gracious, reliable, and thought of highly 

by her peers.

Way to go Jasmin!

We are so proud of you.

Am I bragging? You bet I am!