Another Birthday. . . . . . . .

. . . . . it's big one and I promise not to sigh, or cry!

As the seasons change, rolling one into another, Autumn arrives

 and I have an auspicious birthday today!  

Each birthday celebrated makes one

 more conscious of the fragility of life. I'm grateful to be 

celebrating my 75th in good health, feeling happy, and 

surrounded by people I love and who love me.

As Bob Hope once said -

 "You know you are getting old when the candles

 cost more than the cake."

I love that quote and it makes me laugh.

Yesterday was granddaughter Jasmin's birthday also.
Turning 22 was a little less exciting than last year's 21 when
we flew down to New Orleans for jazz and razzmatazz!!!
However, we had a great time right here at home this year.

***~~~Many Happy Returns dear Jasmin~~~***

Thankful for no serious injuries . . . . . . .

It was not a great weekend for us.

Yesterday we were involved in an accident, a hit and run!

My car was not hit but granddaughter Jasmin was behind me in her car. 

We were both stopped for a traffic light when a crazy driver came up behind her 

at a high rate of speed, weaving, not braking, and crashed into her rear! 

Thankfully she is apparently not hurt, and somehow her car missed hitting mine

 by about 2 inches, so we are OK too! Her car is another matter and we are

 hoping it can be repaired.

BUT. . . . . .here's the amazing part, this insane driver threw his vehicle into reverse

after hitting Jasmin, screeched backward across the road, turned and took off,

 leaving part of his front grille, headlights and other debris in the road behind us!

Insurance - doubtful, and probably why he left the scene.

Inebriated or texting, possible.

It all happened in what seemed the blink of an eye.

We three stood for almost an hour in the rain awaiting the Police.

Later Bob and I drove around in hopes we'd find the damaged car parked

somewhere, but didn't.

Just thankful we have no visible injuries, especially Jasmin,

but our stress levels are definitely up.

Thinking how driving is no longer a pleasure within the city.

I'm thinking of staying home today where the most dangerous thing is a kitchen knife!

A Change at SuzAnna's Antiques. . . . . . . . .

Although I no longer have a booth, I always enjoy stopping by SuzAnna's Antiques in Raleigh's Vintage Village. I especially enjoy it when visiting and finding my granddaughter Jasmin busy at work there. Now, after five years, including her entire time in high school, working part time after school or on weekends for owners Susie and Jenny, Jasmin will be moving on to a new part time job. Needless to say, many of us are sad about this, however she needs new experiences in the workplace world. She hopes to work in a health related environment which, for someone planning a career in nursing, seems a path she needs to follow now, and part time employment needs to fit with her college schedule.

I can't begin to tell you how wonderful Jasmin's years at SuzAnna's have been, both for her, us, and hopefully for Susie and Jenny. She was treated kindly and taught so much by the loveliest mother and daughter team, experts in the world of antiques and vintage. From a somewhat shy 14 year old who was nervous making change - the old fashioned way by counting back rather than a computerized cash register - and being somewhat reticent in stepping forward to assist customers, Jasmin soon bloomed. She learned how to help customers choose treasures for their homes, designed lovely vignettes and displays within the shop, and being a kind and helpful person to work alongside, made great friendships with her co-workers. I think she'll be missed by many at the entire Vintage Village location,  but I know she'll be stopping by to keep in touch, perhaps even work a few hours if they need help on special occasions, and of course I'll often be with her doing my usual treasure hunting and sharing here what I find tucked away in that great place.

Jasmin at SuzAnna's Antiques

Past and present. . . . . 

 . . . . .  . life is always changing.

Thankfully many of us enjoy holding on to the past, and places such 

as SuzAnna's Antiques make the present so enjoyable 

A quick trip across the moors. . . . . . . .

Dartmoor National Park is an area of moorland in South Devon 
covering 368 sq mi. It was my 'playground' on many a weekend 
as a child. . . . . a quite magical, historical place, one which I'm 
always thrilled to visit when home.

Besides the massive granite rock formations called 'tors' on the uplands, 

tucked into the valleys are farms and tiny villages.

I so wanted Jasmin to visit Dartmoor during our visit in June.

Fortunately my wonderful friend Jackie - she of the beautiful garden I recently shared 

with you HERE - picked us up one morning and took us across Dartmoor, on to Plymouth 

and then Dartmouth (both coming up in another post).

Despite cloudy skies we were able to enjoy views as I related my childhood 

stories - such as falling into the River Dart from a boulder at a favorite 

spot called Dartmeet whilst on a Sunday family picnic. A close call I was told 

when older. We wondered if the same boulder was still there along the bank, 

or has it moved down river during sixty plus years!!!

Dartmeet - where the River Dart is so beautiful.

We stopped here for coffee - and Jasmin enjoyed a 'cream tea' - I think

she loves them as much as I do! It's where we were able to photograph 

the beautiful peacocks HERE, also miniature ponies and goats.

HM Prison Dartmoor 

Opened in 1809 to accommodate prisoners 

of the Napoleonic Wars with France. 

A foreboding sight to come upon in the small moorland town of 

Princetown. It is still in use and currently has over 600 inmates, much changed 

from its original days when at one time it housed over 6,000 prisoners!

The whole story here is quite fascinating.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Prison_Dartmoor

Dartmoor is often referred to as 'the last wilderness'.

Over the past 12,000 years man has hunted, farmed, mined, quarried, and 

lived on and around Dartmoor.

A place of intrigue and fascination.

If you've visited you already know that - if you have a chance to 

visit be sure to go.

Jackie's Garden. . . . . . . . . . . .

My granddaughter Jasmin enjoying the evening in Jackie's garden in Torquay, Devon.

This is my dear forever friend Jacqueline, usually called Jackie. As mentioned in 

a previous post, we gals met before birth when our mums were friends and pregnant 

with us at the same time!  

My previous visit to Jackie's home was a few years back and she was faced with 

quite a mess of a garden - she won't mind me saying that as, after 71 years as 

friends, we can talk like that without hurting feelings, right?

I was overwhelmed this visit when I saw that a most beautiful English garden

had evolved, thanks to some excellent landscaping/hardscaping, and obviously a 

great plantsman who knew the perfect plants for her space.

Jackie - it's a really fabulous garden now and I hope you are out there 
enjoying the weekend surrounded by beautiful blooms.

The kiss of the sun for pardon

The song of the birds for mirth

One is nearer God's heart in a garden

Than anywhere else on earth

"God's Garden" - Dorothy Frances Gurney - 1858-1932

In an English Garden. . . . . . . . . .

I have best friends who have the best gardens.

Above, Jasmin loving the beautiful flower garden of 

my very dear friend Jackie here in Torquay. 

More on our special friendship, and the wonderful 

places we journeyed to in Devon on a day out with her, 
when I get home and have more time to blog!

Tomorrow we head to London. 

Hot temperatures expected. 

Sightseeing will be non-stop until we jump, or

crawl, aboard that plane on Friday and fly home.

Time has gone by far too quickly.

A whirlwind tour of Devon. . . . . . . .

Wow, what a busy few days we've enjoyed already! The time is flying by much 

too quickly and I have little time to attend to my blog. . . . . . sorry.  I will be back here 

to share my lovely hometown soon. Places such as my 'local', the pub named the 

Devon Dumpling in the village where I grew up, the cottages, the very same railing 

where I did somersaults as a child. All this and more I'm sharing with Jasmin who 

is enjoying this whirlwind tour as we cram in as much as possible. The weather is 

being so kind to us - and all is going well following a few glitches at the start!  

More later.

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.

Leaving our footprints. . . . . .

It was such a fun weekend. 

The beach in November is still fabulous. . . . . . . . . .

when the sun shines and you have a granddaughter along to get you out 

and walking in the brisk air, while you in turn give her driving lessons on 

shoreline roads…..what more could two senior citizens want! 

Sunset as only sunset can be at the coast.

Jasmin's senior school chorus, of which she is Student Director this year, is 
named the Sanderson Sandpipers. It seemed quite fitting that her beach 
companion was the sandpiper, wading elegantly, unbothered by 
the cold water of the Atlantic Ocean. . . . .

We left our footprints in the cold sand. . . . . Bob, Jasmin, Mary

We wished we could be on a fishing boat, close to the pelicans and gulls.  

Instead we enjoyed the catch - ocean fresh flavorful shrimp and 

flounder cooked to perfection that evening, sitting in a restaurant with the 
ocean lapping the sands outside the window. . . . . . . . . .

We braved the icy water and foam - taking pics and looking for shells. . . . . . .

If sunset was lovely, sunrise was fantastic.
Pelicans already hunting for breakfast - later dolphins were playing
 in the ocean right outside our hotel windows.

Keeping up the annual tradition - a photo of us in the beach hotel room closet doors!

Hope you enjoy these 'postcards' from the North Carolina coast.

Do you like to visit the beach in the off-season?