This is a Shelley Bone China Tea Set from the 1950's. Recently acquired by Diane (my Wife) on a trip to see her family in Mass. this October.
As she has a sharp eye,, she found this in an antique shop/ used old stuff. for a great price. Most Shelley's are pre-wwII and this is a very late set. I think Royal Dalton at some point bought Shelley out and proceeded to break all their molds---- Bigg <Mistake.....
My brother's name is Alan and I can just imagine him with a Pipe in his mouth , going down the intra-coastal waterway with Sweet pea & Olive oil, pushing Brutus out of the way. Toot !! Toot!!
This little guy was kind enough not to move while I retrieved my camera and snapped a couple shots . He is next to the Lock on my front door.
I've been rereading a book this week that my friend John K. told me about, "Mister God, This is Anna" by Flynn. It is a childlike concept of a Higher Power which is what I call wisdom.
I believe the book may be out of print, I found a used copy on Amazon.
Another book I have read of late is called "The Shack" it also has given me a reawakened conception of a Loving, Compassionate God with an understanding of unconditional Love as we sometimes struggle with our Human Condition.
A Friend of ours brought this flower over from her new house.
I have been reading Eckhart Tolle's " A New Earth" and prior to this I read "Seat of the Soul" by Gary Zukav. In addition I have been practicing a guided meditation from a couple Cd's . All of these things, are affecting me in a very positive way.
Eckhart Tolle travels extensively, but, resides in Van Couver, Canada, the same vicinity as my Musical Guru- Sarah McLachlan. Sarah has a custom of greeting others with a "Namaste" . That which is noble and good in me honors that which is good and noble in you. A Zen Master's Silent Sermon was to sit and look at a flower with a smile. What the Bird of Paradise flower does for me visually , Sarah's music does for me with sound. The Books have been guiding me in the awareness of Now. Perhaps Fmm will evolve to FZM - Fumbling Zen Mailman {tongue in cheek}
Maltese Montage
These snakes are not poisonous and they do eat rats ( if one should have them) . This is the same little Jaboticabo Tree with an orchid that I have previously shown on Vox. The tree used to get cherry - like fruit that grew right on the bark of the trunk. When the tree died and the bark peeled, there was a beautiful wood left underneath. So I planted a White Jasmine Vine and I've been watching as it grows- It was at one of these moments that I saw the two of them together. I have only ever seen them in the tree this one time. Usually if I do find one , it is on the ground and trying to get away from me as fast as possible. There is a balance, I don't bother them if they don't bother me. Live and Let Live. My guess is this is mating season. I might have been bothering them a little - - - -- Must be the Pappa- rat Z in me.
Occasionally I like to work on a Jigsaw Puzzle. Interestingly enough - at least to me - I did one last summer also, not entirely different from this selection. What's up with that?
Mugsy is decked out for the 4th of July. Harley has her own way of providing some stripes. I had another week off work. The truth being I was going to cancel after taking a week on short notice in June - only I waited too long. The P.O. wants 2 weeks notice this year ( different contract).
I have to admit It was wonderful to look out at the blazing heat and torrential thunderstorms from inside in AIR Conditioning. I've notice a lot of my post are during holidays from work. I think I don't have the energy after all the daily demands when I have to work. I don't really want to retire tho, I enjoy being out and around the folks on my route they give me a sense of community. The perfect situation would be either work every other day or every other week. Dream on! I think the little white dog pictured has a very good plan. I should take a lesson.
I recently returned from Canada, About 50 miles or so north of Michigan. My beloved Aunt Fran passed last winter and the burial service was postponed until the thaw of the ground. I was able to make the trip , for which I am very grateful. I reestablished family ties with my cousin and we talked about everything by a warm fireplace in his house where I was their guest. Temperature there were still ranging from the High 30's to the mid- 60's - a huge change from the 90 degree humidity in Boca now. Below is a composite of 3 photographs, My Aunt when she was young and a couple of years ago with her granddaughter Michele. I set these 2 in a landscape of Goulais River that is visible from the cemetery.
Pictured below, left to right, cousin greg, his wife diane, their daughter michele and yours truly Nephew Johnny.
Bittersweet is the watchword, I hope to see them all again under happier circumstances
It seems my Vox is becoming a Quarterly.
The coming of Saint Patrick's Day reminds me of the tale of an an Irish Guide and a group of Americans touring the castle where the famous Blarney Stone is said the be. The guide tells his group there is no greater luck than to kiss the Blarney Stone. Instantly a Man goes over and Plants a huge Kiss right on the top of the Stone and then looks at the guide and asks " Have you Kissed the Blarney Stone"? The guide says "No- But I've SAT ON IT!
