Easter Weekend



Daffodils in the Skagit Valley

Dear Cal,

  Just back from a weekend away.  Went to visit friends north of Seattle, just in time for the Tulip Festival.  Thanks to the continuing cold (snow on those foothills) there were probably three field tulips blooming in the whole valley.  But the daffodils were glorious!  It made my heart soar to stand in the fields and drink it all in.  And, as a bonus daffodil blooms were given to everyone attending the Easter services at the church I visited.  It was wonderful in every way.

All my best,
Kate

Ready to Celebrate

This year's flock of butter lambs

Dear Laurel,

We are ready to celebrate the best and brightest day of the year! The lambs are finished and have been delivered; I have one remaining to take to Easter lunch with me.  It's always quite a moment to open the refrigerator and be met by all the little faces peering back.  I hope that you and yours will experience the deepest blessings and joy as you celebrate the Resurrection!

All my best,

Kate

Good Words

Song of Solomon 2:12

The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Lilacs

Dear Sonja,

Remember the card I sent in October, the one with the remontant bloom on the little lilac?  Well here it is again, at the right time, in the right season... and every little branch is loaded to overflowing with the visible promise of the glorious blooms to come.  I need to devise a plan for supporting the weight of the flowers--how wonderful is that?  There's just nothing like the joy of springtime when hope delivers on its promise.  Tell me what you see in your garden.

All my best,
Kate

Valentine's Day

Dear Laurel,

I still love Valentine's Day.  When else can you pour out your affection and kindly thoughts on your friends and family and have them readily accept with a happy and sometimes surprised, "Thank you!" I invited six single women of various ages to come for a Valentine's dinner party.  No one had to stop and think about it.  They all said yes and now the anticipation is running high.  It's just fun to have something special planned for a day often thought of as a couples only day. I'm all for making it a good day for everyone.  Hope you and your dearly loved will have a sweet time together where ever you are.  We'll talk soon.

All my best,
Kate

More than a single word

Dear Laurel,

  Choosing a single word to set a theme and tone for the new year seems to be a popular idea.  I've tried several times and I just haven't been able to make it work.  My visual self needs a picture and I think this a good one.  It was an early spring day in Olympia with a cold, brisk wind, freezing cold rain showers off and on, and the most glorious warm sunbreaks in between. These brilliant windsocks moved with the wind and rain, and danced and sparkled in the sun.  That's what I want to do this year.

All my best,
Kate

Rich

Dear Sonja,

  I hope your winter garden is as full of diamonds as mine is, and I hope you feel as rich as I do.

All my best,

Kate

Success!

Dear Laurel,

  We did it!  I think everyone is happy, but the grandparents are the happiest of all--in fact they're still flying high.  Just for the record it was not perfect.  After a few days there were the inevitable minor family tensions, I spent Christmas Eve evening at the ER with my mother, I missed the Christmas Eve service, and I didn't count on the ongoing fatigue factor.  But we did have fun, and we have pictures to prove it.  And yes, I would do it again!  Happy New Year to you and yours.

All my best,
Kate

In the thick of it

Dear Laurel,

   This week is like a grand houseparty for my family--a visitor from the other side of the world, two grown up kids back from far away, and the one who has been here all along leaving for England while everyone else is still here.  Even though Christmas Eve is still to come it feels like we must have passed it days ago--with good food, Grandpa's prayers at the table, games, and stories from all the worldwide experiences, everyday has been a high point.    The midnight Christmas Eve service will be the diamond in the crown, though, with songs of joy and quiet thanks for the Unspeakable Gift.  Wishing you the dearest of Christmas blessings~

All my best,
Kate

I'm not there yet

Dear Sonja,

  Do you feel pushed this year?  I can't believe the feeling of Christmas pressure that caught me by surprise this evening.  The first card of the season arrived in my mailbox today.  The neighbors on both sides have their outdoor lights up and shining brightly. The ads are talking hurry, hurry and won't last long!  Stop. It's only December 1st, I just turned my calendar today. I'm not behind, and I haven't missed anything. I had to take half a second to refocus.  My method of peaceful preparation is simply different than theirs.  If that pressure tries to bite you just tell it no.  See you soon!

All my best,
Kate

Yes, of course!

Dear Laurel,

   It's hard to put a finger on those magical ingredients that go into the moment when a friend (of any age) unabashedly asks for something.  I love it!  Could I have more dessert with whipped cream?  Could I come over and have some of that pie you're baking?  I need some creative input with my project, could I come over and show it to you?  I need to bake some cakes, could I come bake in your kitchen?  Seriously, I can't measure how that warms my heart.  Is there any better gift than the confidence and trust of friendship?  I am thankful that I have that kind of friendship with you. So I have to ask, when can I come to your house for coffee?

All my best,
Kate

A winter luxury

Dear Sonja,

  I love to hear about the small luxuries people allow themselves--especially from people who live a simple lifestyle and their idea of luxury has nothing to do with a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue.  This is a good one:  My friend and her husband put a hot tub in their small, one-car garage so they can enjoy a hot soak in all kinds of wild weather.  When it snows they open the garage door so can lean back and take it all in--hot water and snow, who cares what the neighbors think.  Perfect!  I just checked with her, and if we get the predicted snow this weekend they'll be opening that big door.  What are you going to do for yourself this winter?

All my best,
Kate

Morning light

Dear Sonja,

Today I'm grateful for the early morning light and for colors that change by the minute.  Sometimes as the dark part of the year comes I forget to look for light in the most logical places.  The cold air I brought back into the house has already started to dissipate, but I'm hoping I'll carry the light with me all day long.

All my best,
Kate

They'll be home for Christmas!

Home from the Land of Far Away

Dear Cal,

  They're all coming!  I'm marking dates on the calendar for trips to the airport in December--who cares about the traffic jams and crowds, bring it on!  We're still waiting on the train reservation news from the grandparents.  It's been several years since we were all in the same place at the same time. The anticipation is delicious.  From here even the challenges look good.  And... it's the grandparents who are hoping that we'll get snowed in like we did the last time they were here for Christmas.  Funny!

All my best,
Kate

My kind

Dear Cal,

  This afternoon I visited the open studios of several artists--painters, a jewelry maker, glass artist, and a blacksmith.  I was with my kind of people... the kind that are charged up about the work they do with their hands.  We've talked about this before; the something that all artists have in common once they've put in their time.  They have a respectful confidence in their materials and in their process.  Does that make sense? It's hard to capture the idea in words. Every bit of knowledge and experience serve as building blocks for what comes nexts.  I had a wonderful time, you would have enjoyed it, too.

All my best,
Kate

Purposeful beauty

Fall Walk

Dear Laurel,

  It's not very often that I get to walk in the early part of the day, but I was able to this morning.  It was as quiet as the far reaches of the city can be, overcast, and a bit crisp.  Seeing the effect of the wide range of flaming colors I was taken aback at the skill it takes to create a landscape that serves a purpose. Walking through the carefully designed colorscape around the retirement community and hospital and then through the natural looking wooded setting of a neighborhood park I saw beauty that was purposefully arranged for enjoyment--all designed for calm, quiet, and joy.  Amazing and wonderful.  I hope we can walk together soon.

All my best,
Kate

A good way to give

---

Dear Friends,
  On the the approach to Christmas a couple of years ago our family of friends decided to take a different path.  I called a family meeting after church one Sunday; we gathered around a table in a very cold room and I brought out the World Vision Gift Catalog.  It took a minute and half for everyone to wholeheartedly agree to pool our resources to bless people around the world instead of drawing names for presents we didn't need.  That room warmed up instantly! It has given our friendship a deeper dynamic as we've considered our gifts and the impact they will have on people in desperate need.  Goats, chickens, mosquito nets, seeds and tools...would you be willing to try something new?

All my best,
Kate

Kindred Spirits

Dear Laurel,
   I'm thinking big thoughts today.  Two of them.  First, that kindred spirits come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. Many times in my life I've had that kindred spirit kind of connection to much older people, but now that I'm older I have the joy of relating closely to someone who is much younger.  My second thought is, that it is a wise parent who holds the affections of their child with a grip loose enough to allow for good, meaningful relationships with other adults.   I need to remember to thank this young one's mother.

All my best,
Kate

Unexpected sweetness



Pike Place Market - Seattle

Dear Sonja,
   For all of its hardship life does have many moments of surprising sweetness.  In a flash (this morning) I took a chance and introduced myself to a stranger and was immediately rewarded with a liberal dose of genuine kindness.   What that man said brought a surge unexpected joy that relieved me of a weight of sadness that I'd been carrying for some time.  I guess you always need to be ready to catch the sweetness because you never know when it will show up.  Talk to you soon.

All my best,
Kate