I've planted out violas, primulas and little blue daisy flowers given to me by Mrs Trellis.
My gargoyle in the front garden watches out for bad visitors and bad luck.
I am sure serendipity is his adopted name.
The bulldogs nap in the sun as the gray limestone of the cottage warms up in the spring sunshine.
I've got the covid 19 flyers to post along Cwm Road and to Erw Wen later but just now have walked the 50 steps ( and climbed the Graveyard wall- another 6) to my neighbour the Church in order to sit in it's peace.
My cottage name Bwthyn-y-Llan means Church Cottage in Welsh and I walked over to sit in the stillness of the place as suggested on the poster on the notice board which thought people may like a period of reflection in the once daily opened Church.
Tulips of all colours with blue hyacinths and gypsophila
And when I got home, I filled all of my antique glass jugs and flowers now stand guard in every window
A guard against bad luck and misfortune
Serendipity always needs a little boost
Does she not?
Ps
A final photograph from my former colleagues from intensive Care Glan Clwyd Hospital
Please take note of their message
I love many of these guys
A light in the darkness. Beauty to remind you of better times to come and hope through it all.
ReplyDeleteThe Church of England has suggested we all light a candle in our windows tonight, in a way of supporting others.
DeleteI will light my candle
a lovely sunny day in the little village. pretty flowers too.
ReplyDeleteIt's cold
DeleteSitting in an ancient church is very healing; even if you're an atheist like me.
ReplyDeleteI am too
DeleteBut it was just like you said ......healing
Wow how beautiful! The only colour here is snow, ice and mud, so... blah.
ReplyDeleteWith what we are all going though the sunny weather seems just a little surreal
DeleteSuch lovely flowers. How can they not lift one's spirits?
ReplyDeleteExactly !!
DeleteThank you for bringing us along for the peace, enjoy the sun, and rest.
ReplyDeleteJohn I have always looked upon you as my Guardian Angel - what an uplifting post for today. God bless x
ReplyDeleteAnd god bless you pat x
DeleteBeautiful John!!!! I too have a gargoyle on a window sill for the same reason. I thought I was the only nutty one.
ReplyDeleteNo, there is at least two of us
DeleteI'm a nutter too of course.I have a dragon at my back door to protect me and a monster of unknown origin.Rosemary at my front gate and a little charm buried at my side entrance x
DeleteAn empty church in the daytime is fine and can indeed be comforting. However, when it starts to get dark that's when I have a problem and start imagining I'm seeing things I'd rather not. Started when I was around 22 and a friend of a friend asked if I would play the organ at his wedding. Never having even touched an organ before (now, now!) I got permission to practice at my local Catholic parish church when, one evening as dusk was falling, I looked up into the mirror just above the organist's head (so he doesn't have to turn round to see the celebrant priest) and went cold as I was sure I saw a figure just behind me in the mirror - and it moved! Shaking down to my knees, I rapidly switched the darned thing off and scrambled to leave. Ever since then I've given darkened churches a very wide berth. Mind you, that was back in the days when churches could be left open all night with no danger of having their precious contents looted. Now not so easy to find a church, or any building at all, left open for long periods. Even if it's closed, these days any lead on the roof is liable to vanish overnight!
ReplyDeleteWatching the long-range forecast every day for some warmth - and at long last, on fourth April (as at today) temps may just reach the dizzy heights of TWELVE degrees C. (By day, that is - we've yet got a succession of frost-ridden nights to get through) But, oh JOY!
And finally, I have to add that those tulips in your last pic look absolutely ravishingly beautiful. Ta!
Oh you poor big girls blouse xx
DeleteNot at all, JayGee. How would YOU like it if, in the middle of what you thought was some private organ practice, you suddenly found a strange being hovering over you watching your every move? Fair gave me the willies it did!
DeleteFair point dearheart xx
DeleteWhat a lovely and tranquil sanctuary where the air must be thin from those whose hands built the church and from all who have worshiped therein since.
ReplyDeleteLovely flowers, too!
Grace, peace, and hugs
Oh, those lovely, cheery tulips! I enjoyed your video too, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI've always liked that word - serendipity. Hope you get lots of it.
ReplyDeleteI do too ...I hope we all do
DeleteThe flowers are lovely. X
ReplyDeleteThey are x
DeleteBeautiful flowers. Uplifting post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful church, beautiful flowers with a beautiful message.
ReplyDeletei love where you live. i am so happy you stayed there. i love the sign from the hospital.
ReplyDeleteI just hope people take heed and keep isolating . They were not in the nearby town of Llandudno ....fools
DeleteIt's getting difficult here to exercise my dogs as the car parking area are closed.Rangers are standing around to keep us away.I thought it would be ok as I tend to go off track but just no where to go.I did find a remote place for half hour run but it was badly flooded.I know it's sensible as yesterday everywhere around here was busier than Boxing Day.I'm making a mask today.You live in a beautiful Haven John x
ReplyDeleteIt's not a haven
DeleteCovid is here
My cousin said he heard somewhere that if you have a drink of something every 15 minutes it helps protect your lungs-I wondered if you have heard this John? x
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteOver the years of reading your blog my heart has always been uplifted by you buying flowers for your home. Many times I have bought flowers for men, some look embarrassed, some in panic look for the nearest bin? Some are just lost for words! Thank you for being a bloke who appreciates the power of flowers in the home and the comfort and solace it brings.
ReplyDeleteHugs
LX
Flowers have always been a part of my home life
DeleteEver since I bought my very first house
A friend shopped for me yesterday, as I am isolating. I put flowers on my shopping list,"tulips, ranunculas"--but there were no flowers in the store.
ReplyDeleteStupid scenes in nearby Llandudno
DeleteCrowds of people on the streets
My friend went out to get us food, not solely for flowers.
DeleteThis whole thing is so incredibly surreal. Thanks for posting the flowers. Flowers always make me smile. And the picture from the hospital was great. Stay healthy...
ReplyDeleteMick, you too
DeleteLove that message - and the beauty and colour you share. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to be positive.
DeleteBut news from health care friends around the country are seriously worrying me
What a breath of fresh air this post is. You chose truly wonderful flowers. If you've already read that book -Grief is the thing with feathers, I'd be very interested to know what your thoughts about it are. Stay well, safe and charming, -Mary
ReplyDeleteLove this post. You and your colleagues are doing an amazing job. Keep safe xx
ReplyDeleteIt is healing to sit in a quiet, empty church. Your flowers are beautiful. I have a small gargoyle that sits on my bookshelf. All homes should have one.
ReplyDeleteThank you and your colleagues for all that y'all are doing. We're staying in and trying to do our part to flatten the curve for all of us! xox
ReplyDeleteThere are some really stupid and selfish people out there. They are putting the medical staff at risk. I heard that the centre at Snowdon had its busiest day ever on Saturday, shame on everyone who went there. Keep safe John.
ReplyDeleteYes.......putting more people in north wales at risk
DeleteI've got a fab sausage dog by the door to guard us from intruders. So far . . so good! Onwards and upwards (but not outside!!!). Stay safe. ❤❤❤ xxx
ReplyDeleteYou and all the health workers are angels, thank you John.Stay safe and well xo
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are a beautiful touch. There's no place to even buy them here during lockdown. And thanks for sharing that final photo from your colleagues. And thanks to THEM, as well.
ReplyDeleteI would find it hard without my flowers
DeleteI enjoyed seeing your photo at Traveling Penguin.
ReplyDeleteThey are sweeties
DeleteGood luck to you and yours, John. Both Emily and I have symptoms, I got nasal swabbed friday, should know by end of week. Take care out there brother, wish I was still able to be on the front lines, I'm wearing a mask when I go anywhere (mainly nowhere), and every time I put it on and put gloves on I want to have a nurse hold out a gown for me. Wish I wasn't this old, and could help. I'd be there if I could.
ReplyDeleteMike
Oh mike x
DeleteYour flowers and your gargoyle brightened my day John. I think we all could use a bouquet of flowers about now.. Be well ... Hugs! deb
ReplyDeleteDaughter and her partner have symptoms and are self isolating, but my 73 year old partner absolutely will NOT stay in. We need lockdown and official rationing, I never thought I'd say those words.
ReplyDeleteSelf care is vitally important, for me I'm trying to have a little food treat every day, just something to look forward to in these otherwise awful times.
I have a gargoyle on my wall also. Plus St. Francis is on several walls for all my wild animal friends.
ReplyDeleteI mostly stay at home and have been doing the hand, phone fruit/veggies wash when I get home for years. I have several autoimmune problems piggybacking and I need to stay away.
I think of you and your health workers friends every day.
Be safe. Love your flowers.
parsnip x
Love your gargoyle, and the flowers are just what we all need to brighten these days.
ReplyDeleteJohn, take care of self...how can one not love seeing the bouquets in the windows? We could not purchase any this week and are avoiding shopping trips to the max so I do miss my usual bright little flower faces in my home. Am so happy we have our pets to make us laugh. Stay well. Hugs.
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