"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven."
This is one of my favorite quotes from John Milton.
I typically dislike it when authors mess with perfect quotes, but Sarah Collins made me make an exception when she elaborated on this one in The Confessions of Frannie Langton by saying "How does it do that? By remembering or forgetting. The only tricks a mind can play."
These words have settled in the hinterland of my soul and I know them to be true...so very true...both Milton's and Collins'...and on any given day, I can be both in Heaven and in Hell and usually am, albeit more in the latter than the former it seems.
Snowdog can no longer travel comfortably (even if I can get him in the vehicle), but I felt the need to take him to the lake he has come to love at least once more. So he and I headed north last weekend.
There was both Heaven and Hell there as well. Another story for another time...or perhaps not.
Other than that, little is new. I have wanted to do a post for some time but it seemed I had no words.
It seems I have not found them still.
I have stitched only a little, and hooked not at all...and finish/finished anything? Ha! Don't bother wondering.
This is about all I have accomplished:
It is a quick little stitch from our own Marly of Samplers and Santas. I need to antique/distress it some so the numbers stand out a bit more and then, yes, FINISH it. But Independence Day is past and my mind and ambitions have already begun to wander.
I have little else to show or say, but wanted you to know that I am still here and think of you all often. I will leave you with a few photos of some of the more "heavenly" moments of my days.
Otherwise, there are days that are someplace between Heaven and Hell...where we neither remember nor forget....we just are.
If only we could be whole there.
17 comments:
Wow....look at your garden pics.......so amazing. I just love them. So nice you had that Eagle waiting. Last year, we had them nesting down the road from us and it was so nice to see all of them. I hope you have a great Sunday!!
It is definitely a place of beauty visually and the gardens are wonderful!!!! Sorry Snowdog is having mobility issues but sadly as we age it happens to man and beast. wishing you peace wherever you find it.
Poor ole Snowdog and poor you in your sad times. I'm sure he would have appreciated the trip to the lake, as did you I suspect. Nature is big and bountiful and brings wonder and comfort, as we are part of it and it is part of us. We are living in the strangest times and all of us are feeling it, we'll all press on and do as much as we can to alleviate the pressures. Sharing with others is the right thing to do, and it's lovely to hear your news.
Jean. x
It's nice reading a post from you and I agree that the mind is its own place. Peace of mind is sometimes hard to find unless we recognize the brokenness of those who hurt us to the core.
Forgiveness is hard to come by but is a necessary ingredient in the perfume of peace.
I pray daily for you and poor old Snowdog and hope that he is enjoying being at the lake. Getting older myself, I sympathize.
Your flower gardens are all so beautiful and I love your ornaments. Sadly, I have no garden ornaments, just too busy pulling weeds.
I hope that you find peace of mind.
Hugs, Julia
your gardens are surely heaven and hope you find peace in them. Poor snow dog it is so hard when they are aging and there is nothing we can do for them.
Life is a struggle for you is seems now I hope that heaven is just around the corner. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Cathy
Your pictures are a treat. Flowers are heaven. We too have our dog on the last trip. We’re in Va now and sharing our Shenandoah River with Lucy dog. Bittersweet.
Oh say it aint so that Snowdog cannot get into vehicles much anymore. I love that dog vicariously through your blog. He is just beautiful! Also some mighty fine flowers you have there. So glad you were able to get to the lake. Janice
Your flower pics are breathtaking! Is there anything you don't excel at?
Poor Snowdog. Getting old is hell for both two legged and four legged creatures. I hope his good days outnumber his bad.
May you find more heaven in your life than hell. I think of you often and pray you find happiness.
xoxo
GT
I'm glad you and your pup made it to the lake. Our dog is a good traveler but he struggled with our Chicago trip and I don't think we'll be able to take him again. It's sad to see our fur babies age. My brother said they are having frequent visits by bears at their home! Any of those at your lake house? I hope you have more heaven days than hell ones the rest of the summer. Your flowers are glorious!
Oh boy Robin, we must be on the same tracks. My train is chugging along, yes, somedays my mind is between the 2 too. Oh, I can read between the lines, we took our old Dolly on a last trip to get icecream and that is a story I can't tell even yet. It may just be kept within my heart. Your garden looks amazing. Even in the "hell" of weeding, I do find a little bit of "heaven." Hugs my friend!
Good Morning Robin,
What a beautiful place you live in and your flowers are incredible. Poor Snowdog. My Sasha is getting to be the same, and it is so heartbreaking to watch.
I love your little freebie. Its so pretty, We will be 111 again today, Now we have fires. It really is like living in Mordor, I won't go as far as Hell.
I hope you can feel happier soon. Its so hard when we are in that place. Its like crawling out of a deep damp moldy well, by fingertips.
I am still praying for you. I miss you my dear friend. I always enjoy seeing your post and your beautiful pictures.
Your gardening pictures are heavenly, for sure! Wow! Our animal people just get too old way too fast. Snowdog has had a heavenly life, I am sure. Heaven or hell - sometimes there's hardly a hair's distance between the two.
Your photos are beautiful, but your post seems sad. There are so many sad moments in life, but the beauty of nature can soothe the soul. I was glad to see a post from you...I have checked a couple of times. I haven't had much time or inclination to blog either, and although I did today, my words seemed adequate and boring. I miss blogging and blogging friends....
Praying for you Robin...and even though you may not have much to recount, it is still nice to see you posting. Blessings
This brought back memories of the flannel sling we used to hold up our lab's hind quarter. She motored faster than we did. I hope your sweetheart's pain is managed.
I thought your flowers were weenies and scarce! OMG they are outstanding and in typical Robin mastery of display. Tomorrow, drilling drainage holes in my watering cans and hoping to find survivors at lowe's garden center.
I am sorry to hear of your sadness. The situation with Snowdog is naturally going to weigh on your heart mightily. I am sad about that. I feel such things as a terrible pressure on my head and in my mind, like something literally pushing me to the ground. I will light a candle for you tonight and say a decade for you and one for Snowdog. I hope you will feel the little flame when the candle is lighted!
I think we have all had our hells over the last year, but those moments of heaven are what get us through the bad days.
The lake looks like the perfect place to get away and find that inner peace.
Debbie
I am sorry that snowdog is having a hard time. My dog Bo is getting older and having such a hard time getting up and down steps to go potty, it breaks my heart. It saddens us to see our furbabies decline in health.Your sampler is beautiful.I don't see how you can see to do those small stitches. Your flowers are gorgeous, you sure have a green thumb. I pray whatever is bothering you, you can find peace and comfort. Hugs, Lecia
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