Monday 23 September 2013

Sweet Hands

I am having the most wonderful day!! And it's Monday, so THAT doesn't normally happen.
I got home from work at 8am, just as there was a bustle out of the door for school.


On went the kettle, and out went the girls. The Moo is a bit under the weather (vets later I think), but managed her usual howling announcement that the postman had arrived. He didn't disappoint! Firstly, he brought a little deal I did on eBay for some jumbled up old knitting needles......


I love the colours and the bobbly tops, and I think they'll look rather great in the 'keeper of knitting needles'.
The second parcel, has left me in a bit of a magical spell ever since it arrived......


A lady called Carol, had read a book that I had read. 'Tuesdays With Morrie'. It's a very special and touching book, and if you haven't read it, then you really should. It may change your life a little, or a lot, for the better. I commented on Carol's photograph of this special book, and enquired as to whether she had read another tale by the same author. Carol hadn't. But she wanted to....she said that she looked for it regularly at car boot sales. It seemed a bit sad that this book sat on my shelf, collecting dust, when maybe it was in fact the copy that was destined to find its way to its fated next reader. I asked Carol, who I don't know, if she would like me to send her the book. Carol did....and on sending me her address, she asked for mine.....and would I like some plants and seeds. Well yes, I really would! How lovely.....a sweet swap. 
Carol was much more efficient than I, and got her parcel to me in the post straight away. Now take a look at what was inside.


Lots and lots of beautiful cuttings, gently wrapped and labelled with copper tags, which according to Carol, are very good at deterring slimy slugs.
I couldn't believe this parcel. I couldn't believe that a stranger would take such time and care to share these new planty beginnings with me.




 
And seeds......
 
 
I was...I AM, astounded at Carol's thoughtfulness and generosity. I got straight outside (well actually, I got on the net to look up all the fancy pant plant names first), to put these new beginnings into the earth, from Carol's patch of the world, to mine.
 
 
 
In my patch, this climber has started to turn red practically overnight! Three days ago it was entirely lush green. How des it DO that? If I stood still long enough, surely I would see it change slowly into this bright burning red, with my two little human eyes! I'm not going to try.
 
 
Hawethorn

 
I've made a terrible mess, there's soil everywhere, as it was a not very nice, drizzly day here in the Midlands. Oh but I've had such a lovely time. Every wrapping of newspaper my hands unbound, I've imagined the sweet hands that have wrapped and tagged and lovingly packaged these cuttings. I believe my book was supposed to find it's way to Carol. Maybe it will speak to her in a way it didn't to me. Maybe it will mean that the postman takes a minute longer at her door, and thus runs in to an old friend from the past, or maybe a future love.
 
 
I had a good, muddy day.
 
 
The Moo got tired of waiting for me to come inside and put the washing away, so just lay on it instead.
 
 
I had cheese and biscuits for lunch to celebrate my marvellous Monday.
 
 
And I'm soaking some pieces of treasure I found along the way.
 
 
Just to top today off, Monkey Socks brought home some fruity flapjacks the she has made at school, which are completely delicious....Man has started cooking dinner, completely unprompted (unusual)....and I don't have to be in work until 3pm tomorrow!
My soul feels good.
 
Thank you Carol x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




17 comments:

  1. Hey ... just found your lovely blog ... will be back to read more! M x

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    1. Hi Jane! Yes please do! Thanks for leaving me a note.....I hopped on over to your place too. I don't know when I'm going to find the hours needed/wanted for this bloggy world. I shall 'talk' to you again soon! Xxx

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  2. A lovely post, and I'm constantly amazed at the generosity of fellow bloggers ... What a lovely lot they are!

    Thank you so much for your lovely comments on my blogs, it was lovely of you to drop in!

    Don't know how to follow you, as I can't see a load of smiling faces, so I'm subscribing by email ... Looking forward to reading your lovely posts, and going to have a browse through your past ones.

    Love Claire xxx

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    1. It's a whole new world to me, and one I think I'm going to love! I rarely come across like minded in real life. I think I'm happier here with you lot x

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  3. oh i hope moo is feeling better today after his trip to the vets - you were busy yesterday on top of working all night as well - i don't how you do it!!! isn't it nice when someone shows you kindness - it always blows me away when that happens and i do try to be the kindest person i can to others as well - nothing to do with religion (of which i have none) if that makes sense ........... also don't get excited about my glass painting it wasn't that great - cheap and cheerful is more my style - but i enjoyed doing it for a while AND i'm mostly all talk and no action - according to whose blog i am reading i am going to pick up my knitting needles, get the sewing machine out etc BUT i'm happy enough!!! good luck with your plants xx

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    1. Lynne, I'm pleased to report that after a nervous trip to the doggy doctor, a bad hair cut for The Moo and a steroid jab, she's feeling MUCH better thank you. I have passed on your kind enquiry, and she seemed very pleased. She gets the same thing every year, though normall at the same time the Christmas tree arrives, when we can ill afford it.
      Have you seen the film "Pay It Forward"?......it's a wonderful film, all about doing a kind selfless act for a stranger. Paying forward rather than paying back. Have a look if you ever get the chance!
      I look forward to tales of glass painting (albeit cheap and cheerful) AND knitting then now! You're like me, full of ideas and good intention x

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  4. Don't you just wish the real world was like blog land...will check out the book, could do with some life changing stuff. Eco Ethel. xx

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    1. Yes you must! And buy tissues. Lots of them x

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  5. What a great swap ... arent blogging friendships just great :-) You have actually just reminded me that a dear old friend & I had the conversation regarding the book Tuesdays with Morrie ... so I must borrow her copy - thanks for the memory jog. I have not seen your dear Moo before .... sooo beautiful. I am such a dog lover. Hope your week goes great - hugs across the miles, Julie x0x

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    1. Sending you wishes of a marvellous week across the miles too Julie! Let me know what you think of the book x

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  6. I think planting and pottering is very good for the soul,,, and what a lovely lady Carol is, ...I love your red wellies :) xx

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    1. And she spent all that time writing me a long email about the plants and their care! I've no idea how to repay the gesture x

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  7. Loving Moo hope she has perked up, love your wellies I've the same but in lime green though wish I'd got the size up so they'd be easier to pull off! Yep swapping is fab!! Cx

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    1. Ha! Yes, I'm often spotted wrestling my welly against the front door step! I need one of those posh boot pull wotsits

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    2. Moo feeling much better after drugs....it's the only thing that fixes this recurring issue, like an allergy or something. She gets a skin rash and has to have an ugly shaved hair cut! This time it was only the size of 2p, but once she had her whole head shaved and wasn't allowed in any Christmas photos!!! X

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  8. Just found your blog a few days ago through Hettie's blog and read back many posts.What a lovely thing to receive the package of plants and seeds. Hope your Moo is better.

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    1. Hello Denise! Thanks for stopping in....I've had a rush since Hettie very kindly gave me a mention. I was about to give up after I was the only one that ever read it! Xx Moo is much better, thank you. Back to shadowing me during meal cooking, hoping something will drop! (She's a veg lover, will do anything for a carrot!) xx

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