Back On-Line Again

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Surely there’s a song in that title – the closest my in-head song repertoire is coming up with is Willie Nelson et al being ‘Back on the Road Again’  – can you do any better?  Share a link in the comments if you can.

It’s been an interesting few months – regular readers and friends on Facebook have the gist of it, with a lot of falling over that began at the end of October (me) and continued on at the end of November (YD) dealing with the results of those, Deep Vein Thrombosis (me) and breaks and fractures (YD) –  interspersed with losses and Christmas and slow healing and excessive and unusual heat, plus thunderstorms and downpours more suited to the tropics than the Riviera of Antarctica…….  and let’s not forget a laptop that completely gave up the ghost on Christmas Day followed soon after by a mobile that went out in sympathy leaving me briefly but entirely devoid of any contact with the outside world.

When life goes south on you it is always a wonderful opportunity to become mindful of how many ways you are loved and supported.  We have had many opportunities to be mindful and grateful.  At the top of my list is my eldest daughter who dropped her life and flew in to care for her sister for the first week she was home from hospital.  And when my phone was declared deceased immediately funded a new one.  Second is the phenomenal rallying around and support offered to YD by her friends and work place as she recovers and after 50 days at home begins to take her first tentative steps back into the world in a moon-boot.

Next comes my phenomenally generous and kind ‘friend who blogs’ the amazing Alys over at Gardening Nirvana who sent a note that left me speechless along with the money for a new lap top.   I was left silent and humbled in the face of such powerful generosity of spirit!

I’m also grateful for an understanding of therapies and foods that feed the body and soul and hasten healing.  I’m grateful for the ability to look at incidents like this and see a bigger picture.  I’m happy that YD and I can laugh at ourselves and support each other even if it is like a couple of old crocks.

But my goodness after almost three months of on and off trauma I was tired out and so was poor Siddy – he has been so busy with visiting and caring and helping out, his little eyes just droop as soon as we get to a ‘sitting’ or ‘waiting’ part of the day.  We were both longing for a day at home in cooler temperatures.  And today we got our wish at last.  Good things ALWAYS arrive if you are patient enough!

So here we are – to say ‘Happy New Year’ even if it is three weeks late and to thank you all for those comments, emails and messages that have kept me buoyed up and forward looking even on days when I wasn’t.

The tiny courtyard garden has thrived this summer and in a few quiet moments we have enjoyed visiting it no matter the weather or time of day.  This was us taking a short break one evening just before getting the hose out ……..

Siddy Jan 18

garden 2 Jan 18

garden 3 Jan 18

Siddy’s new safety gate arrived and was quickly assembled so we can have the kitchen door open and enjoy any passing breeze (and passing people won’t get mobbed and harassed by an over enthusiastic puppy who is convinced they are there just to see him).  Orlando doesn’t think much of it however

O at door Jan 18

I also found time to gather, combine and make up a light catcher and sent it off on its journey to its new home – a delicious combinations of pinks and oranges and coppery hues; sea jasper beads, tiny coral beads, seashell pieces and masses of crystals

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And as days return slowly to a normal rhythm I have even begun to work once more in my art room, stay tuned for anything coming out of there.  And my mind turns also to the upcoming reunion of friends who first met up in Washington DC almost three years ago and who first met through reading each others blog posts here on WordPress.  Stay tuned for more on that…….

Thanks for coming by today and catching up with us here, I love that you do!

 

78 thoughts on “Back On-Line Again”

  1. Where will your next reunion be held, Pauline? I hope if you ever decide to come to the U.S. again, I will take a plane and see you for awhile, just a cup of tea or coffee or short walk, (an art gallery or museum would be grand. . .) I have more leeway in my credit card and life even though working many hours still.
    The video and the sights of gate and outdoors as well as dear Siddy were wonderful!! Hugs, Robin ❤ 🌈 🕊

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  2. How did I miss this post? I only saw that you had posted via Luanne’s Twitter. So good to hear that you are on the mend and well enough to get your creative juices flowing again making light catchers and maybe even painting! What marvelous good friends you have, Pauline. You are a human light catcher!

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  3. How wonderful that such generosity exists – gifts of a new ‘phone AND laptop must have been very exciting and, as you say, humbling. Lovely to have you back online and read your musings. I trust both you and daughter are healing well:)

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  4. Pauline, I posted about its gorgeousness!!! Thank you so much!!! It couldn’t have turned out any more perfect! Siddy looks so adorable. Can Orlando jump over the gate? What a lush garden!

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  5. Pingback: Rainbows Everywhere | Writer Site

  7. Happy New Year Pauline, you are one special lady you know that! May 2018 bring you and yours happiness and peace. Siddy is adorable, I want him for a few days!! And Orlando has his back to the world, want him too!!
    Your Petunias are gorgeous, I’ve got some purple, dark pink and red ones blooming in my garden. We planted zucchini as well and waiting for the first crop.
    Last week I went on a yoga and meditation course and it was an amazing experience. It’s like I’m looking at everything with a fresh pair of eyes.
    Wishing you heaps of health and harmony

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    • Wow you have been busy Shubha. I was thinking about you yesterday – you must have heard me 🙂 A yoga and meditation course is good for the soul any time you can go on one. Having those ‘fresh eyes’ is such a wonderful experience isn’t it – long may it last! I planted several punnets of mixed colour petunias into my pots and most of them as you can see came out pink. I love the purples and blue palette and would have liked more of them – but pink it is for this year 🙂 My little fellows are adorable, I love them both to pieces – I wish I could share some of their happiness making skills around. Thanks for calling in and letting me know you are still there – Love to you and good wishes for your year! ❤

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  9. Welcome back, Pauline! I have missed you. What a couple of months you’ve been through, but you’ve come out of it all still smiling, still hopeful, still looking forward. I hope it’s all smooth sailing from here. I do like your new feature image at the top of this post and look forward to seeing your new artwork.

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    • Thank you Norah, it’s so good to be back and to feel life settling down into its familiar pattern again. Them’s fun pukekos my favourite kiwi swamp hens. Flightless and noisy and quite argumentative they wander the sides of highways in certain areas and brighten the landscape.

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      • They sound like interesting birds. I wasn’t aware of them. Nor was I aware of the Tui. My daughter in law went to NZ just before Christmas and brought back a beautiful Tui pendant for me. It’s quite special.

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  10. Such a beautiful post, Pauline, full of grace and beauty, not only in your garden and the lovely sun-catcher, but in your gratefulness and mindfulness and ability to laugh. I hope that the troubles of the past three months have run their course and your days are filled with creativity and serenity. ❤

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    • In the bigger picture these were all minor players really, it always feels like a lot when you are caught in the middle but it passes and then there’s just that sense of pure good fortune! I’m all for the return of creativity and serenity Diana, thanks for that wish 🙂

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  12. I am so very happy to hear you are all on the mend and I’m not surprised that you have such a wonderful support system. Your kind heart draws that to you. I gather you and Siddy have been continuing to do your volunteer cheer work. No wonder he was ready for a rest after all those pets from those he made happy. The dangler, like all you have made is beautiful. I’m sure whoever receives it will be completely delighted. There is no question, of course as to the size of Alys’ heart. The world is a better place with both of you in it. Here’s a new year toast to full recovery for everyone. Giant hugs.

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    • Marlene, thank you for these lovely thoughts and good wishes. I am made most happy by the thought we all make the world a better place – it’s what we are here to do I believe. We really are all on the mend here now and soon all these events will be forgotten but we’ll be left with the memories provided by good friends who rally round. That’s been the best thing of all! Thank you for being there xoxo

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  13. Welcome back and Happy New Year – finally. So glad things are on the upswing. You’ve certainly had some challenges. Here’s hoping 2018 is good to you and your family! Enjoy the reunion!

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  15. ((((Pauline))) Life really did throw you a curve ball…or three. So many things all at once can really knock you off of center. You seem to handle it all with such grace. It’s great to hear that D is up and ready for some brief time at work. I’m glad you are feeling more yourself, too, and grateful that the deep vein thrombosis is history. You have two wonderful daughters and many good friends, and they in turn have you. Thank you for the shout out. It’s lovely to have you connected to all of us once again. I’m so excited to see you. xo

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  16. I’m so glad you’re back, Pauline!! And that you’re back online and walking about and that YD is doing well. Siddy, while maybe tired, was undoubtedly immensely pleased by all the excitement. I’ll email soon. That comment sounds like something I wrote, but I didn’t write that one!! And that “dangler” with the beautiful colors is amazing. I can imagine it throwing light around somewhere in the perfect surroundings.

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    • Well, it must be Laurie than – my money was on you so I’m glad that wasn’t a bet I placed 🙂 I’m really glad to be getting back to normal – its felt like a long haul! The dangler is really unusual and was inspired by a photo I was sent which was lost along with everything else when the laptop went down – so finishing it up and not being able to compare was a bit fraught for me. I’ve got my fingers crossed 🙂 Shall wait for your email!

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      • I wrote something very similar, but you got that when you first wrote before your computer went down. It was funny, I thought it was my old comment recycled, but then something wasn’t what I would have written. Alas…

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  17. It sounds like you’re all over the worst and hopefully 2018 will be a wonderful year. Your little garden is looking beautiful, Pauline and I’m pleased to hear the weather is being kind so you can sit and enjoy your flowers.

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  18. Good to hear you sounding cheery and chipper again Pauline.Your fine spirit and wonderfully generous and loving friends and family will carry you joyfully and peacefully into the new year. A happy one to you.

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  19. Oh crumbs, I was thinking of you just the other week Pauline and wondered how you were as I hadn’t seen anything from you in a while (mind you I got pretty hopeless at reading blogs at the end of 2017). I’m so sorry to hear what a tough time you and YD have had of late, but so pleased to hear you are back home and on the mend. What an amazingly kind gesture of your friend to replace your laptop. It sounds like despite your woes, you have been surrounded by love and support. Get well wishes to you and YD xx

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    • Thank you Rosaliene, you are indeed correct – we are never alone! And hard times are always there to teach that and to reveal all the many blessings that we have gathered about us in our journey. Thank you for being part of my community! xo

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  21. I love everything about this post! I love Willie Nelson and btw, On the Road Again is the perfect song for your return. I love that you have wonderful friends. I love that Siddy is happy and Orlando is being the perfect cat! I love the beautiful suncatcher–those colors–aaahhhh! Your garden is so lovely. Your daughters are doing well. YD is recovering! You are back and the world is brighter, Pauline! Happy New Year to you, my friend!I know it’s going to be a great one! I can’t wait to see what comes out of that art room 🙂 xoxo

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  22. Welcome back! I can feel a great groundedness (is that a word?) in your post. So pleased the recent storms have passed and wishing you peace and serenity in the coming year. Always good to see Siddy and great to hear he’s been busy looking after others. I think Orlando would like you to cut a cat flap in that gate 😉 xx

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  23. Happy New Year to you too. May it be one full of health, happiness and serenity for you. You have been through so much. It is wonderful when friends and family pull together in times of need. Siddy looks adorable as always. Orlando looks like he’s trying to take things in stride, which for a cat means he disdains the gate. It is beneath his regal stature. Alas, this is what happens when your brother is a dog.

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    • That last sentence is probably exactly the thought that was going through his cat brain in that moment SS – it made me chuckle! We are coming out the other side of everything and the world looks all bright and shiny again. I hope all continues well for you with your parents and your own health.

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  24. Happy New Year, welcome back, cheers to the healing, and glad to see you back in the blog saddle. You’ve had quite the adventure besides falling down going BOOM. 😉 But I sense your return in the spirit of this post. Well done on the light catcher as I like the colors … and a toast to the garden. Now get to the beach so Siddy can have a long walk and Orlando can have some peace and quiet.

    PS: Make sure you stop by on your Monday because I need a Kiwi present for #2000.

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  25. You sound wonderful! And it is wonderful to have you and Siddy and Orlando back here, where you belong. What a crazy, stressful time you’ve had–all the bitter has been experienced and you should just get the sweet for the rest of this year, or longer! And how generous of Alys–what a friend she is to us all. Looking forward to hearing more news from you!

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    • Hello Kerry! I figure I had a sweet and easy ride for a long time and so three months of BOOM isn’t too much really in the big picture 🙂 And I discovered again just how fabulous the world is ….. More news soon.

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  26. Oh Pauline, while I knew most of parts of this story, seeing them in writing all in one post is overwhelming. You must have felt shell shocked, and I’m so thankful that you have dear friends who have been so helpful along the way. Looking forward to skyping soon! ♥️

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  27. Happy New Year, always better late than never Pauline. Hope your traumas are behind you now. it just takes time. Sometimes it is frustrating how much time when you look at it all. Lovely light catcher by the way xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  28. It’s so great to see you, Pauline. Welcome back! Gosh, has it really been three years since your trip to DC? I remember it as though it was yesterday. Your garden looks amazing…as for Siddy…he’s so handsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hugs to all!

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    • Yes Jill – three years! I had to check back on my blog because I thought it was only two but some little niggle told me that wasn’t right. Siddy has grown up to be a lovely chap ❤

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  29. Welcome back to blogland!
    I hope that the coming few months are filled with health and healing… and slightly cooler weather. Here, we are enjoying thoughts of spring and it’s nearly time to plant the first of my seeds (in a heated propagator, but still).
    What an amazingly generous friend you have in Alys. Give her a big hug from me when you see her, to say thank you for restoring you to our lovely on-line community.

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