National Rose Month -Postcard Friendship Friday #170

June is National Rose Month.  In Oregon, Portland is known as the Rose City.  There are roses everywhere.  Portland is home to the International Rose Test Garden, which was founded in 1917, making it the oldest continuously operated public rose test garden in the U.S.  I've visited there and it is beautiful.  This week is Portland's Rose Festival Week.  It is a great time to visit!

Roses have a long tradition in the United States.  In fact, George Washington was the first rose breeder in the United States.  85 percent of all Americans say their favorite flower is the rose.  I am numbered among those.

I have my own special rose story to share.  Years ago, while searching for a new home, we stayed in my darling Grandmother's basement.  I look back and realize it was one of the happiest times of our lives--we had the privilege of living there for two whole years.  Even with all five of us squashed into 450 square feet, it was a wonderful place for children to grow and play.

I remember the day my small daughter wanted to help in the garden.  While my back was turned, she happily whacked Grandma's favorite red rose bush down to the quick.  Not knowing what else to do, I found some gauze and we bound it back together.  Every morning, we placed used coffee grounds upon its roots and hoped for the best.

Our family moved mid-summer.  I'll never forget the letter I received a few months later.  

Grammie wrote:  I wanted you to  know that the rose that dear Joybells cut back has been a blessing to  me.  A lesson.  I really thought it was a goner.  Then you bound it up, gave it special care and now it is more beautiful than ever.  It’s like life.  God knows the root is there, but sometimes He needs to prune it severely to bring forth beauty--then with loving care, He brings it to fulfillment.  All my love, I miss you, Grammie

May the fragrance of Roses fill your lives, dear Friends.

NOTE:  Recently I've had two different people put in linky links which are suspect.  I report each one and have alerted Linky to this problem.

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Gathering Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

Gathering hearts--what a delightful idea!  I especially love her dress--she is even showing her ankles.  Scandelous!  That hat is especially wonderful--even with the bow holding it in place, I wonder how she is able to keep it on her head?

Have a lovely day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

In Memory of Our Heroes -Postcard Friendship Friday #169

This year Memorial Day, which is on Monday, has a special sad poignant feel about it.  This is our first Memorial Day without Dad, who was a hero of World War 2.  His stories of courage and perseverance will always be with us.  

So many good men and women have died, fighting for Freedom.  How I wish I could personally thank each of these brave warriors for their sacrifice.    And not just American soldiers, but other brave soldiers who fought and died for their countries.  The cost of Freedom is greater than anyone can say in words. 

And so I say, "Thank you."

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the entire week! 

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Basket of Forgetmenots

I do not remember where I found this lovely basket of forgetmenots, but it seemed the thing to post today.  I love these flowers--they are just beginning to bloom in our area.  I saw some down by the river last week.

Have a lovely week, everyone!

Happy Days be Thine -Postcard Friendship Friday #168

What a lovely postcard! I especially like the graceful lines behind the words, Happy Days Be Thine.  I posted this beauty today, because tomorrow is our darling Mumsie's birthday.

She has endured so much through the years and yet has such grace and beauty.  She's had a very hard time of it, since Daddy died last November.  I can only hope that I will be so youthful and fun when I reach her age.

So to Mumsie and all of you--Happy Days be Thine.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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A Walk With Mom -Postcard Friendship Friday #167

As a small child, I remember walking with Mom.  We would go exploring--trekking through the woods, discovering log bridges someone had built over the creek in the Canyon.  I can still smell the cedar trees in warmth of summer--feel the crackling underbrush beneath my feet.

When I was all grown, Mom and I spoke for women's groups quite a bit.  I would visit her home and we would go over what we were going to say--then we would go for a walk.  How I treasured those times.

Then came the day my family and I moved next door.  For two years I had the wonderful privilege of walking with Mumsie every morning.  We became very close.  How grateful I am for her friendship and love.  She is still one of my very best friends.

These days, when Mom and I go walking--we walk arm in arm.  How I treasure walking with her this way.  I am so blessed by the love and prayers of my Mother.  She is an amazing woman. Through the years, she has taught me how to laugh and cry, how to journal and how to pray--and especially how to lean on our mighty God for strength.  I love you my darling Mumsie.  Thank you.  ((hugs))

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday everyone!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

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Happy Birthday, Sissy! -Guest Heart Thursday

Happy Birthday, my sweet Sissy.  I am SO privileged to be your big sis.  I love you so much.  It is wonderful to share an entire life of memories with you.  You understand my heart when no one else does.   

The poem above, written by Vernon, expresses how I feel about you, my sweet, dear, precious, treasured Sister.  ((hugs))  Happy Birthday Honey!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Pssst!!! Guess Who's Birthday is Tomorrow?!

Psssssst!  Everybody!!!  (whispers clandestinely) My darling Sissy Clytie's birthday is TOMORROW! 

I am SO happy Clytie is here in this world--she has so much yet to do.  How grateful I am for my sister--who fills the world with laughter, funny and thoughtful insights, not to mention a ton of beautiful found hearts.  Sissy is one of my greatest inspirations.

So, please visit Random Hearts tomorrow to wish Clytie a very happy Birthday!

A Mother's Love

 

The old pictures of Mother and child are so dear and sweet.  With Mother's Day coming up Sunday, I just had to post this beauty of a postcard.

I am so grateful to my precious Mumsie.  She is one of my best friends.  I don't know what I would do without her in m life.  I am blessed to have such a wonderful Mother.  She is beautiful to my eyes, my heart and my life.

Have a lovely week and don't forget to spend time with your Mom and thank her for her love. 

May Day Romance -Postcard Friendship Friday #166

I have lots of lovely memories about May Day.  Sissy and I would braid long strands of new grass, then we would sew the braids into tiny baskets, which we would then fill with flowers.  When I think of May Day--I can almost feel the warmth of the sun on our shoulders, smell the aroma of fresh grass and fragrant flowers.  It was the scent of Spring.

When I was a freshman in high school, our big celebration was May Day.  I still have the purple dress I wore as we danced around the Maypole.  Mom bought it for me new.  For PE we spent weeks learning the intricate dance which left a beautiful pattern of ribbon on the pole.  I have always loved May Day.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday, dear ones. May the Fragrance of Springtime fill your hearts. 

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  PFF is open for the entire week!


* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising and do not refer to any of the following; Postcard Friendship Friday, mailboxes, the Post office, postcards, or the love of postcards, will be deleted. 

A Loving Thought -Guest Heart Thursday

This wonderful postcard was used as a Valentine's Day Card.  It says, "To my fat little Valentine, from Big Fat Grandmar Hamilton."  That made me laugh.  I hope it makes you smile too.  Have a lovely day everyone!

I have a chance to win a small original painting of my own dear Polydactyl Cat by one of my all-time favorite artists.  If you'd like to vote for Toez, visit Sandrine's Gallery.  Have a lovely day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday! 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.