Friday Thoughts- Things that Matter

 

Dense fog greeted me when I pulled back the curtains this morning, brought on by yesterday's steady rain. How un-June-like this weather is. Weather experts tell us that we are experiencing La Niña - a cooler than normal weather pattern. El Niño years are generally warmer than normal. 

For many, many years South American fisherman noticed periodic warmer ocean temperatures occurring in December, hence the name "Little Boy" or "El Niño" because of the celebration of Jesus' birth around that time. Colder years were then named the opposite "Little Girl". 

Enough about the weather. In spite of it all roses are blooming! Boscobel, above, is a little droopy because of the rain, but isn't she a beauty? 

Peonies are just beginning to bloom, too, and we'll soon have pink and white blossoms galore. 

In a moment of extravagant faith I clipped the few roses that are in bloom, along with a couple of peonies. There are more buds forming and I am confident they will soon open. 

At the time of our second wedding anniversary, Tim and I were directing a children's camp. It was intensely hard work with long, long hours. We had two days off over our anniversary weekend and spent them away from the camp, in a small hotel in the town of Revelstoke. We mostly tried to catch up on sleep, but we did go out for dinner, and shopped for gifts for each other. Tim wanted a pair of binoculars, so that was his gift (still being used), and I had my eye on a crystal flower vase. It's the perfect size, as you can see above, for a small garden bouquet. 

Last summer, I filled the vase with roses and took it to our friends from Iran. Her mother was very ill with Covid-19, and Ate felt very far away and lonely. In September Ate returned home to Iran as her mother passed away. When our friends present us with Persian food or other items, they always arrange everything beautifully on pretty dishes. No paper plates or tin foil! I've taken to doing the same, and the dishes are always returned. However, although other dishes came back, my vase did not.

I told myself, "It's okay, Lorrie, it's just a piece of glass." But it was the one piece of glass that held many memories. Eventually, over the months, it became okay, although I did miss it.

Imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when our doorbell rang and there stood Ate and M with a tray of Persian baking, and a crystal vase with flowers. My vase had returned! But wait...M pulled another vase from behind his back - that was my vase with a long crack in the glass. They told us how awful they felt for breaking my vase and had looked through thrift stores for months and months, hoping to find something similar. Finally, they did. It's not the same vase, but very, very like. 

Now when I look at the vase, I remember the story of our second anniversary, but I also remember the kindness and persistence of dear friends. 

This week I made a Brown Butter Rhubarb Cake, posted several years ago on Jean's blog, Delightful Repast. I like it because it's a very tender cake, is not too sweet, and the rhubarb flavour is just perfect! A cup of tea and a piece of cake is such an uplift on dreary afternoons. Today, though, the early morning fog has burned off and the sky is mostly blue patched with white clouds sailing in from the Pacific. 

We're watching a couple of grands tomorrow while their parents cross the water to see the musical Hamilton. There will likely be a walk together, and perhaps some crafting. 

Have a beautiful weekend, my friends.