The house of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Concord MA

The house of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Concord MA
Originally uploaded by pablo.sanchez

Emerson lived in this house from 1835 to 1882 and here is a quote of his that I like.

"We do not live an equal life, but one of contrast and patchwork; now a little joy, then a little sorrow, now a sin, then a generous or brave action."
When I was a child my uncle gave me some old editions of books written by Emerson and I have admired his writing and his character ever since. Emerson lived from 1803 to 1882.

Favorite Movies

Just for fun let's share our favorite movies.
I think you can build a bit of a picture of someone by knowing their favorite movies, tv shows, or books.
Here is a list of my favs.

The Way  Martin Sheen, Emilio Estevez

The Passion Mel Gibson

Silver Linings Playbook

The Mighty Wind, also Best in Show, great ensemble cast and director

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Midnight in Paris

Sea Biscuit

African Queen

Casablanca

Blind Side

Zombieland
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Thin Man, the whole series with Nick and Nora Charles and dog
Bringing Up Baby
Babe
Lost Boys
Labyrinth
Never Ending Story
Master and Commander
Lincoln starring Daniel Day-Lewis
and thanks to Laurie's comment, I am adding Christmas Story (the young boy wanted a Red Rider rifle). I also add The King's Speech.

My Happy List Part One

On June 11 Lavender Dreamer posted her Happy List, and I like the idea. See her list here
http://lavenderdreamstoo.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-happy-listwhile-i-catch-my-breath.html
Of course, my list is potentially so long I could do a happy list for very many posts, ha ha, so that's why I call this part one.

FLOWERS
You could probably guess that any pretty flower is on my list, and also any fragrant flower. The flowers in the vase are Canterbury Bells I grew. They typically have flowers the second year so we learn patience as we wait. This blue color is my favorite, they also come in white and pale pink.

VEGGIES
Delicious veggies that grow in my garden.

BOOKS
Any of thousands of books and authors. I recently bought and read Rhys Bowen's "Her Royal Spyness" which has an upbeat heroine, Georgie, 34th in line to the British throne.

HORSES
Horses. They are so graceful and often are so kind. The book "Horse Heaven" conveys a horse's thoughts quite well, I think.

Let me know if you decide to post a Happy List so I will be sure to visit and read it.

Abraham Lincoln and Happy Birthday America

July 4 2010 Chapel Hill Fireworks (52)
Originally uploaded by tommaync
Thinking about July 4 here is Abraham Lincoln, from his First Inaugural Address.
“Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the best way, all our present difficulty.” – Abraham Lincoln
My husband and I watched "Lincoln", starring Daniel Day-Lewis in a tour de force performance, which is what he often does, and I give this movie a 10 out of 10. I listened to each word, it was that engrossing. It also reminded me that all the political dysfunction today by our President, Congressmen and Senators was occurring then too, so maybe there is hope after all.

Shadows, trees and beach photos

Scenes of a walk I took yesterday in a park near our home.

As you can see I like the pattern of shadows.

Dreaming in the Garden

Sometimes I gather the chaise lounge cushion, set it on the lounge in dappled shade, find a book to read and head out to the patio.
At the foot of the chaise lounge this is what I see.

Do you like to relax on your patio or lawn, or anywhere special in your yard like I do?

A cool drink is always welcome too, and any favorite book.

Can you see the blue bird playing a saxophone? I got him in honor of my dad who played alto saxophone and clarinet, and earned money for expenses while attending college by playing in a jazz group. 

The yellow lilies are tiger lilies and they have tiny brown spots on their petals. I planted them in honor of my mom, as she always grew them. The tiny gnome sitting on a pot edge has a story; he lay for many years under a cover of leaves in my garden. Last month I saw his blue legs and thought it was a long lost toy. But no, it is a garden gnome, returned to sit with his plants on my patio.

Happy Garden Dreaming.

I am on Grandma Yellow Hair's Blogazine today

I am excited to be on Maggie AKA Grandma Yellow Hair's blogazine today. She is definitely worth a visit and has a wild sense of humor which I love.
Her blog is Just Between You and Me and my contribution is at http://grandmayellowhair.blogspot.com/2013/05/blogazine-guest-terra.html

I share about how I co-authored 2 books with gals I met in an online Christian writers' group.
Our most recent book is full of tips for moms, and proof that our two adult sons still love us is that my hubby, sons and I just returned from a lodge and camping trip where a good time was had by all involved.

Bicycle riding, a bag of 55 fresh raw oysters picked from the bay right that minute before we bought them, a roaring campfire, and s'mores were part of the fun. I read a book while two of my guys rode bicycles (mountain bikes) and one rode his new motorcycle. The book I read is "Her Royal Spyness" by Rhys Bowen.
Hey it is June already, how did that happen?
The summer looks promising here, and I hope for you too.