Life continues to feel surreal.
A week ago, the hubby’s fixation on the news became too much.
I had to flee the house.
And ended up outside:
Beneath blue skies.
Spring said, “Hello, I’m here for you!”
I found some moss that needs a serious haircut.
And got my dirt ready.
In a week or so, I’ll plant my cold crops and watch them grow.
My dad turned 89, so I left a message in sidewalk chalk outside his senior apartment.
And in my writing room, I’m making masks.
And writing. A little.
My heart goes out to all those who are suffering.
To all those who are caring.
I wish you warmth, peace, and light.
❤
Myths of the Mirror 
Amazing post
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Thanks for visiting. It’s been a strange time and so disorienting. I’ve had to figure out how to keep my spirits up, and being outside does the trick. I hope you’re doing well. Have a peaceful week, Shivi.
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A beautiful, heartfelt post.
I loved the Happy Birthday written in chalk and your mask!
Stay safe. 💞
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Jess. The Happy Birthday message was a hit with the whole place. And my masks have come in handy! I hope you’re doing well with this lockdown, staying safe, reading, and being creative. Have a lovely week, my friend. ❤
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Thank you, Diana! I am doing better than I did at the start of lockdown, which is good. Be well. ❤❤
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It’s been a struggle, hasn’t it? I’m glad you’re doing better, though I don’t think we’ll get used to it. Let’s hope it’s over soon. ❤
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Quite true. Let’s hope it’s over soon. 🙂
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Good for you to find some positive outlets!
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I had to/have to find outlets, Mark. I think in order to create characters with believable emotional lives, writers need to have a strong ability to feel empathy. There’s so much real suffering going on right now, it’s hard not to get down. I’ll be spending a lot of time outside! Thanks for the visit and I hope you’re finding ways to stay balanced too.
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Thanks, Diana!
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that mask you made is amazing! so creative x
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Aw, thank you. I made a bunch of them with some left over fabric (easy to make). They’re hot though. Fortunately, I’m home most of the time. I hope you’re quarantining well. Such a strange time! Take care.
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I had the same thing with the news when it all started – I fled them and didn’t watch them for 3 weeks. Now I can watch them again, although I don’t mind if I miss them. Love how your garden is all ready for the many wonders it will bring to you this year – that wooden bear statue is soooo beautiful! 😍 As is your handmade mask!! Did you take a scarf for it? The cloth is so pretty! Take care and stay creative – I hope you’ll soon write more than you sew masks. 😉❤
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Thanks, Sarah, I’m doing better now that I’m getting outside more, and the news is off for all but an hour a day. It’s still too cold to plant anything in the garden, but very very soon. 🙂 The mask is from some old fabric that’s been lying around. I think I have enough fabric to make 800 masks. Lol. Happy Weekend, my friend.
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Lovely heartwarming post! All these pictures bring so much peace in tough times like this .
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I was at a low point then. Emotional and freaked out by the news. I’m fine personally, but I was overwhelmed by all the suffering. Doing better now. 🙂 Nothing like a little dirt and sunshine. Thanks so much for the visit and be well. ❤
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Yes I can imagine and relate to it as well , all these emotions are being felt universally .The uncertainty of all this can be little nerve wrecking. But as you rightly say the sunshine , spring and dirt can really help to bring some cheer. Take care and Thank you as well!
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Love the chalk message, Diana.. I try to avoid the news and media.. I don’t mind staying home but its getting weirder and started to unsettle me.. Be well and stay safe 😊
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Honestly, I’m a homebody too, Carol, though I miss my contacts with family and worry about my parents. It is getting weirder as time goes on and people become more desperate. But there is kindness and creativity everywhere if we can just tap into it. Thanks for the visit and take care. ❤
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That chalk message is gorgeous wow! Cool idea!! X
https://citygirlsdance.wordpress.com
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It made the day a little special, and the whole senior residence got a kick out of it. I haven’t been able to leave a new message yet because of the rain, but hopefully again soon. 🙂 Hope you’re doing well. Take care.
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Wow hey that’s nice! I could use your idea the next time I volunteer 😁 And hope you’re safe too! Glad I got to your page, because I thought most people left. 🙂 Happy you didnt 🥳🥳
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Belated happy 89th birthday to your dad. How lovely to have sidewalk chalk message to celebrate his birthday. Your dad must be so proud of you. Everyone in the senior living center got to enjoy the night and colorful message also.
Your garden is beautiful. Yes, planting flowers is better than watching the news.
Hubby watched the news every day also. I watched it once a week. I planted the annual two weeks ago before the heat wave.
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The whole senior complex enjoyed the message, Miriam, and it ended up in the local paper. Lol. Yes, I’ve been gardening. Just waiting for the weather to warm up a little (we’re still getting frosts here in the mtns). Happy Gardening, my friend. ❤
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I’m not surprised it was in appeared in the paper, Diana. The message was grand! 💖 I bet the folks in the senior complex will talk about that for a long b time.
My daughter in Portland finally got some sun and walked in the neighborhood. She has been sitting at home holding the one month old new baby all this time.
Hope the weather warms up for you, my friend. I have mostly low maintenance plants but leave a small area for annual just for fun. 💖
Do you have long hair? Is it you wearing the mask? 🤗
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That is me, Miriam. I was pulling weeds before taking that picture and didn’t bother to tidy myself up. Lol. Yeah, my hair is long. I’m fickle. It goes from long to short to long. I like it short, but the hubby likes it long and I don’t care enough to argue about hair. Ha ha. Thanks for the visit, my friend. ❤
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I like long hair. Hubby likes my hair long also. Most of the guys like long hair gals. They think it’s sexy. ❤ I had the hair trimmed once and the guy said short hair is better for my age!!!!! Even when I said keep it long, just layer it, he made me look bald. I was angry until the hair grew back. 🙂
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Ha ha ha. I’ve had the exact same conversations and problem. At least it grows out!
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Sometimes I think they think we pay by the strand of hair cut!
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No kidding!
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🙂 ❤
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Nature is proving to be truly restorative to mental faculties these days, is it not? And your beautiful yard or surrounding area is quite lovely, moss needing a haircut or no. 😉
I’m sure your dad LOVED your sidewalk chalk note. The other residents were probably jealous.
Also, today I discovered your review. So very kind of you! Really really nice review. That was most generous and gracious of you to do that for me. I’m so grateful. Thank you, D. Wallace Peach!
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You’re welcome. A great read, Betsy, with really solid advice as well as an attitude of fun. It worked! Yes, my dad was thrilled and the sidewalk ended up in the local paper. Lol. I hope it inspired others to be creative and read out. Thanks for the visit!
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The local paper! What an honor! And your dad became a minor celebrity, no doubt.
And thanks again. 🙂
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THANK you for the beautiful photos of your own setting. Are you sure that’s the MOSS that needs a haircut? Looks like my head of hair. 🙂 I have a friend (lives 30 minutes away) who begs me to ask her husband to drop something off at our front stoop (a loaf of bread, some books, ANYTHING) so she can turn off the news he listens to constantly and have some peace and quiet at their house. ;-0
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The news is on almost all the time here, Pam. I’m finding ways to escape it though, writing or gardening or taking walks or reading. We had some beautiful days of sunshine, which was wonderful. The moss… isn’t that weird?? Oregon has great moss. Thanks for the visit and ((hugs!)). Be well. ❤
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Beautiful post, really puts into perspective what we’re all going through. So glad to find you safe and healthy!
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What a beautiful thing to do for your dad!
Love your surroundings. We have to stay within 2 km from home.
Stay safe ❤
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That message stayed for 9 days before the rain washed it away. My mom was getting worried that she’d have to go outside and clean it up. Lol. I’ve been staying home except to care for my parents. I know the UK is struggling, but I hope that you are making progress and saving lives by staying home. ❤ ❤ ❤
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I think being in touch with nature helps a lot. I can’t wait for the sun on my face again
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Thank you. Yes, so true. I hope you live somewhere where you can enjoy some time outside in the sunshine and stay safe from this awful virus. It’s such a strange time. Be well and stay peaceful. 🙂
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Great post.
We all need to go outside a lot more. Covid or no Covid.
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I agree, Angelo. I usually get stuck between going outside and wanting to write for the whole day. Focus has been a bit of problem lately, so the outdoors has won and feels so balancing. Stay safe and be well. Wishing you lots of sunshine!
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Diana, I was worried about you and the constant news … and glad it’s more limited now. At the start I read it often and felt the anxiety it caused me and now look occasionally but otherwise, like you, find peace and healing of the spirit, well a bit at least, in the nature around me, talking to family and friends online. Your birthday message to your Dad has me smiling and what a lovely mask. It’s good you can write a little, it is tough for creativity to find a way through these overwhelming days. I’ve taken up learning Portuguese! Wishing you and your family well and safe, take care, my dear friend. With hugs and more hugs, Annika xx❤️🤗🦋🌺
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Thanks for the lovely comment, Annika. I think that if I weren’t worried for my parents, I’d be quite content staying home everyday with the television OFF. Portuguese! What a great use of your time! I love that. Most of us are finding ways to weather this virus, though I know for many people across the globe it’s been a nightmare. Stay safe and well and have a peaceful week, my friend. ❤ ❤
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Thank you! Be well!
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[…] via Surviving Lockdown — Myths of the Mirror […]
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Thank you so much for sharing the post. I just discovered the pingback in spam, for some strange reason. Ack! I’m glad you enjoyed the post, and thanks so much for sharing. Hope you’re well and staying peaceful during this strange time. ❤
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It was a wise move, there’s nothing more therapeutic than nature. I stopped watching the news awhile ago, and I rarely go on FaceBook these days. The main thing is to protect yourself, both physically AND mentally. I wish you peace and health.
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Thanks so much for the kind message, Mark. I just spent 3 days caring for my mom while my dad was hospitalized. Such an ordeal with all the virus worries. So back to physical and mental peace today and the sun should be out too! Take care of yourself and have a peaceful week. 🙂
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I’m glad you have found peace, such a rare gift these days.
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Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Diana’s way of spending and surviving lockdown.
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Thanks so much for sharing, Suzanne. That was kind of you! Stay safe, my friend. ❤
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You’re most welcome, Diana’ You stay safe also. Happy Birthday to your dad. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne. Yesterday it rained so the message finally washed away. It was there for 9 days though. 🙂 ❤
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Bless his heart. I bet he enjoyed it. ❤ — Suzanne
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It was fun, for sure. 🙂
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Waaay down here: you’re the best, Diana. I hope you’re still doing well.
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I’m good, Chelsea. Some parent stuff going on, but not virus-related. Just a bit more complicated to handle with all the precautions. Sigh. I can’t wait until this is over… in 2022.
❤
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I’m sorry. Many friends and neighbors are experiencing ageing relative issues. I’m calling mine, but they don’t depend on me for groceries and such.
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Yeah, this thing is very tough on the elderly – not only the virus, but the isolation. I can’t wait until this is “over.”
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Nice photos! Take care and stay safe!
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Thanks, Angelo. I’m surviving. I’m lucky that I can get outside. Hope you’re doing well also, finding balance and staying safe. Have a lovely weekend. 🙂
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Hi Diana, It sounds like your house is similar to mine at times. My husband is often fixated on the news. Not healthy. Of course, it doesn’t help if I say much. I also flee the house. The message for your Dad put a smile on my face. I have been MacGyvering a mask. They don’t fit well. I need to improve. A beautiful, poignant post. Stay well! ❤️
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Thanks for stopping by, Erica. Those newsy husbands, huh? Lol. I’m glad you have a place to escape to as well. And there are some easy mask-making instructions online. For those of us in the US, we’re going to wearing them for a long long time. Enjoy your beautiful island and be well. 🙂
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Great post! Its sad that I can’t go outside. I just sit in my balcony and stare at the empty streets wondering when everything will be normal…
Btw I too blog @ The Confessions Of A Music And Book Addict and would appreciate some support!
Stay healthy
-Prutha xoxo
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Thanks for the visti, Prutha. I’m so sorry that you can’t get outside. I’m spending a lot of time reading and using that as an escape. I hope you have a good supply of books. Enjoy your balcony and stay safe. ❤
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Thank you! I sadly just have one physical book left. I have e-books tho.
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Can you imagine if we were dependent on physical books? Yikes. I’d be climbing the walls. Happy Reading. 🙂
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What do you plant as your cold crops? I have to start thinking about it but am not enthusiastic. I used to get all my plants for mother’s day from my husband and kids. I lost my husband in 2018 and my son in 2019 so this year I’m probably shopping for them myself. My daughter definitely doesn’t have, nor does she want, a green thumb!
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Oh, I’m so sorry about the losses you’ve suffered, but I’m glad you’re thinking about gardening. For me, it’s soothing to dig around in the dirt and make things grow. Where you live makes a difference when you can plant. I plant starts because I’m a disaster when planting seeds. I just ask the people at the local gardening center about when to plant and they guide me along. Thanks so much for the visit and I hope you enjoy eating your home grown food. Be well. ❤
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Lovely and optimistic creativity, Diana. Keep your spirits up! 😃♥️
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Thank you, Iris. I’m trying. The last week has been better with the improved weather. I hope you’re doing well and staying safe. Take care of yourself. 🙂
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🌹 ♥️
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Everyone needs to flee outside. Wonderful, Diana.🙂
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Thanks, Jennie. I’ve been keeping up the gardening and mask making. It looks like we’re going to be in masks for a while. I’m so fortunate to have a garden! I hope you’re doing well and staying safe. Take care. ❤
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I wonder if school here in Massachusetts will be back May 4th. New Hampshire schools just closed for the year. That is so unsettling for teachers and children, and of course parents. We have a big yard and a small garden, which is an oasis, mentally and physically, at this time. Best to you, Diana. ❤️
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Oregon has closed for the rest of the year. The attitude of the schools (according to my daughter regarding my grandson) is that teachers aren’t going to stress too much and just pick up next year and keep going. It’s a strange time and most kids will weather it well. I think its much harder on the parents, honestly. The financial pressure is immense. Be well, my friend, and keep reading aloud!
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Wow! I don’t know what to say. Teacher stress here is over the top, because we have all had to learn new ways to teach, and the hours spent are more than the hours in the classroom. I’m only preschool, and the past two weeks have each been well over fifty hours. Thank goodness this week was only forty five. Yes, parents are stressed to the max. Financially, the pressure overtakes everything. It is hard for a parent to stop and actively read a book to their child. Perhaps that’s why I keep reading aloud to the children. I hope I am helping parents as well as children. I will keep reading aloud! Be safe and stay well, my friend.
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❤
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❤
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❤ Thanks for the visit, Sheri. ❤
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Great mssg👍♥️
Stay safe…
Much love from India 🙂
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Thank you, Anushk. I’m slowly finding my “new normal.” I hope that you’re staying safe and positive. Have a lovely day. ❤
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You too…stay safe😊and positive
Have a great day♥️
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We all have a topsy-turvy kind of life right now. As weird and surreal it is, I feel lucky weathering this storm compared to others.
I am suitably impressed that you’ve been busy making masks. Sew on!
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Well, your mask is very fashionable, Joanne. 🙂 I’m noticing more and more people here wearing them. It seems strange, but we’ll get used to it. All doing our part. Life does feel topsy turvy and I’m glad you’re weathering it well. Stay safe, my friend. ❤
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Masks in my neighbourhood have always been plentiful, long before this crisis. Now it is more unusual to see someone without a mask.
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-massive hugs- gardening is good for the soul. 🙂
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It always is, but this year especially. I really am a hermit, Andrea, but this feels so different. Maybe it’s the noise-inducing husband. Lol. I hope you’re finding ways to occupy yourself and stay balanced. Australia seems to be holding its own. Be well, my friend. ❤
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I’m a hermit too. Luckily the Offspring and I have had many years to perfect our together but separate lives. 🙂 We each have our own area and come together for meals and chats. We’re both gamers as well [different games] so there’s always some common ground. 😀
Stay well. -hugs-
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Warmth, peace, love and light right back to you, dear Diana! ❤ xo
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Thanks, Bette. I’m adjusting. My hands are all scratched up from pulling giant invasive blackberry vines – the garden is going to look great this year! Ha ha. I hope you are doing well, enjoying your Maine spring, and staying healthy. Have a lovely week, my friend. ❤
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Power came on last night after a 5 day outage due to heavy snow storm. Sunshine today–we’re picking up downed limbs and grateful! Daffodils are ready to bloom and jonquils are out… Yay, spring! ❤ xo
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Oh my gosh, Bette. I don’t miss those snow storms, though I miss New England. Enjoy your daffodils!
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No storms on the horizon and yellow buds are ready to sing! Happy spring, Diana! ❤
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Love this post! I am so glad to see that you are doing well. Finding respite and beauty in the outdoor…celebrating your dad’s birthday in a fun, colorful way…and just breathing in spring amidst all these uncertainties. I miss you and your writing. I have been trying to limit the number of news I read. It can get overwhelming. Lots of hugs for you and only the best wishes for you + your family.
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Thank you so much, Li’l. I miss your posts too. Blogging has been a little off for me as I’m struggling to find my balance and how to help. Getting better but the first weeks were hard, even for this old introvert. 😀 I’m glad you enjoyed the post – a bit of spring, sunshine and love. Lots of hugs to you, my friend. Have a peaceful week and take good care of yourself. ❤ ❤ ❤
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The chalk on the pavement… melted me, Diana, Beautiful gesture.
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Aww, thanks, Steve. It was a huge hit and lifted everyone’s spirits in the place. I had no idea that it would create a feeling of celebration among the elderly even though they were all locked down. (They came out on their balconies and waved and took pictures). I’m going to go over there and write random messages on Fridays. 🙂 Thanks for the visit. Have a peaceful week and be well.
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Lovely pics, Diana – and Happy Birthday to your dad! I only check the news twice per day – it just gets to be too much. Maybe you can lure hubby out for some fresh air. Take care!
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After my meltdown, the television is off more, or at least not on the news all day. 🙂 We’re making progress! The weather has been great, so we are getting out into the yard more. I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy. What a strange time as we search for the new normal. Have a great week!
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I hear a lot of folks are making their own masks, Diana. I can only imagine that lots of odd bits of fabric are being put to good use.
Good to see the spring weather looks good in your part of the world. Life may be different for all of us, but it’s still beautiful if you look hard enough.
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Wise words, Hugh. I’m looking harder for opportunities to be be grateful and finding them everywhere.
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I do hope your hubs gets over his fixation soon, he’s missing out on so much life … great Birth Day card for your dad! 😀
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That day when I had to get out of the house helped. The news is off for most of the day now. In any case, the weather here in the NW has been gorgeous, hasn’t it? I’m outside as much as possible. Thanks for the visit and for the kind comment on the birthday chalk. He got a huge kick out of it. 😀 Have a great week and enjoy the sunshine.
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😀 … gonna have to get the lawnmower out of storage this week!
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Hang in there, Diana! This is a hard time for everyone. What a sweet thing to do for your dad. Yes. Without a doubt, if I had to listen to the news much at all, I’d lose my sanity. Nature restores it. Thank you for sharing!
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Thanks for stopping by, Jan. My husband has toned down on the television watching and things are calmer here. I’m still getting outside as much as I can. I hope you’re doing well, finding a good routine, and being creative. Have a lovely week, my friend. ❤
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I love what you did for your dad – That was fantastic!
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Thank you, HRR. It was a huge hit at the residence. All of the elderly were on their balconies waving and taking pictures. I think, in a way, it was one of my dad’s best birthdays. He was a celebrity. Lol. Thanks for the visit and I hope you’re doing well. Stay safe and positive, my friend. ❤
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It looks so pretty where you are! It is a virtual bath of fresh air for this apartment bound New Yorker!!
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I’ve been hearing that from a number of New Yorkers. My daughter lives in the city, Ms D. And she’s wishing for a garden right now. New York is making some progress, so hang in there! I wish you much fresh air and long walks in the near future. Have a wonderful week and stay healthy. ❤
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