a spirit of simplicity

  My brother, sister, and I buried our mother's ashes on Friday morning.  It was just very simple, just the three of us. We went out to lunch at one of my mum's favourite restaurants afterward. The waitress very kindly took a photo of the three of us with Marblehead harbour in the backround. The ashes had been delivered to my brother and he put them in the car and took a spin around Marblehead. They drove past the home we grew up in and all of her very favourite places. My sister and I had an impromptu picnic on the beach of an evening.  It's been beastly hot but there was a little breeze coming off of the water and it was a lovely to while-a-way the twilight as we watched the young families with their children and reminisced about when our own children were younger.  This is an example of what the old hand-tub looks like. This one is from Mystic, CT. but my son-in-law pumps for one closer to home.  My grandson, Verne, is too young to pump but he helps out by pushing the ha

 ~ ~ ~ t She opens her mouth with wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:26 I took my granddaughters to a revolutionary era reenactment encampment and there was a woman making corn husk dolls with her children. She and her young daughter made dolls for my  granddaughters. The woman was so kind and gentle.  Though it is hardly noticeable my granddaughter was born with a cleft lip/cleft palate and this woman noticed because her son (who was there as well) had born born the same. They both had surgeries at Boston Children's and she was familiar with my granddaughter's doctor.  She was just so kind and I couldn't help but think of this verse as she used her own example to teach her children what kindness is.  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Scripture and a snapshot let's have coffee grace and truth

 ~ ~ ~ I had my granddaughters over the weekend! On Saturday we went to Fort Sewell where the Marblehead Glover's regiment (Revolutionary war reenactors) were having an encampment. It looked much like it might have during revolutionary war times when Fort Sewall was actually in use. There was cannon firing, marching, and mock battles. We stayed away from those things but we did have a lovely little girl and her mother make us two sweet little corn husk dolls. Of course, we also got some candy sticks and lemonade! ~ We did some guitar playing and dancing at home with my husband. Abby loves the way her dress twirls but Natalie is more of a break-dancing kind of a girl. ~ We walked down the street to the Driftwood for breakfast and then stopped at the harbour  to see the boats.  ~ We painted and we played with stickers.  ~ We walked to the local toy store and did some shopping and we stopped at a little book store and bought a couple of books. I picked up a copy of One Morning in Main

 ~ ~ ~ I found this beautiful letter B inside a red onion that I cut open the other day. t Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Bless are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Scripture and a snapshot let's have coffee grace and truth

~ ~ ~ Sunday afternoon I drove out to the lighthouse on the neck to watch the start of the Marblehead to Halifax race. The first race was in 1905 but only happens every other year. It has been four years since the last race and this year there were over 70 boats! They sail from Marblehead, MA , USA to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada This year the Space Monkey won the race in one day, 23 hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds! ~ I came across this mermaid bench at a little shop around the corner.  My granddaughter would LOVE it, but the four hundred dollar price tag put me off. ~ This is the porch of a sweet little home located on a tiny little street about as big as a driveway that is just between the local small market and an antique street not much bigger than a driveway. They often sit out on their front porch whiling away the hours of a summer evening. Love it! ~ ~ I've had 4 new children in my class of 7 toddlers this week!  We normally transition one or two at a time! It's been a

 ~ ~ ~ Of a morning I walked a bit around town for a walk before leaving for work. It poured heavy rain much of the day so I wanted to get a walk in while I could. It was so quiet in my little town. Even the water in the harbour was still. I caught a bit of a breeze coming up off the ocean. It was just strong enough to move the giant flag that hangs on one of the old homes on State street.  Every winter I say I'm going to move an hour north so that we will be closer to the grandchildren and then summer comes and everything is just so beautiful here. We can walk to the market, the harbour, two or three small beaches, restaurants...and the grandchildren love coming here!  So...maybe we'll move next year... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ little things Thursday thankful Thursday

 ~ ~ ~ The Marblehead to Halifax race began on Sunday afternoon. The race has been going since 1905! It is one of the world's oldest ocean races. The last race was run in 2019 but after a four year hiatus there are over 70 boats competing this year. I watched from the shore as the boats came out of Marblehead harbour  and set out for the 363 nautical mile sail. I should say that as of this writing they have not reached Halifax. It would be fun to go up there and see them come in one time.  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ community global my corner of the world

 ~ ~ ~ t A glad heart makes a cheerful face but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22 A simple pot with a red geranium on the kitchen table makes me think of a merry heart. I come into the kitchen in the morning to make my coffee and my heart cheers at the sight of it.  Monday: Minestrone soup, fresh bread, green salad Tuesday: Brown basmati rice, roasted zucchini, Swiss chard Wednesday: Pasta with asparagus, fresh salad Thursday: Tofu steak with miso mushrooms, greens Friday: take away Saturday: Okinawan beans and rice, greens Sunday: taco salad ~ Grace at home all about home You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

 ~ ~ ~  t For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking  but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Whoever thus serves Christ. is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us not pass judgement on one another any longer,  but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Romans 12:3 ESV ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ scripture and a snapshot let's have coffee Grace and truth You are invited to the Inlinkz link party! Click here to enter

 ~ ~ ~ Spent Saturday afternoon at Screaming Woman's Cove beach. The fog rolled in and out...one minute clear and the next misty. ~ I got this photo of Abbot Hall as I walked to listen to music in the park on Saturday morning. It was foggy and drizzly on the first night of the Marblehead festival of Arts.  That didn't stop the crowd though! Crocker park was filled with folks on blankets and lawn chairs, Mums and dads, children running and playing, grandmas and grandpas! It seemed like the whole town turned out to hear the great music. Some folks were dancing in front of the stage and they were really good. ~ Sunday's weather was a wash out! I did get out to see some of the art exhibits though. I saw the mixed media and the sculpture in St. Michael's Church. Every year they sell lobster rolls on their lawn and I never miss it. I also saw the photography exhibit in Old Town Hall. One of the photo's on display was a picture of one of my mother's best friend's p

 ~ ~ ~ Every year on Independence day weekend Marblehead, MA hosts the Marblehead  festival of arts. Four or so days of arts ranging from photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, crafts and even sewing. They are set up in various churches and buildings in town. At Crocker park which overlooks the beautiful Marblehead harbour there is live music! All four afternoons and all four evenings feature bands and musicians of all genres! The best is saved for the evening of the fourth when the fireworks are set off above the harbour! I am so thankful to live in this beautiful old town on the coast. Thankful Thursday little things Thursday

  The Marblehead festival of arts has been going on for 57 years! There is music in the streets, music in Crocker park, mixed media, sculpture, painting, printmaking, photography, and even sewing arts set up in different places around old town.  This year it's running from 1 - 4 July! I have been out and about checking everything out and running into old friends that I haven't seen in a long time. Even the recycling in front of the local liquor store celebrates with the colours of the season! Community Global my corner of the world

  ~ ~ ~ We live in a little town. I walk past the harbour and town landing to the market.  I pick up a few things and then turn toward home. I walk down State Street with its view of the harbour and the flag flying high on the boat yard crane. A simple bouquet on the kitchen table greets me as I enter the kitchen.  Wash the berries and put them away, sunflower seeds into their little glass jar on the pantry shelves,  tea in the cupboard, lemons in a bowl on the counter, windows open to the fresh air, it is wet and rainy this Independence day weekend but the shopping is done and all sundries put away. Later in the morning I will make a quinoa salad with carrots, shallots, colourful peppers, and fresh herbs to bring to my brother and sister-in-law's tomorrow afternoon. They are having a little Fourth of July gathering.  I plan to drive to the donation bin later this afternoon...quite a bit of clearing out to do.   On the way home I will stop at the nursery for some red and white gera

 ~ ~ ~ t If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person's religion is worthless. James 1:26 There is a church in my town called Grace Community Church. I went one Sunday because they are bible based and I love the bible. The following week a woman from the church pulled out some rainbow flags that the pre-school that rents space from them had put in the window boxes. The director of the pre-school asked her why she did it and  unfortunately, it was caught on video by a passer-by.  I think this church reflects neither grace nor community. I won't be going back.  I wish I could find a church that stuck to the word of God. Jesus says we are called to love one another as he loves us. Why is that so hard for us? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ scripture and a snapshot let's have coffee grace and truth