March 17th, A special Day

 St Patrick's Day, March 17th, Celebrated world wide for many reasons. 

But to have a Birthday on that day is extra special. 

Many Happy Birthday Wishes, Ralph, from all of us up North. 

Closer to home, in our hearts, but a lot further in distance,  in Otago, is our son-in-law, Ralph. We met him for the first time on TV, with Miriama Kamo and Paul Hobbs, a 20/20 documentary  called " Dogged Determination" , filmed on the farm down south and at the dog trials there. Up to that time, we knew someone was somewhere, but WHO???!!!

This is at an Outdoor Concert, in Otago, in 2009. 

In 2020 the Waitahuna Collie Club held a surprise party, but the real reason was to honour  three former Club Presidents with Life Membership

Ralph Brown with Rogue, then Roger Tweed with Strike and his brother John Tweed with Merv.

Together they had contributed 110 years of combined service. Families and friends had gathered, and then the men thought this was a little more than an ordinary evening when even extended family members were there.

 Dogs have always been a huge part of Ralph's life, and he  has participated in many sheep dog trials.  Indeed, that was where he met Kaz, when he was travelling to the North Island for an event. I think he managed to visit  on the return journey to Otago, not sure where the dog stayed!!!

That Irish Pub in Picton , the beginning of their life together.

The next photo was my attempt at trying  OOB, or Out Of Bounds Photoshop editing.

Ralph with one of his earlier dogs.

Life in Otago is  tough in the winter, guess the thought of a wet snowy paw on your face is not so welcome.

There was an early heavy snowfall that winter, but it didn't deter the Irish Snowmen from enjoying a drink or two on the verandah.

Fast forward to March 3rd, 2018.The day we had all been waiting for, their wedding  on the farm. 

A  wonderful day, typical southern hospitality, and although we knew only the family, everyone else recognised us as parents of the bride. I contributed as standing in for the " Father of the Bride Speech" Hugh was reluctant to stand up there, so I carefully  worded  and then printed out a short version. I have been told I talk like I write, LOTS, so thought I should carefully limit my time. The night before the wedding, Ralph's brother  Andrew read it and replied " I think you can embellish this quite a bit more" So I did ; The Best Man enlightened us with many highlights from over the years, then it was the Groom's turn.

Ralph gave the most amazing speech, with all of us laughing so much. 

Needless to say, we are so happy that on the 17th March,  on your birthday, you will  celebrate in true Southern Style,

I think the day is taken up with the local Sheep Dog Trial preparations for the coming weekend, but I did hear a whisper of some beers, and more at the end of the day . 

Enjoy the day Ralph, maybe another year when Covid-free travel is safer, we can join you  in the Far South .

Quotation of the day , author unknown,

" Families are the compass that guides us.

They are the inspiration to reach great heights, 

and our comfort when we occasionally falter."

Greetings from Jean.

More flowers, here and further south

 Thanks so much, again, to you all, The reality of a diamond Wedding Anniversary has finally taken hold, amidst the strife, terror and more overseas, and here with our Covid cases rising so rapidly every day.I know how fortunate we are to be safe, still together, and have family, and friends here and abroad to be with us, in reality, or by virtual wishes. 

Celebrations held by Zoom, or FaceTime ,  seem to be the norm for now.

The  one photo I missed in the recent posts was our cake. Carrot and walnut, two layers with delicious filling,  pale grey lettering, all on a wonderful large cake board. That has been saved  in case another occasion happens.

Some was saved, and will be safely  frozen up to 3 months.

The garden flowers are blooming for Ukraine right now. 

Moxie's daisy continues to flower, covering his name completely

And nearby, the pink begonia keeps the daisy company.

A long way further south , from our daughter's garden , is this beautiful arrangement.

Gladioli, dahlias, Delphinium, Cosmos, Lilies and some bottlebrush leaves. 

This would grace any table at any event so beautifully, and as the date nears for their wedding anniversary, I hope some are still blooming after the rain that is forecast.

On the wall is a pencil drawing of the local area, Waitahuna, by a very talented local artist Kaye French.

Quotation of the day,  from Ralph Waldo Emerson,

" Flowers are a proud assertion

 that a ray of beauty out-values all the utilities in the world"

Greetings from Jean

Another week Dawns

 Thank you all SO much for your wonderful ,caring, loving ,comments and more. The flowers arrived, and so did the cards, from here in new Zealand, and across the oceans to the UK. 

These came from Jeanette, we have been  friends since 1954!!!  Our celebration had a sad tinge, as Trevor had passed away before they reached this milestone. These were such a surprise as Jeanette had sent a card the week earlier. We are so spoilt .

Lisianthus, rosebuds, hydrangea, foliage, and  all arranged   in lovely papers.

Next, this was from our son-in-law's Mum, Ann, way down in the far south. Again, she had also  lost  her husband , Russell, and this was so thoughtful, a lovely card  came in the post . Gerbera, sunflowers, hydrangea,  Lilies, ivy foliage and beautiful coloured tissue papers.

The family flowers included Lisianthus, snapdragon and white lilies,  and rosebuds, with ivy foliage. One week later, the flowers have been  put into a smaller crystal vase and still beautiful.

Next, we had a personal delivery by our local Mayor, with flowers from him and the council.

 The along came our friend Anne, with stunning Dahlias, hydrangeas in all colours from her own garden. By this time I had run out of suitable vases!!!

I knew more cards would be arriving, they did, one from our own Prime Minister Jacinda Adern, one from our Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and  Dr Richard Davies, and then one from distant shores, a beautiful one from Elizabeth R,  our Queen.

 Through all of this, I have realised that reaching this milestone is a huge privilege, so many do not arrive at 60 years of marriage for one reason or another, and each day is a treasure.I am so thankful.

Quotation of the day, from Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet;

" And think not that you can direct the course of love, 

for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course".

Greetings from Jean

Today, we celebrate 60 years of marriage.

 Good morning, we woke to sunshine, flowers delivered, cards, phone calls and emails.Thank you all so much for the lovely comments. This is a heavy photo overload!!!

February 17th, 1962.  There was also sunshine that day. 

We left from a friend's home in Papakura, my Dad's brother Mervyn Appleby drove us to the church, and we are met by the Rev  J L  Wilson.

The ceremony starts, my Dad still there to answer when asked " Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" and I am sure he replied " I do " .Very traditional words. The rest of the ceremony also followed the traditional wording, very seldom heard today.

We are now officially husband and wife, and sign the register, The best man, Trevor Shelley and bridesmaid, my cousin Judith Appleby then signed as witnesses.

We stopped for a photo outside, Des McKinstry, Pat Pearce ( Later to be married to Des) Janet Norman, (now married to Phil Brackfield, and living in the far south) Hugh and Jean, my cousin Judith Appleby and Best Man Trevor Shelley (sadly passed away a few years ago) .  The bridesmaid and flower girl all had dresses of pale lilac/mauve embroidered brocade, with scalloped necklines, and handmade roses on the  side . They had matching sprays in their hair and carried sweet sultan and stock. Janet had a small basket with her flowers arranged in it. 

With the proud parents, Neil and Muriel McKinstry, Hugh and Jean, and Grace and Eric Appleby .

The before photo, very serious men!!!

The afterwards delight, all smiling!!!

A full length photo, my Mum made my gown,  Chantilly lace over satin, a scalloped neckline, a full skirt with a scalloped border at the hem. The flowers were tuberoses, Stephanotis and carnations. My veil was " something borrowed" from my cousin  Ann Andrews,( nee Appleby) and sadly she passed away some years ago.

The happy couple.

We are having a quiet day at home,  after one Covid case in our small town appeared on Saturday , there are now  20, and today may be more. This is a lot in the total population of just 5,200 people. Family decided not to risk flying up or flying down,  the passengers may have been anywhere as a place of interest, or later become a close contact.

We will gather together later when travel is safer.

Tonight nearby friends will help us celebrate with Champagne and a cake!!!

Quotation of the day, author unknown

" Each day is a gift as we open  the door to a sunrise ,

Celebrate and enjoy every moment until 

nightfall darkens the sky" 

Greetings from Jean

Today and Tomorrow

 After a long time away, I am here again.

As promised, the golden lilies bloomed gloriously, tall, golden, and so many flowers on each tall stem

       

This was the bloom on New Year's Day, 2022, early in the morning. This gives you an idea of the height and the number of blooms, I lost count.                                                                                                         

The days have been different, with Covid and Omicron cases rising to almost 1000 , there has been a huge group of protestors camped out on the grass below Parliament House in Wellington, vehicles parked illegally, blocking main streets, verbal abuse to passers by including a young student for wearing masks, protestors in other areas copying the massive protest on the border between Canada and the USA. Our Defence Force, together with the Police, will stand by the tow truck operators to start and remove vehicles very soon. The general opinion is, stop it immediately when the first tent was pitched, as slowly more and more came, the rain fell, their flags were hoisted, and police formed a barricade to prevent them entering Parliament House.I will not tarnish this post with a photo of the chaos.

Tomorrow marks a milestone in our lives, as on February 17th, 1962, Hugh and I were married in the Presbyterian Church at Papakura,. Photos will be posted tomorrow, no celebrations/ balloons, meals out or family here, as Covid has arrived to our small town, 5 so far, but that could increase any time. Flying up or down to gather together is too risky.The main excitement will be a doctor's visit, the second of 3 weekly ones, as she tries to reduce my blood pressure tablets and get the BP to an acceptable higher level.Some days it is way TOO low, what a change from 3 years ago.

Meantime the sunflowers have started to put on the usual summer show, including a busy bee determined to try each flower in turn. The stems are almost as tall as the lilies were.

The sewing and quilting has come to a halt, after we had a spell of scorching hot days, reaching a 34Celsius, then a sudden drop  to a lot lower cool spell.Now it seems that summer has almost gone, the mornings are so dark, lights are needed at 6 a.m. and curtains are drawn at night.

Quotation of the day, from Omar Khayyam

" Be happy for this moment.This moment is your life"

Greetings from Jean.

Almost the end of 2021

 This week has seen children laugh with delight at presents, families separated with Covid isolation, others together, and for two of my overseas friends, a loss so  huge for each of them.

Carole, over at  From My Carolina Home shared  her loss of a very dearly loved cousin,

 and KB, over at Romping and Rolling in the Rockies lost her dearest Dad . 

At a time like this, words hardly seem to say enough.

The garden provides some beauty amongst the grief, as it is shared round the blog and Instagram and Facebook world.

The golden lily flowered as promised, here it is beside the Bird bath that Moxy so loved .

The tall Hollyhocks have delicate almost translucent petals, and reach for the sky. The plants range from some 5 foot to  maybe over 8 foot tall, one has reached the spouting on our friend's garage.The lily plants are almost as tall, and have so many buds on each stem, far surpassing the ones  there last year.

The petals have the late afternoon sun shining from the west.

Finally some words for us all , as at any time we may have loss and  grief in our lives. I cannot remember the author or where I found them.

" Love cannot be measured by its capacity , or held in your hand.

It will light your life in the darkest of times.

It will be that wonderful link between family, friends and pets.

Believe in yourself , for when you love, time is eternal.

Greetings from Jean

Christmas Greetings

 Hello to all my dear friends here in NZ and further away. 

I hope for you all, a day to be quiet, restful, enjoy time with family in reality or by Zoom or Facetime, or a phone call,  let there be peace in your hearts, and know that love and friendship spans the skies and oceans.

As once again this year the golden Lily blooms, this photo from last year tells me that the beauty will unfold  soon ,  today the buds are not quite open, but the two stems  are so much  taller, and in a few days will show all the glory of nature.

Quotation of the day, author unknown

" Let there be peace, love and happiness in your heart"

Greetings from Jean