Bluebirds and Birch trees

 Mrs. Hemmingsworth of Valadin lane had only one thing mind, and one thing only. To find someone who could and would make her, the most perfect cup of tea.  Some would make it too strong, while others too weak.      Some would add too much milk, or not enough cream. And heaven forbid those who dared approach her about adding in green.  Mrs. Hemmingsworth of Valadin Lane had tried and tried again in vain, to find the one person who could and would make her, the perfect cup of tea.  The only one that had come close, was a student from France on a business trip, but despite all things, they had forgotten to add in the cream.  So they were out, and like a shot. Till good old Mrs. Hemmingsworth had gotten her leave.  So about one morning at half past ten, she came across one girl with a doll and a pen.  "You're looking for someone to make you tea?" She asked. Mrs. Hemmingsworth agreed, for it was no secret that it was she, the o...

 The rhythmic sound. A slight crunch with just enough sweetness. The warmth from the open window. And light from beyond the curtains. His apron full of apple peel rings, and scattered 'cross the floor. And all on the table, so many many more. His brown boots surrounded by gold and red alike, and pieces of other things mingled in the light. The buzz from humming a slightly off key tune, matching up with the swishing broom  Getting up from his seat, and the peels falling to the floor. He carried a large wooden bowl, out the door. Walking round the white farm house, sitting down out back. He picked up from the garden, herbs and bric-a-brac. Seasoning his dish of apple rings, he headed back inside to finish up things.  The crust was ready, the oven was bright. And there was to be sure, to be pie tonight.  So to be sure that this is the story of an apple that made it to pie. The tale of a man, who had but one skill.  To make the one and only very best, apple pie...

 Tonight was marvelous in many ways. Brothers and youth group, Friends and laughter, Songs and tears, Smiles and spoken truths, Belief and bravery. All things from paper to peanut butter hearts. On the verge of our lives. When a youth leader manages to say a line directly from a song that I have heard, and one no less that I have personally applied to following God. Saying that we are "out on the verge" with God. This is what came to mind. Clearer than a lot of things that have been in my head lately. Brothers and youth group, Tonight I brought my brother with me to church. He met someone who had rapidly become my best friend where I live. And they (according to my friend with a fist bump) "We're friends now!" Friends and laughter,  Talking loud and simply laughing with each other over mutual weirdness and compliments. Admitting to not always singing on key but doing it anyway because, "I am making a joyful noise and it doesn't matte...

 Dear Reader,  Today I am the girl alone in the corner. Sitting at a small coffee shop restaurant, waiting to be picked up.  Dropped off at about a quarter to two, then sitting in the small corner table between the wall and a small row of booths. First facing away from the window, writing intently on a sequel to a story I wrote this summer. Then, after about half an hour, ordering a simply lovely drink called a London Fog, along with a key lime bar which was also marvelous.   Yet when I think about it, it is also quite possible that I may have been mistaken for a girl who is waiting for someone who isn't coming.  Asked after getting my drink if I had ordered any food, and I am quite certain after a couple minutes getting glances from a few of the workers almost as if they were wondering if someone was coming to join me. As a matter of fact, I am still here. Indeed, the glances have continued, I wonder what their reactions will be when they real...

 .. Maybe!  Today (Now it would be three days ago as I just now got to finishing this post and putting the pictures in it!) I was given a shortbread recipe to make for my mom. And even though I only have three photos (four because black and white looks fancy), the middle stages of making the dough were not meant for photo taking. For a multitude of reasons.  1. Even though I cut up the butter, I probably put it in too soon, so it took a little while to mash it and the sugar/vanilla together. 1b. I ground up granulated sugar by hand because I didn't have any powdered. Left: Un-ground. Middle: Mid-grind. Right: Ground 2. After I did mix them I had a buttery sugary mess all over my hands which didn't make it easy to answer the phone when it started making noises. 3. That's what brothers are for. 7. Despite possibly over mixing it all, it turned out scrumptious. And just slightly chewy with a crispy shell. Mmm. Dough. 5. I got busy with cleanup afterwo...

 Dear Reader,  It truly doesn't take much to find things. Not for me anyways. For while some pieces I find at second hand places, others I'll invest in new. It all depends on what I can find, and what I can do.  Some things it's perfectly fine to get them second hand, but some things you are simply better off getting new, not previously worn by someone who has shaped a piece or an article of clothing to fit their body instead of your own. In that sense, it is good to buy new, but in others, not so bad to find second hand. This can be said for an outing that happened over this past weekend.  New:  A blue and white knit sweater,  a pair of heeled ankle boots with bows.  What I found:  A long cream vest with rose-orange buttons and a fabulously made lapel.  A dark grey and silvery bolero.  All four of these I have managed to fit into my daily wear, and into my costuming supplies as well. Because in all honesty, you can never...

 I laughed in the rain as it came pouring down tonight, waiting till my friends were in sight, needing to second prompting, to come and join me in the fervor and the downpour. We laughed and cried out in raucous laughter, that only joy and friendship can bring. To land in the puddles and splash yourself sopping wet up to your knees and then some. To smile and laugh for minutes. To rush inside and bring with you a life like no other. Bringing smiles to others faces, to not care what some may think. To simply enjoy, and smile, at the wonderful and beatuful things that life can bring.  Even if one only so simple, as rain .  Have you ever run through the rain with a smile?  Or laughed with a friend as it pours down on you?  To feel the brush of it on your skin as it splashes down.  The chill it brings you, the life that thrives through your veins.  The shout and call out with joy as you hold up your hands to catch it.  To strive with all your ...

 Dear Reader,  Did you ever learn another language while waiting till the point in time that you could another that you had wanted to learn from the beginning?  Such is the case for me. Although I have no way of officially learning Japanese, I pick up a couple sounds or phrases here and there around my way from listening to either Anime, music, or just things in general that have dealings with Japanese words.  But as for learning a language until I can I guess officially start learning Japanese in a way that qualifies as learning it, I'm learning French. And I have to say, learning French is a very interesting experience! I enjoy it quite thoroughly, though I do wish learning Japanese would be a thing easier to locate as far as learning material. I had thought of simply buying a school book that children in Japan begin with, after all, it's their language, they should no more than anyone else how to teach it. ええと？ (That is supposed to be 'You know?' in Japane...

 Dear Reader,  Finding to new music to listen to that I can play over and over again is a difficult thing to accomplish. The main part being, a majority of new music cannot hold my attention. But every now and then, an unknown artist or a single released from somebody I've never heard of before, hits it just right. I found a Youtuber page called Christian Music Daily, that I followed back from a song a friend had referred to me, and I have to say they have some good music! I enjoy finding new music to listen too. And I like to keep it coming. Because each one is different and individual, despite how some may be similar, they are different, and I hear the difference.  - Mae