Friday, March 21, 2014

Five on Friday



Days tumble upon each other, filled with activity. A drive to the ferry on Monday morning. Wednesday at the pool with Miss A. Boating class. Errands and grocery shopping. Planning. Cooking. The moments end up in a heap of time at the end of the week. Sorting through them is an exercise in thoughtfulness that brings to mind the Psalmist's prayer, "Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12) 
 

A Monday walk on the beach counts as my first favorite thing this week. 

Second is the time spent at the pool with Miss A. Oh, the energy! She delighted in pouring bucket after bucket of water on this Nana's head. Then she tilted her own head, looked at me and said, "Nana, your hair doesn't look normal." I guess not. More like a drowned rat.

Third, the book I'm reading, seen above. Travel. History. France. Three of my favorite things combined. It's not a book to dash through. Instead, I find myself setting the book down and I dig out other references to add to the delight of learning new things.

 





Fourth. Also to do with France, indirectly. I have a set of coasters, picked up several years ago in Paris. Each displays an image of a monument. Little Miss S called the Eiffel Tower a boat for the longest time. I kept gently correcting her, saying "It's the Eiffel Tower." Last week, she was at home and built a block tower. When her mother complimented her on her tower, Little Miss A said, "Eiffel Tower," clear as a bell. All towers are apparently Eiffel Towers. While here over the weekend she named the monument on the coaster correctly. It tickles me every time I think of her saying it. L'Arc de Triomphe might be a bit more difficult. 

Fifth. These brighter days. I pause to look outside as I write. Frosty grass. Birds chirping. Sunlight. Blue sky with a few clouds. Pink ranunculus. Yellow forsythia. Brown dirt waiting.

How has your week been? What are you looking forward to this weekend? 

 

14 comments:

  1. I get a lot of vicarious enjoyment out of reading the numbering of your days...it's so much easier than sorting through my own heap!
    That statue is wonderful.

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  2. Love that first photo!
    We are going to work in the yard since we are promised some dryness this weekend. I will mow and Dear will do some trimming etc.

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  3. Hmmm..I wonder how old I was when I first could say "Eiffel Tower" or "L'Arc de Triomphe". My mother tells the story that when my father was stationed at Evreux, they were making a trip to Paris just about the time I was close to taking my first steps. They took me to the Champs Elysee and tried to coax me there. I don't think it was successful. There was probably way too much to look at!
    You must be restless to visit Paris. I hope you'll get a chance soon.

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  4. I love the sculpture on the bench. Did you put the flowers in his hands? Miss A sounds delightful. I adore that age of learning new things and new words. No plans this weekend yet. Maybe friends over tomorrow evening. We'll see if I can get motivated.

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  5. Aww such a sweet statue with flowers in his hand..so lovely :)
    Big hugs x

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  6. Excellent ! Miss A. et sa réplique m'ont beaucoup amusée ! Les enfants enregistrent tout. On ne sait jamais quand ça ressortira !
    Ce week-end, j'attends la pluie. Le jardin est tout sec, et a besoin d'être arrosé. Et s'il fait mauvais, je pourrai rester à l'intérieur, m'occuper de mes copies et de la décoration.
    Je te souhaite un très bon week-end

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  7. Sounds as if you are compiling information to teach a class (???) Fun times with your granddaughters. One thing is sure, they are learning so many things from you.

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  8. I've been picking up that same book on and off for a year or so now, in between others. I love the approach and dream of once again renting an apartment in Paris, but for several months, and then taking the train to follow the various chapters of history outlined by Carol

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  9. love the sculpture . . . love the flowers . . . and I love anything about France.

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  10. Oh my goodness..primroses...sigh. Cherry blossoms sigh....Paris in springtime sigh....lol.

    She is going to grow up to be a real sweetie.

    Jen

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  11. You are great grandma to take her to the pool! The pool has never been my favorite even with my own kids. My 7 and 8 year old would love to go more and I'm a putz. I've never enjoyed the water.

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  12. We are having a touch of some gorgeous spring weather though winter will come back for a day or two--this seems to be the pattern lately. Meanwhile we can do work in the garden when it's warm, and its calling! Enjoy the weekend! Love the statue!

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  13. It sounds like you've had a lovely week, filled with special moments. I like your thoughts on the moments as a "heap of time" and the "exercise in thoughtfulness" they require to number our days. Words to ponder...

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  14. Posies....so pretty! Love the colours.

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