Glory Bee Attitudes

This is another fuzzy pic but it is a Godiva ornament. I remember well opening this gift at Johns Hopkins Hospital back in the late eighties. One of my husband's good friends had just undergone some serious surgery for a brain tumor. We stopped in after work  (I believe it was Christmas Eve) with some gifts and to spend some time. We didn't expect anything in return, but his wife was there with gifts for everyone and she did her best to bring some merriment and joy of The Lord to that little hospital room. Tom has since gone to Heaven but we remember and value his friendship and his spirit. He was a good guy. A soldier for Christ. One of the best. A marvelous architect. A wonderful Old Mainer. An edifier. A smiler. A winner. And while we are speaking of Heaven, Happy Birthday to my Daddy.

Ginger - Again! Another surprise ornament gift from a trip:  This time a day trip to Longwood Gardens. This was back when Lloyd could go out in the cold and we went up on Christmas Eve.  We had an absolute blast. Some memories Singing Carols with the organ sing along Sipping hot chocolate Lloyd wearing his Ravens Christmas hat A man asking Lloyd "Santa, can I have a new motorcycle for Christmas?" Kissing under the mistletoe Dinner in the dining room at Longwood The beautiful conservatory The Christmas lights Having Ginger with us for the holiday (we never tire of that) People watching

I am woefully behind in my ornament of the day posts. But that's okay with me. This year, as in other recent years, I've given myself the gift of a stress-free Christmas.  My sister gave me this ornament too.  It's a fuzzy shot but it's a beautiful ornament depicting Ocean City Maryland scenes.  You can see ferris wheel here.  Since I"m talking stress free, I thought I'd make a little joy list. This ornament reminds me of joy and fun and carefree days. Dec 14 joy list Summer memories in the winter Winter memories in the summer The smell of chestnuts on the streets of NY The smell of pretzels on the streets of Philly The Rockettes at Christmas Finding that perfect, little inexpensive gift that you never thought you'd find Clear toy and peach blossom candies - two things my parents used to buy at Christmas The smell of cookies baking in the oven Catching that first snowflake on your tongue A white Christmas that's not too hazardous

I bought this bird ornament and few like it on a day trip with my friends to St. Michaels Maryland. It was autumn. We shopped and ate and laughed and talked and shopped and laughed and talked some more. I was with my friends, Joyce and Kathy, two of the group we call "The Bees".  We bought Moa Boa Magic Scarves which were the rage then and a new and fabulous find for us. I am wondering how much any of us ever wore those over-priced items?  We spent time in a really cool Christmas shop where I bought these birds plus some other Christmas doo-dads. I don't have any photos from that outing with The Queen Bee and Kaby but I'm adding a photo from another year when we had a fun Christmas season celebration in Gettysburg.

I have a very vague memory of purchasing this ornament. I believe it was back in the nineties when Lloyd and I went to Skyline Drive and stayed in Shenandoah National Park in a wonderful little cabin. In my mind I can picture the scene. I can even picture the photographs I took although I cannot lay my hands on them right now. I remember how much we enjoyed that little log cabin . It was small but it had indoor plumbing and electricity and a pit outside for cooking, so it was like tent camping only with a few extra comforts.  I remember calling to see if we could get a place at the last minute and it just so happened that someone had cancelled.  We were so happy to have the opportunity. Looking back on this now, I'm thinking maybe early next summer we'll try that again, Lord willing.  Lloyd loved the peace and quiet and I could stand to unplug for a few days.

One year when we were living in Street MD, my sister came to visit. We took a few day trips and spent time together.  One evening we went shopping at the mall must for something to do. My sister picked up this little ornament for me and surprised me with it when we got home. I remember that year well because we had a mouse in the house and I was hysterical, standing on a dining room chair and swinging a poker. That little house was out in the country and it was where I decided I'm not a country girl. But it was warm and cozy and except for the mouse, it was a great place to get cozy and comfy and enjoy Christmas. I have a lot of happy memories of times spent with my sister, at Christmastime and all times of the year.  Here are a few photographic mementos.

This past spring we traveled to Florida to spend a few days with our friend, Shirley.  We visited her and her mom in central Florida and then we traveled up to St. Augustine for some R&R.  What an amazing city it was. We stayed in the old historic part of town in a wonderfully appointed cottage that was part of the   Carriage Way bed and breakfast. This is one of those ornaments that for years to come will bring back happy memories of the promises of spring, the joy of friendship, the Florida sunshine, and the value of a nice break from work to spend time together.  And I will remember how Shirley and I climbed all the day to the top of that lighthouse. The photos below are from that trip.