"Life is not, for most of us, a pageant of splendor, but is made up of many small things, rather like an old fashioned piecework quilt. No two people have the same, but we all have our own, whether it be listening to Beethoven's fifth with a beloved friend, or seeing a neighbor at the back door with a basket of white dahlias. Or after a long, hard day, having the family say, "That was a good supper."
In no particular order, here are six SMALL THINGS that have saved me this week.
1. This book, *The Art of Mindful Gardening: Sowing the Seeds of Meditation by Ark Redwood. One of the things I am practicing in this season is single-tasking, so I was thrilled when I read this in the introduction;
"The art of being mindful is simple really. It lies in the practice of being in the present moment, and attempting to hold that attention to whatever you are doing, gently bringing the mind back to the present whenever it starts to wander (which it inevitably does!)"
Ark Redwood is the head gardener at Chalice Well, one of Britians most sacred gardens (I hope to visit it one day!). In this book, the author guides you through the changing seasons, drawing upon years of practical gardening experience and meditation. The author is a practicing Zen Buddhist, but I am comfortable enough in my own faith that it is not a problem for me. Read at your own discretion.
2. Finding this gem on You Tube for free, Tammy and the Millionaire. It was a short lived TV series in the late 60's based off the Tammy movies, that originated with Debbie Reynolds and also starred Sandra Dee. Debbie Watson reprises the role in this film, which is a conglomaration of the few episodes that aired before it was canceled. I really like Debbie Watson, and found another movie, as well, The Cool Ones, which I will probably check out soon. She was also in a TV series, Karen, and there are a few episodes of it, though I wish there were more! Here's are the links to the first episode, which is in two parts, Part 1, Part 2. The thing that really excited me about this, are the original commercials!
3. And if taking a trip through memory lane is your thing, you might enjoy this You Tube channel, America Before. Here's a description of what you'll find;
"Welcome to 'America Before,' a captivating journey into the heart of nostalgic Americana, spanning from the 1950s to the 1980s. Our channel is a treasure trove of memories, dedicated to reliving the golden eras of American history. Dive into a world where classic cars ruled the streets, rock 'n' roll and disco beats set the rhythm of life, and iconic TV shows and movies defined a generation. Explore the cultural, technological, and social revolutions that shaped modern America. From vintage fashion to retro gadgets, 'America Before' brings the past alive, offering a nostalgic escape and a deeper understanding of the decades that significantly influenced today's America."
I subscribe to several channels with this sort of theme, and enjoy watching a few episodes from time to time before I go to bed.
4. Watching campy beach movies with my family. Have Prime Video? Here are a few selections we've enjoyed, Bikini Beach, Beach Blanket Bingo,
5. This recipe for coffee flavored ice cream, and the best part, you don't need an ice cream maker!
6. This post, from @megangilger
"Summer
The sparkle on the water. The rush of that first dip of wildness. The full to the brim. The skinny dip. The smell of bonfire. The ache. The relief. The reward. The feeling of being alive. The smell of tomatoes. The hanging towel on the deck rail. The sand in the car. The nostalgia. The reunions. The floating cosmos. The dirt road. The deep breathe. Being weightless for only a moment . . . being held by the lake.
Love in this season!"
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