Lucy

Is there someone in your life that always has a smile on her face and whenever you see them

they make you feel good?

Lucy has the most uplifting affect on this One Woman. I truly love her.

She is a former neighbor of mine and also at one time owned a small shop in our town. She gathered some of the most unique items from estate sales for her shop. I have a number of items in this cottage that came from Lucy. She is very gifted and everything she does looks special.

This morning there was a sale and I bought this heavy stone stepping stone from her and have placed it among my flowers.

Lucy has the most beautiful yard partially surrounded by an old iron fence. Her garden changes dramatically with the seasons and I have never stopped to visit that I did not leave with a cutting of a plant.

Guess what???? She shared that in her small yard she is putting in a swimming pool and for me to come by and dig up any plants I want - Oh my - in the morning at dawn I am headed for her garden.

I was in town very early this morning - like 6:30 AM. I took my neighbor to the hospital for an out patient procedure. About 4 hours to fill my time before picking her back up. First, I had breakfast at a new place across from our courthouse. French toast that was made a little different from mine. Orange juice was included in the batter and it was sprinkled with powdered sugar and sliced strawberries. A true treat before I headed for several grocery stores.

Time to make the pickup at hospital and headed home to Miss Callie.

One more dry and very hot afternoon. I will be inside most of the day.

Lucy, thank you for making my day special :)

A September 20th Day

Early mornings are a delightful 50 degrees and then in a few hours it begins to climb onward to 90. Living close to the woods brings the advantage of being slightly cooler and usually a delightful breeze.

Many hours for several days have been spent working outside. Flowers and herbs surroundings Woodhaven still have a lot of summer beauty.

The nature path in the woods is finished. I am so pleased. There have been weeks of raking, branches removed, root stubble's cut and path swept:). I can walk under the towering trees - deeper into the woods and have checked out an area that I remember last Fall. After a rain some of the wild ferns will be transplanted closer to my cottage. This path will be walked often at dawn and later in the day. Callie always my companion.

The quiet and peacefulness in the woods is almost breathtaking. The towering tree's a delight for One Woman to behold.

I smile when I think of my son viewing his mom's handiwork. I can remember his comment for me not to clear the woods. When he visits he will see it is just a path :) All of my children love to walk and hopefully they will help keep this path clear.

"I never found the companion that was so companionable as solitude. We are for the most part more lonely when we go abroad among men then when we stay in our chambers"

~Henry David Thoreau~

Protected

Discovered growing under my old garden table.

They look like a work of art.

Nature is amazing.

I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order....

John Burroughs

Extreme Opposites

Living in the big city for two years I became very aware of the difference between city life and country life.

I was very weary when I returned home from my recent day in the city. Very aware that there were too many items on my list (as my daughter's have reminded me ). No surprise I did not get it all done. I will return soon at a more leisurely pace. I love browsing in the different little shops. A number of delightful little neighborhoods with special little shops. Hillsboro Village, Centennial Park area and German town to mention a few. Each have cozy little eating places and shops. Miss eating at the Kien Gians a Vietnamese restaurant where I would eat lunch occasionally with my son. This is not far from the Sylvan Park area where I not too long ago built a city cottage.

Would someday like to wander around in the Nashville downtown area. So many memories from another time. Memories of going to town with my grandmother on the bus, Sunday dinners at special places with husband and children, Special shops that are long gone. Downtown Nashville is a totally different place. I might get lost :)

I need to take a couple of days vacation in Nashville. Just Miss Callie - what do I do?? Do not want to leave her penned up for a few days. But maybe that is not to bad. Have not come to a decision. This is one of the downsides of having a much loved pet. So maybe the answer is just to take day trips without a long list of what you want to do. That would be more relaxing. One Woman has a problem with pacing herself :)

Being a very sensitive person with a strong sense of intuition. Sometimes this trait is almost to a fault but maybe not as it allows me to be passionately aware of simplicity, nature, people, pain and joy.

I find the energy surrounding the city exciting but draining. Very aware of the lack of silence. If you stand still and concentrate a constant hum can be heard and felt - almost like a vibration.

Heading down the highway to the country and leaving the city behind calmness begins to comes over me like a cozy blanket. Driving down my road breathing becomes normal and I smiled at the sight of nature that is meeting me. Seems like the old trees are smiling, birds are chirping, Callie begins to stand at the fence with her tail wagging wildly. All are greeting me and saying she is home!!!

So for several days I will tackle growing stacks of paper work on my desk, stretch, breathe deep and go at a slower pace. Gardening is at a halt and the leaves are beginning to fall.

All of this brings to mind some words from a Simon and Garfunkel's song -

"Slow down you move too fast. Got to make the morning last".

Jan from http://awakeisgood.com/ - reminded me of these words not too long ago.

Tuscany Bread And Waldorf Salad

Who else but One Woman would take an image of loaf of Tuscany bread? It is sitting on a over 100 year old biscuit board that was my grandmother's. My mother passed it on to me.

Just finished a grilled cheese sandwich which was wonderful. I am this bread's favorite fan.

Trying to eat healthy for one is a challenge. I made a portion of a Waldorf salad to go with my sandwich. Had the ingredients on hand and did not use celery.

Waldorf Salad - Woodhave style

Chopped Apple

Hand full of Raisins

Hand full of sliced seedless Black Grapes.

Hand full of chopped Walnuts

Mixed with sour cream and a very little mayo.

Tasted good to me!!!

I tried to download information about Provence in Hillsboro Village and it would not go through.
It is my favorite and if you are ever in Nashville - drop in....

Visit To The Nearest Big City

I have put off for months driving into Nashville. A dozen places are on my list.

My cell phone needs to be updated. It has been dropped more times then I can remember and I am surprised it even works. Even dropped in the toilet several times. I have a habit of sticking it in the back of my waistband as pockets are shallow and I might lose it. Consequently when I have to make an errand I forget the phone is in my waistband and it falls in the toilet.

Here are the results of the visit to the phone store. The young man asked me if there was something wrong with my phone. I replied "no." Just my contract was up for renewal and wanted a phone with larger screen and numbers. (plus my little granddaughter wants grandma's old phone to play with) I was told if I get that type of phone it has a lot of features I do not use and do not want to learn how to use - that my phone bill would increase.

The nice young man informed me that my phone was better then many on display and had greater battery time. So ---- I still have my old phone.

Have a gift card that is months old for the really big grocery. So I purchased a lot of small items. A pro biotic fruit drink that is loaded with vitamins - my favorite flavor - mango. Some items that my local grocery does not carry - tahini and miso. Guess what ??? I forgot to use the gift card - it is still in my purse.

Doctor appointment at 8:00; I left home at 6:45 and traffic was so bad I was 15 minutes late. Called to let them know I was on the way. Needed a booster tetanus shot and flu shot. Important since I might come across some old piece of barb wire. Callie has scratched me several times with her nails. Not meaning to but when she jumps up my arms are the victim. Also wanted to share about my fall 3 weeks ago.

It was impressed upon me once again that I should not hesitate taking the medication I have for this ongoing colitis. I just do not like to take anything. It is so severe lately. Lymphatic Colitis is inflammation of the colon. Just a nuisance and then stress makes it worse.

Was able to stop at the wonderful bakery for Tuscany bread. It is so good when it is slightly warmed and toasted in olive oil in a frying pan on the stove.

In the parking lot my best sunglasses fell off my face. Lucky, the optical shop in the mall put the part that goes over your ear - back on.

Did not go to 3 places on my list. Would like a new pair of walking shoes. Did buy a new pair of jeans. Will be my big city jeans - all I have very faded - which I love - but some I will take for doing work in the woods. I never fail to find slacks that fit me at Banana Republic. Will not share the size....

I love browsing in a shop where so much looks old. I could pull up a chair and just stay in Anthropologie.

Should treat myself to a nice sit down lunch ... but will probably grab something quickly at one of the eating places and head back to the country. Did just that - my favorite hot dog place.
Veggie dog on wheat bun with his homemade cold slaw - so guess it was not too unhealthy.

So I left the big city with items still on my list. Wanted to drive by my city home. Was getting late in the day and I just headed back to the woods and Miss Callie.

No one in my lifetime has ever ever greeted me with so much love as this little dog. I let her out of her pen and she almost dances!! Callie, guess I will keep you :)

I will return to the big city in a few weeks. My to do list will be smaller.

The mistress of Woodhaven is very tired. 4 messages on phone that need to be returned.

She is calling it a day. A busy day that started with her getting up at 4:30 a.m.

The wonderful picture of Nashville was taken by my daughter Jamie. I told her it looked like a painting.

Thank You

Green
in the woods of life
memories
float down
like
the leaves of Fall,
bringing with them
stories
of leaf births,
parent branches,
courting of flowers
and
protecting the fruit.

Cycles of progress,
as she sweeps
the carpet of leaves
in her path
Callie bounding
in the clearing.

A Spring to plant
a Summer to water
a Fall to clean-up
and a Winter
to enjoy
the Whole Foods
of her life
organic in her garden.

She sits enjoying
her hot tea,
reading,
looking
across
the corn fields,
once crowded
with young kernels,
but now
giving her a look
into the Future.....


Written by -----Ugich Konitari------ Mumbai, India-------for One Woman