Springtime Travels to the First Day of Summer

Happy 1st Day of Summer,

my friends!

Honestly, it doesn't really feel like summer, yet, on the island, as it's been very windy and cooler than usual for this time of year, but I don't mind at all since, the older I get, the less tolerance I have for heat, (both the meteorological and the menopausal types!)

 

Blue skies, cool breezes and late spring temps, suit me just fine, especially when I'm out on my daily walks, and sometimes

I need to exert myself, pushing my body weight up those steep country roads to capture the pretties perched on those pointy peaks!

Many times, I am greeted by lovely folks who, having just witnessed my feverish climb to the floral finish line, suddenly sprint up from their seats to offer me a cool refreshment and something sweet - a hospitable gesture for taking such a keen interest in their village, and one greatly appreciated by the recipient of their generous reward!

 

Other times, I prefer scouting my surroundings during

siesta, since it's quiet and I'm basically the only one around,

the area absent of concerned grandmas gazing at me,

(as I risk my life trying to snap grapes from a rooftop), 

and thus, having distracted them from their crochet!

That's about the time I make my way downhill, to safer surfaces, much like the serene scene in the video above, where amid a meadow of Queen Anne's Lace, I lounged and lingered in loveliness, as I joined the dainty dwellers in their midday dance,  to the rhythm of the breezy, late spring beat.

Thank you all for your continued prayers, which are very

much appreciated. Hope you enjoyed my springtime

adventures on this first day of summer! What does the 

season look like and feel like in your neck of the woods?

Thanks for visiting!

xoxo

Poppy

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A Special Request

 Hello friends, hope you are all well.

 

There are three people who mean the world to me,

facing some health challenges at this time.

I look up to the wide, spectacular sky,

asking God to give them strength,

and down to the flourishing earth, 

where new growth grants me hope.

I believe in the power of prayer, positive energy 

and good wishes, and I ask you to please keep 

my three loved ones in your thoughts.

Thank you.

Wishing you 
a lovely weekend,

xo

Poppy

Post #150: Pondering the Path

A charming house, near the main church of St. Nicholas.

As early as third grade, I can recall sitting in the

school library, dreaming about little white houses

with blue shutters and lots and lots of flowers.

Mountain range views from my terrace

Up to that point, I had visited Greece only once, but
had no recollection of it, (aside from a few snapshots), 

St. Nicholas Church, our village's main church

since I was only six months old at my baptism, 
which took place on the island of Tinos.
 

On the path towards the village, one encounters St. George's Church.

  

 Perhaps, the fact that I was born in Canada,
 but christened here, was a sign that, one day,
 Greece would become my second home.

What I see, while waiting for the bus.

As an expat, I am constantly comparing my adopted
 country to my country of birth. For example, wouldn't
 you agree that designated bus stops are pretty darn 
delightful, here in the Cretan countryside, where the only
  line ups are those of fruit bearing trees, and vines?

Aegean blue covers an old, metal door, accented by rosemary green.

Don't get me wrong: as far as social and economic

infrastructure goes, for me, there's no place like Canada!

Containers filled with frilly flowers soften the surface of roughly laid cement.

But, my heart melts every time I step outside my door,

to explore the microcosm of a village that is my home,

in a country that is collapsing from economic woes,
which, once upon a time, seemed only to soar.

Thanks for visiting and
have a wonderful week!

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Journey into January

January is a month of new beginnings, new goals, and for

 some, new words. Meanings are meticulously scrutinized, 
before one dedicates themselves to exhibiting, executing
 and emulating their essence.

Pretty serious business, when you consider that
this ONE word is exclusively selected out of
the 1,019,729.6 that make up the English language,
to govern your actions for 365 days! 

This single slogan is supposed to guide one towards  
that anticipated ambition, pave the way to personal
 growth, and ultimately, deliver definite success.

I don't know about you, but I would have a hard
time picking just one word to direct my deeds,

dictate my desires, or command my cravings!

 

Restricting myself to a one word motto to motivate 
my every move, would cause yours truly to go into 
an anxiety induced coma! It just doesn't jive with me,
since I have always been overly generous with 
my descriptions, (as my lovely, seventh grade English 
teacher, Ms. Soberman, once politely pointed out),
 'You are too flowery', she said.

 It wouldn't be long, before the miracle of caffeine would 
come to my rescue, and wake me from monosyllabic meltdown!

Today, with a bit of luck,

 plenty of prayers,

and a bounty of beautiful words to inspire me,
I am 'packed' and ready to set off on
my journey into January, and the new year, 
hoping for good health, the love of family and friends,
and a sense of adventure, along the way.

I'm so happy you're here to see me off.

xo
Poppy 

All images: Poppy View

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