Destruction Everywhere

 No pretty pictures today; just images that are indicative of where my thoughts are at the moment.

Saturday morning, 8:00 a.m., I heard many sirens and vehicles racing by and when I looked out our tv room window, I saw a big plume of black smoke.  It wasn't until later that I was able to figure out where it came from but I still don't know what started the fire.

I walked by there this afternoon, but didn't want to get too close as there were workers there doing cleanup.

This is a car parked next door at the neighbor's house.  I noticed that behind the burnt building that there were many other burned out vehicles.  It's a wonder there was only black smoke from all that and no explosions.

Of course, this has me thinking about the fires in Los Angles now and the total devastation so many are facing.  

Just as when I see any sort of rubble and destruction, I think of Palestine, specifically Gaza, where nearly 90% of the infrastructure has been decimated in the past 15 months.  Add to that the bombing of Lebanon, Syria -- and just earlier today, the US and UK were bombing Yemen, yet again.

Everything that is wrong in this world can be traced back to corporate greed, warmongers and the lust for power and control of land and resources.  Mainstream media and politicians are masters of manipulation,  propaganda and gaslighting.

If you're not angry, you're not paying attention.

Made with Love

 Every day I try to organize a little ...

sort through a drawer, a box, a basket, a cupboard.  Sure would be nice to know where everything is and have it all easily accessible.  It's an ongoing process and I'm learning to let go ... I can't keep every single photo or paper or craft supply, etc. 

I did come across a note and gift I received from Mariette (see yesterday's post)  in 2016.

I've never used the doily/jam cover because I know without a doubt it would get so dirty and grimy in this dusty environment.  I think framing it is my best option.  That way, I'm preserving and honoring her handiwork.

Have a blessed day.

Goodbye to a Blog Friend

 Now that I am back to blogging, I have been trying to catch up with old blog friends.

Some of you have been around for many years while others have made the switch to Instagram and aren't blogging much, if at all, anymore.  I'm always grateful to anyone who still visits even when I'm not so great about posting.

I was sad to discover just this evening that a dear blog friend died last month.  Perhaps some of you came across Mariette at Mariette's Back to Basics at some point over the years.  Her husband, Pieter, died on April 30, 2024, just one day after his 95th birthday.  They often rode bikes together but tragically Mariette was hit by a car in February of 2023 and had suffered a lot since then because of the severity of her injuries.

In her last blog post on December 10th, she documented the damage to their property from Hurricane Helene and also said a final farewell as she was experiencing a lot of pain and felt that Pieter was calling her to be with him for Christmas.  She left this world on December 19, 2024.

Rest in peace Mariette. 

Morning Mug and Meditation

 Happy Monday.

30 Years Ago

 I came to Kuwait a couple of days before Christmas 30 years ago.

Back then I don't think I even imagined I'd still be here all these years later.

The following photos were taken exactly 30 years ago today. 

I took them with me on my morning walk to the same area by the sea where the photos were originally taken in 1995.

Of course, the whole strip looks completely different now. There was no corniche or Scientific Center or restaurants or a mall.   No trees and a walking and bike path and playgrounds.

I've changed a lot, too, but there's no photo of me from today because I am not a selfie kinda gal.  It was funny, because just as I was thinking I wish I could take a photo of myself and not feel or look like a weirdo, I saw a guy in black shorts and a neon yellow jacket who held up his phone, gave a big smile and took a video or a photo of himself.  Some people do it so naturally.  I'm not that person.

Anyways, it was a beautiful day and the bright blue skies and the sights around me are much nicer to look at.

Especially sweet kitties enjoying the warmth of the sun.

And a variety of birds though I didn't get good pictures of all of them.

Really happy with how this last one turned out.

"The white-eared bulbul does not have a uniform song but rather a set of notes, which can be used to chirp different melodies. The song is brief, but is described as being 'pleasant and fluid'."(Wikipedia)

Sunday blessings,

Crafty Morning

 My craft group meets every other Saturday at a different cafe.  This morning we met at Boulevard where there's a mall, restaurants/cafes and a nice walking path, so I got in my first walk of the day before my crafty meet-up.

Today is my husband's birthday -- 66, which is the year I was born -- (I still have another year before I step into the next decade).  Picked up some Japanese food for lunch and even some cake but we decided to keep that until tomorrow since we were rather full.

Getting my steps in -- two more walks for the day -- picking up litter and feeding kitties.

And for the record, balloons blow!  Have been finding lots of them floating around lately.  Ugh!

Have a nice Saturday.

Souk Jumaa

 First read of the year.

A book I bought while in NYC with my youngest son in March 2024.

Took it with us to Friday Market (Souk Jumaa) this morning, only for the photo opportunity.

The market is a mix of new, flea market and antique items.  We don't usually buy anything from the new section.  All of the clothes I buy now are secondhand.

We also went to the nursery for some flowers that I will pot up tomorrow.

I'm 3 for 3 so far.

3 days of walking, with 3 separate walks in the day.

And 3 days of blogging.

Have a good Friday.

Thankful Thursday

The thankful heart will find, in every hour,

some heavenly blessings.

(Henry Ward Beecher) 

Winter is our growing season since summer temperatures are way too extreme for anything to survive.  It's my favorite time of year because we finally, slowly start to see colors emerge around us.

I spotted the first sunflower on December 8th and where there's flowers there will be pollinators.

On that day I rescued a caterpillar that was crossing the road and carried it to a small patch of green.

Then today, in the same area, I found a dead moth.  It was too pretty to just leave there to be crushed on the pavement so, in cupped hand, I carried it to a potted plant down the street and placed it inside.

 Below is the same house where I saw the sunflower last month.  Every year the owners plant marigolds in pots and tubs and containers and I always make a point to walk in that direction to watch as they grow taller and taller and then bloom over time.

May your Thursday be filled with simple joys and blessings.

Reconnecting

 I started this blog in July of 2009 but over the past several years have not been very consistent in posting.  This year I plan to re-establish a bond of communication.

The last week of December was mostly overcast, cloudy and rainy, but today was a beautiful start to January.

Decided to start reading this book again since I never got all the way through it.  My firstborn Facetimed last night and said he would be going for a long run today to start the new year off right, so that inspired me to make sure I got in as much walking as I could.  According to my not-so-smart phone, 3 separate walks throughout the day amounted to 16,718 steps/5.6 miles.

Of course, every neighborhood walk includes feeding kitties and picking up trash.

Another way of (re)connecting -- 

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”
— Jane Goodall — 

Best wishes for 2025.

Tatreez Journal

 Tatreez is the Arabic word for embroidery and the journal is 330 mini tatreez motifs designed by Zain Masri of Tirazain Initiative, a digitial archive and library that aims to document and preserve Palestinian embroidery.

I started it on January 5th and even carried it with me to the States to work on.  The photo below was taken on March 6th.

I tried to work on it during my craft meet-ups but found it a bit challenging.

Update as of July 6th.

There were weeks when I didn't pick it up but towards the end, I was determined to finish.  

It was completed around the first or second week of August.  

(For someone who keeps a daily journal, I didn't even write down the actual date.)

Let your needle thread stories of hope and resilience -- 

each motif is a tiny act of resistance

and a celebration of Palestinian cultural heritage.

Free, free Palestine.

Friday Finish: Stitched Memories

Memory is the treasury and

guardian of all things.
(Cicero)

Dome of the Rock is a very recognizable landmark in Al Quds (Jerusalem), and is located in the Al Aqsa Compound, the third holiest site in Islam.

On our first family trip there in April of 2006, we were able to tour the compound along with our British and Australian friends who accompanied us.  The two photos were taken on that trip.

The free cross-stitch design is by Ebrih Wa Tubbeh who lives in Amman, Jordan.  I have a family photo of us standing in front of the dome that I plan to frame with it.

We have really good memories from that trip.  Alan and Cynthia, the British couple who went with us, were like grandparents to my boys when they lived here.  During the pandemic, their daughter organized a Zoom call for their 50th anniversary which was my first and only time to use Zoom.  Sadly, Alan died exactly one week after my dad died in January of this year.  November was his birth month so it's fitting to think of him and remember at this time.  May he rest in peace.

Blessed November,