“Don’t let yourself feel worthless…
at fifteen you had the radiance of early morning,
at twenty you will begin to have the melancholy brilliance of the moon,
and when you are my age you will give out, as I do, the genial golden warmth of 4 p.m.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Yesterday I experienced “the genial golden warmth of 4 p.m.” in all its burnished shimmering beauty. It is such a scrumptious time of day, a time for sinking into a cozy chair on the veranda and soaking up warmth and light and quiet. Hearing mid-life described that way makes me smile.
Bear and I took a drive yesterday, pottering along from one stop to the next. We had breakfast together in a sunshiny nook, stopped at the feed store and hardware store to pick up bits and bobs for the farm, and whipped in to a nursery at the last minute when we saw a sign that said: “large blueberry plants: $10”.
I was enchanted by this little orange tree fruiting so abundantly against a weathered wood wall.
And these brilliant poppies bobbing jauntily in the wind, turning their faces to the sun.
We chose a couple of flowering blueberries and some table grapes and said hello to the sweet gray and white cat who trailed after us. The owner instructed us on the best soil for our new plants and bid us a cheery farewell.
Down the road a bit further we stopped for petrol and I made a beeline for the Used Book Box. The local library set up this box at the petrol station in Allora. You can rummage through the books and magazines, choose what you like, and leave a donation in the attached money box. I think it’s a marvelous thing to have at a petrol station and I’m always finding treasures there, like this book by Peter Mayle. It is perfect escapist reading for sunny winter afternoons.
By the time we got home I was ready for a break. My new treatment is working well but leaves me exhausted by early afternoon. A regular stop from my labors for a rest soon puts me to rights. This time I collected my new books, poured an Apple Champagne Spritzer with homemade cider, and found a sunny spot on the veranda to warm and relax my bones. Bliss.
Today is blustery but beautiful. I’ll be bottling my homemade cider vinegar, getting the last of the laundry on the line, transcribing late submissions for the history book, and making cinnamon rolls to share with friends this weekend. I love days like this, quiet, happy, and nourishing.
What is a favorite golden moment from your week? xo
Gosh what a fabulous day full of golden moments Krista. You had me smiling lots at your lovely day. The golden moments I’ve experienced have been walking in the sunshine at lunch time 🙂
golden moment is hiding away in my garden, picking raspberries as they drip deliciously on the branches, weeding through the lush garden growth, enjoying every plant from those seeds turned into the soil short months ago… relishing the salad of the day thoughts… so fresh; these are golden gifts from our Father’s good hand and I am so very
thankful. Your words and photos are encouraging… so happy for your sun and warmer days and you feeling somewhat on the mend. Yay
Glad you are resting when your body dictates. My golden moment has been the most amazing sun rises and sunsets this week 🙂
It sounds like a busy but lovely day and your photos captured it beautifully.
So happy reading about your golden moment Krista… because we have a lot of those in Provence! Usually when I walk along the sea, those are my favorite moments 🙂 And was delighted to see that you’re reading Peter Mayle – love his books too! 🙂
Isn’t that light just stunning!
Homemade cider spritzers? Bliss. This week we’ve been with the nieces and nephew in Cornwall crabbing and mackerel fishing. It’s been a week of squeals, hugs and making memories and it’s going to be hard to leave them.
The orange tones in your images are gorgeous. I’m glad your new treatment is working well for you but a shame about the fatigue. That’s a lovely quote from Fitzgerald xx
sounds like an extra-special nice one! good for you. (and thanks for your nice comments – it’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?)
http://mlleparadis.blogspot.com
sitting in the sun with luca down by the river. throwing pebbles into the water, hugs from my girl, laughs with my man, sun on my skin, and yes that delicate light that only comes around 4pm xx
I love those oranges! What a fertile tree!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
Sounds like a busy but productive day! So many happy moments.
I’m sorry, my mind stopped working at “apple Champagne spritzer”. Oh yes! My favourite golden moment this weekend was being at a big BBQ and as people were winding down and lying around on picnic blankets talking, a very dear old friend of mine and my niece (who lives in France and who, for complicated reasons, I am only really getting to know now that she is 25) took some chairs and went to sit a little away from everyone in the little patch of the garden that would catch the very last rays of the sun – like three rock rabbits! 🙂
Perfect day Krista. 🙂
Ohhhh what a wonderful day you had. 🙂 I am pleased you are resting and looking after you too.
Am just plodding along with my week, nothing ground breaking, but I did rather enjoy hearing that I have been excepted to be a Camp Quality Recreational Volunteer. Boom!