Amidst these dark and evil days in the world,
I am recharged by light.
Not in the physical sense of the word so much as the feeling of the word.
There are two definitions of the noun:
light
noun
- 1.the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible."the light of the sun"
synonyms: illumination, brightness, luminescence, luminosity, shining, gleaming, gleam, brilliance,
radiance, luster, glowing, glow, blaze, glare, dazzle; - 2.understanding of a problem or mystery; enlightenment."she saw light dawn on the woman's face"
synonyms: aspect, angle, slant, approach, interpretation, viewpoint, standpoint, context,
hue, complexion
So in this context, I speak of the second meaning.
You'll get my drift as I go on.
I had an urge to go thrift shopping the other day and it was just one of those lucky days.
- The old wood bobbins were a thrill, since I collect them and at $5 a piece, a steal!
- Also from the same shop was the little Wade Irish mustard/salt pot. $6.
- I just learned that they started producing this pottery in Ireland in 1946.
- More serendipity on that later!
- On to the next shop!
- As I was leaving empty handed, I glanced up on a shelf and the little book
- caught my eye...'The Turf-Cutters Donkey Goes Visiting'.
- I picked it up for $1.95 before even looking inside, just for the cover.
- As I was paying for it I commented on the sweet little cup and saucer that
- happened to be at the front (I thought it was someone elses purchase).
- The shop keeper said "isn't that the sweetest thing? You can
- have it for $1. It has a crack in the saucer".
- I of course took it home to maybe plant a little succulent in it.
- The scene of the country cottage...hmmm, is there a theme happening here???
- One more shop to go and I found the fabric to cover cushions...already cut to size: $2
When I got home, mug of tea in hand, I began exploring the little book.
It belonged to this young lady...
...and lo and behold it was given to her by Eunice,- Christmas 1946!
- The same year that the Wade Irish Pottery began production!
How about them apples!- The colour plates in it are quite lovely...
...worthy of colour photo copies to frame...
This one will be perfect for the upcoming "season of spooky malarkey!"- as a blogger friend, Ciara commented this morning...more on her in a bit...
There are some cute little black and white illustrations throughout as well...
So here's the kicker...this morning when I opened my Instagram comments there- was this one from milkmoonmama:
- 'Ooh ''tis the season for spooky malarkey! Little story here (bear with me): I spent Wednesday morning unpacking an entire library that was rescued from a house that was being cleared out following the Elder owners passing away a few years back. The friend who rescued it didn't know what to do with it but kept it until our little school came along and he was delighted to donate it (as were we!) So there I was, unpacking and lovingly cleaning each book, and the entire contents are nature, natural history, geographical, gardening, and Irish interest, dating from the 80's and backwards. And there it was, the single novel, one I had forgotten the existence of since I read it age 9 - The Turf Cutters Donkey by Patricia Lynch. A little electric moment into my childhood. I was charmed and delighted. And now this! You've made my day. How lovely to feel this connection across the ocean. Have a lovely weekend! 😘'
Many years ago Ciara and I 'met' via our blogs and followed each other through
various turning points in our lives.
She would post the most moving prose along with her heartwarming photos of
The Motherland (Ireland) and I got to know her and her family and her thoughts on life,
learning, love and philosophy.
It is indeed a big, bad scary world out there but it is also this:
Friends and kindred spirits can be found in the most unique ways.
I urge you to open your heart to these happenings and see the LIGHT
that this sad but beautiful world has to offer.
Thank you Ciara for giving me yet one more reason to
believe in the good.
💚
