Tuesday, September 16, 2014

September "By Invitation Only" International Blog Party, Year 4



Preview


our September theme is fittingly

"SHARING"





as we approach the holiday season, and let's face it, every single one of us think
 "holidays" when September comes around, don't we?

that means families and friends sharing parties, cooking, gift-wrapping, etc.

we also think "fashion" with the Spring collections being shown,
however, I haven't even figured out my Fall yet as it's still very warm in Houston,
but I just reviewed Burberry Prorsum's runway show for Spring and I am so disappointed.

that's my 1st share




my next sharing experiences of late include sitting with someone who is recovering
from orthopedic surgery and is in re-hab

Picture of a patient laying in bed in a recovery room in a body cast, traction and with his head bandaged. Iconic photo of a full body cast.

now, this pic is not exactly how the patient looks, but it is very representative of how
the patient "feels."

helpless, bored, alone.

alone.

that is the key word here.

as I've visited over & over I've noticed how many of the patients are almost completely alone most of the time.  this is sad for them I think.  they walk about in the corridors, looking in to see
what's happening with their next-door neighbors, they go to the little cafe, have a coffee and
look outside onto the courtyard, sometimes joined by a nurse or two.

but there is NO stimulation for them except their own TV.
&, of course, the majority of them are seniors +++

you know how sometimes we just need a hug?



some of them are really nursing home patients, but ones who are ambulatory.
the men seem to be better at being alone, somehow.
but, those ladies have captured my heart.


no matter my mood I am so much happier with fresh flowers all around my home,
so off I went to one of our lovely markets and scooped up bunches of
Alstroemeria, like those just above, and at the Dollar Store I found nice simple
glass vases, and tonight every one of those women have flowers in their rooms.

they also had a brief visit with me telling them how lovely their hair is,
or how nice their smile is, etc. etc. etc.
(the good thing is that there is a hair salon within the facility & services are gratis).

the other good thing is that it made me feel great.
it cost less than lunch with my girlfriends, and I was going there anyway !!!

I don't know any of these ladies, but we all had a good day today.

****

the next sharing experience

with the horribleness in our world today, we as mother's are the ones who will bring about
change.  when the mothers unite and decide their boys won't be taught hate, but will be educated in the modern way where they will learn things which extend beyond their tribal boundaries, enlightenment will come...slowly...but it will come.    

in the mean time the rest of the  people of the world must stand strong, united in our
quest to eradicate this hideous evil.

I usually don't talk about current events, unless I'm involved, of course.
but, having lived in the Middle East for a time I know the vast majority of the people think and feel
just as we do.

the evil ones do not understand strength & resolve of a country.
they hope to scare us, to scare us enough to just turn our backs.
& this is the reason they will be defeated.
they do not understand that all of us will stand united, that fear will be replaced with resolve,
and that there will be no retreat.

we left too soon.
we left our soldiers who were killed or wounded with unfinished business because it
seemed politically expedient.  to me this is to dishonor their achievements.
we also failed to build schools.
we built roads, airports, pipelines, and even had our guys doing plumbing,
but we did not build sustainable institutions of learning.
they talked about this in the film "Charlie Wilson's War."
Charlie Wilson was a Texas congressman


"If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nations.
When there is order in the nations, there will be peace in the world."
Sathya Sai Baba
via
Karin's post today @ LaPouyette
one of our members


*********





I could never ever do these posts without the support of our international membership.
every month I am more and more appreciative of their continuing to post each month
for our special group.



 


the same theme, just our own personal slant on that theme.
sounds simple doesn't it?
but, let me tell you there are huge challenges in coming up with something new & fresh...
something everyone will want to read.

***************

The WINNER OF THE SPLENDEROSA NECKLACE
will be announced on our next post.

 ********

the link up is below, please join each one of the ladies to see what they are
SHARING
today.



Photobucket

51 comments:

  1. All so true. We need so much in this hectic world to stop and connect with others. The smallest gesture can have a massive impact like a stone rippling in a pond.

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    Replies
    1. My grandmother, Mom-Mom, used to tell us all we needed to do was leave a "good ripple."

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  2. My kitty broke his legs and yes, sometimes he just needs some hugs and a lot of love!!
    www.bonjourchiara.com
    Bonjourchiara Facebook Page

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  3. It doesn't take much to share a little of our time to make someone's day a little brighter. A beautiful, sharing post Marsha. XXXX

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  4. Wow. You knocked me over with your incredibly wonderful, powerful gesture of the flowers for all those women. Your kindness will be remembered and talked about for ages afterwards - long after the petals have fallen.

    And of course I concur with your thoughts on not teaching hate…yes, that will prevail, perhaps not as fast as we would like, but it will eventually become predominant I do believe, as we are becoming more civilised as a species, little by little, century by century.

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  5. Beautifully done. What touched me most was your amazing gesture of the flowers to the ladies in the hospital..you are a gem and that is why I love you. Under all the glamour and fun is a really kind and caring person and that is above all else something to be admired. Bravo to you Marsha.

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  6. I am so sorry to have missed our first "By Invitation" of the season. I just returned from the shows France and checking on my parents. Your kindness with the ones who's are so lonely touched me deeply as I have spent days and weeks living in the hospital room with my mom while fighting cancer and dealing with surgeries.I know that my being there night and day helped with her recovery, but i saw so many lonely old and young people. By the end the nurses had named me their "burst of sunshine'. A flower, a chocolate, a kind word is all it takes.

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  7. PS Finally got you back on my blogroll woo hoo.

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  8. Marsha,you r one of the smart and very talented person with a very hot heart and soul...........
    I know,I know:)*
    it may not be heard, so to speak,BUT!!!
    I think,if all peoples on the Eart would like hold his own minds and eyes on more important and just SO simple things as: share LOVE moments with your most beloved or just with your neighbors and friends.................
    Than our world would be much better,kinder.
    Having or showing a friendly, generous, and considerate nature.

    What a beautiful words are of Sathya Sai Baba via the Karin's post!!!

    Thankyou Marsha for share your very profound and honest feelings here,

    MUCH Love,
    V.

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  9. "Leave a good ripple....", I love that!

    I loved reading your post Marsha, you showed great kindness to the ladies in the hospital, bless you for that.

    Simone X

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  10. Yes lets band together as mothers and share our sentiment for kindness and peace at least here in this country by being kind to each other. Just like the act of kindness you did in the Rehab hospital it goes a long way!xo Karolyn

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  11. You shared A LOT!Love what you did for THE LADIES in THE HOME!How BEAUTIFUL is that!They will be talking about that for weeks............is this your husband who is recovering?
    As far as OUR WORLD............what is going on?!!I agree with YOU.......WE MAMA"S..........CAN DO ANYTHING!
    Holidays...........yikes here they come..............never ready but always a SPECIAL time!Before the Holidays I have two SONS with birthdays.........25 and 27..........how did that HAPPEN?!!Where did the time go...................XXX

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  12. You are a superstar Marsha,
    You know that... Right? xv

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  13. Great post, Marsha. It's god to be back together...I guess I was so anxious I was a little early to the party last week. Ha!

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  14. Darling Marsha.....how wonderful the way your mind works. How simply wonderful that you were able to give those other ladies flowers and your smiles, your heart is very big. But then I guessed as much my friend :) I bet it made you feel happy I'm so glad. You made me feel happy as I read your words, I needed to read them to be reminded that yes we do meet angels if we're lucky!

    Many hugs I wish we were nearer.
    Jane x

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  15. You just never know when a smile, a hug, or a kind word can change a person's or a pet's day :-)

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  16. So true and lovely, Marsha. Thanks so much for getting us started on the topic of sharing. It's so interesting to see everyone's take on it. Lovely to be part of this shared topic. Hope you have a beautiful day. XOXO

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  17. I love your heart, big as the sun. I know it and have known it for a long time, lucky me. So very grateful that you were able to spread a few rays on those women in need as well.
    Bisous,
    H

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  18. Sharing flowers. Fantastic. A gift of the heart and with so much for all our senses!

    (By the way, if that leopard dress came with 3/4-length sleeves, I'd be scouring the web to find it!)

    xo

    D. A.

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  19. Such a beautiful, caring and sharing of not only flowers, but love with those ladies Marsha!
    xoxoJennifer

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  20. I am not al all surprised by your hospital story, that is just the kind sort of person I was sure you would be !

    Sharon

    xx

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  21. Cara Marsha, un post sincero e coraggioso... baci e abbracci da Roma

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  22. Yes, the problems in the world are sad now. Especially, when we had a choice and made the wrong one which resulted in a big and horrid mess in the Middle East. Thank you, George Bush and Mr. Five Deferment Cheney. Two men that have NEVER fought in a war and were itching to start one. It is wonderful what you did for the ladies and would have been even better if you had done it and not advertised that you did it. Anonymity in generosity is the best kind of giving.

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    Replies
    1. Ginny, the title of this post is "Sharing." I was sharing something that happened in my life. Not bragging or advertising at all. You must not read my blog often and, therefore, misunderstood. The true culprit of the entire Middle East disaster and terrorists in particular should be laid at the feet of President Carter; he allowed the Shah of Iran to fall. Iran was the strongest country in the Middle East and proud to be a partner of ours and our allies. History will tell where the chips fall. But, I agree, no more American lives need to be lost there.

      Delete
    2. Hi, Having lived in Iran during the reign of the Shah and experienced his fall first hand I too agree that the majority of blame rests on Carter. If Carter had taken a stronger line then (perhaps even before the hostage crisis, by providing military to support the embattled Shah), maybe we wouldn't be facing such a mess, now in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank you for Sharing!. So, Happy to find this site.

      Delete
    3. Hi Maria, and welcome !!!
      I so appreciate your perspective on this, I lived in Iran as well. In Abadan, where my husband was in charge of building, at that time, the world's largest petro-chem refinery. What a wonderful experience, I have nothing but good memories. Being there allowed us to see so much of the Middle East, which I love.
      No one loves terrorists! Yes. President Carter will go down as the worst president in our history. Nice man, but no experience to handle international affairs.
      Thank you !!

      Delete
  23. What a lovely and caring thing to do. Yay you! Lots and lots of people need more hugs, the world could be a better place with more hugs.

    Your comment about righteousness in the heart is one I've also seen credited to Confucius, and the Buddha. Don't suppose it matters who said it, just that it's important to recognize. A lot to think about, there.

    Agreed, too, that it's too bad we left the ME as we did, but the present admin was bound by an agreement signed by its predecessor, so the whole thing is awful beyond belief. And never should have happened at all. Alas, there are very deep roots to the whole mess, going back centuries.

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    Replies
    1. See above comment made by me. Personally, I think we should recall every single American who is in that part of the world, even the ones doing good deeds.

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    2. Sorry, should have been more precise. I meant that all of what's going on now was set in motion a century or more ago. The national lines drawn post-WW One, plus ancient enmities over centuries. I wish people would learn to sit down together and talk, learn about one another, let go of ancestors' complaints.

      Having women in charge would be a big improvement, too.

      Delete
  24. Hi Dear! Hope you've been well! That horse hug is amazing!
    xo
    Sharon

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    Replies
    1. I've almost turned this fashionista blog into an animal blog. I love all of them!
      So good to have you pay a call on me.
      xx's

      Delete
  25. Dearest Marsha, I know all too well how many of these beautiful old Men and Women sit alone all day, without a single visitor. You have done something very special for them, and I'm not surprised! You're such a caring and loving person.

    I can't believe we are going into our 4th year!!!!!! Wow… thank you Marsha darling for bringing us all together, I know it is not an easy job every month.

    So sorry I was a little late for the party, my excuse…I'm just a busy, busy, busy bee at the moment and I have an awful lot to catching up to do at the moment with everything. But, the good news... I'm getting there! xx Coty

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    Replies
    1. Our 4th year is only possible because of the membership, which includes YOU, our Australian super-star!

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  26. Marsha,
    Thank you for sharing.... Your hospital story illustrates HOW we can share, even in simple ways. Talking about what needs to be done is not as good as DOING something that seems like a small gesture, the true essence of making a difference in the world. You made a difference in the world of all the ladies who received flowers from you. World events are important, and we should never forget the sacrifices made for other people and other countries, but world peace begins with one person at a time, doing what is possible in their own lives. Sharing flowers gave peace to all who received them. Sharing the story of sharing flowers gives all of us who read an example of what we can do.

    Thank you again, Marsha.

    Judith

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    Replies
    1. Judith, coming from you this comment means so much to me.
      Thank you thank you thank you.
      & xx's

      Delete
  27. Touching and moving!
    You're sharing your kindness by caring. We all should do this, at least from time to time. Looking after our "next", our "neighbours",
    as written in the bible. Helping to overcome loneliness, troubles and sorrows. As we say in German: "Geteiltes Leid ist halbes Leid - und geteilte Freude ist doppelte Freude".
    'A sorrow shared is a sorrow halved - shared joy is truly double the pleasure'.
    Thank you, dear Marsha, for creating this monthly 'post-event'! Posts where we all can share our thoughts, thoughts and feelings of all kind of themes/things of life. Without you, the blog world would be a bit poorer.
    And thank you for your wonderful comment!
    Oh yes, I would love to share a glass - or a bottle :) - of wine with you. Sharing our thoughts about this crazy world. At the end we would have a good laughter together!
    Much love - I'm thinking of you,
    Karin
    '

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  29. Marsha, what a lovely way to cheer up the ladies at the hospital...you are such a caring person. This month's topic is such a good one...the blogging community is the perfect example of people coming together and sharing. Thank YOU for sharing your eye for beauty with us! Hope you are having a lovely week! xoxo

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  30. Lovely post Marsha. Your kindness is a ray of sunshine. Our hospital allows visiting dogs who have been trained as therapy dogs. When my mom was still with us she spent many days in the hospital and loved the therapy dogs. She would have loved you too.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, those dogs visit often and everyone loves them. They told me I could bring my little Poodle and my Maltese, but the rock-star Maltese, named Bono, is waaaay to frisky to go with us. Thank you, Carla, for this lovely comment.

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  31. What a sweet, kind, generous person you are, Marsha! That was so nice of you to take the ladies the flowers. I remember when my MIL was in a nursing home and it floored me that so many people had NO visitors! It was SO sad and we would try to talk to them all. I also just love that leopard dress!!! Oh honey! I love that the subject this time is sharing. That is why I am loving living in a 55 plus community. We all share and support each other. It is wonderful. XO

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  32. Marsha,
    This share stirred my emotions and touched my heart. So much to ponder and reflect on. Thank you my beautiful soulful friend.
    XO,
    Vera

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  33. Dear Marsha, You are a true lady. Such a sweet gesture. Bless you.
    -Linda, NY

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  34. Good evening, Marsha,
    The Contessa invited us all to come and visit, so... I came! Love your post. Good nuggets in it! Thank you for sharing with us all.
    With kind regards,
    Barb :)
    www.frenchethereal.com; french.ethereal@gmail.com

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  35. Marsha, Im so touched by your story of the nursing home. My mom spent time in one before she dies in June, and I know that people like you who were kind to patients they didn't even know would have made her journey much brighter. xo
    Stacy

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  36. marsha, i love hearing about the way you have chosen to show kindness and love to these souls who are healing and lonely. the hospital is my least favorite place to be as a patient, and i can imagine the meaning of your thoughtfulness. thanks for sharing and inadvertently nudging the rest of us to do more to create beauty wherever we are planted.

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  37. Marsha, Beauty and kindness always touch me and usually rim my eyes with tears. Your kindness and beauty comes through in your posts and it's inspiring. My mom use to say you to need to "live your life happily situated". Meaning to life your life beautifully: in your home, work, friendships, and family. Thank you for living your life "happily situated". All the best, xxRié | Portobello Design Blog

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  38. My dear Marsha

    I am just writing to say hello to you, I don't know if you may remember me? I have written to you before ( from the uk ) and you were so kind as to reply.

    I have been on vacation in the last few weeks with very little internet and I have missed you very much...I do hope you are well and that maybe your husband is better? I am very sorry for all the hospital & rehab, it must have been worrying for you both.

    I have been enjoying reading all the posts I missed, and the fall fashion, the fur ( which I love) and everything... I did try to leave you a comment on your blog to say hi. I gave it 3 tries or so, but it only said that my 'open id ' couldn't be verified.
    Im not up to speed on modern computing, although I do have a google a/c it is linked to you tube( I imagine it sends my playlists to people, with names like ' cool jamming ' :)) so I thought id write you an email instead.

    I think of you often, I read and absolutely love your beautiful blog, and of course your tumblr page. I listen to the music, and am transported to our beautiful world of shared loves..from your breathtaking fashion, to interiors, accessories, recipes, travel, flowers and gardens. The real world is an uncertain place, tonight even my beloved uk is hanging on uncertainty ....... I am praying for our Queen, and our union.

    So now more than ever......We need this much beauty Marsha, and you lead the way.

    You also have touched me ( and everyone, as always), with your lovely subject for 'by invitation only' and your post on sharing. I can just imagine how delighted the ladies in the hospital were for your gifts of flowers..what a truly wonderful person you are...and I just want to say how thankful I am for how much you share with me. For by reading your blog and feeling a part of this international group of friends. I am extremely blessed, and you bring me so much inspiration and joy.

    So, in the spirit of sharing, I would like to send something to share with you.......

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b010twjk/monty-dons-italian-gardens-3-the-south

    The link is to the bbc iplayer, and the series on Italian Gardens made and presented by our tv gardener , Monty Don
    This episode is about some of the beautiful gardens in the south, I think it is the area that you visited this summer.
    I do hope that you will enjoy.... and that you will feel as though you are back in Amalfi for a little while

    ( I think if you can, you may need to watch quite soon, before Sunday morning..)

    I have been to Italy recently also...We go to a family holiday home which is on the coast of Liguria, quite near to the border of France...it is the best of both places and I am very at home there....... this is why I can feel your love for Italy.. and it is something else that we share.

    I send you my very fondest love, and get well wishes to your patient
    Happy Fall

    Sally xxx

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Please know how much I value your comments. I read every single one and do hope you will take the time to leave your thoughts. I think InstaGram with the Emojis have taken a lot away from blogging, but I love IG too.