Stuff Happens...or this is why I don't own a dog

My bees died. I blame the weather. One day it's 70 degrees, the next day, 30. They absconded. When I did my pre-winter inspection, they were all accounted for, including the queen, healthy and happy, with plenty of honey for their winter feed. The other day was springlike, so I thought I'd take a peek and see how they were. Dead. The handful I could see, that is. The rest were gone. My beekeeper's guide has assured me that this will happen to every beekeeper at least once. But still - I get attached - hence my post title. They were so gentle. They climbed all over me, a la Idgie Threadgood, and they never stung. Not even once.

The one consolation is the four jars of amber hued honey I was able to glean from the ghost town of a hive. I did order more bees which will be coming in May. But still...

So how do I cheer myself up when I'm down? I think about my friend Kathy eating her favorite candy:


"A merry heart is good medicine."

Postcards from the edge (of the world)

Had a great time - wish you were here xox

Kiwi Thrifty

An amusing and diverting time was had by all in the company of my daughter and her lovely mother-in-law, Helen. Thrift shops here are called op shops. Opportunity knocked and I answered.


I found a few cool things--and not for very much money might I add being the "Bargain Betty" that I am--my favorite score being New Zealand pure wool plaid blankets in excellent condition; not a moth hole to be found.


Also, a teatime loose tea scoop from Australia which, I may use for tea or wear as a pendant; still deciding.

For he's a jolly good fellow

"There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”
~~Charles Dickens

"Or ginger slice, for that matter."
~~Curious Acorn












Happy birthday, Charles Dickens!


P.S. Speaking of birthdays, my daughter Joy is having a birthday giveaway at her blog Paper Canary.

Just checking in...

Hey everyone!

We've been busy adoring the latest grandchild in the land of the long white cloud (New Zealand).

Will be catching up to all your lovely blogs tomorrow!



I want to thank my most talented son-in-law Rhys who created the new look on my blog. You can visit his photography website at www.rhyslakephotography.com

See you soon xx

Me B.C.

"A person's world-view almost always shows through in his creative output..."
--Francis Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live?


When I was seventeen, we were given the assignment in art class to create self-portraits. I made a plaster casting of my face. Straws up the nose, Vaseline slathered over my mug, and a bucketful of plaster poured on top. Held still until it set. How long did that take? I honestly don't remember. The cast was successful. Pouring liquid clay in the mould, out came my reflection. I stuck it in the snow, and photographed it--a death mask. That was my world-view.

Two years later, that would all change. I haven't taken very good care of this photo. I don't really like looking back much. The view ahead is so much better. And I'm alive. Soli Deo gloria!

"Everywhere the statues were coming to life. The courtyard no longer looked like a museum; it looked like a zoo. Creatures were running after Aslan and dancing round him til he was almost hidden in the crowd. Instead of all that deadly white, the courtyard was now a blaze of colors..."
--C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe



Joining Emily today

Grateful for the Deeper Magic

"When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty, I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.”
― C.S. Lewis


Counting blessings


480 - being old enough for fairy tales


481 - a piano in the house


482 - Grandpa, tea, and cheese and crackers


483 - an invitation


484 - see you there





Joining Ann today