Hello everyone welcome to the garden we have a marquee and heaters, all the garden furniture has been washed and I have put out cushions for your comfort.

Well what do you think shall we chance it . Now as always we have tea and coffee from all over the world not to mention all our cakes and muffins and as Paul calls them sweets! Every single one is calorie free! Plus of course we now have spirits and liquors to warm the coldest of you.

If we were having Coffee: I would ask you what has been going on in your world this week, has anything deeply affected you, have you need a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on or just needed someone to make you laugh! If yes feel free to talk it out here with us. We will all help if we can.

Join in !

If we were having Coffee: I would remind you that there are lots of other coffee mornings all shared and organized By Diana and Gene’O over at,Part time monster

If we were having Coffee: Well it has been a busy week and I have quite a lot to report but firstly let me get you all settled down with a drink and something to eat . So far this week I have been to the gym four times ( not as much as usual) I have today off because my trainer is on holiday in Crete and so I don’t have to go to Core Class …Excuse me while I let a whoop of joy! As much as I take my training seriously and I realize that if I don’t go my back will suffer I am always happy to have a day off!

Monday I had to go to the dentist which is not much fun and hard on the purse! We do have NHS dentists which patients do pay for but at a much reduced rate. It is hard to get on to their books so many people including us have to use private dentists who are much more expensive ! But that is life isn’t it.

If we were having Coffee: On Wednesday the husband and I decided to go for a walk along a canal near where we live. The weather was lovely and we saw some cows ducks, swans and lots of narrow boats. We were lucky enough to be at a lock just as a narrow boat approached so we sat on the bench and watched their progress through the lock. We had a chat with the people on the boat who said they had been living on the boat for six month periods but were seriously thinking of making it permanent. They had both given up work and if they were not too extravagant they managed very well. They had a little dog and also a 6 week old duck which they had adopted the day it had hatched ( no parents) and were considering renaming the boat The Dog and Duck ! We had to smile as that is a common name for a pub.

IMG_20150603_125100700_HDR — Deep in the lock

IMG_20150603_130022452 — A gull in flight

IMG_20150603_120036209 — The Cows that tried to block our path

IMG_20150603_121226591 — Two beautiful Swans

IMG_20150603_122935530_HDR-001 — The lock filling up.

It was a lovely day, the weather was fantastic and we enjoyed the people and animals we met, though the Cows were rather large! But I just firmly asked they to move and they did …I think they were just showing off! After we had had our walk we had a lovely pub lunch! It was a wonderful day out with the husband, who all credit to him had planned it from start to finish!

If we were having Coffee : Its time to bore you with the weekly garden pictorial update.

IMG_20150606_135314033 — More of the rockery

IMG_20150606_135235775 — The old white Rose tree

IMG_20150606_135149552 — Potatoes and Beans

IMG_20150606_135115793 — Tomato soldiers

IMG_20150606_135107407 — Beans in the pot

IMG_20150605_102405992_HDR — The roses out the front.

As you can see everything is growing well …. please note I know the names of all my plants NOT!!

If we were having coffee :

I tell you that o Thursday my friend L and I went over to visit my sort of sister ( best friends for 49yrs) to celebrate her up coming birthday later this month. Last Thursday was the only day we could all get together so we went to Windsor and had afternoon tea! Just Like proper ladies!

After tea we had a look round the shops !! Again it was a lovely day so had fun chatting as we walked!

Now If we were having coffee : I don’t want you getting the idea that I am an airhead with nothing better to do than swan around having lunch and tea ( as much as I would like to) I am a normal busy woman with lots of ups and downs in my life. Family , friends, life in general throws all the usual grief and trials my way I just choose to try and keep them off of my coffee days with you my friends. I am aware of all the awful things happening around the world and near to home here in England. I do mention these things on occasion but mostly I hope I can entertain you with the happier side of life like these!

Right Lets go and visit Paul and his friends they are all having fun here too lets see what , interesting, thought provoking and happy stories Paul has for us today. Do all stay and be comfortable we love to see you all.

And of course the

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: WEEKEND COFFEE SHARE

over at Part Time Monster and Gene’O’s

Drink Coffee Be Happy

Author: willowdot21

Female, wife, full time mother and Grandmother. I am not as happy go lucky as I used to be but I am still bubbling along on simmer! I have three handsome sons all grown and flown.The youngest married with a beautiful wife and two sons of his own. Eleven years ago I was working, running a home, driving and socializing then bang in a split second all that was gone. I had an accident at home. I broke my back, not for the first time, I had broken it 10 years previously as well. Unfortunately this time I had broken it really badly and it was truly messed up so I had to have two operations. I was told before each operation that the outcome could mean I spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. Still as some guy once wrote "I am still standing " yes "better than I ever was " not quite but with the help of a walking stick and as long as I do not stand or sit in one position for too long, I am still standing! Update I no longer use the walking stick . I had lots of friends before the accident but when things like this happen, you loose most of them. Their lives move on and mine stood still and so they left me behind ...I know that is just the way life is but it hurt and always will. Then I looked around and saw those who were still there for me, these friends are the roses in my garden they need to be tended well. They are the diamonds in the dust, I will of been married 50yrs plus this year . Pain and boredom are my enemies now, I have to find different ways to approach life, use my pain befriend it almost...yer right , well that is what they tell me at the pain clinic ROFLMAO ...... if only I could! I have found an outlet for my fears, frustrations and night terrors . I have started writing poetry if that name can be applied to my writing. I hope I do not come over as a moaning winger. I hope I am past all that. I also hope that you might see how the poetry is moving from very dark through the grey and hopefully in to light ?? I need to update this a little here. I have worked very hard over the years since my accident, I go to the gym regularly, I have a Pilates class and a core class once a week . The guys at the gym and my Pilates teacher cajoled, teased, bullied and encouraged me to abandon my walking stick! :) My back is no longer straight it is C shaped because of the injury and I have lost two and a half inches in height but my Pilates and Core teachers have helped me to stand up as straight and as strongly as possible. Pain and depression are still hanging on my arm but I have weapons to use against them and if I say so myself I cope well. I have made lots of new friends, real diamonds. I am also very grateful for all the support and help I have encountered here on Wordpress. Hugs and welcome to everyone who visits. View all posts by willowdot21

27 thoughts on “IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE: GARDENS, BIRTHDAYS AND CANALS”

Awesome picture Willow- your garden looks great. I can tell your tomatoes that I knew them when they were but seedlings – and now look big they are. Ha! I actually really enjoy the pictures of your garden as he seasons change Willow. Sounds like you’ve been busy – and tea at Windsor! Over here Windsor and the castle are the stuff of tales of Kings and Queens. It seems so funny to talk about it like a real place where there are tea shops and garbage truck..
Great post Willow.

willowdot21 says:

Jun 7, 2015 at 7:42 am

Hi Paul yes you know the tomatoes intimately! The garden is a source of joy and interest to us and I do like to share that. Well Windsor is just a town with a Big Castle and guards and parades the Queen is often there but we don’t see her dropping into the shops. It is a lovely place to visit though it gets very busy. Have a great week Paul. xxxxx

Reply

Great post Willow! I love all of the pictures of your little outing and your garden is beautiful! I enjoyed having coffee with you 🙂

willowdot21 says:

Jun 7, 2015 at 7:05 am

Thank you so much for coming you are always welcome. 🙂 xx

Reply
1. loricarlson66 says:
  
  Jun 7, 2015 at 11:42 am
  
  You are most welcome and thank you 🙂
2. willowdot21 says:
  
  Jun 7, 2015 at 12:22 pm
  
  🙂 xxxxxx

I love Mrs. Squirrel’s purse. Wherever did she buy it? 😀
Love your garden. You have a lovely yard. Thank you for the lovely walk, cows and all. Have a lovely Sunday, Willow. ❤ ❤

willowdot21 says:

Jun 7, 2015 at 12:25 pm

I have asked Mrs Squirrel but she is being tight lipped about where she got it ( I wondered if she had got it from a charity shop?) You are always welcome on our walks and I hope you too have a good and happy week too! ❤ ❤

Reply

Willow….

Nice one, my lady…. I liked your photos, well enough I’m going to steal 3 of them to use over on my blog, for the opening pix, if’n you don’t mind… I’ll tell them whose pics they are, so they can join y’all for coffee some time, too…

Bad cupcakes! Sugar bad! Begone!….

(Sorry, gotta stay on my diet; lost 55 so far but still 25 to go, so, no cupcakes for gigoid….)

😆

See ya!….

gigoid, the dubious

willowdot21 says:

Jun 7, 2015 at 4:57 pm

Welcome sir welcome you are most welcome. Did you not know all the food is calorie free!! You can use the photos of course 😉 I am so pleased that you came by have a good week, keep the splendid work you are doing with the diet. Keep smiling and keep writing 🙂 ❤

Reply

Had a good chuckle about the Dog and Duck!

willowdot21 says:

Jun 7, 2015 at 7:01 pm

OH! Jean so did we!! ❤

Reply

Love the photos! Glad that it seems you’ve had a good week. 🙂

I can’t imagine how someone survives without working. The photos are great and I love all the little garden plants that are growing!

willowdot21 says:

Jun 7, 2015 at 7:24 pm

Well we only spoke to these people for about 15mins but reading through the lines I think they must of retired early probably with settlements or good pensions, they may of had a property to sell or rent out . They said they had to be frugal but I think they were really happy!! 🙂

Reply
1. Bernice says:
  
  Jun 8, 2015 at 3:53 pm
  
  That would make a lot of sense and smart. Make your money then live simply but enjoy life!
2. willowdot21 says:
  
  Jun 8, 2015 at 3:56 pm
  
  Yes good luck to them we wish them well!

Your garden pictures are never boring. I always love to see them. I don’t garden and thus have no garden so I enjoy seeing other people’s gardens!

willowdot21 says:

Jun 8, 2015 at 7:25 am

I am glad that you enjoy them. 🙂

Reply

Pingback: Oh, swell…. More starving adolescent ferrets…. | gigoid

willowdot21 says:

Jun 9, 2015 at 2:22 pm

Great read as ever , I certainly agree with the saying that: When war breaks out truth is the first casualty! I would like to add : Closely followed by humanity! xxxx

Reply

Willow there’s no need to justify having tea! What’s life without having proper tea with friends, it’s a necessary tradition. I appreciate you taking the time to entertain us with calorie-free treats, and for being such a lovely gracious host. Your blog serves as a welcomed respite from the harsher realities of life. I love your amazing garden, and look forward to sharing your weekly joy. Blessed be! 🙂

willowdot21 says:

Jun 10, 2015 at 9:32 am

Thank you I am so glad you enjoy my bubbling! I just think so often we dwell on the sad and the bad that occasionally celebrating the little happy things. I was just worried that everyone would think I was crowing. 🙂 xxxxx

Reply
1. 1EarthUnited says:
  
  Jun 10, 2015 at 5:19 pm
  
  One thing i’ve learned is never worry about what everyone else is thinking, it’s all in MY head anyway! 🙂 ❤
2. willowdot21 says:
  
  Jun 10, 2015 at 5:37 pm
  
  Yes that’s so true!