rafter and rose | 1000 Fields of Roses

Crying Sideways

I didn’t get out much last week.
When Saturday came around, I thought it might be a chance to enjoy a quiet coffee in my favourite cafe.
Seems like everyone else had the same idea…

This Sunday’s sermon mentioned something about “souls crying sideways” – when we don’t acknowledge pain and hurt, stuff it down inside, it tends to come out in other ways. That may be physical illness, mental instability, or maybe just crying copiously in public. Who knows? We all have our idiosyncrasies.

When I go out by myself for coffee (and cake 🙂 ) it tends to be a big deal for me, both because I generally have to spend a fair bit of my energy reserves to get there, and because I just enjoy the whole experience. I’m also not very good at suddenly changing plans.
Saturdays are very busy. My favourite cafe is very good, but I’ve come to realise that Saturday morning is not the best time for one person to be able to sit inside and enjoy a leisurely breakfast…
I had already had some problems with wobbly legs and shaky hands while walking down the street to get there, and the tables outside can be a bit wonky (there’s a bit of a hill). I had ordered a filter coffee, which I hadn’t realised didn’t come with milk. I couldn’t ask for milk easily because I couldn’t carry everything inside, although I did eventually get a small jug of milk. My cosy morning out was turning into a bit of an ordeal, which tipped over into chaos when I managed to tip the whole cup of coffee into my lap (shaky hands/small jug). Cue the crying!
I don’t identify myself exactly with the sideways crying scenario – I don’t think it was a case of stuffed emotions – more probably my energy levels just suddenly dipped into practically non-existent. The crying was definitely disproportionate to the event, though. Thankfully I can cry quietly 🙂 One of the other patrons did notice, and asked if I was OK. I took myself around the corner to calm down a bit, then went back to my table to try to finish the coffee that was left in the pot. It had, of course, been tidied away. 😆

My morning finished better than it started.
I got back in line to get a takeaway latte, which was given to me free, along with a lovely lemon slice. That kindness almost undid me (again) – none of it was the fault of the cafe, but they showed grace to the weeping twit in the shadows, when they would be well within their rights to ignore me.
I did some therapeutic shopping in the charity shop down the road, then spent some time in the library. No-one seemed to notice the huge coffee stains down my front, and they’d dried by then.

I haven’t got any deep philosophy to impart from all this, but I was reminded of an important truth while I was watching the last scene from the last season of House.
Time’s moving on…

Published in:

on July 19, 2021 at 10:47 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: catalyst, House MD, Louis Prima, rafter and rose

Emptying The Thought Patterns

I wrote here a few days ago about being in my favourite cafe without anyone else around – it was “empty” for a good period of time.
Here’s a view towards where I was sitting.

It occurs to me now that this is obviously not an empty room – it’s just empty of people.

I was talking to my Biggest Boy this morning about unconscious bias – he’s studying screen and media, and has been learning about storytelling and scriptwriting. We discussed the fact that we all have prejudices and blind spots. We come from our own unique backgrounds and experiences, so the way we see the world will not be the way the next person sees their world. To a large extent that just creates variety… but sometimes it allows cruelty and offensiveness towards others. We just don’t see where our blind spots are obscuring another’s reality.
The cafe dining room was full – cluttered, in fact. There were many obstacles to my chosen seat (the couch at the back) but I was able to navigate there safely because I could see the chairs/tables clearly, and I have been there often enough to know my way around – I don’t really “see” those other things anymore.
What else am I not seeing? What unconscious biases am I letting slide because I don’t realise they’re there?
As Maria and Captain von Trapp (and also the Bible!) say – “Nothing comes from nothing…”

What am I unconscious of?

As it’s the weekend, and you probably need to sit down and have a cuppa, I’ll just share a couple of songs that came to my notice today.
🙂
❤

Published in:

on May 8, 2021 at 5:03 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Ellie Holcomb, NEEDTOBREATHE, rafter and rose

Sage Thoughts And Planted Bulbs

Today has been a busy day.
Due to various circumstances, I spent part of the morning picking up groceries that we hadn’t had time or opportunity to get to before. For me this means buses and walking, which was quite nice this morning, in the fog.
I started off early, having breakfast in my favourite cafe – I was the only one there for a time 🙂
It was like sitting in my own lounge/dining room, except with more chairs…

Off on the bus to Market Organics after that, then wandering back to town – bits of shopping, library, then the bus home. Everybody seemed chatty today – people I knew, people I didn’t… there’s always time for kindness, whether given or received.

I finally got the bulbs in the ground the other day, where they will sleep their winter sleep and hopefully emerge in spring, looking like this (but less cardboard-y)

The sage is now safely gathered in – past its best, but quite abundant.
I’d previously frozen the basil in olive oil, and yesterday chopped half the sage into olive oil to freeze as well. The rest of the sage went into honey to steep for a few weeks, when it will be ready for sore throats and medicinal tea.

Tired now, but happy!
I think tomorrow will be a quiet day at home…

Published in:

on May 4, 2021 at 8:03 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: market organics, rafter and rose

Time Goes By…

On a day when we woke up to the sad news of the passing of Prince Philip, we also had the happy anticipation of a birthday celebration for my Mum. While nowhere near the venerable age achieved by the Prince, it was one of the “big” birthdays! We were able to get the family together for breakfast/morning tea at our favourite cafe, and we even got there at the right time to get the biggest table – necessary when there are ten people to be accommodated.

Such a lovely time, catching up, enjoying the food and company. Also – singing Happy Birthday, because it had to be done 😀
We stayed for a while (cheesecake can’t be eaten quickly!) and then all wandered down to the Handmade Expo in the middle of town. Wandered through the stalls, exclaimed over the different crafts, sat for a bit and chatted some more…
We eventually had to go home, but it was a nice little reminder of what’s important – even if there are big things happening in the wide world, there’s always time to stop and enjoy the good things right in front of us 🙂

I hadn’t planned to buy anything, but I couldn’t resist some tiny little things from When Laura Meets Clay –
a “Unicorn Meadows” sign for my fairy garden

…and a couple of teensy pet rocks, with their very own book.

❤

Published in:

Thinking....

on April 10, 2021 at 10:47 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: Handmade Expo, Prince Philip, rafter and rose, When Laura Meets Clay

Living The Good Life

Guess where we went for breakfast the other day 😀

Generally, we only go out for coffee or a meal to celebrate something special. The other day we went for breakfast, just because we could…
It wasn’t for a particular reason, but it was still a chance to celebrate just having the opportunity.

And with food like this, why not?
Also the accompanying drinks – chai tea and caramel latte, with separate components to combine as we wished.

There was a time when we had no spare money to go anywhere, and family holidays were out of the question. We told ourselves that they weren’t necessary, and we were happy without. Then some friends found they weren’t able to use their timeshare on the Gold Coast, so they gave their time slot to us. It was wonderful! We hadn’t realised how stressed and worn out we were, and it gave us the chance to have some peace for a bit.
Holidays aren’t necessary – there are many people who don’t have the luxury of time off – but we realised that we wanted to at least try to go away as a family whenever we could. We haven’t been able to for a few years now, but we still see the value of time away.

My garden is still alive (yay!) and has been enlarged by some plants from a friend. They’re looking a bit sad at the moment, but I’ve been watering, so hopefully they’ll settle in soon.

These are at the back, and don’t look too great, but are bouncing back!

This popped up sometime today 😀

These are at the front. I chose the ones that seemed sturdiest for this garden. Also – more flowers!

I’ll keep watering, and probably keep peering out the window each morning to see what’s new…

My good life doesn’t really have to do with expensive things (although they’re OK 🙂 ) It’s enjoying what’s living and growing, and experiencing the beautiful in everyday.
❤

Published in:

Simple life...

on October 9, 2020 at 8:55 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: rafter and rose

Topsy Turvy

Enjoying the school holidays at the moment, but Babe and Biggest Boy are both at Uni. They’re a few weeks in, but we’re still trying to figure out who’s where and when… just when I think I know what’s going on, something else crops up!
I’ve been out and about this week, keeping appointments and enjoying the sun 🙂 Spring is showing itself in the garden – little bits of green popping up here and there.

I’m not sure what’s a weed and what’s not, so I’ll enjoy each new flower and leaf as it appears…

I’ve also been out for coffee a bit more than during term time – no need to rush home for school supervision, and time for a bit of a pick-me-up after running around here and there. I usually take photos of food (and have done this week as well), but I’ve also been trying to notice different textures and compositions…

I’ve spent time contemplating a bike going nowhere…

…and shared coffee with a cranky looking bird.

This week has had a lot in it, for a week with nothing much scheduled, and what has been scheduled feeling a bit more fluid than I’d like!
I wonder what next week will bring?

Published in:

Thinking....

on September 24, 2020 at 3:55 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: rafter and rose

Standing Together In The Off Years

…or at least sitting together!

Today we’ve been 26 years married – not one of the “big” years, but still worthy of celebration.
Last year we celebrated Silver, and went away for the weekend. This year we were going to go away, but it hasn’t worked out. We’ll probably go out on Saturday.
As the years have gone by we’ve celebrated more quietly. Landmark anniversaries mean bigger plans, but why not think big for the years in between? We’ve been side by side through hard years as well as good, and we love (and like) each other more all the time. That should be a reason to throw a party!
Today we went out for breakfast. Nothing too exciting; just a chance to sit back, talk, and spend time together. I usually take a photo of the food, but forgot to this morning. We took the selfie instead 🙂 I did take a photo of my caramel latte, which came as a latte with what tasted like home made caramel sauce. Yum!

Our view was uncluttered – there’s still social distancing in place, so not too many people about.

Lights, greenery…

…and bunnies!

A sign for our times.

And a sign for our lives.

A quiet day, but lovely.
Now to start on the next 26 years!
❤

Published in:

Thinking....

on September 15, 2020 at 9:13 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: anniversary, rafter and rose

Just Another Day…

Yesterday was one of those days that start with such promise, then quickly devolve…
Due to illness, we haven’t used the car for a few weeks. Yesterday was meant to start with a lovely morning out, back in time for breakfast, then the rest of the day for other things. Unfortunately, our car protested… strange sounds rising from the depths, with no indication (at least to us!) of what they were or where they came from. It’s been looked at now, and hopefully will be OK, but yesterday’s schedule ground to a halt fairly quickly.
You know when you build yourself up for something good, then problems get in the way to derail the plans? It can be hard to get back into the “happy” headspace. We did eventually get a lift to sort out our needs ( a few things to restock in the house) – a kind neighbour who took time out of her day for us.
This was a sign at one of the shops – seemed apropos…

We finished our “morning” (it was past noon by then) by getting some coffee and a muffin, so at least I got my anticipated breakfast!

Some snapshots of my wait for coffee…

Hidden birdhouses and disintegrating lanterns…

…and the guardian of the door.

It turned out all right in the end.
Much like life, really…

Published in:

Thinking....

on July 4, 2020 at 5:25 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: rafter and rose

Standing In Line

While restrictions are lifting a bit further this weekend we’re still pretty much in lockdown. Days are slower, and it can be hard to remember what day it actually is!
There are still lines and social distancing rules in place when shopping, so that’s another chunk of waiting time to ponder the surroundings…or perhaps the deeper questions of the universe, if you’re so inclined.
I wasn’t feeling especially philosophical while waiting for my coffee at Rafter and Rose, so I took the opportunity to take photos 🙂 I hadn’t ordered ahead (order by Wednesday to pick up on Friday) so just got whatever was there, which this time meant the last iced brioche doughnut!

Isn’t it pretty?

What else did I see?

Eclectic decor, with the big lightbulbs shining over it all…

If you’re in need of pumpkins, they’ve got you covered.

And Bunnies!
Ubiquitous and diverse…

(Just a representation 🙂 )
I left with a suggestion to ponder, while savouring my coffee and doughnut…

Published in:

Thinking....

on May 16, 2020 at 1:49 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: rafter and rose

Semi-Isolated Musings

Today in my state some restrictions were lifted – we could have gone out as a family on a picnic, or perhaps for a bushwalk. As it has suddenly turned colder, and our warmer duvet has a hole that doesn’t look like it can be fixed (it’s so old the fabric has perished) we took the opportunity to go to Kmart. We knew it would be busy, but it was busy… queues just to get in to the shops, and difficulty staying distanced from others. If we hadn’t needed to keep warm, we would have turned round and gone home!
Thankfully, we got most of what we needed. Sweet Bean got some new pyjamas as well – his old ones have been repeatedly patched, and there’s not enough original material to patch the latest tear! We split up to gather our bounty, so didn’t have to spend too long there.

Once we got home, it was back to doing nothing much…
I’d had a lovely breakfast before we went out – got a couple of bake-at-home almond croissants from Rafter and Rose yesterday, and had one this morning. They’re taking orders for next Friday if you want some – have a look at their Facebook page and order by Wednesday 🙂

Enjoying the sun with my unicorn slippers on 😀

I put our new bedding on the lines to air out that factory smell…

I’m enjoying the extra warmth right now!

I finally got some sewing done during the week. It’s another example of random patching, but the shirt is a favourite, and I don’t care if it looks a bit weird.

What else have I been doing?
We’ve decided to start eating a bit better in the days to come, so I had a “green drink” for lunch, which mixed into a pretty pattern.

…and I decided to get a “quarantine haircut” – my fringe has been too long for comfort, so I snipped it a bit. There seems to be way more grey than before! Perhaps it’s the light?

It was nice to be out and about again today, but I’m still not ready to be around so many people. We won’t be back unless we really need something. Hopefully we will all still remember to stay distant and stay healthy – at least for just a little longer!

Published in: