MacKenzie-Childs: Great Vase x Two

 Either way -- in Courtly Check or in Parchment Check -- MacKenzie-Childs' Great Vase is a great vase!!

Parchment Check Great Vase

Courtly Check Great Vase

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COSTCO: Brightening COVID-19 Days With Plants & Flowers (& Limits)

Gardenia, first bloom  July 2019

Bamboo Plant, 01.2020

Dear Costco Member, As the global effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Costco is firmly committed to the health and safety of our members and employees, and serving our communities. We are closely monitoring the changing situation, and complying with public health guidance. As many of you have noticed, we’ve experienced a surge of business during  this time. As a result, we’ve taken steps to control the number of members  in our warehouses and asked that members and employees practice social distancing. We’ve also reduced some services. We’ve increased our protocols in sanitizing surfaces, including shopping cart handles, merchandise shelves, front-end belts and registers. Limits have been implemented on certain items to help ensure more members are able to  access the merchandise they want and need. Our buyers and suppliers are working to ensure in-demand merchandise as well as everyday favorites are available in our warehouses. As new information becomes available, management is keeping warehouse  staff well informed so they can respond swiftly and appropriately. While the circumstances continue to change and we modify our operations as necessary, we thank you for your patience and cooperation. As new developments occur,  be assured we are committed to taking care of our members and employees  and to our mission of providing low prices, quality merchandise and exceptional service. We extend our sincere thanks to Costco members and employees worldwide  for their ongoing support and loyal dedication during this challenging time. Thank you, Craig Jelinek President and CEO, Costco Wholesale

CDC: Daily COVID-19 USA at a Glance

A Message From Costco's CEO



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Why I Love Roses

In my youth in the old country, we had two Rose bushes. They suffered from our benign neglect; yet grew to 3 feet tall, flowered faithfully, albeit sparsely. 

 My cousin lived with us, and happen to be a not-too-shabby artist.  One day, he drew a picture of red roses for me.  Beautiful!  I took the drawing to school to show it off.  My boy-crush noticed it (and me, hehehe)  and deliberately sat close by in order to copy the drawing. I was thrilled at his attention and my girl classmates' envious glances affirmed my feelings that there was obviously something between us, he truly liked me, and we had a future together. Happy sigh ...

Nothing came of it, obviously, yet it was a red-letter day. I still smile at the memory. From that moment on,  I became convinced that Roses are da bomb.  They are the prettiest and most romantic things on God's green earth!   

Link:

Rose COLORS






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Nail Art: Part 2

A look at a few of my Nails and Nail Art over the last few months.  I so admire my Vietnamese manicurist's nimble hands:

changes colors (gray, taupe) according to temperature

my friend's nails

MacKenzie-Childs nails

re-post.  I like this one a lot. 

REAL, lasting beauty is on the inside;
 made possible only by the Lord Christ Jesus

link

Nail Art, Part 1

43.4.17.19

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Dumpster Roses: Sad Conclusion

Uh oh, could this be the same young man for whom there was a  makeshift memorial  at our HOA dumpster ? 

 Looks like Michael was arrested in year 2013 during a major Heroin bust. In year 2015 he passed away.  I will take a wild guesas at the cause of death and say it was by Heroin overdose. How awful. How very sad.  *Cue heroin death scenes from Breaking Bad * 

It's also terrifying: unless Michael found Christ as Lord and Saviour while in the land of the living, he has sin/guilt on his hands for selling this stuff. No other recourse is available --not even thru others' prayers -- as evidenced by God's Word below. He now faces the ultimate Judge of all people (which includes me and you), and His name is Jesus Christ , the Lord.  

It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment ... 

But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Someone obviously loved him dearly in life, though -- maybe even tried everything to help him -- as evidenced by the red roses and gummies.  I bet it was his momma. 

Bottom Right: Same name & birthdate 

Links:

Authorities ID Heroin-ring Suspects


Red Roses and Gummies

Dumpster Roses, Part 2

I had written about these dumpster ROSES in the past.  Saw them again -- around the same time as last year's sighting  -- and this time have gotten clarity: 

 WHAT:  Red roses with a bag of gummy snacks  WHERE: Our HOA's dumpster area  WHO:  The memorial card says a young man named Michael  had died in April 2015 (cause unknown to me). WHY:  I can only guess as to why this spot was chosen. I could be way off --  (1) he may have once been a lifeguard at the subdivision's pool which is a mere few feet away, and within sight of the area.  Did it hold good memories for him of long-ago Summers?  (2) a cul de sac full of homes abutts the spot. What if one of the homes on the street was where he lived?  His family can then discreetly see the people walking by the items, and observe their various reactions to the make-shift memorial to their loved one.

This death, plus recent news on other young men's deaths have grieved my heart.

The suicide of Football player, Aaron Hernandez

 ETHAN ROSER, Wheaton College student , who died suddenly on April 22nd from an accident at a sporting event.

More flowers to admire and to give away

I must have flowers,

always and always.

-- Claude Monet

I must give flowers

I am no flower-arranging whiz, nor a florist, but I am always on the prowl for beautiful flowers at low prices. These flowers were either $4.99 or $5.99 a bunch; with the exception of the roses which were $9.99 a dozen.  I  take them home, plop them into an available vase, and allow their natural beauty by God's hand to shine forth. On Sunday mornings, we may bring an arrangement to church, put it on the Piano as part of the decor, then give it away to some random member after the services are over. In almost all cases, the recipient seems genuinely happy and thankful. So are we. 

He that doeth good is of God 

3 John 11

Purple Daisies

two-tone roses on my MacKenzie-Childs round tray

Lily

sunflowers

roses

white roses in my courtly check  M-C tea pot

15.10.27.17





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