For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hi everyone and welcome back to our coffee series! But this time it is going to be a bit different than normal and we hope you will enjoy coffee with us today. Plus we have tea, hot and cold, pink lemonade (which always seems to be popular). It is a nice warm day, above average for this time of year which is certainly a nice treat. There are several benches to sit on and a nice grassy area as well, so sit back and relax as we look and see all the amazing beauty around us.
Hi Sheree, I see you arrived first today, always nice to have you join us. Hi Jeanne, nice that you could make it out. Hi John, glad you could make it today. And here comes James and Joshua, nice to see both of you. Hi Ribana, thanks for coming today. And here is Tiffany, Renee and Virginia, so nice that you could come and join us. Hi Rossana and Mila, Muffin is happy to see one of her friends come out too. And here is Eugenia with Callie and Nina with Mr. Cat. Muffin is right here to say hi and get her friends together for treats and a fun time playing together. And here comes Correne and Teddy, I see Teddy didn’t waste any time getting over to the other cats. Nice to see them all getting along so well together.
As I mentioned above, I just wanted to share some of the wonderful beauty we can all find around us. It may not be exactly the same kind of beauty, but it’s there if we want to look for it. People like to complain a lot and I’m sure if we were honest, we would have to agree that we all complain or grumble at times because things don’t go right or whatever. I have learned that complaining and grumbling only causes more stress in our lives and it can raise our blood pressure and cause many other health problems. So why bother with that? It’s so much better to smile and look for the good things around us that will reduce stress in our lives.
Try going to a park, even a small one, or some kind of green space that can be found in most towns and cities these days. If there is nothing then try going for a walk down the street, stop to admire someone’s garden, flowers in the front yard, perhaps even some unexpected flowers growing in odd spaces. A dandelion pushing it’s way through a crack in the cement, other little wildflowers growing next to the sidewalk. The beauty of trees growing along the street or in the park. A robin singing from the topmost branches of a tree.
Around here we would expect to see fawns running alongside their mothers down the sidewalk or eating grass on someone’s lawn.
There are butterflies to see everywhere, like this harvester butterfly on a daisy, a giant sulphur on some tansy flowers, or a silver bordered fritillary on a clover.
There are so many birds to see, a male grackle with it’s blue head, a female mallard duck swimming peacefully on the river, and some white pelicans soaring magnificently overhead.
Perhaps a field full of different flowers, a Turk’s cap lily, a bee pushing it’s way into a bi-colored monk’s flower.
Then there is the beautiful scenery looking out across the lake on a sunny, summer morning.
And going the other way, the wonderful scenery along the river on a warm summer afternoon. These are what I call country pleasures, and things that we can be thankful for each day. Things to bring a smile to our face and take away all that stress. Perhaps it will even get rid of that complaining we like to do. After all, how can we complain when we look at all that beauty surrounding us.
Last fall I injured myself and although that has healed, I’m not the same as I was. I have to walk with a cane now and I can’t walk as far as last year. But I’m so thankful I can still get out and walk to the river and enjoy all the beauty around me. Then I got this Covid-19 virus which has really slowed me down this summer. I’m over that now, but there are lasting effects that are still with me. But I can still get out and enjoy the summer beauty, though many days it’s just sitting on the deck watching all the fun around me with the squirrels, chipmunks and birds.
So much beauty that brings such happiness and always puts a smile on my face each day. Like I said, a different coffee time today, but I hope you have enjoyed seeing some of the beauty around here. I’m sure you have much beauty around where you live as well, we just have to look for it. And it’s worth looking that’s for sure! I hope you all have a most wonderful day today and Friday, as many of you are already into Friday, and God bless! See you all next time! Meow, meow!=Me too!
Steve and Muffin.
©2020 Steve McLeod.
Hi Steve, I’m here with Mila, ready for hot coffee! Beautiful pics!
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I’m first!😁🏆
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Yes you are!😁😻🥇
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I had to stay up late but it was worth it!😂
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Wow, not bad!😁 It did get posted later than I had planned.🤦♂️
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I was joking! If you had posted it earlier, I wouldn’t have been able to win🥇
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Oh, that worked out perfectly then!😁😸
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Yes!😁
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Sìì! Buon lavoro!😁
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Thanks Lydia! Cioè, volevo dire: grazie Lydia!!!
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😊😊
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Thanks for coming Rossana! Muffin is really happy to see Mila again too! Those two get along so well. And we have nice hot coffee for you too, and treats for Mila which Muffin will give out.😃😺🌞☕☕
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Thanks Steve, your coffee is the best!☕☺️
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Thanks Rossana, glad you like it!😀☕
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Hey Steve, I have some pics of picnic tables that I took in BC if you want them 🙂
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I don’t believe it, someone else takes pics of picnic tables! I thought I was the only one. Usually people stare at me kind of crazy like when I’m spotted taking pics of them. Thanks for the offer, but they wouldn’t be from around here so they wouldn’t fit. Have a wonderful evening Hilary! And thanks so much for stopping by for coffee today!😃😺🌞☕☕
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I took the photos hoping to use them in a blog post but never did. If you don’t want them, that’s okay. I might still use them in a future blog post. There was a moral to the story as strange as that sounds. 😌
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Now that sounds interesting, a picnic table moral! Can’t wait to hear it!
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It would have made more sense had I actually uploaded them last summer. I haven’t even written it yet and wasn’t sure if I am still going to. It’s a shame I couldn’t go on any road trips this summer due to the pandemic.
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Yep, I had some trips planned too that had to be cancelled. Just day trips, but with everything shut down it couldn’t be done. Oh well.
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Yeah, day and overnight trips as well. Usually we go to BC and I tag along for Nick’s business trips. Sometimes we go to the states too. I’ve had a boring summer since most plans got cancelled. We had wanted to go to Singapore this year ☹️
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Wow, Singapore, cool! I would like to visit Australia, but it’s just too many hours on a plane, I can’t handle that much sitting.😬
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I’ve survived the plane trip to Singapore so Australia wouldn’t be an issue for me. The flight to Singapore is the longest I think. Australia would be a cool place to visit. Nick has family that live in Singapore and Australia.
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Flying to France was almost too much for me, so I know a longer flight would be out of the question unfortunately. That’s nice having family in both places.
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I’ve only been to France once, in grade 9 for a school trip. I was very homesick and didn’t know anyone in the group. And I sprained my ankle on that trip… all I remember is that I didn’t enjoy the trip. However, France is a beautiful country. The traffic and drivers are crazy though. I would not want to drive in France.
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I know what you mean about driving, especially in the cities, I never saw anything quite like that! But it is such a beautiful country, I would like to take a month to look around better. Not only great scenery, but great history too!
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SOOOO relaxing!
Love all the awesome pics!!
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Thank you very much! Nice that you could make it out again today!
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So nice of everyone to come out and hang out with you and Muffin. ❤ Lovely photos as always, and though I'd raise my hand for a cold tea, I'm drooling at the pink lemonade haha 😀
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I’m so glad you could come Jessica! Always nice to have you here with us. Hey, no drooling in the pink lemonade!😲 And Muffin is so very happy to see you again too, she would have been so disappointed if you had not come!😻😻
Thanks Jessica, hope you have a fantastic Friday!😃😺🌞☕☕
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Haha 😄 I had a fun rainy Friday 😁 wish you another fun day over there.
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Thanks so much Jessica! Beautiful sunny day here, but a chilly start! Enjoy your day!😁🌞😻
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Hello to everyone ☀️ Can I have some pink lemonade please? 😋
You are perfectly right Steve, as human beings we complain way to much…we’ll always find something to complain about…instead we should just be grateful of this wonderful nature! Going for a walk can really improve our mood very much! You are surrounded by beautiful nature and very cute animals 😉🤩
I like all the pictures but the last one is way too funny 🐿
Hope you’re feeling better Steve!
Wish to everyone a wonderful day! Including you dear Muffin 😻 Make your human laugh a little bit as only you know 😼😸
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Hi Ribana! Pink lemonade coming up, nice fresh batch too. I think someone was drooling in the last pitcher of pink lemonade. But I won’t mention who it was.
Yes, it really doesn’t take much, enjoying a single flower, or the magnificence of a tall tree, or one bird singing from a nearby tree. These things can change our mood quickly, if we really stop to enjoy them.😃🍄🦋🌸🌼🐈🦆🐦🦉
Yep, those chipmunks with peanuts in their cheeks make such wonderful pics, I have quite a few different ones now.😀📷🐿🐿
Every day gets a bit better, thanks Ribana!😁
Meow, meow!=Oh good, exercise time coming up! Thank you Ribana, have meowvelous day!😺😻
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hahaha…better to not mention who it was 😼😸
True, we need to stop and enjoy them, which we often forget…I’m trying these days to remember to do it and pay more attention to the nature around me…is really better 😉🌸 🐦 🐿
I’m glad you’re feeling better! Need patience to get stronger 😉
Wish you both a lovely week ahead! 😻🤩
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Yes, we get busy and forget these little things. But they really can help to relieve stress, help with depression and just generally make us feel better and happier, which leads to better health overall.😀😸
Yes, I have to admit I’m not the best with patience,🙄 as soon as I start to feel a little better I overdo it and set myself further back it seems.😂
Thanks Ribana, I hope your week is a great one too!😃😺😻
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Hi Steve, thank you for the amazing coffee now I will remember always the version of coffee while sipping my cup
Stay safe happy healthy and wealthy
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Thank you very much for joining us today! Always nice to see you here and I’m glad you had a good time!
Have a wonderful day!😃😺🌞☕☕
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🙏😊
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Hi, everyone! Just let me pass around my cookies, I’ll have a black coffee please. You’re fortunate to live in an area with so much wonderful flora and fauna, we really appreciate it. This will set me up nicely for the weekend.
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One hot black coffee coming up! And these cookies are delicious Sheree!
It is a beautiful area, but everywhere has it’s own beauty to enjoy, just different in every place.😁🍄🦋🦉
Did I mention these cookies are delicious? Hope you have a wonderful weekend Sheree!😃😺🌞☕☕
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Thanks and you too Steve
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Thank you Sheree!
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Very organic pics Steve😉😉😉
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Organic?
Uh, thanks Maryam!
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Oh please don’t make me laugh😂😂😂
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Okay.
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😮😮😮😮🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯
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Beautiful spot for coffee after a wonderful thunder shower 😻🌧⛈😸
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So glad you could join us Saba!😁 And Muffin enjoyed having Sweetie along to join in the cat play games!😸 Have a bemeowtiful weekend!😃😺😸😻😻
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She really did. After a beautiful rain she needed some sunshine and a good play time friends😍😻😸⛈
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Aww, that is so nice! Enjoy your weekend Saba!😁😻😻And Sweetie and kittens!😸😻😻😺
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It was another beautiful rainy day 😸🌨🌧
The little kitten has made me her lift😹 for going up and coming down she uses my back and shoulder 😹
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Wow, you seem to be getting a lot of rain lately.😳🌧🌧
Aww, now that is so cute!😻 Except maybe the claws!😂😹
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It has been raining since night 🌧🌨
😹😹YUP my back is more like a sieve 😹😹
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I thought so!😂😹😹
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😹😹
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I love having coffee with friends and it gives Callie a chance to make friends too. Your scenery and friendly critters make for a delightful post, Steve! 😸🐹 🐰 🦊🍃 🍂 🍁☕️☕️
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I’m so glad you could make it Eugenia! Callie seems to really enjoy spending time with all the other cats.😺😺 Very strong smell of smoke from a forest fire right now.😳🌳🔥
Thanks so much Eugenia, I hope you have a great weekend!😃😺☕☕
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You too and stay safe. 😉
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Thanks!
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It was a great day for a visit Steve. Teddy really enjoyed it too.
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Thanks for coming out Correne! I’m glad Teddy had a good time, I know Muffin enjoyed having him come out too.😸😻
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Very nice write up today Steve!
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Thanks for joining us Dusty! I even saved you a cookie. Oh, those just look like nibble marks and, um, well, I guess they are. Muffin! Meow, meow=Yep, me do it, cookies are sooooo good!
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Hehehe…. she needs to eat too… are they chocolate chip?
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I think she had more than one already. Is there any other kind?😋😋
Meow, meow=Only have 4…or 5.😹😹
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Hehe… no! CHOCOLATE CHIP ! Unless they are Oatmeal Raisin!😋😋😋😋
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That’s true, I like those too!
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Wow ! What an array of pics Steve ! Loved them all ! And especially the cookies and coffee ! ☕️☕️🍪
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Glad you could make it out Sharon! It was such a beautiful day for coffee!😃😺🌞☕☕
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Wonderful pictures,glad to hear you are enjoying the beauty of nature in the morning and the scenes are awesome Steve !! 😃🌹
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Thank you so much Suni! And it’s so nice that you could come and join us for our little coffee time. I think everyone had a good time!😃😺🌞☕☕
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