Taking Joy in Difficult Times

With the Stay-at-Home and Social Distancing orders still in place where we live the Take Joy Society has not been able to get together since February.  This is indeed a difficult and strange time we are living in, and I know many difficulties have arisen for many people.  Each of us are managing the best we can according to our resources, whether financially, physically, emotionally, and mentally.  As for myself I have used this time to sort out of things that have been bothering me which has led to my rereading a book on my bookshelf.  It came into my hands in 2012 while on Martha's Vineyard, and I read it on the journey home.  But I must not have been "ready" for it yet because it did not impact me then the way it has now.  I am finally able to understand my difficulty in enjoying my life these past few years.  That is why I am sharing it here because it is a great resource for bringing joy into your life right now. 

Tea in Mechanicsburg

The Take Joy Society met at Carol's and rode up together to Mechanicsburg, PA to take joy in having a tea luncheon at Sweet Remembrances....

Amazing Tablescapes 2019

The ladies of the Take Joy Society got together this week to once again visit Washington County Fine Arts Museum's fundraiser "Amazing Tablescapes" in Hagerstown, Maryland.  Last year TJS member, Cindy Downs, entered her welded sculptures and was awarded this trophy for raising the most money through "votes" of $1 each placed in jars.  You can view last year's HERE. 

Cindy's Garden Tour

This photo was taken at Cindy's house in February 2016 for our Scherenschnitte Get-Together. . . .

Taking Joy in Tea

When friends get together it's always fun to visit a favorite tea room where we can take our time to catch up on what is happening in each others' lives and talk about things that are important to us.  At Christmas time it's an opportunity to exchange gifts, too!  So that is what we did today at Dollies Tea Room in Clear Spring, Maryland. . . .

Amazing Tablescapes

The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts was founded in 1931.  This plaque is on the original facade. . . .

Hygge

“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty,
a picture which was never seen before and which shall never be seen again.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🍁For those of you who follow Morning Musings you know that I spent a week in the English countryside last May.  Walking on the Lake District paths along moss-covered stone walls, through pastures of sheep and cows, over hill and dale had a profound affect on me.  I've always loved being outside.  Whether it's hanging clothes on the line, gardening, or hiking in the woods, I've always felt it to be a place I belonged.  The first thing I do in the morning is open the blinds and whenever I can I open the window to my bedroom bringing the outdoors in.

🍁Upon my return from England I began seeing articles, blogs, and books on the value of getting close to nature and realized I needed to be even more intentional about it.  I was introduced to Emma Mitchell's blog, Silverpebble, through Twitter and am excitedly awaiting her newest book, The Wild Remedy:  How Nature Mends Us - A Diary, due out in January.  About it she writes:

This is a diary of the curative effect of my walks in green places & is full of my illustrations. I hope it will encourage others to get outside.