Hello there my friends.
It is sunny and utterly lovely where the desert meets the forest.
There are fresh rose leaves popping up and tales to share.
The promise of a new season makes me giddy.
I almost can't sleep at night waiting to wake up and see what is happening in the garden.
The hydrangeas just started opening their eyes.
So exciting!
Pruning winter petals and reflecting on all that is good.
What a perfect time to tell you a little story.
Especially since so many have inquired and I feel it's time to share.
Here's a little story about life and its funny twists and turns.
Several years ago (about 4, maybe more) life started to twist and turn and change for Mister Lovee and I, aka The Hatter. Our journeys morphed in different directions, but always staying best friends, confidants and above all family always. It's beautiful and amazing, journeys shift and veer, but love and respect is and was always there. And although we are on different paths now, we're still a hop skip and a jump from each other on this big property where there is room for all, two houses, four cottages & gardens to roam. We laugh and get into tea party shenanigans all the time and love the dogs madly.
It's been a long time shift, it's not new, but I guess you all felt it and so that's the truth. He will always be and is Mister Lovee to everyone (as he is known round these parts), and he's my dear dear hatter. We are in very different places in our lives. I am going up those hills, hiking and exploring (literally & figuratively) as he encourages me endlessly to go go, fly butterfly fly, live your life to the fullest! You're young, go be free!
While he waves from his cozy chair, whilst blissfully playing his guitar, doing the things that make him happy. We started as best of friends 17 years ago, and best friends we will be forever more.
Alsoooo…
There's a new chapter unfolding in my life.
Fairy Dust.
The last couple of years some amazing, unreal & exciting things have happened. Which you might begin to see unravel here. It's been this slow shift and change, but now somehow here it is. Life is beautiful and wonderful, there is nothing but goodness happening. Everyone is happy and the sun is shining. The roses are thinking about blooming and I am utterly grateful for this organic way my life evolves and flows, like a gentle stream. I am so grateful. And while I don't share my religious beliefs much here, I will say they are very strong and I always believe that if I put my life in the hands of the heavens, all will evolve as should.
And it has.
The most important thing is that life is wonderful, full of twists and turns and tales.
I am living some exciting things right now and I can't wait to see how my journey continues to unfold.
The other most important thing is that there is still art and tea time and thriftventures galore.
There's dogs and dancing and hiding in the cottage with treats.
Everything is so good for everyone.
It's a beautiful life my friends.
If you go with the flow…
Sometimes it surprises you, sometimes is amazes you.
It's done all those things to me and more, and I love it!
My dad told me yesterday, you are a very lucky girl to have had these lovely things happen in your life. Such experiences and special people.
Life is not always easy, I've had my fair share of ups and downs just like everyone else, but you can choose happy.
Who knows what sort of adventures it will lead you on.
I'm surprised by life at every turn.
It will go up and down and all around.
And hopefully when it stops for a break you're singing and dancing, right?
Anywhoooo.
Those are my babblings for the day.
The jasmine is hanging out in the trees…
Getting ready to start turning green again.
The glossiest most exquisite leaves of the year are appearing on the rose bushes…
And poppies are just swaying around…
Making me happy all the time.
From the way they burst out of their little pods, to their tender unfurling.
How I love them so.
It's very sunny with a cool breeze enough for a cardigan.
But the sun is glorious.
Hope you are doing grand out there my friends!!
Love, Vanessa
Its been simply forever and a day since I said hi. Hi! Good to see you are doing well through all the twists and turns our lives guide us through in beautiful Arizona. Sometimes evolving into being the best of friends is better than anything else in the whole wide world especially when you are both open and at peace in your hearts.
Take very good care!
Always,
Queenie Believe
Dearest sweetness,
It’s all perspective… and when you see the world as you do (with a loving heart, kind intentions and gratitude) you can create a worldly life of peace and creative bliss. I’m so happy that you and Lovey are making this transition that is so rare for so many. I can’t wait to see what life blesses you both with next… Hugs! Chrissi
Dear Vanessa, I’m so happy for you and appreciate your optimistic outlook on life and all it brings us! Looking forward to seeing the goodness and delight continue to unfold here on your beautiful blog!! Sandy.
I applaud you and the peaceful way that you and Mister Lovee are taking. It’s admirable to actually say you’ll be friends and then do so. My ex-spouse and I did the same thing and we are the best of friends…although they live over 1200 miles away. (Admittedly the distance did help ME heal since that person was my soul mate and my heart shattered during the separation and inevitable divorce.) However, I am happy for you two and that you are able to remain neutral and loving. It says a lot about the relationship you had as lovers and that you two have as friends.
Anyway, yay: gardens, sunshine, flowers, and friends. That’s a lot of happiness rolled-up into one tiny sentence, but I’m glad it’s bringing joy to your world. You deserve that.
Life happens and we happen with it. And although it’s never easy, we can make it count by reminding ourselves that every person who touched our lives is important… and we touch their lives back, too, then that importance forges a friendship we can always value.
Transitions are strange things. Inside, they feel as if we are dying… But, as your stunning images show, after the wiling (and a bit of time) we begin to bud again. I am really glad you two have chosen to bud as friends, even if you must do it in different gardens.
Continue to be happy… and flourish, dear Vanessa.
Thank you Misha. Also, it happened a long time ago, the change & evolution of it all. In fact it happened almost without noticing when it began 4 years ago. We see eachother as family members. We joke that I’m his little daughter. The huge age gap just sent us on different paths but we evolved into necessary family members & he’s included in the next shift my life has taken. Crazy wonderful things going on. I love him forever as the dearest member of my family, truly. He’s my best friend in the whole world. Nurturing & supportive. It’s with & through his encouragement I even ventured outside the realm. He said, you have to, you’re young, you need to live a whole second life & he was right. Xoxo
Thank you Magaly truly. I feel very lucky that there has been little sadness. It has been the most organic & natural shift ever. It started 4 years ago ever so slowly. He started encouraging me to go have adventures. To be young & free. His love is so huge, he wanted me to flourish & thrive. He’s realistic about our huge age gap, more than I was. Anyhow we evolved into best friends & it’s a beautiful life. Big things have happened in my life recently & he’s the always supportive nurturer. I feel so lucky the way the journey has gone. No pain, just a natural shift. Thank goodness <3 <3
Thank you dear Sandy. I feel like you really see the truth of joy & goodness happening. It’s all good, no sadness. It’s a natural organic thing, all wonderful <3
Thank you dear Christi <3 Thank you for understanding & being supportive. I feel like the shift happened a long time ago but it was time to share. My life is going through a beautiful journey right now. Can't wait to share <3
Oh my goodness Queenie, you are 100% correct. I’d die without my best friend. He’s my most precious family member. We’ve evolved into the most beautiful space over the last 4 years. It’s a gift, truly <3 I will thank him forever, for encouraging me to fly free & see what else life has to offer. Rather than stay in my little cocoon. He always says, fly butterfly.... which is funny because my name means butterfly <3 <3
i thank you Vanessa for telling your story…. Now i know i’m not going bonkers sensing what i was sensing… The most telling was you mentioning him less and less on here… I’m so glad you are happy and i wish nothing but that for you going forward.. I can’t wait until you can share all the wonderful things going on in your life… Hugs! deb
I had a feeling…..God always has bigger plans for us than we do for ourselves.
Relationships and friendships can be as unique as we want them to be. People tend to want to box people into a conformity that’s comfortable to idealize. I’ve been married three times and very good friends with my exe’s. There just came a time to move on. I’m not going live my life backwards, but like you moving forward to the light, beautiful things and experiences. You stated it all tactfully, respectfully and beautifully.
Such a beautiful post and you always have such a way of saying the most beautiful things. You are so precious the way you see life. You are both so lucky to have each other and love each other the way you do. You are blessed
deezie
I don’t post comments often, but I read your blog regularly. Thank you for telling us about this new chapter in your life. I’m glad you are still best of friends. I can’t wait to hear what else is going on that has you all giddy. Thanks for always giving me a dose of joy in each post, with your words and beautiful photos.
Hello Vanessa,
Time does change us and we just never know how! I did sense that your paths were coming into a change of directions and yet in friendly ways! Even my days and path has so many twists and turns with my kiddos all struggling to become adults and each so differently that you come to understand that you either take the ride or get lost. Sounds like you have some great things lined up as you keep reaching for the stars….Well wishes and continued joy! Hugs to you! <3
I noticed the age gap but didn’t know how big it was. My friend was about 26 when she split up with her 52 year old partner. Her next partner is about 12 years older so she gets on with older men I think. I’m flad it’s turned out ok for you. It must have been very hard. It’s nice that you’re still there for each other x
Lol, I meant I’m *glad*.
These soft slippers of mine,
They dance while singing in rhyme.
At every curtsy, every turn,
The slippers so softly yearn,
To fly across the endless sky.
Reflections of loves music sighs.
Laughing with the man in the moon,
Hearts set a swoon,
Of course to the gentle lullaby
Of hellos and goodbyes.
As seasons sound,
Slippers Spiral round,
Fairies dance too, announcing
Showers of gold dust
Full of joyful trust.
Dancing in the breeze,
With a slip of the sleeve,
It’s all in in the weave
Of the Oasis.
From the rainy lands of Nor Cali
Sending love to you VV
Splashing, green, bulbs to be.
Pinkster te, te de dee de.
V, Mister Lovee is so right to let you be free and fly and do what your heart desires. I feel, now more than ever, how important it is to be independent and do what makes you happy. My husband and I have drifted quite a bit. It’s more me than him, but he has let me be. He’s less controlling. I’ve started working again and now I do my own thing. I take the girls wherever I want and don’t ask him anymore. It is so liberating. I can breathe, I can feel confident, I can feel as if I matter and I am not just his wife, his cook, his maid. My girls and I are so much closer than ever before. We laugh and eat and gossip. We tell each other secrets. They feel my happiness now. We’re still married, but there is a different angle to our relationship now. Ever evolving, this life, like you said. Peace and love and hard, hard work. Phew! Much love Butterfly, much much love to you! xoxoxo Jen