Yesterday’s mail brought an ever-so-special Halloween treat from Alys of Gardening Nirvana—one of her fabulous homemade cards. Onto the metal bulletin board by my desk this exquisite card will go to take its place among other special cards I have received.
Tucked inside the card were three adorable bookmarks designed by Alys’s beloved blogging friend Pauline, who passed away last year.
In honor of Pauline’s birthday on September 5, Alys recently offered to send bookmarks to any blogging friends who wanted them. All we had to do was send Alys our addresses, and she would take care of the postage.
How could I resist? I adore bookmarks, and I have a wonderful little collection on my night stand. Although I never connected with Pauline on her blog, I was moved by the friendship and generosity between her and Alys. They actually got to meet a couple of times, which makes a blogging friendship even more special.
The bookmarks feature Pauline’s orange cat Orlando. He reminds me of my rascal of a cat Sherlock, who died this spring.
Such a lovely way to honor a friendship. Many thanks, Alys for sending me the oh-so-special card and bookmarks.
And many thanks, Pauline. Your beauty and creativity continue to shine forth.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Good to read about such friendships.
Those friendships are so touching!
❤
What a lovely and generous gift from Alys, Laurie. I followed Pauline for years. She artwork was stunning as was her kindness and positivity. The bookmarks are so sweet! Thanks for sharing
xo
Oh, gosh! The lovely connections of blogging friends never fails to amaze me.
That’s the part of blogging that I enjoy the most. The friendships are amazing.
Absolutely!
Lovely bookmarks and lovely connections.
The wonderful world of blogging.
Thanks so much for this wonderful post. Pauline and I were blog buddies at my previous blog – so I followed the link to Alys’ post … and that’s where I learned of her passing. But as I think of her, I smile. 🙂
Frank, I’m glad you have nice memories of Pauline. She touched so many lives.
I was also a blogging friend of Pauline’s. She had such a special way of seeing the world. Her wisdom and kindness impressed me always.
Sounds like a wonderful person!
Wonderful post – beautiful card and lovely bookmarks with great meaning.
They sure are!
Wonderful bookmarks Laurie, so lovely how Alys is passing Pauline’s gifts on and her card is beautiful too! 💚
Yes, indeed! Such a lovely thing to do.
An excellent set of memorials, useful and beautiful.
A winning combination!
The card is a true treasure — what a lovely gift!
So very lovely!
What a thoughtful thing for Alys to do. And a lovely tribute to Pauline!
It certainly is!
Such a lovely way to remember.
Yes, yes!
Laurie, thank you so much for sharing the card and the bookmarks. Your post made my day.
My great pleasure! And your card and the bookmarks certainly made my day.
🙂
I agree with every word of this.
It seems to me that you were one of Pauline’s blogging friends, too.
I was. Pauline began her day with my post over coffee. She worried if I was late. One of my large photographic prints adorned her wall and she sent us one of her light catchers. After she had her stroke and seemed to be recovered for some reason I decided not to wait for her birthday to send her one of my featured illustrated books. She said she had read and enjoyed it just days before she died.
So moving!
X
Beautiful. The friendships, the gifts, the generosity expressed in so many ways. Thank you for sharing this, Laurie 🙏
My pleasure!
Those are lovely gifts. I have been struck by how friendly and supportive the blogging community is even though most of us never meet in person.
So true!
Wonderful! Who can’t resist a cat?
Right?
Oops, I think I meant “who can resist a cat?” (I love ’em, as you’ll know from my blog). Put it down to old age (mine, not the cats’!).
No worries!
What a lovely gift — and I can’t help but smile when I realize how close this blogging community truly is!
What a lovely little package for you to open.
I’ve never met Alys in person but just know she’d be one of life’s beautiful people.
I have some of Pauline’s cards she sent to me once – a lovely reminder of another very special person.
How wonderful to have some of Pauline’s cards.
The card reminds me of the Halloween assignment in my very first design class. We had to make a piece of Halloween art that didn’t have orange, pumpkins, witches etc. I did black and purple with a vampire; that card would earn an A. The workmanship is beautiful.
Wonderful!
Those are both really lovely gifts! I love book marks too…and cards of course!
Two treats!
Thank you so much for another glimpse (so to speak) of Pauline. I recognized her artwork right away. I miss her. We never met but did connect for many years via our blogs and chats.
That is a beautiful card. 🙂
My pleasure!
Hooray for orange cats! (I also love calico. Did you know they are always female?)
I sure have a soft spot for orange cats. Love calicos, too, and I do know they are always females.
That was a beautiful gift from Alys, card and bookmarks from Pauline. I never knew Pauline, but I do know she was loved by many.
So many lovely things written about her.
What a lovely way to remember Pauline.
It surely was!
Such a greatl way for Alys to pay tribute to her dear friend, Pauline. Lovely bookmarks, and I love the card Alys made! Thank you for sharing. Pauline always knew what to say and just how to say it. She was so kind and so wise. Really a beautiful soul.
I wish I had known her!
She was the “Contented Crafter”. She was a creative, like we are.
Wonderful card and love the bookmark!🙂
Such treasures!