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Raquel Dias da Silva's avatar

Loved this piece. Probably because I love chestnuts and is wonderful to read something written by someone who is learning to enjoy our traditions.

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Michelle Lester's avatar

Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's hard not to love how central they still are here just to daily life. So often, there's no great fan-fare (last night being an exception!) but the rituals and practices are just woven in. It's beautiful.

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Eithna Protheroe's avatar

Grace & Kindness

Perfect image in troubled times -

A wonderful read 😊

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Michelle Lester's avatar

Thank you so much, Eithna 😊

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Carol O's avatar

Lovely pix, sweet distraction from burdensome reality here across the pond..

Am waiting to balance all political and Substk accts before adding new… end of year coming..

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Michelle Lester's avatar

Thank you - it was a necessary bit of self-care after my previous piece trying to respond to events on your side of the pond! 😬

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Carol O's avatar

Keep the necessary coming! Love the thoughts.. & especially dahlias in baskets in the trees! I grew up in the era of May baskets … It was still cold in New Eng so we made colorful paper weave baskets & hand tinted flowers out of Kleenex and other bits of stuff around the house… put one or two real daffodils if it had been ‘warm’ spring in mix… walked around town leaving our baskets at friends front doors . Always hopeful returning home to see a basket at our door! 50’s kind of small town

Reawakening from long dark cold winters.

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Michelle Lester's avatar

I love that dahlias can mean ‘grace and kindness in the face of challenge and stress’. I want to give a basketful to everyone! (And thanks for sharing that memory - you’ve reminded me that I was always making paper flowers as a kid!)

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