Not much travelling going on at the moment, but it’s good to look back on happy times.
Here’s my Mom-in-law eight years ago, when she was only ninety-nine. On our walk around Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey, we sat down for a rest on this beautifully chainsaw-carved owl bench.
Last year, whilst in Key West, we visited the Butterfly Conservatory, where there was of course, a butterfly bench. I think it was designed for decoration rather than comfort.
Not far away, was Ernest Hemingway’s house and museum. He was a great cat lover and everywhere we looked there were cats lazing around, most of them polydactyl, which means that they have six or more toes on each paw.
To join inXingfuMama’s ‘Pull Up A Seat Challenge’, just click the link.
Wishing you a lovely Tuesday.
Pingback: PRIORHOUSE INTERVIEW with XingfuMama (08June2022) – priorhouse blog
Amazing!
Wow your mum looks amazing for her age! I love the owl carved bench it’s beautiful 😍
Thanks, Fiona. She’s now 107 and still going strong. 🙂
Your MIL & you = one pretty picture!
Thanks, Nancy. 😘
Pingback: Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2020-Week 33 | XingfuMama
Thank you. 🙂
LOVE that owl bench, Sylvia!!
Thanks, Donna. It is rather gorgeous. 🙂
What a wonderful set of photos and memories, Sylvia! She looks great at 99! I hope that if I make it to that age, that I can do as well.
Thanks, Lavinia. So do I. 😃
What a blessing to keep company with the woman who’s known and loved your husband longer than you! This looks like a lovely outing in a beautiful place. She’s also blessed to have you as such a loving daughter-in-law! 🙂
Thanks for your wonderful comment, MaryJo. She’s happy that we take such good care of one another. 🙂
Each one of these benches is unique, Sylvia, with the owls and the wise women seated on it, the butterfly, and Hemmingway’s cat descendant. I have never seen a bench quite so extraordinary as that owl one. For one thing, it’s a sculpture that has been finely carved by a chain-saw. For another thing, it was carved from trees still in place. That’s a work of art. Nice photo of you and your MiL.
Thanks so much, Jet. Glad you enjoyed seeing the beautiful owl bench.
Lovely memories!
Thanks, Fi.
Beautiful benches! Did your MIL make it to one hundred? She looked amazing in that first photo. This year would mark my oma’s 100th birthday. Unfortunately, she passed away three years ago. She almost made it…
Thanks, Liesbet. My MIL just turned 107 on August 4th. I posted some photos of her in my previous post. The women in her family live to a good age, but Kathleen holds the record and is still hale and hearty.
That is incredible, Sylvia! Wow. She must have been featured in the local paper! Fantastic genes!
Only ninety-nine.
Hilarious!
A mere girl. 🤣
Lovely to see your hale and hearty mother-in-law at 99! You are both looking very stylish and also keeping warm! I hope you will soon be able to travel again Sylvia, and catch up with friends and family….this pesty virus!
Thanks, Gerrie. It’s awful not being able to see our overseas family and even our son up in New Jersey. Living in Florida certainly has its downside at the moment.
Yes, being a flight away from any member of the family is awful at this time.
I’ve never heard of cats having extra toes. It’s nice to reminisce while we are staying put. Aren’t we lucky to have so many happy memories and the photos to show as well. Stay safe and well.
Thanks so much, Carol. You too.
99? She looked in great shape. Unfortunately so many people reach a very old age but in bad shape…
Stay safe.
Yes, she’s very fortunate indeed that now at 107, she’s still healthy and of sound mind.
I’m so glad to hear that. My very best wishes to her and the whole family.
Love picture of you and your in law. The bench is also awesome!
Thanks, YC. 🙂
What a terrific set of memories. You and your mom-in-law look beautiful. 🙂
Thanks, Lynette. 😘
Chris is surrounded by two beautiful, brilliant and courageous women – and let’s not forget as wise as the owls that welcomed them to their bench. These are precious photos, Sylvia. I agree, we may not be able to travel, but we can remember the adventures again and again. I was fascinated by the cats that surround Ernest Hemingway’s house and museum. Why would they be here? Do they have a special way of passing down stories from one generation of cats to the other. A reminder that we have much to learn about our four legged friends. But I digress…. ““A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” Ernest Hemingway
Thanks so much, dear Rebecca. Yes, our memories are always there when we summon them to take centre stage. The cats who reside at the Hemingway house have probably passed down stories from generation to generation. They are so privileged because only they are allowed onto the sofas, beds and even the dining table, whereas visitors are forbidden to even touch. 🤣
Your MIL is amazing!
Yes, she is. 🙂
😄
Interesting benches
Thank you. 🙂
Beautiful memories! I love that owl bench and the cat napping! The butterfly bench doesn’t look very comfortable! 😉😘😘
Thanks, Marina. No, the butterfly bench wasn’t designed to be sat on. 🙂 xxx
😉 Thought so! 😉 xoxo
Yes, it can be very pleasant to look back on happy times and to keep hoping and planning for more to come!
Thanks, Becky. You’re so right. We have to keep our spirits up. 🙂
A good set with the prize going to the first one
Thanks, Derrick. Now I want to know what the prize is. 😀
It is 🙂
The owl bench is a piece of art
Yes, it’s beautiful. I believe there is now a fox bench there too.
what fond memories, Sylvia! you look lovely together and at 99, your Mom-in-Law is aging beautifully! loved the butterfly bench 🙂 🙂
Thanks so much, dear Lola. 🙂
Great memories n beautiful benches! Such an amazing carved one…
Thanks so much. The owl bench is really stunning. 🙂
The carving on the owl bench is splendid.
Yes it is. It was quite comfy too. 🙂
Beautiful dear Sylvia, memories are the best… Thank you, Love, nia
Thanks so much, dear Nia. xxx
Key West is a ‘trip’ in itself, however, happy to see you made it to
Hemingway’s house and the Butterfly Conservatory . Both are well
worth the visit. Boy, your mother in law really gets around!
Thanks, Eddie. We’ve been to Key West a few times and were hoping to go again this year. My MiL travelled to the US with us when she was 95. She really enjoyed seeing all the sights and walked her legs off around New York and Washington. 🙂
I bet she did,
have a great day Sylvia
Since travel is halted for the moment, all we have is memories.
This is true, Lulu. So thankful for photos. 🙂
What a lovely benche your mother looks so young
Thanks, Marylou. She’s aged really amazingly well.
Aw…I remember that sweet photo of you and your beautiful MIL. ❤
Thanks, Jill. I love this photo of us both. 🙂
Your dear husband is very lucky to have you 2 gorgeous women in his life.. 😉
Aaw…….thanks so much, Lisa. xxx
Such a great photo of the two of you, Sylvia. Two beautiful people with beautiful smiles. One of the memory books.
Thanks, Mabel. 🙂
Great memories Sylvia!
Thanks, Aletta. 😃
I would never have guessed she was 99!
She’s amazing for her age. In my previous post you can see her at 107. 😅
107! What’s her secret?
She used to say “Red wine and chocolate”, but now swears by broccoli and carrots. 😀 I think it’s just that longevity runs in her family.
Yeah, I’m going with the red wine and chocolate!
When you get to 105, you can change to broccoli and carrots. 😀
Okay, that’ll be the plan.