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Mary B's avatar

Sending a "bundle of hearts" sounds like a wonderful children's picture book, of all the beautiful hearts you make and the journey of each one, at first in a bundle, then dispersed who knows where, and who knows whose heart will be touched by one of your hearts. ❤️ Lovely post.

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prue batten's avatar

Thanks Mary. The heart programme is such an honour to be a part of. Hearts have gone to schools in the USA where there have been massacres, the collapsed apartments in the UK, wartorn Ukraine and Gaza, humanitarian camps, as well as the many areas of need in our own country. I know there are a number of heartists in the States, stitching under '1000Hearts' banner and sending them where the need is greatest. It's a beautiful service for those who just need a hug.

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Mary B's avatar

I had no idea - what an amazing thing!

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prue batten's avatar

Have a look at the website.

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Mary B's avatar

Will do! Thanks, Prue.

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Denyse Whelan Writes Here's avatar

Such a graceful and gentle stroll I enjoyed then via your beautiful words and pics. So lovely and nourishing too.

Take care,

Denyse

PS having a garden...even though we are renting..is a joy here and my husband is so loving the tending and the nurturing. Me? I get to look and notice changes. Iphone always at hand for a snap or three...

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prue batten's avatar

thank you, Denyse for commenting.

Yes, gardens, greenspaces - they offer us so much. We need to cherish them.

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Susan Baker's avatar

The sound of the sea in all her varied songs...I noticed ,listening to your video that my breathing immediately slowed and deepened...lovely! Your autumn approaches as our Spring is unfolding. Both seasons are a gift! There are those daffodils that I planted and the surprise arrivals who pop up in the glade along with the few remaining wood hyacinth. The blanket of forget men its is unfolding and I've seen the first tiny blue blossoms. AND(!!) the rhubarb has 5 lovely large leaves!! Perhaps this will be the year to harvest! Thank you for bringing us through your gardens and allowing us to sit on the sofa with you under the cozy wrap, listening to the sea!

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Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

Oh, I remember Letraset - that satisfying peeling back to reveal the letters! And your amazing gardens still so lush. I am always impressed with the time and details of those tiny hearts as well, so rewarding to know how touched someone will be to receive. Your life feels very full indeed right now, Pupsicle's "helpful ways" notwithstanding lol!

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prue batten's avatar

Long view of coast garden taken last spring. It's a very different view now as we are in the Big Dry and started water restrictions at midnight last night. I despair, when this happens as our garden had three years of heavy rains but now, the sub-sub-sub soil is as dry as chips.

Pups is being quite good on most levels but still nippy. That said, I went to a friend's yesterday and her three year old lab jumped up on me and dragged claws down my arm and onto my hand. Being a bleeder and bruiser, you can imagine I dripped a bit, but it made me feel better about Fang. He's learning the word 'gentle'.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I love how calming this post is, Prue, despite all the references to the bustle and rush of life. I love this bit: "...the sea speaks in many voices and this is just one." I love that burying your hands in the soil and conversing with your plants is part of the grace of you. Like your coastal garden, my growing spaces are not graceful in the sense that they are polished or elegant, but they impart so much goodness and beauty, and they anchor me in a way of being that can, at least for a little while, remove me from the inelegance of the world.

I'm delighted that you are diving into your own occasional odyssey, here and there. On reading of blood tests and transporting those that need it, I do hope everything is okay. Your heart gifts drew me in when I first discovered you, and I continue to marvel at those!

I am excited about the idea of joining in on the postcard exchange. Must find some postcards!

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prue batten's avatar

Golly, Elizabeth, you have only to utter a few words and I find them quotable and must write them in my journal. '...the inelegance of the world.' XXXX

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

I've decided I don't agree with the premise when we say "you are too kind," but you are very kind, and I am very grateful.

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Beth T (BethOfAus)'s avatar

Sending so many hugs and best wishes to you and those you love. Hoping that all recover and Be Well. Take care dear Prue.

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prue batten's avatar

All good, Beth, just frenetic every Monday and Tuesday so that by Wednesday I languish like a damp rag!

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sustainablemum's avatar

I too have visited a big city this week. I am reading this having just got home from doing my food shop. Whilst my local town is far from big the hustle and bustle of that are greater than my village. Gardening or being in the garden is a perfect antidote to those busy parts of our lives. I had not thought of it like that but I so agree. Your writing always invokes a peace and calm which I love, thank you!

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prue batten's avatar

Thank you for the kind compliment.

There's so much that's soothing about the garden, isn't there?

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