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Artists who paints in oil en plein aire. Member of the three member Plein Aire Cottage Artists. Members: Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Kindness




"There is a kindness that dwells deep down in things; it presides everywhere, often in the places we least expect.
"The word kindness has a gentle sound that seems to echo the presence of compassionate goodness. When someone is kind to you, you feel understood and seen. There is no judgment or harsh perception directed toward you. Kindness has gracious eyes; it is not small-minded or competitive; it wants nothing back for itself. "
An Excerpt from To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue


On Saturday afternoon, I settled down with a cup of tea and was enjoying catching up on my favourite blogs. Zsa Zsa Bellagio's blog I have very recently started following.  I find her topics interesting and varied.


Imagine my surprise to find that I was her  featured post of today http://zsazsabellagio's blog

 
This was totally unexpected and I was impressed at how she  researched and found out so much about me.  I am most grateful for this honour Zsa Zsa.

I emailed Zsa Zsa to thank you. Her response was:- " I really try to feature all the wonderful ladies and artists and followers who participate in the blog! ( especially those like you- who take the time to comment and enjoy! 

Have you experienced kindness from an unexpected source?


83 comments:

  1. You made me cry. That was too kind and sweet and yes, tears of ... joy ...that I could make your day... that I could make a difference in your day. Thank you... you are very special indeed. ZsaZsa :)

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  2. Kindness is an underrated virtue, but its presence makes bad things bearable and good things a joy. Its impossible not to love someone who is genuinely kind I think! Going over to ZsaZsa's blog to see what she's said :) xxx

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  3. Yes, Helen... the post is beautiful and very well deserved, as you are a very special lady: creative, very gifted and kind. You are kind to everyone and constantly display affection towards others and appreciation of other people's creativity.

    Artists tend to be a bit selfish and self centred (and I know, because I married one!)but YOU... you are the exception! You are very generous and not at all selfish. You love people and I actually would like to thank you for being Helen. I think you are very special, indeed!

    And thank you to ZsaZsa for posting the wonderful, moving images. I love them all... I so "find" my inner self in those colours and images: the boats, the flowers, the colours: you speak a language which is very close to poetry and I love it, Helen! Like Van gogh, you can be "read" and I love your "punctuation!"

    I can tell that you lived by the sea. There is no escaping from it: you can hear to sound of the mermaids!

    Love

    ANNA

    xx

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  4. Your paintings glitter like Zsa Zsa's lovely blog.

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  5. I LOVE Zsa Zsa Bellagio's blog.... it's one of my favourites and, i saw this morning that she had featured you. Your paintings look wonderful Helen. So colourful and full of expression. I always want to visit the places that you paint !
    If we all gave just a little more kindness everyday, the world would be a better place.....and, many thanks for always being so kind to me. XXXX

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  6. Hello ZsaZsa

    I am speechless. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. You have made my day and continue to bring joy by writing your uplifting blog.
    As always,
    Helen xx

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  7. Mrs. Exeter

    I love how you have defined kindness.
    I agree kindness endears us to the person. The sheer unselfishness alone speaks loudly.
    I know you will love ZsaZsa's blog
    and thank you for stopping by
    Wishing you a joyful Sunday
    Helen xx

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  8. Dearest Kind Anna

    You have been so kind and generous with your words of praise, encouragement and friendship.
    I hope I can live up to these expectations.
    I believe it takes one who was born by the ocean to recognize it in another. The connection to mermaids, I cannot say I met one. Seals I met many and they used sit on the rocks outside my bedroom window and bark and make the most wonderful racket.

    Anna, thank you for your friendship and the joy your bring in your posts.
    Helen xx

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  9. Hello Becky

    Yes indeed ZsaZsa is a true artist, I agree completely with you on this.
    Have a wonderful weekend. I thank you for your constant support
    Helen xx

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  10. Jacqueline@HOME

    I thank you Jacqueline for your uplifting comments and kindness.
    It is like we are cousins out here in blogtopia, I love when we are all connected through posts. Often we are followers of the same bloggers and it is an added kinship.
    Your blog always brings joy and thanks for being you.

    Helen xx

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  11. Such beautiful words and such a wonderful act!
    She was so right to highlight you Helen as you are an extraordinary woman!
    I am heading over now to check it out!!!
    Lots of love on a Sunday!!!

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  12. What a lovely post! I'lm headed over to see your feature now. :)

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  13. La Dolphina

    Hello Terri

    How are you? You are so kind to say such beautiful words. I really must live up to your expectations. It was just such a surprise to see my picture in a blog ad wonder how it got there. I know you will love ZsaZsa's blog.

    Helen xx

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  14. From the Right Bank

    I thank you for your visit and for taking the time to read Zsa Zsa's post.
    Wishing you a great day

    Helen xx

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  15. Hello Helen:
    Our cup has indeed been running over with kindness from both usual and unexpected sources through all our recent troubles. The kindness of strangers has, we have to say, been the most disarming, it really does reduce one to tears.

    Your work very much deserves wide recognition. It has a vitality and a confidence with colour that makes it remarkable in our view. And you, of course, dearest Helen, have been kindness itself to us and for that we are very, very grateful.

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  16. Jane & Lance Hattattt

    I am not in the least surprised to hear that your cup runneth over with kindness extended by friends in blogtopia. Your dwelling would be under several feet of water if the true measure of your kindness was estimated. One only has to visit your blog to see the outpouring of kindness and thoughtfullness you extend.
    Your support of my art and compliments are truly appreciated.
    God bless the day our paths crossed.
    Wishing you a week of joy and healing.

    As always,
    Helen xx

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  17. I am looking forward to heading over to read your tribute. Kindness is an underestimated act. So often we forget one kind word or action can make the whole day brighter for someone. Such a simple and lovely word. Bonnie

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  18. Congrats on the feature - you deserve it! Going to check it out now :)
    Stacy

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  19. I remember I was on the bridge to Sausalito some fifteen years ago and saw ahead of me on a bumper the words, 'Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.'

    Those words became grafted into who I am, and though the atoms in our bodies turn over completely in seven years -- it is still a part of me.

    A beautiful topic for a blog post, Helen. Thank you.

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  20. There's a lot of kindness going round and coming round out in Blogtopia - it somehow attracts all the dearest people, those with a quick smile and ready understanding. You and ZsaZsa deserve one another's esteem.

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  21. Hi Helen,

    So sweet of of Zsa Zsa to write about your blog. I will pop over and have a look!

    Enjoy your new week!

    Madelief x

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  22. Just saw your painting Helen. They look beautiful!! I wrote to Zsa Zsa that they make a cold and grey January day in Holland much more cheerful!

    Madelief x

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  23. That is so sweet...you certainly deserve to be recognized Helen. I have received some amazing emails with support which I find surprising...that someone would take the time and say such wonderful things. I do find people in this little world of blogging to be very thoughtful, kind and supportive.
    xo
    annie

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  24. Hello Bonnie
    Thanks for stopping by and for going to ZsaZsaBellagio's blog. She will like your visit. You are so right in that we underestimate kindness and how little it costs us yet can mean so much to another.
    Thank you for your kindness. Helen xx

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  25. Well deserved! I do enjoy my visits here! Cathy

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  26. Look forward to getting to know you better here. Thanks for visiting today and staying.

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  27. Dear Helen--I look forward to reading about you. Kindness is a beautiful word and act. I have been working on practicing random acts of kindness and have indeed been the recipient, which is very moving.

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  28. Stacy Curran

    Hello Stacy,

    Thank you for stopping and your good wishes are appreciated.
    I believe you will like Zsa Zsa's blog.
    Helen xx

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  29. Hello Suze

    It is interesting how that bumper sticker spoke to you and was life changing. I do believe discipline and forming a habit of being kind works. There is also a connection between kindness and good manners, one sometimes flows to the other.
    Thank you for your comment and kindness

    Helen xx

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  30. Hello Mise

    You also have wonderful followers and I was so delighted to meet you this Autumn. Who knew blogtopia could wave its wand and make this happen. Thank you and wishing you a great week

    Helen xx

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  31. Hello Madelief

    Thank you for your support and kindness. It was totally unexpected and that also enhances the surprise of it all.
    I am happy you stopped at Zsa Zsa's blog, I feel you would enjoy it.
    To a great week and I hope you are fully recovered and have full energy back
    Helen xx

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  32. Hello again Madelief

    Thank you for your most flattering compliment on my paintings and for writing to Zsa Zsa.

    Hope the sun will shine in Holland this weeek.

    Helen xx

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  33. Hello Annie

    You say the sweetest words.

    I am happy to hear of the wonderful friendships and support you have found in Blogtopia. It truly makes for such joy in our days.

    Wishing you a week full of kindness and goodness

    Helen xx

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  34. Grand Ma K

    Hello Cathy

    And I, too, love when you visit me.

    Thanks for your kindness and good wishes

    Helen xx

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  35. S.Etole

    A big warm welcome to you and thank you for following my blog and comments.

    I am also looking forward to knowing you and your blog.

    Helen xx

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  36. Hello Jen

    Thank you for visiting and I appreciate your kind and generous comments.

    I am happy to hear you are the recipient of kindness and this does not surprise me as you are a generous person.

    Helen xx

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  37. Hi Helen,
    I just was catching up on Zsa Zsa today and I saw that she had featured you!!!! I was so excited i ran over to congratulate you, but I guess I'm a little late!! Can I still sneak in a compliment? Because it is quite an honor to appear on her blog, as she only shows the most beautiful of images! And she has certainly found them in your work. I gave her The Blog on Fire Award a month or two ago, as I am blown away by the amount of work she puts into it every single day! So congratulations to the both of you! Mutually kind and mutually Excellent!!!
    xx
    dawne

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  38. Oh, that is wonderful and so nice to hear about it. You are fantastically creative and supportive and your comments and visits to my blog have not gone unnoticed. I am off to go read what Zsa Zsa said about you!

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  39. Dawne Boynton Polis

    Hello Dawne

    The party will always await your arrival and you are in good time. Thank you for your beautiful kind comments and support.

    I do agree Zsa Zsa puts an astounding amount of time into her research. I do not even know where she got all the images of my work.

    That she posted this without any prior contact with me just made the surprise so much more so.
    Your Award to her is most fitting.
    You also are to be complimented on your beautiful blog.

    Thank you so very much for stopping by, the door is always open.

    Helen xx

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  40. Rabbit Town Annimator

    Thank you for your kindness and visits. I so enjoy your blog.
    I feel you will appreciate Zsa Zsa Bellagio's blog for its creative content and message.

    Helen xx

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  41. Rachel Cotterill

    Good Morning Rachel and a lovely surprise to hear from you today.

    Wishing you a week of kindness

    Helen xx

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  42. What a nice surprise for you. I try to be a kinder person now, because you hear so much about grumpy old people. :)

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  43. Well Helen, your post starts with such touching words. Then I go across to Zsa Zsa's beautiful blog and see you in all your glory! Then I come back and read the most heart rending comments....but I am not at all surprised. You are indeed a most talented artist, but so much more. You are all that everyone else says you are and more.

    Since I have had the pleasure of communicating with you, you have been kind, caring, funny, creative, sensitive and encouraging. This is just the beginning of all the wonderful things coming your way!

    Thank you for the lovely comments you left on my post. The Secret Garden has long been a favourite in our house too!
    With warmest wishes, love Linda x

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  44. Another true example of practicing random acts of kindness. You are a wonderful talent and it's nice when that is recognized. Have a wonderful day!!

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  45. This is great Helen. Isn't it incredible how we think and feel the same thoughts. I frequently feel the warmth of kindness simply by thinking about what someone has done for me, and I feel so good. I am all for KINDNESS! xxx

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  46. Grammy Goodwill

    You made me laugh, you are the least likely grumpy person I know.

    Thanks for your comment and wishing you a joyful day

    Helen xx

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  47. Flowers at my table

    Dearest Linda

    You are so kind and generous with your compliments. Thank you most sincerely. It was a total surprise to see my face on Zsa Zsa Bellagios blog.
    Thank you for stopping over and visiting her. I know you will like her blog.
    Hope the sun shines in Antrim this week.
    Fondly

    Helen xx

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  48. Designchic

    I thank you for your encouraging words on my paintings.

    Being the recipient of kindness just make the day so much more pleasant.I hope you experience kindness and goodness every day

    Helen xx

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  49. Little Mrs Jeans

    You are so right when you say even recalling kindness reinforces that feeling of joy in us.

    Wishing you kindness, goodness and attentive cats this week.

    Helen xx

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  50. Zsa Zsa is so sweet and so are you! You are a kind person and it's well deserved.

    Have a great day, Helen!

    Jessie
    www.mixandchic.com

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  51. Dearest Helen
    Kindness is to be found right here in your wonderful blog. It comes from you and all your followers who have written comments.
    It comes as no surprise that Zsa Zsa has featured you on her post.
    You deserve all the praise you get.
    Love Abby and hugs from Spotty xx

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  52. Mix and Chic

    Hello Jessie

    Thanks for your kind words and your visits, I truly appreciate hearing from you and your blog is beautiful and a reflection of you

    Helenxx

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  53. My Spotty Pony
    Dear Abby and Spotty

    I thank you for your supreme compliment.
    My days are brightened by all the kindness and friendship extended from my favourite bloggers. I truly have the best followers in the whole blogsphere..Yeah!!
    To a great week Abby

    Helen xx

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  54. Thanks for stopping by Helen. Hope you are having a good week. lovely post by the way!

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  55. i'm not surprised.. you are that kind of kind, and what you put out there will surely come back to you. and it has {i'm sure it's not the first or last time, either}.

    love your thoughts and sentiments here today. i needed to be reminded of kindness... giving it and recognizing those who give it... and cherishing those who do.

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  56. Collage of Life

    Hello Jeanne

    How sweet and kind for you to say this and for stopping by.

    Helenxx

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  57. Anu @ My Dream Canvas

    A warm welcome to my blog and thank you for your comment.

    Wishing you a great week also

    Helenxx

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  58. That was very kind of ZsaZsa to feature you dahhling...

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  59. Dear Helen...Being featured on Zsa Zsa's lovely blog couldn't have happened to a 'kinder' person! Your kind heart and sweet soul always brings a smile and warmth to my heart...thank you!
    Now I'm off to read Zsa Zsa's post.
    Blessings...♥
    xo J~

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  60. HRH The Duchess of State

    Hello my dahling - yes indeed it was a wonderful surprise to be featured by Zsa Zsa Bellagio. Don't you jut love her name?

    Helen xx

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  61. 24 Corners

    Hello Jessie

    You are more than sweet and kind for stopping by.

    I love your blog an you write from the heart. I know you will enjoy Zsa Zsa's blog.

    To a great week

    Helen xx

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  62. I do like the quote regarding kindness especially not expecting anything in return after giving of oneself.
    I would love to know you in 'real' life
    Helen because you are kindness through and through!
    xx

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  63. Sorry for my rather late 'Hello'' Just to tell you that I am enjoying your beaoutiful blog on this rainy day. Such a great company..

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  64. Beautiful post, Helen. Have a creative and happy day xx

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  65. Kindness gives kindness!
    Happy weekend! Lot's of inspirations!

    xoxo

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  66. Love the words by John and your paintings on zsa zsa' blog are amazing and yes I think in the blogging world are many kind people

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  67. Red Rose and Crystal Annie

    How kind of you to leave a comment.
    I wonder if we should use the word kindness if something is expected in return. Now I shall be thinking of this.
    Perhaps some day our paths shall cross and that would be very special for me too.

    Helenxx

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  68. Turquoise Diairies

    It is never too late to visit and say hello. Many thanks for stopping by and what a beautiful compliment you pay me that you should find enjoyment in my blog. You have made my day.

    Helen xx

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  69. Hello Saskia


    Thank you for your kind words and may your day be also full of joy and creativity.

    Helen xx

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  70. Victoria Art

    Hello Victoria

    What a beautiful sentence "kindness gives kindness" That is powerful and I must think about it.

    Wishing you a weekend full of peace and interesting walks

    Helen xx

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  71. Hello Marja

    Yes you are so right when you say the blogging world has kind people.
    Thank you for visiting Zsa Zsa Bellagio's blog also. She has such a natural way of posting and it appears effortless yet must require planning and thought.

    Have a joyful weekend and looking forward to visiting and catching up

    Helen xx

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  72. As the talented Jewel says in her song "In the end, only kindness matters".

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  73. How lovely! As I was reading your quotations about kindness I was thinking how kind your own comments on my blog always are. Thank you.

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  74. What a wonderful post! How very kind indeed, but also very well deserved. You are such a talented and gifted artist!

    all the best,
    Louise

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  75. It is a bitterly cold day here in Italy so I am staying warm and cosy by the fire and catching up on my blog reading. What a lovely surprise to find yourself featured on another blog.

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  76. Hello Jacqueline

    That is a beautiful quote and I am in total agreement, without kindness it would be a very different world.

    Thank you for your part in this connection.

    Helen xx

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  77. Hello Floss

    Thank you for such a beautiful compliment, I must try and live up to what you say. It is always a pleasure hearing from you and reading about your life in France.

    Helen xx

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  78. Louise @ Cosmetic Bee

    What a beautiful compliment you pay me dear Lousie. I am very grateful to have you as my follower and I thoroughly enjoy your beautiful blog.

    Helen xx

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  79. Lindy Lou Mac in Italy

    Hello Lindy Lou
    I hope the inclement weather improves and that bright spring sunshine will flow through your window.
    It was indeed a delightful and unexpected surprise to be featured by a blogger whom I respect so much.
    My best

    Helen xx

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  80. Hi Helen,
    Here is the link to that charity you requested.

    http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/snehalaya-meaning-the-home-with-love-in-hindi/

    Cheers,
    Carolynn Cecilia

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  81. My dear Helen, you exude kindness and vivacity and you are unfailingly polite and thoughtful. It is a wonderful stroke of luck and honour for me to cultivate a blog friendship with you. You teach me how to be kind and to reach out to those who need most. The composer, Julie Styne once wrote "Make someone happy and you'll be happy too". I think it's very true. I shall check on your recommended ZsaZsa's blog. Thanks again my dear Helen. Yours always, ASD x

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