Guest Post: Marilyn Miller

Each of us has a story to tell.
I have so appreciated and

enjoyed each story being shared.

Here is my story.

 

 

As a young girl, I dreamt of being a fashion designer.

I would design clothes from scraps of cloth for my dolls.

My family didn’t understand that desire to be a creative soul,

so after a while, my dream left me,

but it must have really just been tucked away

in a corner of my heart.

 

 

As I was approaching forty years old

I began evaluating my life.

Where had I gone?

I had married at 21 and had two children by the time I was 30.

I was a mom and a wife,

but that little tickle in my heart was still there.

 

Finally, I put a voice to this dream

and went back to school gaining

a degree in apparel design.

I didn’t become a famous designer,

but I had a 25-year career as an apparel

pattern maker and technical designer

for several well-known companies

in the Portland, Oregon area.

I was proud of what I had accomplished

and I think my family was too.

I retired from Nike at 65 years old.

 

 

While I was at Nike

I began coming across blogging.

Corey’s beautiful blog was

the first one I discovered.

Whenever I needed a few moments

to break at work

I headed to her blog and

took a mental holiday.

It brought me so much joy.

After I retired I decided to write a blog,

 

Delights of the Heart. 

 

 With my last bonus check from Nike,

I invested in a “big girl” camera.

Well I didn’t even know-how

to turn the camera on,

but with blogging, forced me to learn.

Blogging and taking pictures

gives me an outlet to share

and still have a creative outlet. 

 

 

While I was working at Nike

I realized I had one more dream.

It was to have my own business.

After making a list of the things

I loved I realized I loved drinking tea.

Simple isn’t it?

Just sit and drink tea all day I thought.

Do I open a tearoom?

No, that is a restaurant.

Being involved with product development

I would love making products

for other tearooms.

 

 

I developed a line of jams and jellies

made with tea and sold them wholesale to tearooms for 9 years.

Now I sell on Etsy "Marmaladys", 

a line of tea-related sewing patterns.

See the connection?

I was a pattern-maker

that now has incorporated tea

into the picture.

 

 

Friendships and connections

always touch my heart.

The people I have met through

pursuing my joys has delighted me. 

How I would still love to meet Corey,

but when I travel the I-5 corridor

from Oregon to California

I make a stop in Willows

and have met Corey’s mom a couple of times.

Yes, connections and friendships

are my total joy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Always curious and learning,

it keeps my heart young

and puts a smile on my face.

 

 

 

You can also find me on 

Instagram @marilyntea 

or on Facebook

where I share quotes, tea pictures,

pictures from nature and my garden.

Occasionally my grandson pops in there too.  

At 69 years old I became

a first-time grandma and  

I love having my

           8-year-old grandson by my side.H

 

Comments

[Jeanne]

My dear Marilyn. I have loved this blog posting.
You are very dear to us all.
Blessings my friend
and thank you Corey for sharing your blog for all these guest postings
Much love

[Liese]

I very much like all your photographs - the investment in a proper camera is always worth it.Every day I read the stories of women here telling about their lives I'm amazed at the enormous creativity that has been building up so far !

[Valarie LaBore]

I love that I get to see Marilyn's beautiful photos every day on Facebook, and have shared tea with her a few times in person too. Life can be beautiful.
Val

[Penni]

"Mental Holiday" - I love that, perfect description of this beautiful blog! I am amazed at everyone's accomplishments, just incredible what all you women have done! Marilyn your phots are gorgeous! I love that you were/are a pattern maker -such a skill is rare! It's so motivating to read how you have been able to grow and build on all your talents and loves to make a company to call your own! Thank you for sharing!!

[Jennifer Phillipps]

Well done Marilyn
Lovely to see that your creative journey has taken many different avenues and now you have moved to photography, which is a very gratifying pastime. I loved all your images and reading your story. Best wishes for the festive season from NZ. - Jennifer

[jackie]

I love reading about all of these diverse and interesting people. A pattern maker for Nike who pivots into photography and writing books. I bet you're great at puzzles:) Marilyn, your photographs are lovely and the child's tea party book looks like great fun.

[Sue J.]

Brava for creativity and several reinventions! Love the photography.

[Kambria]

Marilyn,
I just want to sit in your garden and enjoy all the blossoms, tea and wildlife! Beautifully done. I now follow your blog, inspired by its romance and calming energy. Thanks for sharing.🥰

[Ali]

Oh, you wonderful lady! You pursued your dream and -Just did it. Love your Instagram account.
Fabulous photos.
Thank you
Ali

[Cathy Smallwood]

What a pleasure to see a tea friend on one of my favorite blogs! Thank you for sharing your story!

[Marilyn]

Thank you everyone for your very kind comments and love.

[Linda Piazza]

I loved this post, Marilyn! Now I'm off to check out your FB profile!