…doesn’t make the world go round.”
But love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
Love…
LOVE!
Yes, LOVE!
“..is what makes the ride worthwhile.”–Franklin P. Jones
Always has.
Always will.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
c
c2015 Naomi Baltuck
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Published by Naomi Baltuck
When not actually writing, I am researching the world with my long-suffering husband and our two kids, or outside editing my garden.
My novel, The Keeper of the Crystal Spring (Viking Penguin), can be read in English, German, Spanish, and Italian. My storytelling anthology, Apples From Heaven, garnered four national awards, including the Anne Izard Storytellers’ Choice. I am currently working on a contemporary women’s novel.
View all posts by Naomi Baltuck
Writing Between the Lines 
Love your style, your smile, your jazz and pizzazz, my friend!! Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Priscilla! You too, dear friend!
And love can travel great distances. Here’s a big Hug from Oz coming your way!
Dear Meg, I’m feeling it all the way back from Down Under. I had so much fun looking at photos from your last trip and remembering what fun we had! Happy Valentine’s Day, dear lass!
Much love,
Naomi
I can’t find the LOVE button, Naomi. Forgive me for clicking the little modest ‘like.’
This post is too delightful for words. You’ve pulled at the strings of my heart. Yes, this is all l.o.v.e. ❤ ❤ ❤
Dear Tess,
You are so sweet, and you always always make me smile. Thanks so much for every kind word over the YEARS. Happy Valentine’s Day, Tess!
Love,
Naomi
Happy Valentines, Naomi, to you and the rest of your lovely family.
You pay me a wonderful compliment. Thank you. You always make me smile too. ❤ ❤
Yes it does! Isn’t that Pat in the Orange shirt with you?
Dear Carol,
Yes, that’s Pat! She and Sharon (also pictured) are some of my oldest and dearest friends in the storytelling world. Turns out I won’t be able to reach her for a couple more days, but I can hardly wait to tell her how we figured out the Train Mountain connection!
If you scroll down this post you can see a charming photo of Pat, taken at that same time as the photo in this post. She is SUCH a good sport!
https://naomibaltuck.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/got-glow/
Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friend!
Love,
Naomi
I love it! I hardly know her, but it looks like she’d be a kick. Happy Valentines Day to you!
Hi Carol,
Yes, she is a lot of fun, and much more besides. We spoke today, and she sends her best. Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friend!
Love is the best four-letter word.
Hi Richard,
You are so right, dear cousin! Happy Valentine’s Day and lots of hugs to you and all the young’uns!
This is lovely, Naomi! What a beautiful picture of you with Sharon Creeden and Pat Peterson. Would it be possible to send me a copy?
Yvonne Young
Hi Yvonne,
So good to hear from you! The quality isn’t great, as we were backlit in a photo snapped by our friendly waiter, but I opted for emotional essence rather than technical perfection. I would be glad to email it to you. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love this, Naomi! You expressed my sentiments perfectly. xo
Hi Jill,
Thank you so much for the visit, and for your sweet message. Best wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Warmly,
Naomi
This is delightful….your words and pictures say it all! Thank you.
Hi Jane,
Thanks so much for the visit, and for sharing your lovely response. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Philip!
Just brilliant!!!! Thank you for putting a huge smile in my heart. Happy Love Month!!! xoxo
Love, love, love this! LOL! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Thank you, Britt. I love, love, love your response!
Hi Jake! Thanks for the eye popping Valentine! I wish you a happy Valentine’s Day too!
Love this! Perfect! 🙂
Thanks, Naomi. Hoping your day is sweet!
❤
janet
Love this! So true!
Thanks for the visit, Lisa. Best wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love, love, love!
Thanks, Mary! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Perfectly said!!
Thank you, Cybele!
So beautiful 🙂 Happy Valentine’s Day and weekend, dear Naomi, Thank you, love, nia
Dear Nia,
Thank you so much! Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
Love,
Naomi
Ahh nice. Not that I’m a great believer 🙂 Was that smoochy one in the old graveyard in Ireland?
Naomi, love your post …. you have showed that love is around us everyday and not only 14th of Febr. For me love is something we should give so often we have the chance. *smile
Thank you for sharing your thoughts–you’re right–I too believe with all my heart that we shouldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks or Valentine’s Day to express love and friendship.
Naomi, I totally agree with you – we should show are love when we have a chance …. otherwise it can be too late. Also all the lonely people will really feel left out on days like mother’s & father’s – and Valentine. Loneliness feels so much tougher on days like that.
That is so true. I’ve always observed Valentine’s Day as an inclusive holiday to celebrate friendship, rather than an exclusive for couples only. It’s interesting that you should mention Mother’s and Father’s Day, which many people don’t think of as an exclusive holiday. I lost my dad when I was eight and my mother when I was thirty-three. I have celebrated the Other Mother’s Day, in honor of my mother-in-law, or celebrated my husband’s role as a father, but I am going to have to think about how to make these days more meaningful to people who have no living parents or children. Of course, it is possible to honor our late parents, which I have done in blogposts, but that can also be kind of sad. Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments that have me thinking in a new light!
Naomi, you have the right idea – I always think about what mother’s and father’s day does to those that what children so badly, but not able to get any. So many couples out there that try so hard. There is no more lonely holiday than Christmas for those without family, that is why I went to Istanbul this Christmas to get away from it all.
I personal think we honor our passed beloved ones in the moment we think about them.
After all is all those special days only a commerical thing to make us spend more money and spend money that many of us don’t even have.
Lovely talking to you. *smile
I have been up north at a cabin and away from the internet at a writing retreat, and am catching up with my messages. I came home to find this, and was so moved by it. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I agree with you–any day you give thanks is a day of thanksgiving, any day you express your love is Valentine’s Day, and any day you remember your parents is Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. I think there must be some way for wordpress to set up an event or some kind of party to connect people, even online, for the holidays. We will be visiting my son in Istanbul soon, as he is working in Turkey right now. Is there anything you recommend we do in Istanbul?
Working in Istanbul …. lucky him. When it’s about Istanbul … it’s eveything. I’m not that kind of person that needs to que up for our hours to get inside a mousque. I want to walk around on the side streets … but one thing I would say you should stay away from is their fish on fish restaurants, far too much bone in the fish. *laughing.
Click on my tag Istanbul and you will see … my city. Going back in the beginning of June.
There is so much to see … and to take in. One of the most exciting cities in the world.
Can’t wait to read all about your meeting with Istanbul. Just enjoy and let it delight you.
Thank you! I will be visiting your site to look at your visit. My son and I were there in 2012, and we had a very nice time. But my husband and daughter have never been there. My son and I visited the mosques and museums, but we also loved to wander through the streets and market, and watch people going about their lives. Eli works and lives in Malatya, which is much farther east, toward Syria, but he can get to Istanbul by air for the weekend. But if he has a long weekend, he uses it to go to the Republic of Georgia, and Budapest, or other places in the area that he hasn’t been to. Thanks for taking the time to tell me about your experience, and I will visit your blog for more of your stories.
You should visit Princes’ Islands … if you haven’t been. Very special. All I can say is just let Istanbul dellight you. I will be going back in the beginning of June for 5 days. Maybe I already told you about that.
I’ve never heard of the Princes’ Islands–just looked it up and it gets some nice reviews! It’s always fun to discover to new places. I hope you will post photos and tell show us some of your adventures in your blog!
Naomi, I haven’t been there – but going next visit – the ferry journey takes a bit of time. Of course I will post and post … now Hong Kong and Japan is coming up and you will be sick and tired of all the post that will come out of that trip.
I will recommend a fantastic restaurant – booking is must …. not expensive, but great food …. “Zübeyir Ocakbaşı” – they have a grill on every floor where the food is cooked infront of you. A real gem. Looking forward to your “reports” and images too.
As the famous four from Merseyside once sang “All You Need Is Love”. And you’ve proved them right, Naomi 🙂
Thank you, Sarah. It’s at the top of my play list!
Thanks for all the lovely smiling faces, Naomi! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Hi Millie, thanks for the visit. I hope you are well! It’s always good to hear from you.
All we need is love………fabulous images, Naomi. I’m sure you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day. xx
Thank you, Sylvia. It was a good day, and I know, as you have a life overflowing with love, that yours was too!
How delightful, Naomi! Wonderful images, I had a continuous smile on my face going through these. Happy Belated Valentine’s!
Thank you for the visit, your lovely response, and for all the good wishes. You made my day. Wishing you a great weekend.
Winner of the Valentine’s Day posts!!
Hi Jean,
Thanks so much for that big boost! I hope your Valentine’s Day was a good one, Jean!
You are so generous! I hope your springtime has arrived, Jean, and that it’s a good one.
LOVE your post!
Hi Elisa,Thanks so much!
Thank you, Elisa! I hope you are well!
Good to see these pictures on the theme of love. Very positive.
Dear Shimon,
If I had to pick a thread that is woven through my life from start to finish, it would have to be love. Thanks so much for the visit–it is always good to hear from you. I hope you are well!
Love,
Naomi
Dear Shimon, thank you for the visit and for the kind word! I hope you are well.
Such fun! A warm hug, my dear! Not that you need another. What am I saying? We always need another! 🙂 I spent my Valentine’s Day at the Carnival at Loule in the Algarve. The other half really enjoyed those dancing girls, showing off their assets. Is that true love? Well, it made me smile too. Take care, sweetheart.
Dear Jo, I’ll take it! I’ve heard that people need a minimum of four hugs a day to contribute to their well being. It sounds like you had a VERY exciting Valentine’s Day! Sending you hugs from Seattle!
So true….and your beautiful memories show what fun you have had along the way! Beautiful post Naomi 🙂
Dear Madhu,
Thank you so much for the visit, and for your very kind words!
What a fabulous collection Naomi. I have to say the kangaroo and the girl jumped our of the computer at me. How can one not smile at that?!
Hi Sue,
Thanks so much for the visit, and for taking the time to comment. That photo is one of my favorites too. The girl is my daughter Bea, and she and this little guy connected so beautifully in a very quiet moment.
A lovely Valentines tribute Naomi – proving how many different and wonderful kinds of love there can be. Great job.
Thank you, Tina!
Great post Naomi … I love the photographs. Best wishes & happy weekend Aquileana 😀
Hello! Thanks so much for the visit! I have been enjoying your blog too!
Perfect! 😀
Thank you, Terri! So good to hear from you. I hope you are well and settling in to your new home!
Great pictures! Thanks. Made my day.
Thank you, Cecilia. Your visit just made my day!
I missed the Valentine’s Day party, Naomi! But I did wish to go back and check some posts along the way. This one here holds so many facets of love and your personal stories, too. I love the one with your daughter, mother and you. It is like a few I have with my two daughters, Mom and I. We are so blessed to have love in all its array and meanings held. It is definitely a ‘ride of a lifetime!’
Hi Robin,
Thank you for your visit. That is my mom and my sister and her kids in that photo. Unfortunately, she died the year before my first child was born, but I had the pleasure of seeing her as a grandma to two of my older sisters’ children, and she was the best grandma any kid could have wished for. I am so happy for you and your mom and daughters! You are twice blessed, once because you are, and twice because you know it.
I am late to this post – but I am taking a peek around at older posts and really was glad to find this –
I like the joyful feeling of your different depictions of love…
The two chairs photo is so cool – with the shadows and the angle – and this quote is so true,
Love….
“..is what makes the ride worthwhile.”–Franklin P. Jones
❤ ❤
Thanks so much for the visit, and sharing your thoughts!
🙂