Quite by chance....

 I know I have mentioned the local Books for Free shop managed by Healthy Planet more than a few times! I try and promote it to as many people locally as I can, more so after today's visit when I found out that a buyer has finally been found for the old carpet showroom they are based in . This means they are homeless, and with no alternative base available, may disappear in as little as two weeks. It made me browse with a bit more speed and I'd just picked up this old gardening book after a cursory look at the illustrations when a beekeeping book caught my eye. I was so taken with finding it for my husband and talking to the volunteers about the impending trauma of their move or demise that I didn't realise what a gem it was until I reached home.

 It is full of beautiful line drawings of both annuals and herbaceous plants........

 .... and some of the pages held pressed specimens of leaves and flowers........

 ...... and a leaflet and admission tickets for one of the properties I was responsible for when I worked for the National Trust locally - albeit a decade earlier than my time ........

 ....... and at the back was an old birthday card.......

 .... with a beautiful sentiment - a heartful of love from Mother. Do they ever give anything less?

And if all that wasn't enough, nestled behind the birthday card was this gorgeous old photo. I'm guessing it's 1920's or so and don't those shy smiles just tug at your heart strings? I wonder if one of them owned the book and received the card from their mother? Who knows?
I only know that this chance find is going to fund lots of ideas for me. I consider myself very lucky to have found both the book and these two lovely girls.