One step forward, two steps back

Over the weekend I finished the vine section on my pillow cover. 

The flowers on the vine are simply heart-shaped

beads with the addition of straight stitches

and small beads.  The leaves are bullion stitches, 

done with variegated thread, surrounded by 

lazy-daisy stitches.

I also added a little school of fish.

I added some 'waves' in the water closest to the land, but hated the look, so frogged those.  I will show you tomorrow what I did instead.  This afternoon I stitched a floral section on the lower right and when I removed the tissue paper pattern I hate that too.  I very stupidly forgot that it should be on the level with the bottom of the posts the seagull is perched on.  So....there's more rippit-ing in my future!

Unless I can add more flowers.

Hmmm.

Today I have another poem I found in my mother's papers, unfortunately I don't know the author.  I do know it wasn't my mother.  

A GOOD FRIEND

It's hard to make the climb alone,

To take the upward trend, 

If no one understands you,

No sympathetic friend.

The cup of fame is hollow

Though it be burnished bright,

Unless one sees reflected

A face within it's light.

If someone loves to listen,

To weep when you weep too,

And shares your own ambition

In harmony with you.

If someone takes an interest

And soul goes forth with soul,

The struggle seems so different

More worthwhile than the goal.

The heart leaps high with courage,

New plans with visions blend,

You would not dare to disappoint

The hopes of one true friend.