Tuesday, February 4, 2014

a spot of cheer

 
A friend sent this photo to me today
don't know where she got it from
she didn't write anything
sending it was enough
I got it
Oh this long long miserable winter
but a friend sent me a pot full of warm cheer
and hope
and
joy
 
 


Saturday, January 25, 2014

Dreaming of White Clover

 
Got a call from a friend from Galena
Want me to check on the house? he asks
Sure
He called back and said our propane tank was empty
and it is 5 degrees outside
and we are on a keep full basis.....so much for that
 
Now, don't worry, it's taken care of
and we always shut the water off
but.....lordie.....this winter
has been one lesson
that I am still trying to figure out what I need to learn
from it
 
I guess....trust that this too shall pass
and tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes
and tomorrow is always a gift
as is today
I have been looking out the window a lot
surveying the frozen tundra of a garden
and wishing and dreaming and lusting for color
making plans
Wanting to make a new garden this year
redo a few areas.....I know I say that every winter
But this time it is different...I am thinking
small and do-able
not grand and overwhelming
like sewing white Dutch clover in a barren area
between houses....oh! I hear you screaming
But I am wanting more bees and the smell of clover flowers
and the ability to make clover necklaces
while lying in it
 looking up
with sky mind
 yes....I think I shall invite clover in
and let the sorrel stay
along with the purple clover that bees
go gaga over
I am a wench after all.....I welcome all
Who am I to stand in judgment of anyone
Come all ye faithful
Yes this year it will be different
I shall do as I please in my garden
and it shall please me
joy
 
 
 


Wednesday, January 15, 2014




There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude,
a quiet joy


...ralph h. blum








The house has been quiet since the family
...left to return to California
...four birthdays celebrated
...a birth-day rejoiced in
...an anniversary given thanks for...
...Tuula was Christened
...the Christmas decorations all put away
I slept 9 hours



Many years ago I started a gratitude journal
heard of it on Oprah
Sarah BanBreathnache's book....Simple Abundance
......A literal journal of five things everyday that I was thankful for
I found that it was not much different than the daily prayers
I prayed
...insight....I have learned from childhood to be thankful
for everything given me
But Sarah was right...it is the simple things
that lift you up with joy
Like my garden
the birds
the bugs
the toads
the sky
the wind
heat on my skin
seeing cold in my breath














By late summer I am done with the garden
but oh good Lord
I am desiring it by early January
I guess feeding my birds and critters outside
is a way of gardening though
They fluff their fur or feathers
wait at my door or window
for my tending of the feeders
This garden connection continues
and I am grateful
The sight of the Cardinal against the snow
....pure joy

Oh it was so cold this late December
and snow was wet and heavy




The snow is a welcomed thing as far as beauty goes
it is beautiful and wonderful
...but it gets old quickly



Now it is early January and the weather
is not too bad...20
a few flakes yesterday after much of the 10 inches had melted
The garden covered in heavenly white is welcomed
but today the dirtiness of melted snow is present
ying and yang in a way
joy sorrow


and I rejoiced
when I saw the squirrel trying to hide from me at the gutter
You survived little guy...yeah
It was a few bitter bitter nights


My feral cat Handsome is long gone
I shall write about him someday and what he meant to me
but I want to tell you that another cat has arrived
A large, dirty, scraggly old orange and white striper
another scaredy cat



And butterball Ms Kitty O'Shea
doesn't like it





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