December Sky

Yesterday at 4:30
almost dark
 the wind was blowing
It was bitter cold
But look at the sky.

Breathtaking....

I receive "Tricycle Daily Dharma" each morning.

An excerpt from one of Jack Kornfield's books "there are two kinds of suffering - the suffering you run away from and follows you everywhere and the suffering you face and truly find liberation."

A busy day ahead and it is too early in the morning for me to give this statement the thought it deserves and to also read several pages about some of the author's books.

Most of us have felt uncomfortable being compassionate with ourselves and dealing with our own hearts with love - and that is where it all begins.

That Was Then and This Is Now

I just finished ready Billy Graham's new book "Nearing Home"
It shares that his beloved wife Ruth would make the comment
"That was then and this is now"

I read these words
and they sure spoke to my heart.

For One Woman who is in her 3 score ten years.
Now is a good time.

I still smile at some memories that come to mind
but many are becoming more difficult to even remember.

My oldest granddaughter wrote me a note recently that shared
her special  memories of when she would visit the old farm house.
Playing in the orchard, times with Miss Molly my little dog,
riding the tractor, fishing in the pond and she reminded me of the
little bike I bought for her that had streamers hanging down from
the handle bars.

Now different memories are being made for my two youngest
grandchildren.   Times at grandma's walking the paths in the woods.
The fire pit that they like to stand by, running with Miss Callie,
the clocks in every room ticking and their comments that
it is so quiet here in this cottage and so dark at night because
there are no city street lights.  They will remember grandma
living in a cottage at the edge of the woods.

My children have different memories.   The times spent on a
farm where they grew up.  Horses and cows grazing in the fields,
swimming pool and my son's special go cart.

Then the memories of the really big home that was featured
in Southern Living magazine.  The country club dinners, the
trips to Jamaica, private school and all the perks of this
upscale lifestyle.

My older grandchildren  have memories of grandma alone
at an old farm house, homes she built and now recently
 returned
to  the country in a cottage at the edge of the woods

What in the world would have happened
without the encouragement from the strong
women in her family - her mother,a special aunt,
 grandmother's and it seems life always brought
a special person along at just the right time.
 Now they are all gone and
may she be as strong as they were and encourage
the generations that are coming behind her.

Wonders never cease - through all the
ups and downs she never gave up and
life continues to unfold.

That was then and this is now.....

~~~~regarding the picture of me and 4 children in the snow
my youngest Jamie - in the picture with me and my two youngest grandchildren
 had not been born as of yet~~~

A Poem

What I want to know, please, is
what is possible, and what is not.
If it is not, then I am for it.
My heart is out of its flesh-phase.
I am done with all of it, the habits, the patience,
Whoever I was, it is growing hazy and unforgettable.

Whoever I am, it is for mere appearance's sake.
It is for coin, and foolishness,
and I am thinking of something better.

All morning it has been raining.
In the language of the garden, this is happiness.
The tissues perk and shine.

Truly this is the poem worth keeping.
A mossy house anyone with any sense would enter
as soon as the soul begins
to desire the impossible.

I have never felt so young.

~~The Garden~~ by Mary Oliver

It is raining this morning in the woods and her poems never fail to speak to my heart.

May you have a day filled with happiness, health, safety and peace.

From one who lives at the edge of the woods.....

Waiting

Waiting for the phone to ring
or
an email.
That my dear ones are close
to home
I am not good at waiting
Oh,
while I am typing
a new Email has arrived

What I have been waiting for....

They have landed and close to home

Now I can breathe deeply and smile....

Thankful

Breathe Deep - Still So Much To Learn

A special brunch this morning.
Do not like leaving the woods for events like this
or really any event.
But this is a special friend who invited me.
I almost felt like the guest of honor as she introduced me
and asked me to give a blessing before our meal.

She also asked me to go in the room where her
husband was in a hospital bed
and pray with him.
I have never seen a room so neat and clean
He was wearing a beautiful red striped shirt.
Not a wrinkle in it.
She told him who I was as she removed the
oxygen from his nose.
He smiled....

It took me a while to calm down from the early morning
event on the way to her home

Driving peacefully down the road
I looked up
A police car was following me
Just thought he was out cruising
until the lights started flashing

I pulled over
heart beating rapidly as I did not
want to arrive late at my destination.

The officer took his time
sitting in his vehicle it seemed like
5 minutes.
Walked over
and I replied "what have I done"
he said the new year car tag was not
on my license plate.

It was purchased just 2 weeks ago
and I put it on my license plate.

Guess some are being stolen as I
 I do not think it could have
fallen off.

So I was told that after I went to
my friend's  to go to local courthouse
and report and secure another one.

I was the last one arriving to the brunch
and I wanted to be first.

It was time consuming to
secure another sticker and
a cost of $16.50.  not much
but the whole situation seemed
to unsettle me.

Guess the One Woman has a
lot to learn about staying calm.

At times like these
I always remember my son's advise.

~Walk slow, breath and smile~~

sometimes it is easier said then done.....

Festive Sage

I still have an abundance of Sage
There is nothing like fresh Sage in your
dressing for Thanksgiving dinner.
Thanks to Sharon
I just found another way to use.

Cream cheese spread thin on plastic wrap
spread with Sage leaves
rolled up, refrigerated and later sliced thin
 for special
crackers or bread.
This looks very festive....

http://sharonlovejoy.blogspot.com/

Needed

A much needed journey
for two loved ones.
Thankful for safe flight
Enjoy
Return home
rested and
at peace
Thank you for the image
Send you my love...