Potato Soup And Praise Of Craziness

A cold, rainy  and windy day
Feels like it could snow.

On a recent trip to the big city
I stopped in the upscale bake shop
bought my special bread
and noticed their soup for the day
potato with an addition of turnips and mushrooms.
Now I do not usually like any soup but my own
but ordered a cup - it came with a crusty piece of bread.
Oh, it was so good.
So, today at noon I made my potato soup,
was able to find 4 small turnips in the garden
had fresh mushrooms on hand
I made my soup a little different.
It was good.....

~~~~~On cold evenings
my grandmother
with ownership of half her mind...
the other half having flown back to Bohemia..

spread newspapers over the porch floor
so, she said, the garden ants could crawl beneath,
as under a blanket, and keep warm,

and what shall I wish for, for myself,
but, being so struck by the lightning of year,
to be like her with what is left, that loving.

~~In Praise Of Craziness, Of A Certain Kind~~    Mary Oliver

Protected And Winter Solstice Is Approaching

For some reason this image
gives me a sense of peace
and protection.

The days are so short
the nights so long.
Time is approaching December 22.
Predicted time for days to begin
little by little to be a little longer.
I like the word Winter Solstice...

After many trips to big city for tests,
all involved to check out this container
for my spirit and soul - seems I may need
repair work on area where 2 years ago
 gall bladder surgery was performed.

Very independent, not wanting to be a burden
 and a family that is
super busy but it will come together.

Still not sure if I will have this done.
I will take one day at a time
moment by moment and the answer
will come.

Today I am picking turnip greens for freezer :)

So an interference on my path of simplicity
and mindfulness.

Life is full of surprises, so we need to just
accept them and go on.

As I look at the above image
I can  feel the warmth and security that
that the baby birds feel under the wings
of  one who loves them....

~~He will cover you with his feathers
     He will shield you with his wings
     His faithful promises
     are your armor and  protection~~      Psalms 91:4

Beauty In The Sky And From The Earth

Picking turnip greens and a couple of turnips for evening meal  on a crisp middle December evening
Looked up at the sky
Beautiful
Went inside for camera
pictures just now downloaded
and not disappointed....

Life is Good.....

Afghan

This afghan was purchased close to 40 years ago.   Bought it when when family lived  in the really big house.
 Fall and Winter it is now on the end of my bed.
Very heavy and if extra warmth is needed it comes in handy

I always have the same thoughts in my mind ......
the needles used to crochet this afghan must have been huge
and I always wonder who made something

I have enjoyed for many years.

Many years ago an elderly lady taught me how to crochet.   Afghan's were made for the children, grandchildren
and a few special people.  Anna Lee is no longer living and what wonderful memories I have of her.  I never left her home without a piece of a plant or something she had cooked.
She did not drive and was always home.  Cooking, gardening and all kinds of beautiful handwork occupied her time.  She taught me  a very simple pattern and I have always wished I had someone
close by to instruct me once again.   I think I have forgotten how to sit and crochet.

There is nothing more peaceful then on a very cold or rainy day to sit by the fire and crochet. Absorbed in the counting process, not another thought would enter my mind.    Not realizing at that time in my life that I was practicing a form of mindfulness. 

Mindfulness now is practiced with an awareness of what I am doing.

Notes On My Desk

I am always copying special words
and putting on my desk by computer.

Glance  at them on and off through the day

This morning I see.....

Breathing in I am aware of my heart
Breathing out I smile to my heart....

I have to eat, drink and work in a way
that preserves my health and well being....

Facing something unknown in the future
I copied this

It is OK to feel what I am feeling
and in this moment I am perfectly safe
I am living in the moment
this precious moment....
(Dear Laura, thank you for these words)

Blessed are the merciful
for they will be shown mercy          Mathew 5:7

Let us be silent, that we may hear
the whispers of the gods  -  Ralph Waldo Emerson

If one's life is simple, contentment has to come.  Simplicity is
extremely important for happiness.  Having few desires,
feeling satisfied with what you have, is very vital - satisfaciton
with just enough food, clothing, and shelter to protect
yourself.  Finally, there is an intense delight in
abandoning faulty states of mind and in cultivating
helpful ones in meditation.      The Dalai Lama

A new book has arrived and sits on my desk
 "Van Gogh The Life"
on a rainy day I will begin to read.

Incense

This post was written a little over a year ago.
Have started burning incense again
and love the smell.
Using healing incense and
am trying something new
a Tibetan Cedarwood Incense.
I now am using an wooden incense holder
instead of using a flower pot filled with sand :)
I loved that blue  flower pot and the bottom fell out .

Many times entering my son's small home there would be the most wonderful fragrance.

In the fall and winter he always burned incense.

This practice began in my home about 4 years ago.

Now that Fall has arrived in the woods - I love the scent of incense burning and find it comforting.

A wood burning fireplace is missed and guess this is something that has a woodsy scent.

Usually purchase a type that claims to have healing qualities and is made by Tibetan monks.

To capture a picture of the smoke rising was challenging.

A cold and very windy day. Some of the leaves surrounding the cottage are blowing away.

Chili on the stove and a new addition was used - my fresh basil.

Shining Through The Trees

So dark here in the country
but the wondrous brightness
of the moon is shining
through the trees.

Made me smile at the
end of a busy day....

Very  aware that
winter solstice is 2 weeks away.

What a welcome to have longer
days begin.

At the moment the days are so short
and nights so long....