The Gift of Listening

Silence is a source of great strength
Lao Tzu

You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time
M.Scott Peck

To listen fully means to pay close attention to what is being said beneath the words. You listen not only for what someone knows, but for what he or she is. Ears operate at the speed of sound, which is far slower then the speed of light the eyes take in. Generative listening is the art of developing deeper silence in yourself, so you can slow our minds hearing to your ears' natural speed, and hear beneath the words to their meaning.
Peter Senge

One Woman has someone who truly listens to her. Listens and does not speak a word until she is finished. It touches her heart. Thank you!!!

Mom Is Still Amazed

I just read my daughter's blog. I shake my head and smile as I read what she wrote.

I agree totally with her and I was just as protective of her, sisters and brother.

http://blondemomblog.com./

It is just that the years when she was home with mom - she was so quiet and perfect in every way that I never saw this aggressive spark in her (and some of the vocabulary used). But - that is what your protective nature for your children does. During her childhood I was aware of her writing talent - all I can say is "she pleases her mom".

Anyway this gave me a morning smile. Read the link where she also posted something.

I can just see her out with her camera, writing about this and maybe on television!!!

Regarding - One Woman's life - it rained all night and very windy. My rocking chair on front porch is in another location. Plan a trip to the city this morning to clean on garden.

Will not stay long but something will be accomplished. With the wind, who knows - maybe all I was going to do has blown away - wishful thinking.

Also, my number one son is on American soil.

Inside Day

She welcomed being inside today. Did some inside chores and took this picture of books by her chair. Most of them have a book mark in them. Seems she has not been very disciplined with her reading. So many other things to distract her. Mentally planning her garden, looking out windows to view birds, quickly taking an image, and just daydreaming - when she is not running errands or on computer.

Enjoyed reading some of John O"Donohue's "Bless The Space Between Us". Also, spent time going through some of my hand written journals that go back many years.

Renew thyself completely each day: do it again, and again, and forever again.
Chinese inscription cited by Thoreau in Walden

It is raining and O.W. is recovering from many phone calls to phone company about her air card.
On the phone with technical assistants (that is what they call them) for hours yesterday.
Everyone told her something different and nothing worked. The last call - and of course - they are in another country - was the straw that broke the camels back.

Downloading something on computer so that air card could be re programed and half way through the download - which half took about 25 minutes - the download would stop. Went through this procedure twice.

The last person that was helping her said he could spend no more time on this, he had other customers and someone would call her later. She lost her temper and her emotions took over - asked if he could not see her through this procedure, since hours had already been spent trying to correct the situation - he said "no". Phone company later apologized for this employee.

So upset that she could hardly sleep last night. She wishes she did not get upset so easily.
But then maybe it would affect other people the same way.

So bottom line - the air card is being replaced. So hopefully the new card works satisfactorily.

Sun is suppose to shine tomorrow and she will be back in the garden.

Spring Fever

Yesterday required a trip to the big city. Hope the blood work is fine. The city house looks fine and Spring is a few weeks ahead in that location. The windows across the street - will soon be smiling - her son will be home.

Back to the country, Callie is sitting in the front field waiting for her mistress to return. This puts a smile on her face. A quick change into her old (favorite) clothes and 60 buttercup bulbs are planted along with a clump of peonies from an old neighborhood.

Plants are being put on screen porch, birds love the new feeder, blue birds starting to occupy their homes and when evening arrives - One Woman's heart is smiling as she captures another beautiful sunset in the country.

Her Spring wish list: To spend less time on computer, pace herself with all she wants to accomplish, to keep her health, to enjoy this time of life and age gracefully.

As she reads this - she realizes she is continually redundant!!!

Special Guest, Buttercups and Sunflowers

Judy, one of the twins came to visit. Why have I always referred to her and sister as "one of the twins"?

It was a special visit and time of sharing. Memories of another time and place ... flood my mind... She brought me a bouquet of about 5 dozen buttercups. They are in the middle of my old table. They smell wonderful. I do not remember this flower having such a wonderful scent. Maybe it is because there are so many of them.

She also brought me a box with dozens of the bulbs, a mesh hanging (looks like a sock) Finch

seed holder. I have never seen one before. Also brought some seeds for large Sunflowers.

I love Sunflowers and the birds do also.

Her mother was one of my mother's younger sisters. These girls take after their mother with such a kind and gentle manner. A hug and "I love you" - touched my heart.

My Aunt Betty - passed away a number of years ago. She suffered from Alzheimer's and Judy was one of her main caregivers.

A nature path was made from my garden through the woods on this beautiful day. I will enjoy putting a special feeder or two along the path. This was not something I planned - it just kind of happened. I can hear my son's voice echoing in my ear "mama please do not clear the woods".

My kitchen garden area is so small that it was just prepared without tiller. Planted some green onions.

Enough for now - another beautiful day to enjoy.

How True

A beautiful and busy day yesterday. What a difference an hour drive South makes. There are signs of Spring everywhere in the city. Has not quite made it to the country yet. But it is on its way!!!!!

Time in the country and time in the city.

It is one of those March days when
the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold
when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade

Charles Dickens

Joy Is - Sometimes Looking Back

What a difference a year makes!!!!!!! Posted this one year ago. Seemed to have lost one picture - trying to post this again. Need to get off computer and start my day.

TOP PICTURE WAS TAKEN LAST FALL AFTER HOME WAS FINISHED - It tells me that a lot has been accomplished in a short time. Now my gardens are my next project.

Old Entry..........

I just returned from the country. I planned on staying all day and had packed my lunch.
Mud - Mud - Mud and no sunshine. But the workers were busy and I can see the progress.

Stayed about an hour and a half and headed back to the city. I was eating my lunch driving down the road.

When I returned this was sent to me. How can this grandma not smile and feel happy - when looking at this joyful little face.

They were so excited about this trip (mom doing some surveying to write a story). Wonderful accommodations came probably at a good rate. One little one in a conversation last night "oh grandma, it is beautiful here and we have our own room with twin beds - you should have come with us". I was invited but with all that is going on with building and selling I thought it better I stay home.

Joy is the feeling of grinning inside Melba Calgrove

Joy sent to One Woman this afternoon