BUDS AND BLOSSOMS

"Every spring is a perpetual astonishment."

~ Ellis Peters ~

The sheer variety of plants and trees that come into bloom in the spring in Virginia 

are enough to convince me of 

the glory of God. 

It's a spectacular show of buds and berries and blossoms and color. 

It's humbling.

It's inspiring.

It's awakening.

It's renewal, 

and 

It's here, now. 

I celebrate the spring!

MENTAL NOISE

"Men are... prisoners of their... minds."

~ FDR ~

Most of the time, things are actually better than we think they are in our minds, which seem to like to create problems so they can fret and fuss all day over solving them. We focus internally to deal with whatever seems to be the trouble, and we miss all the goodness right in front of us... until something startles us out of our negative meditation and we are relieved.
     There is a sweetness in letting go of our mental fixations, and a spaciousness to the energy of surrendering to the moment and the day.

I stop creating problems in my mind. 

EMOTIONAL ROLLER COASTER

"All emotions are pure which gather you and lift you up; the emotion is impure which seizes only one side of your being and so distorts you."

~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~

Sometimes it's a challenge to know what's going on with our emotions. They seem all over the map, and while we have some awareness that our discombobulated state is disconcerting to those around us, we have little power to stop what triggers us. We're along for the ride. And sometimes later, in hindsight, we understand what was going on with us, and sometimes we don't ever know.
     The only thing that's certain is that how we feel will change, so if we just hang in there, confusion may well shift into clarity, or determination, or anger, or joy.

I ride the waves of my emotions with a certain detachment, and the knowledge that just because I feel something doesn't necessarily make it true. 

THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

"Deny yourself the connection to the wild places that your soul craves and the fire inside you will slowly turn to ash."

~ Creek Stewart ~

I love the mountains, and particularly, the mountains in Virginia, where I live. They rise gently curving above the landscape: deep blue, dark blue, green, and grey. Their presence is a constant reminder of spaciousness and light and life beyond the immediate and the mundane.
     At times in my life, I have lived in places without mountains, or with sharply pointed and peaked mountains, and at those times, I've experienced a lost-ness and a missing- for the beautiful rolling skyline of my home state.

I love and am comforted by the natural features of the place I call home. 

SMART CARS

"This is (a) beautiful time in human history; it is ...pregnant with all kinds of creative possibilities made possible by science and technology."

~ Jonas Salk ~

My old car died, and I have a new little car that I love! It's a Ford Escape Titanium, it's comfortable, solid on the road, zippy to drive, and has all the latest and greatest bells and whistles. I scoffed at all of these before I had them, and now, they delight me every day!
     Thanks to technology, my car is my true partner on any journey, an always willing traveler, and a comforting friend.

Technology has its advantages. 

ALL TOGETHER

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world.

Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

~ Margaret Meade ~

We have an amazing team of people working on our farm reconstruction project with us, and they are all so different from each other, and all so perfectly suited to what they do. I respect them, and feel a certain tenderness towards them for their integrity, their workmanship, and the genuine way they seem to care about us and their part in what we're creating. In a subtle, and mutually protective kind of way, we are taking care of each other.

I am blessed to be surrounded by hard working, high-integrity individuals.

FEELING BLESSED

"Thanks are justly due for boons unbought."

~ Ovid ~

I am grateful for spring flowers and early blooming trees. 

I am grateful for my health and the health of those I love. 

I am grateful for opportunity and evolution and spirit and kindness, 

and whatever experience life may offer me up. 

I am grateful for my husband who is also my best friend. 

I am grateful for color and sunshine 

and soft sheets 

and cozy covers.

I am grateful.