Tend the garden

Worldly honor surrounds us
bearing its sweet heavenly fruit
if we but tend to the garden
humbly, with love and faith

04201996

Let it be so

Help us be the creatures of light we're meant to be,
that which we truly are.
Let love live in the center of our being,
filling every cell.
Let us give our hearts to the world,
giving it substance.
Our essence is to live and love,
let it be so.

04041996

To lift those clouds

Today, I postponed my work on the hill and planting to rest and go to town with friends. We visited another nursery with beautiful blooming roses and I encouraged my friend to add one to her purchases, instead, she added two, as she could choose between them: majestic white and glorious orange, as well as healthy lavender. I saw large wisteria and a lilac that would, either one, look lovely climbing up the side of the deck, the first I must prepare the flower bed by enclosing it in rocks, for which I bought a bag of cement, and then break up the hard dirt and add mulch in planning mix. If it is meant to be, the right one will still be there when I return. I must remember the proper preparation always comes first; the rest is in God's hands.

I found a cookie jar for my daughter's kitchen. She needs little surprises to let her know she is loved, even though she's across the country. The ties that bind are strong and reach far. Little things can and do mean so much.

My friend here is still suffering from depression, as is my daughter, one over finances and one over hair loss. Things will work out for both of them but when you are in the dark night of the soul it is hard to see the sun's rays breaking through. The clouds seem thick and dense and almost enshroud us until we learn to really see. Then we find they are but a mist that can be blown away by the breeze or lifted by the warmth of the sun. So too can we be lifted up when we allow God's light to shine through and help us look with greater clarity and less fear.

Sometimes what we experience are but life's little lessons to strengthen us and to prepare us, like a flower bed, for the beauty that will come into our lives and grow and prosper, that will blossom profusely and bring joy not only to us but all who behold the radiance of God's work fulfilled.

There is a time for all things under the sun God reminds us inpatients and faith are but a few of the lessons we learn.

05261962

Great changes in my life

I have been rethinking my blessings of this past year, the ending of one chapter in my life and a whole new world that has been given to me. I have achieved closure in some areas and a new door has opened. I have been transported from being enclosed away from wide-open spaces to the beauty of God's country.

I know that God answers our prayers and needs, not in the limited way it is our nature to believe, but in a greater, fuller, richer, way than we could imagine possible. I wanted space and God gave me a home on the hill with an endless expansive sky, great forested areas and a view that goes on for miles that takes the breath away. Where I formerly felt suppressed, I now feel serene and expansive.

God wants more for us than we possibly could ask for ourselves. I was in a job that had suppressed my joy and an estrangement with family that left me feeling empty at times. I've found when you ask God you'd better stand back for answers come quickly and in and abundance that can stagger our imaginations. The same day I prayed the job that was sucking the life out of me ended and a healing began, not just physically and mentally, but in a great spiritual growth that is taking me on a new path. God gave me back my dreams and the time and training to put them to use and, I'm sure, the expectation that I do so.

The gulf with my immediate family has not improved much and have learned you cannot force what others have no desire to give, but God has given me a wealth of family I never knew. Shortly after my prayer two cousins came back into my life I had not seen in many years and thanks to our mutual interest in genealogy I now have a wealth of cousins in a multitude of countries I'm getting to know and opportunities to travel and meet them. It is a healing not only for myself but others as well.

I've also been blessed with the new granddaughter who is dear to my heart and fills my life with joy even from miles away, as do all my grandchildren. God does give us what we need when we need it and all we need to do is ask and leave the answer to Him. Then be prepared to 'receive' and 'believe' that it will be so, for God loves us unconditionally and completely.

12021990

We Float

Stand up and feel
build upon trust
know what's right
love lets us float

04031989

Shoplifting

We shoplifted as children
stealing love from the shelves
taking it where we found it
filling our empty days

04041989

In the monastery

In the monastery, before the meal, we acknowledge our food as a gift of the universe, the earth, the sky, and hard work. Let us live in ways that transform us, that elevates the mind, that frees the soul. Give us understanding and love to meditate upon.

06221966

Brought to Life

I am wonderfully rich in consciousness. I am bountifully supplied with money and love. I now realize my plan for abundant living. I see my bank account continually filled with an all-sufficiency to meet every need with a divine surplus. I lovingly see myself sharing this bounty for the good of all according to the Father's guidance. I happily see every bill paid now. I joyfully see every obligation met, with great delight. Let me use love and wisdom to bring the dream to life.

08131996

Getting Lost

If you have a sacred place and use it, take advantage of it, something will happen. You'll connect with who you are, and who you might be. I've noticed other people's sacred space and I admire them for it. I've had dreams of a sacred space for myself, telling me I have a need for that quiet sacred spot. A place to celebrate, concentrate and consecrate my inner self. And so, I gather meaningful objects that evoke love and gratitude. Building a meditation table, covered with a lace cloth, angel candles, stones, and incense. Flowers too, along with my rosary, and here I lose myself in my being, one, part of all that is.

05201996

My Angel

Open my heart once more
illuminate the world with love
be the source of my strength
my angel there to guide me

03231995

Sliced in Two

I froze
my warmth lost
trying to make you melt
to thaw out your heart
mouth to mouth
brought you no life
it just sliced me in two

03161987

Protected

I have to trust that my angle will assist me in my new beginnings. Teaching me faith, how to accept uncertainty, and give me a firm belief that all comes out right in the end. Let me follow my heart to live a committed and meaningful life. Give me the knowledge that I'm guided, loved, and protected at all times.

03201996

Bring Me to Life

Help me strip off my mask of illusion
to see that it is love that is the essence
bring me to life to walk in the light

04041996

Can't defeat love

We can't hide from evil
it will find us in our fear
so, we must stand up to it
for it can't defeat love

04291996

Trust

Trust builds happiness
and bonds of love
just find the courage
and the reward is yours

04031996

Footprints

There are footprints in the snow leading up, leading out, and crossing the hill in ways roundabout. They're caught, ever captured from the porch in the light like a frightened rabbit being chased seeking safety and the night. Was it a hawk, a coyote, just what did it fear that caused these footprints across the snow to appear?

God does not give the snow-covered beauty just for me but for all those here that have the vision to see. Not just with the eyes but with love and spirit too. When we truly can see God's hand in everything we experience, we see anew. We have a chance to make each and every day to be in joy, be in grace, to be fully alive, to see the blessings in all things or to merely survive.

Each day is a gift and its slowly revealed with the sun arising or clouds overhead, the lift of the Birdsong and the sparkle of snow can be blessings in awareness in our tracks wherever we go. If we are willing to follow, to be open to change, to see each dapple of sunlight, soft falling rain, or wind-driven snow, not in cost but in gain. To not see a hardship they beauty bestowed in each sparkling snowflakes swirling and twirling from God in the heavens to the ground below. Think of each raindrop as a tear filled with love dropped down by the Angels and our Father above.

Footsteps can assure us of life all around like calling cards left in the snow on the ground. I am so very blessed to live in the most beautiful places filled with nature and seasons and led here by grace. Each morning when I arise I give thanks for this day and promise to be aware of each breath I take, of the squirrels and the birds to both share and partake of each moment, each sunbeam, each golden head flower, to savor each minute, treasure each hour. To not complain or bemoan another snowfall but to be grateful to live where it comes down at all.

Help me slow down to walk in the path where you have led me in peace to follow your track. God is the footprint I find in the snow, for He lives in all things and people I meet or those that I already know. He can take any form when coming to call, so be grateful when you see footprints to know He's here after all.

01011992

Thoughts of expansion and exploration

I can always hear the scamper of little feet; only here they are not children but furry, fluffy-tailed squirrels. Nevertheless, they are God's children too and he created them with the same love He has created all things with. I'm grateful to be able to provide some nourishment for them and they give me back much amusement with their antics.

I have finish shoveling the driveway, once again, and water runs off coursing down to the backyard as the sun slowly melts the snow, never clearing it completely this winter since the storms began but doing its best when it is warm to keep the drifts from getting out of hand. One small edge of the flower bed has melted off and a tiny golden freesia is peeking out from below, again surviving a pile of snow atop it.

I often wonder if there is an empty lot between my home and the neighbor's due to the vast space occupied by trees between them. I envision clearing part of it and building a garage with a studio atop where I can set up my drawing table, have a skylight, plenty of window light, storage, and a walkway to my house, as well as a gallery wall to display my artwork. It would be quite right to have an art studio as my home is perfect for living, especially for one, but will not accommodate my big drawing table, which is really a door. What you think God? Maybe even a second computer for my graphics.

I really feel that I need a place of business, what better way to walk to work if the lot was for sale, I could purchase it, and afford to build a dual-purpose studio/garage that would fill both my needs. I can see the clearing quite well and I would build up instead out, leaving the maximum forest area untouched for God's creatures in the unspoiled beauty of the land.

I still have not journeyed the depth and width of my backyard and I feel I should do that before long. To explore the pines that are part of my property. To get my country legs under me and not be in fear of falling down the hill, and to judge the best area to create a path using natural rocks as well as some stairs in the steep areas. It is a wonderful, peaceful, area to walk, to be in touch with God and nature. To find a spot to sit and meditate and just be at one with my surroundings.

God has led me to this area for a purpose and all will be revealed in time. Meanwhile, it is time to expand my horizons and to explore God's country in more depth.

04161990

Wet snow and rain

The winds howled through the night and the snow kept falling as well as building up to ever greater heights. Then the rains and wet snow came creating a heavy mush difficult and weighty to move. I cleared the decks only so I could put out seeds for the squirrels that came despite the inclement weather. They are more punctual than the postal carriers. The quail came in droves running down the hill as if a pot of gold were waiting at the bottom.

Everything today is as if seen through a layer of gauze, the moisture thick and damp. It is a good day to work on my greeting cards. I look through my recent photographs and decide which parts I would like to reproduce in card form and what I choose to eliminate. Two are gray, two-toned ones that remind me of today, almost monochrome, taken from the back deck. One is of a sunset with the mountain, a black relief in front and green tree branches in the foreground. It is quite diverse from the previous pictures and offers more variety and dimension to God's country.

The air is crisp when I step out for a break and I add another layer of clothes to ward off the chill. Today's a good day also to concentrate on my correspondence with his family. There is a treasured feeling to the written word, a cheerful card arriving in the mail that electronic greetings cannot substitute for, although they do serve their purpose. I believe we put more thought into a written letter than an electronic one.

I have correspondence from my childhood and they can re-create memories of times gone past, resurrect a loved one as we trace an old signature and lovingly written words. Sometimes I come across a pressed flower inserted within, still recognizable as a pansy or a rose. I will try to make my words today meaningful to those who receive them and seal them with blessings and send them on wings of Angels so that they too will know they are loved.

The winds come up in the evening in a new frenzy of cold that cuts through to the core. Big white billowing clouds gather beyond the mountain and the haze is not quite so dense as before. Now at least I can see the houses behind me and the smoke rising from chimneys where neighbors gather to ward off the cold as do I.

12241990

Shopping for Anne

Morning dawns gently today as the sky is overcast. There is a far-off rumbling of thunder. I have portioned out and filled all the feeders; Pesky's on the back deck, Peeker's on the front, a bowlful on the lower deck for the wee Chipmunks, the one in the trees, emptied just yesterday by a greedy squirrel, as well as throwing a bowl's worth on top of the hill. One Blue Jay screams loudly for me to hurry and go inside so he can steal the peanuts before the squirrel comes. One big gray came scampering down the neighbor's tree and is feasting on the Hill, soon the many quail will be here as well.

I will load up on seed, suet and treats in town. I almost postponed my drive to Santa Clarita as the snow started coming down but the minute there was a break in the clouds and the road seemed clear I was off on a wing and a prayer, trusting in God to watch over me on my journey and get me safely home.

As usual, when I went to the baby store, looking for a little outfit for Anne for Easter, I went a little crazy and bought her all kinds of jumpers, hats, dresses and bows. It seems to fill something within me for the lack of being near enough to hold and cuddle her, watch her learn to lift her chest, roll over and discover her feet, sing her lullabies and get wet sloppy kisses. I also found some bunny ears that my daughter was searching for. I'm certain it is a prop for more pictures.

I bought yet another birdfeeder. There are so many birds that come and the squirrels dominate as many feeders as they can, stealing all the seed. It's a month's worth of shopping in one grand spree. I bought more cat, bird, and squirrel supplies than for myself. God will supply for my needs as He has blessed me in return many times.

One of my former coworkers called and during our phone visit I mentioned looking for another curio cabinet for my many Angels. She just got a new one and is going to give me her small one as a gift. I can only accommodate a small one as my cabin is small with lots of windows that take up much of the wall space but bring in the beauty of my surroundings inside better than a picture for it is in constant change. God's generosity and love have already been promised and I am grateful.

02131990

Fear Not

Feel the energy of love,
let it flow through you...
give faith substance,
and you'll fear not....

01091996