Day After Christmas

This being human is a guest house. Every morning is a new arrival.  A joy; a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.  Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.  He may be clearing you out for some new delight.  The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.  Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. – Rumi Translated by Coleman Barks

Snow

Christmas Day

Lord Jesus Christ, you are the gentle moon and joyful stars, that watch over the darkest night.  You are the source of all peace, reconciling the whole universe to the Father.  You are the source of all rest, calming troubled hearts, and bringing sleep to weary bodies.  You are the sweetness that fills our minds with quiet joy, and can turn the worst nightmares into dreams of heaven.  May I dream of your sweetness, rest in your arms, be at one with your Father, and be comforted in the knowledge that you always watch over me.  Erasmus

Beautiful Snow Geese

On my way home from Boulder yesterday on a snowy slow traffic day, I watched the beautiful geese in the sky, flying in formation. Did you know that when one goose is injured his/her mate goes down to the ground with it until it is better? Swans are the same way.

Paige Ruby

Do you think she will be ready for the slopes soon?

Early December Morning….Light Snow Descending

Good thing, Peanut and I got up early this December Saturday morning. The heater in the bathroom flipped the electrical switch to my refrigerator.  I went out on the dark deck in the forest to flip it back on. While standing at the metal box with my new little LED flashlight, lace like, light flakes of snow fell on my white cotton sleep blouse.  The creek below, said good morning with it’s consistent, gurgling, roar  and the Christmas lights on the neighbors deck reflected through the frozen mist. Pretty cool in more than one way.

I would probably be back in bed if it were not for Facebook.  Gosh, how that phenomena of a social website can pull one in! But the coffee tastes good, Peanut had an early breakfast and is snoozing at the foot of my bed under the comforter in a little cozy lump and life is starting to wake up this early Saturday morning in this village.

Whoops, the coffee maker was effected by the electrical spoof but now it’s been warmed up.  My little Christmas tree is lit in the morning darkness, my new blue spruce candle wax is melting on the wood burning stove in a piece of pottery and the scent is Christmasy and earthy.  Time to put another log in the stove and I may just go back and join Peanut under the warmth of the comforter. Maybe read the rest of yesterday’s Denver Post.

However, talking about morning life, I have a new grandchild and her mother, my beautiful daughter,  is probably up early too in her far away village, looking in to her big beautiful new life eyes (She says she can’t keep her eyes off her, she is so awesome) and warming each other this early December morning, with love.

For ALL of this on this December morning, I am grateful.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Website

Comment(required)

 

Pirate Squirrels in on my Deck in Manitou

OK YOU Sons of Bitches Squirrels! I am waving the white flag! You almost got my big rug for your winter nest but John downstairs retrieved it at the creek and I caught you on the edge of the deck with it in your little buck teeth. And you bit off the last of my still green tomatoes! And I threw them in the forest in anger (so enjoy!). I know, I know, you are peaceful Nepalese squirrels with Eunice’s flags from Nepal hanging from last year’s winter nest, but to me you are nasty little Pirates!

After the Rain at Dusk

Sunday Morning at the European Cafe

Only in Manitou Springs does one walk out of the restaurant in which they had breakfast and have the Search and Rescue SUV pull up in front of you and deliver an injured man to his car. There’s a race going on up the mountain and it looks like he took a big fall, but was able to walk. Supposed to be 93 today in Manitou Springs. That’s damn hot as Oklahomans would say.

Manitou Springs, Colorado

Grace

“Heaven is a radical act of grace on God’s part.”"Grace strikes us when we are in great pain and restlessness.  It strikes us when we walk through the dark valley of a meaningless and empty life.  It strikes us when our disgust for our own being, our indifference, our weakness, our hostility, and our lack of direction and composure have become intolerable to us.  It strikes us when , year after year, the longed-for perfection of life does not appear, when the old compulsions reign with us as they have for decades, when despair destroys all joy and courage.  Sometimes at that moment a wave of light breaks into our darkness, and it is as though a voice were saying: “You are accepted.” Paul Tillich

Spring in Manitou Springs; Slow but Worth the Wait

May 10th Outside my Deck