thankfulness #2

When I lived in Colorado, I loved to hike. It was never about the end result, always the process. Always. I especially loved the sounds. There were hundreds of coniferous trees and when the wind would blow through the needles and cones it would make a beautiful hum.

While walking the dog the other morning, I passed two huge coniferous trees right as the wind blew. I stopped in my tracks. That sound. My eyes filled with tears. I’m thankful for those trees…a bit of Colorado in the desert.

4.

I’m also thankful for…

5. new life

6. the “newness” of each day

7. a good farmers market, bubbling with excitement and fresh food

8. and a friend who drove nearly 12 hours for a visit.

There is so much for which I am thankful.

thankfulness

I don’t typically participate in weekly blog events but I was captivated by this one.



I am keeping my own personal journal but thought, for the Mondays I blog, I would record some that I logged that week.

I am thankful.

1. An evening storm that results in beautiful sunrise clouds.

2.  My silent friend, Duke.

3.  The peaceful yet wild location we take our morning walks.

Sing to the Lord a new song;
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Psalm 96:1

summer songs

I appreciate how I can hear a song and instantly be transported back to a different time.  Different music reminds me of various significant times (significant to me, at least) in my life–the summer I moved to Colorado, when I met my husband, etc.

Hidden away in our little house on our little street in our little town, I’ve had a significant summer.  The solitude has provided so much time to reflect, create, and learn.  The song below (along with most of the songs from the album, “The House Show”) will be the song that inevitably transports me back to the summer of 2009.

Unfortunately, this song is not on youtube yet but here’s a link to listen.  It’s beautiful.

I Repent by Derek Webb

I repent, I repent of my pursuit of America’s dream
I repent, I repent of living like I deserve anything
Of my house, my fence, my kids, my wife
In our suburb where we’re safe and white
I am wrong and of these things I repent

I repent, I repent of parading my liberty
I repent. I repent of paying for what I get for free
And for the way I believe that I am living right
By trading sins for others that are easier to hide
I am wrong and of these things I repent

I repent judging by a law that even I can’t keep
Of wearing righteousness like a disguise
To see through the planks in my own eyes

I repent, I repent of trading Truth for false unity
I repent, I repent of confusing peace and idolatry
By caring more of what they think than what I know of what we need
By domesticating you until you look just like me
I am wrong and of these things I repent

morning nostalgia

When I was young, I would spends week-long “vacations” at my grandparents house.  They lived in a small house on a small farm.  There was an orchard and a garden, a pond with fish, fields with cattle, and a pig pen.  There was no air-conditioning.  We were a ways from town and no one my age lived near.  I loved it!

I’m not sure what it is–the temperature, birds singing, the smells, or the solitude–but this morning reminds me of those wonderful weeks.

My grandmother is now very sick and lives in a nursing home.  She battles extreme pain and longs to be with the Lord.  My grandfather drives up every morning and sits by her bed all day while she sleeps, moans, and tries to eat.  He rarely returns to his empty home before dinner.

My grandma and I always had a special relationship.  I would work with her in the garden, kitchen, or other “house duties” and then, when those were finished, she would sit in her rocking chair in the kitchen, read her bible, eat chocolate chips, and drink sweet tea.  She had a sheet with a running tally of how many times she read the bible from front to back, she loves the Lord.

She was a tough cookie.  Plagued with epilepsy and osteoporosis, she was hunched over but could still be caught climbing up on countertops to reach something on the top-most cabinet or practically falling into the deep freezer trying to get something off the bottom.  We didn’t have deep conversations, she wasn’t like that.  But I just “got” her and she seemed to “get” me.  I would even go so far as to say we were close.

I miss her.  She’s not the same and I feel so very sad that she spends everyday in such pain.

books worth your time

“Once I read a story about a butterfly in the subway, and today, I saw one. It got on at 42nd, and off at 59th, where, I assume it was going to Bloomingdales to buy a hat that will turn out to be a mistake – as almost all hats are.“  ~Kathleen Kelly (You’ve Got Mail)

I’m heading out for a little vacation in a couple days and will not be accompanied by my computer.  I thought it would be a nice little break away from the virtual world (a world I wonder if I’m too invested in…do you ever wonder that?).  I thought before I left, I would post a few books I’ve read or currently reading this summer.  Although, before I tell you about the books, I want to tell you about this hang-up I have with reading.

I love to read.  In fact, I would say it’s border-line obsession.  When I was younger and lived at home there was a rule, “no books at the table”…and still, I would bring one and set it in my lap, trying to “casually” look down to read.  Needless to say, I have never had the gift of subtlety.  When I went to college there was no time to read–my free time was spent studying or sleeping.  And then I became a teen librarian and if I was reading, I felt obligated to read teen books.  Well, now I’m free.  I can read whatever I want and I’m pretty stubborn about it.  If I don’t like a book, regardless how far through it I may be, I’ll put it down and be done with it.  Time set aside to read is a valuable thing; I certainly do not want to waste your time.  </End Rant>

(imho)

Escape by Carolyn Jessop

This powerful book left me re-evaluating how I view typical American life.  Born into the Fundamentalist Latter-Day Saints, she was quickly given into marriage right out of high school to a very important man in her religion, many years her senior.  This chronicles her life in the community and eventually her escape.  While the book evokes a lot of emotions, it’s not an emotional book for the sake of being emotional.  She’s direct and very matter-of-fact about some issues that are difficult to read.  It’s not a religious book by any stretch of the imagination (in fact, toward the end she mentions she’s not in the market for “another god”).  If you read this book, I would love to know your thoughts!

Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

Profound.  Like his other book (The Tipping Point, yes you should read that one too), he inspires me to think about things differently.  The book evaluates success and the “I came from nothing” story of fame, wealth, or expertise; every time I would doubt his theories, he would cover it by the end of the chapter.  “The lives of outliers — those people whose achievements fall outside normal experience — follow a peculiar and unexpected logic, and making the logic plain Gladwell presents a fascinating and provacative blueprint for making the most of human potential” (from the book jacket).  This book covers such a range, from the Beatles and Bill Gates,  to the “asians are good at math” stereotype.

Dearest Friend by Lynne Withey

This is a non-fiction book about the life of Abigail Adams, the wife of America’s second president.  I’m not a history buff but I love this book.  Because John and Abigail were apart for long, they wrote hundreds of letters–thus the foundation of the book.  Abigail is portrayed as a vibrant woman who unendingly supported her husband, though not afraid to have an opinion. Although this is a bit longer than the other books listed, it is worth it!

Lying Awake by Mark Salzman

I’m rereading this book this summer.  Jen (the gal who requested this post) is a friend from college and had to endure one of the worst professors in the history of mankind with me.  However, the one good thing I got from the class was this book (and direct training on how to deal with difficult people in authority positions, but that’s beside the point).  This fiction book is about a nun who has spent years of service at a Carmelite monastery.  She begins receiving visions (waking dreams) that are blessing her and her sisters.  Unfortunately, following the dreams are unbearable headaches.  She is faced with the choice to cure her headaches and potentially end her visions.  It’s a fascinating look at the cloistered life!

True Nature: An Illustrated Journal of Four Seasons in Solitude by Barbara Bash

I can not tell you enough times how much I LOVE Pilgrim At Tinker Creek.  It’s other-worldly and art…and you should read it.  But if you want to start slow with those types of reflective books, you must try True Nature.  While I’m not Buddhist by any stretch of the imagination (the author is and mentions it on occasion), the contemplative nature of the book is an inspiration to spend more time reflecting…being quiet.  I’ve read this book over 10 times and every time I get something new out of it.  At simply 140 pages and literally filled with illustrations, it takes no time to read–but I encourage you to absorb the meaning.  (A friend of mine got it from the Barnes & Noble discount books section–don’t you love finding treasures there!)

And I can’t wait to finish Pilgrim At Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard…so I can start reading her other books!

*Edit made to fill in a portion of Dearest Friend that was deleted.

art

I must share something with you.  I must.

I added a new book to my top five favorites–and I haven’t even completed it.  It is art.

I told a friend that I would post about good books I’m reading/have read but I simply could not wait to tell you about this book.  In fact, one reason I’m even posting about it now is so that I may dwell in the complexity of the book and not read it; when I read, I draw closer to the end.

Before proceeding, I must warn you: this is a rare book and not for everyone.  The purpose of the book does not seem to be to learn something, to follow an interesting plot, or read about complex characters.  It is about the journey.  While I am a fast reader, I was forced to slow my pace, reign in my wild thoughts, breathe, and absorb each word.  Each paragraph holds something other-worldly.

What is it about, you ask?  I cannot say.  In fact, before I began reading, I looked a for a synopsis on the book jacket and back flap–none could be found, just the praise of reviewers (expected from a Pulitzer Prize winning book).  With much apprehension, I began reading.  It is art.

If you decide to take the leap and read this book, please buy a copy–you’ll need to underline so much.

“This book of wonder is one of the truly beautiful books of this or any other season…which, on any page, offers a passage one can scarcely wait to share with a friend.  It is a triumph.” -Publishers Weekly

reasons to buy an older home…

Each day of sunshine reveals more surprises!

a bunch of flowers

This post is different than my usual life-update.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

I love flowers. A lot.
And for my birthday this year, my dh sent me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I think I have ever received.

When you look at that picture, you have a choice. You can either choose to focus on the bouquet as a whole or you can look at the flowers individually. That’s kinda how my mental script has been the past week or so. I’ve got a bunch of thoughts whirling around…though, I have to admit, I’m not quite seeing the big picture. Here’s a look at a couple of the individual flowers (read– thoughts) :

Balancing My Time: For reasons I can’t particularly disclose here, I have quite a bit of free time this summer. I have so much I want to do and don’t trust myself to not whittle away my days reading books. I stumbled across this blog post and have had it in my mind ever since.  I’ve drawn out my own graph and have even written little reminders (or suggestions) of things I can do in different categories (lest I not do a category on a certain day claiming “I could not think of anything”).  I’m beginning to discover the things I devote too much time to and those, not enough.  Also, moving to a new area makes the “others” category…hmm…interesting.

Prayer: I’ve been thinking about how to integrate this into every moment.  At one point my life was so difficult (for lack of a better word) that the moments I wasn’t talking, I was praying.  I needed it.  Must I face trials to remember to pray in all things?  Most of my thoughts on this subject are still intangible.

Word: As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth.  And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he would be born blind?  Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.“ John 9:1-3 What areas of my life have I written off as “well, that’s just life”?  How often am I oblivious?

Thought:  Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible.  Plow ahead like a steamship, which moves forward whether facing rough or smooth seas, and in rain or shine.  Remember, the goal is simply to carry the cargo and to make it to port. ~Maltbie D. Babcock

Persecution/Oppression/Trials: I just finished reading Escape and have been reading the news all week.  More intangible thoughts here.

There is more but it’s still caught up in the mental whirling.  I’m encouraged I have so much depth to ponder.  Thank goodness for flowers!

What’s on your mind this summer?

ten things i love about you [nm]

It’s official. I live in New Mexico. It has been a while since I wrote last and to the thousands three of you who read this blog, I apologize.

To ring in this very exciting move, I thought I would list 10 things I love about my home. (Warning: Seth told me I sound like an “Earth-Muffin-Hippie-Princess when I mentioned some of my favorites to him. To that, I say, “ree”.) In no particular order…

#1: The insects!
There are fewer of the “annoying” types: mosquitoes, ticks (though not technically an insect), sweat bees, etc–and ooooodles of beauties. Would you look at this beetle I met!? He was just walking down the sidewalk.

Also, while trying to open the back gate, I noticed something bright green out of the corner of my eye. Low and behold: fangs.

(not an insect, but pretty durn cool)

#2: Living in our house
I’ve lived in apartments and a townhome but living in a house that is not connected to anyone else is the life!! I will post pictures once it starts looking more like a house and less like a nice climate-controlled storage facility for cardboard boxes and random furniture.

#3: My puppy
Ok, at 80 lbs he’s not quite a puppy but I shore do love him. We got Duke from a dude at Sheppard (he rescued him from the side of the road in West Texas). He’s beautiful and has the sweetest personality.

#4: Low humidity
I hate humidity, almost as much as mosquitoes. Being in an area with little to no humidity is like a dream come true! *sigh*
Which leads me to my next favorite thing so far:

#5: The Sky
The sky here reminds me so much of the Colorado sky. The lack of humidity makes the blue sky so crisp and clear.

#6: My Own Backyard
Having my own backyard is sweet. I pretty much live on the back porch (because, even though it’s hot outside, the lack of humidity makes it tolerable). I have already planted a few things and I’m learning to use a rotary mower. And I must mention the critters…

#7: The Critters
I already mentioned Duke but I recently discovered we have a family of…wait for it…TOADS!! I saw this hole by the porch the other day and looked inside and saw something spotted. I naturally assumed it was a snake.

The next day, when the sprinkler system came on, the Toad family hopped out! Hooray for toads!

#8: Church
No picture for this one but we already found a church. . . where they actually sing hymns. It’s amazing! The people here have been so nice and the town seems to really appreciate the military!

#9: Small town
Again no picture but I just love the small town feel this place has. At nearly 40,000 folks, it’s not that small…but certainly smaller than I’ve lived in for a good-long while.

#10: My DH loves his job.
Granted, he’s still in trainings, but he likes the work he’s going to be doing and the people he’ll be working with.

It’s the good life.

adventures at the sea…

Last weekend we had a blast doing the touristy thing here in San Antonio.  A couple of the dudes from Seth’s class let me tag along for a trip to Sea World. We started out watching a play put on by sea lions, otters, a walrus, and a couple humans.  It was amazing!

Afterwards we went and watch Shamu, which I completely forgot to take photos of because I was IN AWE of how amazing they were.  They had a really lame show about believing in yourself and you can do anything…but the whales were spectacular!

It really wasn’t too busy because it was soooo cold on Saturday.  Makin’ the best of a less than desirable situation.

Besides the walrus, the penguins were darling.  I love the male penguin with his chest all pooched out.

And my favorite part of all?!  The dolphins.  The camera isn’t zoomed in.  I was really this close.  That’s Seth’s hand on the right!

Last, but certainly not least, the dudes and Seth after their trip on one of the roller coasters (did you know there are roller coasters at Sea World?!).

More next time!