tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23159612190907627312024-03-26T23:37:02.281-07:00Earthy Blessings"We come to give thanks: for earth and sea and sky in harmony of color, the air of the eternal seeping through the physical, the everlasting glory dipping into time, we praise Thee." George F. MacLeodAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.comBlogger165125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-62175955529774883692024-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:002024-03-23T18:23:28.705-07:00Persistence<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj1ek7hevV4kyveBV0L_jkF-hj7OOIU7PyefBTqN4n9AjGJeLK4fvHXErERcOi-LyqV5uBITzlCBIzWas931RO6E34d-oBvW4xHfIVpK5adVaTbKfh7lYUtWy2ie1oG9fbWodEGivMFnp7WTLtGhWqSH_k-NifRjL5AFTdN_SUCRajzBxAZsELydIkjvQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img data-original-height="968" data-original-width="1327" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj1ek7hevV4kyveBV0L_jkF-hj7OOIU7PyefBTqN4n9AjGJeLK4fvHXErERcOi-LyqV5uBITzlCBIzWas931RO6E34d-oBvW4xHfIVpK5adVaTbKfh7lYUtWy2ie1oG9fbWodEGivMFnp7WTLtGhWqSH_k-NifRjL5AFTdN_SUCRajzBxAZsELydIkjvQ=w640-h466" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The great-horned owlet,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">first younster of the year,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">made him or herself known<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">last night,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">strident begging calls floating<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">across our field<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the darkness.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In the cold March rain,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">the bluebird pair chose today<br />to begin nest building,<br />carrying soggy mouthfuls of last year's grass<br />to the hanging gourd in the hedgerow,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">driven by an internal clock<br />towards procreation.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Chickadees now frequent the feeder in pairs,<br />and Carolina wrens engage in exuberant duets.<br />Blue jays pass seeds, mate to mate,<br />and red-shouldered hawks circle each other in flight,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">like an aerial hug.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Soon, all will be on eggs<br />and the season of new life<br />will begin.<br />And when these babies have grown up<br />and gone their own way,<br />on into the fall the owlet<br />will be begging.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Let us credit the patience<br />of owls.<br />It takes a long time to raise<br />a raptor.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0rF7e3xB7dQ8a9Ep2NViSbY3RwML-3oq3hJbXWV4A0-DJNkHxcvGOPuk6j0KbfXMPV5Gu5aTey9_8wzDu0kZDordtcbmhT3gd8Zre8YBsXy-4s-atFG9HUYTwZ1RQDW3QsrRymeZK-SnOCBazoKwG7GaTQhzarJCi9fNxb46lZqfKVYteAU4EOo0Ytpo" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="1706" height="553" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh0rF7e3xB7dQ8a9Ep2NViSbY3RwML-3oq3hJbXWV4A0-DJNkHxcvGOPuk6j0KbfXMPV5Gu5aTey9_8wzDu0kZDordtcbmhT3gd8Zre8YBsXy-4s-atFG9HUYTwZ1RQDW3QsrRymeZK-SnOCBazoKwG7GaTQhzarJCi9fNxb46lZqfKVYteAU4EOo0Ytpo=w640-h553" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-14182614095600672212024-02-14T05:48:00.000-08:002024-02-14T15:09:18.185-08:00Winter Slumber<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">This post is a revision of an earlier poem and is in honor of the 8 inches of snow we received yesterday.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog2-Yqw36fxYBaxKFFzUIZM6p_1iQFEwUykDDE4usiIH1uRgcPdY4z6M85MORw1KNLwFnFGTo1kK-PX6GczFq9k3cJ0ZHHo_JclGK4t-FApzisqsHHnL9vyv_w_MYqagpndia4d76KrpvlUnBEzydi0HNLEPPRufxiqxW__7CYWaYwvIUDserN_-5IU0/s3024/IMG_2843.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog2-Yqw36fxYBaxKFFzUIZM6p_1iQFEwUykDDE4usiIH1uRgcPdY4z6M85MORw1KNLwFnFGTo1kK-PX6GczFq9k3cJ0ZHHo_JclGK4t-FApzisqsHHnL9vyv_w_MYqagpndia4d76KrpvlUnBEzydi0HNLEPPRufxiqxW__7CYWaYwvIUDserN_-5IU0/w640-h640/IMG_2843.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Tread softly on the sleeping ground<br />where roots and rhizomes<br />grow in secret<br />unimpaired <br />beneath the snow<br />and corms and pupae<br />snuggly rest<br />and wait <br />until <br />the appointed time<br />to wake<br />and stretch<br />upward<br />through softening soil<br />towards<br />the light.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Attend gently to sleeping dreams<br />where hopes and wishes<br />grow in secret<br />unimpaired<br />beneath awareness<br />and inspiration<br />safely rests<br />and waits<br />until the appointed <br />time<br />to wake<br />and stretch<br />unbound<br />through softening resistance<br />towards<br />the light.</span><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlFrdUVEv668enEkdY5SlIarvECLNx_DtZhgddpJOcHFhfdiDrORMyL6wWSZBqcAGmtIn29Lyo3YaVcpKmAfl5B810YQNdSdmIZEI4qJDVhBxn5m_w36eoB4_EgLsZT62LHvulBcNO1O-PqqAHGizjhiqJ8spdM4lJkCvxGtD8HYq2PH7siyuckHU-Bo/s3024/IMG_1245.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAlFrdUVEv668enEkdY5SlIarvECLNx_DtZhgddpJOcHFhfdiDrORMyL6wWSZBqcAGmtIn29Lyo3YaVcpKmAfl5B810YQNdSdmIZEI4qJDVhBxn5m_w36eoB4_EgLsZT62LHvulBcNO1O-PqqAHGizjhiqJ8spdM4lJkCvxGtD8HYq2PH7siyuckHU-Bo/w640-h640/IMG_1245.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-49793634139753376302024-01-30T06:02:00.000-08:002024-02-18T16:57:23.281-08:00 Offering<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SzvZeNG4IIeWrBudK-AYdw7imFRi15bOGumSOwkvcUG9F01nJWzJB7zjR2U8BuAEMdd8yiDAfLoCLvsAWZyg7gsMAqqSLn3QUm9b5f7f8Nx4MLyyVloWqC3qbbqJO576bexLtJ0j0wxvSijE3nJ0YbHW2qwbYLMvtmKxXA8RI0OBZx4K1NTqibykzT0/s3024/IMG_2900.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SzvZeNG4IIeWrBudK-AYdw7imFRi15bOGumSOwkvcUG9F01nJWzJB7zjR2U8BuAEMdd8yiDAfLoCLvsAWZyg7gsMAqqSLn3QUm9b5f7f8Nx4MLyyVloWqC3qbbqJO576bexLtJ0j0wxvSijE3nJ0YbHW2qwbYLMvtmKxXA8RI0OBZx4K1NTqibykzT0/w640-h640/IMG_2900.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">A cat in my lap on a cold and cloudy morning<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and tea from a place I have never been,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">wooden chairs, wooden floors, wooden tables <br />from trees I had no hand in planting,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">water from the earth pumped by a well<br />I did not install,</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">apples I did not grow in a bowl I did not turn,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">milk and cheese from cows I did not raise,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">hay I did not bale <br />in the barn I did not build,</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">birds' winter songs I did not write,<br />snowy tracks left by foxes I have never met.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All is gift.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Gratitude my offering back.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgwB2NL8Dfyz_3rSIaz-R1aR62UQlC4KVFwjEl78AKD2fQ6uHsmdAyZMOJ6lgAIwmFU4NIcVu5SNZB3IjUZLeg8TDv8-UgO17pM8vBvNKD5mGavz9S8HWOQStJZyAEsAwg9k0lmKwS5ycS-L4kSq0UVUWxViSw0KzxuzKcUCGSrOn35Z1ZSC-0InPTgY/s3024/IMG_2904.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgwB2NL8Dfyz_3rSIaz-R1aR62UQlC4KVFwjEl78AKD2fQ6uHsmdAyZMOJ6lgAIwmFU4NIcVu5SNZB3IjUZLeg8TDv8-UgO17pM8vBvNKD5mGavz9S8HWOQStJZyAEsAwg9k0lmKwS5ycS-L4kSq0UVUWxViSw0KzxuzKcUCGSrOn35Z1ZSC-0InPTgY/w640-h640/IMG_2904.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-2213463606910469942024-01-21T05:28:00.000-08:002024-01-21T09:14:32.164-08:00January Juncos <p> </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nFsigu65mzDkMDzaGPwQO6mrWcTrdVBtqz_kJCTZfAxLQsu4DTHkxhU-IucrY51vhPeBiFBM0kVVyYAYLkkQ3X5oh7oRR5ceLBqRv5lV8e3JZrOHpoXUaszZRZLT2pf1uTnd7U8VZnixOEB6plcbtA8j0hAasCVRQo7qM9sU8qNSnzARkR5PjLbwZIg/s3024/IMG_2871.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nFsigu65mzDkMDzaGPwQO6mrWcTrdVBtqz_kJCTZfAxLQsu4DTHkxhU-IucrY51vhPeBiFBM0kVVyYAYLkkQ3X5oh7oRR5ceLBqRv5lV8e3JZrOHpoXUaszZRZLT2pf1uTnd7U8VZnixOEB6plcbtA8j0hAasCVRQo7qM9sU8qNSnzARkR5PjLbwZIg/w640-h640/IMG_2871.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> like <br /> notes<br /> without <br /> a <br /> staff<br /> on a<br /> score <br /> of<br /> snow *</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D8rqCcohIDHfIovdvG89s1tln6ZjlqZxstoL9uIwNcfZsh9nDis_U1zH6DgHCv8KCWhXibhT5obgNeZVHC5ileJ0oAN98IS5GsiCS1y499gGk0QLijmAQbL7XpYj6BgyCRSBiuDzFV5QIGd-BMwFx7c0-wGYJwvyaOTKjsumEnaoGImGePQf5y3fE5A/s3024/IMG_2867.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D8rqCcohIDHfIovdvG89s1tln6ZjlqZxstoL9uIwNcfZsh9nDis_U1zH6DgHCv8KCWhXibhT5obgNeZVHC5ileJ0oAN98IS5GsiCS1y499gGk0QLijmAQbL7XpYj6BgyCRSBiuDzFV5QIGd-BMwFx7c0-wGYJwvyaOTKjsumEnaoGImGePQf5y3fE5A/w640-h640/IMG_2867.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">* Thanks to Kurt for the idea!</div><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> </span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-53069755314622957122024-01-01T07:41:00.000-08:002024-01-04T15:46:30.719-08:00Foggy Unknown<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6AYMmNCBaZsosaNcNcUVE9cH8hdOQh_5fKzwlEKoZN-u57Eq_lSFCSwOUIzCAYCfgnb569DKQOGgcSWgErjmlFSw3AQecy3rcXMjv3ZFoGTwGmRr1dbgC3qGzXcm5m5lwuAv-w9_aWT9jb11fkRi8Jldq4KqFWrtfs3yMF2HYFSvzujTB9C0HvpucfY/s2568/IMG_2831.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2568" data-original-width="2430" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6AYMmNCBaZsosaNcNcUVE9cH8hdOQh_5fKzwlEKoZN-u57Eq_lSFCSwOUIzCAYCfgnb569DKQOGgcSWgErjmlFSw3AQecy3rcXMjv3ZFoGTwGmRr1dbgC3qGzXcm5m5lwuAv-w9_aWT9jb11fkRi8Jldq4KqFWrtfs3yMF2HYFSvzujTB9C0HvpucfY/w606-h640/IMG_2831.jpeg" width="606" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The year has dawned<br />grey and gloomy,<br />fields obscured by fog<br />swathing us <br />in mist, <br />the perfect metaphor<br />for what lies ahead,<br />as yet unknown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The hedgerow stands<br />bleak and forlorn,<br />dried stalks and branches <br />shrouding<br />feathered ones<br />who have come to glean<br />from seedheads and berries,<br />nourishment for now,<br />and the future.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">In wild abandon<br />their songs pierce<br />the doldrums and lift<br />our spirits,<br />Carolina wrens,<br />harbingers of wonder<br />in this drab moment,<br />and beyond.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4vPOlTKZy5pKy8Th2iQvqpjTP-_HwmkVAPDrh-NfF9gdGP-7cF0DVM-T_HApDLE5e9u_HI3-4owxo6VA_ir_U236WXe4c0g1gK1VUtovCW6tHII6ldeGeF0SOZsdIy8_zMqvDRc5fxisgjHm7hbpnwPtzEqpBiFVB-LknmGmmm10NF40AMzhJxC3uDM/s3024/IMG_2830.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4vPOlTKZy5pKy8Th2iQvqpjTP-_HwmkVAPDrh-NfF9gdGP-7cF0DVM-T_HApDLE5e9u_HI3-4owxo6VA_ir_U236WXe4c0g1gK1VUtovCW6tHII6ldeGeF0SOZsdIy8_zMqvDRc5fxisgjHm7hbpnwPtzEqpBiFVB-LknmGmmm10NF40AMzhJxC3uDM/w640-h640/IMG_2830.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-73285149352340436592023-12-25T03:10:00.000-08:002023-12-25T03:10:37.971-08:00Holy Heralds<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbDi33KpJukUGnW005zRR_wAUu4YeRf1SVSWYwBa09kbUB04mWhnrdjhOGqepS-JiBPqkVDAgI11BiYCiyBh33_kmTuaI2nyHfHF8Gs53PBc7awy377fjVFOIIFxNiHmGEagNmZfmrgtlPcdIY_NNAMJotMTa04Svz4GEOMWKOMdgjCj6EGcNnWgW-7s/s3024/IMG_2790.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbDi33KpJukUGnW005zRR_wAUu4YeRf1SVSWYwBa09kbUB04mWhnrdjhOGqepS-JiBPqkVDAgI11BiYCiyBh33_kmTuaI2nyHfHF8Gs53PBc7awy377fjVFOIIFxNiHmGEagNmZfmrgtlPcdIY_NNAMJotMTa04Svz4GEOMWKOMdgjCj6EGcNnWgW-7s/w640-h640/IMG_2790.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><p><span style="font-size: large;">Holy Heralds</span></p></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">they are,<br />not angels proclaiming<br />on this Christmas dawn,<br />but sleepy rustlings<br />and voices <br />from fields<br />and barn.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">White-throats and cardinals,<br />softly chipping <br />in the meadow <br />at first light,<br />hallow<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the cold and cloudy<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">greyness<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">with their glad tidings<br />for all who<br />will hear.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The goats' gentle<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">nickering<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">greet the only shepherd<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">present<br />in the stable<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">this morning,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">tending her flock in the darkness,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and humming hymns<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">of the One<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">newly born. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Awaken!<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The Holy has come,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Christmas<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">slipping in<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">through the<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sacred ordinary <br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">of this<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">day of days,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">once again.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MXN8Ds05VG0nHur0qzmgDNf7mQk8HsAYUKg2NgLAMwQDgDqWBmHhN4sR9agmozJ3cgEiNrDNP-KfJVrPjZPoyeo1eec2fw5OgLuYa1l1x6SIOx4vfdBO1cz9A67VR9qnStjTqRYokabC6TSz802LvpvSse9Srv0Hq-BmUro2L8C8IQjmYajkpcPt2GU/s2995/IMG_2497.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2724" data-original-width="2995" height="582" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4MXN8Ds05VG0nHur0qzmgDNf7mQk8HsAYUKg2NgLAMwQDgDqWBmHhN4sR9agmozJ3cgEiNrDNP-KfJVrPjZPoyeo1eec2fw5OgLuYa1l1x6SIOx4vfdBO1cz9A67VR9qnStjTqRYokabC6TSz802LvpvSse9Srv0Hq-BmUro2L8C8IQjmYajkpcPt2GU/w640-h582/IMG_2497.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><p><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></blockquote><p> </p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-75997060802764655552023-12-09T08:00:00.000-08:002023-12-09T09:13:15.527-08:00Within - A Poem for Advent<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1MO7OrjJbHzAiNTV_G7m0NEl_9OEJYRKq7SU9-M-pXQRsn3dNpJ8S_brh_mh9z25UrNFdPfqp8Xzc5HXQBEKvjzy1iN9lezob-AKSYGFa9CEQ54NluY1ifGKRD1kZGsuL9jcfBKJSTw7InUe-C8LseMk4zTNB3gcOW4HGHiL-nyfxOzXYmxTn3-cSm4/s3024/IMG_2735.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb1MO7OrjJbHzAiNTV_G7m0NEl_9OEJYRKq7SU9-M-pXQRsn3dNpJ8S_brh_mh9z25UrNFdPfqp8Xzc5HXQBEKvjzy1iN9lezob-AKSYGFa9CEQ54NluY1ifGKRD1kZGsuL9jcfBKJSTw7InUe-C8LseMk4zTNB3gcOW4HGHiL-nyfxOzXYmxTn3-cSm4/w640-h640/IMG_2735.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Within our silence<br />the Song.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Within our longing<br />the Promise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Within our darkness<br />the Light.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Within our sorrow<br />the Presence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Within our tumult <br />the Comfort.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Within our long waiting<br />the coming<br />of God.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2w-vNwoqL6Cgqb4FKlxoKfKVZfOqR78fvF3qiNNFwTx8ZDbK3hRHdhhRLox3WxcIl4O9wX215c76n1dZdDKZpjiO_IL_PSO8MmkaF6diG0r2HRLPI0J-62VfDjWFELEX4T7G22djjL1HR4PHT8PDtbnM6YY5ZQTym-Kb7oe-o8CmhwTj4eOAQTWXT5Q/s3024/IMG_2740.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2w-vNwoqL6Cgqb4FKlxoKfKVZfOqR78fvF3qiNNFwTx8ZDbK3hRHdhhRLox3WxcIl4O9wX215c76n1dZdDKZpjiO_IL_PSO8MmkaF6diG0r2HRLPI0J-62VfDjWFELEX4T7G22djjL1HR4PHT8PDtbnM6YY5ZQTym-Kb7oe-o8CmhwTj4eOAQTWXT5Q/w640-h640/IMG_2740.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-82506087964545648132023-11-23T13:37:00.000-08:002023-11-24T03:07:42.734-08:00Thanksgiving Guests<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHON-wx0NKIIi1F6WqIWPISVAC0iKIwgGUA5nZlRf830LPzCHoIu6YC4bBMr0fbwOaSBpV0cErhlzpcSYbNKGKXYGJM_sJJCRaN2QDMBfMJfzINGek0qXZXqJgDGnXD-HqxWKRC4UFgU93vcEF3Hwgu0iKpVIbsfv7y90XQAyv_diB71EZG4Mp16udyE/s3024/IMG_2730.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHON-wx0NKIIi1F6WqIWPISVAC0iKIwgGUA5nZlRf830LPzCHoIu6YC4bBMr0fbwOaSBpV0cErhlzpcSYbNKGKXYGJM_sJJCRaN2QDMBfMJfzINGek0qXZXqJgDGnXD-HqxWKRC4UFgU93vcEF3Hwgu0iKpVIbsfv7y90XQAyv_diB71EZG4Mp16udyE/w640-h640/IMG_2730.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">We never know who will join<br />the feast,<br />sometimes familiar faces,<br />sometimes strangers<br />we have never seen<br />before.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I don't cook for them,<br />but they may forage<br />on their own<br />where they will.<br />The menu is quite varied.<br />There is plenty for all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The dining room looks<br />unkempt,<br />neglected even...<br />just how our guests like it.<br />We offer spaces to rest<br />when they are weary<br />and all the food they can eat,<br />sap, insects, seeds, berries,<br />and some lingering greenery,<br />everything a feast should offer <br />hungry travelers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">November's bounty.<br />Thanksgiving with the wild ones.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABC7_wV5pG7I9SEdXBicBkjBoMavR2v85Rk7mFPXRkUAmXRkjOWBwfopC691sawC35IQLDmxqzj1It9ERDYVFAJ1ZeZas09b8O8Lb_yQlIbIoN1FoE41f5GQ15FARUFqkbZef4lRmYnyFV6iofUeH5zZs1nqqezYp6k-w3Bd-z1t2t0kr5WLKPx1NOks/s3024/IMG_2731.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiABC7_wV5pG7I9SEdXBicBkjBoMavR2v85Rk7mFPXRkUAmXRkjOWBwfopC691sawC35IQLDmxqzj1It9ERDYVFAJ1ZeZas09b8O8Lb_yQlIbIoN1FoE41f5GQ15FARUFqkbZef4lRmYnyFV6iofUeH5zZs1nqqezYp6k-w3Bd-z1t2t0kr5WLKPx1NOks/w640-h640/IMG_2731.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-14910839588833197682023-11-19T07:43:00.000-08:002023-11-22T06:40:22.754-08:00Surprised by a Dawn Redwood<p><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCoaMDr084mzd_Ctg3wXejveO2cdjkZihzgidERZpK7rTvC5u0_A-A2kociVEJvL0Yh5nstjVWBShb-SErQzkd-nbbaO-7yTZS_G0ldfM5Y9cN3fNdIBnNJV7KEZl3gaur9q7PWOGxwNxEYmNU8wXLvQ969F5YXLO5pbZx8wzf38JADns_FHvpHf6dHA/s3024/IMG_2724.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCoaMDr084mzd_Ctg3wXejveO2cdjkZihzgidERZpK7rTvC5u0_A-A2kociVEJvL0Yh5nstjVWBShb-SErQzkd-nbbaO-7yTZS_G0ldfM5Y9cN3fNdIBnNJV7KEZl3gaur9q7PWOGxwNxEYmNU8wXLvQ969F5YXLO5pbZx8wzf38JADns_FHvpHf6dHA/w640-h640/IMG_2724.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Surprised by a Dawn Redwood</span></span></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">gifted by a friend who had one <br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">to spare<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and knew <br />I'd be grateful.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Gratitude,<br />that generous spirit<br />that sometimes surprises,<br />spilling <br />out into a weary world,<br />welcome as sunrise,<br />sowing kindness,<br />germinating <br />and rising<br />like new shoots<br />springing <br />from the dark </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">earth<br />ever towards<br />the light.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF5gRVKMwkHgJTtgFNLXnCtrYwf4NblNlVd_wRwVXJzc52YgIUS9fNAi6Y1NtkT3E0UEgL9pMH-6HOQ7_a41_7S58DKwqyfUDAK_llhByuKpe3G5Qr7ocAinMGw32J7zjSvPh-6FH4Upiysrk_-BK_t-AX-uku-wtIL6SdFgGKmcFmpnXZhnIkpHUclo/s3024/IMG_2728.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqF5gRVKMwkHgJTtgFNLXnCtrYwf4NblNlVd_wRwVXJzc52YgIUS9fNAi6Y1NtkT3E0UEgL9pMH-6HOQ7_a41_7S58DKwqyfUDAK_llhByuKpe3G5Qr7ocAinMGw32J7zjSvPh-6FH4Upiysrk_-BK_t-AX-uku-wtIL6SdFgGKmcFmpnXZhnIkpHUclo/w640-h640/IMG_2728.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-85659354561268712992023-11-03T03:51:00.001-07:002023-11-03T03:51:26.788-07:00November Woods<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">This poem, by Patience Strong, is one of my favorites for this time of year, ushering in the transition of the seasons.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ7NDVvhW6zx9ujjvYMcahMS9At0iBbuJJMnH6E0Zqu1Yw-JKHAR0vkltqOgJ9nBSpy9w3HGe6gMW5vHlPT5nEW2GO70SEo7DV9qiojBrUfL7NeNoGQw7NVYRC65eNvRP0PpX7cemQkHj3cNEhT52MJsU3Ku5G0XbsxPvzCRthmPKlpJ7JIeBIIy_SYg/s2848/100_4600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaQ7NDVvhW6zx9ujjvYMcahMS9At0iBbuJJMnH6E0Zqu1Yw-JKHAR0vkltqOgJ9nBSpy9w3HGe6gMW5vHlPT5nEW2GO70SEo7DV9qiojBrUfL7NeNoGQw7NVYRC65eNvRP0PpX7cemQkHj3cNEhT52MJsU3Ku5G0XbsxPvzCRthmPKlpJ7JIeBIIy_SYg/w640-h480/100_4600.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Lovely are the silent woods<br />on grey November days,<br />when the leaves fall red and gold,<br />upon the quiet ways.<br />From massive beech, majestic oak,<br />and birches white and slim,<br />like the pillared aisles of a cathedral<br />vast and dim.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Drifting mist like smoking incense<br />hangs upon the air.<br />Along the paths where birds once sang,<br />the trees stand stripped and bare.<br />Making Gothic arches, with their branches interlaced<br />and window-framing vistas<br />richly wrought <br />and finely traced.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It is good to be in such a place<br />on such a day.<br />Problems vanish from the mind<br />and sorrows steal away.<br />In the woods of grey November,<br />silent and austere,<br />Nature gives her benediction<br />to the passing year.<br /> Patience Strong</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYixlvlY4MQHF3s0vZgaFrheIdsK4KFGJjqLKkZNk1SyUk5uK_o7HwyoYukIftImm6zExvEhpjR_Uwq9hx7PXqtctGsi6_P9jb1ZMBcKFa2FneS1tiRtcuTaITP3Rw4ZDpe6mA8HK_XCjutk_rEV8cfqiYwmXjY0Rx8lFDs7ACHdId1OxRmH1FngS1Mo/s2848/100_4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYixlvlY4MQHF3s0vZgaFrheIdsK4KFGJjqLKkZNk1SyUk5uK_o7HwyoYukIftImm6zExvEhpjR_Uwq9hx7PXqtctGsi6_P9jb1ZMBcKFa2FneS1tiRtcuTaITP3Rw4ZDpe6mA8HK_XCjutk_rEV8cfqiYwmXjY0Rx8lFDs7ACHdId1OxRmH1FngS1Mo/w640-h480/100_4601.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-36250759923413179722023-10-29T08:35:00.004-07:002023-10-29T10:17:54.294-07:00Praying with Binoculars in the Berkshires in October<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QEnNt9jnYbSTHXrUjr4kamdYNWJJ-OOg5Dgg7GW3ZsNKXrryD42G7l8zqTIp8J06cvnZiD1T6s0C1gTq76DLi65a1Y3gpSoNauirLiDlf1YlC7TJCgIApP5RyrJksvl-dKS3Qi6srie75m_P_dHoKqVRM7ojbI0kNelP68taGlc5DmgXqTlCbbRkXtU/s3024/IMG_2598.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2861" data-original-width="3024" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QEnNt9jnYbSTHXrUjr4kamdYNWJJ-OOg5Dgg7GW3ZsNKXrryD42G7l8zqTIp8J06cvnZiD1T6s0C1gTq76DLi65a1Y3gpSoNauirLiDlf1YlC7TJCgIApP5RyrJksvl-dKS3Qi6srie75m_P_dHoKqVRM7ojbI0kNelP68taGlc5DmgXqTlCbbRkXtU/w640-h606/IMG_2598.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And with a cup of tea<br />on the porch off the old classroom.<br />Praying with the nuthatches and chickadees<br />foraging at the feeder and in the goldenrod out back,<br />and with the song sparrows and chipmunks<br />rustling through last years' leaves.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Praying with the horses on the hillside<br />and their foggy breath<br />as the sun rises over the mountain,<br />light slanting through the black cherry<br />and the birches.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Praying with the dew glistening in the hayfield<br />and the spider's silk slung between ash branches,<br />with yellowing ferns<br />and lingering asters <br />and sugar maple leaves dropping<br />one by one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The stone schoolhouse, <br />filled with two centuries of memories,<br />feels too crowded for my silent prayer.<br />Outdoors I sit,<br />accompanied by descendents <br />of the long ago wild ones,<br />in praise and thanksgiving<br />for this morning,<br />for this land,<br />and for the One who has been always here.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFieZlfTvtpGxrsXOIVOFmpOB0GuTTorUV9TGvb5Wirxc5l0vHHvSnItlRYmf-Enp6S98Z3RBQEwGvTvqyJxtQLLGhkdFDngsUkUWzJqIbScDG2fgjSrkuHjmvAFw73VF7HIFfn8gX4L2NfxddNuD8PJpuDmbtf1qInrLCA89lDP13ZqjTDxqhZTYuO0g/s4032/IMG_2599.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFieZlfTvtpGxrsXOIVOFmpOB0GuTTorUV9TGvb5Wirxc5l0vHHvSnItlRYmf-Enp6S98Z3RBQEwGvTvqyJxtQLLGhkdFDngsUkUWzJqIbScDG2fgjSrkuHjmvAFw73VF7HIFfn8gX4L2NfxddNuD8PJpuDmbtf1qInrLCA89lDP13ZqjTDxqhZTYuO0g/w480-h640/IMG_2599.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-14955507322233408692023-10-20T04:50:00.004-07:002023-10-20T04:56:08.234-07:00Deeply Rooted<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">This from a couple of years ago, but as I am admiring them again, here they are again.</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpoqEddDTqaJ4krFJZbynTm9W2nPnOrQ5rENkYfGDNPeldvEtmB4xBHSQGMvtEk2jTsI0aKBoTS7M9mKu9K1LGL2Yqe_dwaQt_bOKLLS-7wthE3IV4dsKdYWifUoH6d3n3msaso2z3O4/s2048/100_5111.JPG" style="font-size: x-large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpoqEddDTqaJ4krFJZbynTm9W2nPnOrQ5rENkYfGDNPeldvEtmB4xBHSQGMvtEk2jTsI0aKBoTS7M9mKu9K1LGL2Yqe_dwaQt_bOKLLS-7wthE3IV4dsKdYWifUoH6d3n3msaso2z3O4/w640-h480/100_5111.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Windflowers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">(because they are deeply rooted,<br />with a nod to Psalm 1 and St Paul)</span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Tall<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">and graceful<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">supple dancers<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">straining heavenward<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">though no one tends them<br />swaying in the slightest breeze<br />storm-blown but not broken<br />in autumn as others fade<br />cheery pink and yellow <br />welcoming faces<br />hosting hungry<br />bees.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E3m19bBp15zgSAl-w2LQYwSUoKgHf1FkXnYlBupKCTg-xYCdLhBlHO3WhjzR4Cq_93i3bl1juf5wJoHCD5nysdbCGSWneVe6v5HzdhJcBqkJ2VBtcLAfzpHPNP_m9Cuz_jQVfs8Z-Ug/s2048/100_5110.JPG" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E3m19bBp15zgSAl-w2LQYwSUoKgHf1FkXnYlBupKCTg-xYCdLhBlHO3WhjzR4Cq_93i3bl1juf5wJoHCD5nysdbCGSWneVe6v5HzdhJcBqkJ2VBtcLAfzpHPNP_m9Cuz_jQVfs8Z-Ug/w640-h480/100_5110.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-28329114937544746802023-09-30T16:42:00.003-07:002023-10-29T08:15:24.483-07:00Sabbath Rain<p> <span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Not everyone reading this will feel the same way about the autumn's rain, I realize. But where I live, it was a hot dry summer and the recent rain was a gift.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13RjK9x4p8HS37rcV1gAKXB5rWYm9xKN6N6Xy28AG2FkOWOlPBHHp43IR7SpK0yVs_eK2rEV2K3DPYQbuouWw5yMb1qvPqMf3ExXviw_bW6a9RwIy-YuytzNz2YV6yfZjdxka2DlZJrEBoFSwMR-YMksJmWSBnQJoMK9F-wt_tiylmkWCA33PCXWjD0c/s3024/IMG_2539.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13RjK9x4p8HS37rcV1gAKXB5rWYm9xKN6N6Xy28AG2FkOWOlPBHHp43IR7SpK0yVs_eK2rEV2K3DPYQbuouWw5yMb1qvPqMf3ExXviw_bW6a9RwIy-YuytzNz2YV6yfZjdxka2DlZJrEBoFSwMR-YMksJmWSBnQJoMK9F-wt_tiylmkWCA33PCXWjD0c/w640-h640/IMG_2539.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Interrupting the interminable drought,<br />drops are finally falling<br />on parched pastures <br />and withered gardens.<br />We have been waiting,<br />the drooping woodlands<br />and tattered roadside sumacs,<br />the bedraggled spicebushes<br />and I.</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The days of lugging heavy hoses,<br />and pouring dirtied goat and chicken water<br />on newly planted sassafras trees<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">compulsively checking the weather report,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">and inwardly groaning,<br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">are over.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">The rain asks nothing<br />but that we receive its blessing,<br />refreshing <br />and rejuvenating<br />our weary souls.<br />The rain has come <br />and all is green with gladness,<br />once again.<br /><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9FtC-H8sW0dp6OIJce141Wo9d784yRRsOtF4FEqNoOWwycMe2H4f66OWeG8EzyNeCQcfeibAYmkP2TQll2dEpq3xprVFsH5lykkjuSu73J0NniIWeWzy61DVZQ37lnDhdt3RSd60sK1Yq0xtJiiA_xkFNqFWgEbX-z692Qb6hf5UIyLi8zjtuMQVOgs/s3024/IMG_2544.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9FtC-H8sW0dp6OIJce141Wo9d784yRRsOtF4FEqNoOWwycMe2H4f66OWeG8EzyNeCQcfeibAYmkP2TQll2dEpq3xprVFsH5lykkjuSu73J0NniIWeWzy61DVZQ37lnDhdt3RSd60sK1Yq0xtJiiA_xkFNqFWgEbX-z692Qb6hf5UIyLi8zjtuMQVOgs/w640-h640/IMG_2544.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-44620139814191683562023-09-17T10:32:00.023-07:002023-10-27T12:30:10.802-07:00Hospitality of the Hedgerow<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf-BUAOY42yLOvGM4HbNsXvGLhdV5XRdokzVZp0IJvAhvzVJdoyvM9rpb4AIsMf7DI3fm8FAZf9gk3wdANM95VdBBxsKje0X8apx5J1yLNCzXH70ASoa2NpzgQzOt98aDbUqGNUln6Y_K9JewlBC5Mnyvbfw_Awl5JKPYxMcHQ31KPpqpWMYTdGTDrM8/s3024/IMG_0810.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf-BUAOY42yLOvGM4HbNsXvGLhdV5XRdokzVZp0IJvAhvzVJdoyvM9rpb4AIsMf7DI3fm8FAZf9gk3wdANM95VdBBxsKje0X8apx5J1yLNCzXH70ASoa2NpzgQzOt98aDbUqGNUln6Y_K9JewlBC5Mnyvbfw_Awl5JKPYxMcHQ31KPpqpWMYTdGTDrM8/w640-h640/IMG_0810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Wild and unruly it is,<br />an untamed profusion<br />of blackhaw and arrowwood, <br />winterberry and shrubby dogwoods<br />weaving a tangle<br />of hiding places,<br />an autumnal banquet<br />for the wild ones.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Wild perennials wander here,<br />wingstem growing where it will,<br />and stands of goldenrod<br />jockeying with the asters,<br />nectar and pollen in yellows, pinks and purples,<br />swaying with the movement <br />of bees and beetles feeding.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As mistflowers beckon<br />to the swallowtails and Monarchs,</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">goldfinches </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">echo unceasingly <br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">from the sunflowers planted by chipmunks<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and the pokeweed's purple berries<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">invite the catbirds to dine,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and the thrashers,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and thrushes.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Autumn's palette splashes<br />across the hedgerow <br />in glad abandon,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">welcoming everyone,<br />welcoming<br />all.<br /></span><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnl5c_ai_USKx505Qz4XKI7oF3EUZ_-YpcEjIJQnVrO548JqE9Zm-gDj9j9iSLYb-z8Il5plnVFKE0KFJ75ya17JtyDSbjrmD_iAVwwv4ggSJA4QfhuuQEYA3kmDiCiv4Hzg2dXsxdDv-UILpG1Zw1OpeXa-NANQagpf7IBsijwUp5JAnsXwK22tuHvg/s3024/IMG_1769.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvnl5c_ai_USKx505Qz4XKI7oF3EUZ_-YpcEjIJQnVrO548JqE9Zm-gDj9j9iSLYb-z8Il5plnVFKE0KFJ75ya17JtyDSbjrmD_iAVwwv4ggSJA4QfhuuQEYA3kmDiCiv4Hzg2dXsxdDv-UILpG1Zw1OpeXa-NANQagpf7IBsijwUp5JAnsXwK22tuHvg/w640-h640/IMG_1769.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-27954163866649134082023-08-24T13:04:00.004-07:002023-08-27T04:07:49.311-07:00Attunement<p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukYDAvzp2NwiOsbycMM8yIfDH_i3c94jNisv75epFp8kawlGkn7hyY-mE5Qq4yfHnEl4ncuU1x9SvjJhjgsapVkU6xB1asLgJezyKI6ekhwiH5ojDBq6nse0gHX27StwUPoTisAWufwBcXAHsVJnbFsuQlPRDNAvWbbtkDO3bZhzxFxzgHTmtwNKa0fk/s2854/IMG_2488.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2587" data-original-width="2854" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiukYDAvzp2NwiOsbycMM8yIfDH_i3c94jNisv75epFp8kawlGkn7hyY-mE5Qq4yfHnEl4ncuU1x9SvjJhjgsapVkU6xB1asLgJezyKI6ekhwiH5ojDBq6nse0gHX27StwUPoTisAWufwBcXAHsVJnbFsuQlPRDNAvWbbtkDO3bZhzxFxzgHTmtwNKa0fk/w640-h580/IMG_2488.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br />In the abundance of this waning season,<br />let me be turned to You, O God.<br />In the sunflowers' cheerful faces<br />and the Joe-pyes' frothy billows,<br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the barn swallows' final flight<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and the goldfinches' tinkling song,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the cicadas' rhythmic whining<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and the coneheads' high-pitched drone,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in groundhogs fattening,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and foxes foraging on windfalls,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the the black gums' first reddening<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and the jewelweed's golden glow,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the myriad offerings of late summer,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">let me be turned to You, O God.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Let me be turned to You.</span></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eyJ0DuvDCrNGw3OQ2DQ_Sv-K106R0dbW864rg2Pj7iu1pgogOnK1sv2aR1MViivZl-SdKd3FLRQ_kbEBoDhAJROMvfE0XDLvLN2GrRGyMUc7POg2xOAtxnG-tf2IQHW24P_v2qrntFwcZD96a2ylG4tfnGn4V4N_6sZcGqibpXZFFM_FXEyFiEHEDMg/s4096/Sunflowers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eyJ0DuvDCrNGw3OQ2DQ_Sv-K106R0dbW864rg2Pj7iu1pgogOnK1sv2aR1MViivZl-SdKd3FLRQ_kbEBoDhAJROMvfE0XDLvLN2GrRGyMUc7POg2xOAtxnG-tf2IQHW24P_v2qrntFwcZD96a2ylG4tfnGn4V4N_6sZcGqibpXZFFM_FXEyFiEHEDMg/w640-h480/Sunflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-21544535224539410532023-08-06T09:26:00.005-07:002023-08-11T16:27:11.900-07:00Sleepy Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_QAJN3sL9Jmblrw04-vGyDbk3DVMdfPsFmhvuW88EIyxpiSPE0Mfm_tzBW2wZmjfovfAjXquJbD-0KyK4gM239ZKgeUIBGu1yQ-yhNnifePGOTYA0Aaof1x4lPXMvqz3iLXpUUFZfrqBT6j5c2qYI3P444iywnvjecQ-gir0DK5FBu61hhKVkipu538/s3024/IMG_1777.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_QAJN3sL9Jmblrw04-vGyDbk3DVMdfPsFmhvuW88EIyxpiSPE0Mfm_tzBW2wZmjfovfAjXquJbD-0KyK4gM239ZKgeUIBGu1yQ-yhNnifePGOTYA0Aaof1x4lPXMvqz3iLXpUUFZfrqBT6j5c2qYI3P444iywnvjecQ-gir0DK5FBu61hhKVkipu538/w640-h640/IMG_1777.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Too tired to write yet the words<br />want to come.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Words to capture August's breezes, <br />and her heady scent,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">tiger swallowtails on purple phlox,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and ruby throats-chasing the house finches<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">pecking holes <br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">in the ripening apples.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Words to paint blue dragonflies<br />over the pond,<br />and goldenrod in the fields,<br />amber meadow grasses waving,<br />and the buzzing of cicadas<br />and the bees.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Lazy August morning,<br />waiting for storms <br />and listening to what the land<br />has to say.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-TIzFNlGd18s1rDzHb2fZ8YUYbzV2grJh_mE9_SKQKFi3ZoLTY_RcmqWCfbdD7nSClZOYkX_ZnSCq4irvz5b-bb-u8OMvjbW9Wf7Mf1V_5oAVgnLZomHcFs_bUEIKBD1f6m5M8CMnpcJE1tG49_HFuvCgMtQCPPbzhj8UXoGr8rDg6wedRKWfYhb-YA/s3024/IMG_2410.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-TIzFNlGd18s1rDzHb2fZ8YUYbzV2grJh_mE9_SKQKFi3ZoLTY_RcmqWCfbdD7nSClZOYkX_ZnSCq4irvz5b-bb-u8OMvjbW9Wf7Mf1V_5oAVgnLZomHcFs_bUEIKBD1f6m5M8CMnpcJE1tG49_HFuvCgMtQCPPbzhj8UXoGr8rDg6wedRKWfYhb-YA/w640-h640/IMG_2410.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-55438227088956552802023-07-30T15:57:00.009-07:002023-10-27T17:15:07.420-07:00The Day’s First Utterance *<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">First written for Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Formation's Prayer Notes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-06HXApA1A0s1BNqJYEbs_X7ZPA-sXLmirn0tUk6uAp9WIlQ4FjGzi7L3HxqadgYVAYmq0Sll3dDBNU2Gqzf6Wd6BVV7RO_AMhXjP7pA3bdCHUhUiuMCetTyt2M-ZZG-4q9f7iNzBmuRY76BpoFnSX3tUZZORCxthCRCnsjc0P0lMayLRVK3uKOkCLs/s972/IMG_20220628_092555629.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="932" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-06HXApA1A0s1BNqJYEbs_X7ZPA-sXLmirn0tUk6uAp9WIlQ4FjGzi7L3HxqadgYVAYmq0Sll3dDBNU2Gqzf6Wd6BVV7RO_AMhXjP7pA3bdCHUhUiuMCetTyt2M-ZZG-4q9f7iNzBmuRY76BpoFnSX3tUZZORCxthCRCnsjc0P0lMayLRVK3uKOkCLs/w614-h640/IMG_20220628_092555629.jpeg" width="614" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Every morning,<br />
before dark gives way to dawn,<br />
a first voice greets<br />
the day.<br />
<br />
This morning,<br />
the wood thrush’s melody<br />
floats out of the woodlands<br />
and across the field.<br />Other mornings, the peewee’s<br />
plaintive song whispers<br />
the day’s beginning,<br />
or the cardinal’s piercing whistle<br />awakens the chorus,<br />
or the catbird’s sleepy chatter<br />
gently rouses<br />
his companions.<br />
<br />
Some mornings the first voice<br />
is a last voice from<br />
the night before...<br />the green frog still in the mood to party<br />
or the field cricket not yet settled<br />
into daytime sleep<br />
or the great-horned owlet<br />
begging one more morsel.<br />
<br />
Some mornings’ first murmurings<br />
are the whoosh of wind in the spruces<br />
or the sigh of the rushing creek</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">running high,<br />
or the pattering of a gentle overnight rain.<br />
<br />
Every morning,<br />
before dark gives way to dawn,<br />
the Voice within all voices<br />
beckons,<br />
awakening<br />
and welcoming us<br />
into the<br />
day.</span><div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBHBTWID3Afxv6t_T52ReMide09oISyxaj9eX1uGXsdg-byTv2uTBEXg1j_D8v91cpxIEpadGWY68uDdRgr7gqPjl3ep_L18WPfi-d-AgEOlMVLH4VR41QhqVEdS1_Q0JmJuF08sgRtGbdFD2vKtS2JZ0dbsDqMDCOvmTDO8RLUg3B2u6DL6cNyNV5NU/s2472/100_4739%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1852" data-original-width="2472" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyBHBTWID3Afxv6t_T52ReMide09oISyxaj9eX1uGXsdg-byTv2uTBEXg1j_D8v91cpxIEpadGWY68uDdRgr7gqPjl3ep_L18WPfi-d-AgEOlMVLH4VR41QhqVEdS1_Q0JmJuF08sgRtGbdFD2vKtS2JZ0dbsDqMDCOvmTDO8RLUg3B2u6DL6cNyNV5NU/w640-h480/100_4739%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*</span><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Title from a line by J. Philip Newell in <u>Celtic Benediction</u>, Saturday Morning Prayer.</span></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-88523453813862536442023-07-23T03:01:00.005-07:002023-07-23T05:30:41.422-07:00Fuzzy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc33DYQWc9xKBlqtKChpEIiediYFsjl4d0T_v8QTnYMB3yGJr7phZpvP7B7_UfOnnCXzJ17XC-kC4hFrMg3jb9yb3jdpkku1YGRspMShquR_8ee0hDMQCo2H6jyi80FrIV59nlBVawf7HH6BshBJsiMB2dOTyRdZgiHhHkM1zJCK_Q8UVxsesn6DMshh8/s3024/IMG_2414.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc33DYQWc9xKBlqtKChpEIiediYFsjl4d0T_v8QTnYMB3yGJr7phZpvP7B7_UfOnnCXzJ17XC-kC4hFrMg3jb9yb3jdpkku1YGRspMShquR_8ee0hDMQCo2H6jyi80FrIV59nlBVawf7HH6BshBJsiMB2dOTyRdZgiHhHkM1zJCK_Q8UVxsesn6DMshh8/w640-h640/IMG_2414.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Heavy is the air<br />and the dew upon the mountain mint<br />and spider silk.<br />No breath of wind to<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">keep the fog at bay.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Quiet is the birdsong<br />and the thrumming insect chorus<br />and the green frogs.<br />Only the rooster<br />boldly greets the day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Welcome are the bees<br />and their feeding on the fennel<br />and the phlox. Yet<br />their numbers dwindle<br />and slowly slip away.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Enshrouded is the path<br />and the road that runs before us.<br />Wearily we walk<br />searching for the way.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtkEyQNEdzveb3J4kGRlY4gMeTiBfeHjv8MWrMs4tg_mJgDzGoxH869BFCp1Y52lGju2Ta23mjq2vQ1Zheqo_xoXdMid4DW42ofTQAo7Ft-SpZqoVQYxxsVge1_5Aw8mQi4VsInCyvUObjuXLrEqBU1BNL5rD-quDOXHBWyGBBdkUJdk94X9pPfxwIlg/s1600/bumble_nectaring_in_garden_phlox.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtkEyQNEdzveb3J4kGRlY4gMeTiBfeHjv8MWrMs4tg_mJgDzGoxH869BFCp1Y52lGju2Ta23mjq2vQ1Zheqo_xoXdMid4DW42ofTQAo7Ft-SpZqoVQYxxsVge1_5Aw8mQi4VsInCyvUObjuXLrEqBU1BNL5rD-quDOXHBWyGBBdkUJdk94X9pPfxwIlg/w640-h480/bumble_nectaring_in_garden_phlox.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-30366988118216526052023-07-08T11:34:00.006-07:002023-09-15T10:56:15.511-07:00Sanctuary<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80LCi0tZj65bPX3TA-46BaTAIqRIWhrsH213IOeYDkgwoy9wCWUbqECC6Ua2XCSuIr2UB4CgR0QQY5NfhJMmmMUvZmaPrwBl4GRESPg9cxTFCtzKsXmBZ8T3QlC_BXwAHOTl347mo3dPdjHNjJoYEDrcB8Iz6uHuN39kyn-MMhFmmwLvHUr-s2ETKbgc/s3024/IMG_1763.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2956" data-original-width="3024" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80LCi0tZj65bPX3TA-46BaTAIqRIWhrsH213IOeYDkgwoy9wCWUbqECC6Ua2XCSuIr2UB4CgR0QQY5NfhJMmmMUvZmaPrwBl4GRESPg9cxTFCtzKsXmBZ8T3QlC_BXwAHOTl347mo3dPdjHNjJoYEDrcB8Iz6uHuN39kyn-MMhFmmwLvHUr-s2ETKbgc/w640-h626/IMG_1763.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Undecided, yet again<br />the tree swallows<br />swoop toward the hanging gourd's<br />entrance hole,<br />investigating and resuming flight<br />in one fluid motion.<br />Satisfied, they scavenge<br />straw from the garden <br />and hay from the goat pen<br />and, nest completed,<br />she settles in to brood<br />the eggs that will <br />become her <br />children.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Unperturbed, motionless<br />in the mown path<br />through the wet meadow,<br />the meandering wood turtle<br />appears comfortably<br />at home.<br />Mouth smeared with slugs,<br />he gazes intently as I pass<br />before resuming<br />his foraging<br />and his<br />travels.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Undeterred, the solitary<br />doe glances my way<br />as she browses<br />the field.<br />Stepping gingerly<br />across uneven ground,<br />she nips at the spicebush<br />and samples the grasses,<br />the goldenrod and asters.<br />Perhaps she will<br />bring her<br />fawn.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Unbidden, they graze<br />unfamiliar territory.<br />Young groundhogs now<br />out on their own<br />have discovered the hedgerow.<br />And the vegetable patch.<br />Nimbly, they crawl<br />over, under and through fences<br />to access the sustenance<br />they need to grow,<br />and later,<br />hibernate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Undaunted, curious<br />baby rabbits roam<br />the yard <br />nibbling oxalis, violets, grasses<br />and fallen apples,<br />sometimes sitting <br />in the old magnolia's shade<br />Startled,<br />they freeze,<br />watching warily for danger,<br />and the need<br />to flee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Uncertain, the new<br />barn swallows sit <br />side by side<br />on a cable above the goats.<br />Amid undecipherable twitterings and<br />nervous aerial acrobatics<br />they agree to set up<br />housekeeping.<br />After incubating her eggs<br />on a beam above the hay bales,<br />the all-consuming frenzy <br />of feeding babies<br />will commence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Wild ones<br />know nothing of land deeds,<br />of property lines <br />or asking permission before<br />taking up residence. <br />In this refuge<br />all are welcome.<br />In this refuge<br />squatter's rights<br />reign.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c2DA9UevG680i3WBtAyMjh07a5gyA4jatWpNrywqV0YbgQNiy4XCgXsa4dHGGX9qLD3NDOIzU1eavkcaLvOSLLIAzePtDbgSJDM377BxpJU7HoHbVzTePsfpCv7EVofcAMWiWJvsw7JE6cNWQZixPAe5RT3fgV-FtSrdEX8I3p821FWTLqMlfaAEQi8/s3369/IMG_2370.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3369" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4c2DA9UevG680i3WBtAyMjh07a5gyA4jatWpNrywqV0YbgQNiy4XCgXsa4dHGGX9qLD3NDOIzU1eavkcaLvOSLLIAzePtDbgSJDM377BxpJU7HoHbVzTePsfpCv7EVofcAMWiWJvsw7JE6cNWQZixPAe5RT3fgV-FtSrdEX8I3p821FWTLqMlfaAEQi8/w574-h640/IMG_2370.jpeg" width="574" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-24253395778080956312023-06-26T06:25:00.015-07:002023-09-15T10:58:43.579-07:00Wonder<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6dJl-RPUxOmjM6RPJ1ZLUTNrzp9_CTKcyRZWnPaKe6zOT_WJ-mdFRd2_oc1gjuM_uWXcF6oItR-IbrC21I_K2_rJEC0k3FMl3X-Rdi4rVQeRSGVRipk4KgNtOaGxc7AX5YBLqUgXyIQKY57j1Vh3neNFXb5rq10psXSG8hKcBFrOjhuPXtepMUghnzU/s3024/IMG_2362.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6dJl-RPUxOmjM6RPJ1ZLUTNrzp9_CTKcyRZWnPaKe6zOT_WJ-mdFRd2_oc1gjuM_uWXcF6oItR-IbrC21I_K2_rJEC0k3FMl3X-Rdi4rVQeRSGVRipk4KgNtOaGxc7AX5YBLqUgXyIQKY57j1Vh3neNFXb5rq10psXSG8hKcBFrOjhuPXtepMUghnzU/w640-h640/IMG_2362.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Have you noticed children squatting,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">captivated by an ant and following <br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">every movement as it crawls way</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Or smiled as they pluck dandelions' seedheads,<br />blowing the fluff with abandon and <br />giggling all the while?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">It doesn't have to a field of Monarchs<br />or an orange dragonfly hovering above a pond.<br />It might be a few black ants <br />carrying a crumb <br />across the sidewalk.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It doesn't have to be a forest</span><br style="font-family: helvetica;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">or a garden's riot of color.</span><br style="font-family: helvetica;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">It might be a solitary dandelion</span><br style="font-family: helvetica;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">growing brazenly beside a</span><br style="font-family: helvetica;" /><span style="font-family: helvetica;">busy parking</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> lot.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Let the children come," He said.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Let us all be children<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">once again.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pXF5oWaMaizfVVYBAWduDmYcEfmDoeA09zES3Egqw8sUl5d1K5KsTY_4mkxlyiNjPpjBhyjIGZhm9ch3fzK8_3o0epY9zxYc3mxWDWQPK5_PyKcre0aQxF0Y7cOYU3leWTb3vyqZEn0imdYUuGSWt-mE0s5evzFOEzN-DExmk12v3Qt0hj3nuBLnoT4/s3024/IMG_2359.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pXF5oWaMaizfVVYBAWduDmYcEfmDoeA09zES3Egqw8sUl5d1K5KsTY_4mkxlyiNjPpjBhyjIGZhm9ch3fzK8_3o0epY9zxYc3mxWDWQPK5_PyKcre0aQxF0Y7cOYU3leWTb3vyqZEn0imdYUuGSWt-mE0s5evzFOEzN-DExmk12v3Qt0hj3nuBLnoT4/w640-h640/IMG_2359.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-51383985261670169052023-06-06T10:35:00.015-07:002023-10-27T17:32:43.877-07:00Steward of Time<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg50Cc6HKNDXfF05oCTkXqF-AasCVwbo51sl6gdsag9iXscRc6qJ-C3j2QieHzckURCo0k8gfx-tdpTEDsB1b1-VXKx3jkN5At4FECNJjRYvCh8nl4cVe9C-OhjnuzEJhvuZkGrivIYrxQJ18GGPiQxI4C_5qrDovHjrQHmpDQ8YQ9sOT1gLYxg0joC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img data-original-height="886" data-original-width="886" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg50Cc6HKNDXfF05oCTkXqF-AasCVwbo51sl6gdsag9iXscRc6qJ-C3j2QieHzckURCo0k8gfx-tdpTEDsB1b1-VXKx3jkN5At4FECNJjRYvCh8nl4cVe9C-OhjnuzEJhvuZkGrivIYrxQJ18GGPiQxI4C_5qrDovHjrQHmpDQ8YQ9sOT1gLYxg0joC=w640-h640" width="640" /></span></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The oriole is singing again<br />after days of silence,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so I stop what I am doing, <br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and listen to<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the sweetness of his song.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">One last, perfect peony <br />is blooming in the garden,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">so I pause,<br />and bend low,<br />inhaling the<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">sweetness of her scent.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Bees are on the beardtongue,<br />and fledgling cardinals on the fence,<br />startled by frenzied ruby-throats<br />zipping by.<br />Chipmunks, their cheeks bulging, dash to and fro,<br />as young rabbits sample young clover<br />and the gnat's wings and <br />tall meadow grasses glisten,<br />backlit by the rising sun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The breezes that caress the ostrich ferns<br />caress my cheeks too,<br />joining me to the Oneness,<br />of all living things. <br />Invited into contemplation,<br />invited into the now,<br />I have become a steward of the moment.<br />I have become a steward of time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8Ar7l5Q4OptKfuw9BBE4-eb164eNtpepnC2Qpur0aa-PB0HMUSCYwLCYzRbpf5JfAEypfTzVadmh2XrgXTriSd0Htq6d7V60DXSQlngTWdypKsnoGFlL-1bRV7i0i0PD6rBYseSW0eLvhIMZU773q3dHoD2ej1DfpZnMMYD1TSOj8HKZ3fYywTIfP" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="886" data-original-width="886" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8Ar7l5Q4OptKfuw9BBE4-eb164eNtpepnC2Qpur0aa-PB0HMUSCYwLCYzRbpf5JfAEypfTzVadmh2XrgXTriSd0Htq6d7V60DXSQlngTWdypKsnoGFlL-1bRV7i0i0PD6rBYseSW0eLvhIMZU773q3dHoD2ej1DfpZnMMYD1TSOj8HKZ3fYywTIfP=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-86988835315849470312023-05-29T05:15:00.007-07:002023-10-29T08:08:03.832-07:00Babies<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhsa8PGgYFFhNmFtQD8mJgL55vOTqNNUgX_aQQSdlBW0rT4MAsaHB8w-Mwv9TP4pvE3oCIgBuyol7IiUZgeJwlvy6lBRcl2FpFz0CJj91uAwDEXDZisPNRoOPkSe7RXdHLWakUYjLDbD3f0oipWbPADOdyIQsf_axlW1XRcIjCZYT7z4zkdkm_TMVK/w640-h640/Serviceberries%201st%20of%20June%202.JPG" width="640" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">We are in the thick of babies.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br />Four legged ones,<br />from whom no planting is safe,<br />dart through the fences, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">tiny bodies zipping through the two-inch<br />mesh that keeps larger mammals<br />at bay.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Beneath the water, legless ones spend</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">long days feasting on pond algae,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">one day to become the toads and<br />green frogs they already are,<br />in metamorphic disguise.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The two-legged feathered ones all wear<br />the same bewildered expression<br />at the wide world in which they are<br />learning to make their way.<br />Juvenile brown thrashers, <br />carbon copies of their mother,<br />follow her through the hostas,<br />foraging in the mulch.<br />Young mockingbirds, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">restless in the ripening serviceberries,<br />plead to be fed, surrounded<br />by unrecognized abundance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Baby catbirds experimentally preen their new feathers,<br />following mama's example, <br />and newly fledged cardinals, <br />adventurous round little bits of grey fluff,<br />are never where their parents<br />last left them.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Fledgling robins in the grass.<br />Infant house wrens in the hanging gourds.<br />Carolina wrens exploring the barn.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Chickadees peeping in the nesting box, and</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br />barn swallows zig-zagging above us all.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I had asked for more of God.<br />Enfolded in new life and<br />the plenty that sustains it,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">again I see.<br />God is everywhere I look.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxl97uwSrRvIVVd-Xe31lNUwnotbCaxmPUSUs_5Q46u8OQ5Pe8wqjQSg3ZcKMq-XpBDFtDEB5FeSpm6keZioNzsPiAfsV9FFBsWEgh2PNXfmJuepsQFzYP7UdXrFeNdYBWGHMlZuw-mjAJkzuuhQ8_9dVId3gY7PEXgYBo-5p92DwM0rMojfbY3YH/s3024/IMG_2273.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxl97uwSrRvIVVd-Xe31lNUwnotbCaxmPUSUs_5Q46u8OQ5Pe8wqjQSg3ZcKMq-XpBDFtDEB5FeSpm6keZioNzsPiAfsV9FFBsWEgh2PNXfmJuepsQFzYP7UdXrFeNdYBWGHMlZuw-mjAJkzuuhQ8_9dVId3gY7PEXgYBo-5p92DwM0rMojfbY3YH/w640-h640/IMG_2273.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-74733296671399278372023-05-10T15:56:00.001-07:002023-05-22T02:26:56.896-07:00All The Good<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSyKUI_U-r0yIaFevBi_2mb34_3FrKbZ_Vi1Gnc4jDV-RKX8z4I0nSnETveP7UR2FhhALnaeo5dPwigOb9dPykQciqA_xTlV2mshUab_bm0vsKz2KcgvZGBCAOEEOtgr_h7XWKcdKuAW-uLe9ZyV9Ku7vQPRCfd-JqY1HUFypsLRns8XJItwpUYij/s1350/Wood%20thrush%20in%20pin%20oak.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1350" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSyKUI_U-r0yIaFevBi_2mb34_3FrKbZ_Vi1Gnc4jDV-RKX8z4I0nSnETveP7UR2FhhALnaeo5dPwigOb9dPykQciqA_xTlV2mshUab_bm0vsKz2KcgvZGBCAOEEOtgr_h7XWKcdKuAW-uLe9ZyV9Ku7vQPRCfd-JqY1HUFypsLRns8XJItwpUYij/w640-h522/Wood%20thrush%20in%20pin%20oak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Waking early,<br />grumbly,<br />agitated,<br />irritated at the dismal quality<br />of interrupted sleep,<br />I begrudgingly filled the water buckets, and<br />reluctantly headed to the barn, <br />when the wood thrush's song<br />stopped me in<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my tracks.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">He who had not slept,<br />who had flown who knows how far<br />through the darkness, <br />who had finally set down into these woods<br />at first light,<br />was singing.<br />No sleepy murmuring, he,<br />but a full-throated song that<br />pierced my self-pitying doldrums.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Pay attention!" he nudged.<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"Remember all the good!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">All the good given, <br />day in and day out,<br />to those willing to receive it<br />into their being.</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Soul lifted and <br />eyes opened,<br />I stepped into<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the morning made new,<br /></span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">once again.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zQusZbfD1mDmYdj1cm10ACj6BLES3pjLNonVLic7UVuD-nhToAQF-m9ybwUV363eDsd7D7tzfYOunS_AwWR77ke11d-36aG1yv3_zMJHMFdhp759VOxs5beLLxkmEIBWXyMUd_uIr_Lo9dxYjS1gVr-Zlvsm9yWi39laFjuzxipoBzZQWasmkUb8/s2848/100_4719.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zQusZbfD1mDmYdj1cm10ACj6BLES3pjLNonVLic7UVuD-nhToAQF-m9ybwUV363eDsd7D7tzfYOunS_AwWR77ke11d-36aG1yv3_zMJHMFdhp759VOxs5beLLxkmEIBWXyMUd_uIr_Lo9dxYjS1gVr-Zlvsm9yWi39laFjuzxipoBzZQWasmkUb8/w640-h480/100_4719.JPG" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-19554350486482849702023-04-26T05:06:00.007-07:002023-10-29T08:11:23.026-07:00First Revelation<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">This was originally written as a Prayer Note for Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development https://www.oasismin.org/</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYkWyXy_z4_kG6DjKubRWq1n8Lm9L1imxXsgltbMXmRd89hHh2uXx6dTKOD6kb0UQIXco2ULUOkLNTwZ5_pEPF-xv_2PnkEf5QjhD5mYLDB7TtcBkrjm8QfD9QBoeIa4m-P95y2LNvBh6zvO55edbMukl8YXyYyaThxG5Uha4h4bTm1KlzfHVbz7dp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgYkWyXy_z4_kG6DjKubRWq1n8Lm9L1imxXsgltbMXmRd89hHh2uXx6dTKOD6kb0UQIXco2ULUOkLNTwZ5_pEPF-xv_2PnkEf5QjhD5mYLDB7TtcBkrjm8QfD9QBoeIa4m-P95y2LNvBh6zvO55edbMukl8YXyYyaThxG5Uha4h4bTm1KlzfHVbz7dp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">When I got up this morning, I had the idea</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">to spend part of the day in</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Serious Study.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Perhaps I would read the mystics,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or some accessible theologian,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or the Scriptures, themselves.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">But the toads were trilling <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the white throats were singing,</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and the redbud was bursting into bloom,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and my feet were itchy <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">my spirit restless and I forgot</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">my high-minded intentions,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and went out to seek God.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I walked the woods, gazing at </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the expanses of skunk cabbage <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">bowed low to examine the dwarf ginseng <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the emerging tips of mayapples.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I listened to hymns sung by robins</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">and titmice <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">song sparrows<br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">peered at leaf buds <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">spicebush flowers</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and the trout lilies thriving under</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">as-yet-unclothed trees.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I sat at the feet of a yellow birch</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">on a bank above the rushing creek</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and inhaled the scent of spring,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">of new growth,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">of life, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and wonder,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and gloried in the arrival <br />of the year's first Louisiana waterthrush.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">God's First Revelation enfolded <br />and </span><span style="font-family: helvetica;">drew me into the Presence of</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">The One who imagined and then</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">breathed us all</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">into life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I don't think I need to be reading</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">the mystics today,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">after all.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK0d_7CdGAsxrYq20DXwZkOyeXz6DPtQACEeq_rsHiOXb9v7THUK36gLysrK3hifFA8C9ZYMMP0-1YFHTIbgKFqc5NZk4I5annGeMrZIeaXw81Uvc9m7Lu_bRgSwsIpUjzuEyCHGVRvJAkcRYXrrMC_GqepUEdifJ6wvEMV2pn_q6YyIGWYeA9jAtE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="2134" data-original-width="2848" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK0d_7CdGAsxrYq20DXwZkOyeXz6DPtQACEeq_rsHiOXb9v7THUK36gLysrK3hifFA8C9ZYMMP0-1YFHTIbgKFqc5NZk4I5annGeMrZIeaXw81Uvc9m7Lu_bRgSwsIpUjzuEyCHGVRvJAkcRYXrrMC_GqepUEdifJ6wvEMV2pn_q6YyIGWYeA9jAtE=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><br /><br /></span><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2315961219090762731.post-50259438468557232482023-04-20T12:01:00.002-07:002023-04-24T07:58:14.497-07:00How Many Springs?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcf6nrdsx-xfKlw8hqcXxQj1oQ384Y4VMlmZUYbZfTViiTKTqbV7pNqHZSJj1-hpA6WtitCJUd1hogbp4spH49EizmEVv8JQbM3iOlEJn6DkxlIgwWq1gHDaIceiK2PssEWDaqhlthe4715y3UGsOMLmuG3mmhyKi3suqUxfegoaT45N6NYqoPdPd/s960/April%202020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbcf6nrdsx-xfKlw8hqcXxQj1oQ384Y4VMlmZUYbZfTViiTKTqbV7pNqHZSJj1-hpA6WtitCJUd1hogbp4spH49EizmEVv8JQbM3iOlEJn6DkxlIgwWq1gHDaIceiK2PssEWDaqhlthe4715y3UGsOMLmuG3mmhyKi3suqUxfegoaT45N6NYqoPdPd/w640-h480/April%202020.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I am of the age when I have begun to wonder </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">how many years might be left to me, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">particularly,</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> how many springs will I yet live</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">to experience.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">How many more seasons to savor the beauty of </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: large;">redbuds softening the forest edges, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or to smile at the hilltops, clothed in their pale green furriness </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">that lasts only a few days?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">How many more April hikes up the mountain where I strain to</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">distinguish pine warblers from juncos by their calls, or</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">early mornings of jumping out of bed to welcome</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">the first</span><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> warblers of the spring migration, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or to marvel at the zillions of tiny toad tadpoles</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">hatching in the pond?<br />How many more years to watch the spicebush's early color</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">wash through the woodlands, or</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">the red maple flowers blazing crimson across the landscape,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or the subdued trailing tassels of the oaks,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or the olive haze of new leaves on the<br />creek-side stand of sycamores?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">How many more days will I delight in the fragrance of lilacs <br />and apple blossoms and <br />wild mint in the empty fields, <br />of newly mown grass,<br />or the scent of a soft spring rain?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">How many more opportunities to stroke the <br />pussy willow's fuzzy buds,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or the hazelnuts' dangling catkins,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or to reverently reach out to the one trout lily flower</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">amid the sweeping colony of leaves?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">How many more springtime walks to suddenly stand still,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and wonder at the exuberant song of the ruby-crowned kinglet,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">who has just broken into my melancholy musings?<br />And how many more times will the catbird's song,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or the peeper's call,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">or the newly noticed bank of rue anemone</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">call me back from such pensive questioning into</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">the moment, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">this moment,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">the only moment of the only spring</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I am sure to witness,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">to hug to myself in unrestrained gladness</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">and gratitude.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcS7MFW8W2DX1fMr0WBlvQmVGmHx8olJo0SWGbFA6dxtjlqV56AfBEVVIfAcY23JIHvjMAPlmExGANbG992RNHU-bPpcWyEOFqO4x6GXWjPtw61_cFF8DtYw-QBcj6YEtCRzhGp85gYpm0CGRmVSD0DM6akXPyw_PtTanXUuu1LSyja1_HW5IG6oL/s960/April%202020%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIcS7MFW8W2DX1fMr0WBlvQmVGmHx8olJo0SWGbFA6dxtjlqV56AfBEVVIfAcY23JIHvjMAPlmExGANbG992RNHU-bPpcWyEOFqO4x6GXWjPtw61_cFF8DtYw-QBcj6YEtCRzhGp85gYpm0CGRmVSD0DM6akXPyw_PtTanXUuu1LSyja1_HW5IG6oL/w640-h480/April%202020%2014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02069954391528852168noreply@blogger.com0