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Still here!
Just needed time to goof-off out in my yard, to read and putter and transplant seedlings out there without forming blog posts inside my head (a rather annoying habit these past 11 years). To think my own thoughts, to hear in the silence what noise covers up.
How wonderful to fulfill winter dreams! To sit bathed in sunshine in a sweater, but not too warm, and imagine the crab apple tree has her toes in blue frothy water--
... and to unearth these two picket fence pieces from the garage because I finally (these things take time) thought of the perfect place for them:
How wonderful of God to create Springtime-- weeks where organizing the garage, washing and hanging laundry, and turning heavy garden soil with a shovel feels like playing outside as a child, even if your body feels nowhere near as lithe.
The secret, I believe, is keeping our mind limber and light and free from weight --and taking many, many breaks.
If you've not stepped outdoors yet today, please do, ok? Breathe in fresh air and release any heavy thoughts weighing you down. Fill your head with everything going right, let go of what's wrong. And enjoy God while celebrating Springtime, wherever you may be, city or country or in-between. Finished or unfinished, caught-up or far behind, don't wait for perfection--the perfect friend or child or neighbor or house.
Life is such a sweet, sweet gift, even today. Such as it is.
― Virginia Woolf, The Waves
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And yes, I actually did read my new Susan Branch book again. It was that good.
I even considered reading it a 3rd time (!), but chose to reread The Gift of an Ordinary Day, instead, underlining the myriad sentences which make me shake my head at her ability to put into words exactly how I've felt before. Like this, for example:
"In the meantime, the answer to every question seems to lie in letting go, settling into the long, spacious days and restful nights---all the windows open, all the doors unlocked---and trusting that for the moment anyway, we are exactly where we need to be. Whenever I manage to do that, when I can give myself over to the moment at hand, I am suffused with peace."
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Have you watched the movie, Joy, yet? Oh, that first half hour--so subtly, delightfully quirky that I giggled nearly every moment.
The rest became pretty intense, but still, inspiring. You know, one of those 'never quit, even when everyone else tells you to' films.
Based on a true story. For a Christian perspective review, go here.
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I just ordered The Gift of an Ordinary day with your link. Good post.
ReplyDeleteI love spring! God's promise of new things every year! Thank you for this sweet post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Debra, I loved that book (The Gift of the Ordinary Day). The thing I took away from it was to live every moment of the life you have RIGHT NOW. The "right now" part can give me pause. Sometimes I get so caught up with the challenges, that I forget to celebrate the lovely aspects of everyday living. I need to read that book again!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you've been enjoying the nice weather and spending time in your yard. Enjoy seeing the pictures! Everything looks so lush.
Are those 'Blue Forget Me Nots' I see around your tree and along your house? They are beautiful. My mother just gave me a few small plants. They are just about finished blooming but I hope they will 'take' and bloom next year.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post Debra! That sounds like a wonderful book! I am trying to learn to live in the moment, it makes a big difference!
ReplyDeleteDolores--thank-you and oh good! I think you'll really like the book. Just be sure to read it when you're in a contemplative mood. You'll see what I mean. :) So many good reminders inside about letting go of our children and living in the moment, especially.
ReplyDeleteBetsy--thank-you! Spring has become my favorite season (after having loved autumn best for decades) because there's so many pretty days to look forward to! :)
Pam--yes! That is a big part of the book, the living in this moment without worrying about the future. Reminds me of a certain Bible verse or two! :) Enjoy your reread!
Living on Less--you're right! Those are forget me nots and they're the easiest plant in the world to grow. They thrive on neglect! When you trim away the dead growth, shake them first over areas where you'd like the plants to grow next year. Always works for me and that's why I end up with so many. Again, so easy!
Elizabeth--thanks! And I also think you'd enjoy that book. So much food for thought and much about loving right now, releasing our children and realizing the small things in life are the big things. And much more!
Thanks, Everyone! Blessings, Debra