I was just listening to James Taylor and he sang this song:
The Sun is sinking down
But the Moon is slowly rising
This old World must still be spinning 'round
And I still love you.
So, close your eyes,
You can close your eyes, it's alright.
Oh, I don't know no love songs,
and I can't sing the blues anymore...
Sure, but I can sing this song
Yes and, you can sing this song when I'm gone...
I was thinking of the times in any relationship when I could close my eyes and feel that everything was alright because I was loved.
There is so much judgment in relationships that there is always the fear of abandonment. Not just of physical leaving, but of the love leaving, the respect leaving, the kindness leaving, the caring leaving that every moment we need to keep our eyes open.
Think about this. Do you give those that are around you the feeling they can close their eyes?
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Chip A Way!
Chip A Way!
I cut down a tree branch that was making my yard very dark. It was about 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 6 feet wide. It blocked my way through the yard. I chopped on it in one foot segments, one branch at a time, finding the joints and using the bigger tools to cut the thicker parts.
The result was a small 2x2x2 foot pile with still further to go if I wanted to cut every segment into smaller pieces.
I thought to myself the dark shadows of our lives are like that. If we take one small piece of it at a time the darkness gives way to the light.
Chip away! The darkness is not as thick as it seems.
The Light is there!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
a note from God to Moms
To all Moms--a note from God
I walked out my back door and saw that God had sent us a Mother's Day bouquet. It was lovely creamed colored roses with edges of pink from being kissed by the sun. Over them rose a Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with purple, lavender, and pale violet blooms. The dark purple are the baby blooms; the lavender are a day old; and the violet blooms are the older one.
As the rising sun hit the blossoms I stopped to wonder how could it be that the timing of this event could be Mother's Day.
Then it came to me. Mothers believe and count on yesterday to find joy, they live in today with pleasure and they are the builders of tomorrow.
What a joy to know that God knows that and reminded us with such a treat!
Happy Mother's Day!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April 7th 2009
Today I saw the pictures from the Italian earthquake. The houses fallen, the rescuers bringing out the injured, the death toll of 200 so far. The after shocks are still .5 on the Rictor scale, enough to knock down what is left of the town and stop the rescuers from finding the injured.
The sadist part is that a week ago a lone seismologist went around the town with a bull horn warning of the coming earthquake and was stopped from disturbing the peace by the police and his colleagues discounted his evaluation of the danger and everyone--everyone did nothing!
In the fast 20 years those who have had control, as these colleagues did, of the information about global warming have done the same! Discrediting those who say there is danger, discounting the loudest voices and put out false information to cover their tactics.
Will we all be that stupid to listen to these people who soften the information so it does not scare people? Will the earth dangers what ever they are in your area go unprepared for? Will they catch us in our beds like they did yesterday in Italy?
I pray not! Do what you can to get the most difficult news and protect yourselves. NO FEAR JUST PREPAREDNESS!
Today I saw the pictures from the Italian earthquake. The houses fallen, the rescuers bringing out the injured, the death toll of 200 so far. The after shocks are still .5 on the Rictor scale, enough to knock down what is left of the town and stop the rescuers from finding the injured.
The sadist part is that a week ago a lone seismologist went around the town with a bull horn warning of the coming earthquake and was stopped from disturbing the peace by the police and his colleagues discounted his evaluation of the danger and everyone--everyone did nothing!
In the fast 20 years those who have had control, as these colleagues did, of the information about global warming have done the same! Discrediting those who say there is danger, discounting the loudest voices and put out false information to cover their tactics.
Will we all be that stupid to listen to these people who soften the information so it does not scare people? Will the earth dangers what ever they are in your area go unprepared for? Will they catch us in our beds like they did yesterday in Italy?
I pray not! Do what you can to get the most difficult news and protect yourselves. NO FEAR JUST PREPAREDNESS!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Fashy Moments
New Year’s Resolution
Years ago I had this surprising vision of my neighbor's roof out my kitchen window for a long time I have looked for the same effect and did not see it again. (Writing that day below) This morning I looked out and the twinkly little drops were there again. But…it was not the same thrill. Not the same still moment of wonder. Just the roll of the water twinkling in the sun as the frost melted.
Then I went outside. It is a frosty day bright, crisp, and cold. I heard the little humming birds tweet in the trees and as I looked to make sure they had nectar in the feeder. A little male flew about 4 feet away from me stopped in mid air to check me out then flew to the feeder and ate. Every once in a while as he licked up the sweet nectar he looked at me to make sure I wasn't going to get him. As he turned his brilliant ruby throat flashed in the sun. I had the same breathtaking awe as I had when I first saw the drops sparkle in the sun on the frosted roof.
I wonder if this is why we get bored. This thrilling realization feeling is very intoxicating. The exhilaration of seeing something for the first time is quite amazing and the desire to repeat it is almost irresistible. But is there a down side to this?
As I experienced with the roof the second time is not as powerful. In fact it is a bit flat. I wonder if looking at that roof again will ever feel like the first time. Enjoying the moments that come our way as the flash of red of the hummingbird’s throat or the sparkles on the roof were are the highlights in the painting of life. Those moments that stand out to give us pleasure while the rest of life is being lived.
I will enjoy the moments as they come and find pleasure in the things that are not flashy. This will make all of life worthwhile.
2006
A Black Roof
Night falls—A Sun dried black roof sits in the amber glow of the streetlights. Slowly tiny white fingers creep across the dark granular surface turning it into an invisible gray. The black roof is perched chilled in the amber glow waiting for redemption. Stony silence fills the night air as everything slumbers.
A faint glow at the edge of sight wakes the tiny birds sleeping in the trees. One by one they begin their morning serenade. The air fills with their music. Pink clouds fill the heavens above echoing the peachy glow of the streetlights. The peachy color turns to clear light revealing the white blanket covering the darkness of the black roof.
Quietly but swiftly fingers of brightness reach out to touch the top of the chimney warming the first row of bricks causing the tiny crystal tendrils to change form and flow under the white blanket below. Color transforms as the crystals feel the fingers of the clear transformed essence of the whiteness sneak under the blanket and dissolve its resolve to be there.
The light reaches the peak of the roof making a jagged outline of the house next door. The outline creeps relentlessly down the rough surface of the black roof, keeping its shape as it descends. The clear essence sneaks under the whiteness as it intrudes further down the surface of the black roof.
The sun’s rays hit, clear drops tumble down each shingle, each one twinkling with joy like star glitter is dancing on the black roof’s rough surface. Darkness seeps down the slope to fan out like feathers under the whiteness below.
Soon the whiteness is no more the black roof twinkles with delight. It crackles quietly as tiny wisps of white gossamer waft into the air. Redeemed at last the black roof is dry again. A day has begun.
Years ago I had this surprising vision of my neighbor's roof out my kitchen window for a long time I have looked for the same effect and did not see it again. (Writing that day below) This morning I looked out and the twinkly little drops were there again. But…it was not the same thrill. Not the same still moment of wonder. Just the roll of the water twinkling in the sun as the frost melted.
Then I went outside. It is a frosty day bright, crisp, and cold. I heard the little humming birds tweet in the trees and as I looked to make sure they had nectar in the feeder. A little male flew about 4 feet away from me stopped in mid air to check me out then flew to the feeder and ate. Every once in a while as he licked up the sweet nectar he looked at me to make sure I wasn't going to get him. As he turned his brilliant ruby throat flashed in the sun. I had the same breathtaking awe as I had when I first saw the drops sparkle in the sun on the frosted roof.
I wonder if this is why we get bored. This thrilling realization feeling is very intoxicating. The exhilaration of seeing something for the first time is quite amazing and the desire to repeat it is almost irresistible. But is there a down side to this?
As I experienced with the roof the second time is not as powerful. In fact it is a bit flat. I wonder if looking at that roof again will ever feel like the first time. Enjoying the moments that come our way as the flash of red of the hummingbird’s throat or the sparkles on the roof were are the highlights in the painting of life. Those moments that stand out to give us pleasure while the rest of life is being lived.
I will enjoy the moments as they come and find pleasure in the things that are not flashy. This will make all of life worthwhile.
2006
A Black Roof
Night falls—A Sun dried black roof sits in the amber glow of the streetlights. Slowly tiny white fingers creep across the dark granular surface turning it into an invisible gray. The black roof is perched chilled in the amber glow waiting for redemption. Stony silence fills the night air as everything slumbers.
A faint glow at the edge of sight wakes the tiny birds sleeping in the trees. One by one they begin their morning serenade. The air fills with their music. Pink clouds fill the heavens above echoing the peachy glow of the streetlights. The peachy color turns to clear light revealing the white blanket covering the darkness of the black roof.
Quietly but swiftly fingers of brightness reach out to touch the top of the chimney warming the first row of bricks causing the tiny crystal tendrils to change form and flow under the white blanket below. Color transforms as the crystals feel the fingers of the clear transformed essence of the whiteness sneak under the blanket and dissolve its resolve to be there.
The light reaches the peak of the roof making a jagged outline of the house next door. The outline creeps relentlessly down the rough surface of the black roof, keeping its shape as it descends. The clear essence sneaks under the whiteness as it intrudes further down the surface of the black roof.
The sun’s rays hit, clear drops tumble down each shingle, each one twinkling with joy like star glitter is dancing on the black roof’s rough surface. Darkness seeps down the slope to fan out like feathers under the whiteness below.
Soon the whiteness is no more the black roof twinkles with delight. It crackles quietly as tiny wisps of white gossamer waft into the air. Redeemed at last the black roof is dry again. A day has begun.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Royalty Stops for a Treat on the Way
Monarch Butterflies have been a part of my life since I was a little child. I was raised in Pacific Grove, California where the Monarchs rest on their long journey from north to south. They fill the tall pine trees along the State Park at Asilamar, hanging from the branches like garlands of orange and black flowers only they flutter even if there is no wind. They gather their strength for the rest of the flight.Since I was raised in this wonderous place I was a butterfly, nurse to the butterflies, in a train full of butterflies or anything else our teachers could cook up so we could be in the Pacific Grove annual "Butterfly Parade".
Their migration from the flowers of the north to Mexico each year is remarkable. This one stopped by my Cosmos for a treat on its way down the coast of California.
As I painted it I realized I had never known that Monarchs have white spots all over their little bodies. Wow! as many times as I made myself into a Monarch Butterfly I never knew that.
I guess when you paint something you see things that you normally don't notice.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Gifts at Christmas Time
There is not much you can give to a parent on any occasion that is not redundant or not necessary. They have lived their lives, accumulated their needs, established their homes and met their own desires.
But… there is one thing they can not do for themselves. One thing that only a child, little or grown, can do for a parent.
Respect them for the attempt to raise you
Weather you have a “good” parent or one that has failed you in some way or even in all ways each one has attempted to do their best.
War, injury, illness, pain--physical and emotional, too much intelligence or not enough, too much work or not enough work, economic excess or money problems, other duties imposed by outer circumstances, duties imposed by negative behavior of other family members, difficulties with other adult members of the family, religious or philosophical differences, dislocations, deaths that may cause mourning depression that lasts too long for others comfort, destructive habits, inabilities and incompetence, incompatibilities, disappointments, discouragements, are just a few of the mine fields they had to walk through as they were trying to do their best for you.
Some did not make it through, trauma caused PTSD in some making it imposable to be OK for you, the death of their own parents may become too much for them to bear, the loss of a job, the loss of their own dignity through intolerance of others, the pain of their own frail lives may have rendered them less than perfect.
But they tried to the best of their ability.
When it is your turn to be the parent I only hope your children realize this.
But… there is one thing they can not do for themselves. One thing that only a child, little or grown, can do for a parent.
Respect them for the attempt to raise you
Weather you have a “good” parent or one that has failed you in some way or even in all ways each one has attempted to do their best.
War, injury, illness, pain--physical and emotional, too much intelligence or not enough, too much work or not enough work, economic excess or money problems, other duties imposed by outer circumstances, duties imposed by negative behavior of other family members, difficulties with other adult members of the family, religious or philosophical differences, dislocations, deaths that may cause mourning depression that lasts too long for others comfort, destructive habits, inabilities and incompetence, incompatibilities, disappointments, discouragements, are just a few of the mine fields they had to walk through as they were trying to do their best for you.
Some did not make it through, trauma caused PTSD in some making it imposable to be OK for you, the death of their own parents may become too much for them to bear, the loss of a job, the loss of their own dignity through intolerance of others, the pain of their own frail lives may have rendered them less than perfect.
But they tried to the best of their ability.
When it is your turn to be the parent I only hope your children realize this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)