It Must Be Magic

Though miles apart
You've stolen my heart
While the miles say
You're 10 hours away
And yet it feels
Like you are right here

Thank technology for "cells"
With their tingling bells
That signal that it is you
My smile broadens & my heart quickens
When your voice comes through
And all you have to say is "hey, you!"

Can feelings be felt
With the cards that have been dealt?
Can heartbeats match
When they cannot be attached?

I believe it's true
My heart says it is, too
Because we both believe
It must be magic

Pictures: me. And I do believe in "magic." :-)
Carry on Tuesday word prompt: "it must be magic"

Wake Up!!!

Spring calls & awakens me from my sleep.

I quickly dress and run to see what it wants

It merely wants me to notice how the budding, delicate branches of the 'wedding tree' wrap so gently around it's trunk

 It wants me to notice the amazing field of Daffodils bobbing & smiling in the sunshine

 It makes me wonder at the marvel of God's placing thousands of Daffodils amongst the woods in the strangest places

But lastly, it wanted me to run into a beautiful Italian bella by the name of "Pamina" who shared in my joy. She told me 50 years ago (before I was born), before the woods existed, the Daffodils covered the earth. God blessed with hundreds of thousands of flowers that eventually were joined by the now mighty woods.

To that end, Spring calling to me gave me beauty and crossed my path with a beautiful soul.

WAKE UP!!!, indeed. :-)


Pictures by: me. And in keeping with privacy, I didn't take a picture of Bella Pamina's face, but secretly caught her as she left me. She is/was a beauty! :-)

Sunday Scribbling word prompt #365, "Wake Up!"

The Apology

An oft-given apology

..is akin to a sharp knife

...that eventually becomes dull

When it is used over & over again

... without being re-sharpened

... you begin to use the knife less

... until you finally have no use for it, at all

Pictures: sunset after a rain storm
Sunday Scribbling word prompt #364: "apology"

Sunday

Elisha - A Tale of Two Vessels

"... The jar had to be empty: Obviously the only thing that stops a vessel being filled is if it is already filled with something else! So Elisha instructed the lady to get empty jars. The Bible speaks of us being filled with the Holy Spirit. But it also speaks of the emptying process that allows us to be in a state to be filled and used by God. We need to be emptied of pride and self dependence to be filled by God. That is the message of 2 Cor 4. Firstly, it speaks of God’s light (the oil giving light of the Holy Spirit) being in our little vessel:

“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

And secondly it goes on to show the ‘emptying’ process that occurs so that we can be filled with the Lord’s life and power..."

Amen and Amen :-) 

The Sunday Community

Sunrise

 

Thursday

"Before"

"After"

 How about this little project I saw on Pinterest? I started saving empty jars last year for some reason & finally found this. Spray paint the INSIDE of the jars, let dry & instant vases! The colors I used were 'Sunshine Yellow' and 'Ballet Slipper."  Of course I can see all the flaws, but for the most part, I think they're cute. :-)

I've still not found a job, but then again, I haven't been looking that hard. I am truly enjoying this 'leisure time' and actually have no desire to punch a time clock. But I know this can't go on forever. I'm really trying to figure out what I want to do, but I draw blank. After so many years of 'working to pay the bills', what I really want escapes me.

I've also found that I am enjoying spending all this time alone. I don't mean to anti-social, but my own company seems to be all I can handle right now. Yes, I know it's been three weeks of solitude, but for some reason, I feel peaceful. I really do need to get in touch w/family & spend time with them.

But for right now...

Sunday

Being thankful for quiet days....

"When I give you no special guidance, stay where you are. Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My Presence with you.  The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life.  Through collaboration with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge with yours. this is the secret not only of joyful living but also of victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment, recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing.

Be thankful for quiet days, when nothing special seems to be happening.  Instead of being bored by the lack of action, use times of routine to seek My Face.  Although this is an invisible transaction, it speaks volumes in spiritual realms.  Moreover, you are richly blessed when you walk trustingly with Me through the routines of your day."

Jesus Calling, April 13th, Colossians 3:23; John 15:5 & Psalm 105:4

This touched me in such a way - I'm always "concerned" about not knowing if I'm "doing what I should be doing." This reading told me that it's okay to not always be "in action", but to be thankful for quiet days. And also to use the "I'm bored" times to turn my attention fully to Jesus. This was right on time. Thank you, Sweet Heavenly Father.

Sunday Community

Friday Fill-Ins

A wet, Friday morning.

Time for Friday Fill-Ins!!! My answers are in bold. Here we go!:


1. Right now I'm feeling peaceful.
2. Procrastination is my well known quirk.
3. Are you living your best life?
4. Run errands first, then RELAX!
5. That's why I am currently unemployed.
6. The Golden Girls is one of my favorite tv shows ever!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to diving into a new book, tomorrow my plans include maybe visiting family and Sunday, I want to go to church!

Picture: me
Friday Fill-Ins

Self Portrait

Self Portrait

Take a journey

Take a chance

See possibilities

Give hugs

Run a race

Run the washer

Run the gamut

Pause

 

Breathe

Live fully 

Love completely

Power to the She :-)

Let It Shine

Turquoise Swallow-Tailed Finches

I feel my very best when I take good photos. I feel appreciative & blessed when folks comment on them. When 'they' say, 'why aren't you selling these?', or 'why don't you have a website?', or 'you're a professional & you don't even know it.' ....

Then I feel nervous. Lol. I used to say 'oh, it's the camera; it does all the work - I just point the camera.' But I couldn't be further from the truth. Nearly everyone in my family owns a camera, yet not many of us even touch them. So no, they couldn't just pick up the camera & it would do all the work.

There is a reason why I retrace my steps when I shoot; there is a reason I get closer; step back; zoom in, then out; turn this way, then that; get on my knees or on a chair; chase the sun, along with the shade, run outside in my "pj's", hang out a window, stand in the middle of the street, steady myself, hold my breath, go out in the rain and/or the snow. Spend hours downloading, editing, printing, turning prints into hand-made photo cards.

The reason: Because I want everyone to see exactly what I saw at that moment.

Which then makes me a photographer (nervous giggle). The next time folks ask if I am that; I will say, yes, I am a photographer, with confidence.

How to market me? Major suggestions have been: create a portfolio, create a business card, get a website (or should I reactivate my "Flickr" account & use that?); get an email page separate from my personal email. I started (very barely) an Etsy page, but shy away from when it comes to the thought of handling folks credit cards (YIKES!!). I need to get away from thinking, 'but there are tons of pictures 'like these' out there - what makes mine different?"

I need to listen to my 'shine' trying to come through. What have I got to lose? Time will past at any rate, right? :-)

"picture taken on a morning drive to Sippo Lake. perfect!"

Sunday

"Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. ~ Revelation 3:20

The other day when leaving the house, I was approached by three young men. They were going door to door asking if anyone needed prayer. I told them I did and the four of us stood right there & they prayed for me. One young man then gave me a pamphlet inviting anyone & everyone to his home for worship and a meal. I was so touched & by their generosity. He lives right around the corner from me - 'the blue house w/the yellow pick up truck.' I knew it immediately. His 'church' is called "Radial Church' where folks rotate at each other's homes for worship and food. How great is that?

Now every time I turn the corner, my eyes immediately go to the blue house/yellow pickup & I smile. I smile at goodness, kindness, compassion, prayer, faith and trust. Blessings abound.

Amen :-)

The Sunday Community

After all...

The sun always rises...

Chose your direction  carefully

Go about your day being thankful & blessed

... face troubles & worries head on

...then let them all roll off your back

because after all, tomorrow is another day.

Carry on Tuesday word phrase: "after all, tomorrow is another day."

Sharp

The one thing I love about photography is when you capture exactly what you see; when the images come out clear and sharp; you've captured a bit of reality, a moment in time, happiness in your soul, and you can't wait to share :-)

I did a bit of sun-chasing across the kitchen floor. Lol.
Sunday Scribblings prompt: "sharp"

Friday Fill-Ins

This morning's sunrise.

Friday Fill-Ins time!! My answers are in bold. Away we go!!!

1. I use fresh herbs when I cook.
2. Bridges of Madison County is one of my favorite movies.
3. It's FRIDAY!
4. STOP, time STOP! (Lol!)
5. I said you're amazing, and then he said "no, I'm just regular."
6. BAM'S Healthy Cuisine Roasted Veggie Soup is what I'm craving right now!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to seeing family before they fly back home to L.A., tomorrow my plans include possibly "de-cluttering" and Sunday, I want to cook a nice Sunday meal!

Fun. Fun. Fun!!! :-)

Doubt

"Doubt is a pain...

... too lonely to know

... that faith is his twin brother" ~ Khalil Gibran

Week two into unemployment. I am finding with so much time on my hands, I cannot relax & do all the things I thought I would do if I were "off." A door left cracked open is allowing bits of doubt to seep in. Self-doubt. I desperately hang onto my faith, yet I find when my mind is idle, I allow myself to pick me apart.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Hands folded.

In prayer.

Pictures: me