simple pure mystery

Sometimes the world can look a little messy. Sometimes it can be downright ugly. This weekend we celebrate Easter... simple pure mystery.
We celebrate a miracle that takes us from hopelessness to a promise of joy. I love Easter, not as a religious tradition but as an inner conviction of all that I believe in. In light, in mystery, in dogwoods, in the sacred circle, in goodness, in faith and most importantly in LOVE. The example of Jesus, sacrifice for the world, shows us the way to the true blessings of life. It is not an easy road but it is paved with dogwoods and hope. It is a painful and scarred battle to experience true love, but so worth it.
People seem to love the joy part, but you can't have the joy without the pain. I am so grateful for the example and for the Greatest Love of all. Love reigns! Happy Easter! Enjoy some chocolate!

Redbud hunting

Here in the Ozarks we are about 10 days from Redbud time. John and I will leave for Tennessee next week, about the time the red- buds arrive. My first question to the producer in Chattanooga. "do you have redbuds in April. She said yes.. and I said ok then we will come. ' I usually never book an event the first two weeks in April because that is redbud blooming time and I don't want to miss a moment with them. They are usually only around for about two weeks. So everyday that I go out now I am peering thru the woods looking for little purple buds. The dogwoods will follow the redbuds and for about 4 to 7 days they will both be out together... that is Magic. I figure that the ride to and from Tennessee will be a good redbud hunting expedition. And when I get home I should be here for the redbud dogwood show. I have come to learn that life is best lived surrounded by beautiful nature and people who make you feel good about yourself. Like the dogwoods and redbuds thier are people in my life that I only get to experience for 7 to 14 days a year and I soak in each moment I have with them and look forward to our times together like I do the redbuds. Each season is full of wonderful magic and beauty. Hope your days are full of redbuds, dogwoods and special people

wild brook

In keeping with my sparkler theme, I have concluded that I am most like a wild brook, not a placid lake, a roaring ocean or a singing stream... a wild brook. What are you? We are each unique and beautiful. I really love water, it is my element. Most of my fondest memories involve water. When I was a child, my dad would get home from work early and we would go to Lake Michigan and eat dinner on the beach. I would frolic in the waves and never have a single care. I still can not keep my self away from waves, I love them completely. I lived steps away from the ocean when I was a young mom. I would stroll my son over and we would watch the sunset over the ocean almost every evening. These are the moments that have shaped my life.
These are the spirit meals that have enriched my soul. The wild brook does not say to the placid lake, you are lovelier than me. Nor the ocean to the waterfall, I am stronger than you. Nature is, in its own way, the teacher of humility and balance. The more humanity learns of its constant beauty the more humanity will find peace.

blah

It has finally happened. I don't feel like writing. I have gone over a month with inspiration every day and a desire to write my blog. Today is a blah day. It is beautiful sunny and warm outside and I don't feel like joining in on the parade today. I think I will just move slowly around the house and occasionally just feel sorry for myself. I don't think I will look for the half full glass or make lemonade out of lemons. I have no excuse, no depression, no sickness, no sudden tragedy just blah.
so is life
to be continued... or not

dream catchers

Life is full of magic moments. There seem to be signs all around us, messages from beyond, to remind us of what truly matters. Children seem to inherently know what is important. Watch them play, feel them hug. Yesterday, as I sat in the hospital with my mom and John, things seemed pretty much hospital culture. Sterile, clipboards, anxious anticipation, waiting, needles. Not much magic.... until I opened my eyes. The nurses who cared for my mom were not the usual or what you might expect...no nurse Hatchet in the bunch. We had the singing nurse, the caring nurse, the angel on the wings of mercy nurse. Every one of them was full of grace and kindness. I was like, what is this? Is this real? Are these maybe angels visiting in answer to prayer? When mom went into surgery, we had two more angels greet us...Luella and Sue. I had other Circle of Nations angels call, send cards, show love. Life was full of magic moments in that place of pain. We are all so connected to spirit but if we just pass by the message, if we are in too big of a hurry to see, if we have turned off our magic sensors, given up on faith and hope, then we won't see. This incredible sign of connection that the spider weaves we will not hear. The rainbow, the unexpected smile, the beautiful lily, the hawk.... all messengers. We are loved.... listen....see.....respond. Most important, you can be someone else's angel. Try it, give love and it will heal the world at least for a moment.

from lillies to laundry

I woke up early this morning to a disturbing dream. I actually woke up in tears. So I have spent the last couple hours trying to comfort myself. Hot bubble bath, hot coffee, cinnamon bread toast and now a blog. This picture was taken outside my front door in our little pond. It is one of my favorite pictures. It is so beautiful. But don't be fooled, our pond is kind of frumpy, but the frogs love it and also little boys. Grandsons and nephews love this pond. I always wish for something more elegant, more lovely, so creator has given me this pink water lilly. Gratitude.... yesterday I got to walk a labyrinth at an incredible place in Arkansas called Terra studios. What a magnificent place to visit. John said he just could not stop smiling the whole time we were there. It is outside of Elkin a half hour away from Fayetteville and about an hour and a half from us ( if Luella is driving). Otherwise count on a little more time. As I read about the intention of this particular Labyrinth, gratitude is the goal of the creators. Peace comes from a heart of Gratitude, so as I walked I prayed and let my heart be open to thankfulness. That attitude of gratitude is a wonderful gift. Even as I put in a load of laundry today, mindlessly, I thought back to when my kids were young and I would lug them and a ton of laundry to the laundromat, scrounging up quarters to wash, chase, fold, chase, gather, chase. How thankful I am to have a washer and dryer. But strangly even the memory of those hard days are softer and more tender under the umbrella of thankfulness. I didn't realize then how fast life slips by and how the only truly important things are love, family and this moment in time. The secret of life is enjoying the passing of time. I will enjoy my washer and dryer today... tomorrow it may be gone. Love you all!

Butter Cookies

Still haven't quite figured out this blog thing... so much like life, just when your cruisin along... whoops what was that? I have lost into a black hole several of my blogs, so I just start over.
Here is my third attempt to give you one of my favorite cookie recipes. I make this cookie at Christmas, but whose to say it can't be made today.
The recipe comes from my dear friend Johnice. Her grandmother Ruth, who lived to be 100 years old passed the recipe down the family line and it came to me. So great art, music and cookies are timeless.
Thanks Ruth... thanks Johnice and thanks me!

1#Butter ( yes 1 # butter I said they were yummy didn't I)
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Egg
4 Cups sifted flour
1 tsp vanilla
Cream butter and sugar-add egg- mix- add vanilla
drop by teaspoon ( heaping) ( don't you love that word heaping) on ungreased cookie sheet
press with fork and add a pecan to center of each cookie
Bake 350 for 15 min. When edges are brown cookies are done, so watch them sometimes they are finished in 10 or 12 min.
Eat, share, love