The vine in the center of this photograph promises much when first planted and then disappears into the tree tops,
its leaves blending with the oak's.
It isn't until it blooms that you remember that it is there at all.
That's when the flowers come sailing back to earth.
They land everywhere – the lawn, the van, the driveway, the patio.
It is very cheerful!
You might say that light flower showers will continue for the next two weeks!
Purity and perfection…
you can almost detect the sweet scent of this magnolia blossom.
Complimenting a neighbor on her exquisite magnolia tree,
I learn that she planted the seed for it 50 years ago!
I knew a woman in her nineties who continued to plant saplings.
Planting trees when you know you will never see them come into their magnificence
suggests a faith in life, and the earth, and in green things, that is deeply inspiring.
I suppose that planting anything asserts a kind of faith.
Faith in the soil, the sunshine and the rain.
Faith in the seasons.
Faith in yourself.
When you plant a seed, you set something in motion…
The Last Supper.
12 Disciples.
One might be full of fear.
One might be unfaithful.
One might be a woman.
History or myth?
Truth or fiction?
What really matters?
To you?
Take away the rituals and the robes and aren't all the teachings the same?
Love. Compassion. Kindness.
We can change our world with love, compassion and kindness,
a little at a time,
each day.
Church window – St. John's Church, Mt. Washington in Baltimore.
If you could be a flower, which would you be?
One of the brave first bloomers that tempt winter to send a late frost?
How about a grand amaryllis, delicate on its long stem, yet stately and beautiful?
Or perhaps a lily that lasts only a day?
Would you prefer to bloom in summer, when the sun shines full and hot
or in autumn, under a canopy of red and gold leaves?
We humans are so dense, physically speaking, that it is hard to imagine being so light and airy.
Yet it is now known that our bodies are mostly empty space!
Water and space!
Maybe we are flowers!
Sitting in the hammock isn't usually considered hazardous duty,
but there is no reason to take needless chances.
So, out comes the camera and off you go onto the nearest branch.
Oh, you don't like that one? Then the second choice - go!
(Must be related to cats.)
(Might be going to a beach fire, and bringing the marshmallows.)
No, she hasn't got a name!
Beautiful hammock found at Southern Lights Candle Shop in St. Augustine, Florida.
A huge burst of energy stormed its way through here on Saturday.
The darkest clouds, huge winds and sideways rain scrambled the air.
It was the day of the night when I tried on someone else's shoes,
attempting to understand how her life might feel.
An impossible task, especially if the music you are half listening to keeps lending support to the antagonist of the story.
Not what I expected.
Much easier to take sides.
So,
I took both sides and stopped denying the good guy/bad guy in me,
embraced them both,
and put my own shoes on.
It rained gently throughout the night
and I slept really well.
We badly needed the rain.
Sunset behind them,
daybreak ahead…
What will tomorrow bring?
More kindness, less worry,
sunshine or rain?
Sunset sentry,
overlooking the St. John's River.
All's well with the world.
Great Egret, Welaka, Florida
There is a saying that -
"Life is what happens to us while we are busy making other plans."
Life in all of its messy perfection, like wildflowers by the side of the road
that escaped the boundaries of the perfect garden years ago to create another version of Eden.
Here it's wild phlox.
Up north it might be a stand of crocus or wild violets
whose origins go back (along with ours) through the generations.
Perhaps if we could see with knowing eyes,
we'd be assured that our lives are blooming -
just like the wildflowers by the side of the road,
and that we are right on time.
May we all be as lucky as the sailors who took to the sea
on the ship protected by this strong and gentle woman.
May the storms that surprise us, swiftly run their course
and fair winds bring us safely home.
Gleanings From Living Long
Lainesblog Thinking Out Loud 