Today the sun came out to play. So, when Gideon laid down for a nap, I bundled up and sat in a little spot up against the house, soaking in all the warmth.I've never yearned for spring this much--it must be these northern winters.The sun-filled days are few and far between, but not one of them is taken for granted.I try to look for beauty in the bleak. There is a loveliness about old things passing away and the promise of new things coming.But a girl can only take so much wither and decay.So today, I sought out some life...And I found it, there at my feet, as I sat quietly in the sun.And when I find life, I have to gather it up. So I found a bucket......and some tools for digging.(This is what you use when you can't find your spade.)Here's the dirt. I tried to be poetic about the dirt but [...]

Dear Friends,I don't have much to give you tonight. No witty stories about Bubby. No profound words to inspire you. But I want to give you something...so for the next few minutes, I'm just going to write to you some things from my heart...some things that I tell myself throughout the day. It will probably be random...because I'm random. But it's from me to you...because I like you a lot and I just want to give something to you. I want you to be glad. I want you to love life.Here goes...(By the way, Bubby is chewing on my shirt right now. I'm letting him because I'm glad he's here and well, somehow it's keeping him entertained for a few minutes.)Today is a gift! Did you look out the window today? I hope you did because life isn't all about computers and to-do lists and cleaning and eating a[...]

I am drawn to the woods. There's something about a deep canopy of trees and a floor of withering leaves and moss that allures me, no, compels me to enter in. Is it the quiet? The rugged beauty? The solace that I find there?The mysterious life that I see when I take time to be still? To stoop down and pause and just observe?I identify myself with the beauty-seekers. The God-hunters.God says that if we look for Him, we'll find Him, because He's not far from each one of us."...so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." (Acts 17:26-28)I believe that's why I often steal away to come here. Because for me, the Maker of my soul is clearly seen here. He's vivid. He's real. And He's oh, so beautiful.I love be[...]

This week I'm featuring a poem a day by my favorite poet, Ralph Spaulding Cushman. The following poem is so meaningful to me. I long to be always aware that each day of life is a precious gift from the Lord. This day is full of wonder and beauty and Jesus comes to us in a thousand ways--in the sunlight, in the warm embrace of a friend, through His written Word.Lord, help us to see that You are real and that You're here with us.Photo creditTHIS DAYby Ralph Spaulding CushmanThis day, Lord, is Thy gift of grace,Wherein I may discern Thy lace!The sunbeams quivering on a treeReveal Thy constant care for me;This glad, green earth, the blue above,May tell the wonders of Thy love.But oh, dear Lord, lest blind my eyesShould grow to Thy wide lifting skies,To all Thy gifts of earth and sea,Lord, kee[...]

Morning came and I slipped out the back door. I didn't know the river would be cloaked in fog. I wasn't expecting to see only this one glorious tree, hugging the hillside, inviting me to be still and listen for His voice. I came seeking Him and needing to be filled.Hungry-hearted, I stood still. Hushed. "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." (Psalm 46:9-11)And I watched as warm morning light seeped slowly through the haze, revealing soft blue above."Oh, send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me. Let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling." (Psalm 43:3)Two swans appeared. Tranquility. "You will keep in perfect peace, whose mind in stayed on You, because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3)The day rushes on.B[...]

One of the reasons why I started this blog is because I want to share life with you. And I want to somehow do my part to help you enjoy your life a little more. One way I can do that, is by encouraging you not to fill up your life with too much busyness and hurry, but to pause...and take time to enjoy the wonder and awe of God and His creation.This here window is in the basement bedroom that we're staying in. Every day I peek over the plants and look to see what sort of critters have fallen down overnight. This weekend, I saw something that I've been aching to see for a long time--a SALAMANDER!!! Actually, I saw two salamanders, even better.I vividly remember the first time I ever dug one of them up in the backyard as a little girl. I was completely mesmerized to find the sweetest, sleekes[...]