Things that make me think or simply smile

words ~ a collection

~mildness & meditation
~ compass of your soul
~ sparks of light
~ a breath of fresh air
~ blossoms & dewdrops
~ stars drew in their panting fires
~ wealth of globed peonies
~ unravished bride of quietness
~ silence and slow time
~ time dances brilliantly
~ steadfast & stillness
~ fullness unparalleled
~ meaningful conversation
~ time-honored rituals
~ fat raindrops
~ quiet hours of solitude
~ a flickering glow
~ spontaneous delight
~ turning inward
~ penchant for amazing me
~ single moment of perception
~ enduring power to transport us
~ sun poking its rays through our windows
~ effervescent 


So many of these words feel like summer to me. It's certainly the spirit around here, with only one week of school in session, we are feeling the giddiness that comes with the anticipation of the endless expanse of summer lingering on the horizon. Already, the days have become full of such warmth and energy that seeps through my bones, leaving me with a desire to embark on fresh beginnings, see the world with fresh eyes and live with optimism radiating from my soul. This is nothing new, it happens each year with the arrival of the sun in all its glory. I welcome it for what it has to teach me and the many ways it will delight me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekending

A little gift from my boy this weekend that made me cry. 
He knew I would, his teacher telling the kids we would and then that we'd hang them up for all to see.
I'm happy he was not disappointed.
I'm also happy to see he thinks I'm 25 years old and 6 ft. tall (neither...)
Seriously, how absolutely adorable is that?
They surprised me with a "sock knitting" gift package.
I'm looking forward to taking the class and knitting up a pair of socks with the happy yarn they gave me.
It was all the hubbies idea, how cool is he?
Lots of bike rides, walks and weeding.
I've picked up the knitting needles again.
My goodness, they feel good in my hands.
Picked up picnic eats at Whole Foods then to the park on Mother's day.
I just wanted a quiet day.
They are so rare these days.
10 more days until summer vacation.
We are looking forward to the long, lazy summer days.
A good weekend spent surrounded by those dearest to my heart.
Perfect.

How was your weekend?



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mother's day wishes

Happy Mother's Day

I'm thankful for to be the mama of these sweet little souls. 

I have been delighted watching them make plans for today all week.

Whispers to each other, with the words "it's a surprise...don't tell mom." 

They have been working on little projects for this special day behind closed doors.

Today will be full of lots of snuggles, a little outdoor adventure, some knitting and a nap.

Savoring the day the whole step of the way.

I love being a mama.

It's the best gift in the world.

Seeking the light

This morning light stops me in my tracks. I'm smitten, transfixed, grateful for its return.
Even though it becomes my bright light right as I'm sending my two boys off for the day, I still take a moment to capture the radiance of something so simple. Stopping to take notice despite all that is happening around me. Those little lessons I'm thankful for.



 

Thankful thoughts

Life is full right now.

It's in this fullness that I am acutely aware of my inner need to be attentive to my surroundings.

This morning I awoke to the happy twitter of birdsong.

A smile crossed my face as I thought about how utterly delightful it is to welcome this glorious morning music, the sun is here to stay for awhile.

That kills me with joy.

As I kissed my little guy goodbye as he ventured off to school, the words "goodbye best mom in the world" made me so very happy. 

2 weeks of school left.

I am so looking forward to welcoming summer break with arms wide open.

Wide open.

Today I am reminded that no matter how full my days are lately and how much I just want to be here at home living life to its full domesticity that right now is good no matter what.

I love this life we have worked so hard to be living.

I am thankful for all that we have to look forward to.

I am thankful for these children whose eyes and being light up my world.

They enlarge my life in ways I could never have imagined.

Being a mom and wife is the best thing in the world.

Right now is so very good.


 

magic mirror

"A personal library is not simply a collection of books.
It is a mirror of its owner, but a magic mirror that reflects
far more than the image that is put before it.
It can expose secret aspirations and cut deeper than any

scalpel into an unquiet heart. "

-G.W. Bowersock 

This quote is one that resonates deeply with me. As I pull books of the shelves, dipping into the pages just because I find it to be a delightful source of seeking a calm moment, I am made aware of just how powerful each and every book I lovingly own speaks volumes to the person that I not only am but most importantly the person I want to be. A seeker of knowledge, beauty and understanding, a common thread that binds my life together. Hours sought yet not quite attained to sit and ponder the great ideas nestled between the pages. I dream of uninterrupted expanses of time to be with these words and stories. A dream that is patiently waiting in the recesses of my heart to be set free. In the meantime, I will take hold of those small pockets of opportunity to find the grounding and sheer delight my library brings me. A delight that will always set my heart soaring.


 

Untrodden regions of the mind

"Yes, I will be thy priest, and build a fane (temple)
In some untrodden regions of my mind,
Where branched thoughts, new grown with pleasant pain,

Instead of pines shall murmur in the wind:
Far, far around shall those dark-clustered trees
Fledge the wild-ridged mountains steep by steep;

And there by zephyrs (breezes), streams, and birds, and bees,

The moss-lain Dryads (tree nymphs) shall be lulled to sleep;

And in the midst of this wide quietness

A rosy sanctuary will I dress

With the wreathed trellis of a working brain,

With buds, and bells, and stars without a name,

With all the gardener Fancy e'er could feign,

Who breeding flowers, will never breed the same:

And there shall be for thee all soft delight

That shadow thought can win,

A bright torch, and a casement ope at night,

To let the warm Love in!"

-John Keats

Fr; Ode to Psyche 

 

An interpretation of poetry, something so personal. Reading over this stanza again and again, I was left feeling a sense of mystery and beauty for the life of the mind. Maybe this poem means nothing to that affect yet I don't care. For me, it speaks of the desire to enlarge my mind and my universe with great thoughts and ideas. Learning, growing, always venturing down the path of understanding and knowledge. I love how poetry can carry such variant of meaning depending on what one is seeking.


 

words ~ a collection

~ lapped in tender light

~ twilight lingers

~ the wandering moon

~ silence more musical than any song

~ magic on rainy mornings

~ the pulse of life

~ unperplex'd delight

~ mystical moist-night air

~ slow steady interaction with a book

~ inner light

~ joy everlasting

~ patient thought

~ nectarous cheer

~ singest of summer in full throated ease

~ a book's particular magic

~ sweet refrain

~ meditative musings

~ joy which illumined her heart

~ rosy-fingered morning



 

~ a power lies within

"When you have made up your mind what you want to do, say to yourself a thousand times a day that you will do it. The best way will soon open. You will have the opportunity you desire. If you would be greater in the future than you are now, be all that you can be now. He who is best develops the power to be better. He who lives his ideals is creating a life that is actually ideal.  There is nothing in your life that you cannot modify, change or improve when you learn to regulate your thought. Our destiny is not mapped out for us by some exterior power; we map it for ourselves. What we think and do in the present determines what shall happen to us in the future."

                                                                                -Christian D. Larson

I often think of working my way to a better version of myself like going on a vacation. The best part is in the planning, the mapping out of the destination, listing the process, the anticipation of what will be.
Working toward my inner greatness is a passion, something that I love to read about, journal about, take baby steps toward on a daily basis. A keen awareness happens when I follow my inner compass, listen to the promptings of my heart and follow it's guidance.

For longer than I care to admit, the pause button has been hit, life has taken hold and I've neglected to care for this essential part of myself.  I can feel it to a great degree, a sense of imbalance and a general sense of blah has taken center stage. Feelings I do not care to place the welcome mat out for, yet they've still arrived and made themselves at home. Instead of dwelling on this fact of my life, I'm taking the steps to move forward with joy and the idea of being a better me. The first step is identifying the "heavies" in my life, eliminating that which is not necessary right now and making a promise to carve out time for me each and every day. No matter if it's 5 minutes or half the day, it's necessary and will only serve for the greater good of my life.

No, this is not depression, it's growth, being on the edge of something profound and having the courage to leap forward in life. I've never seen this state of feeling unmoored as a sign of something to be concerned about, it's a gift. A little present from the universe that is telling me "hey, you are full of so much potential and not living up to that". It's time to wake up and move forward with arms wide open for all that is yet to be. 

It's great to be holding the map, charting my own course through this wide and expansive life. 

 

words ~ a collection

~ dew-bent rose

~ vaulted sky

~ honeyed song

~ smoke curling from their chimneys

~ profusion of honey blossoms

~ glittered, calm & beguiling

~ quiet as a feather

~ careful consideration

~ evening's dewy veil

~ sweet silent thought

~ spirits are attentive

~ world of merriment

~ starry solitudes

~ gift of observation

~ richness of language

~ in the full, slow reading and rereading of every word

~ to mimic slow structures

~ world's heart strings

~ white heron rising with silver on it's wings

~ I fling my soul on high with new endeavor

~ rapturous vision

~ mighty thoughts suggest

~ millions of fireflies illuminating the valley

~ twinkling silence

~ stewards of the present tense (this is a favorite)

~ beautiful state of flux

~ final whisper of birdsong

~ interlude

~ I inhale great draughts of space

~ quiet and verdant core

~ enduring

~ cultivating solitude

~ a solemn stillness

~ in full self attendance