Sunset at Tybee Island

Tybee Island is one of my favorite places!

Here's a picture of the sunset on the "back river".  How blessed I was to be able to spend a few days there this summer!  I was able to see the sunrise over the ocean, and then, after a day of soaking up the sun, reading, walking on the beach, and, in general, feeling absolutely RELAXED, finish the day watching this beautiful sunset.

Here are a couple more of my favorite pictures from that trip.

The sea grass is beautiful.......... even if my camera was not quite in focus!

If you look VERY closely in the bottom right of this picture, you'll see a fiddler crab digging his way back under the sand.  This fellow actually looked right at me for a good 30 seconds, until I moved to snap the picture.

Lastly, the beauty of the sunset relfected in the water.   Ahhhhhhhhhh, no that is the way to end an evening!

dreams

dream, a photo by jillallyn on Flickr.

Who knows where their dreams will take them?

I haven't been blogging in a while, but I've been finding a long-ago lost dream of mine awakening within me.

What a surprise!

For too many reasons to mention here, my dreams of attending college fizzled and disappeared a long, long time ago.

All of a sudden, I find a voice whispering inside of me, saying "why don't I try?"

Why not? Well, I can think of lots of reasons! But, an insistent voice keeps whispering..... "maybe you can!"

It'll be a long road to travel before I can (maybe?!) step into a classroom again as a student.

Meanwhile, I plan to cherish the journey to a childhood dream........ one step at a time.

It IS OK to dream!

"You are my parachute. . ."

Skydiving, a photo by aria anthony on Flickr.

I invite you to follow me to VELVETEEN RABBI to read an amazing poem, based in part on Psalm 23.  (Just click on the link!)

I've been so energized by this poem. It's called "PSALM OF THE SKY for those who dwell in uncertainty".   I so appreciate the sense of joyful trust in God that I find in this poem.  It's just what I needed this week. 
Thank you, Rachel, for your permission to post this link!

Choose Life........

No, this is not a post about the "pro-life vs. pro-choice" debate!

This is about CHOOSING the thoughts, attitudes, and actions that will bring LIFE to my little corner of the world.

I received these little "Live, Love, Laugh" vases as a Christmas gift. Today I finally took a few moments to buy silk flowers for the vases, and display them on my kitchen table.

Every once in a while a phrase in a Sunday sermon reaches out and grabs me, and stays with me all week. This was one of those Sundays. "Choose life" was the phrase that has captured my imagination. If my thoughts, words, and actions reflect love....... love for God, for MYSELF (why is that often so hard?), and for others...... then I'm making a choice for life..... abundant life. No, not the abundance of money and THINGS, but an abundance of inner joy, peace, and yes..... laughter.

Just for today, I'll choose life.

Color my world with hope

Colours
Originally uploaded by Jinu Martin (Busy)

Have I ever mentioned on this blog that I've found much hope in life through the 12 Steps?

Someone shared that their recovery program "colored her world with hope". That little sentence has been bouncing around in my head ever since. And, to go with that, there's the Chicago song (I know, I'm showing my age!) "Colour my World".

I've heard it said that addictions of all kinds are a way of shutting out the pain of life. I'm so grateful that I've been enabled to face the pain, learn what I did to cause it, and learn a new way to live my life.

Faith has always been a part of my life, and for that I'm so grateful. The 12 Steps have shown me how to put that faith into action. What a difference!

This little light of mine........

bright lights
Originally uploaded by DM 909

Today is Epiphany, and I'm so grateful for light in my life today.

"This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine.........."

I just LOVE to watch children sing that song!

Over the years, I've come to realize that God's light shines brightest through the broken places in our lives. Yes, even (or maybe ESPECIALLY!) through the brokenness, "let it shine, let it shine, let it shine".

Snowflakes!

Snowflakes!
Originally uploaded by nutmeg66

I actually had the pleasure of being outside and enjoying some snow flurries today! I live in the South, so snowflakes are indeed a treat! Nothing stuck, but oh what magic to step out of the shopping mall (yes, I braved the crowds to get my half-price calendars!) into the joyful dancing snow flurries, big flakes that stayed on the car for a bit before melting away. Pure magic, and what a lift to my spirit after spending too much time in the mall. Ah, if only I had my camera with me........ by the time I got home, the snow had stopped. What's the next best thing to my own photo? This wonderful photo-share from Flickr, of course! :)

If you look for me......................

I received this via a forwarded e-mail, so I'm not sure of the source. The message, however, is just what I need this Advent season! So, of course, I'll share it with you.

IF YOU LOOK FOR ME AT CHRISTMAS,
You won't need a special star ---
I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
I'm right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me
amid the celebrations ---
You'll have to look beyond the stores
and all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.
You're the one I want to be with.
you're the reason that I came,
And you'll find Me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.
Love,
Jesus

Advent - new beginnings

I find it hard to believe it's Advent again!

I can't get one sentence from yesterday's sermon out of my mind. "Every new beginning means that something has ended."

I've been turning that around in my head, and I realized that every ending also marks the chance for a new beginning.

Another similar saying: "Every time a door closes, another door opens.... but navigating the hallway can be TOUGH!"

So, here I am, thinking about endings and beginnings......... finally able to look back with gratitude instead of angst. Perhaps soon I'll catch a glimpse of the new beginning waiting just down the hall. Meanwhile, I'm grateful for the light in the hallway!

With a heart of thanksgiving,

With a heart of thanksgiving,
Originally uploaded by JojoDee

Thanksgiving --

It's Thanksgiving, and I'm so grateful for life.

I'm grateful that my daughter invited two friends to join us for Thanksgiving today. What a blessing to have friends around the table with us!

I have another friend who is having a difficult Thanksgiving, because her daughter passed away last week. I cannot imagine how she's getting through the day. I called her today to let her know I was thinking of her. I hope the call helped in some small way.

My daughter and I made our Thanksgiving lefse this morning. Lefse is a Norwegian flat bread made from potato dough rolled out thin, like a tortilla. It didn't turn out perfect. I hope I will remember my daughter's advice. She told me that I get too stressed out and take things too seriously. I'd have much more fun if I LAUGHED because it wasn't turning out perfect. I'd say she's a pretty smart lady!

Yes, I'm blessed this Thanksgiving. May you be blessed, too.

Homer's Odyssey - recommended listening/ reading!

Posting about my cats reminded me that I needed to update my Shelfari list.

I spend almost 1/2 hour each way driving to work, so I often listen to audiobooks. I'm such a fan of my public library! I found "Homer's Odyssey". If you are a cat-lover, I absolutely recommend this book. This cat is blind, and his name is Homer. Listening to this book made my commuting time fly by!

Welcome to my Zoo!

Well, my home is now a zoo!

My daughter, after taking a year off of college, has moved back home so that she can work less and give her all to college beginning in January! Hooray!

The pets ARE a challenge! You see, I have one elderly dog and two cats. The cats have known my dog Megan since they were kittens, and Megan is very CALM.

Shaggy and Shelby, who moved in with my daughter, are anything BUT calm! Imagine how furious my cats are to have their home invaded by dogs that want to PLAY with them!

My bedroom is now cat sanctuary, thank you very much! There's a baby gate up, and the cats have their routine pretty well set now. In the morning, when I asssure them that the dogs are either safely outside in the fenced yard or closed up in my daughter's room, the cats head outside for the day. Later, when I come home from work, they'll come around and wait patiently by the door while I get the dogs out of the way again. In the cats come, and directly to my bedroom.

Occasionally, one cat will decide to come into the living room, followed pretty quickly by excited dogs and a cat on top of the television armoire! Ah, maybe one day they'll get accustomed to each other...... or, maybe not.

Oh, and Shaggy is part lab, and LOVES to play with a ball! In fact, he has a tendency to DEMAND to play ball. He drops the ball in my lap, and then barks LOUDLY, looking at the ball then at my face, then barking again.... sigh. Thank goodness someone told me to just say NO, followed by a little spray of water if necessary. He's a smart dog..... after a couple of tries, he's learned that my no means NO. Oh, yes, I do take him out to the yard with the ball. What fun!

All I can say is, this Thanksgiving I am extremely thankful that my daughter wants to make her education a priority!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Heather T Memoirs: What does a dragonfly symbolize?

Heather T Memoirs: What does a dragonfly symbolize?: "Yesterday, the boys and I went for a walk at one of our favorite places. While we were walking, the dragonflies continually shared their ..."


I just had to share this post about dragonflies!
The other day (a difficult day!) I heard a noise at my kitchen door. When I looked, what did I see but a dragonfly buzzing at the window pane in my door! That dragonfly brightened my day.

detour on the path of life

detour on the path of life
Originally uploaded by johngpt

I've hit a detour in the road of life,
and the energy to write just isn't in me right now.
Just for today, I'm going to keep trusting that all will be well.
Funny thing about detours, they make me pay closer attention to the details of life......... no more "autopiloting" down roads I can almost drive with my eyes closed.
I've also heard that detours can lead to possibilities I never imagined.
With that in mind, I can smile.

Surprised by God..................

Girl sitting reading book looking surprised.
Originally uploaded by vinyl_word

There's a new book on my Shelfari shelf.
I was wandering through the biography section of the library (have I told you how much I LOVE public libraries?) and this book practically jumped off the shelf calling my name. SURPRISED BY GOD is in large print, and then in small print.... How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Religion.

This book is the story of a young woman's spiritual journey from atheism to embracing faith. She and I do not practice the same religion, but I find myself focusing on what we have in common, rather than the ways in which we differ.

I, too, have been "surprised by God" over the course of my life. I haven't considered myself an atheist, but I have spent years in a depressed condition. The fact that I can really experience joy (and pain..... gotta take both!) in my life has been quite a surprise, for one. And yes, I do count it God's grace that has a hand in my recovery.

Every day, if I look for it with an open mind, I find some surprising bit of joy in my day. Yes, I'm grateful.

Feeling ALIVE

YES STILL ALIVE!.................. (& with a quickie Photomatix / Photoshop Setting Tutorial!) :: HDR
Originally uploaded by Artie Photography :: Busy No need 2 comment :)

When asked how I'm feeling today, the only description I could think of was, "I'm feeling alive!".

Here are some other words:

joyous

grateful

free

Yesterday, I was able to make a few decisions that have been weighing me down for a while. I'm so grateful to be out of the fog of indecision and inaction. This is truly God's grace.

It's funny, even writing this I start to feel a tinge of fear. Will this feeling last? Did I make "wrong" decisions? Well, in answer to the first question "NO.... this, too, shall pass; that's OK. For right now, I choose to FEEL rather than to try to hold onto the feeling." In answer to the second question "Maybe, but making NO decision was DEFINITELY the wrong decision; and if I was wrong, then I'll deal with the consequences. It's OK."

Meanwhile, it's good to feel alive!

Gratitude- choosing my attitude

Painting of Gratitude (HPPT)
Originally uploaded by jon.noj

I've gotta say that this "embracing solitude" is easy when I'm consciously choosing it. Yesterday, however, I took my car to the shop, prepared with a book to read while I waited for the work to be done.

Imagine my surprise when I was told that the 60,000 mile maintenance requires that the timing belt be changed out. I gulped and said, OK. (You see, I'm a recent convert to getting the scheduled maintenance done promptly instead of changing the oil and hoping for the best!)

OK, so, I would pull out the credit card. (That's a whole other post just simmering in my brain.) Then, when I was told it was an ALL DAY job, I realized I woud be spending the day at home with NO CAR, so no choice to go somewhere.

The funny thing is, I had planned to just stay home and get work done around the house yesterday. Not having the choice changed my state of mind somehow, though. I got a LITTLE bit of work done, but not much. To tell the truth, I pretty much moped around.

Today I realize that I DID have a choice............ not the choice to stay home or go off somewhere, but I could choose a different attitude. Somehow I didn't see that yesterday.

Today I'm choosing gratitude....... just for today. All I can handle is 24-hours at a time.

Check out Suan Isaac's blog!

Here's a big THANK YOU to Jayne for her recommendation of the book "Angry Conversations With God", by Susan Isaacs. I could hardly put the book down! (It's on my Shelfari now, too!)

I decided to check out Susan's blog, Gray Matter, and what a wonderful surprise!

I'd especially like to recommend three of her recent posts:

"Kid with Aspergers interviews his mom" a real interview from PBS's Story Corp.

"Say YES AND" , recommended reading for anyone who has conversations about faith,

and "A stolen Poem by Mary Oliver". I need to check out Mary Oliver's poetry. This poem, "The Journey", could be a word picture of the place I am in my life's journey right now. I've listened to the voices of others saying "do this, do that" for so many decades. It's time for me to find out what MY voice sounds like!

Embracing solitude

Sand . Beach . Sea . Nature (Lumière et Solitude)
Originally uploaded by Tiquetonne2067

I've been doing my share of wishing and hoping..... even doing profiles for online dating services a time or two, then quickly deleting them!

Yesterday, somehow, (and I think it's grace at work!) I realized on a gut level that, for now at least, I'm ready to embrace solitude for a while.

Then, yesterday afternoon, I brought myself and a couple of books to the beach. As I was walking along, I noticed a couple taking pictures of one another next to the ocean. I asked if they'd like a picture together. Their faces lit up, and they told me that this was their 30th anniversary, and they didn't have any way to get a picture of them together! It made my heart happy to snap that photo.

Then, I walked away, tears in my eyes, thinking of how what would have been my 30th anniversary had just passed a few months ago.
So, I spent a few moments mourning what could have been, feeling grateful that I can actually FEEL the feelings.

Isolation is what I've practiced in the past......... hiding away in my own little world, eating to numb the pain, afraid to reach out.
Today this feels ENTIRELY different. Somehow, I feel ready to call off the search for "someone to love me", and start loving and nurturing myself. Oh, yes, I'll still reach out to others......... but I'll know that it's OK to be by myself, too.

Being by myself doesn't have to be lonely.

Grace - like wind in a sail

Barbara Agnes
Originally uploaded by leightonian

I'm reading a book I found in my church library called "To Love as God Loves; Conversations With the Early Church.

I decided to read the book because of this line I read as I flipped through its pages.

"God's grace is more like wind in a sail than it is like lightning."

That said, I'm off to work on the sailboat that is my day-to-day life. Tomorrow being Pentecost, as I hear the telling of God's Spirit coming with the sound of a mighty wind....... I'll be thinking of God's Spirit and a little sailboat.