Can I Have A Word?

At this end of the year, I do a bit of a change-and-tidy – sorting out the remains of the previous year, setting up the new year in whatever way seems best.
One of the things I do is pray over a “word” for the year. It’s not in a weird way -just asking God what He wants me to focus on. Sometimes the word is clear, sometimes a bit maybe/maybe not.

This last Sunday we broke up into little groups, to be prayed over by older/wiser couples in the church. We were asked to briefly explain what we wanted prayer for, and had a bit of time to ponder that before the groups got together.
I was pretty set to ask for clarity for the new year…maybe healing – all the good stuff!
And then, I felt the word “challenge” drop down in my spirit.

That’s one of those words, really.
You can decide that you must have heard wrong, and pretend it never happened.
That never goes well.
Or you can take a deep breath, and go for it.

So, I asked for prayer, and there was good feedback to ponder on. Some things aligned with what I already knew would be in focus this year. Some I’m still thinking about. I was excited, if a bit unsure of details…
Monday morning, I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck.
This was not the challenge I was looking for!! 😆
No, I don’t subscribe to magical thinking. The most likely scenario is that I’ve been doing a bit too much overall, and it’s caught up with me.
Made me laugh, though! 😀

I’m not sure how the challenge is supposed to look. I feel it will be a “good” challenge.
There are steps I’m taking while I’m waiting for some things to coalesce – just one thing, then the next, then the next. One foot after the other.
I know there is something to do with writing, and have some ideas about that. There are other creative pursuits to…pursue 🙂
And all wrapped up with rest times, meditation, prayer…
I will be using my art room more effectively, and at different times of the day.

To that end, I have obtained a duck.
A pastel lit, resting duck, by which to dream.

Behold – the duck!

May your year be restful,
and may you find your own pastel duck to dream by.
❤

Published in: on January 6, 2026 at 9:42 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Here We Go!

Published in: on January 1, 2026 at 1:01 am  Leave a Comment  
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Tell The Story, Again

Published in: on December 25, 2025 at 6:00 am  Leave a Comment  
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Room

A touch of Tolkien, as the evening holds its breath…

…and an invitation to the inn.

Published in: on December 24, 2025 at 9:15 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Come, With Light

Published in: on December 18, 2025 at 10:50 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Peace On Earth

It was a hard weekend.
Being reminded of the darkness (again)…
The hatred bubbling over into terrible action.
Choices – actions – that are hard to understand –
and some reactions that inflamed rather than soothed.

I don’t know what to say, really.
This is a season that heralds peace. Joy. Hope.
But it has always been in the context of a darkened world.

And so, I will pray.
Because I believe that to be a powerful place to start.
But I will also pay attention to the marginalised, and oppressed. The ones who don’t live in the same level of ease and safety as I do.
I will question the tendency to blame a whole community for the actions of one.
Look for what is true, and challenge unthinking reaction – whether mine, or others’.
And remember the words of One who came as a baby, to bring reconciliation.

This is what Jesus said (quoting Isaiah) –

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me,
because He has anointed Me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”

****

There is still light.
Hope.
And peace for us.

Published in: on December 16, 2025 at 9:49 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Tree’s Up! (2025 Edition)

The smoke alarms seem to be fixed,
so no more overnight vigils for us!
I slept very well Thursday night, but it’s been a bit patchy since then… I’ll keep trying 😀

I’ve finally got the tree decorated,
and the other bits and pieces in the lounge.

It’s snuggled up next to the wifi modem (router?)
My lovely Renaissance angel is back in place.

This is her 32nd year at the top of our tree.
❤

Snowmen hang around the big TV cabinet.

…and gnomes check out some classic mysteries.

Bits

and bobs!

And the centrepiece –
including a tiny nativity scene that fits into a matchbox.
A miniature snapshot of the Christmas story.

Because that’s what it’s all about, after all!

It’s been a busy, and satisfying, day.
Time to slow down…

Published in: on December 6, 2025 at 10:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Rest, In The Quiet

I wanted to share a song, by Roma Waterman – it’s from the album “When God Sings”.


Just in case you need to sit in the quiet space for a while…

Published in: on November 13, 2025 at 9:08 pm  Leave a Comment  
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[Extra] Shimmers In An [Ordinary] Life

Lots of sunshine lately, after the storms a couple of weeks ago.
My newest plant has a flower open, and I tried to take a good photo. The sun seems to make it look a bit glowy…

The (glossy) leaves seem pretty clear, though!

There are a lot of glimmering things about.
What about the humble pigeon?

I’d wear that colour! 😀

The moon was having one of its “large” phases the other night.
I have trouble photographing it – night mode gives a clear image, but makes it too small.

Using ordinary photo mode (and keeping hands as steady as possible) gives a better idea of size, but reduces clarity.

Still – that’s a bright moon!

Here’s night mode again – with tree and clouds…

…and a last try at moon portraiture through the screen door.

Shiny! 🙂

There are hints of light everywhere.
Beauty to be perceived.
Even if it’s partially hidden…

❤

Published in: on November 7, 2025 at 11:14 pm  Leave a Comment  

Night Vision

I was trying to take photos of the shadow shapes in my art room the other night.
It didn’t start too well.
I’d thought that the street light coming from outside would be enough for me to just use the default setting, but I found it hard to keep still enough to focus, and there was an overall fuzzy feeling.

So I tried the “night” setting.
I’ve used it before – mostly for trying to capture the moon – but it’s always felt a bit disappointing. And it also requires a steady hand.
Surprise! 😀

Not only did it sharpen the shadow lines, it also picked out light that I hadn’t seen with my eyes.

There was more colour than would seem likely in a night composition.

A delightful serendipity, with sparkles!

I don’t know how it does it.
Difference in timing? Focus?
But I’m glad there’s a way to get a better picture.

This week, for our family, has been one of bed rest and coughing. We’re all at different stages of some sort of flu, and we all tend to deal with it by secluding ourselves with misery and tissues…

I had intended to write this on any one of the last three days, but I just couldn’t make the words work.
Today, I felt cheerful, for the first time in a while. Like coming out from under a heavy grey cloud, or finding a bright warm path after being enshrouded by mist.
We all have seemed to be in a better state today. We had to do an online Coles order (nobody here is likely to go outside the house for a bit), so the boys were hovering to give their lists. Tendency to forgetfulness, foggy minds, and random fits of coughing also led to (slightly fevered) giggling and a lovely family moment ❤

This world has been a bit too foggy lately.
Darkness gathering, and sometimes difficulty in discerning just where the shadows fall.
But the light shone in for today. A bit of clarity for the journey.
Maybe it’s the timing.
Or maybe just focusing with a different lens…

Published in: on September 13, 2025 at 9:32 pm  Leave a Comment  
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