My frame of reference these days is much smaller than it has been in the past. Most days the patch of outdoors I see is the back garden and the sky above the back fence. It could feel claustrophobic, but usually there’s a comforting consistency.
I’ve travelled in my past life, and seen beautiful views and magnificent natural weather patterns – from storms to snow to crashing seas. One day, I will again.
I believe there is a Creator, and that He is ever present and always listening, ready to answer our prayers. It can be much easier to see His presence in the wildness of the storms, but I also see the quiet whispers in my own little patch of sky.
“God’s splendor is a tale that is told; his testament is written in the stars. Space itself speaks his story every day through the marvels of the heavens. His truth is on tour in the starry vault of the sky, showing his skill in creation’s craftsmanship. 2 Each day gushes out its message to the next, night with night whispering its knowledge to all.” Psalm 19:1-2 (Passion translation)
Here’s a taste of my personal skies over the last week or so…
So, the isolation period is still ongoing, with a quick side trip to pick up groceries from time to time (although I don’t usually go on those). We’re doing fine – we’re used to being at home together, anyway!
I got to thinking about gratitude, and what I have to be thankful for. There’s been times in my life that were hard, and it was easy to complain. I’ve had to learn over the years that thankfulness is often a matter of choice – of choosing to capture the moments of grace, to see the good things in the ones you love, and to remember the everyday privileges of living in a developed country where basic needs are provided without much thought or worry. Life is an opportunity to find the good, and pass it on!
Today I’m taking it easy, sorting out some stuff, finishing some things. I’m a bit achy – somehow I managed to pull something in my back/shoulderblade last night, apparently just by picking up a cup of tea… I never knew I was so talented! After an application of heat and a good night’s sleep it’s not too bad, but I’m moving slowly.
So, what is there to be thankful for?
The rain right now – it’s so beautiful. Bit chilly, but peaceful.
Lots and lots of books! And the ability to read them. I’ve had a good education, which has helped in my life in more ways than I can think of.
Having the leisure at this time to read/blog/chill out on YouTube.
The use of the internet, which helps me to stay connected with the world.
Friends to stay connected with!
Our little garden which, though tiny and ragged, is visited by beautiful wildlife – butterflies, dragonflies, bees and the occasional inquisitive cat.
My beautiful family, who are the best people for me to be spending isolation with. I rarely see Biggest Boy (he’s in his room, mostly) but when he emerges he pats me on the head affectionately and has a chat. And Sweet Bean always opens the back door for me when I’m taking the washing basket out, because he’s sweet and kind! My Babe goes out of his way to get nice things while shopping, and always makes sure we’re doing well.
All in all, they’re the Best Ever ❤ !
A connection and relationship with God, which has always helped me through difficult times, especially when there was no other help near.
Here’s a clip of a song doing the rounds, which I’ve been seeing on people’s feeds, but have only just got around to watching. It’s a whole list of UK churches getting together (virtually) to sing a blessing.
I was unprepared for the wave of homesickness that washed over me as I listened. The words are a version of a blessing from the earliest books of the Bible, and which I’ve heard many times in my life.
I’ve been to a couple of these churches, and gone to the concerts of a couple of the individuals in the clip. This virus has separated us in a lot of ways, but I think it’s also helped us see how close we can be, and how much we are connected.
Be blessed.
It’s a new day!
Today can be also be known as “Star Wars day” (May the fourth be with you!), and it’s also Labour Day here.
In honour of both (or at least a depiction of how not to be a boss…), here’s Kylo Ren as an undercover boss.
Amidst all the home concerts in these isolation days, here’s Kermit, sharing a rendition of “The Rainbow Connection” from his swamp.
I remember when this first came out, and I’ve always loved it. I probably wandered round my backyard singing it when I was a kid, and it never fails to cheer me up!
Have a listen. You’ll be glad you did 🙂
Excuse me as I wipe away a tear, while grinning like an idiot…
I’ve done the weeklong GISH scavenger hunt for the last coupleof years, and am signed up for this year’s, but yesterday was the chance to let loose on a 24 hour fun hunt. Due to the time difference (it’s U.S. based) my 24 hours started at 5am Sunday morning, so I only did five items (with a little help from Sweet Bean 🙂 ). I had fun, though!
Here they are…
Item 13 – Remember Tom Hanks in “Castaway”? Remember Wilson the volleyball? Well, we’re all going through something similar now. We’re alone and WE ARE LOSING OUR MINDS. We’ve started talking to household objects. We’ve started dressing them up and giving them names. Show us your new quarantine friend.
Item 54 – Write a moving handwashing haiku. Post it above your bathroom sink.
Item 26 – Springtime straw hats are overplayed. Show us the new hot trend: eco-friendly sun hats made from the weeds from your garden.
Item 10 – Wake up! It’s time to deliver the morning paper, on a bike, in your house, to a loved one in bed. (You’ve got a lot of deliveries to make, so you’ll have to toss it at them as you cruise by.)
Item 45 – Draw a little birdhouse in your soul. Leave the nightlight on inside the birdhouse in your soul.
Another day in isolation, and time keeps dragging on… I was thinking yesterday – it’s like a long haul flight. Eventually time ceases to have meaning, and all there is, and all there ever Was. Is. Now.
I’ve been making my way through the library haul I picked up before it all shut down. Turns out even I can’t read endlessly!
I really don’t have anything to complain about – we’re well fed and rich enough to be entertained in comfort. We get along well as a family, and are generally healthy. But…
sometimes, things boil over. Yesterday was such a day – one little stressor to the everyday, and I spilled out into over-reaction, ending up crying on the bed with remorse (and yes, annoyance!). All good now 😀
There’s always time to remember to smile, and to think about the good things (even if you need a good cry first!). Here’s some of mine from yesterday and today.
My beautiful family, who still love me even when I’m ridiculous.
Friends to talk to via Zoom.
Opening up a new bag of coffee beans.
Sunshine.
Finding books in a series I like that I never knew existed.
Chocolate. Always a plus, although you can have too much.
The sound of birds, in a clear blue sky.
A friend mentioned this song to me this morning, so I looked it up. That led me to the second song, so I’ll include that as well.
And here’s the Psalm written on that guitar – “Hallelujah! Praise God in his holy house of worship, praise him under the open skies; Praise him for his acts of power, praise him for his magnificent greatness; Praise with a blast on the trumpet, praise by strumming soft strings; Praise him with castanets and dance, praise him with banjo and flute; Praise him with cymbals and a big bass drum, praise him with fiddles and mandolin. Let every living, breathing creature praise God! Hallelujah!” Psalm 150
And another passage, from a devotional I just watched :
“I am the Lord, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”
This is what the Lord says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:15-19
Just been to an evening service, in the comfort of my home.
Good to be reminded, though, that even if I’m not in a church building, I can still be in the Father’s house…
As another week starts up, may you feel Him close to you, and know that you are held safe, by the One Who is
faithful to the end,
extravagant,
forever!
Went for a walk yesterday. It’s been ages!
I didn’t go far, but reveled in the fresh air. Took some photos of blue skies and trees that aren’t the ones I can see from my back patio…
The light is still shining 🙂
…and here’s my heart-for-the-day!
(I didn’t see it until I looked at my photos)
On the way back home I stopped for a chat with the neighbour – we’ve got some good sized grassy areas for kids to run around in (with shoes on, because of the prickles), so we could chat while keeping our distance. They were looking at a tree with hundreds of butterflies, so I took a video, for when I need some relaxing beauty…
A brief memorial for Tim Brooke-Taylor, who died yesterday from complications from COVID-19.
I grew up watching the Goodies in the evenings during the week, and clearly remember a giant (but cute) destructive kitten, a peculiar beanstalk fairy tale, and a variety of funny situations whose topical and political undertones I didn’t pick up on back then. Now I am older, and apparently wiser, I still laugh when I watch it again.
For an overview, here’s a compilation clip. I’d recommend getting a DVD or finding it online, and watching the whole series.
There’s a whole lot of his other work to catch up on, some of which is shown in this clip.
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
