Sweetness In The Air

Went out for breakfast the other day, the first day when we were both free from appointments. There were other things to do, but the place we go to opens early, so there’s time to indulge in a big breakfast before the day starts properly…
There’s a series of planting boxes outside that you have to pass to get to the doors. At the moment there’s an abundance of a plant with glossy dark green leaves and small white flowers. I’ve never been quite sure what it is, but a brief google indicates that it’s mock orange (Murraya paniculata) It smells beautiful, and the scent seems to float around you as you walk past. We had some near the gate at the old house, so it tends to make me a bit nostalgic…

We’re hopefully heading into an easier time overall, but some things are still hard. Sometimes seemingly insurmountable. A tiny scented flower won’t change that. It does seem to lighten the air, though – point to the things that are still growing and working the way they should be.

There’s a sweetness in the air.
Close your eyes.
Breathe it in.
❤

Published in: on December 12, 2020 at 3:32 pm  Leave a Comment  

Drained

…and refilled.

I went to my first carol service of the season on Saturday night.

It started just before the sun set, and was a surprisingly cool evening.
There were carols, testimonies…kookaburras laughing raucously in the trees. Ice cream halfway through. Got the chance to chat to some people I haven’t seen in months.

It’s been so hot lately, hasn’t it?
I have my good days and bad days – according to the last doctor, that’s because of fibromyalgia. I know that’s a real thing, but the way it was presented to me, it felt like “don’t know what’s wrong with you go away”…
At this time of the year a bad day is not helped at all by the heat of the day, which makes it feel like your body is slowly boiling from the inside. Drains energy and motivation, and there’s not much respite at night! I’ve spent a few afternoons lately under the fan, draped in wet cloths, hoping to cool down. Yes, we do have air conditioning, and have been using it when absolutely necessary, but not all the time.
When the weather is not co-operating, it’s good to have other ways of being refreshed. This time of year, a good carol service is one way for me! 🙂

I’ve been watering the garden as much as I can, and it’s holding up well The sunflowers are blooming all over the place! The biggest bush looks a bit like I feel, though – sometimes fresh and bright, but other times wilting or shriveled 😆

There’s apparently a cool change coming this week.
Until then, here’s a verse from my reading today –

“The grass withers and the flowers fall,
    but the word of our God endures forever.”
– Isaiah 40:8

Published in: on December 6, 2020 at 8:33 pm  Leave a Comment  

A Good Year Awarded

Yesterday evening was awards night for Sweet Bean – he even dressed up for it!

❤

It’s lovely to get recognition for all the hard work over the year. One of the things I like about his school is that they give recognition for scholastic achievement, and also for character growth as well 🙂
The awards are interspersed with items showcasing students’ talents, so we were treated to some wonderful songs written by students, and beautiful dancing as well. Sweet Bean even got a shout out (and had to stand up for applause, which embarrassed him hugely 😀 ) for being the only student in this area to finish a couple of Year 12 subjects.
And after all that, big slices of cream cake.
A good night was had by all!

Published in: on December 4, 2020 at 2:32 pm  Leave a Comment  

Here’s Looking At You, Kid

😆

It’s been one of those days where the success of each activity depends on everything being on schedule – if one thing’s a bit late, everything else just goes out the window…
We got everywhere on time 🙂
The last thing today was a catch up with our area teacher. Classes finished last week, and we’ve been enjoying holidays this week. This meeting, and Awards night later in the week, are our last school things to do. We talked through what’s needed for next year, and what’s been good this year. Sweet Bean has done very well (99/100 for his final physics exam!). Next year may not be so hectic, or it may just be hectic in a different way… it’ll be interesting, either way!
It struck me today that next year will be my last year with a school child in the house. It doesn’t seem quite so long since we were learning ABCs and counting/simple maths with rocks or Legos. Soon Sweet Bean will be in the next phase of his life, as I will be in mine.
Who knows what’s ahead?
Onwards and upwards!
😀

Published in: on December 1, 2020 at 10:31 pm  Leave a Comment  

Pausing The Adventure

Last day of this school year for Sweet Bean.
He’s happy! It’s been a hard year for him in a lot of ways. Time to stop for a bit and breathe more freely…
This is (I think) our 13th year of home schooling. There’s one more to go, and then the grand adventure will move further out still, at least for Sweet Bean. Both boys are pretty much adults now, and I’m so proud of them both!
❤

Time to pause, and rest.
Soon it will be time to run forward again…

Published in: on November 26, 2020 at 6:07 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

Sunflowers!

Well, one anyway…
and there’s another one on the way.

A lot smaller than I thought they’d be, but I don’t mind – I’ve been waiting a long time for these to flower!
❤

Published in: on November 23, 2020 at 9:44 pm  Leave a Comment  

Carry On…

Tonight the last episode of the TV series Supernatural will be airing – 15 seasons of monsters and mayhem and the Family Business…
I resisted watching for a long time (better things to do than catch up on all those seasons!) but eventually I had a look. I already watched Doctor Who and Sherlock, and there was this thing called “SuperWhoLock“, so I though it wouldn’t hurt to just check out what it was all about.
And here we are, last episode ever.

Through Supernatural I found GISH, which you will have read about if you’ve been reading my blog for a while – I’ve done a few of the GISH hunts over the last couple of years. Through GISH I found the Gishwhes Choir, which has just released a Supernatural send off, of which I am part 😀
This is a compilation of songs used during the show, interspersed with various GISH Hunt contributions and some clips from the show. I am glad to have been a part of it.
Enjoy!

Published in: on November 20, 2020 at 2:50 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,

Sky Confetti

The other day we were driving somewhere, and suddenly there were hundreds of butterflies drifting across the sky, like confetti… not all at once, but they just kept on coming.

Of course, once I stopped to film it, there weren’t so many. You can still see some fluttering past. Otherwise, enjoy the music – it’s one of the free background clips YouTube provide for use in your uploads. It’s called “Wandering Soul”, which seemed appropriate!

It’s spring, although today feels a bit more like summer. Everything’s greening up, and I’ve been adding to the succulents in my pots and gardens. Things are springing from the soil that I’d forgotten about, or didn’t even know were there.
The earth always renews, whatever the preceding blessing or disaster…
I tend to forget that.
When things go wrong, I sometimes forget that there’s capacity for renewal. I see the barrenness, and feel like that’s all there is or will be…
When my plants die (because I’m not a natural gardener!) I think there’s no point trying again. When I feel ill, and everything drags on, I feel like I’ll never be well again.
There is room for renewal – even if not for perfection.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.”
– Lamentations 3:22-23

Even when lamenting there is room for hope!

I have great hope that my new plants will survive. I’ve kept some of them alive for a while now, and they seem quite hardy. Here’s my new garden…

…and my new pots are now filled.

😀

Published in: on November 14, 2020 at 4:15 pm  Leave a Comment  

A Poppy For Remembrance

LEST WE FORGET

Published in: on November 11, 2020 at 5:00 am  Leave a Comment  
Tags:

Communing In An Age Of Corona

We went to our church service on Sunday – the second time we’ve been since in-person meetings started up again. On other weekends either I’ve not been well, or we’ve missed out on tickets (there’s a number limit because of distancing). That’s OK – we enjoy the online service, and I’m happy to go less if it means somebody else gets to go instead.
I did want to be there this weekend, though, because it was Communion Sunday. Previously, we’ve participated at home with our bread and juice (or piece of muesli bar and apple juice with a bit of beetroot juice, on the week we forgot what day it was…). This time I just felt like actually being with other people.
I must confess, I hadn’t really thought how it would work in a time when too much handling is discouraged. Corona restrictions have caused problems, with activities we take for granted no longer being available. It’s also brought about innovation!
As we entered the sanctuary we all took our “bread and wine” in one package.

Sorry it’s blurry – it was a bit dark! That’s a sealed cup with grape juice, with a separate sealed wafer on top.

I’m not crazy about all the packaging re:wastage – hopefully it’s recyclable – but I’m impressed that someone saw the need and created a solution 🙂

I’m glad we went. We’ll probably stay home for a week or two and leave room for someone else. I know that some people have been having difficulties with not being able to meet in person for church services. It is a strange year, and everybody has different circumstances and needs in their lives. I do know that we are one body in Christ, wherever we are – important to each other and to the whole, whether we think we are or not! Having Zoom and Messenger Chat capability has been wonderful this year, but even if that has been difficult, you are included, and you are essential 🙂
I’ve always had a mental image of the global church as a series of lights, connecting across the world, shining out for the world to see…

If you’re feeling drab and light-less, look around and see where someone else is shining. If you’re shining at the moment, see who needs a bit of light!

We’re meant to go through the seasons together…
❤

Published in: on November 10, 2020 at 5:29 pm  Leave a Comment  
Tags: ,
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »