the gift that keeps on giving

My sweet parents-in-law gave me this beautiful hibiscus last summer. I kept it in the garage through the winter and it is even prettier this year than last. They thought they were just giving me a plant, but it came complete with the added bonus of the hummingbirds it attracts. It is on the back patio right outside my kitchen window where I can watch these tiny little birds feast on the big, pink blooms.

a feast for the eyes

Every now and then, there will be something new in the produce department at the grocery store. Like these red currants. Aren't they beautiful? The color and translucency; they look like rubies. Some would say I should have used them in a recipe, but sometimes looking tastes better. Soul food.

still thinking...

I just finished reading Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. And I can't think about anything else right now. I'm still in that world. It shouldn't be an uncommon story, but, sadly, it is extaordinary. Many of my friends have read or are reading it. If you have not or are not, you must. It was very moving and thought-provoking. I think that's why the statement by O.C. that I posted yesterday was weighing so heavily on my mind. Talk about not being what you were before! Another quote that kept rolling around in my head as I read the book was by Rabbi Heshin (I'm sure I'm misspelling his name - I heard it, I didn't read it). He said, "Some are guilty, but all are responsible." As I read Denver's story of cruelty and unfairness it was obvious who was guilty. And obvious who is responsible. We can make up for/prevent, in whatever way we are able, the damage the guilty cause. If we fail to try, then don't we move from the "responsible" category to the "guilty"? I'm sure I do everyday as I miss opportunities that are placed right before my eyes. Surely, after reading this book, my eyes are opened, my hands and feet more moveable and my will, God's.

Oh...and, another quote by the Rabbi, "Your life is the spelling of the answer." I think that is beautiful and one more thing to think about...

http://www.samekindofdifferentasme.com/

something to think about...

This is what's on my mind today. What could this mean for me? For you?

"Beware of harking back to what you were once when God wants you to be something you have never been." Oswald Chambers

Show me, Lord. But gently. Amen

books and flowers

I went to the library book sale this weekend - 3 bags of books for $18!! - and stopped by the nursery - not so cheap - on my way home. The back of my car was full of books and flowers! Who could ask for more? I wait until the last day of the sale - the fill-a-bag-for-$6 day. No frenzied crowd is snatching up the ones I want - the books written in the '50s and before. There are forgotten treasures out there - uplifting and full of good, honorable characters. Hopefully, I will be adding some of these new, old titles to my "favorite books" list.

studio garden progress

The outside of my studio is taking shape, but we still have a ways to go in the rose garden (I mentioned in an earlier post that my husband, my SWEET husband, is making a rose garden for me in front of my studio). The shrubs and climbers are planted, but we still need to make a border, probably rock, and fill in the whole area with either mulch or gravel. Any suggestions? I'm leaning towards gravel, but am open to other ideas. Will post pictures of the progress. Of course, it won't look great for a couple of years. If only we'd done this two years ago. What is that quote? The best time to plant a tree is 10 years ago. The next best time is right now!

my afternoon snack

Yum. It tasted as good as it looks. Especially in this bowl made by my talented and sweet son-in-law, Austin, the potter (he can do anything!). He and Elizabeth (she does the glazing) have a display of their wares at Monk's coffee shop downtown. (If you haven't been to Monk's, you need to check it out. There is art on the walls, live music sometimes, and good coffee always.) I will post more of their work soon. I'm very proud of them - for lots of reasons. But, now, I think I need another snack.