The View from Here

48 Years

Today is our 48th Anniversary! 

So thankful that even in these challenging times, we remain best friends. 

And today...first rose! 

Busy Birds...

My mother loved bluebirds, but never had a bluebird house. I wish she could see our busy little pair!

I sat on the patio until they determined that I wasn't going to leave. Then they resumed their work of collecting food. 

Anticipation...

Before I planted seeds this morning, I had my annual “garden planning” meeting with myself.

Last year I managed to clean quite a few flower beds and get rid of grass and weeds before planting some seeds in the fall. Thankfully many of those seeds are popping up!

Today I looked at the little packages of seeds arrayed on my patio table and then I walked around the yard, considering where they would flourish. When I sat back down and thought about my current condition and the coming months, I decided that this year I’ll have to tolerate even more weeds and grass than I did last year. I’ll have to overlook ragged edging. I’ll have to satisfied with whatever results I get from my efforts. I’ll have to respect the fact that my body is struggling to keep up with my expectations. And you know what? The garden and I will be just fine!

The flowers will be beautiful! The butterflies will be happy! The birds will sing!

I’m anticipating a garden filled with blessings.

Weeds are God’s plants too!

A Walk in the Woods

Gary and I took a walk in the woods today. Always a blessing to be among the trees! Reminds me of my childhood on my grandparent's land at Liberty Hill. 

Birds...

Yesterday I spent thirty minutes sitting on the patio, drinking coffee, and watching the birds. 

I tried not to wonder or worry or even think...just watch. 

I highly recommend it. 

Don't Worry...Be Happy

Recently, I’ve been reading Bible verses about worry and fear. I’m sure I don’t have to explain why or ask if you’ve been motivated by our current crisis to do the same. I’ve read all the verses before…in fact I’ve read some of them a dozen times. You probably also have a few verses that bring you more comfort and reassurance than others. You may read them or quote them as a calming mantra. I’ve often done the same in hopes of preventing worry from harming my mind and body.

I’m beginning this week with a new thought about worry: it’s simply a waste of my time.

You know I’m a “to do list” person. I have plans and projects and purposes to fulfill. And although I know that what I do is always under the control of God, I start out with my own idea of what I should do next and stay open to His guidance. I’m also very aware that I have fewer years left on this earth, and that because of my decreasing physical abilities, perhaps less time to do some tasks. So I naturally balk at anything that interferes with my plans for the day.

Worry interferes with my plans. It doesn’t produce anything except more worry.

It doesn’t empower me to do more work.

It doesn’t improve my physical or emotional health.

It doesn’t make me happy!

If my ultimate goal is to be a happy, healthy, productive and useful person, then I can’t waste my time on worry. Easier said than done? Of course. But a worthy goal for today.

*I hope you enjoy these photos from our drive through our neighborhood yesterday. No human contact except to wave at some people who were out walking.

Home Alone

It’s a whole new world out these isn’t it? Each day brings more and more changes, stricter and stricter guidelines for our daily behavior, and more questions than answers about how much of this is truly necessary. After all, we’ve lived through germs and viruses before. We haven't taken such drastic measures to protect ourselves from any other recent flu. Serious questions to ponder…another day.

Today we are here: home alone.

For someone who was already retired and living a quiet stay-home-most-of-the-time life, it’s not that much of a transition. I continue to read and research and write. I correspond with others through social media. I have my usual house chores, my gardening and photography. I feed my fish and the birds that visit each day. I fill in my day with Bible study, word searches, and a jig-saw puzzle.

Gary has several crafty hobbies and a stockpile of movies. He also enjoys reading and photography. In the three years that he’s been retired we’ve established routines that have served us well. After 48 years together, we still enjoy a happy companionship.

However…

We recently felt the Lord leading us to a new church family, and now can’t meet with them.

We belong to a few community organizations, but now we can’t meet and work with other members.

We try to maintain our physical strength by working out at the local gym. Now we’re prevented from doing so.

We like to celebrate a few holidays by eating out. Now we’re planning a stay-at-home dinner for our upcoming anniversary.

We usually go to the movies once or twice a month. Time to look at those oldies we own!

I could list some other changes in our daily routine, but I know in my heart that none of my little challenges are as serious as the ones many of you will face today.

I pray for those of you who are prohibited from working and are dealing with financial problems.

I pray for those who are wondering where and how they will find food today.

I pray for those who already have existing health problems and are suffering the effects of changes in your healthcare.

I pray for those who are separated from family and friends and have no way to reach out to them. I’m especially aware that many of you have family in nursing homes and hospitals.

I pray for those who have children who are missing school, sports, choir, clubs, and friends.

I pray for you today.

Stay safe and well.

Remain hopeful and faithful.

This too, shall pass.

First Day of Spring

The first day of spring brought some new blooms, a butterfly, and the killdeer. They appear to be scouting and apparently still like the location of last year's nest where they raised four babies. That means putting out stakes and carefully driving around them. 

Blessing of the day...

Gary and I ventured out today to take care of some business- auto shop, tag office, pharmacy, Walmart. People were polite, kind, helpful. We saw some sad faces and a few masks. Everyone seemed to be doing the same thing we were…taking care of business as quickly and efficiently as possible so they could return to the relative safety of their own four walls.

The dramatic impact of our current situation wasn’t really evident until we got to the first grocery aisle at Walmart. Empty shelves. Empty aisles. Eerie quiet. There probably weren’t more than twenty people in the store. And there wasn’t a lot of talking and laughing. Just people trying to meet their grocery needs in a store with very little left to offer them.

Gary and I had already agreed before entering the store that we would buy what we needed, but we would be understanding and flexible about shortages. We would not complain if we had to make substitutions. We quickly learned that having a primarily plant-based diet and some odd food preferences meant very few shortages for us! The only sacrifices we made were changes in a few brands. So, I’m thankful that we were able to do a little pantry stocking, but not hoarding. We only bought two of a few basic things like coffee.

After we got everything put away and had some lunch, I went outside to see what is going on in the yard. The two bluebird pairs are busy building nests.  More tulips are blooming. There are buds on the lilac. If we must be more isolated after today, at least we’re doing it in spring. I’m so grateful for that.

Stay safe and well. Be blessed…

Wet and Wonderful...

Some might say that the rainy days of spring are drizzly and dreary. 

I prefer wet and wonderful! 

Besides, I think we all need a little break today from depressing thoughts and images.