"September came in with golden days and silver nights.”~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King The good in September: A big, white morning moon Birds crossing the sky on my walk over to Teresa's Opening her front door to see the ladies from church on the porch; sharing coffee, breakfast, and conversations together around … Continue reading Bear Cave, Coffee, & a Red Canoe
"Summer ends now; now, barbarous in beauty, the stooks riseAround; up above, what wind-walks! what lovely behaviourOf silk-sack clouds! has wilder, wilful-wavierMeal-drift moulded ever and melted across skies?" ~ Gerard Manley Hopkins, from "Hurrahing in Harvest" Good things in August: Fat rolls of hay in the fields Jared coming home from his shift at the … Continue reading Sunday Potlucks & Summer’s Long End
"[God] often makes the fairest flowers of man's endeavors to wither and brings improbable things to pass, in order that the glory of the undertaking may be given to Himself." ~ Jeremiah Burroughs Early June in the garden, when everything seems about to burst Driving Highway 22 with Jared on a Saturday morning to do … Continue reading Zinnias, Gingham, & Zucchini Season
"Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." ~ Psalm 34:10 Good things in May: The hot, still weather finally breaking and receiving so much rain in May Planting a little pollinator garden of catmint, tickseed, and coneflowers Discovering a new instrumental artist, The Folks Helping Bonnie hang the new curtains she made for … Continue reading Catmint, Coneflowers, Strawberries & Cream
“There was only—spring itself; the throb of it, the light restlessness, the vital essence of it everywhere: in the sky, in the swift clouds, in the pale sunshine, and in the warm, high wind—rising suddenly, sinking suddenly, impulsive and playful like a big puppy that pawed you and then lay down to be petted.” ~ … Continue reading Spring Cleaning, a Screen Door & Psalm 23
"I say to the Lord, 'You are my Lord;I have no good apart from you...'The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;you hold my lot.The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance." ~ Psalm 16:2, 5-6 March goodness (and a little Madness): Sweet Sunday mornings at church Jared's grandmother's roommate at the nursing home who always announces him as "the preacher" A gentle rain and finishing Hannah Coulter Jared's new bird book Planting a line of potatoes and onions in the big garden Jared's parents out … Continue reading Seedlings, Siegfried, & Spring Mountain
"I see grace groweth best in winter." ~ Samuel Rutherford Grace in February: Mom's spaghetti sauce recipe Shoveling the church parking lot with a few folks A long drive home at dusk, reflection of the sunset in the frozen creek beds and ponds Psalm 30 Ashley's braids It Is Well Playing a makeshift game of … Continue reading Winter Pansies & Rose Skies
"You have consented to time and it is winter. The country seems bigger, for you can see through the bare trees. There are times when the woods is absolutely still and quiet. The house holds warmth. A wet snow comes in the night and covers the ground and clings to the trees, making the whole … Continue reading Snow, Psalms, & Stocking the Pantry Shelves
"No ear may hear His coming,but in this world of sin,where meek souls will receive Him still,the dear Christ enters in." A storm of blackbirds descending on the neighborhood and chattering in the trees Climbing into our big, dark attic and Jared hanging my porch swing Early morning Bible study and conversations by the fire … Continue reading Christmas Paperwhites & a Porch Swing
"His well done is worth a shipful of good days and earthly hours." ~ Samuel Rutherford Good things in November: The goats in the pasture across from church Autumn gold high in the trees like their tops dipped in honey A love note on the back of my grocery list Turtlenecks and weather turned cold … Continue reading Hyacinth Bulbs & Smoked Ham
