Oh sometimes I delight in the warm spring days of March. This one the temperature may be slightly higher than I would prefer yet no complaints. Dani and I had an ever so lovely walk down the MKT trail, enjoying the strong breeze that heralds drier air approaching. The sun smiled down upon us and the blue sky shone inviolate. Many other walkers were enjoying the same path as we, and I enjoyed the presence of fellow human souls bustling to and fro as Dani and I enjoyed sweet conversation and sweeter smiles turned upon each other. And now back home! Because it is positively too nice outside to stay indoors for long, I am thinking the poolside calls my name. A cold drink in hand and a new book beckons. This ides of March is one to be delighted in I say.
Tag: journal
Light and Life
I have many thoughts swirling around my mind. Whether they are particularly good or inspired ones is a question for another day. But for the now, I’m grateful for a cosy home and a warm hoodie and a couch that is far more comfortable than it has any right to be. Many other things I can name in this space that deserve the praise, but shall I clutter this place with words too feeble to do justice? I feel now is not the time.
I will say how thankful I am for quiet 6am moments where the house is still and quiet and my mind waking up slowly yet unfilled by a day’s worth of worries thrills to the idea of reading a few pages in the word of God and delighting in truths that have been passed on to us for millennia and in caretaking of these truths I partake in worship as I ponder the wonders of the Holy God who has called me and calls me into closer communion with Himself day by day. And while at times it is tempting to spend time reminiscing and chronicling the past, my best thoughts in this morning hour are ones that look towards heaven. The past is blessed by God and wondrous enough. But what does future bring? Whispers of eternity fill my dreams and I tremble. Does your heart ache to know the joy that comes with seeing our God face to face? Mine does. I dwell on the promises of God and the peace that fills my heart through salvation that been granted me through the dazzling word and work of Jesus Christ my Lord. My eyes lift to heaven and my mind thinks of the eternal future that even now stretches before my slow and feeble feet. My flesh and my heart do fail. How good it is to be near God.
City Folk
calm before the blizzard
walking to and fro
up to 19th and yale
and then back down again
we go
shall we brave the bitter wind
yes let’s go to target
and then on the way stop and
pray
and put a warm winter bonnet
on our friendly neighborhood
sunflower
may it last the night
as for us now hand in gloved hand
homeward now
we rejoice!
for hot dinner and honeyed tea
and look forward to the morrow
to see what our God
will bring
i’ll take snow any day
as long as power stays
and we have lots of
heat
Blizzard on the Bayou
There is a sentiment within me that swells when there is the prospect of snow. Then quickly I suppress such, for the adult portion of my brain recognizes the stress and hassle that necessarily accompany a blizzard in the south. Yet still! Snow in south Texas, who would have thought? I imagine that someday I shall tell my children of the day I survived the great blizzard of ’25. Rewind that. I sound like an old person already. Of course, if I want to avoid sounding like someone who has lived through far too many winters, I should probably also cease from using phrases that refer to ancient video technology. Back to the snow. Shall we indeed be so blessed with a wintry wonderland? Perhaps. We’ll wake up in a few days and I shall do something I’ve not done in years – peek out the window in the early morning hours to see if there indeed is a white blanket over all. And you can bet I’ll then gulp down some coffee and put on my hiking boots and wool coat and warm hat and gloves and tramp out down the lane to feel the fresh fallen snow underneath my feet and marvel at the beauty that is upon us. Of course it is hard to fully enjoy this thought when I also worry in the fullness of my grown mind of the effects of such an unusual storm upon this land. We do poorly enough with hurricanes and heat waves – how shall this city’s creaking infrastructure stand up to such as the icy blast that in providence descends upon us? The city planners and power providers assure us that the grid is hardened and prepared. One way to find out, eh? At the end of the day I wait and pray for I know these crazy weather patterns are overseen and held together by one who is far more powerful than I. I still hope to see a little bit of snow a few mornings from now. And hope the lights don’t flicker so I can enjoy my hot coffee in peace as I look out upon a winter scene. Even so I sit in silence now grateful for such little things as running water and steady heat. I pull up my turtleneck a little higher and snuggle into my favourite couch. Time to hunker down now and ride this thing out.
That Scotland Sky
The day turns just like that. I was wearing my blue and green striped sweater and she had on her dusty pink sweatshirt and we walked side by side. It was so warm and nice she bemoaned. Why must it now be cold? I grinned to myself, secretly – oh who are we kidding, she knew full well – thrilled at this turn of events. Our hair windblown, our shoulders slightly damp from the January rain, we walked hand in hand. I gleefully informed her that due to the fact that it was winter, even though in this southern clime, it was fully right and proper that the freeze should be upon us. She huffed mildly. I would like to say she saw reason at that previous statement of mine, but alas she still groaned that it should come to this. The arctic breezes danced around us as the palm trees tossed their heads in fruitless protest. And in silence now we walked, she and I. Hot chocolate when we get home I asked at last? And then finally those words got a smile. Her eyes sparkled and she said yes yes yes. Homeward we go and I raised my arms in welcome embrace to the wintry blue and dappled sky. The day has turned out rather fine.
How Did It Come to This?
…and that’s all folks. 2024 is a wrap – in comes 2025. Happy New Year, one and all!! I do hope to write a 2024 retrospective at some point – maybe in poetry, maybe in prose, who can tell? – but for now I wanted to write at least a few words to mark the day as I’m not sure how the rest of this day shall go! This morning was lovely – nice coffee and reading time as the sun filtered through the windows. And then, over to Emily’s house for a yummy taco breakfast with her, Angela, Meagan and Jessie! Tacos were heartily enjoyed followed by the traditional viewing of “Bridget Jones”. Ridiculous yet now I really want to see “Pride and Prejudice”. Yes, the BBC miniseries. As is proper.
Now the sun shines outside and Dani is preparing a hearty and delicious salad for lunch and we shall enjoy that and then after that? Who knows? Walking in the sunshine I hope. And perhaps some reading time and maybe even gingerbread house will be (finally!) constructed! All I know is that I am thankful that this is the day the Lord has made and I shall indeed rejoice and be glad in it! Looking forward to writing a few words musing on this past year and delighting in the works of the Lord. But for now, I simply sit here and rest and smile to know that I am known by God. No matter what comes, I am loved by God. Peace and love, dear friends.
Emmanuel
How wonderful it is to sit nice and warm at home after an encouraging and enlivening Lord’s day! Dani and I just spent a delightful hour down at EQ (in the last week of its existence, oh alas alas!) and truly enjoyable was it to sit on the porch there in the fading light of evening on this December evening. Dani read a bit more of her book (she’s almost done with Wrinkle in Time!!) and I read a bit more of the Spurgeon I’m currently reading for Advent season (Good Tidings of Great Joy – a wonderful book dwelling on the miracle and loveliness of the incarnation!) and it was ever so refreshing to sip tea, read and enjoy each other’s company. Now…home again and I really do mean to try and write something creative and we shall see if I’m successful. I’ve actually been writing quite a bit of creative works lately, for which I am ever so thankful to God for blessing me with such thoughts and the will to pen them. Sometimes I ponder what is the point of writing so many words – is it not all futility at the end? Smoke in the breeze and all that? Perhaps. Yet I’m grateful for the gift that is writing. Tis a wondrous gift and I will never cease to be thankful for it.
Speaking of, I shall now attempt a bit. Farewell, dear friends. Rest in the joy of the Lord this beautiful day as we dwell on the miracle that is God become Man and all that necessarily proceeds from that fount.
Royals
Evening friends!! Sitting here on a relaxing Saturday night, drinking tea with Daniel and watching some of “The Arrow”(best show ever…ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration). Good times! Anyways, I realise I haven’t written in a while. Sadly, I am now sleepy and don’t feel like writing much at the moment. Peace, one and all!
Birds
Happy Friday, my awesome friends!
Me and Daniel have been watching the Royals-Orioles game(game one of ALCS!) and now he’s gone up to bed, so thought I’d write a short little entry. I’m also strongly considering making a second cup of tea, since it’s only the sixth inning and I figure I’ll be up a while longer. An excess of tea never hurt anyone, right? Anyways, it’s super fun watching some classic October baseball…especially with the O’s involved! This is the first time they’ve been in the ALCS in maybe…ten years? And a bloop hit in the infield just scored the tying run for the Orioles! 5-5, men on first and second, no outs, bottom of the sixth. What a game.
But no more baseball for now! I’ll try and rein in my enthusiasm! I think I shall start the water boiling for more tea! And really, I’d rather not write anymore tonight…going to read a bit as I watch the game. Just know that this evening has been exceedingly lovely. After a long and tiring and mentally exhausting day at work, I was much blessed with a night of chilling with John and Daniel, chatting, eating dinner and now…well, you know. Baseball!
Have a beautiful night, my friends – as always, grace and peace.
Recycled Air
Good evening, friends!!
I’ve just had a good workout and going to clean up and get dinner ready soon(chicken/pineapple curry, very proper Wednesday night dinner)..but I’m on the computer now and thought I may as well write a few words! I’m sitting in our living room as the fading afternoon light slants gracefully across the floor and I’m enjoying my yogurt and listening to some chill Postal Service as my weary body rests. And truly, it’s wondrous thinking of how supremely blessed I am. Despite my hectic work of late(and subsequent weariness!), I have been given oh so much, not the least being overflowing grace from God my Father. Despite all that I am – I have been granted wonderful salvation, beautiful love. I have been born again – to a life of wonders ne’er ceasing. And for that, I praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!!!
Something Weird 