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.
Tag: weather
Blast
I have to say, it is a bit silly how much the weather affects my mood! And I’m weird, because the weather today probably didn’t positively affect anyone else the way it did me. As I drove home today I gloried in the ever-changing grey sky…and then walking to my car after shopping at Sprouts, realised why I was so pleased with the weather. It was cold, grey and there was a hint of precipitation on the breeze. In other words…Aberdeen weather. So yes, grey and cold and wet makes me nostalgic and makes me happy all at the same time and it is wonderful. I don’t know what it is about a darkening grey November sky though…there’s something faintly sad yet achingly beautiful about it. The trees are just starting to threaten to drop their leaves and the breeze softly caresses my face and my blood quickens. Beauty and wonder and love, all wrapped up in a crisp fall day. Oh how silly am I to revel so in this quiet grey evening. But I do love it so.
Faithful
Hello friends, and happy Monday!! On this beautifully cold morning, I cannot help but rejoice!! It was (seriously!) 33 degrees this morning as I drove in to work. What is this wonderful cold weather doing here!? I have no idea, but I am so thankful to God for granting such a gorgeous weekend to me. A very proper last day in Houston, I do say. I get to enjoy my peppermint mocha and slowly warm up here in the office…this is simply fantastic. And yes, last day in Houston! Tonight I fly off Florida way for a week – hurrah! Of course, I’ll miss my friends here, but a week with the family will be oh so much enjoyed…of that I have no doubt.
And this past weekend has indeed been one in which I have been blessed by God exceedingly. As I have been praying to God for guidance in various matters, I have been reminded anew how blessed I have been here in Houston with the friends God has given me. Saturday night – was able to enjoy a fun and relaxing night over at Camille and Erin’s place with John – we had dinner and watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Then yesterday, after a sweet morning of worship at church, I went home and got a few things done…then went and picked up Julie for our Sunday movie adventure – LA LA Land. It was a simply lovely movie, bittersweet and tinged with nostalgia, yet currents of joy running throughout. I think I will buy this one when it comes out…that’s how much I enjoyed! It had lots of good music as well – that definitely didn’t hurt! Afterwards, Julie and I went out and got dinner and simply had a fantastic time talking and chatting about so so many things…this was our last time to hang out before I go to Florida tonight and she’s off to France tomorrow! So we made the most of it. Such a dear friend is she. And then I came home and me and John had some quality talking time. So encouraging is he!! I am oh so blessed to have him as a roommate. And then…I finished reading my book(Swiftly Tilting Planet – I have realised lately how influenced my writing has been by reading L’Engle’s works. My writing takes after hers more than I thought!!). My next book is going to be a re-read of Name of the Wind. It is time.
And now, I do write too much. One last day of furious work. Then…homeward bound.
Peace, my friends – peace and love.
Sanguine Eyes
Hi friends, happy Thursday! Just jotting down a few words here before I start work…it’s a nice cold morning and set to get a lot colder!! According to our wise weather prognosticators, temperature is going to drop steadily throughout the day, possibly even to freezing point! I came fully prepared today, wearing my turtleneck and sweater – so excited! Sad how happy cold weather will make me, but there you go! Also, last night was simply beautiful. Sarah Hadley just started working at this coffee shop nearby(2nd Cup) and once I realised I could walk there in about 20 minutes…I got up and did just that! Had a great post-dinner walk through the crisp almost-wintry air enjoying walking through my neighborhood…then a nice cup of cocoa at coffee shop! Got to chat with Sarah for a bit before deciding not to distract her anymore. And so my evening was finished off by sitting and drinking my cocoa and reading Faith and Life by Warfield…meditating on the wonders that is the incomprehensible fullness of the love of Christ…for us. And that, my friends, is a good night.
Peace and love.
Love Unending
Afternoon, all!! It’s a gorgeous Saturday here in Houston and thought I’d just write here briefly! And by gorgeous, I mean that it’s a wet, chilly grey day…and I simply love it. This day has so far been one of rest and chats with dear friends and enjoying bountiful blessings from my Father God. I started out the day by…waking up far later than is my norm! Since it was a mostly rainy night, decided I’d skip my run this morning and enjoy a little more sleep instead. Very good decision, I have to say. After finally waking up and having my coffee and chocolate cream-of-wheat for breakfast and reading for a bit…I got to skype with Noemi!! We hadn’t talked properly in simply ages…and oh how wonderful of a chat it was!! She is such a dear friend and encourages me mightily. So thankful am I for the technology that grants me and Noemi the ability to talk even though we are thousands of miles away, me in America and she in Hungary!! I shall not describe our talk in detail. But know how lovely it is to talk about life and love and the things of the Lord with dear friends. And so it was. Following that lovely talk, it was time to go meet Julie for lunch! She wanted to eat at Velvet Taco, and I discovered it was in walking distance. So I made my way there, through the small neighborhoods, splashing through puddles as I went. Oh what a beautiful day! Grey and chill and fresh and wonderful!! So fun to be able to walk somewhere and not have to drive! And so after a much enjoyed walk, met Julie at Velvet Taco and enjoyed some delicious tacos(one of them was like a Cuban sandwich…but in taco form. I have found my ideal Tampa/Houston fusion food. It was sublime)…but more than food, a proper catch-up chat with Julie! We realised we hadn’t had a decent talk in a while, somehow – and it was truly great to talk about…life and love and the things of the Lord! Hmmm…is there a theme here? Possibly. Anyways, once again – I shall not detail our talk. But after our yummy lunch, she dropped me off at my place and we chatted a bit more before she went her way…I’ve been getting other random things done(like going to Trader Joe’s for some necessities and listening to my awesome HymnSing CD as I drove!). Now it is dinner time I think. Yes, an early dinner. Yes, I am hungry again. And wow, this is a messy long paragraph and I probably should tidy it up. I shan’t. Going to make my dinner of mac’n’cheese and chicken and tomato salad. And I shall continue to think of the Lord my God and how much He has blessed me. Oh how I long to know Christ more. My highest desire, my truest song, my greatest love. Peace, my friends. Peace and love.
A Haystack World
Morning all!! Just a quick entry here on this balmy Thursday morning. I say ‘balmy’ because it is above 70(F) currently, which is completely unacceptable for mid-November. Just saying. I really would like to wear my turtleneck and jacket tomorrow to work, if that’s not too much to ask!! …honestly, I’ll probably wear that combo no matter what. I need winter weather. Please?
Anyways! Aside from the weather, nothing too exciting going on lately. A normal work week here. Tonight, going to the Rockets/Blazers game with James, so that should be fun. First Rockets game of the year! They’re actually not half-bad this year, although they’re not quite in the same class as Warriors/Clippers/Thunder. We shall see if they improve as season progresses…
This weekend promises to be a most busy one, but I shall write more about that later when I have more time. One more note – a week from now I will be in Tampa celebrating Thanksgiving with the fam!!! Cannot wait. Have a most amazing day, you all.
Postscript – because apparently I want to write just a few more words. Been really thinking about my future hope lately…and how much my hope is not in this world. As I look at the horrors present in this world and the frailties of our physical bodies – truly, we are made of bones and skin and beating heart, wonderfully made, yet so fragile! – and as I think on the fate we so richly deserve for our ignominious behaviour towards the Creator of all things…I just long for that day when I am in the presence of my Saviour, my God. Someday. Someday.
Hope in the Darkness
Good morning, my friends!! Thought I’d just post a quick few words here. It is delightfully and ferociously cold this morning! At least by Houston standards. 27 degrees currently. And falling! (That’s -3 for all you on the east side of the pond) I’m quite enjoying this weather, gotta say. I get to wear my sweaters and coat and scarf and just enjoy the crisp bite of the early morning breeze. Glorious, I say. And so I have decided that this cold weather is one of God’s gifts to me these past few days. Now, it is time to get some work domination done – so I am off. Have a wonderful day, y’all!!!
Honey in the tea
Ok, well remember my last entry how I said how I loved the snow, but was sure I’d get sick of it someday? Well, that may not have been yesterday. But it IS THIS DAY. I want it to GO AWAY right now. And actually it is quite lovely outside, now that I’m inside my nice warm cozy flat! Had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner(YES) at Rosemary’s tonight – me and Uche picked up Aiysha on the way…after being quite lost, finally made it to Rosemary’s – mmm, delicious roast turkey and potatoes and vegetables and yorkshire puddings and stuffing(made by yours truly)….oh yes. But, as always, the best part was just chilling with good friends and talking and talking and talking…
Of course eventually we had to go home. But upon walking out of Rosemary’s flat, we found out that it was snowing. A LOT. Our car already had about 3-4 inches piled on it. Yeah. After warming up the car, we made our way slowly down the road…successfully dropping off Aiysha before we got to very treacherous grounds. Cars were stopped and we were stuck and it was not nice at all. Some awesome guys helped Uche push our car a ways and another cool guy shoveled out the snow that was accumulating in front of my tires. My nice little Peugeot is most definitely *not* made for snow. Eventually we got mostly unstuck…and then made it home following in the tracks of a big car(I may or may not have gone through a couple reds to stay on his tail and not get permanently frozen in the middle of Anderson Drive). And eventually, after much much prayer and Uche’s encouragement, we made it home and swung into Headland Ct and pulled straight into an open parking space in front of our flat. Oh, all praise to the Lord!!!!!!! And so now, dear snow, I would really like it if you stayed away while I need to drive. Please?
Also, walking to church tomorrow will be fun. Truly! Walking in snow, I do not mind(I do sort of need better boots though..) It’s the driving and being totally stuck that is not so much fun. Grr.
But now, nice hot tea and book…mmm, yes.
Just got back from the gym and oh boy is it gorgeous outside!!! As I started driving home today, the sky was amazingly blue, unsmudged by smoke or clouds, and then the wind started picking up and I kept driving home and saw the western clouds begin to roll in, obscuring the setting sun but still the golden rays poured through the gaps in the heavens to shine down in liquid columns of light upon the earth below and then as I walked upon the sidewalk I felt the arctic air playfully tickle my skin and then the wind gusted and then the wind roared in the skies above as the palm trees danced the Charleston to the song of the dusk and then I tilted my head to the darkening sky and felt the first droplets of the spring rain touch my forehead and I spread my arms wide and welcomed the embrace of the wind and the last light of the day kissed my brow and I rejoiced. It is glorious!!
Something Weird 