Thursday, November 2, 2017

Saints Touching the Heart


As I got ready to go for my morning walk today, I grabbed a “baseball” hat to wear under my jacket hood.  I opened the secret door (which doubles as a bookcase) and there was this blue hat.  It wasn’t the one that I was expecting, but it was the one that I needed.   This was dad’s.  He was a Cal fan even though he didn’t attend there … but mom did while he was in the Army during WWII.  Doug went for a year before heading to PLU and I attended for a year while still in High School (kind of the same as AP classes these days).  I grew up going to Cal games (including those with Stanford, the great rivalry).  We would park and walk (and walk and walk) to get to the stadium. 

The reality is … when I put the hat on, I felt a sense of calm, love, warmth and protection. It was just a hat, wasn’t it?  No it was a connection to a saint, my dad.  A man who said little … who would alert me when things needed gentleness … who would get in his car and drive miles to be with one of us when we needed care.  When I moved to NY he came and helped hang wall paper (actually he and mom did all the work) in my dining room.  When he was almost finished, he announced that this would be the last time he would paint or wallpaper for one of his kids (bad news since I was the youngest!).   When I got my first cell phone over a decade ago, I would often call on my way home from work …. As I pulled in the driveway I would say “well dad, I have to go now, just pulling in the driveway.” One day he said “I know why you call on your way home … “  He knew that was a time limit. 

We all need saints.   They are all around us … 
Stay connected to them ...
Thanks Dad.  


Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Time for some exploration

Five plus years since the last post.  So much has happened over these years and maybe it is time to take a look ... but I am not sure which direction.  In front of me ... behind me ... where I am now ... perhaps a little of each is needed.  Come with me on the journey ... Ask a question or two if you are curious and we will see where we end up ... So ... welcome back (to me ... and maybe to you too!)

p.s. location:  Letchworth State Park  Spring 2017

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Recalculating

Time to recalculate!  Yes, that obnoxious voice in my head keeps saying it to me.  That means I must be on the wrong path. 
So it is relatively early on a Saturday morning of a three day weekend .. that I am going to extend to include lots of hours this week. 
Recalculating ... When does the recalculating lady say those words in your ear!

Picture to follow!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

It is really Just Joey?

Names can be deceiving!  If I recall ... the name of this rose is "Just Joey".  I think it is one of my mom's favorite.  Maybe it is because it is fun to say Just Joey ... or maybe because it is so beautiful.  When on the garden tour, I heard her say ... "Look, its a Just Joey."

Nothing in God's world is "just .... anything"

This rose is beautiful ...
As is God's creation.

We are called to care for it ...

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

God Inspired Patterns

A while ago I learned about labyrinths.  There is one in Holden Village ... marked with stones and reinforced by the walking of humans.  In winter it is maintained ... by snowshoes, by boots, by seekers.  The walls grow higher as the snow continues to fall.

And yet ... one can find forgiveness, reconciliation, renewal and hope walking a labyrinth in the middle of a bustling city ... in the interior of a nave.  There for folks to walk and meditate. To find cleansing in the midst of vaulted ceilings, the sun colored reflections through the windows depicting God's glory, the precision of arches, the seekers kneeling forward praying what only they know.

Labyrinths around the world, on walls of caves, in our hearts and our minds.  In Chartres, France, the hills of Contra Costa, Eagles Point, SF, and here at Grace Cathedral in SF.

So fitting ... a labyrinth ... full of the grace of God ... in Grace Cathedral.

Slow day ... walk ...

Lo I am with you always, says the Lord.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Patterns of God

I went on a garden tour in Oakland today with my mom and sister-in-law. I was amazed at the number of succulents in the many gardens. I have really never been of fan of them ... but the more and more I see them I am fascinated by their patterns and the intricacies. As I opened this on the computer and did a bit of a crop I was even more fascinated by the details and what appears to be little "spikes" at the outer edges of each leaf.

Patterns and repetitions were again to be found in this multi-color plant. The newest "leaves" in the center were lightly colored with yellow and green while the older had a tint of pink. Another creation of God whose imagination is beyond our imagination.


Still later in the day I came across this one. It seemed like a Christmas cactus (it is not) yet the red and green were so vibrant. and consistent. To me this was a happy succulent. Not sure why I think this when I see it ... but it brings a smile to my heart. God again has created patterns, and uses a wonderful palette of colors! What do you think?



Finally this surprise was waiting for us in the front yard of one of the homes. Rather than the circular development of the succulents shown above, the leaves seem to be opening and growing in a twirling pattern. Just as I thought I understood the pattern and was looking for shifts in the color palette, I was again surprised by God.


Take a look around ... find the surprising patterns of
God's delightful creation.

Let's now do our part to take care of it!


Colors abound!

Spring has finally arrived.

It has felt like such a long long winter this year. So much snow. It started early and ended early actually, but this year was a year of many storms on the east coast. I don't know what we would have done had they all com through Rochester. As quickly as the snow started ... it stopped. But then suddenly the rains came and came and came. A new record for the month of April ...

The snow blower has been released of the gas and now it is time to ready the lawn mower. Freshen it with a new spark plub, oil and very expensive gas! The chives that arrive in the middle of the lawn will be enjoyed with potatoes next week. A lone tulip that found its way into the lawn on the otherside of the driveway has opened. Next it will be dang dandelions. The cost of going pesticide free.

Roses have yet to bloom in New York ... but they are at their glory in California. I am in awe of the patterns, the colors, the intricacies of nature. Today there shall be more.