Family Photo

When I grew up, we didn't dress up, go to town to a local photographer and have a family photo taken. Only rich people did that, or so I thought. However, we did get our pictures taken for the church directory, and that was our family photo opportunity. I thought about that when I saw the cranes this morning with their kids. The light was beautiful. The air was cool, and this scene reminded me of family photos. What a great shoot! No starched shirts or scratchy dresses! I wonder if they had a roast in the oven waiting for them when they got  home? Oh, wait, I think they are home.

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof."

Peace. Love, Linda

Keys to What Kingdom?

Have you ever noticed how periodically in your daily routine, you come to the conclusion that you are carrying a cache of keys to nowhere? Just a check. I don't think I 'm the only one. When that happens, what do you do? I sort them out of the line up, and after studying them intently and sometimes forcing them on a lock I think they might fit, I put them in a bottom drawer of my jewelry box for awhile with a nagging sense they must be important. The useless keys later get tossed during my one to five year random clean out plan. It's puzzling, I think. Where do they come from, and why do they collect?

Somewhere in all of this "key" discussion, arises a question in my mind, "Has the accumulation of keys in my life affected my relationships with others?" I know it may sound remote, but I think there's a connection. I, also, think, besides the mystery of the key accumulation, it's a mystery that we feel the need for so many keys. The great American lock down or is that lock up? With all of these keys at hand, do we miss the most important keys to life? Just a thought.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal:  but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: 19-21

Peace. Love, Linda

Sunday's Blessing

In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us.

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8: 37-38   

Peace. Love, Linda

      

Cake and Pie

Luscious lemon cake sits on the counter in the kitchen and at the bottom of my belly. That extra one, no two, well, maybe three bites was just enough to make me feel gluttonous. That's probably why I decided to eat pie, too. Chocolate cream pie. Who has both things in the house at the same time, anyway? Only Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving behoove such undisciplined behavior, but not since Darren and I have developed a new hobby-dessert. That's two s's for super sweet. It separates the rich and moist...

 from the dry and barren. 

 Here's to dessert!  Pepperidge Farm- we love you!

Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it. Proverbs 21:21
Peace. Love, Linda

The Vine and the Branches

It's buzzing in my head. "I am the vine; you are the branches." It makes me want to run outside right now, even though it's raining, and take pictures of vines engulfing my ugly, chain link fence in the back yard, transforming it into a mysterious, lush ecosystem. I'll capture the scene from different angles when the light shines just right from the morning sky.

"I am the vine; you are the branches." It makes me wonder what it really, really, really means, nothing canned. How extensive is the metaphor intended? The branches become the vine-become the branches...

"I am the vine; you are the branches." It persuades me to close my eyes and imagine myself as a succulent shoot, a fresh, spring vine, opening to air, sun,  water, sky, the creative force that drives me.

 

 "I am the vine; you are the branches." How inexplicably close. How remarkably special. "I am the vine; you are the branches." Wow!

            
I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit because apart from me, you can do nothing. John 15:5

Peace. Love, Linda

Sunday's Blessing

 How precious is your steadfast

love, O God!

All people may take refuge in

the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house,

and you give them drink from the river of your delights.

Unfinished Business

The pollen falling from the big oak tree in the back yard is incredible . It piles higher and higher in corners and gutters and doorways. One day, all of the leaves will be brilliantly green, and the pollen will be over, but not quite, yet.

Today at the shop, almost every bike reached a point of repair only to be halted by the need of an additional part to be ordered. It looks like a motorcycle infirmary with missing forks, seats, and wheels. Lifts are full. Floors are full, and that satisfactory feeling of completion is beyond reach today, but by this time next week, all of the sicklings will be out, and a new batch of bikes will come, but not quite, yet.

Today, I was to be at the lawyer's office for a debriefing before my second day of arbitration, but yesterday afternoon, I received a phone call from my lawyer's secretary saying the school board had to postpone once again (it's been over a year now since the onset of my grievance). A "star witness" (someone who played a very minor role in all of the events of my grievance) has serious health issues and can't be present Friday. I am sorry for her condition, but there were several people involved who could take her place, but suddenly she is a "star" witness who can't be replaced. In the months of my "unfortunate incarceration" in the rubber room, I spent all of five minutes face to face with her. I am disappointed because I want closure, but I can't have it, not quite, yet. 

However, just as the leaves burst forth magically and the pollen disappears and the bikes leave polished and running smoothly, I will have my day, and it will end as suddenly as spring, green leaves arrive, and as surely as the roar of a healthy engine. Just not quite, yet.

See, I have refined you, but not like silver; I have tested you in the furnace of adversity. Isaiah 48:10

Peace. Love, Linda

Shoveling Pollen Against the Tide

Today was a beautiful day to work around the house and yard. With our Midtown hours, it's my "Sunday."

I found myself outside planting flowers in pots and cleaning the garage. It felt good just to be home and doing "homework." There is something I found myself repeating today that I think strange. Throughout the morning, no matter what I was doing, I would periodically stop and vacuum, blow or sweep pollen out of the garage that was blowing in freely from the oak tree behind the house. I didn't shut the door. I didn't let it pile up and clean it at the end of the day. I just kept interrupting whatever I was doing to clean it up. What WAS I thinking?

But Martha was distracted by her many tasks: so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell  her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10: 40-42

Sunday's Blessing

The faithful love of God never ends!

His mercies never cease.

Great is his faithfulness;

his mercies begin afresh each morning.

Lamentations 3: 22-23

     

Peace.

                 Love, Linda             

For the first time in a while, I took a quick morning stop at the lake with my camera before work, and I was not disappointed. As always, the grasses, bushes and adolescent trees seethe with life and color. It makes the rest of the hectic day more balanced when traces of beauty seep into the soul. It only takes moments for it to happen if allowed. Then,when least expected, it comes forth as melodious laughter, good conversation, peaceful transactions. I like that in a day.

To Martha in the hospital, rest. To Michelle Girard who left me a phone message days ago and I just listened to it today, I'm so sorry I missed you. To all those who take time in the day to follow this blog- peace.

Love, Linda

Julie, I waited a bit too long...

Julie, I waited a bit too long, and the jacaranda's Martha mentioned that are so beautiful this time of year are fading, if they are jacaranda's at all. I am beginning to question that. I'm thinking tababuia. I'm also thinking that's misspelled, but it sounds like this:  tab-u (as in up)-boo-ya. It's not only spring, but time to pull out the Better Homes and Gardens gardening manuals or visit Wikipedia. They will know for sure what is and what is not a jacaranda/tababuia.

A week ago the trees were smothered with flowers, but the yellow beauties are beginning to puddle on the ground, soon to become brown bits of mush. The" tabaranda" tree then goes back to being spindly and homely once again. I think they would make great characters in a fairy tale. 

Once upon a time a homely little tree looked at all the magnificent trees surrounding it with shame and embarrassment. Then one day something miraculous happened to the homely little tree. It saw itself in the reflection of a spring puddle and could NOT believe what it saw. "That can't be me," it said with awe, but it was.  

Who among all these does not know

that the hand of the Lord had done this?

In his hand is the life of every living thing

and the breath of every human being.

Job 12 9-10

Peace. Love, Linda

Easter Sunday Blessing

I will sing to my God a new song: O Lord, you are great and glorious.

wonderful in strength,

invincible.

A Few Words on Work

Sometimes it's just about doing the work. That's it. No complaining. No excusing. No procrastinating. Just do the work. After the work is done, send it out to the world with a blessing, and let it reap its own rewards.

Sometimes, it's about protecting the work. That's it. No complaining. No excusing. No procrastinating. Just protect the work. After the work is done, honor it, and don't let anyone negate it. 

Yes, it's short, but I'm done now.

Happy is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways. You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you. Psalms 128:1-2