Happy New Year Wishes on The Wonder of Nature

On this, the first day of 2010, my thoughts are on love and peace, a better life and doing more good in the world--for others as well as myself.  When I think of what inspires and motivates me most, I think of Nature.  So it is with these thoughts, that I bring you the gifts of nature today,

in poetry and pictures.

ENJOY.  And, Happy New Year!

It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination.The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

- Anne Frank

It is the marriage of the soul with Nature that makes the intellect fruitful, and gives birth to imagination.

- Henry David Thoreau

The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while Nature cures the disease

-Voltaire

See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls.

- Mother Teresa

Nature abhors a vacuum, and if I can only walk with sufficient carelessness I am sure to be filled.

- Henry David Thoreau

Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.

- Frank Lloyd Wright

New Year's Eve

Every day I see or hear something that more or less infuses me with delight, that leaves me like a needle in the haystack of light. It was what I was born for - to look, to listen, to lose myself inside this soft world - to instruct myself over and over in joy, and acclamation. Nor am I talking about the exceptional, the fearful, the dreadful, the very extravagant - but of the ordinary, the common, the very drab, the daily presentations. Oh, good scholar, I say to myself, how can you help but grow wise with such teachings as these – the untrimmable light of the world, the ocean's shine, the prayers that are made out of grass?

~ Mary Oliver

And so another year ends. 

This morning when I awoke, I promised to spend at least one hour a day cleaning my house, clearing out the clutter, tossing papers, unused items, anything that doesn't add joy or beauty to my life and inner sanctum.  Home is where the heart is, and I want mine to be healthy and happy. 

After working on one corner of the family room, and seeing how it "breathed" again, now free from cobwebs and chaos I, too, breathed easier.  Smiled inside.  Knew I was that much closer to being able to invite friends over for a cuppa tea.

It will take time.  I know.  It took nearly thirteen years to get like this but, God willing, it won't take a fraction of that time to get back to its original state. When I bought this house, it was magical.  Everything was so beautiful, clean and inviting.  Now, I can hardly sit down.  And, who knows where anything is?  I've often said that a person's home directly reflects their state-of-mind and, more importantly, their heart.  My house looks how I feel on the inside:  disorganized, unkempt, and unhappy with some of the "rooms."

With a new year comes a resurgance of energy.  I plan to use the momentum to, not just make some half-baked New Year's resolutions, but to ride the tide of rejuvenation and rebirth.  2010 promises to be a better year.  For our nation, the world and our personal lives.  It's time.  It's all about time.

So one little corner of one big room has been cleaned.  It looks happier.  I feel better.  We're off to a good start.  Each day I vow to spend at least one hour in SPACE:  sorting, purging, arranging, cleaning and ENJOYING my new digs and new outlook on life.  Sweetie Sue and the kits gathered around me this morning as I worked, with one-pointed attention, on one corner of one room.  As if to say, "You can do it, Mommy!" I felt their encouragement and loving presence.  It means so much and spurs me onward.

So as I bid adieu to 2009 and welcome 2010, I hope to try harder, live happier and work with more joyfulness and passion.  And leave the rest to the unquantifiable powers that BE:  the heavens, the stars and pure Divinity.

Let the New Year begin. . .

The Second Day After Christmas

The holidays are over for another year.  Whew.  As with most families, mine is difficult at times, Christmas being no exception.  Why?  That's for the stars and God to answer.  How?  Beats me.  True, year-after-year?  You betcha!  And so started the traditional yultide cheer.

My oldest sister always makes Christmas dinner at her house but insists on serving it when it's dark outside making it impossible for me to come.  Why?  Because I don't do well at long-distance night dirivng on three expressways in wintertime.  One year, as I was driving home at 10:30 PM, my car hit a patch of black ice and swerved about 90 degrees as it slid sideways.  That was on expressway number one, and I've never forgotten the panic in my heart, sure I'd be a goner any second.

That was three years ago.  So, now, much to the chagrin of my family, I refuse to drive at night-Christmastime or not. This year, my sister begrudgingly (according to my Mom) relented and agreed to serve dinner at 2 PM. Mom said, in a tone that resembled a warning by Medusa, "She said ok, but she's not happy about it.  Heavy. Ominous.  Are we having fun, yet? 

With that, I felt about as welcomed as Bambi entering a lion's den.  Still, I wrapped and baked and packed and stayed up 'til 2:00 AM putting last-minute touches on all my gifts and goodies.  But when I awoke, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter; when what to my wandering eyes should appear but an ice storm outside and pellets of pouring rain, my dear!

So I rang-up my sister and explained I couldn't drive in such torrents.  She was less than pleased but said ok and decreed dinner would be served at 2 PM just the same.  I watched as the rain continued all day but happened to peruse Craig's List and saw a community dinner being offered in a nearby town.  Hmm, sounds interesting.  Why not?  Got dressed, took my new pup and drove (in the rain) to Tecumseh High where I experienced what felt like straight out of A Christmas Carol.

An all-volunteer crew putting on the nicest dinner I'd ever seen.  Tables in the cafeteria were all decorated with red Poinsettas and lighted snow-scene centerpeices.  Turkey casserole, homemade mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, apple, cherry and fresh fruit pies, oranges, apples and plums filled the air with the sweet smells of holiday cheer.  Volunteers helped pour apple juice, tea and coffee and get everyone settled and comfy as we enjoyed our feasts.

It was called, Beulah's Christmas Dinner as she was the mother of the lady who organized it this year.  She left an endowment to do good in the community, and her daughter (a local elementary school principal) chose to sponsor a Christmas dinner for the lonely or anyone who wanted to partake of this charitable meal.  And, many people did.  There were families, kids, couples and single folks, like myself, there.  The food was delicious, fellowship friendly and hospitable.  I couldn't've experienced a nicer Christmas meal.  (And was given four more to take home!)

Back at the ranch. . . .my middle sister said there was tension in the air. And, the day after Christmas, my oldest sister's birthday, (I know, a double header and hard to take when you're not into sports) she said was even worse as some of the relationships are fraught with hostility & angst.  My inner knowing sensed this and felt relieved to withdraw this year.  Yes, I was alone.  Yes, I felt moments of isolation and loneliness, yes, even sparks of self-pity, here and there.

What I didn't feel was tension.  Or anger.  Or grief.  True, I spent Christmas with a cafeteria of strangers.  But oh what warm and welcome feelings I felt.  People smiled and shook my hand, thanked me for coming, gave me food, Poinsetta plants and bags-full of fresh fruit to take home and enjoy.  The true spirit of Christmas touched my heart even though it wasn't spent with my family-of-origin.  Rather, my family-of-life. 

And, after all, isn't that what the true spirit of Christmas is really about?