Even if the Healing Doesn't Come ...

If my people, who are called by my name, 

will humble themselves and pray and seek my face 

and turn from their wicked ways, 

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin 

and I will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Listen: 

Even if the Healing Doesn't Come ...

♥

Already Thinking about Gardening!

While January is typically a kick-off for setting organizing and fitness goals, I'm giddy with excitement that gardening season is just around the corner!!!  After coming across this photo this morning, I immediately went to the garage and did a quick inventory of containers for a few fruit trees that are still in their ugly black plastic pots on the deck.  I see a Tuscan transformation coming soon to the back porch!

   Lots of container gardening tips at the White on Rice Couple site!
(where I found this lovely photo)

I began going through the abundance of seed catalogs last night while watching the game.  Roll Tide!!  There is very little on my wish list as I have an abundance of veggie seeds already.  We're shooting for growing 90% or more of our garden from seed during the upcoming season.  I will (hopefully) be getting the trays ready this weekend. 

Decisions!  Decisions!!!  

I did score something from my gardening wish list last fall!!!   An old weathered mailbox!!!  The picture below isn't it, but it is the pin-up pic I drooled over!!  Now, where to put it!!

HAPPY 2013 GARDENING!!

National Champs!! Again!

Something to Ponder . . .

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.  We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less.  We have bigger houses and smaller families.  More conveniences, but less time.   We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.  

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.  We talk too much, love too seldom and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.  We've added years to our life not life to our years.  We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.  We conquered outer space but not inner space.  We've done larger things, but not better things. 

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.  We write more, but learn less.  We plan more, but accomplish less.  We've learned to rush, but not to wait.  We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.  

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.  These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.  These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stock-room.  A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or just hit delete.  

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. 

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. 

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.  

Remember to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it.  A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person may not be there.

Take time to love!  Take time to speak!  And take time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And, always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

~ George Carlin

2013 Aspirations

This year, I will aspire to:


Expand my garden.

Spend more time in my studio.

Learn more about medicinal herbs and plants.

Keep my blog current.

Make cheese and homemade pasta.

Pull out my late mother-in-law's short stories, 
poems and other writings and compile them into 
a hard cover book for my husband and daughters.

Work towards a healthier me,
physically, spiritually and emotionally.

And,leave behind procrastination, clutter, 
impulse buying, fear-based decisions and 
over-the-moon expectations.


Did I just make 2013 resolutions or another To-Do list?  Perhaps.  Perhaps I should have added fluff like give more of myself to others, nurture friendships, love more, laugh more ....  instead of focusing on myself.   My take is .... if I focus on the things that bring me contentment and peace, I will be more apt to be a blessing to others in so many more ways.  It's taken me a long, long time to realize that focusing on my fulfillment is not selfish.  It makes me a better person and it brings joy to my heart to help others fulfill their dreams!

A friend encouraged us to find one word that we could embrace this year.  One word.  Only one.   Considering the uncertainties that lie ahead of us in 2013, only one stood out among the possibilities.  The same one I've whispered for years now.  Trust.  I might add Faith to that. Although for me, the two are synonymous.

Be blessed, my friends.  Be blessed.