jeans and memories

the neighbor's laundry
hung out to dry

brings to mind memories
from far away
of another day

dad's work jeans on the line
frozen stiff
by the blistering cold
of winter

him bending
into the wind
as he walked from the barn
arms full of hay

hell of a way
to make a living
he'd say
when days of summer drought
left all
around us

a barren land

misplaced

the shoe is where
it doesn't
belong

in quite the wrong
place

and why?

hear me sigh
when i say

i lost the other

so i set this one here
as a reminder
to keep my eyes
WIDE
open

how can a woman
with not many shoes
lose one
out of the pair
she counts on most?

i've looked here
and there
up
down
around
under
and through

but still no shoe

whatsoever, ever, ever
shall i do?

standing out

there is only one you

so
stay true to your own colors

preen the feathers
you've been given
proudly

sing the song
you've been given
loudly




*"There is only one you. God wanted you to be you. Don't you dare change just because you're outnumbered."    ~Charles Swindoll

swinging lessons

we think we teach
the little ones

but it is they
who say

"make way for the kingdom
it is within"

let go of heavy shoes
and things that might have been

reach for what's before you now
do not bow
to fear

the stars and God are waiting



*This ends my "Phoenix Visit" series. Thanks to Kelly, Lincoln, and Campbell for the wonderful visit and the opportunity to photograph them in action. :) Perhaps there will be a "Phoenix 2" series someday. :)

cacti

simple spiny succulents
side by side
in the scorching
w   i   d   e
desert

you have something to teach me

one lesson might be
to savor
the tiniest drops of blessing
when they come

and keep them deep

to store
and reap once more
in a dry, poor
season




* "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life."
                                                                ~Proverbs 4:23

reflective

some moments
are serious moments
calling for reflection

receive them

give them their due
follow their cue

then be on with the business
of learning to crawl
and exploring the wide world
in front of you

waiting

feeling small and helpless?

relax

take in the sights and sounds
around you

your turn to fly
is coming


* "The happiest heart that ever beat
    was in some quiet breast
    that found the common daylight sweet
    and left to heaven, the rest."   ~John Cheney

flamingos

to have your grace
in the face
of everyday happenings

to remain calm
a balm
to those around me

like the lovely shade of pink
you are
may i mar
this tarnished world
with beauty

birthday thoughts

today is his birthday

twenty eight years of living

and living
is one of his gifts

it seems so long ago
that i didn't want him to grow
too fast

but even then,
i knew he was mine to hold
for just a season
that there was a reason
for letting go

it scares me to think
of all i'd have missed
had i resisted the passage of time
and tried to keep him
as mine

through a child's eyes

he's looking at his mommy
and that's what we should do

enhance our view
of the things that matter

into the eyes

look closely
at the small ones you see

they sometimes sit
on an angel's knee



*Jesus said, "Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child, shall not enter it.  Then He took them in His arms and blessed them.  ~Matthew 19: 13-15

"Are not angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
                                                                          ~Hebrews 1:14
                                                                                              

camouflage

i see you hiding there

it's a good hiding place

you blend right in

and all those thorns to keep
anyone from getting too close

you probably wouldn't know by looking
but humans hide too

and some use thorns
just like you

unconditional love

i'll scratch your back
you don't have to
scratch mine

i'll be fine
just making YOU
happy




*This is Lincoln. (age 2 1/2)

campbell joy

fetching
isn't she

her presence
fresh in this world

sweet evidence
of mercy
and remembrance

mother and daughter

such a lovely
silhouette they make

an image of strength
and simplicity

most creative God
set your covering upon our heads

take us into the sun
where your work is done

and give us grace



* I just returned from Phoenix after visiting my lovely
neice Kelly, and her two sweet children; Lincoln and Campbell.
The next several posts will feature images taken during my visit.
I hope you enjoy. We have so much to learn from children.
This is an image of Kelly and Campbell.

whisperings

the delicate things
are His whisperings

His steadfast comfort
under breath

green on grey

don't you just
marvel

at life
eking out

every chance it gets

heron

my first impression of you
was
"intense"

you can't blame me
really

look at yourself

your eyes
your beak
the angular skinny legs
the posture of your stance

you could scare me

but suddenly
you took to the air
skimming the water
with such ease and grace

and i knew
it was me
scaring you

beautiful "blue"

coconut fantasy

close your eyes
and breathe deep
of the bright lime
and pink

you're sitting in sand
mojito in hand
the sun on your face
and no trace

of worry



*Think left and think right, think low and think high.
Oh the thinks you can think if you only try."  ~Dr. Seuss

cherubs

and what to say of you
sweet cherubs?

i could write about your
italian renaissance beginnings
your greco roman connection

or your appearance in
baroque art

i could dwell on your name
which is actually putto

but i think
i'll just say
you are sweet
very sweet
in your old fashioned
way

such it is

ah
such a morning it is

color and
birdsong

undeserved
unasked for

is there no end
to His mercy

after the storm

there really is
a back side
to every storm

light
will come
again

lining up

one little
two little
three little olives

four little
five little
six little

hmmmmmmm

four little
five little
olives


one little acorn
lost and alone
found five little olives
on their way home

or

five little olives
looking for adventure
follow an acorn

hmmmmmmm

oh
forget it

porch

the baskets bright
and the front porch light

cause me long to meet
the one who keeps

this cottage
sweet



*I am very drawn to scenes like this. They seem to touch a place "deep within". Does anyone relate?
If so, do you think it could have something to do with this verse found in Ecclesiastes 3:11:

"He has set eternity in our hearts."

C.S. Lewis put it this way:
"I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy.  The only logical explanation is that i was made for another world."

likeness

she reminds me
of my grandma casey
ethel, her name

not a woman of fame
or unforgettable
beauty

but a gentle woman
and strong

a woman of humble means
and proven character

who sent sons to war
and whose face bore
the marks of anxiety
and laughter

water

do you remember
the words he said
about drinking from his well
and "never thirsting again"?

imagine

no thirst for praise
purpose
or security

no thirst for time
possessions
or peace

no thirst
period

sweet mighty jesus
come
fill my cup

in a word

hardware:
housewares, tools
utensils
ironmongery, plumbing supplies

IRONMONGERY?!

spring sunset

this evening's sky
a silkscreen

layer
   on
      layer
         on layer



*"Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinitne beauty if we only have eyes to see them."
                                  ~John Ruskin
   

morning thanks

oh thank you God
for "deck time"

thank you for color

thank you for paper and
ink

thank you for the oft overlooked gift
of words

oh God
whatever would be mine this morning
without you?

goat

now you, my friend
look like a sly fry
not a shy guy

bet you made your mom sigh

with all your
kid, kid, kidding
around