hallowed place

and then i came upon
a meadow

watched over by the pines



"I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines."
                                                      ~Henry David Thoreau

little flock

When i saw this fluffy little flock of sparrows hunched together in the snowstorm i was reminded of a conversation i had with a friend last week. She was telling me about how much she enjoys observing birds and how they spark her imagination. …”especially,” she said, “seeing them lined up on buildings or wires…..how they scoot down for one another to make a space”. She said she could imagine what they were saying to each other. 

It made me think of a scripture passage from the book of Luke:

“I tell you,” Jesus said, “do not be anxious about your life….consider the birds, they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds…..and who of you by worrying can add one cubit to his span of life?

       …..Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” 


P.S. Being a part of a flock is a really good thing. :)

harbor in winter

This image captures quintessential Maine in the middle of winter; harbor, trees, water, the tools of the fishermen; all at rest. 

It’s as though winter is inviting everything to “be still” with her.

   

one thing (i love about Maine)

when i see 

how the trees

go right up to the sea

it inspires me

If you would know strength and patience, welcome the company of trees.  ~ Hal Borland

a home in the woods

on the other side of solitude is the company of friends…new or old. . 

On our drive north from Portland to Mount Desert Island we stopped on Westport Island to visit Susie and Nate. I had met them once in Topeka when they were there visiting Susie’s sister, my friend, Kathleen. Hearing that we would be in Maine they graciously invited us to stop by for lunch on our drive north. 

We parked at the bottom of a steep winding hill and walked up their drive to the house. Rounding the bend and seeing their cottage/remodeled carriage house tucked into the snowy woods was magical as was our wonderful lunch and time of talking around the fire.They made us feel long life long friends by not only opening their door but also their hearts.

"Open your heart--open it wide; someone is standing outside."  
                                      Mary Engelbreit

snow, solitude, and the sea

I sit in a hotel in Portland Maine as i type this post. My husband and I are here celebrating our 35th anniversary. "Why Maine?" and "Why winter?"These questions (asked by many)  passed through my mind as i walked along the coastal path today taking pictures of Portland Head Lighthouse. "THIS," i think to myself is "why".
I meet two people during my walk on the snowy trail and both voice their amazement at what we are experiencing. We pass quickly respecting and understanding each others need for solitude in the face of such beauty.  This evening my heart is filled with gratitude for sea, snow, wind and weather. For solitude and a husband who understands.

"Our language has wisely sensed the two sides of being alone.  It has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone."  Paul Johannes Tillich, the Eternal Now

miracle moment

Think me strange if you like, but i find it quite amazing when i find myself witnessing something as simple as a squirrel on a fence (especially in a pose such as this.) :) I imagine a satellite high in space zooming in on the continent, then Kansas, then Topeka. It quickly zooms down to a central city block and finally the alley where we stand, squirrel and me. 

And i say to myself again, “Isn’t every moment, miracle!”