Home Shots and Musings on Mark

I didn't have pansies last year and I am thrilled with the flat I planted a few weeks ago. Yesterday, after the fun thunderstorm and noisy downpour, their faces are dirty. I don't like that. They'll sunbathe all day, though. They are faring well in the front garden where I put them in the place of honor.

This is Reve's handiwork. She is the flowery-est next door neighbor/loving friend ever. She plants stuff in our shared sides and I water her stuff that's close by (well, Bill does) and we used to leave surprises on the fence post. We should start doing that again. When she gets back from Florida, I shall leave her a little fairy gift.

Here she is! Isn't she lovely? Sweet Peony is in full bloom and leaning over to bear the weight of her multiple fruits! She's ruffly and soft, like an innocent bride. Behind her are the ballet slipper pinks, planning a show a bit later, so stay tuned for the debut!

As I dug through the junk drawer, looking for nails to hang the hearts on, I found the jewel on my pinkie. I found the other jewel on a dusty shelf by the phone. Just yesterday Jeff noticed my wrinkly hands and said, "Mom! What's up with your dry, wrinkly old hands? You are only fifty!" I've always had dry hands. When I was in elementary school, playing a mean game of four-square, I had VERY chapped hands and that was in the Pacific Northwest where moisture pours from the sky! Yesterday, I was digging in the dirt, planting zinnias, taking the gloves on and off. I love to look at hands and I remember everyone's hands. If I know you, I know your hands. These are my good hands. They hurt sometimes and they are wrinkly, but I am still in love with them.

Moving the hearts home from school feels good. I like to greet our people (mostly our sweet kids) with this little love note. We had a mirror there before, and they'll say something about its absence. I looked in the mirror a lot at my parents' house, too. Weird. It's almost as if I expected to see my childhood self looking back at me.

After finding a new spot for the ramen noodles (such a bargain at Sam's) and the guitar, I think our little coat closet turned book cubby is a great place for angels. And, adorning the security alarm box with a couple gorgeous crosses sends a bit of a message to us, doesn't it?

Just for the record, I am still reading Hinds Feet On High Places. It's been stowed in my lunch bag and now I'll take it out and put it in a booky place and go further in it. I am practicing Praying in Color and yesterday prayed for Jill, Bryan, Laura, Kelli and Mark as I wrote their names in my fancy print and combined lovely colors all aroud their names as I presented my requests to Jesus. But, today I thought to myself, "Self, which gospel should you read? You want to see more of Jesus and get to know Him better, so maybe you should read from one of the gospels that doesn't have all your doodles and highlights all over it. How about Mark?" Here is what I found: It's about Jesus MOVING! He's moving around, serving, sacrificing and saving. It's evident that God MOVES into our lives. The megathemes are Jesus, servant, miracles and spreading the Gospel. Oh, and I read where the heavens are TORN open and the SPIRIT descends on Jesus (after John baptises Him) and a VOICE says, "You are my SON, whom I LOVE; with YOU I am well pleased." Wow.
Thank you for stopping by today. I draw a great deal of joy from your apt comments. They cheer my soul!