“My” gazebo. 6:30 AM I’ve never been here this early, Waking with the birds’ morning praises. I listen. No Merlin app to tell me whose song. The Robin dominates – is she a morning person? A dove “coo coos” under a tree. Blue Jay calls from afar (when will he draw near?). A chipping sparrow,Continue reading “Gazebo Prelude”
Category Archives: nature
Snow prints
Snow prints. They can tell the story of who visited this place, and show the chosen path. I see that deer stepped onto a frozen pond, just as far as the snow-covered ice ended. Did they drink from the exposed water circle, before jumping to solid ground? I see a grass-exposed hillside. The white groundContinue reading “Snow prints”
HOPE
A trace of last night’s snow covered some of the ground, with tips of grass peeking through. Our first snowfall in over a year! The sun was out, and had melted most of the little white dusting. Two excited young brothers across the street were bundled up against the winter wind, swaying the barren trees.Continue reading “HOPE”
Who’s there?
Cooler morning air announces autumn’s approach. I ponder last night’s restless sleep: Hours of lying in wait, But for what? Solitary sounds sifted slowly through opened windows’ screens, Softly slicing silent stillness. Then, at 3 AM, haunting “whooo whooo whooo” trilogies: An Eastern Screech-Owl called from amid lazy cricket chirps, Like a winged horse’s whinnyContinue reading “Who’s there?”
Who’s There?
I have the Merlin Bird app on my cell phone, and use it often. Sitting on the screened-in porch, I listen to birds call in surrounding trees. When curious about an unrecognized song, I use the app to record and identify the kind of bird who sings so beautifully. I’ve come to be able toContinue reading “Who’s There?”
MORNING STILLNESS
I sit and listen to singing birds surrounding my gazebo. I sit and listen for God’s voice. My mind struggles to be still. I want to hear God’s voice! I want to see each bird I hear. I gaze ahead to the woods, beyond the screen, but I don’t see any calling birds. The geeseContinue reading “MORNING STILLNESS”
Watching
If you have been watching “The Chosen” series, you may feel a renewed connection with Jesus or his disciples. We can enter into the story on the screen more easily when we’re familiar with Sacred Scripture. Bottom line: I have fallen in love with Jesus all over again! I have seen the actor who portraysContinue reading “Watching”
Wintry Wish
Joy in the morning As flakes finally fall. A few moments later: No snowflakes at all! A slight coat of white On rooftops around, But no snow at all Is seen on the ground. Christmas has passed, So no dreaming there now. I miss white covered trees, Their snow-laden boughs. Before winter’s gone And bulbsContinue reading “Wintry Wish”
Gentle Greeting
Blue spruce, Surprisingly soft to touch, Greets me upon arrival for a peaceful weekend. I walk toward the retreat center with a lighter step, Having reached out to briefly hold a branch’s end. “I’ve been waiting for you!” it seemed to convey. Time to return home days later, Walking past this magnificent tree, I reachContinue reading “Gentle Greeting”
Leaf Release
I stood in the Peace garden, just to “be” on this last day of September. A small autumn leaf let gravity take over, after a life time of spring and summer dancing green, and let go. She let go of all she had known: of her leaf community, of the branch which had nourished her,Continue reading “Leaf Release”
Pondering Christ 