sweet surprises...

are everywhere...

from the phone calls and e-mails we receive each day, to the joy of taking a walk in the garden with a friend and finding "treasures," sweet surprises abound! It is not even 9am as I type this, and already today I have seen the sunrise, my daughter's lovely smile, and our puppy's joy. A hummingbird whizzed by while I was finishing up in my garden and a boy hugged my girl as I dropped her off at school. He seemed sweet, probably the "funny guy" at her lunch table. I decided to grab my breakfast and lunch before coming into work, and sit out front, enjoy my salt bagel with jalapeño and read before starting my work day. This was the view:

Exactly where I am supposed to be

"...watching you be yourself, makes me want to be more of myself." A quote that Oprah read on her show, from a woman named Carrie. While it well may be the only way in which I am like Oprah Winfrey, but I do also know: Everyday, I know I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be... I just show up, and, as Rascal Flatts sang for her on Monday's show:

What sparks the light in you??

a second post for this very full Sunday...

Mattie Stepanek on Oprah:  "poet, peacemaker and philosopher, who dared play, after every storm."

Prophet who believe purple is the color of hope.

So much to be thankful for...

From morning hummingbird visits to lunch with one of my dearest friends,

her son, Liam,

and my sweet, beautiful Elizabeth

and finally a movie in our new "tent/tree fort," Saturday was a pretty great day.

Today's agenda includes: a drive to Erwin for Elizabeth's horseback riding lesson - it's been way too long, grocery shopping - out of dog food, and nearly out of milk - so I suppose I really must go (I really don't care much for shopping of any kind) and getting Elizabeth to work on her report for World History. Only 2 more weeks of 9th grade. Is that possible?? Must be, already got next year's assignment in the mail 10th grade, here WE come, apparently regardless of passing Alegbra I.... but ... I am told that EOC counts for so much of the grade, if she does well on that... well, we'll see....

Here we go... SUMMER plans

Aquarium

Beach

Cousins

Dig steamers

Eat lobster

Fort Fun

Grammy and Grandpa

Horseback riding

Ice Cream at St. Clair's

June, July - Judy Moody

Ken, Karen

Liam

Movies: HP7pt2

Nicholas

Out for lunch

Pedicure

Quality time

Relax in Rhode Island

Sunflowers at Buttonwood Farm

Theater Camp

Uncles: Ken, John, and Bob

Visit family

Watch Hill

Xplore new places

Y

Z

Friday the 13th of May

today I learned so many things, even though I feel tired and a little sad - rare for me, I know...
for one thing...
wild penstemon is growing just outside my back gate...
as well as a really sweet pink wild rose...
pics tomorrow - too pooped tonight.

Ceanothus spinosus flower....

is also known as a mountain lilac :)

Inspiration at its finest

One of the most beautiful definitions of God that I have ever come across:

“We gaze with perplexity at the highest part of the spiral of force that governs the Universe.

“And we call it God.

“We could give it any other name: Abyss, Mystery, Absolute Darkness, Total Light, Matter, Spirit, Supreme Hope, Supreme Despair, Silence.

“But we call it God, because only this name – for some mysterious reason – is capable of making our heart tremble with vigor.

“And let there be no doubt that this trembling is absolutely indispensable for us to be in contact with the basic emotions of the human being”. Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis