A very sad time...

...as one of my 'blog friends' copes with the Virginia tragedy - living close to the campus and being an ex-student there. My thoughts and prayers are with all concerned.

Good old Jane!

...we seem to be Jane Austen crazy at the moment. Three new adaptations on television over the last month..'Being Jane' in the cinema and have just finished reading 'Jane Austen - A life' by Claire Tomalin ...which I really enjoyed. Romance is certainly not dead when Jane's around!

...oops...spotted a mistake!

..typing too fast...

...below should have read ... moments to 'just BE'!!

hope your Easter was special!

I had a lovely, restful time ...with some holy moments...moments of refreshment...moments with family and friends...moments to 'just being'. Hope you did too!

A good friend recently send me an email with these lines...

......'I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, we're expecting this world to keep a promise it was never designed to keep. What if...when we close are eyes in this world and open them in the next - when we feel His presence - His glory - His awesome love....it will be in that moment that we realize this is the reason we were created...to worship in His presence..we'll at last feel complete.
Only then will we realize that, that one perfect moment we waited our whole life will not last 60 seconds but will last forever!'.....

...beautiful words...

A friend has ended an email today with some short, but magnificent lines from the 13th century Persian poet, Rumi


If you ask me
'How did Jesus raise the dead?'
I will kiss you on the lips,
and say 'like this'.

...and the trade goes on....

...Many people find it hard to believe that slavery still exists. Whether it's bonded slavery with men, women and children toiling on plantations, in rice mills, brick kilns and many other industries; or, the deplorable and prevalent trade in humans to serve as sex slaves, slavery is flourishing in many parts of the world. It is still every bit as ugly as it was 200 years ago and it must end.


the passage above is taken from ....http://www.theamazingchange.com/



Carrying on Wilberforce's vision of mercy and justice, World Vision helps transform the lives of the world’s poorest children and families in nearly 100 countries, including the United States. Our non-profit work extends assistance to all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, gender, race, or ethnic background.
http://www.theamazingchange.com/worldvision.html

...it made me think...

A good friend of mine - Chris - shared this quote recently from Jean Vanier which I found very challenging.

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental
To reach out is to risk involvement
To disclose feelings is to risk disclosing your true self
To place your dreams before the crowd is to risk their love
To live is to risk dying
To hope is to risk despair
To try is to risk failure
But the greatest hazard is to risk nothing
The one who risks nothing, does nothing and has
Nothing - and finally is nothing
They may avoid sufferings and sorrow,
But simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow or love
Only one who risks is free

Jean Vanier

...some more photos....

...Hello again!

I love the writings of the late Henri Nouwen and read a book that a friend had brought to one of the silent retreats I’ve been to recently…which said…

‘Perhaps the best definition of redeeming revelation is the uncovering of the truth that it is safe to love. The walls of our anxiety, our anguish, our narrowness are broken down and a wide endless horizon is show. We love because He first loved us. It’s safe to embrace in vulnerability because we both find ourselves in loving hands. It is safe to be available because someone told us that we stand on solid ground. It is safe to surrender because we will not fall into a dark pit but enter a welcoming home. It is safe to be weak because we are surrounded by a creative strength’.

…..I’ve re-read that paragraph so much lately and every time…I see another little sparkle!

….have a special weekend!

...a lovely St Patrick's Day

I was off work yesterday and it was lovely!
Went into town for breakfast...
Spent the afternoon swimming with my neice...
Went to the movies and for coffee in the evening...
a lovely day!

What did you do yesterday? Leave a wee comment and let me know!

...that's what friends are for...

I love Charlie Brown..and Snoopy cartoons and

on one occasion, Peppermint Patty said to Marcie: “I’d like to read this book, Marcie, but I’m kind of afraid. I had a grandfather who didn’t think much of reading.” She continued by saying, “He always said that if you read too many books, your head would fall off.”
Marcie responds, “you start the first chapter, and I’ll hold onto your head!”

I love the idea that whatever my friends are doing...that they'll have someone to hold them up when they're feeling down!

...holiday memories!

...just came across some photos taken in Italy last summer - ahhhh - to be there right now...but at least I can dream!!

How to be miserable in 20 easy steps!

1. Use "I" as often as possible.
2. Always be sensitive to slights.
3. Be jealous and envious.
4. Think only about yourself.
5. Talk only about yourself.
6. Trust no one.
7. Never forget criticism.
8. Always expect to be appreciated.
9. Be suspicious
10. Listen greedily to what others say about you.
11. Always look for faults in others.
12. Shirk your duties if you can.
13. Do as little as possible for others.
14. Never forget a service you may have rendered.
15. Sulk if people are not grateful for your favors.
16. Insist on consideration and respect.
17. Demand agreement with your own views on everything.
18. Always look for a good time.
19. Love yourself first.
20. Be selfish at all times.

Spring has sprung...

..took these on my lunchtime - gorgeous or what!?

...another special chat...

...with a very special friend.

On paper - this friendship seems like it should never have survived! Differences in age, experience and background...but this lovely friendship is almost a decade old...and we treasure it every time we get together. We hadn't really anything planned for Saturday evening but we ended up eating (as usual!) and what a wonderful time we had. We talk about everything...work..family..books..movies..theatre..what makes us laugh and cry..our hopes and fears..faith..our childhoods..whatever comes to mind at that moment. It's cool to be totally yourself with someone...no masks...saying exactly what you're feeling without fear of judgement - what a gift!

So...in case you didn't know already...Thanks Mr P!

One more thing....

...something I read this week...

when we are real - a Lenten reflection -

Someone once said that to recognise the signs of God, pay attention to your stirrings. Look closely when you feel the swell of joy within, or the tightness as your throat closes up in sorrow. Live in that moment, poke around in its corners, and feel the texture of its walls. Sit with it for a while, long enough to sense the presence of God sitting with you.

Have a great weekend!

Oh dear! Let's try again! (Not too good at this photo thing!)

Just some photos...

from my newly purchased camera...