...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...

...try this!

...I love asking a young child 'what age do you think I am?' - I did this recently with a 7 year old from church...and he looked at me for a moment...tilted his head this way and that..smiled and said 'I think you're 24!' ... I love that child!!! Needless to say - even when I reverse the digits - I'm still older but it did make me smile.

My neice (11 years!) and I were attending an event at her school a few months back and I tried to get dressed a little more 'trendy' than usual. She arrived to take me and her eyes widened...she bite the inside of her lip and whispered 'Are you going to wear that?' I obviously saw something else when I looked in the mirror!!! Oh well...at least I have a nice personality!!

...let the reading begin...

I could never quite figure out the purpose of a book group … that is…until I joined one a year ago. Well …’joined’ is not really the word – we ‘formed’ one – six ladies – friends for ages and needing an excuse for a 6 weekly coffee and chat! What better a way to always have a diary date that to put it under the heading of a book group! Genius!

Actually it’s been fantastic to read books that I personally would have never thought of picking off the shelf. So far we’ve managed the following….

Never let me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro

The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd

Winter Queen - Boris Akunin

With their Backs to the World - Asne Seierstad

Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox - Maggie O'Farrell

The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood

Where they were missed – Lucy Caldwell (not finished reading this yet!)

….I hope we can keep this little gathering up this year…and if you’re not in a group right now…don’t wait to join an existing one – get one up and running yourself – people are just waiting to be asked!!

Happy reading….Mo

PS If you’ve any suggestions…let me know…as we’re always looking for new titles!

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!

...had a relaxing weekend doing absolutely nothing! Well...not exactly nothing...but almost nothing...ahhh - we all need some weekends like that! There's something about a crisp spring-like day that puts a smile on my face...hope all is well with you! Let me know!



PS...this is not my garden - wish it was!

Oh..I loved these poems....

my friend just emailed this link and I just love these...

Poems: "Essential" and "Employed" by Beverly Rollwagen,
from She Just Wants.
© Nodin Press.

Essential

She just wants to keep her essential
sorrow. Everyone wants her to
be happy all the time, but she doesn't
want that for them. There is value in
the thread of sadness in each person.
The sobbing child on an airplane, the
unhappy woman waiting by the phone,
a man staring out the window past his
wife. A violin plays through all of them,
one long note held at the beginning and
the end.



Employed

She just wants to be employed
for eight hours a day. She is not
interested in a career; she wants a job
with a paycheck and free parking. She
does not want to carry a briefcase filled
with important papers to read after
dinner; she does not want to return
phone calls. When she gets home, she
wants to kick off her shoes and waltz
around her kitchen singing, "I am a piece
of work."

REMEMBER....

Friends....books....coffee...these are a few of my favourite things!

I've had the lovely pleasure of sitting chatting - over coffee of course! - with a few very close friends in the past couple of weeks and they just do not know what it means to me! These people make me feel good ... that's the only way I can really describe it. We discuss small things - the weather...books...movies...food ...we discuss big things like work...friendship....family...and we ponder the issues that some people never get around to - like feelings...fears...realness! I also appreciate those friends I've made through this blog - they are the unseen friends who are there at the end of the email...'listening' to my problems and encouraging me with kind words. Thank you too!

It may have been Valentine's Day with no cards...but sometimes I feel more connected with others on a deep, meaningful level - than some of the married couples I know!

...thanks to all for their friendship and smiles!

...a strange little week...

...not going into a lot of details - but lots of work-related stress being dealt with .... feeling a little on the fragile side this past week. Today is slightly more relaxed and I'm now feeling 'on the up' again...yeah!

...silence is golden!

...Looking forward to a partial silent retreat from tomorrow evening! I will be having some quiet time this weekend...but I am also helping to prepare some of the Saturday meals..and I have to get instructions whispered to me!! I like this arrangement as I get the best of both worlds. The weather (so says the radio) will be calm and quite mild for Feb...lovely.

Had another thought provoking on Tues evening when our band of friends met for a meal and some chat. We had all decided to have a look at the feeding of the 5,000 and there were some lovely insights of the various people around the room. My thoughts always seem to come as questions! The two main questions I asked myself in the past week were 1. What/who 'feeds' me? 2. How do I 'feed' others? I may bring those with me on the weekend ahead and ponder them further.

Work has been busy...but a good busy! Stressful..but a good stressful and having spent a wee bit of time looking into the eyes of the nursery children...I feel blessed! They may not have the ability to communicate but oh...those eyes speak volumes!

blessings....MOJO