Grace and Mercy Dogwood

The wonderful surprises continue! Catching my breath as I came upon the Twins this morning, feeling delighted to see they had flowers on them, I thought to myself, "they bloom?!?!" I 

pulled right into this parking lot I drive by every weekday but have never actually been in. 

As I got out of my car, my heart went pitter-pat to realize they are *Dogwood* trees!! One of 

my very favorites! 💕

Affectionately naming them after one of my all time favorite quotes (see below) seems right 

so the front one, with beautiful white flowers, I shall call Grace and the back one, with beautiful 

pink flowers shall now be known as Mercy.

Their flowers have almost all gone but that they held on until I noticed? Well, that means the 

world to me. Smiling softly because this felt like the perfect day to get close to them. 💕

                                           "Mercy and Grace are really sisters. 

 They're not identical twins 

but they are very close sisters, nonetheless. 

 They are almost constantly found together 

and if one is encountered by herself, 

the other is not far away."

~ Philip Edwards

(And then later in the day?, she adds with a grin, I remembered I knew this about them but 

had forgotten sometime before I started their weekly photos last fall 🙃. I'm actually ok 

with this because today's surprise felt like a true gift of soul refreshment.)

.              *             .

Easter

Cracking eggs

We laughed because their mom said she put in a 

couple of M&M's in the eggs 

she used for their Easter egg hunt at home.  

But at Papa's house?  

There were fun-sized chocolate bars!

Their Easter baskets were as full as 

if they'd been trick-or-treating.

My sweet girlie

Papa is the best!

.               *                 .

Easter Morning Companion

.               *              .

Tee-ball's Back!

Go Mets!

On day soon, little brother.

Their favorite game . . . today.

Yay for tee-ball!

.             *             .

Spring and My Swing

.             *             .

Good Friday

Baking Hot Cross Buns 

~ 

A Cherished Family Tradition 

.             *            .

Spring's Unfolding Begins

And so the Twin Sisters' Spring unfolding begins. 

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud 

was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." 

~ Anias Nin

.           *             .

Cousin Visit

My cousin, her husband, and daughter

were in town 

so we had them over for supper.

Swiss Steak

Rice

Roasted Asparagus

Green Beans

Strawberries with Angel Food Cake 

and Wipped Cream

It was lovely to catch up

Here are our Mamas over 40 years ago.

She could see my Moma in my face

and I could see her Mom in hers.

.                *                .

Dancin' Bunnies

This sweet pair danced their way into my heart years ago. 

Let you in on a little secret? 

It always brings a warm, joy-filled smile 

to think of them as darlin' hubby and me 

in bunny form.

.            *           .

This Little Light of Mine

Finding my light 

and feeling really pleased with this photo. 

Ya know that dear girl 

who is relaxed and at peace 

when not struggling with boundary setting challenges? 

Yeah, she's still in here. 

❤

.              *              .

Lunch Menu

Afternoons go smoother when my lunchtime menu 

includes some soul nourishment, too. 

❤️

.             *              .

Looking with Love

Grinning because I am loving this new-to-me angle of 

"arms length from above" for self-portraits!

Looking at myself with love this afternoon was such a well-timed gift for me. 

Today found me setting more uncomfy boundaries in another arena in my life. 

The bottom line for me is I want to show up for myself, 

continuing to build trust with the little girl who still lives inside my heart. 

So I did it, all while deep breathing my way thru 

and gently reminding myself that I am being very Brave. 

Yes, at times it's a little rough around the edges. 

The reality is this is still fairly new behavior for me, after all. 

So then it becomes an invitation to practice trusting that for today? 

It is Enough. 

I am Enough. 

'Sides, she adds with a twinkle, 

I know I'll get better with practice. 

In this moment, I am deeply proud of myself 

for making space and room for me in my own life, too. 

Yes. 

.               *             .

Sabbath Peace

Practicing Peace

under

Grace

and 

Grandmother Oak's

watchful eye.

.             *               .

Luminous March :: Spirit

#embodiedterrain

.            *            .

Abide and Trust in Love

The beautiful foursome of charming angels was my favorite Christmas gift from hubby this 

year and they are circled around, ever-so-gently leaning over, my sweet little red oil lamp, 

bought at a lovely Grist Mill turned pottery shop about an hour's drive away from here.  (If 

you follow me here, you'll know that it was "rent" for time spent in my favorite porch swing 

away from home.  You may already know this story, too.)

This beautiful tableau has been gathered since Christmas day. Smiling because it didn't take 

long for me to realize, 

Oh!!! 

So *this* is what 

Abide, 

my word for this year, 

looks like for me..... 

intentionally placing myself 

in the midst of cherished beloveds 

and allowing them to tend and love me, 

while practicing trusting that they want to. 

All that is required of me in that (this) moment 

is to rest in their caring presence.

For this?  

I am deeply grateful.

.             *              .

Abiding in Grace

I've been walking thru a pretty tough ol' time for awhile now.  Along with some old grief 

surfacing in an unexpected and fiercer way than usual, I have a new supervisor who's trying 

to force (and hotwire) a closeness between us.  Smiling softly because this is actually a pretty interesting turn of events.  Usually it's been me who's longing and, yes, pushing for more 

closeness.  

While I know in my heart of hearts she means well (just as I always did) and I do have hope 

that, in time, we will find our way to a good working relationship, the reality of right now is 

I'm finding it all smothering, frustrating and extremely draining.  Plus I've been triggered a 

lot lately which has just added to the painful difficulty of it all.  This is so not how I want to 

show up. 

Still, I'm quite clear that my resources are very limited right now and that my hands are full 

tending to my own weary and grieving heart.  In a way it's a gift that I'm so spent, making it 

easier for me to truly understand and accept that, messy and imperfect as it all is, I just don't 

have any room on my plate to take care of her, too.  So, as best I can in each moment, I gently 

remind myself that it's ok to let all of that go for right now. 

What I also know is I took care of my Moma in an unhealthy way and this is an opportunity 

to practice saying some important and firm "no's" that I wasn't able to when I was younger.  

This is a skill I want and need in my life and the only way I'm going to learn it is to practice.    

Today I wanted to continue feeling calm and supported after yesterday's lovely dental visit.  

It was *amazing* to me how much time spent in the presence of a kind angel in human form 

helped to shift things for me. 

This evening, I spent some quiet time in meditation, being still and Abiding in Grace.  

(Abide is my word for this year and Grace is my fond nickname for my higher power.)  

It warms my heart so much to see my face so relaxed.  

Ah, so maybe all of this really will pass, too. 

And, maybe, just maybe it already is.

May it be so.

.            *            .

Luminous March :: Sanctuary

#embodiedterrain

.               *              .

Seeing and Being With the Truth

Yesterday was a *tough* day at work. 

Today I had a dental appointment and I'm smiling because that was actually a blessing. I *love* 

my hygienist! She's such a warm, caring, and kind person. And today? She was also a gentle tear catcher, attentive listener, and willing hugger, so it was such a gift to spend time with her. 

(The good report was nice as well.) 

Before I was called back to see her, I took a moment to still and Water My Soul by truly seeing myself, rough edges and all, in their bathroom mirror.

(And so grateful that today was a much better day. ♥ )

.              *               .

Luminous March :: Spirit

#embodiedterrain

.             *              .

Luminous March :: Heart

Entrusting Grandmother Oak 

with my weary heart 

after a tough day at work.  

Being held

and healed.

Blessed be. 

#embodiedterrain

.              *              .

Luminous March :: Skin

Sacred Scars

#embodiedterrain

.             *                .

Luminous March :: Feet

Hoofed tree feet

#embodiedterrain

.               *              .

Sabbath Sun & Silliness

First glorious spring-like ride with the top down in 2016! 

(Well, for me anyway.😉)

Sitting in our swing.

Smile pretty, Sweetie!

.             *             .

Purple Pal

Today I am grateful 

for a happy mug 

cheerfully reminding me 

of a lovely birthday week 

almost 14 (!!) years ago 

coupled with

 lots of Saturday afternoon room 

with plenty of space 

for both hubby and me 

to 

spread out, 

breathe, 

and be. 

.            *            .