Savouring January - Day 27 - Here

I’ve just opened the mail 

and am so delighted to report 

that my copy of this book 

with the wonderful name and soothing cover 

is here.  

And! 

Just as I'd hoped, 

it has the very same cover as our library’s! 

As an added bonus,

since my new-to-me, gently used copy 

is an ex-library copy, 

it has its very own 

clear plastic dust jacket to boot!

See there?

Auntie Hope will find us.

Blessed be. 

💙

#SavouringJanuary2018

.           *          .

Armfuls of Time

Rediscovered this book today.

And, 

man-oh-man,

was it exactly perfect timing.

Blessed be.

.          *           .

Savouring January - Day 23 - Hope

I love just the name of this book 

and it’s cover 

so much that I’ve checked it out 

many times from our library. 

Haven’t even read it yet 

as the cover alone 

brings me great Hope, 

my word for 2014.

Just last week, 

she adds with a grin, 

it occurred to me that I could order 

my very own copy so I did. 

(Its an ex-library copy 

and I’m so hoping the cover will be the same.)

 💙

#SavouringJanuary2018

.              *              .

Christmas Happy Mail

Today I received a thoughtful Gift 

from a dear friend

that couldn’t be more perfect! 

 From the label, 

the giggles from the styrofoam pillows 

(clever recycling!), 

to the wrapping papers - 

both silver and powder blue!

And the actual, 

deeply thoughtful Gifts themselves!! 

I’m smitten by the idea of 

“the holy mess of my beautiful life” 

and embracing it 

(as best I can in each moment)

 is where I will be sure to find 

Auntie Joy waiting for me. 

And while I’ve had my eye on it, 

no, I didn’t have the book! 

What a wonderful, 

Joy-filled surprise 

on the chilly, damp January day!

So grateful for my precious friend.

.              *              .

Remembrance - Day 19 of 40

My dear confirmation sponsor and kind teacher 

along with a gentle family of authors 

who have deeply touched and reassured me 

in places where I needed it most.

Wise guides all 4 

and welcomed spiritual nourishers 

inviting me by both their words and their example to 

"Live it, Baby Girl."

Blessed be.

.          *            .

Remembrance - Day 11 of 40

Smiling that these two showed up together. Lalor will often say that her name rhymes 

with "Taylor."

.   .   .   .   .

I met Dennis in college thru a graduate research study he was doing on folks with 

Raynaud's Syndrome.  He wanted to see if this phenomenon, nicknamed the "patriot's 

disease" because our extremities turn red, white, and blue, might have a stress related 

component and, if so, could the symptoms be curbed with the use of biofeedback.  Turns 

out the answer to both is yes.  

He was a kind soul who I always knew cared about me as a person.  I was not just a 

means to an end for him.  It was a sad day several years ago when I tried to reconnect 

with him and discovered he had already passed before I could say thank you (again).

.    .    .    .    .

Lalor is the dear woman who led the book group that I faithfully participated in for as 

long as she did them.  She is a spiritual director and I always appreciated her willingness

to let us wrestle.  Her womb of an office was a safe place to bravely struggle through 

the books we read together and/or whatever was on our hearts.  

She also had a deep fondness for me, even as I struggled with the other members in

our group.  She loved me even when I found it hard to love.  And that meant the 

world to me.

.     .     .     .     .

The other interesting thing about these two and the word Restore arriving on the same day?  

I was tired and seeing the three together brought a very warm smile.  

Yes.  

I believed that both of them would want me to restore by resting.  I could catch up here 

on another day.  

(Which is just what I did.)

Blessed be.

.           *          .

Shutter Happy ~ Day 8 ~ Favorite Book

Being a cradle Catholic and a farmer's daughter, 

the ongoing cycle of the seasons of the year 

speaks to me in a deep way 

so the metaphor of the wheel of the year 

is a natural one for me. 

This book has been a lovely companion 

both honoring and cultivating that. 

I especially enjoy reading each month's intro 

where she shares more about the holidays and traditions 

that fall in that particular month 

and, when known, some of the origins of each one.

#shutterhappy

.            *           .

Shutter Happy ~ Day 6 ~ Fave Spot in my House

My favorite place in our home is this corner where my comfy, 40-year-old rocker 

recliner lives. Brown tweed clad and already broken in just right when Granddaddy 

gave it to me, it's now covered in this beautiful mariner blue. Smiling fondly as it 

provides my favorite view, too.

The wooden side table parked between where darlin' hubby and I sit often holds a 

lit candle, an angel or two, and a favorite mug. Tucked on the shelf underneath are 

many current favorite book companions, all within easy reach. 

My treasured Grace tiles are on the south wall of our living room. Below them is 

the charming wooden heart quilt rack that my brother made for me one Christmas. 

Nestled on its shelf is a choir of angels, twinkle lights, and a lantern. Hanging below 

is the beautiful farm-themed quilt made especially for me by my sister several years 

ago.

In the far corner, above the dinette set that my father-in-law sat at as a small child 

is one of my most treasured angels. From her place of honor (I can see her when 

working in my kitchen as well), she peacefully reminds and reassures me of my 

Moma's constant loving presence in my life. 

In front of me and a little to my right is my cherished Quartet of Grace gathered 

around and always looking over their red oil lamp "daughter," quietly reminding 

me to Abide.

Blessed be. 

#shutterhappy

.          *          .

Happy Mail

Still no power but the mail just came. 

Yay! 

 📬  .  📘  .  😍

#ilovesnailmail

.            *           .

Breathe September 2017 :: Day 1 - Light

Guiding Lights

#BreatheSeptember2017

.          *          .

Today's Self-Care Treats

Had a colonoscopy this morning and all is well. 

Reading from my book 

and drinking from my sweet new sunflower mug 

this afternoon was my treat. 

💛      🌻      ❤️

.         *         .

Hope will Find You, Deb

So I picked up a small navy notebook that's been sitting on top of this little stack of books 

for a good while now. Having looked up what I was wondering, and not thinking too much 

about it, I put the notebook down and went on with my afternoon journaling.

Taking a pause to look around between thoughts a few moments later, I was taken by 

surprise to find just the words of comfort that I need during this time of transition and 

struggle with the unknown at work (our company was bought out the first of the year).

Smiling softly as the uncovered message felt like a secret treasure and very well-timed 

gift of Grace. Right here next to me, below my mandala that I named "Sheltered in the 

Cave of the Heart," the two books were offering me their quiet assurance: "Hope will 

find you", Deb. Just remember - "Present over Perfect" and All will be well.

.

Ah, blessed be. 

💕

.          *          .

April Love 2017 :: Day 23 - Bookshelf

There's a shelf under the table next to my chair 

and some of my most favorite books live here, 

making it very easy to pick them up again and again.

(and again)

#aprillove2017

.             *             .

April Love 2017 :: Day 10 - Favorite Book

One of my favorite books right now is this one. 

 I'm particularly enjoying the section introducing 

Celtic traditions and holidays celebrated in each month, 

including stories about how those customs got their start 

and how they've evolved over time. 

After each month's lovely intro there are seven sets of prayers, 

one for each day of the week. 

#aprillove2017

.           *            .

April Love 2017 :: Day 4 - Noon

Today's midday meal held two treats. 

A yummy Ham & Swiss bagel sandwich 

and the arrival of a new book about 

Mercy, 

my word for 2012. 

(and the cover is Orange 😉)

Grounded

.          *            .

Happy Loveable Mail

So delighted to receive 

an autographed copy of Kelly's book, 

Loveable. 

❤️

.             *           .

Loveable

Looking very forward to dipping into these pages. 

❤️️

Kelly's voice is gently wise. 

If the book appeals to you and you order before the evening of 3/24, 

there's a free full length bonus companion book that he's offering as a thank you gift.

Just go here.

Here is my Amazon.com review:

Verified Purchase

This review is from: Loveable: Embracing What Is Truest About You, So You Can Truly 

Embrace Your Life (Paperback)

I've been reading Kelly's blog for four years now and had the pleasure 

of participating in his Courtyard Conversations. In both places I grew to 

deeply trust his calm, gently reassuring voice. As a member of the launch 

team, I was delighted to receive a free digital copy of Loveable. Since 

then I've bought two copies to share with dear ones and, being one who 

likes to hold an actual book in her hands, a third is on its way to me.

The stories he shares are brave, deeply personal and speak to the ache 

and beauty of being human, always with an eye towards Grace and Hope. 

If you've read any of his blogposts and/or letters to his children, you 

already know. Kelly's writing is authentic, insightful, clear, and wise. I

t's my sincere hope that this is the first of many books published by 

Dr. Flanagan.

.         *          .

Trustin' in Grace and in The Wisdom of the Body

So I had a Lent themed book picked out but when it came time to order it, I was having 

trouble finding it. When a copy finally arrived on Tuesday, some of the pages are so messed 

up in places that I can't make out all of the words. While disappointed, after sitting with it 

for a bit, I knew.  It will need to be returned.

In the midst of all of that planning, this preordered book quietly arrived a couple weeks back. 

I remember smiling when I opened it to see more orange, and both the title and cover spoke 

to me. I then set it aside with a promise to return to it... later.

After reluctantly giving up on my first choice for a Lenten companion, I picked this one up 

last night and started reading.

And lookie what I found just in the intro of this book that so clearly chose me:

"You are beginning the long and beautiful journey home."

"The body speaks truth if we would only learn how to listen."

"... the body calls us fully present here and now."

..

Ah, she says as a wide smile spreads, if practicing Grounded means to practice being 

fully in this present moment, doesn't that mean being fully in my dear body as well?

Yes. 

🍊

#grounded2017

.            *             .

Welcoming Orange!

Intentionally welcoming and celebrating the color Orange. 

🍊      .      🏮     .     🔶

...

It's kinda feeling like an orange surprise party over here 

as all 4 of these arrived this morning.

 I remembered the notebooks (soon to be journals) were orange

 and a wide grin spread to see the books have some orange on them too. 

After sharing this photo on social media,

a dear one commented that Orange is a juicy color.

I'd never thought about it that way

but I like it!

I like it a lot!

#grounded2017

.           *           .

Practicing Hope

So Hope was my word for 2014 and "she" has been peeking in on me, her beloved daughter, 

a lot in the last little while. (I've come to think of some of my words Grace, Mercy, Hope, 

and Peace as sister auntie angels who love, guide, and watch over me)

Last Tuesday morning a dear friend shared a lovely quote about hope with me and that 

afternoon our purple crocuses, who speak to me of the hope of spring, peeked their heads 

out and winked at me. 

Our car wreck on Friday night was at an intersection with a small, red brick church with 

a wire steeple on one corner. I felt so touched when hubby came back and told me it was 

named "Center of Hope" (!!). We waited the hour for our tow truck driver to arrive in the 

shelter of her back parking lot.

And yesterday morning I intentionally invited Hope in close by choosing my sweet blue 

and white striped mug for my warm, soothing cup of creamy chai tea. I so love this book, 

"An Altar in the World" by Barbara Brown Taylor! So much so that every time this water 

baby gets in the tub, this gently wise and reassuring book goes in with me. And of course, 

she adds with a twinkle, I have an angel in my bathroom!

Wishing us all a good week and may there be many pockets of Hope. 

❤️

.           *             .