Savouring January - Day 31 - Believe

Dogwood bud 

practicing her belief 

in the promise 

of springtime.

#SavouringJanuary2018

Blessed be.

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Savouring January - Day 30 - Soft

Snuggly slippers

Velvety blanket

Soft afternoon light

Constant companions

Heartwarming fire

Blessed be.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 28 - Rest

Sabbathing

🕯   .   ❤️

#SavouringJanuary2018

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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

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Savouring January - Day 25 - Love

Headed home after a stop at the library,

 I often take a short detour to this little pond 

that I have come to love.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 24 - Place

Always faithfully 

standing in her place, 

rain or shine, 

hot or cold, 

her tranquil nearness 

brings me comfort. 

❤️

(But you already knew that, yes?)

#SavouringJanuary2018

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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

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Savouring January - Day 21 - Smile

Sunday lunch, shared on a patio 

with my very favorite guy on a gorgeous 

spring-feeling January day, 

is sure to bring a warm smile.

It was an unexpected delight 

to be serenaded by birdsong as well.

I do believe, she adds with a grin, 

that they were enJoying 

the beautiful weather as much as we were.

Blessed be.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January 2018 - Day 20 - Grateful

Today (January 20) is the feast day of St. Sebastian, a special patron of mine. He's
the namesake of my beloved bear, given to me by my Moma on the occasion of my
sweet 16th birthday. Knowing she would be moving away soon, Moma wanted me
to have a friend to help keep me company thru the remaining difficult, long, and
lonely days of chemo. Smiling softly as neither one of us had any idea what a good
and faithful friend he would become (and has remained).

When looking for a name for my brand new bear buddy, I was trying on the usual
options like "Teddy." A friend who was visiting me in the hospital playfully
challenged me into being more creative.

At the time I was getting 2 iv's during every single chemo. The first was for the
life-saving medications and the other was for saline to help keep my body hydrated
while also helping to flush the dangerous drugs out of my system so that they didn't
stay too long and begin to damage healthy cells and tissues. Blood work was another

constant, monitoring my white blood cell count and other things.

These were the days before "ports" and so every single time an iv was put in or 

blood was drawn, there was at least one new needle. My veins were already fragile 

in the beginning and, over time, they had gotten pretty bad with all of the sticks 

plus the potent medications flowing thru them. It was getting rarer and rarer for it 

to take just one try.

When I learned about St. Sebastian's story and how he was once tied to a tree, shot 

full of arrows.. and *lived!,* I knew I'd found a name for my new bedside buddy. It 

comforted me knowing St. Sebastian had made it thru all of his arrow punctures and 

his story was a deep encouragement for me to hold on to Hope. Maybe, just maybe 

I would survive too.

. . . . .

Long after I was in remission, I kept Sebastian close. He continued to sleep with me 

every night, quietly catching my stories and dreams along with my laughter, fears 

and tears. Smiling playfully because, as stuffed animals often do, he became a 

member of our family, even going on mountain trips with us.

A friend once commented to me in passing that once I found a husband, Sebastian 

would have to be put up. Without missing a beat I retorted with a snort (this was 

serious business after all!) that "if my husband didn't understand about Sebastian, 

then he wasn't the man for me!"

Grinning now because I have family photos with him included and there *may* even 

be a picture or two of family members other than me napping with him. Yes, my 

sweet bear was/is a very special and comfortable sidekick.

Smiling softly as Sebastian no longer sleeps with me but that isn't because my dear 

Tadd doesn't understand. No, it's because my cherished companion was starting to 

get worn including some pretty big rips under his arms and I didn't want him to fall 

completely apart.

These days? My beloved friend rests in his place of honor on my closet shelf. When 

the door is open, as it often is, I can see him still watching over me as he has for 

(almost) 40 years.

Ah, yes....I am deeply, profoundly grateful for my soft, brown guardian angel. 

(And lookie what color is bandana is!)

Blessed be.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 18 - Drink

Slaking this morning’s thirst 

while keeping the icy chill at bay 

with a hand-warming mug of creamy chai tea.

Rediscovering an old favorite cup 

tucked in the back of our kitchen cabinet 

has me smiling big 

as I bask in the wonderful, Joy-filled surprise. 

Blue!! 

Purple!! 

And sweet flowers!! 

(All my favorites)

Throughout my day, 

I almost always have 

a cup of cool water to drink nearby. 

A couple of other 

reliable thirst quenchers for me 

are a lit candle 

and writing in my journal, 

all while under the gracious sheltering presence 

of Mama Grace’s gentle gaze.

Delighting in the dance.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savoring January - Day 15 - Beauty

January sky

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 10 - Nature

While not as chilly as it has been, 

this January day was gray and damp as predicted. 

Stopping by to say hey to Mary is always good, 

heartwarming medicine for both body and soul.

Blessed be.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 9 - Listen

While running errands today, 

Betsy and I listened to Moana.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 7 - Read

Intentionally selecting a book or two 

who’s theme is my chosen word for the year 

has become an enriching part 

of my treasured practice. 

Not only do the books teach me about my word, 

they are also a lovely way to help companion 

and honor our time together.

Grinning big as this year’s word 

continues to surprise and delight. 

One of these books was a Christmas gift 

and I recently rediscovered the other 3 

winking at me from my bookshelves. 

(The tag line for the bottom book is 

“A Buddhist Inspired Guide to Navigating Joy and Sorrow.”)

Seems Auntie Joy has been waiting for me all along.

Blessed be and delighting in the dance.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savoring January - Day 6 - Now

With it being Epiphany, 

today is all about the fellas. 

So grateful for their annual reminder to follow the Light. 

🌠

Air Fryer experiments are still going well!

Delivery man was kind and helpful

so that was nice.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 5 - Move

Whenever I move into a new journal, 

my long-held tradition 

is to start by making the first page into a calendar. 

And the next page? 

That one is a prayer asking for blessings and guidance, 

both for time spent on the pages and off.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 4 - Dream

My new air fryer cooks up grilled ham and Swiss sandwiches 

(with a sprinkling of poppy seeds like Moma used to make) 

like a dream! 

 A perfect lunch on this cold, blustery day.

It's based on a recipe from l-o-n-g ago when I was a little girl. 

Back then the local gas company would put on a cooking show 

and hand out little books with recipes in it, 

including the ones they had just demonstrated. 

The original recipe called for making a spread 

of mustard, butter, grated onion and poppy seeds. 

Today I just smear both insides of my bread with a little mayo,

 top that with a thin layer of yellow mustard, 

and sprinkle both sides generously with poppy seeds. 

As you probably can imagine, 

the poppy seeds add a bit of yummy crunch. 

Delish!

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 3 - Comfort

Comfort on this chilly January night includes 

sipping hot tea from a cheery, cherished cup, 

snuggling up in a downy soft comforter, 

soothing sound of steady tick tocks, 

and the tender brush of angel wings.

Blessed be.

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Savouring January - Day 2 - View

View from the home of my chair.

🌻. 💛. ☀️

#SavouringJanuary2018

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Sabbathing (and Watching)

Sabbathing: soaking, savoring, sending. 

❤️

Shhh.... Our baby niece, due any day, 

has started making movements towards her arrival. 

Yay!!

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