Its all in how you view it . . .

 

Oh how very fortunate are they who wake up to greet the day through cottage panes . . . looking out on distant hillsides, green fields and winding country lanes . . . 

 

 Lucky too . . . the very blessed who from their lattices view the beauty of an old and lovely tree . . . branches gnarled against the weather . . . the stories they could tell, if they had a voice to speak . . . history tucked inside it's bark and layered in it's rings . . .  

Oh how very blessed is the one whose casement frames an open view . . . onto an unspoilt landscape . . . fading across and out into wide blue skies . . . the beauty of that wonderful expanse of gentle colour, warms the heart and soul . . .  

I can't think of anything more perfect to wake up to . . . than a country scene through a cottage window . . . the golden sunrise bathing all in a golden light. We were thus blessed for a number of years . . . and it was so very beautiful, serene and peaceable . . . 

Now we wake up to morning views of terraced houses . . . but . . . they too, have their charms . . . as do our views of the Clywdian Hills off in the distance. The golden light on their green slopes is always inspiring . . . and signals a beautiful day in the offing . . . what could be better than a day which begins with hope?

There is beauty everywhere, if one but stops to look for it . . . 

  

"Hope" is the thing with feathers . . .
That perches in the soul . . .
And sings the tune without the words . . .
And never stops . . . at all . . .

And sweetest . . . in the Gale . . . is heard . . .
And sore must be the storm . . .
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm . . .

I've heard it in the chillest land . . .
And on the strangest Sea . . .
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb . . . of Me.
~Emily Dickinson 

 

Oh, it has been so long since I have done any art. This is a piece I did back in 2012. Wow, that is six years ago. I have been too busy writing books I suppose and facing health challenges, both Todd's and my own.  I have done a few little bits, but nothing substantial in probably 2 years now.  Time flies . . .  supposedly when you're having fun!

 

Along with the developing, writing and testing of recipes for the new book, I've also been creating crafts to share in it. Nothing too fancy. Just simple quick creatives that can go together easily with a monthly theme. This is the one for March. I will need to take a better photograph for the book of course.  This is just a glimpse.  I have almost finished four chapters, only eight to go! Whew!

 

I have to confess that I am greatly dismayed at all of the violence and hate in the world today. I follow a few accounts on Instagram and was really shocked to see the hateful comments that were left on one of Stephanie Neilsen's (Nie Nie Dialogues) photos over the past couple of days. If you want to see what I am talking about, look here.  Absolutely vitriolic and dripping with hate.  I come from the school "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all," and I have a really difficult time processing this kind of behaviour. Such a lack of respect for another human being. Do the accusers not see that their behaviour is simply the same bigotry that they accuse others of, wearing a different cloak? Nasty, nasty, nasty. I will never be able to comprehend it. Never.

We are supposed to go and clean the chapel this morning, but Todd is going on his own. I don't feel safe doing so.  I had a few really good days, but then yesterday I had to use my spray about five times. I have an appointment at the Heart Clinic at the hospital next Friday at 9 am. It can't come soon enough for me.  Here I am wishing my life away as well, sorry about that! I promise that I do count each precious moment and cherish it for what it is.  Oh, and on the good news front, my mother will be going in the hospital next Thursday to have angioplasty? I am not sure if that is the right name for it. They will be inserting a balloon into several of her arteries to her legs and feet to clear them out and hopefully improve the circulation to them, in an effort to save her from having to have any amputations and to decrease her pain.  Prayers will be much appreciated on her behalf!  My sister will be with her of course (Bless her) and they are not allowed to leave the immediate vicinity of the hospital for 24 hours, so they will have to book a room somewhere. I don't know why they just don't keep my mother in hospital for 24 hours. In the old days they would have done. I suppose it is all in the aid of saving money. I think its called progress.  LOL

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.You can't reach for anything new

if your hands are still full of

yesterday's junk. ~Louise Smith •。★★ 。* 。 

Spiritual Enlightenment

  

 

BOOK OF MORMON CORNER

Today's Reading -   Mosiah 18:17-35 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? What does this tell us about members of the Lord's church?  

 

Thoughts - My favourite three phrases of this reading "hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another . . . thus they *became* the children of God" and "of their own free will and good desires towards God". These describe the very condition of their hearts. I love unity, I love that feeling when everyone is working together for the same righteous purpose, when our desires towards God are shared with those around us, we feel close to each other and to Jesus Christ. 

 
I also love the goodness of God. 'Apprised' in verse 34 means warned of the Lord. It's a pattern. Lehi -> Jerusalem. Nephi -> Promised land. Even Joseph being warned to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. This strengthens my belief that before we have to go through a wilderness we are usually prepared. 

 

Tomorrow's Reading  (Monday) (Day 119) - Mosiah 19:1-24 

Question - What have you learnt from the reading today? 

 

 

 

In the kitchen today  . . .  Zesty Lemon Cake. Its not only pretty to look at, but pretty delicious! 

Have a wonderful Saturday. Whatever you get up to, don't forget . . . 

 

 

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And I do too!