"The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside from a generous hand. But who gets excited by a mere penny?...It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won't stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted with pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. what you see is what you get." ~Anne Dillard
A few of the small and wonderful things which bring untold joy into my life. It's the small things in life which truly mean the most. Simple abundance . . . it's the best.
My brother shared this photograph (along with others) of the Balancing Sculptures in the Ottawa River on his FB page at the weekend. I thought they were quite beautiful. The artist is 60 year old John Felice Ceprano. Apparently he is there most days creating art. It’s fun to watch, too, as Ceprano lifts stones and slabs to create "rock balance art.” He does this from July to October with an expanding collection of sculptures as Ceprano adds to his creation by using only materials found on-site. I would love to be able to see this in person, and am grateful for my brother sharing his photos. I would never have known such beauty existed otherwise!
Love of friends. It's not really a small thing, but it is a pretty wonderful thing. I do believe that I am very blessed to have some really special people in my life. Thoughtful and caring . . . . kind and sweet of spirit. I received a very special package on Friday all the way from Canada. I won't embarass her by telling you all that was in it, but I will tell you that each inclusion had a lot of thought and love behind it, and I could feel it. Thank you so much Monique. You didn't have to send me anything, but I am touched that you did and I am so happy that we discovered each other through the magic of the internet. I have to say that we, Monique and I, belong to a mutual admiration society. I can't quite remember how I discovered Monique . . . but I do know that once I did, I kept on going back to her page to see what she was sharing. I have her on blogging speed dial. I don't know for how many years now, but a long time.
I think blogging buddies are a pretty special thing. You have never met in person, but your hearts are able to touch through words scattered here and there, a comment now and then, e-mails, etc. Somehow this special link is forged. It's a pretty amazing thing.
Country walks in between bursts of rain. The earth smells so green and fresh . . . . silent save the occasion dripping sound of caught raindrops abandoning leaves which have only seconds before held their wet treasure. I will never complain about the rain over here. It is the rain which keeps this land so green and makes it so lush and beautiful.
The word of God which always uplifts and inspires. I go to it often and it never lets me down. I always find just what I need to read when I am looking for comfort, solace, healing . . . no matter the mood. The words my heart seeks are always at the ready. I find the scriptures to be quite amazing. You can read the same passage a hundred times and then all of a sudden on the hundred and first time, those same words will leap out and touch your heart in a special way which had escaped you until that very moment. Owners manual for our lives. Love letters from a Heavenly Father. Road map to guide us back to our heavenly home. There is something there for everyone and every moment . . . every circumstance and each experience. We are never alone.
Family and love and home sweet home.
Unexpected visitations . . . . at unexpected moments . . .
The tender mercies of the Lord . . . . they embroider every corner of my life.
And each moment of my days and nights . . .
I am indeed blessed with a cup that runneth over . . .
It's not the things that can be bought
that are life's richest treasure.
It's just the little heart gifts
that money cannot measure.
"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into yoru lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
~Luke 6:38
Cooking in The English Kitchen today . . . a Coconut and Lime Cake.
I hope your day and week ahead is filled with a multitude of small and wonderful things. don't forget!!
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And I surely do too!
