Small and Wonderful Things . . .

 

 

"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.  

   

Hot buttered toast and marmalade.  I have not had this in a long time. I decided to treat myself to some this morning. I know not everyone likes marmalade. I guess it is too bitter for some, but I simply adore it.  Once in a blue moon treat.  Toast and marmalade. 

 

Facetimes with my brother.  I love my brother so much. I know I don't often speak about him.  I guess that is because I get to do more things with my sister. On the day my brother was born, my sister and I held hands and danced around the kitchen in my grandparents house joyfully singing "We have a baby brother!"  He is a good, good man.  Kind and caring.   He has a dry wit that keeps you in stitches and he can deliver it with a straight face.  Good husband, good father, good son, good brother.  I have been truly blessed in the siblings department. I am always telling my father that my brother and sister are the greatest gifts he ever gave to me, and I mean it.  I love them both very much.

I got to talk to my sister in law as well. Which was also very nice! 

If the snow in my front yard gets any taller, it will reach my rooftop!  But I am safe and warm inside and for that I am very grateful! It was colder here this morning when I woke up than it was in Ottawa, but has warmed up a bit since. My bird feeders are completely buried.  I wonder how long it will take for that huge pile to melt when the spring comes? Probably quite a while! We shall see! 

I had to give this rascal a bath yesterday and he didn't like it. Giving him a bath is not an easy task because he is big and he is strong. Right now he is sitting on my tv stand/cabinet trying to get into the cubby hole shelf beneath the top of it, seeing what he can knock out.  He is a little mischief maker.  His latest thing he enjoys is to sit by the sink in the bathroom while I leave the tap just at a small trickle.   He is such a character.

They both enjoy water play. They are both such great company for me.  Love them to bits! 

 

I was studying the story of Noah over this past week and was able to gain quite a few insights to the character of God. Some people might read that story and think what a God of vengeance, but I see a God of great caring.  The people of the earth were very wicked at this time, probably more wicked than even today, almost unredeemable I suppose.  He knew that he was going to rid the earth of them, make a fresh start and so he instructed Noah to build an ark, a place of refuge for the deluge which was to come.  Building this ark took 120 years, enough time for anyone that wanted to to repent, because there was room on the ark for all who chose to repent and change their ways. In the midst of the sorrow and the pain and the anguish of an unrepentant earth, He was already preparing a place of refuge for them.  I was reminded that even before all of my troubles last year, He was already preparing me a place of refuge.  A place where I could make a new start, and a means for me to be able to support myself, and the blessings have not stopped. He could not prevent the course of justice, because justice must be served, but He did provide for me in the midst of it all. Throughout it all He remembered me and He lifted me and He brought me to a safe place.  I was able to find peace and to feel hope.

I want to get myself an Olive branch for my home, or to paint one.  A symbol of hope and of peace. A reminder to myself that even in the turmoil, I was being led to a safe place and that God is merciful.  His tender mercies are real. 

My sister saw a whole flock of winter robins in a cherry tree across the road from her house yesterday. They were enjoying the dried cherries that had not gotten eaten from last season.  What a joyous sight that must have been.  They get quite a few birds at the house where they are.  They have seen deer recently as well.  I did have a flock of starlings in the maple tree yesterday. I had thrown out some old cake and they were enjoying it.  The cats love to watch the birds from my bedroom window.  They ask me to put them up into it every morning.  Sometimes they get lucky and see a flock of starlings.

My life is filled with a multitude of blessings.  I really cannot complain. I live in a country which is filled with many freedoms which I enjoy. I have relatively good health. I am surrounded by people who love and care about me. I have a warm and comfortable home, the company of cats, plenty to eat and to drink. I hope that I am a person who will always be aware of my blessings in life.  All of the small and wonderful things which make up my days and which bring me joy on a daily basis. May I never take any of it for granted.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

A thought to carry with you  . . .  

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *.˛.  The sweetest thing in all my life

has been the longing to find the place

where all beauty came from  . . . 

~C.S. Lewis   •。★★ 。* 。  

In The English Kitchen today, Tender Beef and Noodles for two. This was fabulously tasty and incredibly easy to make. 

I hope your week ahead is filled to overflowing with a multitude of small and wonderful things. May your cups overflow!  Don't forget! 

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And I do too!