Comforting Words and Ecstatic Experiences — reflections on the Psalms.

Psalm 139 v5
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me
so high that I cannot endure it...

Even looking at a rich blue sky through a copper beech can bring tears to one's eyes.
Or to look at distant mountains with wispy clouds crowning the summits.
Thousands upon thousands of riches that are ours — if we are willing to open our eyes.
But not just nature, life is full of little things that surprise us with joy beyond our understanding.


There are times when we can feel so uplifted in the Spirit than it is hard to endure!

After a disturbed night due to a nearby late party, I felt really weary this morning. But sitting gazing out of the window at the sky, trees, and brilliant blossoms caught in the morning sun, uplifted and refreshed.
Joy is just a blink away.

Comforting Words — reflections on the psalms continued

For there is not a word on my tongue
but you Lord know it altogether
You have encompassed me behind and before
and have laid your hand upon me...


Psalm 139 v3-4

It has been a busy weekend — too many things trying to get done.
My third book of the trilogy is now being prepared. It will be good to get the set completed. Meanwhile, I am rewriting Blazing Embers, Making changes as once was suggested by an agent. I want to include more humour too.
Family coming for tea and an invitation to pop in to a neighbour's BBQ and celebration. It all went off OK.
BUT —
We all need time to be still and reflect. 'Be still and know that I am the Lord.'
Am I going in the right direction? I think so...

Comforting Words — reflections on the psalms

Verses from Psalm 139 1-2

O Lord you have searched me out and known me
you when I sit and when I stand
you comprehend my thoughts long before

You discern my path and the places where I rest
you are acquainted with all my ways...

We are never completely alone. In Him we live and breath and have our being. God alone truly knows our thoughts, our feelings, our hurts, our problems, our pains, what makes us tick. Ultimately, he alone is our judge.



I have been thinking about this today. It has been a busy few days since getting back from holiday. Domestic chores, catching up with correspondence and sorting out issues to do with my books. (Looks like my latest will get in the local paper.) We can get lost in busyness. Today I have the morning to myself — to sort out thoughts and feelings, while plodding on. Sometimes we need to be alone.

England's Lakeland

We have just got back from a holiday in the English Lake District Forest Park. So I thought I put up some photos of where we walked and what we saw.
I must admit, I was not looking forward to any strenuous stuff but the walk to the top of Whinlatter was calling me to make the effort. It was so worthwhile, the views were glorious and the air fresh and cool. The scent of pine and wild flowers uplifted my flagging spirit and by the time we reached the bottom of the hill again I was actually walking better!
A walk in Ennerdale was easier and quite delightful. A walk to Cogna Tarn — a mere three and a half miles — we found interesting as we passed through a farmyard and fields with sheep with lambs, little pigs, horses with foals. Delightful creatures. We did other walks too and also drove to the nearby harbours. Whitehaven has had a marina built and it was full of sailing boats. Lots of interesting monuments too.
We came home greatly refreshed and energised!

A Walk In Nature's Paradise.

Saturday and much to do. We walked to town and called for a coffee. Time to relax a little. We walked back via a lovely footpath. Good to see the bluebells and a variety of other flowers. The trees are now looking gorgeous, especially with the sun shining through the leaves.

Stress and Relaxation

Our common woodpecker visited as usual. This time my son took a photograph. Yesterday my effort produced just a blur. I could not keep my hands perfectly still. Just a reminder that as much as we think we can do anything if we put enough effort into it, some things are beyond us. Asking for help is 'okay' not something to be avoided.
It is dull, damp and cold today but we take it as it comes. We have that privilege because we are in control of our lives. We feel for those in the world who have no choice in anything, but rather are totally subservient to the will of others.
My hubby read to me as usual this morning, while I relaxed and watched the birds and other wildlife from our place by the window overlooking our large garden. It is good to share things as we get increasingly older. Yes, we have our separate activities beyond the home, but we are closer than we have ever been. Stress can kill relationships. Relaxing together eases tensions.
Later, a walk into town (that exercises my arthritic joints) to do a little shopping and post a packet and back home for lunch. Now back to writing.
I have had a great review done of my last book. That has given me encouragement to get on with stories already started — best get on with it then!
Click on the bird and it will enlarge. The woodpecker is a cute little fellow, and so is the other bird at the feeding station. (A robin I think)

Golden Moments — little things mean a lot

Sands of Time — Golden Moments



Little things that change our thinking.



Yesterday ended well. Someone got in touch, requesting information about writing and self-publishing. I doubt her comments about my writing were just flattery, otherwise why choose me to gather grains of knowledge? It gave me a good feeling. We all need to feel appreciated. A low self-esteem is not conducive to fulness of life.
Okay, so the sands of time are running low but it is good to find they are mostly golden grains!
Little things really do mean a lot:
A pair of squirrels are going crazy in the garden — leaping and dashing, prancing round each other. Junior fun or the mating game? Ah yes, we oldies remember that all right!
The nesting pigeon has now flown away from the nest. Did that egg finally hatch — it's had plenty of time to hatch and produce a fat youngster. No evidence (carcass or feathers on the ground) that a cat or bird of prey had it for lunch.
The mother blackbird has been trying to feed a young one with a lump of white food. It pecked but turned away. She kept offering it, pecking at it herself to get bits to feed to her infant. It was going on for a while. We suddenly realised it must be a nugget of polystyrene. Concerned (would it choke?), we dashed to the door but the blackbird just flew off with it. Now I am worried it's beak has stuck in the stuff. Well, if I don't worry about that, I'll find something else!
Must make a list out — chores to do and shopping this afternoon.
And must try and get a bit of creative writing done today — lots of starts and much to finish!

The Sands of Time — a misty morning

A Misty Morning in May

Wednesday already! How the days fly past. The days have longer daylight hours so I guess I expect time to go slower but the truth is they seem to shrink. The sands of time running through the hour glass? Seems faster when there are fewer grains to go. Best to make the most of them.
A misty morning heralding a pleasant, if cool, day.

Birds have their nests, but squirrels get their nuts!

Yesterday was a busy day with domestic chores, but also with time for reflection.
The mother blackbird appeared again, complete with her two young. Sigh of relief!
Rain fell, bringing much needed refreshment to all our trees and shrubs.
A squirrel won round 9001 of my husband's efforts to make them work for their birds' nuts. It's an ongoing contest to make the feeder proof against the squirrels' sharp teeth and claws. He doesn't want to make it completely impossible, otherwise we would see less of them and their funny antics. This morning the feeder was on the ground and the nuts all gone.
We had a good laugh in the morning — a squirrel had a complete camellia flower in it's little hands (like they do with mushrooms) and was nibbling at the petals.
It is good to have time to live close to nature. Not much writing done though.

Evening Birdsong

Yesterday, as evening fell, I walked out into the garden and was transported to heaven. So many birds cooing, chuttering and twittering, outdone by an enchanted chorus of magnificent songbirds. The orchestral backing included the calling of sheep and lambs from nearby fields. A still night, the sounds came from near and far. I stood in the centre of nature's theatre entranced by the beauty of it all.

This morning my husband called me to the kitchen. Outside a mother blackbird was feeding two infants. The youngsters suddenly flew off just as my husband focussed his camera. In the blink of an eye, a sparrowhawk flew in front of the window. Had it caught mum blackbird? I guess if this bird got away, other birds will not be so lucky. Birds of prey and their families have to eat too. My joy has turned to sadness. But our feathered friends will go on singing.

Getting started.

I intend to keep this new blog short and sweet.
I hope it will prove useful for me to express thoughts and ideas as they come to me. No need to categorise. It will be just as I wrote it for BBC Little Cumbria (five days) a short while ago. Simple happenings in simple few words.
I realise I could be at a pivotal point in my life. Too old to make a new start?
For certain, I'm not too young!
I have been offered a place on a (possible) new committee. I just might accept.
'Get a life' — yes, it could lead to... ?