Well I’ve neglected my posting this week because it’s been busier than usual, but worse, I’ve not been able to keep up with reading my blogging friends. And sitting here this sunny spring morning catching up, I realise what a lot of treasures I’ve missed.
First of all, through Abbey of the Arts and Possible Water, I’ve found Geranium Farm. I’m still exploring, but what I see so far, I like. And check out her defence of geraniums at the bottom of the home page: “They smell of dusty sunlight, of the tangy spicy energy of life.” I can smell them right now just reading that.
And continuing the theme of flowers, Britt-Arnhild has a new blog up: Britt-Arnhild’s Blue Garden. I’m looking forward to seeing it grow and develop – in both senses.
One of the things I have in common with Lucy at Diamonds in the Sky is an admiration for the writer Anne Lamott. This week Lucy quotes a great Lamott paragraph:
I knew that if you had eyes to see, there was beauty everywhere, even when nature was barren or sloppy, and not just when God had tarted things up for spring.
Joyce, whose writing style I really enjoy, asks some serious questions about identity that I know will have me pondering over the next few days.
Antony is “going dark” for a while to get to grips with study pressures. So we won’t hear from him for now. Before stepping back, he gave us this post on Peaceful Spaces which is, well, peaceful. And has the most beautiful picture of a loon. I’ll miss you, brother, but I’m sure it’s the right thing. Prayers for a bit more balance.
That’s it for this week, except to pick up on Juniper’s Friday Five, “Tell us about five people, places, or things that have brought surprising, healing joy into your life. ”
Well for me they are:
- My 17-year-old nephew. I’ve never had any desire to be a mother, and that’s not changed. When he was born I didn’t even like children much. But I was completely unprepared for the joy this little bundle brought into my life. I was ambushed by my love and by the certain knowledge that I would die to protect him. Having him in my life has softened me. (And no chance of him being embarrassed by reading this, so I can safely be a bit sentimental.)
- The Poor Clares Community at Arundel where I visited around 20 years ago, telling myself I was going for a quiet holiday. There, talking to a member of the community, I found a Christianity I could live with, after years not believing in anything.
- My senses. I am constantly amazed at the feast of joy lent by touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste.
- Turvey Abbey, which I’ve written about often in this blog.
- The companionship of many cats over the years; the feel of their squirmy furry bodies, vibrating with extravagant purrs.
A peaceful week to you all.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
always love the sunday collection! thanks for including me this week. i found out a day too late that anne lamott had been in seattle and i could have gone to see her. bummer!
Thanks Lucy. Bummer indeed!