An Unexpected but Familiar Sound

Who or what woke you up this morning? I would have preferred to stay in bed late today, but I was awaken to the sound of hoot-hoot-hoot. A familiar sound of the not too distant past. Before the snow flies around here, we have a lot of critters that make noises that become so much a part of our environment, that we don't hear them after a while, until either they are gone or they come back. Today, it was my owl friend returning for the spring. Couldn't fall back to sleep, unfortunately. Made coffee and breakfast early, and settled down in the front room only to see a huge black, bird purge in one of the trees above my neighbors house. I waited to see it again to try to identify it, but did not. It looked as large as an eagle, having a large wingspan.
It reminded me of the birds that nest at Bar Harbor, ME. I recall that one summer, we were not allowed to use the carriage roads, as a couple of unfortunate people were attacked by the birds as they swooped down and cut into their heads, as reported by their local newspaper.

My brother in a neighboring town, told me similar stories about a neighbor who was in his yard. I don't know if he saw his bald head but he came at him fast and furiously, drawing blood. They can see very well I'm told and are notorious hunters.
More are obviously coming this way as I don't recall seeing this type of bird around here in my youth. The biggest are the Canadian Geese, Wild Turkey's and Partridge.

My dad used to go fishing, and one day came home to tell us he was attacked by wild geese. Showing us wildly with his hands how he had to fight them off with his fishing pole. That put the do on his fishing trip, and getting on his bike, he scooted on home.

The warm fifty degree temperature of yesterday was decidedly not to last, as it has plummeted to the thirties once again. Monday, forecasters are anticipating another snow storm which may produce ample snow. Enough! It's time for a "spring fling," baseball, and an Easter Parade, with cute little bunnies, and eggs rolling in the grass.

We can't wait to see the display of flowers at the Church that we planted in the fall, for our spring spectacular. One, we can hoot about.

They'll Be Spring in the Valley

They'll be spring in the valley someday! I know, because I just came back from my twenty-minute walk, where I saw buds on trees. It sounds like a good title for a song, anyway I thought I was seeing things, so I literally went over to investigate the branch and sure enough, spring is sprung.

Just think, March is right around the corner and I can't wait for it. Walking today was very pleasant, in the 50's and windy. March winds. How exciting! Linda get your seeds ready, it won't be long now. I also confirmed the buds on the tree outside my picture window.

John started to sneeze last night, another indicator. People who have allergies usually start in March. Pollutants fly in from southern states and land in the valley, where we live.

It' all just a tease though, winter is no quitter, as the weather is forecasting thirties and who knows what else. This time of the year normally we start going through body changes, losing winter fat as we start clean up. The gardens are an absolute mess. Nothing prevents new life from springing forth, even through the previous year's mess. I also notice that we are badly in need of sun. The wonderful natural vitamin D, absorbed on our skin for at least 20 minutes a day, will promote good health. Synthetic sources are not quite the same, but when you have no choice, you have no choice. Not all of us can afford to fly out to sunny spots during winter seasons.

The young boy was playing basketball outside today. Most anxious to have the dirt swept away. Me too!

Should you feel a little down this time of the year, it's normal, everything is so icky, dirty, and now windblown, but never fear, springs is near!

God is enough

Today was busy, especially for Fr. Peter, who did three radio programs, one funeral, cooked and entertained community guests at our 2ND. "mercy meal," for the poor and shut-ins.

I don't know how he did it all. No one will have to sing him lullaby's tonight. That's the way it is with a parish, always busy with lots going on. The stew he made was outstanding, cooking is one of the former chef's best qualities, besides making me laugh. He is good medicine for us.

My heart is heavy tonight though, because my brother is back in the hospital once again, I think for the third or fourth time, not including the surgery. When I attended the funeral today at the church, my mind was on him. I found myself thinking and talking about him most of the evening, not getting the news until I got home. This time, I have bad vibes, as well as my two other brothers. So Fr. if you're reading this, please keep Stan in your prayers.

Good luck on your radio show tomorrow, I'll try to listen in. Thanks Linda for sending me the Song God Is Enough on face book. I know it's there somewhere, I just couldn't find it once I logged out, and I'd like to hear it again.

We are all lucky to have each other, and God Is Enough. He will bring us all safely through troubled waters.

Ash Wednesday

Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday are foreign words to Eastern Orthodox Christians. Yet, we have one thing in common to the West, we have begun the fast. The Great fast. A time for examining ourselves for it seems, an eternity. The Roman Catholic tradition is usually one of sacrifice, and prayer. Ours is a joyful fast, keeping our eye on the mark, or end of the story, the Resurrection of Christ. A gradual leave taking of fish, meat, dairy and eggs, wine and olive oil. This is an action which will strengthen us on our journey.

The gospel stories read from scripture are meant to apply to all of us in any generation. Last week it was Judgment Sunday. A time when we will be accountable for our time here on earth. On how we have treated others.

These readings will bring us back to our proper perspective by Pascha, or Easter. A realization that we are prone to sin and to fail in our walk on earth, and that we have been given remedies for our struggles if only we give them to Jesus, the just Judge.

The sacraments are available through the church. The Church which He died for. It begins with us humbling ourselves, anything less, is pure pride. This is the biggest sin of all, because it says that we do not need God, therefore rejecting Him.

The truth is we will never change, without Him. The other truth is that He will never force us to change, or to love Him, that's up to us. It's for you to decide.

The Bitter-Sweet

I've decided what makes my post different from some of the others that are read is that it is personal. I allow my readers to get a glimpse of my thoughts and reality. That is why today I entitled this the "The Bitter-Sweet."

What does that mean? When you carry the love of another within you, there is the pain of separation, a genuine longing to be with the other, which creates a happiness and sadness at the same time, as your heart brings to mind a need. You wait for their phone call, message, or picture sent to your cell-phone. The days are long when you don't hear from them. You remember their voice, the sound of their laughter, their smile and this is the bitter-sweet.

St. Michael's Church has lost another communicant of it's parish. A long-standing member, Michael. It seems like yesterday, we heard and saw him at our church picnic full of life, singing, enjoying friends, family and reminiscing. His family tells me, that he had a good passing. I was not surprised to hear that this cantor, and loving father would have left in any other manner. He is with his wife now. Love will always continue for this kind man. When my children were little, I would take them shopping to Piggly-Wiggly, then Save-A-Lot, to purchase my groceries, and he being retired, was the bagger. I always looked forward to seeing him and engaging in conversation. I will always remember his smile and kindness toward the children. It is bitter that he is gone, but sweet that Jesus awaits this good and faithful servant.

My dad taught me something about death. All physical life ends and whether it is bitter or sweet depends on you. While he was at the funeral parlor, I recall seeing the many plants that I had in a sunny room, moving and alive. The contrast struck me. My cousin Karen gave my mother some bitter-sweet at the funeral home, representing the bitter-sweet gathering.

This is the time of year we see bitter-sweet in nature. Yesterday, I saw the biggest, fattest robin ever on my dwarf, red, Japanese Maple tree in front of my picture window. It was sweet to see her back here, and I welcomed it as a sign of spring. Saw another this morning as I took in my twenty-minute walk. I wondered as I slowly stepped looking to take-in some vitamin D, while I was dressed in boots, fur and a Russian-style red hat, if this bird would get enough worms. Oddly enough, like bitter-sweet, the ground is partly frozen and partly exposed. Sure enough, where the land was, so was the food.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that it is all figured out. A time table for all things. The little bumps are starting to form on the forsythia, and if you look really closely at the trees, some of them are showing more color in their stems. Signs of spring are here now, even though it is extremely cold and icy. There is a hungering within without satiating. A glimpse and recollection of what was and will be again. An empty gnawing and longing.

For no matter how sweet things are right now, or bitter, life was meant to be, bitter-sweet.

My dad used to say, "you've got to take the good with the bad." And, that means bitter-sweet.

Take Your Clothes Off

This morning I had the pleasure of watching Nathan, while Bill went to the dentist for an examination and cleaning. We had inclement weather last night and once again my driveway was left with an amazing amount of ice. I would have had difficulty scraping off the ice on my huge vehicle, while sliding on the ground below.

It was decided that Bill would drive here, instead of my going to his house. Nathan is always happy to go to grandma's house because he gets "spoiled." Usually I'm dressed by the time he arrives, but not today. I had on my evening lounging gown with a blanket-like bathrobe and matching slippers.

Three-year-old toddlers notice everything, but I was surprised when Nathan said, "grandma take your clothes off." I though I was hearing things, he repeated it again. Usually I post on things that are cute or unusual that he will read when he gets older and find funny. When your three, you can get away with a comment like that. He just wanted me to be dressed in my regular garb and didn't quite know how to say it.

Three things come to mind. When people say it doesn't matter what you wear, it does. If you think people don't notice what your wearing, your wrong. Or what you've said, even in jest was not heard, think again.

Make sure that people understand exactly what you mean, and mean what you say.

Taking a Deep Breath

My grandson and I go for walks and while we are outside we always take a moment to take in some deep breaths. I recall my dad used to say the same thing years ago, when we went walking in the evening. It usually was star-lit and pleasant. He must have had a lot of patience as I had such tiny feet and took small steps. My grandson Nathan is tall for his age, so we walk well together. You hear experts say that taking a deep breath is so important, yes vital to your health as it circulates your blood through your body and muscles. His mom is a nurse and she teaches him to do the same thing. It gets him relaxed and focused immediately.

Years ago, it surprised me when my sister-in-law was advised to walk outside in the cold when she had pneumonia. Most often we breath on an even keel. Most of us are shallow breathers. Shallow breathing leads to ill health.

So, in the morning when you get up, make it a habit to say, it's a beautiful day today, and take a deep one.

We were not all meant to be robust runners, and certainly not all of us will look forward to working out at the gym. Just putting on a happy face and taking that deep breath will change you the way it has other's for generations, for the better. Oxidizing your cells re-energizes your body, giving you that healthy look and feeling.