The scarlet days of summer

Wherever did they get the expression cool as a cucumber? Whenever I think of a summer salad, I see as one of the basic ingredients, cukes. It's summertime, and it's anything but cool lately.

According to the latest map, the states are heating up. Fortunately, not in New England, at least weather-wise. Otherwise there is shit in the caboose, as my mother-in-law used to say, problems everywhere. I've noticed that "heat" triggers many short stacks. Like it or not, the heat will be soon upon us. I for one, cannot stand the humid hot nights. There used to be a song about the hazy, lazy, days of summer. Days where you lose your appetite and want to sip on ice  or whatever, barefoot.

What has changed you wonder as the sun is so intense burning your skin mercilessly while the water drips down your forehead? I never used to sweat like this, perhaps, it's my age. I find myself wondering--was it always like this? Or, has something radically changed? Somehow, so much is and has become different.

That's it! It's summertime and the liven is not easy anymore. Maybe we've become the new south, and why not when the snow we had this winter was more than what they got in Alaska.

What happened to the "good 'ole summertime"  maybe that was just a myth. We wait all wintertime for it to get here and here it is--the dog days of summer are back. On snowy freezing days I dream of the beach and ice cream treats. On hot summer days, I think that we are experiencing a  foretaste of another unknown place.

Today, the huge black carpenter ants have retreated after weeks of spraying and battling them inside and outside our home, only to be replaced with the upcoming relentless mosquitoes. Seriously, this is paradise, where else would I want to live, compared to those who battle much worse situations, just check the news.

I have everything, a nice screened-in area with beautiful gardens, you name it--and still I complain. Guess I have the "summertime blues". Why? because we want perfection on this side of the planet and I know that ain't going to happen anytime soon.

So the question remains---Is it worse than ever? Who knows. The good news for New Englander's is we are blessed with changing seasons, one of life's blessings. June has been a busy month for birthdays, fathers day, graduations, weddings, summer camp, and our anniversary. It's time for church picnics and boating, hiking, walking on the beach, vacations on the shore, and so much more. The days are longer, and no winter boots or attire. No shoveling snow and I love my husband's barbequed meats. Concerts begin this Sunday on the common. What can be better than the Summertime?

I wonder what it will be like when my grandchildren get older with the talk of climate change? I remember how hot it was when I was a kid. And yet, it feels so much hotter now. The storms seem to be intensifying as well.

One thing is true.... it's like a song that was sung when I was a young girl. Kay Serra, Serra..whatever will be, will be... the futures not ours to see...Kay Serra, Serra. What will be, will be.

How Do You See Jesus of Nazareth

The Jesus that I've come to know requires little from us. First we need to ask ourselves who is He, why did He create me and why does He love me? These difficult answers do not come to us overnight, and will require communication (prayer), on our part. As evident in the gospel at the Temple, Jesus demonstrated by the overturned money changers that worshiping God is never to become commercialized, its much more than that. We've all heard it before, grow your attendance and the revenue grows with it. Almost like a business, and all about power and numbers. The truth is the Kingdom of God, is all about love of God and neighbor and self.

The fact is that things were in need of change then, as well as now, as Mike Slaughter in his book Renegade Gospel so correctly stated: "Following in the way of the cross will mean a radical reordering of our priorities."
Change, not because any religion dictates this action, but the following of  Christ and your new found love for Him will be the reason for its mandate. It is the mystery of God at work, for the working out of your salvation.

Some will focus on the whip. I say of those that do, it is more a telling of how they are perceiving Jesus based on their own physical and mental condition at the time. This is not repeat not the Jesus that I have come to know. We all need reminders from time to time. Jesus came not to force us to love Him, but to enable us to see Him so clearly that we cannot help but Love Him hopefully, for all eternity.

Many years ago, I came to know my Savior, who revealed Himself to me in Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

He is not the tyrant as some need Him to be, but a nonjudgmental loving God who cannot help but find you to be the apple of His eye. We are called to become like Him.

Certainly, those who choose Him and desire to be His followers, are committed even unto death. We live in troubled times, as they have always been, but one thing is certain, He is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow.

In The Twinkling of an Eye

In the Twinkling of an eye you will be changed is a phrase that I've heard somewhere, and at the moment, I'm at a loss to remember where. This rings true in our back yard today. I have never seen long-dead plants come back to life as fast as this year. What appears to be budding in the early morning is in fact fully grown by evening, like my weeping cherry tree.

Instead of nice spring weather, we got a very humid ninety degree day, with pollen all over, making it miserable for many hay fever suffers. It happens so fast, that you do not have time to adjust to the temperature change of instant summer. Even the snow disappeared quickly leaving the ground very dry, and in some communities red flagged. 

Needless to say, we wanted to drag out the pool already, but settled for just getting wet with water cans and the like. Some potted plants are just now starting to develop tiny baby leaves as most perennials return. They are growing quite fast even before we can finish putting down our mulch in the back.

Mother's day was great. The lilacs were already in bloom, and it brought back many happy childhood memories and I remember I used to bring some to my mom every mother's day. We bought my mother-in-law a cute ceramic birdhouse planter, which has a straw nest and ivy growing from the top. On the house sits a lovely yellow ceramic bird on a stick, making it the ideal choice for her.

While in her room, a young woman from Kenya, told us that she cannot stand this heat which was far worse than anything experienced in Africa, much to my surprise. Once she finishes her education, she is planning to return to her homeland. I was surprised to hear that as I always thought nothing was hotter than Africa and some of the desert parts of the world. She claimed that the heat was very different.

It's been getting hotter in the sun, like the sun has grown in intensity, causing burns. And, it feels more like summertime than spring. What is really odd is that the butterfly's are out before the butterfly bush. Yet, the pesky May bugs are out right on time. It may all be in the twinkling of an eye, but it certainly is not paradise.

Not sure what is going on, but I feel things are very different here in New England.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are privileged to bear the title of motherhood. As well, it is a special day to remember also those who are no longer with us, who devoted their lives to having raised children, and in some cases grandchildren. They deserve our gratitude, loving memories and prayers. Let us not forget those in waiting, for the anticipated blessing of their lifetime, with the hope, joy and honor bestowed upon them and their new arrival. Your life is about to dramatically change--forever. You have our best wishes.

Today, I got a special surprise when my nephew came over with a card and gift. He has been like a son to me, and is one of my many godchildren. Now grown up and towering over me, he makes all mother's and godmothers proud. What was so unique about the present, was not the cost but the thought. I have wanted for many years, a replacement of the cherished plant called the umbrella, which produces lovely little white flowers in the spring. It resembles a clover plant, and was part of a collection that my mother cultivated, giving starter plants to friends and family. I had received a piece of her plant, which I lost and hoped one day to replace.

I have memories of my first born son, born in April, having the flowered plant on his dresser. It has special significance to me and is greatly appreciated. I know that Matt potted the plant himself, and came with directions on how to care for it. How did he know?

It's the little things in life that mean a lot to mothers. The first time you look into your baby's eyes, their first little laugh--when you know that they are truly happy. Their first step and everything new that they accomplish from day one to full grown adults.

Once your a mother, your given a sixth sense, becoming like a mom to all, and nurturing is what you can't help but be to everything and everyone you put your hands on.  And, as if that isn't enough, you sometimes get the chance to do it all over again with the grand kids. There is no greater joy!

My sister, who has gone to her eternal rest and who I miss so much, was a mother of four children. One mother's day she presented me with a heart-shaped pink box which has been one of my favorite keepsakes throughout the years. It reads: "A mother's love is the fairest flower that grows in God's garden."

Well said...We will get together to share dinner and it will be divine. And yes, Ryan grandma made the chocolate cupcakes with green frosting and jimmies, and Nate you'll have your chocolate-chip cookies with vanilla ice cream. Family means the world to me and I'm lucky to be so loved.

Be Still Oh My Soul

Looking out of the window, I thought of these words, Be Still Oh My Soul. How often do we want to just be doing nothing --with a list a mile long, yet the wisdom in it.

I was born in a small town, which is more like a small city now, and live on the outskirts.  City-like with it's traffic lights and structural development, it even has it's own hospital, cancer center, YMCA, fire and police, fully staffed, large library, and an abundance of churches. I guess you could say we have it all in many ways. It is not like the neighboring towns that surround us, in fact they have been utilizing our commodities for as long as I can remember. We have a beautiful golf course, and our own airport.

One might think this the ideal place to live, not like in a smaller town, where many have to rely on their own septic systems and wells for water. Luckily, in this area, we have an abundance of resources. What's lacking here, is employment, like many towns established in the early 1800's.

Having been exposed to the mid-west with the threat of tornadoes constantly, and the east and west coast cities, I find where I am to be a blessing. I didn't feel that way when I was younger. Then, I thought that there was nothing for us to do, except chores. Coming back this way, I fell in love with the environment, clean and green, and grew a new appreciation for my birthplace. A place of hills and valleys, just like life. We are surrounded by lakes,  and water resources in natural settings having many varieties of birds, and wildlife.

It is so quiet here right now that one would have to invent noise, which is not the case in most cities. Yet, people get used to their surrounding sounds and accept the punishing pace as natural and unassuming. They probably do not know what it means to be "still" and just quiet, the way a baby looks when it sleeps. It's crazy to live life on a rail. And sadly, most people do not even realize their pace.

Today I've taken the time to observe stillness. The stillness outside the darkened sky, where nothing absolutely nothing is moving, because there is no wind. Nature has taken the time to take it all in. Perhaps, waiting for the nourishing rainfall, we all need to be refreshed, in a like manner. There is a time for resting, even though for many, life goes on by the calendar of scheduled events. We become frazzled and anxious--and as well, sick. Realization for some, comes too late.

Let us take a lesson from nature, and in our stillness just breathe. Be showered with the luxury of rest. Chew your food before you swallow it, and open your eyes to the beauty in your midst. Finally, Spring is here, and in this valley, beauty everywhere has begun. Drink in the stillness--it won't always be this way, for nothing lasts forever.

Stirring Up The Water

The Pool of Bethesda becomes a place of miracles at a certain time of year, having an angel stirring up the water for a blessing for the first recipient to step forth after the stirring. That person, would receive  a healing of whatever disease he had. According to John 5:3-4. Many sick people, waited for the water's movement, the blind, lame, paralyzed--a great multitude of hope-filled people came. John reveals in the next verse that a man had been there, who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. Jesus knows that he had been in that condition a long time and poses this question to him "Do You Want To Be Made Well."

Several times, it is made mention that it was the Sabbath, a day which is unlawful to carry his bed. Yet, this man, who was a Jewish paralytic man, is not only healed, but does in fact, carry his bed. The Jews seemed less interested in the miracle, but in seeking the one who healed him, saying in verse (12) "Who is the man who said to you "Take up your bed and walk'?"

The infirm man in verse (7) said to Jesus, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me."

After 38 years, this man still had a shade of hope, even though he may have believed that he wouldn't have been fast enough to be the first one in the stirred water, he still was there, he came, wanting to be made well. Even so, Jesus stimulated the sick man's faith. 

A common belief was that illness and misfortune were divine retribution for sin. Jesus tells him in the temple, (14) "See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."

It has been made clear that you must step forward in faith to receive healing, if healing is what your heart desires.

Healing requires patience and the willingness to keep on trying. This says to the reader, never give up no matter how long it takes. Jesus loves you and desires all to be saved. Believe it and your life will be changed forever.

Scripture reference is taken from the Orthodox Study Bible, John 5:3-15

Christ Is Risen

On Holy Friday evening we are given the Gospel reading according to Matthew (27: 62-66) in the service book of Holy Week and Easter, used widely in the Orthodox Church. The Pharisees are gathered before Pilate remembering that Jesus, (whom they referred to as an "impostor") predicted that after three days He would rise again. And, thinking that His disciples could steal Him away, and tell the people that "He has risen from the dead," would make it a greater "fraud" than the first. Pilot told them to "make it as secure as you know how." They made the tomb as secure as possible, sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Their plan failed, while His disciples, afraid of the same fate, were found to be hiding when the news came to them. Matthew 28:2-10 (Sunday: Christ is Risen) tells us -- "Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men."

"But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."

On Holy Saturday evening the words of the ninth ode cut to the heart when Jesus says "Mother, it is of my own will that earth covers me, but the gatekeepers of Hades shudder seeing me clothed in a robe stained with the blood of vengeance. For as God, having vanquished the enemies on the Cross, I will rise and magnify you."

"Let creation rejoice; let the earthborn be glad; for Hades the enemy has been despoiled. Let the women meet me with fragrant spices; for I liberate Adam, with Eve, and all their line, and on the third day I will rise."

"Having become earthly, though the Creator, You made the earthborn new; the shroud and the tomb merely manifest the inherent mystery, Word of God. For the respected councilor carries out the will of Your Father, who renews me gloriously in You."

"You transformed the corruptible into in-corruption and showed it to be the fountain of resurrection into life immortal."

"This is the day of resurrection! O people, let us be radiant. It is Pascha, the Lord's Passover; for Christ God has carried us over from death to life, from earth to heaven, as we sing a victory hymn."

Christ is the only way, only hope and the salvation of our souls. Glory be to His saving passion and resurrection. 
Christ is Risen, Indeed He has Risen!