words

'there's so much that I want to say but the words get in the way.'
ever have that feeling? the more you talk the less sense you make? you try to clarify the meaning and make matters worse. you want to say exactly the right thing and stumble in your thoughts. and your silence is worse than any explanation.
why is it that we have so much trouble expressing ourselves? those feelings deep down that scream to be heard.
as I was sorting through today's quandry. I came across an article that gave me some helpful answers. express yourself!
1. do a lot of reading. learn how others express themselves. look up the words you don't know and use them!
2. do some writing of your own. writing will help you think your thoughts through, organize them. give focus and direction.
3. when you're upset, write a letter. a well worded letter will let you convey your feelings.
4. be mature when you express yourself. show respect to others. sticks and stones.
5. ask questions. expression is done with good interaction.

speak softly. think loudly. love well.

the red red robin

sometimes you come across a few words that really hit home.

today as I was getting a pedicure (a delightful indulgence), I came across an article entitled Lessons in How to be a Woman; a series of snippets relating life advice from past Women of the Year. among the many inspiring and uplifting words were these from Eve Ensler ...

'cherish your solitude. take trains by yourself to places you have never been. sleep out alone under the stars. learn how to drive a stick shift. go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. say no when you don't want to do something. say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. decide whether you want to be liked or admired. decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you're doing here. believe in kissing.'

a little birdie tells me 'live, love, laugh and be happy'.

today I sing

'all creatures of our God and King
lift up your voice and with us sing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam!

thou rushing wind that art so strong
ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
o praise Him! Alleluia!
thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of evening, find a voice!

thou flowing water, pure and clear,
make music for thy Lord to hear,
o praise Him! Alleluia!
thou fire so masterful and bright,
that givest man both warmth and light.

dear mother earth, who day by day
unfoldest blessings on our way,
o praise Him! Alleluia!
the flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
let them His glory also show.

and all ye men of tender heart,
forgiving others, take your part,
o sing ye! Alleluia!
ye who long pain and sorrow bear,
praise God and on Him cast your care!

and thou most kind and gentle Death,
waiting to hush our latest breath,
o praise Him! Alleluia!
thou leadest home the child of God,
and Christ our Lord the way hath trod.

let all things their Creator bless,
and worship Him in humbleness,
o praise Him! Alleluia!
praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
and praise the Spirit, Three in One!

Alleluia!'

this beautiful hymn has been thankfully stuck in my head today. blessed me.

dance fever

tonight the hubs and I begin round two of dance lessons at our local rec center. our spry and aging instructor does her very best to teach us to gaze into each other's eyes and not watch our feet and count out loud. and after 4 lessons we have learned some basics. but the best part is being together.

I've always wanted to learn to dance. unfortunately our generation defined dancing as a combination of jumping and swaying. no formal training. no lessons in junior high. just 'feel' the music and move sporadically. well let me tell you the delight in moving together. being lead. pushed and pulled gently across the floor to the rhythm of the music. blissful. romantic.

and what fun we have. we laugh out loud. engulfed in the music. delighted in the challenge. happy to just be together. it's like the Beatles song goes ... 'I'm so happy when you dance with me.'

and to make the activity even nicer, we take lessons with another couple. we are equally challenged on the dance floor. our lack of ability fuels our friendship. and we top off the evening with a late dinner and lively conversation.

so here's to a summer full of Friday nights. sorry if I step on your toes.

on the road less traveled

it's springtime in Texas. from brown brittle fields life springs anew. the ground is covered with an unending carpet of petite flowers. bluebonnets reach to the sky. white anemones poke their spikey smiling faces through unmown green grass. tiny butterflies flutter among matching yellow primrose. birds sing happily. bees buzz hungrily. and the sun illuminates the brilliant blue sky.

today I spent the day outdoors. witness to the generousity of Mother Nature. and the glory of God.

'now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire.'

inspiration

as anticipated, my weekend trip was wonderful. gratifying.
peaceful. uplifting. invigorating. well, you get the idea. but most
of all inspiring. when folks of a like mind, common interest and shared passion come together the air becomes charged. excitement buzzes all around. when gardeners gather ideas grow.

table after table of plants greeted upon arrival. one more inviting than the next. round one of shopping. check. the curator at Festival Hill, appropriately named Henry Flowers, gave a welcome talk and introduced us to a few of his friends. almond verbena. frill
leaf lavender. civil war daisy. chocolate vine. notes madly taken.
shopping round two. check. we ventured into the charming town of Round Top. keep in mind that twice a year this tiny town, population 77, becomes a mecca of antique shoppers. fields fill up with white tents full of treasures. this weekend is a bit early, but treasure to be found none-the-less. shopping round three. check.

and lunch. at Royer's. shrimp blt. and the pie sampler (take a look
at what's left of our cherry, strawberry rhubarb, chess and
buttermilk delight extravaganza). eating. check.

the weekend had a little glitch. the designated driver (ie me)
locked her keys in the car. as a friend recently quoted Scooby
Do 'rot ro'. but as this damsel in distress called for help, a
wonderful knight in shining armor came to her rescue and unlocked the car. the girls voted my galant guy husband of the year.

lucky blessed me.

anticipation

there is a special place in Round Top, Texas called Festival Hill. an outstanding music venue for education, research and performance. but one weekend each year it becomes a gardeners paradise as they host an annual Herbal Forum.

Festival Hill is set amid 200 scenic acres. a jeweled combination of buildings and landscape. beautiful architecture seen in antique houses moved and restored on site. stone grottos spilling over with flowers and history. gardens scattered throughout the grounds shining with herbs of every description and origin. (just imagine over 100 varities of rosemary!). a feast for mind and senses.

the Herbal Forum is two days of talks, workshops and common interests. my first Forum was in 2009 when a small gaggle of gals from my Master Gardener group attended. what fun we had! we leave early on Friday and spend the day shopping and eating in charming Round Top (pie at Royer's can't be missed!). that evening features a potluck picnic (each taking a dish and a bottle of wine to share). and up bright and early for the lecture series that begins on Saturday. and the shopping. a delightful array of plants and books. (excuse me while I drool). we pack lightly to make room for the bounty to be had.

but the best part is two days with my gardening friends. filled with laughter, learning and love.

patience is a virture.