I spent much of my life dreaming of life in a cave. Ten years ago the Lord gave me one.
I love the quietness. Oh, the birds sing all day. And hoot all night. The wind whistles, moans, rustles, claps--and loves to slam the door on the shed. And, wow! what it can do with a snowstorm!
I love the solitude. Oh, people drop by and visit once in awhile. I get
to chat with my neighbors from time to time. The neighborhood dogs howl
at the creatures of the night and kill skunks on my front patio.
Occasionally they try to out siren a siren. Successfully in my opinion.
Once in awhile my gun goes off when a rabbit or squirrel just happens to
be traveling by. Mean spirited gun!
I love the beauty. And the place has such a multitude of "environments." Bright meadow. Glorious wild flower fields. A stand of trees. A bog. A pond. Lots of shady areas and dappled shade areas as well. The variety of the gorgeous is amazing. And though I have added a great deal to the beauty--and continue to do so--it came lustrous. The magnificent pine in the very front and the ones around the house; the ancient maple at the bend of the driveway; the old apple tree, the loveliest of dogwoods and the red crab apples up near the house; the quartet of white crab apples besieging the pond; the wildness of the pond and bog and wild area; the fern, bleeding heart, magic lily rock garden up by the house, and of course, The Sentinel--the beauty of impressive starkness. The Acres came beautified. Myriads of wild violets of every color, spring beauties galore, hawkweed's orangeness, monkey grass in the bog, a wild area full of dozens of unique beauties--all were here long before I came. And, no doubt, will be here long after I'm gone. The birds and the butterflies have prior claim as well. I am an interloper.
It is a perfect fit for my nature. As Wendell Berry would say "My place on earth." And, Lord willing, will remain so until my place on earth is empty. A gracious gift in my old age from the Father who is the Ancient of Days. And "above what we ask or think," it was the ideal place for Mom to spend her last few years on her journey Home. She loved it as much as I do. The unforeseen gift wrapped up in a gift. So much grace in life!
Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to find a quiet, lovely place to mediate on your beauty, your still voice, and your abundant goodness to the undeserving. I celebrate this gift you've given me every day. Thank You.
I love the quietness. I love the solitude. I love the beauty.
I love the beauty. And the place has such a multitude of "environments." Bright meadow. Glorious wild flower fields. A stand of trees. A bog. A pond. Lots of shady areas and dappled shade areas as well. The variety of the gorgeous is amazing. And though I have added a great deal to the beauty--and continue to do so--it came lustrous. The magnificent pine in the very front and the ones around the house; the ancient maple at the bend of the driveway; the old apple tree, the loveliest of dogwoods and the red crab apples up near the house; the quartet of white crab apples besieging the pond; the wildness of the pond and bog and wild area; the fern, bleeding heart, magic lily rock garden up by the house, and of course, The Sentinel--the beauty of impressive starkness. The Acres came beautified. Myriads of wild violets of every color, spring beauties galore, hawkweed's orangeness, monkey grass in the bog, a wild area full of dozens of unique beauties--all were here long before I came. And, no doubt, will be here long after I'm gone. The birds and the butterflies have prior claim as well. I am an interloper.
It is a perfect fit for my nature. As Wendell Berry would say "My place on earth." And, Lord willing, will remain so until my place on earth is empty. A gracious gift in my old age from the Father who is the Ancient of Days. And "above what we ask or think," it was the ideal place for Mom to spend her last few years on her journey Home. She loved it as much as I do. The unforeseen gift wrapped up in a gift. So much grace in life!
Thank You, Lord, for allowing me to find a quiet, lovely place to mediate on your beauty, your still voice, and your abundant goodness to the undeserving. I celebrate this gift you've given me every day. Thank You.
I love the quietness. I love the solitude. I love the beauty.
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