Word Magic

The word for this week is CURIOSITY 

Ok, I am cheating on this one. I do love Curiosity and love being curious; but I am taking the word my church has chosen to follow this year.

"curiosity killed the cat"

from Wikipedia: "Curiosity killed the cat" is a proverb used to warn of the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation. It also implies that being curious can sometimes lead to danger or misfortune. The original form of the proverb, now rarely used, was "Care killed the cat". Shakespeare used the phrase in Much Ado about Nothing.

 

Hi, Joey!

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind....  Romans 12:2 

How do we renew our mind and maybe change it if we are not curious?

I have always believed that in asking questions of yourself and others, you are curious, willing to learn and grow. I love being curious, learning and growing. Do you?

When I walk in my neighborhood I wonder what is behind a pretty door such as this one. It is like a hidden treasure along the road. A secret garden perhaps?

 My church uses the word queries as a way of learning and growing.

Here are the "queries" they are asking with the word "curiosity" this year:

How am I cultivating a sense of wonder and appreciation for what is good and beautiful? 

How could practicing curiosity be an expression of bravery for me?

Where am I practicing gentle persistence in seeking truth?

How might vigilant attentiveness and playful inquisitiveness serve me well in this season?

 

Are you a curious person?

I hope so, I find it quite fun to be curious!

Have a great day and week, dear friends!

Bridge Over Troubled Water

Do you have many bridges in your part of the world?

Since I live near the Columbia River we drive over the bridge often. In fact, my church is in Washington State and we must cross the river to get there. I don't mind. I am a water girl at heart; so I love seeing the water. I love the views from the bridge. We can see the surrounding mountains and trees, even a couple islands in the middle of the river.

The first three pictures were taken on a stormy day driving north to visit my sister-in-law. We must cross at least 5 bridges to get there. In winter we can see the snow on the mountains surrounding the water. It is beautiful with each season.

I have a friend that won't come to visit me because she is afraid to drive over the water, to cross the bridge.

Fear cheats her of having a cup of tea with me here. Does fear sometimes cheat you or me to step out and do scary things? This isn't where I thought I would be going with this post, but now I am thinking "what do I cheat myself of because of fear?" How can we uphold those around us when they need a friend to hold their hand and walk with them? How can I overcome fear and cross that bridge?

A bridge allows us to move forward in places we could never have imagined. Where fear keeps us isolated and unable to grow.

How do we take the next step?

Bridge over Troubled Water

Simon & Garfunkel

When you're weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I'll dry them all
I'm on your side
Oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you're down and out
When you're on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I'll take your part
Oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

 

Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco

 

Crossing the bridge to get to the other side.

What does it bring on the other side?

 

Growth 

Joy

New Adventures

Progress, moving forward

 

Today I had to chat with my doctor on a zoom call because the snow prohibited me from traveling to my appointment. My doctor wanted me to take care of some things I didn't want to do. I had hoops to jump to do them, phone calls to make. I just said "Ugh" I don't want to do this, but I moved forward, baby steps, but growing, good for me steps. Some days just are like that, we don't want to do the hard things or cross that bridge to do the scary things. So progress was made and I grew. Now onto the next thing and to eventually face the JOY and the growth. 

It is sort of crazy isn't it? Some days life and hard things get in the way.

We can overcome the fear and grow.

Not meant to be a downer, just a reminder if we push through the hard things we can smile and pat ourselves on the back.

 

Here's to moving forward and facing our fears.

Happy weekend, dear friends! 

Word Magic

 The word this week is READ

 

 The book in the picture is Western Wild Flowers by Margaret Armstrong (1915). A very lucky find once upon a time and one I refer to often when doing art or out hiking.

"She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain." Louisa May Alcott

"Reading means,being ready to catch a voice that makes itself heard when you least expect it, a voice that comes from an unknown source,from somewhere beyond the book, beyond the author, beyond the convention of writing; from the unsaid, from what the world has yet not said of itself and does not yet have the words to say." Italo Calvino 

Do you love to read?

Growing up I was never encouraged to read, but once I had a bike and could find the library it became a special place for me to go. I would, even then, look for historic novels and loved reading about famous women. Oh the power of reading and books. The library and books are a treasure we must always protect. 

Reading teaches us, Reading entertains us and Reading enchants us. 

Have a terrific week, dear friends!

Pick up a book and read.

A Day at the Sea

 

 My "live-in gardener" celebrated a birthday at the end of January. I couldn't think of a gift to give him; so I said his gift would be a day trip to the sea to have his favorite fish and chips made with tuna and a walk by the water. The fish and chip boat is located in Astoria, Oregon, about a 2 hour drive from our home. As you can see it was cloudy, but the temperature was mild without wind or rain. It was perfect and a gorgeous drive along the Columbia River. The Columbia River divides Oregon and Washington States and runs very near my home.

Astoria is located at the mouth of the Columbia River. We visited the Maritime Museum just across the road from the fish and chip place and learned it is one of the most treacherous ports for ships to navigate and there have been many shipwrecks.

Inside the museum there were many examples of the shipwrecks and stories.

Since many of the ships come from Asia the china washed up on the shore included this beautiful teapot.

After leaving the museum we drove south along the coast to Seaside, Oregon. Seaside is a popular place for young families as there are many activities for children, such as rock climbing walls and go-carts.

 

On a quiet winter weekday it was perfect for walking on the beach.

I love a winter beach and so does my "live-in gardener".

The sand looked like an extension of the sea with it's ripples.

Turning my camera away from the sea just so you can see the homes nearby.

Oregon's beaches are all public; so most often the homes are back further than in many other states. I like that Oregon has designated the beaches to be public.

And then we headed home.

We traveled over the mountains on a different route where we saw quite a surprise of snow at the higher elevations. We stopped here because there is a spigot where you can fill your water bottles from fresh spring water. Some people bring large jugs just to gather the water, but we just had our regular water canisters. Just the same, another treat along the way.

 

What can I say, but I love a winter walk by the sea!

One of my favorite things to do; so an easy birthday celebration too.

 

Have a great weekend, dear friends!

 

Word Magic

 

The word this week is Pluviophile (n.)

A lover of rain; someone who finds joy and peace of mind during rainy days. Example: My sister is a real pluviophile; she really enjoys the weather in the rainy season.

Looking through my pictures I think I must love raindrops on flowers too. There is something so fresh and beautiful in a rainy day. The song "I love a rainy day" comes to mind here. The picture with the chairs actually was an adventure to the beach for a day at this time of year. I am just a water girl at heart; so walking on the beach on a soft, rainy day touches my heart. My heart is singing!

 

Some of you may know that I go to my garden every morning to see what is happening and snap a picture. When there are raindrops in the garden I just smile and delight even more in what nature provides.

Now I am singing "raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens"

These are a few of my favorite things!!!!!

Happy week of Valentine's and Love!
 

Lantern Festival at the Garden

 An evening in Lan Su Chinese Gardens.

Most often I am tucked at home in the evenings, but last week a friend asked me to join her and another friend for the Lantern Festival at Lan Su Chinese Gardens. I ventured out on a perfectly gorgeous and dry evening to enjoy friendship and lanterns in the garden. Yes, there was a cup of tea; though in the evening it is herbal/tisane and no caffeine.

 

What a treat to wander the paths in the garden and enjoy the reflections of light on the lake.

There are many superlatives I could use to describe the evening, but mainly it was just perfect. Perfect lanterns, perfect scenery, perfect friendship, and perfect crisp, clear evening.

It was all very invigorating!

 

The Lantern Festival takes place to mark the final days of the Chinese New Years celebrations.

"The lanterns can symbolize the people letting go of their past selves and getting new ones, which they will let go of the next year. The lanterns are almost always red to symbolize good fortune"

"Persimmons bring good luck and symbolize longevity."

At the garden there is always a table with an offering and tea for ancestors. 

It was a lovely evening and reminded me to step out of my comfort zone and go out in the evening more often.

Happy weekend, dear friends!

Word Magic

 Apricity: the warmth of the sun during winter.

This is a new word for me and I love it.

I shared this picture in my last post, but it just speaks to me of the sun in winter and the warmth of sitting at this sweet little table with someone special.
 

Tell me how the warmth of the sun affects you in winter.

Does it make you smile, as it makes me smile?

 

And the sun warms the earth, holds it under it's spell.

Apricity surrounds us at this time of year.

And on a clear day I feel like I can see forever,

dance in the light

and

sing with the birds.

 

Happy new week, dear friends!

A Washington State Adventure

 January is birthday month for my "live-in gardener" and his sister. So we traveled to the peninsula of the northern part of Washington State for a visit and celebration. I made the small chocolate cake and a friend in my sister-in-law's life sent the party in the box.

There are many gorgeous mornings from the window of my sister-in-law's home. This is the first morning as I watched with my tea. On Wednesday I was sitting by this window for a zoom call with friends and four deer came meandering by the window. No picture, as my phone was occupied and camera was not in the room.

My camera hadn't had much snapping recently; so I took my camera along to play. We just drove and explored the area. Ajax is a very nice restaurant nearby, but it wasn't opened that day. It still was a fun stop with camera in hand to play a bit.

I loved, loved how the light shined into the restaurant window on this table just waiting for guests.

Then I had a request to stop at this road sign. Does anyone remember a very old movie by this name?

Another morning view from the window.

 

 Crossing the bridge to the peninsula. Snow on the mountains.

Lots of places to pause and watch the water and birds.

You may not be able to tell what's in the little row boat, but it was a man and his dog just enjoying an adventure on the water. The dog seemed very content and happy to be riding along.

I have always loved this little cove with boats and little cottages all in a row.

There is a boat building school right out of camera shot.

It was very good to get away for a few days and just play with my camera and celebrate birthdays.

Do you make time to play a bit and put responsibilities aside for a few days. It is good for the soul.

 

Happy Weekend, dear friends! 

Now go out and play.