Spirit Whispers

Listen to your inner voice.

This weekend I received my weekly email from Cheryl Richardson
and her story of a hat reminded me of listening to our inner voice.
Visit Cheryl here and read this special story, 

The Hat Adventure: Reawaken your passion for life.

Colors of Tea

I don't know about you, but this time of year I crave color.

On my tea tray each morning I love mixing and matching my

cup with my little teapot for the day.

The addition of a colorful tray or a flower just makes

it all the more special.

Now what tea do I put in my little pot?

The nice yellow softness in this cup is a lovely floral oolong,

but some mornings I wish for a lovely dark, robust black tea.

Each tea adds it's own array of color to a morning ritual.

Oh do I love the color~
Today it will be Yunnan Gold.
If you haven't tried it, it is one of my favorites
from the Floating Leaves shop in Seattle, Washington.

Mama Eagle and Joey

Have you seen them?

Three little eaglets and their mama eagle?

Thanks to beth at be yourself, everyone else is taken

I found them.

Joey and I have been totally enjoying watching this

nature story, live and on my computer screen.

Joey has been so fascinated, each time I put it 

on he comes running to watch.

Visit this little family here, you will be enchanted.

http://biggeekdad.com/2011/03/decorah-eagles-webcam/

A River Runs through It

Portland, Oregon is divided east and west by the Willamette River;

so you will see many bridges here.

Walking along the river on Sunday I took time to

notice spring's arrival with pink cherry blossoms

and high waters.

In this picture I can see three bridges over the river.

When I first moved to Portland I had the most difficult time

figuring out how to get across the river, so mostly

I stayed on my eastside.  Since that time I have

learned how to get around, after all it has been 35 years.

I love my city and love showing visitors around;

so if you come to town, just let me know.

I can cross the river now.

He Loves Me?

I always thought he loved me,

but recently I have wondered.

Does he love me because I feed him?

I finally figured it out.

He loves me for my robe.

It is white and sort of fluffy.

Each time I have it on or

when it is on my bed, he finds it.

I will love him anyway, but

now I know the truth.

Joey, he's the cat that loves me for my robe.

Silly cat!

Spirit Whispers

To See
To truly see
We must listen
Open our hearts
To see the heart of another
See their beauty
See past the sorrows
See into the face of God.
We must stop and listen
with an open heart
and See.

What are you noticing today?
Are you truly seeing?

Far From the Maddening Crowds

Though I cannot flee

From the world of corruption,

I can prepare tea

With water from a mountain stream

And put my heart to rest.

~Ueda Akinara

Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world.

~T'ien Yiheng

A place to escape to when one cannot ease one's

cares in the mountains.

The hut beneath the pine within the city.

~Toyohara Sumiaki, quoted by Murai Yasuhiko

This picture was taken in January as I sat outside in Portland, Oregon,

sharing tea with friends.  I couldn't even sit out there today

with the wet and the cold.  It was one of those rare days of winter.

A true gift and time "to forget the din of the world."