In the Garden

In the Garden

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"A day so happy.

Fog lifted early, I worked in the garden.

Hummingbirds were stopping over honeysuckle flowers.

There was no thing on earth I wanted to possess."

- Czeslaw Milosz from the Poem "Gift"

They say that doing mindless activities can go a long ways to getting you out of ruminating over the "tough stuff" that life naturally brings along. To me, gardening offers that natural reprieve. How kind the world seems with the sun resting on the back of your neck as you bend to dig in the earth. How hopeful things seem when you place a small seed in its tiny pocket of rich dark dirt and anticipate the abundance of a shared tomato harvest, or when you plant a ball of twigs looking forward to clusters of highly-scented rose bouquets gracing your tabletops. How softened the harsh edges of life become when you keep company with singing birds, fluttering butterflies, and dragonflies. Yes, indeed, "a day so happy"...

Beach Balloons...

Beach Balloons

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

Why is there no one in the chair?...

Simple - they are off living life…

• splashing with crazy abandon into the chilly ocean...
• smacking a sandy volley-ball with a killer overhead serve...
• roasting hot dogs blistering on an open-air charcoal grill...
• gathering shells and picking up only heart-shaped rocks...
• exchanging affectionate salty kisses
• scooping up sand-buckets of custom-made moments to cherish and revisit... forever. 

There is so much there beyond the chair... such joy being in the company of others who lift you higher…

Unfetter the balloons... get up out of the chair…life is waiting for you to be in it!

Serenity

"Serenity"

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"She knew how to keep her serenity..."

- Jenny Stevnings

Sometimes your heart is caught off guard and you feel as if you have touched the hem of a place much closer to heaven ... that is serenity to me, and I find I am able to keep it best when I remember to pray. Today, a prayer of mine for another was answered in a most unusual and touching way... and, tonight, I feel not only humbled, but also sweetly serene and profoundly grateful that God listened and responded in ways I could never have imagined... ah... sweet serenity... hope has come to visit with me.

(jenny, thank you for your words and inspirational artwork yesterday...they linger beautifully)
visit jenny here...



Naps Matter

Naps Matter

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"Happiness is a warm puppy."

- Charles M. Schulz

I recently read that being in the company of a good dog boosts your oxytocin levels (a hormone responsible for making you feel calm). I feel lucky that I have kept company with quite a few really good dogs...so on some level that theory strikes a familiar chord of truth for me. And I might add that dogs have taught me some really handy things, like how important it is to fit in naps in your day, and when you do nap it is best to find a warm place, cuddle in, and be lavish with all the things that matter most to you ... include many pillows, blankets, favorite toys... and, of course, someone you love to wrap your paws around. Yes, indeed, happiness is a warm puppy...

Ocean's edge

Ocean's Edge

Photograph by: Karen Holmes

"Breathe. Let go.

And remind yourself that this very moment is

the only one you know you have for sure."

-Oprah Winfrey

God speaks to me with such refinement when I am in nature – I understand the language-without-words perfectly. When I see something as simple as a seagull tucked in at ocean’s edge ... I naturally breathe in deeply, let go, and welcome the goodness, grace and gift of that one single magnificent moment...