Mary's Heartbeats

Everywhere I go, I am caught in the swirl of blue.  Perhaps, it is due to our cool and cloudy days.  Or perhaps it is an aspect of just shorter winter days.  Whatever the cause, I am captivated by the beauty of mountain peaks of blue, frosted white on top with snow.  My early morning walks with Jasmine have been almost "other world" experiences.  I have seen a lazy morning sunrise, rosy pink, spread across the sky at the same time and place that a sliver of a moon is getting ready to rest.  A sunrise and a moonset taking place in the same morning sky!  And yes, all that happens within the blue frame of mountain peaks.  Even twilight bears a tranquil blue, perhaps reflecting back the picture of the mountain calm.  But for now, as I look to the western the sky, the sliver of the night moon with a diamond studded planet right above it, is just smiling down at me.  All is calm, all is bright. . .   The year is being ushered o...

I was surprised to be greeted with a heavy mist, as I slid the patio door shut.  I better go get my raincoat, before Jasmine and I would begin our morning walk.  The sky was gray and cloudy, with still a bit of a chill. But the morning was ours as everything around us fell silent.  As we started out, I noticed that even our front yard tree was shedding yellowish leaves.  There were trees along our usual route that were like brilliant bunches of gold, others were deeply orange and red as rubies.  Walking through the leaves, I noticed that not one of them was identical to the other.  Like snowflakes, each one was distinct in pattern, color and hue.  Like grains of sand, they were much too numerous to begin to count. Wow, how awesome the wonder of trees!   As we walked on, I pondered the process of the changing leaves.  It would seem that each one knew when to turn on their color as they blended in concert with one another, along the ...

I'm out front picking a few lone roses, even though the December air is brisk and cool.  The mountains have been spectacularly white, and our neighborhood trees finally got the message to change the color of their leaves to hews of deep gold and crimson.  Somehow, the fresh roses don't match the season, but that's the paradoxical reality of living in Southern California. Yesterday, it took more effort as I pedalled uphill to the end of the road, resting along the fence of the horse ranch to just take in the quiet scene before me.  The city-scapes fill in the floor of the valley, but beautiful snow caps enhance the surrounding borders like a lacy ruffle or collar.  Everywhere I look, I am captivated with God's goodness displayed so boldly in His creation. And I am picking roses in December.  Perhaps that is why I'm not quite eager to get out the Christmas decorations, as they don't yet feel quite pertinent to what's happening in my yard. My vegetables...