Thursday, February 26, 2009

Music

I walk out.

I walk down.

I hear music.

When I go down, I hear music. I'm surrounded with music.

First it was the skinny white kid playing all sort of drums. With his hands, his toes, his fingers. Sticks flying everywhere.

There is the old man playing the violin, sort of. The middle age black woman singing the Blues, with emotion. A hidden someone playing classical guitar, beautifully.

Today as I sat down , four wonderful black men magically appeared and did a wonderful redition of Stand By Me. The baritone was rich, the tenor, smooth, the base full and mellow. Everyone enjoyed the ride and we all rewarded our entertainers. And then off to the next car they went (even though we all wanted another song).

And tonight it was the bagpiper. Full regalia, tarten plaid skirt and all. The bagpipes echoing a haunting sound deep beneath the city. And for the last leg of today's journey, a lad on the bongo drums.

I'm surrounded by music.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Everyday Epiphanies

The Lord is providing everyday epiphanies right before my eyes.

I open my bedroom curtains in the morning and look out onto this beautiful architecture. Do they make buildings as beautiful as this one filled with detail and grace? The journey is filled with lovely images.



I can peek at this church steeple from my window. Today at noon it's bells rang out a deep resounding notice that the day was moving forward.



This ornate iron, steel, glass and weathered green copper structure connects my building with the next. It is beautiful, someone created something not only utilitarian but graceful, detailed and gorgeous. The Empire State Building is spiraling upward behind the bridge.



Thank you Father, for these surrounding me with these wonderful visual glories.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Food for the Journey

It's wonderful to be from a small community.

We know about each other and we care.

They have found out about my journey and have called my friends, Anne and Gail, to see what can be done, how could they help.

Food! Was the answer. She'll need soft and pureed food.

And so for the past week I have entertained visitors at 42, laden with small individual freezer packs of every kind of nutritious food that can be imagined. Soups, smoothies, mac and cheese, scalloped potatoes, veggies, lentils, and the list goes on.

The three freezers in the house are completely packed. And tomorrow will begin some of their migration down to the big city.





They came not only bringing sustenance, but smiles and well wishes, and prayers and books, cards and candles, and encouragement that when I return the ground will be soft and waiting for the trowel.

Lest any worry about the rest of the crew at 42 who will remain here in total despondency without their fearless maternal leader... my friend Susan has organized dinners to be baked and delivered at regular intervals. And I understand from the "white board" in my kitchen, that 9 1/2 will participate on Saturdays, cooking and generally entertaining the somewhat sad and lonely resident surgeon.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Valentines Day

A visit from # 2 son, with a beautiful pink hyacinth in green glazed pot, in hand for his mom.



A visit from #1 adopted neice, with specially made tin, filled with Ruth's vanilla sugar cookies in shape of hearts.



A walk around Partridge with 42's resident surgeon, in between trips to the emergency room.

An evening visit from three handsome young men, with two long stem yellow roses. Sweet!



A yummy steak dinner on yellow, not red, dinner and glassware.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Redeeming the Time, As the Journey Continues

I have been on some excursions during this journey that I am taking.

I've been here:



and here:




And here, the last couple of weeks.




These were little side jaunts, in preparation for the big trip next week.

For those who have lived here their lifetime and for those who live here sporadically, "redeeming the time", is a common phrase. Time is valuable and the use of it golden.

The words are found in Ephesians 5. They mean, buying up for yourselves the opportunity. Taking the moment, full of possibilities, but quickly passing by, and making the most of it.

Buying up time, while we have the chance. Being spiritually alert; and not unwise, walking circumspectly and not as fools, because the days are evil. We are all buying up for ourselves opportunities to share our testimony, to love someone, to pray for others, to have victory over tempations or sins, to read the Word, to hear His voice.

I read in Isaiah the other day..."And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, This is the way, walk you in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left." I am believing the Lord for that. That I could be sensitive to His leading on this journey and "buy up" the opportunities that He will give me. To look for others on my journey that are making the same trip but without hope or suppport.

I will be honest. A two month journey away is a long time.

I will miss these especially:




and these:




and these and so many others:




and this:




but the time will go fast and when I get back the grass will be green and the lilacs almost in bloom!