a beautiful start...

The morning had me procrastinating, but an announcement of the chilly air was all I needed to be motivated. I have enjoyed the cooler mornings, and was thrilled to hear they had returned. I kissed him goodbye and off I went, knowing I only had about a miles worth of time before I needed to be at my dining room desk for work. 

Stepping out, it wasn't only the air that made me catch my breath - the sky was starting to warm pink. My footsteps lead me right, and I picked up the pace. Destination? Sunrise on the lake. My shadow in the streetlights made me smile as we raced down the sidewalk. 

Making my way briskly, I decided that forty-eight degrees is my perfect walking weather. The thought made me grin, as I am embracing the last couple of days of forty-eight years. And sunrise? Certainly another favorite. I love to watch the sky make its way from night to light, and the way the sun and clouds play together, making art in the sky. Cotton candy wisps, gradient pink, sky blue. 

Twenty minutes well spent, and a beautiful start to the day. 

the footbridge...

We slowly and carefully plotted our every step down the Cool Hollow Trail, into the valley. It was steep, and the path was rocky and a little slippery. At times I grasped onto a small branch or tree to set my feet before moving on. And then... we were there. The footbridge I had been holding in my heart and dreams for all the months since our last visit. It was so much more beautiful than I had even imagined, nestled in the green of spring. I probably walked over the bridge five or six times, not able to get enough of it. I made it! And I could have taken a thousand pictures, not sure if even one could capture all it meant to me... the journey, the arrival, the flight of fancy. 

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river
slipping slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.

― A.A. Milne

sunday splash... the groundhog edition

Once upon a time, Groundhog Day was my favorite holiday.
Why? Who knows. But I did write a little article for our High School Paper (The Scituation) entitled Shadows of Spring in honor of that feisty groundhog, Phil.

So in the spirit of the {yester}day...

taking the scenic route

We skipped church this Sunday.
When your teenage son passes on dessert because he is just too tired to eat, you know he just needs a morning to sleep in... especially when school and the 5:30am wake up call are lurking in plain sight. And Laura?  She has been working at the zoo on Sundays.  She wishes she wasn't, but right now this is reality. I have been driving her, and then backtracking to church.  But today... I took the scenic route.

Two miles spent in the midst of His glorious creation. I can't help but worship... and again, I didn't bother with the music. The chirping birds, the buzz of the insects, the low croak of a gator... they are music enough. Though I walked alone, I figure there must have been at least one more along the path, doing just the same...

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, 

there am I in the midst of them. 

Matthew 18:20

I am so thankful... for the motivation and the strength. For the beauty of the wild, and the people who though to put a boardwalk through it. For the whisper of the wind, and feeling the presence of God around me.

along the shore

I brought along my ipod, freshly charged, for this walk... longing for the worship music that moves me.  But I couldn't bring myself to plug in. I should have known... the rolling ocean, the rhythm of the waves is the worship music of my soul.

I walk, worship... and seek the treasures He reveals to me along the way.

a bookend-ed day...

I was surprised it only took 23 minutes, from my drive way to the parking lot. On a weekday it would have taken at least ten minutes longer, but the world must have been sleeping in on Saturday...

The boardwalk was quiet.  No rumble of golf carts. No chatter of walkers passing by.  I dodged a couple of spider webs along the way, all worth it, because this path through the mangroves gives way to beautiful.

It never fails to take my breath away.
At the same time, though, it opens up my soul, creating breathing room.  Chatter of the birds, waves lapping up the shore line, and sea foam splashing up as I walk along.  Words come and go though my head, but mostly I am just in the moment, laughing at this snowy egret stalking the fishermen casting out their nets...

: :

Somewhere between loads of laundry and unloading the dishwasher I decided there was no better way to celebrate the first day of summer than to start and end my day with my toes in the sand. I decided on a different spot, one of my other favorites. Lot #3. Chipotle to-go only added to its charm.

I'm planning on making the most of the summer...

simple pleasures

The past week has had me back to walking. 
The darkest hour may be before dawn, but what comes next is always beautiful.  Soft breaking light that filters golden hues through palms and turns fluffy cloud pink.  Each day a beautiful show... but today is different.

The breeze of the fan greets me and the air feels almost chilly to my hot, damp skin.  The house is quiet and still, unless you count the sound of the finally-satisfied cat munching on her breakfast.  The stillness stirs my soul and though a steamy, creamy cup of coffee beckons me to the kitchen, I sit and enjoy the moment.  But today is different.

Today is different.
The masterpiece He painted across the sky was brilliant and the quiet morning is still stirring... but today, both are laced with anticipation.  Today, I wait for sleepy faces to emerge from behind closed doors.  Today I wait for their good morning, Mom mumbled from sleep drenched mouths.  Today, after almost five weeks of travel, my kids are right where they ought to be.  Home. 

It's the simple joys, the simple pleasures the heart remembers and dearly treasures. -Hadin Marshall

I'm linking up with Dayle's Simple Pleasures... come on over and share some simple beauty!

keeping on...

The moon egged me on this morning... my legs so weary.
One foot in front of the other. Keep on moving. You can do it.
It didn't help that the air was warmer today.
And there was no breeze.
None.
But we slogged on, my buddy & me... with a little less life in our steps that we are accustomed to.
We contemplated not taking the last loop...but in the end, decided to keep on.
And as we turned the corner... we were greeted by the heady scent of orange blossoms brought to us in a rush of air.
Thank you moon... for pushing me.
And thank you God... for the gift...