Looking Out My Back Door and Into My Heart As Well

One must use their imagination re: this backdoor.

Now those who know me have heard me complain like the Israelites living in the desert.
"I am not a desert person." (sigh)
"I miss the gardens and flowers on the eastern half of the country." (double sigh)
"I miss the ocean." (where all of life gains perspective -  for me)
And we all know what happened to those whining, complaining people; God struck them down.  They forgot He brought them out of slavery, He gave them their daily bread and provided water from unusual places and watched over them day and night.  This has run through my mind so often.  So...Stop that, Kathryn. And last year, I did (well, I have my moments).  I am getting better. The desert is a teacher if only there is a learner.
High winds, airborne tumbleweeds, dust in your teeth, ears and on open toes - not so much fun....but it is an adventure to see what flies past your car window. 
When we moved into this house, the former owner covered the "Hated Hill" with black plastic.  Obviously, she hoped by covering it, it would just go away.  The hill didn't go away; but the spring winds sent the plastic whipping and finally tearing into a lot of little pieces.  We were now having to face a very ugly hill. It only intensified my feelings of this desert life.  Ugly, void of life.
The desert.
                            bah humbug.
Finally we decided (after mulling over many, many options) to get some rocks (thanks to the Lee's) and add desert plants.  No cactus - but plants that require little or no water.
This 8 year season has provided a lot of time to think.  Just like the black plastic was placed on the hill to cover something ugly, I have tried to cover over aspects of my life that have come up many times.  No matter how many rocks I would set on that 'black plastic', the wind would open up a corner and I could see underneath.  I have experienced, first hand, life is about constant change, interruption, learning over and over to accept things we do not want to accept, sorrow and joy, peace and eruptions. 
 I walked outdoors this morning and saw the beauty of the once 'hated hill'.  God is working on me - perhaps I've been a hill in his hand and he's planted, waited, weeded, watered, tended to and has given me a window into how much he loves me.  I know this is long...but from this hill and the flowers that live in the rocks; the giver of Grace gives me great delight -- yes, even in this desert land.  I've found God clears out spaces on the hill in my heart, creating space to see beauty inside and out.  How is God tilling the soil in your heart today?
I hope today you will be surprised by God and you will time to thank him who makes beauty from ashes (or an ugly hill).
lovingly, kathryn

From the hill....

Phylox and other things

These spring up from the rocks (rocks are sitting on black plastic).
I have tried to plant them in the soil.
They found their proper home.  Surprise!

Some tulips are doing their best to stick around. Will add more bulbs to the hill in the fall.

How Many Slams in an Old Screen Door?

"How many slams in an old screen door?  Depends how loud you shut it.  How many slices in a bread? Depends how thin you cut it. How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em. How much love inside a friend? Depends how much you give 'em."

 ~shel silverstein

Take a stroll through  this screen door for a little view of spring - from our backyard to you!

A little pause at the kitchen table.  Scout could not believe the letters she  drew..."if I only had an "e"...(sigh)

Our yellow tulips, standing together - so tall and beautiful will be laying on their sides after the winds grind them down today.  They are just beautiful.  I love the crowd.   "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."  Ecclesiastes 4:12
 

If I was a Tulip
And you were wind’s-wings,
I would not count
My broken dreams,
But bless the coming spring.
I would let you see me
In colors-
Pink, yellow and red.
You’d find me blooming
By the riverbed
Or, down in the valley
By the little creek,
To make proud
The water falls,
To make you feel meek.
But strong winds
Of late May
Again could make me weak.
My petals scattered
On the ground
And gone in a week.
But I will come again
To let you see…
Life is but a circle,
I will bloom
Again next spring:
Isn’t it a miracle?
I would be happy
To know that you would
Touch my face
When the sun sets in.
I would feel you in full force,
Gently from within.
You would come to me
Each day-
Again to disappear,
But when the sun’s-rays
Touch at noon-
Again I would feel you near.

                  The blowing in the wind lilac bush.  Wish the flowers
                                would last all summer long.

Now it's time to walk back through the screen door and start my day - since it's now 11:40 a.m.  Thanks for sharing the morning with me. 

Every promise of God proves true;

he protects everyone who runs to him for help.

Proverbs 30: 5a

Happy Weekend to all, Happy Birthday to David (late) and to Wyatt!!  And many, many more.

love kathryn

                                             



Monday Finds Me Full of Thanks

After rather a harrowing event on the San Juan River this Saturday.  Involving an unexpected heart attack, a boat that 'simply appeared', an incredible rower, who should apply for US Olympic Crew Team.  There was an awaiting ambulance and EMTs.  Though low on oxygen, they managed to "scrape" some up for David, arriving at the Regional Medical Center in Farmington.   Thank you Jeremy, wherever you live.  He rowed his boat in record time - upstream.  What should have been a 2 hour trip upstream, took him 40 min.  We give you a round of applause and hearty thanks.  David was admitted to the Regional Medical Center in Farmington.  After initial treatment he made his own decision to come to Albuquerque.  A pilot and air ambulance team brought him safely home. He was attended by a great cardiologist and staff.  He required a stent and two angioplasty (ties??).  His color was back on Sunday afternoon.  Tired, but up to visiting with friends and family.  We are all filled with great thankfulness David is home today - seeing one of his favorite people, Kate, their granddaughter. 
To Bruce Burnham, Bill Estes, Joe Statszula and "Mo"....you may not have the medical knowledge but you proved you knew where to get your strength and courage from - calling on our Father who knew exactly what was needed and He provided every good thing.  This weekend provided all of us an opportunity to "look deeply" at our lives.  How quickly we go from standing on solid ground to being down on a small place in a roaring river - waiting for help to arrive.  Help arrived before it was called upon.  How mighty and powerful our all knowing Father provides for us.
I am grateful today for I found out the 'lesion' on my spine and sternum are benign.  I get to get out my crayons and mark off two more tests and Praise God for these wonderful results.  For those of you fighting cancer right now - I'm praying fervently for you.  Cancer is such a sneaky, desperate creature.  Cancer survivors can go for months or years and without knocking at the door, make a bold entrance and wreak a great deal of havoc.  Or it can decide it is finished with you, but your mind never forgets.  You go on about your life and enjoy the good things - grateful for another good day; praying for those who are not doing as well. 
After powerful, desert winds yesterday, the day is lovely.  A light breeze and cooler. 
Two dogs are piled on top of one another - this ol' girl is going to join the dog pile and see what is playing on the underside of my eyelids. 

May you have

the vision to recognize

the door that is yours,

courage to open it,

wisdom to walk through.

jan l. richardson

 Let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

Col. 2:7

Your prayers and thoughts fill me with great peace, calm and happiness;; today I am "spilling over" for many reasons. 

Bless You!!!

love kathryn