landing softly with a trickle-trickle sound as it travels through the downspout to the ground
Birds perched in the trees, chirp and rejoice as mother earth also welcomes the fresh water to nourish her parched parts beneath the lush green grass.
A Rain Day … I’ll take it
We didn’t have snow days this winter not even one, the first ever in my 50+ years of living the Appalachian Mountains, this will have to do.
And I, like the birds, grass and trees, welcome the sounds with open ears and an open heart to be still and listen.
There’s an expression I’ve heard or read: “Wherever you find yourself, therein be content.”
Today I have found myself in my little corner room, window open to hear and enjoy the sounds from the rain and birds and experience the wind as it gently blows across my cheek.
Red Bird lands atop the garden and tomato stake to view the latest morsels below for a scrumptious breakfast,
Daffodils dot the bank of grass in shades of yellow; while forsythia makes a show
Atop the pond, on a slab of granite, an Angel rests, hand on cheek carefully watching over the fish and fauna below,
It’s an overcast day with clouds gathering the 17th day of March, St. Patrick’s Day, and the grass is green,
With no Winter to speak of in 2023 in the Appalachian Mountains of Western North Carolina, one can’t help but wonder, if we will ever see snow again?
Grateful am I to have a computer and ability to gather my thoughts to articulate what is underneath,
Three years of COVID, Russia at war with Ukraine, Earthquakes in Turkey, Enormous amounts of Snow in the Northern USA, stories of water shortages to come associated with climate changes and a homeless population that continues to grow out of control, increased food, and gasoline prices. We recycle, plant trees, garden, have rain barrels to catch water from the roof to water the garden, pond as needed.
If we didn’t have faith, love, compassion, and a true sense of gratitude for those in our lives and those gifts provided to us by our Creator, we’d go mad.
This is why writing and recording the days, months, seasons or years helps me to put my life into perspective. This is why I am sharing a snippet of what’s good in my backyard and what I know about worldly events.
This piece may wind up in a time capsule at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church to be uncovered in another 100 years.
Know that I am Catholic, a member of St. Eugene’s Parish in Asheville, NC, God willing, I will be 63 in June, I am married to Steve Henry, the Facility Manager of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church and my friend for more than 19 years. I have two children, Richard, and Alicia and three grandchildren, Grayson, Lincoln, and Saylor Marie. My parents are Bob and Peg Adams of Windsor Road, Asheville. My Dad is an amazing Golfer with 20 hole-in-ones, they are both 91+. I have four brothers, Michael, David, Mark, and Richard. My husband Steve has two brothers, Paul and David.
As I close this piece of history, I will add to my picturesque view of the backyard oasis to say that with the Red Bird, Cardinal, Mrs. Cardinal appeared along with a Squirrel, and a Titmouse who are all seeking the black sunflower seeds I placed in a birdfeeder which hangs from the pruned Cherry Tree.
May this snippet of one’s life on this day, St. Patrick’s Day 2023, and the times as I see them, find their way to the hands and hearts of loving Beings who are seeing a world better than what we are experiencing and/or predicted to see.
Growing up in the Appalachian Mountains where there is snowfall beginning in October, ususally the 31st and sometimes not ending until the first week of April.
Now 2023, and NO snow to speak of. I miss it!
I realized the unexpected ‘Snow Day that becomes a Holiday’ hasn’t happened.
No sledding. No hot chocolate.
No TRUE ‘snow music’ that comes from just listening to the snow fall and its heavenly crisp tingling sound as it falls gently on the leaves, branches and any cold surface.
No unexpected adventure to the highest peak to walk in virgin snow and capture photos, make snow angels, sled and snowball games.
Winter Slumber
When ALL get to genuinely rest and the body and mind are able to restore themselves with a new peaceful vigor.
When and where ART becomes the activity of the day, or making a delicious pot of Chicken Vegetable Soup. And, for someone special, their favorite chocolate brownies.
Winter Slumber
Silent
Necessary
Inventive
Restorative
Creative
Peaceful
Longing for this necessary cycle of life in the Appalachian Mountains
What have I learned? What have you learned? What would I like to learn?
It’s a BIG question.
My answer is this: to TRUST more .. LISTEN more to the soft Whisperer within (God/True Source) – to BELIEVE with my whole heart
Life is fleeting. I’ve endured much loss – friends, spouses, days and nights to worry or fright – only to realize shortly thereafter that there is no need to worry – no benefit – however, to TRUST, PRAY, LISTEN, OPEN my HEART to God/True Source’s guidance and BELIEVE all will be well , therein, I find my wish for ALL persons – CONTENTMENT
What does Contentment look like to me?
It’s realizing that ALL I need, ALL around me is ENOUGH and ENJOY every moment of…
Breath
Warm Water
Clean Water
Healthy food – my Green/Fruity/Nutty Shake in the mornings
ability to learn and practice Yoga
Legs that move and allow me to roam the Mountains I love so much
Conversing with the Trees
Taking Photographs of all that catches my eye
Enjoying the Light of sunrise and Moonrise
to listen and walk by the River’s edge
my Grandchildren
my Children
the gift of my spouse, Steve and his innate laughter and support
my Church family
my Alanon Family
my Telephone calls and walks with Friends
a Job with loving people
Moments found to create Art
the gift of my Parents, my Brothers, my Nieces and Nephews
Friends abroad, Friends on Facebook
Trees and Flowers of so many varieties in my back yard – and a Pond
Life is NOT all doom and gloom – it’s different
What I’m learning is to look with eyes open, ears and heart open, hands – open to what’s ALL around me and say Thank you!
As I said I’m learning – NOT perfect, nor, would I want to be.
Happy year of Contentment is my wish for ALL in this New Year!
A familiar refrain comes to mind ‘Where does love go when the lights go out?’
Love is always here residing in the Heart, the Whisperer reminds me
The only thing required from you is to ‘Believe’
The answers may not be evident. Waiting is required. I’m not good at waiting.
Yet, I know, when the door opens effortlessly, I am walking in alignment with the Source of All Knowingness and Love, and once again, All WILL be Well.
says an excerpt from one of my Daily Meditation books…
this line reminds me that HOPE is alive also
FAITH in something GREATER than myself I believe exists in everyone’s life
HOW are we connected; HOW are we made in the Creator’s image? I have this very concrete image that it is our HEARTS that connect us ALL.
I’ve been drawing illustrations of my conversations with the Creator, God, Divine, True Source using Hearts as the focal point.
Let me know your thoughts regarding these drawings and reflections.
~ Anita 2022
Defining the God of my UnderstandingAsking for Guidance.
Since COVID arrived, my life like everyone else’s has been disrupted in a way that has given me a lot of time to read, meditate, walk in nature, draw, write, create and so many moments to notice and be grateful for all the comforts and abilities I have. I am Called to Write.
PEACE to you and yours always….. Anita, Writer, Artist 8/12/2022
freedom of thought, location, restraint, rules and a welcoming sense of
Peace, Acceptance, Love, Safety, Security and a DEEP Knowingness that ALL IS WELL
God is with me always, I need not fear any thing or any one
I have always believed that there is something I have to teach, to share, yet, I know I must learn more first, then, I can truly share my experience, strength and hope;
like the Oak Tree, my Prayers form with each root;
each utterance of this prayer is flown from the Birds and Butterflies who take them to the Heavens and are later turned into sunshine, rain or snow and fall back upon me softly to be absorbed, and the cycle continues
Called to Write 