The Smoker

I was walking back to my car with a cartload of groceries.  Next to a car parked nearby, a man stood smoking a cigarette.  I wondered why he was standing outside his car to smoke.  I started thinking about how few people I know that smoke.  I was thankful I'd never been a smoker.

As I loaded my groceries into my car, the smoker spoke to me.  "That's some moon, huh."  I looked up and saw the glowing roundness of the almost-full moon in the eastern sky.  Even from the lighted parking lot, I could see darker and lighter areas on the lunar surface.  It was pretty amazing.

I mumbled a response, got into my car, and drove away struck by what had just happened.  As I was busy with my groceries and thinking about the smoking habit, the smoker had looked into the sky and recognized the beauty of the moon.  And, he had taken the opportunity to point it out to me.

Once again, I had been reminded to raise my eyes heavenward and look at the bigger picture.

Artists Of Being Alive

The most visible creators I know are those whose medium is life itself;

The ones who express the inexpressible without brush, hammer, clay or guitar.

They neither paint nor sculpt. Their medium is being.

Whatever their presence touches has increased life.

They see and don't have to draw. They are the artists of being alive.


                                              - J. Stone

7 Gratitudes x 7 Days

There are many books out nowadays that address the topic of gratitude.  In fact, I just Googled "books gratitude" with over 43 million results.  Clicking on the first result, Amazon.com, I found that they had a list of 36 items under "Books about Gratitude."  No doubt some of them are helpful, but recently I've been looking at gratitude without the aid of a book.

For the week leading up to Easter Sunday, I'm making a point of writing down seven things I am grateful for every day. Even though I'm trying not to duplicate gratitudes already listed, it seems the more I look for what I am grateful for, the more things to be grateful for show up in my life.

It seemed appropriate when I suddenly realized yesterday, that the greeting cards I was creating contained spring flowers and colors with the message "thank you."

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!  (Henry Ward Beecher)

The Best Things In Life Are Free?

I recently discovered that my branch library has a "Cultural Pass to Adventure" available for checkout. If reserved in advance, these one-day passes admit a specified number of adults and children to Portland area attractions such as the Washington County Museum and The Pittock Mansion.  I've been wanting to go to The Japanese Garden for some time, and now I can go for free!

On top of that, a friend asked me recently if I would be interested in a free pass to the Portland Zoo - I haven't been to the Zoo for years, although I live only 20 minutes away.  This is another outing where I can take my camera along for some practice.

With the price of so many products and services rising, it's nice to know that some of the best things in life are still free.  Watch for them!

Spring Is Sure To Follow

An old proverb says "No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow." With the temperature near freezing tonight, it's hard to believe that winter is over. But, as I drove today, I saw some of the trees blossoming and spring flowers blooming.

Another sign of spring is the start of baseball season. I spotted a high school baseball team running out onto their practice field, and I know my son is closely  following the major league games as they begin this week.

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. (Hal Borland)

From My Nephew

My nephew, who is currently living and working in South Carolina, emailed to his family recently.

We enjoyed one of the few comfortable Spring afternoons in Charleston today. It was so nice (80 degrees, humidity holding below 30%) that the entire team ended up eating lunch outside, including our bosses and customers! We might have a few more days like this, but the odds are against us. You PEOPLE complain about rain back in paradise. Our rain is suspended in mid-air six months of the year. We get wet just walking to our car.

He felt homesick for Oregon after watching this video:  http://youtu.be/Q-w0klt0610  After I viewed this sample of the wonderful things our state has to offer, I am grateful to be living where I am.

I admit it's true I don't always appreciate what I have.  Thanks to the younger generation for reminding me!

Discovering Beauty

I am reading several different books right now, one of which is The Scrapbooking Journey written by Cory Richardson-Lauve.  Here is one of the things she says about discovering beauty:  

As I've grown older, my visual acuity has increased. Not physically - I've become more and more nearsighted as each year passes - but spiritually - life stuns me more and more with its beauty.  Things I would have walked by fifteen years ago - a striking flower, the sun sparkling on the water, a photograph of the light reflected in someone's eyes - stop me now. Sometimes we get so accustomed to something that we no longer "see" it - let alone see the beauty in it.