rippling waters
lit by setting sun
carry me home
***
I can’t decide whether I’m drifting toward or away from the shore. No matter. The light reminds me I’m not alone and that my final destination will be as mysterious as this shining city.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 22 May 2017
Photo found at pixabay, Norway Sunset
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Adrift
from a nearby tree
a catbird sends waves of song
spilling to the ground
Have you ever heard a catbird? If so, you already know their song is unmistakable. Loud, almost hyper mimics, they punctuate their unending songs with sharp ‘catcalls.’ Sort of like the sharp ‘meow’ of a cat. Unlike other mimics (thrushes or mockingbirds), they don’t usually repeat their songs.
We hear them every day. Especially now, when birds are nesting and nests need defending. They crank up their musical contributions before sunrise, and continue past sunset. We heard one yesterday evening when we went out walking. It was perched in a tree just above our heads, well past sunset.
Catbirds don’t seem worried about running out of songs. Instead, they’re worried if you come too close to a nearby nest. When that happens, they aren’t shy about dive-bombing around your head, descending from a nearby thicket to cajole you into leaving the area. They don’t give up, and they aren’t bashful.
God doesn’t swoop down from heaven to defend us or to scare intruders away. Still, there’s something god-like in a common catbird’s defense of its nest and determination to frighten off or redirect the attention of possible intruders.
My real-life intruders are often discouragement, fear or loneliness. Sometimes God descends to my aid when I listen to music I love and let it fill the airwaves, spilling into my heart and tense body. A sign that majesty and power are present in ways I don’t understand.
This doesn’t solve my problems. It simply makes things bearable, and invites me to relax, knowing I’m never out of the range of God’s care. I think another way of naming it is Sabbath rest.
Elouise ♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 20 May 2017
YouTube video found on Google
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Descend
~~~pink azaleas on the wooded path toward the lake at Longwood Gardens
Ready for round two of this notoriously breathtaking Garden? The first set of photos took us into the Gardens and down the flower walk. In this set, we’ve left the flower walk and are in a small wooded area, making our way down toward the lake.
Here’s a first look at the lake,
definitely having a hard time with algae at this end,
yet beautifully romantic with a lovely old gazebo.
Turning around on the path,
we see a young red cedar grove beside a waterfall creek
flowing through Longwood’s managed wetland.
Turning back toward the lake,
we’re walking toward the opposite end of the lake
when we come upon a pair of geese!
First mama, followed by ever vigilant papa.
This handsome human couple has no idea they’re about to
come upon the geese just beyond the weeping willow tree…
Do I know them?
We’ve reached the plaza at the end of the lake,
usually well populated by visitors with cameras,
and excited children feeding the fish with Garden-approved pellets.
Today it’s peaceful and quiet.
Don’t miss the sturdy blue lounge chairs overlooking the lake!
Or the gazebo in the distance.
Meanwhile, back up the steps to the main plaza,
we’ve turned around to see the Italian Water Garden!
Plus one gardener. Leaving the water garden,
we take the path on the right side toward the meadow.
Just before we come to the meadow, we cross a bridge over a pond
and spot a green heron stalking its next meal.
Unfortunately, he didn’t give us a good front-face pose.
Here you can see his handsome back and headfeathers,
followed by a photo of his unfortunate prey. Poor baby.
No walk through the meadow today.
Instead, we take the short perimeter path in the foreground.
A recent controlled burn leveled one major area.
It should be stunning by the end of May.
Here’s a quick look back before we head for the café.
Before we reach the café, we pass a popular site,
a tree house for children. Now empty because
it’s late in the afternoon. Don’t miss the birdfeeders!
Finally, two looks at early spring growth along the path to the café.
Hoping you have a weekend of note, no matter the season!
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 19 May 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, May 2017
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Notorious
Carolina Anne Fraser’s First Prize Youth Division, 2016 Audubon Photography Competition – Great Frigatebirds taken Near Española, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The last four weeks have been one big blur. Mostly medical appointments and family time, plus writing and visiting when I was able and awake. You’ve already heard about our visit with daughter Sherry and her husband to Longwood Gardens.
Another highlight was a visit to the James Audubon House and grounds. We met our son there and toured the old house and grounds. There were birds all over the place! The day was crystal clear, breezy and sunny, cool but not cold.
We went because one of our granddaughters had a prize-winning bird photo on display along with those of other winners and honorable mentions. Proud? Who me? Not just proud, but absolutely floored by her gift.
Back to reality and on another subject, “endless beauty” was my 900th post! I didn’t even notice until it was already out there. When I began blogging over three years ago, I never guessed I’d still be chugging away. One of the most personally rewarding things I do these days is look back at some of my writing, often getting teary in a happy way.
What I thought would be writing about my life has become writing my life. Not looking back so much as looking into the present. Especially as it impacts me directly as a citizen of the world and as a retired woman making my way toward the end of this life.
Daughter Sherry and her husband flew back to Oregon last week. It was bitter-sweet to be together. A reminder of how much family means as I age, and my health changes.
The day after they left, I saw my primary care physician to follow up on lab tests. My kidneys are in good shape right now. No sign of damage. I’ll see my cardiologist at the end of this week. I also have a call in to schedule a first appointment with a nephrologist (kidney doctor) who will oversee my Chronic Kidney Disease care.
My most difficult challenge is dealing with unpredictable energy and emotional highs and lows. That, and the constant need to prepare kidney-friendly food and get enough of it in me each day. D has kindly offered to learn a recipe or two that he can make for me each week.
On Mother’s Day I woke up exhausted after a tough night. Still recuperating from my relatively busy social life last week. So I stayed home from church and slept all morning. Got up, had some lunch, then went straight back to bed and slept more. A wonderful way to celebrate Mom’s Day! I recommend it highly.
I’m not able to write or visit as often as I once was, and am more laid back about what I write. So far, there’s always more than enough when I’m ready and able to write.
With hope for today, and huge thanks for your visits and comments,
Elouise ♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 17 May 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, May 2017
Better a qualm today than a lifetime of regret.
Don’t ignore the qualm before a storm.
Respect your qualms — they know us better than we know ourselves.
***
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 16 May 2017
Photo found on Google.com
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Qualm
Slippery words fly through hot air
Smiles and flourishes promise happy days ahead –
But at what cost and for whom?
Another committee ‘collaborates’ behind closed doors –
Working toward freedom and justice for all?
Or for the chosen few. . . .
What would it take to halt double-speak
about things that touch all our lives?
Are we willing to pay that price?
Imagine our nation shaped by listening
rather than speaking loudest or longest –
Do we have the guts to go there?
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 15 May 2017
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Collaboration
Happy Mother’s Day to all children of the world! My relationship with my Mom was complex, to say the least. I was always sad that she died first because we were just getting to know each other. That was in 1999, 18 years ago. I’m still discovering how much of her spirit resides in my spirit, and how much I owe her. Hope you enjoy the two old photos!
Mom and Sisters #1, 2 and 3, Easter Sunday 1952 in Savannah. I’m on the right.
Dear Mom,
I miss you today. When I was growing up, I was pretty tight-lipped. I think it was my way of having some privacy. Still, there are things we never talked about that are on my mind today. Probably because I’ve been writing about going to seminary, and what Dad seemed to think about my decision.
Even though you didn’t say much about this, I knew you were proud of me and I never wondered whether I had your blessing. From the beginning you wanted to know about what I was studying, even though I didn’t always want to talk about it.
I can’t thank you enough for showing an interest in my studies and writing, even though you may not have agreed with everything I wrote. I often wonder whether you wanted to go back for more education. You would have been an…
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Final —
A heavy word
for dreamers of today
Shuffling through
the watercolor exhibition
my eyes fall on a small tangle
of blue-greens and light pinks
composed and serene
within a gothic arched mat
Exquisite detail sharply defined
invites my eyes to linger
on each small leaf,
each tiny stem and blossom
flourishing at ground level
within trailing vines of small ivy
The work of yesterday’s dreamer
who found endless beauty
lying at his feet
Yesterday D and I were at the Philadelphia Art Museum to see a special exhibition of watercolors from the 1800s and early 1900s. I was captivated by this artist’s vision and clear determination to paint the small things. In part because the possibilities were endless, no matter where he looked.
I couldn’t help thinking about my writing–especially now, as my world seems to be shrinking. I found this artist’s vision challenging and encouraging. He gave up trying to paint the big things. Partly because so many were already doing that. More than that, he was captured by his love for painting ‘into’ the small things.
There’s nothing final about vision, is there? Seeing into the smallest details of life gives me joy and a sense of purpose. A way of connecting with others as I’m connecting more deeply with myself and my spiritual development.
Elouise♥
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 13 May 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser, May 2017
Ivy-covered wall inside the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Final
Two days ago we took a chance on the weather. D and I, our daughter and her husband piled into the car and drove to Longwood Gardens. My first visit since April 2016. The forecast promised breaks of sun during the day, and temperatures above 60 degrees F. Here are choice photos from our great adventure. Enjoy!
The garrulous catbird in the top photo greeted us in the parking lot.
Never missed a beat.
Here’s a first glimpse of Spring 2017 at Longwood Gardens,
just outside the visitor’s center.
These giant copper beech are across the field,
a first gorgeous sight as we leave the visitor’s center.
Note tiny people on the left side of the tree walk.
Heading toward the flower walk, we’re walking into
the small desert garden of sun-lovers.
No trees overhead.
Turning right, we start down the ‘cool’ color end of the flower walk.
Imagine masses of flowers that look like a living
patch-work quilt that changes each season and every year.
Just to the right of the center fountain in the flower walk
is a beautiful sunken garden
with a serpent fountain overlooking a water pot.
Imagine the sound of water almost everywhere in the gardens.
Now we move into ‘warm’ colors, followed at the end
by a patch of cool green foliage and flowering whites.
Finally, gorgeous blooming wisteria in a shady space
just downhill, beside the flower walk.
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 17 May 2017
Photo credit: DAFraser
Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, Philadelphia
Response to WordPress Daily Prompt: Pursue
Telling the Truth 