FestiveNow

 "Just write." is good, solid writing advice. Writing is a discipline. It takes time. It is a personal investment. For example, no matter who coined this (there is a debate--anyone also heard Hawthorne?), there is something to the quote: " There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” And, writing is wordage--whether in brief, but poignantly palpable Haiku, 30-minute, 5-ingredient recipes, or in long chapters, chronicles, dissertations, lawful  briefs , a series, etc. There is wordage scattered across many platforms in overwhelming forms. Perhaps this is why "talk is cheap." Words are words unless they are accompanied by meaning and/or action. So the art of typing combined with the magic of spelling, punctuation, language, grammar, etc. may not amount to much, but words skillfully woven into ideas have power. And this is why there is "nothing to writing." Individual words may have little meaning, but when the words ar...

hEARt music O my heart, my One True Love Awaken Love-Life Abundantly singing O let your Word design my syncopated heart rythmn with your everlasting Love-heart Attune me to Love-Word  Let the faith-heart you sang to me Steep, soak, and spring And cascade  from my heart to my mouth Sharing your Love song--our dance! Your tune, with gracious, steadfast keys-- Singing your Love, my Love! O my Love, sing your song through me Let hEARts know  Your gathering whistle. from March 18, 2021

 It doesn't feel festive now The coffee shop in The Greens has a pine scent and cozy corners Christmas decor and advent calendars emerge Our Christmas tree is up--with lights No ornaments yet It doesn't feel festive now On Saturday we watched cliched Christmas movies Yesterday we had gingerbread lattes I light peppermint, cinnamon, and pine-scented candles Frankincense and myrrh room spray are on the counter--ready for mirth I see, taste, smell, hear, and touch Christmassy things But sense it is not festive now. When fresh cranberries were in the store I put them into my cart, onto the conveyor belt, into my reusable bag  Made a plastic transaction and put them in the car We rode the elevator together--home  And I washed them I froze them--they lie in the freezer It doesn't feel festive now. Festive is not sad It's sad--I feel sad Lonliness accompanies me I feel overwhelmed Anxiety overtakes Anxiety is not festive now It robs presence, engagement--reality It lies--like ...

When we move to a new location (near or far away), we experience a season of transience. To borrow from horticultural illustrations: it takes us time to grow into new environments, become adjusted, and settle. As we settle, the older, most resilient roots and branches need extra tending, pruning, or care; whilst we wish for the newest shoots or sprigs to develop in an expedited manner so that we can get out of uprooted shock and into a new season of growth that leads to a harvest of sweet, good fruits. One of the fruits that takes the most time is the fruit of friendship. Uprooted people need connection through friendship just as much as those who have the advantage of staying somewhere many seasons, years--perhaps a lifetime! Connection and social support scaffold resilience and are vital for our holistic humanity and healthy growth! Growth cannot be rushed. In fact, friendships take time. Though there are exceptions, we generally feel closest to those we spend the most time with. How...

I love the Bible! Today, Thru the Bible started 2 Timothy and Dr McGee called it Paul's 'swan song.' He mentioned another author's swan song as well--if you like, please read 2 Timothy or check out the free resources and/or listen for yourself at TTB.org (or with the app--my fave!).  The mention of swan songs reminds me that events, things, attention, etc are all finite. Earth is finite. I am finite. Or as an introduction to 2 Timothy states: "The average human lifespan is longer now than it used to be. But the death rate is still 100 percent" (CSB, Life Counsel Bible).  However, the Creator of the skies, the earth and everything in it, and humanity is infinite ! And, we can be connected with Him by grace through faith in Jesus!  As Paul wrote: "He has saved us and called us with a holy calling not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jeus before time began . This has now been made evident thr...

As Elijah and Isaiah “Are you here?” Stressed, aimless voices Stretching and straining Wretched ringing and shrilling to overcome Screaming winds Red, orange, yellow raging Thunder-breaking cries Afterward the soothing voice Gently and quietly Peacefully and calmly Tenderly settling, “I am.”

Mid-March And the poinsettias Live

Dear Beans, You grew upwards of five years You were green You were red Harvested, roasted, dead. Prepared Ground Resurrected steam  and ceramic on my lips. Essence distilled Caffeine-spirit alive! See you tomorrow.  Thanks! Darby

 A Prayer A Pryer  A  Difference

Emily P. Freeman inspires me.  I loved reading, Freeman's (2013) "A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Made to Live " in February 2021.  Don't believe you're an artist? Freeman (2013) implores readers to think again and argues otherwise! You're an ARTIST! A little of Freeman's encouragement : "God is an Artist and he has made us. We are his poem. We will make art" ( Freeman, 2011; 2013 ). Art is what we create. We all make art of all sorts (in a "million little ways") (Freeman, 2013).  Freeman (2013) gently, yet poignantly discusses  art barriers . Freeman's words are like a mirror--not what I hope to see, but unfiltered me .  It is the Spirit of God living inside--uniquely creating (through individual fingerprints) what he designed for us share. When I trust Christ, my art reflects Christ. This reminds me of what Paul wrote to Ephesus' Christ-followers: "Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have do...

January's book: The first book of 2021: my first crime novel ever: "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith (2013), aka JK Rowling. And, I liked it. It was slightly disappointing that I did not research well and read "The Casual Vacancy" instead--because "The Casual Vacancy" was published before (the first non-Harry Potter* book she published following the series) "The Cuckoo's Calling" (2013). Maybe someday I'll read "The Casual Vacancy." Still, I appreciated "The Cuckoo's Calling" (2013) and there were sections my brain paused to credit Rowling:  A man would never write that!  And, I believe she has been criticized for it, but I thought it was good and her new-to-me characters grew on me.  Isn't that true? Wherever there is art (music, poetry, writing, painting, drawing, dancing, production, creativity...), there are critics. I am a reader--not a critic. I like JK Rowling and I thought the "Th...

You guys!  What's your favorite 2021 resolution? Sticking to it?  What about the years before 2021? Or are you more of a general goal-er? You goal-all-the-time? Checklist-type. Task-er? Goal a month? Fortnightly? Weekly? Daily?  Are you smirking because you resolved (years ago) not to be resolute for New Year's? Ikr! I used to be better than that too. My resolutions were awesome!--but too lofty. Or, they began wonderfully--like a shooting start, but then burnt* out. They were lovely dreams that I awoke too quickly from. But, I figured it out! Sure, normative: eat healthy, exercise, drink more water, take supplements/multivitiamins are fine. But, why not pick something less routine and more festive--something enjoyable** ! A fresh year is something to celebrate! So, I resolved to "watch more TV and movies." Fun and fab--most successful New Year's resolution ever! And, then I did not resolve anything more for a year or two afterward.  Annnnnnnd now (hear the drum...

to school and then: On the way to pick-up They cried cracking, drying out abandoned parched dying. Returning home, Pausing And considering alongside her son, and the other school children; Mounting and conquering The tossed aside. Declaring among the children In the sandlot,  Near the fence: "Found! Trees!" Becoming Mary Hoping for green and life and growth. Potential garden Overlooked.  Found. Rubbish and sand. Mary lifted them,  One sandpaper trunk in each hand. Soil trailing Roots perpendicular Determined peaceful feet Traveling Light-hearted, home amongst the children. Forgetting how to clap their hands Yellow leaves clinging, Crying. Green hoping. Mary, Dickon, and Colin Valuing Loving Giving Believing Replanting Awaiting Tending Pruning Redeeming Green rising.

Celebrate Plant Grow Harvest Celebrate!    

 Rhythm  Cycles change Cadence grows Flourishing  flowers fade slows grass withers The life-breath; Word stands. Forever-rhythm

Fresh Cans are okay Dried is nice Reconstituted is fine Processed? Shadows Essences Hints A green vine A tree A field A garden A new thing Selected Harvested Best fresh!

Dear 2020,   Two weeks ago we left you. Like the ghost of Christmas past, you’ll be with us. 2021 germinated; present. 2021 and the ghost of Christmas future, burgeoning. Here’s to you!   Sincerely, the ghost of 2021

 

@hopewriters  #hopewriterlife It began lightly, with a whimsical flight.  It landed.  Expanded; too tight.  Progress felt like dying to the little seed. Then: “Crack!” The surrounding soil was grave-dark, unfamiliar.  Broken sorrow. Then panic. After, it reached down into the nutrient-rich darkness and found it enjoyed the cool, dense taste.  Unfamiliar, but refreshing. Relaxing. Exploring—it reached the other way  a different sensation.  Stretching, it pushed its outgrown shell towards warmth;  progress.

From Matthew 13:1-9 Farmer--plants seed Scattered on the ground Seeds fell on the path Seeds birds ate Seeds in rocks--not enough soil. Seeds sprouted among thorns--too overcrowded Good soil--crops 30-100 times than what was planted The farmer plants in good soil-- No birds ate the seed you were No rocks stunted your reaching roots No sun damaged your first green tendril No thorns crowded you. No, he tended to you. Birthed in the ground, stretching towards light, soaking life-water. A new you--by the good farmer's power He beckoned: "Abide in me." And, "I am the vine--you are the branches." The new you produces thirty to a hundred times more than the one, unique you he planted! To the farmer who produced a new you: "Glory!"   HopeWriters     challenge The Sower   Matthew 13:1-9 John 15:5