Archive for the ‘musings’ Category

‘Word Cloud’ that is.

My dreams nearly always include words. Literally, words that appear like someone writing on a big invisible billboard in front of me. I’m usually in some kind of mystery, a state of wondering or in need of answers, when words start to appear in front of me like someone’s writing them out in real time. I never wake up remembering exactly what’s been written, but I always remember feeling almost desperate to stay connected to the revelation – especially when I start to wake up. I’m not sure what that means but it sounds a lot like someone trying to tell me something! Don’t you think? Anyway… I thought journaling in a ‘stream of consciousness’ format might reveal something about my dreams. They always read like a live-in-the-moment to do list. Here are the latest ones….

April 7: nest scour find flutter work smile list mark decide write chat connect see wonder imagine love give talk unite touch embrace change look read plan call search choose purge clean engage pet throw walk talk praise eat rest dream.

April 20: simplify select choose cuddle stretch breathe wait wonder wander walk talk visit live brighten trace draw dream doze read write create soothe reach satisfy linger direct project produce meander mingle and make-it-happen!

Maybe these really are words to live by?!

This past weekend was the Birmingham Botanical Gardens ‘Glorious Gardens Tour’. If you’ve never treated yourself to this delightful extravagance, you’re missing some of Birmingham’s best kept secrets! It was Mother’s Day, so of course I invited my Mom.

Mom in Garden

We went to church and then had brunch at Mudtown (oh, my! you must go! We both had the French Toast and highly recommend it!). We hurried home to change, jumped in the car with tickets, map, water and sunglasses (what a beautiful day to be outside!). We toured five private and two public gardens. Can I just say God is one amazing artist! I’m speechless (among other things). And the talent, vision and dedication of these Master Gardeners and Garden Architects…wow! I left energized, inspired and amazed. Each garden unique. Each one with it’s own character and personality. Each one glorious. I can’t help thinking about God’s unique and beautiful purpose for each individual person he so carefully thought out and created. On purpose. With much devotion and love. (again, I’m speechless). I took some pictures, but I’m telling you it’s nothing like seeing it live.. in vivid high definition color. It was one of those rare and perfect days. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom – I love you.

Fountain (of youth?)

Perfect Roses

Perennial Border

Inside pool house (yes, I took pictures through the windows!)

The floor is tiled in pebbles! Amazing.

Fire pit side yard - is this really still the same yard?!

Bermuda grass makes great looking pot mulch!

Formal English Garden (yes, same yard! they have everything!)

Beautiful mosaic.

Iron, glass, ceramic...it's all in there!

My Friends and Me

It was just the right thing to do at halloween…the right night to do it.. and the perfect mix of friends and neighbors (okay, they are ALL neighbors who are great friends – how blessed am I?) With taco soup on the stove and our pile of pumpkins on the deck, we each gutted and cleaned out our favored gourds, took them into surgery and unveiled the results with a photo op in the dark. A motley crew for sure… and kudos to our first time pumpkin carvers!!!! Look at the talent on my little street!

Susan, me and the Great Pumpkins

Jordan, Krista, Susan & me - and the jacks of all.

I do…but not the kind you’re probably thinking. When I was a child, I wouldn’t go near the sandboxes on the playground! They were always wet and the sand would stick to my hands, my legs, my clothes and get in my shoes…the toys seemed dirty and most were nasty, old, cracked and faded plastic containers from someone’s kitchen. Ewe! Instead I like the proverbial kind – where I find or build one and call out for you all to join me there! Sharing, talking, laughing, playing, dreaming, and building something together!!

I want one of these t-shirts!!

How much better can it get?!!!

Today I’ve learned to embrace the sand even when it gets in my hair! Annoying sometimes? – yes. But worth it all when you can see the grandiose castle we just made! together.