scatter sunshine

In a world where sorrow
Ever will be known,
Where are found the needy,
And the sad and lone;
How much joy and comfort
You can all bestow,
If you scatter sunshine
Everywhere you go.

Slightest actions often
Meet the sorest needs,
For the world wants daily
Little kindly deeds;
Oh, what care and sorrow
You may help remove,
With your songs and courage,
Sympathy and love.

When the days are gloomy,
Sing some happy song;
Meet the world's repining
With a courage strong;
Go with faith undaunted
Thro' the ills of life;
Scatter smiles and sunshine
O'er its toil and strife.

Scatter sunshine all along your way;
Cheer and bless and brighten
Every passing day;
Scatter sunshine all along your way;
Cheer and bless and brighten
Every passing day!

~old hymn

harmonious combination of elements

fish list

oy vey! long time. no post. Let's start with a list, shall we? Lists make me feel productive.

Lists I currently have going:

1. grocery list

2. things to get done soon (e.g. car inspection, order contacts)

3. things to get done sometime (e.g. organize recipes, make blueberry pie)

4. crafts to make

5. books to read

6. songs to download

7. to do list for Austin Creative Reuse board meetings

8. some monthly payment tracking information for my budget

9. pilates class times at the gym

10. stuff to do for Gillian's baby shower

11. lists I currently have going

12. work tasks (with about 15 sub-lists)

13. things to do before this weekend (e.g. mop, g-store)

Do you like lists? Would you list on a fish?

not to be confused with cereal

I love this photo.
It's a self-take of Bryan and Andrea on their
honeymoon in Paris
roughly 4 years + 362 days ago.

It is surreal.


sur·re·al: marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream;
unbelievable, fantastic

peeks

It snowed here a few weeks ago. These red berry bushes live in what I call "The Grove" in our backyard. I love it when they bloom berries, and I especially loved them against the backdrop of the snowy ground.

"Can I go play in the snow?"

When I went outside this morning, these three little hats were sitting directly in the center of the roof of my car. I couldn't resist taking their picture.

Then I turned around and couldn't resist taking a picture of Sadie doing her morning stretches.

happy thoughts

oatmeal. playing on Granny’s porch in the summer. Olympic emotions. love songs. spending the day with my precious niece. snowy landscape making a familiar drive dreamy and new. cousins giggling. sister as hairdresser. paper hearts. new adventures. stretching. long drives together. polka dot jammies. the hiding game. sharing clothes. bread baking. a new cookbook. love stories. finding courage. Temple Grandin. chocolate cake. Mario Kart. naps. toddlers’ talking. quiet time. the perfect cup of coffee. dance party. giving something up. funny text messages. sunrise. cards in the mail. sewing. un-conforming. planning a garden. paper heart crafts. old photos. reminiscing. reconnecting. remembering...

note to self

Oh self, how this world tempts me to control!
To curl finger tips to palm and dig in with self-centeredness, pride, foolish wisdom;
clench fists tightly around darkness.

Oh self, give it up!

When my hands are closed, so it is with my heart.

He laid open his palms for the greatest sacrifice, the ultimate act of love;
then reached out, offering scars so others would believe.

Oh self, give it up!

Father, I have sinned.
Held fast to this need for control;
Lived blindly with the illusion that I could control what is yours;
Given myself freely to it, and bound up with the enemy;
These hands, this heart, closed, unable to truly receive you,
How many opportunities have I missed to wash feet?

Yet, I come now, under merciful grace,
press palms together,
now lay open wide,
offer myself freely to you, a living sacrifice.

Oh self, give it up, this prison of worldly control,
uncurl fingers to find the key,
hold light in your hands,
and live in the freedom of open.