Would you please e mail your paper mail address to me? I don't have $ online.
Thanks! I have an envelopes all ready to send a check.
We save our dry beans to shell in the cold time. We have a lot of French horticultural this fall, my husband shells them out fresh.
The other day, a praying mantis was on my truck, just beyond the windshield. It hung on bravely, as the wind increased. I was en route to the dentist; could've stopped, next time I will. It would've been my passenger!
Hey Jeff. I don't have your gift (and it is a gift) with words, but I do observe life from a positive perspective. Twenty minutes ago my wife delivered a cup of coffee to my desk (I've worked from home the past 38 years), not because I asked her to, but because she thought I needed it. Then I read your notes for the week. As usual, most weeks, they caused me to reflect, to think, and to appreciate those in my life. Thanks to my wife of 42 years, and to you, my friend, of 3 years. We have never met in person, yet you have ability to move me. Thank you. All that in the past 35 minutes.
In an article from this morning’s paper, it described finding a lost two year old who wandered into the woods with the two family dogs. A man participating in the huge search found her asleep using one of the dogs as a fluffy pillow and the other snuggled beside her. (In Upper Michigan)
An unexpected beautiful, grace-full thing that happened to me recently: on Sunday, my college daughter came home for the afternoon because she missed us. She, her high school aged sister and I sat on our back patio on a perfect September day and conversation wound its way to future plans and religion and faith and what we believe and how I mothered them. And I recognized in the moment the holiness and gift of that hour with those precious young women.
The sight of my eight year old daughter, fresh from the shower with curly wet hair, carefully carrying a plate of warm water out to Fred - the tiny frog that appeared on our back deck tonight. She implored me to look up "what you do when you find a frog or toad outside" and fretted about him or her being warm enough. And then, just before she went to sleep, softly saying "I hope Fred is safe."
Your imagery of beauty as a salve to weary souls is powerful and evocative. I have found the seeking of beauty in the everyday a great antidote to my proclivity to despair and despondency - a ray of light, the smile of a stranger, the perfect amount of sauce on my bbq chicken... noticing it in the moment - JOY. THANK YOU
I too "crave things that inspire possibility and point us to ways forward." I think that is what i enjoy so much about what you share; it is saturated with Hope. I read from oswald chambers this morning with my sister, Love never Fails. My sister and I think very differently on things but this divine love that we can experience because of a gift of faith, is what creates this Hope. and like the many translations of a simple poem... it is understanding the essence of this life that helps us see what is expressed by others. we have a creator who loves us and has called us to love and we can witness it all around us every day if we look. thank you for sharing.
I found your P.O. box. I'll upgrade to paid subscriber.
My husband, aka bean king at farmers market, (erstwhile), has shingles: please pray for him in this challenge.....he is 95, and he does not whine and complain, but I know he's
In pain. I admire his bravery in this , it is beautiful.....in its own way .
Recently I have found beauty in carrots. First of all, I love their rich, beautiful color. During a busier season of my life I used to buy the packaged baby carrots. They were conveniently bite sized for a perfect snack. But now I have a little more time to peel and cut carrots. They are so much tastier, and I love the process of peeling and cutting them. Just that extra little bit of effort makes me enjoy them more!
What else have you ruled out? I also once thought I hated brussels sprouts, and it turns out that I just hated brussels sprouts that were boiled until gray. When I first had them roasted with maple syrup and bacon, that was a revelation! But I still haven't found anything that redeems beets for me.
I'm not a big fan of tomatoes on their own (only as an ingredient) and I don't care for kale. I learned to like beets when I realized they taste a little bit like corn!
We recently relocated to Barranquilla Colombia for a 10 month stay. A gecko paid a kitchen visit this evening to welcome us. So looking forward to this next book. Every week your writing causes me to take a breath. Thank you.
Yesterday our church hosted the annual turkey dinner fundraiser. It was awesome...heartwarming. Over the summer our pastors left to start a new church and a large number of members followed. Uncertain of how to proceed it was decided to show up for our community. The night was filled with smiles, marveling at how the new meal distribution was smooth and better than previous years. We will be fine..sharing God’s love all around.
This week's graces: A mostly ignored flower bed outside my kitchen window filled with bees and butterflies. Fresh picked apples from a friend's orchard. The sound of our dog, Whiskey, barking as my husband sprays him with the water hose. Pure delight!
I've made it an intentional practice to ve aware of wonder all around me. Your writing helps to remind me.
Hello, Jeff.
Would you please e mail your paper mail address to me? I don't have $ online.
Thanks! I have an envelopes all ready to send a check.
We save our dry beans to shell in the cold time. We have a lot of French horticultural this fall, my husband shells them out fresh.
The other day, a praying mantis was on my truck, just beyond the windshield. It hung on bravely, as the wind increased. I was en route to the dentist; could've stopped, next time I will. It would've been my passenger!
Beautiful creature!
Patricia
Patricia, thank you so much!
PO Box 68565, Grand Rapids, MI 49516
Hummingbirds.
Sunflowers.
Freshly made macaroons.
My children laughing together.
Hey Jeff. I don't have your gift (and it is a gift) with words, but I do observe life from a positive perspective. Twenty minutes ago my wife delivered a cup of coffee to my desk (I've worked from home the past 38 years), not because I asked her to, but because she thought I needed it. Then I read your notes for the week. As usual, most weeks, they caused me to reflect, to think, and to appreciate those in my life. Thanks to my wife of 42 years, and to you, my friend, of 3 years. We have never met in person, yet you have ability to move me. Thank you. All that in the past 35 minutes.
You are very kind! The delivery of an afternoon coffee is unquestionably a lovely grace.
In an article from this morning’s paper, it described finding a lost two year old who wandered into the woods with the two family dogs. A man participating in the huge search found her asleep using one of the dogs as a fluffy pillow and the other snuggled beside her. (In Upper Michigan)
An unexpected beautiful, grace-full thing that happened to me recently: on Sunday, my college daughter came home for the afternoon because she missed us. She, her high school aged sister and I sat on our back patio on a perfect September day and conversation wound its way to future plans and religion and faith and what we believe and how I mothered them. And I recognized in the moment the holiness and gift of that hour with those precious young women.
What a lovely affirmation and encouragement for you!
The sight of my eight year old daughter, fresh from the shower with curly wet hair, carefully carrying a plate of warm water out to Fred - the tiny frog that appeared on our back deck tonight. She implored me to look up "what you do when you find a frog or toad outside" and fretted about him or her being warm enough. And then, just before she went to sleep, softly saying "I hope Fred is safe."
Your imagery of beauty as a salve to weary souls is powerful and evocative. I have found the seeking of beauty in the everyday a great antidote to my proclivity to despair and despondency - a ray of light, the smile of a stranger, the perfect amount of sauce on my bbq chicken... noticing it in the moment - JOY. THANK YOU
Yes, I think it's a tremendous antidote—and there's the invitation to be the stranger who offers the smile, sharing that gift with another human.
I too "crave things that inspire possibility and point us to ways forward." I think that is what i enjoy so much about what you share; it is saturated with Hope. I read from oswald chambers this morning with my sister, Love never Fails. My sister and I think very differently on things but this divine love that we can experience because of a gift of faith, is what creates this Hope. and like the many translations of a simple poem... it is understanding the essence of this life that helps us see what is expressed by others. we have a creator who loves us and has called us to love and we can witness it all around us every day if we look. thank you for sharing.
💗”saturated with hope”
Hi. Patricia here from Freeport, Illinois .
I found your P.O. box. I'll upgrade to paid subscriber.
My husband, aka bean king at farmers market, (erstwhile), has shingles: please pray for him in this challenge.....he is 95, and he does not whine and complain, but I know he's
In pain. I admire his bravery in this , it is beautiful.....in its own way .
Recently I have found beauty in carrots. First of all, I love their rich, beautiful color. During a busier season of my life I used to buy the packaged baby carrots. They were conveniently bite sized for a perfect snack. But now I have a little more time to peel and cut carrots. They are so much tastier, and I love the process of peeling and cutting them. Just that extra little bit of effort makes me enjoy them more!
I used to think I hated carrots, and then I learned I only hate bad carrots.
Haha in that case maybe I should try again with veggies I’ve ruled out before!
What else have you ruled out? I also once thought I hated brussels sprouts, and it turns out that I just hated brussels sprouts that were boiled until gray. When I first had them roasted with maple syrup and bacon, that was a revelation! But I still haven't found anything that redeems beets for me.
I'm not a big fan of tomatoes on their own (only as an ingredient) and I don't care for kale. I learned to like beets when I realized they taste a little bit like corn!
💗”so much tastier” AGREED!
We recently relocated to Barranquilla Colombia for a 10 month stay. A gecko paid a kitchen visit this evening to welcome us. So looking forward to this next book. Every week your writing causes me to take a breath. Thank you.
Yesterday our church hosted the annual turkey dinner fundraiser. It was awesome...heartwarming. Over the summer our pastors left to start a new church and a large number of members followed. Uncertain of how to proceed it was decided to show up for our community. The night was filled with smiles, marveling at how the new meal distribution was smooth and better than previous years. We will be fine..sharing God’s love all around.
This week's graces: A mostly ignored flower bed outside my kitchen window filled with bees and butterflies. Fresh picked apples from a friend's orchard. The sound of our dog, Whiskey, barking as my husband sprays him with the water hose. Pure delight!
I love the paint peeling concrete walls I saw recently. The cracks and chips. The fading colors of paints. Collage walls sharing beauty
💗”collage walls sharing beauty”
When I stopped to greet my favorite tree this morning, two grasshoppers were mating. Now I happen to think that was a beautiful start to my day.