Thoughts on Things to Do

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I follow a blog called My Only Comfort, written by Sam Powell. His post on January 2 was called Things For the New Year. It got me to thinking about a few things.

Sit on the porch and look for birds. I have been sitting on the porch to read the last few days. I’ll have my coffee or other adult beverage and read and wave to neighbors walking down the street with their little children. Sometimes I’m blessed to see birds at the bird feeder in the tree right in front of my porch.

Call someone who is lonely. I write to those who are lonely more than I call because that’s more in my comfort zone. I need to branch and and make those calls.

Pray for your pastor everyday. I’m a member of one church but attending another one that is closer to home. That’s where I tithe and that’s where I feel at home now. I need to pray for our pastor – he is very young but God has gifted him with knowledge and grace.

Go outside and walk beside a river. I go out a lot. Ruby and I love our walks, but now I need to get to the river. The St. Johns isn’t too far from me. Goal for next week!!

Buy a coloring book and crayons. I’ve been coloring for a while, with colored pencils. It’s become a routine at night when I finally settle in for TV. My daughter got me a lovely coloring book and some GOOD pencils for Christmas. And a paint-by-number kit so I can branch out.

Wear the clothes that you like to wear. Not that I never care, but I’ve become quite comfortable wearing my leggings when I walk. Even it they make me look fat.

Slow down. Smell the wine. Swirl it around the tongue. Try to understand what the label is talking about. I tried this. I almost convinced myself I could taste the plum and finishing notes of spice.

Determined

I am so sad about a bird. I don’t know his name, but he has been diligently building a nest under the roof that hangs over our front door. It is a very muddy, messy undertaking.

A few days ago we had our house pressure washed in preparation for putting it on the market. The guy who washed that area told me he knocked down a nest  and that there were no eggs in it. I didn’t even know it was there; I thought it was a mess that had been  made by dirt-daubers.

The bird began rebuilding. My husband knocked it down again and sprayed a lubricant to try to discourage the bird. But, he was back again yesterday Again, hubby cleaned it off and put a foam roller piece there to discourage the bird, but he’s back again today building on top of the foam . . I am sad about having to get rid of the home he is building. If circumstances were different I would leave it there.

One Determined Bird

I don’t think it is a sparrow, it looks like a bigger bird. I had to read up on sparrows. Turns out they are quite social. The article I read said there is a lot of communal chirping before and after the birds settle in the roost in the evening. Sounds just like my grandchildren!!

I’m going to put this Bible verse here just because I can:

“I lie awake and am like a sparrow on the housetop.”  –  Psalm 102:7

I wonder if the Psalmist was talking to his wife, or if he had thoughts in his head and was talking to himself.  I imagine many of us are lying awake talking to ourselves at night these days. 

 

April in the South

The PAD prompt  for Day 14 was the word “report”. Here’s mine.

 

April in the South

Canceled plans for the day

Checked radios and batteries

All day long the weatherman predicts

But no one really knows

Just when and where

In the backyard cardinals gather

Do they understand?

Where will they shelter when the storms arrive?

A breeze belies what is to come

A brief reprieve in the heavy air

Pressing all around

A pale haze under darkening skies

Waiting, waiting

 

Under the Surface of Life

“There’s a lot under the surface of life, everyone knows that. A lot of malice and dread and guilt, and so much loneliness, where you wouldn’t expect to find it, either.” – from Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. –  Psalm 102:7

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? – Matthew 6:26

Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. – Matthew 10:31