Sea + Prairie

everyday things

If you want one thing too much it’s likely to be a disappointment. The healthy way is to learn to like the everyday things, like soft beds and buttermilk—and feisty gentlemen. -Augustus McCrae, Lonesome Dove ...and gorgeous, sunny days on the prairie with people you love.

Blue fields turn red as Indian blankets (aka fire wheel) replace the bluebonnets.

This morning on my run...

gathering: in winter

We're going on day four of a rare winter ice storm here in Texas.  

And with colds setting in for two of the boys and feeling a bit of cabin fever myself, I took the opportunity to get out a bit.  

Out into the world.

The natural world...the real world.

I know by now that even if it is raining, or cloudy, or hot as

h-e-double-hockysticks,

or in this case freezing, it does my soul good to get out.

I always feel more centered, more focused, more patient having spent a bit of time outside.

Even when it is 17 degrees outside.

The ever curious, Mabel came along.

Maybe she was as excited as I was to see what we could find right in and around our own yard.

The gathering included

Red nandina

cedar that smelled heavenly

mistletoe in bloom

holly with red berries

As I walked, my mind began to wander...as it does.  

In poetry, winter is often linked to death.  But to me, the starkness of the gray-white background makes everything come alive.  

Winter is not at all about death.  Its about rest, and clarity.

Not only do I see the bare shapes of the trees, the vibrant reds of the cardinal, but I see what's important in my life laid out before me like a grocery list.

Gathering greenery to deck the halls.

Gathering ideas and thoughts and perspective along the way.

 

habit

Won't you please join me and so many talented women over at habit this month for amazing photos and lovely reflections.

-e

squeezing it all in

"Are you excited to be moving back to Texas?" the voice on the other end of the phone asked yesterday.  I totally lied and said yes.  Truth is, I have mixed feelings about moving.  I'm sure most people do.

There are plenty of negatives, but today I am choosing to focus on the positives.  Because if there is one thing I've learned from blogging and taking pictures, its all in how you frame it!  Eh?

So, here are the pros to moving back:

• I'll be closer to family
• We'll be living in a much smaller house, so its less to have to clean
• I'll be going back to work...full time
• I'll be able to see my Dad more
• The boys will have men in their life to take them hunting and fishing, etc.
• I will get to have a break once in awhile
• Getting to meet some gals I've been dying to meet in person
• Getting to see an old friend more often
• Building yet another backyard garden
• Hey, its Texas!

We're about 3 weeks out from move day, so for now we're squeezing in all the summer we can get our sand covered hands on.  Which includes, trip to the state park, buying bushels of peaches at the produce auction, eating the last of our blackberries and of course...the beach.

The countdown begins