Being Present on My Deck

God within, God without

Sun shining on me

Warmth on my shoulder

Warmth within reaching out

Doves cooing, birds singing

The earth hums with life

Wind whispers thru leaves

Light shines off water

And reflects from within

I empty my mind

Allowing life around me

To wash over me, sink in

Eyes open to see the beauty

A lovely prayer and meditation

Sitting by the River

The river rushes by me

I long to jump in and float

To see what lies around the bend

To experience the excitement

I want to let the river carry me

But instead I sit on the bank

And watch others float by

Today I am content to sit quietly

I know this is where I need to be

I need to pause in my busyness

And take time to heal,

Time to listen and reflect

I remember to simply be

I am aware of my connection

To my Creator and all of creation

I feel the warmth of God’s love

That will carry me farther

Than the river ever can

Written on 7/7/2015

River Therapy

This morning I awoke to the sounds of a rushing river and bird songs.  Once the sun hit the tent, I pulled myself out of my warm sleeping bag, and emerged to inhale the fresh mountain air.

Breakfast is over and I’m sitting on the shore of the Salmon River.  The sun is shining and the air is cool—such a relief after the heat of the past week in the valley.  The birds continue to sing; there are so many of them.  Chipmunks scurry around the rocks.  Already several rafts have floated by.  The occupants wave or call out a greeting as I look up.

It is so quiet and peaceful here.  We purposely came after the busy July 4^th weekend.  There are not many people here now.  I need a bit of solitude, some time to disconnect.  I am tired in both body and spirit.  I need healing.  What better place to seek it?  In the natural world life comes down to the basics.  This is my time to reflect and remind myself that I am one with God’s world.

Written on 7/6/2015

Heat Wave

I left the comfort of my air-conditioned house to sit on our deck for a while.  The day is rapidly heating up and the temperature is approaching mid-90s and will supposedly hit 102.  This morning my husband and I took our dogs for a walk along the river.  Most of the path is shaded and there are opportunities for the dogs to stop and drink.  We returned home shortly after noon.  One dog sprawled out on the floor while the other lay across the AC vent. 

We have endured about a week of temperatures over 100 degrees; this is not common here.  The hottest day was on Sunday when it hit 110.  I had planned to shop that day.  After all, the car had AC and so does the mall.  I stepped outside and felt like I had hit a brick wall of heat.  It literally took my breath away.  I walked back inside and decided to stay home.  When it was ONLY 102 the next day, we felt so much cooler.

I think I could live on salads and ice cream right now.  The heat zaps my appetite and my energy.  I found myself nodding off at the computer last night.  I looked over and saw my husband asleep on the couch with one cat on top of him and the other asleep nearby.  The dogs were stretched out on the floor.

Well, before I fall asleep, I think I’ll go back inside where it’s cooler and pour myself a glass of iced tea.  I’m looking forward to cooler days but I may need to drive to the mountains for that.