More Life

When I stepped out on the back porch to feed the kittys this morning, 

a huge herd of deer were inside the pen in front of the barn. 

They were as surprised to see me as I was them.  

It was such a sight to behold that I wanted to see more. 

More beauty... more life... more joy. 

I reached inside the door to grab my red plaid jacket and walking stick. 

When Fiona heard the chain rattling the green pipe gate as I opened it; 

she came on a trot.  What a disappointment I was to her- no carrots

in my pockets. 

The ground sparkled in frost like chip diamonds... 

and my walking partners ... they all came two by two. 

Two ponies, 

two donks

two cats. 

These three all mind their manners but 

I've learned to watch Fiona.  

She believes she's range boss and scouts the way but I never let my guard down 

when she's running loose.  Once she circled around and came up behind me and slammed 

right hard  into me.  I wanted to think it was an accident.  You know; maybe she 

can't judge distance real well.  Yeah right.  She did it flat out on purpose.  

She's all mare.  Moody... unpredictable and full of ...Kiss n vinegar.  

Today she behaved herself to which I was grateful.   -- And they were all the wildlife I saw.

They stayed with me the whole walk ... even ole Violet.  -I only made one round though.  I guess I'm still not back to a hundred percent since Covid.  

When I got up to the yard; I stopped off at the garden.  Seeing the onions,

and beets and Blakelea's carrot pile still growin gets me to daydreaming of all I want to plant 

in the new year!!  It's kind of amazing how well the root crops do here through winter. 

The garlic, and fennel ... even the verbena is still lush.  

I haven't taken any bottles off the tree yet this year.  The colorful glass against 

the bright blue sky makes me happy so I like to leave them right where they are.  

As I looked at it; I found myself staring into one water droplet. 

It will become a scripture picture for today - (shared at the end.)  

After the garden stroll I came inside to go through my advent book and 

write out the scripture for the day.  I can't believe this faith book  is almost finished.  It's  probably

the most meaningful thing I've done all year for several years now. 

The word sacred was my one little word for 2020.

Finding the sacred...has been good for this soul.  

By the time January is rolling in... I always find I really don't want to let go of my old words.  

It's really cool how one word to focus on for a year can become such a big deal but it is.  

I've discovered the sacred in more ways than I ever imagined.  

About midway thru  I felt like I was misusing the word because it's so holy.  

Almost to the extreme of saying something like:  I love apple slices and green olives together. .  

But as the year kept going I began to realize that yes while sacredness truly  is holy.. 

like the Word of God, ... the cross...prayer....  life.... etc- there are other things that 

can be sacred as well.  Like marriage.  Vows.  Time... the list goes on- just ask Emily.  

So I hope to keep finding the sacred right into the new year.  Maybe it's inevitable since 

His Presence is also sacred.  

It will be my next one little word.  

Have any of you found your next word 

to be intentional with?  

To embrace... and hold close?

Well as I sign off today... I have another gratitude.  

After lighting a candle I realized something... I kind of could smell it! 

It was apple cider donut.

And after brewing a cup of chai tea... I breathed it in deep.  

This ole whiffer is trying to come back!  I'm sooo glad! 

I never gave much thought about  the sense of smell but when I lost it:

I missed the smell of my Folgers coffee brewing.

 of Suave shampoo and Dove soap bubbles in the shower.  

Of the scent of "Pony" kissing Blue and Fiona's  velvety noses.  

-of  alfalfa when haying the goats.  

Of taco bell seasoning simmering in the frypan.

Of roast in the crockpot... 

So many wonderful delicious smells in our ordinary days. 

I haven't been able to smell anything for three weeks. 

I can hardly wait to tell Myguy and hope his smeller is coming back too.   

I sign off with this scripture picture.  

(As always feel free to use and share it.)  

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  

Psalm 16:11 

Until we meet again,

<*))))><

#sharethelove