Hands

“I feel a thousand capacities spring up in me.

I am arch, gay, languid, melancholy by turns.

I am rooted, but I flow.”

(Virginia Woolf, The Waves)

My hands are becoming busier now that Spring has settled in.

Gardening. Soil underneath my nails I carefully clean pots that have set out all winter. Huge planters must be emptied, cleaned, oiled and prepared for this year’s flowers and herbs. I’ll do a few outdoor tasks then come inside to clean up, carefully washing my hands, digging soil out from beneath fingernails and applying lotion or cream or oil. Rest up, hydrate, talk to my husband. Then, it’s time to put my hands back to work chopping, mixing, preparing the evening meal. One hand holds a glass of wine while the other stirs vegetables in a cast iron skillet. We eat what was prepared and talk about our day. Then, time to clean up, hands dipped into hot, soapy water. A final grand show of their abilities – washing, rinsing, drying and putting away. Clean the counters.

Hands are such wonders, aren’t they? I am rooted, but I flow daily with Gratitude for my hands.

Advertisement

Silence

 

June 10, 2018

Be Kind

 

We just returned from vacation in Colorado.  I love the beach but desired to see a completely different landscape.  You can’t get more different than the Rocky Mountains.  I saw a wild moose!  And elk!  Wanted to see a black bear but no such luck.  Nor did I see the longhorn sheep or mountain goats, but had fun looking.

Those mountains are gorgeous.  Humbling.  Massive.  Those ponderosa pines blow me away.  We visited Garden of the Gods and Pike’s Peak.  The best part was simply choosing a direction and driving mountain roads.  The views!  The snow!

We as individuals are served well by immersing ourselves into nature….where there’s no service to our phones … and breathe it all in.  We are so tiny and the earth is so large.  My belief is that Mother Earth will survive us, despite our attempts to kill it off. She will eventually shake us off and live her own life free from the fleas of humanity for her days are numbered, too.

Peace.

Friendship

 

I have a friend.  A friend who challenges me while being nonjudgmental.  Her critiques are honest yet delivered in kindness.

 

 

We’ve become estranged of late due to Life challenges on her part and mine.  She is on my mind constantly.  I miss her, yet currently our relationship is strained.  The funny part is that I really don’t know why.

 

 

She would say that’s a cop-out and would grill me down to get at the root…but the last time we tried that it didn’t go very well.

 

 

We will remain friends – it’s just that our “new normal” hasn’t yet been discovered.  Time.  As all good things of value, it will take time.

Clouds

 

 

Hurricane Arthur

First Light (C) 2014 by Debi Bradford

I am not sure what’s happening with WP but this is my third try at posting this morning.  Bear with me.  Or bare with me.  Your choice.  I returned home two days ago just in time to prepare the house for Hurricane Arthur.  As of this moment Arthur seems to prefer staying out in the ocean which is just fine by me.  As with such things it forced me to clean up some areas outside that were woefully needing cleaning.  I’m prepared and happy as a clam to stay inside and catch up on photo processing.  Scotland awaits, but first….a hurricane morning.

 

Golden Arthur Sunrise (C) 2014 by Debi Bradford

There was sunshine earlier, but a band of rain coming up from the south chased me home fairly quickly.  The tide was going out affording me good hunting, and good luck as I found two fossilized shark’s teeth and a few unidentified fossils.  My favorite things to find on the beach, hands down!

 

The Lone Jogger (C) 2014 by Debi Bradford

 

Storm skies turn a luscious blue grey, throwing a cool color cast on everything.  I love that.  When Hurricane Sandy roared through the same thing happened.  Lots of moisture in the air.  My lens kept fogging up on the outside – I had to wipe it constantly.  Man, this camera is sooooo good.  It’s been through Death Valley, Scotland and two hurricanes without missing a beat.  LOVE my camera.

 

Whichy Waves (C) 2014 by Debi Bradford

So I’ve returned which isn’t any big news.  However, I’ve really missed reading posts and missed chatting with everyone and I’m sooo happy to be home.  Today, I’m working on Scotland while the rains and winds bluster around outside.  Rainy days are a favorite – a gift of time to do mindful things and fun things – photo processing, reading, cuddling up.   I’ll be back soon with more of Scotland but in the meantime enjoy Hurricane Arthur.

 

Parting Shot (C) 2014 by Debi Bradford

Salt Marsh

Just beyond the dunes you see above lie the Atlantic Ocean.  On the other side of me not a mile away is the Cape Fear River.  I am standing on a narrow patch of salt marsh lined with maritime forest.  A boardwalk path winds its way through sand and marsh ending at a bird and nature observation deck.  From here I can see ibis, herons and egrets.  I hear rails and woodcocks but never see them.  Hawks and eagles glide high overhead while ducks feed in the shallows.  The only noise is the wind.  This is a sacred place.