Greenhouse: Succulent Love

I made a visit to a local spot called The Greenhouse, which is a garden center with a large outdoor maze of plants, herbs, flowers, etc...and a very helpful owner. I was shown back through the trails of plants passing by lavender, terracotta pots, Geraniums, and so many plants I could not name. I have loved the idea of having a few plants in my home, but I haven't ever been able to have plants because apartments tend to have very little natural light.

But now that I have beautiful natural light in my new place I can get something like this succulent (or a cactus, which is what I want next) because I can supply the sun, or at least, several windows that offer bright sun! So, this little succulent came home with me, and has been a resident of my kitchen since the most sunshine comes in there. And instead of a pot or planter, I am using a big mug. Perfect fit.

G. K. Chesterton and Words

I had always felt life first as a story: and if there is a story there is a story-teller.
- G.K. Chesterton

He is so logical, that Mr. Chesterton. I like his words so much. He can state in a short sentence that which takes someone else paragraphs to relay to the reader. His words free me from the sugary coating that I read sometimes which seem so unnecessary. He was a great debater for the Christian faith back in the early 1900's, and always had something to say which invoked thought from the reader.

It was Chesterton who said:

"What is wrong with the world?
- I am."

In one tiny sentence he opened up the reader's mind to a whole new way of re-arranging our thoughts. That is a good writer. He brings to light what we hold in darkness. Ourselves. We are what is wrong with the world. We try to blame other things and other matters. But it boils down to us.

Chesterton's writings remind me about our words and how they can affect others. We have influence over other people of our acquaintance by words spoken and written, whether we realize it or not. We do not have to be elegant in our verbiage, necessarily, but our words should be carefully selected nonetheless. Chesterton talked a lot and wrote a lot, and his words are selected carefully to provoke thoughtful responses (and even debates) from the audience. We are not all wordsmiths, but we are all word-users, so we should be making the effort to pay attention to the words we use.

Upside Down

I am grasping at words to properly acclimate my faulty self with the truth of God's creative love, which enriches me even deeper than I allow to emerge in my life. Sometimes I feel upside down in my thoughts when I cannot quite pinpoint the right word to articulate my feeling.

As a conduit for God's love to the world, I am a tiny meager piece, but I am part of it. And I want to do my piece well, for in everything I do, glory rises to Him who has given me all abilities.

My soul sings today with words of praise, simply because it's His day to give, and He has given it graciously.
Down to every ticking second on the clock, it is all a gift.

My words flow easily at times and sometimes I feel they are not fully projecting the deep thoughts that drift around in my mind, especially when that happens minutes before I fall asleep. Why is it that profound thoughts make their way to fruition as I fall asleep? In these moments when my mind is moving but my body is between waking and sleep, I am tempted to get up and scribble notes in my journal. And often I do.

And in the deep moments of quiet, as the night is still and solemn, my mind awakens if I let it go....with a thankful heart.

Re-Reading Books

I have heard many people talk about how they love their e-readers because they can have many books on the device and can purchase books to read that they won't read again. I won't get into my argument for the real tangible books vs. the e-readers, but I think a lot of people who do not know me well wonder why I have so many books. They look at my shelves and shelves of books and ask if I re-read them.

Of course I do! I agree in entirety with C.S. Lewis who said that the best books should be enjoyed several times, and it is in the second or third reading that we actually enjoy the book more.

One such example of an author I cannot re-read too much is Jane Austen. While many are scared of her 19th century language that most think is above their reading capacity, it is a delightful challenge and if you read a bit slower you will appreciate the wit and humour in her stories. She was a master at writing her fiction tales based on what she knew best. Life, society, relationships, and manners. She changed literature!

Right now I am re-reading Sense and Sensibility (by Ms. Austen). I have read it at least twice before, but never have I enjoyed it as much as I am now. The more we read, the better readers we become. And when we challenge ourselves in our reading, the better readers we become. The second and third readings are not to learn about what happens (although I tend to pick up at a lot more minute details that I had missed previously), but to see the pieces fall into place from a new perspective. To slow down and appreciate the author's writing style and method of story-telling. To pay more attention to the details. These are the things that draw my attention on repeat readings.

Do you have any books that you re-read eagerly? Why do you enjoy re-reading it so much?

Weekend Snapshots

 Every afternoon lately has brought stormy weather. And the first tropical storm of the season passed by leaving lots of rain and wind. There were several days this week that didn't show any sunshine, which is odd for Florida. I got to hang out with my baby niece during the rainy Saturday night. She brings sunshine wherever she is.

 This is my essential gear for going to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning, when there was sunshine.

 This little coin/jewelry basket was my purchase at the farmer's market from a girl about my age with all handmade items. So lovely. I wanted to buy it all. Oh, I made some iced coffee as well. 

I did a lot of reading, naturally. So many good books to read. I will share more this week about readings I have been indulging in.

I love wheat berry salad. It is so good. I guess that's all I have to say about that.
How was your weekend?

Quirks of my Home from 1950

Quirks (that I have discovered so far) of living in a home built in 1950:

- The windows are beautiful, but not energy efficient

- Old dust can be found anywhere

- The door is a little crooked

- The glass doorknobs on the interior doors tend to come loose

- The wood floors are scratched and are not totally flat

- Not all the burners on my gas stove light

- No dishwasher

- No washer/dryer

- Very little storage

Realize, though, that the advantages of living in this charming home greatly outweigh this short list of quirks. My list would be very long indeed if I were to list all the positives.

Mainly, though, the overall theme would be "older is better". Seriously, I am an advocate of restoring that which is there, and make it beautiful again. I don't always know how to do that, but my landlord does. And he shares that same view. Living in a place with 63 years of history is privilege, to me.

Summer Delights

For everything that's lovely

is but a 

brief, dreamy,

kind delight.

O, never give the heart outright.

- W.B. Yeats

The flowers blush after
a sweet rain
glistening with dew I see
from my window pane.
Oftentimes I slumber through
the day
by far missing the summer
delights on display
so I carry them inside
fetching the garden to
be a constant reminder
of God's rich hues.

Apartment Tour: Living Room and Kitchen

My new home has been dubbed "The Treehouse" because it's a second floor apartment, which is happily situated among a couple large, old trees. Being in a historic neighborhood, there is a lot of history here. My little place, with the height and the good amounts of shade without being too clustered by trees, is kind of like a treehouse. And I am okay with that.
It was built in 1950, after WWII, when all the soldiers were coming home. Some places, like mine, were built to persuade them to purchase the home in front (a 1920's bungalow home) and rent this out for some income.
I have a lot more to do, like hang items, organize certain areas, etc... My bedroom and bathroom have several things to be done, so they are not ready to be shown yet.

 I love the curved doorway from my kitchen into the living room. Just another charming feature that makes it unique.

A good reading spot.

My piano rests comfortably on the pine floor, after being bounced around in my move. I will get you tuned sometime soon!

My mini-size refrigerator is perfect (5 feet tall). Anything bigger would swallow the kitchen. We wanted to get one of those cool retro fridges, but the price tag was ridiculous. This is the second best option. All the light in this kitchen is lovely. And the white wainscoting is so beautiful.

Mexican Sunflowers from my landlord's front yard. He brought them to me one evening, and I exclaimed how lovely it is to have fresh flowers in the apartment! The next morning I found another jar of flowers on my steps.

The beautiful natural light in my apartment is astounding. It is one of my favourite things about it. I have never had that before, since I have only lived in dorms or apartment complexes since leaving home for college and beyond. I am in love with the light and the way it gleans on the newly varnished pine floors. 

The Rabbit Room

Can I just gush about how much I enjoy The Rabbit Room?

Let me just premise my adoration of this website, it's authors, and their content by explaining the name.

The Rabbit Room is the room in The Eagle and Child Pub in Oxford where C.S. Lewis regularly sat with his friends for a pint and a good discussion about literature (and other deep things). Need I explain more?

It is a website where the collective of artists (songwriters, writers, readers, etc...) share their work. I enjoy reading the posts and listening to the podcasts immensely.

The people who contribute to The Rabbit Room are people I would love to sit and talk with. They love C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, England, Oxford, theology of the arts, deep conversation over cups of tea, travel, and writing all about it! That's exactly what I love to do.

It is inspiring to read their profound thoughts and stories. Reading their words inspires me to read more, expand my vocabulary, write more, and think deeper. If you enjoy anything that I just mentioned, check out The Rabbit Room. 

Home

It's a peaceful quiet
enclosed in its own space
set apart from the busy
and set in soft harmony,
with grass and trees, which pursues
a lofty summer breeze
and bright lighted hues
reflecting into my home.
Deeper, a sense of joy fills me
in this welcomed sense
I've not known before;
blessing present in a place
full of variety and lovely space.