Affirmative, Captain #SoCS

We need to get this straight. I will affirm here and now that I have felt less than inspired in the last week. I’m working on the novel-still…maybe forever..but really loving the progress. It is just not something one can easily do at the end of a work day or week, popping from pragmatic, ordered thinking into fanatstical dreaming reality.

Affirmative, Captain.

I mean I usually can, but lately the world has just felt so…heavy. I affirm I am not a fan of old Man Winter. And I love men in general. Just not sadistsic, self indulgent, harsh and cold troublemaking men. Just why Mother Nature has him in her circle is beyond me. But then, taste in friends is always quite subjective isn’t it? It takes all kinds of people to make a world. If we were all alike we would either be hugely bored or constantly fighting ourselves.

 

I affirm that life is wearying at times, and when I was younger I held older people in the highest regard, seeking their wisdom, understanding and encouragement. For the most part I am exposed to situations in which older people are viewed and treated as outdated, stupid or at best uninformed, and gulity of some heinous crime of destruction that most of them are completely unaware. Perhaps the crime is just being older than 30. I thank God each day my children are not this way.

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When I was in the Christian church growing up, we were taught to always put yourself in others’ shoes, to empathize and express compassion. There was a humbleness in being a child of God. I suppose there has always been a double edged sword aspect to religion..any of them, just as there is duality of spirit within each of us. I just know that I would rather stand quietly alone, with my hand in His, than stand with a mob of angry, accusatory, self righteous finger pointers whose main goal is to be the best, the biggest and the chosen. Since when did being a Christian become a popularity contest?

I affirm that God’s greatest gifts exist all around us, that peace can be found in the tiniest miracle of life, that entertainment is free in Mother Nature if you just take a moment to breathe and to feel her presence. Soul healing does not exist in a book or a prayer. It is in your own hands, the ones given to you in this life. Perhaps we should stop shouting, ”God, save us!”

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Maybe it’s time to whisper, “God help us to save ourselves.” We have to stop making our own messes then blaming everyone else for them,  which includes..

No, honey, the devil did not make you do it. We all have a choice and the light and dark exists in every one of us.

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affirm that when I love someone it is forever, even if you choose to cast me aside. Anyone who has ever found a place in my heart will remain there forever, and my family means more to me than anything. If they hurt, I hurt. When they are in pain, it is mine. When they are happy, my world is perfect. I know no other way.

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I love the friends I have made here, in this magical realm of blogging, where like minds can meet and feel less alone, share ideas and laughs. We all do such a wonderful job of encouraging, lifting one another up and being there. Thank you to any and all who have done this for me. And if you feel like a beer check out Dan’s frozen corner of the world. Now, he has some Winter tales…

I affirm that I am ready for Spring, budding flowers, buzzing insects and balmy breezes. Meanwhile, we can always dream..in fact I must insist that you dream with me, or we might not see her face again!

 

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What do you see when you step outside?

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Thanks to Linda Hill and her #SoCS prompt, ‘affirm’.

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From Flower to Flour/#SoCS

I love this prompt! God knows I love flowers. And bees on flowers. And butterflies on flowers. And now I am using mostly ancient grain flours for cooking, but I still love a squishy homemade roll or burger bun. So, thanks Linda Hill for making it ‘real’ for me this time around.

Last weekend was full of fun for us, being up in Nebraska for a couple of special events. My oldest son got married and I made the cake, a simple but oh-so-yummy Strawberry Wipped Cream number that is almost always perfect on a 90 degree end of Summer day. The strawberries are soaked in Grand Marnier for hours (of course) before being layered in the cake alternately with freshly whipped cream. I think it was a success.

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Love this expression.

The bride’s dress? Oh, she was beautiful in it throughout the afternoon. As soon as the ceremony and photos were done in the sweltering heat of early evening, we all shed our finery and donned cooler attire.

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The flowers? If you come to my blog often enough, you know I love flowers. Here is a recent encounter with a beautiful fellow who enjoys them even more than me!

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For more great #SoCS posts visit Linda’s blog at the link at the top of the page. Happy Saturday my friends!

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Freedom/#SoCs

Cheers to Saturday! And another round of #Free48. Join Linda Hill if you want to participate and meet some wonderful bloggers.

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Cheers to freedom in its simplest form…

 

 

Blooms intoxicating as wine…

 

 

Labors of love bring fruit to the vine…

 

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Tiny friend who, at once flew away,

returns when I cry out in dismay,

”Why can’t these dewdrops come into view?

Oh, my goodness, wait,  now there is you!”

 

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Freedom to breathe,

to accept the smallest of miracles

and to return them with gratitiude,

defines balance within existence.

May we see Light and be Light in every moment….