Friday, May 14, 2021

On the Porch & Way Up High

Yay!  

What could be more delightful than a weekend in May when nothing too urgent is requiring your attention and you don't have to go anywhere or do anything too terribly strenuous.

It's a delicious respite right before the madly wildly event-packed month of June that's waiting in the wings, complete with our oldest granddaughter's high school graduation, dozens of loved ones heading to the Cape, and all manner of activity, joy, and celebration.

{And yes, that's yours truly complete with headphones and mic, way up high.  More about that in a minute.}

Settle in with me, friends ... I have so much good stuff to share with you today.

  The azaleas are popping deep violet red and the lilac bush is in full flower and fragrance.  I do believe a turkey or two are in process of laying their eggs not too far from the porch amidst piles of leaves and half dead branches.  I am feeling quite protective of their private space. 

  When it comes to rabbits I do not feel the same tenderness of heart.  The furry little beasties are starting to return yet again this year, eyeing the gardens to see what's worth feasting on.  I have a feeling that this right here is going to be what happens in the next weeks.  Yep!

  Meanwhile, I psyched myself up for a brisk 45 minute walk with an extremely fit friend this morning.  I was thankful she showed me mercy and slowed down her athletic pace to match my more leisurely cadence, allowing me to catch my breath so we could re-connect and hear each other's hearts.  Blessed.

I headed off to my sister's cottage afterwards and sprawled my aching bones in a lawn chair as we solved the problems of the world together.  Bliss.

And my college roommate and her husband are spending a few days with us next week.  They love the Lord, plenty of good conversation, a little adventure, and delicious food.  They are also very low maintenance and so much fun.  What a treat to be together again!  It's been too long, thank you very much, pandemic.

  Tim and I celebrated our 45th by taking a bit of a flight around Cape Cod.  It was awesome in the most spiritual sense of the word.  What a moving experience to soak in the splendor of a bird's eye view of God's magnificent creation, the fragility and beauty of this island we call home.  

The seas have lifted up, O Lord,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up 
their pounding waves.

Mightier than the thunder
of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers
of the sea -
the Lord on high is mighty.
Psalm 93:3-4







  A quote from Brene - 'One day you will tell your story of how you've overcome what you're going through now, and it will become part of someone else's survival guide.'

  This brand new release, Freely and Lightly: God's Gracious Invitation to a Life of Quiet Confidence just arrived in my mailbox.  I can't get enough of Emily's whimsical watercolor drawings that adorn the book's front and back endsheets.  'If the direction of your life is leading you away from peace, contentment, and true fulfillment, Emily Lex has some great news to share with you: God is offering you a better way.'  

This book will be within reach on my bedside table for the kind of peaceful inspiration that leads to nights of deep rest and days of renewed faith.  I love that she's sharing the first three chapters FREE!  And be sure to subscribe to her little weekend newsletter.  A sweet blessing, yes.  And, a wonderful gift, too!

  And since May is Mental Health Awareness Month {I do prefer the term 'brain health'} ...


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Thanks a bunch for joining me On the Porch, these occasional weekend conversations with you and me chatting about whatever ends up on the table.  Think open house + small group + your BFF + book club + your therapist + TGIF all coming together to join forces!

You never know who or what's going to show up.  I like that. 

Bless your garden, bless your relationships, bless your reading ~
Linda



*

visiting
Lisa & Richella

*
as an Amazon associate,
I will reap a small profit
if you make purchases
using the book link above

24 comments:

  1. What a fun way to celebrate 45 years! Can't wait to hear all about it. And thank you for your kind words... see you VERY soon!

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  2. It seems you've had a month of contentment! You look happy in your photo of flying high.

    I love love love azaleas.

    I didn't know Cape Cod was so beautiful! Enjoy!

    I'll be checking out Emily's three chapters ... it sounds like something I need right now.

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    1. Jerralea, hi! I'd love to hear your impressions of Emily's book ...

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  3. Your aerial photos are breathtaking, Linda! What a great way to celebrate your anniversary - it's definitely one you will always remember.
    Blessings always!

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    1. A camera on a phone can't capture the majesty, the beauty, but it was fun trying ...

      ;-}

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  4. How utterly delightful to share these stunning photos and all the good news! How much we are enjoying such times after the last grueling year. Have a great time with the graduation in June. Our youngest granddaughter will graduate from high school in June as well and we are looking forward to being there. We weren't able to attend our middle grandson's graduation from Lee University last weekend. Be blessed, my friend, and look for my book review on Monday...

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    1. Exciting days for us grandparents, yes?!

      Looking forward to what you have for us tomorrow, Pam!

      ;-}

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  5. Lovely photos from up and above! What a fun present for you and your husband to enjoy! I gave a birthday present to my ex-husband once of a flight in a friends float plane when we were living in the Yukon. I miss doing things like that but thank you for sharing yours. And sounds like June is going to be full of family adventures for you. Enjoy!

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    1. The Yukon! Wow ... what an adventure that must have been, Lynn ..

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  6. Happy anniversary sweet Linda to you and your man. Beautiful pictures and post. Enjoyed it so much today. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. You always bring a big smile. Cindy ... I'm grateful God brought our paths together.

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  7. Your flight sounds amazing, and I love the photos. You live in a beautiful place! I'm glad you've had so much joy this month and I love your description of "the madly wildly event-packed month of June that's waiting in the wings." That's what my June is looking like too!
    PS - my latest post is one I was asked to write for Gracefully Truthful about the church in Scotland. I know you're always interested in Scottish things because of your dad.

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    1. Yes, I will be heading over to your place to read about the church in your neck of the woods, Lesley!

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  8. Sounds like you are springing free from Covid restrictions with much gusto, and toward more bliss and blessings! God speed, Linda!

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    1. Springing carefully and hopefully respectfully, friend! I know this is still a challenging season for so many as we pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and reorient again.

      God is able.

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  9. Congrats on your 45th wedding anniversary! Glad you were able to celebrate with an awesome helicopter tour of Cape Cod. The aerial images that you captured are spectacular!

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    1. A lens often can't begin to capture the overflow of an awesome experience, but it was fun trying!

      Thanks for your kind words, Margie.

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  10. What a lovely way to celebrate your anniversary, Linda! The tips for talking about mental health are helpful ... specific words do make a difference, don't they? And that quote from Brene? Well, I suspect you know how much that resonates with me! Hugs, friend.

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    1. Yep, I absolutely agree with you ... words matter. Maybe even more than ever?

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  11. I feel such an overflow of joy coming through your words, Linda! I think you're as excited as I am to be coming out of the pandemic at last. :) I know there are still lots of places that aren't opening up yet, but I'm grateful for the cracks that are appearing.

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    1. I want to keep celebrating every good thing even while holding respectful space for the trials and traumas that are still in place for so many ...

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  12. Fun and delightful to read. Happy Anniversary and love the photos!

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