Finding Serendipity

A Little Bit of Glitter, part 2

patty — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:34:56 +0000

“May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.”

Have you noticed, sometimes, that the world seems to conspire to position you
in a particular place
at a particular time
with a particular set of skills or knowledge?
You don’t understand why you need to endure something, or what purpose an experience or a person or even a thought has in your life, but maybe even years later, an event happens or you can do something because of that exact experience or person or thought.
For just a few moments,
light bursts through slats in the shades
and catches fire
to glitter
accidentally lost
to the art-room floor.
There are rainbows
and streams of light
and sparkling that is bright
and beautiful.
And I was right where I needed to be to see it.
All the elements needed to create that moment of beauty were in place at exactly the right moment.
I participated in a 31 days blogging challenge last fall, and I chose to write 31 Days to Nurture Her Self-Esteem. It forced me to read and research on ways to nurture my daughter’s self-esteem. I want her to be confident and glowing and to not have insecurity ever hold her back. Out of that was born a small of group of women, here, in my real life, who are dedicated to the same idea for all girls. We’ve met monthly since January, and ideas are forming, work is beginning. But there’s always a constant worry for me about time. Will I have the time? How can I squeeze this in?
And then my son had a banquet and the guest speaker was trying to leave them with a message, an important point for them to remember as future leaders. He said,
You can only lead to the to the degree you are willing to serve.
To serve. To do for others. To sacrifice of yourself.
I needed to hear that.
And then, as God would have it, a little bird needing nurturing was placed in my hands for a brief period of time. And I have the knowledge now, and the energy, and the spirit to do just that. And I am reminded that there is a reason and purpose for all things.

May today there be peace within.
May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that
has been given to you….
May you be content knowing you are a child of God….
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.
It is there for each and every one of us.

~Prayer of St Teresa

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This and That
A Rural Journal

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
― Margaret Mead

A Little Bit of Glitter, part 1

patty — Tue, 15 May 2012 11:39:43 +0000

A little bit of glitter

And a little bit of sunshine

to give your day a little bit of sparkle.

{Here’s to noticing the little things}

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Sweet Shot Tuesday
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Tuesday Tips and Pics

To A Good Life

patty — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:28:08 +0000

There’s an empty house around the corner from my home.
Family members arrive on occasion, like Mother’s Day, and mow the lawn, or work on bigger projects, like cleaning the gutters or painting the porch or washing the windows. Sometimes, they just meet there and share a meal, and sit out on lawn chairs and visit.
I imagine they are sharing memories of childhood, or of the woman who lived there. They always look happy.
On most days, though, her house sits there alone, with the grass slightly overgrown. In random places, cultivated flowers spring up and show their colors. Hay grows up in what I think were old flower beds, and her shrubs, like her peonies, bloom a little ragged, untended to as they are.
But the flowers still bloom.
And I think this is some measure of a good life.
That she left the world a little better, a little more beautiful, than it was before, with family who still come together to remember and celebrate.

Happy Mother’s Day

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This and That
A Rural Journal

Paddle Boarding

patty — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:24:44 +0000

I think they finally found something to do together that they both enjoy.

Here’s to a summer full of love.

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Tuesday Tips and Pics

If I Were a Gardener

patty — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:04:36 +0000

I seem to have lost my words again.
It happens every now and then, in my blogging life.
But pictures never fail me.
They pull a certain peace into me.
And I keep thinking…
If I were a gardener.
If I were a gardener,
and she, my flower.
I would plant her in the deepest, richest soil
so her roots would grow long and thick,
and she would be sturdy, and secure, where she is.
Where ever she is.
If I were a gardener,
and she, my flower
I would be sure the sun would shine on her face,
and the shade would shelter her back.
And the wind would blow loosely through her leaves.
If I were a gardener,
and she, my flower,
I would feed her soil
and water her roots
so she would grow healthy and strong.
I would let the rain fall gently on her
to moisten her petals,
but not drown her,
or break her.
I would protect her from all that threatens her.
I would prune out those who would try to hold her back,
or who would close in on her
and crush her,
taking her very breath.
If I were a gardener,
and she, my flower,
I would never contain her.
I would let her grow wild
and spread to the ends of the earth.
I would watch her dance to the horizons,
and reach toward the sky.

And I would be joyful to see others delight in her being.

If I were a gardener.

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This And That
A Rural Journal
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Little Bits of Happiness

Preview of the Peony

patty — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:04:47 +0000

I took the time to stop and shoot the flowers last week.
They’ll be posted Thursday.
Oh, and have I mentioned?
I went back to work. On an as-needed basis. But still…
It’s killing my blogging time.
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Wordless Wednesday
Watery Wednesday

Taking Time

patty — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:12:47 +0000

i used to take time to take pictures.

stopping roadside,
sun slipping up over the horizon,
i would clamour out
into a dew-laden field,
wet to my belly
from crawling in grass.
there’s a peacefulness there,
down in the earth,
water and dirt and
sun rising up.
noises and stresses
and life
disappear,
clearing my eyes to see
what’s right there,
all the time,
when i take time
to take pictures.

{My fellow nature-lovers…
take a walk on the wild side with me
and check out this post.}

This and That
A Rural Journal

Street Photography

patty — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:17:58 +0000

I spent the weekend inside a windeowless dance theater at my daughter’s dance competition. And they forbade us from taking photos, which is what usually saves me during these long weekends.
By Sunday afternoon, I was about ready to jump out of my skin.
So during a particularly long break, I took walk in downtown Knoxville. I found a window seat at The French Market, ordered a double-shot non-fat latte {I like it strong}, and read a bit. We are reading Til We Have Faces by CS Lewis for bookclub and I’m really enjoying it.
Then.
Then this nature-loving girl stepped outside…
And discovered a whole new, other world…
Different from my mountains
and sunsets
and fields of daisies...
Bright and beautiful…
Bold and alive with color…

It wasn’t just the city that brought me back to life that day;
it was a whole different style of photography…
Sharp with contrast,
rich with texture,
stories told…
I think I’m in love
{again}.

{I also started a street photography series on instagram, all in black and white. Find me as pattyx24.}

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Sweet Shot Tuesday
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A Week in The Life Of

patty — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:59:51 +0000

Since I started using a smart phone in December, I find that I reach for it as a camera more than I do my DSLR. It’s just so much easier and more convenient. As a result, I’ve been documenting the simpler moments in life. And then when I found instagram, woo! Even my blog is suffering! I’m thinking of sharing my instagram photos here on fridays and linking with Perfect Imperfections. {And if you are on instagram, find me! I’m pattyx24!}

So this week started with my oldest’s junior prom. He was adorable and they had fun. I’m hoping to post more pictures from that next week. On the same night, as my husband and I drove from one end of town and my other son returned from his soccer game in the opposite direction, he called and asked to host an impromptu bon fire. For, ya know, 20-30 16 year olds. In less than an hour. Whaaaaat?? So I headed out for s’mores supplies and my husband went on a hunt for firewood.

On Sunday, I got out early to watch my friend’s daughter {and my daughter’s friend } perform at her horse show. I realized how brave one must be to ride a horse! They are so big, and scary. And they jump. (!!) She did great and earned more ribbons than she could carry.

If you’ve been here before, you might know that nurturing confidence in girls is a topic near and dear to my heart. About three months ago, a small group of women {amazing women} here joined me to do something towards this end. We meet monthly and I’m so excited about our progress and ideas… I will definitely be posting more on this as our plans become actions.

And, I found the most amazing spot on earth. Truly. It’s an abandoned farm field around the corner from my house. It’s full of daisies right now, and it’s such an incredible sight. You can see more photos of it in yesterday’s post.

I’m back at Paleo, and when I find the time, and my food looks this amazing, I post photos on instagram. I’ve also found some great food ideas there, as well. Above? My standard eggs and bacon {though I usually have sausage in lieu of the bacon}; fresh, sweet blueberries; and turkey salad stuffed avocado {a.ma.zing.!!}.

Like all busy moms, time management is one of my greatest challenges! Finding time to do it all seems nearly impossible. Priorities become a must. Taking time to figure out your priorities is also a must. My husband recently went out on his own and this week, I started working in his office. It’s fast-paced, and I’m enjoying it, but it leaves little time to do things on the spur of the moment. I’m trying to be more organized so that I can fit in things that are important to me…
Like CrossFit.
And photography…

And remembering the important things
like listening to my kids,
and making eye contact when they are willing to talk,
noticing the sunsets and being silly…

And at the end of the day,
catching my breath.

iPhoneology at Perfect Imperfections

field of daisies, part 2

patty — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:30:44 +0000

On the corner of a dusty old country road, lies a small abandoned farm field, surrounded by forest trees that are my home.

Each and every time that I leave my house, I look out across this field through a break in the sweet, honeysuckle hedge that now grows wild in front of it.

When they were little,
my boys, with their chubby toddler hands, would pick wildflowers like these for me…
daisies, dandelions, clover, buttercups…
fists-full.
Occasionally, they’d bring me more cultivated type flowers~
tulips, daffodils, geraniums, and petunias,
from landscaped storefronts
or unsuspecting neighbors’ flowerbeds.
And my daughter, she would pick them, too…
but she’d often pull their petals
one by one,
or make necklaces from those with long-stems…
or tickle her own nose
trying to sniff their wild scents…

Maybe this is why I feel such a deep sense of joyful sweetness
whenever I see this field of daisies.

Watch for my Friday link-up, 1440, starting soon.
I hope you’ll join me.

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Sweet Shot Tuesday
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This and That
A Rural Journal
Little Bits of Happiness