Focusing on that which is light-filled and joyful

So, in light of the fact that the news of the day as usual is not great, to the point of awfulness, I thought I would say some joyful/ delightful/ light-filled things. Not making 'light* of the heavy things but to remember that beauty, dignity and delight are still possible in the midst of things - though sorrow can make this hard to see - (I remember when at 21 I had one of my first huge losses in my life and did not understand how the sun was still shining) - however - still.

So after vespers a young brother and sister were sitting on a pew at the front of church. The boy got up first and the littler sister stayed on the pew, with full concentration and purpose, held her big teddy bear backpack open, put one medium sized teddy bear inside and then a smaller teddy bear inside, on top of the bigger one, stuffing them in like a woman with an awesome bag and then carefully zipping the bag shut. It was so sweet.

While she was doing this, the Mother helped her older son kiss an icon on a taller stand (of Christ's transfiguration). ...

And then she went and kissed the Mother of God's icon (with the help of her Mom) and then, standing back on her feet, kissed the candle stand next to it, and then the Cross next to that... the boy coming and doing the same thing with her...

A Child's sense of an ordered world, where it is natural to express love to Christ, His Mother and to Church itself, is just such a delight, a truly beautiful thing to see.

In the midst of strife, confusion, and worse, it's worth remembering that today there were two young kids in church who were so happy to be there and were kissing icons and Crosses, conscious of goodness, safety and love.

Tuesday ~ Wet and Wiley

Let's start today's report from the end,

this old crock pot / slow cooker,

the smell of onions cooking slowly, with garlic, ginger,

chicken and chicken bones with liters of filtered water...

so simple, such a delicious smell.

It will be done by 5 PM tomorrow...

I hope to get 2 soups out of it and am so so glad for this! 

***

The rest of today...

I struggled.  

The weight of 5 weeks, of continued concern and care for 

my beloved, a pile that seemed unending of things to do,

and feeling inwardly barren, to say the least.

***

I lit a thick blessed candle and that steadied me more than anything.

But it was a struggle.

***

Made beef broth for lunch, with triscuits, chicken liver pate, cheese,

salad, clementines.

Made hamburgers with multi-grain English muffins for dinner,

with salad... black tea, mint-rose tea, decaf black tea, more mint-rose tea...

Lots of dishes washed, dried, put away, and then all over again;

NYC was wonderful yesterday and that sunshine!

But we left after lunch and those dishes were waiting for me yet 

this morning... I find disorder to make myself feel as disordered,

of course I know this is a real weakness, 

but there it is...

***

Social media was my main communication with the outside world today,

of which I was very grateful.

***

I am hoping to make a lemon pie this coming weekend, 

after I made the soups.

I am hoping to do a small grocery run tomorrow.

I ordered my first tart pan, with a removable bottom, today,

for this lemon pie I have long wanted to make...

Snow is expected Thursday, potentially a lot.

Mr Husband was to have end of week doctor's appointments, 

so not sure how that will play out.

10 inches of snow may derail it, if this snow does come.

Thank God we have plenty of everything we need.

I have the roast chicken, still frozen, up here in my kitchen fridge's freezer,

from my birthday party that so many could not come to,

but that we had ordered catered chicken and pork for, (organic, etc etc).

So that's great.  Plus bread to warm in the oven, so much tea to enjoy,

and all else... I am reading my new book and am enjoying it.

So much to digest about this part of culinary culture and the past.

***

The beautiful tulips and the eucalyptus in vases are both such 

pools of brightness for me.

***

The opportunity to get out tomorrow, and a good end of today,

make me feel anticipation for such things

and the fact that my kitchen counter is clean,

the slow cooker is doing a soup,

and that I have hope to get out tomorrow,

are all great blessings to me.

***

As are all of my kind friends here, who read these words...