Celebrate

 

Blue Clematis, August 2022

Steady yourself in

what holds you strong - celebrate

your deep rootedness

Consider the Lilies

School house lilies

invite joyous praise

for days warmed by the sun,  

and refreshed by late-summer rain.

 

Leaning In

Evening Sky over the Back Fence, August 2022

 Evening embraces

everything within her reach

and we all lean in

Blue Sky Beyond

Blue Sky View, August 2022

The blue sky beyond

lifts my eyes, lifts my heart to

what is here and now

* This is the view from the registration table at the food pantry today. In between clients my eyes were drawn to the summer sky. Even though it was sweltering, I was grateful for fresh air and the beauty of this view. 

Beauty

Pink Day Lilies, August 2022

 

August rain arrives

lilies wake from sleep and bless

this day with beauty

Hummingbirds on the way

Hummingbird Feeder, August 2022

Lighter than a breath

are hummingbirds on the way,

watch and wait with me

* Some friends who put out feeders are starting to get an early wave of visitors. I'm looking forward to  the pleasant twittering as they zip through the back yard. 

Saturday Morning

Saturday morning still life, August 2022

                    It's Saturday morning.

                    YMCA strength class at 9.

                    Lace up the shoes.

                    Roll up the mat.

                    Fill the water bottle.

                    Don't look back.

                    Meet your classmates.

                    Greet your instructor.

                   The years have made me stronger.

                    I can lift heavy things.

    

                    Not just weights.

                    I can lift life's heavy things.

                    And, I can rest.

Gifts

Tradescantia, August 2022

Open yourself to

the fresh and delicate gifts 

of a brand new day

Flowers for Breakfast

Monarch Caterpillars on Milkweed, August 2022

Away from the wasps,

caterpillars find there are

flowers for breakfast

* I've brought a couple of monarch caterpillars inside, where they are safe from the wasps and other predators. It's heartening to see monarch activity since their habitat and numbers have been decreasing in my garden, and in their natural regions.

Lightly

Peacock Feather in Printer Drawer, August 2022

Take yourself lightly

I'll take myself lightly too,

aren't we beautiful?

 

What may first appear

Our Lady, August 2022

 

What may first appear

as a dead end street becomes

a blessed beginning

*During the covid pandemic, I came upon this outdoor shrine to Mary when I was exploring every street in my neighborhood. Turning down her street has become a special part of my evening walk. In this photo, I love Mary in profile with the golden glow from the window, and the edge of the rooftop against deepening blue sky.