Yikes! I've Been Tagged!

Helen, at Straight From Hel, has tagged me for a "Thinking Blogger" award, which I think is way cool, but also kind of intimidating. It's always a bit of a secret thrill to find out there are actually people out there reading what you post, part of why we write in the first place.

The challenge now is for me to come up with "5 Blogs that Make me Think". A challenge because I think a lot of the blogs I regularly read have already been tagged with this honor - can I re-tag them? And, I really want to tag Helen back - her blog has great writing advice on it, plus I just love the catchy name!

So, here are my five:

1. Sue, at InnerDorothy, has already been tagged and she deserves it. I've been reading Sue's blog for some time now. I appreciate seeing the "church world" from someone in the clergy point of view, besides often being provoked into deep thought by one of her observations. And, her cats are adorable!

2. This one, Fran, at SacredOrdinary, is a recent discovery. There is a lovely mix of personal, spiritual and family here.

3. When I feel a need for art and creative stimulation, I check on Lani's blog. I so wish I could make puppets like she does!

4. Someone who has a wonderful mix of art and journaling and just keen observation is Keri, at wish jar journal. I go there when I want to read something unique and fresh.

5. And, finally, even though she also has already been tagged, Jennifer Louden at LoudenMouth, the Comfort Queen, has such an authentic style that she deserves to be tagged again.

So there you have it. Five blogs that make me think. Five places on the web I like to drop into and hang out at from time to time.

Thanks Helen for your link to my blog, and for tagging me with this award. I'm glad to have "met" you in cyber-land! * o

Yikes! I've Been Tagged!

Bird Watching

T.J. and I took part in a waterfowl viewing tonight down at the river. Now, I'm not much of a bird identification person. I can tell you that's a goose, and that's a pretty duck, and that's about it. So it was a good thing that there were bird experts there who graciously shared their scopes, and not only told you what duck you were looking at but pointed out it's distinguishing features. By the end of the evening I could quite confidently yell out "I see a Bufflehead!".

There were two highlights for me - a Great Blue Heron, and watching three male Goldeneyes do their mating thing for some lucky female. The sunlight was hitting the river just right then, adding that perfect touch of light so that all the features of the ducks stood out sharply right down to those golden eyes as they bobbed their heads and arched their necks backwards practically touching their backs - just trying to catch her attention. In the background, an otter swam sleekly down the river - a perfect nature moment.

My list of sightings: 2 Bald Eagles, Mallards, Pintails, Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, Common Mergansers, a Hooded Merganser, a Lesser Yellow Legs (he looked pretty goofy on his scrawny yellow legs), a Green Winged Teal, a Blue Heron, a whole lot of Canadian Geese and on Otter. * o

Bird Watching

Open Heart

Open Heart

I am the one who opens her heart in prayer and whose spirit longs to soar.
I am the one who sits in quiet, lost in the rhythmic clicking of beads.
Love builds a nest in my heart center.


A prayer attributed to St. Francis: "Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering ones. Pity Your afflicted ones. Shield Your jouous ones. And all for Your love's sake."

image - "Open Heart" - Soul Collage card created April, 2007

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Open Heart

If I Had One Prayer........

A prayer for people who hate. This awesome video is well worth watching:


May all be loved, may all be blessed, may all show peace. * o

If I Had One Prayer........

Transformation

Transformation

I am the one who....

...is changing herself
...seeks God
...undergoes renewal

I am the one who is transformed by love.


Breathing In....as Spirit transforms me
Breathing Out...may I transform the world

(image: Soul Collage card "Transformation" created April 2007)

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Transformation

Need a Little Breather?

Wow, April is here already. Where did March go?

I confess I have not been doing much on the creative front. I have been occupied with courses, and reading, and work while my journals and collage materials sit in a pile hoping I'll remember them and come and play again.

In the meantime, if your looking for a peaceful, beautiful meditation - a five minute breather as it were - check out this lovely movie, A Holy Splash of Time.

Many blessings to you....... * o

Need a Little Breather?