Simple Pleasures

Homemade Ice Cream

Watermelon under the tree

Campfires and S'more's

Front porch rocking

Early mornings

Sunsets

Summertime

Grandkids visiting

 In The Shadows

All around us are things we either don't notice or ignore as we go about our day.  It might be poverty, abuse, sadness, struggle or some other challenge.  Conversely, it might be something good such as charity, help, caring, or spreading positivity.  Such things often exist in the shadows, and we continue about our way without a passing glance.

It needs to become part of our consciousness to notice such things.  But not only should we notice, we should recognize and assist where needed and acclaim when deserved.  As you go about your day on this and every other day, look for what is in the shadows.  Help when and where you can and contribute to the positivity when possible.

The photo below was taken by my wife the other morning as she sat drinking coffee in one of the rocking chairs on our front porch.  The young doe briefly stepped out of the shadows and into the sunlight for just a moment.  It was a beautiful sight.

 Downtime

Everyone needs a break now and then.  We need a place of peace in which we can relax and think.  We need to allow ourselves the luxury of "being."

We have found our front porch to be a good place to just sit and relax.  A couple of rocking chairs and maybe a cool drink while we listen to the birds sing and look out toward the pond in the distance.  Sometimes there is conversation but often it is simply sitting, looking and listening to insects buzzing, birds singing and the occasional sound of a car or truck on the highway in the distance.

It's a good place to get your thoughts in order.  To make plans.  Or simply to rest the mind for a time.

We all need downtime.  Our brains need a chance to organize thoughts and our bodies a time to rest.

 Stubbornness

I've always had a bit of a stubborn streak.  If it is something I don't want to do, I find ways to resist.  I do it subconsciously.  It isn't as though I intend to be recalcitrant, but it happens.

I like that word, recalcitrant.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary it means obstinately defiant of authority or restraint, stubbornly uncooperative or disobedient, difficult to manage or operate.  I could probably name a few people who would agree that it describes me -- at least part of the time.

Obstinate is another one of those words that I like.  Again, according to Merriam Webster it means stubbornly holding to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments or persuasion.  I like to call it "stick-to-it-iveness."  If you know you're right, you know it.  But I've been wrong before.  I like to joke that I was wrong once -- it was when I thought I was wrong but wasn't really.

We all have a stubborn streak in us.  Sometimes we aren't aware of the things about which we are stubborn.  I try to keep an open mind but occasionally, despite overwhelming opposition to what it is that I think, I know that I am correct.

Probably a better trait is to be tenacious.  Merriam Webster defines it as aggressively persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired.  It's actually very closely related to stubbornness or obstinance.  All are about sticking with it.  Holding fast.  It's the subtle differences that make all the difference.

Perhaps a little stubbornness is a good thing.  The key is to make sure it is directed constructively and not obdurately.  Now that's another good word.  It means stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing.

The photo below is of one of our neighbor's donkeys.  The donkey has long been symbolic of stubbornness.   It is also used symbolically in other ways which might better be described as obdurate.

 Playing Favorites

Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides) is probably my favorite wildflower -- at least in the top 2 because I really like the Indian Blanket Flower as well.  I didn't know Lantana existed until a couple of years ago when we were in South Texas where it grows wild.

Hummingbirds and butterflies regularly visit it.  It blooms throughout the summer, and the colorful blossoms quickly draw the eye.  It definitely stands out among the various greens and browns.

We all have favorites -- favorite foods, places, people and things.  Something inside of us sorts through the bombardment and chooses that which we prefer.  Certain things just seem to resonate with who we are.  Those favorites can change over time, but there are always favorites.

It's okay to embrace our favorites, but we should also keep in mind that circumstances and time changes them and changes us.  We must be aware that what we reject today may be important tomorrow.  People and things that may not be our first choice today should still be treated well.  As for places?  If you say "I'll never" it is likely that's where you will end up.  It's kind of funny how that works.

 Balancing Act

This morning I find myself staring out the window, lost in thought.  On one hand my mind wants to dive deeply into some subject and on the other it doesn't.  I suppose diving is an appropriate thought because the pond is full.  It is on the verge of overflowing.  We have had more rain in the last few days than the country I grew up in receives in a year.

I never should complain of rain because most of my life I have complained that more was needed -- not less.  The crazy thing is that in this country, if it doesn't rain every couple of weeks, we are in a drought.  Where I grew up, I recall a year that we received no significant rainfall for 18 months.  Now that's a drought.

You would think it possible to achieve a happy medium with just the right amount of rain falling at the right time.  I suppose that would be boring because then we couldn't complain.

Now the weather will change, and we will have unbearable heat and humidity.  All of this water trapped in ponds and trees and in the ground will evaporate but not dissipate because the winds will be minimal or non-existent.  It will certainly rain but primarily it will be the sweat drops falling off of me as I go about my outside chores.

It seems we bounce between extremes.  Cool but with drenching rain or miserably hot with clear blue skies.  I know, quit complaining.

Life tends to be that way regarding most things.  It is a cycle from one extreme to another.  We have abundance and we have lack.  The real question is what we do in those times of abundance.  Do we set it aside for the times of lack?  Do we share it?  Do we hoard it?  How do we handle more than we need?

I had the opportunity to visit Africa a couple of times quite a few years ago.  I was impressed yet dismayed that if anyone had more than was necessary to meet their immediate needs, they shared the excess with someone who needed it more.  They gave it away.  Their view was that the future would take care of itself.  Holding onto more than necessary to meet current needs wasn't even a thought.  Meeting the needs of others was always on their mind.

In this country we are more likely to hoard -- accumulate -- let others worry about the needy.  Surely there is a happy medium -- a balance.  Thought for future needs yet generosity toward others.  It should be our role as individuals, not the government's role.

Below is a photo of our pond from yesterday.  Water was still running into it from the rain that had just ceased.  It is full to the point of overflowing.

 Diverted Pathways

If you follow my blog, you have noticed a break for the last few days.  Such breaks can be difficult to recover from because they break the habit of sitting down and writing on a daily basis.  The problem is that life sometimes has plans for us other than what we had in mind.

Such diversions, though often for undesirable reasons, can be a good thing.  They force us to reevaluate purpose and to determine whether the chosen pathways are the correct ones.  They stimulate regions of thought that might otherwise remain untapped.  Being forced to reexamine the "why" of what we do can either cause us to change directions or be affirmed in our choices.

This morning the rain is coming down so hard that I can barely see the other side of the meadow whereas normally, the sun is shining into my window.  I had plans for today that would require me to be outside, but at this moment that seems unlikely to be the case.  It is a minor diversion from my plans, but it is only temporary.

This morning, while looking for an appropriate photo to use in this post I came across one I had taken of a Persian Silk Tree (Albizia julibrissin) growing wild on the back side of the dam for our pond.  It is commonly called a Mimosa tree by most people, but it isn't a true mimosa.  They can be found growing wild throughout the Southeast U.S. but are often planted in more arid places for their showy pink blossoms.  Here they are considered invasive.

I have often wondered what it would be like to live far from where I grew up -- perhaps in another country.  When younger, we considered the possibility of moving to Australia.  At one time Kenya was also under consideration.  The Persian Silk Tree is native to Iran and a few other countries across southern Asia.  Yet here it is in Northeast Texas.  I think that could be considered a diverted pathway, yet it thrives.  I think that's the key; make the best of what comes along and thrive wherever you find yourself.

 Commonalities

The true key to solving major challenges is commonality of purpose.  A diverse team, focused on a solution, under inspired leadership can solve anything.

I am a firm believer in diversity.  But I don't define diversity by how we look, our belief systems or our lifestyles; I define it by styles of thinking.  If we all think alike, we have mass redundancy.  To solve problems, we need diversity of thought.

Too often that diversity of thinking styles gets in the way.  That is why inspired leadership is a necessary ingredient.  Leadership should encourage, challenge and inspire each of the diverse individuals in a group to exercise their gifts to the fullest.  Then magic happens.

We have a plant which grows on our place called Common Hedge Parsley (Tonilis arvensis).  Don't eat it, it looks like many other plants in the wild carrot family such as Poison Hemlock.  The Common Hedge Parsley is sometimes called "sock-destroyer" because its hairy seeds stick to the socks like Velcro.  The plant is usually considered an invasive weed and is commonly found in Europe and North America.  It is part of the natural diversity within our local ecosystem.

 Navigating Complexity

It is sometimes easy to get "bogged down" when dealing with complex problems.  There is a tendency to become overwhelmed when resolution is not quickly attainable.  Our minds have a tendency to fasten onto the myriads of difficulties rather focusing on individual component parts that are solvable.

I have found that is usually effective to begin by breaking down the problems into discrete, manageable pieces and then taking them one at a time.  It is desirable that they be evaluated according to either importance, or ease of solution and then prioritized accordingly.

When we look first at importance, solution of one problem often goes far in solving other related issues.  However, those large problems often bring a level of difficulty that leads to discouragement and half-hearted effort because our minds continually tell us we can't do it.  Extended periods with seeming lack of progress create a psychological barrier that adds to the burden of what must be overcome for success.

If we begin with smaller problems that are easily handled, we often create a pattern of success that bolsters our mental attitude.  We see the wins -- even the small wins -- as progress.  As each problem is handled and set aside, the list gets smaller and the tendency to be overwhelmed is reduced.

How we approach complexity boils down to a mental game we play with ourselves.  The trick is to convince ourselves that we can solve the problems and then retain that positive attitude throughout the process.  It isn't as simple as it sounds because some problems require Herculean effort to solve.  They may be beyond our ability.  Once you recognize that, you call for help.

The Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a type of mallow.  It is native to East, South and Central Texas where it is sometimes found growing along streams.  It is adaptable to both shaded and sunny locations.  The variety you see below is a domesticated one we have planted at our home.  The wild varieties are usually red.  I like the complexity of the blossom.

 New Pathways

When the path becomes worn

And the ruts become deep

Life becomes dull

And the soul goes to sleep

That's when it's time

To strike out anew

To carve your own way

To experiences new.

 True to Self

I admire people who are able to be completely true to themselves in any environment.  They are not swayed by trends or the desire to fit in, yet they adapt to the situation and simply shine as who and what they are.  They aren't trying to draw attention and don't have a "look at me" presence, they simply live to the beat of a different drummer, and they are comfortable with that.

When we are true to ourselves, we thrive.  It may not be in the ways others are comfortable with but that doesn't really matter.  There is peace in being who you are rather than always trying to fit in.

Yesterday I came across a garden variety of petunia growing wild among the weeds and grasses of a meadow.  I'm sure it is descended from a forebearer which was deliberately planted.  This one was thriving and shining and going wild by simply being what it was designed to be.

Encouragement Matters

 Everyone faces times of doubt.  It may be that we feel unprepared or perhaps unworthy.  In times like those it is always nice to receive encouragement.  Hopefully, there will be a mentor there to encourage you in those times of doubt.

Sometimes encouragement can take other forms.  Creating opportunity for others is a form of encouragement.  It may be a bit more subtle but helping to create that small space where someone can find a niche in which to fit is encouraging to their growth.  They may not always recognize your contribution, but as they thrive in that new role or activity, they will remember that you were there.

We have numerous Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) that grace our place.  Watching them flit from branch to ground in search of food is one of the enjoyable moments of the day.  They feel comfortable enough around us that they have nested and raised a brood.  Yesterday we took a quick peek to see how they were doing.  You can even see the blue tint to the feathers already.  Encouraging them to nest was simply a matter of providing the space -- both in the form of a nesting box and leaving them alone to fulfill their purpose.

 Omens and Portents

When you live in the country you are sometimes surprised by the things that show up in your yard or that you see in your rural environment.  Country dogs can be a contributing factor to those surprises.  In those times when we lived in the country and had dogs -- even those supposedly confined to a fenced area -- we have been blessed by the discoveries they have made and felt compelled to share with us.

In Nebraska we had the dried remains of a deer carcass laid upon our front porch.  Opossums have been delivered to our doorstep -- not always those whose spirits had gone to the hereafter but were playing their name out until opportunity for escape occurred.  Yesterday we were graced with a demonic looking skull and a few rib bones clinging together by thin strips of dry hide.

If we were the superstitious type, it would be very disconcerting to see the skull looking at you from in front of the house.  In our case it was more of a stimulus to our curiosity than anything else.  We have not seen any of the genus Capra in our neighborhood, but there obviously are, or at least, have been some and now there is one less.

I can imagine that some might find the discovery of the skull as an obviously evil portent of bad things to come.  I choose to look at it in light of the term in common usage today of GOAT -- Greatest of All Time!  Maybe our canine guardian was simply demonstrating his feelings toward us....

 Surprises

There are good surprises, bad surprises and sometimes simply the unexpected.  We all hope to avoid the bad ones, but they tend to sneak up on us at unexpected times.  I guess that's what makes them surprises.

Surprises interrupt the sameness of our lives.  They sometimes kick us out of our well-trodden ruts into new territory.  That's where we grow.  Without newness, without surprises, without deliberately seeking the unknown, we stagnate and slowly wither.  For that reason, the bad surprises can have positive impacts on our life.

Much of the impact of surprises lies in our attitude.  If we keep a positive focus, even the less-desirable surprises can be turned to our benefit.  That's easy to say but sometimes difficult to practice.  That muscle of having a positive attitude needs to be exercised daily and our reactions to the unexpected honed when the impact is minor so that when it is of consequence, there is power in our response.

The military understands the concept of preparation better than almost any other type of organization.  They know that muscle memory developed through trained, conditioned responses, can mean the difference between survival and casualty.  We should consider that as we go through our daily routines.  When times are good, we should develop the skills and attitude for dealing with those times when the tide turns against us.

We discovered a nice surprise yesterday; a plant that I had never seen before growing at the edge of our place near the county road.  The beautiful pink flowers of a Bristly Locust (Robinia hispida) drew our attention as we looked out at light rain drifting across the meadow.  Further investigation revealed that there are small, hair-like stickers on the stems.  It is native to the Southeastern U.S. and is sometimes grown as an ornamental in other areas.  It is a legume which means that it fixes nitrogen in the soil and it is an important species to native bees.  The USDA promotes it for use in erosion control.

 Looking For the Bright Spot

Over time, when in a routine, our days begin to become one of sameness.  Repetition breeds familiarity and it is only with effort that we push ourselves beyond the well-trodden paths that become ruts.  Many times, failure, or at least a sense thereof, is the result of falling so deeply into those ruts that escape seems impossible and efforts futile.

A disciplined retraining of how we look at life is necessary to avoid such pitfalls.

There are many ways such retraining has been defined.  One is to count your blessings each day rather than to dwell on the struggles.  Another is to focus on the good rather than the bad.  I like to say that the key is in looking for the bright spots.  Search for things that bring joy, even if only fleetingly.

Those moments of joy can be as simple as a cup of coffee on the patio listening to the birds sing.  They might be found in a few minutes of devoted attention from a favorite pet.  For some it can be the voice of a friend over the telephone after an absence.  They are moments that resonate with vibrancy in our hearts and minds in ways that the humdrum existence of the familiar motions of getting through the day tend to muffle.

As I first sat at my desk this morning, I looked out the window to see a bright red Cardinal perched on the bird bath.  The vibrant color against the sea of greens, browns and grays of the normal day made me smile.  In Cherokee mythology the Cardinal is associated with the sun and is a symbol of protection and good luck.  Other myths link the Cardinal to visitation from a deceased relative or friend.  To me it was simply a pleasant beginning to the day.

Any time that I am out and about I am looking for those bright splashes of color.  Frequently it is the small birds of various species who flit between the trees in their search for food, but often it is the flowers.  Many of the flowers such as the pear and blackberry are white.  They are less easily spotted than one might expect.  The stark white blends into the mottled shadows at times and remain unnoticed until you are practically upon them.  Others, such as the pink of the Redbud trees which have now disappeared behind curtains of green, are easily spotted.  Most of those spring colors are gone, but yesterday I found one I had seen previously but never really investigated.

Oxalis articulata, the Pink Sorrel, is a beautiful plant that might be mistaken as a clover.  It is native to Northern Argentina, Southern Brazil and Uruguay but has been introduced throughout Europe and many other regions of the world primarily as a "window box" ornamental.  It grows from rhizomes which spread beneath the soil.  In some areas it is used as a cover crop and in others it is considered a nuisance weed.  It is also considered a symbol of good fortune.

Each Day New

As I stand and look on high

To pathways etched against the sky

I know there is yet room to grow

And so much more that I could know.

Although I've traveled many miles

Through years of troubles, tears and trials

There is so much left to do,

As if I've started over new,

Each day, beginning, once again,

No different now than it was when

My years were young and I was strong,

To climb the heights for which I long.

Space to Think

When something's eating on my mind

And just won't go away,

I can't seem to let go of it,

It's there throughout the day.

It affects my mood, makes me a grouch

But, it's nothing that you said,

It's whatever this crazy thing is

That dwells there in my head.

Don't take it personally, just give me space,

I'll work it to the bone

But, the best advice I can give to you

Is just leave me alone!

There are times when we just need to be able to think through the things on our mind.  Those times affect our mood and our attitude.  Some would tell you it is best to talk them out with others; that is probably good advice, but at the end of the day, if it is my decision to make, after getting input and talking through my reasons, I still have to be the one to think it through and make certain it is the right thing to do.

Nope, nothing going on that causes me to be in that kind of mood today, I just ran across the image of the Scissor-tail Flycatcher in a Honey Locust tree and it made me think of those times.

Keep Your Focus

When you're balanced on a wire

And it's a long way to the ground

You look and see that there

Is not a net to be found.

What can you do but keep on going

Straight ahead just as you've been?

What put you up there on the wire

You don't want to do again.

Don't think about the problems

Or, what will happen if you fall,

Just focus on the road ahead

And you'll defeat them all.

The Other Side

Even when the obstacles seem insurmountable

And the path ahead just fades and disappears

Keep moving, searching, seeking,

Have faith He will provide

A way to overcome your growing fears.

Though the way becomes quite narrow and you fear a mighty fall

Step forward with your eyes upon the prize;

Let one foot lead the other,

Don't look down but, trust in Him

And one day you will find to your surprise

You have reached the other side.

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." -- Philippians 4:13

Peace and Purpose

After the storms have passed

There is peace.

After the storms have passed

There is rest.

Sometimes

It is best

To sit

And contemplate

The peace

Rather than to 

Rush headlong

Down the same

Worn paths.

In the peace after the storm

Seek purpose.

In the peace after the storm

Seek meaning.

Then

You can best

Determine

The path

Forward

To the next

Adventure

Awaiting

Just ahead.