Angel and Sunshine are Friends

My Tummy is Cuter than Yours

Summer

Joe Hisaishi, whose real name is Mamoru Fujisawa, is a composer and director known for over 100 film scores and solo albums dating back to 1981. I first encountered his music in the soundtrack of the animated film “Spirited Away.” This excerpt from a live concert is a fitting tribute to the approaching summer season of 2009.

I am PEACE

I am PEACE. I declare this as the Truth of my being, and I allow this declaration to transform all thoughts, beliefs and feelings that are counter to it. I am PEACE. I do not speak of a peace that is opposite to hatred, but one that transcends the war of opposites. In me is a PEACE that passes all understanding—a PEACE that heals and transforms shame, guilt, fear and attack. This PEACE prevails within my mind making me a blessing of PEACE in the world.

Mark Anthony Lord

Angel

Here is my tiny kitten Angel just waking up from a nap.

And Tractor Makes Four

Happiness is a Warm Kitten

Here is little Angel, my new kitten. She weighs less than two pounds but she is "full of it." Thanks to John and Judy Brown in Cloverdale for making this heavenly match. Right now Angel is staying in the living room with the French door closed while she and Sunshine get used to the idea of two cats under the same roof. They have been meeowing to each other and watching each other through the glass. Keep your fingers crossed so that when I open the door separating them there won't be any fur flying!

Listening

Hearing is one of the body’s five senses.
But listening is an art.

Frank Tyger

Before putting a quotation on my blog I like to read about the author. Today’s author is quoted in many books and web sites, but information about him is mysteriously missing. Even Wikipedia doesn’t have a clue. Do you?

Happiness Can Grow in Any Soil

Happiness can grow in any soil, live under any conditions. It defies environment. It comes from within. It is the warm glow of a heart at peace with itself. We are the creator of our own happiness; it is the aroma of a life lived in harmony. For what we have, we may be dependent on others; what we are rests with us alone.

adapted from William George Jordan

Effortlessly

Effortlessly, love flows from God into humankind
Like a bird who rivers the air without moving its wings.
Thus we move in God’s world one in body and soul,
Though outwardly separate in form.

As the Source strikes the note, humanity sings—
The Holy Spirit is our harpist, and all strings
Which are touched in love must sound.

Mechthild of Magdeburg (1210-1297)

Our True Nature

We must let our true nature blossom,

for there is inside each one of us

a light that asks only to shine.

Tseng-tzu

Love in Action

Kindness, caring, and consideration have often been described as “love in action.” Each day offers many opportunities for anyone to do some little kindness for another and to be caring and considerate, understanding and supportive. Bring about a positive change for good by shifting your awareness outside of yourself to others. Surely, someone whose life you touch today can use your gift of kindness. Surely, your sincere caring would be appreciated by some person in the world. And the whole world needs our consideration and support.

—John Marks Templeton

Cécile Brünner Rose

When my mother and grandmother talked about the Cécile Brünner climbing rose, I assumed it was named after a man. They pronounced it "see'-sul broo'-ner." In fact, this robust climber was named in 1881 for Mademoiselle Cécile Brünner by the well-regarded French rosarian Jean Claude Pernet of Lyon.

I have all but given up trying to grow roses where I live. No matter how much I spray them or use systemic granules to combat pests, most of the roses continue to suffer from the maladies that often beset them in this microclimate: powdery mildew, rust, black spot, aphids, and hungry deer.

But in the back garden there is a magnificent specimen of the Cécile Brünner rose that has flourished for around a half century. It was planted by the late Greta Salonen who put in most of the mature trees and shrubs when she lived here. Brava Greta! And thank you!!

Mock Orange

The “mock orange” shrub in my garden (Philadelphus satsumi) is especially fragrant this year due to the large number of blossoms on it. Whenever I walk by this beautiful plant I am thrilled by a scent similar to orange blossoms, which is probably the source of its common name.

Rain Song

Let the rain kiss you.

Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops.

Let the rain sing you a lullaby.

The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk.

The rain makes running pools in the gutter.

The rain plays a little sleep-song on our roof at night—

And I love the rain.

Langston Hughes

Spiritual Wealth

Happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth.
Happiness comes from giving, not getting.
If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also.
To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it.

John Marks Templeton (1912-2008)