Saying Goodbye To June And Welcoming July

Time flies.

I wonder how many times I blogged about month endings and beginnings. Was it only yesterday that I was blogging about Christmas? Here we are again, June is about to say goodbye and July is inching its face.  It rained last night, that kind of downpour that always makes you wish you were all at home, cozy amidst the angry battering like bullets on the rooftop. I told Josef he was lucky it was his day off. That smell of rain sometimes brings fear but it also makes everything around greener than before. The dust of several months have finally been washed out and if only for this, I welcome the rain.

Time flies too soon.

I remember these famous lines from the poet Langston Hughes about dreams and life.  It says and I quote, “hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly”. I always hold on to that thought, dream on, look at life and face it bravely no matter what. There are times when the easiest thing to do is to give up but being weak and knowing that you  are, accepting your faults and acknowledging your mistakes is even more admirable than showing false bravado amidst your tears. Life’s  journey is not a straight path, it consists of little setbacks that make it more meaningful in the end.  Life is not a paved highway, there will always be potholes along the way.

Time flies too soon and June is rapidly coming to a close. It’s been a lovely month  spent reading a lot and gardening despite the heat. I hope the month of July would be kind to my weary bones and aching joints.

Time flies too soon and before you know it, Christmas is here. Wait a minute, did I just say Christmas?

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A Vision of Hope (Part Two)

I seldom re-blog a post, all I do is share a link to a previous blog that everyone can visit and read if they want.  I am just so proud of my daughter that she accomplished something that made a difference to a life of a child whose parents didn’t have enough means to send him through school.  Yesterday, she posted this on her timeline and I was simply glad for her. She felt so thankful and blessed.

a copy of a letter she received from World Vision…

Here’s a link to my earlier blog on the child she sponsored several years ago. John Mark or JM (as we fondly call him) was just in third grade when Nissa  started the sponsorship. She used to send him gifts at the start of the school year, school supplies and other things that would help him in his studies. During Christmas break, she sent an extra cash as gift. Word Vision does not allow direct contact with the child, they took charge of sending letters and receiving gifts for the child. I remember that we always looked forward to those times that she receive a letter from him.

I do think that you are several times blessed when you make a difference in the life of someone no matter how small it is.

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Life’s A Beach

Last Saturday Nissa showed me the photo book that she made using a hundred photos of their trip to Siquijor and Dumaguete last year. I was impressed. She chose the pictures, did the layout and write-ups and edited it online.  She’s been into arts and craft since she learned how to use a crimping scissor and make her own greeting cards. She has a cabinet full of art materials and invested in a good and sturdy cutting mat, scissors, pens, paper cutters, beads and what have you’s. She is into scrap-booking too. I remember the photo book she made before she got married using their prenuptial photos taken by an official photographer. She is planning to make another one for Nate. I told her to include Nate’s pictures since he was born until perhaps he reaches three in five months.  She got a discount from Photobook Philippines. The book was printed in Malaysia and was mailed directly to her a few months ago.

this is the front cover of the photo book.

She has a way with words…

I love these shots….father/son bonding at the beach.

Silliman University, established in 1901, a private research university in Dumaguete.

Nate probably could not appreciate this yet but he is lucky that his childhood adventures are being documented by his mom and Nonna. Wherever life takes you, appreciate what it brings. Between words and photographs, there will always be some lessons learned, memories cherished, moments treasured.

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Thoughts Of A Thousand Mornings

“All night my heart makes its way
however it can over the rough ground
of uncertainties, but only until night
meets and then is overwhelmed by
morning, the light deepening, the
wind easing and just waiting, as I
too, wait (and when have I ever been
disappointed?) for red bird to sing”
― Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings

I love waking up early thinking of what the day will bring. New hope, new beginnings! I love those quiet moments spent in thanksgiving although at times I skip some beads in my rosary because I am still sleepy.

Mary Oliver always reminds me of how lucky and blessed I am, the morning brings  those inspiring thoughts again.  Years ago, I discovered her writings online and I was impressed at how she could turn simple words into something a reader  would cherish  and ponder upon.  I have two books of her poems given by a generous friend who knows my penchant for collecting book of poems.  I borrowed a title of one of her books and made a blog out of it and until now it is one of my most-read blog posts.

I smiled while I was watering the plants a few minutes ago and thought of Nate and the many photos I took of him during their overnight stay last weekend. I smiled thinking of him asking me how dragons dance and I gladly obliged – what you’ll do to hear the laughter and see the big smile on his face. It was even more hilarious when he imitated my hand gestures and tried dancing too. Those priceless and precious moments would always be remembered with fondness. They are added to the treasure chest.

I am weaning myself off coffee the past few days and I thought I succeeded but this morning was a temptation so I had a nice cup while our three dogs followed  me around the garden probably thinking that I’ll share the cup with them.  Drinking two glasses of water is healthier  than a cup of coffee.

Nissa brought me several books to read and I didn’t know where to start. I haven’t read John Grisham and James Patterson in years so they were quite a change from the contemporary and chick lit books that I have on my e-reader.  I am almost done with my 2015 reading challenge on Goodreads (45 books out of 50), 21 books ahead of schedule. Hooray!

This morning brings those lovely thoughts again.

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Possibilities

The cold mornings are back

Or is it just me

enjoying the break of dawn

when the morning wakes up

slowly in its slumber.

So many dreams to unfold.

So many possibilities.

Hello world!

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Friday Blues

Can’t wait for tomorrow.

After almost two months of not seeing Nate, they are finally coming over tomorrow to celebrate Josef’s birthday with us. I suggested to Nissa if they could stay here overnight so she could rest, without thinking of cleaning and doing the weekend tasks in the kitchen.  Sometimes, two days of rest is not enough, the weekend should be stress-free and relaxing. Anyway, I am looking forward to playing with Nate again, discovering what he has learned the past two months and seeing how fast he has grown into a very active toddler. It’s a period of discovery and exploration for our kid who’s not so little anymore.

I had a long chat with my priest son this afternoon who is attending a mission summit in Letran-Calamba. We talked of his assignment in Calayan. Time flies, a year is gone and in a few months he will be transferring to another mission. “Where to next?”, I asked and he answered “Camiguin”, another island in the north which is still a part of the Babuyanes Islands. He said it is more laid back, simple life to speak of but as equally beautiful as Calayan Island. He is happy to learn that I am still active at our Catholic Community page  and still share my thoughts with  the world through my blog.  I laughed when he wrote back “OP Lay” meaning a Dominican lay preacher – preaching through mass media.  I’ve always said even when I started this blog that if I could inspire a single soul out there, then I am fulfilled and happy. Josef is blessed, a mass intention will be offered on his birthday this Sunday.  We are all blessed of course because  we are always included in Lovell’s prayers.  He always tells me, “bawal ma-depress at ma-stress”  I know all that but sometimes life is hard  and it is even harder to cope.  “Stay in the grace of our Lord”. What lovely words! What was I thinking, negative thoughts should have no place in my heart.

I’ve found some amazing blogs here today – some blogs I followed, clicked a lot of posts that I liked.  Inspiring words and  beautiful stories that warm the heart.  And here’s a quote for you today.

 

A blessed and happy weekend to all.

 

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Samut’ Sari

It’s good to be back.

I haven’t been feeling well the past days so blogging has taken a back seat. Arrggh…the aches and pains of getting old. It’s quite nice to read other people’s thoughts  once again and  look at the lovely photos after a self-imposed absence from blogging.  Sometimes, I feel so lazy to even boot the computer and  check my e-mails.  I just checked my stats and saw some previous posts which kept appearing on my most read/top posts.  This blog entry is actually my 1675th one.  I think I’ve already covered almost every subject that I wanted to share in cyberspace.

In between taking naps now and then and drinking lots and lots of water and buko juice (young coconut juice), I’ve finished three books in four days. I would have wanted to visit Nissa’s family last  weekend but I always find it a challenge to commute on my own.  Nate had fever too, so with Nissa so we survived on Viber, Skype and text messages. Thank God we are okay now. Hopefully, we could be together either on Saturday or Sunday to celebrate Josef’s 31st birthday.

A friend recently commented on one of my notes at FB about the books I have on my list. I couldn’t remember how many books I’ve read before including those  of Nissa’s  that she used to collect (Charmed series, Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley University).  You would probably classify them  now as YA books, chick lit or contemporary ones. I grew up on M & B  when I was in high school and all books were borrowed from the library. I have some all-time favorites though. They taught me so many things. Here’s my short list:

1. Markings – Dag Hammarskjold
2. Seasons in the Sun – Rod McKuen
3. All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten – Robert Fulghum
4. The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint Exupery
5. The Prophet – Kahlil Gibran
6. Tuesdays With Morrie – Mitch Albom
7.  Letting Go – Morrie Schwartz
8. The Heart of Loving – Eugene Kennedy
9. Gift from the Sea – Anne Morrow Lindbergh
10. Jonathan Livingston Seagull – Richard Bach
11. Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am – John Powell
12. Simple Moments – Fr. Jerry Orbos, SVD
13. Charlotte’s Web – E. B. White
14. I Like You Just Because – Albert Nimeth, OFM
15. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl
16. The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
17. Embraced By the Light – Betty J. Eadie
18. It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It – Robert  Fulghum
19. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens
20. Grow Something Besides Old – Laurie Beth Jones

I actually blogged about this on 15 Books, 15 Minutes  years ago (list of 15 books you can recall in 15 minutes). I hope  you’re not getting bored  reading a blog post all about books. I just started on my second book of Lisa Genova called Love Anthony and it’s about autism. Remember Still Alice?

 

 

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The Untrodden Path

Will it take you where you want to go?

Will you discover something new?

Will it make your dreams come true?

Be brave.

Be strong.

The challenge is waiting.

Happiness –

is what you make it.

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When Music Soothes And Books Make You Smile

That gentle calm you experience listening to good old music and re-reading some lines from a book of poems. I’ve often blogged about books and music together. They go hand in hand when I want to  just relax my mind from the topsy-turvy world of the living.  Believe me, there are moments when you just want to listen to the soothing music of yesteryears – be they be instrumental, ballads, slow rock , mellow touch, it doesn’t matter much as long as I could divert my attention for a while but of course it is better when  you listen to old-time favorites.  There are times when singing along is the best way to do it or otherwise I let the music flow from one end to the next.

Ah, Rod McKuen.

You may not be familiar with the man  but he was so popular back in the 70’s. Years ago, I  found two of his books  (Alone and Seasons In the Sun) that I treasure until now.  He was an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet.  His words  (he wrote about solitude, spirituality, love)  sometimes make me cry.

“It’s nice sometimes to open up the heart a little and let some hurt come in. It proves you’re still alive.”

“Eternity sneaks in her arms full of wild promises.”

“No speeches have been written for us and so we never speak.

But still they move in front of me.

Unmet.

Detached.

What common language could we know

I wonder

What words of sensibility are left?”

One other small volume that I keep re-reading is Gift From The Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh. Finding words of wisdom , the profound need sometimes to be alone and reacquaint and listen to your inner voice, the voice that you sometimes hear but refuse to understand.

“Don’t wish me happiness I don’t expect to be happy all the time… It’s gotten beyond that somehow. Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor. I will need them all.”

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.”

“I must write it all out, at any cost. Writing is thinking. It is more than living, for it is being conscious of living.”

The innermost pain is most felt without crying, it’s the pain that comes from the heart.  You feel alone but the soothing music lifts you up and those lovely words make you smile.

(WordPress says this is my 1,673rd post)

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Sunday Thoughts

After a long and hectic day, let your eyes rest

on the beauty of a summer bloom.

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