Back in October 2012, I wrote about A Thousand Mornings, a title I borrowed from one of the books of my favorite author and poet Mary Oliver. I still read it now and then and my soul is uplifted every time I do.
Christmas.
Early this morning, I chanced upon a radio station playing songs in between the recent news in our country. Then all of a sudden, he inserted a Christmas song in between. What? Christmas in August? Oh but he said it’s barely two weeks before we start the BER months. Believe me, here in the Philippines Christmas celebrations start as early as October and end as late as February the following year. I ended up listening to some Christmas songs on YouTube. What a joy to reminisce and remember those past days of celebrating Christmas.
Books.
I love visiting Booksale. They have so many branches in different malls here in Metro Manila. Aren’t you thrilled going out of a book store armed with several titles of books you’ve found in your foray? They are not necessarily books by authors you love and follow but you find the texture of the pages and the designs on the book covers so beautiful. They speak to you of those lovely days you spent in your youth discovering new books at the library. Of course when you really want books, one could always visit National Bookstore but the books are quite expensive.
Flowers.
There was a time that I used to take shots of every bloom in my garden. I don’t have my camera now, it got broken and the other ones were destroyed during typhoon Ondoy back in 2009. I use my tab and my phone cam once in a while but I don’t take photos as much as several years ago. I intend to buy a camera one of these days. Although cameras on cellphones are more convenient, I could not take those high-resolution photos that I love. I guess I have more than a thousand flowers shots saved on Photobucket.
My Garden.
And all because I love the rich soil beneath my hands and watch things grow. Every year, I would plant bonito ampalaya, a pot or two of chili peppers and turmeric. Occasionally, jute leaves sprout for a time, to grow again during the rainy season. We have two kalamansi trees and two jackfruit trees in the garden aside from the ornamental plants that I cultivate. Our Arius is like a Christmas tree just waiting to be decorated with lights and tinsel.
Blogging.
But of course. I meet so many friends here. In Facebook, my feed is full of hodgepodge of unpalatable news. At times, I just ignore them and make some shout outs to my friends. I don’t go public on Facebook. I meet lovely friends here at WordPress, read beautiful blog posts and see wonderful photos of other places that I haven’t been to. The day won’t be complete without visiting WordPress. I have 2,046 posts including this one for this main blog alone.
Family.
Family always comes first of course. Now that we have Nate with us, it is always a riot when he is around. Smiles are not far behind. I remember those days when my two kids were growing up and were left in the care of two yayas. It was always a problem for mom and dad to look for yayas for us in the province. Nowadays, it is even harder to find household help that you can trust.
I remember those days when I used to go up the stage every recognition day and so proud of my kids receiving those medals. It was a thrill when my daughter graduated Magna Cum Laude and we were given choice seats at the venue. Tears of joy for the standing ovation from her professors and classmates when she received that medal upon graduation. We were so proud of her.
Clouds.
Did I say I like taking photos of clouds and watching them move when the sky is dark? I love though when the sun is hot and the day is just perfect for cloud-watching. They look so mysterious out there. These are photos from some years back.
I could go on of course with a thousand more mornings but I think this has gone long enough.
“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 redbird to sing”
– Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings
A good range of blessings
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Thanks a lot Derrick 🙂
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A lovely reflective post, Arlene. Always nice to look back, and remember.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you Pete. Yes, it is always nice to reminisce.
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You remind me of when my little brother and I would lie on our backs and tell each other what each cloud looked like. We had a lot of creative games like that before television. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thank you Elizabeth. Love it that this makes you reminisce the good times too.
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Memories are best when they are shared! Also I love the idea of celebrating Christmas as early as October…actually I am getting ready to break out the Christmas CD’s now – we should always celebrate our Saviors birth all year long. 🙂
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Let it be Christmas every day. Celebrate it from our hearts. I love that too Patty.
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Yes indeed – and yes, I played my first Christmas CD on the way to work yesterday. A bit earlier than I am used to I usually start when schools reopen. But what is a few weeks when praising our Lord’s birth?!! 🙂
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It is really nice to listen to Christmas songs again this early, right Patty? Thanks lot 🙂
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Have you ever heard of Micheal Card? He used to sing beautiful songs about Christ’s birth all year long because he said that we should celebrated His birth all the time not only once a year.
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Wow. I haven’t heard of him yet. Is he on YouTube?
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you know I am not sure – I usually do not go on you tube often. I still play CD’s….I know I am old!! lol Of coarse I remember records and 8 tracks!! ha ha
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I seldom play CDs now, I usually prefer listening through YouTube when I am online.
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I did “graduate” to Pandora when I am on the computer…so I am getting more modern in my old age. lol I am behind the times in some things.
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Sometimes we stick to things familiar and those we enjoyed when we were young and that includes music.
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the older I get the more I do like the familiar!
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Lovely! Thank you for sharing with us. 🙂
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Thanks Amy, glad to know you like it 🙂
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