Category: Look

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Humor, Joy, Look, Memories, Nature

Glimmers from the Past Week

Barberry shrubs? Not certain but the berries are obvious!

A car zoomed past us. I laughed out loud. Glimmer! Hanging from the trunk were Elf legs.

We visited the Krohn Conservatory for the annual creche scene. I usually delight the mos tin the toddlers visiting with their families. Animal sounds of “he-haw, he- haw” “moo” and “Baaa!” Laughter and eyes wide with wonder at the cow, donkey, sheep and figures.

This day the live sheep were wandering about outside. Not many other visitors at all. The sheep were digging in the leaf litter for fresh grass before the big snow storm. Each of them was wearing a bell on their collar. Eventually one wandered close to the fence where we stood. I put out my hand to feel the large woolly coat. It was wet! Glimmer! I had not expected that. It was inches thick. I told her I hoped she was warm and dry under it.

We stood inside the barn trying to get a photo of the nativity characters. Mine never do turn out right. The lighting there is subdued.

photo by rmdutina

While standing out of the wind I did notice the sheep at attention along the fence. These were the same sheep who moments ago would not give us their attention at all. And then I saw it too. Glimmer! A dog on a leash was parked by the fence. The animals were exchanging looks. Eventually the pet owner was ready to go home. The dog was totally resistant to that idea! He was stronger than she was and sat his butt stubbornly on the ground. Meanwhile the sheep had decided he was no threat and went back to grazing. With much tugging the dog gave up and went with his owner. He likely was wondering, “Where did those come from and what kind of dog smells like that!?!?”

Glimmer! I was also tickled to realize how the local birds at the conservatory were benefiting from the layer of straw on the ground. As many years as I have visited there I do not think I ever made that observation before this year! Maybe because it was not yet dark when we went this time?

In your heart prepare Him room! Watch for those glimmers of joy! And careful when you slam your trunk not to capture an elf unawares!!

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Joy, Look, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Traveling, Worship

Fences

There is some advertisement on TV that has been playing this old song. It catches in my brain and then I can’t stop singing it. What does it say about our lives today?

I think there are few places where I can go where one can “give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don’t fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,
Don’t fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin’ breeze,
listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees,
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Don’t fence me in.”

Of course, there are the expressways through America. Come to think of it the song is probably being used by a car company.

Turns out the lyrics were a poem written by ” Robert Fletcher, a poet and engineer with the Department of Highways in Helena, Montana. Cole Porter, who had been asked to write a cowboy song for the 20th Century Fox musical, bought the poem from Fletcher for $250. Porter reworked Fletcher’s poem, and when the song was first published, Porter was credited with sole authorship. Porter had wanted to give Fletcher co-authorship credit, but his publishers did not allow it. ” Wikipedia

“After the song became popular, however, Fletcher hired attorneys who negotiated his co-authorship credit in subsequent publications. Although it was one of the most popular songs of its time, Porter claimed it was his least favorite of his compositions.” Wikipedia

I never want to forget that our United States of America is made up of so much land, and so varied in type and variety! We happened upon a television channel called Naturescape. We have been watching an episode entitled Death Valley. When we visited there we were amazed at the variety in the landscape. So VERY different from Southwest Ohio!

Another place of fascination is the telescope at Hilo, Hawaii. You can watch it daily. https://liveworldwebcams.com/subaru-telescope-live-webcam-hawaii/

I was hoping I could catch the glow from the recent volcano eruption for you. The emphasis today was the Meteor shower which we were totally unable to see here due to cloudy conditions.

Watch. Be amazed. Thank the Lord for this amazing land where we live!

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Beagle, Humor, Joy, Look, Memories, Nature, Praise, Thanks

Glimmers

A reminder: A glimmer is anything that makes you smile and pause in joy. “A glimmer is the exact opposite of a trigger—it is some kind of cue, either internal or external, that brings one back to a sense of joy, safety, or comfort.” from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-glimmer-5323168

I was getting ready to write this post. I looked up at the meal worm feeder outside my window. SIX no kidding SIX lovely bluebirds crowding for a place at the ‘table.’ What an incredible blessing! We have not seen that many here for quite a time.

“Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you God for everything.” author unknown

“The maple tree puts on her fancy party dress, green with yellow and red spangles.” That is how the maple trees appear to me in autumn. I was driving past the library the other day. There was a mess in the road. Nope! stopped the car to capture the decorations from the cypress. Not to be outdone by the maple, the cypress threw her needles as far as the wind would carry them.

Inches deep along the roadside.

Several days later they were still there!

I drove into a local park to check out the new construction they have been doing on the facilities. I saw another car park. The woman let a Basset Hound out of the car door. She merely dropped the leash upon the ground. Then she went around to the other door and brought out a beagle on a leash. Basset was simply moseying around taking a sniff here and there. Made me wonder how long it had been since he had run any place at all! Giant ears, stumpy legs.

Remember this guy from childhood? Could you name it any name besides Droopy?

May the month of December be filled with glimmers for you! May you find countless treasures in plain sight!

God spelled backwards is dog.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Listen, Look, Obedience, Worship

Snowflake or Drop, Your effort Counts

Remember the recent post about avalanche? This quote came up and I had to share it with you. There is a great sense of helplessness in the world right now; especially in the United Sates. Mother Teresa had wisdom to share with us regarding this sense of helplessness.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

SAINT MOTHER TERESA

Bob volunteers at the local food pantry once a week. We were going together on a separate day, but it got to be too much standing on the concrete with shoppers for a couple hours. We might go back though as the Inter Parish Ministry foodbank is swamped by people in need.

There is an evening “drive through” that was averaging 20 neighbors a week. Last week they had over 100 at that one event. Much of the food is bagged in advance. The staff was bagging food at 8 AM on Tuesday to try to provide for the drive through neighbors for Tuesday. Usually the bags are filled by volunteers.

One week I was amazed there was no shampoo to give out. V05 shampoo is about $1.25 a bottle at Walmart. Recently I found some environmentally safe shampoo at a resale shop in downtown Batavia. I bought what they had to try to make my “drop in the ocean” contribution.

What might you provide to your neighbors in need? I do not mean, Pat, next door. The IPM ministry is not calling those who come in need clients. We are referring to them as neighbors. And they are our neighbors.

Toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, shampoo, soap, canned foods, peanut butter, bread, so many needs. They tell us that a cash donation to the ministry is the best. The ministry can buy things from The Freestore Foodbank at better prices than we can obtain.

I find it disgraceful that we are supposed to live in the richest country in the world and we have people who are hungry, unhoused, un-cared for. Please do your part to help out in any way that you can where you live.

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can. John Wesley’s Rule of Life

Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Look, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Rest, Special Event, Trust, Yield

My Full Stop during Retreat

As I mentioned yesterday in this blog “When I went to the Associates retreat over a week ago I was watching for my full stop. I consider the retreat a success when I finally put everything aside and come to a full stop before the Lord.” The ‘Providence of God’ is defined as the purposeful sovereignty of God. Sovereignty is the royal rank, authority, power.

My full stop came at an unusual time for me. I had decided to honor my need for rest, even if that need interfered with a scheduled convent prayer service or even the Eucharist. Saturday late morning I decided to lay down for a nap. I was looking out my window in the retreat house. The leaves on the tree were blowing, but not yet falling. I was reminded of Brother Lawrence.

Brother Lawrence is reported to have said: “That in the winter, seeing a tree stripped of its leaves, and considering that within a little time, the leaves would be renewed, and after that the flowers and fruit appear, he received a high view of the Providence and Power of GOD, which has never since been effaced from his soul. That this view had perfectly set him loose from the world, and kindled in him such a love for GOD, that he could not tell whether it had increased in above forty years that he had lived since.”

And then I realized:

Seeing this tree in autumn, knowing the changes it will endure as leaves fall and then are renewed, and after that the flower and fruit will appear, I see a high view of the Providence of God, which shall not be effaced from my soul. This view sets me free from the world, and kindles in me such love for God, that I can not tell whether it has decreased since my childhood times fifty years ago in Robison Park with God.

 Yes, my full stop. I then went peacefully to sleep.

God is able to grow these trees, to keep these trees through drought and storms, wind and hail, all of the seasons and even the insults of mankind. God is able to keep me, also, regardless of what comes my way. There have been so many events in 2025 that have been difficult and/or upsetting, yet I have been kept through all of them. There is such a love for God kindled in my soul. I am in awe.

Sit for a minute and reflect upon your year thus far. Remind yourself of all the many ways you have been kept. Be grateful and in awe.

 

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Just do it, Listen, Look, Spiritual discipline, Thanks

Glimmers on A Couple of Different Days

Driving on interstate highway in torrential downpour, first surprise was a vulture flying over the road. Second surprise, falling leaves in the midst of the downpour.

Walking the dog this morning, first surprise was a hawk sitting on the fence. Second surprise a flock of geese flying overhead and honking. Third surprise three vultures flying the opposite direction.

Have you been able to find glimmers during your day? Though we have had some nights with temperatures in the very low 40s I was still able to pick a couple bouquets of flowers! Those Bachelor’s Buttons just keep giving that lovely deep blue. Nasturtiums entertain us with the various colors. A few mums here and there and a dianthus to pink up the blossoms. Won’t be long before the only flowers are store bought.

A few weeks ago I planted the remaining Bachelor Button seeds. Not certain what came up! Leaves do not resemble the others. Decided to just let them grow and see what happens in the spring, assuming they survive the winter!

Watch for the glimmer sin your day. Note them. Give thanks for them. Take this beyond the gratitude list. Ponder how fortunate you are to have noticed these things. You are fortunate! I have a friend who is legally blind. She would love to be able to see what you can see. I have another friend who cannot smell any thing. Are you aware that it is s gift just to be able to take your next breath? And this one?

Glimmers and gratitude can both interrupt our mundane boring day. Open your eyes and ears and all of your being to this very moment in your/q

Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. life. And give thanks.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Faith, Just do it, Look, Nature, Worship

Glimmers

Recently I was given a magazine called “First for Women.” I kept it because I wanted to read the cover article about Queen Latifah. I came to appreciate her talent through a TV program that aired for a couple of seasons. That article was pretty good, but what got me really excited was the article about “Glimmers.”

I had not heard of this idea before. It is similar to gratitude or gratefulness, yet slightly different. I guess it began with research by Deb Dana, LCSW with Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. He is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. Their research has to do with study of the polyvagal theory in trauma treatment. The concept of glimmers has gone viral on TikTok. (I do not use it, but the magazine reported it.) Deb Dana says, “In these moments the vagus nerve is in a state of regulation. To fully thrive, we also have to experience safety and connection. Glimmers remind us that good does exist in this crazy world.”

Speaking with The New York Post Ms. Dana said, “Glimmers are these tiny moments of OK-ness, joy, excitement, ease, calm, any of those flavors that give you the feeling that you are safe enough in the world to feel present and OK,” Dana said.

How do you know if you’ve bumped up against a glimmer?

“You may feel something happen in your body, a warmth or an openness or breath change, or your eyes might focus on something. It may bring a slight smile. So there’s an embodied response,” she added.

“The brain follows suit with its own response, recognizing that something is beautiful or fun or that it likes it: “It’s a body-brain experience, and they work together,” Dana noted.

“Noticing glimmers is a powerful healing practice. It’s important to remember that no glimmer is too small to notice. Each small moment of goodness contributes to a broader sense of well-being and recovery. Think about each glimmer as one piece of a larger puzzle. By actively looking for and appreciating these moments, you can gradually shift your focus from the pain of trauma to the small joys in life.

“Over time, this practice can lead to significant improvements in your mental health and resilience.”

I believe we all need improvements in our mental health especially in this tumultuous year of 2025. So if you have grown tired of listing gratitudes, or sharing your gratefulness, why not begin to look for glimmers? Then take the bold step of sharing them with someone else! Remember, no glimmer is too small!

Here are some of my micro moments of happiness

Which glimmers are your favorites?
Wish I could send you the fragrance!
at Transfiguration Spirituality Center

American Beauty Bush
Black walnut feast
Rose hips
October dandelion
Posted on in Aging, Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Listen, Look, Music, Nature, Obedience, Surrender, Yield

Autumn

The first definitive rain and cold front moved through here the other day. Up at the flower shop the wind even threw on its side a potted tree. The many oak leaves that had littered the yard are gone – poof! – taken off to other places. The maples are starting to change, but have not yet blessed us with yellow showers. That will begin momentarily.

Writing about October author Joyce Rupp in her book “May I Have This Dance” says, “Although autumn might seem to be a harsh reminder of death, we can also be encouraged to enter into the mystery of eternal life. We see autumn standing in surrender as the winds sweep her trees naked. The frost browns her meadows and deadens her plants. But a deeper truth is beneath the appearance of death.

“A movement toward life takes place in autumn. Dead leaves that seem to have no value are transformed by winter snows and spring rains to rich humus for new growth… No new growth will come unless autumn agrees to let go of what has been. The same is true of our lives.”

Is that woman a great author or what?!? Are we willing to let go of what has been? Bob and I celebrate our birthdays about three weeks apart. He is two years older than I am. This aging thing brings both of us face to face with the changes that have occurred in our bodies over the many years we have been married. We are no longer strong and as frivolous like in our youth. We both want to approach aging with calmness, peace and an acceptance of what is. That is easier to write than to do. So much easier.

Turn the page

I do know from reading and re-reading the book Radical Acceptance that I only increase my suffering by refusing to accept what is. So here I am turning the corner on 75 and he just turned 77. My older friends in their 80s and 90s tell me I am still young. Whew! I do not feel young!!

The Holy Spirit assures me that God is not finished with me yet. As I learn what I am to lay aside and where to proceed I remember the trees and the changes autumn brings.

Molly, can you stand in surrender and be encouraged to enter into the mystery of eternal life? Dallas Willard taught that eternal life begins now for those of us who love and follow closely after God. There truly are times in my encounters with the Holy One that I can forget the challenges by body presents and breath deeply of the life God offers me in the here and now.

The following piece of music helps me do just that if I will stop, breathe deeply and listen closely. I hope it helps you draw close to God in the present moment and blesses you. I hope you will take the time to listen to all of this piece. For me, it is like a musical prayer. Three minutes, 53 seconds of bliss. Just stop and listen.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Journal, Listen, Look, Nature, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Yield

Finally Rain!!

My journal entry 25/10/07

I am waiting to hear it. Supposed to rain all day long! I am eager to listen to it. Hoping Lori can work from home with the window open. I told her when I walk the dog I will be tempted to just stand in the rain without a raincoat! 

In the center down silence
At the altar within my heart
I come to adore You and listen for Your voice

As the rains come down from heaven
and water the earth
And do not return empty
So is my word which goes forth

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose
    and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isa 55:10-11 NRSVUE

And I listen …it is here…Drip, splatter, patter, drop, wash. Prayers answered. Leaves dip as they are washed, grass bends as ground absorbs. Blue jay continues to sing from some place as Cardinal calls. Rain continues, individual drops that in the gutter form a rush of water.

Individual drops that form a cloud, pour out and fill the dry place to make a puddle. Individual drops that converge on one place and transform that place into something new.

Individuals that are transfigured into something new. Leaves in the garden seem to wave at me. Then the rush of rain changes to a torrent from the sky. How do the birds navigate through that while being pelted on the head? 

Come Lord, rain upon me and change me too.
Fern frond twitches
Not a rabbit, rain.
Lily pads at the pond ...

My poem from long ago rings true today in my heart.

The rain gauge tells me 2-1/4 inches have fallen so far. I will gladly walk the dog in this rain we have needed so very desperately. We have a neighbor who calls with some regularity to find out how much rain our gauge has collected. I considered buying him a rain gauge, but then we might never hear from him!!

Lord, this rain is wonderful to us. My friend just texted it is heavenly. I so agree.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Just do it, Look, Nature, Poetry, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Writing Life, Yield

Poetic Phrases

Walking Lucky around the pond one early morning these words filled my head as I saw the glistening surface of the water.

The pond seems to be sparkling,
Just tadpoles kissing the surface.
Father make me sparkle as I reach to kiss You, I pray.


Watching the autumn leaves out the window during prayer time I wrote:
The gentle breeze here is loosening the leaves. 
They drift to the ground. 
Reminds me to release burdens and 
move into a new season. 
We breathe in the new day, exhale the old burdens.


Have you turned random moments into prayer? I believe each of us can! What would this image have you pray?

The Burr Oak tree out our front window has delighted me this autumn. During the summer the leaves were so thick we could not see the little birdhouse hanging there. Then the tree began to drop leaves. The mowers have cleaned up fallen leaves from under it at least twice. Today it is green, though the leaves are more sparse than in the summer.

It is almost as if she declares, “Steady as she goes!” Let’s not have too much autumn too soon! Besides it is still running in the high 80s here. They promise us a change in temperatures this week. Once again, I am not holding my breath on that!

We can see the bird house clearly now. I do not think any birds were housed there this year. Seems I would have noticed with all the feeders and activity that occurs at times. As the Burr Oak continues to lose her leaves I will once again be reminded of the Brother Lawrence revelation about a tree in winter. Until then I am delighted by the lingering green.

Nothing gold can stay, Frost taught me
so the mighty sycamore tree
in form of tiny leaf
shows me how to change
from green to gold to brown
and be refreshed with drops of golden rain
as I rest upon the ground
be still my soul   ~Molly Lin Dutina 
(For photo above)