And around us and as this wonderful poet expresses, under foot also! If you click on the link it should take you to poem and photo by Tyler Pederson.
Autumn has prompted all sorts of things in me. Here is an urban observation.
The sky is full of sticks
empty of leaves
the bones of the trees
show their structure.
Low fog over the leaf littered yard
Then fog moved and
I saw the doe grazing
and then another one.
Sirens fill the air,
deer listen.
I am listening to the book “The Dangerous Old Woman, Myths and Stories of the Wise Woman Archtype” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, PhD. Clarissa is an award-winning poet, certified Jungian psychoanalyst, post-trauma recovery specialist, and cantadora (keeper of the old stories in the Latina tradition). This work is powerful and speaks to my age and current interests.
Here is a blessing she wrote. I had to read this several times.
Hymn of Gratitude by Clarisa Pinkola Estés
“For We Are Pleased by Dangerous Old Women and Their Wild and Wise Daughters.”
For all the elders of the world,
each and every kind ever created,
those who have been carried gently by the waves,
and those who have been half-wrecked
by any number of storms and squalls,
those who have clung to the wreckage long enough
to make it halfway in,
and thence to have gained landfall.
For the elders,
who in all their variegations,
in all their sorrows and talents,
who now stand shy or certain,
semi-disheveled or pulled together,
but nonetheless hip-wide and proud.
For the tribes of the grand elder women,
in all their feathers and pelts,
and all their leaves and skins and skirts,
and all their las ropas guerreras,
their warrior full-dress,
in their wings and sashes and shawls,
with their ceremonial broaches and necklaces,
and staves of authority,
in all their athletic and tender pride,
in all their beaks and tails
and tulle and toile,
all flashing and sashaying,
and all their sauntering and sensuality,
in all their unexpected and outrageous behaviors,
and all their eccentricities,
in all their tribal paint and lace and denim,
in all their clan colors and insignias of power,
all their fierce and gentle blood and shining eyes.
For all their conserving and sacrificing and generous ways,
for their supreme caring
that decency, creative life, and care for the soul
should not vanish from the face of this earth.
For all this blessed beauty within them,
for them let us pray strength and healing,
straight down into their courage bones forever…
…let us be granted that we stand in their danger
… forever Amen
Just makes me sigh, "Wow!"
Think for a few moments about the women you have known who fit this description. “Let us pray stregnth and healing, straight down into their courage bones forever…”
The wisdom of that man!
“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony.”
The Lakota prayer I posted yesterday reminds me of what Thomas Merton knew. Balance, order, rhythm, harmony. Gratitude, interconnectedness, awareness.
For my birthday I spontaneously invited some family and friends for a dinner at Los Cabos Mexican restaurant. It was great to hear Emily talking with her Dad about decorating her office with his photos. Our Granddaughter chatting with her Dad and sister. Other Granddaughter at my encouragement showing off her ring and her fiancee. My oldest friend getting to know a newer friend. Each of them ordering what they wanted to eat knowing in advance that Bob would pick up the tab for all of us.
There was laughter and smiles, joy, and the wonderful feelings of being surrounded by family and good friends. I missed those who were unable to attend. It was not until we got home that I realized the photos were all taken before the engaged Grandgirl and her fiancee arrived. Oh well! At least THIS time I remembered to insist on a couple photos 🙂
We took a chocolate cake to share with the family and friends. Cut a piece for the waiter, too! At the end of our meal the restaurant placed a huge hat on my head and brought out a shot a tequila in an airplane that was fitted with a tiny rocket/sparkler at the end.
Balance, order, rhythm, harmony and friends when you can gather them. Spontaneity, spur-of-the-moment. Joy even at my age!
Our church offers prayer weekly for birthdays and anniversaries. As far as the birthday people, I was indeed the oldest one up there. As I was glad to be there. Here is the prayer we say together for birthdays. It is taken from the Book of Common Prayer, page 830, prayer #51.
Watch over thy children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their hearts may thy peace which passes understanding abide all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
When we travel to the American Southwest I am always fascinated by the Native peoples. Many years ago I read about the four directions and the Native American prayers. I came across this on Insight Timer and wanted to share it with you. To me it is one of the most beautiful renditions of that prayer I have ever read.
Four Directions Prayer
Creator, it is I. Thank you for today’s sunrise, for the breath and life within me, and for all of your creations. Creator hear my prayer and honor my prayer.
As the day begins with the rising sun, I ask, spirit keeper of the east, Brother Eagle, be with me. Fly high as you carry my prayers to the creator. May I have eyes as sharp as yours, so I am able to see truth and hope on the path I have chosen. Guide my step and give me courage to walk the circle of my life with honesty and dignity.
Spirit keeper of the south, Wolf, be with me. Help me to remember to love and feel compassion for all mankind. Help me to walk my path with joy and love for myself, for others, for the four legged, the winged ones, the plants and all creation upon Mother Earth. Show me it is right for me to make decisions with my heart, even if at times, my heart becomes hurt. Help me to grow and nurture my self-worth in all ways.
Spirit keeper of the west, Brown Bear, be with me. Bring healing to the people I love and to myself. Bring into balance the physical, mental and spiritual, so I am able to know my place on this earth, in life and in death. Heal my body, heal my mind and bring light, joy and awareness to my spirit.
Spirit keeper of the north, White Buffalo, be with me. As each day passes, help me to surrender, with grace, the things of my youth. Help me to listen to the quiet and find serenity and comfort in the silences as they become longer. Give me wisdom so I am able to make wise choices in all things which are put in front of me, and when time for my change of worlds has come, let me go peacefully, without regrets, for the things I neglected to do as I walked along my path.
Mother Earth, thank you for your beauty, and for all you have given me. Remind me never to take from you more than I need and remind me to always give back more than I take.
– Vera Dery Lakota Prayer
Take the time today to thank your God and Creator for all that blesses your life! Perhaps read the prayer again, slowly. None of us prospers well all by ourself.
Amy Carmichael wrote: “Can you find a promise that if we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, life is going to be fairly easy? I do not think we shall find even one. But we shall find ever so many promises assuring us that however things are, we may count on strength to make us brave, and peace to keep our hearts at rest.
“Because this is so, our Lord and Captain expects us to be “sons of valor,” as the word translated “valiant” in the Old Testament means. And He is saying to each of us what King David said long ago to his friends: “Now let your hands be strengthened and be ye valiant, be ye sons (and daughters) of valor.”
So many misguided Christians thinking life with Jesus will be easy. Not one single verse to support that. One Pastor used to say “There are no rainbows and unicorns in the Kingdom walk.” We do not go skipping like faux-princes and faux-princesses through life.
“Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:12-13 NRSVUE
The verse does not say God will make straight paths; we are told to make them. LIFE IS HARD. We are told to lift our drooping hands and strengthen our weak knees. And (especially when we cannot do it ourselves), we are told to ALWAYS cry out to the Lord of heaven and earth for help.
God gives strength to make us brave, and peace to keep our hearts at rest. Are you willing to receive that? Will you cry out to God for help?
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 ESV
My neighbors have become dear friends over the last four years. They are snowbirds, which means they make me VERY uncomfortable. They are here for 5 months and then depart for 7 months or so. When they are here we are often at each other’s door. Sharing food, or borrowing something. Walking Lucky together in the afternoon. Having a meal at a favorite Mexican restaurant. Sharing snacks and an evening of Euchre. And then poof! they are gone.
We get to use their garage while they are gone. During their long time away we usually go into their home once a week or so to turn lights off and on, open blinds, flush toilets, etc. Their departure is hard on all of us, including their adult son and his young family who live here in Cincinnati. Two of her brothers live in Lima, Ohio and Indianapolis so they too miss this couple when they fly south. Yes, I experienced angst as the date drew closer.
His health has been declining rapidly and this year will be especially hard getting him through the airports and back home to Florida. When I read the selection for Lectio 365 the morning of their departure I immediately sent it along to her. She felt it was from God through me and read it before she climbed out of bed. So glad I could send her some comfort and strength.
“I choose to rejoice in the God who holds my hand today, joining with the ancient praise of all God’s people in the words of Psalm 73…
You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Psalm 73:23b–26 (NLT)
She determined to hold the hand of God throughout the day as they traveled. Travel is VERY hard work and the older I get the more I declare that. Imagine traveling with a loved one in stage 4 Parkinson’s disease! Nightmare.
Lectio went on to pray:
“I join David now, bringing my whole body before the Lord in prayer.
I bring attention to my eyes.
What attracts my gaze? Is anything distracting me?
Jesus, I fix my eyes on you. Help me keep my focus on you throughout this day.
I look down at my right hand.
Is anything making me nervous today? Or causing my hand to tremble?
Make me unshakably confident that, as I hold onto you, I am held.
I place a hand on my heart.
Is my heart glad today? Or is it heavy with sorrow?
Holy Spirit, fill me with supernatural gladness as I invite your presence.”
https://lectio365.24-7prayer.com/share/devotionals/2026-10-19/morning?locale=en
I miss our friends and neighbors. They say friends are the family you choose. We have chosen this couple. I am glad they made it back to Florida safely. I will miss them as they continue to journey with Christ through the awful disease of Parkinson’s. They remain in my prayers.
I remember Grandma Snapp playing this. It seemed to me she was playing chords, but this person does a good job of it.
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.
2 O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]
3 In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]
4 To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share. [Refrain]
United Methodist Hymnal
The hymn was written the year before my mother was born. Her dad was an itinerant Methodist minster in both Ohio and Kentucky. Her mother played the piano and my mother was forced to stand on a soapbox and lead the hymns. When I was young Mom said she had enough church growing up. My sister and I were dropped off at church. My parents attended at Christmas and Easter if we were singing in the choir. American evangelist and song-leader George Bennard (1873–1958) wrote the hymn.
I remember Grandma Snapp playing this hymn on our piano. She was always uncertain she could reach the chords with the arthritis in her hands. To me she did great! She died at age 79 after breaking her hip and contracting pneumonia.
All these years later, the hymn rings through my soul from time to time. To me the most memorable part is “where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.” Jesus, our Savior and King. Help us never to forget your cross and all it stood for then and now.
When we traveled recently we made it a point to stop in Columbus, Ohio at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum for their newest exhibit “Portraits of Courage.” These paintings by former President George W. Bush were on tour in Columbus, Ohio. He features men and women who served and were wounded in combat.
The exhibit runs through Dec. 31 “and includes 66 paintings and a four-panel mural honoring 98 post 9-11 veterans. Each portrait is accompanied by an essay, written by Bush, which visitors can find in his Portraits of Courage book.” Regardless of your politics this gives a tribute to those who serve our country in the armed forces and suffer injuries in the process. I pray that those who govern the country will ALWAYS give Funds to support those who have served and especially those who were wounded during their service. My generation was not good at supporting those who served in teh Vietnam war. Perhaps we can amends on that by supporting those who need us in their fight for survival and recovery from the wounds of war?
The following are a few of the paintings. My photos did not turn out very good due to the lighting in the exhibit.
If the exhibit tours your area make an effort to go see it. It was quite inspiring and moving.
Robert Milan Dutina, the love of my life has a birthday today and I am privileged to make him his favorite carrot cake. Bob is truly a gift from God to me!
This man is kind and considerate. He can get along with anyone who makes an effort to be civil. For decades he has made it his practice not only to read the Bible but to try to live the commands of Jesus in everyday life.
His sense of humor is boundless. Sometimes he drives me wild when I am not in the mood and he continues with his humor. There are as many voices in his repertoire as a stand up comedian. He has a schtick for almost any situation.
As to his birthday cake, I got the recipe years ago from a woman who swore I would like it. To me carrot cake always sinks like a rock in my stomach. Turns out most recipes have a full cup of oil in them. Hers has only 1-1/2 tablespoons. It is complete with cream cheese frosting. He likes his cake best after it has been refrigerated. Several of his friends in the laboratory where he worked made such a deal over his cake, he continues to deliver a piece (or 2) to those people even though they are all retired now. So yes, Bob is generous. The opening photo is from last year’s cake!
When he heard that Gary had Parkinson’s disease he began visiting him several times a month. When Gary finally passed Bob continued visiting his widow and son. She is now slipping into dementia, but he continues to make an effort to see her with some regularity. Bob is kind and his faith carries over into day to day life.
He is organized and tiny to the point where I dubbed him “Mr. Tidy” and he knows I call him that. His desk is more than likely clear and mine is more like an inch or two deep in projects. He likes the sticker I bought that says, “Creative minds are rarely tidy.” He has been my editor in chief over my writing projects. He is very intelligent.
As we enter our twilight years Bob continues to try to keep pushing himself into activity. Sometimes I wonder if he has sense enough to go sit down and rest? Occasionally he stops in his recliner for a moment or two. I am glad to see that!
We debate who will die first. Neither of us knows for certain. If I die first his goal is to spend 2 or 3 months in Paris mourning. If he dies first I go to the Aran Islands in Ireland to mourn.
Happy birthday to my loving man of 56 years. What a ride!
The opening photo is from a Bing wallpaper page. I could not resist the beauty!
While reading a novel called Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine, I came across this quote:
“It is a gift to live. There is beauty in the persistence of her heartbeat, the tenacity of her breath, the courage of her bones.“
Then another day I read this from Insight Timer.
“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” -Henri Bergson“
Persistence, tenacity, courage, change, mature, creating oneself endlessly. I find inspiration in those terms. It is not easy to live. There is power though in learning to ‘play the cards you are dealt.’ Using the circumstances of your life to inspire you to rise above, to do better, to be different than the last time you found yourself disappointed in your behavior.
I am watching the foliage out my window as it ceases to make chlorophyll. The spice bush is glowing all yellow. The maple nearest to it is also turning buttery. Less sunlight makes as if there is sunlight in the very leaves! “As summer fades into fall, the days start getting shorter and there is less sunlight.”
As Bob and I age we are very aware of ‘less sunlight’ essential energy in our bodies. The quotes above encourage me to keep growing and changing for the better even as my body degrades and slows down.
As long as I draw breath I hope to always be praising the Lord my God. As long as I wake up “on this side of the grass” I want to pursue the glory and power of our Creator.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 NRSVUE
It is gloomy and drizzly today as Hurricane Isaias has blown through here as a rain storm. A huge tree in the distance is ‘suddenly’ glowing yellow. Tomorrow will be sunny and I imagine the environment around us will look quite a bit different than before the storm. Such is our life day to day. Storms come, things look different. We try to keep smiling as the seasons turn all around us and within us!
