Hot And Dry

When I was in the deserts of southeastern California, two aspects of the scenery I remember vividly. It was very hot and dry. There seemed to be no life there. You wondered how anything could survive out there in that climate.

Sometimes are lives are like the desert. You feel stuck in the middle of nowhere, not knowing which direction to go. I have felt that way on a number of occasions. Perhaps, God is allowing me to have a break from all the activity and access what's really important. I do know that things will be different from what they were. 

It can be scary with the uncertainty surrounding us.  I am reminded that I am not alone. God is there even when there seems to be nothing around me that makes sense or we can put an anchor on something that tangible. I am reminded that know I don't understand everything He is right there paving the way. I just need to trust and follow. 

Genevieve's Gems

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.

~William Morris, Designer (1834-1896)

New London Ledge Lighthouse

New London Ledge Lighthouse is located Thames River, located at the mouth of New London Harbor. I was struck that such a ornate structure was built in the middle of a busy waterway.

New London Ledge is on the list of haunted lighthouses. The ghost of a man named 'Ernie' who had committed suicide by slashing his throat. His body was taken by the sea but his spirit remains taking care of the lighthouse.

Poem

Amtrak
By Richard J. Fein

"We're not getting anywhere.
All you do is keep on asking
why, why. I've told you again
and again, I wasn't thinking.
What more do you want me to say?
You've got to put it behind you. Look
...huh?...hmmm...uh-huh...OKbye."
Sidling out, turning, as if needing
the rest room, I pause
ever so slightly, feign
at righting my balance before
going down the aisle,
shoot my furtive look at the body of the voice
on the cell phone-maybe twenty,
pale, white sweater, white skirt, running shoes,
and staring into the back of my seat
as if her eyes were burning a hole
right through the upholstery
to my antimacassar,
but what I can't keep
from fixing on
is the slab
of elliptic buttons on her lap.

Genevieve's Gems

It is only the farmer who faithfully plant seeds in the spring, who reaps a harvest in the autumn.


~B.C. Forbes, Journalist (1880-1954)

Autumn

Autumn will be here next week (where did the summer go?). It's my favorite season because I love the beauty of the landscape when the leaves change colors. It signals that the summer's planting and watering will yield a bountiful harvest. Apples are ripe for picking and so are grapes.

Autumn is a reminder that I am to be thankful for what good thing has come my way. I learn from the bad events and do whatever I can to correct them. As fall's slumber gradually comes let 's give thanks for all that  has happened.

We Are Called

This past Sunday's sermon really spoke to me. The minister shared that we are called by God. Our youth, preparation, and sense of inadequacies does not eliminate us from His calling.

The second point stressed was that it isn't about us. The point of Christians being called is to bring God's love and kingdom to the spiritually lost and dying. Moses didn't feel that he was good enough to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Jonah did everything he could to get out of going to Nineveh. Jeremiah thought that he was too young to prophesy to the people of his day. The sermon by the way was taken from Jeremiah chapter1, verses 4 through 10.  

God knew who we were to be before we were born. He knew that I was transgender before I was ever conceived. The takeaway message I received is I am to follow God's call whether or not I'm ready or feel ill- equipped. It's a message to all of us who call ourselves God's children.

Genevieve's Gems

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

~Leo Tolstoy, Novelist (1828-1910)

Reconnecting

This past weekend I reconnected with an old friend who now lives in California. She is visiting the city for a few days before returning home. It was great hearing from her. 

This event reminds me of the times I reconnected with my true feelings. Sometime in the busyness of daily life we lose touch with ourselves. There comes a day when you feel tired, stagnant, empty. I ran out of gas. I reached a crossroads. It's not a good feeling because you feeling like you're in a rowboat in the middle of the ocean with no oars.   

Appreciating the moments that we're in  makes life worthwhile and with meaning. We can't control some things that happen in daily living but it shouldn't overwhelm us. Take the time to smell the roses. Daily duties will always be with us; friendships and precious moments won't always be there.

Genevieve's Gems

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.


~Joseph Campbell, Writer (1904-1987)

Life Full

I haven't posted here in several days due to some family matters. It has been quite a week to say the least. I have been reading, writing, going out and enjoying life.

The 2014 NFL season starts today (Green Bay vs. Seattle) and goes full bore on Sunday. I will post my predictions tomorrow. College football has gotten underway in what I believe will be a topsy-turvy year.

Summer is almost over but the fall is approaching. It's my favorite time of year, especially when the leaves change colors. I hope to take my granddaughter apple picking upstate in a few weeks. No climbing trees for me, though. I' m a little too old for that.