Get Out of the 'Burbs

I went for a walk at Radnor Lake today. My body said,"No, wait...let's talk about this." But, my spirit said,"Go!" I'm so glad I listened. Just driving into the park, to me, is like entering another world - a world of quiet beauty that surrounds you. As I drove along the road I saw this enormous owl fly right over my car. I was thrilled. I can't remember the last time I saw an owl. Sad, huh?

So, I take the Lake Trail that winds up, up, up and then gradually descends. Everything is so peaceful and beautiful - red bud and dogwood trees just popping out. But, there's still enough bareness to really see the beauty coming through. Ahhh....

Then, breaking the tranquility is this loud, "Who-hoo-hoo-hoo" (you get the idea). My friend, Mr. Owl, who greeted me upon entering the park was very close by. I felt like he was saying,"Welcome to my world. Let my eerie call replace the monotonous noise of your world, and why don't you relax a little?" So, as I continued on my way Mr. Owl flew right in front of my path to the other side of the lake, who-hooing as he reached the other side. Then, to my further delight, a red-headed woodpecker was perched on the side of a tree pecking away, oblivious to my approach. So, I stood and just watched him for the longest time - amazed. They are really beautiful birds.

My walk ended as I came out by the lake, peeking through the gray twigs and the redbuds and dogwood. I am so amazed at God's incredible creation. And, to think, it's all around us. Of course, Radnor, with its quiet peacefulness, forces you to focus solely on that amazing beauty and delight in it.

I'm definitely getting out of the 'burbs more often!

So Ready for Spring...

I know, it's been awhile....I think I went into hibernation right after my last post. The weather has been drab and cold - or, rainy, drab and cold - or just plain drab. But, today it is almost 70*F and glorious. So, time to come out and smell the roses or look at the daffodils. And, they are gorgeous. That bit of snow last week didn't even seem to faze them. They just lifted their pretty golden faces and laughed right in Old Man Winter's face. Rebels - I love them!

So many sights and sounds to take in today...budding forsythia, these cute little birds that I've been watching build their nests under our patio overhang, robins with their red breasts hopping around, green grass- finally and, of course, the daffodils. I wish I could capture them all to look back on because I feel sure we'll have at least one more cold spell, but I hope not drab and cold... I'm tired of drab. I'm ready for Spring...

A Prayer in Spring

-Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleaure in the flowers today;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,

Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;

And make us happy in the happy bees,

The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird

That suddenly above the bees is heard,

The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,

And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,

The which it is reserved for God above

To sanctify to what far ends He will,

But which it only needs that we fulfill.