February 17, 2013

Beautiful Sunday morning, clear and crisp, sunny and still.  When I look out, there is sunlight everywhere, light striping the grass, illuminating the wood of mostly bare trees, shining off the chrome of occasional cars.   After the wind of the last couple of day, this stillness seems so peaceful.  The bald cypress is blooming its long thin flowers, looking like little bottle brushes, gold and brown.  The helicopters of the maple are emerging from the red flowers, the red fading now mixed with tan and orange of the maturing seeds.  A lot of mockingbirds are in the trees and thrashing leaves and twigs in the grass.  The backyard striped cat is on his morning patrol, visiting all his favorite places, the water bowl, the old boat, the sunny end of the driveway.   A pair of cardinals, the bright male almost the color of maple seeds, are snuggling in the crepe myrtle, leaning against each other, the perfect example of "billing and cooing"! 

When we went out to dinner last night, Brian had researched the prospects for a new restaurant, some place we had never been.  So we went to the Main St. Bistro, and were very pleasantly surprised.  A friendly place, small, maybe 15 tables, the walls a warm red and hung with posters ranging from famous paintings like "The Scream" to ones for old concerts and art shows.  The food was delicious and presented in a lovely fashion, elegantly but not overly fussy, and everyone enjoyed the meal, from stuffed mushrooms to their chosen entree, and we even had desert and great coffee!  We all decided we don't go out often enough and made plans to change that.  It had been at least 15 years since just the four of us had gone out together, usually it's a bigger group, some variation of kids and/or friends added.  It was such a pleasant evening, that we all want to repeat it.  Now Honey and I will have to see if we can find someplace as nice for our next dinner! 

It's Sunday, a day to realize all our blessings.  After the dinner last night, I thought to acknowledge that a feast is not just for the body but for the heart and soul as well.  It's nice to be reminded that relishing the world of the senses is both a natural and a holy experience. 

For the Senses 

May the touch of your skin

Register the beauty

Of the otherness

That surrounds you. 

May your listening be attuned

To the deeper silence

Where sound is honed

To bring distance home. 

May the fragrance

Of a breathing meadow

Refresh your heart

And remind you you are

A child of the earth. 

And when you partake

Of food and drink,

May your taste quicken

To the gift and sweetness

That flows from the earth. 

May your inner eye

See through the surfaces

And glean the real presence

Of everything that meets you. 

May your soul beautify

The desire of your eyes

That you might glimpse

The infinity that hides

In the simple sights

That seem worn

To your usual eyes. 

John O'Donohue 

Food prepared by hands that seem to take such pleasure in tastes and textures and beauty of the meal seem to consecrate the meal and remind us that such bounty and beauty is a blessing.  I find that my every morning visit to my window on the world is also a blessing and one that never seems worn to my usual eyes. It's a continuous, constant source of joy, even on days when there are clouds and gloom and rain, as a contrast to remind me of the more light-infused days.  All our senses remind us of the world which is the ultimate gift and blessing.