5.24.20 … soul (essence) hope … a state of being that comes from knowing that there is an intelligence, a love, a beauty, something bigger than my small self that meets me when I am open and present to what is … and to experience that hope, I need to adopt the pace of nature … I need time and patience …

“Solvitur Ambulando” – It is solved by walking, 2020 Labyrinth Walks, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church – Brevard NC, Memorial Day:

I’m a lucky girl. I have been coming to the Westervelt Cabin for 40 years. It is a special place. I am blessed that Ruth Ann’s parents and Ruth Ann and Tim so graciously share it with me. It is a thin place for me. How could it not be … this is the view from the drive as I walk my dog in mornings here …

This weekend I am sharing it with my sister and her husband. Did I mention that there is no tv and very limited cell and internet service? So what do we do? We talk, we read, we cook and we go on mini adventures …

My sister and I are taking an enneagram class via Zoom with Paul Hanneman. We have been laughing because we repeatedly ask each other or Gary the one-on-one exercise question from last week’s session: “Tell me what you are being right now …”. Gary has had the best responses so far … and he is not taking the class!

Today we headed out late morning to Brevard via 151 to the BRP to 276 into Brevard. The weather was glorious as we started out. And we saw a bear cub as we headed up 151! That’s my second bear sighting in 40 years, both cubs.

In Brevard, we searched out a place for a meal … limited choices .. and then we walked to the labyrinth at the Episcopal Church.

I had walked this small Chartres – esq labyrinth once before, just after it was completed. Today, there was more landscaping and new benches since the previous time I walked. And a helpful information board…My sister and I walked. It was a good walk.

On the memorial marker there was this quote:

“Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields,
See how these names are fêted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.”
-Stephen Spender

Hmmm … I’m still thinking about that one.

It was hotter than expected.

My sister and I commented on the Community Garden at the back of the church campus. I really like that modern trend.

After we walked, we looked at the front of the church. The is an older stone church with red doors. Very likable. and as is common all over Brevard, there was a fun fox sculpture. Later we saw raccoon, moose, bear and white squirrel sculptures. I really like whimsical artsy places.

And then we headed to our lunch spot. This is the first weekend that restaurants in NC can be open following the Shelter in Place Shutdown due to the Covid-19 Coronaviris Pandemic.

We hurried because we heard a storm rumbling in the distance … and it was bright sun just a few minutes ago.

After we ate in downtown Brevard, we wandered in a few shops, bought a second cloth mask … the small businesses all encourage patrons to wear masks and most seem to sell locally made cloth masks. Who would have ever thought that masks would be a thing?

By the time we headed out, it was pouring.

And once back at the Westervelt Cabin, after the storms had passed, we trekked up to the French Cabin, just up the creek. It is magical … moss covered drive, ancient cabin with beautiful stonework and my favorite, stone terraces down to the creek where a dam can be closed to create a swimming hole … today the swimming hole was full … magical …

Here are a few quotes that have caught my attention this weekend. The first is from Paul Hanneman’s weekly Beggar to Beggar email dated 5.23.20:

“My friend Don … responded to a BtB on hope with: ‘what can be helpful to people often is to frame a discussion about hope around the difference between ego hope, which is either a positive or negative expectation of the future that pulls one out of the present, and soul (essence) hope, which is a state of being that comes from knowing that there is an intelligence, a love, a beauty, something bigger than our small self to meet us when we are open and present to what is.’”

And these I found in a FB post of John Schulz:
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”
― Leo Tolstoy

When I am here at the cabin I experience soul (essence) hope … a state of being that comes from knowing that there is an intelligence, a love, a beauty, something bigger than my small self that meets me when I am open and present to what is … and to experience that hope, I need to adopt the pace of nature … I need time and patience …

5.24.20

5.9.20 … one lonely Rhododendrum welcoming me …

“Solvitur Ambulando” – It is solved by walking, 2020 Labyrinth Walks, Sardis Baptist Church – Charlotte NC:

The birds! And full canopy… And it is unseasonably cool, 60°. There was even snow up in the North Carolina mountains last night. This is the latest snowfall in North Carolina on record.

Today, most of the Lenten Roses were gone, all of the daffodils were gone, and there was one lonely Rhododendrum welcoming me.

It was really unseasonably cold/cool today, and there was a slight breeze which made it seem even cooler.

One of the first things I noticed today was the broken stone bench. Just like in Avondale, these very heavy stone benches seem to have been waiting for some mischievous youth to knock one over. I can’t imagine that it fell over on its own.

So, yes, it seemed odd that such a massive stone structure could collapse. It took a lot effort to knock it over.

I was in full shade as I walked.

Everyone has been talking about the increase in animal activity in urban environments. Well, the birds were really having a party. And my husband saw what he thought was a fox in our yard early this morning. That’s amazing.

5.9.20

4.22.20 – 5.2.20 … “being a mama” challenge …

I was nominated by Ruth Ann to complete this challenge. Everyday I picked a picture of a day in the life of a mama, posted without explanation and nominated someone to take the challenge. That’s 10 days, 10 photos, and 10 nominations.

Day 1/10:

Day 2/10:

Day 3/10:

Day 4/10:

Day 5/10:

Day 6/10:

Day 7/10:

Day 8/10:

Day 9/10:

Day 10/10:

Ok … today I celebrate my mom who taught me well. But I must mention my grandmother, my mother-in-law, my sister and sisters in law, great aunts, aunts, cousins and so many friends. And of course my children. You made “being a mama” much less of a challenge.