WILD GEESE

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees

for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body

love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

are moving across the landscapes,

over the prairies and the deep trees,

the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,

are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

the world offers itself to your imagination,

calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting 

over and over announcing your place

in the family of things.

from Dream Work by Mary Oliver

published by Atlantic Monthly Press

© Mary Oliver

NEXT QUESTION

Next question: Within each of your groups, do you see commonalities?  

The common thread suggests nature offers me great comfort, the colors reflect my love of nature, colors of mountain heather, flowers and the changing colors of the earth as the sun blesses it each day.

All of my choices are inter related in a way I was not really conscious of,  until looking a little deeper into my answers.


I seek comfort,  tranquility, and a connection to the greater Spirit.  My answers reflect this journey.  I guess, it is not such random wander, as I had believed.  Though I still love the synchronicity of it all!

A GAME

Robin at Metanoia has invited her readers to play a multi-part game of some kind.  She has posted the first step, and when at least 10 people have responded, we get to find out the next step.  I have so appreciated Robin's depth, and so I trust her whimsy.  Wanna play?


Robin's game:

Take a minute and write down your responses to the

following.  No context ~ just whatever responses pop 

into your mind.  Be as general or specific as you 

want, using as few words as possible.

1. Five colors: Turquoise, purple, fuschia, yellow, 

orange.

2. Five cities:   Banff,  Jackson Hole,  Edinburgh, 

Dehli,  Katmandu,

3.  Five landscapes:   Mountains, canyons, forests, 

waterfalls, fields of flowers.

4.  Five interiors:    Cottages, conservatories, 

museums,inns, toy shops.

5. Five things you might wear:    Funky hats, 

funky boots, capes, chiffon scarves, 

handkerchief skirts,

When at least  ten people have responded, either in their comments or in their own blogs, I'll tell you the next step.  There are four steps in all.

MOONBOWS

Moonbows at Yosemite National Park..............magic

ZION NATIONAL PARK

Utah's First National Park

Massive canyon walls ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. To experience Zion, you need to walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in a small narrow canyon. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons.

 Remembering  a hot day in August some years ago, walking shin deep across the cool waters of Zion National Park.   In  awe of its beauty and wildness, and offering thoughts of gratitude to those with the foresight to protect these acres.  

LIFE'S LESSONS

Where does the time go?  Well, in my case this has been a summer of taking care of other people's business. Not something I volunteered for, or would agree to do once again. Rather I was conscripted to handle my recently departed sister-in-law's estate, way too soon, and under a dark cloud of sadness.

I have lost enough people in my life to know when they are gone, what they leave behind in material goods, does not fill the emptiness.  All of the little keepsakes, from their tender memories are often lost on the person, sorting through their things. Or is that just me? 

It seems that the older I get,  going through this process reveals to me how I am growing in  spiritual sense.  Oh, I am no where close to nirvana, but I have journeyed quite a distance from measuring my self-worth in my possessions. However, I did find that a little silly ceramic napkin holder, that sat on SIL's kitchen table for 30 years, somehow ended up on my table. And, the prayer shawl given to her in the hospital the day my brother passed away, came home with me  too. As I said, not close to nirvana.


Other than that, the  message whispered to my heart each time I have to deal with this task, is the fact that the memories, and love are in me, not in  the"things" left behind. No need to add  their "stuff" to my "stuff"  it won't keep them any closer to me, and it will all eventually need to be sifted through yet again, when I am the one who is finally resting.  
  
I want to simplify my life, my soul yearns for that.  I am being slowly drawn to answer that call. All of my life I have been a dyed in the wool procrastinator when it comes to organization. Left-handed  mayhem is more my style. Unfinished projects, potential projects, dreams, and ideas surround me manifested in "stuff".  "Tomorrow I will sort things out" has been my motto to this point in my life. However, call for simplicity is growing louder.  So wish me luck, as I reach forward. Can an old dog learn new tricks?  I will let you know.

A WEE SUMMER COTTAGE

For sale: Katharine Hepburn's luxury former home on the market for a cool $28 million

It is a rare chance to own a piece of movie history.
But there won't be too many buyers able to come up with the whopping $28 million dollars it will cost to buy the Connecticut mansion and estate which once belonged to legendary movie star Katharine Hepburn.
The African Queen actress lived in the mansion until she died in 2003 at the age of 96.

Spectacular: Hollywood legend Katharine Hepburn's former estate in Connecticut is on the market for $28 million

The estate, which sits on the waterfront, had been in the Hepburn family since 1913.
It was bought by Barbara and Frank Sciame in 2004 for $6million with the intention of renovating it and selling it on, according to the Wall Street Journal. 
However Mr Sciame 'fell in love' with the 8,300 square foot home and ended up spending summers there.
For the sale, he has divided the estate into three sections, available to buy together or separately.

Luxury: The home boasts six bedrooms and eight bathrooms and was in the Hepburn family from 1913 until the actress's death

Dramatic: One inside interior photograph shows a stunning sweeping white staircase

Family home: The estate belonged to Katharine Hepburn's family from 1913 until she died

The largest section features the house and private dock on Long Island Sound, which runs  along 680 feet of waterfront, for $18 million.
The colonial style home, which is listed on William Pitt Sotheby's International Realty, features six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
The listing also says the house boasts 'stunning views from this crown jewel.'

 

The property also has a large pond at its rear, 'securing privacy', and private beaches.
Other features include seven fireplaces and a 'crushed stone' driveway.
One photograph shows the dramatic hallway with a grand sweeping staircase, while a shot of a bedroom reveals a spectacular view of the waterfront.

Room with a spectacular view: One of the mansion's six bedrooms looks out across the waterfront

Private jetty: The house, in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, looks out onto Long Island Sound

Miss Hepburn holds the record for winning the most Best Actress Oscars, triumphing for Morning Glory in 1933, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner in 1967, The Lion in Winter in 1968, and On Golden Pond in 1981.
She had a long and celebrated love affair with Spencer Tracey, although she also had relationships with Howard Hughes and director John Ford.

She had no children and only married once, briefly, to college sweetheart Ludlow Ogden Smith.
Miss Hepburn died at her beloved home in June 2003.

Stunning: The home has been completely renovated since the actress's death

Height of luxury: The home, which boasts high ceilings and 8,300 square feet of floor space, has been renovated with white fixtures and fittings

Just the coolest property, but what else would it be, being Katherine Hepburn's home?