Observing Nature’s Breadth & Breath

Nature’s Breadth Lisa A. Wisniewski

Looking at our list of observations this week, we could not see a common theme or particular topic that stood out for our post.  However, we saw much variety and a number of things that were different from the norm.  How do the observations of the sun’s rising and setting, the flowers in bloom, and the wildlife present in the woods and fields all tie together with what we’ve read and learned in life this week? The answer came to me as I rode my bike under cloudy skies tonight breathing in the warm summer air heavy with humidity.  No doubt God had a hand in helping me find the answer through the discipline of exercise fully experienced in nature.

Anomaly: Color in Dormancy Lisa A. Wisniewski

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” –Hebrews 12:11

Word of the Week: Anomaly

While running early Sunday morning, noticed the neighborhood ponds were still very low with water despite several periods of rain.  There were also patches of beautiful, colorful flowers amidst the dormant, dry, tan grass, along with a number of wildflowers and weeds that were either dying off very soon in their life cycle or blooming very low to the ground instead of higher up on the stalks.  The observations made me wonder in more detail about the many things that are not appearing or feeling “normal” this summer.

All the irregularities in turn took me back in time to learning vocabulary words in reading and English classes.  The word that came to mind was anomaly, which can mean:

• a deviation from the common rule; irregularity
• something different, abnormal, peculiar, or not easily classified
• the angular distance of a planet from its perihelion (point closest to the sun) as seen from the sun

Simple Yet Sophisticated Lisa A. Wisniewski

Anomaly is one of those words that fascinated me, for it sounds complicated and sophisticated, yet has a simple meaning.  While it does not necessarily naturally flow when spoken, it has an aura of rolling energy within its four syllables.  Regardless of what one thinks about the word anomaly, the word does very much define the times in which we are living.  It is not normal or regular to experience a pandemic, record violence and protests, or such extremes in weather.

Reflecting a bit further on the word, I considered all the reasons or causes for an anomaly.  The root cause can be simplified as a change in conditions that has an effect upon all present in the conditions.  For example, the ponds are lower than normal due to lack of rain and rather steady winds.  The lack of rain is an obvious factor, but the wind conditions may not be so obvious to some.  Wind helps speed up evaporation and carries moisture molecules along with it.  When the air in the wind becomes saturated with moisture molecules, rain falls.  The wind can both deliver and take away moisture.  The wind’s speed and temperature play a part in the weather conditions, and weather conditions affect overall climate.

Peaceful Change Lisa A. Wisniewski

Like the rain and the wind, we also have an effect upon others around us.  Any anomaly that happens within us for whatever reason, has the potential to impact others as well.

“Peaceful change starts within us and grows incrementally from where we are.  Our social and physical location will influence the problems we see and the solutions we can imagine.” -Richard Rohr

Song of the Week: Not One, But Three

Going about our activities this week and contemplating the many anomalies around us set my mind upon words to some favorite songs.  Normally, I get one song stuck in my head each week, but this week, I had three songs that kept me moving to the rise and fall of the breath of life itself.  The first song is a favorite hymn, Seek Ye First.  It came to mind as a way to deal with all the circumstances surrounding life these days.  The peaceful melody and soothing words helped keep me focused on tasks at hand and opened my mind up to some perspectives I had been missing.

Seek Ye First Lisa A. Wisniewski

The second song came to me while running Tuesday morning.  While that morning was not a bad morning for us in any way, it was one of those mornings where the sunrise was the highlight of the day and things went downhill exponentially in the hours that passed.  Perhaps the fact we’ve been reading from the book of Jeremiah this week played a part in bringing the lines to Lord, I Hope This Day is Good to mind.   The version of the song I know was sung by country legend Don Williams, also known as The Gentle Giant.  Mr. Williams’ soft but strong voice was a balm to me growing up.  His songs told stories about life and the many struggles we encounter, along with tales of nature adventures.  Though the song was a hit for him in 1981, the lyrics still have meaning in today’s world, and are probably thoughts we’ve all had recently:

Lord I Hope This Day is Good Lisa A. Wisniewski

Lord, I hope this day is good
I’m feeling empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord, I hope this day is good

Lord, have you forgotten me?
I’ve been praying to you faithfully
I’m not saying I’m a righteous man
But Lord, I hope you understand

I don’t need fortune and I don’t need fame
Send down the thunder Lord, send down the rain
But when you’re planning just how it will be
Plan a good day for me…

(Words Written by David N. Hanner)

Every Storm Runs Out of Rain Lisa A. Wisniewski

The third song, Every Storm Runs Out of Rain, takes the concepts of Seek Ye First and the lamentations of Lord I Hope This Day is Good and ties them together.  Like Seek Ye First, it acknowledges the harsh realities of life from a wisdom perspective, offering suggestions for hope in times that test our faith.  Like Lord I Hope This Day is Good, it depicts the thoughts and fears we experience at different times and in different ways in life.  Every Storm Runs Out of Rain was written and recorded by Gary Allan in 2012.  The refrain offers some things to reflect upon as we navigate through these trying times:

Every storm runs, runs out of rain
Just like every dark night turns into day
Every heartache will fade away
Just like every storm runs, runs out of rain…

In Bloom This Week: Colors of Life and Variety

Butterfly Bush Lisa A. Wisniewski

New blooms in the landscape this week despite the dry conditions include butterfly bushes, black eyed Susan, tall iron weed, rose mallow, Rose of Sharon, and spotted knapweed.  These blooms join the teasels, chicory, milk vetch, bull thistle, and common burdock in dotting the landscape with patches of color.  The shades of purple offered in the tall iron weed are darker than those of the butterfly bushes, Rose of Sharon, spotted knapweed teasels, and bull thistle.

Rose Mallow Lisa A. Wisniewski

The rose mallow and Rose of Sharon offer pink blooms with yellow to white pistils that attract bees and butterflies.  The bees that were all over the teasels in weeks prior are now more attracted to the bull thistle.  Examining several patches of bull thistle on my lunchtime walks, I found bumble and honey bees crawling all over the purplish-pink blooms sitting atop the spiny stalks.

The black eyed Susan and milk vetch offer blooms in yellow shades, which offset the purple blooms mentioned above and accent the blue chicory blooms.  The black eyed Susan are blooming a little earlier than normal in our area, and the milk vetch are in larger patches than I have ever seen.  All of the blooms are a reminder that despite what is going on in the world around us, life still goes on, and nature leads the way each day with all it offers.

Bee on Bull Thistle Lisa A. Wisniewski

“The difficult truth about truth is that it often requires us to change our perspectives, attitudes, and rules for living.” –Susan Lenzkes

Treat of the Week: Butterflies Abounding

While examining the new blooms this week, we were treated with the presence of a variety of butterflies.  The little orange and brown spotted skippers danced amid the lower blooms of the milk vetch.  The fluted swallows with their yellow wings stood out as they visited the bull thistle, rose mallow, and teasel blooms.  The black swallowtails with their dark black bodies and yellow spots caught my eye as they dipped and fluttered among the chicory blooms.

Fluted Swallow on Teasel Lisa A. Wisniewski

I also saw viceroys and admirals fluttered alongside me as I ran and biked this week.  The grace these creatures bestow, along with the delicate wings of color brought out the curious child within me and set my mind to wondering and wandering.  These tiny creatures, along with bees, play a part in the pollination and food chain.  Their populations are affected by predators, pesticides, and political decisions, yet they find a way to keep offering what they can to us.

Perhaps we can learn a lesson or two from the butterflies.  Though we may not be graceful like they are, we have the potential to offer beauty in our own way to those around us.  Maybe a smile or kind gesture is our yellow or orange flare of beauty.  Maybe coming to the rescue of those in need is our black or blue tuxedo of sophistication and philanthropy.  Maybe we need to let go of our fears, which can be likened to predators and pesticides, and simply spread our wings to fly on our hope and faith.

Black Swallowtail on Chicory Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world.” –George Bernard Shaw

Lesson of the Week: What You Are Accomplishing

As we went about our activities for the week, we found ourselves with a variety of issues.  One night while trying to do several different tasks, we found ourselves a bit stuck with problems at each task.  What should have been a twenty minute chore turned into an hour long struggle.  At one point, I asked myself, “What are you accomplishing?”

Rose of Sharon Lisa A. Wisniewski

The truth is sometimes we actually accomplish much in our struggles.  We learn what does and does not work, though admittedly the lesson may be a hard one.  We learn about faith, determination, strength, and resources.  We learn when to stop and start, when to say yes or no, and how to better manage time.  The issue with such accomplishments is they are not measurable or even deemed valuable at times depending on our perspective.  Society as a whole wants to see results, not experiences.

In asking this question, a flood of bittersweet memories came to mind.  Our late canine friend Luke was notorious for shenanigans like taking butter off the counter, opening the storm door by himself, and romping through the neighborhood after unclipping his collar from his tie out cable.  After each of these incidents, I sat down with him and asked, “Why do you do these things? What are you really accomplishing, buddy?”

Tall Iron Weed Lisa A. Wisniewski

In his younger years, Luke just stared back at me with a teenage wonder lust as if to answer, “I’m supposed to be accomplishing something?”

As Luke grew older, his response changed to a more remorseful look and sigh that seemed to indicate he was sorry and though he could not promise he would not do it again, he would at least contemplate the consequences before taking action.  In his last weeks with us, Luke grew quite ill and turned the tables on me.  One day in late July of 2016, I was hurrying to try to finish cleaning the house before going outside to do yard work.  Luke poked his head around the corner as I was scrubbing the bath tub.  He sighed deeply and put his head on my arm.

Aha Moment Lisa A. Wisniewski

It was at this moment I realized just how ill he was and that our time together was quickly coming to a close.  In my hurry to try to accomplish things, I was forgetting something very important (okay, so maybe I was trying to avoid the looming inevitable outcome).  His sigh was asking me the same question I had been asking him for ten years, “What are you accomplishing?”

Perhaps this is a good question to stop and ask ourselves as we navigate through our struggles in a world with a pandemic, social and financial unrest, and political issues too long to list.  Perhaps now is the time to take a page out of nature’s wisdom and simply breathe. Breathe in and out and put one foot in front of the other as we take one minute, hour, day, week, and month at a time.  Look at the world through the artful wisdom of a dog like Luke, who after years of misbehavior found the freedom of living through the grace of God and nature’s ways.  Spend a moment watching the sunrise, sunset, or wind blow through the trees.  Focus on all this moment has to offer, and be thankful for it.  You just might find the strength, courage, and stamina to continue forward with much less than you thought you needed.

Sufficient Grace Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Yes, God’s grace is always sufficient, and His arms are always open to give it.  But will our arms be open to receive it?” –Beth Moore

May the things we see and hear in nature offer us suggestions for handling our struggles.  May we learn to see the value in each moment rather than tangible things, and may we come to know life and all it has to offer us through nature’s breath.

Orange Burst Lisa A. Wisniewski

Nature’s Breath

Orange burst in the sky
Above the earth far and wide
Where the fields and creeks run
Under the beams of the sun
As the mist rises from the dew
And the day brings life renewed
In the rise and fall of nature’s breath
Through one and all in the world’s extents.

Red River Lisa A. Wisniewski

Red river in the sky
Sent to deliver the sun’s light
At the break of day
Through the great grace
Of God in heaven above
Who with a nod sends His love
Through the rise and fall of nature’s breath
That comes to call upon us in life’s moments.

Orange or Red Lisa A. Wisniewski

Orange or red, blue or green,
The colors sent all mean
Something different yet the same
Taking us from where we’ve been in our days
To another place and time
That may or may not be what we wish to find
Yet need to experience in order to see
Past the fears within the weeds
That rise and fall through nature’s breath
To lead one and all beyond where we have been.

-Lisa A. Wisniewski

A Note of Thanks

Thanks From Sadie and Leo Lisa A. Wisniewski

Our thanks this week goes out to our late canine friend and former post editor, Luke.  As mentioned above, Luke was quite the character, yet in the end, taught us many valuable lessons about life.  We remember Luke this week for his artistic expression and kind heart.  Luke passed away August 4, 2016 at the age of 12.  Though he is no longer visible to us on earth, we know he is watching over us and still occasionally unrolls the toilet paper in the bathroom to create streamers through the house.  Read more about Luke and the many adventures that both challenged and taught us to breathe in his book Trouble With a Capital L-U-K-E.

We also offer thanks this week to our late canine friend, Faith.  Faith was a gentle soul who came into our lives right after my grandmother had a stroke.  The days that followed helping Gram through her recovery were trying at best, and Faith offered us encouragement with her smile and loyal presence.  Faith passed away August 2, 2018.  Like Luke, we know she is watching over us from heaven and helping to see us through the storms of life.

-Lisa, Sadie, and Leo

Pick of the Clicks: Swirls in the Skies

Sunrise at 6:10 AM and sunset at 8:44 PM this week left a little over 14.5 hours of daylight to view nature’s many offerings.  We had some amazing sunrises and sunsets, some beautiful midday skies, and visits from the deer, turkeys, squirrels, butterflies, and birds capturing our attention.  Despite the high daytime temperatures and humidity levels, we kept quite active with our normal routine, though I did have to be careful with running and biking in the intense sun, and chose to switch up my schedule a bit so I could run and bike in cooler temperatures.  The common theme throughout the week was that of swirls, either in the skies above, juggling activities, or changing though processes in order to keep things as close to “normal” as possible.  We thought we would do a Pick of the Clicks post this week in an effort to share some of the sights we saw.

“You give but little when you give of your possessions.  It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” –Kahlil Gibran

Sunday Sermon: Sowing Seeds

Swirls and stripes in the Tiger Lilies reminded us of the many struggles we have each day with various seeds of sin, love, life, death, hope, worry, faith, fear, and everything in between. Despite all the seeds that clamor for our attention, the choice of how well rooted these seeds become still lies within us.

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” –James 4:8

 

Monday Memories

Patterns in the clouds at midday reminded us of how despite life’s storms, the skies do eventually clear to reveal the sea of blue above.  These patterns of swirls are created by the makeup of molecules and moisture in the atmosphere.  Though the science behind the scenes may not be considered artistic, the sights on the surface remind us that creative expression has no bounds when it comes to nature.  Too often in life, our inner child is squashed by the reality of the world around us.  However, if we allow our inner child’s wonder to flow along with us, we can find satisfaction and peace in science, art, and our surroundings while growing into the adults God needs us to be.

“We cannot grow in the great art form of action and contemplation without a strong tolerance for ambiguity, and ability to allow, forgive, and contain a certain degree of anxiety, and a willingness to know know—and not even need to know.  This is how we allow and encounter Mystery.” –Richard Rohr

 Tuesday Triumph

Sunrise Tuesday captivated us as we watched the colors and patterns in the clouds change to reveal the sun.  The sun’s entrance to a hot, humid morning after storms Monday night offered hope for clearer days ahead both in nature and life.  It was also a great reminder of how important paying attention in the present can assist in the future paths we take in life with ourselves and others.

“Nothing takes the place of your presence.  Letters are nice.  Phone calls are special, but being there in the flesh sends a message.” –From Max Lucado’s Grace for the Moment Volume II

Wednesday Wonder

Sunset Wednesday night offered a spectacular light show only nature can create.  The moving clouds and bending beams of light put on a great show for almost an hour.  Given we had storms that afternoon as well, we were thankful to be able to spend the later evening hours outside in the yard working on projects.  Though our projects are viewed as work by some, they are to us the restful place where we can learn, grow, create, and build strength and endurance for the journey.

“Rest comes as rest comes—sometimes in the great feather beds of the wealthy and sometimes just a step away from hard labor.  When it comes, it is balm to the spirit and solace to the soul.” –Richard Rohr

Thursday Twists

The skies today were mostly cloudy, for we had rain off and on all day and into the evening hours.  The clouds above helped turn our attention to the fields around us, where we found swirls and splotches of milkweed, goldenrod, and teasels. The teasels were acting as hosts to bumble bees and several species of butterflies tonight, allowing for some great nature watching, which is a tradition in our family and source of many stories to share.

“Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition, and myth frame our response.” –Arthur M. Schlesinger

Gathering In

Throughout the week, I had a favorite hymn playing in my mind.  Though I did not recognize it until today, the hymn’s message has ties to the swirls we face in life—being labeled or stereotyped, feeling lost and confused, worrying about worthiness or approval, and many others.  The hymn reminds us that we all fall into these many varied categories at different stages of life, yet we have a saving grace offered to us, if only we are willing to accept it.

Gather Us In

Here in this place new light is streaming,
Now is the darkness vanished away,
See in this space our fears and our dreamings,
Brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in the blind and the lame;
Call us now and we shall awaken,
We shall arise at the sound of our name.

We are the young our lives are a mystery,
We are the old who yearn for your face,
We have been sung throughout all of history,
Called to be light in the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty,
Gather us in the proud and the strong,
Give us a heart so meek and so lowly,
Give us the courage to enter the song.

Here we will take the wine and the water,
Here we will take the bread of new birth,
Here you shall call your sons and your daughters,
Call us anew to be salt for the earth,
Give us to drink the wine of compassion,
Give us to eat the bread that is you;
Nourish us well and teach us to fashion
Lives that are holy and heart that are true.

Not in the dark of buildings confining,
Not in some heaven light years away, but
Here in this place the new light is shining,
Now is the kingdom, now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever,
Gather us in and make us your own;
Gather us in all peoples together,
Fire of love in our flesh and our bone.

(Written by Marty Haugen)

May we come to find our way through life’s changes.  May we find a space uniquely ours, yet shared in the paradox that unites us all, and may our hearts and minds find hope through the swirls in the skies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swirls in the Skies

Swirls in the skies
Keep the world turning in time
Through the mist of the morn
That sets its kiss upon the landscape before
The rise of the sun
Sets sparkles like diamonds
Glistening as the dew drops drip
Then disappear to lift
The little shoots of the plants
Through their roots beneath the land.

Swirls in the skies
Uncurl in the light
As morning passes to midday
Bringing forth the glory of the landscape
In the songs of the birds
And the water running along without words
In the streams and creeks
That feed the seas
Sitting below the horizon
In the glow of the sun.

Swirls in the skies
Twirl on to the twilight
Where in the setting sun
The flares of the colors come
In red, orange, yellow, and peach,
Crimson, sienna, melon, and tangerine,
Then fade into the blue
Where the stars parade with the moon
Marking another day done
On the way to heaven.

-Lisa A. Wisniewski

A Note of Thanks

Thanks to all the men, women, and dogs in the military, law enforcement, emergency medical services, and other vocations who confront the many swirls of being first responders upon the front lines.  Thanks also to the spiritual writers and publications such as Guideposts and The Upper Room for sharing their life experiences, allowing us to see we are not alone in the challenges of life.

-Lisa, Sadie, and Leo

Observing Shades & What Fades

Sunset July 16, 2020 Lisa A. Wisniewski

Our adventures this week allowed us to learn a great deal about nature, life, and ourselves.  One common theme we found this week was things that fade.  From attention spans to relationships, and the fading colors in the landscape to less daylight hours, there are many things in life that have the potential to reach a peak and then fade.  We thought we’d share some of our observations and lessons learned about fading in this week’s post.

Lighting the Candle Lisa A. Wisniewski

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it.” – Margaret Fuller

Attention, Please

We learned a lot in a short time early Sunday morning.  We always go outside as soon as we get up so the dogs can go to the bathroom.  I always look at the sky and the landscape while waiting for the dogs.  Looking up that morning, I saw the moon and stars in the sky.  Morning skies had been cloudy for days prior, so it was nice to see the deep blue sea above lit up by the moon and stars.  The sight sent thoughts and words flowing through my mind at a rapid pace.  I quickly realized I needed to capture the words on paper to remember and reflect upon them, so we hurried inside and I frantically wrote down as much as I could remember.  It was as if God was speaking to me in that sky and wanted me to pay attention.

Attention, Attention! Lisa A. Wisniewski

A short time later, I set out on an eight mile run.  I told myself I was going to reflect on the words and focus on nature and being in the moment.  Since we still have limited church services in my area due to the pandemic, I have set aside my running time to be more reflective and spiritual in an effort to keep the sacred atmosphere of Sunday morning alive.  I was able to stay focused for about a mile, then decided I should say my prayers as I ran.  But this created a dilemma, for I could not focus on the words in my mind that I thought were an important message from God and say my prayers.  Around mile four, I realized my mind had wandered both from the words and my prayers.

Darn it! Why can’t you just let the prayers go for a minute and just listen to God? He is trying to help you and needs you to focus all the way, not half the way.

See? I Told You So Lisa A. Wisniewski

Frustrated, I sighed, and tried to remember the words that had come to me earlier.  I kept repeating them in my mind over and over and then suddenly more words came to me.  God was adding to His message.  See what happens when you pay attention? You get all you need and more!

So, by the time I had finished my run, I had a complete poem written; a much calmer heart, mind and soul; and a fresh perspective for the day, all thanks to God.  I also had an old song then running through my mind about doing things half the way.

Half the Way

Like One Glass of Water Lisa A. Wisniewski

Half of your love
Is just not what I’m after.
Part of your world is just
not what I need
Some of your time is like
One glass of water.
It just keeps me thirsty for wine

So fill me up
To the top
Oh don’t you stop,
’till I’m over flowing
Love is the seed,
And babe I need’
You to keep it growing stronger every day
Oh Love,
Don’t take me half the way!
Don’t take me half the way!

Never before
Have I settled for seconds
All of my life I have
Hungered for more
Now I can see where your
Sweet love can lead me
This is what I have waited for

So fill me up
To the top!
Oh don’t you stop,
’till I’m over flowing
Love is the seed,
And babe I need
You to keep it growing’ stronger every day
Oh Love,
Don’t take me half the way
Don’t take me half the way

(Written by Bobby Wood and Ralph Murphy, performed by Crystal Gayle)

“Nature is ever at work building and pulling down, creating and destroying, keeping everything whirling and flowing, allowing no rest but in rhythmical motion, chasing everything in endless song out of one beautiful form into another.” –John Muir

Fading Shades

The intense sunlight and resulting high temperatures combined with little rainfall have the landscape looking a little pale.  Vibrant green grass is now tan or brown in a dormant state.  Leaves on the deciduous trees in certain areas are losing color, drying up, and dropping to the ground.  The Canada thistle’s pink to purple hued heads have turned into white seed tufts that float when the breeze blows.

During my lunchtime walk, I realized a patch of chicory that had bright blue flowers the week prior was now sporting white flowers.  I stopped for a minute to bend down on one knee and examine the flowers.  They appeared healthy otherwise, having no sign of disease or infestation.  Getting up and moving along on my route, I wondered aloud, “What makes things fade, anyway?”

Canadian Thistle Lisa A. Wisniewski

This question really had my mind intrigued, and as I reasoned through possible answers, I realized the reason for fading depends on the object losing its color or life.  Flowers and blooms fade from exposure to elements and the natural growing process.  Attention spans and relationships fade due to surroundings, level of understanding, and circumstances.  Fabrics fade from sun exposure and washing cycles.

Considering the fading topic further, I reasoned that resources could be the simple answer to the question.  Lack of sun, water, time, energy, etc. are all resources that ebb and flow in our lives.  These resources in turn affect us and others around us.  This made me break down the answer of resources further to relationships.  It is the relationships we have in and through our lives that determine our resources.  The resources in turn allow for growth and decay, which is another word for fading.

Common Mullein Lisa A. Wisniewski

Some things in the landscape not fading in color include the blooming bull thistle, tiger lilies, common burdock, and common mullein.  The bull thistle and common burdock have purple flowers sitting atop green stalks and bracts.  The tiger lilies are shades of orange with brown spots sitting atop tall green stalks.  The common mullein are tall flowers with tiny yellow blooms standing like soldiers in the open fields.

“A man’s growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Defying and Defined By Logic

Defying Logic Lisa A. Wisniewski

The relationships we have sometimes defy logic and other times are defined by logic.  Most relationships are of the latter type, for they are built upon commonalities, familiarity, or a connection of sorts.  These types of relationships have the potential to fade, for there are so many factors involved that are not in our control.  There is also the fact that we are human and mortal, meaning we have a given time to live our life on earth.

The relationships that defy logic are rarer, for they come about due to and extreme of sorts.  One example would be our relationship with God.  It often defies logic in that God keeps loving us no matter what does or does not happen.  His love is so deep, wide, and powerful that we cannot escape it.  We may have a similar relationship with a spouse, loved one, or dear friend, most likely because we have a deep love for them and they reciprocate this love.  This love is often cultivated by a deep connection that has a beauty so simple yet so profound.

My dog Sadie and I have one of those defying logic connections.  We met under extreme circumstances and through the years have been through the ultimate highs and lows of life.  No matter what comes to be, we are forever united in our hearts.  My dog Leo and I have a defying logic relationship as well, but in a different form.  Leo is not as in tune with me as Sadie is, and he is still young enough to have some not-so-great dog habits.  Despite these habits (which drive the anal side of me crazy), I can’t help but love him.  Even when he does something he should not do, I find it in my heart to continue loving him.

“Love takes up where knowledge leaves off.” –Thomas Aquinas

Use It or Lose It

God’s Cursive Writing Lisa A. Wisniewski

I came across a comic strip the other day that really resonated with me, for it had ties to fading and relationships.  The strip was from The Family Circus, and Dolly was explaining the difference between printing and cursive writing to Jeffy, “That’s printing and this is cursive writing.  In cursive, all the letters hold hands.”

Advancements in technology have made cursive writing almost extinct in our world.  Many educational platforms no longer include cursive writing, which has led to much debate in our country and throughout the world.  As someone who still uses cursive writing to write letters, take notes, and make lists, I find cursive writing keeps me more connected to the thought process and the level of energy expended is good for the mind, body, and soul.  Most of what I would consider my best writings have been written in my tiny cursive handwriting on any scrap or piece of paper I could find.  If I am writing a poem, the words flow better from pen to paper than from keyboard to screen.

Holding Hands Lisa A. Wisniewski

The comic strip also brought a possible reason to light for all the division in the world today.  We don’t cursive write, so we don’t hold hands with our thoughts, which in turn leads us to not hold hands with others.  We are divided internally, externally, and every point in between, our attention in constant demand from everything in our life.  We often can only give half the way before circumstances interrupt our efforts.  This leads to deficiencies (or fading) in other areas of life, creating an endless cycle of lacking resources and battered relationships.

In our blog posts, we use pictures and quotes to help tie the words we write together.  We do this also because we know pictures capture attention and offer more to our stories and facts presented.  The quotes are relative to our topic, and though not our own words, allow for connection to the readers.  We use these tools as substitutes for cursive writing with the hope they offer an extended hand to others.

Free! Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Our task must be to free ourselves by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.” –Albert Einstein

May we find knowledge through times of both growth and decay.  May we come to see how our resources and relationships affect us and others, and may our faith not fade away despite all that is going on in and around us.

Fade Away Lisa A. Wisniewski

Fade Away

Rainbow in the sky,
There goes the stormy night,
Lightning strikes and thunder gone
As the sun shines across the lawn.
The soul cries, “Alleluia, Amen!”
Life goes on again
Through the river to the sea
To deliver you and me.
All the heartaches and the pain
Someday fade away.

Little Flowers in the Sun Lisa A. Wisniewski

Little flower in the sun
Grows to tower high above
The blades of grass in the lawn
Thanks to the light rays of the dawn
Where the meadowlark sings and the dewdrops
Bring their sparkles to the awe
Of nature’s mystery
That cascades and runs wild and free.
Chase the minutes of the day
Let it all just fade away.

Sunset in the Sky Lisa A. Wisniewski

Sunset in the sky
Stretched far and wide
Al the colors one can dream
In a stellar stream
Rolling on toward the night
Unfolding before the eyes
Of the soul watching and wondering
What the old night will bring
To the race through time’s space
Coming around again to then fade away.

Here We Go! Lisa A. Wisniewski

Here we go, here we come
In the glow of the sun
Coming around once again
Let’s all shout, “Alleluia, Amen!”
For the Lord has brought us here
To be glad for the joy and the tears
That all come and go and make our days
Ebb and flow and then fade away.

-Lisa A. Wisniewski

A Note of Thanks

Thanks Everyone! Lisa A. Wisniewski

Our thanks this week goes out to the season of summer for allowing us the resources to do activities we enjoy most in life.  Though sunrise is now at 6:03 AM and sunset at 8:50 PM, there are still many hours of daylight to foster our growth.  Thanks also to cartoonist Bil Keane for the many thought provoking panels in The Family Circus, and to the newspapers who still publish this comic strip.

Lisa, Sadie, and Leo

Observing What Comes To Be in the July Breeze

What Comes To Be in the Dawn Lisa A. Wisniewski

The big news in the landscape this week centers around the heat, humidity, lack of rain, and what is in bloom.  All of these have ties to the breezes in July, so we thought we’d share a few facts, observations, and reflections on this topic in this week’s post.

“Keep your fears to yourself, but share your inspiration with others.” –Robert Louis Stevenson

Blowing in the Breeze

First Teasels in Bloom Lisa A. Wisniewski

The highlight of the week came on Monday when we found the first teasel blooms.  Teasels are rather unique in shape and features with tubular flowers born in bands around spiny egg-shaped heads.  The bands may be one or two inches wide and may occur at any location (top, middle, bottom) on the egg shape.  The stems of this wildflower (also known as a weed) are spiny and branching.  The leaves grow in pairs, are lance-shaped, and have spiny midribs.

Typically, teasels are found in fields and ditches along roadsides.  They may also grow in waste places.  Since much of our area was once used for strip mining coal, there are many places for teasels to grow.  Bloom season is July through October.  When the teasels die off, they turn tan and brown as they dry out.  Though teasels grow each year, they do not grow from the same stalk like other wild flowers or perennials, but rather from new stalks.

Bee on Teasel Lisa A. Wisniewski

Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are attracted to teasels.  The plants grow tall, typically up to six feet.  Their height and flexible stalks allow them to bend in the breeze and blow from side to side.  I watched several bees hold on as they crawled on the egg-shaped heads blowing in the breeze this week.

Teasels were once cultivated in Europe for their spiny flower heads.  The dried heads were mounted on rods and used by woolen good manufacturers to tease, or raise the nap of cloth.  This ancient method was preferred over using metal or other materials for the rod heads because the teasel spines would break under pressure and not tear the cloth.  Though teasels are not cultivated in the United States, they are used in arts and crafts, flower arrangements, and green spaces.

Teasel Close Up Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Almost every person, from childhood, has been touched by the untamed beauty of wildflowers.” –Lady Bird Johnson

Nodding in the Air

We also found trumpet creeper in full bloom this week.  Trumpet creeper is a member of the Campsis family.  Campsis radicans is native to North America, but Campsis grandiflora is of Asian origin. Trumpet creeper can grow up to 50 feet high.  Its trumpet-shaped flowers are typically orange or scarlet in color, making it easy to see in the landscape.  The flowers grow in clusters amidst leaves divided into 7-11 leaflets.

Trumpet creeper flowers are 2.5 – 3 inches long.  The pistil and stamen are typically yellow in color and lie within the trumpet-shaped petals.  The flowers often look as if nodding when the breeze blows, and are typically in bloom from July through September.

Trumpet Creeper Lisa A. Wisniewski

Trumpet creeper can be found in moist areas, such as woods, thickets, and stream banks.  The patch closest to our house is on a grade at the edge of a moist wooded area.  The leaves continue to stay green for about a month after the flowers die off.  In the late fall, the leaves die off, exposing the many twists and turns of the long vines that support the flowers and leaves.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23

Swaying in the Haze

Staghorn Sumac Lisa A. Wisniewski

On one of my lunchtime walks this week, I found the some staghorn sumac with red seed clusters, making the trees appear to be in bloom.  The leaves on these trees are very long with narrow lance-shaped leaflets.  The leaf stalks and twigs are covered with velvet-like hairs.

The staghorn sumac belong to the same family as poison sumac and poison ivy, yet unlike their relatives, are not poisonous.  The fruits of the staghorn sumac can be made into a lemony tea when brewed.  Like their relatives, the staghorn sumac can be invasive, spreading quickly over old fields and woodland borders.

The Greater Part… Lisa A. Wisniewski

These trees tend to stand out in the landscape with their long leaves and scarlet red seed clusters.  When the breeze blows, the entire leaf moves in unison like a pendulum swinging in slow motion back and forth. Similar to the teasels, the seed clusters dry up at the end of the growing season and new seed clusters emerge in the summer from different sections of the leaf clusters.

“The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.  We carry the seeds of the one or the other about with us in our minds wherever we go.” –Martha Washington

 Three H’s in the Wind

Hazy Sunrise Lisa A. Wisniewski

Hazy, hot, humid conditions dominated our weather this past week.  Known as the three H’s in our area, these three conditions are synonymous with the heart of summer.  The hazy conditions are a byproduct of the high temperatures and humidity levels.  The high temperatures and moisture in the air allow the haze to form and remain visible until the sun dries the air out or cold fronts push the humidity levels down.

Summer temperatures in our area are typically in the mid 70⁰ – 85⁰F range.  However, we do at times experience temperatures above 90⁰F in July and August.  Multiple days at such high temperatures are not normal for us, so the string of days this past week with both higher than normal temperatures and above average humidity levels made for some challenging situations when trying to do outdoor activities.

Sunset After the Rain Lisa A. Wisniewski

Two nights this week, we had fronts move through the area ushering in cooler air and less humid conditions.  The fronts brought some high winds and rainfall to the area, offering a much needed reprieve to the landscape, which dried out significantly over the past week.

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.” –Dolly Parton

Clearing the Air

The rainfall on Tuesday and tonight helped clear the air and made conditions much easier for moving on with life.  As we went about our tasks this evening, we noticed the areas of dormant grass appear to be slowly coming back to life.  The rains, though not overly abundant or prolonged were mostly gentle and fell at a rate allowing for soaking of the parched ground.

Bright Vetch Among Dormant Grass Lisa A. Wisniewski

Seeing the dormant grass reminded me of a lesson I learned long ago regarding a misconception when it comes to how grass grows.  Grass grows best in moist, cooler conditions.  When conditions become warm and dry, grass goes dormant in order to survive.  In dormancy, the grass turns yellow or brown.  Many people view this as a sign the grass is dying, when in fact, the grass is doing its part to allow it to live once conditions return to a favorable state.

This misconception of the grass dying often leads people to try different treatments and chemicals to bring the grass back to life.  These treatments and chemicals actually have the reverse effect and can kill the grass.  The formulas in these treatments can cause chemical burns to the root systems of turf and sod.  The best treatment is consistent watering on a regular schedule, either in the early morning or later in the evening when the sun is not intense.  Apply the same amount of water each time and be patient.  The dormant grass will turn green again.

God Made Visible Lisa A. Wisniewski

“To us also, through every star, through every blade of grass, is not God made visible if we will open our minds and our eyes.” –Thomas Carlyle

 Lessons in the Landscape

Like the grass, we too can become parched and dry from life’s circumstances.  Consistent care through a variety of physical, mental, and spiritual exercises can help sustain us in such times and allow us to return to a better state once conditions are more favorable.  Unlike the dormant grass, we don’t often know how to handle the stresses of life, so we struggle to maintain ourselves and ultimately grow.

Exercise of Mind, Body, Soul Lisa A. Wisniewski

Some practices that can help us through dormant states of life include:

• Regular physical activity, such as walking, running, biking, yoga, or weight lifting. Mixing up the activities or choosing several and rotating through them each day of the week can help with physical and mental flexibility and strength, which in turn helps develop endurance and stamina.
• Reading a books, magazines, articles, or passages on a variety of topics. The mental exercise opens up the mind, allowing for clearer thought and perspective.  Educational readings help develop knowledge, and spiritual readings assist in development of the soul and character.
• Art activities, such as drawing, writing, painting, playing an instrument, or listening to music. These activities provide an escape or outlet for the mind and spirit, allowing one to be creative and use different skillsets.  These skillsets can help with emotional and social development, allowing for a better sense of community and awareness of environment, leading to network connections with others and development of compassion.

Waiting Patiently Lisa A. Wisniewski

Also like the grass, we sometimes have to wait for our needs to be met.  This does not suite the instant gratification society we have become, leading to a plethora of other issues.  If there is one thing we have learned in our household during these times of pandemic and uncertainty, it is the art and science of waiting and the development of the “yes, you can” mentality.

Think you cannot wait for something or go without something for a given time? Think again.  Focus not on what you need, but rather what you have.  You just may find yourself surprised at what you really need in life.  You may also discover a lot of clutter and noise that are holding you back from becoming who you are meant to be.

“Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.” –Rainer Maria Rilke

Song Riding the Breeze

Skipper Taking a Break From Riding the Breeze Lisa A. Wisniewski

All week, I’ve been reflecting on waiting and how to best handle the times in life when we must wait.  July is historically a horrible month for me, and it has taken many years to come to accept what has or has not happened in my life.  Every day this week, I heard or had an old song running through my head, and this song tells the story of a man waiting for a dream to come true.  The lyrics and music resonate with me today just as much as back in 1988 when the song was first released:

Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses

Charlie’s got a gold watch
Don’t seem like a whole lot
After thirty years of driving
Up and down the interstate
But Charlie’s had a good life
And Charlie’s got a good wife
And after tonight she’ll no longer
Be counting the days

Counting the Days Lisa A. Wisniewski

Eighteen wheels and a dozen roses
Ten more miles on his four day run
A few more songs on the all night radio
And he’ll spend the rest if his life
With the one that he loves

They’ll buy a Winnebago
Set out to find America
Do a lotta catching up
A little at a time

With pieces of the old dream
They’re gonna light the old flame
Doing what they please
Leaving every other reason behind

Eighteen wheels and a dozen roses
Ten more miles on his four day run
A few more songs on the all night radio
And he’ll spend the rest if his life
With the one that he loves

More Miles on the Run Lisa A. Wisniewski

Eighteen wheels and a dozen roses
Ten more miles on his four day run
A few more songs on the all night radio
And he’ll spend the rest if his life
With the one that he loves

(Written by Paul Nelson and Gene Nelson, Recorded by Kathy Mattea)

Back in July of 1988, I did not think I’d make it through the year, let alone be writing about it 30 plus years later in a blog post about life.  But, here we are, and what has come to be through July and much waiting along the way is far beyond any dream I’ve ever had.  So, to anyone out there thinking you can’t wait or can’t see the light amidst the darkness, stop for just a minute.  Look around you in nature.  Take what you see and hear in nature to heart.  Allow it to help sustain you as you put one foot in front of the other and move on one minute at a time.

Time’s River Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” –Marcus Aurelius

May our times of waiting through what comes to be in life allow us to grow in mind, body, and soul.  May our hurts and fears give way to strength and faith, and may we come to better perspectives and wisdom through what we find in the July breeze.

Soft and Warm Lisa A. Wisniewski

In the July Breeze

Blowing soft and warm
In the dawn before
The red, red sun
Lifts its head above
The trees and the clouds
In the east without a sound,
The silence of the valleys
Rides in the July breeze.

Making Teasels Nod Lisa A. Wisniewski

Blowing gently but hot across the land
Making the teasels nod as they stand
At attention in the fields with the wild flowers
Dipping and swaying about in the hours
That pass from dawn to dusk
When the fawns and the bucks
Come out to graze and play
As the sun marks the end of the day in the haze
Forming like waves foaming in the seas
Floating in the July breeze.

Blowing Hot and Hard Lisa A. Wisniewski

Blowing hot and hard
As if throwing the trees apart
Sending the leaves twirling about
In curling circles to the ground
As the storm settles in tonight
To pour water from the skies
Offering life to the grass once again
After the high temperatures set in
The land breathes a sigh of relief
For the night in the July breeze.

Lisa A. Wisniewski

A Note of Thanks

Thanks From Sadie Lisa A. Wisniewski

Our thanks this week goes out to the many musical artists who have influenced us and helped us get through times of waiting, learning, and growing.  Special thanks to the voices of Patty Loveless, Barbara Mandrell, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Emmylou Harris, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Rodney Crowell, Steve Wariner, Kathy Mattea, The Eagles, and Fleetwood Mac.  Thanks also to friends and family for helping us along the way and encouraging us to find the light in the dark.

-Lisa, Sadie, and Leo

Thanks From Leo Lisa A. Wisniewski

Observing Today & Remembering Yesterday

Sunrise Today Lisa A. Wisniewski

Our adventures this week brought us close to some of summer’s greatest offerings in nature in our area.  We found a number of new blooms in the area of significant importance to the cycle of life, got to see deer almost every night feeding and romping in the fields, and had some wonderful skies above us as we went about our daily routine.  Seeing the sights offered reason to stop and be thankful for the present moments and brought back memories of summers past.  The combination of experiences along with the order of events made this week’s post easy to write, for it wrote itself as we went through each day.

Spirea One Small Wonder Lisa A. Wisniewski

“It is true some of the best things in life are free, but we are often too distracted or too busy to see the simple treasures of life right in front of us.” –Richard Rohr

Sunday Sermon & Life Learning

Sunday dawned gray and cloudy, but very warm and humid.  On my morning run, I found patches of wild black raspberries and the first blooms on some hedge bindweed along the road.  The black raspberries reminded me of making jam and jelly with my mom as a young girl.  The berries once grew in great abundance along the edges of our fields.  I liked picking these berries better than the black berries that also grew in abundance because the black raspberries did not have the heavy thorns that pinched fingers.  The berries usually ripened the last two weeks of June.

Wild Black Raspberries Lisa A. Wisniewski

This year’s crop is running a bit behind schedule for ripening, most likely due to the cooler spring temperatures we had earlier this year.  Later in life when I moved into my own house, one of my traditions became making black raspberry jam on the Fourth of July.  I would pick and wash the berries, freeze them, and take them out early in the morning on the Fourth of July.  By 9:00 AM, I’d have two batches of jam made and the kitchen all cleaned up.

The hedge bindweed took me back to summer nights spent running through the corn field to and from my house to my cousins’ house two fields away.  We ran, biked, or walked everywhere in those days and spent our summer nights chasing lightning bugs in my grandmother’s back yard.  Gram lived between the houses where my cousins and I lived, and meeting at her place had the bonus of iced tea or lemonade in a jug on the porch for all of us to share as the sun went down.  Though I did not know what hedge bindweed was back then, I found its white trumpeted flowers and arrow shaped flowers interesting.

Hedge Bindweed Lisa A. Wisniewski

Memories flooded my mind as I ran on Sunday.  The humidity was very high, leaving me drenched in sweat.  At one point about four miles into my run, a gentle breeze blew.  It felt so refreshing and calming to my soul.  An idea came to mind for a poem, and as the sweat, breeze, and words flowed through the miles, I thought about how we are often so preoccupied with the past or the future that we don’t even pay attention to the present or to all the wonders of today.  It is in these wonders of each today that we find the strength and develop the endurance to live past our fears and doubts.

No Room for Fear Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Faith is the one power against which fear cannot stand.” –Norman Vincent Peale

Monday Hey!

Monday dawned brighter and with less humidity.  During my bike ride that night, an orange bloom caught my eye.  Could it be? Could it really be butterfly weed?

Excited, I circled back around and made a close examination.  Yes, it was butterfly weed, a most treasured gem in our area for pollinators like bees and butterflies.  The scarcity of this plant over the past few years has been alarming. Seeing it grow in the wild (versus cultivated in a landscape bed) was even rarer.  The eight year old inside of me was doing cartwheels while the adult in me was wondering about possible resurgence of the plant in our area and how it could impact the pollinator population, which in turn affects plants and trees that need pollinators to produce fruit.

Butterfly Weed Lisa A. Wisniewski

Scanning the area, I found a few more patches of butterfly weed in open fields.  The orange blotches among the green grasses stand out like flames in a fire.  Seeing so many patches was encouraging, for the area once supported a very wide variety of wildlife and wild flowers.  As a young person with a curious mind, I remember trying to identify the many flowers my sister and I found in the yard and fields around our house. We’d spend hours in the yard playing, then go inside and comb through several reference books that Mom had in the book case.  We did not have cell phones or computers to look things up, but we did have a number of books available to us.  Mom taught us how to use these books, and as we moved through grade school to high school and on to college, we used the facts and skills learned to move us on to the next phase of learning.

Leading to Tomorrow Lisa A. Wisniewski

However, it was that one “today” long ago when Mom showed us how to use the books that allowed many tomorrows to be full of learning.  That one today helped shape our tomorrows and yesterdays so that we could arrive at a new today with fresh perspective and knowledge to guide us through whatever life had in store for us.  Did we handle each today well? No, but we learned to in time, which helped to shape who we became.

“Responsibility educates.” –Wendell Phillips

Tuesday Wait!

Milkweed Lisa A. Wisniewski

Tuesday while working on a yard project, I discovered milkweed in bloom along the edge of a field by our house.  This sent the eight year old in me into a frenzy, for now we had found both butterfly weed and milkweed close to home.  The big deal about milkweed is its ability to support the Monarch butterfly population.  In recent years, use of pesticides and other chemicals on crops and in fields, along with property development, has sent the population of milkweed into an almost no existent state.

An effort to replant milkweed in our area (and other areas across the country) backfired when tropical instead of native milkweed was planted.  The tropical milkweed has a different growing season, which led the already dwindling Monarch butterfly population into near extinction.  The Monarchs stayed too long in our area before migrating further south for the winter, leading the Monarchs to die in the colder temperatures.

Cone Flower Lisa A. Wisniewski

Though I was busy and trying to get a lot done before it got dark that night, I stopped to look at the milkweed and take pictures.  Taking the few moments to do so allowed my mind to wonder and wander away from the issues dogging me that day.  This is the beauty of nature—it calls our attention and when we heed its call, it can heal more hurt and solve more problems than we knew we had.

“Small is beautiful.” –E.F. Schumacher

Wednesday Wow!

While running Wednesday, I detected a hint of a pungent odor in the air.  The smell sent me straight back to childhood and helping Gram in her yard. The smell was that of a chestnut tree, which in the heat and humidity can be a downright putrid odor instead of a pleasant aroma.  There are very few chestnut trees left in the surrounding area of our house.  In fact, the only one within close proximity that I am aware of is one that stands about half a mile down the road from me.

Chestnut Tree Lisa A. Wisniewski

The chestnut trees were victims to fungus and blight in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s in our area.  The two trees standing in Gram’s yard that I had learned to climb as a little girl had to be cut down as a result.  I remember helping my late Uncle Jim cut down these trees.  It was one of those special times spent with him working around Gram’s place.  Since Uncle Jim was in my mind Jesus, doing anything with him was special.

Smelling that odor as I ran made tears run down my face.  The trees bloom in early July, sending yellow and brown catkins falling soon after.  The timing is in line with Uncle Jim’s birthday, and since his passing in 1995, his birthday is one of those days that I don’t even have to look at the calendar to know what day it is because I can feel it in my heart.

Every Gift Lisa A. Wisniewski

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no change, nor shadow of alteration.” –James 1:17

Thursday Today, Tomorrow, and Always

So here we are at Thursday, July 2^nd.  It is one of those days that no matter what “today” it is in my life, it takes me on a journey through where I am to where I was and back again several times over.  Today is Uncle Jim’s birthday.  It is also the anniversary of my late dog Nikki’s passing in 2009.  Today is also Sadie’s birthday.  Sadie is twelve years old today, yet still as young at heart as the day we met.

Remembering Always Lisa A. Wisniewski

Today is one of those days where remembering the past makes one truly appreciate the present.  For we must have the past to get to the present, and it is only in the present that we can fully appreciate what the past offered to us was a gift, although it may have been disguised in the trials and tribulations of life.

“We are made to persist. That’s how we find out who we are.” –Tobias Wolff

Today’s Passages

Rite of Passage Lisa A. Wisniewski

Summer is often full of “rites of passage” as one moves from one school year or aspect of life to another.  Growing up, different summers gave me freedom in learning to ride a bike, drive a car, and get lost in nature.  While riding my bike this week, I recalled how this activity was my first escape in life, allowing me to forget my fears.

As a toddler, I rode my tricycle around the basement or outside along the sidewalk when weather permitted.  It was my escape from not having many friends.  As a young girl, I learned to ride my Schwinn Lil’ Chic hand-me-down bike across the back yard with my mom’s assistance (and no training wheels).  It was my escape when I did not understand life.  As a teenager, I rode my Schwinn Cruiser around the yard so much that I made ruts all along the perimeter of the property (much to my dad’s chagrin).  It was my escape from the darkness of depression.

Coreopsis Lisa A. Wisniewski

Today, I ride that same Schwinn Cruiser during the good weather of the summer months all over my neighborhood (much to both of my parents’ chagrin).  It is my escape into a simpler time, a way to feel thankful for what I have and all I am able to do.  It is my passage through today that allows me to remember the yesterdays and dream about the days to come.

While riding my bike this week, I thought about how many of summer’s sights and smells are instant passageways to days gone by.  Seeing or smelling triggers the memory or recollection that connects past and present.  As I thought of this, I realized I have had a song running through my mind all week, and the song is a favorite, for it illustrates how a song can be like a summer sight and take us back to where we were.

The Song Remembers When Lisa A. Wisniewski

The Song Remembers When

I was standing at the counter
I was waiting for the change
When I heard that old familiar music start
It was like a lighted match
Had been tossed into my soul
It was like a dam had broken in my heart

After taking every detour
Getting lost and losing track
So that even if I wanted
I could not find my way back
After driving out the memory
Of the way things might have been
After I’d forgotten all about us
The song remembers when

Rolling Through Time Lisa A. Wisniewski

We were rolling through the Rockies
We were up above the clouds
When a station out of Jackson played that song
And it seemed to fit the moment
And the moment seemed to freeze
When we turned the music up and sang along

And there was a God in Heaven
And the world made perfect sense
We were young and were in love
And we were easy to convince
We were headed straight for Eden
It was just around the bend
And though I have forgotten all about it
The song remembers when

I guess something must have happened
And we must have said goodbye
And my heart must have been broken
Though I can’t recall just why
The song remembers when

All the Miles Between Lisa A. Wisniewski

Well, for all the miles between us
And for all the time that’s passed
You would think I haven’t gotten very far
And I hope my hasty heart
Will forgive me just this once
If I stop to wonder how on Earth you are

But that’s just a lot of water
Underneath a bridge I burned
And there’s no use in backtracking
Around corners I have turned
Still I guess some things we bury
Are just bound to rise again
For even if the whole world has forgotten
The song remembers when
Yeah, and even if the whole world has forgotten
The song remembers when

(Written by Hugh Prestwood)

May we find the gift in each today and learn to accept our yesterdays in time.  May our experiences lead us to better understanding and perspective as each today becomes yesterday.

Each Today Lisa A. Wisniewski

As Each Today Becomes Yesterday

Each today is what it is;
Each come what may is just the bridge
To get us across
Every forgive and forget that God
Offers us to have
If only our love allows that
We open our hearts and minds
To the art of time
As each today becomes yesterday
In the reigns of life’s rain.

Each Gift of Today Lisa A. Wisniewski

Each today is a gift;
Each cloud of rain will eventually lift,
Each rainbow will come in due time
Be it slow or fast in the light,
Allowing the sun to enter the scene
In whatever comes to be
Part of the hours we spend
Under the powers of heaven
As each today becomes yesterday
In the rains of God’s grace.

Light of Life Lisa

Each today is what it is;
Each hour saved is eventually spent
Somewhere in time
Whether we’re aware or lost inside
Ourselves on the pathways taken
With or without help in the life we’re making
Trying to do what we can to make it to the other side
Though we don’t always understand in this life
As each today becomes yesterday
In the waves beneath the sun’s rays.

-Lisa A. Wisniewski

A Note of Thanks

Happy Birthday, Sweet Pea! Lisa A. Wisniewski

Our thanks this week go out to my late Uncle Jim, my late dog Nikki, and Sadie, all of whom share a special meaning of today every July 2^nd in my life.  You can read more about them in the books Angel in Disguise and Nikki Jean.  Thanks also to Leo for his support through the past 24 hours, which have been full of a myriad of emotions and a lot of tears.  Thanks to God in heaven above for days like July 2^nd to remind me of how blessed I am in life.

-Lisa, Sadie, and Leo