We are having such wonderful spring weather here and I am trying to balance inside work with outside work. I had an unusual burst of energy and motivation a couple of weeks ago and completed the basement storage room cleanout that has been on my to do list since last summer. My goal was to complete it in May this year rather than having it a mental burden all summer long again. It’s hard to work inside right now though because there are so many exciting things happening outdoors. The birds are especially distracting. We have a Carolina wren with babies in the attic space over the garage and both tree swallows and bluebirds in birdhouses. Today there are barn swallows checking out the wren’s spot in the garage. They have nested there before.
Jonny has been longing for bees and I’ve been saying maybe next year. But then, the other day Phoebe came to tell me that there was a swarm of bees moving through. I ran outside to follow them and was delighted to see them heading toward one of our abandoned and overgrown hives. They made it easy for us! That rarely happens. Jonny has since cleared the brush away and cleaned out the hive for his new bees.
Silas has started a new metalworking hobby and is forging the loveliest hooks and other interesting things. I’m still learning the language of metalwork so hopefully got that right. He presented me with an amazing large hook for Mother’s Day to hang a bird feeder on and I actually cried. It’s so beautiful and I was so surprised! He’s only just beginning but I am very impressed with his work.
I’ve been a little bogged down in my reading lately. I’m nearing page 800 of War and Peace and it is just so heavy that I am convinced it’s contributing to my upper back issues. I told a friend that it’s become my albatross minus the guilt factor. I don’t know why, but I’m just not really enjoying it. I think it’s just too much. Too heavy, too long, and too much Napoleon maybe. But I’m determined to finish it this summer. I also started a Bible in a year plan, in late February I think? Right now I’m in Leviticus and I also don’t love it! Not to compare the Bible with War and Peace, but hopefully you understand. I am surprised that priests don’t hand out chapters of Leviticus as penances.
For a break I read Frances Palmer’s Life in the Studio (amazon links are affiliate links) and found it lovely and inspiring. Jonny and I have had a gift certificate since Mother’s Day 2024 to take a pottery class together, and maybe we will manage it soon. However, my biggest piece of inspiration was Frances’s painted canvas backdrops. I’ve ordered canvas and hope to paint some this summer for still life photo backdrops. I’m working through her latest book on flowers now. I don’t have the patience for flower arrangement, so I’m more interested in the flowers she enjoys growing and the reason behind each. I grow flowers in ridiculous amounts from seed every year but when it comes to cutting them and putting them in vases, I put absolutely no thought into it and it shows! I’m not sure that will ever change.
And as far as that rascal cat, I have to admit that I have grown very fond of him. I am calling him Gerald which I think is an appropriate compromise.
Leviticus as penance?! Ha! They probably know no one would be able to finish it and we’d all be back in the confessional the next week confessing that we never finished our penance form last week!
I started a flower farm this year. “Farm” just means there are rows that have the same plants in one long line. I’m not selling these flowers or anything. My goal is to have enough flowers to dry for the winter to give as gifts all year long. I am horrible at flower arranging as well and live in a country where the women know how to do it innately from birth. Sigh.
Silas is so talented, how lucky you are to have handy and creative (young) men in your family!
Peace!
I’ve started using “flower frogs” this year and it has really changed my flower arranging! Keep an eye out at antique shops for them. Then you can put flowers in low bowls and other interesting vessels!
What a miracle for Johnny! 🙂 Everything in this is just lovely, Ginny; thank you for posting. Every time I read your blog, I look forward to us meeting in Heaven. <3
The internet is such a funny thing: "meeting" people and feeling acquainted with those you've never actually met, etc. .. But isn't there a little reflection of the Body of Christ in it? We are united in heart with all of the members of the Church.. Church Triumphant, Suffering, and Militant. It's mind bending, but I love it. Anyway, I always warmly think of this, and enjoy our solidarity in the common vocation/life of Catholic Motherhood when reading your updates. <3
xo
I wanted to love Bible in a Year, and while I did learn a few things along the way some of those OT books really were penitential. War and Peace, on the other hand. What I noticed is that I’d be SO engaged in one plot line, and then you’d hit the next chapter and would have to switch it up entirely. I found that aspect of it difficult. But, how I love Tolstoy.
While Leviticus is tedious I’ve come to see that it all points to Christ! All our efforts to do the right things, be clean from sin, and be right with God as the Levites we’re doing on behalf of the people would NEVER have made us right. Praise the Father that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ! He was THE sacrifice. One time for all time. Now we can be at peace with God because Jesus obeyed the law perfectly AND was sacrificed. Oh, what mystery and glory!
It’s nothing I do except to repent of my sin, believe and trust Jesus. Hallelujah!
Amen! Thank God for Jesus!
The hooks Silas is making are beautiful and useful. I can understand why you cried when he gave you one. As long as you don’t cry over Leviticus you will be fine. 😉
I read through the Bible every year now and it’s surprising how much you glean from
doing that repeatedly. I’m currently on year 5 and now even the most difficult parts are making more sense to me.
Your photography is amazing and I thoroughly enjoy getting your posts. It’s like a friend has come to say hello. God bless all.
Barbara
I found Leviticus interesting, but if you think it hard, just wait ’til Numbers! I’d rather watch paint dry!
Beautiful birds and I love the shepherds hook. I have that same yellow and white quilt on my bed that I bought a little over a year ago and I love it.
As a Nurse, I love the Book of Leviticus! It is so much about Public Health and keeping the village safe from disease. (As long as you don’t go outside the gate!)
Try reading from that perspective and see if it helps. ❤️
‘ I am surprised that priests don’t hand out chapters of Leviticus as penances.’
made me LOL. Now reading that book would be true penance instead of the routine 3 HM’s and 2 OF’s.
Your pictures are wonderful, I relook at them often-soothes my soul.
lGood to hear from you, always makes my day.
Hi Ginny, I genuinely enjoy these posts and even though I do not actually know you, I feel a close kinship. It’s a pleasure to get to know you through the stories of your life – and especially through your photographs. I’ve put those gorgeous books by Frances Palmer on my wish list (I can’t believe our library doesn’t have them!). And if you venture into painting those canvas backdrops, I’d love to buy one from you! Photography is my lifelong hobby and I can see how very useful one of these would be. I’m not sure I have the talent to paint my own! Lovely to read every word and those hooks that Silas made are gorgeous! So much love in everything handmade. Thank you!
Your writings are always a breath of fresh air! Silas is using his talent to make not only beautiful things but very useful also. Have a wonderful summer!