Miracles are neither grand nor earth-shaking.

They come unbidden, like a

quiet surprise just for you.

They come undeserved, for you

do not need to earn them.

They are sprinkles of time

in an ordinary day

which add a special quality

that feels like love.

Miracles are a subtle offering

that only need a

caring heart to land within.


Don't miss the miracles!

I'm here because ...

I believe we are put here to give each other both inspiration and support.
My adorable nephew Kevin gave me some of both.
For Christmas one year I asked him to help me start my own blog. With characteristic enthusiasm, he did just that! I felt as if I were asking for the moon, some impossible task I set before him. To my delight, he set up my blog ... he sent me explicit, illustrated instructions ... and a book with tips and good examples of the potential blogging offers.
Kevin, you're my hero. I turned to you because I knew you had experience with your own blog (my inspiration) and because of your own forthright sharing of photography and writing (more inspiration). Your encouragement and unconditional support made me believe I could do this. And I have.

May your kindness come back to you tenfold. Aunt J

Friday, May 10, 2013

The beginning of the world ... again

The ritual of spring is the vivid, inspiring return of growing things. The cycle proclaims that new life rise up from last season's growth. 





Here are some of the scenes that brought my camera to my eye on a walk in a favorite woods last Sunday. 



The freshness and the vitality and the richness of color is like no other. Spring green. 




We had a spell of rain that caused some flooding, but in nature it created beauty. 



Spring. It is a phenomenon that makes us young and puts a lightness in our step. And just like youth, it is over all too quickly.


Don't miss the miracles.

Karma happens

I had two experiences recently ... little miracles for sure ... that reinforced my belief in that old adage - what goes around comes around.

I was shopping for toilet paper and a few other equally exciting items at Target. After I checked out, I noticed two candy bars wedged at the very back of my shopping cart. They had gone unnoticed by me and the cashier, and I was just walking out the door. I looked around for one of the ever present greeters or anyone in the Target red shirt. No one. And it was after work, and I was so hungry, and it was Hershey's with almonds. groan My mind did a little internal whine and coax. This took all of 20 seconds, I guess. I took the candy bars back to the cashier. 

The next morning on my usual walk before work, I found a $20 bill on the ground.   I  am  not  kidding.

A couple days after that, I had an appointment to give blood. Instead of my usual place, I had to find a different donor center close to my new job. It took some effort to figure it out, but donating blood had become a worthwhile routine for me. I figured if I am lucky enough to be able to give blood, I am glad to do it. Because it may be my turn one of these days to be needing someone else's blood. 

But that night, I was in a hurry to get home because I wanted to shop online for Buddy's birthday present. As I left this new blood center, my eye caught sight of a store called Game Stop. A very short time later I was walking out with a purchase that proved, according to Jesse later that night, to be a sure fire hit! ha! I swear this was an even better reward than the twenty. 

Some would argue that these two incidents were merely coincidence, not a case for Karma at all. So tell me ... have you ever had an experience that felt like Karma? Or do you even believe that ... Karma happens.