Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Blessed Procrastination

There is a blessed chinook going on outside today. Blessed because it means a relief from the abnormally cold temperatures of late and the partial melting of the two+ feet of snow we've received since the 28th of October. I haven't been out of the yard since last Friday. Winter driving is not my best suit and when you live in the middle of nowhere driving is mandatory if you want to see another human being. Icy roads and a sudden snowfall kept me home last weekend instead of going to my Lay Formation course. It's getting pretty bad when a person feels snow(house)bound and winter hasn't even officially begun!

I am procrastinating along with the best of them today. Tomorrow I am headed to a women's retreat where I am one of a dozen speakers. I enjoy the speaking part of it as much as the writing and preparing ahead of time. I've accepted both are gifts God has given me and am thrilled to share them with others. It will be a weekend of little sleep, lots of laughter, a good cry or two, plus great food. I will be totally spoonless before it is over but will be rejuventated in my spirit. The thought of daily Mass and access to a chapel around the clock (with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament) both lift my spirits. I have quite a long list of things that need to get accomplished before I head out the door tomorrow. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute to get my butt in gear.

Mentally I am feeling like something has lifted. I don't have any more energy or ambition to do a blessed thing but at least I am not feeling like there is a black cloud hovering over me on top of it. I'm no longer resisting the pull into my prayer room and I can go and sit there in solitude and feel some peace.

This morning while waiting for the computer to wake up I looked outside to see a herd of elk grazing not much more than a stone's throw from the deck. The dogs must be used to them already because they didn't bark up a storm at their presence. Maybe before winter is over I will be able to get a photo of them to share with you. How to do that without spooking them all away will be the challenge.

Yesterday morning I took a picture of the sunrise from inside the house. I do love the expanse of sky just outside my window, don't you?

12 comments:

owenswain said...

Well, you can have the snow {some fellow Canadian, I know eh?} but the view is 110% better than the GM towers I see across the river in Detroit. No need to envy me ;-)

owenswain said...

P.S. God bless you in the quiet of your prayer room. One of the hidden blessings of that empty nest. Ours is still chirping loudly.

dawna said...

glad to hear you're feeling better. i love the view from your window.

Anonymous said...

Hope,
It's been awhile since I checked in on you but I want you to know you are never far from my thoughts and my heart. Love your pictures. I had heard you have "real" winter up there. :) It's comparatively quite balmy down here but I can still do my fair share of complaining. LOL I've been thinking of our little house up north and do I ever miss my stove. Your pictures remind me of those few winters in our "cabin-house". Lots of days I hate my life, I hate my body and most of all I hate me. I know you understand what I'm saying. Right now I'm living for the days when I can accept the blessings. Have you ever wondered if this is all a mirage? Love you lots.

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful place you live in. You are blessed.

daisymarie said...

It's beautiful!!!
Enjoy your retreat---will be keeping you in prayer!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh, that is a pretty sky.

Have a terrific time at your retreat. It sounds like a good time to me!

Mich

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a view...that endless sky, one could easily get lost in that. My prayers are with you for the weekend retreat, may His presence cover you community like a garment...may you all be " One ." Peace...Ron+

gracie said...

Stunning view... but oh so cold!!
Prayers for you as you speak at the women's retreat...

Anonymous said...

Love the view. Nice photo!
j~bo

Pru said...

The view is beautiful - and I love the snow. We had some here, but it all melted away...no need for coats or winter boots. I keep having to unpack and repack them - it is getting annoying.
I love you very much. I am glad the cloud is gone. It reminds me of our vanishing cloud thing we do sometimes.
Love from only_daughter

seethroughfaith said...

beautiful pics