magical mystery tour….
Hope happening
as I join my bliss with Liv’s ,
my heart thumping grateful for a week of wonder,
of
~daytripping west with my bestest
where orchards in blossom hugged mountainsides bursting with newborn green.
~waiting in Dr. office, a very old gentleman shuffled out the door
and began singing loudly in the lobby,
belting it out beneath tufts of whispy white hair
and a sudden hopeful magic settled over everyone like mist.
~diving deep into my trueness
and living from my coolest, freshest waters
instead of slugging through the muddy shallows of shoulds.
~body growing lean and strong with digging soil
and walking slow and long.
~leaves flushed out on trees and again they sing,
everywhere rustling with melody
and I rest back soft against the music and look up into the song.
~the happy rush of making and leaving bites of art,
tokens of love
for just that someone to find,
releasing them like ladybugs
to work their gladness.
~even when the strong one tumbles from ladder,
ankle fractures,
dog squirts vile and stains floor,
checks and bills collide and brawl,
and pain screams sharp and overheats,
I can still shake free the heaviness,
and say my “yes” to this magical mystery tour
and travel these wild roads with my tender guide,
instead of brow furrowed, eyes strained,
soul breaking out in hives
over some mapquest version
of this life that is mine.
And I’m okay with backroads
with rest and take it slow
and take the long way when I can
and let my spirit flow.
“Love said to me “I know a song. Would you like to hear it?
and laughter came from every brick in the street
and from every pore in the sky.
After a night of prayer, He changed my life when He said
‘Enjoy me’. “
-Teresa of Avila
hope happens… thank god for that. sometimes, all i cling to is hope.
that teresa of avila quote took my breath away, jennifer!
as have your art + flowers photo + words.
there IS so much to be grateful for
when we did + see like you do.
+ growing strong, you are.
lovelove xox
i meant “dig” , not “did”, in sentence four 🙂
Wow, Jennifer. This took my breath away…in a good way! I am awestruck by your words, your art, your photos, more art, that quote. This is just beautiful. In fact, beautiful doean’t say it. Thank you for this. Thank you for sharing you! I’m so glad you do…
Oh Jen, how my heart and spirit needed this…my ears seem plugged…having a hard time hearing his song of late.
Thank you!
“Enjoy Me” wow these two words say so much and so loud….If only we would avail ourselves and spend the time to search these two words…..
Your words touch the heart and your pictures touch the mind…what a combination to be able to express so beautifully….
Bless you sweet friend…
It makes me so happy that you are able to cast aside the weight of the crazybusy lives we all live these days and find the joy taking the long way around!
You rock, dear Jen. You rock!
xo, Anita
It’s always such a pleasure to visit here. Love your vision of the big picture, and not some mapquest version of how to get from A to B. Happy Saturday, hon!
so much covered in your wonderful words.
I was a student of the magical mystery tour, but I was not the Walrus.
Hi there – very nice words to plant among plants!
I like the second picture as well – is it an orchard?
SM
‘Instead of slugging thru the muddy shallows of shoulds’ Oh – how beautifully said..and words I needed to here today. Gorgeous post!
Wonderful post Jen, the combination of beautiful words and beautiful photos and art, well it’s perfect even when life isn’t 🙂
How do you ALWAYS catch my breath? “The muddy shallows of shoulds”–“soul breaking out in hives / over some mapquest version / of this life that is mine.”
Every time I come here, I leave breathing easier, sitting taller, joy-ing bigger.
Thank you for seeing this world so clearly, so you-ly, and letting us peek in over your shoulder.
I love the view.
Amanda took highlighted my favorite passage as well! How great life IS when we see it for what it is, not how it should be, not the MapQuest version!
Second favorite…
“Releasing them like ladybugs
to work their gladness.”
Gladness releases, thank you Jennifer!
Your best yet, Jennifer! I mean that. “living from my coolest, freshest waters
instead of slugging through the muddy shallows of shoulds.” INDEED.
A brave, positive, joyful soul you are! 🙂 And this quote….oh my!
Thanks for the reminder! Such a pretty way to present the message, too. So vibrant and alive-looking and, well, hopeful!
Jennifer, your words and photos are like a breath of spring. Thank you! ~ Nancy
your photo essay touched my heart such beauty filled images of free…made me smile knowing that you are taking the back roads..perhaps we will meet there around the bend …
Jennifer, your words are such sweet nourishment for my hungry soul. In fact, I’ve moved the link to your site from my blog category to my wellness category on my phone : ) Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts with the world!
Such beautiful words, Jennifer. Magical and mystical. The extraordinary in the ordinary.
love that quote, so much. and the wildflowers in the meadow…
Oh, friend…. sigh….
I have fallen completely in love with your old man. Of course, I always have had a think for slightly stooped old men with crazy eyebrows…
Teresa is my saint (from Confirmation) and I ‘ve never heard that quote – I love it! It just shows why I chose her! Love this post, as always. Your words are pure art and joy. I find myself “slugging through the muddy shallows of shoulds” too often these days. Thanks for waking me up!
Jen, your words never disappoint me. There timing seems to always be perfect. Blessings to you dear one.
i love that “shake free”! i am so glad i stopped over here.
love
love
to you my friend.
xo
Those backroads offer the most amazing treasures just waiting to be discovered.
There is powerful beauty in these words, Jennifer, and when you write your book, I want to buy the first copy. Love to you.
I just feel like I’ve been on one of my wonderful walks out in nature but this time with precious words added to describe the beauty I am feeling. You are AWESOME Jen! Love how your emotions and tender and beautiful heart flow through your posts. Wish so much we could meet in a garden for some tea and talk in person. You sure make my heart happy!
Love to you Jen!
♥Lee Ann
Oh my. I always feel like I’m inside your heart when I read your posts. I feel you. Love and peace my friend.
I love how you are embracing life. So incredibly inspring. Your blog is beautiful and filled with so much inspiration right from your heart.
Beautiful words, beautiful photos!
I just need to know…. do you really leave your lovely little art cards in beautiful places outdoors? It’s just such a charming thought! I would be over the moon if I found something like that while taking a walk or hiking. Do you keep it, or leave it there for others to find is the question. I would definitely be tempted to put it in my pocket, but would feel bad later. Yes…. it must be left in it’s beautiful surroundings. You’re awesome Jennifer!
xo
dulcy
I love your art cards, your photos, your words and your spirit. I am always struck by how peaceful and joyful I feel when I read your words, see your art and photos. Thank you for spreading your lovely thoughts. I loved that you are living in your coolest waters instead of the shallows of shoulds. BEAUTIFUL and wise.
It is always a pleasure to call by to catch up with you knowing I will read something that will brighten the day.
Jennifer: You do such a wonderful job with your blog. Your words are so touching and honest. My day is better today because of you!
Sing. Hope. Love. Inspire. Bedazzle. Inspire. All these words reflect what you share. As always, I am in awe.
Hi Jennifer, I’m back from Nova Scotia safe and sound and grateful for the gift of sharing such an energizing weekend with other fiber artists. Thanks for visiting my blog. You always leave such nice comments.
I’m afraid that I’m not as poetic as you are and I always try to read between the lines to understand a hidden message, disguised as soul words, perhaps. Words only someone with the gift a poetic soul can write as freely as I breath.
I hope that you are resting and restoring your strength and healing what needs to heal. Your acceptance of what you cannot change is always so remarkable. Blessings & hugs. JB
Oh … “some mapquest version of this life that is mine.” That’s my favorite line, but the entire thing is entirely, entirely gorgeous. Thank you. xo
Jennifer, Teresa of Avila’s words moved me deeply this morning. Your blog is so beautiful. Thank you. Em x