Saturday, January 29, 2011

One of my favorite things~

photo by cheryl sparks


photo by cheryl sparks


I found this on Sanibel Island at Perriwinkle Place...

Some of our best memories are from Sanibel.

It seemed only appropriate that the photo of

Alexandra and "pupper"

Graham and "teddy bear"

be from the island, too.



Before you were conceived I wanted you.

Before you were born I loved you.

Before you were here an hour I would die for you.

This is the miracle of love.

Maureen Hawkins


Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Every house, every room is different,
and you cannot be sure
of the exact position any object should occupy
until you try it out.
Michael Taylor, The Finest Rooms

photo by cheryl sparks

Monday, January 24, 2011

Susan Saint James Ebersol




Back when she was Susan Saint James... I wanted to be her. I loved her, I loved that she was "married to MacMillian" or Rock Hudson... Oh my gosh... LOVE!!
And then there was Kate and Allie with Jane Curtain.
She just seemed so real.
After watching her on The Today Show this morning, I am pretty sure I was right.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

photo by cheryl sparks



Let us open our leaves like a flower,
and be passive and receptive.
John Keats


Passive and receptive.... as I look at my tulips, it seems so easy.

My head gets involved and I am quite sure I can busy myself

and make everything alright.

Silly me.

I will practice being passive and receptive.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

My Guy


photo by cheryl sparks


Nothing you can say,
Can tear me away,
From my guy.
Nothing you could do,
'cause I'm stuck like glue,
To my guy.
I'm sticking to my guy,
Like a stamp to a letter,
Like birds to their feathers,
We, stick together,
I'm tellin you from the start,
I can't be torn apart from my guy.


Mary Wells

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Friends

You don't choose your family.

They are God's gift to you,

as you are to them.


Desmond Tutu




photo by cheryl sparks

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

photo by cheryl sparks


Baby, It's Cold Outside
by
Frank Loesser

But oh so beautiful.




Monday, January 10, 2011

photo by cheryl sparks

Sometimes

holding hands

is holding on

to everything.


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Mary

photo by cheryl sparks

Mary survived the marshmallow bazooka war on Christmas Morning.
There were mini-marshmallows all over my house.
I am still finding them.
The war was raging.
Grown children running through the house.
Hiding around corners for surprise attacks.
I heard laughter in the house.
It was wonderful.
Children, no matter their age are children.

Mary survived the war.
I can, too.

Mary's Song
by
Amy Grant

Breath of Heaven
Lighten my darkness
Pour over me, your holyness
For your holy Breath of Heaven


Do you wonder
As you watch my face
If a wiser one, should have had my place
But I offer-all I am
For the mercy-of your plan
Help me be strong

Monday, January 3, 2011

My Last Corner of Christmas

photo by cheryl sparks

It is without further ado that I mentally begin 2011.

Let the games begin.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Be Still and Know that I Am God. Psalm 46:10

photo by cheryl sparks


The fagility of the flower in this photograph has always amazed me.

How is that possible?

How does it survive?

Flourish?

I am feeling fragile.

Questioning how I will have the strength to survive this journey.

I tend to do that....

to think I must have that kind of strength.

Then I was reminded.

For I know the plans I have for you,
plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans for a hope and a future
Jeremiah 29