Like a Bell

I took a walk along Medicine Lake yesterday morning. Under cloudy skies and in humid air I walked with my camera slung across my body. The feelings I had as I walked were

vibrating through me, filling my senses, lifting my heart, and ringing out peace and joy. No matter how often I walk this path, I never tire of the sights and sounds. People hiking, bikers biking, ducks swimming, dogs playing, breeze blowing—a sensory wonderland of nature and humanity co-existing peacefully together.

The news late yesterday afternoon of the Senate passing the healthcare and climate bill was good news! Finally we are doing something at a national level to respond to climate change. Even if we are late doing so, I have hopes that this action will spark all of us to take action however we can to limit climate change.

And we had more rain last night! I can almost feel the gratitude of the growing things all around.

How are you this beautiful August Monday at the beginning of what promises to be a beautiful week of weather here in Minnesota? Are you feeling as blessed and lucky as I am?

Thirst

Another morning and I wake with thirst
for the goodness I do not have. I walk
out to the pond and all the way God has
given us such beautiful lessons. Oh Lord,
I was never a quick scholar but sulked
and hunched over my books past the hour
and the bell; grant me, in your mercy,
a little more time. Love for the earth
and love for you are having such a long
conversation in my heart. Who knows what
will finally happen or where I will be sent,
yet already I have given a great many things
away, expecting to be told to pack nothing,
except the prayers which, with this thirst,
I am slowly learning.

— Mary Oliver