Grateful and Growing

Aren't naked ladies beautiful..

in their simple,

 fragrant late summer elegance?

Wild & free & growing in a paddock;

 I admire their easy grace.

Mary Oliver writes, "Tell me, what do you plan to do with your one wild & precious life?"

Do you ever feel that maybe you're living too tucked in, too small?

If you could really, really chose..what would you do? 

What would you change?

What would you dare to dream?

We've been busy growing, just like these slender stalks; reaching up to the sun.
Standing with our heads held high.
Settling in to a new sense of self assurance & awareness & the gentle dignity that comes from truly accepting who you are. Rob has two days to go before he walks out the door of his workplace, soul in tact; knowing that it is time...time to move on & expect more, give more, teach more & believe in himself in new ways. He has a new job to go to in a week or so. The first door that he knocked on, they grabbed him with both hands. He'll be fine & so will we.
 Growing fast can sure make you dizzy.

The world is full of harshness
& it is also full of kindness.
Tam sent me this spontaneous gift in the mail last week. She's been a blogging friend for a few years now & makes the coolest stamp jewellery...you can catch up with her & her creations at A Treasured Past on Facebook.  

We were out walking around our neighbourhood one morning recently when we stumbled over these hazelnuts all scattered across the footpath & the verge. So we stuffed our pockets full, before anyone could come along with a lawnmower & crunch them all up.

These late season blueberries are a very pretty colour & have a distinct muscat flavour. They are aptly named "delite"

 It has been oh so hot here this week (my coconut oil is liquid), the cicada chorus coming from the high trees in the park is almost deafening, but the trees are so welcome for their shade & protection as we walk in their morning or evening shelter. I had never noticed before that dwarf maples make helicopters too.

It is the time of full harvest, especially in Hawke's Bay here.

 I love all the vibrant colours of the summer produce.

These golden beets are so sweet & delicious.

I am starting to get the hang of tomatillos..

They are marvelous roasted with capsicums & eggplant.

They look like a giant cape gooseberry but aren't too good to bite in to as is.

Our flamingos have grown in to a flock.

 And have already been off to meet & greet at a birthday party on Napier Hill.

 They are available to hire..a dozen or so.

 They are snazzy old happy things & love to brighten up the garden.

 They're pretty indestructible too, which is always a good thing!

This has not been an easy venture in to a new year for us. In fact, it's been darn hard & gritty, but we are both signed up to learn & grow & release the old self stuff that is no longer needed for the good life we have set our intention towards. Living authentically means signing up for the fear & the trembling & asking the hard questions & letting things open up to the light. It requires being willing to learn new habits & adopt fresh skills. There's a whole lot more in our tool box now & we're so grateful for that.

Recently, I watched a local TV current affairs report on "Sunday"...it was all about loneliness. The lonely & disconnected souls of this nation of New Zealand. Somehow, they came to the estimate that there were a million Kiwis who suffer from some degree of loneliness, many acutely so. Our souls long for goodness & belonging & meaning & friendship & connection. Connectedness is essential for our health & any sense of well-being. I am so encouraged to see so many of my elderly neighbours coming to the gate for fruit this weekend. I love chatting with them & knowing that for some of them, the fruit is a huge boost to their nutritional intake. The "old bloke" around the corner who is 95, living alone & still driving is one of my favourites.

We were so blessed to come across this wonderful video a few days ago. It may not be your style of music but the images will warm your heart & make you smile. I'd love you to watch it too.

Thank you for popping in to see me & to read my ramblings.

Much love to you all.
Catherine x0x0x

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