"I can tell there's somethin' going on...

...hours seem to disappear." 

I finally potted the herbs we bought four days ago. It was wonderful to pull them out of their little plastic containers and have their distinctive fragrances waft up to me as I loosened their roots. Our porch looks so domestic now, with the row of terra cotta pots full of herbs. Next we need to actually work on the garden rather than just talking about it. 

Also, my new favorite thing is standing on one leg like a stork, with the other crooked up resting above my knee.  

I heard from the trees a great parade

It is summer. Alleluia. 

So far, this summer has meant: spending time with wonderful people. being prompted to grow by someone with deep insight into my life. learning to love my roommates more and more. enjoying my parent's love and support. reading wonderful poetry and literature. struggling with my sinfulness. cooking good food. deciding to be grateful for work rather than resent it. being ok with letting those i love see my weakness. 

Joy. It's been about joy. So much so that my heart seems to be expanding moment by moment, which hurts and yet is glorious at the same time. It is wonderful to me how God works- mixing pain and joy together so inextricably that we should not know one without the other. I would have it no other way. 

poetry is infinitely better than studying

O sweet spontaneous
earth how often have
the
doting

    fingers of
purient philosophers pinched
and
poked

thee
, has the naughty thumb
of science prodded
thy

beauty       . how
often have religions taken
thee upon their scraggy knees
squeezing and

buffeting thee that thou mightest conceive
gods
(but
true

to the incomparable
couch of death thy
rhythmic
lover

   thou answerest

them only with

     spring)

e.e. cummings

we'll hold the hands of sinners

It's amazing to me how swiftly I can move from despair to joy. Three days ago, I did not see much hope on the horizon. Today, the sun is shining and it is hard to even remember what I was upset about. I suppose that's what friends and sleep and God will do for you. And having specific people walk alongside you and love you through it all. 

Today's title is from an Eisley song, in honor of having seen them on Friday. I had forgotten how much I enjoy their music. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.