Yet another colorful, interesting automobile!
Another Curious Car
I just love this time of year. Warmer days bring out cars that have been hibernating.
Walking
“To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8) This is what the Lord requires of us.
Be still
How do we learn to know God?
How do we know him and know him intimately?
I am weak, but he is strong. My heart is aching, aching with the weight of sorrow. There are horrible, evil, painful things in this world – divorce, addiction, death, child custody battles, illness, and abuse. And, it is okay to cry with those who cry, to cry out for our world and for our loved ones. I press my head up in to the chest of God, listening for his heartbeat, stilling myself to his steadiness, as my racing heart slows to his rhythm. I don’t know how the things pressing up against me this day will be resolved, but I lean into knowing God in the midst of my not-knowing. “Be still” in Psalm 46:10 translates also as “cease striving” (NASV). Yes – cease from striving, from fixing and figuring things out. Jesus said — those who receive the kingdom of God must receive it as a child (Mark 10:15). My heart is heavy with wailing for the coming of his kingdom and peace, for specific people and situations this day.
When children finally give up, their sobs slow to whimpers and they melt into the eventual rest of sleep. The cry of my heart melts into his strength. I lean in to him with all I’ve got and trust him for peace and rest. And, I lay claim to his peace, his will on earth as it is in heaven. Come, Lord; come.
1950 Dodge Coronet
Apparently, these days bring May flowers as well as more vintage cars. As the days get warmer, people are bringing out their jewels. I am just tickled by this pristine vintage car — a 1950 Dodge Coronet — spotted in the grocery store parking lot.
Check out the beautiful tail lights and the trunk of the car.
I imagine this car has all kinds of stories to tell. It is truly from another era.
A glance inside reminds me of my grandfather’s car. I think the passenger armrest is plush fabric-covered. And the steering wheel is classic!
Looking at this picture, I wonder if the door is even locked?? It looks like a push-button mechanism.
The Coronet Gyro-Matic — quintessential 1950s era name!
The front grill — look at those headlamps and the narrow hood. Wow!
This car appears to have been owned by someone in the military. Again — there are stories connected with this vehicle.
Apparently low mileage. And it’s available for $10,500, or best offer.
Stunning, right down to the gleaming hubcaps.
I am in love. On the lookout for more!
Vintage Cars
It’s funny what you see on a walk, when you simply cross the street a block or two sooner than you normally do! I glanced over and saw this very old shell of a car sitting in the front yard of a house lot. I can’t imagine what year it might be!
Then I saw this vintage car, as well. I love to see the older cars still in use!
New & Old on a Spring Walk
This evening as I walked, I was amazed at the wonder of it all. In this dry Colorado country, some branches look like they couldn’t possibly have breath for another spring in them. Many bushes, plants, and trees show a fresh spray of green, sprinkled inside, underneath, and on top. Others are dressed in full, budded color and are attracting bees.
I was so encouraged by the visible newness in among the dead things. It is clear that the colors of spring are still emerging, to be revealed more fully in time (and after we get more RAIN). But, right now, in the wild, organic, natural growth, old things are passing away, and new growth is coming. Fresh, new growth…
Open to Relationship
Comes the Dawn
“After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning
And company doesn’t mean security,
And you begin to understand that kisses aren’t contracts
And presents aren’t promises,
And you begin to accept defeats
With your head held high and your eyes open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
You learn to build your roads
On today because tomorrow’s ground
Is too uncertain for plans, and futures have
A way of falling down in midflight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much,
So you plant your own garden and decorate
Your own soul, instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure,
That you really are strong
And you learn and learn . . . and you learn
With every goodbye you learn.
—author unknown
Life is an opportunity to learn. And relationship seems to be the hardest lesson of all. Authentic, real, non-judgmental, patient, kind interaction, when it is experienced from another or is given to another, is like healing balm that soothes. It is part of the shalom-peace-wholeness that mends us and allows us to receive more goodness. It gives us strength and courage. When we are in relationships that deny us or others the chance to be honest, to be real, to receive grace, or to be compassionate, then truly healthy interaction is circumvented or short-changed in favor of some other selfish priority.
I am meditating on the opportunities to just be real, kind, loving, non-judgmental, clear about boundaries, and open to relationship in the next hours, days, weeks…
Thin & Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies
Just the slightest hint of a suggestion can prompt a baking event, but when you subscribe to a baker’s blog feed, well…. good luck!
Baker Bettie (bakerbettie.com) has some wonderful recipes, but I love this post and recipe the best — for thin & chewy chocolate chip cookies. They are perfect!
http://bakerbettie.com/2012/02/11/the-science-of-the-chocolate-chip-cookie/
I made these with one cup of chocolate chips and one cup of granola with dried cranberries. Yum!
