An Ordinary Tuesday here in the Carondelet Garden.  It is cold and sunny this morning as some of the sleet and ice are melting in the sunshine.  This time of year, in our gardens is a bit messy and not terribly attractive.  Yet it is a necessary time.  Many bulbs and plants need the stress of the cold to do their word and provide us with the glory come Spring.  

A season for everything.  To everything, turn, turn, turn as the Byrds sang.  I have to admit I'm looking forward to Spring but trying to remember to appreciate the now.  The cold and ice are not friendly to this old gardener, but I do enjoy the beauty in the trees and on the ground as it covers the muck.  I'm trying to remember to appreciate the simple, ordinary things.  Even when my joints are a bit creaky!  

I hope you get a chance to appreciate the simple, ordinary things on this last day of January.  Blessings and all good things as we head into the next month.  Amen!

It's a Winter Weather Advisory Monday here in South Saint Louis.  This is a picture of the Woodland Gardens from last week's winter weather.  Today is mostly sleet and snow outside and quite cold.  The precipitation has pretty much stopped here in the Carondelet Garden.  The worst part seems to have moved on.  Please be careful if you are out and about on this Monday morning.  

It's a new week and the end of the first month of the year.  I wish you safe travels and warm shelter this Winter Weather Advisory Monday.  Be good to yourself and kind to others.  That's all the news from here in the Carondelet Garden.

Blessed are they.  It's such a simple, ordinary idea that turns the world​ upside down.  Blessed are the poor in spirit.  Blessed are those passionate about justice.  Blessed are those who are really suffering.  That is not what we've been taught by the world around us.  World upending ideas from a radical prophet.  

I've been thinking about contemplation and reflection recently.  Taking the time to really consider and ponder the Beatitudes.  Blessed are they.  Speaking words of encouragement to others.  What that must feel like.  Do we often hear words of encouragement spoken to us?  Wouldn't it be lovely to change that?  To speak to others as if they truly mattered.  

My prayer this week is to speak more words of encouragement.  I'm starting with thank you and please.  Simple, ordinary and powerful.  Smile when talking to others.  We can smile now, and people can actually see it.  Simple, ordinary, powerful words.  Be good to yourself this week.  You deserve to be blessed.  Amen!

What a difference a day makes.  Just a few days ago we were under a Winter Storm Warning.  Today we might hit 60-degrees with bright sunshine.  Typical of Saint Louis winters.  You have to embrace and love the variety.

We are heading out the door soon for a first birthday party for our sweet Great-Niece.  How did I get to this age?  It's weird to look in the mirror and see the person I see.  I don't feel like I've aged but the proof is in the mirror.  Please, do not get me wrong.  I wouldn't trade the person I am today for a younger version.  I could do with fewer aches and pains, but I've grown to like the person I am today.  That hasn't always been the case.  I think that is the gift of age.  Acceptance of the things you can't change and the time and willingness to change the things you can.  Apologies to Saint Francis but I believe it to be true.  At least in my little corner of the world.  

Have a simple, ordinary weekend.  It's a great day to get out and about.  Enjoy the beautiful weather.  Look for the little things to brighten your life.  Amen.

Is there anything more beautiful than a blooming orchid in January?  We are really looking forward to the Orchid Show returning to the Missouri Botanical Garden this year.  Have you made your plans to check it out?  Such a beautiful exhibit.  

We have done a much better job of getting out and walking again.  The long walks are our exercise but also a reminder to get out and enjoy nature and our neighborhood.  I'm often content to stay in my own little world and simply be surrounded by my garden and my home.  It gets much worse in the Winter and it's been harder since Holly Doodle has left us.  She was a constant reminder to get out and walk around the neighborhood.  She had people to see and sniffs to sniff.  We have left her leash and harness by the backdoor as a simple, ordinary reminder to get out and walk around.  I feel better when I interact with others, but it doesn't come naturally.  

It's difficult sometimes to say yes to things.  Even things you know you will ultimately bring you joy.  I guess that's exactly what faith is all about.  We just believe and move on.  We keep the faith and believe it will work out.  Maybe not the way we planned, but it will work out.  Maybe not the way we wanted it to, but it will work out.  Keep the faith.  Have a bit of hope and spread a little love on your journey this last Friday in January.  Amen!

We spent some time in the Climatron on a cold winter's day last week and captured this beauty.  What a gift we have in the Missouri Botanical Garden.  We are trying to get back into the habit of visiting at least once a week for a lovely walk and witnessing the subtle changes that happen. Such beauty all around us if we only take a moment to witness.

It's dark outside this cold winter's morning in the Carondelet Garden.  It's one of those mornings where things are quiet and peaceful.  Music is playing and coffee is ready.  The newspapers are waiting to be read.  An open day lies ahead.  It's a bit disconcerting.  We seldom have an open day.  A day that has nothing on the calendar.  No appointments. No visits to make or plans. I'm sure the day will be filled up before we know it but it's nice to rest in the white space.  A simple, ordinary Thursday.  I hope and pray that you have a moment to yourself today.  A bit of white space to reflect. Maybe have another cup of coffee.  Amen.

Much ado about nothing here in the Carondelet Garden.  I got up early, dressed and readied myself for the shoveling and clearing of snow and nature had already accomplished the job.  The snow was fairly deep in the garden, but the sidewalks and stairs were clear.  Wet, but little to no snow.  No need for shoveling or deicer or anything.  Possibly the perfect snowy day.

There is something magical about snow in the City.  There's a quiet hush that overcomes the regular noise of urban life.  Things simply slow down out of safety and necessity.  It is a special time. A simple time that is welcome and needed.  A bit of white space to relax and unwind and listen to the quiet.  Our souls yearn for these moments.  These simple moments where our minds and bodies and souls can truly rest and recover and renew.  I hope you get that chance to simply sit in the quiet and ponder the nature of life around you.  Take a moment to feel the awe once again.  

My prayer today is for that sense of awe to become more prevalent in my life and this world.  My hope is that you can experience a bit of awe today.  I hope you have a chance to sit in the quiet and experience the awesomeness of life around you.  Amen.

Last Fall I was debating about over-wintering some outdoor plants.  I've never really done that as I didn't really know what I was doing.  So many Instagram friends and gardeners with much greater skill than this old gardener offered tips and encouragement.  Here we are, in late January, and my hibiscus is still blooming and looking quite lovely if I say so myself.  Thanks to all who offered encouragement and tips.  My hibiscus thanks you!

Gratitude. Thankfulness. Sometimes it comes so easily.  Other times, not so much.  Yet sometimes it sneaks up on me, like a wild weed, growing in the brokenness of my heart. Thankfulness and gratitude for the small things.  It's easy to be grateful for the grand gestures and the impressive gifts.  It's the small things, the simple things that people do every day for us that we often overlook and forget to be thankful.  Gratitude does have a way of sneaking up on us sometimes.  It hits us out of the blue, just when we need it the most.  A neighbor who brings a small plant as a gift.  A plate of cookies.  Sharing a dram of scotch newly discovered.  The simple joys of sharing and thankfulness.  Simple, ordinary lives intersecting over shared love and hope.  Thank you all for the hope and joy you bring every day.  I am thankful. I am grateful.  Amen.

It's a Winter Storm Watch Monday here in the Carondelet Garden in South Saint Louis.  Who knows for sure what will actually happen.  It's a bit of a mystery when it comes to weather around here.  You never know the severity of the storm but are always hopeful for protection.  Not unlike the tree bark.  The bark of a tree is fascinating to me.  Protection from weather and storms and yet quite beautiful in its own way.

I've been thinking about the idea of mystery.  There are so many things that I just don't understand and may never fully comprehend.  I don't understand the why of suffering and death.  I've witnessed too much death and had my share of suffering.  Yet, I still don't understand why?  What exactly is the significance of suffering and death?  I think of this as Eastertide approaches in a few short months.  How do we understand the suffering and death of Jesus? I know the need for faith and hope.  I recognize the love.  I don't understand the why?  Couldn't there be another way?  My Jesuit friends remind me this is a mystery.  So many mysteries in faith.  I believe, help my unbelief. 

We begin this third week of Ordinary Time.  Another week filled with weather mysteries.  A week of things unknown but hopeful.  Hope, faith and as much love as we can scrape together.  It's what we do.  We live our simple, ordinary lives with hope in things unknown.  Amen!

It's the Third week in Ordinary Time.  The prophet Isiah tells us, "You have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest."  An old gardener can understand that kind of joy.  The feeling of gathering in the bounty you have spent so many hours toiling over and to reap the benefits of your love and labor.

Joy at the harvest.  Such an evocative image for me.  I know that feeling.  I have felt that joy and comfort.  What brings you joy and and comfort?  What the simple, ordinary things that can evoke joy for you?  The joy of a harvest? A small child's laughter? The touch of a grandmother's hand to your cheek? So many memories.  So much joy. Simple and ordinary but profound. 

I wish you all a simple, ordinary sabbath of rest and renewal.  Another cup of coffee, a little jazz on the smart speaker.  Sitting with the Sunday paper and a maybe even tackling the crossword puzzle.  I hope to increase the joy this third week in Ordinary Time.  Amen!