Victims

Across the road from my house, a copse of trees lines the hillside sloping toward the skyline. One day, a windstorm came whirling through. As I watched from my window, in horrified facination, the wind seemed to target the trees in the center of the growth, snapping off branches and flinging them to the ground like dismembered arms and legs. All other trees, from the sturdy little pines to the tallest water maples, were left unscathed. Yet, in their midst, some that had also been statuesque, leaf covered beauties, now stood stripped of everything but their bare trunks. We can't know why some fall victim to adversity while others seem to spend much of their lives untouched. Often the winds of life seem to blow in cruel, random ways. It does us no good to think of ourselves as victims. No matter what befalls us, we must keep reaching for the heavens and securing our roots deeply into the earth to which we were born. We are, after all, alive every day of our life! Blessings, Sandra

Happy First Day of Summer!

                                                            Summer Solstice

                                                      I've waited for this day
                                                     When sun stays up
                                                     To play, 'til well past nine,
                                                     And we, who put all natural things
                                                     In words
                                                     Rejoice to say
                                                    That Summer has arrived.
                                                    We've now survived              
                                                    The Winter's blast,
                                                    And Spring's damp blooming
                                                    Days have passed;
                                                    The happy sun
                                                    Shall dance a tarantella
                                                    With the glowing moon
                                                    'Stay Summer...
                                                     Do stay long!"
                                                     Don't let the darkness
                                                     Seep into your days
                                                     Too soon.

                                                                      Sandra Peasley Bush
                                     

              
                     
  

The Aroma of Harmony

As I begin my morning walk on the woodland path, I delight in the unique aroma drifting through the air. 
It is one unknown to the world of concrete and pavement in the city below the hill.
 This is the blended aroma of chestnut and honeysuckle.
The long white sword of  the American Chestnut tree emits a harsh, pungent smell,  while the delicate trumpet flower of the honeysuckle vine can, at times, smell too sweet.
When blooming near one another, something exotic happens.
Their scents mingle to form a delightful musky-sweet perfume that is a joy to inhale.

Across town, the Mid Ohio Valley Multicultural Festival is underway. 
People from various countries and backgrounds are preparing their foods, sharing their music and setting aside their differences in order to create, together, a joyful celebration of human sharing.

As we all strive to make this a more understanding, peaceful world, let us remember the honeysuckle and the chestnut flowers in our lives and do what we can to create a sweet perfume of harmony.

Blessings,     Sandra

Sweet Honeysuckle

Chestnut in Blossom

Unexpected Change

June has sauntered in on the warm, bare feet of  summer, and we in the valley are delighting in the unexpected heat wave. 
We've been caught off guard.  
We had such a  bitter winter and  rainy spring. 
It was hard to imagine blue skies and sun returning again.  Yet, here they are!
 Finally, we can lift our faces toward the sky and smile. 
Often, when we can't imagine good times ever coming again, something amazing happens, breaking through the dreariness of our difficulties with the bright sun of hope.
May June be a month filled with unexpected changes for the good.