“Let me keep my mind on what matters…which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.” ~ Mary Oliver
Good Sunday morning, dear friends. I do hope this finds you captivated by marvelous October days. These golden days are wondrous days to savor ~ days to tuck away in our hearts for safekeeping. Beautiful images to uncover on a frigid January morning.
We finally received our much-needed rain. I actually heard the flowers drinking and singing for joy as they enjoyed their tasty drink and gave thanks for the autumn temperatures.
My thoughts today are on the writings of Mary Oliver, of which I am a fan. For me, in our chaotic world, she is an amazing wonder. She offers hope, inspiration, and encourages me to pause and think. Perhaps, she will do the same for you.
There was no information on this photo. However, I can tell you it looks just like the mountains of Pendleton County, West Virginia. So, should you ever find yourself close to Franklin, West Virginia on Route 33 East in the George Washington National Forest, be sure to take your time, you will be astonished.
“Why I Wake Early” ~ by, Mary Oliver
Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields
and into the faces of the tulips
and the nodding morning glories,
and into the windows of, even, the
miserable and crotchety–
best preacher that ever was,
dear star, that just happens
to be where you are in the universe
to keep us from ever-darkness,
to ease us with warm touching,
to hold us in the great hands of light–
good morning, good morning, good morning.
Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.
Mary Oliver clearly understood beauty. Many times over, her lovely words have encouraged us to open our eyes and pay attention to our surroundings. She doesn’t want us to miss a single leaf, flower, sweet critter, or a drop of dazzling beauty.
“Every day I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight, that leaves me like a needle in the haystack of light. It was what I was born for ~ to look, to listen, to lose myself inside this soft world ~ to instruct myself over and over in joy, and acclamation. . . excerpt from “Mindful” by, Mary Oliver
Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed. ~ Mary Oliver
“Why do people keep asking to see God’s identity papers when the darkness opening into morning is more than enough?” ~ Mary Oliver
“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” ~ Mary Oliver
Dear friends, I do hope you have found Oliver’s words uplifting and inspiring. When we pay attention we are so much more appreciative of all the beautiful tiny details in our world. In turn, we are kinder people.
Mary Oliver left us in 2019. I am thankful she did not live to see many of the recent happenings in our world as I feel she would be deeply distraught.
Know I wish you and yours a beautiful day.
And . . .
May all your moments be inspirational. Stay well!
“Poetry is a river; many voices travel in it; poem after poem moves along in the exciting crests and falls of the river waves. None is timeless, each arrives in a historical context; almost everything, in the end, passes. But the desire to make a poem, and the world’s willingness to receive it ~ indeed the world’s need of it ~ these never pass.” ~ Mary Oliver
Amour,
Sandra
Images: via Tumblr and Pinterest
What beautiful words. Thank you for sharing her!
Thank you, Penny. Mary Oliver was amazing.
Gorgeous post…the first photo takes my breath away. Even with all the evil in our world, there is much beauty to behold if we simply open our eyes and hearts to soak it in. I love all the quotes, images, and your sentiments! Wishing you and Michael a beautiful day!
Good morning, Pam. Thank you so much for your kind words. They are so very true. It is hard sometimes not to let the ugly in our world overshadow the beauty. But, the beauty is always there, waiting for us to “soak it in.” Wishing you and yours a most beautiful week❤.
This is lovely, Sandra. I am a huge fan of Mary Oliver and have several of her poetry books. I used some of her poems for my students when I taught English, and I hope they resonated with them as much as they do with me. She inspires me to pay attention! Have a most blessed Sunday!
Good morning, Lorrie. We are kindred spirits, Lorrie. Mary Oliver remains a treasure to our world, even though she is gone. I would imagine your students have kept Mary Oliver’s words. In my opinion,( formed from 32 years in public schools), children always rise and gather what is offered to them. Oliver does inspire me to pay attention and to think. So needed in our world. Wishing you a beautiful October week.
Beautiful Sunday writings and photos. That one photo does look like Pendleton County! One of my brothers-in-law is from there, and his 94 yo mother still lives on their farm. If you don’t already follow Rick Burgess (photographer) on Facebook, he shares the beauty of WV scenes continually even though he’s now retired from the state (he misses it terribly). This actually looks like one of Rick’s photos.
Good morning, Rita. Thank you so much for your lovely comments. Pendleton County is one of the most beautiful parts of our state. We have good friends from there and also my loom came from a beautiful old log home in Brandywine. I am familiar with the name Rick Burgess and I can’t remember why. I must think about it and will check him out on Facebook. I wish I knew if the photo I shared was one of his. I don’t understand why there is, more often than not, no information attached to the photos.
Wishing you and yours a lovely week. Hope all is going well with your move and that precious Jacqueline is enjoying life.
Oh, Sandra, I loved your post. Love Mary Oliver’s words – there are a few lines I must copy into my journal today. I need to come and visit more than once to catch all the loveliness you’ve poured into this post. Gorgeous photos.
Wishing you a beautiful week ahead.
Bren xo
Good morning, Brenda. I am happy you enjoyed the post. I can always find something from Mary Oliver which will inspire me to a different place whatever the need may be. I would have loved to hear her speak. Thank you so much for your kind words. Wishing you and yours a beautiful October week!❤
I never heard of Mary Oliver till I started reading blogs. Now she is my favorite poet. What a beautiful marriage of words and pictures here. On another note, I’m so behind on comment replies and visiting so please know how much I value your visits and recent comments. I’ll be back on track soon!
Hello, Jeanie. Thank you for your kind words – so appreciated. Do not ever worry about being behind with me. That takes the fun out of reading each other’s blogs. I like to read them when I am not in the middle of 50 million other things so that I can soak them up, enjoy them, and most often learn from them.
Such gorgeous images, Sandra. If ever there was a reason to believe in God, surely the beauty of nature all around us is it?! That second photo, I can’t seem to get enough of it, it’s just so stunning. I agree with Pam, there is still a lot of beauty to behold in our world, and much love to share. Thank you for this inspiring post. xo Lidy
Thank you, Lidy for your lovely comment and for visiting. Mary Oliver does help us to remember all that you mentioned. Of which I agree with your every word. Hope this finds you well and enjoying October days!
I’m so behind, Sandra. I have been out of town.
Lovely images and quotes. I love them all.
Have a lovely week sweet friend.
Hello, Bonnie. We all get behind as life keeps us too busy. Thank you for your visit and for taking a moment to comment. Have a beautiful week!