QUEEN OF CALIFORNIA

Because of the warmer weather, I have had to restructure my mornings and go out earlier. 

Matilija Poppy

This morning I set out intending to go one way, however, I was drawn up the street in the opposite direction of that intended decision to Teesdale Ave.  

On a previous walk up this street, I had seen this large white flower that I wanted to revisit and get a closer look.  When I reached that intended spot, I found that a lady (Liz) was out feeding the neighborhood stray cats.  She was laying out several large paper plates full of cat delectables.

We got to chatting about various things and I complimented her on the flowers in front of her house.  She was very knowledgeable of flowers and plants native to SoCal.  I asked her if I could get up close to take some photos. 

I have really enjoyed stopping to chat with people and find that those interested in plants & flowers, those who have cats, and those walking their dogs appear to be the friendliest.

Liz told me those large white flowers were Matilija Poppies.  This is the only spot I have seen them in all my walks.  Each time I go on these walks, I try to find something that I have not noticed before and of course I am not disappointed because as the seasons with in the seasons change so are my finds. 

 I think God has this planned so we don’t get bored with the same things and is a way to nourish our souls, showing his presence through the beauty of those created beauties.

 

Matilija Poppy

Matilija (mah-ta-LEE-ha) was the name of a Chumash chief in Ventura County. Canyons and creeks were named in his honor, as was this majestic flower.

ROYALTY

Among California native plant admirers, this poppy is known as the "Queen of California."

Weird Times

Have you ever had that “tired feeling”? Seeing and hearing like not much is happening but on the other hand much is happening.  Moments of melancholy surround me.

  

It’s difficult watching my country being destroyed.  It’s difficult watching others lives drastically changed.  It’s difficult watching family dynamics change.  It’s difficult feeling trapped in 24/7.

Some days I feel like I’m hanging on to a thread.  

Sometimes, I feel like I will never see the end of things.  Well some things.  The last three weeks, I’ve felt that I am back in the care giving role.  Caring for one self and thinking for another is taxing.  I find myself trapped in moments of dissatisfaction, watching and waiting for change, some change in some things. 

I know we all have stuff going on but what happens when you  sense something is at the threshold? 

We live in weird times and have to question and research EVERYTHING.

What does one do?

I reassure myself, again and again, that no matter what time of day, or night, God is with me, God is near me.  “Lord bend me toward the light.”  

“God is a refuge for us.” Selah. Psalm 62:8. PAUSE!

“God, I don’t even have words. My heart aches and this all feels like too much. I need to know you see my pain and tears, and I need to know that you care,” I prayed. 

At this point in my life, I find that “discerning”  has become paramount in my life.  I just keep praying for those who are really in control even though we know that God is the ultimate controller of our lives and that of our country.  The discernment comes in who one follows.  I find myself meditating on the fact that anything can morph into an idol.  Even the seemingly simple things in life can. 

Do we just throw everything out to the wind?  Or, do we get off our keister and do something?  I struggle when I see so many affected by current events.

 Martin Luther once said,

‘There are two days in my calendar: This day and that Day’ 

BY A THREAD OR A ROPE?

“Pour out your heart before Him;You’re never praying alone, because Jesus is praying with and for you. Above all else, it’s the priestly ministry of Jesus that upholds you. When Jesus warned Peter about Satan’s plan to destroy him, he said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers”

First white bird of paradise I've seen.

(Luke 22:31–32). Peter fell, but the prayers and compassion of Jesus raised him to his feet again. When you approach God’s throne of grace, never envision yourself alone. We come roped together with the whole family of God, led by Jesus himself!” (~forgot where I grabbed this)

THE POWER OF FLOWERS

 

Jacaranda Jackpot

Let's take a walk through the neighborhood.

Look at all the awesome looking flowers and trees.

Feel the warm sun and gently breeze.

It's such a beautiful day to be out and about and when it's not sunny the clouds yield a story of its own, changing by the minute.

Oh, look there's another Jacaranda tree, another bougainvillea, another rose!

“Bougainvilleas don’t ask for attention. They simply demand it.” – Unknown

 “As we walk through life we leave traces behind us. Some go quickly; others linger awhile before disappearing forever. Yet even those that do remain sometimes leave only faint memories, traces so insubstantial that it’s as though they’d never been. So it is with a bougainvillea. It leaves a trace of incomparable beauty, a momentary reminder that life can be glorious.” – Christopher Turner

God's Fingerprint (Poem)

DON'T LET ANYONE STEAL YOUR JOY

I REMEMBER LONG AGO, my grandmother taking me for a walk in the woods. Showing me plants and flowers, bugs, and birds. Talking to me about how they were all connected, that the spirit of all creation flowed through each and every one and that all life had God's fingerprint on it, had been made by the same design.

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I asked her "Why?"

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SHE CHUCKLED (because I was always asking why). Then, she said, "Because he likes to dance."

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I STARED UP AT her for a moment and tried to imagine God dancing. And then, looked out into the forest ...

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"SEE HOW the trees sway in the wind," she said, "and how the birds when they fly go back and forth, up and down and around each other. And how the leaves twirl and spin as they fall to the ground."

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I LOOKED at each of these things.

A shadow stick figure dancing
When the wind blows, this is a fun place to be.

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"NOW, close your eyes. And feel what you saw. And listen to the music of the forest. And feel the rhythm of the Earth. Of life."

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I CLOSEDS my eyes. And she said nothing. Just waited.

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And after awhile, I said: "I FEEL IT."

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"THAT'S GOOD," she said. "That's good."

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AND I'VE BEEN feeling it ever since.

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Thank you, Grandmother ... Thank you!

~ Michael Traveler, author/poet