my favourite things/ the old and familiar

the old and familiar
remained my closest friends today
and tonight as I closed my eyes
and listened
I could hear my heart beat
in my chest
its pulse
set to the music around me

and I wondered ...
does the train always rumble so

I hardly notice it
with my eyes open

so familiar all these games I play
when at home all are settled in cozy
and I take my bucket
and Big dog [Canoe]
and head out
to milk goats
and tonight ...
to play with the new kids
on the block.

I was so proud of Blue today

I knew this morning
as I sent the goats to pasture
and one lingered half field
while the others were forest bound
and leaping
Blue dog trailing behind
that she would be delivered

tonight my Wintergreen
the last of the triplets to give birth
stayed back in the forest with her two
and good dear Blue dog ran me to her

two bucks
still wet and fresh
under the spruce grove
nestled in moss and soft needles
working wobbly legs
up down up down
trying out
tenor voices
mama Wintergreen
proud and
in love
Blue dog proud
to show me
their secret

The rest of the herd following close behind me
baaing loud and celebrating
the last of the birthing
we carried them  young'uns to the barn
and with fresh straw and delicious hay
all around
and a warm lamp
we showed them how to find the first milks
mama calm trusting
pleased
with being
in the family way

-----------------

everyone tucked in
my last round to the chickens to close their door
look for egg gifts
over to scratch
the bunny tender
and whisper soft
I love yous
her fur like angel wisps
beneath my calloused hand

I linger
I have today
I don't want to forget these gifts

outside
I gaze straight up
the milky way thick and dripping fallen stars
God's hand annointing
our newlife

the Big Dipper
sits snug over my grand Cottonwood
I walk carefully in the thick night
remembering each lift and fall of the earth
along my path

I remember how earlier Eduardo thought of trading
our farm for another
it might be better he said
but the price was too high
and I smiled
and cried all in one
to be where all is familiar
where sweet memories sleep
waiting for the morning Son to awaken them

I will go where the Lord leads
joyously

for today
in my aging days
I find strength in familiarity
I have watched the same trees grow for thirty two years
I know every wild rose bush
the huckleberry
the chantarelles
the old fir and cottonwoods
the flow of Spring run-off
the sound of the creek
the call of the wild around us
the sun setting and rising
where rain will make her puddles
where the frogs come out to play

people have changed
grown up
moved away
some come back to plant joy
in an old friend's heart
others gone forever

At night when the world around me sleeps
and aloneness is like a warm cloak
it is the familiarity of my Lord's presence that woos me
completes me
as I meet with Him
in this land he has planted me in
He has tilled my soil
thrown on rich manure
waited
and waited
for good soil
and then planted

His seeds are love and peace
and goodwill
compassion and encouragement
strength to be weak
so another may be strong
joy wrapped in serving
laughter wrapped in kindness
gentle perseverance
patient longsuffering
heartsong
and praise
gratitude
mercy
...and grace

all watered with the river of forgiveness
bittersweet and lovely

I am praying for a bountiful harvest
on the day of His appearing
I want to be a joyous garden

Every year my Bethany
sweet Rose
gifts me with seeds
on Mother's day
and a card to say
"You gave me life
helped me grow
kept me close
then let me go...
You taught me everything I know..."

Those seeds now grace our table and home
and that of many others
flower gifts
full bloom with radiant beauty
they bring sonshine to the hearts of friends

they once were only seeds
and a thought
and a hope

I know my God gives me life
has helped me grow
kept me close
and let me go...
He has taught me everything I know

the old and the familiar
my favourite things

baby goats
Sunflowers
Poppies
Sweetpeas
Bumblebees
a cat named Oliver

my favourite things