"Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners...Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking...and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."
She looks toward the stage manager and asks abruptly, through her tears:
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?--every, every minute?
Stage Manager: "No." [Pause]
"The saints and poets, maybe--they do some."
Saints and poets? The end of the play was a beginning for me, a turn, a thawing, the budding of the teeniest desire to be in their company. Looking back, I can see that God was once again drawing me, urging me to choose life, and while I'm not much of a poet, by His grace and redemption, I know I'll be in that number when the saints go marching in. In the mean time, I'm glad to be very much alive, appreciating the blessings of ordinary moments. Will you join me?
Counting blessings
331 - the carved stone beauty I almost missed because I was grumping about the cold 
332 - a favorite corner
333 - potential
334 - final stitches
335 - finished in all its wonky loveliness
336 - hand washables
337 - my old Brown Betty full of hot tea
Joining Ann today
35 comments:
Beautiful list, as always :) Love the first pic, especially. <3
"Potential"!
This was beautiful.
Also, you finished that cushion!
That cushion is so unique!
I love "potential" too...
it's all gorgeous. Wonky gorgeous. The only kind, the best kind. Hugs to you, I love it!
You always inspire me to look around me with fresh eyes. I notice things that I have overlooked for years. Thank you for a great start to the week.
Maureen
You are the best.
and you even make tea cups and saucers appealing to me. which is saying a lot :)
Beautiful list! I just had a discussion with my husband about how we miss so much in life because we aren't in the moment. Actually, it was a discussion on how facebook and twitter are ruining the world lol, but that is a topic for another day.
I love you. And I can't imagine you ever being depressed and angry. Which says alot for the miracle of God in your life, doesn't it?
Your pillow looks like a scene from Tolkien. LOVE it.
Those DISHES! Sigh...
Is that a permanent painting on your door, or is it chalk on chalkboard paint? And if it is, do you change it all the time? And if you do, how cool is THAT! And if it isn't, it's still REALLY GREAT!
this is so, so beautiful jodi. forgot all about our town... will definitely be ruminating on that one for a bit. i'll be joining you for tea later... :)
I want to print this off. So great. I remember when I saw Our Town my freshman year of h.s. Life changing, really. Went again last fall when a friend's daughter was in it, still great. Okay, your painted door amazed me! Love it. Why yes, a favorite corner for sure! With that door and those tea tins:) All the rest is wonderful too--the pillow, the carved stone, the teapot full, the hand washables. Now I wish I could add this list to my thankful list!
The saints and the poets illuminate the everyday for us.
Your post illuminates :)
Thank you for sharing the beauty.
Great post - I've never read Our Town, but I may have to add that to my list... Thanks for sharing. We do need to learn to treasure each moment and make the most of the time we've been given.
I love your photos and your list. The "Favorite corner" is charming. I love the wonky cushion too. :o) You did a nice job! Thanks for sharing - have a great week!
Leslie, yes! God's miracle says everything.
Yes, chalk and ever-changing. :)
You and your wonky loveliness! And, I'm afraid I miss way too much beauty, grumping about the cold.
Jodi, I love your chalkboard door! So wonderful.
I was grumping about the cold this morning, too...don't want to miss something!
Can I come over?
Kit, anytime.
The cushion does look great!
I knew where you were going as soon as I read the quote.
Loved this.
xo
Beautiful post today and your list was wonderful. I just loved the pillow!!!! So glad I stopped by today. So glad you listened to that still, small voice!!!!
I too love your favorite corner, is that painted and or clalk paint on the door?
I love your chalkboard door... I am thinking about doing that to mine soon! Potential... love that. Beautiful pillow!
love, love, love the quotes recited... i am so drawn to this community of saints and poets, to you, friend. you are beauty.
Jodi, it's an honor to know "when the saints go marching in, we'll be in the number. " the number of infinite thanks. your words wrote hope in my heart today, thank you
Rayanne, chalk paint door, drawn on with chalk.
Thank you for this lovely post, Jodi! And sharing some of the blessings you are counting. I love the door in the favorite little corner, and it's joyful message. Long ago, in '92, I think, I saw Our Town in Budapest where it was called "A Mi Kis Varosunk". May we all connect with every minute so we don't miss our blessings!
I've just got to ask....love the post, by the way.....but have you embroidered the cushion or appliqued wool roving? You see, I just can't help it. It's in my nature to wonder how things are made.
The chalkboard door is great! What a great way to play with color and words all at the same time :-)
Cheryl, I made the cushion out of some wool scraps. I drew a design on it with pencil, then I needlefelted with wool roving. Then I outlined and embellished with embroidery floss. Then I blanket-stitched it together with crewel yarn. :) It's my nature to wonder, too...that's why I'm curious.
I find your kind of wonky lovely indeed, Jodi! Every word and picture ministered to me this morning. I need to hear this message over and over again. Thank you for relaying it faithfully and in such a very pretty way!
When I visit here I tell myself stories of how I'll get over the hump of moving and tiredness to tend a blog again. I hope I'm telling myself the truth. You do inspire me.
Love from Minnesota~
Melissa J.
P.S. One of the first things Katie and I decided about this new house was that the pantry door needs chalkboard paint. I'm sure you would agree.
your post put a lump in my throat...thank you for it's message and simplicity. and i love your favorite corner...
xo
Melissa, I do agree. And I want to see pictures on your blog, Missy!
Thank you so much for the refreshment of the truth and beauty of this post, Jodi. I needed that just now, and here it was, waiting for me. Your corner is breathtaking in its perfection.
That would be my favorite corner too! I love that door.
just lovely -- every bit...
Oh that little pillow is darling-- and I love the colors!
I just began my 1,000 gifts list for the first time this weekend. An adventure in grace...
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