So much...

So much to see and just as much time to see it in! It's been a wonderful morning, even it it is only 2 am at night. I decided to do some things in the kitchen and happened to look out the window.  I saw a deer just leaving the yard.  I finished the cooking and dishes and decided to go to the porch to just sit and watch the "outdoor channel."  

Pepper, my cat, crawled up on my lap for a long zen moment and within minutes three flying squirrels glided to the oak trees. One

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began playing "ring around the rosy" on a suet holder and finally clung on for dear life as he ate the suet.  As small as the spaces were between the wires on it, I couldn't figure out how that little rascal could get anything out of it because it really is for the birds, not the squirrels!

Then, one by one, five deer walked in to feed. I had corn out. Two of the deer were momma does and both had young ones from spring with them.  They stayed the longest time, lingering, eating, and many times perking up to listen and look.  Winds were very, very strong; my wind chimes were really playing. It had poured cats and dogs earlier. A cold front was coming into the area. The weather channel was certainly correct with the predictions of when the wind, rain and cool down would occur. 

I got to thinking that many times watching for deer, squirrels or anything remotely exciting outdoors is like watching, waiting and experiencing God's presence.  Have you ever experienced this at all? Sometimes it just feels like dry bones or a dry desert time in life; no matter what prayers or talking to God I do, I come up empty. 

Thank goodness those times don't last forever.  Rather than fretting and getting bent out of shape and upset I just sit here, watching the outdoors, then bingo...characters of creation come to life:  flying squirrels, deer, wind, falling leaves, swaying trees, and the wonderful sounds that go with it! The strongest rainstorm preceded all of this about an hour ago, pelting the roof and windows. 

Have you discovered that when you just sit with the present with no expectations, but with full awareness of surroundings and "life," that the world opens up in magnificent ways?  This night the more "present" I was with the present, the outdoor channel came alive with all of God's creation! Now I think I'll go back to bed and see if there is anything on the "dream channel." Thank you, God, for a wonderful display of your love and beauty and presence! 

Nite John Boy...Nite Mary Ellen!