march 30th

march 29th

Tentatively spring thrusts forth some timid shoots

and wee plants bask in the sunshine.

Each day they peep out a little further,

as if not yet sure that winter is truly gone.

mother and daughter

Canada slips away, Pickering to Quebec City to the mighty St. Lawrence and finally even Newfoundland's snow covered mountains disappear from view. The hiking boots are waxed and the camera gear packed into a backpack. Fellow passengers pull down their window shades and disappear into a world of movies and television. I leave my window bright and marvel at this great vast country that I am blessed to call home. At the end of the day Maria will be meeting me. I can't wait.

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Oxford

I wandered about this city, admiring medieval homes, ancient universities and cobble-stoned roads. Maria and I enjoyed a sandwich and a pint in The Eagle and Child, a Lewis and Tolkien hangout. In the evening we listened to men's voices raised in song in the Christ Church Cathedral.

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Charlbury

Simply a lovely little town. Old homes higgeldly-piggeldly placed along narrow roads and footpaths. I felt like I had walked into a postcard. As I walked through the cemetary by the Roman Catholic Church the bells started to play. It is a Charming place, and I was charmed!

Together we set out in the afternoon to explore the Charlbury countryside. Past an estate, past fields of sheep, ancient trees, and through the woods.

Corfe Castle

At the head of this town stand these ruins, a testimony to the passing of kingdoms and the frailty of man.

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Kimmeridge

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Lulworth Cove

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near Wool

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Lyme Regis

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march 7th

snowbanks on the north side of our road

march 5th

The weather could be classified as undesirable, mild and extremely wet, the sort of day when water sits slick over the ice. No longer winter and not yet spring.

But drops hang everywhere, suspended, quietly waiting, and glistening against the drab.

Mandated to shine against the mundane.

blustery

The wind whipped the sheets I'd hung out to dry

and it felt good to attend to some normal tasks.

When all the while the worry dampens spirits

the Word whispers gently to my heart

and the voice that stilled the storm still quiets.

And yes, I worry about my mom,

and yes, I feel blessed by every new day

that she still shares with us,

and I pray that normal will come back

and that anxieties will go away.

And sometimes we feel responsible

and worry about not doing enough

but God's loving arms care more than I could ever.

and I am thankful.