August days are here! The cicadas are still singing, but the cottonwood drift has ended. The Queen Anne’s lace has finished blooming, and is now going to seed. I’m finding them a wonderful addition for dried flower arrangements.
This is a very special month for me. One year ago in August I sent out the first edition of Notes from the Bower. I’m grateful to say it has been such a blessing, and I’m looking forward to all that the next year will bring.
This month’s edition of Notes offers you:
Ophie’s Gift — how an evening dog walk gave me the opportunity to see in a new way.
Notes from the Studio — some thoughts on the past year, and something new for the next.
May these final weeks of summer give you many beautiful moments to reflect back on.
💛
beautiful monarch enjoying the sulfur cosmos on the back hill
Notes from Nature: Ophie's Gift
Our beloved dog, Ophie, is such a curious girl. She is always excited to explore, and will sniff the tip of a blade of grass like a connoisseur of fine wine. She enjoys every scent, not rushing, but stopping to savor.
Of course I never know when something is going to catch her attention. When it does, I have no choice but to stop and wait until she has satisfied her curiosity. Although sometimes I have found this adorable, to be honest there have been many other times I get frustrated at the "interruption." I don't want to stop. I want to keep going and finish our walk. But recently it occurred to me that when she stops, fiercely standing her ground to investigate to her heart's content, it's actually a gift to me. In these moments of pause, all sorts of lovely things await me. Watching the wind make the tall grass dance, a happy bluebird family perched along the power line, a beetle traveling his own path on the ground in front of me. So many things happening around me, which I wouldn't have been able to appreciate if I'd been moving along...and might have even missed completely.
Walking, going, doing...these are all good things. But I have found that a certain type of seeing—gazing, seeing deeply, opening the heart—requires stillness. When I simply stop, open my heart, and gaze at what is around me, beauty—the language of God—speaks.
And so my friend, whether you are captivated by something that tickles your senses, or you have your own Ophie, "forcing" you to pause, may you find yourself delighting in the opportunity to encounter whatever God has waiting for you in the stillness.
As a fun treat...bonus pix of our little O!
on the back hill
squirrel!
well, hello there!
Radiantly Alive
“
Be still and know that I am God!
— Psalm 46:11
Notes from the Studio: Something to Celebrate
When I began forming The Joyful Bower, I had great hopes and dreams…but obviously no guarantees. What was I even doing, really? Would anyone care? I didn’t know where things would go, and to be honest, the path ahead of me was pretty foggy. But God had stirred something in my heart, and I knew it was time to act. I deeply believe that when we step out in faith, powerful things happen, even when we don’t see everything clearly.
A year ago, I sent the first edition of Notes from the Bower to just a few hundred new friends. I hoped it would resonate with at least one person. That it would bring a bright spot to someone’s days. That someone would truly feel that a complete stranger out there really did care for them and wish them well.
I’ve heard from a number of you over the past year, sharing kind words and encouragement, and telling me how a story spoke to you. That has done so much to keep me going, and to help me feel confident I’m on the right path. You inspired me to begin sending A Moment of Beauty emails (new friends, you’ll see what I’m talking about in a few weeks). It has meant so much to me, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!
For those of you who have been a friend of the Bower for a while now, I’m immensely grateful to have you along on this journey! It has been a gift to share with you, and grow with you. I hope my words continue to be a positive, light-filled part of your monthly rhythms, and that you feel at home in this space.
To my new friends of the Bower, I deeply hope this becomes a place that feels like you’re stopping by a good friend’s house for a visit, and that you always leave uplifted and encouraged. I’m so glad you are here, and look forward to sharing more with you.
As I move into this second year, I carry with me new hopes and dreams that have been stirred in my heart, for how the Bower can become more of a place of encouragement and beauty to others.
The first of those hopes is already here. There’s a new page on my website for nature gazing — the simple practice of pausing and looking deeply at the everyday beauty around us. You’ll find a free guide waiting there to help you begin, whenever you’d like. Stop by and visit the Nature Gazing page anytime.
I have a new sense of purpose and direction, and I’m doing my best to let God lead the way. I’m excited to walk further down the path, and see what is around the next bend. I hope you’ll continue traveling along with me!
Welcome new friends, and welcome back returning friends!
I'm so grateful you're here. If something in this month's Notes stirred your thoughts, I'd love to hear about it. Just hit reply.
For my new friends, each month I write the names of all new readers and place them in a prayer jar on my desk. Know you're being prayed for.
May your days be filled with peace, joy, and beauty.
Notes from the Bower is published the second Wednesday of each month. The next editionis scheduled to arrive in your inbox September 9th. I’m looking forward to meeting you here again. Until then, wishing you much peace, joy, and beauty!
