Dawn chorus cries

Dawn chorus cries,

'Wake up!'

a new day beckons

full of surprise

of untold mysteries

yet to unfold

the light breaks through

a vision to behold

of love and beauty

truth and joy

waiting,

unraveling, 

moment by moment

time unwinds. 

©revdjo 19/10/14

I hear the sound of footsteps

  

I hear the sound of footsteps

echo far and near

as people search in anguish

lives lived out in fear.

Round and round in circles

over hill and dale

they wander through the countryside

and through the market square.

Aimlessly they travel

shoes worn out by tread

weighed down by their own burdens

some completely off their head.

Minds restless from life's worries

bodies tired out from pain

they look like they're contented

but heads bow down in shame.

©revdjo 3/10/14 

My Old Friend, Laughter

Laughter

I remember her

somewhere inside 

in the corner 

of my mind

tucked away 

in an envelope

marked,

'Do not open until...'

Laughter

I remember her

her sound

bubbling up

making me smile

eyes twinkle

in a time

gone by,

Christmas maybe?

Laughter

I remember her

she knocks

once more

an old friend

returning

sharing

merriment 

and glee.

Laughter

I remember her

she's here,

with me.

©revdjo 31/8/14

A poem came tip-tapping

Tip-tapping on the window 

     the softly falling 

               rain 

running down the glass

     weaving a merry

               dance 

filling up the bucket

     with a resounding

               plop

the tip-tapping starts

     once more

               again

you think you 

              understand her

                   ways

                         but really you do

               not.

©revdjo 11/8/14

    

          

     

Laurie Lee and the wonders of Slad Valley

 

Today would have been Laurie Lee's 100th birthday. Laurie was born in Uplands, Stroud, Gloucestershire and synonymous with the beautiful Slad Valley. Laurie is most famous for his novel, Cider with Rossie, which has also been adapted into a screen play, and for his poetry. His work is very descriptive and conjures pictures in the mind's eye, as all good writers do. I love the Slad Valley and, like Laurie, have fond memories of growing up in the area. My parents still live in Uplands and my mum's family were also born there. Before Uplands' Primary school was built the children in the area, such as my mum, would go to school in Slad. The Old school house is still there today. I'm not sure many youngsters of primary school age would walk that far to go to school today.

As a child I spent much of my time wandering around the Slad Valley, playing in the woods and paddling in Slad brook, with my friend Dianne Close. She lived in a wooden house in the Slad that I would get to by hiking up Folly Lane and taking a right across the fields down toward the Vatch. It had no mains electricity, only a generator. I stayed there a few nights and it seemed like living out in the wild, well to me anyway. We also use to go carol singing, knocking the doors in the village and giggling when they were opened. I think we just about managed to hold a tune. Talking about carol singing, at Uplands County Primary we would perform various musicals and carol concerts. I can remember being very cold shivering in Holy Trinity Church, singing in a Carol concert. Cold because there was, and still is, no central heating, and I had forgotten to wear my vest. I haven't been in the church for years, until last Saturday which marked the Laurie's Centenary anniversary celebrations in the village. How could I resist!

The village was awash with visitors, the Woolpack Pub was packed - although given how small it is that's not difficult. Hmmm.. I wonder if they still do off-sales and sell sweets from the little hatch to the village children. Yep, that's where we spend the carol singing money. One of my old school friends Elaine Day was exhibiting her handcrafted silverware. Such a talented lady. (I use to sit next to Elaine in Maths.) The exhibition is on all week but the valley is there for ever for you to roam. Another childhood memory is cycling up Slad Road to Bulls Cross. It would take an hour or so to get there (being up hill) but only about five minutes to get down. Oh, the joy of the wind in your hair and the sun on your back. So, go for a cycle if you dare.

If you want to know more about Laurie Lee and Slad have a look at the article in the Independent by Boyd Tonkin (just click on the hyperlink). I would love to retire to Slad, that's if they don't build in Baxter's Field! I have also told my husband that when I die (I'm not planning on it just yet) I would like my ashes scattered, or maybe interment here. As a Baptist Minister perhaps you are wondering why I would choose a Church of England graveyard? To me denomination is more about defining my theology rather than saying someone else is wrong or their faith inadequate in some way. I have many friends who are Anglican, Pentecostal, etc. I am also blessed with many friends who would say they have no faith, or who are Pagan. They are still my friends and I still love them, and so does God. 

Getting back to the point, or maybe that was the point, my grand-parents are buried at Holy Trinity. So is Laurie Lee. Laurie's grave has pride of place near the path by the door to the church. To find where my my grandparents are buried you have to take the winding track to the top of the graveyard. Unfortunately, I couldn't find them. It appears the gravestone is missing and the plots are overgrown. I hope I can go back again soon to try again. Remembering loved ones is important, but perhaps, treasuring our family and friends is more important whilst we still have them here to tell them we love them and give them a hug. Perhaps we all need to remember this.

 Who is that in the middle?

Waiting

 

I have spent much of my time in the garden these last couple of days. Lots of pulling of weeds, cutting of hedges, and digging of soil has taken place. I have also spent lots of time garden planning. We can plan all we want to but, as any gardener will tell you, you don't have full control. Sure, you can rip out and tear down whatever we want but try to grow something in a sunny spot that does not like full sun and you are on to a looser. Plants need the right kind of soil and conditions for them to flourish. People are much the same. We all need to be loved, nurtured, fed and watered. We need to right conditions to grow well and to bare fruit. I love apple trees. I love seeing those first buds appear and burst into flower and then for the flowers turn into the most tiniest apple like shapes. (I am sure there is a name for whatever they are called, apart from tiny little apples - no idea what that is though.) The best thing is to watch the apples grow and ripen ready to be picked. Who can resist the mouth watering delicious taste of a crunchy apple straight from the tree. Not to mention apple crumble and ice-cream, or lashings of custard if you are my husband. Yum! 

Today as I looked out on my garden that was being watered by the rain I saw a tiny bird sat on the rooftop. What on earth was it doing sat in the rain? It, like me, was waiting. Waiting for the rain to stop and the sun to come out again. I don't like the rain but without it nothing grows. The Christian walk can be a bumpy ride sometimes and sometimes we hit a stormy patch. Life has many twists and turns but it is through the rough stormy times that we grow the most. It is perhaps these times that draw us closer to God, sometimes kicking and screaming. 

This morning I have been reading Psalm 27, here it is:

 

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
    to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.

³ Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.

⁵ For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
    above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
    I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.

⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,
    God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.

¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
    lead me in a straight path
    because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.
NIV (2011)

This is my prayer today, may it be yours to.