"i smiled at how you love this place..."

I thought it appropriate to quote Peter Mulvey right about now. First, because i am listening to him at this moment. Second, because i will be seeing him in concert again a week from Sunday. I never tire of listening to his music. Songs that tell stories that capture the moments of life, beauty of life, people of life, difficulties of life, experiences of life, hardly ever get old.

I've caught myself smiling a lot lately--smiling at how i "love this place" (i.e., wherever I happen to find myself at that moment): driving in the car (with someone or alone), admiring farm country (obviously when I am out of the city), walking down the sidewalk, smiling at strangers passing by, playing with little boys I nanny (teaching kids about life is included here :)), talking with friends, phone conversations, rock climbing, exploring new towns and cities, cooking, watering my plants (lame, maybe, but i like watching them grow), reading, smelling the rain, enjoying days without humidity (wonderful!), writing letters, praying questions (learning to be content with lots of unanswered ones), wondering about life, resting (trying not to be so restless as I do ;))...

I'm finally reading Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott. It's really wonderful so far, I'm enjoying it. More thoughts as I get further into it :) For now it's just a great summer read and helping me rethink some things about living life.

Lately I've had days in which I feel really young--life is all new and fresh--and days in which I feel old--life is rushing past without me (some "this is it" and some "let's get on with it!" if that makes any sense). It feels a little strange to have both of these sensations but I'm confident the Lord has a purpose in these lessons I'm learning, thoughts I'm having, and experiences I'm living...now.

This weekend we're painting :) I'll be posting new pictures sometime next week, I'm sure. Can't wait...