basics

A few mornings ago Rinne and I woke up to below freezing temperatures.

As strange as it may seem, that's cause for celebration. 

Why?

Winter has become our safest outdoor season. The dangerous mycotoxins are temporarily immobilized when it's below freezing.

Greg and I used to count the days to Spring and Summer. That's when we felt most alive. After a long winter, our senses would crave the hope-filled sounds of birdsongs and wind rustling through trees, the scent of fresh dirt, grass and flowers, and the warm sun on our faces.

My parents had a little cottage on Lake Waubesa just outside of Madison, WI. From their pier, we could see the Capitol all lit up at night.

For a short time, we had the joy of living near them in a cozy place across the street a half mile down the road. Long walks, bike rides, kayaking, exploring trails and watching sunsets from across the lake were a beautiful and re-centering part of our year.

Saturdays were a favorite. The Dane County Farmer's Market wrapped around the Capitol Square. It's the largest producers-only farmer's market in the country.The aroma of fresh fruits, vegetables, breads, newly cut herbs and flowers filled the square while street artists and musicians fed our artistic souls.

And the juried Art Fair of 500 artists, and Concerts on the Square with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, were magnificent.

Dane County Farmer's Market

Immersing ourselves in nature, vibrant art, and music is restorative for us. Perhaps those things stir something in your soul too.

These days we continue our pilgrimage of adapting to our strange new way of life.

Spring, Summer and Fall have become significantly problematic for us.

Now we count the days to below freezing winters. Well, not really. Not sure we'll ever do that. But we do scan the weather app in hopes of a cold snap. It's almost funny in a way. Who ARE these people?!

But seriously, we're nurturing a new perspective and moving towards gratitude.

Freezing cold means we can stay outside longer with Heidi, our Golden Retriever girly girl, and hopefully experience less activation of symptoms. (she prefers winter too) We can occasionally open our windows and breathe in the frigid fresh air, listen to the wind, dogs playing and people laughing in the distance. And we can walk outside without masks and forage for unexpected beauty in the dormant season.

We no longer take these basics for granted.

Lord, the things You provide are often ordinary daily needs.

But that doesn't make them any less wonderful or powerful. 

We don't take note of them and thank You often enough, Jesus, for little rescues and small provisions we could not do without. 

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If you would like a spoken experience of Basics, click on the play button to listen to Greg.

O dear God

O Holy One

i'm on my knees

inside of me

thanks to You abundantly

for the basics You

supply to me

that carry me

daily

nightly

first and foremost

i have access

to the Presence

of the

One and only You

Your whisper

Your wisdom

Your there-ness

and here-ness

and always-nearness

even while invisible

yet somehow

tangible

sense-able

feel-able

with a faith-step

believable

above all

You love all

shown in the most

self-denying

self-emptying

self-negating

arising

healing

restoring

unspeakably wondrous way

my backbone

when i crumble

my uplift

when i stumble

or tumble

or tremble

which i'm prone to do

as i surf these rivers

of uncertainty

so i say again

how deeply I depend

hour by hour

minute by minute

second by second

on You

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Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done. —C.S. Lewis

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Lamentations 3:23

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We'd love for you to join us as we make things with words and music in our little studio. We look forward to connecting with you and journeying together!

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With much love, Greg & Corinne