Intimacy of a Name

Portrait of the Virgin Mary, wooden egg mosaic by Oksana Mas,

 Photo by REUTERS    http://bit.ly/18CTwyA

The spiritual intimacy of praying for another...

Christmas Greens and Their Symbolism

So...what DO those evergreens symbolize anyways? Find out on my blog at Patheos.

Rosemary Dethrones Christmas Red!

I thought it would be nice to share this blog from last year with all the new visitors to Morning Rose Prayer Gardens…and gently remind the rest of you of an alternative. Many of you know I’m on a mission to dethrone the poinsettia as the Christmas plant in Catholic homes and churches with the herb Rosemary officinalis.

Snow and Falling

The morning’s light had increased and I saw it was snowing. A delightful memory filled my heart…

Blooms of Mary's Sword

The flowers that pierced my heart.

Celibate Free for All

All love is gift...

This is for the Birds!

Seriously...for the birds...

Vibrancy and Dormancy

The balance of these two loves—of God and neighbor—is not yet easily attained. What I learn from the Maple leaf and spinner.

Feeling of Skin

"Stars", 1926, Maxfield Parrish

To say that I was praying feels inaccurate, even shallow...the rest is at Patheos.

Mystical Magpies and St. Oda of Scotland

The Magpie, Pica pica, guided the building of a monastery. Read the story over at my blog on Patheos.



Image of Pica pica from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elster_wikipedia2.jpg

Pome Stars

Read more about apples at my post on Patheos.

Clearing Away (September 2008)

Taking one step when a full stride is too much...

Black Birds Landing

The brutes! They came and disrupted my peace.

Perils of Digging Potatoes

Perils, oh the perils of digging...

Hummer at Work

The sweetest sound a soul can hear is one's own name spoken in a blessing...

Cardinal at my Window

Artist Charlie Harper, Cardinal Seeing Red

A reflection...

Please Return Me to My Cell

Fun at the Catholic Writers Conference...

Gayety in the Garden

How wonderful... to receive another gardening gift!

Doubt in the Family of Jesus

There were a lot of doubts, starting with saints Joachim and Anne, Jesus' grandparents. Read the story at Patheos.

As Long as Nobody's Watching

Don't for a minute imagine I'm good at this!

Lumen Fedei and a Tomato-red Day

Encyclicals and a little-girl heart speak of a deep love. Read the story at Patheos

 

Erosion

We tend not to notice the silt accumulating at our feet.

Rain Moving Through

The heat of the previous days was broken by the cool air of the approaching storm.

Laughter with Tears

Her love was evident as we laughed and cried arm-in-arm. Read about Ann's blessings at Patheos.

Just Mow it Down

Determinedly I walked it to the front yard, turned the key to start the engine, took a deep breath and moved it into the gardens.

Free Falling

Such daring, such faith, what fun! Skydiving sparrows...

The Italian Lilac

It was brought across the ocean five generations ago... read the story at Patheos.

A Sanctifying Glance

She was just walking down the road when our eyes met... Read the rest of the column on my blog at Patheos.

Browsing Your Backyard (Edible Landscaping)

Go ahead, munch your way around your garden...

Muddied Mobility

And Remaining Flexible...

Ladybug Blunder

Sometimes things just go wrong...http://www.patheos.com/blogs/prayergardens/2013/04/ladybugs-blunder/

No Escape

This past week I was overexposed to the abominations of Gosnell on the Internet. Nightmares rob me of sleep, intrusive images destroy my peace. I find myself hiding in my prayer space as the horrors of recent events pierce my mind.

Grandmother's Violin

Grandmother rarely spoke of her life, her accomplishments and history. She was always a wife and mother first...Here is the story of her Stradiuarius

Who was that man in Luke 22?

The Betrayl of Christ by Jacopo Bassano

In disbelief the slave watched Jesus move toward him, toward his severed ear...the slave's response, at Patheos.

Dappled Things

I hunger for spring. A poem by Gerard Manley Hopkins is shared at Patheos.

Starting Seeds Part 2: Practical Gardening

Photo by Marmar, 2012

Did you start seeds indoors? In my February 22^nd column, Starting Seeds Indoors Part 1, I talked about how to begin growing seeds indoors. I mentioned timing, containers and potting mix, light, temperature and watering. Let’s continue with the care of seedlings after germination. Starting Seeds Part 2 will guide you through to the hardening-off stage.

Full Moon Crosses

It had been a very long time since I had allowed myself to reflect on the absence of family... The memories are shared at Patheos.

Starting Seeds Indoors, Part 1

Few things produce more hope in the first few hours than a diet and starting seeds. See my Practical Gardening Series at Patheos.

Asian Madonna

That desiring to hold close a sense of safety was once again the motion of my arms...read more of my column at Patheos.

Fasting From, Turn to Virtue

Adjusting attitudes through Lent...not for the faint of heart. Fourteen points to post on the fridge can be found here.

Letting Go

Standing there circled by crates of pods and beans, rocks and wood, I found myself in a revealing paradox... Read the full column on Patheos.

Winter 2013 Barren Ground

Had I still been using a typewriter, there would be a pile of balled up, partially written pages surrounding my desk. I thought I had a good piece written, but then not quite. It was reworked, altered, I paraphrased another writer, tried to add wit which only seemed forced, moved paragraphs…no, lead sentences…no, just start again...read more at Patheos.

Winter 2013 Managing Your Seeding Addiction

I love seed catalogs; they evoke such hope! I peek at them quickly as they come into the house then set them in a basket next to my reading table. When I have a block of time, which is easier to find in the winter, I pick up the stack and snuggle into my chair. With my feet up, and a cup of tea, I peruse their colorful pages and dream.

And that is when I, and most of my gardening friends, get into a world of trouble. I have learned over the years that it is easier to abstain than to moderate. Today I am going to try and help you moderate the length of your purchase order form.

Read more at my column on Pathoes.

Winter 2013 The Lights Went Out

It was pitch black, too dark for even shadows to fall...My latest column at The Catholic Channel on Patheos.

Winter 2013, New Years Past

Looking ahead into the new year of 2013, I’ve pulled an excerpt from my latest book Cultivating God’ Garden through Lent. From the past I share a lesson of timing at New Years Day 2011, on Patheos Catholic Channel.