Well, this weather. I have found the last few mornings I am brightening my living area with candles, which include the Hope candle from Shaun, along with one from Mary and one in a lantern given to me by the congregation last December. It is simply so dreary outside I need this extra light and it does seem to hold something extra. This morning, I set the stage for my meditation time, with Honey trotting beside me. Everything was set and today I decided to use the Doreen Virtue CD loaned to me by Kate. I hit play and headed to my comfie couch and quilt. Honey headed along with me. I rested. Honey jumped up to rest with me as the words "Breathe in and out very deeply as you begin to open up to the healing energy of your Divine light". Honey just couldn't get settled. She jumped down, trotted into her kennel, retrieved her favorite blanket, dragged it over to me, jumped up, blanket carried and pulled up by her mouth, cuddled, snuggled and settled. Together we watched as the candles flickered, listened as we were both reminded how very much we are safe and we are loved, breathed deeply, and gave thanks.
Peace today,
Emma Lee
P.S. Honey slept in until 6:45 a.m. this morning and somehow I don't mind the smell of wet dog. M
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
I'm a day late, I know, but I wanted to send these greetings out to all of my mother friends. You have achieved remarkable success. The greatest success there is I think. And it is completely, absolutely and unconditionally free.
I received wonderful wishes from both of my children by phone, and they sent gifts. Beautiful roses and a card and call from Lee; a parcel from Mary, which included organic dark roast coffee, seeds for plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies for my garden, tea, a necklace and earrings and a card. I will be seeing Lee this Thursday, if all goes well. Honey is going on a road trip! More later, as the date approaches.
Yesterday was eventful. At Church yesterday morning we sang River in Judea, which is a fabulous gospelly-type anthem. To me, the words speak of music we make and in the world around us; how music can offer peace and hope. Indeed. Oddly though, as the service progressed, I was feeling more and more unwell. By the time I got home from church my fever was around the 100 degree mark. To the couch, where worries started swirling about missing the Carillon concert. I medicated myself and waited. I called Karen and told her that I would do my best to be there for 3. I arrived at the Church at 2:58. I did the concert and was back home before 4. My concert hat, scarf and clothing were fever-drenched. But I did it. And I am so glad. I think we sang well. I believe it was beautiful and rewarding. The audience was lovely and appreciative. The house the good.
So, today, it's raining again. We must need the rain. It will be an easy few days while I get ready to travel to Prince Edward Island - The Island. I love The Island!
Peace to you all. Find some music that inspires you. Listen to it at least twice. Build up your hope and resolve. Travel through your day humming or whistling that song!
Emma Lee
I received wonderful wishes from both of my children by phone, and they sent gifts. Beautiful roses and a card and call from Lee; a parcel from Mary, which included organic dark roast coffee, seeds for plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies for my garden, tea, a necklace and earrings and a card. I will be seeing Lee this Thursday, if all goes well. Honey is going on a road trip! More later, as the date approaches.
Yesterday was eventful. At Church yesterday morning we sang River in Judea, which is a fabulous gospelly-type anthem. To me, the words speak of music we make and in the world around us; how music can offer peace and hope. Indeed. Oddly though, as the service progressed, I was feeling more and more unwell. By the time I got home from church my fever was around the 100 degree mark. To the couch, where worries started swirling about missing the Carillon concert. I medicated myself and waited. I called Karen and told her that I would do my best to be there for 3. I arrived at the Church at 2:58. I did the concert and was back home before 4. My concert hat, scarf and clothing were fever-drenched. But I did it. And I am so glad. I think we sang well. I believe it was beautiful and rewarding. The audience was lovely and appreciative. The house the good.
So, today, it's raining again. We must need the rain. It will be an easy few days while I get ready to travel to Prince Edward Island - The Island. I love The Island!
Peace to you all. Find some music that inspires you. Listen to it at least twice. Build up your hope and resolve. Travel through your day humming or whistling that song!
Emma Lee
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
And All Manner of Thing Shall Be Well
Myself and Mary WC are responsible for contemporary worship at Trinity on May 15th. Our theme is Julian of Norwich. Now, I was somewhat familiar with Julian from previous English lit classes, but those books are left to be dusted off somewhere. Anyway, Mary and I were working previously on It's A Wonderful Church, and the Julian idea came up as something we would like to dig deeper into following Easter. So we are. And it is good. Gwen loaned me a book by Ralph Milton, which is a fictional account of Julian's life, and I am almost finished reading that. I also had the Library find me another book by Milton called The Essence of Julian.
If you have the time, and quiet in your life, you might want to check out Julian. She was the first woman to write a book in English! Pretty amazing. She was born in 1342 in Norwich, England. A lot of her writings are tough, but amazingly enough, relateable today. Although she's writing out of her mid-evil world, I am still finding a lot of ideas that strike a chord with me. When she was 30, she had a very serious illness (of course the plague was wiping out communities all around her) during which she experienced a series of visions. She wrote both short and long versions of these visions from God and at some point she became an anchorite at the Church in Norwich. It's all very interesting. If I ever get to England again, I will visit that Church.
Julian's life was committed to prayer and counsel to those who came to her window to seek her wisdom. On May 15th, we are going to try and share some of her messages, in both word and song. One piece of special music will be Linnea Good's Bells of Norwich, which I find hauntingly beautiful. I will do my best at a couple of monologues. Charlotte is helping with costume and Charleen with set. And of course, Mary will be sharing her knowledge on Julian which is much more than mine, as well as personal reflections on this First Woman of Letters.
"For God is all that is good, and God made all that is made, and God loves every part of it. If you love all people because of God's love, then you love each created thing, because you love the creator. For God is in every person, and every person is in God. If you love in this way, you love all."
Peace today. What's that in the sky? Is it a bird, a plane? No, it's THE SUN, surrounded by the most beautiful blue. The earth will sprout today!
Emma Lee
If you have the time, and quiet in your life, you might want to check out Julian. She was the first woman to write a book in English! Pretty amazing. She was born in 1342 in Norwich, England. A lot of her writings are tough, but amazingly enough, relateable today. Although she's writing out of her mid-evil world, I am still finding a lot of ideas that strike a chord with me. When she was 30, she had a very serious illness (of course the plague was wiping out communities all around her) during which she experienced a series of visions. She wrote both short and long versions of these visions from God and at some point she became an anchorite at the Church in Norwich. It's all very interesting. If I ever get to England again, I will visit that Church.
Julian's life was committed to prayer and counsel to those who came to her window to seek her wisdom. On May 15th, we are going to try and share some of her messages, in both word and song. One piece of special music will be Linnea Good's Bells of Norwich, which I find hauntingly beautiful. I will do my best at a couple of monologues. Charlotte is helping with costume and Charleen with set. And of course, Mary will be sharing her knowledge on Julian which is much more than mine, as well as personal reflections on this First Woman of Letters.
"For God is all that is good, and God made all that is made, and God loves every part of it. If you love all people because of God's love, then you love each created thing, because you love the creator. For God is in every person, and every person is in God. If you love in this way, you love all."
Peace today. What's that in the sky? Is it a bird, a plane? No, it's THE SUN, surrounded by the most beautiful blue. The earth will sprout today!
Emma Lee
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Yellow Finches Have Returned!
We were late on our walk this morning. Perhaps I slept in, I don't really know. I am so tired I don't know whether I slept or not. A great tiredness has descended. I have few commitments today and hopefully Jim will arrive this evening. Four days alone seems to be beyond my maximum.
I am going to visit friends this afternoon. Brenda and Denise. They have been busy, busy, busy, knitting lovely hats which could be used by both hairless and hairfull people. Can't wait to see them. We are going to decide where best the hats should be used; but from the pics I've seen, they could be used by everybody.
As Honey and I trotted closer to Albert and MacLean this morning, you couldn't escape hearing a lot of birds, merrily chirping their "we own the world in the morning" song. So, just like Honey, I am nosey, and I went in search. It wasn't long before we saw a stand of young trees covered in yellow decorations, swooping and flitting from branch to branch. Quite lovely and amazing. The sound track to that song and dance was a most beautiful wind chime with a very deep pitch. I tried to hold that note in my mind until we were home and I could find it on the piano. It matches quite well to a low A. It has a lovely resonance - not tinny, not thin, but deep and rich. So with the birds' song, what a lovely treat early morning.
You might think I am crazy enjoying such things; I probably am, but not as crazy as the fellow I met on the way home having a great, loud, conversation with himself. He would even stop and turn around - so it really was a question and answer, out loud, to the world, with himself. How lucky for me I was holding the wind chime in my mind. He could have been a mime. He could not interrupt that note and I was not tempted to let it go.
Yesterday, I passed a home and on the front step there were blue bags filled with a young person's clothing. My imagination was quickly off on that story but I had to stop it, as I headed to the radio station. I think I had a good experience there. It was hard for me to get grounded however as I was standing on very thick shag carpet, and I wasn't level - the carpet was bunching up under my feet - my feet couldn't feel the floor. I need to have my feet firmly planted on the ground. I need that connection to the earth. So, I did my best, talking with an old childhood friend Don MacKenzie, and I told the truth and shared my story in word and song. The station raised $12,000.00 yesterday for their team. The community responded once again. Let's Make Cancer History!
I'm off to Maritime Conference with Lloyd and Gwen and Kirby and a whole bunch of other people at the end of the month. I am so excited to get away for a few days; without cats and a dog under feet (but I will miss them), and with the opportunity to be in a spiritual place for a few days in a row. My goal is to get this tiredness under control. Must be the Aredia.
Okay. Enough. There is a lovely breeze today; not carrying that extreme dampness and I thank the wind for that. The house will not be cleaned today. I am headed for rest.
Have a great day everyone. Please find something that inspires you. Contemplate upon it and enjoy your life and your loved ones. Cherish it all.
Peace,
Emma Lee
I am going to visit friends this afternoon. Brenda and Denise. They have been busy, busy, busy, knitting lovely hats which could be used by both hairless and hairfull people. Can't wait to see them. We are going to decide where best the hats should be used; but from the pics I've seen, they could be used by everybody.
As Honey and I trotted closer to Albert and MacLean this morning, you couldn't escape hearing a lot of birds, merrily chirping their "we own the world in the morning" song. So, just like Honey, I am nosey, and I went in search. It wasn't long before we saw a stand of young trees covered in yellow decorations, swooping and flitting from branch to branch. Quite lovely and amazing. The sound track to that song and dance was a most beautiful wind chime with a very deep pitch. I tried to hold that note in my mind until we were home and I could find it on the piano. It matches quite well to a low A. It has a lovely resonance - not tinny, not thin, but deep and rich. So with the birds' song, what a lovely treat early morning.
You might think I am crazy enjoying such things; I probably am, but not as crazy as the fellow I met on the way home having a great, loud, conversation with himself. He would even stop and turn around - so it really was a question and answer, out loud, to the world, with himself. How lucky for me I was holding the wind chime in my mind. He could have been a mime. He could not interrupt that note and I was not tempted to let it go.
Yesterday, I passed a home and on the front step there were blue bags filled with a young person's clothing. My imagination was quickly off on that story but I had to stop it, as I headed to the radio station. I think I had a good experience there. It was hard for me to get grounded however as I was standing on very thick shag carpet, and I wasn't level - the carpet was bunching up under my feet - my feet couldn't feel the floor. I need to have my feet firmly planted on the ground. I need that connection to the earth. So, I did my best, talking with an old childhood friend Don MacKenzie, and I told the truth and shared my story in word and song. The station raised $12,000.00 yesterday for their team. The community responded once again. Let's Make Cancer History!
I'm off to Maritime Conference with Lloyd and Gwen and Kirby and a whole bunch of other people at the end of the month. I am so excited to get away for a few days; without cats and a dog under feet (but I will miss them), and with the opportunity to be in a spiritual place for a few days in a row. My goal is to get this tiredness under control. Must be the Aredia.
Okay. Enough. There is a lovely breeze today; not carrying that extreme dampness and I thank the wind for that. The house will not be cleaned today. I am headed for rest.
Have a great day everyone. Please find something that inspires you. Contemplate upon it and enjoy your life and your loved ones. Cherish it all.
Peace,
Emma Lee
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
ECFM - 94.1 - Radio for Relay - I'm on at 10:00 a..
Recent pictures of Mary (blonde), Robyn and Melika in Toronto at Robyn's video shot. Video to be released end of June. But read on . . . .
94.1 FM - Radio today - 10:00 a.m. Raising funds for Relay for Life - Canadian Cancer Society.
Carillons had a fabulous rehearsal last night. The concert this coming Sunday is going to rock (in a beautiful sounding way!). If you need tickets - $10.00 - what a deal - three different groups - The Pictou County Community Orchestra, St. James Brass Quintet and The Carillon Singers - won't be long- with intermission you will be out by 4:30 - starts at 3. Lovely treats at intermission too! Treat yourself. Treat your mom. Get out of the house for a couple of hours.
Email me if you want tickets - emmalee@eastlink.ca
The early morning world still belongs to the birds! Emma Lee
94.1 FM - Radio today - 10:00 a.m. Raising funds for Relay for Life - Canadian Cancer Society.
Carillons had a fabulous rehearsal last night. The concert this coming Sunday is going to rock (in a beautiful sounding way!). If you need tickets - $10.00 - what a deal - three different groups - The Pictou County Community Orchestra, St. James Brass Quintet and The Carillon Singers - won't be long- with intermission you will be out by 4:30 - starts at 3. Lovely treats at intermission too! Treat yourself. Treat your mom. Get out of the house for a couple of hours.
Email me if you want tickets - emmalee@eastlink.ca
The early morning world still belongs to the birds! Emma Lee
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Four Days Since Last Treatment - What In The World!
It is the day after our Federal election. I have yet to turn on the TV or open the paper, but hear from Don Connolly that one headline at least reads Great Big C.
A miracle of sorts occurred following my last treatment - that of pain relief. I averted the fever which I felt coming on, and rather had a few days of discomfort, (well the discomfort continues) I am still taking the pills and they are working at keeping discomfort to a dull roar. It is indeed a true miracle! Yay!!! I Say Yay!!! Anyway, over those days I also had the chance to run the bass parts to some of the New Horizon songs scheduled for their concerts in Pictou on the 18th and in Truro on the 19th. What a blast! Fingers are crossed.
I don't need to tell you that the world is askew. Besides my miracle noted above, I experienced another bright moment recently, that being the April 29th, 2011 nuptials at the Royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton: I'm including the full sermon "Be Who God Meant You To Be", delivered by The Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. Richard Chartres:
‘“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves.
‘Many are full of fear for the future of the prospects of our world but the message of the celebrations in this country and far beyond its shores is the right one – this is a joyful day! It is good that people in every continent are able to share in these celebrations because this is, as every wedding day should be, a day of hope.
In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and the groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future.‘William and Catherine, you have chosen to be married in the sight of a generous God who so loved the world that he gave himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ.
‘And in the Spirit of this generous God, husband and wife are to give themselves to each another.
‘A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life.
‘It is of course very hard to wean ourselves away from self-centredness. And people can dream of doing such a thing but the hope should be fulfilled it is necessary a solemn decision that, whatever the difficulties, we are committed to the way of generous love.
‘You have both made your decision today – “I will” – and by making this new relationship, you have aligned yourselves with what we believe is the way in which life is spiritually evolving, and which will lead to a creative future for the human race.
‘We stand looking forward to a century which is full of promise and full of peril. Human beings are confronting the question of how to use wisely a power that has been given to us through the discoveries of the last century. We shall not be converted to the promise of the future by more knowledge, but rather by an increase of loving wisdom and reverence, for life, for the earth and for one another.
‘Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art. It is possible to transform as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner. There must be no coercion if the Spirit is to flow; each must give the other space and freedom. Chaucer, the London poet, sums it up in a pithy phrase:
‘“Whan maistrie [mastery] comth, the God of Love anon,
Beteth his wynges, and farewell, he is gon.”
‘As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life. This is to load our partner with too great a burden. We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.
‘As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light. This leads to a family life which offers the best conditions in which the next generation can practise and exchange those gifts which can overcome fear and division and incubate the coming world of the Spirit, whose fruits are love and joy and peace.
‘I pray that all of us present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today, will do everything in our power to support and uphold you in your new life. And I pray that God will bless you in the way of life that you have chosen, that way which is expressed in the prayer that you have composed together in preparation for this day:
‘God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
‘In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
‘Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.’
I don't know about you, but I could read, and re-read these words, and I am trying to put them into the context of what is coming out of the US.
I will be on CKEC/East Coast FM tomorrow morning between 10 and 10:30 as part of their Relay for Radio - raising funds for the Relay for Life.
Okay, time to listen to the news. It is a miracle we continue to exist on this planet. . . .
Peace to you all today,
Emma Lee
A miracle of sorts occurred following my last treatment - that of pain relief. I averted the fever which I felt coming on, and rather had a few days of discomfort, (well the discomfort continues) I am still taking the pills and they are working at keeping discomfort to a dull roar. It is indeed a true miracle! Yay!!! I Say Yay!!! Anyway, over those days I also had the chance to run the bass parts to some of the New Horizon songs scheduled for their concerts in Pictou on the 18th and in Truro on the 19th. What a blast! Fingers are crossed.
I don't need to tell you that the world is askew. Besides my miracle noted above, I experienced another bright moment recently, that being the April 29th, 2011 nuptials at the Royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton: I'm including the full sermon "Be Who God Meant You To Be", delivered by The Bishop of London, the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dr. Richard Chartres:
‘“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” So said St Catherine of Siena whose festival day it is today. Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves.
‘Many are full of fear for the future of the prospects of our world but the message of the celebrations in this country and far beyond its shores is the right one – this is a joyful day! It is good that people in every continent are able to share in these celebrations because this is, as every wedding day should be, a day of hope.
In a sense every wedding is a royal wedding with the bride and the groom as king and queen of creation, making a new life together so that life can flow through them into the future.‘William and Catherine, you have chosen to be married in the sight of a generous God who so loved the world that he gave himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ.
‘And in the Spirit of this generous God, husband and wife are to give themselves to each another.
‘A spiritual life grows as love finds its centre beyond ourselves. Faithful and committed relationships offer a door into the mystery of spiritual life in which we discover this; the more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves and our spiritual beauty is more fully revealed. In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life.
‘It is of course very hard to wean ourselves away from self-centredness. And people can dream of doing such a thing but the hope should be fulfilled it is necessary a solemn decision that, whatever the difficulties, we are committed to the way of generous love.
‘You have both made your decision today – “I will” – and by making this new relationship, you have aligned yourselves with what we believe is the way in which life is spiritually evolving, and which will lead to a creative future for the human race.
‘We stand looking forward to a century which is full of promise and full of peril. Human beings are confronting the question of how to use wisely a power that has been given to us through the discoveries of the last century. We shall not be converted to the promise of the future by more knowledge, but rather by an increase of loving wisdom and reverence, for life, for the earth and for one another.
‘Marriage should transform, as husband and wife make one another their work of art. It is possible to transform as long as we do not harbour ambitions to reform our partner. There must be no coercion if the Spirit is to flow; each must give the other space and freedom. Chaucer, the London poet, sums it up in a pithy phrase:
‘“Whan maistrie [mastery] comth, the God of Love anon,
Beteth his wynges, and farewell, he is gon.”
‘As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life. This is to load our partner with too great a burden. We are all incomplete: we all need the love which is secure, rather than oppressive, we need mutual forgiveness, to thrive.
‘As we move towards our partner in love, following the example of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is quickened within us and can increasingly fill our lives with light. This leads to a family life which offers the best conditions in which the next generation can practise and exchange those gifts which can overcome fear and division and incubate the coming world of the Spirit, whose fruits are love and joy and peace.
‘I pray that all of us present and the many millions watching this ceremony and sharing in your joy today, will do everything in our power to support and uphold you in your new life. And I pray that God will bless you in the way of life that you have chosen, that way which is expressed in the prayer that you have composed together in preparation for this day:
‘God our Father, we thank you for our families; for the love that we share and for the joy of our marriage.
‘In the busyness of each day keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy.
‘Strengthened by our union help us to serve and comfort those who suffer. We ask this in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Amen.’
I don't know about you, but I could read, and re-read these words, and I am trying to put them into the context of what is coming out of the US.
I will be on CKEC/East Coast FM tomorrow morning between 10 and 10:30 as part of their Relay for Radio - raising funds for the Relay for Life.
Okay, time to listen to the news. It is a miracle we continue to exist on this planet. . . .
Peace to you all today,
Emma Lee
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