Getting to Know You

   A couple of weeks ago this little man, now known as Brother, came to spend a few days with us while The Daughter and her husband got out of Dodge for a few days. I wish that I could say that it was completely and utterly delightful, but the poor little guy was sick the whole time. He mostly wanted to be held and since I didn't have to worry about spoiling him, I was all happy to oblige.
   Brother and our Cavalier spaniel, Wilson, became fast friends during Brother's visit. As I watched them, I was reminded of the song from The King and I Broadway musical. Here's my take on it courtesy of Brother and his new found friend!

Cue the music, please!

Getting to know you,

 Getting to know all about you

 Getting to like you,

 Getting to hope you like me,

Getting to know you

putting it my way,

 

 but nicely,

You are precisely,

My cup of tea!

 Haven't you noticed 

that suddenly I'm bright and breezy

because of all the beautiful and new

things I'm learning about you

day by day...

        Signed and sealed with a kiss,

Two fast friends forever

The Daughter is going to die when she sees some of these photographs. You can guess which ones!

Irish Heritage

     The Irish are known for many things, among them their gift for wry humor and achingly beautiful poetry. The Irish have also contributed some of the loveliest blessings to the 

canon of poetic liturgy. With St. Patrick's Day fast approaching, I thought I might share 

a gem or two...beginning with a little levity, of course.

If God sends you down a stony path, 

may He give you strong shoes.

Bless those tending cattle

And those minding sheep,

And those fishing the sea,

While the rest of us sleep.

Source: quietpastime.tumblr.com via Cindi on Pinterest

May the frost never afflict your spuds,

May the leaves of your cabbage always be free of worms,

May the crows never find your haystack,

And if you inherit a donkey, may she be in foal.

Source: manyfor.com via Lacey on Pinterest

Cradle Song

Sleep, my babe, lie still and slumber,

All through the night

Guardian angels God will tend thee,

All through the night

Soft and drowsy hours are creeping,

Hill and vale in slumber sleeping,

Mother dear her watch is keeping,

All through the night

God is here, you'll not be lonely,

All through the night

'Tis not I who guards thee only,

All through the night

Night's dark shades will soon be over,

Still my watchful care will hover,

God with me His tender watch is keeping,

All through the night

Source: iamachild.wordpress.com via louise on Pinterest

Prayer from St. Patrick's Breastplate

Christ be with me

Christ before me

Christ behind me

Christ in me

Christ beneath me

Christ above me

Christ on my right

Christ on my left

Christ where I lie

Christ where I sit

Christ where I arise

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me

Christ in every eye that sees me

Christ in every ear that hears me

Salvation is of the Lord

Source: hendersondesigns.tumblr.com via Terri on Pinterest

And perhaps the best known and loved of all

The Traditional Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you

And may the wind always be at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And rain soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Source: irelandscape.com via Sandra on Pinterest

And here are some landscape treasures from the very lovely Eire to give you pause

Source: blog.discoverireland.com via Sharon on Pinterest

Source: thejournal.ie via Martin on Pinterest

Source: travel925.com via travel925.com on Pinterest

Source: trekearth.com via Alyssa on Pinterest

Blessed Be the Tie That Binds

    A wife laid her husband to rest today. Without a doubt, the love between the two of them was the love of a lifetime, a love that lasted nearly a lifetime, and was a love that transcended nearly everything else in their lives...except their faith.  The husband's failing heart and weakened body had not diminished the depths of love and tenderness this man felt for his bride. Even after sixty-seven years of marriage.
    I remember watching them as a couple many years ago when their health was not an issue. His eyes would light up whenever she entered the room. He continually found her to be delightful and funny and lovely. She was his girl, his M.E., and his love for her was as palpable and real as the sun that hangs in the sky. She felt the same about him. He was her rock, her best friend, her defender and her champion. She could always count on him to be there and to make things better. It was what he did.
   Together they were happier than they ever were apart. She glowed in his presence and became even softer and more lovely. He was tender and protective of her. And nothing gave him greater joy than making her happy.
   Year after year he was granted a reprieve from a variety of physical ailments that drained his health and vitality. As a man of steadfast faith and confidence in the surety of heaven, he knew that it was only a matter of time before he would stand before his Lord and Savior, Jesus. One day in the last season of his life here on earth, unbeknownst to his bride, he sat down to write her a note. I am sure that he thought long and hard about what to say to his beloved. He penned these words and then tucked them away in a place where only she would be sure to find them when death and the glories of heaven came to claim him.
    Here is David's last love letter to his bride, Mary Edith. You better get have some tissue handy. You are gonna need it.

and if I go
while you're still here . . .
know that I live on,
vibrating to a different measure
behind a thin veil you cannot see through
you will not see me
so you must have faith
I wait for the time when we can soar
together again
both aware of each other
Until then, live your life to the fullest
and when you need me,
just whisper my name in your heart
I will be there...

In the Pink....

   The Husband loves his concerts. And it gets even better in his book when the artist combines his or her music with some aspect of showmanship. In that regard we could not be more different. My preference would be for something intimate with acoustic instruments and  a lovely voice or two. For The Husband, the louder and bigger the better. Having said this, you can well imagine that he has found a new love...and her name is Pink. Think Cirque de Soleil combined with Ringling Brothers Greatest Show on Earth and you begin to get the approximation of style that Pink brings to the musical arena. I can't really describe all that she does. It defies description as well as gravity. I am going to stop here as the pictures really do speak for themselves.