I sat and pondered in the porch swing today watching the birds, listening to the wind chimes tintinnabulations. The March winds are still blowing. The sky was full of the prettiest clouds, fluffy ones kissed snow white on their crowns with bellies tinted light grey and pale purple. Just watched the skies today, didn’t do any quote searching. Lay my head back in the swing, shut my eyes and counted my blessings as the sun warmed my cheeks.

Fell down this morning walking Penelope. Tripped over a brick I didn’t notice in a spot of weeds. Missed striking my head on the brick porch bannisters by a hair. I was more embarrassed than hurt, hoping no one would drive by and see me crawling around trying to get up. I’ll be stoved up tomorrow. I yelled for my youngest son to come help me get up. He’s packing me off to Shady Oaks for sure now. Getting older really is not for sissies. Hope the grass stains wash out of my shirt and pants.

I’m back sitting in the porch swing now watching a handsome little falcon murder a songbird for his lunch. The kestrel chased the little chickadee around the oak tree and snatched him midair right in front of me. The falcon sat in the yard briefly as he delivered the killing bite and I could see his bright intelligent eyes, his regal posture. Kestrels are beautiful little falcons dressed in rusty orange vests, slate blue coats, with black and red tails.

The glorious and beautifully watercolored butterflies pirouetted through my yard today, lighting on my purple pansy blossoms, joyfully tap dancing on their tiny thin black legs. Butterflies are spiritual symbols of transformation and rebirth, reminding us to embrace change with joy. Butterflies can also be bringing messages from departed loved ones. I can feel Chief’s love for the earth as I watch a butterfly warm its wing on a beautiful flower blossom. Maybe the butterflies can encourage us to spread our wings by letting go of our worries to find joy and peace through our faith in God.

When God sends a butterfly our way during difficult times, the butterfly reminds us that God is near us. “Butterflies are nature’s angels. They remind us what a gift it is to be alive,” Robyn Nola. The butterfly, a reassurance of God’s presence, is a sign that heaven is close by. Scripture doesn’t mention butterflies specifically by name but the butterfly’s metamorphosis symbolizes spiritual transformation and resurrection. Second Corinthians 5:17 reads “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

Been pondering on different things today. I’ve been enamored with the sunsets since I moved to Roanoke five years ago. My friend sent me this beautiful quote about sunsets. “The sun begins to dip below the horizon, as if bidding the world a fond farewell, its rays stretching out like a last embrace, before it retreats into its slumbering place. A sunset, like a life has its own story to tell, of beginnings and endings and joy and farewell. The vibrant hues, that streak across the sky, are like the memories that stay with us as time flies by,” Unknown. I love the phrase “stretching out like a last embrace.” Here’s another of my favorite sunset quotes.“Sunsets are so beautiful that they almost seem as if we are looking through the gates of heaven,” John Lubbock. I’ve always had that thought when I’m sitting in the swing and watching a magnificent sunset.

The sun has begun her sunset as a bright spotlight of white, blinding to the eyes. As she readied for the pageant stage, the sun dressed in a gossamer gown of peaches and cream silk, tea length, embroidered with appliqués of rainbow colored dragon flies. Crowning the sun’s head was a tiara of sparkling diamonds, sending rays of golden light into the evening’s gloaming. The sun walked regally down the horizon escorted by Father Sky, who was dressed in his formal deep black tuxedo. As the sun and Father Sky stepped off the horizon, night swept softly with its magical twilight crossing my yard as the moon came out to play with the tiny silver stars. I sat on the swing as the night engulfed the day, coming in the house when the darkness settled. Another glorious day on Mother Earth is welcoming the nighttime. “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety,” Psalm 4:8.

“Let the night embrace you with peaceful dreams.” — Gentle Reminders