I Noticed: Day 10

I got out of bed, leisurely.

I dealt with that writing deadline,
which--truth be told--was slightly stressful in all of its do's and don'ts.

And then, I took care of life:
I went to the bank, the grocery store, the gas station.
I de-grimeified the kitchen, swept every sweepable surface,
scrubbed out the toilet, changed the sheets.
I got down on my hands and knees to de-schmutz the schmutz.
[I mean, it was that kind of taking-care-of-it day,
where once I started, I couldn't even try  to stop.]

All while listening to good music.

I went to a movie, in the afternoon.

And then, homemade pizza and cards,
with my best girls.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 

to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 9

By 9:18 am,
I voraciously stubbed my toe while getting out of the shower,
slit my finger neatly open on an innocent piece of paper,
and sloshed half-and-half all over the sink at the office.
Which means: I need to sleep more.
[Lack of sleep in the life of Lauren = Klutz-hood.]

I was reunited with my favorite Kindergarteners,
for music class.

I curled up in my cozy pants underneath my cozy blanket

and read a million more applications,
while looking out this scene,

at the snowflakes swirling in the shining-off-snow sun.

I prepared a delicious dinner, quietly,

for dear ones.

We ate, and we dwelt, and we talked, and we laughed.

And I remembered:
The waves and wind still know His name.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 

to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 8

I had some music time with favorite babes,
early in the morning.

Then, I had a work day at home, in my cozy pants.

I debriefed "ugh, it is january" with
my dear friend/piano "student" at her mid-morning lesson.

I really enjoyed saying the phrase,
"I have a writing deadline."

I found a lazily burning candle enormously comforting on a gray day.

I drank a mug of hot raw milk with honey
and a happily floating cinnamon stick,

because it's one of my favorite things to do.

I read [what felt like] a million [but was decidedly less]
postdoc applications, my glasses perched on the end of my nose,
like a big old nerd.

And I listened to those chirping birds at my bird feeder,
with a smile in my soul.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 

to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 7

The sky was so blue.
[And in truth, I kinda was too.]

These icicles were so beautiful.

[None of these icicles fell on my head.]

One of my favorite people called me, to tell me he was on a beautiful walk in balmy weather, thinking of me. [A message to which I listened while on a walk so cold I could not feel my face.]

A student hailed me from across the street with a grin so large and a wave so enormous. [Which helped with the feeling that our class just an hour earlier had been a total bust...]

And this interesting verse, to put it all in perspective:
"But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters:
The time that remains is very short. So from now on...those who weep or who rejoice...should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy... Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away."
[1 Cor. 7:29-31]

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 

to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 6

Some days are just days. 

Nothing romantic happens. 

And you find yourself dealing with the down and dirty.

So, today:
I took my all-up-in-my-head-and-crazy to the Lord.

I dealt with the piles in my email and on my desk.

And I dusted my house. 

Amen.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 

to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 5

I opened my door to evidence of a visitor.

I took the bus for the first time,

in what is Cottage-to-Cottage service in less than 15 minutes
[even in the snow...]

And it turns out that snow days bring out the eating beast in me....
when was the last time I was tempted to make butterscotch pudding?

[and how did that bourbon get there?...]

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 
to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 4

I woke up and discovered: 

If I don't have a day with nothing scheduled, 

I'm going to lose my mind.

[Grateful today, for cancellations.]

I heard God say, "Sit with me."
So, I did.
I listened, I unloaded, I heard, I said:
Take me, where you want me to go.

I had communion, of a sort.

And I heard
[in the music, in the book, in the whole of the morning]:
You are wanted.
By Me.

Then I knitted a bit
[not being a great knitter],
and understood:

What it means to be knit together
by the hands of a patient Maker,
waiting to know the one who is wanted.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 
to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 3

I listened to a quiet, snowy, morning.

I took a quiet, snowy, walk.

I received a surprise package,
from my thoughtful mother.

I looked up, as the radiant sky
dripped melting snow onto my face.

I went out to the farm,

and ate late lunch,

straight from it.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 
to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 2

I caught up with a dear friend, 

my phone to my freezing ear as I walked to work.

I met with my fantastic writing group.

I cleared off my desk, for the next thing.

I had Quality Time, with favorites.

And, I remembered.

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 
to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

I Noticed: Day 1

I ran into three people I really like. 

I wore my cozy pants to work. 

At the end of the day, I curled up in my chair, 

like so.

And this song became my song

[be still my eyes, my soul]:

So let go my soul and trust in Him

The waves and wind still know His name

[Bethel Music, It is Well]

[Notice, verb: to pay attention to; 

to perceive, become aware of; to heed] 

Myanmar, The Encore

[From the cameras of others...too good to leave out!]