Whatever you do, do it with all your might. Work at it, early and late, in season and out of season, not leaving a stone unturned, and never deferring for a single hour that which can be done just as well now. ~P. T. Barnum
Dirt Man and I were walking through one of our city parks a few weeks ago and came across these lovely trees. Perhaps they are simply trees in which we are unfamiliar or possibly due to the unusually warm temperatures here they are blooming out of season. Often we do things seasonally as there seems to be a time in which we do all things.
We tend to forget the beauty in the element of surprise. We were surprised at the beauty of these flowers in midwinter.
We can choose to be beautiful anytime. We don’t need a season to be kind. Kindness is carried within the heart all year long. We need only reach out to others to share our generosity.
Compassion runs deep and stretches far and wide. Jump on the train and ride with us. See who you can touch, in or off season.
Don’t let the time of year of people in your life keep your from being your beautiful self.
Dare yourself to bloom in the dead of winter.
Break out of your bud. Flourish.
Be the flower out of season.
Be beautiful. Be yourself.
Living in the Gap
February 23, 2012 – The reality of pain
“It’s really big.” He says this of the herniated disc and goes on to mention removing it and fusing vertebrae. Then there is the mention of screws, plates, and a rod. He gives us the ins and outs of surgery (possibly five hours in the OR) and post op mobility. I can’t help but stare at the films. I had no idea it was that bad. I knew he was in pain, but now I realize he has just kept on going when he most likely wanted to throw in the towel. I don’t like knowing he is in pain. Dirt Man seems relatively calm, but I feel his anxiety as the lines furrow across his forehead. I’m not sure whether to be at peace or worried by the excitement of the young skilled surgeon. Instead of being either, I place it in God’s hands.
****Dirt Man is scheduled for back surgery on Tuesday. I’m sure the next few weeks will be busy and draining. As I often do in life, I’ll be flying back the seat of my pants…will post if and when I can. I might have lots of time, and then again I might have little…will promise to get back to my blog when I can.
Pretty blossoms, indeed. Of course, in trees as in life, it is not good thinking to bloom in areas of heavy snow or frost, but otherwise.
I hope the time flies by and that the op will be totally successful. I know from a little one I had recently myself that this is the hardest time – waiting for it. Once it is done, and one starts towards recovery, is actually much better.
By: colonialist on February 23, 2012
at 1:43 am
Those blossoms were the highlight of the day!
Thank you. We’re hoping this will relieve his constant pain.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 12:59 pm
Those blossoms are gorgeous.
I hope Dirt Man’s surgery goes well and that he makes a full recovery. Any kind of surgery is scary if you think about all the ‘what ifs’. God’s hands is exactly where it should be (not a burden on either one of you.)
By: JannatWrites on February 23, 2012
at 2:07 am
I fell in love with those trees.
Thank you, Janna.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:00 pm
Praying for you both,hope everything goes to plan.
By: bev smith on February 23, 2012
at 3:10 am
Thank you, Bev.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:00 pm
Be beautiful. Be yourself. Amen!!
By: Victoria-writes on February 23, 2012
at 6:24 am
The only way to be!
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:00 pm
I’ll keep you both in my prayers.
By: jenniesisler on February 23, 2012
at 6:40 am
I appreciate it, Jennie.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:00 pm
These beautiful Spring blooms were perfectly timed … I needed some signs of Spring to battle my snowy world.
My thoughts and prayers are with you …
By: bearyweather on February 23, 2012
at 8:13 am
They were a delight that day, and a delight to dig them out to show today.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:01 pm
Be where you need to be now during this season of taking care of each other. We’ll be here when you can get back.
By: georgettesullins on February 23, 2012
at 8:40 am
Thanks, Georgette. We will take a day at a time, moment by moment.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:02 pm
Those are ‘tulip magnolias’ and they are a tad early in blooming this year, but they are the first tree in our yard to bloom every year – usually sometime towards the end of February, middle of March. Most years it gets pinched by a late frost, but it is glorious when it blooms.
By: Becky on February 23, 2012
at 8:48 am
Thank you, Becky, for telling me the name of those trees. They are gorgeous, even lovelier than regular magnolias. So much is blooming early this year…
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:03 pm
Hopefully I will be able to get a shot of it blooming this year – the way our house is situated, you can see the tree for a block in either direction. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to buy the house.
By: Becky on February 24, 2012
at 8:48 am
I hope you do…it is truly a beautiful tree!
By: suzicate on February 24, 2012
at 1:54 pm
Gorgeous magnolia photos, Suzi!
They’re breathtaking!
I loved this…..
“Compassion runs deep and stretches far and wide. Jump on the train and ride with us. See who you can touch, in or off season.”
Sending you and Dirt Man prayers and energy.
((((( You + Dirt Man )))))
Take all the time you need to take care, and know that we’ll be here when you return.
X ya, my friend!
By: Ron on February 23, 2012
at 10:00 am
They are fabulous!
Thank you so much, Ron.
XOXOXOXO right back at ya, friend!
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 1:04 pm
I’m sorry that your “hiking partner” is in pain.
I hope that the surgery goes smoothly . . . so that you and Dirt Man and Wylie can get back on the road again.
Peace!
By: nrhatch on February 23, 2012
at 2:04 pm
Thanks, Nancy. I don’t think there will be any hiking for a while…but we will get back to it as soon as we can.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 8:54 pm
I love magolias – I keep thinking about planting one here, but I suspect it would always get bitten by frost and never bloom.
I am so sorry to hear that Dirt Man has to have back surgery; my thoughts and prayers will be with you and with his future without pain.
By: Carol on February 23, 2012
at 2:50 pm
Magnolias are beautiful, but this tulip magnolia is even more so…so happy we stumbled upon it.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 8:57 pm
Oh my! That is a gorgeous shot of a magnolia bud. I hope winter is finished in your parts or there won’t be much of these to enjoy when spring officially arrives!
I hope everything goes well for Dirt Man…and for you!
By: Lisa on February 23, 2012
at 3:53 pm
Thanks, Lisa. I sure hope the frost doesn’t get them. It was unusually warm of 76 today and supposed to be tomorrow as well!
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 8:58 pm
Pretty blossoms. I noticed the daylilies my niece gave me last year have poked up through the ground, fresh green foliage.
By: pattisj on February 23, 2012
at 4:07 pm
My daylilies and daffodils have shot through and there is even a full bloom and buds on the daffodils! Crazy weather we’re having here for February!
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 9:00 pm
I’m thinking of your and Dirt Man. I hope he won’t have to be in the hospital too long following the surgery. It will all be very draining on you too. But I hope you will let us know how things are going.
I hate looking at the visual evidence of things gone awry on a loved one’s body.
I hope the surgery is a great success and that Dirt Man will be relieved of pain once he recovers.
By: Cmsmith on February 23, 2012
at 7:36 pm
Thank you so much. I know you guys have been going through this surgical recuperation now for a couple of weeks. I will try to keep myself as rested as I can under the circumstance…
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 9:01 pm
Lovely photos but most of all I want to say, hugs and best wishes are flying through the ether to Dirt Man. Wishing great success from the operation
By: judithhb on February 23, 2012
at 7:40 pm
Thank you much on both counts.
By: suzicate on February 23, 2012
at 9:01 pm
You just worry about taking care of Dirtman. We’ll be here when you get ready! Give him a (gentle) hug and tell him we love him!
By: pegbur7 on February 24, 2012
at 12:32 am
I sure will.
By: suzicate on February 24, 2012
at 1:53 pm
So beautiful! The pictures AND the words. It’s a Japanese Magnolia tree, and we have one in our front yard in full bloom here. But in CA, it IS the right season. I’ll be thinking about Dirtman.
By: Gretchen on February 24, 2012
at 12:31 pm
Lucky you! Oh, how I”d love to have one of those in my yard! Thanks.
By: suzicate on February 24, 2012
at 1:56 pm
Blessings to both you and Dirt Man on the upcoming surgery — I’ll say some prayers for a successful outcome and a speedy recovery!
By: Debbie on February 24, 2012
at 2:26 pm
I appreciate that, Debbie.
By: suzicate on February 24, 2012
at 5:59 pm
thinking of you and holding you in heart and prayer.
By: Crowing Crone Joss on February 25, 2012
at 11:01 pm
Much appreciated, Joss.
By: suzicate on February 26, 2012
at 10:59 am
Beautiful and breathtaking. So glad that you were able to experience this so close to home.
By: Rudri Bhatt Patel @ Being Rudri on February 27, 2012
at 8:59 pm
Hoping to get back when it blooms next year.
By: suzicate on February 28, 2012
at 8:20 am