Beloved,

Does it seem possible or even feel possible that this is the last weekend of August. Some of our children are already back in school. When I was a kid, it felt like summer went by in a twinkling of an eye and this summer feels the same. Maybe I am going through my second or third childhood? The change of the seasons is a reminder to me that I do not like change except when spring comes.

I am still jumping in the lake for a swim and a cool down. I know next weekend, the beach will start to be cleaned up, giving up its raft for the kids to swim to. The flotations will be removed which keep the boats at bay, away from the swimmers. In one week it will start to feel like fall is here and I am not ready. At least the dock will stay out for at least another month, I hope. The hummingbirds are fattening up for their yearly trek so my feeders are quite busy, at least for another week or two. Most of the birds born this year are now becoming teenagers and learning to fend for themselves. The golden finches are the last to mate and the last to grow up; they are still chasing the parents with their mouths open and chirping up a storm. Of course, they do not migrate so they still have more time to grow up.

The regular ducks have become regular visitors to my beach. I so enjoy watching them and I have missed seeing their babies when they were little, maybe next year. There is one little tree across the lake which is always the first to turn colors and it has already started. This little tree stands out and is quite a marker. All of this is a reminder for me to really appreciate and enjoy what is here now, right in this moment. I really do try to remind myself to be right here, right now.

I know this is the time of feminine power as shown even in our politics and even the Catholic Church. Yet this article shows just what disaster can bring about. The rising populace of peace keeping is now becoming female.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/women-escaped-isis-slavery-create-trained-battalion-fight-back-rescue-others/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=24-08-2016

Two dichotomies, two polar opposites. We are, after all, a planet of dualities. This is a nice reminder that we actually have choice.

http://spiritlibrary.com/gillian-macbeth-louthan/you-cannot-worry-and-believe-in-the-same-point-of-time?utm_source=Spirit+Library+Updates&utm_campaign=c9d668cbfe-Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_ef6a5211f4-c9d668cbfe-120804410

What an inspiration this town is for our planet, such solidarity among neighbors who thought only of their neighbors and did something about it. One thing that hatred does not realize is that its actions bring MORE love to the planet, not less. When I see the workings of the people who do such dastardly deeds, I see only the LOVE that it brings out among so many other people. Their deeds bring more love to the planet which is the opposite of what they are trying to do with their hate filled actions.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/neighbors-clean-vandalism-family-returns-vacation/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=24-08-2016

This really inspired me. I thought of all the beautiful moments that I have experienced and wished I had taken pictures of for me to look at when I would feel blue. With the phones today, (I only have a flip top cell phone) it is so easy to carry your own inspiration with you wherever you go. Keep clicking.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/1000-reasons-live-depression-survivors-instagram-inspires-others/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=24-08-2016

This was cute and funny and displays what police are called to do in their daily lives.

http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/watch-hilarious-hopping-squirrel-rescued-perilous-yogurt-cup/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=24-08-2016

—
Love and Light

Mary Grace

http://www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.TheWoundedChalice.com