Another Peaceful Sunday

Sleeping in.
My warm quilt.
A hot shower.
Sunroof open in the Jetta.
Upton Avenue.
The Linden Hills neighborhood.
The Zumbro Cafe.
Coffee with cream and sugar.
The Sunday Sports section.
Twins baseball.
Box scores and statistics.
Bacon and cheese frittata.
People talking, chatting, laughing.
Cute blonde waitress with the shoulder tattoo.
Lake Harriet.
Dozens and dozens of ducks.
Buds on the trees, slowly awakening.
Green, green grass.
Birds chirping.
Waves lapping the shore.
A cool, crisp breeze.
The warm sun.
People walking.
Babies in strollers, with bright pink cheeks.
People running.
Dogs panting alongside their running owners.
People biking.
Snippets of conversations.
Small glimpses into others' lives.
The downtown skyline.
The Lake Harriet bandshell.
Large houses and massive, old trees.
Time to reflect.
Time to think.
Time to talk.
Time to pray.
Hopes and dreams.
Hurts and pains.
Friends, family, relationships, strangers.
Spring.
Starting over again.

Jackie Robinson

I'm a few days late with this post (Jackie Robinson Day was Tuesday), but the importance of Jackie Robinson to both baseball and America is something that shouldn't be limited to just one day a year.

"The example of Jackie Robinson says that one man's courage, and one institution's willingness to change can make a huge difference, not only in a sport but in a society. That example is too large, too good, and too relevant to be confined to ballparks. It ought to be celebrated on a truly nationwide basis."

- Mike Bauman, columnist for MLB.com

Jackie Robinson Day/MLB.com
Bauman article

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid-air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

- Robert Frost

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

What a very enjoyable Sunday it has been! After sleeping in this morning, I went out for breakfast at the Zumbro Cafe in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis. I really enjoyed their coffee, with my eggs, bacon, and potatoes. In the afternoon I went for a walk around Normandale Lake in Bloomington. There was a cool, crisp breeze blowing, but the sun was bright and warm! I had a chance to enjoy the weather and spend some time in conversation with God. I think Spring might be here for good this time (let's hope). Now I am watching some Twins baseball, and dreaming about their upcoming outdoor stadium.

Enough already!

I've had enough of winter weather already, so let the snow melting begin! Come on spring, my psyche can't handle it much longer!

"See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me."

Song of Solomon 2:11-13