A Blessed Reprieve

Yes, I had a productive day: laundry, dishes, meal prep. We postponed visiting an orchard to pick raspberries because it was too hot. Now, at 9:00 p.m., a breeze shivers through the leaves as darkness politely dispatches the heat of the day.

We sleep with the windows open at night (just started this practice a week or two ago because 'til then it was too cold). I often wake at dawn as birds begin their Hallelujah Chorus. It's a glorious start to the day. I was reminded of this while reading Earth Prayers this evening:

You are singing, little dove,
on the branches of the silk-cotton tree.
And there also is the cuckoo,
and many other little birds.
All are rejoicing,
the songbirds of our god, our Lord.
And our goddess
has her little birds,
the turtledove, the redbird,
the black and yellow songbirds, and
     the hummingbird.
These are the birds of the beautiful
     goddess, our Lady.
If there is such happiness
among the creatures,
why do our hearts not also rejoice?
At daybreak all is jubilant.
Let only joy, only songs,
enter our thoughts!
          Song of Dzitbalche
          From: Earth Prayers, p. 256

It felt great to stay home today to work on chores instead of running around the neighborhood. In the midst of nonstop busyness I paused in the basement (deliciously cool!) to begin my T'ai Chi Chih practice. Practice No. 2 (second half of the form) took place on the deck as heat faded and a slight breeze ruffled the laundry on the clothesline.

It's interesting to note that some days--like today!--I almost forget to do my TCC practice. When I remember, though, it is always a blessed reprieve from the too-muchness of the day.