Finding Beauty in Hope

 

During these uncertain times, it seems more important than ever to find some beauty for each day. 

No matter how unsettling the news happens to be or how ugly the weather, if we look, we can still find bits of beauty to soothe our souls. 

I found mine yesterday on a rainy and ugly day by driving to one of my favorite stretches of road in Hope. 

The drive to my destination was hardly inspiring as steady rain pounded the Subaru wind shield and scenes which some months out of the year take our breath away made me look away. 

That would be the late fall version of the Pack River delta, which for the next few months will be blanketed with either mud or snow. 

One area within the delta did take my eye. 

Hundreds of Canada geese and a few dozen seagulls were cohabitating and area not far from the train trestle which crosses the lake before Trestle Creek. 

The birds were far away, but still offered an impressive sight because of their sheer numbers. 

Some flew off over the trestle while others walked off.  They seemed to be camera shy. While snapping a few pictures, I wondered how my mere presence hundreds of feet away on a hillside below the highway could get their attention. 

It apparently did. 

Eventually, I made it to my destination which, as I expected, did not disappoint.  

It seldom does because, throughout the year, the lake is always there, and with its southern exposure and warmth, the stretch offers a reminder of the fall colors we have already raked up and hauled away.

With rain falling, all scenes on the hillsides or the ground area were enjoying a constant cleanse, making colors more vivid than usual. 

I didn't spend long, but after stopping several times and waving at a few other drivers with smiles on their faces as we made space for each other, I felt uplifted, happy and satisfied that I had once again found some beauty in Hope. 

We need those moments, now more than ever.  

And, if you can't get out to find these sights, I'll do my best to search for them and provide them in my posts as often as possible.    

Also, sometimes the messages or nuggets of wisdom so beautifully crafted in literature can help nourish our souls and inspire our ideals. 

Here's one of my favorites. 

If

by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
     Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
     But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
     Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
     And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
     If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
     And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
     Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
     And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
     And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
     And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
     ⁠To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
     Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
     Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
     ⁠If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
     ⁠With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
     And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!

💙💚💜💓💙

A shout out this morning to our friend Fred Malzard of Stoneyford, Ireland, who, along with his family accepted the award for Irish Pub of the Year earlier this week. 

Malzard's has been a "must stop" for us during our years of visiting Ireland. 

We have to confess that a flight delay on this last trip did not allow Bill and me time for a stop at Malzards, but the Love family was represented by Willie and Debbie.

Malzard's is where I spent part of my 75th birthday. That was when Blessed Ireland performed in the new outdoor concert area.

Blessed Ireland's song list didn't turn out to be quite what I expected when I announced that I wanted to spend my 75th birthday at Malzard's listening to an Irish folk band.  

Nonetheless, the memories of a fun evening topped off by premium cupcakes sent to Malzards by my friend Cass will always be cherished. 

Fred, the owner of Malzard's is a "prince of a man," who takes time out of his busy schedule to visit. 

We couldn't be happier for him and his family who have owned this pub in the small bedroom community near Kilkenny for generations.

Congratulations, Fred, family and staff. 

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆

Below:  It was listening to this song that convinced me that I needed to spend my special birthday and Malzard's in Stoneyford, Ireland, listening to this band.  

Twasn't exactly an Irish folk music play list, but it was still a fun gig.