Dear Reader:

Bliss is the name of my little girl statue in the garden. I think I told you that the children got her for me as a gift for the garden when  it was first taking shape. I loved the name and the expression on the little girl’s face just says it all. She is in a state of sheer happiness and pure joy (bliss) with the little birds sitting on her out-stretched arms while she smiles up at the universe. All is right with the world.

If you look carefully you will see some dark patches of dirt near her. That is where I planted the daffodils….can you imagine how beautiful Bliss is going to look surrounded by dozens of daffodils? I can hardly wait!

Bliss is a word we don’t hear often these days….it’s old-fashioned but there is something special about the way it forms on your lips. It makes me smile just to say it. I can’t think of a prettier name for a little girl than “Bliss.” (No, this is not a hint….just saying….I’m throwing it out there for anyone.)

Webster Dictionary defines “bliss” as: A state of perfect happiness and great joy… making one oblivious to everything and everyone else around him/her.

We hear terms like “wedded bliss” and for most people it exists more blissfully at the beginning of a marriage until the reality of everyday living sometimes takes the edge off of it. (After all…how long can any of us remain in an euphoric state…but it is great while it’s happening, isn’t it?)

The moments of bliss in our lives are definitely numbered and perhaps that is the reason we can remember them more easily than the mundane events of our past.

Perhaps we spelled the last word correctly and won the school spelling bee!  Or we opened the envelope and discovered we had been accepted at the college of our first choice. Or we looked down into the beautiful face of our child and finally understood what unconditional love  meant. Or the wedding proposal came unexpectedly while  eating an ice cream cone and it goes flying across the parlor, hitting someone in the face. We remember each blissful moment with a smile and a tug at the heart.

Some theologians use the word “bliss” in describing the joy of heaven. However, when I looked up the word “bliss” in my resource book ( Where to Find It in the Bible) I discovered that the word is only used once in scripture:

Ecclesiastes 1:18   “ Ignorance is bliss”

I remember mother telling me one time that this phrase only works if it comes naturally. It took me awhile to get it…but I did eventually and naturally.

I, also, learned quickly at Erskine College (first day of orientation as we tediously went through the whole handbook) that “Ignorance is bliss” wasn’t going to work there either. The first words on the inside cover of the handbook read; “Ignorance is NO EXCUSE!” (“Bummer, I thought, mother must have gotten to this woman.”)

Yesterday was a blissful day for me….it involved a lot of physical work but I needed it and the tired in me this evening, as I type the blog, is a “good” tired. (I never understood when “old” people said that when I was young)..now I do.)

I planted and raked and picked up sticks and debris….even cutting away the old moon flower strings still wrapped tightly around the side fence. Everything looks pretty orderly now….with dead branches pulled off plants to reveal tiny green shoots below, and pine cones (My how they multiply) all thrown in the large pile by the street for pick-up. It’s a good feeling of accomplishment.

Each day I discover more and more that Archibald Rutledge was right on target with the importance of taking time to appreciate life’s “extras.” The sky was gorgeous last evening with the sun going down…surrounded by the most beautiful shades of pink. Thank you God for this “extra.”

I, also, like to add little “extra’s” to my Happy Room to put and keep me in a state of bliss over the little things. (* Donna, do you recognize this arrangement….minus the orange roses….you gave me the night of the National College Championship? The orange roses hung in there until last week but the purples are still as gorgeous as the night you gave them to me over three weeks ago…I just added green magnolia leaves. The gift that keeps on giving. Thank you!)

Pam Stewart added some more angels to the collection she has already given me….this angel had a clear, long stem container so that I could add fresh flowers….I added my El Nino azaleas that are still blooming.

I had gotten this little eco-growing bubble from CVS while waiting on my prescription one day…you simply spray once a week to keep the “grass green and growing.” I thought it looked like a special world for a lucky fairy….I think she loves her new home and is quite appreciative.

So until tomorrow…Father, show us how to find bliss within ourselves by pausing to be “awe-struck” by Your Creation.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

February 1! Wow! Can you believe it? By the end of this month spring will be knocking at the door. The most wonderful thing about living in the lowcountry is the short winters. I moved my little rabbit/statue to the front yard and placed it in the pansy barrel to represent February but then I couldn’t resist decorating her with (El Nino) azaleas, not normally representative of this month. Maybe the photo will help me remember this unusual year…weather-wise.  Remember “Say RABBIT”! Good luck will follow!

Anne sent a photo of her “wabbit” getting ready to welcome the new month in also…. “Say Wabbit“!  May everyone have a wonderful February!