Skip to main content

A Few of My Favorite Things About Oxford


Maria once sang,
Raindrops on Roses, Whiskers on Kittens...
You know the song, A Few of My Favorite Things. I decided to follow her example and create a list of my own favorite things about Oxford...

Sitting in New College's library window seat. This library maintains a perfectly warm temperature to keep me comfortable while studying. The heater is right beneath the window seat cushion, so I quite enjoy the warmth. I can stretch out, relaxing while studying.

Waking up to the gentle sound of rain tapping its morning, "hello" on my window. It is comforting to be snuggled in my bed, huddled in the heat, beneath comfy blankets, looking out of my window to the cold, morning dripping down the pane, little pitter patters echoing in my room.

Taking a deep breath and smelling fireplaces from the chimney smoke of neighbors as I walk down my street.

Gloucester Green market. A city market that takes place every Wednesday in the city square. Local venders arrive early in the morning to sell their finest products. It is the best place to buy fresh produce, delicious cheese, and homemade bread. Each of the venders is friendly and refer to me as "Love" or "Darlin'"
The sunrises. Some mornings, when I'm not too exhausted from the week's activities, I manage to sneak out in the morning to enjoy a sunrise. Although I never seem to enjoy initially getting out the door, once the sun pokes his head over the rolling green meadow, I always smile, pleased that I got out of bed. Typically, the morning mist creates a foggy effect, highlighting the sunrise even more. It is a perfect contrast of brightening sky against a purpley, grey cloud of earth.

Rock and Roll... but that's for another post!

Old books. The smell, feel, and look of them. Connecting with words written years ago as I walk the same streets and open the same doors as the authors once did.

Hearing the ringing sound of church bells chime the hours of the day, echoing throughout the city.

The shining moon between clouds swept across a frigid night sky.

A few of my favorite things... another way to say a few of the ways I experience the blessings of God.
May you take the time to reflect on your favorite things, knowing that these things are God given, unique to you, His precious child.
All my love,
Gennavieve

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Hampton Court Palace

Today, I toured Hampton Court Palace, an official historic, royal palace. Following are some of the sights I saw, history I learned, and favorites I enjoyed. The guard chamber of King William III. The magnificent display of 2,871 items of armor and weapons displayed a message that William was a great soldier and peacemaker. William's Presence chamber. Only high-ranking individuals were permitted into this room. William would be distinguished by sitting on a Chair of Estate. Those who entered his presence were required to remove their hats and make three low bows to the King, or even his empty chair. I'm grateful to serve an accessible King, who is with me wherever I go. William's eating room. He was expected to dine here on occasions "in front of persons of good fashion and good appearance," in order to display the sumptuousness of his food and to reassure everyone he was in good health. He was served by three servants on bended knee. William's P...

Chesterton on Perspective

A few months ago, I read a piece from G. K. Chesterton in The Illustrated London News. Chesterton’s article makes light of the daily inconveniences encountered in life by utilizing a poetic tone of adventure inspired by imagination. He exposes the reality of thinking with a wrong mindset, encourages readers towards a comical viewpoint, and guides readers to a foundation of faith in all circumstances. Chesterton reveals the reality of a negative mindset too often occupied by so many individuals. He opens with the news of London flooding and categorizes the event as a typical inconvenience faced by humankind. Then he mentions the constant rush in finding an opportunity to grumble about such inconveniences. He exposes such grumbling as negativity. He explains the error of such a viewpoint when he states, "an adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered," Clearly he stands by the incorrect nature ...

Good Things

Westcliffe is a small town in Colorado nestled at the base of a towering peak. It is quant, quiet, and eclectic. It's Main Street houses two little coffee shops, a general store, some antique shops, a wood work store, an unbeatable burger shack, and an Amish bakery. The people are simple and sweet. Not the sort of simple which confines them to the narrow judgment of a small-town mindset, but the simple of enjoying each moment the day brings. Every Wednesday the small square is filled with the tables and tents of the Farmer’s Market selling the best jams and jellies, produce and pastries. I approach the market with empty bag in hand and something tasty in mind. I explore the herbs and produce. I decide on some peaches from a man whose companion was a tea cup poodle laying in a doggie bed on the table guarding the peaches, or so I assumed. “What’s his name?” I ask. “Brutus,” the man responds. “He’s a watch dog.” “Guarding your peaches, I see.” “No, no,” the man quickly ...