Ordinary moments

I was an angry and depressed teen when I first saw the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder. Even though I was too immature to grasp all of its implications, I remember getting a lump in my throat listening to the wistful words of the ghostly Emily who has been given the chance to look back at a day in her short life:

"Good-by, Good-by, world. Good-by, Grover's Corners...Mama and Papa. Good-by to clocks ticking...and Mama's sunflowers. And food and coffee. And new-ironed dresses and hot baths...and sleeping and waking up. Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you."

She looks toward the stage manager and asks abruptly, through her tears:

"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?--every, every minute?

Stage Manager: "No." [Pause]

"The saints and poets, maybe--they do some."


Saints and poets? The end of the play was a beginning for me, a turn, a thawing, the budding of the teeniest desire to be in their company. Looking back, I can see that God was once again drawing me, urging me to choose life, and while I'm not much of a poet, by His grace and redemption, I know I'll be in that number when the saints go marching in. In the mean time, I'm glad to be very much alive, appreciating the blessings of ordinary moments. Will you join me?


Counting blessings

331 - the carved stone beauty I almost missed because I was grumping about the cold
332 - a favorite corner

333 - potential

334 - final stitches

335 - finished in all its wonky loveliness

336 - hand washables

337 - my old Brown Betty full of hot tea




Joining Ann today

Therapy

Yes, I admit it. When overwhelmed by heavy thoughts, I sometimes seek distraction in my local thrift shop. Lookie what I found! The coolest green shelf to hold my tea tins. And in the Last Chance Room, no less.

A dollar ninety-eight!...yeah, when I'm stressed, I'm out of control. But seriously, $1.98?

Personally, Ronald (may I call you Ronald?), wherever you are, I want you to know that I think your "Custom Made" handiwork is worth a lot more, and we promise to treasure it on our kitchen wall for years to come.

P.S. Hey Ron, who is M. Pecuich?

Prayer request

Dear friends, if you would, please remember the people of New Zealand in your prayers. This is the homeland of my son-in-law. You can find more information on my daughter's blog. Thank you.

Counting while it is yet day

"The man is blessed who every day is permitted to behold anything so pure and serene as the western sky at sunset, while revolutions vex the world."
Henry David Thoreau

And yet let me not forget those who suffer revolutions that vex the world. Peace, protection, and freedom we pray. O God, let me never take for granted that I am permitted for now the privilege of contemplating a sunset while others dream of peace.


Counting blessings

327 - a whiff of spring

328 - freedom to read what others are free to express

329 - beauty found when looking up

330 - a place that for some reason makes me think of heaven




Joining Ann today

Currently reading...

Has this ever happened to you? You’re reading a book, and suddenly, you feel as if you’re there, experiencing all the sights, sounds, and emotions that the subject is encountering. This happens to me from time to time, like the other day, when I was reading about an episode from the life of Paul as a young man of thirteen:

“As Saul boarded the boat at the docks of Tarsus, he had no idea just how familiar the nauseating heaving of a sea vessel would ultimately become to him. The boat sailed almost due south as Saul gazed at the ancient coastal cities of Sidon and Tyre in the distance.” *

While absorbing these words, I was immediately transported, and an overwhelming feeling of awe welled up inside me, so much so that it made me cry. I felt like I was on that ship, staring at a boy who had no idea how his life would play out. Young Saul, yet to be Paul, a biblical giant, clueless. If he knew, would he, like Jonah, run? --But God, but God.

I had to stop reading here and take it all in, and pray. I thought about my own life and the lives of my children and all those I love, as we squint toward the coastline of an unknown future. We think we know so much, but we don’t. Yet He, who sees all, keeps us and leads us in all the terrible lovely marvel that is our journey.

* quoted from Paul - 90 Days on His Journey of Faith, by Beth Moore…worth the read!



Joining Emily today

Hoot!

Couldn't show this yesterday because I didn't want to spoil the surprise. This is the valentine I made for my Mister. I found this gorgeous piece of wood on one of my nature rambles, and set it aside, knowing I would eventually do something with it. Notice the heart-shaped hole of the piece. Voila! My guy loves wood and owls, so he was quite pleased.



Admittedly, the photo's not too good. I don't know if there's a way to photograph something underneath glass without creating a glare. But any hoot *groan*, it was fun.

But Love

"He drew a circle that shut me out -
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!

Edwin Markham













Happy Valentine's Day!!

As We Sing

Mad wild with the gel pens



I love Sunday morning worship. Sometimes when we praise together, it seems as if the ground is shaking because the church is sending roots underground. And those roots make runners that sprout up above in places far and near, producing fragrant flowers that will unfold in hearts and homes of those we pray for, in places that long for peace, in places that desperately need light, blossoms that will drop seeds on ground where prayer tills and tears water. And the Lord makes it grow on earth as it is in Heaven.



Joining Emily today

Happy as kings

The beauty seen is partly in him who sees it.
Christian Bovee


Counting blessings


319 - people who keep lost arts alive and generously pass them on

320 - the next generation taking hold

321 - teachers

322 - friends who can create amazing instruments from PVC pipe

323 - power-out meals

324 - bursting bulbs

325 - (hen)house beautiful

326 - "like a child, I will dance in Your presence"



Joining Ann today

Talkin' 'bout my girl....my girl

Dear friends, I'm pleased to humbly blurt out to the world that my lovely and creative daughter has just joined blogland. Please, if you would, give her a warm welcome at Paper Canary.

I'm proud of you, dolly biscuit xD

Cabin fever crafting

While volunteering in the church nursery, I had the opportunity to peruse a craft book that was calling my name from the bookshelf--A Year of Crafts for Kids *ahem* (or Kids at Heart [my subtitle] ). Since I no longer have small children at home, I offer this as a public service to those who do (are you buying that?)

Anyhoo, you will need aluminum pie tins; the heart-shaped tin turned out to be too flimsy and was later abandonned--stick to the pie plate type.

I decided to use flowers I had dried from the summer before. The craft book suggested pine cones and other naturey bits. Whatever you don't mind returning to the great outdoors once the ice melts is a candidate.

Lay your items out in the pans

You'll need to place something in the pans to use for hanging. I started out using cord, but changed my mind and decided to go with pretty ribbon instead. Fill the pans with water and let them freeze overnight.

Cheryl @ Time to Craft, this picture is dedicated to you because you mentioned wellies in your comment on my "practical boots" hunt post, reminding me that I actually own a pair that were hidden in the garage. Boot dilemma solved.

happiness, and more successful than last year's cabin fever experiment


While photographing these, I noticed a neighbor staring out the window at me and shaking his head. Why, I wonder? The artistic-bent is so misunderstood.