Category Archives: Writing thoughts

Dreaming words

Thinking on words – papers and notebooks and filling them with words and words and words. That’s what I saw in the time before eye opening. “Write about it.” said the smile.

“More words on more paper.” I say into my coffee cup. Words seem a bit hidden today, maybe because I’m waiting for words from another. It’s early, I look at email waiting and hoping for affirmation of words I have written. The mail comes up and the screen critique tells me my words failed their purpose to tell a story well.

Deep breaths. Fresh coffee. There is more fresh paper and new pens await fresh words. I am not done yet with stories.

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Looking back to go forward

Leafing through a book at the library the other day, I noted the idea of making a mini booklet to highlight an accomplishment or happy for each month of the previous year. My daughter does a photo re-cap of her year so I followed her lead and looked through my year of photographic memories. While not every month captured a major accomplishment, I was so pleased to put the year in perspective and realize how my word for last year – see – had been fulfilled in the things accomplished.

See, of course, is foundational to any New Year.

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I’m keeping my camera handy.

 

Happy New Year

I’ve read some posts the last several years on choosing a word or words to frame the coming year. Recently I read the added suggestion of choosing a picture to focus your view. I’ve been pondering these thoughts and the words that seem to have chosen me are Fearless, Joy-filled, and Colorful. I liked the idea of a picture but had no idea of how a picture could represent this.

As I sat at the table this morning and gazed out into the early morning light I was astonished to see robins pecking away at the frozen birdbath. I smiled and thought, The perfect picture!

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If you are interested in this concept please read Bonnie’s post http://www.faithbarista.com/2011/01/what-builds-your-confidence/

 

Christmas Apron

The kitchen floor bore silent witness to the mayhem.

chop fine

add gradually

sift together, stir, mix well

beat in, stir in, blend thoroughly, combine, beat till fluffy

boil, cool, melt

scrape, scoop, drop, spread, shape, mold, turn out, roll out, cut

cover, chill, let sit overnight

bake, let cool

while hot, pour on glaze

Perhaps you recognize these terms as instructions for creating cookies, cakes, breads or pies, some of those special taste delights of the Christmas season.

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Sometimes, however, they might seem like descriptions of how you or I might feel treated or treat others during this season of wonder and awe. No wonder the tart response to showing off an apron creation – “Christmas should wear an apron!”

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So I work to remind myself as I go about to wear my inner apron to serve a smile of kindness, a cup of comfort, glad tidings to the weary or a blessing of peace to the fearful. Things might get messy like my kitchen floor, but the results can be sweet.

This Christmastide I too wish for you “that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”   3John3

Family Connections

It all started with boxes of photos and a few bits of information. Then came internet searches. The thrill of finding bits of the puzzle began to seep into me. Cousin Anne and I met on-line and then came the phone call when she asked if I was a family historian or a genealogist? Wasn’t it all the same? No. Genealogy requires cold facts, documentation. And while the facts accumulated, the faces and their unknown stories that stare at me from photos or the cold pages of data stored on microfilm continue to draw me to understand and to love them.

There are mysteries and wonders, bravery and pain, joy and sorrow. Unforgettable faces and names for they are me, they are family. I find myself grateful to these who contribute to my life and blood.

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Sea steps

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Have you ever stood on the hard packed sand at the edge of the sea? It seems so solid and supportive, till the incoming tide waves wrap around you and retreat carrying the sand from beneath your feet leaving you unsteady, off-kilter and hurriedly seeking sure footing. But all is sand and its constant shifting in wind and water.

Life can be like that too. I think I have firm footing but a wave of change comes and unsettles me and I turn and struggle to run and miss the beauty and power of it.

 

Spring Joys!

Collages

The rising temperatures of spring bring bird song and light, changing our view to fresh green and bright color. Spring is a gift that still lightens our spirits, lightens our days and stirs us to brighten the world about us.

When I was very young, there was a great flurry of activity each spring. Windows where thrown open and cleaned. Draperies were changed, walls were washed and sometimes freshly painted, carpets were changed out and floors had the wax renewed. Everyone was energized, everything was lightened. 

Housekeeping customs have changed in many ways and I am grateful! But there is still that inner stirring, a nesting instinct, to clean, clean out, throw open the windows and to make things fresh; in our homes, our gardens, our wardrobes!  

But while we are lightening our homes, our wardrobe, our gardens – how about our dispositions? In the freshening, I find some dusty, actually rather grim and dirty attitudes lurking in the corners of my soul; petty things that had loomed so large in the shadowy light of the winter gloom. Now seen in the light of the Word, I find no use for them.  Now is the time to lighten up, to cast off negative attitudes and sing a new song of praise to our God.

LORD, shine the light of Your Word into every corner of my soul. Help me to let go of old ideas, grimy thoughts, and strongholds of judgments and other rotten sin that I may be found clean and pure and without spot or wrinkle or any other thing that displeases you. Let the fresh breath of Your Spirit blow through my attitudes changing and renewing my mind. Put a new song in my heart. And Lord Jesus, help me to see with fresh eyes the beauty of the colorful members of Your body.  Amen.

 

Pathways of choice

On a recent visit to Williamsburg, I noticed the variety of pathways. Some snapshots came tumbling out of my life box.

Pathways

Once, I accompanied a little friend home from kindergarten. My memory of most of that event is dim. But I do remember the sidewalk. The surface was gone and we walked on loose pebbles close to a high hedge. I must have stayed for a while for I also remember a very tall man walking me back through the pebbles, past the school till I recognized my street and skipped home. I was not allowed to repeat my visit.

Older, I had a long walk home from school, usually alone. On sunny, hot days there was a decision to be made. Should I walk up the hill in the heat or cross to the shady side and risk being menaced by the collie dogs? When they were out, they ran along the top of a two foot high wall and barked shrilly in my ears causing me to tiptoe along the curbing and wait in dread for the cross light.

One last snapshot set from schooldays shows me, my little sister and another little girl waiting as the snow grew deeper and the busses fewer and more crowded. No room for three children. With no thought to ring the door bell at the school, I decided we would walk to my Grandparents home. After all, I had heard those tales of my parents walking home in all kinds of weather and although I had never done the walk, I thought I could find the way. Trudging on that very long, dark, cold and wet way, we were warmly greeted by a very surprised grandmother and taken to dry by the old coal cook stove. I, for one, was relieved to be “home”!

Life paths can be similar I think. Sometimes, I walk along anticipating adventure and fun but not paying any real attention to where the path will take me. Sometimes the way is known but seems fraught with distraction and danger. Life storms make me very uncomfortable and longing to arrive in safety and warmth and peace – home.

A welcoming light

Have you ever been drawn to a bright window on a dark night? On a recent drive home, I saw such a window and my glance took in the farm lamp suspended behind the lacy curtain which hung in slight disarray as if someone had been waiting there. Warmth radiated from that window, lighting a welcome and showing a path. I always want to have such a welcoming spirit in my life.

This is an early morning welcome with fresh coffee waiting. I’m glad you are here.

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Dream Walking

I knew the destination and I desired to go. The way seemed so long and hard, so tiring,

that I was so very slow in making any progress. I noted that as I traveled, I began to see

groups of people along the way. Someone would break away from a group and come

to me giving love and a hug, encouraging me. Each of these encounters seemed to carry

me ‘till I felt I was stronger and knew that I was traveling faster.

As I woke, I knew that these strengthenings came from Gifts I’ve discovered and

embraced: dear friends who join me along this journey of life and faith. Thank you to

those I know and to those yet to be met along the way. You are precious to me and may

our encounters bring joy and strength to you too.

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