tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36984611401577713432024-03-05T09:22:13.764-08:00A Romantic PorchA Place to Laugh, Chat and Follow Along As We Restore Our Old Home While Juggling Business and Family FunA Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.comBlogger714125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-43658273149622085192015-12-31T23:30:00.000-08:002016-01-22T14:10:14.796-08:00Out With The Old In With The New<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I would be delighted for you to visit my new site:</div>
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<a href="http://racheleasleygoing.com/">Rachel Going Creative</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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and thank you from the bottom of my heart</div>
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for reading this post</div>
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and all the previous ones for which you have so </div>
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graciously read along.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1hzGFkZuCWx8RWIJtb-8Lb6AWNgqRtGNJVE_VJVYXSHE5WXZYt_7Vk816wLtErYjVKmroxK7RRuvWspwUOmycSUeUPOMfd4V0RnZtSCLXjFp7enVgjm9vLmSJHYmHN3SwFzhsi9kSYc/s1600/2016-01-08+11.58.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1hzGFkZuCWx8RWIJtb-8Lb6AWNgqRtGNJVE_VJVYXSHE5WXZYt_7Vk816wLtErYjVKmroxK7RRuvWspwUOmycSUeUPOMfd4V0RnZtSCLXjFp7enVgjm9vLmSJHYmHN3SwFzhsi9kSYc/s640/2016-01-08+11.58.46.jpg" width="468" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight out at the Farmhouse,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> we hosted whatever family could drop in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They came from near and far...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Indiana, Pennsylvania and Florida.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We prayed and ate and laughed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and traipsed out to the barn</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">in the shivering cold</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to watch the donkey bray and roll around in the dust,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">kicking and squirming to garner a few laughs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stood on the deck</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">hoping to hear the coyotes howl.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the deer sailed right over the driveway </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with nary a misstep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We told them it was Rudolph </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">just heading home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp5ETtp54pKKqgji96ObgJjW7X8W-r82RkEw3RB9Pt3KVso1GnWpDbfgi9sYvlDxvyWFqHkEL0ohXXSn_K0vG-pgWZRhzXEplQbrpjTY_zkLSzzFjt220WRY36gnLO4ITYDjxfcRbTGU/s1600/2016-01-08+11.56.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHp5ETtp54pKKqgji96ObgJjW7X8W-r82RkEw3RB9Pt3KVso1GnWpDbfgi9sYvlDxvyWFqHkEL0ohXXSn_K0vG-pgWZRhzXEplQbrpjTY_zkLSzzFjt220WRY36gnLO4ITYDjxfcRbTGU/s400/2016-01-08+11.56.09.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we closed the door on the fun</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the old year past</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and with a sigh</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">realized that it was time to look forward</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to new adventures</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and new challenges </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and new hopes </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and dreams.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I also realized that the time has come</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to make the switch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to update my online presence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and so I want to thank you from</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the bottom of my heart for following along</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">just reading my random thoughts</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as I have shared them since</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">January 1, 2008.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will be so honored if you will join me</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">at my new sight </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and just know how much I value you </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and your presence and encouragement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you for all your visits these last 8 years.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's been awesome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Love, Hugs and Many Blessings for a Wonderful</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">2016.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~Rachel</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">THE LINK TO MY NEW SITE</span>:</div>
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<a href="http://racheleasleygoing.com/">Rachel Going Creative</a><span id="goog_262461448"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_262461449"></span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-7376138906612108742015-12-27T22:46:00.000-08:002015-12-28T11:06:15.153-08:00These Things I Will Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWXWspLUezg3wR5ecEcRFrNUIGV4oj4nd_nl42OZhHgTTVGZRJR7yzLDJiG_vng_wL8D5_nSX0Tw8sycciUkvb7r2D_cl9Yz6wCwmMWCVv25cUCd-qmLCLxNcDIVhOBV7v7ThRo8NqvM/s1600/20151227_182329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWXWspLUezg3wR5ecEcRFrNUIGV4oj4nd_nl42OZhHgTTVGZRJR7yzLDJiG_vng_wL8D5_nSX0Tw8sycciUkvb7r2D_cl9Yz6wCwmMWCVv25cUCd-qmLCLxNcDIVhOBV7v7ThRo8NqvM/s640/20151227_182329.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the Farmhouse, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I never put decorations on this particular tree. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just lights, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">only lights.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have enjoyed the cozy glow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've loved it this way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And in the night, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in those pondering hours, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">all the colors, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the sparkle, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the different facets and reflections of light,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">make me think of the days gone by</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and the days ahead.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't change the past.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can only hope to shape the future by living well now,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">this very moment. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELXdkti-MRO5W4RrGs55fQVFkp-qo3RS4Axw114EQV9qiPQAxrMYwXQM1hqYaJX5sfWDgKU5HFUz1IF9ehvVFw5PkN1lXaAebkP36vrVeiiFBgJcBjgJ1WvdPlXB9w9YX-J99MydX5cc/s1600/20151221_223406-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELXdkti-MRO5W4RrGs55fQVFkp-qo3RS4Axw114EQV9qiPQAxrMYwXQM1hqYaJX5sfWDgKU5HFUz1IF9ehvVFw5PkN1lXaAebkP36vrVeiiFBgJcBjgJ1WvdPlXB9w9YX-J99MydX5cc/s400/20151221_223406-1.jpg" width="292" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We don't get repeats, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or chances to make up for lost time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or past regret. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA-8qJPk5HMqq3LBtj_Ctfgr4EDspXOvBHu93KXIG_xIIT8-C394t40I8mvHhUNgGL6phhIYf4yDzRerfC00XxdAu2tyuzppuETRlkxPcj6O-doi9G5RYGrqyMpy1F-aC5_pxuYf-jkE/s1600/20151220_171013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJA-8qJPk5HMqq3LBtj_Ctfgr4EDspXOvBHu93KXIG_xIIT8-C394t40I8mvHhUNgGL6phhIYf4yDzRerfC00XxdAu2tyuzppuETRlkxPcj6O-doi9G5RYGrqyMpy1F-aC5_pxuYf-jkE/s640/20151220_171013.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On Christmas eve</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> we took a gift to a person</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we feared would have no contact </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with anyone on Christmas. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just this morning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a man told me his sad</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sad</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">story.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The "story" was probably</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a grand total of 10 sentences,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but those 10 sentences wrote a book in my heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was stunned.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was almost rendered speechless.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I had never heard such a real life story. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And once again I realized that we never know the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">pain that crouches just below the surface</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of quick wit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or the grief hidden in a smile. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've heard of so much sorrow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">this Christmas season </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as people have told me their heartache. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And my heart has ached along side them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish I could rewrite their story </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with the stroke of a pen </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and the flourish of my hand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and make it pretty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But a baby,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a baby came,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">helpless,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and frail </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and he was laid </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">right down </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the middle of all our messes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">yes, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my messes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my heartache, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my darkness, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and pondering.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And YOUR messes too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Your heartache, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and darkness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and pondering. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fd2xzjxpUhR6KpN3uwjU7QJHcIkxE1wU3P3LKF3XsNdiJ7ocQwBCVD1rt71D4Z-e3cA2eYAfW1HFF-7NsXAxmFBsHlpTo00rXp20rRM_zWubXdGHogSJrIJHArcHdnlEzxdvFogsdaI/s1600/20151220_170837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fd2xzjxpUhR6KpN3uwjU7QJHcIkxE1wU3P3LKF3XsNdiJ7ocQwBCVD1rt71D4Z-e3cA2eYAfW1HFF-7NsXAxmFBsHlpTo00rXp20rRM_zWubXdGHogSJrIJHArcHdnlEzxdvFogsdaI/s640/20151220_170837.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But the baby, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the helpless and frail baby,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was strong</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> HE was mighty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And with the stroke of three nails</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with a flourish</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">his hands</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and feet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">rewrote my story!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And he rewrote your story too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You may not think it looks very pretty, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but he wrote it to bring peace. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ia_tHXEO19r4h_IA7I-qhJB1hHMSvqo3n3IYJJ_HtNTa-Qir3kUFx9R5wK8-qNc6XDYv9f6cmksYDDLO9et9jLvZiwM0teahUK60vVT0bZr0ESCAfSR9nLJ-kYqeMBlIqBrRtJev-LA/s1600/20151214_235045-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ia_tHXEO19r4h_IA7I-qhJB1hHMSvqo3n3IYJJ_HtNTa-Qir3kUFx9R5wK8-qNc6XDYv9f6cmksYDDLO9et9jLvZiwM0teahUK60vVT0bZr0ESCAfSR9nLJ-kYqeMBlIqBrRtJev-LA/s400/20151214_235045-1.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Peace for me</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sVfyZ9d7D6DRaBXL_3PQGl14C4K64M05dLiZ3sG9-vYRY67EJTcNPzj0BN5jIG9MGz9HkY6f47JxKqEf7k4-zha8xutvgAxXCQPxa3qzXCRQuNcWq42U0qViP5qZ-yZslsOx2HZpNjc/s1600/20151214_185956-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sVfyZ9d7D6DRaBXL_3PQGl14C4K64M05dLiZ3sG9-vYRY67EJTcNPzj0BN5jIG9MGz9HkY6f47JxKqEf7k4-zha8xutvgAxXCQPxa3qzXCRQuNcWq42U0qViP5qZ-yZslsOx2HZpNjc/s400/20151214_185956-1.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Peace for you</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWSLwCpcu19VxroumpDPYM-imWPjC0zzXi8KvEuh8Cs-qPYa8Tqds8xAKrddKZLolmTsqibYfXl1gsVIHxN-vckDPPfA1ZTohMuOiJrsD9HDkriqVxkT47nwEbGTEdGOCu1fTVOCnCBA/s1600/20151208_172156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWSLwCpcu19VxroumpDPYM-imWPjC0zzXi8KvEuh8Cs-qPYa8Tqds8xAKrddKZLolmTsqibYfXl1gsVIHxN-vckDPPfA1ZTohMuOiJrsD9HDkriqVxkT47nwEbGTEdGOCu1fTVOCnCBA/s640/20151208_172156.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Peace for all </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLNVZSdCJsodzyKI2Kh-3mq-WvJD0H4TubvaLsRwDPbJseFwg0cIxanad6KY-CvLBSsFTuXJE3r_uMxXvJsxBHEasam0IjkPFHSieFYJDB5sb9a3TvTeOd5XUA5GAWAawglgpprdmKRo/s1600/20151203_070926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLNVZSdCJsodzyKI2Kh-3mq-WvJD0H4TubvaLsRwDPbJseFwg0cIxanad6KY-CvLBSsFTuXJE3r_uMxXvJsxBHEasam0IjkPFHSieFYJDB5sb9a3TvTeOd5XUA5GAWAawglgpprdmKRo/s640/20151203_070926.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And as a new year dawns, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I realize</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"You and I may be hard pressed on every side,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but we are not in despair, abandoned or destroyed". </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">2 Corinthians 4:8</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_VogD0P099I5MWITbL048dowmGQWcv9FPxMvBglGZ8SNawOMeDgURTboHdZljn15DiS2DclVi16pd-fODLvezlI2UK5BLLFTxwyH9CDCG_FPeBXlUSEo7wOdAad2s81swkEAfg7JtTs/s1600/20151213_162816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_VogD0P099I5MWITbL048dowmGQWcv9FPxMvBglGZ8SNawOMeDgURTboHdZljn15DiS2DclVi16pd-fODLvezlI2UK5BLLFTxwyH9CDCG_FPeBXlUSEo7wOdAad2s81swkEAfg7JtTs/s640/20151213_162816.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I will celebrate with joy. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I will pray more intensely with thanksgiving.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I will keep your stories close to my heart. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because your stories matter to me. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">These things I will do. </span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-62932604582397644202015-12-24T05:44:00.002-08:002015-12-24T05:44:48.001-08:00Who Is He? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div>
Who is he, this King of Glory? He is the Lord Almighty.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Psalm 24:10</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyPTc8FVMW2Um0ug5gAiEcVm6Z3kl870PDqC9RDZwd12rztsd-xycLhyaZwyBzlRiqHlP6sjTcqdtOFyVRjfTKbpv5JHj0xPX6I9VTYrSAr48jmi8cJmpbMfmlQjuH3maJ4hnQNvcGb8/s1600/20151211_202552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyPTc8FVMW2Um0ug5gAiEcVm6Z3kl870PDqC9RDZwd12rztsd-xycLhyaZwyBzlRiqHlP6sjTcqdtOFyVRjfTKbpv5JHj0xPX6I9VTYrSAr48jmi8cJmpbMfmlQjuH3maJ4hnQNvcGb8/s320/20151211_202552.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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We must first believe in the baby in a manger,</div>
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before we can believe in a Savior on the cross. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Sending Christmas Eve blessings to you.</div>
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Love, Rachel</div>
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<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-12540063622863810862015-11-24T14:12:00.003-08:002015-11-25T09:58:29.716-08:00A Cornucopia of Thoughts For Thanksgiving <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recently, I was introduced to <a href="http://www.bloomnation.com/">BloomNation</a>, and was inspired to share my Thanksgiving table decor.</div>
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I used a mix of dried hydrangeas and fresh roses along with pumpkins, candles and fresh pine sprigs.</div>
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Today it is fun to have a reason to show you the way the table is decorated at the Farmhouse.</div>
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You can read about this flower service at the end of this post. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxX7hMQrblFjLJFTqW6mCHy6lGonkrRJAtHsg5qmTU1Y5U-H05cmixKBxczpWr0BbOiXmBe02LzUwnZj0GjVUEPiwSy5fbmgVKkv6a8XFmiymrR0qbE5RjnNFbcBsLrM0jNMqF09Fowk/s1600/2015-11-24+09.50.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxX7hMQrblFjLJFTqW6mCHy6lGonkrRJAtHsg5qmTU1Y5U-H05cmixKBxczpWr0BbOiXmBe02LzUwnZj0GjVUEPiwSy5fbmgVKkv6a8XFmiymrR0qbE5RjnNFbcBsLrM0jNMqF09Fowk/s400/2015-11-24+09.50.45.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Thoughts for Thanksgiving:</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There I stood, stunned, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">pondering the meaning of the text </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that had come through on my sister's phone. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"I think she has died," read the text.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Quickly, my siblings and I began our network of communicating,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and yes, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in fact, it was true, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">without warning, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my first sibling of nine, a sister, was gone. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1rC8trjI3dtN73CO-zLvhAjZABnP1rWaS3yslRb3keSt-BkXpLG22U5BQNklf6cRzgHgRHP9LIGJqMmO0MMeAx8CxTfb9BzHR79rJ1B-3G6xJx4xAtFXF52j6_xZwNU5Y6Hkis6_JQA/s1600/2015-11-24+10.00.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1rC8trjI3dtN73CO-zLvhAjZABnP1rWaS3yslRb3keSt-BkXpLG22U5BQNklf6cRzgHgRHP9LIGJqMmO0MMeAx8CxTfb9BzHR79rJ1B-3G6xJx4xAtFXF52j6_xZwNU5Y6Hkis6_JQA/s320/2015-11-24+10.00.17.jpg" width="245" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These past few years have held deep heartaches, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">dark long silences,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">feelings of despair</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and hopelessness</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and death for our family. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since 2012, Philip and I have lost five precious family members. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've ached as Philip's grandmother adjusted to life</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> after 75 years of marriage to his grandfather. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I felt my heart twisting in agony as we received word that</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my brother's son had taken his life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We were stunned with the news that Philip's uncle, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the strong one, the "party-maker" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of our family celebrations,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">had such a grim diagnosis, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and three weeks later we told him goodbye.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And then, another brother's son, an avid bicyclist,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">his first time in the mountains on a mountain bike, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">gone, quickly. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And then my sister...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've grieved as my nieces navigated their own difficulties</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> now that both their parents are gone.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And life just goes on. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is much more. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> There has been a lot of change and upheaval.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This isn't about pity or sympathy. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">EVERY ONE</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">who is living and breathing</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">is dealing with </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a hard wrestling story of life.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I see it in your eyes too, </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the longing for redemption,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for all wrong to be made right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In all the hard wrestling stories of life, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we have a choice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A choice for thankfulness,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">for thanksgiving.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwse42IJyBkLVPMQJqYhl8K97wNg2HJ7drjpRYBtT7wAuMgPXDxTJIzkUAv5T4Olv6UJW2C0FVomzqhCRrSUyTb3vBZGXifgYQBuNrhq32rv7QF4wu8lJ6050WNJbWAg-pnoC9KJhjJdY/s1600/2015-11-24+10.04.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwse42IJyBkLVPMQJqYhl8K97wNg2HJ7drjpRYBtT7wAuMgPXDxTJIzkUAv5T4Olv6UJW2C0FVomzqhCRrSUyTb3vBZGXifgYQBuNrhq32rv7QF4wu8lJ6050WNJbWAg-pnoC9KJhjJdY/s400/2015-11-24+10.04.12.jpg" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My brother shared a story at my nephew's funeral</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">about a man who was struggling under the weight of a very heavy cross.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It was gnarled and covered in thistles with rough bark</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> making it difficult for his tired and aching hands to hold.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> As blisters began to form and his arms and legs trembled</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">while struggling to gain foot hold,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">he tripped over the rocky path, and began to cry out,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"OH God! This is more than I can bear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't go on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I've reached my limit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just can't take anymore."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tears coursed down his cheeks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His hair and body and clothes reeked with the toil of sweat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God responded, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"My son, I love you so much, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and just ahead you will find a little shed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">under the shade of a large old oak tree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Stop there. Rest. Catch your breath.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Inhale the cool breezes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Inside the shed you will find many crosses.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You can trade your cross for one of those. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With relief,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">he reached the cool shade of the old oak tree.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Finding the door to the shed partially open,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> he wedged his worn and sweaty body</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> into the small structure which held the other crosses. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> As his weary eyes adjusted to the darkness after the piercing sun,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> he was aghast to realize that those crosses for which he could trade,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> were much larger,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with grotesque and unbalanced shapes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and razor sharp bark and thistles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, after looking them over,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">he couldn't find a single one,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> for which he was willing to trade.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, he felt his heart strengthen</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and as cool breezes fluttered the leaves making the shade of the old oak tree, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">HE FELT THANKFUL, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">yes, thankful for HIS cross. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The other crosses looked absolutely</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">unbearable.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Though his cross was still heavy and the way was still difficult,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">he chose to keep his cross.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It even looked slightly beautiful compared to the others, i</span><span style="font-size: large;">f he held his head at just the right angle while slightly squinting his eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With a heart filled with thankfulness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> he thought, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I don't think it's quite as heavy anymore. "</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So onward he trudged, faithfully keeping and carrying his very own cross.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I believe joy is a choice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope and faith, love and trust...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> ALL choices.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Choices from deep within</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">all birthed on the treacherous</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">path of thankfulness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our choices guide us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In choosing thankfulness,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">we become...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">what we choose...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...Joy, Hope, Faith, Love, Trust</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I choose thankfulness</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the path that leads to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Joy, Hope, Faith, Love, Trust</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">YOU ALL mean so much to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I desire for each of you to have a</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Thanksgiving .</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope you have one of your most glorious days ever.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Choosing!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
Founded in August 2011, BloomNation is a community marketplace for people to list and send unique bouquets from local florists across the county. Whether you are looking for a traditional bouquet of roses or a one of a kind design, Bloom Nation let's you find and send the perfect floral sentiment from trusted florists in your area.</div>
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-41630697216333368942015-09-14T18:57:00.002-07:002015-09-14T20:05:45.971-07:00Four Totally Awesome Pictures of One Anonymous Pup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36pF6il2ZQMiq6LZdXbTyr2fOs-59RtwWX9eqiDE3T5-yB6e8ES5-DUuwfyB3SHBYjUpNA9whiXXaOFOrLVexZhMY75NS9OKhaT4PgEtu5DQQ8nnutpGeUEVcsS24DZO4L_EGZAA-NR8/s1600/20150804_184234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36pF6il2ZQMiq6LZdXbTyr2fOs-59RtwWX9eqiDE3T5-yB6e8ES5-DUuwfyB3SHBYjUpNA9whiXXaOFOrLVexZhMY75NS9OKhaT4PgEtu5DQQ8nnutpGeUEVcsS24DZO4L_EGZAA-NR8/s400/20150804_184234.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
"Whatcha doin'?"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LL8d7WkwfSQklUqltfIbJEyUM8tX4a0Bu9iHvAzXXIY6QhIs4e8GHyw3GC8BnNBsfg-nhwND82Rc2ER_fmaqJuufTwJcZy6zZHFei8COuGAAGxkKdBjvKaP4uy4DeRUUKtO9XIeEYJc/s1600/20150804_184232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LL8d7WkwfSQklUqltfIbJEyUM8tX4a0Bu9iHvAzXXIY6QhIs4e8GHyw3GC8BnNBsfg-nhwND82Rc2ER_fmaqJuufTwJcZy6zZHFei8COuGAAGxkKdBjvKaP4uy4DeRUUKtO9XIeEYJc/s320/20150804_184232.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
"Oh, just hangin' out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdw2c9RbHEDAuu42uwQedhDe2BZ5kC29eYAGcplnnZszO8LLVG5iRpiWQMKB0UMrzFNndqEmZoAzxJ3NrcOURnfrm3mJW3xUrbkIsOuzwn07a6kM6BuUKZkpWASDz8NdVlnN9T9YMBRo/s1600/20150804_184230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdw2c9RbHEDAuu42uwQedhDe2BZ5kC29eYAGcplnnZszO8LLVG5iRpiWQMKB0UMrzFNndqEmZoAzxJ3NrcOURnfrm3mJW3xUrbkIsOuzwn07a6kM6BuUKZkpWASDz8NdVlnN9T9YMBRo/s400/20150804_184230.jpg" width="225" /></a> </div>
It's a dog's life,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8rXRz2FOO6yjln9MLvfFshoxKjbBoDPoQtNM5mfNJZAoWcnVnxUTXvCSC7nAKo5mROWTB394gQQamVWIm0Di1TYnQuP2R_HSCrqidMF1LaSe9lOVyfzTjTRWfuZ6dsQmDh7TTvrR4T8/s1600/20150804_184226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8rXRz2FOO6yjln9MLvfFshoxKjbBoDPoQtNM5mfNJZAoWcnVnxUTXvCSC7nAKo5mROWTB394gQQamVWIm0Di1TYnQuP2R_HSCrqidMF1LaSe9lOVyfzTjTRWfuZ6dsQmDh7TTvrR4T8/s400/20150804_184226.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and someone's gotta live it!"</div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-28671405200463758002015-09-13T20:41:00.000-07:002015-09-13T20:41:29.193-07:00Think About His Love...thoughts for a quiet time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDx0Lpjyyg4ejLI91SxEKfookRVcRpD6GTKjuYkm22L2bW2XwgB-vJRiOT6pKyolRjXbUuvGrNdKO_Y_a_dDMdsrSYfMrYcK5dc_T7kYT6AYMqMlJIZzhs5c_ZAsGW9xhJXFVJQLHGXI/s1600/2015-09-13+21.28.41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDx0Lpjyyg4ejLI91SxEKfookRVcRpD6GTKjuYkm22L2bW2XwgB-vJRiOT6pKyolRjXbUuvGrNdKO_Y_a_dDMdsrSYfMrYcK5dc_T7kYT6AYMqMlJIZzhs5c_ZAsGW9xhJXFVJQLHGXI/s400/2015-09-13+21.28.41.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
Think about His love,<br />
Think about His goodness.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSruFsa6XNR-vb7n1pZw3JZc-7djMbpHiq7fnvLm3K0iauQsVoQPOOKHaWlDtqEneQLh7eUASuPZU3ZgRcH0WI2DjL840AU7XuKQ55rzDZLdQ_FVTJDd_wsC-CUvgJ6C7-twRsXids7rk/s1600/2015-09-13+21.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSruFsa6XNR-vb7n1pZw3JZc-7djMbpHiq7fnvLm3K0iauQsVoQPOOKHaWlDtqEneQLh7eUASuPZU3ZgRcH0WI2DjL840AU7XuKQ55rzDZLdQ_FVTJDd_wsC-CUvgJ6C7-twRsXids7rk/s400/2015-09-13+21.21.22.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
Think about His grace<br />
That's brought us through.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7F41jUTB9Lz_mAuPtViV2cOy5ke7q8_GNLx-06d1VugslVMFKQDfe26wjx5FnGUVDrNkSxEJGdNynU21gSlHaXVT6aGhIiOhVJYLC6O2su1tODlFJs6eTKKLm5xAyrQNO41BzuRrem0/s1600/2015-09-13+21.36.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7F41jUTB9Lz_mAuPtViV2cOy5ke7q8_GNLx-06d1VugslVMFKQDfe26wjx5FnGUVDrNkSxEJGdNynU21gSlHaXVT6aGhIiOhVJYLC6O2su1tODlFJs6eTKKLm5xAyrQNO41BzuRrem0/s400/2015-09-13+21.36.16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
For as high as the heavens above,<br />
So great is the measure of our Father's love,<br />
Great is the measure of our Father's love.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Walt Harrah<br />
Lyrics and Tune<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-87668338968985558322015-04-12T13:40:00.004-07:002015-07-13T21:30:20.121-07:00Did You Know That Was There? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPl_k5uXZvQv5HQL8UaVewRfxj1bhdOU7WCm4cQigo0HQnx3APYKc4zlvokgJpDl6HgI6ynHKYWEfdpa9Qbbb8kzw54ol6kyZMXbuemlT75Zla4-CzR5-5ct1ObEw3zqfRolPge-_-KU/s1600/2015-02-23+00.26.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPl_k5uXZvQv5HQL8UaVewRfxj1bhdOU7WCm4cQigo0HQnx3APYKc4zlvokgJpDl6HgI6ynHKYWEfdpa9Qbbb8kzw54ol6kyZMXbuemlT75Zla4-CzR5-5ct1ObEw3zqfRolPge-_-KU/s1600/2015-02-23+00.26.17.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The words on this sign</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">are from</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I Corinthians 13,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">commonly called</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The Love Chapter."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You've probably seen it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">heard it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and have it hanging in your bedroom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So ya know</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">how you go</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">down the list</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">checkin' it twice...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(at least I do anyway)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sayin' "ouch"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">OR</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"oh yeah, I'VE got this in the bag!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Really?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You don't do that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A few months ago</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(it hangs where I can read it daily)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was reading through this</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">checking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my heart throb</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my heart pulse</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my heart attitude</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my heart adjustment</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my heart longing...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">...to be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">all</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I CAN BE...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To love God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and others</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as I am shown</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and there it was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">plain as day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">right at the bottom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I saw. ..</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PERSEVERES!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"What?", I thought.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Since when did love start to persevere?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Silly me!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How did I miss that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">After all these years!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean I KNOW it does persevere,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but seriously, did you know that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> that word</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PERSEVERES</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was the last word in this series of verses?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I haven't been able to stop thinking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of all the ways to put that word</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">into practice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life just kind of helps us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> put it into practice too!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">How do you think love...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PERSEVERES?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If I do not have love,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am nothing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I will continue to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PERSEVERE.</span></div>
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-24774951873138121652015-04-11T17:38:00.000-07:002015-04-11T17:38:06.807-07:00There Is Strength In Pain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqHEeVdooEZf-6Lf4DjZmhHom5pCcBhbO-HtTprFp10tB13X9nRxs5Trtw5XxaNug8JVmly1DU2OjOh5ieq-WrzeJ6i699uU5yqVfNhkDaVq-gcclrWi5xmsu-Sh-ci0Wt987amPLe-4/s1600/20150403_133243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqHEeVdooEZf-6Lf4DjZmhHom5pCcBhbO-HtTprFp10tB13X9nRxs5Trtw5XxaNug8JVmly1DU2OjOh5ieq-WrzeJ6i699uU5yqVfNhkDaVq-gcclrWi5xmsu-Sh-ci0Wt987amPLe-4/s1600/20150403_133243.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
How are you standing with just one leg?<br />
Have you just staggered upright from<br />
yet another blow?<br />
<br />
You're alone...you think.<br />
You think no one sees you.<br />
No one sees your pain.<br />
<br />
You gaze around,<br />
wondering...<br />
"How will I go on,<br />
is it safe here,<br />
will my needs be met?"<br />
<br />
You have what you need to soar<br />
beautiful one.<br />
Reach down deep<br />
and flap those strong wings<br />
and soar.<br />
<br />
Yes soar.<br />
You are strong.<br />
Stronger because of your pain.<br />
Soar!A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-13041983138721028912015-04-10T09:29:00.003-07:002015-04-10T11:10:01.670-07:005 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Posting On Social Media. ..or saying anything at all for that matter.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOrvv_RQXPCuBEpeY0Wlc__laef0ZgefdHcoNvmi3yUfhmRdiN3mM5Rth0CpUjfwf-TdkZmcTQOgmMsoZu9OwSA7JCnWDUtADIsIFDKkkdpPELKLppnq3o52Sn7tichxtd-YbI2D3ag8/s1600/2015-04-10+12.10.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOrvv_RQXPCuBEpeY0Wlc__laef0ZgefdHcoNvmi3yUfhmRdiN3mM5Rth0CpUjfwf-TdkZmcTQOgmMsoZu9OwSA7JCnWDUtADIsIFDKkkdpPELKLppnq3o52Sn7tichxtd-YbI2D3ag8/s1600/2015-04-10+12.10.08.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was leaving my daughter's school last night.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I loved the message of this bulletin board.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ponder its truth.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-44956247419463183512015-03-01T12:14:00.001-08:002015-03-01T19:56:27.475-08:0050 Shades of Grey?...that's not what I saw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuuVfUPvfI452JfPg0PRAWcyzYBKv0ILhsxG2hGjGS1xxSaZHdla-nS0LGRqGZOWz2JMwkTGYPCZRJ5ildHCoCNtBDsGGOGacGCayNiUahYN8-XwMR7I7tov_k5Q0hw-_8NfJzGynEEY/s1600/Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuuVfUPvfI452JfPg0PRAWcyzYBKv0ILhsxG2hGjGS1xxSaZHdla-nS0LGRqGZOWz2JMwkTGYPCZRJ5ildHCoCNtBDsGGOGacGCayNiUahYN8-XwMR7I7tov_k5Q0hw-_8NfJzGynEEY/s1600/Tree.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
I didn't read the 50 Shades trilogy,<br />
nor watch the movie.<br />
<br />
I just simply won't.<br />
<br />
HOWEVER<br />
<br />
This is what I read...<br />
what I saw...<br />
<br />
My phone trilled it's "cell phonic" noise.<br />
<br />
Answering,<br />
I heard his quiet,<br />
strong,<br />
matter of fact voice...<br />
<br />
"She's gone," he said,<br />
"but come over. <br />
We still need you here."<br />
<br />
So there I stood,<br />
in the threshold<br />
of her room, <br />
their room,<br />
sensing her presence,<br />
lingering.<br />
<br />
And I had every right to be there,<br />
but it all seemed to precious<br />
and sacred...<br />
and I didn't want to disturb<br />
that aura,<br />
that sense of Divine passage<br />
as I reflected on our last time together,<br />
our words,<br />
my last look back,<br />
her weak hand held up<br />
in goodbye.<br />
I read that.<br />
I saw that,<br />
as life just hurried on past,<br />
brushing and bustling on past.<br />
<br />
Her bed was crisply made.<br />
The items necessary for her care<br />
were already gone.<br />
<br />
But her presence lingered,<br />
it lingered<br />
in notes from grandchildren<br />
taped to the mirror,<br />
and the Guidepost magazine<br />
laying on the bedside table<br />
and photos of ones she loved<br />
placed around the room.<br />
The "grand dog" must have sensed<br />
the emotion,<br />
the newness of change,<br />
because he stood beside me,<br />
his head hovering about my knee cap<br />
and he licked my finger tips,<br />
with his soft little tongue, <br />
like the first gentle waves<br />
of an in-coming tide.<br />
<br />
As I stood there,<br />
it felt as though I was<br />
watching a sunset fade from view.<br />
I pondered the moments<br />
that had brought them to this place,<br />
well and me too,<br />
for that matter.<br />
<br />
Across the years as her strength failed,<br />
I was one of the ones blessed<br />
to be called in to help.<br />
And I watched<br />
and learned<br />
as she hosted family gatherings<br />
and parties<br />
and games with friends<br />
and Easter egg hunts<br />
and huge Thanksgiving dinners<br />
all from the confines<br />
of a motorized chair.<br />
<br />
She was mighty,<br />
and humorous,<br />
and caring,<br />
and interested in others...<br />
so many others...<br />
and she made you feel like<br />
YOU<br />
were her best friend.<br />
<br />
Bff for life.<br />
<br />
I saw her do more<br />
from her motorized chair<br />
than some people<br />
do in many many years...<br />
maybe even a life time.<br />
<br />
She read this blog.<br />
She was anxious for<br />
a new story to post.<br />
She would comment to me<br />
and let me know<br />
what she thought<br />
about what I wrote.<br />
<br />
<br />
The reason I make these<br />
short centered phrases<br />
in the format<br />
of my blog...<br />
is because she<br />
always<br />
always<br />
told me she loved visiting here.<br />
And I found out<br />
this format<br />
made it easier for her<br />
to read,<br />
to see on the screen.<br />
<br />
On my screen<br />
to the far right,<br />
right now,<br />
that is her<br />
beautiful<br />
smiling face<br />
leading the list<br />
of the group<br />
who like this blog.<br />
I don't know<br />
if your screen shows it<br />
that way,<br />
but I love it that mine does.<br />
<br />
And he,<br />
he is the one,<br />
who told me to write,<br />
to write somewhere...<br />
besides this blog...<br />
and I took it to heart<br />
because he is wise.<br />
And they loved my family,<br />
from the time we met in 1999,<br />
and treated us like their own.<br />
<br />
But there were times,<br />
no matter who was there to help her,<br />
she as his bride for 62 years,<br />
she only wanted him.<br />
Just him...to help<br />
to lift her,<br />
to turn her,<br />
to say just the right things to her...<br />
or know when to walk away..<br />
and let her be,<br />
let her sleep.<br />
<br />
And he was strong,<br />
stronger than strong,<br />
and caring,<br />
and diligent,<br />
and methodical,<br />
and humorous,<br />
<br />
OH how they could laugh...<br />
<br />
And I was blessed<br />
for just a while<br />
to read,<br />
to see,<br />
this dance,<br />
this dance of life,<br />
as the steady beat,<br />
of life<br />
and love<br />
slowed to a waltz,<br />
and then a slow waltz,<br />
like the tines in a music box,<br />
s.l.o.w.l.y.<br />
p.l.i.n.g.i.n.g.<br />
the last notes<br />
of a true love song.<br />
<br />
And on Valentine's day,<br />
when others were thronging<br />
to see 50 Shades...<br />
<br />
...while the near zero temps<br />
blew snow in strong<br />
sideways gusts...<br />
I witnessed,<br />
a dedicated husband<br />
stand at the head of his wife...<br />
and express his thanks<br />
for her love and faithfulness,<br />
and say,<br />
"Goodbye for now,<br />
because I will see you later. "<br />
<br />
Yes absolutely,<br />
that's what I saw on Valentine's day.<br />
And I'm stronger.<br />
I'm a better person,<br />
because that is what I saw.<br />
<br />
I read.<br />
I saw.<br />
I witnessed love<br />
in sickness and health.<br />
<br />
Mrs. Mary...forever in my heart.<br />
<br />
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-66636117970089848732015-02-21T15:10:00.000-08:002015-02-21T21:02:22.840-08:00Wait, What? Paralyzed?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsshWR0lMIovhKLBo1Tsjj2y2hzO91lrW-G_byEaGJuVIF3wQyCxHGVKSjZjRnvaaglYw8zF31JZzlj7WtD3_CTveAknm8s49mHBJyLOdqbLmKleC26ehiSIOZJbb_IVcnDHjYt6ITpBY/s1600/July+19,+2008+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsshWR0lMIovhKLBo1Tsjj2y2hzO91lrW-G_byEaGJuVIF3wQyCxHGVKSjZjRnvaaglYw8zF31JZzlj7WtD3_CTveAknm8s49mHBJyLOdqbLmKleC26ehiSIOZJbb_IVcnDHjYt6ITpBY/s1600/July+19,+2008+012.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We used to sit on the porch</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> and have "picnics" as impromptu</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> as a summer thunderstorm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">milk</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">potato chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">popcorn</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">carrots</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">just whatever we had</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">we rushed through the kitchen </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">opening cabinet doors</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> pulling drawers</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">scrambling for the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"picnic food"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">as though we were dodging the</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">first large drops of rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Suddenly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it was all</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> plopped with a thunder clap</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">into the over sized basket,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">then</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">spread on the quilt</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">scattered </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">on the floor</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">like dice in a fast game </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">of </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"something or the other"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't 4th of July</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">just an ordinary</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">regular day</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">bees-buzzing-by-the-window-sill-kind-of-day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Holidays weren't necessary,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">no not at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not much planning was involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The thought kind of dropped into</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">our head</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">like a spider sliding down</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">on a single line of web</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">from the ceiling,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">slooowwwly</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">sloowly,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">then the picnic thought touched our brain</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">it was assembled quickly</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and eaten quickly</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">as though if not </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">scarfed down in haste,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the moment would pass...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">un-lived.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But the memories,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">yes,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> the memories linger.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Memories</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">stir longing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for home</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">longing for the way things used to be</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for Spring</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for children</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for love</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for the past </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for food</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for sleep</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for peace</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">longing for hope</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing for things just out of reach.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Longings can</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> paralyze </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">hold you back</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">take your breath away</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">render you as immobile as</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Christopher Reeve</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">after his horse riding accident,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">frozen,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">set in stone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a pillar of salt...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">just like Lot's wife</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">who dared to look back,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~long~.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, longing can truly do that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">longing can</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">hinder you </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">cause you to stumble</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to fall,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">always</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">always</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">GET UP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Move forward</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">reach out</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">find someone to help</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to hug</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to speak words of comfort </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">or life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You never know who may be hanging...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">on longings...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">hanging on longings</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">like it is their last thread, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a very fine and delicate </span><span style="font-size: large;">thread</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> stretching to you </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">tugging for hope.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You just never really know,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but your lowest of lows,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">your deepest and darkest sorrow,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">could possibly be the very door</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that opens to the fulfillment of your destiny.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you paralyzed?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a pillar of stone,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">a statue of salt?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I refuse to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I admit it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am truly filled with longing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My longings are different </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">than your longings</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">most likely,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but they won't define me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And they don't need to define you</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">either! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I refuse to let them paralyze me,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to hold me back.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I purpose for my longings </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">reveal the door of my next step</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that leads to fulfilling my destiny.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What are your longings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Is something paralyzing you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Defining you? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-80399988215185006412014-12-14T16:19:00.002-08:002014-12-17T13:10:57.401-08:00The Size and Shape of Having Yourself A Merry Little Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
..</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have you sung it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Or heard it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You know</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the Christmas song</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that tells you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">all about letting your heart be light</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and letting the yuletide glow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and telling you from now on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">your troubles will be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">MILES AWAY,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as in olden days,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">happy golden days?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is all so</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Norman Rockwellish"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Thomas Kincaidish"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and our hearts long for</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">merry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and bright</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and joy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and perfect holiday meals</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and parties</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and family gatherings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and kissing under the mistletoe</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and romantic sleigh rides.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnSIzkBOLXdcO_lbvT1PtnDKajcexDEQV7I-yCTe-b8QHukV6hf4iXFTnyfsCouVqTLPdIsu5_5vkfvChBL6EXHib7KkmQ_sFaiOMKdvs7DF0ILmD6gYbgUxRsCkm7o6WmRHyTIAsZyA/s1600/December+12,+2009+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnSIzkBOLXdcO_lbvT1PtnDKajcexDEQV7I-yCTe-b8QHukV6hf4iXFTnyfsCouVqTLPdIsu5_5vkfvChBL6EXHib7KkmQ_sFaiOMKdvs7DF0ILmD6gYbgUxRsCkm7o6WmRHyTIAsZyA/s1600/December+12,+2009+019.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When in reality,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there are bills to pay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and relationships to mend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and doctor visits</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and anxiety</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and fear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and pain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and grief</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and loneliness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the midst of a crowd</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and tears</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">amidst laughter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and false smiles.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This morning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as the choir sang</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I saw <a href="http://rachelgoing.blogspot.com/2009/07/cycle-of-life.html?showComment=1261240956635">her</a></span><br />
(I leaned over and told Philip,<br />
"I see Melody singing this.")</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in my mind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and in my heart,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there she stood</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">beautiful red hair</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">purposeful countenance...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and I felt memories</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">pool in the corners of my eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">slip from underneath my eyelids</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and slide down my cheeks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and drip from my face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I could hear her voice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and in another scene,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in my mind,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I saw her family standing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on the bridge</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that exited the stage,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a prop...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there they stood singing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And my heart broke</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as I heard her voice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">singing of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The Spirit of Christmas."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Though, I did feel peaceful</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as I contemplated her reality</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of knowing <i><b>true</b></i> Christmas.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Afterwards,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we ate lunch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and then I sat down</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">at the piano to play</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">some Christmas songs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As my fingers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">danced through the notes of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Have A Holly Jolly Christmas", </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I heard the sounds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of 35 or 40 pairs of feet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as we shuffled across</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the highly polished gym floor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mountainburg High School gymnasium.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We attempted to quietly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">assemble ourselves</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on the risers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">while Bren Marshell,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the high school choir pianist,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">played the introduction to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Have A Holly Jolly Christmas."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I really did,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in my mind,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I heard the distinct bass notes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">just as he played them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and I heard our shuffling,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">like we were shuffling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">all those years ago,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as in olden days,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">happy golden days.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I wonder why?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why do I remember</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">these random things?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And see them?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why today?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I think of those</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">whom I love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and care about...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And there are many</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">longings unfulfilled</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and needs seemingly unmet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and relationships unmended</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and grief borne</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and sorrows uneased</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and peace...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">well...peace is surely...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">out there somewhere...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and trust is wavering</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and faith is ebbing away,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ALL WHILE JUST SIMPLY</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">TRYING TO HAVE</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Reality isn't found in</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the Norman Rockwell</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">picture perfect traditions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">OR</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the Thomas Kincaid</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">lights all aglow</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">beaming out,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there's no place like home.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No, unfortunately,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for many</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that just isn't reality!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But the good news is...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for the dysfunction</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">AND</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the broken,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for all of us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">any size</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">any shape...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">JESUS CAME</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the size...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a tiny baby</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the shape...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a manger,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">JESUS CAME.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tiny size</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Manger shaped...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">JESUS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful Counselor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Prince of Peace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Almighty God</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everlasting Father</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Comforter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Healer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Provider</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Prince of Peace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Strong Tower</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Miraculous Mind Blower</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Awesome Game Changer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My Best Friend</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And that,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">yes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THAT IS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The size and shape</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">having yourself a merry little Christmas!"</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-78670400155873324242014-12-01T10:32:00.001-08:002014-12-01T10:32:30.412-08:00It Only Takes A Little<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFkSHpuDZCsb67lAgbF7l3Jt-JgvmQYQd42fuFX8hmRu1vLkXwYmW4yLKyVN-LPQYjaL2oC-C6e-r_FL5g53BLlT9JVD_NTFpab7lQMuFBWLAlWqDX5FL_HyCTQaOdEB0z9GFxwmWv24/s1600/Candle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFkSHpuDZCsb67lAgbF7l3Jt-JgvmQYQd42fuFX8hmRu1vLkXwYmW4yLKyVN-LPQYjaL2oC-C6e-r_FL5g53BLlT9JVD_NTFpab7lQMuFBWLAlWqDX5FL_HyCTQaOdEB0z9GFxwmWv24/s1600/Candle1.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The room was shrouded in darkness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I stumbled,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">trying to find</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> my way to the light switch </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on the wall across the room.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pulling my cell phone from my pocket</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I searched for the flashlight app </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on my phone screen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon hearing the "squeee"...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">from the flashlight turning on, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the room flooded with light</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and I could see!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It never ceases to amaze me </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">how light penetrates darkness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">With just a tiny light </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">darkness is pushed away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's the same way with vinegar in water.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>You see~</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>a little makes a big difference.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Think about:</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Heat in the chill.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A smile toward the sad.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A hug to the lonely.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A forgiving word.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A prayer for the despondent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just a little.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Makes a difference.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We don't always know the extent or the impact.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In my Christian tradition, as I celebrate Christmas, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we have entered the season we call </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Advent.</span></div>
<div class="source-data" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; line-height: 22px;">
<div class="def-list" style="box-sizing: border-box;">
<section class="def-pbk" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="def-set" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 17px;">
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br />1. a</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">coming</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">into</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">place,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">view,</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">or</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">being;</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">arrival:</span></span></div>
<div class="def-block def-inline-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #979797; text-align: center;">
<span class="dbox-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic; quotes: '"', '"';"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">advent</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">of</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">the</span> <span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box;">holiday</span> <span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;">season<br />.</span></span></span></span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">2. the</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">coming</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">of</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Christ</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">into</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">the</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">world.</span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">3. the</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">period</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">beginning</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">four</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Sundays</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">before </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Christmas,</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div class="def-block def-inline-example" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #979797; text-align: center;">
<span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">observed</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">in</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">commemoration</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">of</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">the</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">coming</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">of</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">Christ</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">into </span><span class="oneClick-link" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">the</span><span style="color: #666666; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #666666; font-size: x-small;">world.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="def-set" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-bottom: 17px;">
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><i>During this season of joy,</i></b></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i> of Advent,</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i> I ponder:</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>One tiny Child,a world changer, </i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>simply by being...being willing.</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Am I a world changer?</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Do I make a difference?</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Am I willing?</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Does my light shine?</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>Does it dispel darkness?</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>vinegar in water,</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>heat in the chill,</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>a smile toward the sad,</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>a hug to the lonely,</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>a forgiving word,</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i>a prayer for the despondent</i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Just a little.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 37px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><i>Makes a difference.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; padding-left: 37px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; padding-left: 37px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; padding-left: 37px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="oneClick-link oneClick-available" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="def-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; padding-left: 37px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</section></div>
</div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-40310971388377036312014-11-07T13:39:00.005-08:002014-11-07T13:41:59.022-08:00In The Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TFfaw6z71HtmdEjmGPALQExalRgRsXMrtrrRMwW3-w8wNEJLFn4Uvq8DN8Mr2aQkOSVH_lfYMXD-dlTrvCd28vSv0M5ej25aKfZ4AfRJZeO2el5-q9_qwBp0IgKjr4pltN7bAc0MD3o/s1600/August+9,+2009+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_TFfaw6z71HtmdEjmGPALQExalRgRsXMrtrrRMwW3-w8wNEJLFn4Uvq8DN8Mr2aQkOSVH_lfYMXD-dlTrvCd28vSv0M5ej25aKfZ4AfRJZeO2el5-q9_qwBp0IgKjr4pltN7bAc0MD3o/s1600/August+9,+2009+026.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Time passes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Things change.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got a text the other day </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">from our son</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> away at the University.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He said, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Oh, Okay,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> so what are we gonna do about it then?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Just take it as it comes?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I replied, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Yes, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">we won't cross that bridge </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">till it's in front of us."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And that is the way life is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't you think so too?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This summer and fall,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> especially,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> we have made decisions </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">based on the necessity </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of the next half hour.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether that is right or wrong, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can't particularly say, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but that is the way it has been. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It has needed to be that way. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've told you before </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">how much I appreciate you</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and our conversations here. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just absolutely love you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I really do.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You faithfully read.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On and on </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you read</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">this.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know I've been silent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">And once again, </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">as I have said before,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">it is not because </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">I have had nothing to say.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">No.No.No.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">(shaking my head)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Life has been full</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and challenging</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and sad</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and a lot of ups </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and downs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and laughter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and tears</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and joy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and hugs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and sighs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and goodness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and blessings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and blessings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and more blessings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And in the silence...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">much has happened </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and time has passed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and things have changed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and we've learned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and grown more mature,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> hopefully.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So today,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I thought of all that has transpired</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">since I wrote here last, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in August.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And there is so much I can say, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but I'm not going to right now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't know </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that this is the time </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or place to lay it all out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">also, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I thought about God,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and His silence in our lives sometimes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I felt a glimmer of encouragement </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as I thought </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">about all the "stuff" that happens</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <b>in the silence</b>.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In those really quiet times,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Or dark places,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In between the words,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and actions,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and lines </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of life.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And God is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He is there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Doing something.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Working His best for our good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let that encourage you today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In the silence.</span></div>
<br />
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-77210570414684298562014-08-10T19:40:00.000-07:002014-08-11T06:49:42.227-07:00Other Thoughts On Life and Living...all while riding a roller coaster <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q_cmOLEXRaOW4R2NSJ5cZs9hyphenhyphendynO4MrQUuc53CObAQ1jMXAxY4SqzqqdOYWKKdqISxNNFc1zjOFrDuZ02bMW5UOd5AoemkVtZCBd0DGQG_MsAdgpm8-wyGU486kXN-SwhaJWmFmzf4/s1600/Out-law-roller-coaster-silver-dollar-city-branson-missouri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7q_cmOLEXRaOW4R2NSJ5cZs9hyphenhyphendynO4MrQUuc53CObAQ1jMXAxY4SqzqqdOYWKKdqISxNNFc1zjOFrDuZ02bMW5UOd5AoemkVtZCBd0DGQG_MsAdgpm8-wyGU486kXN-SwhaJWmFmzf4/s1600/Out-law-roller-coaster-silver-dollar-city-branson-missouri.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We spent three glorious days</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> in the beautiful</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Ozark mountains of Branson, Missouri. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Part of that time was spent riding roller coasters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> When I first step onto a roller coaster</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the anticipation is high for the thrill of the ride.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">um...sorta...</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Can I just say, I DO NOT LIKE roller coasters?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I do not like them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To say I don't like them,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> should not be confused</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> with saying</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I'm scared to ride them. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I'm not scared.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I just don't necessarily see</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> any sane reason</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> to have my hair flying through space</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and my head banging</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and my neck jerking</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and feeling my body be lifted off the seat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> as I plummet head long</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> into the next upside down turn. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">However, when my kids want me to ride,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I ride! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I tell myself to shut my eyes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> don't anticipate the turns or falls </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and just enjoy the ride,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> feel the exhilaration, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sense the wind on my face, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">feel the air pulling my brown curly hair,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> listen to the sounds, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">mostly screams,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and then the laughter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and sighing and more giddy laughter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> as the coaster slides to a quick and abrupt halt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> In about two minutes and 45 seconds,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> it's all over</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and I step across the barrier to the exit.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpvJSfPZGyBtSEBalu90WeCEjOAuPwucEEzvQzhRET4OnJD2kjVstSyV52KgpfmkBufMXUH7AZ7r0VejpLB-86FsiFx5CDMBpHnplK8sz_VuTW7vO4-n6zl4UfzBqWuaHEiSyas1LNCc/s1600/Wild-fire-roller-coaster-silver-dollar-city-branson-missouri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpvJSfPZGyBtSEBalu90WeCEjOAuPwucEEzvQzhRET4OnJD2kjVstSyV52KgpfmkBufMXUH7AZ7r0VejpLB-86FsiFx5CDMBpHnplK8sz_VuTW7vO4-n6zl4UfzBqWuaHEiSyas1LNCc/s1600/Wild-fire-roller-coaster-silver-dollar-city-branson-missouri.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can look back at that point</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and see the five times</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I was hanging upside down,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the times I was going up</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and coming down,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and I may even gasp and say,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> "I did that!" </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvuBxRje9vpy1ZRX4eyQNRruIC9FiId2i9AURLv35Iv6mf7yc026M6bEutxi6vOXz7ZLzDm4JNOgyWq35pa6q8AabX1pE-lf07s0DngOaduN0NKWUNKp4hCwu03AfaY10W-1V9Mu8vno/s1600/Wild-fire-t-shirt-silver-dollar-city-branson-missouri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvuBxRje9vpy1ZRX4eyQNRruIC9FiId2i9AURLv35Iv6mf7yc026M6bEutxi6vOXz7ZLzDm4JNOgyWq35pa6q8AabX1pE-lf07s0DngOaduN0NKWUNKp4hCwu03AfaY10W-1V9Mu8vno/s1600/Wild-fire-t-shirt-silver-dollar-city-branson-missouri.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I can walk through the gift shop</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and get a t-shirt describing</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the thrill of my ride</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> on a steel track,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> rising to heights of 155 feet,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> reaching top speeds of 66 mph,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and dropping down yet again 155 feet,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> all while coiling through Cobra Rolls</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and Full Loops.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> No I'm not scared. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just don't like the uncertainty,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the "out of controllness" of it all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At times I've heard people say</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> life is like a roller coaster. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I've said it too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because in the ride of life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we aren't in control. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you agree?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I step off the coaster </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and look back at all I just did</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> as I rode that piece of machinery,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> putting my life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> in the trust of the designing engineer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and surveyors </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">who marked the positions </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of the support beams</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and the controller</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sitting at the desk,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and computers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and chains</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> that keep it going, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I think,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> "what was I doing?'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When you stop and think about it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> life really is like that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We can't see the whole track,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the path of life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> that we will journey. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We don't know the heights</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> we will climb,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and the depths</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> to which we will drop,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the upside down helplessness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and the G force of pain or peril. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We don't know</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the times</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> we will reach a tip top peak</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and sense the wonder of the view </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">from way up there. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I guess, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in reality, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we all just get on,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> with anticipation,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and know that we just have to trust the Maker,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the Master Designer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If we could see the whole track</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">of life </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">at one time</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">before we ever got started</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or got on</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">maybe we couldn't endure~</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">maybe we couldn't</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">bear</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the ride.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> We have to trust our Maker,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> for the whole journey,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">not just parts of it, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">no matter how bad you or I may want off,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there's no gettin' off. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When my life is done,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> if I am allowed to look back</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> and see the twists and turns, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">the exhilaration and despair,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> the whole track of life</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> that I travelled,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> I know I will say it was all worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I might even sigh and say, </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"I did that!"</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><em>"What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><em> -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Holy Bible New Testament</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1 Corinthians 2:9</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-58774645170300184092014-06-29T18:17:00.001-07:002014-06-29T18:23:14.767-07:00I Suppose This Is What You Will Have To Do<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1I56fdBUkIlf1QgqT2D-GetBY2BkGYNrsF2Tm_7vq1nV_a09d9xaKtku2g6wDKFpI5c6VhnjdMdaX-PC88bTOmJ0YkIAnd_g2S3dSJgjc3WBL-9QJ9m8Dvgn3FQbsknfNn1TTEK4AwA/s1600/back-porch-at-dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1I56fdBUkIlf1QgqT2D-GetBY2BkGYNrsF2Tm_7vq1nV_a09d9xaKtku2g6wDKFpI5c6VhnjdMdaX-PC88bTOmJ0YkIAnd_g2S3dSJgjc3WBL-9QJ9m8Dvgn3FQbsknfNn1TTEK4AwA/s1600/back-porch-at-dark.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When every door is closed, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">closed tightly, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZMc7tFSyeKuu6mMG7X1A_tGesLBl-gVSy_Ex_IyOiqB8EyPLY8swdqZJmgh9_8lKanWVPJysvSzcSk5zDs_LBkFKOoFqCwg9RwlhwnEOf3JL3d3b0JcBzapX0yzWFHw0DS4L16tScTE/s1600/September+7%252C+2008+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZMc7tFSyeKuu6mMG7X1A_tGesLBl-gVSy_Ex_IyOiqB8EyPLY8swdqZJmgh9_8lKanWVPJysvSzcSk5zDs_LBkFKOoFqCwg9RwlhwnEOf3JL3d3b0JcBzapX0yzWFHw0DS4L16tScTE/s1600/September+7%252C+2008+015.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and there is not a single window opening,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkO3cGJSXqyPNmH79m3UbNwcadKn5G_JWm4VytfteiccCbtAXr4dWt-Had8OatQBA23Oz61kCWIfh7d7Jc3Dq5eCggpT_T5sVnLobCpgF00Ssco5r2jIcZ16xm8LkmSU1JeGE6t-1DTU/s1600/Courthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilkO3cGJSXqyPNmH79m3UbNwcadKn5G_JWm4VytfteiccCbtAXr4dWt-Had8OatQBA23Oz61kCWIfh7d7Jc3Dq5eCggpT_T5sVnLobCpgF00Ssco5r2jIcZ16xm8LkmSU1JeGE6t-1DTU/s1600/Courthouse.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">then I suppose the best thing </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you can do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> is patiently wait in the hallway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you walking through open doors,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> or waiting in the hallway?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<h3>
Old Testament</h3>
<h3>
Book of Jeremiah chapter 29 verses 11-13</h3>
<div class="left-1 child-first-line-1 top-05">
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>For I know the plans<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647A" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> I have for you,” </span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11">declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, </span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11">“plans to prosper<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647B" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> you and not to harm you,</span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11"> plans to give you hope and a future.<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19647C" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span> <br />
<span class="text Jer-29-12" id="en-NIV-19648"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Then you will <strong>call<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19648D" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19648D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> on me</strong></span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-12"> and come and pray<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19648E" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19648E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> to me,</span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-12"> and I will listen<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19648F" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19648F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup> to you.</span> <br />
<span class="text Jer-29-13" id="en-NIV-19649"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>You will <strong>seek<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19649G" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19649G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> me</strong></span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-13"> and find me </span><br />
<span class="text Jer-29-13">when you seek me with <strong>all your heart</strong>.<sup class="crossref" data-cr="#cen-NIV-19649H" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19649H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span></div>
</div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-28619141298517284842014-06-08T06:49:00.000-07:002014-06-09T06:55:55.629-07:00This Is What I Do Know...life is not always gentle.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQpPtusG8JYBT0Qs264MGF9YPylFqRiLtlTBOQuIZPYcsyM7MCubFKzHiUQYz_bB-M8Uvv-xapDitY9w7paAXVES9LyyYsAN9mCodfExztQbetiJ_NSrPFFihN7LBF8Vq7rwWoz81n9k/s1600/snow-fields.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQpPtusG8JYBT0Qs264MGF9YPylFqRiLtlTBOQuIZPYcsyM7MCubFKzHiUQYz_bB-M8Uvv-xapDitY9w7paAXVES9LyyYsAN9mCodfExztQbetiJ_NSrPFFihN7LBF8Vq7rwWoz81n9k/s1600/snow-fields.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In January I flew.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We had such a cold and snowy winter,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so it was a reprieve to go where there </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was no snow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon my return it was interesting to see</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a distinct line </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">where the snow began.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was returning to 16 degrees Fahrenheit,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and cold frigid winter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Were it not for the perspective </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of seeing the snow line from above the earth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it would have been easy to think that everyone</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was enjoying snow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because "my world" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was covered and wrapped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> entirely in snow.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Perspective,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> yes, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">perspective</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> is how we </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">can attempt </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to see things</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> from a different point of view.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I was expecting our first born son,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I began to wonder,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">what my perspective would be,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">if I could see life through the eyes of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mary,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the blessed mother,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of the Christ Child.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm sure it wasn't easy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to travel in the condition in which she found herself.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Did she long for her circumstances to be different?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Did she have a willing heart?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Did she have a hopeful heart?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Was she resisting every change?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Or was she pursuing the future?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We can't know the answer,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but I believe anyone</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> (any woman at least)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">would have enough perspective to say, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Mary was walking through some really hard times.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But God provided a place:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in a manger.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God provided a protector:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in Joseph.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God provided for physical needs:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the Magi who brought expensive gifts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God provided love:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in adoring shepherds.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">God provided celebration:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the chorus of Heavenly Angels.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no way of knowing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> your perspective.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no way of truly knowing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the depths of your pain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no way of knowing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the arduous journey you are travelling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But I do know that God will provide.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I do know </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS GENTLE,</em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>but</em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em></em></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD!</em></strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Feel blessed today.</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-85363054410265584842014-06-05T19:30:00.002-07:002014-06-05T19:36:57.781-07:00"Medium Notes" of Pure Yum!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-QXt-GR-oXAi3QDPx_WFMPMB4W9B0VWXwQNA7SvjQxP8eZ5docOPbPHZOlPEqUCfQviEAfhtsIH2NEmPtWcD1PLPZ8coXzbISSKhFRwlZvcuGCWB20xS2buxEV7Uyk5BYvMjA2e082g/s1600/blue+berries-nectarines-plums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-QXt-GR-oXAi3QDPx_WFMPMB4W9B0VWXwQNA7SvjQxP8eZ5docOPbPHZOlPEqUCfQviEAfhtsIH2NEmPtWcD1PLPZ8coXzbISSKhFRwlZvcuGCWB20xS2buxEV7Uyk5BYvMjA2e082g/s1600/blue+berries-nectarines-plums.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tonight it was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> nectarines</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">plums</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">blueberries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yum!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That's a new combination for us.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's a new favorite.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The tangy tartness</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of the nectarines and plums</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">paired very well</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with the smooth and mild </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">blueberries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You know,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">if it was coffee </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">from a coffee shop,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it would likely be</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">described with</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"medium notes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of something or the other exotic".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just thought I should let ya know that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is your favorite summer fruit right now?</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-19973775114521339752014-06-04T20:51:00.001-07:002014-06-05T19:38:25.076-07:00Why Do I Wonder These Things?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-roA-lgWB_FF6sOHKCWlPFhtQ0gxtUofeh8tKSOXhJk_aIiDGPf0kJKJ2K1iXSk3VAHsJT_eNDtAtY4DzTbZzKdO0AKFGU8goZyATGnfmVahHyVkTZ9tTqqaESkMat3ZQGq1Cz6QMxIw/s1600/September+18%252C+2009+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-roA-lgWB_FF6sOHKCWlPFhtQ0gxtUofeh8tKSOXhJk_aIiDGPf0kJKJ2K1iXSk3VAHsJT_eNDtAtY4DzTbZzKdO0AKFGU8goZyATGnfmVahHyVkTZ9tTqqaESkMat3ZQGq1Cz6QMxIw/s1600/September+18%252C+2009+047.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So after having all day today to think</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> about the post I did last night</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> about the wishberries,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I began to wonder...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">what if I were a wishberry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so to speak?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever wondered that?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you wondered</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> what it would be like</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> if you were a wishberry?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that's a crazy thought.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if you and I were battered</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by rain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and wind</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or the innocent breath of by standers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or kicked around with a heavy leather boot</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">by the wiles of living?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What if the seeds of our lives just turned loose</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and floated </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">floated away?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's kinda freaky really</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">if you think about it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">because </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that is happening constantly</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to you </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">AND me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The seeds of our lives</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">are spreading influence.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Influence for good,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or bad,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or indifference.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where do those seeds go?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, where have they gone?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Has my influence mattered?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have I had a positive affect on others?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have I brought joy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or encouragement?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have I been faithful?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have I been trustworthy?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Have I bloomed </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">where ever the seeds of my life have fallen?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In all my failings</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">as a wife,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a mom,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a friend,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a sister, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a daughter,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a daughter in law,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">have I still had a positive influence?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We really can't control life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">not really,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">not absolutely.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We can do our best, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">our very best,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">with our circumstances,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and let that be good enough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The wishberry seeds are blooming</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">where they are planted.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-71273060167681605902014-06-03T20:43:00.000-07:002014-06-03T20:43:30.675-07:00It's In The Promise Of The Wishberry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsICQKB6hneRCjA8Ai2M5XKGBtg5vaX8FPTKCCGobgVodxV-mrxxfNiNfNLOL9eJRBhXJt-OJ0PjvoIs9OgjAj2_DABw-biRV0BzS8-ABA5bHjOycXYliAADFK6ockOPC27R-t5IR0NTM/s1600/dandelion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsICQKB6hneRCjA8Ai2M5XKGBtg5vaX8FPTKCCGobgVodxV-mrxxfNiNfNLOL9eJRBhXJt-OJ0PjvoIs9OgjAj2_DABw-biRV0BzS8-ABA5bHjOycXYliAADFK6ockOPC27R-t5IR0NTM/s1600/dandelion.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> A few weeks ago on a damp and cold and dreary </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Spring day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">she asked,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"When do you <strong><em>ever</em></strong> think</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we will see those yellow flowers again?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I said,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> "What yellow flowers?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> But I was thinking </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">tulips...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">daffodils...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then with a contemplative </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">tone in her voice</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">she said, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Well...,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the only way I know</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to describe them </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">is</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> they are</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">young wishberries!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I knew!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ah yes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Young wishberries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When she was just a tiny</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">wisp</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">child,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">quiet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">intuitive,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">hardly talking,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">she christened a dandelion puff</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">calling it </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"a wishberry".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've loved dandelion puffs,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">since I was a child.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Still,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">even now,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I love blowing them </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">watching the seeds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">float,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">float away,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on the wings of the fragile puff</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of my breath</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">or the wind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once when I was in elementary school</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I found a huge dandelion puff</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">where two stems had fused </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and grown together</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">making a</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">heart shaped puff</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">much larger than I had ever seen.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And so began my fascination with them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon her pronouncement of calling them</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">wishberries,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so very aptly named,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in my humble opinion,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">they became just that much more </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">dear to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we've enjoyed </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">wishberries </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">together</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ever since.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We never fail to have </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a bouquet each Spring</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> of </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">young wishberries</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and violets.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_R5F0vI6fXRehHmLlK93Bym7-dHddfOUm-bsSe8O1bu5sVdlVjvFKlnXVUx_j9af7PoNweIx2qKDamtZBwj8mzDuX77SmN3REdgLbkET6svJhSnE0E5rG5FngLNikhu-4WLj77AFav0/s1600/wishberry-dandelion-seed-pod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt_R5F0vI6fXRehHmLlK93Bym7-dHddfOUm-bsSe8O1bu5sVdlVjvFKlnXVUx_j9af7PoNweIx2qKDamtZBwj8mzDuX77SmN3REdgLbkET6svJhSnE0E5rG5FngLNikhu-4WLj77AFav0/s1600/wishberry-dandelion-seed-pod.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I perused the yard and I only found one actual wishberry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't a perfectly round seed pod of puff and promise.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was actually kind of small and tattered.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was battered by the wind and last night's rain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>But still the promises were there,</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>in the seeds</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>that waited to be released</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>from their tiny station on the stem.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The seed held the promise for more young wishberries.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The seeds will float,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">float away,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">still a part of their past,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but becoming something new.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Renewal</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Growth</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I suppose life</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>just isn't life</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>without it.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Scattering and change </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>and yet</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>still</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>hope for regrowth.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>When there is enough rain and wind and battering,</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>those seeds will</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>loosen their grip and spread </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>and there will be more yellow polka dots across</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong></strong></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>the lawn.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I know most people don't like them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And find them to be a nuisance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I see hope...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">in the promise of the wishberry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't you?</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-50350263267603564132014-06-01T18:52:00.000-07:002014-06-01T19:05:47.985-07:00You Are Really Gonna Be Somethin' Pretty Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyFRJtgrCCsyJDoTTPvJBZUQFMKSnz-65bnNgEzEj3NkxHHIzXtdxfjZmMOTOY0Vt10PkHTYKQSt6Vk6SSSVCD6-QszP2O9syri4kQDjITtwZJ9U_NqkjJDZ3kNgUX0-8tTtjmZBlJAQ/s1600/back-porch-at-dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibyFRJtgrCCsyJDoTTPvJBZUQFMKSnz-65bnNgEzEj3NkxHHIzXtdxfjZmMOTOY0Vt10PkHTYKQSt6Vk6SSSVCD6-QszP2O9syri4kQDjITtwZJ9U_NqkjJDZ3kNgUX0-8tTtjmZBlJAQ/s1600/back-porch-at-dark.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He said he awoke to sounds</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> of someone coming in through the window, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and instantly,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> his stomach was in his throat.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So leaving the safety of his bed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> he began to search for the intruder.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Upon closer inspection,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> he realized</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> that the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"intruder coming through the window"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">was nothing more</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> than his son's gerbil </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">taking a midnight spin</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> on the gerbil wheel!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He was unnerved.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wide awake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All systems primed to kill the gerbil.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And yet,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">there was safety in the house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Home was a refuge,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">a safe refuge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And though he didn't say, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I suppose he went back to bed,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and I would imagine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> sleep was long in coming.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I overheard my brother </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">relate this story a few days ago.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He told how the incident</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">completely unnerved him.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've thought about it all day today,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> off and on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I've thought about how</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">life can deal you some blows </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">those hard difficult blows</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that just simply</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> slug your stomach </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to your throat</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in much the same way</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that my brother felt.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Often those blows</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">bring up emotions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">responses to fear.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>F.E.A.R.</strong></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>f...false</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>e...evidence</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>a...appearing </em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>r...real</em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
not always...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is fear based on false evidence,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but yes,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sometimes it really is.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">This evening late, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">thunder rumbled,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">lightening flashed,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the wind blew,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">leaves swirled across the yard,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the temperature cooled,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">the humidity evaporated.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We gathered on the porch</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to enjoy a summer storm.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And yet, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
everything </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we heard </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and saw</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
was false evidence.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was no storm.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There was no rain.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">On a particularly long</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and stressful day,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">not too long ago,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I told my husband,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"If we can just get through this,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> we are gonna be SO AWESOME!"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>Ha ha ha,</em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em>now I chuckle at my attempts.</em></span><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was trying to keep it light</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">interject the positive</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and try to feel things</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that neither of us probably</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">felt like feeling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But hey, why not try?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Right?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And he would chuckle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and respond with a half hearted,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> "Yeah."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because you've probably dealt</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> with some of the same things we have,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">when life is </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">knocking you around</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">slugging your stomach </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">right up to your Adam's apple</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and the thunder is rumbling</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and the lightening is flashing</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and on top of all that...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you think you hear an</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> "intruder comin' through the window".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When all along,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that ruckus,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that noise,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that emergency,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">that tough time,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> is just the gerbil on the wheel.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So don't give in to fear I tell ya.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Recognize</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"that gerbil" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"that intruder"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"that joy stealer"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"that worry maker"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"that energy zapper"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">for what he really is,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and focus on</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Truth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Peace</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Joy</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Comfort.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have to tell myself that too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because many times fear is from</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">false </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">evidence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">appearing </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">real.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So tell me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">how do you deal with fear?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>He knows the way I take and when He has tried me I will come forth as gold.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Old Testament Book of Job, Chapter 23 verse 10</span></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So look out y'all, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">once you get through whatever</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> it is you are going through, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">you are gonna be somethin' really awesome. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Just you wait and see!</span></div>
<br />A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-49986273841699226352014-05-25T06:24:00.001-07:002014-06-01T19:14:05.538-07:00An Unexpected Reminder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXvOXMHgn_br4Yb12DJSDapkmc65i_E6oD9XiOT_nYJ1pJwWnXVShM3a6pqJoIu8kMANJkICBho53ktE5Okv9HjHc0wahQDwyKP8f2Qpf8gy17Fdb6TbfTCAggUx0ANwvidXLlwGCyXQ/s1600/flag-on-barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXvOXMHgn_br4Yb12DJSDapkmc65i_E6oD9XiOT_nYJ1pJwWnXVShM3a6pqJoIu8kMANJkICBho53ktE5Okv9HjHc0wahQDwyKP8f2Qpf8gy17Fdb6TbfTCAggUx0ANwvidXLlwGCyXQ/s1600/flag-on-barn.jpg" height="272" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last week we drove a couple hours North to Wabash</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and then headed West a few miles,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> deep into Indiana farm land. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> As we rounded the bend toward our son's friend's house,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> there across the barren corn field stood this barn</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> with the flag image shingled into the roof.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was caught by surprise to see it there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I was proud.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My phone lens attempting to zoom across a half mile or so,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">simply doesn't do the picturesque scene justice,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">but it still reminds me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of my heritage,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my freedom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">my memories</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">of loved ones</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">gone before.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you to those men and women</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in uniform who have made the ultimate sacrifice</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for our freedom.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes we just need a visual reminder, don't we?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Fear not, for I am with you.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Be not dismayed, for I am your God.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I will strengthen you.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Yes, I will</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> help you,</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>I will uphold you</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>with My </strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>righteous right hand.</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Old Testament Book of Isaiah</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Chapter 41 verse 10</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">~~~~~~~</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">That is really great news!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it?</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-82453295335087902752014-05-23T05:40:00.000-07:002014-06-02T04:24:41.348-07:00My Parents' Gift To Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt_fwvAQBlv-QC7CNRBkHiocy4zoUFoIxCoH1xzuiIKcOya3WgpQCw5Z745PE8f5hu2E_qaHlVO4Wx0cODbqqhXYLxYx_Ok-zTPizSO6cUzDPkC2yuTh7m1_gsYvjAhtC0kv3JeK5xXs/s1600/birthday-girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHt_fwvAQBlv-QC7CNRBkHiocy4zoUFoIxCoH1xzuiIKcOya3WgpQCw5Z745PE8f5hu2E_qaHlVO4Wx0cODbqqhXYLxYx_Ok-zTPizSO6cUzDPkC2yuTh7m1_gsYvjAhtC0kv3JeK5xXs/s1600/birthday-girl.jpg" height="362" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's hard to believe that it's been more than a week already since my birthday,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and that May is more than half over.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sigh.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where is time going?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My son took this photo.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's there to prove </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have "etchings" from life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and living.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">:)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Etchings of living"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ah yes,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">what would life be without the scars </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and lessons</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and new insight?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Would it just be a meaningless</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">existence of days?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't want to live like that.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It seems life is made up in the daily journey.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Last Thursday I wanted to post </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and say how thankful I was to have another birthday...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and all that stuff I say on my birthday</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">every year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I mean all of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It is my parents' gift to me.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I open that gift with every breath I breathe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And I am filled with thanksgiving.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am thankful for life</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and health</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and safety</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and joy.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But we had deadlines that day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Deadlines that really were deadlines.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">They weren't moving targets.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Stuff had to be done,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">THAT day,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">not some other day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So we started at 5:30 that morning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> in hopes of "knocking it out"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">right away.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At 8:30 that night we finished!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We finished!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yay!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We met THAT deadline.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Then we jumped in the car </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and went to get a bite to eat</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hadn't cooked all day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No fanfare.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No singing.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No balloons and confetti.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">BUT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No less a birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I was really happy to be having</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">ANOTHER ONE!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Not everyone gets that privilege!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am blessed!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My family...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Safe...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Together...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-vjxc9J2jFifMEcl4vUWDTCkyN6dmi1FeVXUnm761mMtQtQ8BLXlEk2Rk_U4kKDdthqNFPOphGC2sTmC9qzVMR0AcDLO0kaP7f6vKXapvhccGxMxPHlK2CamokT6ruw7S74k0hZyVf4/s1600/IMAG7432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-vjxc9J2jFifMEcl4vUWDTCkyN6dmi1FeVXUnm761mMtQtQ8BLXlEk2Rk_U4kKDdthqNFPOphGC2sTmC9qzVMR0AcDLO0kaP7f6vKXapvhccGxMxPHlK2CamokT6ruw7S74k0hZyVf4/s1600/IMAG7432.jpg" height="640" width="361" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It was so sweet</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> when I looked in</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> and saw that my daughter </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">had changed the chalkboard message.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She said she was going to draw the dog on there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">until she remembered that my name</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Rachel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">means </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">lamb.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All day long I received messages,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">texts,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">phone calls,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">cards.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Our son went to Walmart about midnight and bought</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">German Chocolate Cake Mix</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Coconut Pecan Icing!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He made a cake the next day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Around 10:30, the next night,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the 16th,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">three of us decided to eat the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">German Chocolate cake and vanilla ice cream,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">while one slept,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">while one hung out with friends,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">three of us ate.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">mmmm~mmmm~mmmm</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it was good!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I had a good birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, I had a birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And who knows...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">maybe we will celebrate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on June 15th,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and throw confetti</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and release helium filled balloons,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and take an impromptu trip to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Prince Edward Island</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(a dream, a wish)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and laugh</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sing happy birthday </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to the top of our lungs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and eat more cake.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Or not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And you know, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'm just fine with that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Because I still had a birthday.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I am blessed.</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-17437735259649320272014-05-21T08:42:00.002-07:002014-11-25T12:55:03.812-08:00How To Cut An Onion Without Crying<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xBUm6prwj-u3LDm1aGw_urRTFFU-Kh24gWPh_xZnIUcKgLvb1ArETh-N6Aml939eHim2Iy0jDGjJnLiz1C5cJUpBpGDW-lMj6ZPgiwYkkRGuUKgkqxCrPMYI6_Y0O7kXAoLq4tiNLR0/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+004.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: black;"></span><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2xBUm6prwj-u3LDm1aGw_urRTFFU-Kh24gWPh_xZnIUcKgLvb1ArETh-N6Aml939eHim2Iy0jDGjJnLiz1C5cJUpBpGDW-lMj6ZPgiwYkkRGuUKgkqxCrPMYI6_Y0O7kXAoLq4tiNLR0/s400/January+6,+2010+004.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425859116947455058" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;">At the very bottom of this blog post, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> you will find the directions for cutting an onion without crying. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> In my experience, if I vary from this at all, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I will cry...<strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong><em>so I do it the same way every time</em></strong>. </span><br />
Do not vary from the directions.</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> If you want to read the story behind the method, then keep reading! </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Thanks for stopping by!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">~~~~</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I'm not picky about the type of onion that I buy...sweet, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Vidalia</span></span>, white, etc.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I buy what is on sale, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">unless I need a red one to garnish a salad.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I don't eat raw onions.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Nope, just will not do it...don't care for the smell or taste!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> And I love vegetables, but is an onion really a vegetable?</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> However I know they are extremely healthy,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> so I usually include them in meat dishes</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> or stir fry </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">and when we have a meal </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">that I know my guests will enjoy them as a garnish.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> My onions are stored under our kitchen island in a large plastic bowl. </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I always chop the whole onion.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Any I don't use, goes straight into a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ziploc</span> bag</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> and promptly to the freezer, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">ready for use in a cooked meal.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> That way my fridge doesn't smell like freshly chopped onion either...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">just a few of my quirks revealed here!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqGvFVxM94LetfTGRz5G0PNcphxsWM2cpTz-6MGL0NY-NhmUWohgbPAoHU464D9KQ-zUMjBJoNCoDTfTZtGOaO46Rh54W6AJ5-zfkqSZJ1G_itxwYvxtEsr58uauJazykc1I5zRh-hhk/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+007.jpg"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqGvFVxM94LetfTGRz5G0PNcphxsWM2cpTz-6MGL0NY-NhmUWohgbPAoHU464D9KQ-zUMjBJoNCoDTfTZtGOaO46Rh54W6AJ5-zfkqSZJ1G_itxwYvxtEsr58uauJazykc1I5zRh-hhk/s400/January+6,+2010+007.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858952182023490" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: small;">I originally posted this on January 12, 2010,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> but have been asked how I cut an onion without crying, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">so I am re posting it today.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> At Christmas one of my sisters was here for a few days. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">We were having a large family meal with my husband's side of the family.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> A big bowl of chopped onions was part of the menu <span style="font-size: 85%;">(chili...another post).</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I plopped 3 very large onions down on the counter and told my sister,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> "Here, chop these."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I went about my business with other "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">kitcheny</span></span> things"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> like you do preparing a meal, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">when suddenly I realized that I was crying,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> no actually bawling...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">a full on 4 tissue cry!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I thought, "What in the world?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Looking at my sister, saw that she was crying too.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Her eyes were clamped tightly closed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> with her nose <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">daintily</span> tipped in the air.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Her hands were stretched as far away from herself as possible</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> and still be able to chop the onion.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Tears were streaming down her face. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I apologized profusely through my tears for making her cry.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> <span style="font-size: 85%;">Now, doesn't that sound silly?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I had no idea that chopping onions</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> would have that effect on her or myself for that matter!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I said, "I never cry when I chop onions,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> I wouldn't have asked you to do it if I'd have known they made you cry." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">She wanted to know how I chopped an onion, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">so I grabbed a knife and an onion and started to show her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Then we began to laugh. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">How could I possibly show her that my way of chopping an onion</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> doesn't make you cry...we were both in a full on cry at the time! </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYabhEFvNZB4eJxn2T7TIJ_7lJ9NnvPSXqrvXcZ0nJ1dZCCw4vieg1JSOd99JwOHosTU0QYfhaVokNVl6T4Bj0Rj3OHx_osfh7X7NBRMP5xtvcD2uTE-z5B3gpozrkDeL8Wsk1ADtIxg/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+008.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTYabhEFvNZB4eJxn2T7TIJ_7lJ9NnvPSXqrvXcZ0nJ1dZCCw4vieg1JSOd99JwOHosTU0QYfhaVokNVl6T4Bj0Rj3OHx_osfh7X7NBRMP5xtvcD2uTE-z5B3gpozrkDeL8Wsk1ADtIxg/s400/January+6,+2010+008.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858766846054002" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> A few days later and hundreds of miles away she sent me a text message. She'd cut an onion for a meal,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> MY WAY,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> and she hadn't cried!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> Amazing!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> It feels very egotistical to call cutting an onion MY WAY...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I didn't even really realize that I had "a way" until I started to show her,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> then Ah ha, it hit me...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I do this the same way </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">every.single.time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> every.single.time!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> <em>had.never.realized.</em></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"><em>Ah the things learned from a Sis!</em></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZemvOAIaLa18oLOvc2R49H4TwPZqee1TmslZsUoxUiWC_YtvH2sN9yfxBLn_1FWBt57y2OUZrzbBPwQun0bdUN07LFXjAdOySAV5b14Jf4WloFCn0TkNN_OXlse_0hGl2vGY6c68ccLs/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+011.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZemvOAIaLa18oLOvc2R49H4TwPZqee1TmslZsUoxUiWC_YtvH2sN9yfxBLn_1FWBt57y2OUZrzbBPwQun0bdUN07LFXjAdOySAV5b14Jf4WloFCn0TkNN_OXlse_0hGl2vGY6c68ccLs/s400/January+6,+2010+011.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858624182815122" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> I just wonder if this will work for anyone else.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4G5QjdNIaqlV2J0T-gsL-v7f0JF5CO13uknH9BddG7TRjbb_n_GNW2xq1X4lMgHvn97mzf0oYZfqgoPhIPnOwbdFmz1B8H4WbmiMedGBhhvhVXGxfp3LRTRsu3CMCEIuM_GYd7BnJ2xw/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+015.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4G5QjdNIaqlV2J0T-gsL-v7f0JF5CO13uknH9BddG7TRjbb_n_GNW2xq1X4lMgHvn97mzf0oYZfqgoPhIPnOwbdFmz1B8H4WbmiMedGBhhvhVXGxfp3LRTRsu3CMCEIuM_GYd7BnJ2xw/s400/January+6,+2010+015.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858466779204882" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> Last night I chopped an onion </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">and I could feel the "onion juice" spray on my fingers</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> and I did feel a slight burning sensation in my eyes and I thought, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">"Oh no, I've put myself on the line here</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> and now I'm truly gonna cry."</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> But the sensation went away and I didn't cry.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtalV_0A4nVaxYaJWVw6UzakLem8B-n-yZKjsNf9PRiTLcEFq6pazVsMiCWG6qajO58HuMq5X5SwflTZEl24kJrEi2f0-yZW3m6e_0M9B2ifYbkyr5pebU3VN8H9cENaHEHEv3ejxp6So/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+016.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtalV_0A4nVaxYaJWVw6UzakLem8B-n-yZKjsNf9PRiTLcEFq6pazVsMiCWG6qajO58HuMq5X5SwflTZEl24kJrEi2f0-yZW3m6e_0M9B2ifYbkyr5pebU3VN8H9cENaHEHEv3ejxp6So/s400/January+6,+2010+016.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858317263367922" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> I'm sorry these photos are blurry,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> but quite frankly I was a tad bit grossed out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> with the idea of getting onion juice on the camera, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">so this is what I got.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<div align="center">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSrBB7_weQAzW06R3TznH8L5XPiZ2zbjKFVh5BHax3uamivg39WSSNkF8xwxvYw3_Bqq19dsck1ghpLFHE1D5ArHwf0bLPr8XqduVaS_Htm8_bb_3dlWLpH9sATul3CVpD2OLvlkxCAE/s1600-h/January+6,+2010+017.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicSrBB7_weQAzW06R3TznH8L5XPiZ2zbjKFVh5BHax3uamivg39WSSNkF8xwxvYw3_Bqq19dsck1ghpLFHE1D5ArHwf0bLPr8XqduVaS_Htm8_bb_3dlWLpH9sATul3CVpD2OLvlkxCAE/s400/January+6,+2010+017.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425858191037360594" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></span></a><span style="font-size: 130%;"> And speaking of onion juice,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> when I'm finished chopping, </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I put a tiny bit of dish detergent in my hands</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> and hold a stainless steel spoon while I wash the soap off of my hands...</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">no stinky onion smell! </span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">So well there,</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"> now I've told you all I know about chopping an onion in about 8.7 minutes. I'd love to know if this works for you too</span>. </div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">1. Cut the stem of the onion off first.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">2. Peel down the papery skin and the first layer of the onion sorta like shucking corn. You know what that is right?</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">3. Cut off the root and the papery skin stuff and the first layer or two of the onion all a the same time...just cut right across all of it and separate it from the bottom of the onion.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">4. Set the onion down on a cutting board, stem end down on the board..</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">5. Make a slice through the onion, vertically, in half, with the root end towards you...remember you put the stem end down on the cutting board.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">6. Then lay both halves of the onion down on the plate cut side down.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">7. Begin to make slices through o<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ne</span></span> half of the onion, starting at the stem side, cutting so the slices make little arches.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">8. Turn the onion half that is sliced in little arches around, and make another cut across the arches to make little onion pieces. You can make all of these slices as big or as little as your recipe demands. For stir fry I make big slices and for meat dishes, I try to make little tiny slices. </span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">9. If you have a food <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">processor</span></span>, none of this matters anyway.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
<em><span style="font-size: 85%;">10. Hurry stop reading this and go chop an onion. Do a happy dance if you don't cry. Be sure to wash away the stinky onion juice holding a stainless steel spoon, and then rush right back to your computer and tell me if it works for you too.</span></em></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">If it does...I think I'll just set right down and have myself a good cry, a full on 4 tissue bawl my eyeballs out kind of cry!</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br /></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Happy chopping.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">Love, Rachel</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">I'm sorry for the blurry pictures. I hope they helped a tiny bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;">As soon as I can, I will update the photos.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 130%;"></span> </div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: 130%;">P.S. If you read to the very end of all of this, thank you thank you so much!</span> </div>
<div align="center">
On a side note:</div>
<div align="center">
Last night as she sauntered into the kitchen our little girl said, "By the way, what's for supper mama? It's gotta be something romantic!" "Romantic!" I said, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Where'd</span> ya get that idea?" </div>
<div align="center">
I wonder if chicken tacos qualifies as romantic?</div>
<div align="center">
She must have thought so because she scurried around to write <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">menus</span> and set up a restaurant!<br />
<br /></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3698461140157771343.post-48039700450954902102014-05-20T08:47:00.000-07:002014-05-20T08:47:06.249-07:00Do You Understand A Dog's Nose?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgei9mgulH1lo9GF7e23vq0Q9CAAR4VURF22mw3YxXUxobmZrvRdjeyLVNwTPX6QGu9K5phMioHbgFVMBrtfEPjRJZBbHywBw2rylHlN-MmlCg-5duoN8k_ulBx1QSv2VEMUnJqotmLQ/s1600/coon-dog-dug-a-hole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsgei9mgulH1lo9GF7e23vq0Q9CAAR4VURF22mw3YxXUxobmZrvRdjeyLVNwTPX6QGu9K5phMioHbgFVMBrtfEPjRJZBbHywBw2rylHlN-MmlCg-5duoN8k_ulBx1QSv2VEMUnJqotmLQ/s1600/coon-dog-dug-a-hole.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I was not impressed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> when I discovered that the coon dog pup</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">had dug a basketball size hole </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">under the play set.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">However, I was grateful </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">it was under the play set,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">so I didn't have to see it every time</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I walked into the backyard.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC4FxHeEj9yTjyK8DiWmk146Pt-JBoCTj0X964pEhe0dGheM7glcRn-nCzNCCMy1D6cDjnZ-P_CrDg-7ZG2IkuRJ2Ea0NtS00Co0P58k56fOJ7lKTHarXtVdAr2XAGV3qznBQct7XAcU/s1600/coon-dog-found-glass-bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRC4FxHeEj9yTjyK8DiWmk146Pt-JBoCTj0X964pEhe0dGheM7glcRn-nCzNCCMy1D6cDjnZ-P_CrDg-7ZG2IkuRJ2Ea0NtS00Co0P58k56fOJ7lKTHarXtVdAr2XAGV3qznBQct7XAcU/s1600/coon-dog-found-glass-bottle.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Upon closer inspection,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I realized</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> that he had stopped digging </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">when he got to this glass bottle.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So I lifted it out with a shovel.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why did the dog stop digging </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">when he got to the bottle?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Did he smell it?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And if he did smell it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">why now?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Why not months ago?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Once he saw it was a bottle</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">did he loose interest?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Did the smell dissipate?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I just don't understand a dog's nose.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Do you?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And he wouldn't answer any of my questions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I have no idea how things like this get buried.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpplMP9UuWkj9gALbNw7iPy6jLz-MpJbPk-4t5V729Tpj5gV6nIV57u9SYFDVB9XsKDkLkvdO34ILbYF9jBCVPBh4wkkV9cxzMUDZRszdqdfWMG8p_q4JMra1QhUGK-fJlcRKZPGyvRw/s1600/coon-dog-looking-at-glass-bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibpplMP9UuWkj9gALbNw7iPy6jLz-MpJbPk-4t5V729Tpj5gV6nIV57u9SYFDVB9XsKDkLkvdO34ILbYF9jBCVPBh4wkkV9cxzMUDZRszdqdfWMG8p_q4JMra1QhUGK-fJlcRKZPGyvRw/s1600/coon-dog-looking-at-glass-bottle.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">When I showed it to him,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I expected the pup to lift it off the shovel</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> with his teeth </span><span style="font-size: large;">and prance around</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> the yard with his "trophy".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">He just gave it a passing "ho hum" glance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I said, "Good job pup. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Next time dig up a million bucks."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I don't think he was listening.</span></div>
A Romantic Porchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14548579518033537549noreply@blogger.com3