There but by the Grace of God go I
The holes in the driveway have filled up with water. It has rained all day; that slow cold kind that chills right down to the bone. At least, that's how it makes me feel. Gravel is needed for the drive. It was needed last year but the winter has certainly taken its toll. Now its a "must have".
Can't seem to find my get up and go. Seems it has gotten up and gone. Maybe when the Spring truely get s here, praufully my "zip" will return. That will be in just a few days; the 20th of March this year. The formosia in the corner of the yard has done much to lift my spirit. Isn't it amazing how those leaves are so pretty and yellow now but will turn into green. My sister-in-law, Jo, said here butter cups are in full bloom. Don't know about mine. Some are at the gate entrance and others out back. I can't see them from the house. Need to fix that. I would love to have more on the edge of the yard so I could see them from any window.
The air has a "nip" in it. To me, it's just cold. However, the weather channel says temps will warm up about the latter part of the week. That will be nice.
But, oh my, we certainly do not have anything to complain about here compared to the horror going on in Japan. Did you do as I did: sat staring at the TV as image after image was shown of the devastation? The tsunami as it washed over the land, taking everything in its path was more than our minds could take in. Whether it was shown once or 10 times, I still sat in silence and watched as that flowing black dark monster rolled in hungry to devour.
Yet the people, cold and hungry, after having endured all this, STILL showed dignity and integrity. Faced with all this, (although I pray I never will) but if so, I'd like to think I could show even half as much. I've tried to get news every day and ask you to join me in praying for them. Much and often...
True, we here in the United States have our share of problems; some states more than others. As individuals, we've all got a sad story to tell or a sad song to sing. If we take time to look around us and care, really care, we can all be thankful.
I guess you are tired of hearing me say this, but, here I go again. Please indulge me... If you have a roof over your head, be thankful. If you have a place to sleep out of the weather, be thankful. If you have food to eat and water to drink; if you have clothes to wear, be thankful. If you have family and friends, be thankful. Because any of these things could disappear out of our lives just as quickly as it did in Japan.
If you are on this side of life, be thankful and join your voice with mine as we say together, "There but by the Grace of god go I."
The Coming Spring
Sunlight is pouring through my window. Spring is nipping at the heels of Winter. Wasps' buzzing already making nests. Yesterday a tick hitched a ride on a grocery bag as it was carrried in. Mr. Tick got served an immediate eviction notice; served and carried out! Someone else commented that after having so many snows and cold weather this year that the "bug" population should be down. I've heard that said all my life. However, I do not think of myself as an expert but our ground here does not freeze deep enough to reach the homes of most of the insect population. They just dig in a little deeper and wait for Spring. Like I said, I am not an expert, but time has taught me.
You know, we can learn a lot if we take the time to look and listen. Are you like me, tired of the colors grey and brown as seen in nature in Winter? The timbers stand stately and tall but leafless. My younger nephew, when he was smal commented to his mother that the trees were naked. True...that's how they look. Soon they will be sporting their new Spring attire. Buds will appear; then a tiny, yellow-green leaf will unfurel. Buttercups will be blooming soon, shooting their spike like leaves up first. Oh what a welcome sight they are! Someone always comes in announcing they saw the first arrivals. Soon other flower families will arrive as well and add a touch of peace and beauty into hectic and to busy lives.
Easter is coming very late this year. Can you remember when its been this far up in April? Around Fern Hill, the edge of the woods are spotted with Leatherleaf Ferns, Red Buds, and Dogwoods. Normally, the Dogwood doesn't bloom until around Easter. The flower reminds us of Jesus, the cross, and what Jesus did for us on that first Easter morning. Blood stains in the center edge of each petal with a crown of thorns at its center. Stop for a minute or two and just look outside; especially at the leaf barren trees. They look like lifeless. Do you believe that they will soon blossom out in an array of new, tender leaves. Are you staying awake at night worrying about it? No...I'd say not. That's an example of Faith. Faith that the God that created this place called Earth is still watching over it. To tell the sun when to shine and the grass when to grow. He's got everything under control.
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not neither do they spin: And I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. St. Matt. Ch 6: V 26 - 34.
Have faith. Take time to walk in the garden with your Heavenly Father for He cares for you. Spring will come!
Everyday Valentine's Day...
Its raining here at Fern Hill. Today's that slow continous drizzle that makes mush out of the ground. The weather station is saying snow. We've already had more snow here this year than we've had in the past 5 years all put together and its only February. Around here, it is not unusual to have snow all the way to Easter. I pray that is not the case. Back before my husband had his "homecoming", I didn't mind being snow bound. It was great having him and the children home for days at a time. But now this is a big house and it sure gets very quiet, cold, and very lonely.
It'll soon be 6:30. Time for the only show I watch in the evening. I'll be trying to solve the puzzle after the spin of the big wheel. My youngest, Amy, will be here. She normally calls out the answer while I'm still working on the 1st word. Snow was coming down fast and furious as Amy came in. Iy had been a while since I had looked outside and I was so surprised to see the amount of snow that had already fallen. The net morning, I woke to a Winter Wonderland. Then over the weekend, temps climbed and took it all away. Pretty as it was, I sure glad to see it go. The sun has disappeared behind the timbers here at Fern Hill. Another day drawing near its end; half a month already passed.
Today is Valentine's Day. Lovers and friends young and old alike have been giving and receiving cards and gifts. Children from elementary schools will return home this evening clutching handsful of cards with big red hearts and cartoon characters and messages like "I Love You" and "Be Mine". Some may have exchanged gifts earlier today, some may wait until later; as delivery of roses and chocolates are being receives all over town. In some homes perhaps the evening meal will be served by candle light. Whatever your custom is, keep this main thing, THE MAIN THING. Tell those around you that you love them; that you treasure them. Don't just do it today, do it everyday. Everytime you and your loved ones have to be seperated by work and time, treat that person as if it might be the last time you will ever have to see them. Let them know how much they mean to you. That's how it was in my home. Bob and I and our girls, told each other how much we loved each other several times in a day. Show your loved ones how much they are truely loved. Let every day be as Valentine's Day. I love you and Be Mine, Valentine.
God Bless
Time
Thank God for the warmer temperatures we've had of late. This past weekend was nice. The last weekend in January; one month of the new year already behind us! Can you believe it?
One might say "time just seems to be flying by."
...."Time"...Ever thought much about it? Let's park right here for a while and comtemplate the word "time". You probably hear more about it than you realize. Let's look at just some of the "things" you hear said about "time".
You might hear...
Time just stopped at that moment; or time stood still
Others say " Time stops for no one." Time marches on. Time is running out. Time goes by. Time is up! Time is out.
The following two I've heard all my life...Time flies when you're having fun. Time drags on when you're not.
It's said you can...spend time, waste time, earn time, borrow time, gain time, make time. You can even kill time. Some say that was time well spent; stolen moments (of time).
Time speeds up. Time slows down. Time slips away. Time waits for no one. Some folks may even be "doin time". You can have up time and down time.
People often complain that they simply do not have enough time. If only they had more time, they'd spend time with their families. They'd play with their kids. They'd have some special time with their mate. They'd go visit mom and dad; or grandma and grandpa. If only they had more time. And yes, they know they should check on their neighbor; spend some time with a lonely widow; visit a friend in the hospital.
Yes, they use to have time to go to church. They use to have time to read their Bible and pray. Who can find the time anymore? Why Sunday is the only day they have for themselves to do their own thing. After all, if they've been going all week and even called a few friends, why should they give up their Sunday time?
Ecclesiastes says there is a time to be born and a time to die. God has given us all 365 days in a year. Seven days in every week. 24 hours in every day. Sixty minutes in every hour. 60 seconds in every minute. Its up to you. Its a choice. You can take the time, find the time. Perhaps you should just "forget the time" and do the right thing. As a wondeful pastor, now deceased, said..."If your want to wants to then you will; but if your want to don't want to, then you won't!"
How we spend our time, some of it anyway, is our choice. Perhaps you should "take the time" to contemplate how you can begin to spend your time. For each of us, one day, "our time" here on earth will come to an end. Then you will have nothing but time. Time for eternity in Heaven or hell. Again, its your choice and "time" is of the greatest importance. Don't take it for granted.
Seasons of My January Days
I do not like January's! There...I've said it! Yes, there are a lot of nice folk out there who were born in this month; a lotof them near and dear to me. For that, and for them, I am glad we have the month of January.
I guess it's just the span of time that I'm speaking of. The section that comes in January. Living and having been raised in rural USA, where normally roads are slick and dangerous. This time of year, more than not, we are snow bound when locally people are still coming and going as they please. January's have always been hard for me. Could be partly because the two months prior to January each contain times of celebration; busy planning and preparing with family and friends. Then January. Perhaps it's the unknown. The "new year" ahead, what will it bring sort of thing. I don't know.
When you have childrenat home, snow bound, out of school, it can be challenging but it never was depressing. Busy...noisy...yes, but not depressing. My husband, partner and friend, made snow cream. They rode sleds, threw snow balls while I watched from inside the house. Fun times, good times in the "Spring of my January days".
Even after the childrenwere grown and in college, the eldest married, January's were still not bleak and black. January's were still a challenge but with rides on sleds and snow ball fights out my window, hot chocolate being sipped, popcorn being popped, board games being played; busy times, quiet times, good times...January's in early Summer.
January days got much quieter, grayer , harder to get through after the children left home for homes of their own. Perhaps I should say rather I was challenged more to fill in the days until my husband got home from work. The light of my January days or any day for that matter, got much brighter. I never felt I could just sit and watch TV. So during January evenings, I'd crochet or piecea quilt. A puzzle normally set up on a table some where. It was not unusual to see "whoever" was passing by to stop and work on it for a few minutes. then sometimes at night and sometimes on weekends, we'd sit down together to work on the puzzle. Just Bob and I here at home and unexpected wonderful times when one of the children came. January's at the end of summer.
Snow fell during the night. It looks pretty outside the window. Still unmarked by prints of any kind, whether two-legged or four. Each leaf barren branch on the timber holds onto its share of white stuff. Nothing prettier than seeing cedars dusted with snow; glistening in the early morning sun.
There are no sounds. No city or town noises to break the silence. No children's laughter tugging sleighs back up a hill. No snow balls being formed ot thrown. Midmorning, perhaps, I'll see a few birds out my window. They will perch in the branches of the tree for only seconds. Thenhop across the cold blanket of white as they search for food. Pecking here and there as if in a hurry. Perhaps they are. I guess their little feet get cold too. Depending on the type of bird, I've seen then hurry away as prediator birds arrive on the scene. I tell them "come back later, little friends. I'll put out more food for you." Seeds and bread crumbs have always been put out in winter her at Fern Hill for our feathered friends.
The silence is so loud at times, I can hardly bare it. The hum of the refrigerator and the fan bringing warmth from the heater are a blessing to me. I'm grateful for them. My january's became even darker a few years ago. I couldn't see any light. I could hear someone speaking; their words I could not comprehend. "What do you mean he's gone?' Was someone screaming...was it me? My best friend in the whole world, the love of my life to this day, had beend killed on his way to work in an auto accident. There was a call to tell me. My world went black.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I walked through it. Several times more with hurts, let downs from people, health, but God said He'd never leave me nor forsake me. He never has. Even in the darkest of January days. Jesus has been there.
So Ill work on a quilt top; hear a kind voice on the phone. Think I'll start a puzzle. Put it on the table, hoping someone will come by, pause to put in a piece ot two to help lighten my world in these January days.
