From a Stout Little Light

Hello dear visitor. I'm so happy that you stopped by today. I have been awake for a few hours now. Yes, an early bird morning because of age-related wakefulness. I fell asleep praying, asking God to take my concerns and worries (mostly related to the crazy-busyness of school and Kelli having a touch of the flu) and as I tried to get comfortable (I'm having a bout of the aches and pains) names and faces kept floating through my mind, so I prayed for those names and faces and then I heard my Caretaker say, "You're excused." I take that message to heart and this morning I feel less "fuzzy" and "sidetracked" and TGIF and all that! Isn't "you're excused" a funny little phrase laced with all kinds of different meanings? I'm excused from worrying and fear. Yahoo!
When I got on the scale this morning, the number confirmed my suspicions . . . hmmmmm. Well, I can find some romance in the word STOUT. Just look at the cutie below!

"There was a nice hot singey smell; and at the table, with an iron in her hand stood a very stout short person staring anxiously at Lucie. Her print gown was tucked up, and she was wearing a large apron over her striped petticoat. Her little black nose went sniffle, snuffle, and her eyes went twinkle, twinkle; and underneath her cap -- where Lucie had yellow curls -- that little person had PRICKLES!" ~ Beatrix Potter

Sometimes (even after 400 posts!) I suspect I might have come to the end of my blogging frenzy. Reading blogs, writing my own, finding new blogs, and spending so many happy hours ENJOYING it all, well, sometimes I DO reach the end of it and think to myself, "Self, so now what?" But do you know what happens next? Gumbo Lily enters into lamb season and I get teary about baby lambs and remember that I am a dumb sheep desperately in need of my Shepherd. Or Helen sends me a comment, making another "across the pond" connection of understanding. Lynn posts a Mary Oliver poem I love. Elizabeth shares about helping her friend clean the house before moving to England. Gretchen Joanna shares about teaching a youngster to sew. Kerri tells me about the earthquake in her country and how she's coping. Kari sends me an affirming word. Tina talks about children, daughters specifically, and I connect in a whole-hearted fashion. Leslie is selling her house and I think, "But I like that house. Don't move! (silly me)"
Sue takes bird pictures. Frances sends me a postcard. Flavia gives kindness, Aslaug spreads deep cheer. Deborah feathers her nest for the homecoming of three new daughters from the Philippines. Angela teaches me something new. April posts photos of my precious grands. Veronica calls in from NZ. Jean says hello. Jayne connects. Melissa reaches out. Mags gives a huge helping of sweetness. Floss pops by. Betty mentions a book she loves that I love, too. Brad shares with his mama. Libby Q, Aisling, Angela and her journals, Lisa, back at school and VERY busy, Charlotte, dearest Carolyn, the other Sharon who quilts and loves, Melanie, Mary, SusanB, Millie, Debbie, Laura R and Laura L, Vicki, Sara P. and my other new Sara, Jannelle, Michela, Millie, Connie, Sherry, Sharon, Barbara, Gigi (always so faithful to so many) all ARE THERE for me. I could go on and on and on speaking about newer friends, too and even if nobody wanted to read my little spot on the "interwebs" I still love images and words that keep me thinking and feeling and learning. Please don't YOU stop with your rich offerings of creativity, originality, bright perspectives. I am reading. I am.

Jody taught me about "cuffs" that can be embroidered and sewn. This and a pink baby sweater are my blog inspired makes right now. SO many benefits. I don't think I'll EVER come to the end of this sweet journey.

I'm astounded by the unseen power of fellowship and partnership in life. I love the AUTHOR of all the stories. Words are cool water to a stranger, a stranger that doesn't stay a stranger for long.

I'm very rich with blog relationships and I know you are, too. It's small in the scheme of things (the INTERNET!) but oh so big in the squishy heart areas where miracles happen.

Tell Me a Story

"When they got home, the Rat made a bright fire in the parlour, and planted the Mole in an armchair in front of it, having fetched down a dressing gown and slippers for him, and told him river stories till suppertime. Very thrilling stories they were, too, to an earth dwelling animal like Mole . . . Supper was a most cheerful meal; but very shortly afterward a terribly sleepy Mole had to be escorted upstairs by his considerate host, to the best bedroom, where he soon laid his head on his pillow in great peace and contentment, knowing that his new-found friend the River was lapping the sill of his window." The Wind in the Willows

Hello fellow cozy-makers! Brad (our oldest son) and I were computer chatting about The Wind and the Willows. We love it so. He said he loved how the River is depicted most of all, and I love the domestic settings, of course. The BBC (love) made a The Wind in the Willows story and I shall see it soon. The sweet scene above comes from there. I want to invite you to sit before the stove a while. Get all soft and snug, have a steaming cup of strong tea, tell me a few of your stories.

Maybe you are a city mouse or you live on the outskirts of a city as I do, but you have a country mouse's heart. Wear your softest cotton dress, your pretty apron, a pair of clogs. Put your tired feet under my table. I'll make a cake for you, slice some strong cheese, and we'll tell stories. Yes, we'll listen to each other.

Isn't that what we do when we read blogs? We pop in, read every word, think about each other, validate one another when we make specific comments of kind connection. One dear friend told me she likes blogs because she can invite friends into her life without having to do a big swoopy clean of her house. I quite agree. I feel very welcomed into her soft, eloquent world. I read your stories. You read mine. I find it pleasingly miraculous.

Birth and Other Pretty Stuff!

Samantha Rose arrived early yesterday morning! Jenny is our smallest child, measuring in at 5 ft. 2. Can you believe she had a baby weighing 9.1? Little Sammy is beautiful as you can see! She's thriving! She latched right on to the breast and she is sturdy and shiny! We're all in love!

Her chubby cheeks are miraculous!

I'll cook the turkey and produce all the trimmings with a heart full of thankfulness for family! Kids, babies, adult children who love and give of themselves - we're blessed! Welcome to the world, Samantha Rose!

It's been COLD in Denver! Jeff and Bill hung the lights. You can't see them that well, but they were a warm welcome when I pulled into the driveway on Monday evening! The holidays have begun!

All the way from New Zealand, this treasure arrived. Kerri from Poetry and Cloth just opened her etsy shop and I was happy to be her first customer! Do you LOVE this piece of powerful words? I do! It's on my refrigerator until I can get to the frame shop.

Hello, Miss Bug! Please come tomorrow for turkey and pie!

I'm so thankful for the blog world. I read your posts with deep interest and I cherish your comments. I've learned so much and continue to learn every day.
When I see the creativity, the originality, the spiritual insight shared - well, I'm simply delighted. Mothers who honor their high calling, thinkers who protect their quiet, artists who risk by sharing, productive women who inspire, men who love words, simple happy people who share their joy, funny writers who amaze me with their craft, and hearts that deliberately connect to others - these are the pearls I find when I turn on my computer. Yes, I am VERY thankful.

Blog Love

I am feeling the blog love because SuKnitWitty sent me a goody in the mail! Look at how dear she is! I love the spool-y bell pull she made for me. Jeff hung it on the lamp. It's so cute! Sue knows I love Raggedy Ann and now I have another book! Woo hoo! Also, she sent me a magnet (a tiny one!) from the great state of Texas, so I put it on my new refrigerator! Yahoo! She made me some adorable Pom Pom charms and sent me cute buttons that I will love sewing on random things. She wanted to encourage me concerning school and wish me an early happy birthday. What a queen she is, that SuKnitWitty! I adore my blog friends. You are all unbelievably supportive and giving. I cherish your words and your attention. When I tell non-bloggers about the world of blogs, they just don't get it. They don't know what they are missing!

Because it's the weekend! (ahhhhh!) I took a leisurely stroll around the flower beds this morning. Things are looking tangled and I love that!

Have you ever had a sunflower wink at you? Now you have!

The sweet peas are having a long run. A few pin wheel petunias have joined them.

Last night I watched Slumdog Millionaire. Wow. I know that some children really do live like that in India. When I was in Cambodia last summer and we stopped to get gas in the motorcycle, a little girl came up to me begging. I gave her the USA dollar I had and she looked at it funny, of course. I felt bad for a long time after that, wishing I'd had a handful of Cambodian money to give her. I realized that survival is an amazing and vast idea. All the books we assigned the kids for summer reading have to do with survival - children trying to survive. I think instead of just giving the essay test, we need to talk about how survival relates to leadership. Leadership is a consideration when our needs are met. We can't assume our students needs are met and saying our theme for the year is leadership may be a bit presumptuous. I have to do some more thinking on this. What do you think? How do we teach kids compassion and what is a leader anyway?

JOYFUL

Whew! After a great night's sleep, I'm feeling human again and I'm filled with joy over my blog friends as I spend the morning catching up on all your brilliance! I feel compelled to share and connect so I'm going to tell you about some of the "over the top" posts and blogs I am blessed by!
First, my artist friend Carolyn's two blogs are ALWAYS inspiring. Her pictures of her home in St. Ives are better than a travel brochure. She always says such kind, warm things to me and I feel so connected to her. Then, Elizabeth in France posts about roasted tomato soup and I am delighted by it. She has such a sharing heart and gives sweet details and lovely photographs. Mmmmmmmm! SuKnitWitty is creativity and skill personified! She is someone who you could follow around for a month and you'd see no end to her brilliance! She knits, she quilts, she used to be an art teacher, she organizes, and she's hilarious. I love her! If you've never visited her GO NOW!
Then, my first favorite blog - I found it when I was snowed in over spring break- the blog I cut my teeth on (smile) which is Gigi's blog. She's funny and clever and very eclectic. I marvel at her knitting, her flowers, and her PIES! She's been featuring a pie a week and even if you are trying to eat like a skinny person as I am (drat) you will find yourself elbow deep in pastry after looking at Gigi's pies!
I absolutely LOVE Canadian Deborah. She is a dear heart, a beautiful mother, and she has a heart for the world. I love her children, because she takes the dearest, most real photos of them. You can almost see the halos of love around their images.
I'm crazy about HeartFelt. She features precious photos of her adored children. She has such a sweet heart, so her blog name is so appropriate. She's stylish and crafty, real and true. She lives in New Zealand and I tell you, everything I see from New Zealand makes me feel all loving toward the kiwis!
Tabiboo is another favorite. This mom lives by the sea and takes glorious pictures. I love to visit and pretend like I live by the sea. She's clever and artistic and never disappoints!
Tracing Rainbows is always diverse and interesting. This Baptist pastor's wife LOVES so much and so many and shares her experiences of village life. You can't help but feel involved. It's sort of like real life At Home in Mitford! Angela is a fun writer and an inspirational woman! Go there. I promise you'll learn something!
A Parson's Wife is completely inspirational. Andrea is so hospitable, so welcoming, so LOVELY. She has such a humble heart - full of love. You feel like you've been invited into her home and she is fluttering about you, trying to find out what you need. It's all kinds of wonderful. If you haven't visited her, do! She's another pastor's wife. I love pastor's wives!
Of course I love all my kids' blogs (Brad, Kelli, Jeff, and Jenny) and wish they'd update every day! April has a creative blog and she posts what she makes. I check it every time she updates. Bill's international ministry blog has just appeared and of course I love my husband's heart! I really could go on and on and on! I love Gladsome Lights because Gretchen Joanna is so smart, articulate and thoughtful. Her posts are thought provoking. If you've never read The Left Handed Housewife you are in for a word treat! She's a beautiful writer with a down to earth viewpoint. She is completely original. You'll hear her voice - that shows how gifted she is. You'll anticipate her next post. She's a star! Pileofsmiles is always upbeat and direct. She's faithful and alive. I always visit her. Songs of Light is another favorite. Her photos are highly artistic and powerful. Aisling is a poet and a teacher at heart. She's honest and forthright and completely inspirational. I like to participate in her blog!
I could go on and on, but I'll save it for later. I'm just bursting with thankfulness. I'm off to buy peaches, some groceries, some teacher stuff. The sky is blue, the house smells like soy sauce (yeah, Jeff is cooking something out in the kitchen - something borderline weird) and I'm still in my pjs and noon is fast approaching. I love you, dear blog friends and I love all my visitors. I hope you can feel this big (HUG) and *KISS* xopp