September 30, 2008 by pamela.

Coyotes are whining and howling in the field.  They sound horrible and shrill — like someone is trying to kill them (sometimes I wish someone would).  Sounds seem magnified tonight… the dishwasher, the washing machine, the dryer, the icemaker and the water refilling it.  O, and the coyotes.  Suddenly, they’ve become quiet.  Maybe my neighbour said, that’s it…

I have been mulling over the bailout plan the senate is expected to vote on tomorrow.  I consider many silly scenarios and some sensible ones — several I have written to my reps and sens in the last few days.   Now, I’m no poli-sci major, nor econ major either, for that matter.  But I’m a mother and over the years, mothers figure things out pretty well.  I don’t know any mothers who are thinking this “bailout” or rescue is any sort of a sensible idea.

Mothers quickly learn the mechanics of supply and demand… they understand that the supply never seems to be adequate for the demand — but they don’t usually look for a bailout - they deal with lack of food, lack of sleep, lack of finances, lack of energy, lack of clothing that fits, lack of ability or whatever else is lacking and they figure out way to make it - to make ends meet, to adjust, to stretch, to flex, to wait or to go without.  It’s that simple.

Can you imagine a mother going to school where her teenage boy is a failing student and taking him on her lap and telling the teacher that she, herself, will be doing the assignments and taking the tests so that he won’t fail?

I mull this over… Wall Street is sort of comprised of investors — investments make the wheels of Wall Street turn.  Government has no business directing or redirecting or bailing out Wall Street — Wall Street will take care of itself if it’s not ‘bailed out’ and if investors taxes are not increased.  Simple supply and demand.  So what if wealth in this country will decline some - does the government, by going through with a bailout, possibly think that going further into debt will make or keep this country ‘rich’?  It’s crazy… all we can do is patiently wait and watch and pray.

Well… still can’t sleep.  It’s hard you know… to go to sleep when attempting to run the country the children aren’t all in yet… I’m a mother… patiently waiting… watching… praying.

Posted in Political stuff, Motherhood, More Slices of Life | Print | No Comments »

September 30, 2008 by pamela.

I very rarely make a bold movie recommendation and I don’t think I’ve ever suggested that there’s a movie *every* married couple must see.  Until now.  Now, I’m not caught up in the afterglow of a tremendous movie or in a bunch of emotional hype that seems to be the order of the day when a person comes out with a  guaranteed to change the purpose of your best life now sort of book and I’m not doing a 40 day program with my church and I am not even saying this movie will change your life, your marriage or your future.  But I am saying that if couples (married especially, but engaged couples as well) would go see the movie Fireproof, I believe God would most surely use it to open blind eyes and soften hard hearts and change directions, habits, decisions and futures of marriages - any marriage - current or future.

Wes and I went to see Fireproof  last night.  I’m telling you it was a powerful, God honouring, insightful and inspiring movie.  The message was that powerful.  And it wasn’t bcz it was a message about something I’m passionate about - though it is - it’s bcz the underlying message of the Good News of Jesus Christ was the central theme woven in the message that marriage is a covenant and no one/no marriage is beyond hope.  I would go see it again today.  I will buy it and I would, if I could, buy a copy of the movie for every couple I know (couples from engagement beyond golden anniversary).  I would, if I could today, buy The Love Dare Journal for every couple I know (see a sample chapter here); No kidding.

The power of the Gospel - the power of God to save, restore, rekindle love, secure commitment to the covenant of marriage, to power of God to work in lives of husbands and wives… to honour, respect, forgive, love and cherish one another… this is the theme of the movie.  This is the powerful message Fireproof presents.

Now, I know there are critics mocking this movie and punching gaping hole in whatever flaws they perceive the movie to have.  And there are those who, for seared consciences, are mocking the “religious” answers, approach or reaction to life’s trials and temptations - as if to be disappointed that the movie didn’t go the direction most marriages on the brink of divorce go or the direction physical or emotional affairs go.  It’s pretty incredible that a movie of the caliber of Fireproof is even playing in mainstream theaters.

I suppose there’s probably some shock disappointment, by those same sarcastic, hollywood plastic faces and movie critics, and they’re probably incensed that the movie contained no nudity, no gratuitous sex, no philandering, no swearing, no omg’s, no crude language, no drinking, no drugs, no gambling, none of their favourite ’stars’ and nothing to bolster Barak Obama’s standing in the polls.

My prayer is that this will not become just another hyped up, trinkets and trash, mega’church’ gizmo to attract masses - 40 days of whatever and the marvelous intrinsic value, message and intent is lost to much making of merchandise. (Ezekiel 26.12 &  2Peter 2.2-3)

♥ Go see it!!

Posted in Good Books DVD's CD's, marriage, devotionals, Family | Print | 1 Comment »

September 30, 2008 by pamela.

The sad thing is… all the emotional, sensual, persuasive and innocent hope seems to me to be just a figment of imagination. And yet, the power of suggestion alone is astonishing. Consider the change change could do to change these days.

Posted in Political stuff, Society, News DuJour | Print | No Comments »

September 28, 2008 by pamela.

I browse the news(and marvel!!)  and think of the many times the US has been likened to the Titanic… the ineffable, unsinkable US — the Titanic that was described as the ship that even “God himself could not sink…”  Well… I wonder, had he been alive, what would that man have said on April 15, 1912? So you suppose he would have said, “Hmmm, so, all that happened.”

Well, so, I’ve been thinking about the Titanic… I’ve been thinking about ‘end times’ and the state of the state and it’s hard not to make comparisons.  Really hard.

I remembered reading some bits about the Titanic and so had to look them up - here’s an interesting one: Dr. Charles Parkhurst, of the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, preached a sermon after the demise of the Titanic and in reference to society of that day [!!] he said,

The picture that has hung before my eyes ever since last Tuesday morning has been the that of the victims staring meaningless at the gilded furnishings of this sunken palace of the sea… and there was no need for it. It is just so much sacrifice laid upon the alter of the dollar.”

Now, that, to many, might seem malevolent — even disrespectful of the lives lost in that tragedy.  That’s not intended here.  What’s intended is the similarity to these days… the gilded ship that is the US and the (proposed) gilding by Henry Paulson of the US Treasury or the US Usury.  You can’t help but wonder is Henry Paulson… Julius Caesar?

 Sec. 8. Review.

Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency.”  text of the proposal [scary!!] in a NYT article - full article here.

So, about the non-sinkability of the Titanic and the US today?  You’ve got to wonder:  What else is going on in the boiler room or the engine room of the ship?  And what about all the passengers? What will the great grandchildren be saying in 96 years?

Our oldest boy woke up Friday morning to his new reality… the gilded ship company he had worked for for nearly 10 years was no longer — O, he still has a job and, in fact, apparently had 3 job offers that very day — but that’s not what concerns me (that son has always been sort of a ‘golden boy’ and seizes the moment and works very hard).  What concerns me is that the taking over of WaMu was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.  And what took down the Titanic?

An iceberg.

So, all that happened.

May the Lord God help us.

Posted in Political stuff, Society, News DuJour | Print | 2 Comments »

September 27, 2008 by pamela.

I woke up this morning with the sun beginning to paint the sky and I thought back to yesterday morning…

My first thought was: I did it!  I did something I had been wanting to do - something I had planned to do ten years ago - but ten years ago I had a new baby, I had a new daughter in law and lots of other things going on.  But I still had this goal - this “thing to do!” in my life.  Now, for many, this wasn’t that momentous a goal - it wasn’t something of a ‘big deal’ to them and, over the years, some have laughed when I shared this goal of mine.  I don’t know if it was bcz they saw me a I am now? Or as they think I am now or what?  I don’t know.  They didn’t know me when I was younger… didn’t know I loved to tap dance, I loved trampoline and tennis and swimming, I was cheerleader, I taught preschool, I was a cook… and on and on.  So, lots of my life in the last thirty years has been defined, in large measure, by what I used to be.

It’s that way now. Now, I sit with women who are pregnant or have new babies and I join in their conversations…and their sentences begin, and are punctuated with, “I am…”  — but mine begin and are punctuated with, “I used to…”

I used to do a lot of things and so, I guess that’s why I have been taking a hard look at my “bucket list” over the last few years.  Instead of a new list — a list of stuff I hope to accomplish before I die, I’ve sort of been considering all the stuff I’ve done and then have been thinking: well, okay… so all that happened; what do I want to be sure and do, see or say in my lifetime.  Well, one of those things was this goal… this goal to climb Mt. Pilchuck.  I know I’m not talking about a big deal for many - but for me it was a big deal - a big deal bcz I didn’t even know what it actually entailed, it just looked hard.  I look out my livingroom window and see this mountain - and from here, seeing that  5324′ peak has been such an amazing site - and I have often thought: I’m going to climb up there.

Well… I did it!  And now, as I look out this morning, I see that peak and say: Thank you, Lord, I did it!

look ma, no hands!!

from the look out tower at the summit  -  5324′ :o)

 on our way back down the mountain

Here’s a photo of Mt. Pilchuck from a distance.

Posted in my fiftieth year, My life, Family | Print | 8 Comments »

September 25, 2008 by pamela.

Everywhere - it’s everywhere. Talk, talk, talk… the economy, jobs, bailouts, recession, buyouts, loans, failures, credit, money, money, money.  My husband’s in the swimmingpool business. In the Pacific Northwest.  We know about the downturn.  Got the memo this past summer - it wasn’t really a banner year.  But you know… this country’s been in a free fall for years - we just had enough plastic to cushion the fall — or so it seemed.  The free fall has been happening and it seems America was just at the beach admiring the view, sitting under broad-brimmed hats, wearing rose coloured shades and sipping lemonade…

I was browsing the news a little bit ago and saw the reports on Washington Mutual... and then, this one .  It’s a familiar name and sensitive topic around our family — our son has worked for WaMu in Seattle for several years - has had a good job with them.  I wonder what he’s thinking right about now.  We had a delightful birthday dinner with extended family the other night and one of our cousins (also employed by WaMu) was talking over the media hype that’s led to the current debacle.  Now, I know he was quick to say that all the bad paper was also a factor - but he believed that the bad press had led to unprecedented stock spiral and demise of the bank.

As much as I’m sort of dreading the impending financial loss and chaos in this country, I sure pray the “powers that be” or the USgovernment takes a long hard look at plunging the country in a deeper quagmire  of unending debt by pretending there’s more money to use.  So all the news… and I didn’t even mention his name or his or hers.

My-o-my, these are sure interesting days!  I know my thinking is greatly influenced by the precious Word - as we’ve been reading through Daniel, Hosea and now, Joel.    Because of the reliability of the Word, the comfort of the Holy Spirit and faith in God, in the midst of all this “uncertainty” and failure, I have hope in the Lord.  These days have been prophesied and just like the debt that’s increased and lingered seemingly without consequence, so also has sin been increasing and abounding more and more - seemingly without consequence.   But God will not be mocked and sin cannot go unchecked.  Men and women who have rejected God and mocked His Word may now, in times of great uncertainty, be led to fall before the Living God.  These times are in the Hand of the Lord.  I marvel, I truly marvel and cannot believe we’re living in this nation at this time in history — that we’re alive in this time in history - His-story!!   O, that Christians would unite in prayer for this nation to turn to the Lord, to turn their hearts to the Lord.

Posted in Family, News DuJour | Print | 3 Comments »

September 25, 2008 by pamela.

[Reprint of Doc Shillington’s Newsletter - http://www.organicsolutionsstore.com/ ]

Organic  Solutions, Inc.

Volume 8   –   Issue 1
The   Future 

We live in interesting times.  The failure of World leaders to bring about World Peace has never been more evident than it is today.  The problems facing man look as if they are coming to a head all at once.  Inflation is soaring; Housing is in deep trouble; War looms on several fronts; and the quality of our Water, Food and Healthcare has gone out the bottom long ago.

Welllllllll, this is not a dissertation on “Doom and Gloom” and “how bad it all is”.   It’s simply a short essay on what YOU can DO to be CAUSATIVE over your own SURVIVAL, and help guarantee the Health of your loved ones.  In a previous article a few years back, I wrote a detailed list of what every family needs to have on hand in case of a dire emergency or disaster.  That list is still as good as gold, and available from my office if you don’t have a copy.  The following is an addition that expands upon it.

1.      Water:  Ensure you have a minimum of 25 gallons of distilled or purified water stored for every adult family member.  This is for drinking only.  Forget about bathing, or flushing toilets.  Dig a hole in the back yard and put an outhouse on it.  Water is your most precious commodity.  Also make certain you have a gravity-fed water purification system such as the Katadyn or the Aqua Rain.  These purify water sources such as ponds or rainwater.  Our Office carries the Aqua Rain should you need one.

2.      FOOD:  A three (3) months supply of wholesome, organic Food is mandatory for every single person in the family.  This can be in the form of dehydrated grains, seeds, nuts, meats, fruits, and veggies.  They can be vacuum packed for an even longer shelf life.  Organic Canned Foods and Baby Foods will also fit the bill here, and these can be purchased at your closest Healthfood Store.  I can’t emphasize strongly enough – make sure all of these foods are 100% ORGANIC!!!

3.      Seeds:  You can buy Organic / Heirloom Seeds or save the ones you get from the Organic Fruits and Veggies you purchase or grow. These keep quite a while and are a must for your future food needs.  Some of the easier Organic seeds to save are: Peppers, Squash, Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Papaya, and Grape.   Start growing a garden NOW, if you’re not doing so already.  Grow only those plants that will produce more seeds.  Stay away from Hybrids as these are produced by artificially cross-pollinating plants. Hybrids were supposedly created to improve certain characteristics of a particular variety of plant, such as better yield, greater uniformity, improved color, disease resistance, and so on.  Today, Hybrid seeds are predominant in agriculture and home gardening, and it is claimed to be one of the main contributing factors to the dramatic rise in agricultural output during the last half of the 20th century.  Don’t touch these seeds with a 10-foot pole since Hybrid seed cannot be saved.  The seeds from the first generation of Hybrid plants do not reliably produce true copies or offspring.  Therefore, new seeds must be purchased for each planting.  This can be used as a way to control us by not allowing us to save and replant our seeds.  Therefore we are wholly dependent upon seed sellers such as Monsanto and must buy whatever they give us each year.  Many of these seeds are “Genetically Modified” and “Round-up Ready” which means they will not grow unless you spray them with “Round-up”, a highly poisonous pesticide that kills weeds while activating the seed to grow.  At this point, you are not only locked into purchasing their seeds, you are now a slave to buying their “Round-Up” pesticide from thereon out. This could mean no seeds to plant or not having the choice to grow organically or save your own seeds.

4.      Firearms:  These are a twofold “must-have” that should be obvious.  Not only can your food supplies eventually run out and hunting becomes an absolute necessity, you may possibly get into a situation where you need to defend yourself and your family.  If you would like more detailed information regarding excellent but inexpensive firearms for survival, send me a private email or note. 

5.      Tools:  You’ve got to have an axe.  If I was only allowed one tool, it would be an axe.  Chainsaws and power tools are fine, but they require either gas or electricity of which there is only a limited supply.  My wife Valorie, who is a top-notch gardener, swears that you can never have too many hand tools. J Garden tools, spades, rakes, shovels, wheelbarrows, and the like are not only fun for you and the kids, but they could very well mean the difference in living well or barely getting by.  Hammers, Chisels, Saws, Wrenches, Vise Grips, and a good supply of nails and screws need to be on your shopping list if you don’t already have these on hand.

6.      Medical Kit:  You can’t have too many bandages, antiseptics, or painkillers on hand.  Believe me, this is one of those scenarios, where if you DON’T have a Med Kit, you’ll darn well need it for certain.  It is the prepared ship that never sinks. 

7.      Herbal Remedies:  A 3 (three) month supply of Total Nutrition, Echinacea, TotalTonic, Intestinal Cleanse, Cayenne, Lobelia, and our Body Balance+ Formula are the bare bones minimum.  I know at least a dozen families that keep a six-month supply of each of these on hand at all times and just rotate their stock every month.  They call up about every 4 weeks and order at least one of each and use up the oldest stock in their pantry first.  The shelf life on each of these is many YEARS.  To make sure of this, I’d recommend storage in a cool dark place.  This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have other remedies such as the Deep Tissue Repair Oil, or the Total Healing Poultice Powder, or the Tooth and Gum Formula, or the Nerve Sedative Formula, etc. it only means you’ve got to have the necessities as above.  Each can be a lifesaver!

One friend told me that they have Total Nutrition on the TOP of their monthly shopping list before the purchase of any other food.  This only makes sense because you can literally live off this wonderful food.  None of the above can be overlooked, and I want all of my friends to survive the coming years.  The Future can be very bright, and I hope this helps. 

Yours in Knowledge, Health and Freedom,

Doc

Disclaimer:  The above information is for educational purposes only, is not intended to serve as medical advice, and has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA or the AMA.  The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease.  No warranties, expressed or implied, are offered with any services, products or information supplied by Dr. Shillington, his staff or Organic Solutions, Inc.  If you are ill or suspect you may have a health problem, it is recommended that you seek the advice of your health care provider. 

Copyright © 2008 by Ian Shillington N.D.  All rights reserved. 

****************This letter is simply food for thought, ideas you might want to consider simply for your own use as you wisely consider the days ahead… THIS IS NOT an endorsement of the “Church of Scientology” or a pass on the possible contradictions to the Bible or the Lord Jesus — or any other unintended links - related links to Doc Shillington************   His work appears to be authentic, ideas appear to be sound in terms of basic “survival.”  This newsletter was interesting to me and I think you might **********glean********** what you can from it as the LORD God leads you and your family.

Posted in Homemaking, Health / PCOS | Print | 2 Comments »

September 23, 2008 by pamela.

for a church in Seattle.

It said:

IT’S ALL
ABOUT
JESUS.

in huge letters.

All I could see was:

IT’S ALL
ABOUT
JesUS

Posted in The Church Today | Print | No Comments »

September 23, 2008 by pamela.

I suppose I’m still in my travels down the melancholy memory lane.  I don’t know if the Autumn season has brought all this on or not — I don’t know if the realization of my own life-season of autumn has brought all this on. Whatever the case, I’m still strolling among falling leaves.
To God be the glory… Great things He has done.

Wes baptized Samuel and three more of our children on the first of this month.  I truly know no greater joy than that our children walk in Truth — and no greater sorrow when they do not.   I know lots of parents have high aspirations for their children — they want their children do do more, know more, be more than they are/were and they have lofty goals for their children’s future - their future accomplishments, fame and fortune.  And… I suppose I have a measure of hope and desire for each of our children - but I suppose that, in reality, I only truly hope one thing for them and will trust the Lord to finish His work — and that is that my children know and walk with the Lord. Whatever else they know, whatever else they do will only be of any lasting value if it’s in the will of the Lord.

My husband’s birthday was yesterday and of all the gifts he could have wished, he was thankful for his children and so grateful to God for those who walk in Truth.  We sat for a long time in Starbucks yesterday morning… reminiscing, thinking, thanking, planning.  We had to leave long before our reminiscing finished.

My father’s birthday would have been today… I’m remembering a lot of things today.  One year ago today, my husband had a heart attack.  I never loved him so much as that day.  I love him more today.  If there are no tomorrows, I’m sure glad for today.

Posted in my fiftieth year, Parenting, Family | Print | 1 Comment »

September 22, 2008 by pamela.

Joey is the only one of our children who regularly carries the roosters around and always has a good time with them.  He's the one that has the responsibility of looking after the chickens each day and he really takes good care of them.  Andrew had a different and exciting experience with them today.

Posted in Heard at our house today, Family | Print | No Comments »

September 19, 2008 by pamela.

I am posting this (below) directly from a Worldnet Daily Article - you can read the rest there.  I am, and — you should — if at all possible, take a stand.  I don’t very often make the bold statement to boycott things/companies — companies like McDonald’s who, for example, for personal - anti family - gain, exploit families through their seeming “family friendly” restaurants, cheap meals and trinkets that trap parents and children and entice them to buy into or even to simply accept behaviours, movies, entertainment, clothing, toys and other consumer goods that are absolutely contrary to moral or godly living.

I don’t watch many theater movies and I don’t usually care much about what’s going on in the world of movies or Hollywood or all that jazz — and know I am  probably pushing the envelope here — by simply bringing all this up today — but as a mother of girls of many ages and as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, the “mainstream” presentation of two movies “that feature pedophilia” is totally over the top and is an egregious, reprehensible outrage. The innocence and purity of little girls — the obligation of society to guard the young — the sensibilities and morality of our society is at stake here.   Our sick, sick societal norms are plummeting to new depths with these —mainstream— movies.  I am not ignorant to the existence of the multi-billion dollar pornography mill and am not shocked or surprised that this sort of vile garbage exists.

Hate, Not Love, Tolerates Evil

By Bob Unruh
© 2008 WorldNetDaily

The founder of Movieguide, a top film-rating organization in Hollywood, is joining a growing call for a boycott of two new movies that feature pedophilia, warning of the dangers that come with themes involving sex with children.

“These despicable movies promote pedophilia, whether intentionally or unintentionally,” said Ted Baehr, who’s well known for his Christian Film & Television Commission work. “There should be a massive public outcry against them. The inclusion of children in sexually explicit films is inappropriate. There also is no excuse for the authorities to allow such material to be shown publicly.”

Baehr cited “Hounddog,” a movie featuring a scene portraying the rape of actress Dakota Fanning, filmed when she was 12, and “Towelhead,” which features 18-year-old actress Summer Bishil playing a 13-year-old Arab-American girl who portrays a “sexual obsession,” experiences “grooming” and other scenes.

“We’ve got to have communities rescue these children. Where’s the sense of shame, outrage, the sense of saying, ‘We’re not going to let this happen,” Baehr told WND. “We cannot do this anymore.”

“The thing we need to do is avoid it,” he said. “These people need to be stopped.”

Baehr is joined in the boycott call by a pro-family organization in North Carolina, the state where much of the “Hounddog” movie featuring Fanning’s “rape” was filmed.

Under the headline “Child Pornography is Going Mainstream,” on the website of the Concerned Women for America, Donna Miller, a chapter leader in the Fayetteville, N.C., area and director of the No More Child Porn Campaign, also said those who are concerned by the film’s representation by Fanning of “a 9-year-old that is raped by a man in his late teens, after he tricks her into dancing naked,” should protest to authorities.  

THE ENTIRE WND article HERE

Posted in csa, Society, Family | Print | 3 Comments »

September 18, 2008 by pamela.

Every day… every day… day after day, there’s the dilemma:  what’s for dinner? Or… for many, the daily questions are more like: What’s for breakfast? When’s coffee? What’s for lunch? What’s for snack? What’s for dinner? Where’s the chocolate for me?

Here are a few dinner recipes and you might also want to print up a couple of these… “Dozens of Dinners” dinner ideas and a page of “Bunches of Lunches” lunch ideas I wrote up for a cookbook a long time ago.

As an aid for the kitchen sink ponderings as to what to have for dinner, I posted these pages on our website several years ago so that women could print them out and tape them to the inside of the kitchen cabinet near the sink.   For most all my homemaking years I have had lists, recipes, notes and photographs on the inside of the doors of my kitchen cabinets so that I will have ‘ready reminders’ of what to fix (lists of meals), how to fix (recipes & notes), and why to fix them (photographs of people I love) — for lunches and dinners and other meals.

Bon appetit!

Hey… and remember those chickens we butchered a few weeks ago?  Well… the cool thing we used for “plucking” or defeathering them was a Whizbang chicken plucker - just like the one shown here at The Deliberate Agrarian!  The first plunging of the chicken into the boiling water and into the Whizbang plucker was stomach-churning. Really.  After the first one, the rest were easier (sort of).  And I don’t know when  if I could ever do the neck slicing deal - you know.  I would say that the best way to do the chicken butchering job is to share it (and the equipment) with friends.  Well… that’s probably the only way I would could do it.

Posted in Recipes, Homeschooling, Potpourri | Print | No Comments »

September 17, 2008 by pamela.

Have you ever asked that question?  Have you ever been in a valley and wondered what in the world you’ve accomplished in life - or if the things you’ve done have any lasting value?

As I was praying and going to sleep the other night, I asked the LORD about the value of time and accomplishments to this point in my life.  I wondered: have I done anything — really?

Well, interestingly enough — and I don’t consider it a fluke by any means — my busy-as-a-bee, Hannah, was ordering up our storage closet in the attic and she came across many ‘treasures’ and, yes, other things, too.  Among the ‘treasures’ she set out in the hallway for me to look through were several boxes of photographs, letters, cards, artwork, journals and an old Bible.  Contained in the boxes were answers to my ponderings.

Some of those boxes hadn’t been opened in ten years.  As Naomi tried on my wedding dress and as beautiful Kathryn tried on my veil, I marveled that I began making that dress 31 years ago and, thus, sort of began my journey to home & family at that time, too.   I marveled that the little dress holds such fascination each time a little girl of mine sees it and then I know the next question will be if it can be tried on and have a picture taken. My bridal bouquet - though not properly dried, still looks sweet to me.

In those boxes were piles of childrens’ papers, photos of hundreds of days gone by, awards, a plaster of paris handprint mold of a hand of a three year old — that two year old is now twenty-nine and has children of his own.  In those boxes were letters and cards commemorating birthdays, mother’s days, births of children, gifts given and many more “accomplishments.”  There were childrens’ clothes and little gifts I couldn’t part with.

In the photos I saw my younger self… at the beach with different children… at home celebrating different milestones, birthdays, newborn’s and children at play.  There were photos of funny faces and skinned noses and knees… photos of parents the age I am now.  I looked carefully at the background of some of the photos: the homes we’ve lived in and the decorations - both familiar and forgotten.  I smiled at the messes in some and marveled at the order in many.  I miss some of the furnishings, blankets and flowers I see in the photos.  I realized I had made up the charts and schedules I saw on walls in the photos, and I sewed most of the dresses on the little girls and many of the curtains, valances, aprons, tablecloths and placemats… I nursed and diapered and bathed the babies, watered the plants, arranged and rearranged the furniture, decorated the cakes and pushed the swings I saw in the photos.

I read journal accounts and prayers for the children I saw in the photographs and could almost hear their little voices as I sat in the hallway yesterday looking at all the memories I held in my lap.  Hundreds of photos sparked many more memories. They’ve stayed with me through the night and into this day…

I wondered how all that could have been accomplished in such a short time — for it really doesn’t seem possible that this much time has passed already.  But it has passed and it has passed so quickly.  In just a very short time, life’s been going by.

I came across a little bag in a plastic bag.  On the bag was written: “John & Laurie’s wedding (and in all caps) SAVE (underlined).”  Curious, I opened the little bag and found a couple of imprinted napkins: John and Laurie - June  30, 1990; also in the bag was a (used) plate and fork from the wedding cake; a receipt from the Tux Shop; the little box the tuxedo shirt cuff-links came in, and there were several little gold rings that were tied in the teal ribbon around the tulle sachets of birdseed — I know this bcz one of the circles of tulle was still completely intact with the birdseed and little gold rings and another wasn’t.  That boy was so sentimental - he saved everything.  And yesterday, I was so glad I had saved some of his “everything” when he moved away from home when he got married ten years ago.

Well, that precious couple… the John and Laurie whose wedding memories I held in my hands yesterday… have remained such a blessing to me, in June I had the unbelievable privilege of assisting John helping Laurie in the birth of their 6th child (the midwife didn’t arrive until quite awhile after the birth).  That’s a story for another day — I realize I haven’t written about that marvelous event (and so many more things).

Anyway, to close for today and leave some for tomorrow… I guess the LORD answered  my question — and it sure was in a gentle way.

Posted in my fiftieth year, Family | Print | 8 Comments »

September 13, 2008 by pamela.

I’m in the midst of canning, canning, canning… and I needed some pickle info… and so looked around and found my answer. Wow!  What a great site I discovered.  It’s full of many, many helps, illustrations, photos, recipes, tips and more.  Here it is: pickyourown.org !  I think you’ll be so pleased  - and if you’ve been looking for food preserving “how-to’s” and recipes, then this is the site for you!

I particularly like that site bcz if there’s any question as to the type or appearance of the fruit or vegetable, there are *many* photos and illustrations!  Go ahead… take a look — you’ll be pleased!

Posted in Recipes, Homemaking | Print | 2 Comments »

September 11, 2008 by pamela.

Posted in Potpourri | Print | 1 Comment »

September 11, 2008 by pamela.

I’m standing on the shore watching the tide roll in and wash out again. Day after day, over and over and over it rolls.  Day after day more things are washed up on the beach, more things are uncovered at the water rushes back out to sea leaving the exposed shells and seaweed on the wet sand.  Little urchins burrow down and take cover in the wet sand.  Over and over the water flows… sand fleas, clams and other shells, starfish — occasionally a beautiful sand dollar is left sparkling in the sun.  What delight, what a prize each one is… now, something for everyone!

A beautiful boat sails by and I look up and observe that it’s severely listing first to the left and then to the right and seems as though it will capsize from all the people hurrying en masse to one side and then to the other.  Few seem to be questioning whether or not the boat is even going in the right direction.

I’ve been standing on the beach… occasionally pacing back and forth… should I wade into the rolling waters or just stand here observing the tide aware of the chilly wet sand beneath my feet? Should I just jump in and ride the waves?  I mean, it seems like everyone’s getting in the water… it must be alright… everyone’s doing it!  O, wait, maybe I ought to just swim out to the boat and climb aboard and join the crowd there.

Nah… I think I’ll just stand here on the shoreline and eat bread and watch the waves and soak in the son a little while longer.

Posted in Political stuff, Potpourri | Print | 1 Comment »

September 10, 2008 by pamela.

I have, on several recent occasions, had opportunity to feel the effects of sitting long on a hard wooden chair.  And, I suppose, the more difficult part of sitting on that chair has been to sit there and quietly observe the conversation at the table.  I’m not sure if I can sit there quietly bcz I have had increasing experience sitting there or if incredulity keeps me quiet.  I know that a slack jaw keeps me quiet on a whole bunch of things — such as the sitting in stunned silence at the progression of the erosion of faith in the church.

So, the hard wooden chair…

I’ve sat listening to various arguments and comments extolling the virtues of a presidential candidate and the flaws and short comings of the other.  I’ve listened to convictions, preconceptions and misconceptions and insinuations in discussions about qualifications, abilities, attributes, inexperience, successes, incompetency and a whole lot more concerning the various presidential candidates.  I cannot count the number of times I listen and come to the exact opposite conclusion to the one sitting across the table. I shift on my chair… the firmness beneath me seems to increase and I wonder how long I will sit there quietly… quietly observing a conversation.  Occasionally I muster courage to comment - occasionally I simply cannot refrain from a more lengthy observation.

Usually, though, it’s just plain easier to nod and smile — not in agreement — but as a form of self preservation. O, sure there’s tremendous temptation to fling out a few well articulated and carefully aimed zingers, cheeky comments or subtle innuendos.  It’s easy for us as women to load up a comment, time it just right for maximum impact. I find I sit there, and think sort of Ann of Green Gables-ish: “… but if you only knew how many things I want to say and don’t…”

I sort of blog this way, too. But not always.

I’m working on a talk I’ll be giving at a monthly women’s meeting tomorrow night - I’m continuing on through Titus2 as ’scheduled’ for the year.   As I look out my window just now, I see our white picket fence with the little hearts cut out of each picket and then there’re the long lacy branches of the huge old weeping willow tree nearly touching the shadowy sunshine on the soft green grass… and I marvel and the timing or timeliness of this message I’m working on.  The ‘why’ behind the mandate is what’s particularly thought provoking to me these days. The message this month is: “…to be keepers at home” and, as has been the motivating reason, I will, as I do each month, stress that the basis for living out this charge given to women is: “that the Word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2.5  See? Timely.

The Word is sometimes like a hard wooden chair. It’s so solid. You can stand on it.

Posted in Political stuff, Womanhood, Society | Print | 2 Comments »

September 9, 2008 by pamela.

I don’t get out much… some, but not much.  And, for the most part, I like it that way.  O, don’t get me wrong: I love to go places,