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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…
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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…
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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, I love to do things and I love to see new things. But I love being home. When I do go out… I sure see why it’s important for me to be here… at home, keeping the home and caring for each one and each thing here. I love keeping our home and I love home-work. I love making sure that home’s home. O, I know that anyone can clean houses,…
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I woke up this morning with eager anticipation for the day: our 21st “first day of homeschool.” In the early days of homeschooling, I would not have even guessed where we would be today — in terms of both where we’ve been or how many children have been taught at the table. I could not have asked or imagined the blessings that have come through the years. Additionally, I most certainly didn’t know enough to know that there would be days of anguish or exasperation — near despair over what I don’t know and couldn’t communicate. But I also…
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this is funny… I was browsing the news and the headline: “Is Oprah Biased?” jumped out at me. I just had to laugh. The question was asked by an ABC News journalist. I think my mama would have said: “well, now, that’s like the pot calling the kettle black.” Well, or I would say that. I’ve actually been wondering why the democrat nominee even has to raise campaign funds anyway. But maybe it’s just me.
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Today I’d like to acknowledge the mothers who came before me… mothers who worked long before days dawned and long after suns set — women who, without conveniences, running water, power and supplies, cared for their families – putting them before themselves and tenaciously pressed on through the years of their lives. It does not escape me that life for women in many places in the world live such a life today. I feel as though I cannot personally relate – I have photos in my possession and have heard numerous stories my children have told me about living conditions…
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Pretty soon the beautiful hydrangeas will stop blooming for the year… For now, each morning I love to walk around the yard and see the beautiful variety and lovely shades of blues, greens, purples, lavenders and red hydrangeas… these are my favourite flowers… but the roses are quite lovely, too. in the rose garden are candlelight roses, lavender, various pinks, yellow, peach, coral and white… the whites are particularly beautiful this year! produce from the garden this morning… in addition to many(!) zucchini, yellow squash, beans and onions, Naomi and ‘melia picked some carrots. They came running in to show…
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I’m still pondering: The old paths… A few days ago I was looking at photographs and was trying to recollect those days… actually, those and a lot of other “days gone by” and I began to consider and ask myself: what good things did I do in those days do I no longer do? What did I leave off doing — and why? Did I get weary? Did I get overconfident? Did I get tired? Did I get lazy? Did I forget? Why did I stop doing the things that were working well? And, when? When did I veer off…
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I’ve been thinking about paths lately… spurred on by reading in Jeremiah and considering ‘the old paths’ and doing the things we know to be profitable in our home/life. I had to smile at the following video. In our home, through the years, we’ve had many, many opportunities to train up boys and girls in the way they should go. This, most notably, is a spiritual training – but, it’s also training in life skills, work ethic and manners. Repetition (both in direction and practice) is the key to accomplishing the objective and to developing abilities. But, more than all…
slices of life & views of the day