tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62976311904037109922024-03-18T20:20:14.466-04:00Through a Glass, Darkly"The gloom of the world is but a shadow;
behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. Take joy."M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.comBlogger3550125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-90579139043919781712024-03-18T20:19:00.003-04:002024-03-18T20:19:22.746-04:00Looking Down<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My earliest memory is deep leaves</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">and my feet, kicking and walking,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">holding someone's left hand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Somehow I always knew it was</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">my grandparents' farm, although</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">there is nothing else, only</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">deep leaves, dry and crunching</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">leaves all around my feet,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I'm looking down because</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that's what children do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Then, it seems only moments later,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">he is walking on my left,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">my son's little son,</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">holding my hand as we walk</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">along a gravel road to the farm.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He kicks the rocks and studies them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He grasps my fingers firmly.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I watch him and turn my face</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">up to the blue above.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The forsythia glows like sun.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Look at my shadow! he says.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">It's so big!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">He is looking down, because</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">that's what children do.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7e79KTrpwMBc3ufeWua_UrfZXCd9yFx64BNQjDDPIyCiUDuci5yjx8Y0SW-JD5QvxW2vnGdnoETBElsYRlcekU0Z120NVj4vSq5MDUV2981n-h-rzE2V0U6vshzCs96VIRQUjizj9lxYwsdtWFVWWZEEva4h09XFlqkGctS6qcGeAh1zsmIuEeAU1p4/s1639/20240316_103621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="1208" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7e79KTrpwMBc3ufeWua_UrfZXCd9yFx64BNQjDDPIyCiUDuci5yjx8Y0SW-JD5QvxW2vnGdnoETBElsYRlcekU0Z120NVj4vSq5MDUV2981n-h-rzE2V0U6vshzCs96VIRQUjizj9lxYwsdtWFVWWZEEva4h09XFlqkGctS6qcGeAh1zsmIuEeAU1p4/w378-h513/20240316_103621.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Copyright by the author</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Renick WV, 2024</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-59430539938195408162024-03-09T19:49:00.000-05:002024-03-09T19:49:11.036-05:00Fern<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z1V1lsr3rjPdYUvlUDc6vLe6xCVZI1i8DbOMDFPaV6V0ILtLnOQnshG8Jj5lTuvsED-e1mwMNxHd9KnBR4J2aXBZxXJYQu8OZoKyPY9TG3Y1Ymyn03rGxy99FZ1N6KyYmmJLtH4OMCJ8B3qb-hEqF59IHwobxSjHpGtaruHlL4k_LaCx3ZpZdoSMLqM/s4000/20240305_133812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z1V1lsr3rjPdYUvlUDc6vLe6xCVZI1i8DbOMDFPaV6V0ILtLnOQnshG8Jj5lTuvsED-e1mwMNxHd9KnBR4J2aXBZxXJYQu8OZoKyPY9TG3Y1Ymyn03rGxy99FZ1N6KyYmmJLtH4OMCJ8B3qb-hEqF59IHwobxSjHpGtaruHlL4k_LaCx3ZpZdoSMLqM/w412-h309/20240305_133812.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8TRttG4k6jE2o9PjUw659P3yBEqAH7FITuQwMzp7OFRU9Rci7cBuzvwqpPhqY0wHTOVvzk7iKEuSHH6qqgt2vyIvAbHU6N5W4FI8iFNtENn-XjvINyhZViodAj9SUCQ0Y0sS2YxZOQQKFkEKnCfGXMkE1Reclc21DU9RkVorRu36GQsoqMkxKjDXyr0/s4000/20240305_134109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8TRttG4k6jE2o9PjUw659P3yBEqAH7FITuQwMzp7OFRU9Rci7cBuzvwqpPhqY0wHTOVvzk7iKEuSHH6qqgt2vyIvAbHU6N5W4FI8iFNtENn-XjvINyhZViodAj9SUCQ0Y0sS2YxZOQQKFkEKnCfGXMkE1Reclc21DU9RkVorRu36GQsoqMkxKjDXyr0/w395-h296/20240305_134109.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfm9BhyRhAIdC_PK4J9TIo6VqufRh8iX4qTJmzgC7ymcHSAVjl8f_g7rZsk6Ad0xTbb3Qi9gVKhUclb_7l9iPfe_HCaGWciWHv0RqX9BxpTOjctuFNneVPzkzcSq2zMQO1I3iTQojvlll3nHW8EUASdseEROtvsjJM74tGso36xbupoKZb8WqERTbgPo/s4000/20240306_102841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfm9BhyRhAIdC_PK4J9TIo6VqufRh8iX4qTJmzgC7ymcHSAVjl8f_g7rZsk6Ad0xTbb3Qi9gVKhUclb_7l9iPfe_HCaGWciWHv0RqX9BxpTOjctuFNneVPzkzcSq2zMQO1I3iTQojvlll3nHW8EUASdseEROtvsjJM74tGso36xbupoKZb8WqERTbgPo/w407-h305/20240306_102841.jpg" width="407" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5m1yprkztwHHlSxql78sP5_uoHi3Z56ydEPkfNY4fXoome2A1ROKSMYkaRfVk_d-njhH0Sq8FtBZPPh_pKlASbI0XNVzj5trzHrakfao59ynQGQN4XzMJXf5dFnMhRrT6SdbHG7bgO_AyExtCIa4LhdVzwLAsmGOUU4MOYUCJk1MImxuacEGTpp4GmQ/s4000/20240306_174722.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5m1yprkztwHHlSxql78sP5_uoHi3Z56ydEPkfNY4fXoome2A1ROKSMYkaRfVk_d-njhH0Sq8FtBZPPh_pKlASbI0XNVzj5trzHrakfao59ynQGQN4XzMJXf5dFnMhRrT6SdbHG7bgO_AyExtCIa4LhdVzwLAsmGOUU4MOYUCJk1MImxuacEGTpp4GmQ/w415-h311/20240306_174722.jpg" width="415" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs6SlFkt1MhW3SbU-bHZzJcWFOGZo6JFWbLsj1F4XE1RQoR47xqXuDCERphpb8VOEgVMmTPiumZ1PqH8X5MiRdWQUvieARZkXr0nLmMM91PooCNMzeQowk_hrlQFOKcLwNaZ3O5Ig9yH4gGxbZwp-ryAmalFpeKjfoX97eHgv9idLHd20rgTIMTwmLQM/s4000/20240307_204101.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs6SlFkt1MhW3SbU-bHZzJcWFOGZo6JFWbLsj1F4XE1RQoR47xqXuDCERphpb8VOEgVMmTPiumZ1PqH8X5MiRdWQUvieARZkXr0nLmMM91PooCNMzeQowk_hrlQFOKcLwNaZ3O5Ig9yH4gGxbZwp-ryAmalFpeKjfoX97eHgv9idLHd20rgTIMTwmLQM/w416-h312/20240307_204101.jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGEYafay9yJ9pW_k5c5h-jCv7MthMNXTiOAjBPr3HJ63IEc3yJJvmA_sIPYgpH1j1dplY-HbLocobmq7ORCmiZbdEf4bP9gJg4Nf8_cn5AiBwBh0XggrFgGYr5LXU-KZfv7IT_v-LielCsBAEgCNd7TukOQwiTQkoEnRrt4papcLM15UYUz11fxOpMPA/s2576/20240308_074055.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGEYafay9yJ9pW_k5c5h-jCv7MthMNXTiOAjBPr3HJ63IEc3yJJvmA_sIPYgpH1j1dplY-HbLocobmq7ORCmiZbdEf4bP9gJg4Nf8_cn5AiBwBh0XggrFgGYr5LXU-KZfv7IT_v-LielCsBAEgCNd7TukOQwiTQkoEnRrt4papcLM15UYUz11fxOpMPA/w344-h459/20240308_074055.jpg" width="344" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">This year for Valentine's, Adam and I agreed to buy ourselves what we wanted instead of flowers or chocolate. He bought fabric. I bought a ceramic pot and a fern. It finally put up two little shoots.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've been indulging in my love of wool -- cleaning, carding, spinning, plying, and knitting it. Currently on the needles is a brown sweater made from wool I bought last year at a nearby farm. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The deep golden/orange yarn is dyed with lichen from our yard.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The daffodils are past now, and overnight it seemed all the Bradford pears in the county burst into bloom. They look so pretty in front of our church.</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-64838841153054162702023-08-02T08:53:00.005-04:002023-08-05T07:29:42.248-04:00Awakened<p>The soft glow behind the curtains</p><p>must be morning at last.</p><p>The moon is long set.</p><p>I am in my mother's house.</p><p>She finishes one more sleep</p><p>in the room beneath mine.</p><p>I am old,</p><p>and she is ancient,</p><p>Yet still the mother bond</p><p>pulls firm as ever --</p><p>The body that encased me,</p><p>The voice that whispered</p><p>the mother secrets that</p><p>no infant can remember,</p><p>no woman can forget.</p><p>She is here yet.</p><p>The soft glow of morning,</p><p>The deep green fescue growing,</p><p>The distant lowing of cows</p><p>in a neighbor's field, calling,</p><p>Come, my love, my baby,</p><p>Come home to me again.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>copyright, M.K. Christiansen</p><p>August, 2023</p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-21267125347954660222023-06-04T17:08:00.006-04:002023-06-04T17:08:45.910-04:00Just Sitting Here --<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Hi, friends -</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Since I'm just sitting here on the reclining loveseat with Adam on a slow Sunday afternoon, I might as well write a blog post, right? Sorry to be so absent. I'm definitely slowing down these days. Adam is done with school for the year, and since he's home, he's the cook for the summer. Hooray! I'm glad to get that daily chore off my shoulders for a few months. I don't mind cooking, but not everyday!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">So what's going on? I'm enjoying being at home with the two dogs and the kitty cat. It's a pleasant, slow life. Most days my back gradually hurts more as the day wears on, and I take pain meds, use a heating pad, and rest a good bit. Thus: slowing down.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Still, I try to keep painting and spinning/knitting. Let's see if I can find some photos on my phone:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpKgVcA1jIbIDWH6wD2Z-dV7YJBr3af5nmwCiBTCVzYjoQ2QxIly1eImKKmozQpVDweQ5Q84Qgpb67tgAwzAZt2Yql0fSydoq2S8DHXRWgkxLg0jBM6TUJPNN7nryLUm8Pa3Lk5QJpEbzZOVhYdFCZ1VwzVHmECYyiTVj4Z-Zvm38DuxbhTQo0Y1t/s4000/20230603_075933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvpKgVcA1jIbIDWH6wD2Z-dV7YJBr3af5nmwCiBTCVzYjoQ2QxIly1eImKKmozQpVDweQ5Q84Qgpb67tgAwzAZt2Yql0fSydoq2S8DHXRWgkxLg0jBM6TUJPNN7nryLUm8Pa3Lk5QJpEbzZOVhYdFCZ1VwzVHmECYyiTVj4Z-Zvm38DuxbhTQo0Y1t/w453-h340/20230603_075933.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here are some cards I have for sale at the Saturday farmers market.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYP7H7yvCIfKtIVwEvfxWbymTmH5eg-YDDNXyH-kIsa9xeUJzsV9JQtYzWTM7EbtwOplkd2xhlD15Wph1blQbFSSrthpUUqQSe5Q9vJ89rbMRsisJ6fzDTf1r4w8AqU_z-IKYo0Hcm3O1BaZxXXIo1guAb5yEiQDDCCuJLMP1O53Ki0pTHkzBF6Ob/s4000/20230603_075939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYP7H7yvCIfKtIVwEvfxWbymTmH5eg-YDDNXyH-kIsa9xeUJzsV9JQtYzWTM7EbtwOplkd2xhlD15Wph1blQbFSSrthpUUqQSe5Q9vJ89rbMRsisJ6fzDTf1r4w8AqU_z-IKYo0Hcm3O1BaZxXXIo1guAb5yEiQDDCCuJLMP1O53Ki0pTHkzBF6Ob/w417-h313/20230603_075939.jpg" width="417" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">This 9x12" piece is fairy children going into a forest. It feels magical. I very nearly achieved what I was hoping for, which can be hard with art!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x2MSauwfxhMvGLytp6EqkT8PEf53-m2YdRsb30iX0N1tl7xcXVsFuiqjuaRcp8mGCRglEmhZG5P-ThDPKrPJr5ee7Ad9CWAmwq9pTp-iVoOQOLOhZkUVxvxJ8040sN9PmdPmYItBsgQ7IjANbMBtxGwfm-2WcuISKmyH3ouIsdaquUwJnf03_OGi/s3422/the%20fairy%20light%20path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3422" data-original-width="2489" height="431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3x2MSauwfxhMvGLytp6EqkT8PEf53-m2YdRsb30iX0N1tl7xcXVsFuiqjuaRcp8mGCRglEmhZG5P-ThDPKrPJr5ee7Ad9CWAmwq9pTp-iVoOQOLOhZkUVxvxJ8040sN9PmdPmYItBsgQ7IjANbMBtxGwfm-2WcuISKmyH3ouIsdaquUwJnf03_OGi/w314-h431/the%20fairy%20light%20path.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our huge gardenia bush is blooming now! I have a blossom tucked in my blouse as I'm typing now.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseVbMRd-7CzCh2GenYG-a10X5yjoGqlncal9m9LM2IUBoG0P9fbIBhNqK0RfOqem4BBHjhqeL6mX2EImosXIDLehqwd3zJHHxrFsr_AfmqKi5tF5nfoGksKU3pZdZiZQfhTAs_O-gndRNLobDI21uqH3Ld2VgDZoCQeem0wcPeHvhaEUkOjzZduDe/s4000/20230529_135634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjseVbMRd-7CzCh2GenYG-a10X5yjoGqlncal9m9LM2IUBoG0P9fbIBhNqK0RfOqem4BBHjhqeL6mX2EImosXIDLehqwd3zJHHxrFsr_AfmqKi5tF5nfoGksKU3pZdZiZQfhTAs_O-gndRNLobDI21uqH3Ld2VgDZoCQeem0wcPeHvhaEUkOjzZduDe/w468-h351/20230529_135634.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Painting bookmarks:<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9yhCfShHl3gFy_CG12pNHpTluDaC8V2gr6scDe1efw6p53hvEl-Asos1SGeK_L81h-QQGBn8P-ESW500OHaoTuTUucIUnARScfLrFoiWTZ2bWd2SJYgV86XdCLi5Oi8TIpXfVlvgwnuznKoOVN0cCg3nKWSo9lhhjX7fXaDX5V59oX5i1ZxItdhE/s4000/20230526_123159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9yhCfShHl3gFy_CG12pNHpTluDaC8V2gr6scDe1efw6p53hvEl-Asos1SGeK_L81h-QQGBn8P-ESW500OHaoTuTUucIUnARScfLrFoiWTZ2bWd2SJYgV86XdCLi5Oi8TIpXfVlvgwnuznKoOVN0cCg3nKWSo9lhhjX7fXaDX5V59oX5i1ZxItdhE/w282-h375/20230526_123159.jpg" width="282" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGA6E4zYbX6P2bb1QnyFw8W98Mm3S8d6wwiD0WGqRLg5QXtuS0WjQXq9nJ1iHgEcFPJOTAWrwZ5WU_9VanRbFQgZjx7u2xVwEtggkp_r7c6wkudZv91mBTYr8GuNCBlni39-Nu48Nb1_gKWdOHwdUtd_ceoFeNZ7ame6Ma0vLWLNuVx4ygceo68uw/s4000/20230519_151533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGA6E4zYbX6P2bb1QnyFw8W98Mm3S8d6wwiD0WGqRLg5QXtuS0WjQXq9nJ1iHgEcFPJOTAWrwZ5WU_9VanRbFQgZjx7u2xVwEtggkp_r7c6wkudZv91mBTYr8GuNCBlni39-Nu48Nb1_gKWdOHwdUtd_ceoFeNZ7ame6Ma0vLWLNuVx4ygceo68uw/w499-h374/20230519_151533.jpg" width="499" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is the "wildflower blanket" that I crocheted for my sweet granddaughter who is two years old.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP03dl66iNJ3qzqQ4Bf9D1t8cPq-M9O3CZyHtlbV4nUTDpAaVxOd1SfD5C8ENEFHRjkOYUxsFh51fdksVrM_e-M2ZItVWFwNOjdiawztDGyAVzbIhdo-nMgFyaMgAlNs8GyZ97VUaJDnjPFrliokyzHU-ROCc7gvFroXMYYxWORJJkugQrS2V9J9fV/s4000/20230519_151513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP03dl66iNJ3qzqQ4Bf9D1t8cPq-M9O3CZyHtlbV4nUTDpAaVxOd1SfD5C8ENEFHRjkOYUxsFh51fdksVrM_e-M2ZItVWFwNOjdiawztDGyAVzbIhdo-nMgFyaMgAlNs8GyZ97VUaJDnjPFrliokyzHU-ROCc7gvFroXMYYxWORJJkugQrS2V9J9fV/w452-h339/20230519_151513.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Leo, my companion in the studio. He's so sweet.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qsgdt3j57Ax5IAbZRGt44iU723LlXO5bceSath8gtpBtVxblRNDRroj9Bd4PjeZHFKsQ1NgCpZgd26EbhTtOBEXvMghaOz9FLwRCWNVRf5ONgZsIO5aNmu-RL_kam6vbIIRxIp4Txa31dKc6tsD53al2-mL7YknE_q2sluPNXklmtT_vxoObe9wF/s4000/20230518_114258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qsgdt3j57Ax5IAbZRGt44iU723LlXO5bceSath8gtpBtVxblRNDRroj9Bd4PjeZHFKsQ1NgCpZgd26EbhTtOBEXvMghaOz9FLwRCWNVRf5ONgZsIO5aNmu-RL_kam6vbIIRxIp4Txa31dKc6tsD53al2-mL7YknE_q2sluPNXklmtT_vxoObe9wF/w395-h296/20230518_114258.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhi_AJ4SDZfGNS6bZ784jWCC8RF6qZtyQVJ9ivK2EBM9bLlxC80IgpbTSbWQhG37o10c5DkLBkhdfwj33LjQBALPDIhdw7vA0OScWJdmsBMS3sBWWoxnUPnw2DWDOe0pdD46b0kY3d-hDM9kfFbzZ_fwbyIqkvLZ1Mb1Kh34-oLVQvSAa27tAwbSd/s3408/20230512_093734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="3408" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhi_AJ4SDZfGNS6bZ784jWCC8RF6qZtyQVJ9ivK2EBM9bLlxC80IgpbTSbWQhG37o10c5DkLBkhdfwj33LjQBALPDIhdw7vA0OScWJdmsBMS3sBWWoxnUPnw2DWDOe0pdD46b0kY3d-hDM9kfFbzZ_fwbyIqkvLZ1Mb1Kh34-oLVQvSAa27tAwbSd/w400-h300/20230512_093734.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFqla-J3iI959yrUR-rh3dt9SNGhwyan9mdEO_s6otXV6_hPZb3GMvbFUOB_LTymG3s2oX3qrz2DnsHP3gTVq8l2Lry-bAERCHHutNcbBLbX8ggQmz_2Rd-Dt7Ew0Pxt-M02zb9uuTAxGZHtq30FWb0JxjF-VeNR4mRh4epSFM8GQBuwsSz0hFwUT/s4000/20230505_110759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFqla-J3iI959yrUR-rh3dt9SNGhwyan9mdEO_s6otXV6_hPZb3GMvbFUOB_LTymG3s2oX3qrz2DnsHP3gTVq8l2Lry-bAERCHHutNcbBLbX8ggQmz_2Rd-Dt7Ew0Pxt-M02zb9uuTAxGZHtq30FWb0JxjF-VeNR4mRh4epSFM8GQBuwsSz0hFwUT/w391-h293/20230505_110759.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Lately I've been spinning up this fleece from a local farm. It's a Shetland/Black Welsh Mtn. cross. I'm planning a cardigan sweater!<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5rXtpXZpfjIYR4EGFwxTyLASudZad42Abe0HgKQPS3pgfdSZPAXeDHNnin9lOOMidY7WLLWmGF0eWtbZCKWAP3RITVVS2WAgZkibCyV6xOveB9yR711_WTwRVihMxTFJT5JKRXciTLjAf6JZT3xfDnulSgJ4RsJPaTILrKF7_kcjUqz0H73zU2ag/s4000/20230504_082302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5rXtpXZpfjIYR4EGFwxTyLASudZad42Abe0HgKQPS3pgfdSZPAXeDHNnin9lOOMidY7WLLWmGF0eWtbZCKWAP3RITVVS2WAgZkibCyV6xOveB9yR711_WTwRVihMxTFJT5JKRXciTLjAf6JZT3xfDnulSgJ4RsJPaTILrKF7_kcjUqz0H73zU2ag/w428-h321/20230504_082302.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">This pile of yarn went into a rug I wove. I love the mix of the dark (seen in the above photo), and the light-colored Cheviot fleece.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkymJv06_mLGnOfUp-L25kvxGqQRvjvrvQ3CEIvlJxCH1v3WltB2_5VSlD-1OJqhosrDXDUQ8P0RjEERvphQgTQfvEAdXBzUC3tg1DhrRgIrtJSzwJlaf-bhNabMQ3JujVeZu9HblKPv7AS1UeCEj3KvdCr4ICvNDFSB4rva9dwPgYZj97BvwHf4sn/s3899/20230409_184239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3899" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkymJv06_mLGnOfUp-L25kvxGqQRvjvrvQ3CEIvlJxCH1v3WltB2_5VSlD-1OJqhosrDXDUQ8P0RjEERvphQgTQfvEAdXBzUC3tg1DhrRgIrtJSzwJlaf-bhNabMQ3JujVeZu9HblKPv7AS1UeCEj3KvdCr4ICvNDFSB4rva9dwPgYZj97BvwHf4sn/w420-h314/20230409_184239.jpg" width="420" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2KwNCC0Y0ug1zka89U3X4B0qbhYWLtV5Ko7PNHMdKwLZstlaSkbtooxQclWbR1EG9q_9iYikKCQaJDpo4H6aQPVM96sNn5Qz7tzaJ0TuaqEdgQotornFaFIsnP2hGp4BakwuB-OGVxCys9Ol3t6gEIn2uvb_1kMsxUu8j5XHJqIXsagkAY0sah6L/s4000/20230509_145128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2KwNCC0Y0ug1zka89U3X4B0qbhYWLtV5Ko7PNHMdKwLZstlaSkbtooxQclWbR1EG9q_9iYikKCQaJDpo4H6aQPVM96sNn5Qz7tzaJ0TuaqEdgQotornFaFIsnP2hGp4BakwuB-OGVxCys9Ol3t6gEIn2uvb_1kMsxUu8j5XHJqIXsagkAY0sah6L/w429-h322/20230509_145128.jpg" width="429" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdLCglDpshzghALKjkoIQL09DEwS83WSVvztemPwbgDfB6IrPpo8xQ0tKpNlDf2PfdXrne3a4gGwsjZ-DKkaPuFqzArwIvh4OqQ5iqrYUdMsvXlhCliv1c8H9gYezY9mSLnjl0bDK41pBz3VjRn0vxXyp9njJjZC5qDX3fbl6Ga4En0ZkIxR8NhTq/s3197/20230414_190351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2084" data-original-width="3197" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdLCglDpshzghALKjkoIQL09DEwS83WSVvztemPwbgDfB6IrPpo8xQ0tKpNlDf2PfdXrne3a4gGwsjZ-DKkaPuFqzArwIvh4OqQ5iqrYUdMsvXlhCliv1c8H9gYezY9mSLnjl0bDK41pBz3VjRn0vxXyp9njJjZC5qDX3fbl6Ga4En0ZkIxR8NhTq/w623-h407/20230414_190351.jpg" width="623" /></a></div><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">For those who recall that my husband Adam has been sick for several years with a severe auto-immune illness, he is getting better. He had 2 chemo infusions (the aggressive and preferred treatment), and he is definitely improving, has more energy, and will hopefully be able to go off some of his meds soon. We are very thankful. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Much love to all of you friends in blogland!</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-86536161286559430882023-04-13T11:51:00.002-04:002023-04-13T11:51:23.456-04:00Hello, Friends!<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> Well, everyone, I've been gone a while. I've struggled to keep up with both my blog and my Youtube channel. Sorry! But I'll try to catch you up on the highlights of the last few months.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5TzIxbRKTOTKBwoQcE4pTKiXWnZJkDYHG5v8s07LlENews8wFp4MDkDeX3AwW4-0TYqMFYkDXv8egloU8Ne8var86bIV5dTnIsFQddOGUOesJ2IUlW4CttUKdrAYV9ANKfrgFp7hqEqXMLAzDMsQxO-uij404_NXBlNnmbkkZ7vxBNDflPf-d9pQ/s4000/20230407_105654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5TzIxbRKTOTKBwoQcE4pTKiXWnZJkDYHG5v8s07LlENews8wFp4MDkDeX3AwW4-0TYqMFYkDXv8egloU8Ne8var86bIV5dTnIsFQddOGUOesJ2IUlW4CttUKdrAYV9ANKfrgFp7hqEqXMLAzDMsQxO-uij404_NXBlNnmbkkZ7vxBNDflPf-d9pQ/w397-h298/20230407_105654.jpg" width="397" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Christmas was <i>not </i>what we expected! Just before leaving on our long-awaited trip to Mississippi for Christmas with our kids and grandkids, Adam tested positive for Covid. He was not very ill, but he couldn't travel. Then, on Christmas Day, I had to make a "mad dash" trip to visit another of our children to help, and Adam stayed home. I traveled quite a bit, ended up in Chattanooga for a late family Christmas. Chaos ... but it all worked out!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCX0ghw3L-DHl0hZOP_6Syzp1n7abRS1redA9Ng6yjMu2wJcyNpsXui_uoIG44-ZVmWnO-xfgdUloOwSzE7hIj_z2fTQDBh7XWInXBI4D4_mS3l38N8LIJ8X9DTknb01j6J0BdJHzqHjyI25mRk6WvB11IFLLAu0ued35xYds-C2F16h8t6lUXmC3/s4128/20221231_212338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCX0ghw3L-DHl0hZOP_6Syzp1n7abRS1redA9Ng6yjMu2wJcyNpsXui_uoIG44-ZVmWnO-xfgdUloOwSzE7hIj_z2fTQDBh7XWInXBI4D4_mS3l38N8LIJ8X9DTknb01j6J0BdJHzqHjyI25mRk6WvB11IFLLAu0ued35xYds-C2F16h8t6lUXmC3/w420-h315/20221231_212338.jpg" width="420" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfppmduDrofEeV125Fy0wbE0fHue-ObsVrIn2_6-sMh6dvrhVIG6IazG0AVy7hZvZ24F_6KeVvtm9oBvYXNVVwJrh-G9qe7YcvyeAIRhlfqTuBrIVIfAiLocJV8coTBNYntM4jLrraMmXF_Gl_bq9GDcZ_ojllOgDQYtT5z4K1_lTk162M7266bYI/s2048/received_1953535028329916.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfppmduDrofEeV125Fy0wbE0fHue-ObsVrIn2_6-sMh6dvrhVIG6IazG0AVy7hZvZ24F_6KeVvtm9oBvYXNVVwJrh-G9qe7YcvyeAIRhlfqTuBrIVIfAiLocJV8coTBNYntM4jLrraMmXF_Gl_bq9GDcZ_ojllOgDQYtT5z4K1_lTk162M7266bYI/w290-h386/received_1953535028329916.jpeg" width="290" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Adam visited a new doctor for his auto-immune illness and was approved for two Rituxan infusions in March. They've already made him feel <i>so </i>much better! We're very thankful for his improvement. He has much more energy and hopes to be in remission soon. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqDMv7keDShGHVCiWNwBRYmn5a1RyKcP3Vys56XaZ9l0hfSQg50w-XjA32GfHlFy8K0OVuHu0t-FASuJ_cPK1PqD84mGbAPgbEu8r73d2tzIMMQb9Kt-jlibA0Wls5zRgvGyTWGtqb8PnPbWtQKzxT9VXvayCxuR4J4-KiM4KeMlTZVyOyqXRwcTV/s4000/20230306_140347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqDMv7keDShGHVCiWNwBRYmn5a1RyKcP3Vys56XaZ9l0hfSQg50w-XjA32GfHlFy8K0OVuHu0t-FASuJ_cPK1PqD84mGbAPgbEu8r73d2tzIMMQb9Kt-jlibA0Wls5zRgvGyTWGtqb8PnPbWtQKzxT9VXvayCxuR4J4-KiM4KeMlTZVyOyqXRwcTV/w278-h371/20230306_140347.jpg" width="278" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I'm still making soaps and lotions and working with yarn a lot. I bought two fleeces at a local farm, and then my brother gave me a large bag of fleece from his sheep in West Virginia. Those fleeces have been so fun to clean and work with! I love working with fleece more than I expected, even the feeling of lanolin on my hands and the smell of the barnyard in my studio. I used the old alpaca fleece to make a rug -- a trial run on rug weaving.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSECTc4EFoIakiu2w3uyxMfHhRfMGnHv4qkfZzKIekcnq2aWLSMiM7Zx8dOgsbbDV000G14URN4VfHBwj62mLC2WAWYerQankclFAbgPlKzmZNqx7it5Oin-cwRGaRF-BgYz-ih2KFKrMURMHSjKEHXzX5qur4ksluHc053jesX266qj2zVK03seM/s3899/20230409_184239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="3899" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSECTc4EFoIakiu2w3uyxMfHhRfMGnHv4qkfZzKIekcnq2aWLSMiM7Zx8dOgsbbDV000G14URN4VfHBwj62mLC2WAWYerQankclFAbgPlKzmZNqx7it5Oin-cwRGaRF-BgYz-ih2KFKrMURMHSjKEHXzX5qur4ksluHc053jesX266qj2zVK03seM/w426-h318/20230409_184239.jpg" width="426" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwhbA8THB3rOkhyN8et45dGbedjP_iGS5dye6BBeaKTrZTXmqcRv3cdcSoIv-9WNOj8yzDIv7kWNhtnyCytQyDIFOJjMAyFEPE9y3nGazwQ4pr2Dh8PrkKcRJOej8eXbMf8YQLjh1Ss-J2uaJ0t7gIN6rw7xr6Zws7_-r2VyAU7TjBeiaadVmttGj/s4000/alpaca%20rug%203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwhbA8THB3rOkhyN8et45dGbedjP_iGS5dye6BBeaKTrZTXmqcRv3cdcSoIv-9WNOj8yzDIv7kWNhtnyCytQyDIFOJjMAyFEPE9y3nGazwQ4pr2Dh8PrkKcRJOej8eXbMf8YQLjh1Ss-J2uaJ0t7gIN6rw7xr6Zws7_-r2VyAU7TjBeiaadVmttGj/w401-h301/alpaca%20rug%203.jpg" width="401" /></a></div></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">The farmers market has started up again. I've been doing it for nearly 11 years. I still enjoy it, but it's quite tiring. I'm slowing down a bit on making some of my wares. But I'm still enjoying my chickens and my spinning and knitting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I've had a little medical problem, esophageal spasms, that keeps me from being as active and productive as I like to be, so it's been a more "restful" year than usual. <i>REST </i>is my word this year, I think. I don't mind slowing down and realizing I can't do all I used to do. And as we get older, of course we want to use the energy we have for other people, especially family. Adam is still pastoring and teaching middle school, so that keeps him very busy.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">If for some reason you'd enjoy watching my Youtube videos, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@myownlittlehouse471/videos" target="_blank">here's a link to my channel.</a> A lot of the things I mentioned here have dedicated videos there. Wishing you all the best, blog friends!</span></p><p><br /></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-24547789662677283912022-11-08T08:03:00.004-05:002022-11-08T08:03:57.686-05:00And Now It's November --<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> It's been over a month since I last posted. What a whirlwind! October was lovely, but it sped by. The main thing that happened is that my daughter, son-in-law, and two adorable grandchildren came for a visit! The grown-ups quickly left for a much-deserved vacation, and the little ones stayed with Nana and Poppi for 7 days. Wow! I haven't done that before in my own house. (I usually go to theirs.) We had loads of fun, were very relaxed and mostly played inside and outside, and watched lots of <u>Clifford the Big Red Dog</u> and Beatrix Potter's <u>World of Peter Rabbit and Friends</u>. I missed them so much when they left to go home, but I was wiped out! I think it took me about 5 days to recover, haha.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQRPlXK0rDJxxiknIcT4KIKwdHTU6hT73OrUDCcpkaABAkn5m9rnq9s6gHOW0ohm3V2qNI_7SqCtwt8NcbZPw7-Vs3SDSE1hKJoIOxh4rxsEQtq7bgxkXv-4hu4amGC-gY0XqRuA2UiPDgcvZPIdSeS57TOY8UEM7GduAktYl3BPOuBEfZFBWvEMN/s4000/20221026_075445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQRPlXK0rDJxxiknIcT4KIKwdHTU6hT73OrUDCcpkaABAkn5m9rnq9s6gHOW0ohm3V2qNI_7SqCtwt8NcbZPw7-Vs3SDSE1hKJoIOxh4rxsEQtq7bgxkXv-4hu4amGC-gY0XqRuA2UiPDgcvZPIdSeS57TOY8UEM7GduAktYl3BPOuBEfZFBWvEMN/w380-h285/20221026_075445.jpg" width="380" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ECXoyM4t39rJ1AGHRopkDuGy2ALy9pGLVz7PSrvZZke1YMwXFRQRxzn5dRo0psji37dQM3xWTgh3wHJ_JiP0dJfvWChuphfSSClOk8zrs7TlWQ53_RR5DJU_QLxS2UOd2jxA6WaPECXNT1anP_xT8dLl4RWcVzMsNAYZ-QTaLDWlVw72Qkam0SRn/s3523/20221025_142116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2715" data-original-width="3523" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ECXoyM4t39rJ1AGHRopkDuGy2ALy9pGLVz7PSrvZZke1YMwXFRQRxzn5dRo0psji37dQM3xWTgh3wHJ_JiP0dJfvWChuphfSSClOk8zrs7TlWQ53_RR5DJU_QLxS2UOd2jxA6WaPECXNT1anP_xT8dLl4RWcVzMsNAYZ-QTaLDWlVw72Qkam0SRn/w361-h279/20221025_142116.jpg" width="361" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx5Noa0cjGb3062KhWOR5vVvaTufOx4-nIElnCBT3DvHdPrSxXB5YlOk3Q0GXh7R0Z3W-Gg1aZwsfbmmeg5FrgwHvv04BwRsqO7P1-QTs5pM2A33ihAQUwBU_14QPvyENg9Y6ZJ6KgwbDHd4oNMkcBWw1fKIF7XuzmqEQORK0m5r-FOmALbajQrvr/s3408/20221105_152617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="3408" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKx5Noa0cjGb3062KhWOR5vVvaTufOx4-nIElnCBT3DvHdPrSxXB5YlOk3Q0GXh7R0Z3W-Gg1aZwsfbmmeg5FrgwHvv04BwRsqO7P1-QTs5pM2A33ihAQUwBU_14QPvyENg9Y6ZJ6KgwbDHd4oNMkcBWw1fKIF7XuzmqEQORK0m5r-FOmALbajQrvr/w399-h300/20221105_152617.jpg" width="399" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-large;">At last I finished knitting the sweater vest that I made from my handspun yarn. It's a bit large, but that's better than too small. It's an extra layer for winter, to wear around the house.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">I've been picking up so many pecans; this is a great pecan year! Today a friend is coming to pick some too. There are far too many for me. As you see in the photo above, the pecan leaves are covering the ground. We crush pecans when we drive out the driveway -- crunch, crunch -- and the chickens eagerly eat the meat inside. The baby chicks are babies no longer! They're nearly as big as the smallest hen, Bibby. I don't have a recent photo of them. And shockingly, I think they are all females! It doesn't seem possible, but I'm hopeful.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">I'm slowly working on yet another children's picture book, this time a bedtime book full of sleeping woodland animals (well, except for the cat). Yesterday I finished the foxes.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsrRRFuaAUystfToSzPRzoszHZVr_zqyA0hlrB2Ui1H3NtiHZH3KV2t-eso9CZJrta0GRcoUGudf0yFp_60G0wyuNSUG2l80vUHOs21X_--iMOz4PknMsMd-lqLIFm8m-6I_M60c3HqpsWdcY7CpRj1R9egvjtWcjeBeNSmZdsTzz9RSNmIzcU9i7/s4000/20221107_094249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsrRRFuaAUystfToSzPRzoszHZVr_zqyA0hlrB2Ui1H3NtiHZH3KV2t-eso9CZJrta0GRcoUGudf0yFp_60G0wyuNSUG2l80vUHOs21X_--iMOz4PknMsMd-lqLIFm8m-6I_M60c3HqpsWdcY7CpRj1R9egvjtWcjeBeNSmZdsTzz9RSNmIzcU9i7/w407-h305/20221107_094249.jpg" width="407" /></a></div>I'm starting to write the text, which I want to be a poem, and yesterday I think I decided on its meter. I'm really enjoying this project. <p></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">The farmers market is picking up speed as of last Saturday, and I must paint lots of cards this week, make Healing Herb Ointment today, and make a batch of soap. Phew! I also ordered more of my printed cards from the printer in New Bern. My packs of prints are selling faster than the hand-painted cards. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">I can tell Adam and I are getting older because we spend more time at the doctors' offices, and we talk about illnesses and medications. Ah well, that's what's important to you as you age, right? We are both doing fine. I've made some changes to my eating habits, and I'm feeling better than I have in the past 5 years. I cut out all sugar/desserts about 6 months ago. Then this fall I decided to begin intermittent fasting each day. It's not very radical, really. I try to eat supper about 5:00, and I don't have anything but water until breakfast the next morning, at about 9:00. It just gives my body a good fast, and gets my insulin levels down. It's a way to reverse pre-diabetes and (hopefully) avoid the awful medications for that disease. We shall see! I get blood work done next month, but for now, I feel really good -- less body pain, more energy. Hmm. See what I mean about talking about health issues? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-large;">We have so many activities coming up with church friends and community events. It's a busy month. Enjoy the lovely autumn weather, dear friends, and remember to be thankful each day! </span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-38736669961127842792022-10-02T14:23:00.001-04:002022-10-02T14:23:38.138-04:00The Beloved Month<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I told Adam that October 1st is my favorite day of the year. October is my favorite month, and on October 1st, I have thirty-one days of it to enjoy! </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJuxibkOMtpI0oQ7uTU3IzCdYRMH7I9hliSb150YL6oWJUIWrVL724y4jEl_mhe88hmKWfY--nMWRSsUxh2TsoEJG3LCi0vApvCkVbfFeZUR43bE1GiarTg7CmomgzJYlDYQcXaQFarNWmnav_iZu3ihtorU8hUgVVMEeDOs_hZh_5AoNZYDT80k5/s1200/october.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1200" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJuxibkOMtpI0oQ7uTU3IzCdYRMH7I9hliSb150YL6oWJUIWrVL724y4jEl_mhe88hmKWfY--nMWRSsUxh2TsoEJG3LCi0vApvCkVbfFeZUR43bE1GiarTg7CmomgzJYlDYQcXaQFarNWmnav_iZu3ihtorU8hUgVVMEeDOs_hZh_5AoNZYDT80k5/w530-h220/october.jpg" width="530" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Friday was an interesting day. Hurricane Ian was passing to our south, swinging strong winds and rain our way. With schools canceled, Adam was home. We enjoyed the day indoors, him sewing and me knitting and spinning. It was lovely. He made pumpkin scones.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I'm feeling so much better already, with cool weather and the departure of summer. Hooray! I'm also on a new eating schedule. Pre-diabetes (insulin resistance) has caused me to start a 16/8 diet schedule, where I don't consume anything but water between 5:00 pm and 9:00 am. It's not that hard to do, and it can really be good for you ... and it's so much better than taking medication, although I may have to do that too, eventually. But so far, I'm feeling so much better!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">My doctor also prescribed a little something (medication) for anxiety, a first for me. I think that's helped also.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">What have I been reading recently? Well, I read Miss Read's <u>Changes at Fairacre,</u> <u>Tea by the Nursery Fire</u> by Noel Streatfeild, and am now in the middle of Haven Kimmel's interesting pseudo-memoir, <u>She Got Up Off the Couch</u>. I have a precariously leaning tower of books on my bedside table, and another on my vanity, all of them waiting their turns.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Life has been fairly quiet here (except for that hurricane). I've adjusted to being home by myself during the day, and have taken the "be productive" pressure off myself. When the weather turns cool, my favorite thing to do is burn sticks and branches in the burn barrel in the mornings. It's sheer delight. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9faGnRy0T2-VEDbczUF_uhzRMynFjYlxPEeDRwYaZsBNPPiDfVRWtwkpQW8MQ54lP9nk_BboP9--1rAWYCogmksvhBoerGtlXZ6mII-X2D6RT1ZcuuoWxaclkwzAseQyJv-KFQmZVPXaPROvQ2dSrviGcEPHvT68qOcSno3U34P2LuaEGibWNhC14/s4000/20220923_084810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9faGnRy0T2-VEDbczUF_uhzRMynFjYlxPEeDRwYaZsBNPPiDfVRWtwkpQW8MQ54lP9nk_BboP9--1rAWYCogmksvhBoerGtlXZ6mII-X2D6RT1ZcuuoWxaclkwzAseQyJv-KFQmZVPXaPROvQ2dSrviGcEPHvT68qOcSno3U34P2LuaEGibWNhC14/s320/20220923_084810.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I've started making my own pecan/peanut granola.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiUJ-KHx6XCx7fVOdpJMZ2HIwIWjOWB7C6Q4_-pNqq38mS-vGCYfpcguJXAayf-5PZi4wJhW8_ClHa4fIPJtJA7TDKdZsJQsOC8_hUTybJ-JPFb6R0grBiXeeC5HjAs_Xx6hUn9LOHylfTshjPSVP5XHFFyIxNHCjwXcTpraDTxzXIVBybApw3xrh/s4000/20220921_122429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiUJ-KHx6XCx7fVOdpJMZ2HIwIWjOWB7C6Q4_-pNqq38mS-vGCYfpcguJXAayf-5PZi4wJhW8_ClHa4fIPJtJA7TDKdZsJQsOC8_hUTybJ-JPFb6R0grBiXeeC5HjAs_Xx6hUn9LOHylfTshjPSVP5XHFFyIxNHCjwXcTpraDTxzXIVBybApw3xrh/s320/20220921_122429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And how could I forget to tell you about the five baby chicks that were hatched by Henny Penny about 3 weeks ago?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB6xTMajwg2BSz4BAX7sf_kndfaOHe9U2iQ458CCVxgHGLYI4rP0aGlzrKLz1iRryQYf0zrnKGeZ1Ao5FVBgPQ1WmZ9tb2zorLTgkvtxE7zTJi5hR4IF4-41HJhfoWITYNJSdt4vU1ABBz-0yAP6BNBoV_r541KEEKj6wDkNXp6mYy5bj_17OqWby/s4000/20220921_134340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKB6xTMajwg2BSz4BAX7sf_kndfaOHe9U2iQ458CCVxgHGLYI4rP0aGlzrKLz1iRryQYf0zrnKGeZ1Ao5FVBgPQ1WmZ9tb2zorLTgkvtxE7zTJi5hR4IF4-41HJhfoWITYNJSdt4vU1ABBz-0yAP6BNBoV_r541KEEKj6wDkNXp6mYy5bj_17OqWby/s320/20220921_134340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0J4nLyuVzHYwcnio_5jh_Z9zeDc-cejP4vuPIWuBx-whl4cGn7E7dlyVOpdxpTDgtlfZkRBpuNXzCu437Zd1Z-K_pf7m4VTjRFY04UPuTX8KYxPDY3FJdRGPtY6ZCQvTlp2C6cfA9Sxg8s9H549UWiITpKnrdPxLchNwSOOgvUwSItsPyrOqyUCu/s4000/20220921_134442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0J4nLyuVzHYwcnio_5jh_Z9zeDc-cejP4vuPIWuBx-whl4cGn7E7dlyVOpdxpTDgtlfZkRBpuNXzCu437Zd1Z-K_pf7m4VTjRFY04UPuTX8KYxPDY3FJdRGPtY6ZCQvTlp2C6cfA9Sxg8s9H549UWiITpKnrdPxLchNwSOOgvUwSItsPyrOqyUCu/s320/20220921_134442.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">They are so healthy, and she is such a good mama. I'm thrilled to see that all five have survived thus far. Three are "naked neck" birds, like their daddy Mr. Sparky. I'm not at all certain, but I have hopes that four of them are hens. We can hope! Think of all the eggs I'll have then!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I've been doing a lot of knitting -- LOTS of felted slippers, and I'm quite far along in a sweater vest, but not far enough along to show you photos of it yet. But it uses this yarn that I spun in July:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzrQ_MVUlVWLw6HJ0LDFktC9ydZ-rE5dy8-5ACCSyZWIKwsbwW2xDPP8lM37G0fk2NHVRrl-p315f6-0CVf8GqBt5YQ7ojhYiNksCFXHBbpnyqRIngxgbrAkrhkgmBn904pEliEH1KjXM1ft2VTOcg1mRMzb9DfoXzOEgd5OGl81cDRFCertBiNY-/s4000/1st%20skein%20done%20a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwzrQ_MVUlVWLw6HJ0LDFktC9ydZ-rE5dy8-5ACCSyZWIKwsbwW2xDPP8lM37G0fk2NHVRrl-p315f6-0CVf8GqBt5YQ7ojhYiNksCFXHBbpnyqRIngxgbrAkrhkgmBn904pEliEH1KjXM1ft2VTOcg1mRMzb9DfoXzOEgd5OGl81cDRFCertBiNY-/s320/1st%20skein%20done%20a.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I did make a second wet-felted bowl, but no more. I'll wait to see whether I can sell them before I make a dozen, haha.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkK0gJRgvDtrYMStpZYUOFXSyZOHBUuMyJcXEX_mYPkcoFFjumxs4BPvhR8JorSVfGqW-uF_xzOXMq9dvSmOoh-XY_ErX08AoZuauMSmzKys9i9_TGuZynQz_CGtms4fY4emWq0JERulhsP_8WzoI2k6Fqlo3wDAm0SClXl5G8vy30DRHlonjQW1Z/s4000/20220905_132223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkK0gJRgvDtrYMStpZYUOFXSyZOHBUuMyJcXEX_mYPkcoFFjumxs4BPvhR8JorSVfGqW-uF_xzOXMq9dvSmOoh-XY_ErX08AoZuauMSmzKys9i9_TGuZynQz_CGtms4fY4emWq0JERulhsP_8WzoI2k6Fqlo3wDAm0SClXl5G8vy30DRHlonjQW1Z/s320/20220905_132223.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I take way too many photos of Leo. He's so very cute. I'll go find a few of them to share with you, and end there. All is well with us, and I hope all is well with you also, dear friends! I'm over on Youtube more than I'm here, if you're looking for me :) Take care, and God bless --</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qKkkUwXqvX4r_vNZBdUTpSlIApNdIW3L50_NH9eKheKF_ToroWsLfADCevcAzYd8M66mdguOFXksNPBqHKBdxVSXJC18lhvhv1YZW6Zg-oEPNQWgv6kdDkMXvIdHH8ijMvwAe1WnZw45V4113c2WWvbJRh77DoRcwsw9Eld_clKXo-r-PzbIeWnL/s4000/20220911_201614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qKkkUwXqvX4r_vNZBdUTpSlIApNdIW3L50_NH9eKheKF_ToroWsLfADCevcAzYd8M66mdguOFXksNPBqHKBdxVSXJC18lhvhv1YZW6Zg-oEPNQWgv6kdDkMXvIdHH8ijMvwAe1WnZw45V4113c2WWvbJRh77DoRcwsw9Eld_clKXo-r-PzbIeWnL/s320/20220911_201614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnBk3Zux9ePW3IB96ULKRhGcEpqYoNs5jGLsK1_bLXxVmzD9jQGqQQZNSrgXwBGUCRqZJdXdClijCPj6Iv6Rqq0h48-CZbBTKzs3ajJlpvvHybeQeXXuSvdpp2mLIlFzSCUgMlL_n5sHhQx-3xl-IRV2SbmZ3j-AaNWdvAKUv9me-fDgjXoqdKt7c/s4000/20220926_101110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAnBk3Zux9ePW3IB96ULKRhGcEpqYoNs5jGLsK1_bLXxVmzD9jQGqQQZNSrgXwBGUCRqZJdXdClijCPj6Iv6Rqq0h48-CZbBTKzs3ajJlpvvHybeQeXXuSvdpp2mLIlFzSCUgMlL_n5sHhQx-3xl-IRV2SbmZ3j-AaNWdvAKUv9me-fDgjXoqdKt7c/s320/20220926_101110.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-67314172225949379472022-08-31T10:54:00.005-04:002022-08-31T10:54:56.572-04:00Hello, Tomorrow!<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> What's tomorrow? Tomorrow is the first of September!! I'm so happy to wave August good-bye, with all its heat. September might not feel much better right away, but at least it is an "-ember" month, and it must usher us into the cool delights of the ember months.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hibernate indoors during summer and do creative things, as you know. This has been The Summer of Felting. <a href="http://mkatchris.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-height-of-summer.html" target="_blank">I showed you the hats before</a>. Then I moved on to slippers! Oh, what joy! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2p4pmiRU0t8ps1foPoORMBRi44XdJS3338VZd0M1NqjwIhzkzs-wXf3_0sDZHppqbGyUtICCePUq-iHUnHPwEod_j_qGFgH_wUNRkaPXn2Mg2KKexeGSROnXjj1t8OJkCwSpTKDB8yTZqp6dl9oIEm1Hw3rSdV5yhLpoB13Z5XWeteIcgW4UFwvC/s4000/20220809_144938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw2p4pmiRU0t8ps1foPoORMBRi44XdJS3338VZd0M1NqjwIhzkzs-wXf3_0sDZHppqbGyUtICCePUq-iHUnHPwEod_j_qGFgH_wUNRkaPXn2Mg2KKexeGSROnXjj1t8OJkCwSpTKDB8yTZqp6dl9oIEm1Hw3rSdV5yhLpoB13Z5XWeteIcgW4UFwvC/s320/20220809_144938.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsWcOriGcFg9X6SffFYPuXZHj4QsVougHyehnITUoq99ljgaBun4LjuKh7oKhymhVBrIGkTdDai6skWvzyBvTx-CTf4mC-m1LnnY1voVBeTi50Qd17HTAQWo2Ml5ixNadxdTxKIgsrpHl5bUsVayuIHOd875ScejSUX-KuKbPknkO1EGYQPKGT1tD/s2809/20220801_171143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2809" data-original-width="2477" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAsWcOriGcFg9X6SffFYPuXZHj4QsVougHyehnITUoq99ljgaBun4LjuKh7oKhymhVBrIGkTdDai6skWvzyBvTx-CTf4mC-m1LnnY1voVBeTi50Qd17HTAQWo2Ml5ixNadxdTxKIgsrpHl5bUsVayuIHOd875ScejSUX-KuKbPknkO1EGYQPKGT1tD/s320/20220801_171143.jpg" width="282" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I think I've felted about eleven pairs of slippers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrjScNrHUleopyzVUKqeRGOUkXylOgI9Ju0TGigxCrdfKC-B3mpyPA0LHkyAbG7MpCw1grZUFyjaEAZuLFpaBjeQoDIhQSSKIJ44GqUy-jK5RgHFbmLc4iLCvrojnNHCWf-VpJ_fvQAgKUi5g4oubDjzv9cci8LKZ-4AVGm3P-t9pvjUlE0S04Fsw/s4000/20220815_100315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrjScNrHUleopyzVUKqeRGOUkXylOgI9Ju0TGigxCrdfKC-B3mpyPA0LHkyAbG7MpCw1grZUFyjaEAZuLFpaBjeQoDIhQSSKIJ44GqUy-jK5RgHFbmLc4iLCvrojnNHCWf-VpJ_fvQAgKUi5g4oubDjzv9cci8LKZ-4AVGm3P-t9pvjUlE0S04Fsw/w420-h315/20220815_100315.jpg" width="420" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Felting is unpredictable and time-consuming, and I may have finally perfected the knitting pattern that I use to make these slippers. It took a lot of knitting, trial, and error.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">This week I moved on to wet felting. Rather than knitting an item and then washing it to felt it (shrink it), wet felting uses straight fiber, wetted, soaped, and rubbed for hours, in order to make a piece. I started with a rectangle that I may turn into a book cover. It's about 8"x7".</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AKPvoE40V94XZg4k0iIqQMFRPs0EFmVAVc8aCI-kRdTFck-mwdNfL4jTSqxSZN0i82I_JSf0i62TWvDpLz5Ukdeb3I1zO4hc4ZLG_ANbmDhpO1C3vFbtSi9WMB_o9xtv7cazwI9hTJcKZWR89mf0hTuDNsrJcQI0Nk61hNsEw-edrCWaXd00Oj9o/s4000/20220829_112756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AKPvoE40V94XZg4k0iIqQMFRPs0EFmVAVc8aCI-kRdTFck-mwdNfL4jTSqxSZN0i82I_JSf0i62TWvDpLz5Ukdeb3I1zO4hc4ZLG_ANbmDhpO1C3vFbtSi9WMB_o9xtv7cazwI9hTJcKZWR89mf0hTuDNsrJcQI0Nk61hNsEw-edrCWaXd00Oj9o/w362-h271/20220829_112756.jpg" width="362" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">I immediately made a larger one that was more challenging:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1H6o6fB_VA7wVSn4QPyDEUid_edGis4eP4plUYhxEYOq13P57UcNfIxVo1nKscpzPB65lfrIrHxdqKPAm-Abi9NtPH0WCWINe2ETkh44yXNSTVxmAsMVWwX8mAJrXIGiwo5wetQvbshk0kv41g409ft_E39fjyTtkcosOYOkROSzuCF4UpHAtnqLy/s4000/20220830_130723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1H6o6fB_VA7wVSn4QPyDEUid_edGis4eP4plUYhxEYOq13P57UcNfIxVo1nKscpzPB65lfrIrHxdqKPAm-Abi9NtPH0WCWINe2ETkh44yXNSTVxmAsMVWwX8mAJrXIGiwo5wetQvbshk0kv41g409ft_E39fjyTtkcosOYOkROSzuCF4UpHAtnqLy/w397-h298/20220830_130723.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I like the colors, but I don't like making objects that seem to have no use. So yesterday I decided to make a bowl. I watched a <i>long </i>video by an expert felter called Nicola Brown, set out all my wool fiber, and launched into it!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0-SYTg6lRZ10V-SwYhQNLaMbxOL5QOCRn3zvigmjTfgK2rgE-VlYJSZxj7T9YYX9YrIqCRXKcIqBCQktsklWCFp6ZoJ2m-1yi7S2j0pagxJXNaI72kdh_IzkQNNLy6BR-pV3zSpwvk7T7XlYUFUDUX9grrLj603ynMTmyWS2e-TlvShgRqCwoCxb/s4000/20220830_130654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL0-SYTg6lRZ10V-SwYhQNLaMbxOL5QOCRn3zvigmjTfgK2rgE-VlYJSZxj7T9YYX9YrIqCRXKcIqBCQktsklWCFp6ZoJ2m-1yi7S2j0pagxJXNaI72kdh_IzkQNNLy6BR-pV3zSpwvk7T7XlYUFUDUX9grrLj603ynMTmyWS2e-TlvShgRqCwoCxb/s320/20220830_130654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDtux23zeqGxcrWjodaPQEoeOYpNd9Xs1LyB7bp1blwv_vktginPFiIK6tstyi0X5emaCRQMYBQL_-RvCPK1pDhetx-BFCRWWODTmxY0MH4pndbk2rjMSwOiGV0WY0GADRy_zHMnJj5Ud3_EQaVZGVnN3s-zJaAmt7OqPPjN1m2Jdey0E-egSz1Dm/s4000/20220830_130647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDtux23zeqGxcrWjodaPQEoeOYpNd9Xs1LyB7bp1blwv_vktginPFiIK6tstyi0X5emaCRQMYBQL_-RvCPK1pDhetx-BFCRWWODTmxY0MH4pndbk2rjMSwOiGV0WY0GADRy_zHMnJj5Ud3_EQaVZGVnN3s-zJaAmt7OqPPjN1m2Jdey0E-egSz1Dm/s320/20220830_130647.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-Pd8i_0GP0yWSCHP4gZ4TtUtlbc83zeHstrNG8JLcl-QRz1J3fS_ILOLC-QvQ-rLG0xmEJNkDPCOvd3N_HcwrYGddertAPgenDZsiyvxqnFh0R3a9gK4uINAfRE5uOVnypsk3KlUY6QbcW3iYQMR0gLRZS6Q-6D1Le9ZNF1YqLCFGkMrMDsdfMjx/s4000/20220830_130642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-Pd8i_0GP0yWSCHP4gZ4TtUtlbc83zeHstrNG8JLcl-QRz1J3fS_ILOLC-QvQ-rLG0xmEJNkDPCOvd3N_HcwrYGddertAPgenDZsiyvxqnFh0R3a9gK4uINAfRE5uOVnypsk3KlUY6QbcW3iYQMR0gLRZS6Q-6D1Le9ZNF1YqLCFGkMrMDsdfMjx/w249-h332/20220830_130642.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>That's more like it! I'm quite happy with that bowl, but it took 4 hours of hard work (as in, physical labor) to produce it. I'll wait a few days before I do that again. I love the look of felted wool. I hope to be doing this for a while.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Adam is back teaching school now. His health issues continue, and we plug away, one day at a time. It's not easy. Our lawn mower has been broken and in the repair shop for nearly 2 months. A very kind neighbor did mow the house lot a few days ago (with many thanks from us!!), but it doesn't look like the rest of the weedy property will be mowed anytime soon. SIGH.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I took a trip with a friend to Montreat, in the lovely mountains of North Carolina. Then I visited my mother and family in West Virginia. Both trips were designed to let me escape from August's unrelenting heat, and I knitted and felted slippers as I traveled. Now the temperatures have dipped into the 80s, thankfully. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">You'd think I'd be truly sick of crafty activities, but I'm not. If I do get tired of one, I just rotate to another. I haven't been doing a lot of painting, but I did finish these three "sleeping animals" pieces, which are 9"x12".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w6lOnTSEwxuHbLv_n7ntFKuo2YqKkNET0AeT8E_dmzcdCN9bYFQCmYSqDzfpBIKkbXX3xW7qzoQ4CClMJvdJodr-wk3cJZ1UNyk-uSUL5MJkX8l0aiPOu0LxZVLyQ66O9s0VgK2sEz2t9g7yN1183KWAUIIPRVxngdYOZd8XY85GJ8zrSLDXS_OY/s4000/20220809_115549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w6lOnTSEwxuHbLv_n7ntFKuo2YqKkNET0AeT8E_dmzcdCN9bYFQCmYSqDzfpBIKkbXX3xW7qzoQ4CClMJvdJodr-wk3cJZ1UNyk-uSUL5MJkX8l0aiPOu0LxZVLyQ66O9s0VgK2sEz2t9g7yN1183KWAUIIPRVxngdYOZd8XY85GJ8zrSLDXS_OY/w401-h301/20220809_115549.jpg" width="401" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5orrSmHdjA5-tyA5FnA-7N4g1yiGppsBu69sKmTUeM6mYr1z38B8ZTm57ozG-Cz0tXtaDCMyKA7qOWd9BylYNgqR_DOzpvz4lxD_AxK7AKpnMQ7weVKLrpkHlXBx-zhhl2nnAjKk_KXnuQd-gCI8bTogCfMNoQ8RKcxkCyDTq_ot06i_aCAVNnqd/s4000/20220810_130538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5orrSmHdjA5-tyA5FnA-7N4g1yiGppsBu69sKmTUeM6mYr1z38B8ZTm57ozG-Cz0tXtaDCMyKA7qOWd9BylYNgqR_DOzpvz4lxD_AxK7AKpnMQ7weVKLrpkHlXBx-zhhl2nnAjKk_KXnuQd-gCI8bTogCfMNoQ8RKcxkCyDTq_ot06i_aCAVNnqd/w433-h325/20220810_130538.jpg" width="433" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSDIZWKDit1brIhJbX6gJ69VHtV9pB2-I9BZWUa3Jqg0oMbfRuIkcxYu8qS9K-DkI3lDAkF2phECdTFkA6Scpfflure5zwgzqJQfHPaImDozPr_VaH476fFgXb7nuKSDg9Uln217aZa-JO7Ch5zzraJadD2by6Xvq8m5GWXwsUJn-780lFHR6qtUm/s4000/20220813_112414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgSDIZWKDit1brIhJbX6gJ69VHtV9pB2-I9BZWUa3Jqg0oMbfRuIkcxYu8qS9K-DkI3lDAkF2phECdTFkA6Scpfflure5zwgzqJQfHPaImDozPr_VaH476fFgXb7nuKSDg9Uln217aZa-JO7Ch5zzraJadD2by6Xvq8m5GWXwsUJn-780lFHR6qtUm/w376-h282/20220813_112414.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">I think I like the rabbits best.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's a photo of Leo, and of my mother's geraniums, and then I must dash. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqLoPm_5vTsBztT-l2l144X7r2dlFwgeiC6vRzftRBF8e8F50goeZDLbZSutX5GYYgU3L-QqXq9OE5eL08bSiw_DKngCl1zz90gftybcq3Byxp6UtFrDzG3aIsLcnHE58CaiikGn6Geyf__ZkHb4G_nx-uedwuddRbtw9pZUIoo6q5MWGS9M6tjRl/s4000/20220829_071507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqLoPm_5vTsBztT-l2l144X7r2dlFwgeiC6vRzftRBF8e8F50goeZDLbZSutX5GYYgU3L-QqXq9OE5eL08bSiw_DKngCl1zz90gftybcq3Byxp6UtFrDzG3aIsLcnHE58CaiikGn6Geyf__ZkHb4G_nx-uedwuddRbtw9pZUIoo6q5MWGS9M6tjRl/w402-h301/20220829_071507.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLmzXiJTljfV0Z_eQzKQkg0SA04awtKg6br5VgXX83HZv_NyGIVwuOROMvXBOzFATUvSWJkS2lfLWH6LwC3Ek99WYIvMpzlkokorW5UfJWd6rpZ40SIbOYuIrcqi4d-QjC68rboGREXBQN8SgXjBrnrEuziE8alEBwmVENPJSs-j751fPWstjGH-s/s4000/20220819_112017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLmzXiJTljfV0Z_eQzKQkg0SA04awtKg6br5VgXX83HZv_NyGIVwuOROMvXBOzFATUvSWJkS2lfLWH6LwC3Ek99WYIvMpzlkokorW5UfJWd6rpZ40SIbOYuIrcqi4d-QjC68rboGREXBQN8SgXjBrnrEuziE8alEBwmVENPJSs-j751fPWstjGH-s/w451-h338/20220819_112017.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">All the best, dear friends! God bless!</span></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-62745227105494944472022-07-21T09:06:00.007-04:002022-07-21T09:23:44.982-04:00The Whatsoever Things<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> A daughter of an old friend shared a "story" on Facebook that she found on Twitter. I don't do Twitter. But I did find the Tweet from Hannah Anderson. Anderson said so many good things, but here's an example:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><span>"</span><span face="TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1419; white-space: pre-wrap;">We only have a certain amount of time, attention, & resources. If we devote them to being anti-culture, we cannot devote them to forming healthy culture. We're passing along something, to be sure. But it's not the gospel. It's not a sustainable faith."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Basically, Anderson is saying this: Be careful about being against things. Don't be against the culture, but don't be against the church. If your life is full of "anti-things" and "no," you will reach the bottom of that well and be empty. You can spend your life being against things (even evil things), but it won't fill your soul or bring you happiness. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">We need to spend our time making good things, beautiful things, joyful things, whenever we can. The gospel is the <i>good </i>news, not the anti-news.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Like Anderson, I was entirely brought up in a Christian culture that was against; <i>we were all about rejecting people and ideas</i>. It defined us. We were anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-Democrat, anti-drugs, anti-divorce, etc. You remember. We called ourselves pro-life, pro-marriage, Republican, clean-living, etc. But we spent most of our mental time being <i>against </i>things.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">It's exhausting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Now it's also popular to be against the church, against institutions, against whatever the other side is. I have friends on both sides of this pitched battle. I'm tired of it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">A scrap of paper on my desk reminds me:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVsGpGLSwwYrMZTNzF3inLsinIZ1ZtnRxkDRkekzKMxW_-kRlLXWessyZY2L_OjSjngRM0ydXW5Y4oeI8nrcM9hy6Ygsx_2qOFVwcw0uFixe8h4Ed6IPUXtldKD7mO1tzcqG6MCuzaYAHE79px_AeKVXwRitDgLYMf4UTE1LJmKRYzMmJmi7HpYzn/s3264/20220721_083948.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVsGpGLSwwYrMZTNzF3inLsinIZ1ZtnRxkDRkekzKMxW_-kRlLXWessyZY2L_OjSjngRM0ydXW5Y4oeI8nrcM9hy6Ygsx_2qOFVwcw0uFixe8h4Ed6IPUXtldKD7mO1tzcqG6MCuzaYAHE79px_AeKVXwRitDgLYMf4UTE1LJmKRYzMmJmi7HpYzn/w369-h492/20220721_083948.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Sometimes the ugly in life jumps up and bites us, and we must deal with it. Some friends feel called to be warriors in the Ugly Fight. I don't. Most of us are struggling to get our legs out of the quagmire of cultural sadness from all sides. I want a saving rope of beauty and goodness to come down and rescue me from the quicksand, don't you?</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Perhaps this is why the part of Facebook I still enjoy is the groups -- "Spinning Fibers" and "Handy Women" and "Creating Hygge" and "View from My Window." All these groups consciously foster peace, beauty, or encouragement inside a community of humans. No meanness allowed.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">It's hard to change yourself at almost-60. I was trained for decades to be against things, and was told to raise my children the same way. It's heart-breaking now to think of all the opportunities for joy I missed with them. (We did have many, but not enough.) I can try to change myself for my remaining years, though. This Bible verse has been rattling away inside my head for many days:</span></p><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">"Make it your ambition <br /></span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">to lead a quiet life <br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">attend to your own business</span></span></span></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent;">work wit</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span><span style="font-size: large;">h your hands." </span><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family: courier;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I Thess. 4:11</span></span></span></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">That sounds like a lovely life, yes? I'm trying. Wishing all you friends the very best, and if these words are helpful at all, I'm glad.</span></span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Hannah Anderson's <a href="https://www.sometimesalight.com/about" target="_blank">website is here</a>.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-75240525921841940842022-07-14T14:29:00.002-04:002022-07-14T14:29:48.509-04:00The Height of Summer!<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> It's been a little over a month since I posted -- too long! Apologies. I'll glance through photos, choose the best, and then chat with you about what's happened since the middle of June ....</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">We spent five glorious days together in the North Carolina mountains on vacation in the same home we stayed in last summer. It was warm, the river was cool, we tubed twice, and fishing was enjoyed. I took a chilly drive up to the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway with my son one morning for the amazing views.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoPZDBkBwy5vArZmNTcwRLdL9x5Ko98CoOAV-jmZTaoBNAjSMjLRM0HOEbZbxi9bPuZWiTi490GRk9hp1Scww83gzyKTF_dGbqvxIEFQz3kIY0HOsycmr2EOaCrVoNd5zLJPOuwhIVWfRhQWCdbUTJryljn8b5t0H0NmoNfBaanDRgfq_WM7FPsWU/s4000/20220622_102308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoPZDBkBwy5vArZmNTcwRLdL9x5Ko98CoOAV-jmZTaoBNAjSMjLRM0HOEbZbxi9bPuZWiTi490GRk9hp1Scww83gzyKTF_dGbqvxIEFQz3kIY0HOsycmr2EOaCrVoNd5zLJPOuwhIVWfRhQWCdbUTJryljn8b5t0H0NmoNfBaanDRgfq_WM7FPsWU/w427-h320/20220622_102308.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR-Lw7KCExRrO_6C27I7H2ZJMXtYAmtl4iVo8whywZA80Ek1ORgTcEASCFVDW-D9Z3zUJhcg-dJD1Z_NARCHruzC3NhirO4twl60QgdfGn54gLByLT3oh8BKgGaNyAsvqrTAqH1PzjXoMdp-7oaMDTGKQNe2iISxoF6jmnrfpW22vMQVv2uDsDJYU/s4000/20220622_101943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieR-Lw7KCExRrO_6C27I7H2ZJMXtYAmtl4iVo8whywZA80Ek1ORgTcEASCFVDW-D9Z3zUJhcg-dJD1Z_NARCHruzC3NhirO4twl60QgdfGn54gLByLT3oh8BKgGaNyAsvqrTAqH1PzjXoMdp-7oaMDTGKQNe2iISxoF6jmnrfpW22vMQVv2uDsDJYU/w405-h304/20220622_101943.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHkLhgAuVE9kTFGs9lzsbjp6xdbbuSmukXY-Ov9mfRp7o41tLHcsi45OaRm7QQdxwgOxucKMkPOXlzYea5MpwKHm6sl32BRr4pQA-lQLqnOa2Ysg2rEpP9wvNZOMyQksgc7MDlgizZhfYpLvUCexCgXG7y5tPMaeoQSdEZLxn432SaoUyRi5JLAcD/s4000/20220621_084833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHkLhgAuVE9kTFGs9lzsbjp6xdbbuSmukXY-Ov9mfRp7o41tLHcsi45OaRm7QQdxwgOxucKMkPOXlzYea5MpwKHm6sl32BRr4pQA-lQLqnOa2Ysg2rEpP9wvNZOMyQksgc7MDlgizZhfYpLvUCexCgXG7y5tPMaeoQSdEZLxn432SaoUyRi5JLAcD/w453-h340/20220621_084833.jpg" width="453" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGszEWg1C2T82UgEcOrS4rRKLygkxiPFNj_MD0SccEoJzMjsg7pKv-FQfTULvbEoSI6BXQ2S3aiNLhTPee4yl54BTLThv1ZFKgcH3kXIBlhUtdUBwY6mXo-uBMGbbsfE3xMv48EFudXmPcGEfnPgtJXtW7Io4zDPgv3mlm4ee4uMuMluSzJmEWiv2Y/s4000/20220623_071237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGszEWg1C2T82UgEcOrS4rRKLygkxiPFNj_MD0SccEoJzMjsg7pKv-FQfTULvbEoSI6BXQ2S3aiNLhTPee4yl54BTLThv1ZFKgcH3kXIBlhUtdUBwY6mXo-uBMGbbsfE3xMv48EFudXmPcGEfnPgtJXtW7Io4zDPgv3mlm4ee4uMuMluSzJmEWiv2Y/w465-h349/20220623_071237.jpg" width="465" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I've been spinning a LOT. There's a casual online event in July for spinners called the Tour de Fleece (haha). I've set a goal to spin enough yarn to knit myself a vest for the autumn. Here's what the yarn looks like:</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSCk2RL1qS2eDvp7Q6oWMtN46sJzWBh4zAPeyAjCaYrRMKzyoT5ap001HLtl9UWjwnCx7dpHcPdo5Cj8h_lhudLHgfahJ4iCBgnPENpQ2YCL9yhqgGlSX_WJt12QT4CXD25MmZgNc3jHqU9vJr1k9UFr3by-wd88uIllLEvkmcr1DAYYqsC9hXVqT/s4000/20220629_170320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSCk2RL1qS2eDvp7Q6oWMtN46sJzWBh4zAPeyAjCaYrRMKzyoT5ap001HLtl9UWjwnCx7dpHcPdo5Cj8h_lhudLHgfahJ4iCBgnPENpQ2YCL9yhqgGlSX_WJt12QT4CXD25MmZgNc3jHqU9vJr1k9UFr3by-wd88uIllLEvkmcr1DAYYqsC9hXVqT/w445-h334/20220629_170320.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Shortly after the big family vacation, our son and daughter-in-law and grandson came for a visit here, which was absolutely delightful. Philip worked so hard on our property, but we also enjoyed a day at the beach.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86LI9cqhdvcdXWAmvjnNhF7Y9uFZjhhS9FA-qLxMs1_2X-2uNMpKOw75VZ0GBIjxoRiNeX_ghE57n3dYJbZoK5D-zYE9CCKyK07x2kxNGZ43JcdpuGmzI8NxbhDmpts6jiQM8FVhqzf5zmysUpFZJGHlT7hp5OlfPLiy9tIU71nLi5ou_ju8ubLjQ/s4000/20220702_132005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86LI9cqhdvcdXWAmvjnNhF7Y9uFZjhhS9FA-qLxMs1_2X-2uNMpKOw75VZ0GBIjxoRiNeX_ghE57n3dYJbZoK5D-zYE9CCKyK07x2kxNGZ43JcdpuGmzI8NxbhDmpts6jiQM8FVhqzf5zmysUpFZJGHlT7hp5OlfPLiy9tIU71nLi5ou_ju8ubLjQ/w483-h362/20220702_132005.jpg" width="483" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">I've been knitting and felting hats, and am surprised both by how well they've turned out, and how inconsistent they are in size. I need to practice more.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbTwz2jvocmZmlZ2LYXjYnU7WqTIa-2AqzAg4XGHDPAgb4RAqYJhFrvfPER4NGd2pnJ5SajLe7lX2ULmdh1vP5NpaLRR85Csap5-3XABRk_gpVqgrA8Hi01wFhiZQgVFa0rezUsCx3LV9U_4NFwCFUBe4lPlRywobrmpnDQpumgs638IQkDiocrlS/s4000/20220710_162815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAbTwz2jvocmZmlZ2LYXjYnU7WqTIa-2AqzAg4XGHDPAgb4RAqYJhFrvfPER4NGd2pnJ5SajLe7lX2ULmdh1vP5NpaLRR85Csap5-3XABRk_gpVqgrA8Hi01wFhiZQgVFa0rezUsCx3LV9U_4NFwCFUBe4lPlRywobrmpnDQpumgs638IQkDiocrlS/w422-h317/20220710_162815.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29103Whe7TYaIHeSrJTUsg_63HEzbL_Iv56bPMHvZDaWbAbr5xQpXoyY6DIF0-Rr1zdT6vmLeIj8k60Bh1Wm94xheGjdmBbSommY1u7rW6rm2WVluJ4Q3q7IgOHhbsjWceJUP6hvYIGnYnrBduPqt5hX4UbuwgTp1tPcaqET6Ih86Ml-EzdEdEaBL/s3408/20220710_162720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2556" data-original-width="3408" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29103Whe7TYaIHeSrJTUsg_63HEzbL_Iv56bPMHvZDaWbAbr5xQpXoyY6DIF0-Rr1zdT6vmLeIj8k60Bh1Wm94xheGjdmBbSommY1u7rW6rm2WVluJ4Q3q7IgOHhbsjWceJUP6hvYIGnYnrBduPqt5hX4UbuwgTp1tPcaqET6Ih86Ml-EzdEdEaBL/w428-h321/20220710_162720.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPruyxhETVt8FjOFWMEsH4LuEiofY4i_E4iiLgq5gYcJGDPJJZd7wX4fXup9jXOQ6qK1G2h6oS3kgX-bWiNL3xLwLSIIWWNu1RGDR_wdEgGGr3_C9umsc7zOOm6jHwvtxexfnYwIFYSxQP89FcnL3_uBChuM-46q-zMNRqzaZO1S3RMfyVQyxlwD-/s4000/20220710_155936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifPruyxhETVt8FjOFWMEsH4LuEiofY4i_E4iiLgq5gYcJGDPJJZd7wX4fXup9jXOQ6qK1G2h6oS3kgX-bWiNL3xLwLSIIWWNu1RGDR_wdEgGGr3_C9umsc7zOOm6jHwvtxexfnYwIFYSxQP89FcnL3_uBChuM-46q-zMNRqzaZO1S3RMfyVQyxlwD-/w405-h304/20220710_155936.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO-daXODyTLQ57fBIdyPvAgSiATt9IeIz7K9e7G_bWt6nsuDLch_oHkpBUtpQI3Vne7aIOla-RiV-aoPqILKRkFYGV9U5fE18lpCvMAAhK_-NlCEnQI5MRfRrd5cX_WIG9SIkDmzdzQfG0MYFOA5TWLa_NFGVd5fcnHV1pl1x096wMkdBEocq5WGy/s4000/20220714_085905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvO-daXODyTLQ57fBIdyPvAgSiATt9IeIz7K9e7G_bWt6nsuDLch_oHkpBUtpQI3Vne7aIOla-RiV-aoPqILKRkFYGV9U5fE18lpCvMAAhK_-NlCEnQI5MRfRrd5cX_WIG9SIkDmzdzQfG0MYFOA5TWLa_NFGVd5fcnHV1pl1x096wMkdBEocq5WGy/w412-h309/20220714_085905.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br />For reading during these warming days, as I hibernate in the air conditioning, I've plowed through two of Josephine Tey's books, <u>Miss Pym Disposes</u> and <u>The Daughter of Time</u>. If you want reading that will prey on your brain, make you debate with yourself, and generally cause you befuddlement, I recommend these two. I'm currently in Anthony Trollope's <u>The Eustace Diamonds</u>. I pulled it off my shelf for a reread because a group read/zoom discussion was going on in the Facebook Trollope group, but I started too late to participate. Still, a good read. Trollope's fortes are character crafting and plot development. He's a master!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Lastly, I have finally figured out how to put my little children's book, The Thanksgiving Mice, on my youtube channel as a read-aloud. I've been pondering this for years. Here's the link to the video. Please share it with the little children you know (maybe ages 5-9 or so?) The world needs more silly books about naughty mice, don't you agree? Lisa, I wonder if your sweet grandkids would enjoy it?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EexF5io6QdM" width="320" youtube-src-id="EexF5io6QdM"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">In addition, Adam has been sewing up a storm this summer, making hats, suspenders, trousers, and vests. He's revamping his wardrobe. Church happenings keep us busy with friends, and he has only a month left of his summer break before he's back in the classroom teaching middle school science. We are getting old(er), but we don't seem to be slowing down much!</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">Blessings to all of you! I will survive August, and then we will eagerly await autumn -- hooray!!</span></p><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-31776201262984784262022-06-11T17:14:00.012-04:002022-06-11T17:18:10.669-04:00Thank you for the reminder, Lisa --<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> Hello, all. I popped over to Lisa's blog to read her latest, and realized I'd not posted for quite a while as well! I always think summer will be slower, but it never is. Ah well.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Adam has been on his summer break for a week, and he's hit the ground running in his sewing adventures. There is so much creative energy in the house! It's lots of fun chatting about what he's making, what I'm making ...</i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWDdC8RyXDgQnHDvubu9G7t97vSNr57Qj8Oz7S3q0LAHp7AT3-TJqbRTkCvPAyG2nmXvC_WPGaPv8X-2Ayxxr5M9qEBqaq6sNO6_elOLxAwqrZM4EfGZtOaYjvnrnR-uze0fO1nJDkZBSuYAEcolKqs8H7uJRG4jw9ei_1i0HrnZrsEJPc_UwApqm/s4000/20220601_091309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWDdC8RyXDgQnHDvubu9G7t97vSNr57Qj8Oz7S3q0LAHp7AT3-TJqbRTkCvPAyG2nmXvC_WPGaPv8X-2Ayxxr5M9qEBqaq6sNO6_elOLxAwqrZM4EfGZtOaYjvnrnR-uze0fO1nJDkZBSuYAEcolKqs8H7uJRG4jw9ei_1i0HrnZrsEJPc_UwApqm/s320/20220601_091309.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>I'm sewing little fabric bowls. They are ridiculously easy, and it's silly that I love them so much, but I do. I've made four, and will certainly make more.</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Like Kate Jackson, I saved all my little scraps of fabric from the other projects I made. Then I decided to sew them together in a hodge-podge sort of way, and then cut it square, put some batting in it and a back on it, and run some bias tape around the edge. It's not fancy, but it sure was fun!<br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl64gHEE4MF3QZ0bnMm-KBcBnf4hNxQeyB9Aie54UwXM67YAZ2kHbSj5r6PMCC8yEH-PWMZtpkv2H8RdUgY8oFRZy-lTMz-kYxnRjFPAfDJP0pG3SnMLjuWSiumihltd8t_BZFJ0ZH7SdeMopS3NQPaNJI40GFPiLnPk4R2CK8irJ7hWy2fK6mrweJ/s4000/20220611_164058.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl64gHEE4MF3QZ0bnMm-KBcBnf4hNxQeyB9Aie54UwXM67YAZ2kHbSj5r6PMCC8yEH-PWMZtpkv2H8RdUgY8oFRZy-lTMz-kYxnRjFPAfDJP0pG3SnMLjuWSiumihltd8t_BZFJ0ZH7SdeMopS3NQPaNJI40GFPiLnPk4R2CK8irJ7hWy2fK6mrweJ/w411-h308/20220611_164058.jpg" width="411" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>It was supposed to be a doll's blanket for my granddaughter, but it's really too stiff. It's sitting in my studio instead, being decorative.<br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59GZdnbHSXHz-z5y4hfy64oRDdB1vkaXKV5LsK52RpwL2wieQvX1hPi0Q2yspED4B2WPfEND7t1Nb0voDS6-4Z99EUEiSuYWMxGFiZ5O5ojdgrji0Fsidjw49dRIy5azNMHvNACOIuRJ-BzMhZleRG81zxIkF9DjC-ZkGp9XnuCcGgBlr9o2-t4dM/s4000/20220611_164139.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh59GZdnbHSXHz-z5y4hfy64oRDdB1vkaXKV5LsK52RpwL2wieQvX1hPi0Q2yspED4B2WPfEND7t1Nb0voDS6-4Z99EUEiSuYWMxGFiZ5O5ojdgrji0Fsidjw49dRIy5azNMHvNACOIuRJ-BzMhZleRG81zxIkF9DjC-ZkGp9XnuCcGgBlr9o2-t4dM/w318-h424/20220611_164139.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><i>This is a new piece of kit that Adam got me for my birthday -- a tapestry loom. I finally admitted that my big rigid heddle loom was NOT going to work for tapestry weaving, and I'm so very happy with this loom. It's made by Grebstk. I'm almost finished with my first piece on it:<br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2p-v_JmgON4Sk1BIVQmYJDxR2RsMMWg-bRyavNr9M8Uv8j6CTQ37uJ4uD6zIkmNkO5J_pB0npfgut-cN3iua-lEYSiB6roSYvPXFntKsKdUcAWguHMftXZ2Lfluo7pEGHhnnc67pVG_-pRhsOy_DxyvEoz8kSaj3fsOgP1WSINCDmA-m-yFh4kCB/s4000/20220611_164148.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2p-v_JmgON4Sk1BIVQmYJDxR2RsMMWg-bRyavNr9M8Uv8j6CTQ37uJ4uD6zIkmNkO5J_pB0npfgut-cN3iua-lEYSiB6roSYvPXFntKsKdUcAWguHMftXZ2Lfluo7pEGHhnnc67pVG_-pRhsOy_DxyvEoz8kSaj3fsOgP1WSINCDmA-m-yFh4kCB/w306-h408/20220611_164148.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I had many more cards printed this past week, from watercolors I'd painted and scanned before.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Q_fFXi4SBeV0OecpbDBTXU9e6pWtlpk-j54uMiSOIY8BgRv9YSAkiIsqvSuGSl-Qa8zscSQHIaJJ9o6gt_7wYQalpHhxR1CHzC1mrQl5jAjUWbKjMHUyw6K6CIOlyqmdxuBsi3gIKeIRd_QHL2EpT0apu2_O4lhy7lz-nVVD3F20L8dsFaMk1QjO/s4000/20220611_164311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Q_fFXi4SBeV0OecpbDBTXU9e6pWtlpk-j54uMiSOIY8BgRv9YSAkiIsqvSuGSl-Qa8zscSQHIaJJ9o6gt_7wYQalpHhxR1CHzC1mrQl5jAjUWbKjMHUyw6K6CIOlyqmdxuBsi3gIKeIRd_QHL2EpT0apu2_O4lhy7lz-nVVD3F20L8dsFaMk1QjO/w545-h408/20220611_164311.jpg" width="545" /></a></div><i>All of these are pretty new, except the geraniums. I especially like how the sunflower turned out. I sell 5 of them (with envelopes) in a pack. These sold very well at the market today. I thought this batch of 300 cards would last me for many months, but now I'm not so sure!</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i>The chickens have been rather naughty. Mr. Sparky, the new roo, is often too scared to enter the pen if I'm in there. He's spent a couple of nights on the loose. The hens have been quite naughty and started laying their eggs in mysterious places in the yard. Today I discovered 8 eggs under our deck. They may have to spend some time in Chicken Pen Prison, so they remember how they are supposed to behave!</i></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRttnhpUxv0_P_xfzMLG203soCyKaWbsh_WK2H50hPK7hNhHL4j2FgfAw9pJAdyZ9d-rWy61y0AT15yVsA-VW9dOo1E3FOXbwkVXRZ_1qK031VUcWgb1qzUSkHjCDTN7xDs3DeYvWpTjFBKaQj4U6LfUQnNjJ3me4K3x9kPVG_oc4ivmKqX2aHRygs/s2543/20220530_135916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="2543" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRttnhpUxv0_P_xfzMLG203soCyKaWbsh_WK2H50hPK7hNhHL4j2FgfAw9pJAdyZ9d-rWy61y0AT15yVsA-VW9dOo1E3FOXbwkVXRZ_1qK031VUcWgb1qzUSkHjCDTN7xDs3DeYvWpTjFBKaQj4U6LfUQnNjJ3me4K3x9kPVG_oc4ivmKqX2aHRygs/w395-h299/20220530_135916.jpg" width="395" /></a></span></div><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">This lovely book is my new, very favorite devotional book. It's all Scripture. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7m9rLAnkd0j_mgrHI29jVdaCtAzdLvrGEZMLGkDMnuRcU0p-wivlsOiOWWYcaKaou2hk5ryCqIU1Np_5wgbH-BW29q0x627qdnr04XBRSv1AZ8BtawVWbG0BMDejGglkTK8QvA9iCKXfmASayh_X4Gp6LwzpxIoZy9itjJC3_EFeW39P0j_bF3HC/s4000/20220611_164416.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7m9rLAnkd0j_mgrHI29jVdaCtAzdLvrGEZMLGkDMnuRcU0p-wivlsOiOWWYcaKaou2hk5ryCqIU1Np_5wgbH-BW29q0x627qdnr04XBRSv1AZ8BtawVWbG0BMDejGglkTK8QvA9iCKXfmASayh_X4Gp6LwzpxIoZy9itjJC3_EFeW39P0j_bF3HC/w278-h371/20220611_164416.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The man who compiled the book, Jonathan Bagster, has combined many various pieces of Scripture for each day, twice a day, on various topics. Combining 7 or 8 passages of the Bible like that takes a deep knowledge of the book, and it's done in such a way that it makes connections among the passages that I'd never thought of before. It has sparked many new thoughts and feelings of wonder and thankfulness for God's Word. </span></i><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>It's nearly mid-June, the weather is heating up, and our schedule is speeding up. I hope to have some time with the grandchildren soon, which I'm over-the-moon thrilled about!</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Happy summer, friends!</i></span></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-62611009210293816572022-05-18T08:49:00.001-04:002022-05-18T08:52:02.189-04:00I'm Sewing Again!<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <i>WAY </i>back in the day (40 years ago ... 30 years ago ...) I sewed a lot. I sewed my own clothes, and they were just as silly-looking as the thrift store clothes I wear today, haha! But patterns became expensive, and fabric became very expensive, and I stopped sewing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Recently I've been watching some old Kate Jackson youtube videos. (Kate Jackson, an older lady from Northumberland, UK, <b><i>not </i></b>Kate Jackson of Charlie's Angels!) Kate quilts, but she also makes small sewn house decorations: pillow covers, window and door hangings, little throws. So I held my nose and jumped into the pond of <i>sewing </i>again. I followed her video instructions for a Log Cabin pattern pillow cover:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UJKYpPs5QKv-xiyLyYm51UiRFhYGLjfxinELiJRe6x8gy7A3OtWLcs6zpjJpBjWwUBUl9tPFP9Yya567G0Fr-_PisFEgB2iDIyGKkuEQiTb8-LkNYXaatsN4oSsClPFGmNt7eXQVYkF6dEbR95FbTozzoQVEqTus95MxG0RETUyjnQ3CIlA2kbVi/s4000/20220513_162612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UJKYpPs5QKv-xiyLyYm51UiRFhYGLjfxinELiJRe6x8gy7A3OtWLcs6zpjJpBjWwUBUl9tPFP9Yya567G0Fr-_PisFEgB2iDIyGKkuEQiTb8-LkNYXaatsN4oSsClPFGmNt7eXQVYkF6dEbR95FbTozzoQVEqTus95MxG0RETUyjnQ3CIlA2kbVi/w406-h304/20220513_162612.jpg" width="406" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Front (above) and back (below). I prefer the back. Obviously, I did an inferior job coordinating the strips of fabric, and ended up with that whole swath of solid pink ... bleh. But it was a first attempt, an educational moment.</span><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k1o3UORkcM8twcezOhAFQP1Ufy4gOYl3wkozh7mepxYDqbqapzkgHkzWoEjb2mbPDkSJjCEQ2bSqHpx8E8i2U8bPmYEpi3qDXSvVk86pE0NSINcFXGnjt_EV_fqpFFNoGJ2abgkeyv6Dog7njbma5an6sqz8MIab0UHhWL1kcFz64UdWtb5Rssk_/s4000/20220513_162624.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-k1o3UORkcM8twcezOhAFQP1Ufy4gOYl3wkozh7mepxYDqbqapzkgHkzWoEjb2mbPDkSJjCEQ2bSqHpx8E8i2U8bPmYEpi3qDXSvVk86pE0NSINcFXGnjt_EV_fqpFFNoGJ2abgkeyv6Dog7njbma5an6sqz8MIab0UHhWL1kcFz64UdWtb5Rssk_/w411-h308/20220513_162624.jpg" width="411" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the envelope closure - so easy!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm now working on pillow cover #2. It will be better, I hope. Here is the Log Cabin front piece, done yesterday:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVWYOLVujR0K4z76TVuqgpq5sWMrTnNzjO8Srh6MpS_iaOSsfddlVtbE7r5dqMGMZLA0i2StJUGg_eRZ27CTmuq5o_7ka28HgWRyhLEsh6qUMNjMB_cnQ8Kxc5EJENqkvxKGriUmKkNMr3tFd8B-BtEFPqlwUK0H2i3bZxmh_Z3gNGD4sBZVfriSj/s4000/20220518_083010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxVWYOLVujR0K4z76TVuqgpq5sWMrTnNzjO8Srh6MpS_iaOSsfddlVtbE7r5dqMGMZLA0i2StJUGg_eRZ27CTmuq5o_7ka28HgWRyhLEsh6qUMNjMB_cnQ8Kxc5EJENqkvxKGriUmKkNMr3tFd8B-BtEFPqlwUK0H2i3bZxmh_Z3gNGD4sBZVfriSj/w425-h319/20220518_083010.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">I also did a little window hanging using a method that Kate calls "pixel pictures." I ironed some carefully-measured squares of fabric onto a square of fusible interfacing, did some sewn seams according to Kate's instructions, and ... tada!!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5byGTyIArm09h6tjzIN0Dz5KYdN-TS1o7QjjADX9j7WCvnNmFEuxn2AEbEWoEuibKXpqWd4UTeOwtelTfSzR-PmXlApj6JB17_1gLUu6BDRjIApByYLQtrdmnKElo4u7PIb6oyPIspnTkVgMf1XJn6qTzwGFhmY6EKSaJ0mqbCE2sNHCzG6iK4PEY/s4000/20220515_074432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5byGTyIArm09h6tjzIN0Dz5KYdN-TS1o7QjjADX9j7WCvnNmFEuxn2AEbEWoEuibKXpqWd4UTeOwtelTfSzR-PmXlApj6JB17_1gLUu6BDRjIApByYLQtrdmnKElo4u7PIb6oyPIspnTkVgMf1XJn6qTzwGFhmY6EKSaJ0mqbCE2sNHCzG6iK4PEY/w469-h352/20220515_074432.jpg" width="469" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">I was pretty pleased with the result, and Adam congratulated me on my measuring accuracy. It's <i>tiny</i>, no wider than my hand, but I wanted to discover if I enjoyed it before I committed to a large one. Kate has large panels of this kind of thing in her home. She makes pillow covers with them too. She has another method for making a similar project into full-size curtains. I'm not trying that yet!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm knitting the final square on my 2nd mitred square blanket!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ed_ruMjaxqLz4tam8IVdbmrl8bkD3FLeZeFYZkLtFhOOVujU2UrSpWhofnaqK-0-vc0loGOoNYcqNEnUjZx0EsbY5YbhP2kqiPnR8qdgUtJJ-3Kuyp46juYr2oEfEqKbbhQ0Ai1X_bhqnJliZ-23tZxf1AszY__LQWFke1TQ0ktJgjDhuHnvlDhr/s4000/20220518_082935.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ed_ruMjaxqLz4tam8IVdbmrl8bkD3FLeZeFYZkLtFhOOVujU2UrSpWhofnaqK-0-vc0loGOoNYcqNEnUjZx0EsbY5YbhP2kqiPnR8qdgUtJJ-3Kuyp46juYr2oEfEqKbbhQ0Ai1X_bhqnJliZ-23tZxf1AszY__LQWFke1TQ0ktJgjDhuHnvlDhr/w441-h331/20220518_082935.jpg" width="441" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">My foray into sewing has coincided with Adam's new interest in this hobby also. First he worked hard to refurbish my very old treadle Singer machine. Then he bought a $5 White machine at the thrift store. Then he bought a $50 Japanese machine online. He's gone crazy for sewing! He wants to make clothes for him and for me. I'm in favor of that, as long as they meet my high standards for Bohemian Hippie attire :)</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqipknurBK0cSbQS3XmdYp42B5AECZ6fTKRzh3K6yiYDoY5erY4krKW8FaF6YKt2zDtv3ueI1FZwsnRhfcSnTAzM2ZU4LYa5PyELc3A9o1CnJsUUIz354KmctcckFBZvtRRuLgk788hcaxvNGuhDXQHsP8kb6zGukjzU5Zrp6rjM2vX4ey0xpaeFUG/s4000/20220518_083129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqipknurBK0cSbQS3XmdYp42B5AECZ6fTKRzh3K6yiYDoY5erY4krKW8FaF6YKt2zDtv3ueI1FZwsnRhfcSnTAzM2ZU4LYa5PyELc3A9o1CnJsUUIz354KmctcckFBZvtRRuLgk788hcaxvNGuhDXQHsP8kb6zGukjzU5Zrp6rjM2vX4ey0xpaeFUG/w384-h288/20220518_083129.jpg" width="384" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">$1/yard - not bad! Lightweight linen-like fabric</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">We've been buying fabric at the thrift store nearby. Apparently a lady donated over 17 big tubs of fabric! She was going to open a fabric store, and changed her mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Meanwhile, Leo:</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmpdv3GwWyYcWuOC7BD0cVEpYEAwV_gMkHd-7GoBfihojavx6O40KYBXKP6qtc1Ok0CEQGsx26dnC1WlgACGxiv_M8Uum5XAiOehR6INkeNcSvy6XOn06ZFKSRGonq5teHrvnphELui_yJlUwU4t9URiofz7kv3S7gVGJPN-I1xFcVX3WppvY3KBx/s4000/20220517_153604.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmpdv3GwWyYcWuOC7BD0cVEpYEAwV_gMkHd-7GoBfihojavx6O40KYBXKP6qtc1Ok0CEQGsx26dnC1WlgACGxiv_M8Uum5XAiOehR6INkeNcSvy6XOn06ZFKSRGonq5teHrvnphELui_yJlUwU4t9URiofz7kv3S7gVGJPN-I1xFcVX3WppvY3KBx/w400-h300/20220517_153604.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mom, I blinked. Take it again."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EcBz5keTj4Kl6_DIZXFbHz_1Gjb8YEEkVy49X4_DOD755f8N9QLTFD_qt76oA7TAUNzF71c3F8Q7dZafmIPwrPbYKAH9ru_1M9990qXiaU6nlaJTv0BUqCZJMYO0QhQX_yb9BCS8VyMtPnJMKh_HyTMW5IJTHh6KmUjyjqOkPsUafFReED8iKcbW/s4000/20220511_102802.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EcBz5keTj4Kl6_DIZXFbHz_1Gjb8YEEkVy49X4_DOD755f8N9QLTFD_qt76oA7TAUNzF71c3F8Q7dZafmIPwrPbYKAH9ru_1M9990qXiaU6nlaJTv0BUqCZJMYO0QhQX_yb9BCS8VyMtPnJMKh_HyTMW5IJTHh6KmUjyjqOkPsUafFReED8iKcbW/w431-h323/20220511_102802.jpg" width="431" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMUWfZHLvtqizdFZP2hwPjNjcIQ1P94hp1H-FryIpX8Y5mVVvy3iSTi1RdFrNVISnnBEhUF2toHmNsyFGDfx3ROW_bNsY9F_OMPd10xbwkkf2tsWGYJdlym6BPE00C6FXEs0vBjimAlfJAaUD7Y94uag4ij09Y17eFoO4m3ehPblgiEtW5CSw0g3l/s4000/20220511_102753.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMUWfZHLvtqizdFZP2hwPjNjcIQ1P94hp1H-FryIpX8Y5mVVvy3iSTi1RdFrNVISnnBEhUF2toHmNsyFGDfx3ROW_bNsY9F_OMPd10xbwkkf2tsWGYJdlym6BPE00C6FXEs0vBjimAlfJAaUD7Y94uag4ij09Y17eFoO4m3ehPblgiEtW5CSw0g3l/w428-h321/20220511_102753.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His favorite spot. Beau's favorite spot too ...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EudPA_9fPf-2Bw17okqj6YG3IFawShf_8y7z-hYc0mHQSjJ0RklCz9LafXhPhbTEMbBnNziMVdsVBQtI8jENcnmVeBIQn-xJeHo_uvrSL81GOqVDjo9VYA4cB85JbMQI9SnQTNNWT8aAKIWjXHwYS2ULeYsJKbECXg8kw8tSQQxDvmaNRnkznDjm/s4000/20220518_083148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6EudPA_9fPf-2Bw17okqj6YG3IFawShf_8y7z-hYc0mHQSjJ0RklCz9LafXhPhbTEMbBnNziMVdsVBQtI8jENcnmVeBIQn-xJeHo_uvrSL81GOqVDjo9VYA4cB85JbMQI9SnQTNNWT8aAKIWjXHwYS2ULeYsJKbECXg8kw8tSQQxDvmaNRnkznDjm/w303-h404/20220518_083148.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made kissy noises, and he turned around.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><br /></span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-32147445272067801562022-05-09T06:42:00.001-04:002022-05-09T06:42:12.803-04:00Where's That Winter Robe Again?<p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">It's <i>freezing </i>outside this morning! I don't mean that literally. It's actually 49 degrees. But after a few 85 degree days, 49 feels like freezing, and I'm wondering why my winter robe and turtlenecks are inside my old trunk. Brrr!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">However, it's the perfect temperature for yard work, in my opinion. After I get done on Ye Olde Computer this morning, I'm heading into the Horrible Shade Bed to murder some honeysuckle vines. The elephant ears and iris need rescuing before they succumb altogether.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENTA7zX0bCc2xJCkS47kyMpEyvc47OwxuWzizSo2Yr8j5dxGxLS1HpKHD3NBiGOtS9WSRav-GA_Num07Cj0YIqhS9k1s0rLsBdeeN4ynq6QvOTYMyJMtFgEOPy9Yj3GxQEl2pWTVLEmwX-J0S82usVdBe5cd6pLrtgoL6BmhPw6DkWUmQJ8nt3b0V/s2706/20220505_141125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="2706" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENTA7zX0bCc2xJCkS47kyMpEyvc47OwxuWzizSo2Yr8j5dxGxLS1HpKHD3NBiGOtS9WSRav-GA_Num07Cj0YIqhS9k1s0rLsBdeeN4ynq6QvOTYMyJMtFgEOPy9Yj3GxQEl2pWTVLEmwX-J0S82usVdBe5cd6pLrtgoL6BmhPw6DkWUmQJ8nt3b0V/w451-h319/20220505_141125.jpg" width="451" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">That's the end of the bed that's already been rescued. I'm inching my way down this long bed. It's taken a couple of weeks, and my hands ache, but it's worth it.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">A friend posted an article recently about stress and our health, and I admitted to myself that it was time to back away from some stressful online reading (aka, <i>news</i>). The flipside of that is, I must be mindful to fill my mental time with more positive things. Gardening. Chickens. Painting. Music. More important, I need minutes in the day when I just sit outside (before the mosquitoes take over for the summer) and relax. Look up into the tree tops. Breathe deeply.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I don't remember having to be so deliberative about my mental health (for lack of a better phrase) years ago. Is it because I'm older and more mentally fragile now, or is the world a more mentally-damaging place? I wonder. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpAgNhOFj1DAAUV_wyBp9DYwOFGapK9-AgRWCLjxRroLV1AalwR3v6TEonh7qwABm6yW2LvAzD0pzlvGPW9RSKbj6Sw91Jr2CmcEaG0rk2SUW1RkN1noaolExGMpAniEV1FsvLKa_0vDnjrKDhliq1Ydm9Uud9ZuGhwrF1M7Q9dJPB25HvZP3U_HB/s4000/20220505_140801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggpAgNhOFj1DAAUV_wyBp9DYwOFGapK9-AgRWCLjxRroLV1AalwR3v6TEonh7qwABm6yW2LvAzD0pzlvGPW9RSKbj6Sw91Jr2CmcEaG0rk2SUW1RkN1noaolExGMpAniEV1FsvLKa_0vDnjrKDhliq1Ydm9Uud9ZuGhwrF1M7Q9dJPB25HvZP3U_HB/w444-h333/20220505_140801.jpg" width="444" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is an elephant ear hosta. I have three of them. The leaves are huge, but the plants themselves get massive too. It's my favorite hosta.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO116zSydJ-azDSlIKE5obhhoBOV63mkiACmEvF0BpnMFAdT8yevOnA83W6F36sKmuAcv8p0MWj8D7hpA4TsLrBTu15vr8FhpFc7WApInb3ay04XaWocqXcBCTy5OOZ1DyUjFCgLXIrO8qZjVQjQFMeSolJKuv-FNblZhd2RNzQMxlM90E88W5Fyl/s4000/20220505_165625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO116zSydJ-azDSlIKE5obhhoBOV63mkiACmEvF0BpnMFAdT8yevOnA83W6F36sKmuAcv8p0MWj8D7hpA4TsLrBTu15vr8FhpFc7WApInb3ay04XaWocqXcBCTy5OOZ1DyUjFCgLXIrO8qZjVQjQFMeSolJKuv-FNblZhd2RNzQMxlM90E88W5Fyl/w438-h329/20220505_165625.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Granny Marigold, you'll be proud of me -- I actually baked something recently! I should do it more often, but I'm rarely in the mood to do baking. These are <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/tea_time_scones_77839" target="_blank">Mary Berry's scones</a> with sultanas in them. They were <i>tiny</i>. They'll be in a youtube video soon.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Did I tell you already that Roo Roo died? He was killed by a predator. So I went to visit my good friend and fellow chicken lady, Melody, and she gave me a New Roo. His name is Mr. Sparky. He's half naked neck (which I'm not fond of) and half Wyandotte (which I love).His face it turned away from us, so that's why his head looks funny -- not helped by that red naked neck either!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjRjf9yC8e7oNYycQYnKgSpEqalrMTMptmWpmAR38hvBcocRfZsiZCrw9fN0CXAIC4BC1PvFOu-pBAh1tUMcisRMMZASDhQEP_fAeTdlQ8PqBk-I9ER0Jw2_E7E9796p16YirSPdbMucz8wEHtDTWTjWFMOt9vzJUA45AV8cxzMO5PfLU_IPG0uqv/s4000/20220505_140914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjRjf9yC8e7oNYycQYnKgSpEqalrMTMptmWpmAR38hvBcocRfZsiZCrw9fN0CXAIC4BC1PvFOu-pBAh1tUMcisRMMZASDhQEP_fAeTdlQ8PqBk-I9ER0Jw2_E7E9796p16YirSPdbMucz8wEHtDTWTjWFMOt9vzJUA45AV8cxzMO5PfLU_IPG0uqv/w499-h374/20220505_140914.jpg" width="499" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">That's Brownie, giving me the eye ball. She's a grumpy old lady who's only just started laying again. Recently she got herself caught in some bird netting. I disentangled her, and you'd have thought I was murdering her! She squawked and screamed. But when I got her in my arms and petted her, she calmed right down. Silly bird.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Speaking of silly:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWe2yPbTgqv0bMk5bVj-c6XmhwrHD4rldOaM_5q7kRRvwUPFYFMhwDI8oGnYD7RlEh3j227sscM4wHPws5Q4i_GjGVhjZsfKdKUr_GtRwqtoShVGGjIxDFpDKdQNdcAP4jJaZ8tOJfs2FszrHhsb6DO3qp3X34oEthTKlMc85IZG7q5F7wqrX3O6X/s2960/20220501_141615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1826" data-original-width="2960" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWe2yPbTgqv0bMk5bVj-c6XmhwrHD4rldOaM_5q7kRRvwUPFYFMhwDI8oGnYD7RlEh3j227sscM4wHPws5Q4i_GjGVhjZsfKdKUr_GtRwqtoShVGGjIxDFpDKdQNdcAP4jJaZ8tOJfs2FszrHhsb6DO3qp3X34oEthTKlMc85IZG7q5F7wqrX3O6X/w518-h319/20220501_141615.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">All I can say about Leo (full name: Sir Jackanapes Leonitis Spratly, so we can also call him Jack Sprat), is that he's constant entertainment.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">One day recently when Adam was off work, he made shrimp burgers. They were <i>so very good</i>!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQuqQmsZHJ0lfciBoLe0BltH-mGp8XRWcvIUzrYSnBc4Ez9yieZXu_guv-B6i1vKZWtrNZyLpfBBLkPh4w87o1PYIJwavUNpPBVXifGcQAiD_YVlgQ9t96YqbtcaVW8Gsmxy7cbq5eKwbWfCF5EWzEnkOZ-x5bcanV1Qcxcq6LGOjar25CC2QqpVZ/s4000/20220430_125026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQuqQmsZHJ0lfciBoLe0BltH-mGp8XRWcvIUzrYSnBc4Ez9yieZXu_guv-B6i1vKZWtrNZyLpfBBLkPh4w87o1PYIJwavUNpPBVXifGcQAiD_YVlgQ9t96YqbtcaVW8Gsmxy7cbq5eKwbWfCF5EWzEnkOZ-x5bcanV1Qcxcq6LGOjar25CC2QqpVZ/w459-h344/20220430_125026.jpg" width="459" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The other thing I'm doing right now is the farmers market. I'm now the "contact person." Nobody wanted the job, so it fell to me. It's a tiny little market, a few vendors. But we have fun and we make a little money.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0Kx_gNIsC03sBH6YqzvJq1WCjvyv2uU9CCyVBLZFAHksZG7e4ND37GxycmfCuLcAKWl4A0BuLmjL5ZjmLfmiSeugTESiIOcj37IA8k8TxDM0V5ZA2gyLdc2BHJRducFVewDFz9SLjRRJpAsK38TDuG__UcVebDtQcmgfXhiMRg2GGMvyVijbxgiW/s4000/20220416_092044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0Kx_gNIsC03sBH6YqzvJq1WCjvyv2uU9CCyVBLZFAHksZG7e4ND37GxycmfCuLcAKWl4A0BuLmjL5ZjmLfmiSeugTESiIOcj37IA8k8TxDM0V5ZA2gyLdc2BHJRducFVewDFz9SLjRRJpAsK38TDuG__UcVebDtQcmgfXhiMRg2GGMvyVijbxgiW/w405-h304/20220416_092044.jpg" width="405" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I'm still spending lots of time each week making balms and soaps and painting cards. One of these days I'll back off of those hobbies and do more of what I really love: writing, spinning, painting. Just not yet.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">That's all the happy stuff, because we don't write about the sad stuff, right? 😀 We are all here to boost each other up! No worries -- I have my little share of worries, but nothing more than usual.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Time to sip my rapidly-cooling coffee, do my daily Wordle, and head to the grocery store. Then I shall do a bit of honeysuckle murdering, just when it's flowering. Isn't that awful?</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-49687862673102853662022-04-24T19:00:00.000-04:002022-04-24T19:00:04.739-04:00Where's That Brake Pedal? <p> <span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not sure how the speedometer on Life creeps up from "nice and leisurely" to "uh oh, here comes a curve" to "careening over the edge." But it does. This week I intend to Slow It Down!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Last time I posted was about 3 weeks ago. Since then I've been to Chattanooga and back, visiting kids and grandbaby. We had a church Seder supper and Easter. Adam and I went to the Van Gogh Immersive Experience exhibit in Raleigh. The Saturday farmers market has ratcheted up a few notches too, and I'm making all the usual products for that.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXSF0wmELCf0T9blpo3-0aDsvTaMP6MgIZycsbQwVfcz8jmGfji0CYttg56prFtDK_tXEo_Qgd7fIXHkxO9oLdIhxpvjn1uJX9pmNrWvzJtO77F1Amo5OzAJYkP3KS9_WuKT5WhRufXFfPc89YZz0o6FYaFM_SwYv2oNgCkCtT1S3-iUag0o-JL3o/s2160/Attach0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2160" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXSF0wmELCf0T9blpo3-0aDsvTaMP6MgIZycsbQwVfcz8jmGfji0CYttg56prFtDK_tXEo_Qgd7fIXHkxO9oLdIhxpvjn1uJX9pmNrWvzJtO77F1Amo5OzAJYkP3KS9_WuKT5WhRufXFfPc89YZz0o6FYaFM_SwYv2oNgCkCtT1S3-iUag0o-JL3o/w421-h316/Attach0.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here I'm showing my grandbaby all the photos I have of him on my laptop in a folder just for his pictures. He was interested!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">It snowed in the mountains as I drove back from Chattanooga, but at home ... cascading wisteria.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQXt5i-OoZlQBsRl2VIn7RgDz3i-0DazisEG5CFBLp5oyXHINToLKKqrmfrG6Gjc9sSL_qqB2L3mDxic98cnfpNbpkfR0Zc_Rh_mZWr-gLUeugymCoiW-Aeo1dgtN-Gn3vK60i9mO6wGkCEdpmeIXozyt3Jvr6_PXylv9Aikf5KLAbEoyvU22fNGT/s4000/20220412_075725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQXt5i-OoZlQBsRl2VIn7RgDz3i-0DazisEG5CFBLp5oyXHINToLKKqrmfrG6Gjc9sSL_qqB2L3mDxic98cnfpNbpkfR0Zc_Rh_mZWr-gLUeugymCoiW-Aeo1dgtN-Gn3vK60i9mO6wGkCEdpmeIXozyt3Jvr6_PXylv9Aikf5KLAbEoyvU22fNGT/w421-h316/20220412_075725.jpg" width="421" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQhBTz_G8OmhrkNe7pVVJZSwhJCiewNUEeNF-mpfwm2EAxVLIgYNs9OzazRgpKQJaCVmLSMH8jHliDcmimBlt4ZCfcTqR_pbJdix7FuD_YxDfuEMxU60rHV36YEgmBxRqiyhpx-pigzL1ob6YD4b_ShVN1dDXuEoxr2TDK_q3elE_rx6i28T6trt9/s4000/20220412_184622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQhBTz_G8OmhrkNe7pVVJZSwhJCiewNUEeNF-mpfwm2EAxVLIgYNs9OzazRgpKQJaCVmLSMH8jHliDcmimBlt4ZCfcTqR_pbJdix7FuD_YxDfuEMxU60rHV36YEgmBxRqiyhpx-pigzL1ob6YD4b_ShVN1dDXuEoxr2TDK_q3elE_rx6i28T6trt9/w425-h319/20220412_184622.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">Easter lilies around the communion table mean Easter is coming!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Adam made matzo bread for the Seder. It was a wonderful experience, and we also ate a delicious pot-luck dinner together.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgPUs5O91vk_PNLr7RNjgOHpV3gaRqZjtwQQF-ZQlTzx2212rqz_x8ytCQutUehHJTrDFq1heuvsEPGyyRWngtxhy7QVM4iC2MeCVRg5iSbsflCNUHvWgGyoFiRj7eH7SUt-4O2NlE5YU4tSTJUzHB7LdfyJCWcfDQyLP37V_bzDOeEP2f1vBK_wZ/s4000/20220414_174817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgPUs5O91vk_PNLr7RNjgOHpV3gaRqZjtwQQF-ZQlTzx2212rqz_x8ytCQutUehHJTrDFq1heuvsEPGyyRWngtxhy7QVM4iC2MeCVRg5iSbsflCNUHvWgGyoFiRj7eH7SUt-4O2NlE5YU4tSTJUzHB7LdfyJCWcfDQyLP37V_bzDOeEP2f1vBK_wZ/w412-h309/20220414_174817.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk9m5SuCLtHFFsApHhQrHtm0vDUreQlSbVQ0OnCfmGaneif5-8_uw5-SSO2ozn6zTO5i2yKP2Xnt6ONuy0Nfi729EUJ0DAI75KlH7ESXIBg6OiJfQA4pu2udq4P2w1pHBNGuQI1spPZ6Pnjuwde5a6vkA79GXb62KMnuBHzYi3MKHdxW_tTk-gqp8/s4000/20220416_092044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk9m5SuCLtHFFsApHhQrHtm0vDUreQlSbVQ0OnCfmGaneif5-8_uw5-SSO2ozn6zTO5i2yKP2Xnt6ONuy0Nfi729EUJ0DAI75KlH7ESXIBg6OiJfQA4pu2udq4P2w1pHBNGuQI1spPZ6Pnjuwde5a6vkA79GXb62KMnuBHzYi3MKHdxW_tTk-gqp8/w419-h314/20220416_092044.jpg" width="419" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Here's the farmers market last week. It was much busier yesterday. Folks are eager to be out and having fun in Oriental.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">My Lady Banks rose bush is not as full as most years; we had a late frost. But she's still a beauty.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjsbh-zh0FuV6B5P84qWz5Hk2DeZB0J5ozQG8w0JCUoRUSrVuzOF6qBUjS8jr9HI2Z10FhblKD7zDlcEXGQO_7enrQfGWXgDoM6Pv3NFJY7-BGLYeUCwsVHywdJ7QE0tuiWJF6x9T2bK6dKJSZvpYS5vDDJEw27bdWdAwCz_GISov_Ndg_vh1hriO/s2576/20220417_172657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjsbh-zh0FuV6B5P84qWz5Hk2DeZB0J5ozQG8w0JCUoRUSrVuzOF6qBUjS8jr9HI2Z10FhblKD7zDlcEXGQO_7enrQfGWXgDoM6Pv3NFJY7-BGLYeUCwsVHywdJ7QE0tuiWJF6x9T2bK6dKJSZvpYS5vDDJEw27bdWdAwCz_GISov_Ndg_vh1hriO/w415-h311/20220417_172657.jpg" width="415" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT_oSsKla1Jg3_FJjobq_VrNvRPU-v-0gK_FJmu6dlEV_ZHtVeKLSYiYE86K47wCLpjJYjw016MJ55tLVn0NxE9RAhml6j3OChAG4nso1dwLrqMDnQAU5Zrypmov2bbAvROo0mxG68auko0kf0CnZJZkF8eLYGkXurTdVxrl2SBKwH_g0tWExKXnc/s4000/20220417_172600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvT_oSsKla1Jg3_FJjobq_VrNvRPU-v-0gK_FJmu6dlEV_ZHtVeKLSYiYE86K47wCLpjJYjw016MJ55tLVn0NxE9RAhml6j3OChAG4nso1dwLrqMDnQAU5Zrypmov2bbAvROo0mxG68auko0kf0CnZJZkF8eLYGkXurTdVxrl2SBKwH_g0tWExKXnc/w412-h309/20220417_172600.jpg" width="412" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">This is a tapestry weave (my second one) that I finally finished. It had many problems and challenges, and I learned a lot from trying to correct them. On to the next tapestry weaving adventure, I say!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V6zNhQaIBOEulwmjha5rVUEoiFUG1EnkoEiI11_bvTvn_tUcinJuMq6M78e29UJH_YCOFTKIdbQL5QvwHeC-bA-nB-Vq1exXR9RfyODRIbZdKLiK-IHNXaAsrEItjLyBxLK80id4UQZVKXzUJZTi6xOnHth4DXZG2Cxoy-1P7-KiC0Q24rOrCIIj/s4000/20220419_100038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1V6zNhQaIBOEulwmjha5rVUEoiFUG1EnkoEiI11_bvTvn_tUcinJuMq6M78e29UJH_YCOFTKIdbQL5QvwHeC-bA-nB-Vq1exXR9RfyODRIbZdKLiK-IHNXaAsrEItjLyBxLK80id4UQZVKXzUJZTi6xOnHth4DXZG2Cxoy-1P7-KiC0Q24rOrCIIj/w358-h477/20220419_100038.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Leo is fun every day. The animals -- all three of them -- are pure entertainment in a quiet house.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy-6QImGLlee7Sco3wNkEbw_JqnGUxPksaO4akuH-J5Ec_6Ws7XUoN8etWwYB8kogw9iOkjrik-TtdvZXWlMtCSqEW2HBDGBdWcVqbEwClyY5FgCuKz3KG5OAzzjpT2eycDKNW9VNTI6f1qsbGVjkKyV6KVwvYqN06WYar_yRLAr6j8EU-PjMHBHM/s2375/20220419_171949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2375" data-original-width="2339" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoy-6QImGLlee7Sco3wNkEbw_JqnGUxPksaO4akuH-J5Ec_6Ws7XUoN8etWwYB8kogw9iOkjrik-TtdvZXWlMtCSqEW2HBDGBdWcVqbEwClyY5FgCuKz3KG5OAzzjpT2eycDKNW9VNTI6f1qsbGVjkKyV6KVwvYqN06WYar_yRLAr6j8EU-PjMHBHM/w385-h391/20220419_171949.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">This may look like innocence to you, but believe me, it's absolute WARFARE. Beau and Leo are competing for the coveted spot on the plaid blanket in front of the window. At this particular moment, Leo is winning. Beau is plotting his revenge. (Don't let his crossed paws fool you.)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu9PJgkMMQ-CsDYeRcs8KJN0Ourjw4ZXevwUH5mUY57uDvJcbQSbTF0nCjOGs7g-SGygL0kj3GuLYhBdnuhns4mms_xdizYfaXveBO8RQSraiauUHRk-u3yergKjz-AtPh6ooldPK4GVWVTm8SnbioclX-lI2gQqtJMlesoejj1nLjqPAEM3494iW/s4000/20220418_082753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPu9PJgkMMQ-CsDYeRcs8KJN0Ourjw4ZXevwUH5mUY57uDvJcbQSbTF0nCjOGs7g-SGygL0kj3GuLYhBdnuhns4mms_xdizYfaXveBO8RQSraiauUHRk-u3yergKjz-AtPh6ooldPK4GVWVTm8SnbioclX-lI2gQqtJMlesoejj1nLjqPAEM3494iW/w438-h329/20220418_082753.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Van Gogh exhibit was fabulous. We did this as Adam's birthday gift, and it was so much fun. We drove 3 hours to north Raleigh, visited the leather store for him to buy some pig skin for book binding, ate lunch at Panera, and enjoyed the "Immersive Experience" of the very creative, very engaging Van Gogh experience. They do a good job of making you feel that you are <i>inside </i>his paintings, I think. I thoroughly enjoyed it.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But I'm worn out. And Adam's Pemphigus illness is flaring up, so he is pretty unhappy. He's been on spring break from his teaching job, but he goes back tomorrow. Then I plan to organize my days well, get things done in a calm way, breathe deeply, take daily naps, and slow Life down. Yeah, I know ... good luck with that!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOqoUWGFkvJBxVws7dRX-KYpQ7ajuF6lrhnePimymaUbNNCT28tHuMC3wAAlDG8EbfCop7R1wFR-DBF4LSPtFC_RGbtl6q2tlW9LUbiHAQUea4HtGPv6SQngB-9hRVpBS5snhsUcwnLD3HU2iUuVtv2MGN2bLH_d7hsWYRd-U9yB5ibFQkNWjastY/s4128/20220422_124605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwOqoUWGFkvJBxVws7dRX-KYpQ7ajuF6lrhnePimymaUbNNCT28tHuMC3wAAlDG8EbfCop7R1wFR-DBF4LSPtFC_RGbtl6q2tlW9LUbiHAQUea4HtGPv6SQngB-9hRVpBS5snhsUcwnLD3HU2iUuVtv2MGN2bLH_d7hsWYRd-U9yB5ibFQkNWjastY/w439-h329/20220422_124605.jpg" width="439" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-large; text-align: left;">Oh, and Rest In Peace, Roo Roo, best rooster ever. He gave his all to defend his hens from a predator. We'll miss him.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GJ37gGQ1s2AZWCIGSowMItMa-xumLXhrDfZgwm0aItroiAtfde92Yi6Z_ptVHDVlekt_82SpHY6OxDxY3fK4fHM-pGkzwNEgb9DecEoEYJMNzBpZ0GBut3pcU2SZBgO_DDeiRTVfMA66vuoKbVR3Ec86ejIsZC5gGJOepeAcInAwrONqlsz-xwXK/s2576/Roo%20Roo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GJ37gGQ1s2AZWCIGSowMItMa-xumLXhrDfZgwm0aItroiAtfde92Yi6Z_ptVHDVlekt_82SpHY6OxDxY3fK4fHM-pGkzwNEgb9DecEoEYJMNzBpZ0GBut3pcU2SZBgO_DDeiRTVfMA66vuoKbVR3Ec86ejIsZC5gGJOepeAcInAwrONqlsz-xwXK/w460-h345/Roo%20Roo.jpg" width="460" /></a></div></div><p><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-63427926496034115542022-04-02T16:15:00.000-04:002022-04-02T16:15:00.543-04:00Looks Like Spring!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOewsRN9ADwr441r8SOdkSWvR9Iokt8uL72wmPfuGuFxGkQ0eE1DIcKPXxYJLtGPaVKYikT4r3o-ewbppoG5bUezY4sXt6LLkt-fkccNCAo1bjOtYdW-jXlSoTRj7E1RMmr9ShYcmtKFHfhEI5IW1Q1cveVJZYZp9EY8UyXvH_DsJyh6hlLACnec_/s3254/20220330_150037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="3254" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOewsRN9ADwr441r8SOdkSWvR9Iokt8uL72wmPfuGuFxGkQ0eE1DIcKPXxYJLtGPaVKYikT4r3o-ewbppoG5bUezY4sXt6LLkt-fkccNCAo1bjOtYdW-jXlSoTRj7E1RMmr9ShYcmtKFHfhEI5IW1Q1cveVJZYZp9EY8UyXvH_DsJyh6hlLACnec_/w527-h331/20220330_150037.jpg" width="527" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">We're well into true spring now. Daffodils are faded, as is the forsythia. We've advanced into apple tree buds, fig leaves, tiny rose tips, and blue bells. The temperatures are still quite cool many days, like today, breezy and sunny. Perfect!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmeAGKivA_ciDRwhLCRecbiEY5O3J3fwzBlicca0otZyxktvM0NIIUrOnrk4xH-C-z1NcpGyEoMoOn8wLmUkPSYZm3Vx7kzGF0lq30peJrEMaH_8qGxy5CB5AYLb4nA5lveZgit5mPiC9FGNIAq-53cqgzfkDUywpos3fnTnbELBrB4ZSt7Y4QxZn/s4000/20220401_184731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmeAGKivA_ciDRwhLCRecbiEY5O3J3fwzBlicca0otZyxktvM0NIIUrOnrk4xH-C-z1NcpGyEoMoOn8wLmUkPSYZm3Vx7kzGF0lq30peJrEMaH_8qGxy5CB5AYLb4nA5lveZgit5mPiC9FGNIAq-53cqgzfkDUywpos3fnTnbELBrB4ZSt7Y4QxZn/w436-h327/20220401_184731.jpg" width="436" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTqYEm6xAv1B1bfpy2fPvYY2HknV-rFG0vKuQeott58Fk5CqWXl4Q10n8e9s2mrJGQYzySpi6DZyVsIf_NpCeLkpq_dQrmTX618OcvtFqTJcCTWWMdRTCBwcTeikrJdF-I_w_TvWhRtHMcApgWEs_G08dm7je6-Qwd1zxZUONYVQCzi1HudIH_bAJ/s4000/20220401_184759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTqYEm6xAv1B1bfpy2fPvYY2HknV-rFG0vKuQeott58Fk5CqWXl4Q10n8e9s2mrJGQYzySpi6DZyVsIf_NpCeLkpq_dQrmTX618OcvtFqTJcCTWWMdRTCBwcTeikrJdF-I_w_TvWhRtHMcApgWEs_G08dm7je6-Qwd1zxZUONYVQCzi1HudIH_bAJ/w310-h413/20220401_184759.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-JChKgdqJ7jQHMTGb64leswHw04MKYVH3q_neuM5LrcWPnP8ALHfiF7-Y2VmQ-OZfOodCKK0hOSurmViYOChEOI_u-Xn_LMfIdD1Uz40g7QYr1O7hyrimE3SvVXUpbBJZ9d8w7DP_hrqIwE89IKB9Xz7mU-FYVHyLDQIC_Kf2fxB8l-GsASmfYPx/s4000/20220401_185020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT-JChKgdqJ7jQHMTGb64leswHw04MKYVH3q_neuM5LrcWPnP8ALHfiF7-Y2VmQ-OZfOodCKK0hOSurmViYOChEOI_u-Xn_LMfIdD1Uz40g7QYr1O7hyrimE3SvVXUpbBJZ9d8w7DP_hrqIwE89IKB9Xz7mU-FYVHyLDQIC_Kf2fxB8l-GsASmfYPx/w464-h348/20220401_185020.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeHfH6CFzn4DGF3uTVWz55SJXZoy5Tmc-t-JAkQFGzHDxwCkSEPWqdJvt6Qt-yRKO6_QumH-8xpKkibe-tIz8dBmNCRC61sUkxXAk3XV3cxXZWWthRfQZ0AvLgFeX0WIvwBgo88cF-2ms5kIyCUTC_CT3j6E3ORXj7fmgDs4eNsisUCTk2eIMT6xA/s4000/20220401_184904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="407" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfeHfH6CFzn4DGF3uTVWz55SJXZoy5Tmc-t-JAkQFGzHDxwCkSEPWqdJvt6Qt-yRKO6_QumH-8xpKkibe-tIz8dBmNCRC61sUkxXAk3XV3cxXZWWthRfQZ0AvLgFeX0WIvwBgo88cF-2ms5kIyCUTC_CT3j6E3ORXj7fmgDs4eNsisUCTk2eIMT6xA/w305-h407/20220401_184904.jpg" width="305" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've thought about blogging, but didn't entirely know what to say. Terrible news from Ukraine dominated my brain for many weeks, and now, like the rest of the world, while I still read about it daily my mind is becoming sadly accustomed to the idea of what's happening there. We are numb to their suffering in the same way that they become numb to the fear of the air sirens. A friend-of-a-friend in Kiev kind of jokes about how they opt to sleep in their beds because they're just tired of the bomb shelter.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Our ladies' Bible study group is now studying Elisabeth Elliot's compilation of her newsletter articles called <u>Secure in the Everlasting Arms</u>. Each section of the book focuses on an aspect of Elliot's wisdom, and we're now examining how we respond, how we pray, when we suffer -- or should I say, when God designs suffering for us. We all struggle with this whole idea. It's a good study.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTMMF1OEaht7HvIhftoTCpQdfLTP11e4HlaZ-_P7UnAKK65s5_D4NatTxowM7W_kc6nyLAAqFtaoBo8OK06RpOB3QIrlOvcjddbiBHOACs6aPSuuzBqNgpu-qlnjzVwc9h2GdtepCEqYj6YFvNH3eXB89f-lEH9_yGkgl60ZcK4rjV5VWNGmmEdz-/s4000/20220330_083632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTMMF1OEaht7HvIhftoTCpQdfLTP11e4HlaZ-_P7UnAKK65s5_D4NatTxowM7W_kc6nyLAAqFtaoBo8OK06RpOB3QIrlOvcjddbiBHOACs6aPSuuzBqNgpu-qlnjzVwc9h2GdtepCEqYj6YFvNH3eXB89f-lEH9_yGkgl60ZcK4rjV5VWNGmmEdz-/w389-h292/20220330_083632.jpg" width="389" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">I found some good books at the local thrift store. I finished another Pilcher book (<u>Sleeping Tiger</u>) very quickly, and am now in <u>September</u>, for which I abandoned the Cahill book halfway through. I'm admitting to myself that I now enjoy fluffy romances (well, NOT Danielle Steele) like Pilcher and Mary Stewart, and I mustn't feel bad about not reading Dickens and Austen much anymore. It's okay!</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm painting cards. Here's my latest favorite.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZZCLIIOMHSbU1jx09jYYt4DtnCh-uG16gwxEtwt28pdRaBHcXWxxk2PL7tEnp7vnPof5PJ4yk6cxJ0PUay9peRdwVr9J7-3H120Ozwa5aJi5qo_G6IFLIux0JAWyatIHDOBchwjDcV0Ce08euvDxxhWiVU2_1RNTuKSmf_IK6FlIoEN5KMl5DnU8/s4000/20220326_144721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZZCLIIOMHSbU1jx09jYYt4DtnCh-uG16gwxEtwt28pdRaBHcXWxxk2PL7tEnp7vnPof5PJ4yk6cxJ0PUay9peRdwVr9J7-3H120Ozwa5aJi5qo_G6IFLIux0JAWyatIHDOBchwjDcV0Ce08euvDxxhWiVU2_1RNTuKSmf_IK6FlIoEN5KMl5DnU8/w348-h464/20220326_144721.jpg" width="348" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">There's something loose and whimsical about that ink-and-then-dabs-of-watercolor style that I find relaxing and appealing.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Adam taught me how to use the riding lawn mower! Yippee!! I mowed nearly the entire property this past week. A bit exhausting, but I like to help, and he simply doesn't have any time right now to do it. I feel so farmy when I'm mowing on it. I get so much grass in my hair, and I send the fire ants flying when I run over their hills!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I can't really think of any news from here for you. Life is much the same, for which we are grateful. I've always heard people say we should be thankful for our troops, that we sleep peacefully in our beds at night because of our troops. I know very few people in the military; my daddy was in Korea. Adam's dad was in Vietnam, but that was before my time. Now I understand a little, as I think of women just like me in Ukraine, how much they value their soldiers who stand between them and an enemy. How they sleep in their beds, or don't, depending on how far away their soldiers can keep that enemy away. I live in a home of peace, surrounded by a county and state and nation of peace -- layers of peace. What a privilege that is! Thank you, soldiers!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Leo doesn't know he has a blissful life. He's so chill.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVpEoH5d1_R46iuYNzoglk9LAqr6nz4JGcdxt3LkAqx31xjKwPO4LHojwC8SMJDwYzrVKhpcjBgU9FvAsohQCjh-iRXA7M3QkqfIDKWSgAOn8oN87Zu9iBclWZ_KUrWiytpJNt15yKPu27TgB_TkE67_-wWoiofpDWXa4wn_ETwhMsjp4I4Dcc5nY/s4000/20220328_200812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNVpEoH5d1_R46iuYNzoglk9LAqr6nz4JGcdxt3LkAqx31xjKwPO4LHojwC8SMJDwYzrVKhpcjBgU9FvAsohQCjh-iRXA7M3QkqfIDKWSgAOn8oN87Zu9iBclWZ_KUrWiytpJNt15yKPu27TgB_TkE67_-wWoiofpDWXa4wn_ETwhMsjp4I4Dcc5nY/w486-h365/20220328_200812.jpg" width="486" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-80889515046377283962022-03-08T08:45:00.006-05:002022-03-08T08:52:03.631-05:00Today, I Will Paint.<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Today I will paint first, and later I plan to make a batch of soap. Spotify is playing relaxing Spanish guitar throughout the house. The animals sleep. Overhead, the fans whirr on a day promising rain. We are in between needing heat or air conditioning. I am so comfortable.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmdPNUdUjGaYZxGDqBjQUt4a7QuWCF4P_ks17xPbuCd5SOPY6DZ-bvS6AO8MGZ0smZWpJJpW6wnma-MUqFOpXqCIUKCUOUFead8Hsdw619l7vnQCLZGr4qa-o94ozAzJMpCt3Ar0P4C8DE-bZcywXFcFdGHgDJn0_RmMAilVYT9jUrGuwCfsY9YNxy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="509" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmdPNUdUjGaYZxGDqBjQUt4a7QuWCF4P_ks17xPbuCd5SOPY6DZ-bvS6AO8MGZ0smZWpJJpW6wnma-MUqFOpXqCIUKCUOUFead8Hsdw619l7vnQCLZGr4qa-o94ozAzJMpCt3Ar0P4C8DE-bZcywXFcFdGHgDJn0_RmMAilVYT9jUrGuwCfsY9YNxy" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">But my brain. My brain is reading news because I feel I must know what is happening elsewhere. It is not a greedy feeding for information. It is a deep hurting, a longing, to participate in the smallest way with those suffering on the other side of this globe on which we are all imprisoned. Some are hiding in windowless cement boxes underground, telling themselves they are safer, but feeling trapped and buried already. They clutch their babies. I think of Jesus's words: "</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-24-17" id="en-NASB-23972" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">Whoever is on the housetop must not go down to get things out of his house.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span class="text Matt-24-18" id="en-NASB-23973" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">And whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his cloak.</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span class="text Matt-24-19" id="en-NASB-23974" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">But woe to those women who are pregnant, and to those who are nursing babies in those days!</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span><span class="text Matt-24-20" id="en-NASB-23975" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">Moreover, pray that when you flee, it will not be in the winter...." (from Matthew 24)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-24-20" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">Why do some suffer and live in terror, while others paint and watch their pets sleep while fans whirr overhead?</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-24-20" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">I've wondered this for many years. I had suffering years, while my friends had joyful ones. Did they ponder my suffering in this way?</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span class="text Matt-24-20" style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="woj">I pray for them during the day and wake thinking of them at night, the families in Ukraine. Is it true that somehow my ease is important because it symbolizes what they fight for, what they strive for? If no one lived in peace on the earth, would the candle flame of freedom and joy be blown out forever? I must treasure the peace and comfort I live in, in order to long for it for them. While their freedom is stripped away from them, I want to hold the candle high and say, "It's still here! It's still burning! Keep fighting!" Somehow, the lives of those living in freedom validate the intense battles of those fighting for it.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">I read a website several times daily with updates from Christians inside Ukraine. One person wrote this:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> <i>"<span style="background-color: transparent;">Yesterday from the news we learnt that our army destroyed several planes which were bombing our territory, destroyed several land enemy groups. We confessed to each other that we feel glad to know that the enemy dies. And then we began to think what’s happening and how terrible the war is that makes us be glad to the death. </span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>"Please, pray for us to live this through and be able to heal from the anger and hatred and feel our hearts with love and peace. Please, pray this prayer for all Ukrainians."</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">As they fear being murdered by an enemy army, they ask for prayer against feeling anger. They ask me to pray that they love their enemies. This is the power of Jesus's love and His gospel, to love our enemies and those who oppress us. This makes Christianity radical and unique. I am stunned at the beauty and humility of humans whose souls have been transformed by Jesus to feel this way.</span></p><p style=M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-55491256151717266382022-03-06T15:15:00.003-05:002022-03-07T06:05:53.873-05:00O Lord, Bless Even Me!<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> What do we want, if we could be given the best gifts in the universe?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">We want to possess the kingdom of heaven, to have it be <i>ours</i>. We want comfort. And in addition to possessing heaven, we would actually like to own earth too. We want both. We want to be satisfied, for all our longings and needs to be met fully. We want mercy, kindness to be extended to us. We would <i>love </i>to see God! How thrilling that would be! We want to be called by everyone, "children of God," and to be shown as His children by receiving vast rewards in heaven. We'd frankly like to have all that right now.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus tells us how to have all these blessings:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Be poor (or crushed, or small) in spirit, be in mourning become you're in grief, be gentle, and hunger and thirst for righteousness (do we, ever?). Be merciful to others, pure in our hearts, and be peacemakers. Be very glad when we are reviled, persecuted, insulted, and ill-treated for Jesus's sake; this is the supreme blessing!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">For months now, we've been reciting the Beatitudes each Sunday during worship. I've pondered them. They're like a burr that gets under your skin, and you must address it. Each time, Adam asks us pointedly, "Christians, how are we blessed of God?" And we reply in unison, "When we are poor in spirit, when we mourn, when we are gentle," and on and on. Each Sunday is is a little harder to say. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I want the rewards, but I'm reluctant to be the kind of person who gets such rewards, to do the suffering, the self-examination, and the changing. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">We often, in our studies of Christianity, find that Jesus's religion that He's presenting to us, is <i>radical</i>, extremely radical. It tells us a message that no other voice is willing to say. The Beatitudes is certainly one of those messages.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">"When you mourn, you are blessed." Try telling that to people!</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-61884883611605019142022-02-18T07:04:00.008-05:002022-02-18T07:08:40.861-05:00one word poems<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Margaret (Mags), dear blogging friend, has set me on a rabbit trail of poetry, for which shove I am very, very grateful.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I had stopped writing poetry. No idea why. I assumed it was because I'd aged out of the poetry-writing years of life. It was too much of a struggle, too hard. And the <i>ideas </i>for poems did not come to me as clearly as before. They used to come into my head and stick like a burr and develop themselves until I had to spit them out on paper.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Mags gave me this idea: write a poem each day in February, prompted by one unusual word.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I thought, "Hmm." I read a few of her one-word-prompt writings and liked them very much indeed. I thought, only to myself, "Why not? Why not make a little folder on my desktop and write a poem from each of these little words?" The little words are a list of unusual vocabulary words I gathered nearly 20 years ago while reading Trollope or Goudge, I'm not sure which.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6VijkQ_5rf5wdZUD6xXTzEZ4OozqxjhVarjXPGQ3JRDLwdgGfqEvsn2HzvmEIsUGx22WI0AMB-DJDtw9OZK2fhMrBVGSc-qUalfdrQ1M7Zpy3NbGOjEWX6rz4dq6Sdl6ifqhWSJ33hO_Vdxpk24qB8mmMwPx0952OPlB1XvUqdy90IIcE8da910Sz=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6VijkQ_5rf5wdZUD6xXTzEZ4OozqxjhVarjXPGQ3JRDLwdgGfqEvsn2HzvmEIsUGx22WI0AMB-DJDtw9OZK2fhMrBVGSc-qUalfdrQ1M7Zpy3NbGOjEWX6rz4dq6Sdl6ifqhWSJ33hO_Vdxpk24qB8mmMwPx0952OPlB1XvUqdy90IIcE8da910Sz=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I wrote it on an Elisabeth Elliot newsletter, back before such things came via email. Somehow, I kept it all these years. Miraculously, it was in the first place I searched for it!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've written a poem most days in February since I started. I told myself I'm writing them ONLY for myself. I do not have to consider a reader. I do not have to consider if it is understood, if it is structured, appealing, tight, edited. Nothing. I spit it out when the word prompt has worked its magic -- i.e., when the word from the list has sparked an image in my head, an idea with an image. Then I write it down and try only not to <i>explain</i>, but to show. Poems that explain things are boring from the first word.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">They often end abruptly and look a bit like ee cummings's, but they feel right to me, like good chocolate on my tongue. Perhaps now that I'm old I'm ready to write poetry just for me and not care about the world of readers, rather like wearing flowy gypsy skirts at last. Here's one I think I'll share, short and sweet:</span><div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p><p></p><p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">
plouter</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">when I am old enough</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">to play in mud
puddles
</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">big deep mud puddles</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">bottomless puddles</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">splashing laughing</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">in my Sunday shoes</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">again</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">then I will know</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">it’s time to go</span></p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</p>
<p style="line-height: 100%; margin-bottom: 0in;">2/16/2022</p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span><p></p></div>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-71563235518209583572022-02-16T08:06:00.000-05:002022-02-16T08:06:12.838-05:00And What Exactly Am I Doing Now?<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> You ladies out there of a particular age -- you know who you are -- old enough to be over half-way done, but young enough not to throw in the towel yet .... </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do you struggle with what to do with yourself? Not exactly <i>who </i>you are, but <i>what </i>you are? I used to be a teacher. I used to be a mother. I used to be a secretary. I used to be a writer. I used to be a gardener. I do believe in allowing myself to move on from some roles to new roles, not coercing myself to being everything forever.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But still. Sometimes I look at myself and at my life and I wonder, "What in the world am I <i>doing</i>?" As my mother would say, I'm piddling. Dilly-dallying. Mucking about and wasting time. When I was a younger woman I seemed to have a tighter vision, more direction, a more organized mind.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm not even sure what I'm talking about here, which is a perfect demonstration of what I'm trying to say. I'm going to stop and insert some photographs to help this blog post.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJzLnsIusHyHahXOEJHIXNF9aa-lWn2HCLp8Y9X6X3dy69d6ytp_7QS04FXm1z5aCM1Z5h1Lbqz58li7vzDrXI2tLLQ37XOOfNUBujDtbXg9UjeY_kcHGToNeYc3ENmFlC8OUsjdSeJn-XgNbu5--NdHPz0kPj1oVsWltcTcyzndY21Uk69KWKN982=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJzLnsIusHyHahXOEJHIXNF9aa-lWn2HCLp8Y9X6X3dy69d6ytp_7QS04FXm1z5aCM1Z5h1Lbqz58li7vzDrXI2tLLQ37XOOfNUBujDtbXg9UjeY_kcHGToNeYc3ENmFlC8OUsjdSeJn-XgNbu5--NdHPz0kPj1oVsWltcTcyzndY21Uk69KWKN982=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicMGC6YsmFwGM61U8i5REGqlg5erh6aw6z6Bl_8DgC5qyWGulW2Nyfk4j3WG83gz03jo-8jGBt70hWF9XGNiYtDhAH4NvgqamWW5DVjqCDwoyzh4gt_VyOAd5iU_75OciLJ0TNOa4qFfdbUmtMTv0S7OoxnyeygCjjoDWGb_ryRDeOKQmtF8WkpohT=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicMGC6YsmFwGM61U8i5REGqlg5erh6aw6z6Bl_8DgC5qyWGulW2Nyfk4j3WG83gz03jo-8jGBt70hWF9XGNiYtDhAH4NvgqamWW5DVjqCDwoyzh4gt_VyOAd5iU_75OciLJ0TNOa4qFfdbUmtMTv0S7OoxnyeygCjjoDWGb_ryRDeOKQmtF8WkpohT=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPbzfC6-yt7H4IAMxKIKbhYnPbmPRKPPpm1K-V3lI9H5f9UHbIvReIJJsNMuECVqEfkJfBlTuXVjjC_I--GShy_eF-ceYvJHefYZ4SC7PH3inBGhWBZINLyLEg6iMSBar3X-J0arSlx7eSPTQgu6NsKR0dHNnAuDaUtxUw95P-ueo5_WpomnupNQA-=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPbzfC6-yt7H4IAMxKIKbhYnPbmPRKPPpm1K-V3lI9H5f9UHbIvReIJJsNMuECVqEfkJfBlTuXVjjC_I--GShy_eF-ceYvJHefYZ4SC7PH3inBGhWBZINLyLEg6iMSBar3X-J0arSlx7eSPTQgu6NsKR0dHNnAuDaUtxUw95P-ueo5_WpomnupNQA-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig1lQHbDrnNqyuqr9CS16TQVOxeKrAQTSwBf4npdnTwz4AJB2XCcJNl1WzO8kuFhs6CrPH03bIL2a_XhGHQKXUniuyfirq0w-1S9Y0UQGgUgJqF1EqFbtsFNB0LzqlLxf5Co0bgo4X9SgQ9HgpBdkspio_7Qe0lk72qZmkepZ26Y96uo32Apdhonx-=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEig1lQHbDrnNqyuqr9CS16TQVOxeKrAQTSwBf4npdnTwz4AJB2XCcJNl1WzO8kuFhs6CrPH03bIL2a_XhGHQKXUniuyfirq0w-1S9Y0UQGgUgJqF1EqFbtsFNB0LzqlLxf5Co0bgo4X9SgQ9HgpBdkspio_7Qe0lk72qZmkepZ26Y96uo32Apdhonx-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfe7rX6LoJy9C1HIiGbgg1ercGp4t5s2buq2mIct39UJFUTfnFph9hq87BOOy36vdmS0AxtBIzkFDdOTZJKemtVcNKesG9z6a2edmVq0sepjWJd37KD4EizH7ZiHrm3AAPmnpLCIiglvJ6gqRL8kC4ovhbgC0p1fdmiuAPDJ4ZThXuKUYEUbiPJfgA=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfe7rX6LoJy9C1HIiGbgg1ercGp4t5s2buq2mIct39UJFUTfnFph9hq87BOOy36vdmS0AxtBIzkFDdOTZJKemtVcNKesG9z6a2edmVq0sepjWJd37KD4EizH7ZiHrm3AAPmnpLCIiglvJ6gqRL8kC4ovhbgC0p1fdmiuAPDJ4ZThXuKUYEUbiPJfgA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrIdYd6Yylk0Ec0xRL6SpBAWOd90Xf_fycTAQ7sTy8TPbJnAtViyQ-O5QV5IbwYcg4A2YILrC3wzej2WO3XSl4wsofu_HZWaVOm6AQ6UezgNNFU6nupJQjc5rgz7_CwEpmytpx5bQOj2CWjnt1PcyVcGVl8y5r-jvMRq0lSyIqJU8biRTeuRhly0Wb=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrIdYd6Yylk0Ec0xRL6SpBAWOd90Xf_fycTAQ7sTy8TPbJnAtViyQ-O5QV5IbwYcg4A2YILrC3wzej2WO3XSl4wsofu_HZWaVOm6AQ6UezgNNFU6nupJQjc5rgz7_CwEpmytpx5bQOj2CWjnt1PcyVcGVl8y5r-jvMRq0lSyIqJU8biRTeuRhly0Wb=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-VNId6Bg1tjanh7nVXACsrfv184NQ2NBaTH8vLDTBiDWmq8jL84gn-U5SCBRoLLpEZLZz6bqPEJKZFh_cq_wTtbZi7QWfE5pDsr0oqdzZWuVyzEusaggntACL-rxhKg1ZuXyIXQHyk8uOGjt1DRcRuDFRlC70kp3_suGFd7ENC5VZG0J58Q4t2SoW=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-VNId6Bg1tjanh7nVXACsrfv184NQ2NBaTH8vLDTBiDWmq8jL84gn-U5SCBRoLLpEZLZz6bqPEJKZFh_cq_wTtbZi7QWfE5pDsr0oqdzZWuVyzEusaggntACL-rxhKg1ZuXyIXQHyk8uOGjt1DRcRuDFRlC70kp3_suGFd7ENC5VZG0J58Q4t2SoW=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM0xqeCqJ7QR57J0wJaQmJcd5I0efu5ovK1AK29ALt_TbcOUC9hLMY3HAm6QXZFSSRbC4OeDEAE1lElF-tHZxOcmaLb-4PBogfju_QlxpopbaRCVca39wVvhgw5lSB6lsDREA1vIJmfW6wLmMDZJuMNIwpiPBZBNY4aUQXlQ4WLxXVXjr6RJ9TpbSq=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM0xqeCqJ7QR57J0wJaQmJcd5I0efu5ovK1AK29ALt_TbcOUC9hLMY3HAm6QXZFSSRbC4OeDEAE1lElF-tHZxOcmaLb-4PBogfju_QlxpopbaRCVca39wVvhgw5lSB6lsDREA1vIJmfW6wLmMDZJuMNIwpiPBZBNY4aUQXlQ4WLxXVXjr6RJ9TpbSq=s320" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">I am still spinning, weaving, painting, and making youtube videos. But the spinning/weaving/painting form the content of the videos, and honestly, I haven't a clue what to DO with the things that I spin, weave, and paint. I discovered yesterday that the local farmers market I've been part of for a decade, is likely dying. Where will I sell the things I make? Do I set up an independent online store? Will my youtube viewers buy my stuff? Ugh. I don't like marketing.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Oh, dear. Now I'm whining. Let's change the subject! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtkjtxYtU5ySOLpTwthHSzw4Adt7dqcHGFf6F6anKbeEjccjX5dYMwuYCni0fHKI18F7Ys-bx4laALZUDvumUaLjL7wDm3RYr0_wnmTlANxzhxAGb7GKm5ZWFlWbOrD2CfL-ex6IqwUT3SVb2-zU1MXrKKHomDqzfcF9FEwUgguDWQ0VDe_qExbCo3=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtkjtxYtU5ySOLpTwthHSzw4Adt7dqcHGFf6F6anKbeEjccjX5dYMwuYCni0fHKI18F7Ys-bx4laALZUDvumUaLjL7wDm3RYr0_wnmTlANxzhxAGb7GKm5ZWFlWbOrD2CfL-ex6IqwUT3SVb2-zU1MXrKKHomDqzfcF9FEwUgguDWQ0VDe_qExbCo3=w348-h464" width="348" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The first daffodil. She's a harbinger of active days outside. One project that I can really get my teeth into, is working on this property, as much as I'm able. I sometimes contemplate how much I could possibly do. I can learn to use the riding mower. Could I start to tear down the barn? Could I learn to use some tools? Could I take down the garden fencing ... hmm. Don't know. How hard is it to manage a heavy, gas-powered weedeater? Will this be my new exercise program?!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">At pushing-60, am I supposed to be slowing down, or speeding up? I've heard rumor that one's 60s are the most productive decade of life. I'm cogitizing how that might look for me. I feel like I would need to organize both my body and my brain, and all my habits, to become more productive than I've been before. Instead, I feel as if I'm mentally slipping down, like a weary bather into a steam pool in a Japanese bath. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">If any of you have any input into these feelings, please do share. I need all the help I can get.<br /><br /></span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-68680507102968116462022-02-01T06:33:00.002-05:002022-02-01T06:33:25.758-05:00A Dusting of Snow<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> The first cold weekend, we had ice, a thick slab of ice that didn't melt on our north-facing deck for days. A bit treacherous! This past weekend we had a dusting of snow. It lasted for an hour or two before disappearing in the sunlight.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn6B8dQIReuH4EYryhX0xJWiv0c-XthWEWHUb4NsGO8pitUJpcfqYcxGvhbj65LNa0Jbp978nrLhydC5jGpCTFJ0GEy6tVataq_NeppvX5o62qin-Qgwbnj7e62EVh4d9EDEGM7eWWSeVsNRMNoWxYz2Y2k4PcYzXr9o4GWZwKRPQxs4se7GqUncwA=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn6B8dQIReuH4EYryhX0xJWiv0c-XthWEWHUb4NsGO8pitUJpcfqYcxGvhbj65LNa0Jbp978nrLhydC5jGpCTFJ0GEy6tVataq_NeppvX5o62qin-Qgwbnj7e62EVh4d9EDEGM7eWWSeVsNRMNoWxYz2Y2k4PcYzXr9o4GWZwKRPQxs4se7GqUncwA=w414-h311" width="414" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZSkdYSkPSQcyMjAA9pwCKVSFiZUF99icf8DA8zxJi6rfOBuHL58mela3pdW5ulJ0ZV0vwkUM86QwZCXzHFKiFNcn9zpMrWaDGFRJuEKi4WhPc0flVYtIOpOhaUUfWFscOK2_BtbqQeTvRtzW77CrJdRBiNWdcqNkk0D9bPidPNaQvw62o1ynflfxY=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZSkdYSkPSQcyMjAA9pwCKVSFiZUF99icf8DA8zxJi6rfOBuHL58mela3pdW5ulJ0ZV0vwkUM86QwZCXzHFKiFNcn9zpMrWaDGFRJuEKi4WhPc0flVYtIOpOhaUUfWFscOK2_BtbqQeTvRtzW77CrJdRBiNWdcqNkk0D9bPidPNaQvw62o1ynflfxY=w405-h304" width="405" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Leo the Cat has been such fun. He's photogenic.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbE1lIguKP7Xdb8s3n7IOMntxmtecakiMX4HTI-Q7IuNuo2npjJcxmzeNbEWeYuf_LJ_2ab5zkTYML9siC5DBcASeTkJAXJD3_G_6MUP1fWZ-qTkfYf1Pn5_vyDJ_ZRE0P2Z3iKH1z9sij197yvNmAAuJ-9kyB3CrdwPfnEE5iA9FfpRkAN1x6BVkx=s3058" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2172" data-original-width="3058" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjbE1lIguKP7Xdb8s3n7IOMntxmtecakiMX4HTI-Q7IuNuo2npjJcxmzeNbEWeYuf_LJ_2ab5zkTYML9siC5DBcASeTkJAXJD3_G_6MUP1fWZ-qTkfYf1Pn5_vyDJ_ZRE0P2Z3iKH1z9sij197yvNmAAuJ-9kyB3CrdwPfnEE5iA9FfpRkAN1x6BVkx=w459-h325" width="459" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFrTu7fGgdV5JL737loSezw0FG2qnXyf9GVRwGvI4cQH49kA8ihcBWg4Q6g9_S5an5geGMf-kgC3tJdejOhkBfcykj58Nci8RaMAcKklvTlggOPvwwWOLIPswjcZdXqvfgPaPuT4ngzk52aouSmpRB7wk91oOc6Pvvry9s6Q8d0TCs6HfZQtjlaH23=s3267" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="3267" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFrTu7fGgdV5JL737loSezw0FG2qnXyf9GVRwGvI4cQH49kA8ihcBWg4Q6g9_S5an5geGMf-kgC3tJdejOhkBfcykj58Nci8RaMAcKklvTlggOPvwwWOLIPswjcZdXqvfgPaPuT4ngzk52aouSmpRB7wk91oOc6Pvvry9s6Q8d0TCs6HfZQtjlaH23=w516-h295" width="516" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've been spinning and painting a little, and finally have started weaving again. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5egsC4m20nnFvpuAHGR2H_aneqWX5sMLW_O7-3YvaXxfdp9Z6WwRV-u9Hw4PaiDnaLeHf-HJaNESKzAw6q2_4hF2u0Vc_aQcW5_4mVukcjs-QZtdMQoJT1Sr5ncW9MfwJwl0QAHhWRw8rj8llgx647AGECWljGmQnRE_V6v7zQ8VneYRqMZEVt_1F=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5egsC4m20nnFvpuAHGR2H_aneqWX5sMLW_O7-3YvaXxfdp9Z6WwRV-u9Hw4PaiDnaLeHf-HJaNESKzAw6q2_4hF2u0Vc_aQcW5_4mVukcjs-QZtdMQoJT1Sr5ncW9MfwJwl0QAHhWRw8rj8llgx647AGECWljGmQnRE_V6v7zQ8VneYRqMZEVt_1F=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7QWbIIGRmX-W9WI_A6nyufa44QuuZk6OuYzZBOUAaYCRHQLepkxovBxL2i__N99QM8wRmLcHhV-xEgpNooCiOQxzSnZ2PDtlybEv53nWqNB1V5sMxzBEOC0XHxWpKfol6phygzrw5VG0FKT4GBqq6uzBN3254UVHVuHWAHukDthFJmGl-u9yTk6Ol=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7QWbIIGRmX-W9WI_A6nyufa44QuuZk6OuYzZBOUAaYCRHQLepkxovBxL2i__N99QM8wRmLcHhV-xEgpNooCiOQxzSnZ2PDtlybEv53nWqNB1V5sMxzBEOC0XHxWpKfol6phygzrw5VG0FKT4GBqq6uzBN3254UVHVuHWAHukDthFJmGl-u9yTk6Ol=s320" width="320" /></a></div>It's too cold to be outside (except to check on chickens), so I am hibernating. Our house is COLD. The heat runs and runs, and we bundle up, but we're still cold. I make pots of hot tea and go to bed early under my heavy comforter.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Poor Adam has to get in the car while it's still dark and drive a half hour to teach all day in the cold. And he doesn't really feel well. But he loves his job! He loves the kids and what he does, and he suffers through the cold, which he loathes. He did get one "ice day" that first weekend, and he used his time at home to start making books again -- books with medieval binding. The first one had a ropey spine, the second one had a simple flat spine, and the third one has a leather-rope spine.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg9MBnSRD034VGbOCiBS7MGuqU5KZhq-OwjAbKR-QWn85Va1lFhxA_qGo9K3vcLc9nvhUqGNNzzJ5bPqeJAWnNPbTkAPkaOPMxDFlhXJBsA_1copfSiE-y3yfAGGgU07QX-939lb-O9WmflYlN459ZNY1KfXVm3yD51iuE7lFj7H7aZ8WVkeAVA0Fm=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhg9MBnSRD034VGbOCiBS7MGuqU5KZhq-OwjAbKR-QWn85Va1lFhxA_qGo9K3vcLc9nvhUqGNNzzJ5bPqeJAWnNPbTkAPkaOPMxDFlhXJBsA_1copfSiE-y3yfAGGgU07QX-939lb-O9WmflYlN459ZNY1KfXVm3yD51iuE7lFj7H7aZ8WVkeAVA0Fm=w407-h306" width="407" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbb1zuaIeWGIZIg4juPiSbLdhVAEQFRzBVSSYfIIpNENAAfCMhAIX5U0l74irL6Ih_Vt_IV28m73UFLGpmVUNQBS-HLw8w-aw23Dj61jSQWC7G9G6McKhC-UssCt7qtXwWSp_7lwb6v5XrOvUWGUqyjTgz5PZVSJ8XrAFkp4jnSAW-OpwYUU80ZhHC=s4000" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbb1zuaIeWGIZIg4juPiSbLdhVAEQFRzBVSSYfIIpNENAAfCMhAIX5U0l74irL6Ih_Vt_IV28m73UFLGpmVUNQBS-HLw8w-aw23Dj61jSQWC7G9G6McKhC-UssCt7qtXwWSp_7lwb6v5XrOvUWGUqyjTgz5PZVSJ8XrAFkp4jnSAW-OpwYUU80ZhHC=w408-h306" width="408" /></a></div>So, we old people are surviving over here. To be honest, our cold weather lasts for about 3 weeks each winter, and by mid-February we are all enjoying daffodils and planting our peas in the garden. We can hardly complain!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sometimes, it's true, the world seems to spin around us in a frightening way -- people's lives falling apart, world events looking ominous, fussing and fighting. I am trying to silence the din of sorrow with prayer. Prayer and blessing -- Praying for others in their trouble, and asking God to pour blessing into their lives, His favor and His grace.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">May you experience our Lord's favor and His grace in your lives too!</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-64404149122077746872022-01-10T10:32:00.003-05:002022-01-11T06:18:06.198-05:00I Will Write Nothing Grim<p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I like that word, "grim." It's so British. I nearly wrote a grim post, and then deleted it. Aren't you glad? Instead, I must inform you that I have become a Cat Person. I didn't intend to, but The Cat decided I am his person. Who am I to argue?</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_4qHHilU4q16b3w4kP9sbobUZuoV6G5Y6psAGvvGmTm0XVrWYfCcTLk6iyIMsUo4rGNPqsLBLf2_N1zFv5nJlcAMnLQuLlrAMFkrkmx6okDhpvX135gkFCFtUk-xnYz-JKwrXLpz4E6amS65oCDOtBhJfuhwuQt2LwPmp38uRPjoS72YhgtZQmusl=s3808" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2658" data-original-width="3808" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_4qHHilU4q16b3w4kP9sbobUZuoV6G5Y6psAGvvGmTm0XVrWYfCcTLk6iyIMsUo4rGNPqsLBLf2_N1zFv5nJlcAMnLQuLlrAMFkrkmx6okDhpvX135gkFCFtUk-xnYz-JKwrXLpz4E6amS65oCDOtBhJfuhwuQt2LwPmp38uRPjoS72YhgtZQmusl=w517-h360" width="517" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAg9wYwFKbX4RnuLRaLVS8yaz95o59lUvGy72QfFun1qW8Sh9Dmqk4YJmoGUH-9DkLXdxWK8748KDIr8CwaG2VIXRACSyobyldQt-IiVMPDSjN8M2BjaAy6tixfRY5gxSjMEfKZRgt4lY9NPALH9chqdUbRjZmk5wn8RbbkfOWSyqhGZgECYG7r_t5=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiAg9wYwFKbX4RnuLRaLVS8yaz95o59lUvGy72QfFun1qW8Sh9Dmqk4YJmoGUH-9DkLXdxWK8748KDIr8CwaG2VIXRACSyobyldQt-IiVMPDSjN8M2BjaAy6tixfRY5gxSjMEfKZRgt4lY9NPALH9chqdUbRjZmk5wn8RbbkfOWSyqhGZgECYG7r_t5=w508-h381" width="508" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Cats are entertaining. Leo is inquisitive and very smart. He's fascinated by the humans' potty. He understands "no," and adapts his behavior accordingly. He sleeps on all the cozy spots near any window.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR3NwhDRSfkD8lsrQYrVWqBUwmQNfBHCRajTlhr0B1V2O2RvsMOyLEz68OdJGXSpEDPeDEuM0M8DD5BZGTDdsQQtU0aB50OMtFwU92f-OcqI-uGwVFkvbSWOdYRxF2HywNFldz50MYKeQKB-dXfDVxTHtGAJ1XpxniOfhXcgV03AQd52wRBn_voIvn=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR3NwhDRSfkD8lsrQYrVWqBUwmQNfBHCRajTlhr0B1V2O2RvsMOyLEz68OdJGXSpEDPeDEuM0M8DD5BZGTDdsQQtU0aB50OMtFwU92f-OcqI-uGwVFkvbSWOdYRxF2HywNFldz50MYKeQKB-dXfDVxTHtGAJ1XpxniOfhXcgV03AQd52wRBn_voIvn=w413-h310" width="413" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4NLf-TvtZD18Bf2ckH-GUSjMa06KBQGbCdfvsWMEzKBqcY_rOjCB_b821nzjpbh1lfrSiMvXbrpaPl18__5pepKva6j-MwUfSoBpioSHqTbTyJDPkH9xetDGy1deSnz4NDQuzjnLW75h0nm4_YwfVQwkbGy0Jd1JB59rPfZ_3knF1J0-PR_W1ZTnV=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4NLf-TvtZD18Bf2ckH-GUSjMa06KBQGbCdfvsWMEzKBqcY_rOjCB_b821nzjpbh1lfrSiMvXbrpaPl18__5pepKva6j-MwUfSoBpioSHqTbTyJDPkH9xetDGy1deSnz4NDQuzjnLW75h0nm4_YwfVQwkbGy0Jd1JB59rPfZ_3knF1J0-PR_W1ZTnV=w415-h311" width="415" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">In addition to cat-watching, I've been burning lots of yard waste in a big barrel, doing a little painting, and a bit of spinning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYBw185fzvyDLzNw6UeDJcktV6mlqll9b4wzWCHySx4p1kbaNMOKGtTfOHgsNTerBCtKeNg9RvBYHIIFYN0la40S4g4ICSfQDBwzV089af6dxfgeO0iuko3ZKXPW6pkQtHVRyE7Og2PFYwQjmPDwdX8ibgfbMM2UISyLB3i_yYtRgwqRPuYNv8SnM1=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhYBw185fzvyDLzNw6UeDJcktV6mlqll9b4wzWCHySx4p1kbaNMOKGtTfOHgsNTerBCtKeNg9RvBYHIIFYN0la40S4g4ICSfQDBwzV089af6dxfgeO0iuko3ZKXPW6pkQtHVRyE7Og2PFYwQjmPDwdX8ibgfbMM2UISyLB3i_yYtRgwqRPuYNv8SnM1=w409-h230" width="409" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1VtVk16-8JIbqBnrU6Q8DY5ptscZ1mKbNv4XXdcmrT9zPTCjwB5hDWThTp2hRCRaodbim-2U0Mzw53y0eRtar2WXz2A_4pV_PbwFQn3eeYCAQ0OBZ5ZU1HenXwH5VjqmaLAQRx2Zxnj7KQyI1jNDY-s6TQLxbbTJp73tOHaZQRYuJJNABm5hIUAvQ=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1VtVk16-8JIbqBnrU6Q8DY5ptscZ1mKbNv4XXdcmrT9zPTCjwB5hDWThTp2hRCRaodbim-2U0Mzw53y0eRtar2WXz2A_4pV_PbwFQn3eeYCAQ0OBZ5ZU1HenXwH5VjqmaLAQRx2Zxnj7KQyI1jNDY-s6TQLxbbTJp73tOHaZQRYuJJNABm5hIUAvQ=w413-h310" width="413" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Carding rolags. Spinning a single-ply.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2b3KHZzLe_KNOhJwdUoyt3NSQn5hMsaIKmiHaYDBIgJ7LPVYrzmcPNW4VDzI0317Fun16Jc3T6TP9SQsdBht7ABDdRo8tore46DWnEFBkbhoZWdb_YmYN2CVfjebcp8x2Bo_fcwhKkx-40MBj3lg-C7rxLHotcWFWVXSzE6ycH1V3MKENvpzKFFCG=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh2b3KHZzLe_KNOhJwdUoyt3NSQn5hMsaIKmiHaYDBIgJ7LPVYrzmcPNW4VDzI0317Fun16Jc3T6TP9SQsdBht7ABDdRo8tore46DWnEFBkbhoZWdb_YmYN2CVfjebcp8x2Bo_fcwhKkx-40MBj3lg-C7rxLHotcWFWVXSzE6ycH1V3MKENvpzKFFCG=w369-h277" width="369" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0pLJa4-nRt2d36-RJLNvF4MXNlj8oTTg_nohZGXVw5w2gB3mj-HthdVxgefzCB1VfHnu1YViu1iRJqq-9o_QO06KeiCa-D4rAF2IIsQnLGOhUcEXLb1DsPYv7Vnj-s1KAixkOs7TXGfcWjxYXuGWOPbUthnMg7fIqkemcA24C8ArJPukH4lOBhz32=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0pLJa4-nRt2d36-RJLNvF4MXNlj8oTTg_nohZGXVw5w2gB3mj-HthdVxgefzCB1VfHnu1YViu1iRJqq-9o_QO06KeiCa-D4rAF2IIsQnLGOhUcEXLb1DsPYv7Vnj-s1KAixkOs7TXGfcWjxYXuGWOPbUthnMg7fIqkemcA24C8ArJPukH4lOBhz32=w427-h320" width="427" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Leo showed an interest in yarn, but I was stern with him.</span></div></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;">A couple of scarves have come off the knitting needles, trying to use up old yarn that's pretty but lacked purpose.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEzeCcGBCs0dqvL_fKH5y6tgOjTISEj6-XOo7Mk3mIg71Uh_RklCB8nkAq6wECellJ0N4gwshLnEHvFPNYHlCiS0bVs76qSDoe-a0jWJ4ngexkl2dWOGFDctkuu0hRDjSc-XaJewr5c7sP888rpLnx1pzgaYRn_KYhwiPgAoidcvHiBZ9yKbvOcLdL=s3504" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="3504" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEzeCcGBCs0dqvL_fKH5y6tgOjTISEj6-XOo7Mk3mIg71Uh_RklCB8nkAq6wECellJ0N4gwshLnEHvFPNYHlCiS0bVs76qSDoe-a0jWJ4ngexkl2dWOGFDctkuu0hRDjSc-XaJewr5c7sP888rpLnx1pzgaYRn_KYhwiPgAoidcvHiBZ9yKbvOcLdL=w567-h413" width="567" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I painted this with the help of a youtube tutorial.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2ADrCGRlll_UMaNBcsfH22uUVLI0SbszAuYs2cQiB7PjJU_eWvsU5hSeQppV4xR_itdTGkNrosn88A-bY9MAehIf328oOmx2gEEwrU3Zoue3zqyfs_NtB3Rnf61e9bUjmhklbPdUNWEv22nQm-TjTpewN7PS02nypFdPn-kyxKkY49vBGHE8zqqxS=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj2ADrCGRlll_UMaNBcsfH22uUVLI0SbszAuYs2cQiB7PjJU_eWvsU5hSeQppV4xR_itdTGkNrosn88A-bY9MAehIf328oOmx2gEEwrU3Zoue3zqyfs_NtB3Rnf61e9bUjmhklbPdUNWEv22nQm-TjTpewN7PS02nypFdPn-kyxKkY49vBGHE8zqqxS=w311-h415" width="311" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a card for a friend</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh1_50VDk8G30oKeKAcVX2KugeNK8o8QBN03KOwr1mWYHWxIJtXIoszW2DmZq79qvI7I6adSMcd0rI0EXPulqcW9o6Zw5kaYHyGhtKrmh8grm9sifZb2rBuSO5Rz9WchGcIWH-GiISRqyf1IgMNBsNGyaG9-shH8tgkVMSV-7cHqzi18FyeyKIYHhH=s4000" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="409" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjh1_50VDk8G30oKeKAcVX2KugeNK8o8QBN03KOwr1mWYHWxIJtXIoszW2DmZq79qvI7I6adSMcd0rI0EXPulqcW9o6Zw5kaYHyGhtKrmh8grm9sifZb2rBuSO5Rz9WchGcIWH-GiISRqyf1IgMNBsNGyaG9-shH8tgkVMSV-7cHqzi18FyeyKIYHhH=w307-h409" width="307" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">prompted by a painting by fellow watercolorist Fernanda Saraga</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: x-large;">Granny Marigold, I made your butter tarts! They were amazing. I tried them with raisins, chocolate chips, and pecans. The raisins were the best, by far!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg74Oygo1HtCh3jKHSh6Jyj9bPzB668oinSdqnd0By5GKYrNV73CINOsb9PXNOOuEB3YDAqCm_j74AfXDZf6reG-qkMLj40qcaNbDAFqAWIXUcsZTW6x6vH6Qqmf13Yg-ewtq39FdTj-4JmPoJ-9y6Je5dPhVoQ7w-QuugSLyBl49RQDY90tSo1Pdoj=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg74Oygo1HtCh3jKHSh6Jyj9bPzB668oinSdqnd0By5GKYrNV73CINOsb9PXNOOuEB3YDAqCm_j74AfXDZf6reG-qkMLj40qcaNbDAFqAWIXUcsZTW6x6vH6Qqmf13Yg-ewtq39FdTj-4JmPoJ-9y6Je5dPhVoQ7w-QuugSLyBl49RQDY90tSo1Pdoj=w437-h328" width="437" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">These days, I'm mostly staying home, which I very much enjoy. January is the quiet month, isn't it? The animals are snoozy all day, something warm is on the stove or in the oven for supper, and I feel I'm in a time of anticipation, waiting for the world to heal.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrffO22LDjhV9qy8rSOq7NzXO_GU-WMZ2V3XxUX_IWUdxT1JgDx4PCd7lBXm2pPC2ftf3oYzij5F7s1uSqJHAm2JGXBBXh5ZocrgZOdNCGh1KXPPqz9aPVQYq0wVepBqUoV9upcgzxg5lmITqz61AhgKC4rfTcRijqZPnot7OW9qr_X4mOdo6vqDO9=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgrffO22LDjhV9qy8rSOq7NzXO_GU-WMZ2V3XxUX_IWUdxT1JgDx4PCd7lBXm2pPC2ftf3oYzij5F7s1uSqJHAm2JGXBBXh5ZocrgZOdNCGh1KXPPqz9aPVQYq0wVepBqUoV9upcgzxg5lmITqz61AhgKC4rfTcRijqZPnot7OW9qr_X4mOdo6vqDO9=w414-h311" width="414" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">And while I wait, this farm is a beautiful place to be.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1ervGYf-UGscbqMqhTpqj2yIEGqhigfUpbpfkNeijZTPVjwrNsPFc-9GLziWCxNSoGwYQwFkZUFrpn4-7KnzAfhE3bd-oe71DUn4bYMtqI0CdHZwlVFgzm9Gn8zMZNAsuZq_jiD4IuwzEupO5uyQNCiS71vY4yAlk5im0dD2cva7-1GbgTCY2SaD5=s3306" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3306" data-original-width="2321" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1ervGYf-UGscbqMqhTpqj2yIEGqhigfUpbpfkNeijZTPVjwrNsPFc-9GLziWCxNSoGwYQwFkZUFrpn4-7KnzAfhE3bd-oe71DUn4bYMtqI0CdHZwlVFgzm9Gn8zMZNAsuZq_jiD4IuwzEupO5uyQNCiS71vY4yAlk5im0dD2cva7-1GbgTCY2SaD5=w330-h470" width="330" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1nXyFbOSPECqmTIb2xNCOHAvV4Zv6y49TpE30dTcRcyJvGuSJRqSCu63_pICp4VHgYxlq2fuy9c2VvY-4iLNTz0-gDsflXbJ4Ck0rKk7nxvm9-88-QXg-mA-15QDcEfFDHUIBZFJbbc8urJr1-_nW9HyH7B8f3edE-oPYUSm4fGwBvNfmjTCIKfab=s4000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh1nXyFbOSPECqmTIb2xNCOHAvV4Zv6y49TpE30dTcRcyJvGuSJRqSCu63_pICp4VHgYxlq2fuy9c2VvY-4iLNTz0-gDsflXbJ4Ck0rKk7nxvm9-88-QXg-mA-15QDcEfFDHUIBZFJbbc8urJr1-_nW9HyH7B8f3edE-oPYUSm4fGwBvNfmjTCIKfab=w363-h484" width="363" /></a></div>Much love to you, dear friends. May you find rest and peace wherever you are.</span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-80196133229097623312021-12-20T07:28:00.002-05:002021-12-20T10:09:50.062-05:00Inconvenience and Whining<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> This fourth Sunday of Advent fell in a weekend of difficulties, frustrations, and inconveniences. Just the sorts of things that feel like irritating stones thrown into your path, one after another, by God who is trying to do something ... and you're not sure what. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfDYw581suwkuxgGy7C0QN9mC4_X6U1p2Kx0w4udWmxwQSPHwC6qX2OYmXYPEFg2BbqI91N9kAvRfi-9ZAxXu4zC8i6D-HEDiC1Y7xLiG89SP4FSQ5r5XJ_jKMTvRTbYYMrkH2tBr7YtuAWueuQtQVyl1dQS9SB5H2emL87eOa1L0mKoewVG1Znku6=s6912" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="6912" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfDYw581suwkuxgGy7C0QN9mC4_X6U1p2Kx0w4udWmxwQSPHwC6qX2OYmXYPEFg2BbqI91N9kAvRfi-9ZAxXu4zC8i6D-HEDiC1Y7xLiG89SP4FSQ5r5XJ_jKMTvRTbYYMrkH2tBr7YtuAWueuQtQVyl1dQS9SB5H2emL87eOa1L0mKoewVG1Znku6=w529-h265" width="529" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I said I would not careen into Christmas, but this fourth Sunday of Advent does put that intention to the test. Our Lessons and Carols service at church was at 6:00 last night. This one time each year, I'm in charge of the service, of what happens. Adam gets to sit and enjoy it, which is so good for a pastor occasionally.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But we had a fun and exhausting "big dinner" to attend on Friday night. And farmers market on Saturday morning (and all the labors that lead to that). Cookie baking happened on Saturday, but I was tired, and kept noticing the general slovenliness of the house. I'm waiting to clean until today and tomorrow, but the grime was building up. This irritates me. Adam went back to the school to do classroom work he couldn't do before, from 7:30 - 3:00. He wanted to go back and do more today, but I growled at him and put my foot down. "You are on break!" I said. "We will rest now!" I was saying to myself.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">One of my hand chime ladies fell ill and was in the hospital, throwing my musical plans for Sunday night into chaos. I shuffled around and made "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" work somehow, while worrying about her health and feeling guilty that I was even bothered about hand chimes when she was hospitalized. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I had to practice: 1) a solo with my auto harp (an instrument I'm ill-at-ease on), 2) a duet ("Do You Hear What I Hear?" that I'd arranged and hand-written on staff paper in pencil with many scratches and mistakes, and with only a few words scribbled on the page, scrunched between wonky quarter notes, 3) "O Holy Night," which we'd thrown in there at the last minute, 4) various preludes and the carols, of course.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Then there were candles to put in windows, poinsettias to water, refreshment tables to arrange, holly to snip, more cookies to bake, programs to print and reprint. (How could I make <i>three </i>mistakes in such a simple document?) So Much To Do. And I must do it all with a smile and a happy spirit because I am, after all, the pastor's wife, and I've been doing this for many years, and none of these little difficulties should get to me now. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But they do. And I have learned self-control over the years to suppress my inner rage at minor inconveniences. Now I simply whine ... at home.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Sunday morning after snipping new holly to replace dead holly in the sanctuary, I suddenly developed a sharp muscle pain in my back, just under my shoulder blade. Adam rubbed it, I took Tylenol, and I went on with my day. But I did ask God, "Really? This childish behavior again from You? We both know you've already got my attention. We both know I have issues with my attitude when things don't go absolutely smoothly. Do you <i>really </i>have to remind me <i>again </i>to slow down and not care so much about the details? I already know that, God!" (I took more Tylenol in the afternoon.)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">But I have to relearn regularly to lay down my little idols at His feet and remind myself that they are worthless, lifeless things. Even preparing a worship service can be an idol. All ministry can quickly become an idol because it has the trappings of religion all around it, and it smells and looks like God. But it's not God Himself. It's far too easy to worship the ministry work, and not worship the Lord Himself. As I sit at the piano in the sanctuary week after week (and especially last night), I close my eyes and pray, reminding myself that I'm there to worship too, not just to facilitate others' worship. I disengage my thoughts about what key signature I'm supposed to be in, whether my voice will cooperate, whether this or that song was the best choice; I turn my mind around again to worship. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Today, we rest.</span></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-87786959860833388902021-12-14T08:14:00.003-05:002021-12-14T08:14:30.643-05:00Home<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Home is the quietest place, the place most calming to the spirit. I'm home as much as possible, and it heals me. I'd never considered how homeless Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were, after they left Nazareth. How utterly homeless did Mary feel when they went to the home they were expecting to stay in, in Bethlehem, only to be told that the guest room was already occupied, and there wasn't space for them? "All we can offer you is where we keep the animals." Have you ever lost your home? (We have.) Being without a home is spirit-crushing.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">They went from Bethlehem to Egypt swiftly, then to Jerusalem, then back to Bethlehem through Jesus's babyhood till the magi came. When they finally returned to Nazareth, I wonder if Mary let out a sigh of relief and though, "No more of this cray living! I've done enough, God!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm very thankful for my home.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjK4LKmXm4luKiTsLr8j_5zlRLYkeeTK8Lam8EhumC3G5nDgeO-bnyErPpz8PIwyMq2yD_wrJoKiOWFsdlsSBKJIx6Nzl_sQCOPLZlbiBYDJrK6mTCeHDkpeCJXzgU770ioZ9qW7iks6x6hMkHAGmG4bleNJrjHN7Qvq-RJtnwA14Lz759XMCK8G7Xu=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjK4LKmXm4luKiTsLr8j_5zlRLYkeeTK8Lam8EhumC3G5nDgeO-bnyErPpz8PIwyMq2yD_wrJoKiOWFsdlsSBKJIx6Nzl_sQCOPLZlbiBYDJrK6mTCeHDkpeCJXzgU770ioZ9qW7iks6x6hMkHAGmG4bleNJrjHN7Qvq-RJtnwA14Lz759XMCK8G7Xu=w332-h443" width="332" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">A friend gives me a waxed amaryllis bulb each Christmas. Slowly, so slowly, it rises, and gradually pushes out the first bloom, then the second. But after years, I have large clumps of amaryllis in my flower bed. So many beautiful things come slowly in life.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I celebrated in WalMart yesterday and bought a big, square tin of lovely cookies. I bought 3 bags of chocolate. (One for me, one for Adam, one for Julia. He instructed Julia to take his bag of peanut M&Ms AWAY so he couldn't eat them all.) I bought some new boxes of tea for church. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOd6Ra6lpPTYmUwaa3NhwtEFTB5eJvM0yW-mM5MU3pNb3ufbUAFc9J0UtunV__Mydp4RHojtQdBaklpj3Aum5I3MElXXoPIr41DIdbxWiDVDZ7p_Y-a7ZbBuV53jK1SrtRLIQUOik9-1xJZirEWZXg1lG1nELEpYOv-508FSSdR3wDlkaWnlx0JpSm=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhOd6Ra6lpPTYmUwaa3NhwtEFTB5eJvM0yW-mM5MU3pNb3ufbUAFc9J0UtunV__Mydp4RHojtQdBaklpj3Aum5I3MElXXoPIr41DIdbxWiDVDZ7p_Y-a7ZbBuV53jK1SrtRLIQUOik9-1xJZirEWZXg1lG1nELEpYOv-508FSSdR3wDlkaWnlx0JpSm=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjktyRRqVkvbVA-TingYVYG7vSlRxFFG1E2rq4k4xcLg23KzXMTuvcsBeAoEMaWPVerWhR2qHg6cYpd531EuXe9YHKmIcXA48_yWDP9igEd-B6mhsXJx0gjyOSlPV5ppjM5pJdGSJA0uguDhXuW9PdM_15wArOjxdP1EUrXnkvPaT2SjD0iPQxtr8fq=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjktyRRqVkvbVA-TingYVYG7vSlRxFFG1E2rq4k4xcLg23KzXMTuvcsBeAoEMaWPVerWhR2qHg6cYpd531EuXe9YHKmIcXA48_yWDP9igEd-B6mhsXJx0gjyOSlPV5ppjM5pJdGSJA0uguDhXuW9PdM_15wArOjxdP1EUrXnkvPaT2SjD0iPQxtr8fq=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Yorkshire tea, in malty biscuit flavor, is for home, however.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've decorated, although the outside of the house is devoid of Christmas cheer, I'm sorry to say. I'm at an age where I accept what I can do, and don't worry about what I can't do. In addition to our fake tree, I'm putting the appropriate ornament on our Jesse Tree each morning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPWEboQOadl6wKLqPbH3RfOzQzawzvBA_bqx0NLOAJhiQEe0kYx11QVkDzQUQGEKO33Z1f-5983SZuXAUXDdM6hYvrUilYS6dkRtz1AL0638ppirKYViyNiuQu2qGt2RlB2UHqTE7L8WPm0COw41wcnrmTab4GFxBqcOCMk9wiT4ZlgPscTEoUnRsx=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPWEboQOadl6wKLqPbH3RfOzQzawzvBA_bqx0NLOAJhiQEe0kYx11QVkDzQUQGEKO33Z1f-5983SZuXAUXDdM6hYvrUilYS6dkRtz1AL0638ppirKYViyNiuQu2qGt2RlB2UHqTE7L8WPm0COw41wcnrmTab4GFxBqcOCMk9wiT4ZlgPscTEoUnRsx=s320" width="240" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I've placed my little wooden tree with its ornaments on top of the piano.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioXQhDwPfV6zwkISHMmT8iRsleVw65U2jT_ckjNIeqyCGmV7sV4YFOlNnClZbtGFJV_L42-XTVPnmGP-yeOq82f_PQXzA-7MJ3JnGu1FpAYe8z1h4MoGTwl3oBjGInh3dBukX-biIsaLbVeW3bMnWWtKwcBB8tA1xrwa2PN8owRTsTHT-5oAOCunwl=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEioXQhDwPfV6zwkISHMmT8iRsleVw65U2jT_ckjNIeqyCGmV7sV4YFOlNnClZbtGFJV_L42-XTVPnmGP-yeOq82f_PQXzA-7MJ3JnGu1FpAYe8z1h4MoGTwl3oBjGInh3dBukX-biIsaLbVeW3bMnWWtKwcBB8tA1xrwa2PN8owRTsTHT-5oAOCunwl=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our old creche is assembled with its pine cone trees.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjic5MYBkhpDC-CfZWlTPEYbnpNsO4P-kDm7WO9cNeQnABIf_8bBSfnqSqTvE22mMUIT00pvmsBu_FC3Z81zFwnOHlHmb1RhbYwqvodhsiS1jzNTQ68PrSD1AsX3p3C3YDiimd6NQmkau-GHvMz46Nco99aRVHN3m4wAO3_DJ9KITcixm5sgHHjBHwX=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjic5MYBkhpDC-CfZWlTPEYbnpNsO4P-kDm7WO9cNeQnABIf_8bBSfnqSqTvE22mMUIT00pvmsBu_FC3Z81zFwnOHlHmb1RhbYwqvodhsiS1jzNTQ68PrSD1AsX3p3C3YDiimd6NQmkau-GHvMz46Nco99aRVHN3m4wAO3_DJ9KITcixm5sgHHjBHwX=w424-h318" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I've hung my woven Advent calendar on a door. I was faithful to snap on only one figure each day for about the first 5 days, but then I couldn't resist; I put them ALL on. It was so much fun! The snaps are stubborn and sometimes don't work. I did save Baby Jesus, however, and will lay him in the manger on Christmas morning.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIVqVW5zAlUvsEamap4f_KJu7b9TNbQORIVprMZ10Fx5N9fFy0lwqFfK4K2Jg2_i5TgPO2LeIzc_G0ghw1NWBYkOxDZxiH6b47_XyXm_nksWWMq8OFbQZZUW5m_lbRfQnP7r8BVSqw14skJckxC2jVVlcGiS_xY7QnPByaLlIFWo3ezwPr8ykhEtSt=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIVqVW5zAlUvsEamap4f_KJu7b9TNbQORIVprMZ10Fx5N9fFy0lwqFfK4K2Jg2_i5TgPO2LeIzc_G0ghw1NWBYkOxDZxiH6b47_XyXm_nksWWMq8OFbQZZUW5m_lbRfQnP7r8BVSqw14skJckxC2jVVlcGiS_xY7QnPByaLlIFWo3ezwPr8ykhEtSt=w428-h571" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's a jumble of figures, isn't it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mostly, I'm trying to get a variety of things finished before my daughter and her family arrive next week. Then I want it to be sheer family fun and together time while they're with us. I'm weaving, knitting, making lotions, doing yard work. And making Youtube videos nearly every day, which has been fun! If you have time and want to, go watch :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm trying to be slow like the amaryllis. It's a gentle constant push against the hurry, a steady application of the brakes each day, all day. I choose not to go careening toward Christmas this year. So far ... so good!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Outside, doing yard stuff:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BjaKg9D_zIU" width="320" youtube-src-id="BjaKg9D_zIU"></iframe></div></div>Inside, doing yarn stuff:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FKolXaTL3p0" width="320" youtube-src-id="FKolXaTL3p0"></iframe></div>In the kitchen, making yummy stuff:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-eiBcAzwYR0" width="320" youtube-src-id="-eiBcAzwYR0"></iframe></div>And I'm doing occasional poetry readings:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WExpYUK4NxQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="WExpYUK4NxQ"></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /></span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-58512020281885136762021-12-06T06:33:00.005-05:002021-12-06T06:33:51.649-05:00Quiet<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> It's December 6. In a eye's blink, 2021 will be past. Advent and Christmas, with all their beauty and wonder, will be gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">So I want to go slowly. As Robert Frost says in "October," -- "Slow! Slow!" He wishes for autumn leaves to fall only one at a time. At that rate, autumn would take all year long!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">This past week I met with a dear friend at church, and we did "the greening of the church" for the first time ever. We started small, and we wore out quickly. We do the poinsettias every year, but the green swags of cedar, holly, and magnolia are a new thing.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy5lk171Jer8qQBFdl_ce-cCYHcf6I-dxWEg8x-2diWREHw0GZ1yD-oFYKWkjgKpP-x4c7RU-o8E2WtLwM76ojQnXXLwhUIbF5MckwOXSOwe34FHl07SLTN2SnTiOBN_qZHEaTWMgaC9fg6iDGVVejNT20apio7lTyFJBS3MQ8bajpqq6S5Cw8a06_=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhy5lk171Jer8qQBFdl_ce-cCYHcf6I-dxWEg8x-2diWREHw0GZ1yD-oFYKWkjgKpP-x4c7RU-o8E2WtLwM76ojQnXXLwhUIbF5MckwOXSOwe34FHl07SLTN2SnTiOBN_qZHEaTWMgaC9fg6iDGVVejNT20apio7lTyFJBS3MQ8bajpqq6S5Cw8a06_=w413-h310" width="413" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1PwCxaOqHTzTLon6XOZM1PA_ll23dKFPbYpYkBOHhVDFz-p0_TS1DaRjnp1IpXLEdXyhlhIakFllYnDNmoHdW9uNpZDxnx8W00yNtU0WNdmWzzt11g17K8C_oMVzrq2538xwK_CO-c52htJ8vS-M7tq5BiDGina5YbNC053O2Soxe1Mk5r6T5TsdC=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1PwCxaOqHTzTLon6XOZM1PA_ll23dKFPbYpYkBOHhVDFz-p0_TS1DaRjnp1IpXLEdXyhlhIakFllYnDNmoHdW9uNpZDxnx8W00yNtU0WNdmWzzt11g17K8C_oMVzrq2538xwK_CO-c52htJ8vS-M7tq5BiDGina5YbNC053O2Soxe1Mk5r6T5TsdC=w319-h425" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVKdfGa4lpmDCAdxYZR4YMU6ISc7tCiRne_GKmy9uQuhhychCwU2JqqNWCEARxY_9GGF7zXzNyS7D8zXXuGcYxgoanaGoSU-5F9Iy5H-hE79UpvEEcdahrtLYx4Ay4L5b3VpPo9Lmn9NICAmx6v4O0QD4R5w-n8G9BpAH678vE4mUxxlXxgc-1-XPM=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVKdfGa4lpmDCAdxYZR4YMU6ISc7tCiRne_GKmy9uQuhhychCwU2JqqNWCEARxY_9GGF7zXzNyS7D8zXXuGcYxgoanaGoSU-5F9Iy5H-hE79UpvEEcdahrtLYx4Ay4L5b3VpPo9Lmn9NICAmx6v4O0QD4R5w-n8G9BpAH678vE4mUxxlXxgc-1-XPM=w461-h346" width="461" /></a></div>There are cedar swags on the windows that you can't see here.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">Each week I tell myself I'm going to stay HOME and get things done, work in the yard (so much tidying up to do!), and stay happily in my studio. But every day, something comes up -- a grocery run, errands, recycling, doctor visits -- and before you know it the week is gone.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">We put up the Christmas tree. Our daughter's new kitten Leo loves to climb in the tree (of course), so he will be consigned to her room quite a bit this month. We're watching Christmas movies in the evening and drinking eggnog and enjoying the twinkling lights in the living room.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtA1UEILZ8l18lZEDjJqVBhrN7kXsP4Yiphbc378SQ63vCoHeD9e6bfzHxlpJwE3M2RGhzgvFohVTT6Kv0md7U9jV3HkTa6nOVAWjMlMbl5b5WIUUyCxpWHKdbZfYExTGRbdhPQZtZdgnTdcW2Yv5W60Hg4n6i-pul5NwRmhRhWYJ-Tk4TmyUqyT60=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtA1UEILZ8l18lZEDjJqVBhrN7kXsP4Yiphbc378SQ63vCoHeD9e6bfzHxlpJwE3M2RGhzgvFohVTT6Kv0md7U9jV3HkTa6nOVAWjMlMbl5b5WIUUyCxpWHKdbZfYExTGRbdhPQZtZdgnTdcW2Yv5W60Hg4n6i-pul5NwRmhRhWYJ-Tk4TmyUqyT60=w421-h316" width="421" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The house it quiet now. It's early Monday morning and I have the <i>whole week</i> stretched out before me. I wonder what I'll get done?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I have three scarves to weave, one knitted scarf to finish. Painting, of course -- I'm working on North Carolina's lighthouses. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWbZk5GPkDW83eWF4Jmke3pFwk6ZdZQn4lauzFE1LtUgc-FaVqrA8KESDkDWmJZ-itxbwbJHUnjRO-23MFzSVg4jxN4VLHOYRim94xUY-djkiEW7C0cln6ZtxJHj894IwYEsjJ4vh0286DPSBUzcHF8a_6rpCB0mvHbe9TrEHAne0N8DVvLx42SSqp=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWbZk5GPkDW83eWF4Jmke3pFwk6ZdZQn4lauzFE1LtUgc-FaVqrA8KESDkDWmJZ-itxbwbJHUnjRO-23MFzSVg4jxN4VLHOYRim94xUY-djkiEW7C0cln6ZtxJHj894IwYEsjJ4vh0286DPSBUzcHF8a_6rpCB0mvHbe9TrEHAne0N8DVvLx42SSqp=w345-h460" width="345" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">Pondering Advent, I read a friend's post about the carol, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." We do plead with the Savior to come and ransom us. Truly we "mourn in lonely exile here." <i> </i>I once wrote a song about what the world might have been like, if Jesus had never come. A fallen, broken, dark world where no savior, no rescue, ever arrives. How thankful I am for His birth at Christmas! His love pierces the world's darkness, consigning it to the corners. His love pours a balm of healing on all our brokenness. I cannot imagine living without the hope He gives me, of peace both here and after I die. These are my thoughts during Advent, that each year we wait in desperate hope for help in the hovel of our lives. He always comes.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2zIEOoYx1uE" width="320" youtube-src-id="2zIEOoYx1uE"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6297631190403710992.post-36560896408640180852021-11-29T17:07:00.000-05:002021-11-29T17:07:12.718-05:00Advent: A Time of Repentance and Mourning<p><span style="font-size: x-large;"> That title up there -- Adam told me that yesterday as we drove home from church, and it's stuck with me. For many American Protestant Evangelicals, who have little historical understanding of Advent (or Lent, for that matter), it feels more like they are engaged in a month-long baby shower with lots of presents and enthusiasm. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">NOT to be critical, however. Joy is also appropriate, as the angels told us. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">The advent calendar is hung, waiting Dec. 1. I think I've somehow lost the inn keeper, if I ever had one.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhd2_whFrZKcENkIdfKuK1mT-DEUkXjUS2VTb9tKv3SEV_gPGHlOVQq2FByqZnWrSCal3x1Z0sLYIW51DZbZltCWQX1xhQTDbbr5VZHCopHNNexuTcKj6iTSQe73AdOdd61FsQ4sN-PKQ--GjkOSyCyPDkQn2B-lb6cV1MGA1uZ0cfONMhOc9oZv06=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhhd2_whFrZKcENkIdfKuK1mT-DEUkXjUS2VTb9tKv3SEV_gPGHlOVQq2FByqZnWrSCal3x1Z0sLYIW51DZbZltCWQX1xhQTDbbr5VZHCopHNNexuTcKj6iTSQe73AdOdd61FsQ4sN-PKQ--GjkOSyCyPDkQn2B-lb6cV1MGA1uZ0cfONMhOc9oZv06=w295-h393" width="295" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Christmas cactus is beginning to bloom.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9-aiH7sFpoefmw57ngPqezw2j726u7dHqWJz_ckUGonmz3lcjiJ3WhjTa2MZEEQJoTiv2Lq7Ep5i7NUMWi6HyIWYXyd-7_6f3RpH6YM3XAF8FOBLHKFUYTm7U0FMB0RiE7RvLJLNddjyF6owcBXhkZQ_K4RgRRLyjw0onAgvZkdDvyx4i-ONd6Jxb=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9-aiH7sFpoefmw57ngPqezw2j726u7dHqWJz_ckUGonmz3lcjiJ3WhjTa2MZEEQJoTiv2Lq7Ep5i7NUMWi6HyIWYXyd-7_6f3RpH6YM3XAF8FOBLHKFUYTm7U0FMB0RiE7RvLJLNddjyF6owcBXhkZQ_K4RgRRLyjw0onAgvZkdDvyx4i-ONd6Jxb=w410-h308" width="410" /></a></div>I'm sick. Not very sick, but either 1) an allergic reaction to lots of mouse dust in the barn, or 2) a cold caught from my grandbaby, John.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe1W35hKram0lXTay0u7u3U_BN7dFfWugoo6YBQUQTHSDefjzLXXZV96bURzVovawmdugXDoZEq2gaBsBiJHnq26Z5ubz-2uKadiy2ISc6H8r3f_oB5kP-xMC3pkankYWbaO5k0bC0uYQ2wS7GyCZlUyV68z5yw1OrknWLeowgAM120NsuBK7a4rQg=s720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="510" data-original-width="720" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhe1W35hKram0lXTay0u7u3U_BN7dFfWugoo6YBQUQTHSDefjzLXXZV96bURzVovawmdugXDoZEq2gaBsBiJHnq26Z5ubz-2uKadiy2ISc6H8r3f_oB5kP-xMC3pkankYWbaO5k0bC0uYQ2wS7GyCZlUyV68z5yw1OrknWLeowgAM120NsuBK7a4rQg=w405-h287" width="405" /></a></div>If it's John's cold, it is worth every single snuggle and hug!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">They were here for a week, and now they are gone back to their busy lives, and we miss them. He is a very sweet baby.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">So, being sick, I'm drinking tea and taking it a little easier for a few days.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpJu-6wsESCVHsgX39KZpkGxvwh864CZ_oweYcWMPirE0DEU1sK5dVkWDrB33zlAz5tFlNz9pbs6q8qjSVLgxarMXexL87IriB-GbUYW2dcdxAhS7rWxTh9_hqqzROKFdV0W7KUry5HKcoRe_6tqEmDvKGxjZDBf65g5WFqQrNjI1uTBuiERdQJQVA=s1616" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1616" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpJu-6wsESCVHsgX39KZpkGxvwh864CZ_oweYcWMPirE0DEU1sK5dVkWDrB33zlAz5tFlNz9pbs6q8qjSVLgxarMXexL87IriB-GbUYW2dcdxAhS7rWxTh9_hqqzROKFdV0W7KUry5HKcoRe_6tqEmDvKGxjZDBf65g5WFqQrNjI1uTBuiERdQJQVA=w398-h299" width="398" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">I'm knitting a scarf with two yarns together, an easy pattern.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMggrCzoqcgZtNlS8nEusxWJ-2efeoEgH9sRvMrdCzdVHNZ1wrBtPyH_2AsQkPHtWTdr0VkIfSyvMuwEG77zrhBybgC2YcStZ-IdoV2d8AzosDyK5Bxh19hVyLCLjskE5JLtDV5rYvFxherK2sCn3RuneX2S-TMaUBawDp9mkQLlfduwg9vCkelOPF=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1932" data-original-width="2576" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMggrCzoqcgZtNlS8nEusxWJ-2efeoEgH9sRvMrdCzdVHNZ1wrBtPyH_2AsQkPHtWTdr0VkIfSyvMuwEG77zrhBybgC2YcStZ-IdoV2d8AzosDyK5Bxh19hVyLCLjskE5JLtDV5rYvFxherK2sCn3RuneX2S-TMaUBawDp9mkQLlfduwg9vCkelOPF=w409-h307" width="409" /></a></div>Time on the couch with the humidifier blowing pillows of moisture into the air, and my lovely (fake) fireplace glowing away. I love it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEtYoWEszM1-ldHmUdqDz5ZKav3rBAtmQk4isLnc1q55HSvSvDIlfijQSjIu83W-MSuXThd8Ff4eIKzeiHGTaAwEzu8keLK5YndcvZIB9WnaJ6tQZY-juUjKDgiQ-AeTUFFB07XQksQx1RyqSgq_5gRzXlbO262OjOPMYux7Qc685Ey5aD6UBShPFY=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="475" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEtYoWEszM1-ldHmUdqDz5ZKav3rBAtmQk4isLnc1q55HSvSvDIlfijQSjIu83W-MSuXThd8Ff4eIKzeiHGTaAwEzu8keLK5YndcvZIB9WnaJ6tQZY-juUjKDgiQ-AeTUFFB07XQksQx1RyqSgq_5gRzXlbO262OjOPMYux7Qc685Ey5aD6UBShPFY=w356-h475" width="356" /></a></div>The blanket is for Tricky, who loves to sleep on it. I'll wash it tomorrow, but until then, it's hers.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">For years, I've wanted an elegant snow globe, but they are so very expensive. Last month, while strolling through the Christmas section at WalMart, I found this:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg87QQ0OOs2mN2QOUQwnb1uGLBBJf2nA2dasV_4wVbFWHaMURrrXFDqCYC51XslzKZQCiObvDIDNH3Uw81cUawGIks5kbKsxIWrjEUEdWHrO4_IywsvsP91StL56QbkU5WeulZ0nTgmhZVVNAvnqh0JfcRydkIdSlQ49UvejesGRkdCB1ect-gcybm5=s2576" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2576" data-original-width="1932" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg87QQ0OOs2mN2QOUQwnb1uGLBBJf2nA2dasV_4wVbFWHaMURrrXFDqCYC51XslzKZQCiObvDIDNH3Uw81cUawGIks5kbKsxIWrjEUEdWHrO4_IywsvsP91StL56QbkU5WeulZ0nTgmhZVVNAvnqh0JfcRydkIdSlQ49UvejesGRkdCB1ect-gcybm5=w315-h420" width="315" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: x-large;">It sparkles and churns silver glitter all around, and even though it might be on the edge of ... well, not tacky, but not elegant ... I am enjoying it a lot. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">What do we mourn during Advent? Not the birth of the baby, but perhaps the fact that He had to come at all. We mourn our brokenness and wickedness that made our rescue necessary, and His coming and rescuing of us essential in order for us to regain peace, a better way to live. I look at the world around me, and the church in our world, and it's hard to see that we have found peace, or any better way to live. But I continue to hope.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope to post once a week this month. We shall see!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8vf8Nx66-I" width="320" youtube-src-id="e8vf8Nx66-I"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VLldwt2V18Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="VLldwt2V18Q"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><p></p>M.K.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09205619221345704689noreply@blogger.com4