Found locally. They reminded me of Gram. They are here now.
Monthly Archives: September 2010
a comment about comments
One reader has been having a really hard time getting the com-box to work for her. If anyone is having a problem shoot me a note 'k? Not that I am sure I can fix it. I will give it the old college try though.
A Tale of Fowl Play
Aw c'mon, you'd have said it too. ; )
Rumor has had it that a wild turkey or two had been spotted out back. Until now I had been unable to verify the reports because by the time I got the camera loaded and ready to the window they had ambled off across the road.
Not this time. This pair hung out under the fruittrees for several minutes until…
..one of the local killer birds caught a glimpse. And he was on it pronto. I have long heard that a hawk could take out a chicken, but all those years we free ranged our hens none ever attempted, though many circled. The only thing I have seen a hawk actually fly off with was a snake, for which I was exceedingly grateful. It surprised me that it would hone in on the other birds with such vigor and speed since they were all the same size. But that it did, swooping low under the branches prepped for attack.
The pair of what we now think are some sort of pheasant rather than turkeys (being without wattles and sporting a ring neck instead) scurried deep into the underbrush and haven't been seen since.
The bird of prey left empty handed. For which I am once again exceedingly grateful. I get the whole circle of life deal. I just don't want to have to see it in action.
prayers appreciated
We just learned our good friends have suffered the loss of their baby through an intrauterine death half way through this pregnancy. Please join us in prayer for this family which has always made such an impression on us with their devotion to God and His will.
"For the Lord is close to the broken hearted." Ps. 34:18
curly girl
To say that the little girls adore their big sisters would be an understatement. The feeling is quite mutual. When we moved we got two 'girl rooms' and each big girl decided to take a baby girl, though very often all four of them end up huddled up into one of the rooms watching silly You Tube videos and talking til they can barely stay awake. But oh those babies love every minute and oh those big girls love it even more. They are like real life dolls who giggle and shower them with appreciative kisses in return for all that attention.
There is a lot of nail polishing and hair do-ing that goes on upstairs, particularly when little girls get frustrated or tired. They very often will scoop one up as distraction and after they sit quietly for brushing and rolling or lotioning and painting of tiny fingers the upset is smoothed away and forgotten. Then there is a lot of "Go show Mom!"
This was one of those days. Tess, beside herself, because Moira transformed her into their current favorite thing – Irish dancer.
(original photos courtesy of Moira)
While I sometimes remind the big girls that our babies are not aspiring to become Toddlers in Tiaras mostly I say nothing. It really isn't about the 'before' and 'after'. It is about the 'during'. It is a show of that warm glow of devotion between both the bitty girl and her beloved big sister, in a happy place in life where there is no sibling rivalry but only the certainty of the bond between them.
Football for Dad
Wish you were here!
7 Quick Takes
1.
Random. [ran-duh
m] Per Brendan (to Tess while preparing for a Mario Kart race) it's "like you don't get to pick. It just happens in that order." Who said Wii isn't educational? ; ) Seems like a good place to start seven random takes.
2.
We watched Letters to God this week though I had no idea what it was about beforehand. I am a sucker for Christian movies, even if they are cheesey in parts. This one had extra cheese I admit. But the kids were all sniffling when it ended. Later Kieran caught me in the hall and pointed to his chest saying, "So my heart is here." "Yes" I said, quickly moving on to finish bedtime chores. "Then where is my soul?" Umm, hold the phone, back up into the hallway. I told him what I knew. That it was attached to our bodies now and it leaves when you die. He was satisfied with that but I am still sobered to think that he was considering the profound right as I was considering the pj's and toothbrushes. Martha, Martha….
3.
On a lighter note, I ordered a copy of the new Turkey Feathers embroidery book. I am so anxious to get my hands on it. Now that we are in a house which is so much lower maintenance I am pulling out all my unfinished stitching projects and planning new ones. Feels so good to have something in my hands again.
4.
I read this lovely post at Angel Wings and Apron Strings and printed it for my Home Keeper binder. Her most recent post is also convicting:
"It seems to me that we need to take special care to show our girls how much we love being a homemaker"
I take for granted that my love for my vocation 'shows' but I have been taking care to stop and listen to my tone of voice and my under the breath comments and realize that my actions do not always line up with my intention but often more with my fatigue level. Not good. Working on that.
5.
I found these retro tumblers and pitcher at the thrift store and literally had one teen child stand there and hold them while I went to the ATM after realizing I hadn't replaced the checks in my wallet. It was worth it. My Gram had a set of these and my fear of Altzheimer's was not as strong as my longing to go down memory lane. They make everything stay ice cold and give me inexplicable cravings for Kool Aid.
6.
Looking at getting this magazine. Think of that, a periodical with pretty pictures of simple everyday things, focusing on relationships. Sounds like my favorite blogs, but on paper, which means I can slip it into my purse.
7.
Freebie from Becky Higgins here. Enjoy.
Liebfrauenkirche Trier
Trier boasts a stunning 13th century gothic cathedral called the Church of Our Dear Lady or Liebfrauenkirche. The church was constructed next to and over an older Romanesque structure so it is an odd juxtaposition. Probably my favorite stop in Trier, although the hordes of people scurrying in and out of every nook and cranny detracted some from the sanctity of the place.
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There are several ornate crypts within and outside of the cathedral.
kicking it off
Brendan is having a fine soccer season. He is easy to spot. He is the one dancing in the field between plays. He couldn't be having more fun if he tried.
The season opened with a bang. They held a massive multi-sport opening day ceremony complete with parade. Each team participated.
Here's B marching by:
In all, he has a decent grasp of the game:
But this may have been my favorite moment so far:
The very sweetest part of the day was when he tugged earnestly at my shirt hem going, "Mom! Mom! Mom!" "Yes?" I said. "I am so happy!" he squealed.
I am too, Buddy.
metaphor
So we walk and I think and we walk some more and it's good for my head. Very good. We stop and we stop, as is the way when walking with very small people, and it's good for noticing. Good for remembering. We pass the burdock, now mostly withered and angry sharp. How many have I pulled off socks and manes and tails and dogs? How many times have we been surprised by a piercing stab? A menace in the field they are. Useless.
But I look closer.
And then I know better.
There is always a blossom hidden in the thorn.
Starry Sky Journal 