Be Right Back

I am in an interesting place.

I think I'll be better about blogging in a few weeks.

When we are in any place

it is so good to know

Our Father is here.

God is Good :)

Doodling Some More

I am feeling a little
unwell, so I thought
I would just
post one of my
doodles.

I loved trying this effect
on it, but forgot to
exclude the border.

There, that's better.

Have you considered
the necessity of the
darker places
to make a piece more
beautiful?

Once again,
perhaps I should
be more thankful
for those dark times
God
sends to me.

Dear Dollar Deer

I think, if I had tried hard enough,
I could have left this paper mache
deer right there at Goodwill.

I think visions of creative mantlepiece
decorating and beautiful blogging
as well as
I-never-would-have-thought-of-that
crafting
danced before my dazzled eyes.

What does it matter that I have no
mantel and no decorating blog.
or that my house is such a mess
that crafting has become
problematic? 

After all, how many dreams can be
bought at a thrift store
for one dollar? :)

I Am Bugged!

I am not an entomologist, by

any stretch of the imagination.

Once in a while the beauty 

and detail of a small creature

will catch my eye.

This time, I pulled out my camera
and grabbed a "shot."

How great is our Creator
to put such beauty into
such a small creature!
He is making even greater
beauty grow in you and me.

ALL

So, what grabs your heart

and

reminds you of the

creative power of God?

Intimate Intricacy?

Awesome Majesty?

What creature is so small
as to be insignificant to
our Creator?
What being so great as
to be beyond need
of Him?

When first I heard Him referred to

as "the universe"

I was displeased.

I understand how reaching with

our finite brains

produced this label,

but it is not enough.

He is not too big to care

for the sparrow

or the wildflower.

He is intimate,

eternal,

vast,

and incredibly detailed.

He who formed the

stars and put them

in their place

also formed those

tiny systems

we call "atoms."

And more,

much more

than an impersonal

universe,

He formed us

in His image,

gave us the choice 

to embrace or spurn Him

and made the way

for us to be 

worthy

to be so near

as to become

His children.

No wonder that He said,

"I AM."

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.

Ephesians 4. 4-6 ASV

(emphasis is mine)

Floral Philosophy

It would be a mistake,
having once gazed upon
a daylily,
to believe that one had seen
that flower and comprehended it.

As the eye is caught from another
angle, more is seen,
knowledge increases.

Beyond the showiest petals,
the quieter beauty of
the plant emerges
to add wonder to wonder.

So intricate, so complex yet
seeming simple,
the more we strive to
 appreciate,
the greater our awe.

If it is so of a single plant,
how much more so
of a soul.

Tomorrow, Today, Yesterday

Flowers are beautiful, aren't they?
While I was getting a good shot
of the daylily below, I noticed
that the showy bloom was not
the only interesting plant.
Here are the buds, a mild
mystery to be solved in a
tomorrow.

Here is today's attention getter.

Yesterday's blossoms may not
command as much attention,
but they have their own grace.

How many ways can this little
lesson be applied? :)

My Weird Sense of Humor

Whilst looking over the books at
Goodwill, this weekend,
I noticed these two titles
fairly close together.

First you read this one
and put it to use.

Then, you read this one to help
you deal with all those annoying friends. :)

The book I could would value
would suggest ways to keep from being
an annoying person.

Be Careful!

When I was a kid I felt a little

out of fashion.

It was my knees

and my shins.

I didn't have much for

scars or scabs.

One does not get

that kind of injury

from reading.

(Constantly)

Well, as an adult

I have aquired a 

scar above my left

knee.

That was from a

shallow dive that

wasn't quite shallow enough.

I also dropped the 

handle of a loaded

pallet jack above that knee

and came down on 

one of my knees

when I dumped 

my moped.

This all happened

about 30 years ago.

Now, today, 

I'm acquiring those

scabs that would have

made me so proud

in elementary school.

No sympathy needed.

I was turned around

to see what a noise

could possibly be

when I turned my

ankle and dropped on the 

pavement like I had 

been rehearsing for

it forever!

My ankle is fine.

My pride is recovering.

My leg doesn't even

really hurt.

When the oozing 

stops, I will move

about fairly freely,

with few reminders

that I took a tumble.

This is a shame, really,

because a little 

reminder to 

watch where I'm going 

might not come amiss.

Oh, well.  

Maybe it will scar.

(Photo not for the squeamish.)

To Sell or Not to Sell?

When one finds fun or special things

at bargain prices

it is tempting to buy and buy.

When I buy things it is because I really

like them, excepting those rare

times I think I can sell something 

online for a decent profit.

Here are some examples of 

things I actually decided to see

if they would profit me.

I think,

"What if this will bring in a

good addition to a discouragingly

small fund.  Wouldn't I rather

have that than more stuff to care for?"

Well, 

we shall see!

I like this tablecloth.
It was less than $5.
It may not be old.
I couldn't find exactly this
design in exactly these
colors so, it could be rare...
BUT, if it brings in some cash,
perhaps I should sell it.
Well, I've listed it.  We shall see.

This is Grandma from Happy Family.
She has an unusual body type.
I was happy to find her.
Turns out, she's kind of rare.
I've listed her

Bo Peep from Toy Story is
a little unusual.
Later versions have rooted
hair.
I've listed her.
We'll see if any one is interested.

Celebrating?

This is how Uncle Si

spent much of Easter Sunday.

We were both sick.
(Think macaroni & cheese for dinner.)
Uncle Si knew what had to be done.
A car was needed to drive to work
on Monday.
So, he hauled himself out there
and worked away.
I wish I could have told him.
"Have the work done."
I wish I could have told him,
"We can pay for it."
I wish we at least had a garage
for him to work in --
especially on Sunday!

27 years of marriage
and I'm still
finding out what a great
man my husband is.

Take a Dare?

Would you take a dare to walk
across this snow covered
body of water?
It is not very wide.
Perhaps you would be fine.

I know something about this
place.  It was a quarry and
is quite deep.
I know something else.
This is the end of March.
Though some of the
snow is packed and
melted down so that
my footprints are
quite shallow,
the ice under that snow
is probably rotten.
You might make it
across.
You might not.

You know, this is how I
think about alcohol
consumption.

I know people who drink
for the pleasure of it.
I know people who
sedate themselves
with alcohol.
Christians have
said to me that the
Bible does not say not
to drink.
I know that.
What I don't know
is how deep the
water is under that snow,
nor how rotten the ice.
I might make it.
I might not.
There was a time when
"a nice wine" was
attractive to me.
Kind of like lovely
white snow.
Funny thing.
I tried that wine
and I hated it.

Then, I thought about
what I was doing.
I decided it was not worth
the risk.
Now, this is not to preach
abstinence to you.
I am just thinking about
the hidden dangers of
rotten ice.

Blessings
from
Aunt Lou

Sometimes, I Like to be Different!

There is nothing very unique in
deciding to attempt to sell
some Tupperware on eBay.

It is a bit of a stretch, for a
packrat, like me, but many
people do it.

I wonder how many of them get bored
with taking "normal" pictures of their
Tupperware and...

start trying rather un-eBay-ish pictures.

Oh, well.  Maybe my pictures will help
to sell my items.  

So, I Bought a Book...

even though I am supposed

to be saving money like mad.

I am a fan of Mary Engelbreit's art.

Isn't this just charming?

Look at this cottage!

When it comes to "getting the look,"

I'm not so sure.
How do you decide what your "style" is?
I'm getting up there and I still don't know.
I like so many things.
I dislike so many that I would think
it would be easy to eliminate what I don't like
and then... but it still leaves too
broad a spectrum of lovely,
cute, quirky and perfect things.
(sigh)

I Found a Painting

...at a thrift store.
I like blue.
I like houses, boats and water.
Is that why I bought it?
The price (low) and the size (small)
and the fact that it seems to
be an original were all
deciding factors.
It's a bit of a mystery, to me
why I bought it.

I know nothing about this artist.
Is this an aberration?
Sometimes, I surprise myself!

Le Dumpe

Kari Anne at Thistlewood Farm posted about shopping the side of the road, today. 

That got me to thinking.

Before there was the side of the road there was what is now called the landfill. Some towns even have designated areas /sheds that have cute names on them.

When I was a kid, my Dad brought home things from that most exclusive of all shoppes, Le Dumpe. He would crawl around on things that could have carried dread diseases, and come home with treasures. Some of those treasures were well disguised, and a great amount of it went right back to the "store" after Dad pulled off the part he could use.

My Dad's father died in 1935. My Dad was about to turn 10. He was the middle child of seven.  I, being a baby boomer, seemed materially blessed, to my parents.  Compared to what I could see of most of my peers, I did not have a lot.  Looking back at myself, I did have a lot.  Looking around myself, I still have a lot.  Still, that making something from nothing, that one man's trash is another man's treasure thing is a very big part of me, as well.

Shall we go check out the landfill?  :) 

I Choose to Trust

In the mail

In the yard

We've had some bills, lately.
I don't know anyone who
doesn't have bills.
In Maine, it is prudent to start
planning for Winter's heat
and hunger quite early.

I got some figures, between
yesterday and today.
I had not even started to
worry, but I had started
to scrabble around for a plan.
Then I picked up the mail.
I had completely
forgotten about this program.
I've used it before.
It's good for some cash.
Then, I went out in the
yard.  There were blackberries,
all ripe and ready.
They were good.
Isaiah 65:24
"And it shall come to pass that,
before they call, I will answer;
and while they are yet
speaking, I will hear."
American Standard Edition
1901

I choose to trust.

I don't know what will
come, but I know
my Father has
it well in hand.

No need for donations.
We're fine. :)

Answering Amber

One of my friends put an e-card on facebook that made her smile.  I know that she meant to amuse.  I was amused. 

The card read:

 "I'm not saying let's go kill
 all the stupid people....I'm
just saying let's remove all
the warning labels and let
the problem sort itself out."


 

(someecards.com)

I first replied that I resembled that remark.  If any among you has never been stupid...

...I think you have a poor memory!

 Then, Amber commented that people used to have common sense.  That set me off.  I thought I would attempt a humorous reply.  I started to realise that my reply might actually have more truth than laughs.  See what you think.

Now, Amber, I'm not sure that there were more people with common sense.  There were people who learned from experience, their own or others'.  There were people who seemed naturally cautious and thought things through.  There were also people who were impulsive, careless and/or know-it-all.  They suffered.  Their suffering taught them wisdom (common sense) or they suffered more.  Sometimes they actually did die.  It is the reaction to such suffering that has changed.  There always have been those who blamed someone else.  Now they get legal backing and a sympathetic audience.  The "serves you right" attitude is unpopular, these days. 

 

An Unknown Hero(ine)

Have you ever had an appreciation for someone you did not know?  I just though of one and I thought I would blog a bit.

I had an Uncle who became a quadriplegic while still an athletic high school student.  Polio was the cause of his paralysis.  This is not about him.  I knew him. 

Uncle used to sit outside in his wheel chair, often listening to the game on a transistor radio.  He had a good view of the road and those passing by could see my uncle.

There was a woman who drove by regularly.  She had a small car or a sun roof, I don't remember which.  This is important, as you will see. 

 In our part of the country the real natives did not broadcast their actions.  This extended to the greeting they gave from behind the wheel of a car.  A finger or two lifted from the steering wheel and a corresponding lift of the chin were considered quite a grand enough gesture.  I still see that among the real, unmixed native peoples.  Though I have lived among them well over 30 years, I am not a native. 

So, back to this lady.  Each time she drove past and saw my young uncle sitting in the yard, she would throw her whole arm skyward in greeting.  Was this important to my uncle?  Was this important to her?  I have no idea.  I just know that I still remember a person who probably stepped out of her comfort zone to brighten some one's day.  I never knew who she was.  To me, she is an unknown hero.

Gardening?!

Claudia, at mockingbirdhillcottage, asked an interesting question, today.

"Is your gardening thumb green or black?" asked she. 

Here is my comment.  I imagine there were a lot of enthusiastic gardeners commenting.  I hope I did not shock them too badly!

I enjoy looking at gardens! :)



Things that grow without my help are the best for me. If my thumb is not black, it is at least a slimy brown. I'm planning to make another attempt at practical stuff, like some veggies, this Spring. Since bugs love to bite me as much as I hate to have them, and full sun on my body tends to make me dizzy or woozy, this should be interesting! :)