Good times with an old friend

Have you ever looked forward to something for a long, long time?  Of course you have.  You plan and plan and imagine what the day will be like.  And if you're like me, sometimes the thing you looked forward to was, well, disappointing or not at all what you thought it would be.

Well, I've been looking forward to meeting my long time blogging friend, Kim, for years (always knew we'd get together sometime/somehow!) and anticipating our time together this past Thursday for months and I can tell you that this was NOT one of those times, although it did not end up entirely as planned!

Meeting Kim was not really like meeting someone new.  It was like greeting an old, dear friend that you hadn't seen for a long time.  We chatted as if we were making up for lost time, and in a way, we were.  The time flew by so fast--that was the only bad thing about it!  I wish we had had more time.  I wish we lived closer.

There were a few stressful moments leading up to our visit.  I had left it until Thursday to clean the house--a formidable chore as I've been fully booked with work and the house suffers when I'm holed up in my studio.  I'd gotten most of the food ready by 11 am, when Jake came into the kitchen to take his medication.  He had been suffering from a headache for a few days, which we attributed to a new medication he just started on, but when I looked at him I noticed that he had some slight swelling around his eye and cheek.  Fearing an abcess or infection of some sort,  I called his local cardiologist right away.  With his reconstructed heart, I knew that infection that got into the bloodstream was potential life threatening if it lodged in his heart.  So, after a flurry of phone calls, we were off to the emergency room.  Turns out he has a sinus infection and they got him on an antibiotic right away.  The whole thing was wrapped up by three o' clock.  Four hours lost and I had everything planned down to the minute.

In the meantime, I had made alternate plans with Dorothy to have her be at my house to meet Kim and Neil by 4 and had decided that if I didn't get home in time to finish preparing dinner, we'd order a couple of pizzas and eat the salad.  And if things became even MORE complicated (as they can sometimes end up being with Jake's health) Dorothy would take the Shays and the salad over to her house and order pizza over there.

Now, I'm used to fixing big meals.  They don't make me nervous, but that's because I always have things timed down to when I pull the last thing out of the oven.  I'm a planner and when my plans are disrupted, I can get really stressed.  And the more important the event, the more stressed I would normally be. But in all this, I never once felt stressed.  As soon as I knew Jake was sick, I didn't worry about anything else. 

Long story short, the house wasn't perfect and I forgot the croutons for the salad, and we had the most wonderful visit together!

I promised a picture, so here goes!

(Ivy had to get into the act, as usual.)

Jake is getting better, too, by the way.  God is good!

Company's Comin'

I've been looking forward to this day for a long, long time!

My long time blogging friend, Kim (of The Upward Call) and her husband, Neil, are coming for a visit this afternoon after the Gospel Coalition Conference in Chicago winds down.  Kim and I have never laid eyes on each other before, but we have been like-minded friends for years.  I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to today!  (I woke up at 4:20, realized what day it was and couldn't go back to sleep!)

My dearest 'real life' friend, Dorothy, and her husband Andy will be joining us for dinner tonight.  My first time ever blogger's get together.  (Now, if we could just teach Rebecca how to Apparate. . . )

Pictures tomorrow.  (And, yes, I will post pictures of myself, even though I really, really, REALLY don't like having my picture taken!)

For my fellow '13th Tale' readers

IN A LIBRARY.

A precious, mouldering pleasure 't is
To meet an antique book,
In just the dress his century wore;
A privilege, I think,

His venerable hand to take,
And warming in our own,
A passage back, or two, to make
To times when he was young.

His quaint opinions to inspect,
His knowledge to unfold
On what concerns our mutual mind,
The literature of old;

What interested scholars most,
What competitions ran
When Plato was a certainty.
And Sophocles a man;

When Sappho was a living girl,
And Beatrice wore
The gown that Dante deified.
Facts, centuries before,

He traverses familiar,
As one should come to town
And tell you all your dreams were true;
He lived where dreams were sown.

His presence is enchantment,
You beg him not to go;
Old volumes shake their vellum heads
And tantalize, just so.

Emily Dickinson

Did this make you think of Margaret Lea and her 'bookshop?'

November of Thanksgiving 2010

This morning I went out to my car and it was dead.  Dead, dead, dead.

I think I left my lights on.  Or my door cracked.  Or something because it was dead.

I had to take Sam to class, so I asked my neighbor, Sharon, and asked if I could borrow her car.  She handed her keys over and we hurried off.  Got Sam to class in time.  

An hour or so later, I heard a knock on my back door.  Here comes my neighbor, Mike (Sharon's husband), his jumper cables in his hand and his car idling in the driveway.  A quick jump and I was back in business.

I'm thankful for good neighbors who are also good friends; always willing to help and to share, not afraid to ask for help if they need it, ready with an encouraging word or a kind deed.

Thanksgiving is a good thing.  Sharing your thanksgiving thoughts with others is a good thing.  I hope you'll join in with me and others in this November of Thanksgiving!

November of Thanksgiving 2010

Tonight, as I reflect upon my busy day, I am thankful for my friend, Chad.  I only knew Chad for two short years before I moved to Illinois, but we have managed to maintain a long distance friendship during these past (nearly) eight years.

So often, friendships sort of fade away after a few years of moving away.  I don't see Chad very often, nor do we communicate on a regular basis, but most of the time when we do 'talk' via email or Facebook, it is about the things of God.  Chad is one of those 'iron sharpens iron' friends for which I am very grateful.

November of Thanksgiving 2010

I'm thankful for generous calligraphers who have shared their considerable knowledge and talents with me and helped me to be a better calligrapher.

There's always something new to learn, something new to try, someone doing something that inspires or challenges me.

I'm so thankful for this job I love!

Thanksgiving is a good thing.  Sharing your thanksgiving thoughts with others is a good thing.  I hope you'll join in with me and others in this November of Thanksgiving!

November of Thanksgiving 2010

I am so excited for this morning!  I have a new friend coming for coffee this morning.  She's a young mom that I met at a Bridal Fair--a fellow calligrapher!  I've longed to have another friend who is a calligrapher for business reasons; it's good to have someone to refer work to if you can't take it or to hire for help on large projects.  It's also important to have someone as a back up in case you get sick in the middle of a deadline.  (That has never happened but it always makes me nervous when I am working to a short deadline.)  The best thing is that her work is marvelous and she's a warm, sweet and generous person on top of that!  Today we're just going to chat and have coffee and get to  know each other but I'm hoping that we can eventually start 'playing' together--show and tell, making paste paper, learning new techniques, sharing favorite tools and materials.  Who knows?  Could be the start of a guild!

I'm ashamed to say that I have long wished for another calligrapher but I never prayed for one, and yet God has granted me this great blessing!

I am thankful for Cristine.

Can't wait!

Michael Defrancesco

My neighbor, Michael, painted this lovely angel especially for me.  I decided not to keep it all to myself:

You can see more of his paintings at his website, Michael Defrancesco Fine Art.  Only don't visit if you're busy; wait until you have an hour to scroll through his gorgeous landscapes.

(belated)Thankful Thursday

Yesterday was such a busy, busy day that I never got around to posting my Thankful Thursday post.  But I have so much to be thankful for that I decided to post it on Friday.

This has been one of the busiest weeks of my life!  (or at least it felt that way!) 

Monday was spent in a mad dash to finish up a piece of calligraphy that I shouldn't have accepted (not really having enough time, but not wanting to pass up work).  It was a 2nd anniversary gift from a young man to his wife.  I wish I could show it to you, but it's a one-off piece and personal, so no pictures.  It was a very challenging piece and the time frame was way too short, but I got it done and done well, so I am grateful for that!  He was so pleased and excited to give it to his wife.  That makes me happy.  I'm so thankful for a job I love, even when the deadlines are harrowing.

Tuesday we took Jake to Chicago for the first of his series of doctor appointments.  It was both a tough day and a good day.  We got a few answers and a lot of hope, so I am very grateful to God for directing us to the doctor who seems to be just the right one to help Jake.

Wednesday morning I tried to catch up with my dreadfully neglected house work and laundry, but I watch the the kids on Wednesday afternoons so that ended the cleaning, and started the fun.  Maddie took a good nap so I got to take Elliott outside to play.  I filled a bucket with water, handed him an old paint brush and he got busy painting the steps and the sidewalk (and my feet) with many giggles.  When they left, the house was in shambles, but we had fun and that's what counts.  I'm so thankful to have this time with my grandchildren!

Yesterday was again spent in trying to reclaim my dusty, messy house, finish the laundry, and cook a nice meal for my nephew, who is here for a short visit.  Cleaning house for company is different than cleaning house for family and it took every minute I had to get it ship shape!  Got up at 5 and got started, went to bed at 11 and barely stopped all day.  Boy, was I exhausted!  But I am so grateful for the time we had with Tim last night and look forward to fixing him a nice breakfast before he takes off later this morning.

And that brings me up to today.  Today I am going to take a break and do whatever I want to do!  Which, of course, means reading and kicking around in my studio.  I'm going to play at my drawing board and putter in the yard and take it easy.  Hopefully, I can talk Dorothy into coming over this afternoon for a cup of tea.

I am thankful for the life God has given me.  He has filled it full and blessed me in it.  He has given me a loving family, a comfortable home, good friends and plenty to fill my days.

I am thankful.

PS:  to my friends who are reading:  Could you please pray for my friend, Nancy?  She has been diagnosed with three masses; two in her neck and one on her tongue, but praise God, her lungs are clear.  The biopsy was done yesterday and she won't get the results until Monday so it will be a long weekend for her as she waits to know what she is facing.  Thank you for praying for her!

Happy Birthday to you. . .

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Dorothy,

Happy Birthday to you!

Should Christians be on Facebook

To Facebook or not to Facebook?  Read 10 things R.C. Sproul Jr. has to say about Facebook and social networking.

It'll make you think.

Recipe: Lemon Rosemary Chicken Hash

Tuesday I made a recipe from my friend, Shanna's, blog--Food Loves Writing:  Roasted Lemon Chicken with Potatoes and Carrots.  It was GORGEOUS!  The chicken skin was browned and crispy, the meat was moist and tender, the potatoes (white, red, and sweet) were beautifully caramelized.

Did you notice I never said it was delicious?  Sadly, I couldn't smell or taste a thing on Tuesday because of my dreadful cold.  But Tom and the boys COULD taste it and they thought it was great and said that they wouldn't mind having it again as soon as I am able to taste again.

There was quite a bit of chicken left once I picked the bones and a few potatoes, too.  I had Tom taste the pan drippings and he thought they were really, really good, so I put the potatoes in one refrigerator container and the chicken and drippings in another, along with the juice from the platter.

Today I made a really yummy hash from the leftovers.  If you've ever made a hash before, you know it's pretty standard--leftover meat, leftover potaotes, (veggies if you have 'em) and broth.  Brown the potatoes in a non-stick pan, add the meat and broth, salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with flour to coat and then cook until the liquid reduces, then slip a little butter under the hash and brown.  Simple.

I put a little more effort into this one and it was worth it.

I started my sauteeing some thinly sliced and chopped onion and celery.  Then I added the potatoes and followed the usual routine.  Before I started the browning process, I added some finely minced, fresh rosemary and lemon zest--about a tablespoon of each.  It was so good; lemony and herby, richly caramelized, savory YUM!

If I were you, I'd make Shanna's Roast Chicken tomorrow and my hash on Sunday.  Really. 

Next time I make this (yes, there will be a next time!) I think I'll increase the rosemary, either that or not mince it so fine. 

Thankful Thursday 2010

After being sick for a week, I am so thankful that, since Monday, each day I'm getting better. I was well enough to thoroughly clean the house this morning and then spend a few hours this afternoon over at my friend, Dorothy's house for a cup of tea and conversation.  It was good to get out of the house and even better to engage in interesting, encouraging conversation.  We talked about lots of things; history, politics, scripture, babies, books, reading--the usual kind of wide ranging conversation we enjoy--but today it was especially sweet since I've been 'out of it' for a week.

There's nothing like being really sick to make you appreciate feeling well!  It also made me realize how often I complain about aches and pains and tiredness when, really, I should be grateful for the many blessings God has given me!  One of the scriptures Dorothy and I talked about was Philippians 4:6-8:

[d]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

I'm so thankful that God has blessed me with a friend like Dorothy who is an example to me and exemplifies verse nine:

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

OH!  I'm also thankful that I will be seeing Elliott and Madelyn tomorrow night!  I've missed them so much!  I'll be taking the camera so get ready for some pictures!

It's a glorious sunshine-y day today--the sun is streaming in the windows in all the 'almost springtime' spots.  The icicles are dripping like crazy and the air smells clean and fresh.  How do I know that?  Well, I don't really because I still can't smell (or taste) much but somehow I just know fresh air when I 'see' and feel it!  I know we're not done with winter but I'm so very thankful that spring is on its way!

I'm joining my friend, Kim from the Upward Call,  and others in giving thanks each Thursday in 2010.  Won't you join us?

Lost and Found

This morning I rediscovered an old blogging friend.  She had taken a rest from blogging and I lost her.  This morning, a series of seredipitous clicks led me back to my old friend.

Shanna has a new blog, devoted to food--and everything else.  If you're a foodie, or even if you're not, why don't you hop over to Shanna's blog, Food Loves Writing, and say hello.  Tell her Kim sent you.

I think you'll be hooked.

Remembering Bobby

I learned yesterday that an old friend of ours from our days in Kentucky had died.  There is such a feeling of sadness and loss, especially since it has been many years since we last saw Bobby.

It wasn't that long ago that I reconnected with my dear friend, Madonna, Bobby's wife, and learned that for the last few years they had been coping with that dreadful thief--Alzheimer's Disease.  That relentless thief had been stealing Bobby away a little piece at a time.  Nancy Regan called it 'The Long Goodbye.'  I always think of it as a slow motion robbery.

The Bobby I remember was a fun loving, ornery, 'twinkle in the eye' man--always cheerful, always lively, always laughing.  I have a hard time thinking of him any other way.

But today, as I remember him and think about the dreadful thief that took his life, I am thankful that his treasures were laid up in heaven where thieves cannot break in and steal.

Status Report

Well, why not?  All the cool kids are doing it!  (Lisa, Rebecca, Kim, and Jules and probably others) 

Sitting...in my comfy leather reading chair.

Drinking… coffee.

Thinking… I really need to go out and chisel up frozen dog poo but it's COLD out there!

Loving… John Calvin's Institutes.

Anticipating… Book One, Chapter Four tomorrow.

Dreading… going out to chisel dog poo.

Starting… to think about what I'm going to fix for dinner.

Reading… several things, as usual.  I'm reading Calvin's Institutes, Matthew's Gospel, Revelation, Common Sense by Thomas Paine, and I'm listening to the Fellowship of the Ring on my Ipod.

Liking… Brit Hume.

Ordering… nothing at present.  Just got a new calligraphy book in the mail on Saturday--finished it before I went to bed Saturday night.

Nervous… about undergoing some medical tests next week.

Planning… my Hebrews Bible study lesson for this Thursday.

Pouring… a glass of Malbec with dinner. 

Giving Thanks in November

Today, my thanksgiving cup runneth over!  I just learned that Dorothy's results are in and they are beyond good--they are miraculous!

Her doctor feels the test shows only minimal regrowth, not even enough to treat.  And her tumor marker which was repeated last week is flat so he recommends not having the radioactive idodine treatment right now!  She can go back on her medication!

The world would say that all the worry and feeling rotten and going off her medicine was a waste of time.  How wrong they would be!  Through this all I have seen Dorothy trusting God and receiving blessings and comfort as she rested in Him.  I, myself, have realized afresh how much my dear friend means to me, how much she spurs me on in my faith, and I have been blessed myself with comfort from Christ as I've trusted in Him, too!

All through Dorothy's ordeal three words have been prominent in my mind--"God is good!" 

God IS good, whether the news is bad or, like today, better than we could have hoped for! 

PRAISE GOD FOR HIS INFINITE MERCIES!

Blessing Boxes

Here's a gift I made for my friends, Dorothy and Carol.  These are Blessing Boxes--filled with words of inspiration, thanksgiving, and blessing.  I asked both of my friends for a list of words that are important to them.  They had no idea what was going on.  The mystery is over, though, because I gave them their Blessing Boxes today, so I can share some images with you now.

Special Delivery: Cookie

Look what came in the mail for Elliott this week:  a beautiful cookie from Heidi, my friend and personal bread muse (more about that later.)  Heidi, who blogs at Steps on the Journey, is a professional baker and also very generous--she was offering these beautiful, delicious cookies and, of course, Elliott had to have one!  The cookie came wrapped like a lovely piece of jewelry--it was such fun opening up the package!  But even MORE fun watching Elliott examine, explore and then devour the cookie!

What's this? A cookie, you say?

Are you SURE it's OK to eat a birdie?

Here goes!

Hey! This is good!

Yum! This is MINE!

“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.”
Robert Fulghum

Blogging Word of the Day: languishing

Languish(ing)

Pronunciation \ˈlaŋ-gwish\
Function:
intransitive verb
Etymology:
Middle English, from Anglo-French languiss-, stem of languir, from Vulgar Latin *languire, from Latin languēre
Date:
14th century

1 a: to be or become feeble, weak, or enervated b: to be or live in a state of depression or decreasing vitality

2 a: to become dispirited b: to suffer neglect

3: to assume an expression of grief or emotion appealing for sympathy

Languishing. That word pretty much describes my poor, neglected blog for the past few months. Decreasing vitality. Suffering neglect. Am I 'appealing for sympathy?' Not really. Depressed? Not at all.

I'm honestly not sure what is going on, but I find I simply have less interest in my blog, other than as a depository of quickly dashed memories and a sporatic record (however incomplete) of some of the things I am thinking about. It doesn't feel like blog fog or a bloggy break. It feels like a total shift.

I'm enjoying so many new and old things; I'm reading more, I've got a sweet little grandson who has captured my heart and my attention, I see projects that need to be done around the house, I'm having fun baking bread again, I find I need more quiet time (and by quiet, I'm not talking about the 'noise factor'; I mean thinking time.) As I'm getting older, I'm finding that I just can't skip from one task to another, one thought to another, as seamlessly.

I've lost many of my subscribers. I can understand that. There certainly haven't been many scintillating posts recently! Losing subscribers would have bothered me greatly at one time. But the fact that I'm not really worried about that is the biggest indication to me that there really HAS been a shift.

If it weren't for the fact that I have several years of time and effort invested in this blog, I think I would shut it down and walk away. What happens to a blog that you stop paying for? Does it simply disappear into cyberspace--a collection of disembodied links and unattached images? That would be hard to take. This blog has become a repository of images and memories and snapshots of time and I would have a dreadfully hard time saying 'goodbye' to them forever. So I'm not likely to do that anytime soon.

If it weren't for the fact that I have made some very dear friends through blogging (you all know who you are!) I might just stop this blogging thing altogether. Can't do that! No more glimpes into spring on PEI? No new quotes that spur deep thinking? No more fashion shows, no more Beck (impossible to categorize Beck, don't you think?) , gorgeous photos and funny stories, shared brain experiences, theological promptings, political and doggy discussions? No more sharing grandson fun? No more happy wondering? Unthinkable! How would I learn about chickens and chicken coops? Where would I find book reviews and book discussions amongst friends? Who would be my social and political conscience? How else could I indulge my continuing, vicarious interest in home schooling once my own home schooling journey ends in a few weeks.  Where would I find an outlet for my occasional poetic promptings?

Several of my favorite bloggers have either quit entirely, have slowed down considerably, pop up only every once in a while, or are making a come back. I still miss Rosemary.  Only one I can catch up with over lunch.

Well that does it.  By writing it all out, I've come to a conclusion.  There are ebbs and tides in blogging.  For now, Hiraeth will continue to drift along on its current current as it has been. If you're here, you're invited to drift along with me and see where the current takes us. . .