Southern Belle...

  

I took a walk outside today.  I don't believe I have walked in my yard since November.  I have been held captive.  It's so safe inside my house.  Not that I fear going outside.  Other than a few red necks down the road (famous red necks I might add..), we live in a quiet peaceful area of South Georgia.  A few farm trucks.. a few four-wheelers... and a random stray dog.  And of course... us. 

But I've been inside.  Blinds closed except on random days. 

It's been cold.  December and January have brought a chill factor that would make a "well diggers hinney" shiver.  We haven't experienced the cold that others have  .. but for South Georgia, it's been a cold winter.

It's been foggy.  I don't mean the typical fog that comes from condensation.  I mean the fog that comes from your inners ..  I've just wanted to stay inside.  Remember, it's safe.

But today, I went outside.  The breeze brushed my face and the sun kissed my check.  I took my camera... my friend.  It was like grasping the hand of a child.  Guess which one was the child.  It was good.

Picture taking didn't seem to be an option.  Walking this dreary landscape was like walking in a theater where nothing but black and white movies play.  Dull.  Dreary.  But yet, the sun was shining.  The only thing shining.  Front yard... back yard... colorless.

I worked up the courage to take a look  at my "herb garden".  It's planted to the side of my house and I have always delighted in the fact that I could look at my "herb garden" from my bedroom window.  Did I mention there are only two herbs in that garden....   it's turned into a rose garden with a few other interesting characters.  This little garden was a summer project by Justin and my mom.   A summer adventure.. I've held on to it... even though it now shows the wear and tear of 20 years .  It has survived the cold.. the heat.. heavey down pours... and the fog (my fog..)

Much work is needed in that garden.  Fall came.. winter is here.. and neglect set in... never clipping.. never grooming.  Abandoned.  How did I forget to give it a "winter" clipping.  Oh yes... I've been safe.  Blinds closed.  In the fog. 

Today my camera.. my friend... became my bird dog.  It sniffed out this small splash of color among the death of winter.  This little southern belle was attached gracefully to a branch.. from a rose bush given to me by a friend.  During the summer this rose bush outshines them all... but winter has not been friendly to my dear friend.  However, a small appearance of life, was reaching out and appeared to be holding on every so tightly.  Embracing the warmth .. for fear it might soon leave.  (yes, thunder in January means frost in May.. at least that what we say in these parts). 

It was good to capture this colorful "friend" with the camera today.  Had I stayed inside.. I would have missed this glimpse of growth... struggle for significance... desire to maintain.   I'm not sure this splash of color will be around very long... February and March can be so cruel.  But today, this "friend" was out and embracing a moment of sunshine... waiting on someone like me to find it's beauty. 

 

"Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened. The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good."  Gen. 1:11-12

A to Z...

Adorable

Bashful

Cute

Darlin'

Energetic

Fun

Gifted

Handsome

Intelligent

Jo Jo

Keeper

Lovable

Magical

Nice

Ours

Perfect

Quick

Runner

Sweet

Ticklish

Unique

Valentine

Wonderful

X-traspecial

Young

Zip-pe-de-do-dah!

"I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: 
My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."  Is. 46:10

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

It has been stated that during the time of Martin Luther only 3-5% of the population could read the written word. In order to send a message or to just simply get one across, the messenger had to be extremely resourceful. When Luther lit the fire of the Protestant Reformation, he fanned the flames using  images disguised as art. 

There is something about imagery through pictures that conjure up thoughts of present.. thoughts of past.  Photography has taken on whole new meaning in today's world.  Just check out your facebook page.. everyone is a model.  Photographers are a dime a dozen (notice I didn't say good photographs).  The camera clicks and instantly its "out there" for the world to see and conjure.  Scary..

The picture of my dad's home place in Mannington, Kentucky didn't bring a thousand words to my mind.  But it did conjure up a few...

Black and white TV
Wizard of Oz
Happy
Double glass doors with panes
Long hallway
Christmas Eves
Delightful
Screened-in front porch
Pin Ball Machine
Bicycle riding
Thanksgiving
Carefree
Big backyard .. rolling down slopes
Big Trees
Fenced in front yard
Well
Cigarette smoke
Two-story garage
Clubhouse
Adventurous
Lightning bolt
Crackers and milk
Superman
Tub baths
Comic books
Weather vane
CB Radio
Laughter
TV Guides
Fireplace
Death
Suicide
Confusion

Just a few words...  not a thousand.  I like this picture... by a good photographer.  Excellent photography.

 ^" For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you ...."  1 Tim. 1:6

Get Over It..

Sometimes I just need to let go of things ... like water off a ducks' back.  Let it roll ...

Now if I could just convince my brain of this simple truth.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."  Matt. 6:34

Dusting Up Memories...

Jordy & Justin

It's Saturday and my delight is to clean my house this day. I am serious. It's my futile attempt at being a tiny "smidgen" of a Proverbs 31 gal. She had a clean house.. so shall I, at least one day of the week and that being Saturday.   I shall not worry about the other six days. (It's not like I'm home to see it..)

But today,  I clean.

I found a gift today. Yes, I often do when cleaning. Sometimes it's a nickel, dime, penny or a lost sock. Today, it was a memory. A memory of Christmas 2006 when I made an attempt at sharing my poetic flair with hubby's family.  But to quote my boys... it was in fact an .. epic fail.   My boys are naturals at evaluating my successes and failures.  I remember this particular "performance" was one that they didn't rate highly.. unless hiding under a table .. hiding behind their father ... rates a high mark.  Don't get me wrong... I truly believe they would have given me an "E" for effort, but I wasn't on my way to the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry.


I don't know.... maybe they  (the in-laws) enjoyed it.   I honestly don't recall a word being said after I read it.  Who knows?? But I remember feverishly penning these words.   And to find this poem appearing under my dresser.. (okay, remember I only clean one day a week with cleaning under the dresser every five years)... was like God's gift to me this day.  And it made me laugh.  I like laughing.  If you live with Justin and Jordy, you laugh.

It was Christmas 2006 (exactly five years since I had last been under the dresser.) Randall's brother, sister and their families joined us for a Christmas meal.   Now I'm no Paula Deene.... so I had to think of a clever way to masquerade my lack of culinary skill. My thinking went like this... "I'll make them feel special with a small gift!"  (Candles that smelled like fantastic flavors of ice cream) and a poem.  Certainly their feeling of "special" doesn't need to be linked to my cooking skills.  (And later you will see it didn't need to be linked to my writing skills.. oh my!)

I clearly remember reciting the poem.. handing out the candles.. and then thinking.. girlfriend, you are a dork.  If I could have crawled under the kitchen table I would have. (I clean under the kitchen table more often than under the dresser).

Oh well, it was a memory.  And as I re-read this poem, the "dork sensation" was still there .. but it felt good.  Not that I remember feeling and looking like a dork, or that I actually had people over for FOOD.... but that I had a longing for others to know.. what I know.  So here.. let me share this gift with you today. 

"From the Randall Tippins Family"  (okay, so I started out with a truly ridiculous title.   My family had nothing to do with the writing of this poem.. nor did they contribute to the purchase of the candles.  If I could go back.. I'd possibly change the title.)

Today is celebrated with family &  friends,

to what do we claim this day?

It's the mark of new beginnings 

2007 is on the way!

Enjoy your steak and potato...  (I told you I was no Paula Deene)

a little salad and garlic bread will do! (from a bag and a box..)

And have we mentioned the ice cream dessert in the freezer... (now that stuff was good.. no lie)

save some room.. your gonna want some too!

We hope you enjoy your present..

t'wis bought for this special day!

Lighting up a candle is simple..

But what does it truly say??

May the glow remind you of Moses ..
The man who spent time with God..

His face shone in brilliance ... 
causing people to run where he trod.


He covered his face in great reverence..
The people were trembling in fear

Our prayer for you .. spend time with God

and others will know who you've been near.

The scent of the candle is neat 
We sniffed each one with care...

Great news .. no need to worry.. 
no added weight anywhere!   (it was at this point I noticed my boys .. and their dad.. was distancing themselves from me!!)

Sweet aroma we should be to the masses

having a scent of Christ on us.

Now there's a wick with a hint of real sweetness..

will you join us on the glory bus?

(Official end of the poem.. now the closing.  My boys were under the table by this point... and what the heck is a glory bus anyway????)

Our prayer from our family  (this was so not true... they knew nothing of MY prayer) is that as each day passes and each year unfolds

that God bless you and brings you joy.

Thank you so much for coming and sharing this evening with us...

Randall, Jo Ellen, Justin, Jordy and Bandit

(.. we wish James, Robyn, Cady, Grace, Jacob & Ruby could have been here!)

Before you totally discount my writing skills, it should be noted that I had family pics all over the sheet of paper to enhance what was lacking in the poetic rhythm.

I laughed out loud upon ready this sing-songy effort of poetry in dead motion. I honestly think I've written better... maybe?? 

But nevertheless, my house is clean.. and I got to enjoy a memory of sharing a scent of ice cream and a taste of Truth.   It was a good laugh amongst the dust...

"When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.  Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai.  And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.  Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him."  Ex. 34:29-35