It's unusual instrument Day

I wanted to play the trumpet.

Shiny and Brassy!

I wanted to play it boldly,

Brightly and Sassy!

But parents asked "What do they own?"

So we wouldn't have to pay

I was handed a mellophone

And that's what I learned to play!

A Gift to Manalive Friends

I made a promise in January, not knowing what the year would bring, to send something to some people over the year. Last year I sewed things but that's not working for me this year. Instead, I'm writing! And doing some drawing.

Three of the people who signed onto my project were Manalive workers in Minnesota. So this poem/song parody was created for them. My apologies to John Denver.

Manalive!

I was born in the Summer of my 22nd year

Moving onto a place I’d never been before.

I left Florida behind me -my family and my friends

I joined others who were also called to serve.

 

We were young and brave and foolish with guitars in our hands

We thought we could help the whole world understand

Our God was one who loved them and wished them to be free

To love themselves, their neighbors and their families.

 

Manalive! You became our home

Community and Family on our own

With love we faced some hard times

And we came to understand

That in life, there is always room to grow.

 

Many years have come and gone since then,

We are still those young brave souls down deep within

Our bodies have grown older and our causes may have changed

But the fire of love and service has remained.

 

So I wish you well my friends from long ago.

God send peace and love to you and all you know

Forever be God’s Glory in all you say and do

I’m so grateful to have shared Manalive with you.

 

Manalive! You became our home!

Community and family on our own.

Joined in memories of those moments

Shared together long ago

We still understand there’s always room to grow!

Carousel Day 7/25

Carousel... Merry-Go-Round... Flying Horses

A magical ride...

bright colors... fun music 

A gift from generations past.

I've ridden as a child

and as the grown-up.

On the bench that doesn't move

On the horse going up and down.

Their smiles...My smiles

Wishing to keep going

and wanting to go again!

Hoping for generations to come.

Daughter's birthday and a new fun thing

Today's "poem" for Rachel's birthday

Ready to go

Anywhere

Camera in

Hand

Enjoying

Life's journey!

And the :"adultitis fighters" are starting something new! The wonder and whimsy society. Today they sent me a balloon to incorporate into a self portrait. This is me, splint and all.

Notes from a nice retreat

I went to a retreat online and came away with some things to think about! That's a good thing especially as I've been focusing on what I CAN do.

When looking at life/ work/ family in a post-locked down world, we'll need to think and ask ourselves questions:

What do I want to start?

What do I want to stop?

What do I want to continue?

Is it life-giving?

Is it life-draining?

When presented with an opportunity or looking at ones we already have or used to have :

Pause

Slow Down

Check with spouse and/or family

Think of these questions and

if the answer isn't "heck yes" then it's "no!"

Walk

I've been enjoying drawing and coloring in my "Things I CAN do" project.

This one has an acrostic poem:

When on a walk

Always

Look for

Kindness

A Childhood memory on the Lake.

It's a hot July day! It reminds me of my childhood - cooling off in the lake by our house with family and friends.

I know we were pretty special to live in a house on a lake. When my Dad saw this house that was for rent on a lake - he didn't need to hear more. He forgot about looking for a house to buy. What a dream!

They got a small motor boat and water skiing became a regular weekend activity. It took me years to learn but my Brother got to be really good,

The picture I drew is of my friend Brenda and me in the water.

How I'd love to have another day with my friend cooling off in the lake!

And So it Goes!

Apparently, years fly by!
It's 2020. The year of my son's car accident, his convalescing at our house, my ruptured tendons and surgery. That's my personal 2020. All of that while political battles, racism battles and a world wide pandemic closed down pretty much everything! I have lost 3 friends this year. 2 deacons: Pete and David and one neighbor another Pete. 
We are living in a work of fiction! Except it's not.
It's July 14th. I have not worked in a library building since March. I haven't been in a church building since then either.
I've gone to church online to places I've never been and places I went to as a child. I've discovered that I like having few plans. I actually enjoy being at home. It helped that I had Dave, Rachel and Nathaniel home with me. I have the internet where people are "zooming" instead of gathering.
I've written poems, drawn pictures. Even had online protests. I'm reading and listening to many books and articles in order to become anti-racist, more inclusive of every one.
The world is so big and yet we are interdependent. We wear masks when we go out. And I try to stay calm and focused when that is turned political.
I pray that the world and I grow stronger every day. Stronger in love. Stronger in peace. Stronger and health.