Out of the Mouths of Babes

Welcome friends...thanks for coming by. We're seeking beauty in all of creation... in our faith and our families; our art and our music; our crafts and kitchens, and even in our own backyard. We'll share a poem or a recipe, a picture or a memory; maybe a dream of how we wish our life could be. And though we acknowledge that the world can be harsh, we're keeping it pleasant in our little corner; endeavoring to keep the words from the Book of all Books: ...Whatsoever things are lovely; think on these things.

I so enjoy hearing from you...so leave me a comment; it'll make my day!

Photo: Bee and thistle: Taken high in the Cascade Mountains where there is a bee buzzing on every thistle. by Debora Rorvig

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Mother cutting child's hair (from unpublished photo essay re A Town at War).
LIFE MAGAZINE
Date taken:1945
Photographer:Alfred Eisenstaedt

Today at school, little Vanessa, one of my kindergarten students cut her hair. We were supposed to be cutting out the letter "O", but when I looked across the table, Vanessa was guiltily twirling a few locks of her golden brown hair between her fingers. She knew she was busted. She'd done it before. "I couldn't see what I was doing!" she protested. So I decided to tell the four children at our table about the time that I cut my own hair. I described in great detail how I tried to cut my bangs, but they weren't straight. So I kept cutting and cutting and cutting...until finally my beautiful hair was ruined. It was so bad that my friends made fun of me and I had to wear a hat so people wouldn't notice it.

Andy, a little boy at our table was listening intently. When I finished my story Andy immediately raised his hand. "Yes, Andy?" I responded. His eyes were fixed upon my hair. "Did that happen to you today?" he asked incredulously.

What I neglected to tell you until now is that last Saturday I got my hair cut. I thought it was a bit too short. Andy has confirmed this for me. All of my adult friends said it was 'cute'. They aren't as honest as Andy!

***

1 comment:

Judy said...: Great story...kids are so honest! I'm sure you could write a book...of things that are said in the classroom.

Thanks for stopping by...and sharing your memories of Peace Arch Park. I'm wondering if it is still such a popular picninc place.; March 21, 2009 at 7:14 AM

I Am From

I Am From...

by Debora Rorvig

I am from a lumber mill worker’s company house
with peeling paint and a sidewalk made of two by fours.
From faded flannel shirts that smell of pine and cedar boughs.

I am from Mason Jars of homed-canned pears,
from Dairygold milk with cream on top
in bottles on the porch.

I am from a garden plot with rows and rows of golden corn
that always wanted hoeing,
and from atop the highest branches of the Gravenstein apple tree in the Attolini’s orchard-
with apple juice dripping from my chin.

I am from saurkraut and wooden shoes-
the Millers and the Youngedykes,
and from the lively Scottish clan
who wear the McKinnon tartan.

From farmers and woodsmen
plain folk all,
who’s hands were calloused hard
but who’s hearts were tender-soft.

I am from ‘what will the neighbors think’
and ‘if you can’t say something nice,
don’t say anything at all.’

From saints and sinners who didn’t see eye to eye
but loved each other anyway,
and in their own way.

I am from the Western shores of Washington
strewn with agates, kelp and driftwood,
from Steelhead salmon, salty smoked
and chowder made from clams we dug
at Semiahmoo spit.

I am from my mother Ruby,
who taught me how to sew
on the old Singer treadle machine;
and told me all about my heritage.

And from my daddy, Raymond Claude
who took me nightcrawler hunting in the moonlight
and showed me how to bait my hook
and fish along the Nooksack River’s edge.

I am from an ancient, tattered Holy Bible kept safely on the upper shelf
with pictures of Jesus Christ
and a letter edged in black- carefully tucked inside.
There are births and deaths recorded there,
and a poem by great- great grandfather Alexander Laughlin Mckinnon
who I never met--and yet I know him
better than some I’ve met.

Precious is that Book to me.

And that is where I am from.

My Life List

*Seek first the Kingdom
*Never stop dreaming
*Make a difference in my students' lives
*Create alternate streams of income to fund my goals
*Dress with flair
*Master virbrato on my violin
*Try cross country skiing in Eastern Washington
*Lose those extra pounds and be healthy
*Be more active in my church
*Stop fearing things, people and confrontation; say what I think
*Stop Hurrying
*Inspire my grandchildren
*Own a Cottage on the Beach
*Live the Word
*Memorize the Book of Hebrews
*Find the perfect hairdo
*Be myself
*Look up old friends and make new ones
*Remodel the kitchen and bathroom
*Make my garden lovely
*Sleep under the stars in the desert and hear coyotes howl
*Write and publish a book(s)
*Travel toRio de Janiero, Cape Breton, South of France, Italy,Scotland, Wales, UK, Ireland, Norway, Turks & Caicos, New York City and the Eastern Seaboard; The Deep South, Africa

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Out of the Mouths of Babes

1 comment:

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