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, December 31, 2013

A List for the New Year

It's simply a list, not a goal or resolution. I won't put it on the fridge or program my cellphone to remind me. We're way beyond that; me and my psyche. I know that it's possible, even likely that there will be days I will forget. I'll get all worked up about someone or something in my life that doesn't pan out the way I wanted...I'll fuss and fume...forget to pray; I do that a lot. Still, it's just a list. A reminder; a yellow string tied around my pinkie or a post-it in my pocket. Because self-condemnation for failed goals is not where I'm at. It's like my attitude about flossing. I've decided to floss more often than not. Which means I usually do. If I'm exhausted and all I can manage is to get my p.j.s on and fall into bed some nights--it's really OK that I didn't floss. There are no flossing police. And there are no list police.

The List

Talk to God. Simple, to-the-point, honest, informal conversations. Not always asking for stuff. Sometimes--usually-- just saying "Gee, thanks!" These little chats with Jesus can happen anytime, anyplace...but a simple acknowledgement that He's my BFF would be nice everyday, I think. Of course there will be the times when I show up with REALLY BIG problems. Which might call for long-winded pleas and even some whining. I think He's used to that. And I don't think He minds at all.

Read a few verses daily. Not chapters or books. Verses. In my earlier years as a Christian, I devoured huge quantities of scripture every day. Not bragging, but I know my Bible. This year I'm going for quality. Read something. Remember it. Apply it to my day.

Trust. This is a big monstrous, issue for me. Trust is the antithesis to anxiety-- and anxiety is something I'm more familiar with that I'd like to admit.  It's not just God I need to trust...that's almost the easy part. It's trusting the doctor, my friends, my neighbor's dog, my family, the President, Congress, the person who puts the chili into the cans. (We got some bad canned chili this year so I've developed a suspicion of all canned foods. Now I've switched to frozen whenever possible. But really, where does all of this vigilance end?)  It's believing that people are competent, or at least trying to be. That they are acting from best intentions. That they love me; or at least like me. That the chili people are not trying to kill me. This might be easy for some, but it's a challenge for me. I think know that sometimes we (I'm including you all in this category to make myself feel better) take pride in thinking we are smarter, more able, more diligent than others--to the point that we find ourselves second guessing everything...even God. I don't want to do that anymore.

Write. Gracefully. Skillfully. Everyday.

Walk. I don't mean just march up and down the street or mindlessly walk on a treadmill while watching the news on TV like some hamster spinning on a wheel. I mean walk. Feel fresh air filling my lungs and my legs getting stronger with each step. Enjoying the neighbor's pussy-willow tree in every season and stopping to cheer as the little neighbor boy wobbles down the street on his new bike. Noticing cloud formations and flying geese and airplanes buzzing overhead. Thankful for the strength to be out and about when others are housebound and infirmed.

Stretch. I've been learning the hard way that stretching, when you are approaching sixty, must precede and follow walking. And I'm trusting that stretching at this time of my life will pay off handsomely in my seventies and beyond. I hope someday to be an active octogenarian with good balance and supple muscles. (Wow, did you see that...I'm trusting! It's like riding a bike without someone holding on to the back of the seat! Woo-hoo!)

Celebrate.  There's so much negativity in this old world. I think this year I'd like to celebrate everything. I mean like Valentine's Day and St. Patrick's Day; Fridays and New Moons. I want to celebrate small victories. Pat myself on the back and say "Way to go, Deb...you wrote a page today!" Or, "Awesome job, honey! You got all the moss off the roof! Let's go down to the coffee shop and celebrate!" There are so many things to be pleased about. Paid-off bills. A good physical. The birth of a new family member, crocus blooming, and a nice hot shower after gardening. The list is endless. And yet, for me, so often things go by un-noticed because they seem commonplace. But isn't that where joy resides, in the commonplace? I think so.

So that's it. My list.
 
Talk to God.
 Read a few verses daily.
 Trust.
Write.
Walk.
Stretch. 
Celebrate.
 
I plan to do them more often than not.
 
BTW...If you see me walking around the neighborhood...wave.
 
***


 

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Flying Fairies and Monster Trucks...and Penguins in the Freezer

I was helping out in "Mr. Smith's" kindergarten class this morning. I go there every day for a few hours to help struggling students master their ABCs and 123's. This week before the holidays has been especially busy as unsteady little hands ever-so-carefully paint watercolor pictures, cut out jaggedy snowmen, and get all sticky as they glue snippets of green crepe-paper onto wreath shaped posterboard. 

This morning as Mr. S. was taking roll, he asked each student this question, "If you had all the money in the world, what would you buy Mrs. Rorvig (that's me) for Christmas?"

Here are a few of their ideas...

A diamond purple bracelet
A flying fairy
A big monster truck with flowers and hearts on the wheels that I can mash old rusty cars with
A penguin that I can keep in the freezer (my favorite)
An angel fish
A beautiful dress with diamonds all over it
A computer
A fancy necklace
A beautiful Christmas tree
5 cookies
A horse
A ring. Not just any ring but one that sparkles.
A Seattle Seahawks colored pickup truck


The sheer joy and pleasure on their little faces as they described in great detail what they wanted to buy for me was the sweetest Christmas present ever. Because it's not about the present; but that they love me enough to wish such wonderful, magical things for me.

Am I not the richest person in the world? No doubt...I am.

So I wish you the Merriest Christmas filled with flying fairies, penguins in the freezer, monster trucks with flowered wheels, fanciful necklaces and angel fish. And most of all I hope that you will experience the pure love of a little child...as we remember that one precious Child and the gift He brought to us on that Wonderful Night.

Merry Christmas Friends! Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Merry and Bright

Things are getting merrier and brighter in the Rorvig household, thanks to two very special Christmas 'elves'...Kayla and Kayden. They came over and helped me decorate this weekend. They did a lovely job on the tree and set up my Nutcracker Village. It's so much more festive around here now!
 
Of course I had to take the opportunity to try out my new camera lens...a 50mm prime lens, affectionately called the 'Nifty Fifty' by Canon users. All of the review said it's great for portraits and that stuff called bokah that we love so much! So the girls decorated and I played with my camera.
We ate burgers, munched on donuts and hot chocolate, and caught up on what's going on in their world.
 
What really nice girls they are.
 
What a really nice day!
 

 
 
 
 
 
I made Posie-cat and Baron pose in front of the Christmas tree so I could see just how nice the bokah effect was with this lens. I like it!
 
 

 
Yep. Those two girls are real keepers.
 
Hope your Christmas preparations are all merry and bright!
***
 


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