Whatsoever things are lovely...

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

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

54 Years Strong!

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This Saturday will mark my 54th birthday. I have never really understood women who are ashamed of their age. I am happy that I have been given over a half a century on this planet, and am looking forward another 50 years. And while some may be queasy at the idea of growing old; I prefer to see myself as 54 years strong! My inspiration for this comes from Deuteronomy 33:25 which says; "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. This blessing was given to the tribe of Asher, one of Israel's sons. Since God does not have respect of persons (play favorites), I know He won't mind if I stake a claim to this promise. Happy Birthday to Me... and thanks Lord, for another year.

***

Thursday, November 12, 2009

For Psc. Aaron Aamot

With Veteran's Day still much on my mind, and to commemorate the homecoming of our local fallen hero Psc. Aaron Aamot, I offer this post;

It is the Soldier, not the reporter

Who has given us freedom of the press;

It is the Soldier, not the poet

Who has given us freedom of speech;

It is the Soldier not the campus organizer

Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate;

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer

Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier

Who salutes the flag,

Who serves under the flag

and whose coffin is draped by the flag

Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

(Author uncertain: commonly attributed to either Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC or Charles M. Province, US Army)

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

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

54 Years Strong!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

For Psc. Aaron Aamot

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