Words

I know he's faced more than his share of difficulties, some past and more in the here and now... and that made his poignant words so much more meaningful and eloquent.

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We have been taught that words have power. And this is very true. Words can elate, wound, support, undermine, inspire, and demoralize. But sometimes we forget that words can also be without substance. We tell people that we are proud of them, supportive of them, even love them, and think that is all we need. We think we have been a good person and have enhanced the lives of the people we care about.

But at other times, we find ourselves in an uncomfortable position with someone. We see them making choices that we feel are wrong, or even dangerous. We watch them in pain, or lost in their lives. We hear them sharing situations in their lives that we don’t understand, or feel opposed to. At these points, we may not know what to do, so we retreat and hope things get better. We avoid the things that make us uncomfortable and tell ourselves that we care and just don't know how to help.

But, if we truly care, and if we truly are worried about the welfare of someone, why in the world DON'T we say anything? If we see someone headed down what we believe to be a dangerous path, WHY aren't we speaking up, sharing our concerns, seeking understanding, and fighting for that person? Why do we leave them to weather the storm on their own? Is it enough for us to remain silent and feel content that we will be there for them should they return to our perceived correct path?

We say we care, but how much do we care? Enough to actually take action? Sometimes it is amazing how much the simple act of showing up can mean to someone. Sometimes a cup of coffee, a movie, a drive, or even a hug can make a world of difference.

I know I have been guilty of this in the past, but I resolve to watch for those opportunities where I can take meaningful action as well as share the kind and supportive words.

Justin Larson

Dreaming of Mid-Winter

Photo courtesy of A Day in the Life of a Fat
Chick's Facebook Page

I know it's been hot enough to keep us all stuck in fantasies of blizzards and snow encrusted pine trees as we wish for a day of weather that calls for mittens and sledding trips but... are we already starting on Christmas preparations?

When I checked the countdown calculator it said there's still 153 days before the big day.  Shouldn't I be able to procrastinate about 140 of them away yet?

Actually we have some pretty big plans for Christmas 2013!  It will be Derek's and my first Christmas in our own home.  And I know he wants to put up enough lights outside (and in) to make it visible from space.  I admit, I'm pretty excited to get my decorations out so we can see how our stuff works together.  And I think we'll end up with something pretty darned impressive by the time it's all rounded up and out of the boxes.  Just thinking about it makes me smile!

And you know I've been saving ideas on Pinterest since the day after last Christmas.  Even on a "secret" Board so everyone will be surprised by the cute little cards and table decorations I'm going to make and the special recipes that come out only for Christmas dinner.  Some of those come from his family, some from mine and some I'm planning on having as new to both of us.  Which is risky since he's beyond picky about what food he will eat... so there'll be some of the old familiar foods presented in a new way.  Christmas 2013 is my chance to make a unique spot to fit into this new family.

Photo credit:  www.dailydawdle.com

For all the advance planning that goes into making Christmas such a beloved time of the year, I still think each holiday needs its own time and space to be enjoyed.  Sometimes I complain about the over-commercialization of them overrunning each other and having the Christmas decorations up for sale in stores before Halloween.  So while I may be plotting and planning and collecting ideas and recipes all year long... Christmas stays in the boxes until after the Thanksgiving turkey has had a few hours to digest.

No more snowy scenes until winter!  Summer should be enjoyed for what it is -- the time for playing in the water, s'mores round the firepit and burgers on the outdoor grill!!

Hydrangea Progression

It's the first time in my life I've ever lived in a climate where hydrangeas grow so I watched their development with utter delight.  They're very much waned and ready to be cut back now but I thought it would be fun to share how the blossoms progressed from bud through peak.  I love that the particular variety and soil conditions here produced flowers that are my absolute favorite color!

Budding: May 14, 2013

May 30, 2014

June 2, 2013

June 5, 2013

June 10, 2013

June 18, 2013

Their peak: June 27, 2013

Spare The Rod

I stumbled into a discussion amongst mothers the other day.  Some of them were spankers and others were aghast at the thought that anyone would ever think of spanking their child.  Somewhere amongst the back and forth about that, someone quoted the Bible verse we've all heard many times.

He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.         Proverbs 13:24

In conversational context that's often shortened to "spare the rod and spoil the child" and used by many Christian parents to justify spanking their kids.  I don't have kids, so in a sense I don't have a right to an opinion one way or the other on how other people choose to discipline theirs.  That doesn't mean I don't have an opinion, just that I'm going to keep it to myself because it isn't important to what I want to say here.  I will agree that seeing it as direction to discipline with spanking is, certainly, a possible interpretation of the verse.

One of the ladies in this discussion offered another idea about it.  Her position was that "rod" may have a whole different meaning here.  Consider these verses:

Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod.   Numbers 17:6

And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree.   1 Nephi 8:24

The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.  Proverbs 29:15

What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?  Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.  D&C 113:3-4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Psalms 23:4

And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life; which waters are a representation of the love of God; and I also beheld that the tree of life...  1 Nephi 11:25

Now I realize there are plenty of examples in the Bible that indicate a rod is an instrument of punishment.  But these verses show us that it is used in other ways, too.  Rod would seem to be a record keeping device, a guide, one who serves Christ...  I especially like the imagery from the last verse.

Rod = God's word = Holy Scriptures

Reread Proverbs 13:24 and the verse selections above with that in mind.  Could it be possible that sparing the rod might mean neglecting parental duties to teach a child moral values in the home?

“The home is the first and most effective place to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self control, the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home.”   David O. McKay

Children look to their mom and dad not just for basic survival care but to learn how to act as adults.  Parents are the first moral compass for their children and have those early formative years, the most most influential time of a child's life, pretty exclusively to begin laying the foundation for the thoughts, actions and attitudes of the adults they will become.

Now that's a monumental task!  And one that all of society should be interested in seeing parents accomplish successfully because the price of failure is so very high.

Kick the Bucket

No, this isn't some pronouncement about my impending death even though 'kick the bucket' is a common euphemism for that.  I have no plans on departing this existence anytime soon!  I was going more for an attention getting play on words to talk about these so-called Bucket Lists that everyone seems to have these days... did it work?  Or was I funny only in my own mind?

Do you have a Bucket List?

I never did until about a year ago.  Someone told me my imagination needed to be bigger so I thought I'd test out just how big I can dream and write a Bucket List of my own.  It's been a really difficult task for me!!  A 'Bucket List' is that list of 100 things you want to do, see, and accomplish before you die.  I've struggled with creating one and have well under 100 things listed STILL.  And since I did manage to accomplish a few of mine in the past year it kind of makes it feel like time to find more dreams to add to the list again and see if my imagination is growing.

None of these seem like the kind of change-the-world things I imagine other people doing, but here's some of what's currently on my bucket list:

• Write and successfully publish a novel.
• Write, illustrate and successfully publish a cookbook.
• Get a passport.
• Have some reasons to use it!
• Learn to use a handgun and get my permit.
• Learn to use the other 3 items in that 4-piece power tool set.
• Own 5 or more rental homes.
• Go white water rafting.
• Go snorkeling.
• Go to NYC for Christmas.
• Own a thriving coffee shop/market with reheat and eat at home foods.
• Earn a Master Gardener designation.
• Learn to fly fish.
• Go to New Orleans.
• Switch some electric appliances to solar-panel-on-the-roof powered.
• Own a totally tricked-out and restored classic car - something red and convertible!

There's more, but I'm also trying to find a 'filter' and not share EVERY thought that crosses my mind.

What are some things you've got on your Bucket List?