Fanciful Quilts

For sometime now, my Beloved husband Riley & I have read Proverbs almost daily. Sometimes we'd miss a day or two, but for the most part it has become a daily ritual. For over two months, Riley has been working in Iraq - and email became the communication of choice to continue the daily reading of Proverbs. Today a verse from the 27 th Proverb caught my attention..... V21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives. Our son recently created a website he named " ChristRoom " and as a result of sending out information to various churches & to the local newspaper, he was interviewed...and what a nice interview it was..... http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/oh/story/living/religion-faith/2008/04/25/ddn042608lifefaith.html And from this, I thought about the word praise...it can lift one's spirits beyond measure - and yet, the humble receive it quietly and God smiles. I wrote that in an email to Riley - al...

Errand day. At first I thought I should walk - especially with the price of gasoline nowadays. Ah - but common sense prevailed. One particular place is over 5 miles from the apartment. Nope, not even on a good day. Maybe in a few weeks I can manage that on my bicycle.... While driving, I had a million thoughts roaming around. Lots of people walking. Some with kids, some old, some young, a few with canes, a few with shopping carts.... And looking closely, I noted a very odd thing. What most of these folks had in common - no one smiled. Save one. One person. Of all the people I saw standing, sitting, or walking - one person with a smile. Imagine the odds. It was a brief sight...nothing spectacular other that that smile. She was alone - standing by a bus stop (so I imagine she was waiting for the city bus) and was leaning on a cane...and smiling. Suddenly, all was right with the world. Just in that one brief moment I felt God's hand touch me, touch that lovely lady - and...

Two days ago I completed a quilt....and posted this photo to an online quilting group I joined over a year ago. Several favorable comments were received...and instinctively I knew which members would take the time to say "good job" or words to that effect. And then it hit me...the need we all have for affirmation - for someone to say "good job" - that pat on the back - just to let us know that what we did matters. Then I started to think about this need for affirmation - and thus began .... Who am I? I'm a person who is trying to get to know God. I finally admitted that a relationship with Him is something that I really want. This means putting more effort in getting to know who He really is through his Word, the bible. I am a wife. A wife to a man whom I dearly love more each day. Not only do I love him, I admire him. And I am his beloved. I'm a mom. Two grown children and one grown nephew. A mom who is a much better mom than years ago - and as I get older,...

It occurred to me last night that love takes on many forms. There's love for God, love for family, tough love (which I've never understood), love for friends, love for a pet, love for a hobby, love for one's country .... and then there's simply God's greatest commandment - love. Love is a complex word. How many times have we said "love you" when we end a conversation? How many times have we said "I love that car"? Or "I really love that gift you sent"? Overused? Perhaps. Underused? Way too many times. While Riley is overseas, I sign my emails "From Your Beloved"....and that evokes an emotion every single time. Love you for doing what you believe in doing is not only right but approved by God, love you because I know what you feel for your family and country - and love you for the man you are right now and love you for the man you'll be tomorrow. I tell my grown children "love you" when we talk to each o...

I would venture to say that there are not many marriages today where one can say, I have found my soul mate for life, my other half, the one who makes me complete. I've been that blessed - I did find my soul mate for life thirty-six plus years ago...and he still makes me smile in the darkest of moments. He is my anchor, my sanity-check, my friend, my hero and my love. About two weeks ago, my beloved took a job overseas - a deep desire he's had for quite some time. We talked many days and weeks about this job ....what it would mean to him, how it may affect the family, how he had faith that all will work out as it's meant to be. Seven plus years ago we purchased a building downtown and it's been the home of a chess club - a haven for many chess players. While he's been away, I have come to realize just how much work my beloved has done in addition to working eight to ten hours a day at his "real" job - all those extra hours promoting chess, working ang...

It's been well past a month now since I entered into retirement world. I don't believe that anyone truly knows what they will do once they enter the R world. Oh, we have our grandiose ideas - we'll write, we'll paint, we'll learn to play the cello. One morning you wake up and realize you didn't have to hit the snooze alarm even once nor complain bitterly about getting out in the cold, scraping the ice off the windshield and nor did you wonder could you possibly just call in sick - just this one day. It's like a long vacation - only you get a little giddy knowing that it doesn't end in 13 hours. Writing, painting, playing the cello - it can happen but there's no rush to do it right now. What really amazes me is this: I've learned quite a few things in the past month. I've learned our son has a wonderful talent with websites. He has several websites - but one remains his passion. He has been able to guide his father & I to successfully upd...

Friday the 30th of November marked my final day at work. Thirty-one years plus and that part of my life is in the past. The luncheon held for me on the 27th of November was wonderful. Both our children were there and with them, our grandchildren. Son-in-law couldn't make it due to work commitments and we missed his wonderful smiles. My only regret is that neither my parents nor Riley's parents could make it to the ceremony. Most of the event passed by in a blur other than one particular segment. Wonderful husband that he is, Riley presented me with roses - each rose with a special meaning. The picture I will carry with me always will be of our two grandchildren carrying a very long box with roses down to the area where I stood to receive my retirement certificate, an award plus some wonderful gifts. Ethan & Rheya struggled together to carry that lightweight box and it was the most beautiful sight of all. While watching them struggle down the "aisle", the...

I've read that it takes 21 days to make a habit become part of your life... twenty-one days. To put it to the test, today marks Day #2 of getting up at 4am, dressing in my very elegant walking clothes, searching under the bed for the shoes - and hoping that I have a somewhat clean pair of white socks to wear with them - and riding the elevator to the basement where the instruments of torture (aka treadmills) awaits both my dear husband Riley and me. I have already gained some valuable insight - and this is only Day #2. First, one can really get dressed, press the correct button on the elevator, and actually step on the treadmill and walk about 1/4 of a mile before one wakes up. Second, I cannot fanthom that anyone really looks forward to getting up at 4am to do something such as this. Third, looking in the mirror to detect any changes in the body is only wishful thinking - not even 21 days is going to change that. And finally, fourth - scales can destroy following through go...

Today marks the end of a four-day "vacation" for me. I hadn't intended to take off Friday, but the opportunity to do so presented itself when son asked if I wouldn't mind babysitting Thursday evening. What grandmother could say no. The evening was delightful and I learned a few things. NEVER give an almost-three year old a choice of what he/she would like to do. Feed the ducks or go to McDonalds. Lesson #1 learned. I got out the stroller, the little man rode while grandma hoofed it down a couple of blocks to McDonalds. Lesson #2 - always follow through. When I decided it was time to go, grandson was having the time of his life, climbing up, around & sliding down the various slides in the indoor playground. After being told sweetly, "no grandma, I like it up here", I then delivered the ultimatum "either you come down now or I will find a way to come up and get you and I do believe in spanking". Thank God I didn't have to follow thr...

It's official. The MRI showed absolutely NO cancer cells. Zip, zilch, zero, NONE. Simply put, I was stunned. The surgeon flipped through my chart, looking at the mammogram report, then the 2 ultrasound reports - and again at the MRI results. Frankly - a miracle. While he would like another MRI in six months, medical insurance would never agree to it. He settled on another mammogram in six months - and back to the routine of yearly checks. While I was stunned, darling husband was not. To the surgeon's immense pleasure, my dearest friend danced around in the examining room. Later, it hit me. He was my rock during these past couple of months. Whatever resulted, WE would handle it. And if he could, he'd do it by himself. Until many hours later, I realized how these past few months were for him - yet, I didn't know it. How many of us have spouses who would gladly carry others' burdens - without a question, complaint or whimper. Not many. I know this deep...

The saga continues. On Tuesday the 8th of August I had a high contrast MRI. In retrospect, it's quite an interesting exam. One has to be sure that all metals are removed from the body. For most of us, that simply means rings, watches, earrings & necklaces. For a few of us, it means body piercings. There was the momentary pause when I was asked "Do you have any hidden body piercings?" Hidden body piercings?? Good Lord - there really are such things???? I'm sure my "no" came out as "uhhhh ... no??" I'm sure the technician was thinking "Oh yeah , this one is a real live wire". I had opted to wear a pair of cargo pants - no zippers - sandals and a sleeveless top - most of which I got to wear during the MRI (surprise - bras have underwires - now there's a picture I can't get out of my head had I been able to keep it on during the MRI). A short IV was inserted. Now that's very comforting. A short vs long IV. Fr...

Today I accompanied my dear husband for a doctor's appointment - on the off chance the ultrasound came back. Always nice when husband & wife share the same doctor. Granted, this "short term" ultrasound was done just yesterday - but the word 'rush' was used, right? Sure enough, the results were back. I really do hate the 'good news, bad news' routine, but it seems appropriate. Good news is - the "spot" (what do we call it?) has not grown. Bad news it - it doesn't fit the "profile" of a cyst nor a breast lesion. Profile? What is a profile? A profile is appropriate for say - a guy who breaks into houses & makes himself a sandwich before he robs the place blind. That's a profile. How does something so small have a "profile"? I imagine this tiny cell, searching for his identity to make himself a name. At any rate, our family doctor has already made an appointment for me to see a surgeon on the 22nd of August. Now, ...

Several months ago (three to be exact - but who's counting??), I suffered through a mammogram (routine) and shortly thereafter, an ultrasound (not routine). The ultrasound pinpointed something "suspicious" but not "overly suspicious". Is this like - being kinda sorta pregnant? Today, the followup ultrasound took place. Outwardly, just another ultrasound - pictures taken just in that one area. Inwardly, lots of "what ifs". The technician was very good but had to be reminded several times to ease up on the glider (she tends to "get into" her work). Frankly, I didn't see what was so fascinating on the screen that distracted her from ensuring the pressure was light. Shortly thereafter, she called the radiologist (only several rooms down the hallway) to let him (her?) know the pictures were on the way. There's technology - and then there's technology. Several rooms down the hall and she emails the results? Maybe the radiologi...

Today DH and I celebrated the Fourth by watching a home town parade - with grandson as the main attraction. There is nothing like watching a parade through an almost-three-year old. He danced, he waved his small flag - and he constantly tested the don't-go-in-the-street rule. Dad was there too, along with grandson's other grandparents plus a friend of his other grandmom's; it was a great experience. I missed seeing our daughter-in-law who had to work. Thousands of people sat in chairs and stood up whenever a group marched by with the American flag. Marching bands - cheerleaders - a few floats - and lots more various bands who were transported by trucks pulling flatbeds - and lots of advertisers took advantage of promoting their businesses. After the parade, son, grandson, DH & I walked for at least a mile, looking at the various vendors. The highlight of the walk was the most elaborate outdoor "porty-potty" I have ever seen. No sirree - not your typic...

Yesterday evening, my dear husband (fondly known in print as DH) delivered the Saturday evening message at church. Along with several other men, he's been attending weekly mentoring sessions with our pastor. From what I gather, the pastor's goal is to mentor & teach so if the opportunity so arises, these men can deliver the message at Saturday evening services. DH delivered the message for the first time the previous Saturday. It's taken me a little bit of time to digest the fact that (1), he did it well and (2) there was a sense of right when he delivered it. The fact he did it well did not surprise me. When the Holy Spirit calls and is within you, you have no choice but take care of the task at hand in a pleasing manner. The sense of right when he delivered the message is a struggle for me. What if God has called him to the ministry? What if God's plan takes us on a new course of action? Now this is a large piece of life to struggle with - for me, at an...

This morning one of the many emails I received contained a link to an U-Tube video. I'm not a huge fan of U-Tube but as this dear lady posted "I am proud of our service men and women", I knew I had to watch it. It is a simple video with beautiful photos and a haunting music track. Air Force, Navy, Marines, Army - all these men & women simply doing their jobs so we can continue to have the freedom we've taken for granted. We live in a country that allows each of us to express our views publicly. We live in a country that allows freedom to worship without fear. We live in a country that generously helps other countries fight against tyranny and repression. Yet, the gratefulness is not expressed through the written and spoken news media. I don't think I will ever understand how anyone can say this war is wrong and we shouldn't be there. Just ask our deployed soldiers - many of whom are on their 2nd and 3rd tour - why they're there. This video pre...

On the 16th of June, a pre-Father's Day picnic was thoroughly enjoyed by myself, dear husband, my sister, dear son and his son. Three generations of men - but for me, the attention was focused shamelessly on our grandson. We held the picnic at Riverscape - a beautifully landscaped area next to the Miami River (not the most picturesque river - but it is moving water and it does hold a strange fascination for ducks). One of Riverscape's attractions is a unique "square" of shooting fountains - perhaps twelve of them. At times, all twelve fountains shoot straight up - and then one by one, turn off - and then they come back again, one at a time - or two. You just don't figure it out - you just merely hope you can run through it when it's dormant. Grandson managed to do it once and claimed victory by jumping up and down with his hands raised. Such a glorious victory dance for an almost-three-year old. The second attraction is the little fast food shack that h...

On Thursday, the 7th of June, sis & I loaded up a rental car at 9:00AM and started the long drive to Oshkosh, WI. Oshkosh is home for a multitude of our relatives: mom, dad, brother and his wife, several nephews, a niece and her husband and aunts & uncles. The purpose for this trip was to attend our nephew's wedding - our brother's oldest son. Several months of emails went back & forth about the wedding - and it resulted in just sis and I going as my dear husband had a chess tournament to run during the weekend. Four hundred and seventy-three miles is a long trip to make - and sis does not drive. As I get older, I find the driving a little more tedious than in years past. I had made a quick trip to the library to stock up on music CDs and books on CD. This helped a little - but I noticed that we made more frequent stops than previous trips. An older woman once told me that her solution to long trips was to first pray for a safe trip and would ask God to show her som...

Yesterday I blundered. While that in itself isn't unusual for me, it made a powerful impact on a coworker - and for that, it will take awhile for the apology to take root and grow. Several weeks ago, our team (a mighty group of four individuals) became adrift in a sea of bureaucracy. Our supervisor was promoted out of our lives. The five of us were quite a team - each with his/her own competencies that enabled us to do quite well - and we produced some spectacular programs and policies. Then the five became four. Management decided the four of us would rotate in leading the small team - if the plan suited. It did. My rotation was to be last; I'm much more comfortable in a support role - not in a leading role (although my dear husband would argue quite convincingly I am wrong). And here the blunder slowly took root. First the dynamics of the team of four need to be described. I'm completely and utterly retirement eligible - and have been since the 26th of February when I ...

Today I participated in a 5K walk/run - and I found that striving to come in first, second or third isn't necessary anymore. Today I walked with a friend - and we talked. She cautioned me twice to slow down - and after the 2nd mile, I really appreciated the caution. While it was hot & humid and others passed us by, I realized that a slower pace was a pleasure. I saw several geese flying overhead. I heard birds scolding one another - and prayed that they would be not plotting to cover either one of our heads with little white presents. When the wind blew gently by (at least once, I'm sure of it), it felt wonderful. And we talked and talked - and every so often, we just quietly enjoyed the walk. My friend became a grandmother about 5 months ago...and so now we have grandchildren in common. I learned more about her in that 50 minutes than all of the past six or more years we have spent together in the office. She's one of the most positive people I have ever encou...