I can't say that if my school had it in a book I learned it. Far from it. I hated history, tolerated science, and wasted way too much time writing silly poems and letters to people. But I have realized that much of what I do know comes from books and not real life.
For example, my senior year of high school, my younger sister and I had the glorious (depending on who you ask will determine which adjective is used there) opportunity to work together. After a pay day, while we headed to the bank (in the next town), and my sister who was not yet driving pointed out a car, called it by name, and said "I wouldn't mind getting one of those one day." I was flabbergasted. My littler sister could recognize a car's name just by seeing it? Then she asked me what kind of car I wanted. Other than wanting one that didn't stall at stop signs and didn't require one foot on the brake and one on the gas to keep it running during such times, I really didn't care. Perhaps that is why I had never really paid attention to cars. But I felt like there was a whole chunk of life I was missing out on that she had caught.
It happened again in college, as kids from more advanced high schools would discuss current literature and newspaper articles. I felt totally lost, as if I were a child in a grown up's world. When I came home one weekend, my brother wanted to know exactly what I planned to do after college. When I told him I would live overseas and learn about other cultures and how to best tell them about Jesus, he harrumphed and told me I needed to learn my own culture first. That night he introduced me to a world I never knew existed - the race track.
And twice in the last month, it's happened again. I know that I don't see colors the same way other people do, and I never had the advantage of art classes growing up so am ignorant of the art fundamentals others know. But while showing a quilt to someone and while taking a quilting class the other day, both people talking said "Oh, it's in jewel tones." (one talking about the quilt and the other talking about material being used) I was clueless. Jewel tones? I understand the "spice colors" in quilting (greys, browns, blacks) and "earth tones" but jewel tones? I am SO out of the loop! Perhaps that is why I think brown and black match perfectly (but have been informed by a cousin, a niece, and a friend on facebook that they don't). I can simply chalk it up to another hole in my real-life education and go on with living.
I'm just a walking slice of swiss cheese. :)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
a thousand years = yesterday
Psalm 90:4
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
As a child I never understood this verse. The older I get, the more I comprehend how quickly time passes. Just this last week a friend commented that Disney's Arial/mermaid story is not classified as a "classic" or "antique" because it is officially 20 years old. WHAT? I remember when that came out! I was in college and we watched it in the dorm lounge and laughed because one of the girls had the poster up in her room and the residence hall monitor made a construction paper top and covered Arial's top half during room inspections and that was...20 years ago. Sometimes it still seems like yesterday.
And in the midst of all this reflection, I read Genesis 5 that talks about Enoch/Enos (depending on the translation) who "was not, for God took him." I've read that many a time, heard several sermons on it (Side Note: my favorite from age ten, hearing Connie Carriker's sermon at the Alabama State FWB meeting, where he was doing high kicks back and forth across the stage and pumping his arm with every point, and never missing a beat while yelling: "The Russians have their cosmonauts, the Americans have their astronauts, but we Christians should want to be the WASnots!" On the way home I told Dad that man was WAY fatter than him, so why didn't Dad whoop and holler like that while preaching? It would be much more exciting. My Dad just replied "Hhmmpph.") but as a child had always pondered why it was such a big deal to be taken at such an old age. Reading that passage through this time, along with a historical footnote or two about other historical documents (non-biblical) that dealt with the longevity, the flood, and the decreasing life spans, it made me realize that Enoch's life ended 1/3 earlier than most people. That would be like a 20 year old dying today.
Years ago when our friend Will died, a senior in college, our church grieved and hurt like nothing I had ever seen. It didn't help any that he was an only child. That pain is still very poignant for those who were very close to him, though nowhere near like it was. I remember the questions, the shaking of heads, the tears...such a fervent,Christ-filled life...suddenly gone...and so young! And yet, that was the way it was with Enoch. It suddenly gave me a different perspective on Will's death, as well as the death of 7 year old Lydia Byrd. Don't you think Enoch's friends and families felt the same way, even though he had lived many years? But God took him because "he walked with God." Even if I live to be 100, I hope my name will not be listed with just a date and the fact I had no children, but that my life will be so extra-ordinarily different that people will have to make note of it.
My mother-in-law made the statement recently that a long obituary really isn't necessary when a person dies, for people who know you will remember greatly how you impacted their lives and won't need to be reminded. I agree with her point. The things I remember about people are usually not what is mentioned in the obituary, but I also remember how important it was for me to have a clipping of my grandparents' obituaries in the paper. It was like learning about a secret life they had that I didn't know existed.
When I look at the time perspective, I'm certain the things I pester God with day in and day out seem like the petty whining of a child: it will all be irrelevant in a few years, which to him is just the blink of an eye. Which makes me wonder: do angels travel through time?
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
As a child I never understood this verse. The older I get, the more I comprehend how quickly time passes. Just this last week a friend commented that Disney's Arial/mermaid story is not classified as a "classic" or "antique" because it is officially 20 years old. WHAT? I remember when that came out! I was in college and we watched it in the dorm lounge and laughed because one of the girls had the poster up in her room and the residence hall monitor made a construction paper top and covered Arial's top half during room inspections and that was...20 years ago. Sometimes it still seems like yesterday.
And in the midst of all this reflection, I read Genesis 5 that talks about Enoch/Enos (depending on the translation) who "was not, for God took him." I've read that many a time, heard several sermons on it (Side Note: my favorite from age ten, hearing Connie Carriker's sermon at the Alabama State FWB meeting, where he was doing high kicks back and forth across the stage and pumping his arm with every point, and never missing a beat while yelling: "The Russians have their cosmonauts, the Americans have their astronauts, but we Christians should want to be the WASnots!" On the way home I told Dad that man was WAY fatter than him, so why didn't Dad whoop and holler like that while preaching? It would be much more exciting. My Dad just replied "Hhmmpph.") but as a child had always pondered why it was such a big deal to be taken at such an old age. Reading that passage through this time, along with a historical footnote or two about other historical documents (non-biblical) that dealt with the longevity, the flood, and the decreasing life spans, it made me realize that Enoch's life ended 1/3 earlier than most people. That would be like a 20 year old dying today.
Years ago when our friend Will died, a senior in college, our church grieved and hurt like nothing I had ever seen. It didn't help any that he was an only child. That pain is still very poignant for those who were very close to him, though nowhere near like it was. I remember the questions, the shaking of heads, the tears...such a fervent,Christ-filled life...suddenly gone...and so young! And yet, that was the way it was with Enoch. It suddenly gave me a different perspective on Will's death, as well as the death of 7 year old Lydia Byrd. Don't you think Enoch's friends and families felt the same way, even though he had lived many years? But God took him because "he walked with God." Even if I live to be 100, I hope my name will not be listed with just a date and the fact I had no children, but that my life will be so extra-ordinarily different that people will have to make note of it.
My mother-in-law made the statement recently that a long obituary really isn't necessary when a person dies, for people who know you will remember greatly how you impacted their lives and won't need to be reminded. I agree with her point. The things I remember about people are usually not what is mentioned in the obituary, but I also remember how important it was for me to have a clipping of my grandparents' obituaries in the paper. It was like learning about a secret life they had that I didn't know existed.
When I look at the time perspective, I'm certain the things I pester God with day in and day out seem like the petty whining of a child: it will all be irrelevant in a few years, which to him is just the blink of an eye. Which makes me wonder: do angels travel through time?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
off with a bang
What's the next best thing to actually DOING a project? Making plans for one!
There are TWO quilting events happening this week that I hope to participate in. One of them is a quilt show (where you go and dream and drool and clean most of the cash and cards out of your purse before you go), and the other is actually a lecture/demonstration at a quilt shop. After the lecture, if I decide the quilt pattern is something I like, then I can pay $5 for the pattern. At the end of the month, if I bring the completed quilt block into the store for the next lecture, then I get the next pattern free. At the end of the year, there should be enough quilt blocks pieced to add a border and make a decent-sized quilt. I may get there and decide that it's not something I wish to pursue.
BUT, last month on the way to the church's ladies' Christmas party, I got lost and found a fabric store in Clayton that I did not know existed. Since I was running late, I didn't stop and see if they were still open or what their hours were. And since then, I had forgotten about it. Today while meeting with old colleagues (two of whom are fellow quilters), one of them mentioned this shop. She had recently discovered it as well, and found out that is 2 years old. While their website isn't overly impressive, I was quite pleased with their pictures and class offerings. Hooray for new places to shop and dream! :)
And speaking of quilts, my latest is now posted on the quilt page.
There are TWO quilting events happening this week that I hope to participate in. One of them is a quilt show (where you go and dream and drool and clean most of the cash and cards out of your purse before you go), and the other is actually a lecture/demonstration at a quilt shop. After the lecture, if I decide the quilt pattern is something I like, then I can pay $5 for the pattern. At the end of the month, if I bring the completed quilt block into the store for the next lecture, then I get the next pattern free. At the end of the year, there should be enough quilt blocks pieced to add a border and make a decent-sized quilt. I may get there and decide that it's not something I wish to pursue.
BUT, last month on the way to the church's ladies' Christmas party, I got lost and found a fabric store in Clayton that I did not know existed. Since I was running late, I didn't stop and see if they were still open or what their hours were. And since then, I had forgotten about it. Today while meeting with old colleagues (two of whom are fellow quilters), one of them mentioned this shop. She had recently discovered it as well, and found out that is 2 years old. While their website isn't overly impressive, I was quite pleased with their pictures and class offerings. Hooray for new places to shop and dream! :)
And speaking of quilts, my latest is now posted on the quilt page.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
I am my mother's child.
I am my mother's child.
I like things organized.
I start to clean something, and get sidetracked.
It's very simple.
The Christmas wrapping paper needs to be put away.
The closet where it goes is a mess.
So you stop to clean that closet.
In the process, you have to take out the trash.
While taking out the trash, you stop to feed the chickens.
The chicken house needs a little cleaning, so you stop to do that.
When you finish, you gather the eggs and head to the kitchen.
In the kitchen you realize the Christmas dishes need to be put away.
One of them is dirty in the sink.
So you wash dishes.
And then it's time for lunch.
At lunch you see the bills on table and go to put some of them in the mailbox.
On the way to the front door and the mailbox you see the open closet.
It still needs to be cleaned.
Sometimes I am amazed that I ever finish anything.
And I cannot comprehend why adults do not like Laura Numerhoff's books. They are definitely a reflection of my life.
I like things organized.
I start to clean something, and get sidetracked.
It's very simple.
The Christmas wrapping paper needs to be put away.
The closet where it goes is a mess.
So you stop to clean that closet.
In the process, you have to take out the trash.
While taking out the trash, you stop to feed the chickens.
The chicken house needs a little cleaning, so you stop to do that.
When you finish, you gather the eggs and head to the kitchen.
In the kitchen you realize the Christmas dishes need to be put away.
One of them is dirty in the sink.
So you wash dishes.
And then it's time for lunch.
At lunch you see the bills on table and go to put some of them in the mailbox.
On the way to the front door and the mailbox you see the open closet.
It still needs to be cleaned.
Sometimes I am amazed that I ever finish anything.
And I cannot comprehend why adults do not like Laura Numerhoff's books. They are definitely a reflection of my life.
Monday, January 2, 2012
I'm in a hurry.
Today while running errands, we came out from a store to find a lady had parked 1/2 over into the wheelchair lines beside our parking space. Had it been just 1/4 of the way over, I would have tried to lift Bobby's chair up over the edge of the ramp. My neck and head (which have hurt the last 2 days) were thankful that was not an option today. This place is fairly busy and has a lot of teen drivers, so it's not one of those parking lots where I feel comfortable stooping over and attempting to correctly use the van's hand controls to back the van out and pulling the lift down. I headed inside to Customer Service with the make and tag number and a request to page the owner. Would you believe the girl didn't want to do it? "We only use the paging system for missing children and elderly." I responded (a little but huffily) "You have a customer in a wheelchair who cannot leave because someone has illegally parked." The manager came up about that time, and she gladly paged the person. The lady was nice about it, moved her Tahoe without speaking to Bobby, then got out and said "I'm in a hurry."
I understand being in a hurry. I really and truly do. But she obviously has NO CLUE how many times we've been forced to wait (and usually in inclement weather) because people are always in a hurry and park inappropriately. They have NO IDEA what it's like for everything in life, even the simple act of getting in a van, to take longer than normal because of a wheelchair. They are clueless that getting up in the morning, or eating, or shopping, always takes longer with a wheelchair and paralysis. We have even less available time than the average person. So when an able-bodied person tells us "I'm in a hurry", I want to throw something at them.
It's a very good thing that God did not put me in charge of earthly punishments. Being the vindictive person that I am, I would punish every idiot who has ever parked illegally in a handicap spot or zone with two months of paralysis. I'd like for them to see how important and necessary those spots, and especially those striped "wasted spaces" truly are.
And that's my soap box for today.
I understand being in a hurry. I really and truly do. But she obviously has NO CLUE how many times we've been forced to wait (and usually in inclement weather) because people are always in a hurry and park inappropriately. They have NO IDEA what it's like for everything in life, even the simple act of getting in a van, to take longer than normal because of a wheelchair. They are clueless that getting up in the morning, or eating, or shopping, always takes longer with a wheelchair and paralysis. We have even less available time than the average person. So when an able-bodied person tells us "I'm in a hurry", I want to throw something at them.
It's a very good thing that God did not put me in charge of earthly punishments. Being the vindictive person that I am, I would punish every idiot who has ever parked illegally in a handicap spot or zone with two months of paralysis. I'd like for them to see how important and necessary those spots, and especially those striped "wasted spaces" truly are.
And that's my soap box for today.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
a holiday wrap-up
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| the finished project (my birthday puzzle) |
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| and the cool non-straight borders :) |
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| We got a new surprise this weekend! One of our youngest hens laid an egg! She wasn't supposed to start laying until spring, so we were quite surprised! (it's the tiny one on the left). Can't wait to see if she lays any more! |
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| Sally and Thumper |
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| We took advantage of the warm weather and put the rabbits out for some exercise. The chickens were most curious, and at one point we had almost all the birds around the old dog pen checking out the new animals. |
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| Thumper taking in all the smells and sounds. |
Friday, December 30, 2011
jigsaw puzzles
One of my favorite things about being with family over the holidays, is the ability to work jigsaw puzzles with people who love the insanity as much as I do. (Well, my siblings do complain about the ones I bring, but they've yet to start bringing other options so I think they secretly love the challenge.) Last night at my mother-in-law's house I looked at my watch at 8pm, and then when Bobby said we needed to go and I looked at my watch it was almost 11pm. I was totally flabbergasted.
Tonight will end the last of our Christmas celebrations, and a small part of me is ready to get back to a routine and normalcy. The other part of me feels as if this holiday season has been one emotional roller coaster and I would love a check-out time from reality and life to just emotionally recharge. And yet I know that life, like puzzles, work best if you take small breaks but keep working toward completion, even if you do feel like you're the missing piece (that your brother stashed in his pocket and took home until the next day) and nothing is ever correctly finished because of you.
Meanwhile, I'm not sure which I like best: borderless puzzles, or puzzles with countless objects inside the picture. We've done both the last two weeks. Straight color scenes/backgrounds continue to be my non-favorite. And if I ever get our last bag unpacked, I might actually post pictures of some of our holiday projects.
Tonight will end the last of our Christmas celebrations, and a small part of me is ready to get back to a routine and normalcy. The other part of me feels as if this holiday season has been one emotional roller coaster and I would love a check-out time from reality and life to just emotionally recharge. And yet I know that life, like puzzles, work best if you take small breaks but keep working toward completion, even if you do feel like you're the missing piece (that your brother stashed in his pocket and took home until the next day) and nothing is ever correctly finished because of you.
Meanwhile, I'm not sure which I like best: borderless puzzles, or puzzles with countless objects inside the picture. We've done both the last two weeks. Straight color scenes/backgrounds continue to be my non-favorite. And if I ever get our last bag unpacked, I might actually post pictures of some of our holiday projects.
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