Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Winter night


On a cold winter night
Do you cuddle and dream
With that sweet thoughtful
Lad drinking cocoa and cream?
Do you sit with the cat
Warm with fur sparkled purrs
Does the pine-scented candlelight
Make you feel more secure?
On a cold winter night
Does your family feel close?
Or are you away from the ones
You love most?
On a cold winter night do you
Smell mincemeat pie?
So do I



I hope you are going to have a Merry Christmas-Making plan to visit with family, or planning some fun activities. together.

For Thanksgiving each year, I go with my husband to the Christian Science Church for a Thanksgiving service. This year they had a new hymn, which caught my interest
One line in particular inspired me
“All things are mine
Since I am His.
How can I keep from singing?”-Robert Lowery

When we think of all the good and sweet things we have been blessed with, how can we keep from singing? How can we accept the happiness we have without wanting to share?
The December Ensign quotes President Dieter F. Uchtdorf; “Disciples of Christ throughout all ages of the world have been distinguished by their compassion…. In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers. (“Happiness, Your Heritage,” Ensign Nov. 2008)

I have found it interesting since I’ve been on Face Book, how many times, when a comment was made about a person’s health, or family troubles; friends will say “We’ll be praying for you”. “How can I help?” So when my sister told me her daughter had her baby last night and that he needed heart surgery immediately; I asked my face book friends to pray. I asked them if they knew anyone in Philadelphia who might be able to help a young family in need. The replies were quick , loving, and welcome.
A truck hit a young boy getting off the bus in my hometown. The prayers and help for both families were immediate and heart warming.
A local New Mexico teacher needing a bone marrow transplant was an inspiration to many years worth of students to do a fund raising auction to collect money just to register him for a bone marrow search.
There are people in our neighborhoods who could use a hug, a smile , a friend. There are may ways we can all join in “Singing” and sharing our love and good fortune with those around us.
Merry Christmas and
Keep Singing! And Praying! Share your spirit.

Ps. 81: 1
1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Serendipity


Serendipity

Dark.
Light.
Medium.
Triangles, circles, squares
Blend together to make my quilt.
A pattern emerges from my many fabrics—
A pattern different from the one I imagined
When I planned my quilt.
Like my quilt,
My life
Changes patterns as I grow.
Moving from small town
To big city,
To small town,
To bigger city,
I change.
My quilt is the sum of many pieces,
My life of many parts.
Life’s plans,
Heart’s woes,
Experiences
Made me.


Lydia's words

I'm frittering away eternity
And I cannot say why.
I'm sitting eating strawberries
And making pumpkin pie
I think that I should make a plan..
Make earth a better place.
What other dreams can I fulfill?
Besides feeding my face?




SPRING

One, Two,
Dirt on my shoe--
Three, Four,
My thumbs are sore

Five, Six
Pull up dead sticks—
Seven, Eight
Repaint the gate—
Nine, Ten—
It’s Spring again



Cosmos

Somewhere out in the Cosmos
Is someone's mother
Floating
Pondering
Wondering
How's the new program going?
How did your day go?
Frightening?
Exciting?
Enticing?
How many children came?
Did they enjoy the game?
Boring?
Exploring?
Imploring?
I feel I'm out of touch
My poetry's not much
Needs working
Knee jerking
Teacher lurking



Finding Joy Looking Through my Window

I use to be
An independent woman.
I could drive to the store
Or go shopping in another town.
I could walk through the hills,
Or sit in my garden, pulling weeds.
The whole neighborhood seemed to walk by
In the evenings, laughing, chatting, waving hello.

I live in the city now.
I’m afraid to drive.
Familiar places are hard to find,
Too far to go.
Down long empty halls,
Life happens behind closed doors.
Walking down the stairs with fire alarms Blaring
Give a chance to say hello to strangers.

I planted flowers.
I have sixty two boxes on my terrace.
I can still grow weeds to pull.
I ask strangers for ten random words
To write poetry .
I sit on the plaza with a book and discuss
Favorite authors with other readers.
I watch children laughing.

I sit in my room
Looking out my window.
The cats and I watch the birds strutting
Along the terrace, eating my tomatoes.
I watch the construction workers building;
Laying bricks and setting beams,
I am reinventing me.
I am an
Independent woman

Monday, November 9, 2009

Whimsey



BRUTAL EDITING

There is too much stuff
Cluttering my life—
Angry Thoughts,
Words I’ve yelled and wish I could
Take back
Deeds I’ve left undone.
I need to do some brutal editing
And leave some room for sunshine.


Autumn

When I look into
the cloudy sky--
White caps in the blue,
I think of sailboats
In the sea.
The waves churning with the wind.
I imagine gulls sailing
Above the water,
The music of their calling,
A harsh note in the
Beauty of the day.
It makes me wish
That I could fly.


Faith

Somewhere the music
Is playing
But I can’t hear it.
My windows
Are closed.
The radio is off.
I am alone in the room.
But somewhere
I know
The music is playing.
It makes me
Want to sing.



Comfort
I shouldn’t take comfort in chocolate
I know it’s not good for my health.
But think of those children I’m aiding
By helping Hershey’s amass wealth.


Lost
I’m here.
It’s been nearly a year
And I’m still out of my comfort zone.
This country mouse has moved to the big city.
My friends all think this is exciting.
They wish they we here;
Me too
Strength, Love, Endurance, Hope,
Are all words I use to know.
I left them,
Back home.


Lucid
Lucid is my favorite word,
Most times because I’m not
‘Specially at 12 a.m.
When numbing sleep I’ve sought

Forever
Forever is a long, long time.
For the hopeless and the weak
What can I do
How can I help
To succor those
Who seek

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

King of the Mountain




My cat is driving me crazy. For some reason she has the impression that she is the king of the mountain, and I am the mountain. She not only decides when we are going to bed, but in what position. At 9:30 I am supposed to be lying on my side, on the edge of the bed with the quilt up to my chin. Anything else brings loud complaints. Have you ever met anyone who thinks his or her way is the only way?
The Relief Society lesson for November is supposed to be chosen from the October conference talks. I remember, as a teenager being upset that the boys got to have their own session. Afterwards, they got to have a piece of pie. What secret things were they being told that we girls didn’t get to know about? I even remember driving down to the church one night to sit in the dark, under the open windows to listen to these special secrets. Well, there wasn’t anything special or different from the other sessions of conference.
Now we can read or listen to the Priesthood session of conference a few days later. But I always make sure to read it, just in case.
This year I read the address given by President Monson, “School Thy Feelings, Oh My Brother” Where he talked about anger and how it can affect our lives. He said,
”Many years ago I read the following Associated Press dispatch which appeared in the newspaper: An elderly man disclosed at the funeral of his brother, with whom he had shared, from early manhood, a small, one-room cabin near Canisteo, New York, that following a quarrel, they had divided the room in half with a chalk line, and neither had crossed the line or spoken a word to the other since that day—62 years before. Just think of the consequence of that anger. What a tragedy!”
I remember that as a child, my sister and I had a disagreement. We too divided our room, and bed in half and said, “You can’t come over on my side!” It didn’t last very long because one of us couldn’t get out of the room, and the other one couldn’t put on any clothes.
I have a cousin who told me once that there was so much anger and bad feelings in her family when they were growing up that it had taken her till she was 50 before she could even stand to be in the same house with them. I am so grateful that my sister and brothers and I have a loving relationship. They are my best friends.
President Monson continued, “May we make a conscious decision, each time such a decision must be made, to refrain from anger and to leave unsaid the harsh and hurtful things we may be tempted to say.”
I think many times when we are cut off in traffic or other times when someone hurts our feelings they are like my cat—They think they are king of the mountain and what they want is most important. My prayer is that we can be patient and forgiving and a good example. As the hymn says,
“School thy feelings, O my brother;
Train thy warm, impulsive soul.
Do not its emotions smother,
But let wisdom’s voice control.
School thy feelings; there is power
In the cool, collected mind.
Passion shatters reason’s tower,
Makes the clearest vision blind.”
School Thy Feelings by Charles Penrose.

Chills





The flowers of spring
Have all gone to sleep
The leaves piling up
In gutters so deep
The night skies are cloudy and grey
And I know
It won’t be long now
Before we have snow
A November chill
Dropped on us today
I’m afraid that cold weather
Will soon come to stay
But do you remember?
When getting older was fun?
When thinking of winter
Made us laugh and run?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Mother daughter poems



It's rainy and cold in the desert today
And most of my loved ones are far far away.
I want to curl up by the fire with you
But I must walk along
And try not to be blue.
I'll smile
And hope that you're thinking of me.
With our feet in the surf of a warm
Ocean lea.




It's sunny and bright in the city today.
I wish you were here and we could go play.
We'd romp through the streets
Singing songs with the birds
They'd sing the tune and we'd
Sing the words.
We'd stop for a cocoa
Because it's still cold
Go to a museum and
See paintings old.
But you are out West
So far, far away
And I with my needle and thread have to play
xox

Thursday, October 1, 2009


I had a fun vacation in San Francisco and New Mexico. I hope you had a nice month as well. I got to spend some time with a cousin, who I have not known very well. Because of some talks I have given in church lately, I asked her why she doesn’t go to church any more. She was really sweet about it and told me that after she finished her mission she wondered why a God who was supposed to love us would let bad things happen to us. If He were all-powerful why would he let his children, whom he loved be hurt? I wanted to ask her if, as a parent, wouldn’t she let her child try to walk, even knowing he would fall, rather than carrying him everywhere for his whole life? Many times as parents we have to cringe and let our children try out things for themselves instead of doing it for them. This makes sense to me. But my cousin doesn’t have children

The Sunday I was in New Mexico the Sunday school lesson was about Joseph Smith and his murder at Liberty jail. He knew it was going to happen and went anyway. He said, “I go like a lamb to the slaughter” (D&C 135:4) The teacher, then asked us “Would we die for Christ?” Then as we have been asked before “Would we live for Christ?” But her most important question for me in the lesson was “Are you willing to grieve?” Are you willing to accept the hard learning experience in life in order to gain all that God has waiting for us? She asked a sister who lost everything she owned in a fire in 2000 if she had gained more than she had lost in this experience. Yes, she was assured. “Are you sure? Yes! She asked other class members by name, who had lost family members to illness, who had medical conditions of their own. “Are you willing to grieve? Can you see your blessings? Are you sure?

The next, Sunday, after I had returned to Arlington, I went to a Relief Society lesson that continued my odyssey. Andrea Watkins gave a lesson on two conference talks by Richard C. Scott. He said, “He (God) therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain.

When you face adversity, you can be led to ask many questions. Some serve a useful purpose; others do not. To ask, Why does this have to happen to me? Why do I have to suffer this, now? What have I done to cause this? will lead you into blind alleys. It really does no good to ask questions that reflect opposition to the will of God. Rather ask, What am I to learn from this experience? What am I to change? Who am I to help? How can I remember my many blessings in times of trial? Willing sacrifice of deeply held personal desires in favor of the will of God is very hard to do. Yet, when you pray with real conviction, 'Please let me know Thy will' and 'May Thy will be done,' you are in the strongest position to receive the maximum help from your loving Father.

You are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you. The tempering effect of patience is required. Some blessings will be delivered here in this life; others will come beyond the veil. The Lord is intent on your personal growth and development. That progress is accelerated when you willingly allow Him to lead you through every growth experience you encounter, whether initially it be to your individual liking or not. When you trust in the Lord, when you are willing to let your heart and your mind be centered in His will, when you ask to be led by the Spirit to do His will, you are assured of the greatest happiness along the way and the most fulfilling attainment from this mortal experience. If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you."April 1996 General Conference talk

As a quilter I know that darks and lights in my quilt make it more interesting. So it is with life.

Yesterday I went to see a new dentist to see about having a tooth pulled. While discussing my health and personal history, he asked me what anti depressant I was on. I said none. He said,” How can you live with all the things that have happened in your life?” I smiled, and said “I write poetry.”

I am grateful that the Lord trusts me enough to help me stretch and grow closer to him
Have a good month.

Happy Birthday

OCTOBER

October sights
Of red and gold
October sounds
Are crisp and bold
October smells
So tart and sweet
October trails
As seasons meet
October moon
The brightest glow
A hunter moon
The days all slow
October road to inspiration

Tuesday, September 1, 2009



We just got a new computer last month and I’ve had fun finding new things to do on it. I was exploring I tunes radio stations and found one called Gospel Twang and I liked it. I was trying to figure out why. I decided there are two reasons. First it reminded me of Elvis singing gospel songs. Secondly, we use to have a trio of guys In Mutual (my day’s YMYW). they played guitar, banjo, and fiddle for our meetings.
I guess that even though I had a rather boring youth, I had a pretty good time. At least there were things to look back on fondly. Listening to “Gospel Twang” reminds me of it, and recharges my batteries.

Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles teaches us, “Spiritual nourishment is just as important as a balanced diet to keep us strong and healthy. We nourish ourselves spiritually by partaking of the sacrament weekly, reading the scriptures daily, and praying daily in personal and family prayer. Our spiritual strengths are like batteries; they need to be charged and frequently recharged.” So how are you charging your batteries?

I like to listen to Gospel music, whether it’s the Tabernacle Choir or Elvis. I like reading Gerald Lund novels. I like taking hot bubble baths and writing Sacrament meeting talks in my head in case I’m ever asked. I’ve been doing it for ten years and finally got asked in August. And I was prepared!

One of the songs on the Gospel Twang station was “In The Garden”. I’ve loved that song since I was young. I had a sister in the ward play it on her violin, for my husband’s funeral in 1976. In 1991, on his birthday, another sister in another ward played it for my son’s funeral. I can picture them walking away together in Heaven’s garden whenever I hear that song.

My mom, an avid gardener, use to quote, “You’re closer to God in a garden, than any place else on earth.” I will always have a garden to work in, even if it’s only a potted plant on the balcony, or a piece of bamboo wedged into a container of water with small black river rocks.
I hope you have a good month and find some soul charging experiences. I’m heading out to San Francisco to see my cousin that I only remember meeting three times, and then back to New Mexico to see my daughter and dad.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

What do you remember?


I wrote my poem for September ending with a question. My sister sent her answer. What's yours.



September Joy

What brings you joy
When you think of September?

What makes you dance
In the streets, in the fall?
Is it Indian Summer?
Or going to School?
The leaves red and amber
The nights turning cool?
Apple pie warm and spicy
The last day at the pool?

What brings you joy?
Tell me what you remember.


Turquoise blue skies behind amber gold leaves
White bars of Aspen from dry grassy sheaves
Red-sweatered children near mom and dad's hand
Pic-nic rejoicing in family and land

Saturday, August 1, 2009

It's August Already!

It’s August. It’s hard to believe that for many students school is just weeks away.
I always loved the fall. I was excited to see who’s class I would be in; who my classmates would be; and what we would learn that year. In elementary school that only lasted a week or two. Then I was excited for Friday to come and we could have a couple of days off. I was reminiscing with my daughter today and she says she feels the same way. For the month before school started each year she would pack and unpack her backpack of supplies every day in anticipation. The year she was going to start middle school she and her dad would ride up to the school to peek in the windows, she was so excited.
Even this year, as her last year of college approaches, she got one of her class books early and is reading it.
One of my son’s friends recently reported that the school some of his children attend has lost their principal, and the band director. However the band plays on. The Marching Band students, knowing that competitions are coming and not wanting to be behind, are getting together on their own to practice marching and playing a new program. Having been a band parent, I know the dedication these band students can have, and the work they have to go through to accomplish their goals.

Why should we continually seek spiritual and secular education? D&C 93:36-37 says “The glory of God is intelligence, or in other words, light and truth. Light and truth forsake that evil one.”

President Henry B. Eyring says “We will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time… But remember you are interested in education, not just for mortal life but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning… “…And since what we will need to know is hard to discern, we need the help of heaven to know which of the myriad things we could study we would most wisely learn.

Robert D. Hales adds, “Lifelong learning is essential to the vitality of the human mind, body, and soul. It enhances self-worth and self-actuation. Lifelong learning is invigorating mentally and is a great defense against aging, depression, and self doubt.”

For many years after graduation I would take a community night school class, learning how to fix my car, woodworking, water color classes, pottery, quilting and photography among others. These have enhanced my life, and given much enjoyment to me and benefits to my family. Now I do my learning through books. I have an “ insatiable curiosity” as President Eyring says.
Last year I explored Mongolia in the 1920’s and the Modern Art Movement. This year I’m enjoying the lives of our presidents and first ladies.

What would you like to know more about? What are you reading?

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

For The Birds


FOR THE BIRDS

August—A month
That was made for the birds—
At four in the morning
They start those bird words—
Chirping and warbling
And singing with glee.
I just want to sleep
—Silly old me.

They flit through the air
Like a wisp in the wind.
They alight on the lights
As the traffic begins.
While peering through flowers
For breakfast and treats
The bird’s day beginning
Brings fun to the streets.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Happy 4th of July!!

Hope you had a fun fourth! We just got back from a trip to Chicago so we didn’t celebrate much. We did go to the ward 4th of July breakfast which is always fun.
Besides the wonderful pancakes, and orange juice we had the treat of Lincoln Oliphant giving a talk on the constitution. I think it is so much fun to actually be here in the DC area on this special day.

It seem like the books I chance to read are starting to have a theme. I pick a random pile of ten for each month, about six months ahead, not paying particular attention to which month it will be. For Easter the top book was on the life of Christ. For July there was a biography of Dolly Madison, through her letters, during the war of 1812, and First Ladies, by Margaret Truman. Unintentional as it was, I enjoyed the timing of reading those topics. It’s wonderful to read about history where it happened.

I got an interesting e-mail today. It was titled,The Pope said, “What would Jesus Blogg?
The Pope wants his flock to get online and start blogging. In a recent announcement, Pope Benedict XVI extolled the virtues of the world wide web saying, “Young people in particular, I appeal to you: bear witness to your faith through the digital world!”

A recent article in the Smart Set points out that religion’s embrace of emerging technologies extends back further than the current, blogg-loving pontiff. The Gutenberg bible was cutting-edge media for its time; and the clothespin, the wheel-driven washing machine, and the circular saw were all invented by the industrious Shaker Christians. … Golberg, the author, also shows how the story of Noah’s ark could be considered a parable for the benefits of embracing technology, before it’s too late”.

I remember a couple of years ago being encouraged to put our testimonies on line and share them with the world. Considering some of the things I have seen people write on U-tube, Face Book and their bloggs, I think some uplifting comments would be helpful. I decided to do this. I get surprised every once in a while to find out that someone read it.

When I think of all the technological advances that have happened in my lifetime, not to mention that of my parent’s, and grandparents; I am grateful that I am here to enjoy them. I don’t think my children can imagine life without computers, cars, or electricity.

What is your favorite invention or advance that has happened in your lifetime?

Have a great summer

Thursday, July 2, 2009

SUMMERTIME!

I Want to go wandering
By mountain streams,
Picnic in the forest
With the elk watching,
Chase butterflies through the meadows.
This is my dream.
This is my fun.
This is my memory.

Friday, June 5, 2009

I finally got a picture on. How do I flip it?




Yummmm!
Blue corn tortillas, shredded chicken, green chile sauce, Mexican cheese, adobe walls, Sopapillas, good friends, it’s nice to go home again.

I just got back from another trip to see my dad. I haven’t been since November. He fell and gouged his arm, needing more care. He still doesn’t want to go into a nursing home and we don’t know how to convince him that he needs more help. Somehow it just doesn’t seem right to tie him up and toss him over my shoulder. After an earnest prayer for an answer, I had an interesting experience. At church that Sunday I had been asking my former ward members if they knew of anyone who did elder care. I was looking for someone who would just live in his home and help when needed. He’s still self sufficient unless he falls, or needs to go somewhere.

In Relief Society, the president announced that a member of another ward in the Stake was looking for a room or apartment in town for the summer. His wife will be in England and then they will move to Arizona. I hope things will work out. A home to live in, in exchange for cooking an evening meal and mowing the lawn seems fair. Of course, one of them being a Republican and the other a Democrat might lead to interesting conversations!

In D&C 112:10, we read, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.”

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: says,” Every honest and sincere prayer adds another piece to chain-mail armor… One of the most important ways to clothe yourselves in the armor of God is to make sure that prayer—earnest, sincere, consistent prayer—is part of your daily lives:

President Thomas S. Monson said, “As we offer unto the Lord our family and our personal prayers, let us do so with faith and trust in Him. Let us remember the injunction of the Apostle Paul to the Hebrews; ‘for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ If any of us has been slow to hearken to the counsel to pray always, there is no finer hour to begin than now.”

There have been many times in my life that my prayers have been answered. I have a testimony that God loves me and will answer my prayers, if I but ask. I don’t always like the answer but I know He gives them. And looking back I can see the blessings I have received from the experiences I have been given.

It was a long slow trip back to Virginia in the rain, but as we flew over the sites and monuments of DC, it was nice to come home again.

Sopaipillas
Sweet Fried Cakes

4 cups flour 4 eggs
1 tsp. Salt 1 cup sugar, divided
2 tsp. Baking powder water or milk
4 TBSP. Fat (lard or shortening ) fat for frying
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Sift flour with salt and baking powder to make a dough that is neither stiff or soft. Let dough stand for ½ hour. Roll out 1/4 –inch thick. Cut into 1,1111/2 inch squares and fry in deep fat util brown. Mix remaining sugar and cinnamon. As the sopaipillas are fried, drained and still hot, roll in the sugar-cinnamon mixture.

JUNE




June nights
Hot and breezy
Summertime
Living easy
Butterflies
Flying free
Picnics
Just the ants and me.
June days slip away
Summertime’s
Come to stay.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Gardeners

Ah, May.
The flowers are in bloom, the birds are singing, and everyone is just itching to get out and plant. We stopped today to stretch my husband’s golfing muscles, sadly unused during the winter months and to pick up flowers to plant on the patio.

Now thirty of my fifty flower boxes and planters are full of pansies, roses, petunias, tomatoes, peppers, onions, strawberries, and peas. One planter has pepper onion and tomato planted in one box. I thought it was funny when I bought a new pepper called “Salsa” so I have a planter filled with most of the ingredients for my own salsa.

Because we have a wrap-around terrace, we put the patio table and the flowers where there is sometimes shade and the veggies in the full sun warmed by the brick building. When company comes, my husband takes them out to show them the "south forty”

What is it about a garden that makes people stop and talk to each other? At the nursery we were complimenting each other on choices, and saying “Ooh where did you get that??
At church we say “Have you planted your tomatoes yet?” You should come see my hydrangeas” People are more willing to stop and talk in parks and gardens.

One Christmas my mom and dad gave us each a garden ornament. It was a cement book with a garden quote on it. Mine said “You’re closer to God in a garden than any place else on earth.” And after all we started in the “Garden of Eden!”

My sister’s says, “To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow”

Some other thoughts I found about gardens are,
“Always try to grow in your garden some plant or plants out of the ordinary, something your neighbors never attempted. For you can receive no greater flattery than to have a gardener of equal intelligence stand before your plant and ask, "What is that?"
- Richardson Wright

When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.
- Ken Druse

The most noteworthy thing about gardeners is that they are always optimistic, always enterprising, and never satisfied. They always look forward to doing something better than they have ever done before.
- Vita Sackville-West, 1892 – 1962

Our prophets have told us to plant a garden, even if its just a tomato plant in a pot on the balcony.
So grab a trowel and join the fun! It’s May

Spring

The fragrance of May
Is the essence of spring.
The music of May
Is the song the birds sing
The flowers of May
Springing up from the earth,
Bring the promised renewal
The blessesd rebirth.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Flash of Light

The other day I had a strange thing happen to me. I was planning on going to the temple that morning with a friend. I got up and turned on the computer to check my e-mail. Then I turned it off in order to leave for the day. A few minutes later there was a flash of light as the electricity turned off and then quickly on again. A disembodied voice said, “Stand by for further instructions!” Wow! Scary stuff! I assumed that it was Comcast turning on the computer or TV. Or maybe it was Verizon resetting the phone after the electrical shut down. I’m just not use to voices beaming down from the nether sphere. Could it have been a message from one of my dearly departed love ones?
How would you like it if we could get special instructions beamed down to us when we needed them in our lives.
WE CAN!
One of our Relief Society lessons in March was from a talk by Julie B. Beck, the General Relief Society President. There are scriptures that encourage us and help us with difficult times in our lives. Check out D&C 20:47,`Alma 32:27,2 Nephi 32:4-5, D&C 101;16. If we have questions—We can get answers! Or we can just wait around for the FLASH OF LIGHT AND THE VOICE!
Years ago, when my first husband was diagnosed with cancer, I had an interesting experience. When he had to undergo surgery, I would fast and pray, and read the scriptures. When the scriptures I read gave me peace, I knew things would be ok. When they gave me strength, I knew we were going to have to fight, and have faith.
General conference is this weekend. We can, as the hymn says “Come Listen to the Prophets Voice and Hear the Word of God”.

In this month’s issue of the Ensign, President Monson says, “The holy scriptures adorn our bookshelves. Make certain they provide nourishment to our minds and guidance for our lives.” (The Mighty Strength of the Relief Society,” Ensign, Nov 1997)

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." -- Albert Einstein

Monday, March 30, 2009

Beach Weather




In April
I want to go
Down to the sea
To lie on the sand
As waves wash over me.
I just need a beach that is
Sunny and warm
With shells filled with creatures
Exuding their charm.
Come with me now and
We'll dance in the surf
Like the ponies of Chinqueteague
Pawing the turf

Thursday, March 5, 2009

FRIENDS

A couple of weeks ago I googled myself to see if I had done anything. I saw a notice that Wendy Hauer had no friends! Surprised, I went to the internet site to explore. That Wendy was on an arthritis site and needed empathy because of her pain. I couldn’t help because I wasn’t her “friend” Later that week I was invited by an old friend to join “Face book”, another internet site. When I did I found out that “Wendy Hauer” had no friends! I checked out my friend Carol’s friends and asked those I knew if I could be their friends. Now I have 31 friends. These are nieces, nephews, cousins, people I was a visiting teacher to and those who taught me. Some are “my girls”. I was a beehive leader for five years and I am now in touch with almost all of them. Its fun to see what has happened to them in the last twenty five years.
What does it take to make a friend and how important is it?
I know a young man who feels like he has few friends and he has a very sad life. He goes to work and he goes home. His brother, on the other hand is very out going and has many friends. Yet both are kind, loving talented young men. What is the difference. I think it is fear. I know the thing that holds me back in a lot of areas is fear.

OVERCOMING FEAR
“If pleasures are greatest in anticipation, just remember that this is also true of trouble.”— Elbert Hubbard

“The two greatest fear busters are knowledge and action.”—Denis Waitley

“one of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.”—Henry Ford

So how can I get over my fears to make friends? Going to church has helped. Finding people with the same interests helps. At least it puts me in a place where I can make friends.
My husband teases me about my friend the dentist, my friend the chiropractor, my friend the doctor, and even my friend the insurance salesman. These are people who have provided a service for me. Service both given and received is a good friendship builder.
How do you make friends?
I asked my sister, and she said,
“How do I personally make friends? I don't make a lot of close friends. However, I did make a new casual friend on Monday night. She is a neighbor and has been for 20 yrs. I invited the family over for root beer floats, but only the mom and her son's girlfriend could come. Her son wasn't feeling well and she is worried that it is a kidney disease. Her only other child, a young man, died last year after a stroke and staph infection. I just listened to her story for about an hour, and after she left felt like we were now friends, not just across the street neighbors.
Tommy just had sent a scripture for us to ponder. Psalms 37:1-11. I was reminded of that as I read your message. "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so that thou shall dwell in the land and be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give the the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass." With that message, who could fear? Relating it to making friends, I guess one could say that if you go about with that message in your heart, you recognize the goodness in other people and it is easy to find common ground.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

SPRING

Spring
Bursts forth--
The air warm and lazy;
Alternating with moments of wind
and snow.
Crazy, like the rabbits
Eating my tulips.
My favorite time of year—
When you were born.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Good Soup

GREEN CHILE CHICKEN CHOWDER

2 cups cooked, chopped chicken (1 large breast)

I large potato

1 can evaporated milk

1 can chopped green chile

2 cups water

2 chicken bullion cubes

1 can creamed corn

Sprinkling of parsley

Bring water to boil and cook the chicken

Take it out and chop it into bite sized pieces

Chop potato into bite sized pieces and put into boiling water to cook while cutting up chicken.(tender not soft)

Add bouillon cubes

Return chicken,

Add corn, milk, green chile (the longer you cook the green chile the hotter it gets) even mild.)

Sprinkle with parsley and serve with crackers, chips, or hard rolls to dunk.



Ps. If you leave out the chicken you can add shrimp or crab for a fishy chowder.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Happy Birthday all you Februaryites

TRAV”LIN

I think t’would be fun to be on a train
To ride through the woods and
Then home again
The clackity clack of the wheels
On the rails
The cinders that fly from the
Smoke stacks like sails
The mountains and trees are
All covered with snow.
The riders are bundled to keep
Out the cold.
Lets go for a ride on the old 8.8.4.
I guess they don’t make them like that
Anymore.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

FEBRUARY

Let me be the first to wish you a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Be sure and tell someone you love them.
I had a nice visit in January with some someones I love. My children came to D.C. in time for the Inauguration, and we celebrated Christmas late. My son was telling us about his cats.
Mariah use to live here with us, and was always getting into trouble. She fell off the balcony three floors up and only had a cut lip. Then she swallowed a piece of yarn which unfortunately had a large yarn needle attached and needed surgery. Needless to say our vet always asks about her. Bernanke was inherited from the next door neighbor in Wisconsin.

Mariah was always a quiet cat. She never meowed loudly like the others, but politely expressed herself occasionally with a small mew. Bernanke, on the other hand was a kitten and a little boy. He thought he was Top Dog. We have pictures of him doing back flips through the air. When its feeding time he goes into a vocal frenzy . My son puts the dish down—he meows loudly—the dish goes back up—Mariah swats him—the dish goes down—MEOW—swat. The dish goes down………he’s learned his lesson and they eat Even though she’s not Bernanke’s mother, she has taught him a lesson, at least for a day!
I’ve been looking unsuccessfully for a talk I read once about mothering others than our own children. Essentially it said that there are many times we can teach and influence others. Whether we be teachers, co-workers or friends, we can be a positive influence on those around us. Sheri Dew said “As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers, and we have always been mothers. And we each have the responsibility to love and help lead the rising generation. How will our young women learn to live as women of God unless they see what women of God look like, meaning what we wear, watch and read; how we fill our time and our minds; how we face temptation and uncertainty; where we find true joy; and why modesty and femininity are hallmarks of righteous women? How will our young men learn to value women of God if we don’t show them the virtue of our virtues?
Every one of us has an overarching obligation to model righteous womanhood because our youth may not see it anywhere else…. Every one of us can mother someone—beginning of course with the children in our own families, but extending far beyond. Every one of us can show by word and by deed that the work of women in the Lord’s kingdom is magnificent and holy. I repeat:We are all mothers in Israel, and our calling is to love and help lead the rising generation through the dangerous streets of mortality. “Who and how are you going to influence this week?
Maggi, my old cat is sitting on my ironing board and won’t get off even when I spray her with the spray bottle. I guess as long as she stays off the counters and the table I can, as any mother, pick my battles. I can always iron while she’s asleep.
With love,
Wendy Hauer

Thursday, January 8, 2009

PANDA PARTY


Looks like drizzle in DC today.
That’s normal cold weather in China they say.
The panda’s contentedly having his lunch
Of piles of wet soggy bamboo to munch.
I hope for your birthday you’ll get to have cake.
I think that bamboo would be a mistake.