So Much To Read and See. So Little Time

Back in the early years of blogging, I landed on Kelly's blog and gasped, for hers was the blog I'd spent many a Sunday afternoon searching for. Even though she was half my age, her writing, thoughts and photos inspired me as no other blog had (or, uhm, has since) and I still, years later, reread these posts, especially, when the blogging world feels flat:

Finding Presence Through Escape
Opening The Door To Our Hills
Rest

But after blogging a couple years, Kelly (silly girl) went and fell in love with a wonderful Christian man, got married and then had two adorable children. And wrote fewer blog posts with each new Life Event. 

Then wrote nothing. No more Kelly online.

And I get that. Truly I do. A husband, a home and two babies and did I mention she's a painter/artist, as well? -- whew! That'll do it. That'll cause anyone to make choices about what to keep and what to let go.

But even after all these years, I still miss Kelly's blog dreadfully. On Sunday afternoons I still search for another one exactly like it, but of course, I'll never find that, because there's no one else exactly like Kelly. There's not another anyone exactly like any of us. God did that on purpose.

Yet sometimes on rare blue moons I discover thought-provoking blogs and today, incredibly, I found three.

Accidental Devotional
Elora Nicole
Narrow Paths to Higher Places

It's a rare, rare day in Debra's World. I've perused those a bit and oh, I do like what I've seen so far. Oh happy blue moon!

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Here's something you farm-folks-at-heart will enjoy:

Cold Antler Farm Trailer

I no longer read many books about small farms (too much been there, done that myself, I think) but Jenna's new book is one I'd read. I still enjoy her blog and her first book, as well:

Made From Scratch

I'm considering pulling it out again in this new home, our Hobbit Cottage, so to make this Doable Place more mini-farm-like this Spring.

Ah, Spring! Is there really such a thing?  :)

I thought yesterday about how Tom and I have all the 'farm animals' we need: sparrows, finches, broad-winged hawks, wild rabbits, squirrels and 2 cats. And twice I saw a garter snake, but I think she's moved on. Oh, and spiders. Lots of spiders. I especially think that's plenty when I brave the snow, ice and cold each day to feed those outdoors.

It's wise to know when enough is enough.

So there you go.

My two cat buddies... what wonderful company they are while Tom's away!

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"This morning i woke up and sat with my coffee looking out the window for a good hour, listening to music, watching autumn, talking to God, daydreaming. Last night I went to bed before I was tired because I was craving time to tell God things in silence. These days I'm discovering my times of solitude are full of presence--they fill me up, renew my perspective, make me feel known."  

 ... Kelly, from Home Is Where One Starts From

If I Never Have Grandchildren

"So you also are complete through your union with Christ ..."    ... Colossians 2:10

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So, well, Naomi isn't planning on having children, like, ever and you know what that means, right? Most likely no cherub-faced sweetie pie will ever call me Grandma.

Of course, the option's always out there for me to rent/borrow/bribe children and treat them like grandkids--and hey--I'm open to that! After all, I adored being a mom while Naomi grew-up and I loved teaching scads of church kids in three different states for 20 years. What an incredible season it all was.

But yes, it was a season. An early chapter in the book of my life.

Yet now I'm nearing Chapter Fifty-Five and wow, does it ever read differently than before! (Why do people wish all their chapters read the same, never changing? What sort of a wonky, boring book would that be?)  


Anyway, am I bothered or bummed-out about my own Life changes? No way!

Why not?

I've still got Tom. And Naomi.
And a sweet little house filled with bright colors.
And two cats. Friends. This blog. Neighbors.
Favorite books and tv shows.Trees outside my windows.
And I still live in gorgeous New York state and have a car to drive amongst old houses, cafes, rivers and sprawling green countryside with its farms, barns and horses.
I can walk. I feel healthy.
I have interests, hobbies, passions.
By way of my imagination I can go wherever I wish.
If I want, I can still paint or wallpaper rooms.
I have a manageable yard with plenty of garden space.

But mostly?

I have Jesus. 
He completes me and there is no lack.
If I lost everything, above, He would be enough.

As long as I have Him, I'll be ok.
No, better than just ok. I'll be blessed-out-of-my-head.
Yes, even without grandchildren.
I know this.

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"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."   ... Psalm 16:6

Yes. Oh my goodness ... yes. And I am utterly grateful.



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"You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?"


Clarence in It's a Wonderful Life

Aw, Shirley ...

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace..."  ... 1 Peter 4:10

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I thought Shirley Temple would never die. The passing of vibrant people who do what God created them to, never feels possible to me. Such parts of Life As I've Always Known It feel too necessary to go flying away with their gifts.

But God took Shirley back.

Over the years I've spent hours watching Shirley and Bill Robinson's dances on YouTube and by the end, my eyes are full and my heart has crept closer to my throat. I watch it all, see every smile between them, notice each step and feel iotas of what they felt as the especially-odd team (for those Times and these, even still) that they were. 


I watch those grey-and-white films when I'm tempted to quit writing here (it happens) and then feel encouraged to keep on. I understand, easily, how Shirley cheered and comforted a nation slogging along a terrible, lingering Depression.

God placed Shirley down here in 1928 for such a time as those. As a light she glowed while doing what God created her to do, inspiring and reminding us to share the talents we've been given. And Shirley's gifts steadied and lifted many a heart in those turbulent times and even later as an ambassador, spreading good will to whomever she met.

And may others say that of us when we, too, fly away Home.

"Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..." ... Romans 12:6


"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us."   ... 2 Corinthians 5:20







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"Fondest memories of dancing with Uncle Billy come not only from our camera takes, but from our rehearsals, up and down that portable stile or in any convenient corner. Practicing until each move became unthinking was a joy. Learning, an exhilaration. The smile on my face was not acting; I was ecstatic. " --Shirley Temple Black "Child Star" 1988"
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Oh, how *this* makes my heart downright happy!


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