From North to Naples

This is a panoramic photo (compliments of friend Lilly) of the first and fastest storm I've ever witnessed rolling in from the ocean.  It was a rather phenomenal sight - the temperature literally dropped by the minute and a ferocious wind kicked up enough sand to put an abrupt end to our picnic on the beach. 

Doesn't look so threatening does it?

But an hour later it's "mild" beginning... began.

Very soon after that panoramic shot we scurried back over the boardwalk in Delgor-Wiggins State Park to our vehicle and made haste, seeking refuge in Books-A-Million where the rain came down (monsoonal style) and thundered on the roof loud enough to interfere with normal conversation.  

I've been happily visiting this part of Florida for many years and have never seen the likes of it.

This is a new activity for us.  I must say, we could get quite used to it except that biking at home (anywhere) is not unlike risky behaviour, living on the edge, and downright dangerous.  

This, on the other hand, is not such a new activity for us.

Eeek!  The Ents have relocated!  And look at that prevailing stormy sky.  

It might chase one off the beach but there is NO way to intimidate the die-hard golfer 

(of the sort I am married to).

We are really enjoying our rental digs.  There's my funny boy.

Books A Million here in Naples has a giant banner draped outside announcing Store Closing. 

This is a sad thing. 

I confess I felt like a vulture descending on some woe-begotten prey.  But I did it anyway.  

 I exercised restraint mostly only because my beloved said I wasn't allowed to buy another 

suitcase to ship all the books back home.  

*sigh*  

The spoil-sport.  :) 

Naples in Florida is now synonymous with knitting as well.  This is crow eating admission for me, having heckled my family & having protestith overmuch at the notion not even 3 years ago.   

So I just want to say, in my effort to come clean and all, I started this all on my own 

and even watched several online videos last week to jog my memory on how to knit 

in a seamless round with two circular needles.

Grand-daughter Danielle picked out this skein of hot pink wool with candy coloured flecks 

in the hopes that I would make her a beret.  Well. It's done my little Dee.   

Tomorrow, I will attempt a few flowers to accessorize the hat in a manner that matches 

the fun & flair of your personality! 

To temper this dangerous amount of pride, I make special mention once again of my sister. 

Let's face it, without her extraordinary long-suffering mentoring I'd be nowhere on the knitting scene.  

And finally, I love spending this leisure time catching up on some reading, blogging and cooking, 

...with wine of course.  

Hey! Some recipes do call for it.

We enjoyed a birthday dinner with Lilly at The Bay House - famous in the area for its mind-boggling seafood menu.  We dined outside as the sun set and a nearby firepit substituted its warmth.  The waiter insisted we go inside to the crustacean bar to see the "beautiful" 8 pound crab available to a fearless diner.  Or was it 4pound beast suitable as appetizer for 8?  We can't seem to agree on the facts.  Another admirer put a 10 ounce glass in front of the shot for perspective.  CRUSTacean's are aptly named don't you think?

Light for the Lost Boy

Andrew Peterson.
How I wish I had a better sense of recall.
I think we first discovered him through the online program Haventoday.org
How often have I and my beloved been served up true blessing by the widely diverse and oddly well-timed contributions featured here?
(a rhetorical question that can be blissfully ignored btw:)
It was a series on Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas, complemented by a music video of Petersons' Dancing in the Minefields that had us first sitting up straight and taking notice.
Imagine that for starters - a marriage referenced as a dance of two in a minefield.
Newlyweds will balk and quickly proffer disgust at such a notion.  Been there, done that.
The seasoned longer-serving couples however will smile at its quirky truth.  Been there, doing that.

We fell in love with his gift for getting to the heart of the matter in song and story and even made a road trip to Valparaiso, Indiana last year so we could listen to him live on stage.

I'm here to tell you he's done it again with his newest album:  Light for the Lost Boy
But don't take my word for it.  Click the link and decide for yourself.
You are urged however, to take your time with it, to listen carefully to the words, to let them steep slowly in your soul.

Andrew Peterson is equally gifted as a writer - working on book four of the fantasy adventure series Wingfeather Saga.   I couldn't put them down, now joining the throng who wait eagerly for the conclusion of the story.
(truly? does it have to end?)
To be so doubly gifted seems almost cruel to the rest of us.
Conversely, the rest of us can simply take up and read or take up and listen - finding ourselves a place of respite in a crazy world and a peace to pass on to those around us.
Well, I call it a peace but it is perhaps more aptly termed a restless sense of grace.  Such as you might eventually discover in reading Tolkien's Lord of the Rings Trilogy or least this commentary of same: A Sudden Joyous Turn


When I look at you, boy
I can see the road that lies ahead
I can see the love and the sorrow

Bright fields of joy
Dark nights awake in a stormy bed
I want to go with you, but I can’t follow

So keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way

Your first kiss, your first crush
The first time you know you’re not enough
The first time there’s no one there to hold you

The first time you pack it all up
And drive alone across America
Please remember the words that I told you

Keep to the old roads
Keep to the old roads
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way

If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

And I know you'll be scared when you take up that cross
And I know it'll hurt, 'cause I know what it costs
And I love you so much and it's so hard to watch
But you're gonna grow up and you're gonna get lost
Just go back, go back

Go back, go back to the ancient paths
Lash your heart to the ancient mast
And hold on, boy, whatever you do
To the hope that's taken hold of you
And you'll find your way
You'll find your way
If love is what you’re looking for
The old roads lead to an open door
And you’ll find your way
You’ll find your way
Back home

Enjoy exploring this artist as we have.
I think it's time for another road trip with my beloved.

Fathers & Sons

This is son Joey.  He is a great uncle who is now also a daddy!

This compact little bundle pictured below, so cozy and warm within, sure took his time emerging from the womb.  

But emerge he did.  As it so invariably happens.  When it was his time.

Beckett Alexander is the newest man-child in the family.

A beautiful first born son to our second born son and his wife.

Friends and Family swarmed in, delighted to hear the details of this life-altering experience.

And life altering it is.

We are all changed again, in ways yet to be measured and defined.

I watch my beloved with this bundle and remember a time long ago (was it truly so long ago?)
In my minds eye, I see this staid and stoic man dancing around a delivery room with his own man-child in arms.
A feeling monumental stirs inside me but resists words.
Ppft! Hate it when that happens.

Little Beckett Alexander with the big hands and feet? ~ ~ It is a great privilege to welcome you to our world.  You are here with us according to a grand plan and purpose of God.

As grandmother, I am now supposedly old and wise enough to wait patiently for this to unfold.
If I default in my penchant of ploughing headlong, may it be in the area of prayer.
In the stillness and beauty of this summer morning reflection, I earnestly desire that it may be so.

The Meaning of Marriage Tim and Kathy Keller

A new book by Timothy and Kathy Keller subtitled:

Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

First discovered at our favourite online spot of spiritual encouragement and refreshment: Haven Today with Charles Morris.

Check it out.  You will surely discover with us, a host of topics, speakers, music and resources that truly inspire a resting place (a haven!) in your daily routine.

Conversely, you may watch the Keller's promo video above and get it straight from the authors.

Based on a nine-week series of sermons on marriage and preached to a congregation of thousands, the majority of whom were single!  

It has since been the most listened to set of sermons ever produced by Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan.

We live in a culture which is almost relentless in its attack against marriage and family as divinely instituted.  This shouldn't surprise us but it should make us forge our defense weapons with a bit more resolve and dare I say it, commitment?

The Newest Mr. & Mrs. in our family

Photo credits to Amy of Asher Images, family photographer extraordinaire.

Used without permission (sheepish grin)

Our baby girl is off on a honeymoon with her new husband.  Of course with her new husband.
"Honeymoon".
Why that term strikes me as strange now is interesting. 
I never thought about it twice when I ventured on my own, nor when we delighted in seeing four other married children embark on theirs.

Google defines it thus:
One early reference to a honeymoon is in Deuteronomy 24:5 “When a man is newly wed, he need not go out on a military expedition, nor shall any public duty be imposed on him. He shall be exempt for one year for the sake of his family, to bring joy to the wife he has married.”
Originally "honeymoon" simply described the period just after the wedding when things are at their sweetest; it is assumed to wane in a month. The earliest term for this in English was hony moone, which was recorded as early as 1546.


... a period of time when things are at their sweetest ~ assumed to wane in a month. 


Harrumph!


Not to worry.  Many marriage veterans including us, have and will continue to mentor our little newlyweds regarding this profound mystery as it has been called, to pray for them, walk the road with them, offer counsel when requested and perhaps otherwise :),  to enjoy this blessing with them and finally, get them reading  SACRED MARRIAGE.  
(a gem of a book/devotional we discovered only two years ago and heartily endorse to everyone regardless of where they show up on the marriage spectrum). 


We eagerly anticipate their return for a variety of reasons:

• to hear about the marvels of their meanderings of NYC ~ if it is  even possible to meander in such a place.
• to witness ones children establish a new family home of their own and finally...
• to have this infernal publication ban of their wedding photos lifted once and for all so that we might share the occasion with you!

Generations will reap what I sow...

Readers will know that there are just a few singer/songwriters out there that truly inspire me and make me sit up, take notice and deeply affect my perspective.
Sara Groves is one of those artists.
This is one of those songs.

I can taste the fruit of Eve
I’m aware of sickness, death and disease
The results of our choices are vast
Eve was the first but she wasn’t the last

And if I were honest with myself
Had I been standing at that tree
My mouth and my hands would be covered with fruit
Things I shouldn’t know and things I shouldn’t see

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

She taught me to fear the serpent
I’m learning to fear myself
And all of the things I am capable of
In my search for wisdom, acceptance and wealth

And to say that the devil made me do it
Is a cop out and a lie
The devil can’t make me do anything
When I’m calling on Jesus Christ

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

To my great, great, great grand daughter
Live in peace
To my great, great, great grand son
Live in peace, oh, live in peace

Remind me of this with every decision
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know

Oh, remind me
Generations will reap what I sow
I can pass on a curse or a blessing
To those I will never know
Oh, I may never know

These are profound and sobering thoughts for me  us.

We're looking at the precious gift (& responsibility!) of grandparenthood 

with ever increasing awareness and respect.

 The two newest gifts of 2011...

Oh Giver of All Good.  Make us wise and worthy of the task.

Redress

redress |riˈdres; ˈrēˌdres|verb [ trans. ]remedy or set right (an undesirable or unfair situation) : the power to redress the grievances of our citizens.• archaic set upright again : some ambitious architect being called to redress a leaning wall.nounremedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance : those seeking redress for an infringement of public law rights.PHRASESredress the balance take action to restore equality in a situation.
Summer breezes are here at last.  My beloved and I went out for dinner last night with our son who is springing from the coop next week.  It was a 'celebration' of sorts.  I have to say this tongue in cheek because that yucky moment of reckoning with an empty nest and the cavernous hollow that is now our home - is unavoidably near.  Yes, yes.  I eagerly anticipate his wedding day and am thankful for the gift entrusted to him and his beloved to establish their new home together...but... yeah.  Just ignore me please. 
Entering the restaurant, we were forced to wade through a sea of what appeared to be high-school students dressed for a grad party or a prom night.  Dressed for prom night? she writes ruefully.  No. Decidedly undressed for prom night is more like it. Dressed to kill is most apt.  What we were forced to take in with our eyes crossed the line of decency at least three miles ago.  With a sorry mixture of sadness and anger, I resign myself to yet another cycle of angst over the way our world increasingly abandons all restraint in the arena of modesty and decency.Innocent and naive about their provocation?   Baloney.
And not just our world "out there".  No, sadly enough.  Let's be honest.Our community, our church family, our moms and our daughters....And here's the killer:  the silence on the subject is so - deafening.  When did we raise that white flag of surrender? Why?

Something has to change.We have to.For our children's sake.  For our husbands, our sons, for our witness, for God's glory.
Here's a link that might dispel any notion of this being a non-issue:Sisters, Show Mercy!

For My Beloved

August 1980
We were only 20 & 21.
We went dancing in the minefields,
we went sailing in the storms...
and it was harder than we dreamed
but I believe,
 ... that's what the promise is for ...

...  We bear the light of the Son of Man
     so there's nothing left to fear.
     So I'll walk with you in the Shadowlands,
     till the shadows disappear.
     'cause He promised not to leave us
     and His promises are true,
     so in the face of all this chaos,
     maybe I can dance with you...
     Let's go Dancing in the minefields
     Let's go sailing in the storms
     this is harder than we dreamed,
     but I believe -- that's what the promise is for.

(psst!... it is a great privilege, this growin' old with you.  Just sayin').

Get the scoop on yet another songwriter/singer with GOOD stuff to tell:  Andrew Peterson

Better than I deserve...

That beastly bug stalking members of my household for the past month finally cornered me and is pummelling me into a prostrate position for the Sabbath.  

A good position for such a day as this, come to think of it.

It is 3am and I am gargling with salt water to get some relief from this raging sore throat.

I have decided to use this convalescence to concentrate on thankfulness today.

This summer I found this vintage photo while searching for suitable slideshow material 

for our sons wedding day. 

My heart thumps wildly as I reflect how lavishly God has answered 

a young woman's dream to be somebody's wife and mother.  

.... and then?

to my everlasting amazement....

He throws this in too.

So if you'd ask me how I'm doing today, I'd have to say between sniffles and wheezing:

WAY better than I deserve!

God bless your day too.

My Father's World

Personalize a photo slideshow

May you LIVE all the days of your life!

I was browsing thru myriad photo's of various special occasions held this year -- milestones, turning points, learning curves all!  I was also trying to create a slideshow of them set to appropriate strains of music in the background.  Pfft! and Piffle!  The internet around here makes no concessions whatsoever for a random moment of creativity.  But this will do.  It says what I want to say to my posterity.... that indescribable and almost unbearably beautiful gift of little people in our lives....

May You Live 

Carolyn Arends

If there is a cup of life

And we each get our quotas


May you drink yours down, pass the rest around


And not waste one iota


And if there is a winding road


And mountains meant for climbing


May you be strong and brave, and constantly amazed


By every new horizon


And may you live


All the days


Of your life.


And if our days make up a dance


Then have no hesitation


Turn the music loud and send a crowd


Of friends your invitation


And if it’s true that love's a song


We sing in joy and sadness


Then may your song be sung at the top of your lungs


And may it bring you gladness


May you live


All the days
Of your life


And if there is another world


That waits beyond the curtain


Then when your time has come may you hear "well done"


And may you know for certain


That you lived …

ALL the days of your life!

About the Song 

by Carolyn Arends

...every nano-second of this life is precious, because our lives and what we make of them matter deeply to God. So live this life abundantly, moment by moment, as fully and deeply and passionately as you can. But there’s more to the equation. Live this life in the light of forever, knowing that the God who keeps His loving gaze upon you has prepared a place for you that will be more than you can hope for or imagine. We are called, by God’s grace, to live for both the Now and the Not Yet.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1,2)

I'll try and link her music/song/site to this post but shucks, with the satellite performance I've been having lately....

www.carolynarends.com/