As the summer holiday is drawing nigh, I have a list of things that you shouldn't miss. All these things are excellent ways to begin the summer holiday.
1. Start reading an old favorite book.
2. Go outside in the cool of the morning and pick fresh strawberries, eating every one.
3. Discard your shoes. Socks, too.
4. Go to Goodwill and buy a whole bagful of new summer clothes. Or, better yet, design and sew a whole new summer wardrobe for yourself.
5. Make milkshakes on a regular basis.
6. Lay in a hammock and stare at the sky. (It is not recommended to do this for a longer time that an hour for a minimum of once a week. This habit breeds laziness in an otherwise pleasant summer.)
7. Wade in a creek at least three times a week.
8. Take picnics - whether they are at a real park, or simply the more convenient back yard.
9. Start pressing flowers for their preservation. (You will appreciate this especially in the winter, when there is no flowers, or, if you don't really care for flowers that much anyway, you will be rewarded by all the compliments on how beautifully you press flowers.)
10. Wear flowers in your hair. (Not recommended for gentlemen, except in rare occurences)
11. Try to figure out how many birds you can listen to at once.
12. Lay on your back and inspect the clouds.
13. Lay on your stomach and inspect the ants on the ground.
14. Go to the library and read a few new books.
15. Take a moment to smell the flowers in the weedy flowerbed.
16. Learn how to drive a riding lawn-mower.
17. Practice balancing yourself, lying on your back, on a surfboard sailing down a smooth creek.
18. Take a ride on the back of your uncle's motorcycle. Your cousin's motorcycle is also an acceptable option.
19. Write extra long letters to all your friends.
20. Take your cello for walks.
21. Make up recipes for exotic new dishes, such as BBQ Bananas, horseradish meatballs, strawberry chocolate bread and oatmeal onion cookies.
22. Go out and play in the rain. It is recommended to go barefoot and get very muddy.
23. Play musical chairs with a stereo playing at the highest volume.
Now those are my suggestions to begin your holiday. You may pick any or all of those things to enjoy, but make sure you don't miss out on enjoying yourself this summer!
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jog...
So home I am, and have welcomed all the sights, smells and senses of home... And I realized that I did miss my family! I didn't notice it when I was away,(at Grandmama's, if you were wondering where) but I suddenly was so glad to see all the little tykes. I think the Baby has grown. It was only ten days, but after I came home it seemed longer. Much longer. Baby is talking more then ever, and has now learned how to make that queer clicky sound using the side of her cheek. It's so funny; she went to the table, looked at it thoughtfully, and said, "Where I sit?" Giving me a mischeivious look, she maked that sound, saying, "Guess I a sit here!" I made the sound back to her, quirking my eyebrows, and she looked at me disapprovingly. "Don't do that! That not nice."
After practicing from memory the first two movements of Mozart's Sonata in C Major, I decided I must make supper. I made my first attempt at cooking a beef liver. I cut it into strips, dipped it in egg and flour, then cooked it in olive oil and onions. It wasn't exactly untasty, but I don't particularly like it. And do you know; we still have two thirds - more, probably - of it to cook. I do not really know what I will do with it. The family is not that big a fan of liver in such great quantities (they only like
deviding up the small turkey liver at Thanksgiving!), and it doesn't help that the Papa does not even wish to taste the somewhat unpleasant stuff. With his example, the young ones are disposed against it - though I'm not sure they would like it even if he adored the stuff. Well, perhaps I will make some sort of casserole. I wish we had potatoes! Then I could make a liver-gravy-mashed potato casserole. That would be good. At least it wouldn't be bad. But I suppose I will have to bake it all (takes to long to fry it) and freeze it.
Milkshakes, now, are something that we all eat - excuse me, drink - and love. For breakfast I made an excellent frozen banana and strawberries-fresh-from-the-garden milkshake, and for desert at lunch we had a chocolate banana milkshake. We only use frozen bananas (except in rare circumstances). Sure, that's hard on the blender, but it makes for an extra sweet, extra cold, extra tasty treat. I don't ever have to use sweetener (though I once added honey to a smoothie), as they are so sweet. Besides, freezing bananas is the one and only way to make them palatable to Koalas such as myself. As before
stated, I do so hate bananas. Only in their greenest state can I find them the least bit palatable. I should like to try making a strawberry kiwi smoothie someday. I've not used kiwis much, but I think they would be an excellent addition.
NOTE: My attorny and personal advocate was very much offended by comments in previous posts. I will replicate a note he sent me, as he didn't even deign to fulfill his weekly visit.
Miss Koala,
It is with great apologies that I must make known to you my
intentions to resign my position in the Human Society. Certain
things I have heard from different people I know you keep
company with have hurt me greatly, and I am led to believe
that you do not appriciate my help as your human advisor.
Everyone knows that Koala bears are going extinct and that
when there are sick Koalas, everyone must do their best to help
the poor, endangered, species. Therefore, as my good
intentions were slighted and misunderstood, I cannot find any
reason why I should keep working in this human society, when
the other species show such total disregard for our human
efforts.
Yours truly,
The director of the Human Society.
After practicing from memory the first two movements of Mozart's Sonata in C Major, I decided I must make supper. I made my first attempt at cooking a beef liver. I cut it into strips, dipped it in egg and flour, then cooked it in olive oil and onions. It wasn't exactly untasty, but I don't particularly like it. And do you know; we still have two thirds - more, probably - of it to cook. I do not really know what I will do with it. The family is not that big a fan of liver in such great quantities (they only like
deviding up the small turkey liver at Thanksgiving!), and it doesn't help that the Papa does not even wish to taste the somewhat unpleasant stuff. With his example, the young ones are disposed against it - though I'm not sure they would like it even if he adored the stuff. Well, perhaps I will make some sort of casserole. I wish we had potatoes! Then I could make a liver-gravy-mashed potato casserole. That would be good. At least it wouldn't be bad. But I suppose I will have to bake it all (takes to long to fry it) and freeze it.
Milkshakes, now, are something that we all eat - excuse me, drink - and love. For breakfast I made an excellent frozen banana and strawberries-fresh-from-the-garden milkshake, and for desert at lunch we had a chocolate banana milkshake. We only use frozen bananas (except in rare circumstances). Sure, that's hard on the blender, but it makes for an extra sweet, extra cold, extra tasty treat. I don't ever have to use sweetener (though I once added honey to a smoothie), as they are so sweet. Besides, freezing bananas is the one and only way to make them palatable to Koalas such as myself. As before
stated, I do so hate bananas. Only in their greenest state can I find them the least bit palatable. I should like to try making a strawberry kiwi smoothie someday. I've not used kiwis much, but I think they would be an excellent addition.
NOTE: My attorny and personal advocate was very much offended by comments in previous posts. I will replicate a note he sent me, as he didn't even deign to fulfill his weekly visit.
Miss Koala,
It is with great apologies that I must make known to you my
intentions to resign my position in the Human Society. Certain
things I have heard from different people I know you keep
company with have hurt me greatly, and I am led to believe
that you do not appriciate my help as your human advisor.
Everyone knows that Koala bears are going extinct and that
when there are sick Koalas, everyone must do their best to help
the poor, endangered, species. Therefore, as my good
intentions were slighted and misunderstood, I cannot find any
reason why I should keep working in this human society, when
the other species show such total disregard for our human
efforts.
Yours truly,
The director of the Human Society.
Saturday, May 25, 2013
The Day Gone By
NOTE: The Koala was significantly cheered up after the previous post, despite the lack of notice her stalkers took on her despondant condition. She hopes that further measures of appreciation will be taken some time soon in the future, and on that note wishes to see the general improvement of her stalkers. At the moment I can give you no praise from her. She has a very bad opinion of you all.
Today was slow.
Not much to do.... or maybe I am simply too lazy to do what I don't like to do. I shall blame it on my illness, for I don't usually put up with laziness on my part except for when I don't have any energy to devote myself with. I hope I will be better soon; the one thing that I particularly hate and that always seems to like sticking around for the longest time is a sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis or strep. I'm not sure if I have any of those medical sounding terms, or if I just have a plain sore throat. I've never checked, and they all are unpleasant whatever you call them. People just seem to have more pity for you if you use one of those big words. "I have layr-en-jii-tuhhsss, aunty. My poor old throat. Don't it hurt bad!"
We went to the farmer's market, and parked as usual in the big mud puddle. No one else parks in them - they really are gigantic, and filled with brown water - and they are real close to the doors. Handy, ne? Entering the long, rectangular building, a number of different sights and smells assailed us. The neon lights blaring at us from the one stall; the two old men joking around at the bathtub and shower stand (whoever buys their bathtub there?); the Korean lady smilingly sitting behind the desk in her sock-stall; the grocery store at one end that looks like it came out of the fifties in style; the well-attended booth of nuts, nut mixes and dried fruit where we bought our crystalized ginger; and, as our main reason for going to the market, the stand full of all sorts of vegetables and fruits.
Last time the young guy with the Roman nose and the slightly twisted jaw filled our order; this time it was the quirky old man who creakily danced - or tried to dance - around to the beat of the music blaring from nearby, all the while grabbing something or another or throwing another something onto the scale. Putting each item Grandmama called for into a box, he quirked his eyebrows and would say, "I'll give ye the peppers two for a dollar... want three red and three green?" Then, "Ya want this pack of asparagus for a dolla?" And, "Those watermelons are seven dollas. Would'ja buy it for five?" He put them all together into a box, received payment, and plopped a free bag of onions on top. "Have a good week," he called, already twisting back to begin filling another order.
Perhaps he simply was trying to get rid of the food as it was the end of the week, but I believe he had a bit of a soft heart. ^.^ But I also see what I want in people, so....
Today was slow.
Not much to do.... or maybe I am simply too lazy to do what I don't like to do. I shall blame it on my illness, for I don't usually put up with laziness on my part except for when I don't have any energy to devote myself with. I hope I will be better soon; the one thing that I particularly hate and that always seems to like sticking around for the longest time is a sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis or strep. I'm not sure if I have any of those medical sounding terms, or if I just have a plain sore throat. I've never checked, and they all are unpleasant whatever you call them. People just seem to have more pity for you if you use one of those big words. "I have layr-en-jii-tuhhsss, aunty. My poor old throat. Don't it hurt bad!"
We went to the farmer's market, and parked as usual in the big mud puddle. No one else parks in them - they really are gigantic, and filled with brown water - and they are real close to the doors. Handy, ne? Entering the long, rectangular building, a number of different sights and smells assailed us. The neon lights blaring at us from the one stall; the two old men joking around at the bathtub and shower stand (whoever buys their bathtub there?); the Korean lady smilingly sitting behind the desk in her sock-stall; the grocery store at one end that looks like it came out of the fifties in style; the well-attended booth of nuts, nut mixes and dried fruit where we bought our crystalized ginger; and, as our main reason for going to the market, the stand full of all sorts of vegetables and fruits.
Last time the young guy with the Roman nose and the slightly twisted jaw filled our order; this time it was the quirky old man who creakily danced - or tried to dance - around to the beat of the music blaring from nearby, all the while grabbing something or another or throwing another something onto the scale. Putting each item Grandmama called for into a box, he quirked his eyebrows and would say, "I'll give ye the peppers two for a dollar... want three red and three green?" Then, "Ya want this pack of asparagus for a dolla?" And, "Those watermelons are seven dollas. Would'ja buy it for five?" He put them all together into a box, received payment, and plopped a free bag of onions on top. "Have a good week," he called, already twisting back to begin filling another order.
Perhaps he simply was trying to get rid of the food as it was the end of the week, but I believe he had a bit of a soft heart. ^.^ But I also see what I want in people, so....
When Koalas don't feel well.....
The Koala woke up the other day with tracings of a sore throat. This next morning she woke up, and found a mild degree of strep - or what felt to be it - pleasantly doing its damage on her poor, dainty throat. For some odd reason she never had strep before the past winter. This past winter the poor koala had strep two or three times for a very long time. But at this present time, she sadly had to refrain from eating the breakfast she desired; eggs, fried potatoes, ketchup and frosted shredded wheat. The Koala especially likes such breakfasts. Dutifully, knowing how bad the throat could torment her if she didn't show restraint, she chowed down on a slimey, yukky, greenest banana she could find(this Koala doesn't like bananas, and can only down them if they are green), a green apple, and a cup of Vitamin C drink. This one was flavored with lemon and honey, and was fizzy. Koala is sure that it tasted exactly like a kitchen cleaner.Since the Koala can do nothing about her present illness, she decided to sit in her favorite clump of bamboo and suck her thumb. As all the euchaliptis trees are presently a big 'no-no' for koala bears such as her, she thought she might crunch on a stick of bamboo root.
That is her present situation. Donations to relieve and encourage the poor koala will be received. Please click this link if you are moved to help her. www.helpthepoorkoala.com Let me remind you of the pitifulness of her condition, and that she is wasting away in her present clump of bamboo. Euchaliptis branches will be appreciated. Sugar cane is not an advised donation. If at all possible do not donate canned goods. The Koala's can opener only works to slice papyrus into thin enough slips for paper. Please do not send bananas or other food. Money is not very worthwhile to donate unless the check would be written to yours truely. Koalas, especially sick koalas, do not need money. I always need money. You may donate to me if you see fit. One thing that will not be appreciated; itamin C drinks. The Koala has strongly decided that they have flavors of kitchen cleaners, and does not wish to relive that experience. Please do as much as you can for her. She is very pitiful. I thank you only if you do give a donation.
Yours truly,
The Koala's lawyer in chief and faithful protector;
The Human Society
Friday, May 24, 2013
Google Glass Photography
Check this out. Tis quite funny. Personally, I would like something like that (though more discreet) for secret photography trips. Though I probably wouldn't like using it that much unless it was pretty good quality.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Spring? And other bits and pieces....
Is it Spring, or is it Summer?
It sure feels like Summer. I do not know what to think of this Spring... I've always loved Spring, but this one goes from frost to eighty degree weather in a week. Humperdink.
That is what I say when I'm put out, but it is also the name of the composer who wrote Hansel and Gretal. Good music; funny name. Humperdink.
My grandmother is oldfashioned. Beautifully so. But still, it bothers me when she leaves the key in the unlocked car with the windows down.
Some interesting things happened today; small things that I thought I would like to tell. At one lady's house that we visited, there was a small chihuahua. She, being afraid of the sound her tags would make when clanked against the metal feed bowl, would tip-toe forward to her dish, grab a piece of dogfood, and stiffleggedly backpeddal. It was funny to see.
Another thing... her owner seriously told us of a lady at her fifty-sixth month of pregnancy. I think she did a little mistake in linear time. It must've been her fifty-sixth week. Unless she meant an elephant lady. But then, elephants have only twenty month pregnancies! She also said, basically, that one couldn't take a good picture of the heavens, because one would need a big flash to light it up. Indeed! I wished to tell her all about the theories and applications of an exposure on a good camera. Good photographers aren't dependant on flash, my little pretty!!
The other day, as we walked back into the woods with Doctor Uncle, he told me in his calm, quiet way, that he normally didn't like names to be carved into trees. It ruined them, he said. But he proceded to run his hand gently over the ridges made from the carving knives of the past.... the heart and initials carved secretly by the Quiet Muscle-Man, who's marrying Cousin Lady in a week... the name of Little Lisper, carved out so carefully... the initials of Pretty Elegance, and of her lover, Younger Confusion... my mother's name, so high above us... Older Confusion's initials... Lonely Girl's name, scratched deep.... Cowboy Guy's initials, with a flourish... So many memories back there... a little bit of them, carved into the watching trees. We gazed back at them, in silence. Yes, he said, he didn't ever like it. But here, it is special. It is right.
It sure feels like Summer. I do not know what to think of this Spring... I've always loved Spring, but this one goes from frost to eighty degree weather in a week. Humperdink.
That is what I say when I'm put out, but it is also the name of the composer who wrote Hansel and Gretal. Good music; funny name. Humperdink.
My grandmother is oldfashioned. Beautifully so. But still, it bothers me when she leaves the key in the unlocked car with the windows down.
Some interesting things happened today; small things that I thought I would like to tell. At one lady's house that we visited, there was a small chihuahua. She, being afraid of the sound her tags would make when clanked against the metal feed bowl, would tip-toe forward to her dish, grab a piece of dogfood, and stiffleggedly backpeddal. It was funny to see.
Another thing... her owner seriously told us of a lady at her fifty-sixth month of pregnancy. I think she did a little mistake in linear time. It must've been her fifty-sixth week. Unless she meant an elephant lady. But then, elephants have only twenty month pregnancies! She also said, basically, that one couldn't take a good picture of the heavens, because one would need a big flash to light it up. Indeed! I wished to tell her all about the theories and applications of an exposure on a good camera. Good photographers aren't dependant on flash, my little pretty!!
The other day, as we walked back into the woods with Doctor Uncle, he told me in his calm, quiet way, that he normally didn't like names to be carved into trees. It ruined them, he said. But he proceded to run his hand gently over the ridges made from the carving knives of the past.... the heart and initials carved secretly by the Quiet Muscle-Man, who's marrying Cousin Lady in a week... the name of Little Lisper, carved out so carefully... the initials of Pretty Elegance, and of her lover, Younger Confusion... my mother's name, so high above us... Older Confusion's initials... Lonely Girl's name, scratched deep.... Cowboy Guy's initials, with a flourish... So many memories back there... a little bit of them, carved into the watching trees. We gazed back at them, in silence. Yes, he said, he didn't ever like it. But here, it is special. It is right.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Such Beauty
Such beauty unveiled before me
in all my life God keep me lest I die...
in all my life God keep me lest I die...
You are so beautiful I cannot describe
You are so beautiful I cannot describe You
For this love I keep putting all else aside
No matter what comes my way I'll keep You in my life
You are so beautiful I cannot describe
You are so beautiful I cannot describe
Such beauty Such beauty
Such beauty Such beauty
A Few Things to Think About
Ruitine hairbrushing...
Goodmorning hug with a smile...
Chocolate cheerios...
Eggs on tomato-bread-toast...
Peppermint tea, all hot, sweet and steamy...
Birds cheerfully chirping...
Steady waves of traffic moving by the house...
Bubbles dancing over crystal clear dishwater...
Chin-ups on the basement water pipes...
Operating on a thorn embedded thumb with a buttery knife...
Click of the toaster...
Waving of leafy branches...
All things that make up my morning.... Such small things, but what would the morning be without them? How much can you lose before you start to notice the little things? Even if you are busy, too busy, perhaps, you can still notice that sweet robin peering down at you in the evergreen tree. The sky is meant to be noticed, you know. And you can take a moment to touch, ever so softly, the surface of something around you and revel in the texture. These are small things.
Our ears grow accustomed to the traffic going by. We hardly notice it. The birds' sweet chirping, for those of us who hear them all the time, do not often register in our busy minds. We're thinking... thinking... We're busy. Our minds are elsewhere, and are taught to tune out what distracts us; tune out the little things.
The pipes are meant to do chin-ups on. The decoration on the bookshelf is meant to be appreciated for its simple beauty. The rattle of ice in the cup should be noticed. The gleam of light on a shiny object ought to be fascinating. The design on the well-worn wood floor should catch our eye. Blinking lights should catch our attention. The breeze should be danced in. The leaves should be spoken to. The grass must be felt. The sun should be smiled at. We should take the time to inspect the interesting font in the book we are reading. The raindrops must be caught. A face is meant to smile. The flowers must be smelled.
Grandmama likes evergreen trees. She pointed to one. "Isn't it pretty?" With my normal, tuned out eyes, I couldn't see the beauty in it. Pretty? Yeah; I guess. But they're all over the place. There are many of them. What makes that one noticable, much less pretty? I looked again. A little something caught my eye. See.... look at the dark green, leafy against the dull gray sky. See how it looks with the lighter shade of green lacing its tips. Isn't it pretty?
Sounds... sights... feelings... smells...
We don't really know how much we have until we find the little things. We won't know how much we lose until they are gone. Revel in them a little, won't you? Listen to them, in silence. They're so beautiful... just notice them, for a moment.
Goodmorning hug with a smile...
Chocolate cheerios...
Eggs on tomato-bread-toast...
Peppermint tea, all hot, sweet and steamy...
Birds cheerfully chirping...
Steady waves of traffic moving by the house...
Bubbles dancing over crystal clear dishwater...
Chin-ups on the basement water pipes...
Operating on a thorn embedded thumb with a buttery knife...
Click of the toaster...
Waving of leafy branches...
All things that make up my morning.... Such small things, but what would the morning be without them? How much can you lose before you start to notice the little things? Even if you are busy, too busy, perhaps, you can still notice that sweet robin peering down at you in the evergreen tree. The sky is meant to be noticed, you know. And you can take a moment to touch, ever so softly, the surface of something around you and revel in the texture. These are small things.
Our ears grow accustomed to the traffic going by. We hardly notice it. The birds' sweet chirping, for those of us who hear them all the time, do not often register in our busy minds. We're thinking... thinking... We're busy. Our minds are elsewhere, and are taught to tune out what distracts us; tune out the little things.
The pipes are meant to do chin-ups on. The decoration on the bookshelf is meant to be appreciated for its simple beauty. The rattle of ice in the cup should be noticed. The gleam of light on a shiny object ought to be fascinating. The design on the well-worn wood floor should catch our eye. Blinking lights should catch our attention. The breeze should be danced in. The leaves should be spoken to. The grass must be felt. The sun should be smiled at. We should take the time to inspect the interesting font in the book we are reading. The raindrops must be caught. A face is meant to smile. The flowers must be smelled.
Grandmama likes evergreen trees. She pointed to one. "Isn't it pretty?" With my normal, tuned out eyes, I couldn't see the beauty in it. Pretty? Yeah; I guess. But they're all over the place. There are many of them. What makes that one noticable, much less pretty? I looked again. A little something caught my eye. See.... look at the dark green, leafy against the dull gray sky. See how it looks with the lighter shade of green lacing its tips. Isn't it pretty?
Sounds... sights... feelings... smells...
We don't really know how much we have until we find the little things. We won't know how much we lose until they are gone. Revel in them a little, won't you? Listen to them, in silence. They're so beautiful... just notice them, for a moment.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Random Thoughts
There was a baby robin out there. Small thing. Flying pretty well, but rather fluttery. The parents shrieked and skwalked. Didn't like us looking at it. Didn't like me taking pictures of it. Funny. They don't know who is going to help and who is going to hurt. They just know... stay away... stay away from those people. I would, too, I guess.
I went down to the cold spring. It is always peaceful there. I took my Bible and my camera. Two things I cannot do without, and sat in silence. Silence. Good silence. How is it, light and water... how is it that they hold my fascination? Touch it... No, there it spreads... Grasp it... No, it's gone. Splashed away. Scattered...
See how pretty it looks...
Well, that is enough of the gloomy, dark, sparkily, water-feeling.
This is what we had for desert. A bread pudding, but instead of the bread, cooky crumbs. Galumptious!
A creation of Grandmama's.
Very good.
Sunday's doings
Sunday afternoon found us driving up to visit with Grandmama's brothers and sisters for her eldest brother's wife's ninety-fifth birthday. It was also his ninety-fifth birthday. In all manner of cheerfullness, we sang at the top of our lungs;
Here we go looby loo!
Here we go looby li!
Here we go looby loo!
All on a Saturday nigh'!
We stick our right foot in.
We stick our right foot out.
We give our right foot a shakety shake
And turn ourselves about.
laughing, all the way. After Little L asked where she learned that (she didn't learn it in church, did she?) we unanimously and silently decided to sing some hymns, and did so while I tried to keep myself from freaking out when Grandmama sped around curves and didn't put the brake on as we sailed down a steep hill. I almost choked when she went sixty miles an hour toward a red light. And I finally just looked at my lap, since I didn't want to see her driving so close to the yellow line.
It's just me; I am extra nervous about driving. Partially because of Granddaddy.... but especially since I have started driving. It just freaks me out to see cars coming towards us, especially when we're going fast, and around a curve.
The collection of old people was very interesting. We had to talk extra loud, granted, for the hearing impared gentlefolk, and we were strongly encouraged to go get seconds, thirds. They were trying to coerce us into eating more cake, but we couldn't; one small piece was good enough for me. I am not used to store-bought cake, and since the one lady tried to have me take the end piece(with tons of icing), it was especially sweet. Good, though. But the horseradish cheese was evil! Definately so. I nearly puked. It was just plain devil-fare. I can't believe they served it, and on a Sunday, too! It tasted sort of like mayonnaise and American cheese and sickly horseradish all conglomerated... I like a little bite to my food at times, but not that disgusting horrid stuff!!! I had the flavor in my mouth all night. Yuk. Really. Yuk.
Here we go looby loo!
Here we go looby li!
Here we go looby loo!
All on a Saturday nigh'!
We stick our right foot in.
We stick our right foot out.
We give our right foot a shakety shake
And turn ourselves about.
laughing, all the way. After Little L asked where she learned that (she didn't learn it in church, did she?) we unanimously and silently decided to sing some hymns, and did so while I tried to keep myself from freaking out when Grandmama sped around curves and didn't put the brake on as we sailed down a steep hill. I almost choked when she went sixty miles an hour toward a red light. And I finally just looked at my lap, since I didn't want to see her driving so close to the yellow line.
It's just me; I am extra nervous about driving. Partially because of Granddaddy.... but especially since I have started driving. It just freaks me out to see cars coming towards us, especially when we're going fast, and around a curve.
The collection of old people was very interesting. We had to talk extra loud, granted, for the hearing impared gentlefolk, and we were strongly encouraged to go get seconds, thirds. They were trying to coerce us into eating more cake, but we couldn't; one small piece was good enough for me. I am not used to store-bought cake, and since the one lady tried to have me take the end piece(with tons of icing), it was especially sweet. Good, though. But the horseradish cheese was evil! Definately so. I nearly puked. It was just plain devil-fare. I can't believe they served it, and on a Sunday, too! It tasted sort of like mayonnaise and American cheese and sickly horseradish all conglomerated... I like a little bite to my food at times, but not that disgusting horrid stuff!!! I had the flavor in my mouth all night. Yuk. Really. Yuk.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Pictures and Stuff
We eat good, farmer's meals, here at Grandmama's. :)
A good sign down at the basement bathroom.
Out the basement door...
Reflection on the toaster.
This.... is Manhood. This... is Jesus.
Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in
the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking
them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at his
understanding and His answers.
Childlike wisdom...infinite knowledge...
Jesus, full of the Holy Spririt... was led around by the Spirit in the
wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.
...determination...
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to
minister to Him.
...weakness...
And He said to them, "Follow Me."
...eager...inviting...
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among
the people.
...God-like...strong...
"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of
the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of
heaven."
...bold...unafraid...honest...
"It was said... hate your enemy... but I say... love your enemies"
..challenging...redefining...
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor
gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?"
...loving...rebuking...
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want
them to treat you."
...teaching...
The crowds were amazed at His teaching, for He was teaching
them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
...authority...authority...
A centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, "Lord, my
servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented."
...trusted...
Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am
willing; be cleansed."
...loving...
And they [the deamons] cried out, saying "What business do
we have with eachother, Son of God? Have You come to
torment us before the time?"
...feared...
He said, "Leave, for the girl has not died, but is asleep." And they
begand laughing at Him.
...misjudged...
"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."
...comforting...
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold,
the sower went out to sow."
...story-teller...
When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt
compassion for them, and healed their sick.
...compassionate...
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him,
and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
...disappointed...
He took the seven loaves and the fish, and giving thanks, He
broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the
disciples gave them to the people.
...thankful...miraculous...
And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put
up with you?"
...frustrated...
"If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and
throw it from you; it is better to enter life crippled or lame, than
to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal
fire."
...earnest...
And Jesus entered the temple, and drove out all those who
were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the
tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who were
selling doves.
...zealous...passionate...
"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now
on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's
kingdom."
...sober...
Jesus... said to them, "Why do you bother the woman? For she
has done a good deed to Me... for when she poured this
perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial."
...gratified...protecting...
"Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
...forgiving...
Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of
death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
...grieved...lonely...
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and
prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from
Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
...agonized...humble...
Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still
sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son
of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners."
...distressed...
Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all
those who take up the sword will perish by the sword."
...forgiving....
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent
before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.
...silent...
Because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in
His mouth.
...sinless...
Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered
with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and
interceded for the transgressors.
...Savior...
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying... "My God, My God,
why have You forsaken me?"
...dejected...in agony...
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His
spirit.
...human...human...
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word
to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."
...eager...joyful...
And Jesus... spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth."
...powerful...
"And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
...faithful...
...God...
...God in man, incarnate.
In the temple they are killing the lambs. There
Two hundred and seventy thousand will die. The air
Of Jerusalem has been filled with their bleating
All day, as red-sleeved priests perform their duty of meting
Our death. One by one, white throats are slit.
The temple has the hot, moist smell of blood about it.
A conduit drains from the great brass altar down
To the brook Kidron.
But in the dusk-light of this Thursday, the leaves
Of the olive trees tremble as the wind heaves
And lunges into them. Men approach the blood-swollen creek
And cross this bridge, hurrying toward the shade they seek.
Why has this lone Man stooped at the Kidron before He crosses,
His finger just touching the red water, and pauses,
Pauses?
~Latayne C. Scott
Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut His glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died
For man, the creature's sin.
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do!
~Isaac Watts
the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking
them questions. And all who heard Him were amazed at his
understanding and His answers.
Childlike wisdom...infinite knowledge...
Jesus, full of the Holy Spririt... was led around by the Spirit in the
wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.
...determination...
Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to
minister to Him.
...weakness...
And He said to them, "Follow Me."
...eager...inviting...
Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their
synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among
the people.
...God-like...strong...
"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of
the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of
heaven."
...bold...unafraid...honest...
"It was said... hate your enemy... but I say... love your enemies"
..challenging...redefining...
"Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor
gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?"
...loving...rebuking...
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want
them to treat you."
...teaching...
The crowds were amazed at His teaching, for He was teaching
them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
...authority...authority...
A centurion came to Him, imploring Him, and saying, "Lord, my
servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented."
...trusted...
Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, "I am
willing; be cleansed."
...loving...
And they [the deamons] cried out, saying "What business do
we have with eachother, Son of God? Have You come to
torment us before the time?"
...feared...
He said, "Leave, for the girl has not died, but is asleep." And they
begand laughing at Him.
...misjudged...
"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."
...comforting...
And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold,
the sower went out to sow."
...story-teller...
When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt
compassion for them, and healed their sick.
...compassionate...
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him,
and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
...disappointed...
He took the seven loaves and the fish, and giving thanks, He
broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the
disciples gave them to the people.
...thankful...miraculous...
And Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverted
generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put
up with you?"
...frustrated...
"If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and
throw it from you; it is better to enter life crippled or lame, than
to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal
fire."
...earnest...
And Jesus entered the temple, and drove out all those who
were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the
tables of the money changers, and the seats of those who were
selling doves.
...zealous...passionate...
"But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now
on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's
kingdom."
...sober...
Jesus... said to them, "Why do you bother the woman? For she
has done a good deed to Me... for when she poured this
perfume on My body, she did it to prepare Me for burial."
...gratified...protecting...
"Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more."
...forgiving...
Then He said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of
death; remain here and keep watch with Me."
...grieved...lonely...
And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and
prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from
Me; yet not as I will, but as You will."
...agonized...humble...
Then He came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still
sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son
of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners."
...distressed...
Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all
those who take up the sword will perish by the sword."
...forgiving....
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth;
Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, and like a sheep that is silent
before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.
...silent...
Because He had done no violence, nor was there any deceit in
His mouth.
...sinless...
Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered
with the transgressors; yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and
interceded for the transgressors.
...Savior...
Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying... "My God, My God,
why have You forsaken me?"
...dejected...in agony...
And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His
spirit.
...human...human...
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word
to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."
...eager...joyful...
And Jesus... spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given
to Me in heaven and on earth."
...powerful...
"And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
...faithful...
...God...
...God in man, incarnate.
In the temple they are killing the lambs. There
Two hundred and seventy thousand will die. The air
Of Jerusalem has been filled with their bleating
All day, as red-sleeved priests perform their duty of meting
Our death. One by one, white throats are slit.
The temple has the hot, moist smell of blood about it.
A conduit drains from the great brass altar down
To the brook Kidron.
But in the dusk-light of this Thursday, the leaves
Of the olive trees tremble as the wind heaves
And lunges into them. Men approach the blood-swollen creek
And cross this bridge, hurrying toward the shade they seek.
Why has this lone Man stooped at the Kidron before He crosses,
His finger just touching the red water, and pauses,
Pauses?
~Latayne C. Scott
Well might the sun in darkness hide,
And shut His glories in,
When Christ, the mighty Maker died
For man, the creature's sin.
But drops of grief can ne'er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Here, Lord, I give myself away,
'Tis all that I can do!
~Isaac Watts
Friday, May 17, 2013
To the Stalkers Sneaking Somewhere About
After helping to hoe up three rows of my Grandmother's garden (for that is where I am, for the week) I feel quite hardworking; the two blisters painfully acknowledged on my right hand persuade me of that. We were planting beans.
I spent time reminiscing on the hammock out in the yard, thinking about times long past, when I rocked Granddaddy in that very hammock, when I ran around playing while Grandmama worked in her garden (I guess I have come a long way since then, now that I am helping her, actually!), having cousinly conversations with different members of our lovely, large, family, cleaning bathrooms with aunts, doing chin-ups on the water pipes down in the basement.... comforting memories amidst a difficult childhood. Not that I am totally grown up, as it is.
But why am I telling you all this, my stalkers? I suppose you don't have interest in these sort of things. All my apologies. Go somewhere else if you don't like reading such stuff.
The piano sounds just as it did years ago. Extra soft keys that hardly play, somewhat out of tune, I would think, though I do not have as good an ear as I would like, and beautiful cherry wood finish. Upstairs, several of the rooms are newly painted, what with the recent fire. There are, as there always is, millions of ants; large, black, carpenter ants. Ugh.
Oh, as an afterthought, if any of you read this who are not stalkers, computers, or the like, please overlook my quirkiness. I am not crazy, but I am unique. :)
I must go eat supper with my dear sisters. Farewell, till later, that is!
~Koala
P.S. As for my odd name, it isn't my real one. You should know that by now. No one is named Koala. My elder sister (I only have one elder one) gave it to me, since I couldn't think of an online psuedom. She and I think it is very fitting to me. Chan is a Japanese word. Look it up. (It's my thinking a computer won't have any interest in looking it up, and stalkers already know everything in the world, so that takes care of me not having to explain the meaning of 'chan'.
I spent time reminiscing on the hammock out in the yard, thinking about times long past, when I rocked Granddaddy in that very hammock, when I ran around playing while Grandmama worked in her garden (I guess I have come a long way since then, now that I am helping her, actually!), having cousinly conversations with different members of our lovely, large, family, cleaning bathrooms with aunts, doing chin-ups on the water pipes down in the basement.... comforting memories amidst a difficult childhood. Not that I am totally grown up, as it is.
But why am I telling you all this, my stalkers? I suppose you don't have interest in these sort of things. All my apologies. Go somewhere else if you don't like reading such stuff.
The piano sounds just as it did years ago. Extra soft keys that hardly play, somewhat out of tune, I would think, though I do not have as good an ear as I would like, and beautiful cherry wood finish. Upstairs, several of the rooms are newly painted, what with the recent fire. There are, as there always is, millions of ants; large, black, carpenter ants. Ugh.
Oh, as an afterthought, if any of you read this who are not stalkers, computers, or the like, please overlook my quirkiness. I am not crazy, but I am unique. :)
I must go eat supper with my dear sisters. Farewell, till later, that is!
~Koala
P.S. As for my odd name, it isn't my real one. You should know that by now. No one is named Koala. My elder sister (I only have one elder one) gave it to me, since I couldn't think of an online psuedom. She and I think it is very fitting to me. Chan is a Japanese word. Look it up. (It's my thinking a computer won't have any interest in looking it up, and stalkers already know everything in the world, so that takes care of me not having to explain the meaning of 'chan'.
...Opening Prelude....
So I finally have a blog. What ever will I use it for? I don't really know. But in my present situation, I feel an explicite need to write.... write so that I can express myself to the giant world.
That is an overstatement, because I do hope the giant world can't read this. Probably no one knows about this, which would be nice so that I can just write to what seems to be someone, but is really no one. Right.
One reason why I perhaps shouldn't blog is that there are stalkers out there.
I presume no one but stalkers will have much interest in reading my forthcoming posts. So I guess they will have to be my audience!
Let me tell a little about myself. I play cello (I suppose that may be obvious by the title!) and piano, am a amatuer photographer, enjoy cooking and baking, singing, listening, writing, and family history. I am also an avid reader.
Upcoming blog posts will be forthright.
Adieu.
Your friend,
~Koala-Chan
That is an overstatement, because I do hope the giant world can't read this. Probably no one knows about this, which would be nice so that I can just write to what seems to be someone, but is really no one. Right.
One reason why I perhaps shouldn't blog is that there are stalkers out there.
I presume no one but stalkers will have much interest in reading my forthcoming posts. So I guess they will have to be my audience!
Let me tell a little about myself. I play cello (I suppose that may be obvious by the title!) and piano, am a amatuer photographer, enjoy cooking and baking, singing, listening, writing, and family history. I am also an avid reader.
Upcoming blog posts will be forthright.
Adieu.
Your friend,
~Koala-Chan
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