Miss Rumphius: A Story Re-Imagined

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney: Re-imagined

An eclectic group of people lived in quaint houses scattered about  a small mid-western town called Carlinville. All around the town, there were beautiful, flowering plants. When people got off the train or visited the library, they enjoyed the pretty landscape. But it was not always so.

When they were younger, each of the people who lived about Carlinville decided to do three things:

• Live in the beautiful mid-west
• Make a contribution with their talents in worthy professional pursuits
• Make the world a more beautiful place

So they set out to do those things. They spent their years as coal miners, teachers, superintendents, business professionals, mothers and fathers. They made Carlinville better with their vocations and their example. 

The years went by, and they realized they still had one thing they needed to accomplish:

Make the world a more beautiful place.

One day, they noticed that the city's public buildings were pretty and yet bare. They also noticed that in order to keep a community flourishing, the bees needed plants to buzz around and pollen to spread. Then they realized that they could make the city more beautiful, provide for the bees, and fulfill their desire to make the world more beautiful, one landmark at a time.  

So, they went to their houses and asked others for access to their yards as well, and they began digging up the flowering plants that grew there. They took their donated plants and their ambition, and they began to plant the things bees love all over the city of Carlinville. 

Everywhere they worked, the city took on a new glow. And so did the people. The bees were happy, and it turns out that what makes bees happy makes people happy, too. They attended council meetings to update the city's leadership about their projects, and they all supported one another in the ways they worked to make the city a lovely place to live, contribute and make the world more beautiful. They even prompted the City of Carlinville to be declared the first Bee City in Illinois.

The next spring, there will be bees and beauty everywhere, and the little group of  community volunteers will have made a difference in the city and in the residents' lives. 

I know this because these people are my fellow citizens, in the town I call home. And they have inspired our community's young people to start on their own goals of making the world a more beautiful place, teaching volunteerism and community from the dirt up. 

I, too, will live in this quaint, mid-western town called Carlinville. I, too, will make a contribution with worthy professional pursuits. And I, too, will make the world a more beautiful place. 

But I do not know yet what that can be.

Dear Tom,

I remember when we first met.  Me, so full of expectation; you, so full of promise.  I was in a place in my life when you seemed like just my type--natural, trustworthy, safe.  And you talked such a good game.  I knew that our relationship would go one of two ways:  either it would be all I ever hoped for, or it would stink.

Well, you let me down, Tom.  I was embarrassed and hurt, and I felt as if I had been duped. 

But, when we ran into each other again a few days ago, my weakness for your promises came flooding back.  I thought, "Maybe this time will be different.  Maybe things have changed."  I was so optimistic, so full of hope, so eager for our return to each other. 

And you, Tom, you failed me again.  Big time.  But, I won't waste my time being ashamed...I will tell the world how you lie, how you never live up to your squeaky-clean image, how you disappoint so completely.

Truth:  It is not long lasting, smells only slightly bearable, and you spend 24 hours protected from contact with other human beings, due to your smelly self.  Courtesy of Tom.

Tom, you burn me once, shame on you.

Your burn me twice, shame on me!



Dad's Retirement--Round 1

Over this summer, a magical, long-anticipated event happened in our family:
My Dad retired.

Now, this has been particularly anticipated in the last couple of years, since Dad had to go all the way to Canada to finish out his time with his employer when they moved out of our area.  If you haven't read about the adventures of my family while the parents were away, read any of my posts filed under "brother" or "homecomings," and you will be up to date.

So--retirement.  We had a surprise party for Dad.  The surprise was that we were able to keep straight faces while lying through our teeth for weeks in order to get the party together.  And the bonus was that, for once in our lives, Mom told us to lie to Dad.  Fun.

The cake.

Memorabilia from his working years.

My personal favorite:  his lunch box. 

My dad took this small cooler to work every day for many years.  The contents would vary, except for two things:  Tums and ibuprofen.  Tough job.

Shop talk.

 Women folk.  Oh, if you could listen to this particular group of ladies. 

They are too funny.

Brother--remembered his side kick, forgot his shoes.

Priorities, people.

The guest of honor, best father in the world, hardest working man I know.

So, in his retirement, Dad has done the following, so far:

~ Got a dog and developed the most severe case of puppy-love I have ever witnessed.

~ Torn down a shed and built a new one out of the scraps.  Isn't that how we all do it?

~ Repaired vehicles for everyone in a fifteen mile radius.

~ Planted a massive garden, including a crazy amount of corn and pumpkins, which he sees as a perfect background to take more photos of his dog. 

~ Went back to work.  Seriously. 

So, Dad is now semi-retired, semi-OK with that, and completely enamored with his dog, Bruiser. 

But that love is for another post :)



Where I am in the Word

(source)

I must admit that I have been struggling to get back on track with spending time in the Bible daily, until just recently.  There was a time when it was automatic for me to start the day with a cup of coffee and an hour in God's word, soaking up the strength to go on with the day.  I got out of the routine, and, as with all good habits, it has been difficult to get back in.  But, I am making progress. 

For the past week, I have been reading the book of Hebrews.  I usually read two chapters a morning, right after waking up, and write my thoughts on the reading in a notebook.  It has been wonderful, so focusing.  I found these wise words:

"...pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."  Hebrews 2:1

We have to pay attention, or we risk drifting away.  When I stopped getting up early, spending time in my Bible, and praying before I began the day, I wasn't paying attention.  And I drifted.  But, there is hope for me:

"He rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Hebrews 11:6

I need only to seek Him again, and He will be there, ready to reward my efforts.  He has never stopped speaking, I only stopped listening.  It feels wonderful, peaceful to be seeking, paying attention, and drifting back to the Father. 



Let's not...

...do the thing where I tell you why I haven't been blogging.  Hi, there!

So, here is my life in a picture:

Core D--We started our school year the first of August.  This year we decided to go with Sonlight curriculum again, after taking two years off from using it.  I am so glad we revisited the idea!  Sonlight is so complete, totally planned out, and structured.  I love those aspects, but sometimes I let the "box check-er" in me get all freaked out about deviating from the schedule. 

Magazines--I am still serving on the city council.  It has been challenging, rewarding, and humbling.  I have so much to learn, so much growing to do.  I am grateful for the opportunity, so I am trying to make the best of the situation, make the best decisions I can, and never forget who I serve.

The English Novel--My fall college course has started!  I am doing a directed study on the novel.  I think it will be very interesting, and I am grateful to be studying under one of my favorite professors.  He is intelligent, thoughtful, and has always believed in me.  Let's hope I don't disappoint him this semester ;)

I hope to be back to a more regular schedule of blogging!

Mothers and Friends

If you tell me everything that is wrong with the world,

I will feel small and wonder why I should try.

But, if you show me how I can do anything if I work hard, I will do it with all my heart.

If you berate me for my failures and flaws, I will berate myself for them too.

But, if you encourage me to try again, I will, and I will like myself for it.

If you tell me all the reasons I "can't," I will believe you.

But, if you tell me the reasons why I can, I will believe in myself.

We all need a cheerleader, a person who believes in us, hopes for us, holds us up, and hears us out. 

I need that person.

And I got two.

Mom, thanks for knowing that if you just remind me of where I come from, I will remember where I am going.  Thanks for seeing the good in me when I made you look really hard.  Thanks for encouraging me when I discouraged you.  Thanks for being my friend.

Mother-in-law, thanks for loving me like I am yours.  Thanks for always being there to help, always reminding me that hard work is hard-won worth.  Thanks for being my friend.

Thank you both for teaching me how to mother by mothering me.

And thanks for still mothering this 32 year old woman who sometimes still feels small, scared, and unsure of herself.

I love you with all that I am.



Little Ladies?

"A lady wears appropriate makeup, enhancing her features without making it appear too obvious."

If it is possible to enhance the sight of missing teeth, I think they are on target.

"A lady chooses the proper attire for the occasion."

The occasion was trotting across the road to check out the neighbor's tractors. 

I think we've taught them well, don't you?