watch

you watch with me
through the night
sing with me
in the morning
when finally
the wait is over
the promised joy
after tears
has come at last

together we sigh
such relief
but we are
not the same
as yesterday
the cells in our bodies
have rearranged
morphed into
new configurations

now we know
as never before
how close
we live to the edge
how fragile our humanity

is it out of desperation
or cockroach hope
that we grab eternity

the sighing does not cease

it is bagel time
you pour coffee
into my cup
my soul overflows
surely goodness

mercy dwells
in the house of friendship


christie, february 27, 2011

Friends

I have a dear friend, Vineta Campau, who I met when we were age 3 in Bible School. Her mother was our teacher. Vineta and I have shared many wonderful days/years together. In April of last year she invited me to take a vacation with her, another mutual friend, and several other girls. We went to Patagonia, Arizona to the Circle Z Ranch. We all bonded well together and had a wonderful vacation. Two weeks ago, this same group of girls, plus a few more vacationed together again in Tucson, Arizona. There were 16 girls who gathered in Tucson. A majority of them live there. I stayed at the home of a friend I met last year in Patagonia. She and her husband invited Vineta, another friend from Indiana and myself to stay with them. We spent four days and nights together. I feel it is important for women to spend time with friends. It completes the circle of life...God, family and friends. Spending time with our friends can be so rewarding.

Enjoy life, enjoy your family, enjoy your friends, enjoy your furry family, too!

Those Great Orbs in the Sky

As I near the end of my stay in warmer climes, having avoided most of the rather cold winter in Kentucky, I will miss the sunrises, sunsets, and "moonrises". It is rather flat in this part of the country and on clear days, these spectacular events presented by Mother Nature easily draw one's eyes to the sky. In recent days the full moon, its light dancing off the ocean waters, was so lovely. It would throw out reflections when least expected.

As for the sun, can you think of a color more glorious? The other day, I decided to watch it disappear over the horizon. Many times, I have been with others watching the sunset and not paying much attention. This time I was alone and focusing intently on its movement. It was amazing to see how rapidly it sinks behind the trees. I know it's not really sinking, Mother Earth is making her move, as she does each and every day, to give us the darkness that tells us to rest. She is reliable and will repeat herself each day.

Yes, I will miss these events, but the hills of Kentucky are calling me to return and hike its beautiful surroundings!

Traveling on Tuesday

State Capital of West Virginia, Charleston

Monday night, I was washing dishes and cleaning @ midnight, I wanted the house clean before traveling on Tuesday.  

As soon as the alarm goes off @ 4:55 a.m., I am up and out of  bed.  Hurry… get ready…need to leave by 6:00 a.m.  It is dark and misty as we pull out of the driveway @ 6:02 a.m.

Breakfast @ Cracker Barrel, then, we are on our way.  We listen to worship music for hours.  As we drive in the mountains, the signal for XM Radio fades in and out.  We turn it off.  I Pod Time… Satellite Sisters… Jerry downloaded programs for road trips.   www.satellitesisters.com is site worth visiting. Funny, he likes listening to the sisters as well.  They (Satellite Sisters)  are very entertaining. 

Downtown Winston Salem, N.C.

Morning

The kind of morning
When silver moon
Has worked
A double shift
Is hanging around
Round in the western sky
Before clocking out

The kind of morning
When blinding sun arrives
Round in the eastern sky
Right on time
Carrying a box of crayons
Ready for the opening bell

They look straight across
Their shared work
Tip their hats
Wave and smile
As old friends do

Then quite unexpectedly
Cloud chimes in
Offering a rainbow
While the stars
Silently applaud

It is that kind of morning
Where poets realizing their lack
Should put down quills
Fall to knees
But alas
Are compelled to
Scratch weak words
On the canvas

Wise enough
Not to ask for
Or expect forgiveness
We know what we do
We hope for tolerance
The grace of
An unpublished review

Christie 2-19-2011

I am a grandma in training

As far as I know, my daughter and son in law are not expecting.  That fact does not keep me from  getting in shape.  My progress is slow but steady in Weight Watchers.  I  also continue to exercise and walk daily.  Grandchildren or not, I need to get in shape.

Last week,  I found a Thomas the Train stuck in my sofa cushion.  The toy was  leftover  from the Sunday School fellowship.  I smiled... what a sweet reminder of the fellowship.  I know that grandchildren must leave little trinkets when they visit.    So, I am getting in shape physically and mentally. For now, I must train.

valentine

the first time

you told me

you love me

we were walking

on a street in

park place

on our way downtown

to frisch's for a

big boy and onion rings

young

19 maybe 20

just kids in college

both trembling

with new passions

on the edge of

commitment

fears of rejection

fears of acceptance

wrapped around us

like heavy yet warm

hand knitted shawls

from grandmothers' needles

we walked on

toward the bridge

that would take us

beyond life

as we had known it

to strange new worlds

wrapped in each other’s arms

you turned slightly to me

holding my hand

still not making contact

with your eyes

and said

ich liebe dich

speaking german

you learned at

niagara falls high

perhaps hoping in part

i would not understand

but dagmar had shared

dark rye bread and cheese

with me during lunch at

huntsville high and I had

a telefunken 33 rpm

with a rousing rendition of

the beer barrel polka

rosamunde a barrel of fun

not lost in translation

i knew in a heartbeat

you love me

early years in

pennsylvania dutch land

hex signs shoo fly pie

spaetzle german potato salad

bundle of joy

bird in hand

ich liebe dich

almost a life time later

cherished friends

the royal princess

the kiel canal

beautiful deutschland

german people

waving welcome to strangers

the band plays on

rosamunde having a barrel of fun

number one on the hit parade

fairy tale come true

ich liebe dich

prophetic language

hoped dreamed

understood received

committed lived

ich liebe dich auch

immer

christie for stan

happy valentine's day, 2011

Friends and Politics

According to Cicero, "There are no true friends in politics." It is something to consider.  My friendships are not based on party affiliation.  As a result of my personal interests, my friendships tend to be varied.    At my core, my faith, not politics shape of my life.  My faith propels and defines me.

I don't like cookie cutter friendships.  Why associate  only with  individuals who look like you, think like you, and vote the same way?  I admit, my deepest friendships are with individuals who are Christians.   I guess I broken two rules, never discuss religion and politics with friends. In the safe haven of my family, we often have political discussion.  We don't have to agree on everything. I wonder, how do others families navigate the issues of families and politics?

Family, politics, and religion are skillfully weaved together in a poem  written by Christie Smith Stephens.  In her book of poetry, Oh, to be in Miss Collier's class again! Christie wrote a poem about politics, Yeller Dog Democrat.

What prompted this post? Lunch with a friend, who is pondering a run for a local office in the future. Intelligent, poised, and thoughtful, my friend will be an excellent public servant.

Politics will not interrupt my friendships.

 .

Candle for a Friend

Lighting a candle
This morning
This cold February Monday
For she who has had
Much to bear
And who has borne it
With great love
Amazing grace

Light for the path
Of she who has
Labored tirelessly
And tired
Through long nights
Persevered determined
And creative
Through the busy days
Of many years

Lighting a candle
For she
Whose arms
Whose heart
Have carried him
From womb
To this winter day
Never too heavy
For her large love
But now too heavy
For her small arms

She still seeks
Only the best
For this child of
Her body her flesh
Her bone her blood
This child of her
Very soul

Lighting a
Mourning/Morning candle
For her firstborn
For her second and third born
For her beloved
For her mother heart

As the beautiful hymn sings
Grant her courage
Grant her wisdom
For the living of this hour. . .

And grant them all peace,
I pray.

Amen

GoD and DoG

I am out of turn posting today, but I wanted to share this with you all. I know we have some dog lovers in our group and thought you all would enjoy this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

I tried to upload the video and it failed. The url above will take you to the video. Enjoy!

2011 Handbook

Hello dear friends! I have not blogged for some time. Writers block...various other things. I hope that if you are in an area that has been hit hard by difficult weather that you are all safe and warm. We had quite an ice storm, followed by snow, winds, tomorrow plummeting temperatures. But the groundhog promises an early Spring. I will certainly be ready for it.

Here are some good tips for 2011 that I wanted to share with you.

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2010 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree....

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will.
Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

Last but not the least:
40. Please share this with those you care about, I just did.