Memories

When my darling SissyDea posted this painter's work, I had to keep a copy. I have been working at my parents home for the past month or more. I see vivid ghosts of childhood memories all around me.

It is interesting when one's mind superimposes the past upon the present. This artist (along with my sisters--you know who you are) inspire me to go further. To pursue the dream. To reach for the unattainable. How gracious God has been to give to me these precious sisters.

This picture makes me feel like weeping...so much of life has been lived.  So much yet to live.

With All Good Wishes

This is a postcard from my "cyber" collection. I know--it's a bit early for Christmas, but these kittens are so cute! I know it is a Christmas postcard, but it is also nearing Halloween with all the strange lore of black cats.

I've collected figurines of black cats since I was a little girl. There is something so endearing about those expressive kitty eyes, glowing like amusing jewels, shining from a small black canvas. 

Daddy Update: We were able to tear down the rotten addition to the back of my parent's home. All that is left is the floor--which is rather like a broad deck area. I was SO impressed with what my husband and our friend Gurn accomplished! How these amazing men were able to tear that monstrosity down by themselves, is quite beyond me--they're both heroes in my eyes!

My sister and I worked hard filling the dumpster (The guys helped with the really heavy stuff). We cleaned, bagged all kinds of stuff, sorted good wood from the bad, piled it accordingly. Sissy and I cleaned and swept, carried, lifted and piled stuff...It was a very LONG day.

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The four of us accomplished more than we ever hoped for, or dreamed! Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers. It's miraculous to behold.

Friends Together in Sunshine and in Shade

"We have been friends together in sunshine and in shade." -- Caroline Norton

I love the youthful elegance and antique fashion which are combined here with such delightful appeal.

This sweet card also reminds me of something that happened years ago. My younger sister Clytie and I went out one night to Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour.  Since we were truly Gibson girls--we each ordered a Gibson Girl ice cream.

To our horror, suddenly bells, whistles and sirens went off. We gasped as two GIANT bowls, each about the size of a volleyball--full of every flavor ice cream, complete with toppings, bananas, whipped cream and topped with a red cherry, were trundling toward our table.

We couldn't believe our eyes. I remember we didn't finish our fine LARGE Gibson Girls--and for years afterward we would giggle over our "Gibson Girl" treat.


Daddy Update: Dad is a miracle kid! The surgeons gave the wound on his head (which exposed quite a bit of bone) a one percent chance of healing without surgery. At present, the bone is completely covered and the skin around the wound only has about one and a half inches to go--if that! Dad is a walking miracle! Early next month, Dad will be going in for a neck check up--we are praying for the same miraculous healing in his broken neck bones.

My siblings and I cleared and cleaned our parents home and property enough that they were able to return home last Sunday morning! They seem so happy. Next weekend we are tearing down a rotten section of their home--down to the floorboards, so I would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers for safety for everyone who will be coming over to help.

THANK YOU for your thoughts and prayers--they have meant more to me and my family than you will ever know.

Love Now

This is a card from the 1970's once sent to me by my best friend Eric. It is an enigmatic sort of saying, but today it makes sense and fits with my mood.

I will try to be consistent with you

So that you will understand

The core of my personality

And from that understanding

You can gain strength and security

That  I am acting as me.

I may falter with my moods . . . 

But because people are never constant

And are as changeable as the seasons,

I will try to build up within you

A faith in my fundamental attitude

And show you that my inconsistency

Is only for the moment

And not a lasting part of me.

I will show you love now.

~Walter Rinder

I Couldn't Bear It

This darling Valentine is one of my favorites. I love the way these old cards expand. This card was probably printed in the USA in the late 1930's. Below you can see what the card looks like expanded.

Daddy Update: What a wonderful thing! The top of Dad's head has NO bone showing! The two surgeons who looked at it a little over a month ago said there was a one percent chance that terrible wound would heal over. Thank you for your prayers! It is truly a miracle!

Please continue to pray that Dad's neck bones will knit together. There's quite a gap between the bones--and Mom says, looking at the cat scan, that it looks impossible. But we've already seen one miracle! Let's pray for another.

We hope to have Dad and Mom's home ready for them by the 20th. Still so much yet to be done.

Bunny Watchman

Here is another Valentine Card from my collection. This card was probably printed in the USA in the late 1930's. There is a small metal rivet in the top of his arm, which allows this darling little bunny watchman to swing his lamp.

The look on this hunky bunny is rather funny. I believe he LIKES what he sees!



Daddy Update: Last Sunday morning Dad walked my youngest sister down the aisle, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. He walked around quite a bit that day--and seemed the better for it.

The neck doctor had some discouraging news. According to the cat scan, there is a cyst which is lodged where the break in Dad's neck is. The Doc thinks Dad was probably born with it--but it seems to be impeding the bones from healing. But there was some good news, too--We saw the wound specialist on Wednesday. She was amazed at how quickly the top of Dad's head is knitting. Indeed--when I change his wound each day, I am amazed to see visible progress--It is a miracle to watch how quickly the flesh is covering over the bone, when the doctors said it never would.

Please pray for safety for all the family members and volunteers who will be at my parents' home this weekend. We have a LOT to do, including some serious work on the roof. It is my hope and prayer that we will accomplish more than we ever thought possible. Dad and Mom need to be in their own home. I would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers this Labor Day Weekend.

A Good Life

Today my youngest Sister is getting married. She is marrying a wonderful man who loves her very much. May God bless their lives with hope, love, strength and winsome love. But not just that, may God bless my sister and my new brother each, with the ability to go more than half way toward eachother in the hard times.

Dad is well enough that he'll be able to walk her down the aisle using his cane. The oxygen and wheel chair won't be far. Thank you for your prayers. Dad has had a few bad days recently. He's felt so discouraged with the length of this healing process. Please pray that Dad will be encouraged and feel God's blessing on his life.

Wishing You Happiness - Postcard Friendship Friday

This postcard is especially for you, Marie. I am SO glad to see you are back, up and running!

YOU'VE BEEN MISSED! God bless you and your boys, dear Marie. Thank you for all the joy you've given to so many of us.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

The Sun's Travel

The sun is not a-bed, when I

At night upon my pillow lie;

Still around the earth his way he takes

And morning after morning makes.

While here at home, in shining day,
We round the sunny garden play,
Each little Indian sleepy-head
Is being kissed and put to bed.

Here is another old poem, and illustration from my beloved, yet tattered book of Children's Verse, which was published around the turn of the century.

Grandpa's Promise

When I was a little girl, and not very well liked in school, I loved the story of the Ugly Duckling with its promise of beauty and maturity.

When I was in third or fourth grade, I had experienced a particularly rough day. I remember running over to talk to Grandpa Lester--my best buddy and the one to whom I confided all my girlish joys and hardships. Tears running down my face, I told him my woes. A few days later, Grandpa brought a picture he'd cut from the Penny's Catalogue. The model was lovely, her smile radiant.

He put the picture into my hands and said, "When you get older, this is what you will look like." Then he stooped to smile into my eyes. "But you are already beautiful inside."

I never forgot what he said that day. The odd thing is that when I was in my 20's, I actually DID resemble the picture Grandpa gave to me. I still have it--and even now that I'm getting older and more wrinkled as each day passes--I think about the gift of true beauty and future promise Grandpa gave to me.

Daddy Update: The wound specialist believes the bone still exposed in Dad's scalp will most likely heal over by itself without surgery. Dad's tests have come back looking great. Please pray for my parents outlook--it is so hard for them to be away from their home so long. We are preparing the house so they can go back sometime mid-September. We are praying we can get it done by that time--Mom must return home so she can teach her writing classes the first of October.