I'm Just Sayin...

The Wright grandkids call Mike, "Grampa" which sounds like "Pompa" when they say it. And "Pompa" is the same word they use for Spongebob...

I'm just sayin...

Three Cuties From Florida... to Kansas

Henry, Marcail and Naomi happily playing at Grammy's house!

One of their favorite things to play with is left-over church bulletins! They played "church" with them and the girls wrapped their little plastic baby dolls in them.
(See Naomi in last photo.)

Things about kids I'd almost forgotten:
1. It doesn't matter if they (or I) stay in p.j.s all morning if we're hangin out at home.
2. Kids can be contented for a very long while with left-over church bulletins, or other unexpected items (a feather from a pillow, a tape measure, a big pair of boots and baskets of various sizes.)
3. Kids love having books read to them. And I love reading them.
4. Kids love being sung to... and they are not at all critical of made-up tunes or words.
5. The song "Jesus Loves Me" never gets old.
6. Kids can be entertained for quite awhile by emptying water from a small plastic pool one cup at a time. "Pour the water in the bird bath." Pour the water on the grass." Now pour the water on the tricycle...."
7. It doesn't really matter how messy the house gets as long as the kids are happy/not fighting/well fed and favorite blankies, phones and permanent markers are accounted for.
8. Sometimes the afternoon nap doesn't seem to come soon enough.
9. Kids love to "help" whether it's carrying something "too heavy" for Grammy, getting cups for all the kids, taking ketchup to the table, helping to look for a lost blanket or putting away toys (usually).
10. Hearing toddlers talk and giggle together is therapeutic!
11. Kids love to learn new things (if they are not too tired), and they learn new things even if we are not in "teach mode". (Which means always being careful about what we say and do!)

AND SOME THINGS I HOPE TO NEVER FORGET:
Kids grow up too fast! Being able to be the funniest comedian, the best singer, the smartest adult, the wisest mentor and to kiss away tears, hug aways fears, pat a sweetie to sleep all wrapped up in your arms... are blessings indeed.

Here's the Thing: Pterodactyl Tuxedo - Gustafer Yellowgold

I don't know why. I just like it. I like the idea. I like the tune.
I like the words. What more can I say? (Okay, the cat part creeps me out, but we're talkin Pterodactyls here.) This just reminds me of some tune, concept and illustrations Mike could have come up with... and made money! I don't know why.

Update and Cutie Pictures

For a brief update on my Mom:
She is doing better. She actually ate a whole meal in the hospital today. She's receiving I.V. antibiotics and "fluids". She is a bit perkier and thinks she'd rest better at home, which I understand, but is assured of some nutrients in hospital and call me weird, but I'm kinda "into" I.V. drugs (or juice) for getting to the issue. She may be dismissed tomorrow or the next day. I thank any of you who prayed and who are praying still. She definitely has a ways to go to regain strength and health.
Thank you dearly and sincerely.

Tab and the kids arrived safely and on schedule! They are doing well. We had a 4th b-day party for our first grandson, Sean here last evening. Sean's Mom is our daughter, Olivia. Tabitha, our daughter who is visiting from Florida, posted some pics on her blog and at this point I've not even had my camera in operation, but I may yet! Blessings!

More Personal Stuff

I almost titled this "Now What?" since it seems that I'm posting personal stuff lately (not because I like this personal stuff) on the contrary, but at the same time, the Lord seems to be working this way and here I am again.
And this time I'm requesting prayer for my dear Mom who was admitted through the ER to the hospital with a kidney infection and is depleted from lack of nourishment and she's not eating and... I'm gonna stop there because God knows all the details and bottom line is urgent prayer is needed for my Mom, Jerry. Please lift her up. She has been in the hospital since 3:30 AM Tuesday. Please pray for my Dad, John.

A Blessed Visit

Tuesday is the day!

We're praying for a safe and happy flight.

Tabitha and her sweet kids, three of our grandchildren, are arriving on a plane from Florida to visit for several weeks! We're so excited!

We'll miss Daddy James. James has to stay home and work. He's going to miss his family, but I'm so thankful he has provided them plane tickets and his blessing to come to Kansas! Thanks James and may God bless you as you faithfully love your family!

More photos to come, Lord willing!

"The Earth Has Yielded Its Produce;"

Wheat Harvest Has Begun!

We're not wheat farmers, but we live among wheat fields and farmers and every year we are excited to spot the first of the fields being harvested as we did on our drive through the Smoky Hills and fields a few evenings ago!

Blessings!
PSALM 67
God be gracious to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us-- Selah.
That Your way may be known on the earth,
Your salvation among all nations.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy;
For You will judge the peoples with uprightness
And guide the nations on the earth. Selah.
Let the peoples praise You, O God;
Let all the peoples praise You.
The earth has yielded its produce;
God, our God, blesses us.
God blesses us,
That all the ends of the earth may fear Him.

"The Great Realtor In The Sky" (Mike's words for how his house was sold!!)

The Lord sold Mike's house yesterday!
Enjoy a lively piano solo in celebration with us! Thanks to Laurel for calling our attention to this piece (March of the Dwarfs) by Edvard Grieg!

A Post I Don't Want To Write

Our 19-year-old adopted daughter left home. (I insert the word "adopted", not as an excuse, disclaimer or explanation, but as information that adds to the complexity of her leaving. She was adopted by us at the age of 7.)
She ran away from home to be more excruciatingly honest.
We know where she is, thanks to living in a small town where it is fairly difficult to live with much anonymity, but we haven’t spoken to her since last Sunday afternoon. She was given a ride to a nearby town by a friendly (thankfully) farmer. She is staying in a “shelter” that is “safe”, but not as safe as home.
The facts are wearisome and for Christine’s sake I won’t go into them here.
I said I didn’t want to write this post.
Then why did I?
One: I’m asking for prayer for Christine.
Please pray for honesty and truth. Pray for safety and protection. Pray for repentance. She is 19 in years, but not in emotional, intellectual or mental development.
Please pray for Mike and me and others who love her and those who are getting to know her now.
Two: I blog… and though this blog is not a diary of secrets best kept under lock and key, obviously, it does contain honest thoughts, struggles, and joys about living as a “Tulip in the Thicket”. I’ve always loved that word picture as well as the photograph.
Now, it seems to be a strange metaphor in full bloom.
Three: As I thought about the personal content of this post (the exposure) and wondered about keeping quiet about this, I also felt I’d be dishonest in not sharing. So I share, but I will not dwell here. I wrestle with an urge to defend or vindicate myself and an urge to spit out what it is I imagine to be God’s purpose and how He may be working in the situation and I shake my head at my presumptuousness. God’s ways are far above ours! Isaiah 55:9-11

Prudence and Honesty have argued with each other and have come to an understanding.
If this seems to the point, it is. The truth is I’m weary and disheartened, but not without hope…ever.
Psalm 42:11
Romans 5:3-8

The Cow Song

Since we're on the subject of beautiful music and it wasn't too long ago that I posted about the Ghost Cow, I got to wondering if Miss Estella Cow is somewhere out there singing a most udderly heartfelt and tragical song...

Music, Heartstrings and "That Lost Native Country"

Music
When I was a child

I once sat sobbing on the floor

Beside my mother's piano

As she played and sang

For there was in her singing

A shy yet solemn glory

My smallness could not hold

And when I was asked

Why I was crying

I had no words for it

I only shook my head

And went on crying

Why is it that music

At its most beautiful

Opens a wound in us

An ache a desolation

Deep as a homesickness

For some far-off

And half-forgotten country

I've never understood

Why this is so

But there's an ancient legend

From the other side of the world

That gives away the secret

Of this mysterious sorrow

For centuries on centuries

We have been wandering

But we were made for Paradise

As deer for the forest

And when music comes to us

With its heavenly beauty

It brings us desolation

For when we hear it

We half remember

That lost native country

We dimly remember the fields

Their fragrant windswept clover

The birdsongs in the orchards

The wild white violets in the moss

By the transparent streams

And shining at the heart of it

Is the longed-for beauty

Of the One who waits for us

Who will always wait for us

In those radiant meadows

Yet also came to live with us

And wanders where we wander.

"Music" by Anne Porter from Living Things: Collected Poems

(As heard on "The Writer's Almanac" and read by Garrison Keillor)

How about you? Is there music that pulls on your heartstrings?

The Yearbook: TO STEP BEYOND

One of my High School Yearbooks

Annual
The yearbooks are out today,

with the ink barely dry on their gleaming pages,

the faint puke-smell of the new bindings.

On the bus, shagged and curly heads converge over

the disappointing spread of candid shots

on centre facing pages - random snaps

where everyone who matters is blurred or too tiny

or was looking the wrong way when the shutter clicked,

and after they've each checked out their own

and each other's mug shots,

and those of an acknowledged hunk or two

('Too bad guys, doesn't he look retarded in that picture?')

you can almost feel the thought rise:

Is that it then?

four years reduced to this thin, already-thumbed album of postage-stamp grins

and badly cropped halftones in a grey collage

of moments no one remembers?

Tomorrow they'll tote it back to school though,

to whip from their graffitied bags

in the mandatory feeding frenzy

for autographs — everyone's, please.

Now and only for a second

is let-down palpable in the air,

like a half-formed bubble wobbling

on the wand, then sucked back.

In a moment they'll swarm to their feet

and pull the bell (each at least once)

as they stream for the door,

flashing shoulder-freckles, wrist-bangles,

navels like thumbprints in June-white midriffs,

damp wisps at the nape wafting back a fine vapour

of girl sweat and spray cologne.
by Robyn Sarah

heard on The Writer's Almanac read by Garrison Keillor

(This year marks my High School 30th class reunion.

Call me anti-social. Call me a snob. I won't be there...)

I don't have friends I'm in contact with from high school. I'm not the same person on so many levels! I wonder do any readers still have friends from high school? Anyone marry their high school sweetheart? Here are two autographs from my yearbook by two people I don't remember really knowing then and who I don't know now:

Laurie,

Well here we are big seniors. It seems to have been not to long ago when we were freshmen. I am really sorry that we haven't had many classes together because I would really like to have got to know you better. Well, maybe in the future. You are a real nice and sweet girl. Well I can't think of anything else to say, but no matter how much I could say it wouldn't be enough. Be good and I wish you the best of luck in the future. G.F.

Laurie, You are really sweet and you better stay that way. Friends ALWAYS, R.M.

Tenacious Trees

Mike and I looked at an old lot in town.

All that remains from the original homestead is

a rickety shed, some abandoned gates and fencing

and these trees

that seemed hungry for metal!

June is Wedding Month!

Mike and I were married 29 years ago on my folk's

30th Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Thank you for sharing your date and hosting our wedding

in your lovely backyard!
We love you!

Mom and Dad

Olivia has probably already seen one, but last night I saw a firefly.

Fireflies

In the soft dark night

when the wind is still

and bullfrogs croak

at the bottom of the hill,

the fireflies reach

inside their coat pockets

and screw little light bulbs

into their sockets

so they can fly

through the night and play

without bumping their heads

or losing their way.

Aileen Fisher

(Liv and I play a fun little game to see who spots the first one!)

Physical Training, Godliness and Hearty Laughter

(This was written awhile back. Now seems like a good time to publish it as I think ahead to our upcoming 29th wedding anniversary on June 7th!) The photo was taken several months before we were married. Dig the matching hair dos?

Today during lunch, Mike, Christine, Wayne and I were talking about the newest baby born in our church fellowship named Amos Augustin. We were wondering about the name meaning for 'Amos', so Christine rounded up a baby name book called What's in a Name? over 700 Names and their Meanings complied by Francis, Hartzell and Palmquist. This book also lists Suggested Lifetime Scripture Verses for each name.
Amos means Bearer of a Burden; Compassionate Spirit
and the suggested lifetime verse is Romans 12:9-10.
We looked up all our names.

We looked up "Michael" and read his suggested lifetime verse: "Because while physical training is of little benefit, godliness is beneficial in every way; it holds promise for this and for the future life."
I laughed.
The first part of the verse just hit me funny so I began to laugh. And usually when I laugh, Mike joins in even if he's not sure what I'm laughing about and before long we're both laughing and often snickering turns to "can barely breathe laughter" while we laugh at the original thought, or some silly thing one of us has managed to say between breaths, or we end up laughing at each other and ourselves for doubling over in laughter!

In this case, "Because while physical training is of little benefit,..." made me snicker, then sputter, then laugh until tears came to my eyes! (Who needs dessert when laughter follows the meal!?) (And yes, you probably had to be there to see or think anything funny, and even if you were there, it may not have been funny, but you know how fits of laughter can be!)
Please understand my husband is a strong, hard-working man.
He works hard, but he does not "work out" for the sake of exercise that may make up physical training and somehow to imagine him doing so (You know, going to the Y, lifting weights, running the track or treadmill) was just too funny! So, at the risk of sounding down right rude or getting in too deep, please remember my laughter was joined by his. He is a man who can laugh at himself and often does, not because he thinks he is so funny, but because he has a healthy sense of not taking himself too seriously.
I like this quality.
I wish I was more like that.

The second part of the verse about "godliness being beneficial in every way" is something we didn't even get to talk about since we were laughing so hard. However, I want to go on record as saying this man, Mike, is a godly man. He will be embarrassed and say something like, "You know that's not true."
I know he doesn't think of himself as godly, but more times than not, his words and actions prove to me that he is... and that "is beneficial in every way;" (I certainly benefit!)

By the way, I just called out to Mike who is in the kitchen, "So, how many years have we been married?"
He answered, "Too many."

Then he came in to give me a reassuring pat to let me know he was joking. Then we both laughed and I told him I was going to erase this post! But of course I didn't because I suppose I've already given him a bad time... and I really did need his help with the number of years we've been married! How fast time flies when you're having fun!
(Sorry about the mush content.)

Happy Birthday To My Dad!

11 things about my Dad in no particular order:

1. He shows integrity by working hard and being industrious! He is retired, but he still works hard at home. Mom tells me about all the ways he helps!

When our family used to go to the lake on weekends, we usually left on Friday evenings. There were so many times we were almost out the door and the phone would ring. I could almost always bet that the call would delay our going to the lake since Dad was a Refrigeration Repairman and go figure, in the heat of summer if a unit was down, Dad got a call! I remember whining to Dad, "Don't answer it Dad! Can't they call someone else?" But good ol Dad's integrity ruled his conviction and he answered the call! Sometimes he could send another worker out, but often he had to take the call. I was disappointed then, but now I appreciate it for being the right thing to do.

2. He is not afraid to show emotion whether watching a sad movie, talking about someone special or thinking of a tender thing. I just love that about Dad! (I certainly know where I get it!)

3. Speaking of the lake, I love the patience shown when he taught me to ski. He has taught me other things with gentleness and thoughtfulness. (#11)

4. I love his gentle voice. (Oh, it can be raised, but it is usually calm and quiet. Not passive, but gentle.)

5. I love my Dad's way of teasing Mom. He does love that woman and he lets her know!

6. I love his tidiness. When he worked refrigeration, he had a big panel truck and it was orderly so he could quickly find what he needed and get the job done.

He is like that in his life.

7. I like that he is interested in the things Mom is interested in. They are best friends!

8. Christine likes "that he is a gentleman and he is sensitive and not afraid to show emotion." (I agree.)

9. Mike says, "He is approachable." (I agree.)

10. Olivia says, "I like that he gives an honest answer when we ask him a question." (I agree.)

11. Tabitha says, "I love when he gives hugs and says, "How are ya babe?... and he really wants to know!" (I agree!)

I love my dad! Happy birthday Dad!

Ghost Cow? or Estella Cow?

Somewhere near 3:30 A.M. I staggered to the bathroom then shuffled back to bed. As I was dozing off to sleep, I heard a cow say, "Mooooo. Mooo." (This is not a Far Side cartoon post. The cow actually only said, "Mooooo. Mooo.") This said cow sounded as if she was in our backyard not far from our bedroom window. We live in a small town, so it was a strange and out-of-place noise. When we lived in the country on 45 acres and a neighbor down the road rented our pasture for his cattle, it was not strange to hear cows mooing anytime, night or day, but hearing the cow moo in town where there are not cows or pastures caused me to say out loud to my snoring husband, "Mike. Are you awake?" (duh) Mike takes a slow deep stirring breath and as in slow motion says, "Huh?" Again I say, "Did you hear a cow?" "Huh?", he says again coming-to a bit more. I repeat, "Did you hear a cow? I think I just heard a cow. But don't worry about it. I'm probably just hearing things. Go back to sleep." Now Mike is really awake and he has sprung into action. He heads down the hall to find a good flashlight. I pad along giving warnings to be careful and asking where the cow might have come from and asking if maybe our neighbor would be coming home drunk and mooing like a cow (not usual or likely). We go to the back door and step outside. Mike shines the light all around (I'm still whispering and cautioning him to be careful, very helpful like,) but we see no cow and we hear no cow. We only shrug our shoulders, mutter some wonderings and go back to bed. And we lose no sleep over the wee morning ramble. But in the light of day before I'm fully awake, Mike comes in to return the favor and wakes me to tell me there are definite signs that a cow went through our yard and he says, "You better get the camera." (He knows me well!) So these photos are cow signs and I'm not sure, but from the look of the manure, the cow doesn't seem well. Maybe it was sick or delirious or mad. I am sorry about the boring post, but the proof is in the pictures. I am most amazed that the cow stepped through our garden frame without damaging the young strawberry plants or bean seedlings.

The End.

The backyard evidence up close. (Sorry)

Cow manure through the yard and a view of the path most likely taken by said cow.

Can you see the silo in the background? It is near the edge of town a wheat field and housing development away from our backyard where this photo was taken. It's our best guess that the cow wandered from there.

"If I was not so weak..."

I could go several directions here. I could say too much and still not enough. So instead of going all the directions jammed in my thoughts, I’ll just land on the sweetness (Can I say 'sweetness'?) of coming upon conversation between Mike and two young men in our fellowship this afternoon. Among other topics, they were trying to mentally compose lists of their top ten favorite bands. Jars of Clay was mentioned and I agree. I was listening to music in the car recently when this song came up which I’ve listened to so often, but never really heard until that day in the car. So, at the risk of sounding too depressed, I post these songs.
2 Corinthians 12:9



Frail (Jars of Clay)
Convinced of my deception
I've always been a fool
I fear this love reaction
Just like you said I would

A rose could never lie
About the love it brings
And I could never promise
To be any of those things

Chorus:
If I was not so weak
If I was not so cold
If I was not so scared of being broken
Growing old
I would be...
I would be...
I would be...

Blessed are the shallow
Depth they'll never find
Seems to be some comfort
In rooms I try to hide

Exposed beyond the shadows
You take the cup from me
Your dirt removes my blindness
Your pain becomes my peace
[Chorus]

...frail


2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Here is a link to a favorite song at this time, called In the Valley. It is not Jars of Clay. It is from Sovereign Grace Ministries. The video is "non-embeddable".