Rabbit Trails

And so it criticized each flower; This so precious seed; Until it woke one summer hour, And found itself a weed. Mildred Howells Matthew 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

dandelion out of Green space, A sun: Bright for A day, burning Away to A husk, a Cratered moon: Burst in a week To Dust: seeding The infinite Lawn with its starry Smithereens. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You cannot forget if you would those golden kisses all over the cheeks of the meadow, queerly called "dandelions."

WHIMSY pl. whim·sies, also whim·seys An odd or fanciful idea; a whim. A quaint or fanciful quality:

I didn't buy it. I didn't buy it. I wanted to, but I didn't buy it. This was the neatest coffee maker I've seen. I honestly thought the top was an old fashion cake holder. Well, I got a picture of it anyway. That didn't cost anything. I hope it's gone the next time I go. I couldn't think of ONE good reason to buy it that day.... but I might have a reason the next time.

DUCK DUCK GOOSE

I'm homesick for the golden hills, The fragrant autumn air. The sound of whippoorwills at dusk, The reddened sumac's flare, The scent of clover and the spice of alfalfa, blue as seas, Dahlias tossing pretty heads and nodding in the breeze. Mama Tribby, 1954

I gave a quarter for this fabric at a thrift store. I love thrift stores. I love things that cost a quarter.

Our son Caleb preached a message on a Wednesday night that got me to thinking about something.  We live in a 'chemical' plant area.  It's not the lovliest place in the world, but you can thank us for your scrubbing bubbles and chlorine.  There are hazards in any work place.  Combines are dangerous.  So are tractors.  Truck driving has its risks.  Nurses and doctors have to be careful of certain unpleasant things.  I imagine you can burn yourself pretty bad making donuts,too.  Most of the men I know work in some kind of plant around here and they all have to follow similar rules of safety. I know our youngest son had to take extensive classes before he could get his badges to go into the area he works every day.  I can't even begin to give all the correct labels and names and precautions the men have to take in the plants around here....but I know enough to know that it is a dangerous place to work. The guys have special s...

Can you spot our Autumn?

DO try this at home. Fancy coffee can be expensive. I have made myself better coffee at home than some I have paid for 'out'.   Freeze your coffee in an ice cube tray JUST for coffee cubes. Never pour it down the drain. If you have enough cubes, then put your coffee in the fridge in a nice cup with a good lid to use the next morning. Mix your 'cream', then your sweetener. (1/2 &1/2 is good, heavy cream is the best, but 2% is the best for you) Pretty soon you will have it down just like you like it. And it's at a very good price.

I just finished the book I have been reading for a while.  A Naturalist Buys an Old Farm, by Edwin Way Teale.  If you know anything about the guy at all, you might guess that he isn't exactly a believer.  Actually, he sadly never recognized the Great Creator one time in the book.  I can still enjoy books like this because it reminds me to enjoy the great outdoors.   I look at my 'great outdoors' and am not thrilled about it all the time.  We live on a paved street, we are surrounded by houses and ho-hum trees....I can't see the sunset OR the sunrise from any spot in our yard.   I don't have a porch filled with bird-feeders that attract orange birds, I don't have a path to a pond, chickens are out of the question and thanks to the tree next door, I can't even grow a tomato.  BUT, I can do what I can do to make our 'great outdoors' as great as I can.  I have tried to create, on our small spot, some pretty things to ...

Some of you may be tired of hard questions. Some of you may be tired of no answers. Here's some easy questions. We can do *this* !! Just answer in the comment........I think there's room. 1.  I am wearing: 2.  The weather is: 3.  This is on my shopping list: 4.  Yesterday we: 5.  I am working on: 6.  I'd like to: 7.  I am excited for: 8.  A tune I've been humming: 9.  How to make a house a home: 10.  I'd like to eat a: 11.  I miss: 12.  I am reading: 13.  I am a lot of things, but I'm NOT:

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (inferior is not the same thing as being  humble .....humble is good.....)

Outside my window----- I see a sunflower looking RIGHT at the sun! I am thinking about-- an Eric Sloane book, The Spirits of America I am thankful for---- my kitchen I am wearing--- a Conversation Piece jumper I am creating--- my first quilt block applique....it's a vase with three flowers. It wasn't my idea, but I need to learn how to do it.  It's good to learn something new. I am going to--- take a steak out of the freezer for supper for my husband. I am reading--- Edwin Way Teale / it is winter now in his book I am hoping--- for another cool front so we can turn off the AC and open the windows.  I am hearing--- the freezer running.  Sometimes it sounds like wind whistling through a window. One of my favorite things---- good coffee A few plans for the rest of the week----are to go through my recipes and make my drawer nice.  I need some little kid shoe boxes. 

You and I know some people who swell up like a poisoned pup when called "a diamond in the rough" or "a rough diamond."  It always appears that they are more proud of being "in the rough" than they are of being a diamond! If one has the sterling inward qualities of the diamond, it seems nothing short of an insult to his fellow men to present this diamond to them "in the rough."  The world has not the tools, the patience or the time to hack away the encrusting rock formation and find the jewel. Usually this "diamond in the rough" believes people ought to ferret out, recognize and honor the inner value he takes such childish and unintelligent pride in keeping concealed from them. If the human personification of this gem hasn't enough personal pride and kindliness to cut and polish the precious stone that is himself, until every facet sparkles to the full extent of its candlepower, how can he expect others to go to that trouble? It ...

The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself as how it is to cross the rivers. soared, soar·ing, soars                     To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort.                                          To climb swiftly or powerfully.

When each earthly prop gives under, And life seems a restless sea, Are you then a God-kept wonder, Satisfied and calm and free? Calm:  Nearly or completely motionless; undisturbed: the calm surface of the lake.   Not excited or agitated; composed:  

A horse can't pull while kicking,    This fact I merely mention. And he can't kick while pulling,    Which is my chief contention. Let's imitate the good old horse,    And lead a life that's fitting, Just pull an honest load, and then    There'll be no time for kicking.

I have always liked this fabric. It used to be a jumper. I didn't want to use it as a jumper anymore. So I cut the bottom of it off and made curtains for a friend. But I still had the bodice. It has been hanging around for a week or so and I've been eyeballing it. thinking thinking thinking Well, now it's a very washable pot-holder. It was an old Conversation Piece jumper. They don't make them anymore. Too bad. That means the demand for modest jumpers went down. Imagine that. There is a store in Galveston called Conversation Pieces. The owner started making clothes in her own home, now she owns two stores. (maybe 3?) She said, people don't want clothes like this anymore. Too Bad. She used quilt fabric and the cost was too much for what women were willing to pay for them.  I loved the style, the fabric and the fun buttons. Too bad there weren't more women that thought so. I've had many of the dresses and jumpers through the years. Some new, some old, some ma...

I know the name of our cat. But I do not know the name of this bulb plant. So, I call them Surprise Flowers. If anybody knows their real name, feel free to share it with my millions of readers and I. It's always nice to be informed. I've had some pop up in the past, but this year I have had more than I've ever seen.  I plant bulbs throughout the year, then just the right conditions come along, and they surprise me and bloom. They are sure making my October gardens look pretty.

I am always delighted to see mushrooms pop up in a yard. It is a very random thing. This has got to be the best air freshener I have ever smelled. This is Lemon. If you have a few extra grocery dollars, get some. It is NOT your run of the mill stuff. I got these at a thrift store.  While others are frantically stuffing new books into their basket at a good price, I am fine with the old books.  Don't get me wrong, I also like to buy the new books and sell them.  I have been known to make a hefty amount of money doing so....but I also enjoy the old ones that I KEEP. I 'love' quote books.......especially quotes about friends. I have many. The Garden Fact book is very delightful. "In the woods the buds are bustin', in the woods the grass is green; And of course, a good Stillmeadow book by my favorite author, Gladys Taber. I can't wait to read it. This is Bunny impersonating a hot-dog. Lydia took this for me.  I have a very tall stalk of sunflowers th...

I hear guys say all the time, women can't be satisfied with their hair, colors of paint, shoes, couches and the weather.  And purses.  Well, here is proof that a woman can be satisfied with her purse.  I LOVE this purse.  I have some really nice ones that I use once in a while, and I always come back to this one.  Being purple helps, but that's not why I love it.  It's just arranged right.  When we lived in a 17 foot trailer, we would go 'look' at other travel trailers.  It's amazing how floor plans made all the difference in the world when you're talking about really small spaces. So, even if you have a huge purse, it is still a pretty small object compared to most things. And the plan really matters.  It's like this purse was made for me. I hope it never wears out. If anybody sees one like this.....tell me where you saw it. I wouldn't mind having one in another color.......

Pinebrook Choruses The Gospel~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Savior above, In wonderful love, Came down to the earth to die; That all who believe Might pardon receive And live with Him ever on high. Lost, But Jesus Found Me~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lost, but Jesus found me; Blind, but now I see; Bound, but hallelujah! Christ has set me free. Something More Than Gold~~~~~~~~~~ Oh, yes, I know there's something more, Something more than gold, To know my sins are all forgiv'n, Is something more than gold. He Laid Down His Life For His Sheep~~~~~~~~ He laid down His life for His sheep, He laid down His life for his sheep; This Shepherd so kind, Had me in His mind, When he laid down His life for His sheep. A Good Enough Book For Me~~~~~~~~~~` It's a good enough book for me, A good enough book for me; It tells of Jesus who die for me, It tells of a Savior who ransomed me, It's pages are true, and it's message is new; It's a good enough book fo...

I like Romans 12.  A preacher a LONG time ago said, "Remember who you are and what you are about."  Obey this chapter and SOAR. Let love be without dissimulation Abhor that which is evil Cleave to that which is good (this would mean to stop acting like you don't know the difference) Be kindly affectioned one to another Rejoicing in hope (there is hope for all of us, if we are still alive and breathing, there IS hope) Patient in tribulation (yes YOU be patient) Bless and curse not (come back to earth Michele) Rejoice with them that do rejoice (this is usually pretty easy unless you struggle with jealousy) Mind not high things Be not wise in your own conceits (just about the time I think I have things figured out....BOOM) Recompense to no man evil for evil Provide things honest in the sight of all men (ALL men, HONEST, no matter what) Avenge not yourselves (you will make a mess of it and possibly make it worse) Be not overcome of evil but overcome...

October gave a party; The leaves by hundreds came - The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples, And leaves of every name. The Sunshine spread a carpet, And everything was grand, Miss Weather led the dancing, Professor Wind the band. ~George Cooper, "October's Party"