30 August 2010
27 August 2010
i wish.
Make yourselves nests of pleasant thoughts, bright fancies, faithful sayings; treasure-houses of precious and restful thoughts, which care cannot disturb nor poverty take away from you, houses built without hands for your souls to live in.
i wish i was one of those cool blog-about-your-creative-home-business type bloggers, who spend part of every day making beautiful crafty things, and finding beautiful crafty by-other-hands-made things online, and sharing them with creative consumers world[wide-web]-wide; who end every last day of the workday week with "happy weekend!" or some other such enthusiastic phrase denoting that whilst pretty things are a dream to work with, the real dream of fun and relaxation begins with the final "publish post" of the week; and who happen to live in real-life-fairy-tale homes that just happen to be in trendy locations on either coast, or across an ocean, containing personality-reflecting bits and pieces of color and texture and pattern and light that'll make magazines look expensive, enervated, everyday.
i wish i was a writer who wrote long run-on sentences too.
but you know, i don't wish to make profit from things which are purely for the enjoyment of dear friends or family, or which are purely meant to make my own life more lovely or enjoyable. perhaps that resolution sounds a bit egocentric upon first thought - "what! she tries to please herself?!" - but i think not, at least not unordinarily so [for whether we like it or not, we each make our lives what we wish it to be]; should it not be considered far more selfish to only create because creativity is in vogue, and pays munificently? perhaps in another's case the objective is different; perhaps such dedicated blogging/creating superwomen abound in creative gifts and ample time, and rejoice in making other homes as charming and unique as their own, and benefit financially thereby. i say this not to discourage creativity at large [on the contrary!], or to demand or even request that selling be stopped nor prices be lowered - for i believe that hard work ought to be honestly and fairly remunerated - but simply to look at my own motives in creativeness in general, and the selling thereof in particular.
i will probably never get my own living by making music or painting pictures or sewing bags or probably even writing books. perhaps i could, but i wouldn't necessarily want to. we live in a day in age when everyone seeks to make a profit some way or another, and understandably so, given the world financial outlook; natural giftings and tendencies certainly give reason to seek profit thereby. i think the greatest underlying reason for this inner resolve is that by marketing creativity, one has to submit to certain standards of trend, and overall salability. is it popular? then it will sell. is it "sub-par" or "over-the-top"? then your business might go bust. i am by all means a part of the world in which i live, but i choose not to submit my personal measure of success based on submission to popular standards. it just doesn't seem honest. do what you do best in the best and most productive way possible, for the right reasons and convictions, and because you are constrained to do so as a creative, created being and to the glory of your very own personal Creator [whether you acknowledge Him or not]. like something because you like it, because it's lovely or true, because it inspires thought and not mindless allegiance. do something because you like it, because you choose to, because it uses your mind, because it’s noble and let not the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches make you personally unfruitful or ensnared. bear much, good, lasting fruit. and enjoy the life you have.
that being said, happy weekend.
23 August 2010
good morning.
it's monday. most people i know are beginning school this morning. friends who are teachers, brothers who are students, friends who are in college. it's kind of a strange feeling, to know that i'm not among the masses of school-goers anymore. my internal clock tells me that i ought to be packing for germany, pulling out scarves and rainboots, and gearing up for a new semester. the beginning of the semester is so exhilarating. it's incredibly busy and inevitably rainy, but so precious to share in the excitement and life of new people in whom you shall invest over the next few months. it's good to have a goal, a class to teach, a schedule to fill with interesting trips, a whole new group of people to become endeared to, an outreach to plan and prepare for... i do miss it.
nevertheless, here i am! seasons are fearfully and wonderfully appointed by the Lord [genesis 1- amongst other things, He made the seasons.. and declared them good], so we needn't fear or dread them, but Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed [1 Chronicles 22:13b], and go at them with all our might.
this is the first autumn i've been home in 3 years. it tends to be my trend: 05-06 away, 07 home; 08-09 away, 10 home: every 3 years it's good to have a long north-midwestern fall. i'm not going to argue with sunshine and fall colors! it beats wet shoes.
this is also to be my last season at home for a spell- i am planning to move to the london area in february. my excited-to-nervous ratio is very much in favor of the former [i'm thrilled!], having had about a month to process the fact. i'll be serving at calvary chapel leatherhead on the outskirts of london. it's a wonderful church, and i am excited to fellowship with them for a year, and see what the Lord has in store beyond that! i'm looking forward to a different sort of european experience [although i'll dearly miss my beloved deutschland, which shall forever be emblazoned upon my heart!], to living in the vicinity of a very large city, to learning english properly [?], and most of all to see what my faithful God has in store for me as i walk in obedience in the steps He has beforehand prepared for me! [Ephesians 2:10]
i need to send out a newsletter soon. i began it weeks ago.. and haven't worked on it since! this news about london hasn't been made facebook-official yet, in favor of telling friends individually. and, it's still nearly 6 months hence- no need to take all the bang out of it too early.
meanwhile, i've arranged my SPCO concerts for the fall, which i'm greatly anticipating! the first is Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, which shall commence the season on September 10th. it'll be a three-generational delight, in the company of my mother and grandmother, both who are as eager as i to attend.
i've made out a book list for myself as well. i really do read a great deal. but you know, i've realized gradually over the year that while being well-read is important, to be well-thought is likely of greater value. i believe the two complement each other nicely. do we know how to think for ourselves? not to spit out well-rehearsed ideals of popular groups, but to really see the ideas behind what we do, behind what we read, behind what we say; and not only to profess independent thinking whilst collecting a menagerie of everyone else's thoughts, but to know the Truth [the Word of God], and thereby to discern the best means of living and thinking and being. thinking has been high on my list of thoughts recently. strange, perhaps, but most invigorating; it lends itself to thoughtfulness and thinkativeness alike.
back to the book list. i begin books very eagerly and regularly; there are stacks of books around my room, mentally labeled "begun," "half-completed," "must-read," etc. i genuinely love to read. however, i am determined to become a bit more disciplined in the finishing of books. so my list includes some books that have already been begun and some which i've been aching to read. [namely, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn!]
i'm in the midst of refinishing a splendid little thrifted chair; it's been painted a fantastic tiffany/robin's egg blue, and its cushions shall presently be covered in a fresh canvas stripe. too bad my summer chair wasn't finished until near the end of said season! summer has truly taken wings and nearly escaped me. i'll miss my daily tromps out to the garden to find the newest tomatoes and cucumbers, my evening bike rides along the river, and being tan and more-or-less carefree! i won't miss bugs or humidity, really.
speaking of thrifting; i've recently acquired a stack of incredible music, in form of 33 1/2's. i need a record player! badly! i want to march to Sousa, twang along with Cowboy Campfires, thrill within to Finlandia, squawk along with Eliza Doolittle, yodel with Maria, croon Moon River with Holly Golightly, etc, etc. i overflow with excitement about this. the thrift store people have been most helpful along these lines, even letting me sort through stacks upon stacks "back room" of the Auxiliary Thrift last week.
i've a diverting new 12-pan set of watercolors, a stack of letters to write and walk to the post office, some projects to work on, happy music playing a sunny day [currently i'm stuck on Smetana's Ma Vlast, and Ingrid. it's a lovely juxtaposition], a second cup of home-brewed starbucks in hand, and a day off to enjoy!
oh dear, it isn't even morning anymore. here's to fall. to savoring the season you're in. and to a free afternoon in august!
nevertheless, here i am! seasons are fearfully and wonderfully appointed by the Lord [genesis 1- amongst other things, He made the seasons.. and declared them good], so we needn't fear or dread them, but Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed [1 Chronicles 22:13b], and go at them with all our might.
this is the first autumn i've been home in 3 years. it tends to be my trend: 05-06 away, 07 home; 08-09 away, 10 home: every 3 years it's good to have a long north-midwestern fall. i'm not going to argue with sunshine and fall colors! it beats wet shoes.
this is also to be my last season at home for a spell- i am planning to move to the london area in february. my excited-to-nervous ratio is very much in favor of the former [i'm thrilled!], having had about a month to process the fact. i'll be serving at calvary chapel leatherhead on the outskirts of london. it's a wonderful church, and i am excited to fellowship with them for a year, and see what the Lord has in store beyond that! i'm looking forward to a different sort of european experience [although i'll dearly miss my beloved deutschland, which shall forever be emblazoned upon my heart!], to living in the vicinity of a very large city, to learning english properly [?], and most of all to see what my faithful God has in store for me as i walk in obedience in the steps He has beforehand prepared for me! [Ephesians 2:10]
i need to send out a newsletter soon. i began it weeks ago.. and haven't worked on it since! this news about london hasn't been made facebook-official yet, in favor of telling friends individually. and, it's still nearly 6 months hence- no need to take all the bang out of it too early.
meanwhile, i've arranged my SPCO concerts for the fall, which i'm greatly anticipating! the first is Mozart's opera Don Giovanni, which shall commence the season on September 10th. it'll be a three-generational delight, in the company of my mother and grandmother, both who are as eager as i to attend.
i've made out a book list for myself as well. i really do read a great deal. but you know, i've realized gradually over the year that while being well-read is important, to be well-thought is likely of greater value. i believe the two complement each other nicely. do we know how to think for ourselves? not to spit out well-rehearsed ideals of popular groups, but to really see the ideas behind what we do, behind what we read, behind what we say; and not only to profess independent thinking whilst collecting a menagerie of everyone else's thoughts, but to know the Truth [the Word of God], and thereby to discern the best means of living and thinking and being. thinking has been high on my list of thoughts recently. strange, perhaps, but most invigorating; it lends itself to thoughtfulness and thinkativeness alike.
back to the book list. i begin books very eagerly and regularly; there are stacks of books around my room, mentally labeled "begun," "half-completed," "must-read," etc. i genuinely love to read. however, i am determined to become a bit more disciplined in the finishing of books. so my list includes some books that have already been begun and some which i've been aching to read. [namely, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn!]
i'm in the midst of refinishing a splendid little thrifted chair; it's been painted a fantastic tiffany/robin's egg blue, and its cushions shall presently be covered in a fresh canvas stripe. too bad my summer chair wasn't finished until near the end of said season! summer has truly taken wings and nearly escaped me. i'll miss my daily tromps out to the garden to find the newest tomatoes and cucumbers, my evening bike rides along the river, and being tan and more-or-less carefree! i won't miss bugs or humidity, really.
speaking of thrifting; i've recently acquired a stack of incredible music, in form of 33 1/2's. i need a record player! badly! i want to march to Sousa, twang along with Cowboy Campfires, thrill within to Finlandia, squawk along with Eliza Doolittle, yodel with Maria, croon Moon River with Holly Golightly, etc, etc. i overflow with excitement about this. the thrift store people have been most helpful along these lines, even letting me sort through stacks upon stacks "back room" of the Auxiliary Thrift last week.
i've a diverting new 12-pan set of watercolors, a stack of letters to write and walk to the post office, some projects to work on, happy music playing a sunny day [currently i'm stuck on Smetana's Ma Vlast, and Ingrid. it's a lovely juxtaposition], a second cup of home-brewed starbucks in hand, and a day off to enjoy!
oh dear, it isn't even morning anymore. here's to fall. to savoring the season you're in. and to a free afternoon in august!
16 August 2010
mind your peas and cukes!
all of this vegetabling makes me want to play the game Harvest- did any of you play that as kids??
xo.
05 August 2010
idyllic, mundane.
today's exploits were nothing beyond the ordinary.
went bicycling in the cool of the day.
worked at making hungry people happy. "do you feel better now?"
played a great deal of beethoven- his sonatas are my latest fancy.
thought a great deal on thoreau, sailing ships, and traveling.
made an exquisitely large loaf of ciabatta, and snacked on my fair share of yesterday's loaf- with a little butter and a nice layer of homemade raspberry jam. i find it to be a most agreeable enjoyment indeed!
i got to thinking- i could probably survive on ciabatta, raspberry jam, and tea [mit milch, ohne zucker, bitte!].
and that
turned into
this.
to far-flung
friends.
a jar of jam
a loaf of bread
a crock of butter
a pot of tea
a spot of milk
a lump of sugar
a shady tree
a breath of wind
a clump of flowers
a grassy knoll
a gingham cloth
a wicker basket
a tin of cream
a bit of cake
a bag of cherries
a sunny day
a pair of bikes
a peal of laughter
a sky of clouds
a midday nap
a field of clover
a night of stars
a cozy fire
a woolly blanket
a rising moon
a restful sigh
a happy day spent.
04 August 2010
common-sense.
there are several things i'd like to blog about, but this seems the most pertinent. it is also the most recent in my mind, so share i shall.
"Our part in intercessory prayer is not to enter into the agony of intercession,
but to utilize the common-sense circumstances God has placed us in,
and the common-sense people He has put us amongst by His providence,
to bring them before God's throne and give the Holy Spirit a chance to intercede for them."
-Oswald Chambers, So Send I You
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