tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67099554371713969022024-03-13T01:58:31.455-05:00Renee O.Renee's thoughts on God, writing, parenting, baking, and life in general.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-59456700028210626112013-10-04T11:52:00.002-05:002013-10-04T11:52:53.539-05:00The Sneaky Reader and the Hot JobI have a night owl and an early bird. My sweet girl is a night owl like her parents. She'd stay up all night and sleep late the next day if she could. Falling asleep has always been a bit of a challenge for her. Perhaps that's why she loves to read in bed at night. And she often sneaks in a bit of reading<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">—</span>after we've given the lights out. So much so, in fact, that I've on occasion discovered her still reading past midnight and had to take her glasses away till morning just so she'd actually get some sleep.<br />
<br />
What's most fascinating about her is that if we don't catch her reading exploits, she most always feels the need to confess them. I will often see her padding down the hall toward me well after bedtime, hair mussed from lying on her pillow, a guilty look on her face. Or the next morning after finally dragging herself from slumber, she'll level a serious gaze at me. "Mommy, I read a little bit last night."<br />
<br />
Currently, she's working on <i>The Chronicles of Narnia</i>. There are so many worse things she could do than sneak in a bit of C. S. Lewis after bedtime.<br />
<br />
Being a night owl, she loves to sleep in next day. She got this honest. And as she's nine now and nearing puberty, I've discovered that she needs to sleep a bit extra. That's a luxury of homeschooling. The day's work waits for them, not the other way around.<br />
<br />
Her little brother is a different story. On designated reading nights, I'll often step into their room to tell them it's time to put their books down and go to sleep, only to find him already passed out on his bed, his book shipwrecked at his side.<br />
<br />
He's an early bird. In fact, he's the only honest early bird in the family. Some wouldn't consider him very early (approximately 8am), but being a night owl, I do. If they get in bed early enough, most nights we let them have a bit of reading time before lights out. <br />
<br />
He's my happy, chatty, sweet and smiley alarm clock.<br />
<br />
Two mornings ago he <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</xml><![endif]-->sneaked into my room and crawled into my bed immediately upon wakening, as is his custom, and announced, as is <i>not</i> his custom, "Mommy, I want to be your huggy
pillow."
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
Awesome! I moved the pillow and hugged him close instead. Five seconds
later...</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
"A huggy pillow's job sure is a hot
job." </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-36837866111478640312013-09-23T21:05:00.001-05:002013-09-23T21:05:34.673-05:00It's it, MommyI tutor/teach English at a local homeschool co-op on Mondays. Today my seven-year-old son was a little sick, so he sat in my classroom instead of going to the play room with the other younger siblings. He hunkered down in a chair near where I stood with his nose buried in my iPhone, probably playing Angry Birds Star Wars.<br />
<br />
So, I taught the fifth- and sixth-grade girls about nouns and pronouns, then I gave them a sample sentence:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Molly rode the horse.</blockquote>
Then I had students plug in pronouns to replace the nouns. They figured out "she" for the subject, but trying to decide on a pronoun for the direct object "horse" stumped them. One called out "him." I explained that we don't know the gender of the horse, and the horse is not being personified (like in a story with talking animals). I asked again, but nobody answered. Then I glanced down and realized my son had scurried around the podium and was patting my leg.<br />
<br />
"Mommy, it's 'it'!" he said in a loud whisper and flashed me a huge smile.<br />
<br />
I love that little boy. Being a parent is the most difficult job I've ever had, but I wouldn't give up that boy or his sister for anything.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-73147476785863430862013-03-09T18:58:00.000-05:002013-03-09T22:22:17.721-05:00Shooting Star<span class="userContent">I just stepped out of Starbucks, looked up at
the twilight sky, and watched a meteor streak from
the deep blue canopy of sky above toward the still-warm horizon and vanish. Larger and brighter than any other stars or planets in our night sky, it lasted barely long enough for me to hold my breath. Beautiful. </span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-9742288439889826062013-03-02T13:19:00.001-05:002013-03-02T13:19:59.423-05:00Royal Flush<span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][1]"></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">A friend recently posted on Facebook that his daughter's fish had died. She wanted to bury it at the beach, but since they don't live there, he was contemplating whether temporary storage in their freezer might be a solution.</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"></span></span><br />
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reminded me of college. My roommate/best friend and I had an aquarium where we kept black mollies and red swordtails. When fish died, she and I held flushing funerals</span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Urinal_with_urinal_cake_gsu_cit_2004.jpg" target="_blank">Photo by Richard Chambers</a>, </div>
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available under the <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en" target="_blank">Creative Commons </a></div>
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">At this time, we lived in an all girls dorm, but our floor
had urinals in the bathrooms as well. We always took the newly deceased
to a toilet stall, flushed, and gave a sad impression and a farewell to the
fish as it swirled around the bowl and made it's final flourish
of an exit to the watery abyss beyond the porcelain.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Then one day our male swordtail died, so we decided to be
gender correct and use one of the urinals. We emptied our net of the
remains, said our peace, and then pulled the silver handle. We expected a
long goodbye like our previous experiences with the ladies' bowl, but
that fish departed with a liquid equivalent of the Chernobyl blast. A
sudden, giant WHOOSH erupted, not unlike the force of an industrial
strength pressure washer, and that fish was gone. I mean vanished. We
jumped back from the urinal both in shock and to avoid the after-spray of water and scales.
We'd been robbed of our peaceful goodbye and startled out of our wits,
and as a result we committed the ultimate funeral faux pas--we laughed.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[1].[1][2][1]{comment10200160773594750_5188138}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Moral of this story? When in doubt, flush first. </span></span></span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-59740268083092397502013-02-25T23:18:00.000-05:002013-02-25T23:20:31.395-05:00Chips and Salt and Light<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-DtrmhirE0D3ZOrjbzgtnb8LAFmFBhksxTUjERUSC81A-U8wP5ipfU6bIs5StV4BLDU0LWWypvZoX2SuI6BiYMOjYlfs-1bXc7QTiuqF1kd2Wnp-qNC0_I93BYxcdaKTLrMeQfLodRI/s1600/freeimage-3149389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie-DtrmhirE0D3ZOrjbzgtnb8LAFmFBhksxTUjERUSC81A-U8wP5ipfU6bIs5StV4BLDU0LWWypvZoX2SuI6BiYMOjYlfs-1bXc7QTiuqF1kd2Wnp-qNC0_I93BYxcdaKTLrMeQfLodRI/s320/freeimage-3149389.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">© Pontuse | <a href="http://www.stockfreeimages.com/">Stock Free Images</a> & <a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/">Dreamstime Stock Photos</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><br />
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Have you ever noticed that the chips at the top of the bag are pretty and whole and just about
perfect to look at, but the broken chips at the bottom are the saltiest? </span></span></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I think it's the same with people. </span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Jesus tells us that we're supposed to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 15:13-16). We get so caught up in wanting to be whole, wanting to look and feel perfect--not flawed and broken and messed up--wanting to hang on to youth, beauty, health. But the truth is that the saltiest individuals are those who've taken that rough trip to bottom of the bag, been beaten up a bit by time and handling. Yes, those painful life experiences and heart wounds really hurt on the way down, but Jesus uses them to give the world a potent taste of His grace.</span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Just like those last broken bits that leave your fingers coated with salt crystals, those who are saltiest for God's kingdom are those who've been broken. </span></span></span></span></b></div>
Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-1649107137858573102013-02-24T22:39:00.000-05:002013-02-24T22:39:00.702-05:00When to Let Them Walk Away<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UqZz0ncHNl1lq3vs4nuTkPm8n21cF6VSL2X0Hyr7avV9lQngLZpwjl2oc2PnXl1Iux45gBExh4Jmn9DoqJ4twJkZjdHZA-fj2eNd4yz1J6ylzvJj_ELFZidBUeJnGrgeuvEuKi8-gHM/s1600/freeimage-260001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UqZz0ncHNl1lq3vs4nuTkPm8n21cF6VSL2X0Hyr7avV9lQngLZpwjl2oc2PnXl1Iux45gBExh4Jmn9DoqJ4twJkZjdHZA-fj2eNd4yz1J6ylzvJj_ELFZidBUeJnGrgeuvEuKi8-gHM/s320/freeimage-260001.jpg" width="204" /></a></td></tr>
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<span class="userContent">As I stood at the sink and washed dishes and
listened through the window at the new neighborhood children playing in
our front yard today, I heard a few catty comments, saw some stubborn jaws and
crossed arms, and heard that fateful "I'm going home" when one girl
didn't like the rules of wiffle ball, followed by a stormy exit through the picket fence gate. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">It occurred to me that children
learn how to manipulate others at an early age. Seems that walking away
is a powerful weapon to wield and a formidable foe to face.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent">As I reflect
on this tonight, my heart for my children is to learn early on when
someone is worth pursuing and when to shrug and let them go.</span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-71052130097858625552012-11-14T22:59:00.001-05:002012-11-14T23:00:18.077-05:00The Spider Rescue (sort of...)Tonight my kids discovered a spider in the hall and trapped it under half of a barrel o' monkeys container. My son declared that a leg was missing, and I heard my husband shout down the hall for them to grab a tissue and kill it.<br />
<br />
Our eight-year-old daughter was all for this, but our six-year-old boy, ever the compassionate one, said, "No, don't kill it! It's already lost a leg."<br />
<br />
Daughter said, "You heard Daddy!"<br />
<br />
"No, it's already been through a lot."<br />
<br />
"You can either kill it or catch it and throw it outside so it can die naturally," my husband said.<br />
<br />
So, our daughter told little brother to go and get a tissue. She slid the tissue under the container and carried the spider to the door.<br />
<br />
"But don't throw it!" our son said.<br />
<br />
I'm happy to say that one seven-legged spider has been safely delivered to the freezing outdoors. I suppose hypothermia is a more humane way to go than being crushed.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-44889100439649391152012-05-04T15:35:00.000-05:002012-05-04T15:35:05.830-05:00The Sky Has ChickenpoxWhile out running errands today, my five-year-old says to his big sister, "Look A, those clouds look funny. Looks like the sky has chickenpox."Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-84678191378600916232012-05-03T22:32:00.000-05:002012-05-04T15:33:19.054-05:00My SunshineMy five-year-old son often asks me to sing "You Are My Sunshine" to him. Last night, after singing it while he climbed the ladder to his bunk bed, he sang it back to me, and these were his words:<br />
<br />
You are my Mommy,<br />
my only Mommy.<br />
You make me happy<br />
when skies are gray<br />
You'll never know, dear,<br />
how much I love you.<br />
Please don't take<br />
my Mommy away.<br />
<br />
What a beautiful life. Thank you, Jesus.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-24812324438940415662012-04-12T16:27:00.001-05:002012-04-12T16:38:50.068-05:00So Happy, It Made Me CryI read chapter books to my children, a chapter each night at bedtime. We recently finished <i>A Little Princess</i>, by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The kids enjoyed the story so much that I let them watch two movie adaptations. First, the ancient Shirley Temple version, then we watched the 1997 version.<br />
<br />
I confess, I almost always cry at happy endings, even those I've seen or read in the past. Toward the very end of the 1997 version, Sarah is reunited with her father (unlike in the novel, where he dies), and my five-year-old son was so moved by the reunion scene that he started blinking, then hid his eyes. I walked over to him, and he said, "Mommy, it made me so happy, it made me cry."<br />
<br />
Such a precious moment. I took him on my lap, and we cried together.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-20103013103945359412012-03-29T14:32:00.000-05:002012-03-29T14:32:32.282-05:00A Scar Kind of GuyThere is absolutely nothing closer to the Lord's own heart than orphans and widows. Caring for the least of these is touching the very heartbeat of God. Yesterday I talked with a good friend who has a passion for adoption.
She's about to embark on a journey to eastern Europe, where she and her
husband will adopt not one but three children in need.<br />
<br />
Some friends have asked her why she wants to adopt again, when she's
already got a large family, including other adopted children. "Why not
use that money to do something for yourself? Get some work done. A facelift and a tummy
tuck. Or a boob job."<br />
<br />
She laughed at that. "Do you think Saint Peter's going to look me over when I get to the pearly gates and say, 'Nice boob job?'" <br />
<br />
Together, we came to the conclusion that Jesus wouldn't care the least bit about a saggy tummy. "Put your hands right here, Thomas. Feel the hole in my side. Stick your fingers into my palms." Jesus is a scar kind of guy.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-2088484445996776712012-03-01T20:29:00.000-05:002012-03-03T20:30:05.416-05:00Sweet SoundThere's nothing that sounds sweeter to me than the voices of my children
singing worship songs from the back seat of the car. And today it was one of our favorites, "Strong Enough to Save," by Tenth Avenue North.<br />
<br />
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You fought <br />
but you were just too weak <br />
so you lost <br />
all the things you try to keep <br />
now you're on your knees, you're on your knees <br />
<br />
But wait, <br />
everything can change, <br />
in a moments time you don't have to be afraid, <br />
'cause fear is just a lie <br />
open up your eyes <br />
<br />
<i>[Chorus:]</i><br />
And He'll break <br />
open the skies to save <br />
those who cry out His name <br />
the One the wind and waves obey<br />
is strong enough to save you <br />
<br />
<i>[Verse 2:]</i><br />
Look <br />
now is not too late <br />
lift up your head <br />
let the rain fall on your face <br />
you're not far from grace, you're not too far from grace <br />
<br />
<i>[Chorus:]</i><br />
And He'll break <br />
open the skies to save <br />
those who cry out His name <br />
the One the wind and waves obey<br />
is strong enough to save you <br />
<i>[Repeat]</i><br />
<br />
<i>[Bridge:]</i><br />
I know the weight of this world can take you down like gravity and I know the
current of yourself can take you out, out to sea but hold on, hold on <br />
<br />
<i>[Chorus:]</i><br />
And He'll break <br />
open the skies to save <br />
those who cry out His name <br />
the One the wind and waves obey<br />
is strong enough to save you</div>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-903849563065181482012-02-28T17:27:00.000-05:002012-02-28T17:27:59.705-05:00Every BreathWhile out running errands today, I found myself sitting in my car at an intersection, staring past the red traffic light at the blue sky beyond, singing along with the radio to a worship song.<br />
<br />
It was one of those moments of reflection that I experience more frequently as my thirties wax toward the forty mark, when I realize that life is fleeting, that there's nothing I can do to recapture those seconds marked off by the beat of my heart and the breaths of my lungs. Someday I will be gone, the way of all living things, and the individual moments between now and that point in time, whenever it may be, are precious, whether I savor each one or not.<br />
<br />
Every breath is a gift from the Lord, and those used to worship Him are never wasted. What better use for them, than to send them back to their Source on the wings of praise?Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-71355474800060128982012-02-24T20:17:00.000-05:002012-03-03T20:18:59.728-05:00The SplitsThis morning, my seven year old was teaching her little brother how to do cartwheels
and round-offs like she learned in gymnastics. He found this great fun.
Then she sat down and showed him how to do stretches and splits. He eyed
her in a split position, then turned to me and said, "Well, I don't
think I want to do the splits, because that would hurt."Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-66734992205549174932012-02-15T11:15:00.001-05:002012-02-15T11:56:19.616-05:00Respect or Lashon Hara?<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">In
the original Hebrew, the word for gossip is <i>lashon hara</i>, and it's more
than just talking bad about someone. The implication is that you murder a
person with your words when you participate in it. Even more, the
original Hebrew implies equal sin in the <i>hearing</i> of the hurtful words as
in the <i>speaking</i> of them. And when wives rip apart their husbands on
Facebook or when talking to girlfriends, they take <i>lashon hara</i> a step
further. This pastor brings it right out and shows what disrespect for
your husband will do in your home and family. Hard word for the ladies,
but it's truth. Make any excuse you want, but you will find absolutely
no Scriptural support for slandering your husband.</span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jbjT8UKxC_8" width="560"></iframe></span></span></h6>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-79711219502970909162012-02-13T20:17:00.000-05:002012-03-03T20:32:34.631-05:00My ValentineTonight, my husband came home with a bouquet of two dozen roses for me. They were beautiful, greenish white on the outside, and pale pink inside. He said, "Is it okay that they're a day early? I was afraid the stores would run out."<br />
<br />
Of course!<br />
<br />
A few minutes later he said they reminded him of the roses on our wedding night.<br />
<br />
I do believe I am married to the sweetest man alive.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-8503708911169797112012-01-24T22:11:00.001-05:002012-01-24T22:11:30.273-05:00Stained Glass Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I love stained glass. It ranks right up there with snowflakes. So when I
got a new camera last year, I decided to play with it in my church's
sanctuary. I've just now gotten around to tinkering with the photographs. I'll
probably post a few more in the coming days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreb1XWolGDJavMXAN4F2vKCc3LBUmxej-xRZJQZ6WhY_g9U1ZGnRGTSRi3_Kg6v-kmuMRjq7sx4OIAn4LZborGoVXb1iBvUHO_JRyw9xXJyyUd_cKTx4ebp2eNvomkQqQMsTBg7g1-TU/s1600/Reynolda+085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreb1XWolGDJavMXAN4F2vKCc3LBUmxej-xRZJQZ6WhY_g9U1ZGnRGTSRi3_Kg6v-kmuMRjq7sx4OIAn4LZborGoVXb1iBvUHO_JRyw9xXJyyUd_cKTx4ebp2eNvomkQqQMsTBg7g1-TU/s400/Reynolda+085.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This first picture is of Jesus after the resurrection, meeting up with some of His disciples on the road to Emmaus.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. - Luke 24:27</blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRyieV7A0Vx_COPGR9QSQTQ2gBz2-ewek0X3nkycq4s68cT1RWmtIyR3jkzyKM_gn-SCSZZAWn3OxGnD4nzLmleXjDw804kddeupL3jk2OZUCOZ5dTY9w5q_IeEbAZDWQZsg7-ZrFkiw/s1600/Reynolda+089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRyieV7A0Vx_COPGR9QSQTQ2gBz2-ewek0X3nkycq4s68cT1RWmtIyR3jkzyKM_gn-SCSZZAWn3OxGnD4nzLmleXjDw804kddeupL3jk2OZUCOZ5dTY9w5q_IeEbAZDWQZsg7-ZrFkiw/s200/Reynolda+089.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjZ6kzC8I6ATe2im2Ds1Mp2-oC0wfkmXHepHHlV5AwSGWvs2d3sZRA939moZrV6Psa46h8AoiHlyT92XsRMZwAA3JQaMahgl6tIQnZKqNqoQ7c0XMtnrdNeoMyUL66E6M4eIS7flbrOc/s1600/Reynolda+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjZ6kzC8I6ATe2im2Ds1Mp2-oC0wfkmXHepHHlV5AwSGWvs2d3sZRA939moZrV6Psa46h8AoiHlyT92XsRMZwAA3JQaMahgl6tIQnZKqNqoQ7c0XMtnrdNeoMyUL66E6M4eIS7flbrOc/s200/Reynolda+087.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
I love the pierced hands and feet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo_ukVPnHCjI3CGQtCDXSIkyUAZzA4Exf4rmm1RV605bQseYxa-rsWYNbmONGHhaNv3oG6KwWLGUW0xjwdtocBmxlQuqsBMgo1AdmG2xef52tdejISNM9m22JRTviVtCZBI23ZLPTmqo/s1600/Reynolda+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRo_ukVPnHCjI3CGQtCDXSIkyUAZzA4Exf4rmm1RV605bQseYxa-rsWYNbmONGHhaNv3oG6KwWLGUW0xjwdtocBmxlQuqsBMgo1AdmG2xef52tdejISNM9m22JRTviVtCZBI23ZLPTmqo/s400/Reynolda+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
The menorah may seem like an odd choice to add to this post, considering the title, but I assure you it is not. The temple menorah was often referred to as the "light of the world." Indeed, the three lamps on either side pointed inward to the center lamp, called the <i>chumash,</i> or servant lamp. And the <i>chumash</i> pointed to the Holy of Holies. It is very much a symbol of the Messiah.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-52649874121906053102012-01-18T23:46:00.000-05:002012-01-18T23:46:20.749-05:00Connections to the PastI received a call tonight from my Granddaddy's favorite niece. Haven't seen her since my grandmother's funeral a few years ago. A distant relative sent her a five-inch binder crammed full of family genealogy, tracing our line back to Wales in the 1700s. She's fixing mistakes to the last three generations, name misspellings and such, and trying to compile photographs for those relatives who don't have one. Then she's going to send me a copy of it.<br />
<br />
There've been so many times I wished I'd written down those little bits of information my grandfather told me, like that his grandmother was 75% cherokee, or that an ancestor served under George Washington. I can't wait to get my hands on that book. It feels like a small connection to him.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-17796331375101810602012-01-13T21:32:00.000-05:002012-01-13T21:32:06.039-05:00Homemade Microwave Popcorn<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
I love popcorn, but I'm not fond of the chemicals that line the bags of store-bought microwave popcorn. So one evening I decided to try popping my own. The results were surprisingly easy, and delicious! So I'm going to pass on this little secret to the rest of you.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1etFnnz1AtZ_zNDuautfu3-k9e1mI3dAM8YLmRtx24Nhmq7i4rMBji4qMSY9hkDhXXvFlVDEdXsa-34OriPb_qlKPpobfa4xQsQCQwPbsCohn-DStKoz5Xl5aGVOLypr0J1TpLGJVJuI/s1600/DSC_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1etFnnz1AtZ_zNDuautfu3-k9e1mI3dAM8YLmRtx24Nhmq7i4rMBji4qMSY9hkDhXXvFlVDEdXsa-34OriPb_qlKPpobfa4xQsQCQwPbsCohn-DStKoz5Xl5aGVOLypr0J1TpLGJVJuI/s200/DSC_1035.JPG" width="200" /></a><u></u> <u>What you'll need:</u></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
-1 brown paper lunch bag<br />-Popcorn kernels (I like to use organic, because that's how I roll)<br />-1 tablespoon measure<br />-1 microwave in good working order<br />-1 large bowl<br />-Butter (optional)<br />-Salt (optional)</blockquote>
<br />
<u>Directions:</u><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Pour 2 or 3 tablespoons of popcorn kernels into your brown paper bag. Fold over the top of the bag (you could probably tape it closed, but I've never had it come open with a double fold). Place the bag in your microwave and cook it for 2 to 3 minutes, until you hear a delay of 3 to 5 seconds between pops. Take the bag out of the microwave (careful, the popcorn will be hot!), and dump the popcorn into a bowl. Repeat this process until you have the amount of popcorn you want.<br />
<br />
To make buttered popcorn, melt one tablespoon (or more!) of butter for every two bags of popcorn that you pop. When you're finished popping your kernels, drizzle the melted butter over the popcorn, stirring to evenly distribute. Salt it, if desired. I use a popcorn salt, available in the same section as the large jars of popcorn kernels.</blockquote>
I love making popcorn this way. It tastes fresh and yummy. Your family doesn't consume all those chemicals in commercially-packaged bags and it's healthier and lighter-tasting than oil-popped. You don't need an air popper and and you can get as creative as you want.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Creative Ideas</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1. Make popcorn balls! Allrecipes.com has a recipe for Old-Time Molasses popcorn balls <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/old-time-popcorn-balls-2/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Make popcorn garland for your Christmas tree.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Get creative with your seasonings. Try garlic and herbs on your popcorn, or caramel.</div>
</blockquote>
<br />Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-31648143198752617322012-01-12T15:24:00.001-05:002012-01-12T15:24:58.152-05:00Stash in my Nightstand, aka Glad to be HomeI have an old nightstand that belonged to my great grandparents. It
was a washstand in its previous life. Sometime in the middle of the
twentieth century, it got booted to their back porch. In the 1980's, my
grandmother rescued it and had it refinished, revealing stunning
quartersawn oak, also known as tiger oak, beneath five or so layers of
paint. Thankfully, the refinisher had some talent and refrained from
using a high gloss finish coat like some mistakenly do on antiques.
Instead, he gave it a nice soft finish that resembled a patina.
<br />
<br />
I've been using this washstand as my nightstand for
the past 15 years. I cleaned it out the other day and found a couple old
pairs of glasses, an old pocket calendar with once-memorable dates
recorded, an ancient address book that possessed names of folks I used
to know, some of whom I barely remember, a lint remover, book marks, two
tubes of Burt's Bees lip balm, cough drops, and pictures my daughter
has drawn for me on scrap paper (those I saved).
<br />
<br />
On the bottom shelf, behind the old baby monitor we no
longer use, was stashed a small treasure trove of sermon notes written
on old Christian Fellowship* (CF) church bulletins. The most recent was
from 1999. As I pulled them out and thumbed through them, tears filled
my eyes. That stack of papers represented so much more than just a
collection of old sermons. That church had been my family. After four
beautiful years, we moved away and were officially sent to their sister
church NL (another name change), which ended up being too far from where
we lived for us to participate in their ministry.
<br />
<br />
Tragically, a year after we were sent out, CF split.
Yes, the building still stands and still bears the same name, but it's
not the same body of believers. The flock scattered.
<br />
<br />
When I got word that CF had split, my heart broke. It
took me a long time to admit that I was angry at the Lord. It took me
even longer to realize that He had spared me the brunt of the blow by
removing me gently from the midst before it was torn apart. Still, I
found myself longing for home. A home that, I felt, no longer existed.
<br />
<br />
We attended a Messianic Jewish congregation for a time
and learned some amazing things about the Hebrew roots of our Christian
faith, but we soon discovered that the Messianic movement had an ugly
side. It was full of individuals who had left protestant churches
because they were offended. Sadly, divisiveness follows those who leave a
church the wrong way out of offense. Hence, that little congregation
lasted just a year after we joined, before many of the members left, as
the division caught up with them and pushed them again out the doors.
The rabbi and ribbetzin, discouraged because this was not the first time
their congregation had split, decided not to rebuild it.
<br />
<br />
We moved to our current city seven and a half years
ago, and have since attended several different churches. Though we
disagreed with some theologically, nothing like that was ever
insurmountable. It was the absence of the Holy Spirit's sweet presence
and His healing power in their midst that left me cold. We wandered in
this desert for six and a half years before the Lord pushed us in the
direction of another church, which I will call RC. I say pushed in
retrospect, because we stumbled into it quite by happenstance.
<br />
<br />
I was stunned that first Sunday. The Lord had much to
say, and discouragement had left me tone deaf. Finally I was in front of
a pastor who was, apparently, in tune with what the Lord was saying in
my frequency and was willing to repeat it. But it was more than the
sermon. It was the worship music, and the freedom that the worship team
gave to the Holy Spirit in their midst. It was the prayer team that
waited at the front after the service closed, ready to pray with and
minister to those in need. It was congregation family member--a complete
stranger--who looked at me and said, "welcome home."
<br />
<br />
I've recently started accumulating sermon notes again.
RC actually provides transcripts of the previous week's sermon, which
makes it much easier to read them later on than my silly scribblings
sideways on a faded bulletin. But regardless of whether they were
already typed out for me or not, these sermons are <i>worth </i>keeping.
Much like CF, this church holds a precious and rare commodity for me:
the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit, accompanied by granite
Scriptural foundation and a passion to see God's people
healed...emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
<br />
<br />
As I bagged all the items I no longer needed from my
nightstand, I returned the small stash of sermon notes to their proper
place on the bottom shelf, then added the new notes to the top of the
stack.<br />
<br />
It's so good to finally be home again.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Church
names have been truncated for privacy. Those who would need to know the
name already do. For the rest of you, it doesn't matter.</span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-78958220560188727002012-01-11T00:00:00.000-05:002012-01-11T00:00:58.694-05:00Accent Doesn't Equal IQ<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I had my routine eye exam today. The optometrist’s
assistant was a woman in her late twenties to early thirties, gorgeous Latina
complexion, and an accent that I noticed immediately, maybe south Florida. She had me peer into three different machines that measured,
graded and photographed my eyes, then took me to an exam room to wait for the
doctor. While keying information into the computer, she turned to me and, with
a sheepish smile, asked, “So, where are you from?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Raleigh,” I said. (For those who don’t know, it’s the
capital of North Carolina and an hour and a half from where I now live.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She tilted her head
slightly, then said, “I mean originally.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Raleigh,” I said with a grin.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Oh.” She frowned, and I could tell she was perplexed by my
answer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Why’s that? I don’t sound like I’m from around here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She shook her head. “No. Not really. Not at all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Where do I sound like I’m from?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Uh, I thought you might be like, British, or Russian,
maybe. Somewhere European.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What? Really very much <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
what I was expecting to hear. Not only have I never heard that I sound
international, but how do you confuse British and Russian? Or perhaps my accent is just that muddied. Ha!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually, I’ve gotten accent comments across the gamut. I’ve heard that I
sound Midwestern or Californian. I have heard that I have a “cute Southern
drawl,” (usually by folks who live at a much higher latitude than my current
location). Even people from my home state sometimes think I hail from elsewhere
when they hear me talk, usually saying that I have no accent at all—not theirs,
and not anyone else’s. My friend Julie once said it’s because I annunciate my
words more clearly than most people “around here” do.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My theory is that my accent can be traced to my Raleighite
roots. I am a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">native</i> Raleighite, actually,
and a multi-generational one, at that—which is an increasingly rare thing in
the heart of North Carolina, considering the mass influx of relocating techies we’ve
experienced over the past thirty years or so. Perhaps there are so few of us
left that folks don’t remember what Raleighites sound like. Or perhaps my voice
has become its own thing. I don’t know.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I told the optometrist’s assistant that I sometimes get that
"not from around here" comment. She said, “Well, that’s not
necessarily a bad thing.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hmm. I pondered that, then responded. “Yes, unfortunately, folks
tend to hear a Southern drawl and assign a downgraded IQ accordingly.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She laughed. “Yeah, I’m from Miami,” she said, “and
when I
was back there, every time we heard a person from the South, we’d say,
‘Oh,
that poor dumb—” she caught herself and amended the quote,
“Southerner.’” She keyed something else into the computer, then turned
back
to me and said, “But after moving here, I’ve come to realize that’s not
true at
all.”<br />
<br />
I once met a guy from Michigan who thought I was pretty but
could hear the South in my voice, and he did exactly what her friends in Miami
did—assigned me a lower IQ. I was a geology major at the time, so he bought me two
of those silly cardstock souvenir boards like you’d find in any tourist trap, one
with little tumbled<sup>1</sup> rock specimens glued to it, and another with
little fossils. He presented them to me with glee, saying, “These are minerals.
Do you know what minerals are?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kids learn what a
mineral is in middle school Earth Science class. I’d been a geology major in
college for two years. That’s like asking a math major if they know what a plus
sign is.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only did I
know what the poor polished minerals on the cardboard were, but I knew
the hardness, luster, streak, color, and cleavage. Plus, I
was currently studying the closest packing of their crystal structures.
Did I say any of this to Mr. Condescension? Of course not. I gave him a
good helping of Southern hospitality instead, thanked him graciously for
the generous gift and allowed him to continue in his ignorance,
while carefully explaining that I wasn't interested in a romantic
relationship with someone so different from myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I used to cringe when people asked me where I’m from. Did I sound Southern? And if so, did they think Southern equals stupid?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve since grown comfortable with my roots. If I sound
Southern, I’m okay with that. If I sound like I’m from Europe, I’ll get a
good
laugh out of it and ponder for about five minutes whether I've been watching too much BBC America. If a person mistakes my IQ for a speed limit on the highway because of the cadence and inflection of my voice, that's okay too. Why? Because I've
also learned that the only person who defines my worth is Jesus Christ.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<sup>1</sup>Note for those who have no geology background:
tumbled rocks are annoying. Many of their natural characteristics have been
demolished in the tumbling process. Half of the joy of a rock, mineral or fossil
specimen is preserving those unique characteristics that make it what it is. Hence,
rock hounds rarely appreciate or value a tumbled stone (exception: stones
tumbled smooth by forces of nature…those are cool). We want to see it in its
natural state. And we really prefer to be the ones who actually found it…in its
natural state. We will appreciate and envy that stunning Crocoite specimen you
discovered while sneaking around a lead mine in Tasmania, and we will gladly
take it off your hands, but we tend to turn our noses up to the smooth-tumbled
and iridescent-purple-dyed quartz you found at the Cowasmoochie Gift Shop and
Rest Stop.</div>
</blockquote>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-34768969277528211912012-01-05T20:24:00.000-05:002012-01-05T20:24:20.775-05:00Kitchen Tip: Measuring ShorteningHere's a handy tip for accurately measuring shortening if you don't have a kitchen scale.<br />
<br />
Say you need a cup of shortening for a recipe. Grab a liquid measure that will hold at least two cups. Measure 1 cup of water and set it aside...preferably in another cup. *smarty-pants smile* Dry out your measuring cup, then spoon some shortening into it.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>Why dry the cup?</strong> So the shortening will stick to the bottom and not float to the surface when you add the water in the next step. Trust me, it's a lot easier to complete this process when the shortening stays on the bottom of the cup.</span></blockquote>
When you have what looks like a cup of shortening, pour in the cup of water. The water should stop at the two-cup mark. If it's below, you need more shortening. If it's above, you need to remove some. When you've got the amount correct, pour out the water (careful not to dump your shortening with it). And now you're done!<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Side Note:</strong><em> Never use dry measuring cups for liquid measures or vice versa, because they are not interchangeable. The measurement discrepancy might not matter in some stove-top dishes, but the difference could make or break your baked recipe. Remember, baking is a science experiment in your oven. If you get the measurements off, your experiment might fail.</em></span></span></blockquote>
</span></span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-49853684663701902612012-01-03T22:43:00.002-05:002012-01-05T14:10:00.125-05:00Squirrels Don't Like Crisco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhOcHqejWIM/TwPGaFVVGyI/AAAAAAAAARA/_p2WhIBZjrI/s1600/May+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IhOcHqejWIM/TwPGaFVVGyI/AAAAAAAAARA/_p2WhIBZjrI/s320/May+192.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Well...it started with my dad, as all good animal stories do. Dad loves animals. He has horses, cattle, dogs and a cat. He's tender-hearted with a mischievous streak (like father, like daughter). Together, we've broken a mare from her fear of water and discovered what happens when the tackle box is left open and a Boxer bulldog steals and eats an entire bag of jelly worm lures (they were <strong>not</strong> pre-hooked, thankfully). Dad taught me what cats do when you put scotch tape on the pads of their paws, and that toads excrete a substance on their skin that will make a Cocker Spaniel foam at the mouth.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Anyway, my dad and my stepmom were visiting the weekend before Christmas, and he was watching the birds visit the feeder just outside my living room window, amazed at the variety of species, when a squirrel came<span class="text_exposed_hide"> </span><span class="text_exposed_show">along, climbed up the skinny wrought-iron pole, and hung upside down to get some sunflower seed. This is not unusual. The squirrels often take turns at that feeder, one or two foraging below while a third snacks above.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Dad, having seen a few too many squirrel-proofing-bird-feeder youtube videos (again, like father, like daughter), said, "Hey, you got some Crisco?"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">I eyed him and said, "Yeah. Why?"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">"Because I've heard that squirrels can't climb up a greased pole. They'll slide right down."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">So I gave him a paper towel with a decent-sized scoop of vegetable shortening on it. He went outside and greased the pole, then came back in, chuckling like he does when he's thoroughly enjoying something. You'd have to know my dad to fully appreciate his laugh.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">We stood inside the living room and waited for a squirrel. Didn't take long. Here came one, shimmied maybe a foot up the pole, but we didn't get to see it slide back down. When its front paws touched that greasy shortening, it abandoned mission and jumped off the pole, licked its front paws, shook its head, then dragged its feet and mouth through the grass, trying to wipe off the Crisco. Another squirrel came a few minutes later. That one actually ran to a nearby dogwood, wiping its mouth and its paws on the tree's bark. Word must travel fast in Squirreldom, because of the half dozen bushy-tailed rodents we usually have frolicking in our front yard, none tried to climb up that pole. And that was the last of the squirrels on the feeder until today.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><span class="text_exposed_show">Apparently, the recent rain washed off the last of the shortening. I had to re-apply this evening. :-) But in that two and a half weeks, I've probably saved five dollars worth of bird seed.</span></span>Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-66602429701818337592011-12-05T20:20:00.001-05:002011-12-05T20:28:17.896-05:00Monster Brother LoveOur five-year-old son came upstairs to fill his water cup, then headed back down to the basement play room. At the top of the stairs he paused and shouted out to his seven-year-old sister, "A-, I love you!" Then stomped down the wooden stairs, calling, "Here comes the hug and kiss monster! Grrrrrrrarrr! Grrrrrrarrr!"<br />
<br />
You've just got to love that monster brother love.<br />
<br />
I was in their room with them the other day, when they started telling each other how much they love each other, and how great the other person was.<br />
<br />
"I love you, I-. You're the best brother in the whole world."<br />
<br />
"I love you too, A-. You're the best sister in the world."<br />
<br />
Okay, so perhaps this very human mommy and daddy haven't messed them up after all.<br />
<br />
Or perhaps Jesus is just that good. Yeah. I think that's it.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6709955437171396902.post-54782244732346850762011-11-30T23:38:00.001-05:002011-11-30T23:53:23.084-05:00Love Means<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Love means never having to say you're sorry. - <em>Love Story</em></blockquote>
I saw this old quote on Facebook today. I've always disliked it. Why? According to this mentality, love means never having to apologize for hurting that significant other. Love means you never have to admit you were wrong. Love means you can protect your pride. It's extremely convenient. And it's a load of hogwash.<br />
<br />
To quote another book:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8</blockquote>
Yeah, in light of that, real love would never have anything to apologize for. Love unadulterated sets a high standard. For those of us who don't love perfectly (every human being), any bit of real, genuine love existing in our souls will prompt us<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">—</span>when our pride doesn't get in the way<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">—</span>to say those all-important words "I'm sorry" for failing in that perfect measure.<br />
<br />
So hopefully you can see why I dislike that quote. It feels like a cop out. I think true love means knowing when to say you're sorry...and saying it.Reneehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191990097530286346noreply@blogger.com2