from my corner, on a day off

writing for five minutes on view

i'm sitting in my spot -

in which you see morning me....

the corner of the living room couch -
and i have all the accouterments
of a summer day off -
glasses
books
laptop
coffee
water
and when i look up i see
laundry. one load. unfolded.
jack's backpack contents. strewn.
four footstools. empty of feet and even socks.
summer time tree leaves. sunlight spangled.
blue birds. taking turns on the nest.
cardinal. standing sentinel on a garden post.
and when i look in i see
me and more
writing
word-reading
thanking
and
joy

what do you see? ya know, right now?

linking with-

the gypsy mama for five-minute-friday, michelle for caffeinated randomness, studio jru for sneak peek friday, grace for FYBF, beholding glory for faith-filled friday, cheryl for true vine challenge, barbie for freshly brewed life

and i'm reading...

excerpts of Escape from Camp 14
to my students who are jaw-dropped-amazed
by this account of a man
who escaped a north korean gulag
and
Acts 
my favorite image comes from chapter 17 -
(he made the nations) that they should seek God,
and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him
and
i recently finished Lupita Manana
a mexican immigration story for adolescents
a gripping story,
but i was cast-awayed at the end
so only gave it three stars
and
i began hilary mantel's Bring up the Bodies yesterday
i'm determined to persevere through this narrative
on thomas cromwell
despite the
eighty.
other.
characters.

so, what books are on your nightstand?


linking with -

michelle for hear it monday, use it on sunday, ann for 1000 gifts, joan for sharing his beauty, laura for playdates with god, jennifer for tell his story, jen for soli deo gloria, my freshly brewed life and kat for titus 2 tuesdays

for the boy who brought music, upon his graduation

i've packed his last lunch,

this boy who brought music to our home
i've shouted my last, here we go, hank
at major larry j. bauguess memorial baseball field
i've suggested he hang the wrinkled gown
(he hasn't)
and
i've wondered why i'm not weeping
since sentiment often takes center stage in my heart
but mostly?
i'm thankful for these eighteen years
i'm thankful that god chose hank for himself
i'm thankful that he is music and light and fun
and
i'm praying that as he goes about
work
higher learning
life
he will be filled with all the fullness of god
because this is the highest prayer a mom can offer

what do you pray for your children?

linking with jennifer, emily , michelle for caffeinated randomness, studio jru for sneak peek friday, grace for FYBF, beholding glory for faith-filled friday, cheryl for true vine challenge, barbie for freshly brewed life

how to receive deadish flowers for mother's day

1. become the teensiest bit a flower nerd
2. develop the tiniest problem with jealousy
3. whine at least once a week in april over the lack of wake robins in your wildflower garden
4. jump up and down a little when your brother mentions the veritable carpet of wake robins below the farm's falls
5. marry a guy who listens (wait. that should be number one....)
6. and voila! deadish flowers on the porch for mother's day!

seriously, they aren't actually dead, just the blooms are over. my husband and brother contrived, despite the busy season, to meet at the farm, tramp up to the falls, and dig. this makes my heart do some flips because i'm reminded that chris is an ephesians man, living out paul's directive to love me as christ loved the church. and i'm so glad to travel this motherhood road with him by my side.

how about you? did you give or receive any interesting gifts this year?

linking with -

michelle for hear it monday, use it on sunday, ann for 1000 gifts, joan for sharing his beauty, laura for playdates with god, jennifer for tell his story, jen for soli deo gloria, my freshly brewed life and kat for titus 2 tuesdays