There are two seasonal diversions that can
ease the bite of winter.
One is the January thaw.
The other is the seed catalogues. Hal Borland
I am not looking at seed catalogues today. However, we are enjoying a thaw.
First of all, thank you all so much for caring about me! All that xanga soup/love sure warmed me up. I’m feeling somewhat better, but still very tired. When I’m done writing, I’m going to go lay on the couch. I did quite a bit this morning; school, dinner (beef stew in the crock pot), cleaning and laundry, and a trip outdoors. We all went out together for the first time in weeks.
Just getting them out the door was exhausting. David was flipping around on his head instead of looking for his other boot. . .Grace was shedding tears because the boys were already out and she had two more math problems to do. . .we had to convince Caleb that he really DID want to go out. . . .on and on.
Eventually the math was done, Caleb was out with big brothers, the boot was found and we all were ready.
The first thing the kids did was run and/or sled right down to the trampoline and take everything off that they just put on; jackets, boots, and socks! Caleb kept his shoes on, though. And, he kept hold of Henry the entire time that he bounced.
After watching them for a few minutes I went for a brief jaunt into the edge of the woods.
One of the things I admire in nature is the peeling bark of trees. Some caught my eye today and I went over to look closer. . I love the colors, the iridescence, the papery-ness. The kids know I love it, sometimes they come home with huge lengths of white birch for me.
“Go–spend hours and days reading his creation! Let your heart fill to the brim with wonder. Let your mouth praise the glory of our Creator!”
“The heavens and the earth are given to lift our hearts out of our selfish perspectives and raise them to heights of praise for what our Creator is.”
“Don’t let this world around you squeeze you into buildings or books. Buildings are good, books are good. There are times to be in both. But God created the heavens and the earth to be experienced. . .”
From a book I am reading out loud to Jacob, Boyhood and Beyond, by Bob Schultz
The sound of the stream was like music to my ears. Last night, when Rich came home, I just had to get outside for some fresh air. . and, even though it was dark out, I made my way down the edge of the woods and just stood and listened to the water for a while.
I also love wind chimes. I tie them up with bits of ribbon. Quite often in the midst of my busy days, I go outside for one reason or another (to get the mail, tie up the dog, fill up the feeder, etc) and I hear them and smile. It’s rewarding to hang up wind chimes. All mine are down away from the house, because I prefer to hear them from a distance.
After my walk, I watched the kids play some more. Caleb got too close to the edge of the pond and when Ethan pulled him away, his arm came out of his sleeve. Then, when he was walking to the house, he slipped and got his hands cold. . . . . . .I noticed his train was missing. . . . .
I asked him, “Where’s Henry?” and he said, “Right there!”
“Okay, you come with mamma and we’ll go get him and then go inside for some lunch. . . . .”
We held hands and walked off to find Henry together.
It’s a good thing I took him with me, because I don’t think I would have found him myself.
See what I mean?
I hope you all have a wonderful afternoon!
