Writing 101 Assignment 10: Happy Summertime Picnic

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Okay, for assignment 10, we were instructed to write about a favorite childhood meal and work on developing our unique writing voice. I am not sure that I was successful with developing such a voice.  But I will add that I do attempt to create uniqueness with my blog by maintaining a sense of hopefulness and inspiration with it. My family was wonderful in being hopeful through love, encouragement,  laughter, and through numerous family celebrations. While growing up, I remember special dinners commemorating certain holidays and occasions. Such special events included Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, confirmations, and graduations. But I think I loved summertime picnics the most. Oh how I relished those picnics on the farm. We usually enjoyed picnics during the summer holidays (Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day) when weather was cooperating. Also we had picnics while camping and just because we felt like it.

We usually were blessed with beautiful weather including clear skies, brilliant sunshine, and perhaps a warm and gentle breeze. The day’s forecast was not a guarantee though as sometimes it became cloudy and colder with the threat of rain upon the horizon. That gentle breeze at times transformed into blowing gusts as we witness our paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils fly in the sudden wind.  It can be quite the challenge to eat a plate of food when a sudden gust travels across the picnic table carrying almost everything away. Oops, there went my cup and napkin.

The preparations for the picnic were enough to make my mouth water as I smelled hot dogs, hamburgers or corn on the cob sizzling on the grill. The corn was fresh from the garden, tasty and sweet enough to melt in my mouth. We had beans and salads for side dishes but my favorite was the watermelon. That too was fresh from the garden and my mom sliced in it in thick wedges. We kids ate it with such gusto that our faces and hands were covered with the sticky, oozing juice. No wonder she insisted we ate it outside. Another special treat was fresh strawberries also grown on the farm.

And it wasn’t just the food that made the picnic special; it was the relaxed and fun visiting with family which was often punctuated with friendly teasing, humorous comments and laughter. And there was just something special about spending many summer days outside and just being with family. Almost every year, I never wanted summer to end. Oh how I loved those summertime picnics.

Writing-101 Assignment 8: At the Wrong Super8

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Hooray my big day has come. And I will soon be on my way to Washington.

But first, I’m to ride a shuttle to the big Super 8. Oh, I hope it isn’t late.

So anxious to be on my way, I cannot wait!

 I glance at my cell checking the time. Oh my, it is past five.

I should be on the shuttle by now but lo, such misfortune, I soon found out!!

They said they’d come; they said they wouldn’t forget me.

But they turned left instead of right heading to the cities.

Phone calls were made and they sent me a taxi instead.

Which wouldn’t take me to the big city; in dismay I shook my head.

So here I am stuck at the wrong Super 8 without my suitcase

Therefore no clothes, no hairbrush, and no medicine to take.

Oh yes, my luggage made it on the shuttle but not I

For I needed to store my car and then wait for my ride.

They told me to wait in a certain spot and so I did only to be hidden and forgotten by them.

So now, I am stuck in this blue room with a feeling of dread and doom.

A small desk, a TV, and one queen bed with three pillows for my aching head.

I glance out the window where the view is green; a park across the road looking serene.

But none of it is comforting as I now wish for that busy city scene.

A few cars, trucks, and semis drive and rumble by this quieter stretch of highway.

I call my  cousin who hears an earful, “He forgot me; that unthinking driver of the shuttle!”

She is kind suggesting a sandwich and some food but I wouldn’t listen: I was in no mood.

in this quiet guest room I sit slumped in my chair thinking how life isn’t fair.

Somehow, I thought with a furrowed brow, I must journey north and fly out tomorrow!

I make phone calls and send emails for transportation to the big city

But no one is answering so for tomorrow, I will have to wait and see.

The Fireplace

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Now that it is Father’s Day, and I am once again thinking about my dad. He once built a fireplace which added extra warmth  in the old house during the many cold Wisconsin winters. And stretching on the couch, feeling it’s warming glow, and watching the dancing flames was one of my favorite things to do on a cold winter evening. I’m still going through my photos to find a pic of it and when I find it, I will post that too.

The Fireplace

There once was a fireplace built by my father’s skillful hands
And not another was like it; not one in all the land.
It filled an entire wall, an awesome sight to be behold;
Made of gray and white bricks and many large stones.

The sight with all its warmth invited and having nowhere else to go,
I’d gladly sit and watch the flames emitting that brilliant orange glow.
I’d hear the crackles, watch sparks fly and see the flames stretching high.
Only to shrink again, to almost smolder but never really die.

The crimson flames would rise again trying to reach higher than before.
The swaying fingers had a life of their own as they shrank and rose some more.
As a young girl I felt warm and safe there and deeply loved
As if someone was kindly watching over me from above.

Often at night I’d stretch out reading a favorite book and soon fall asleep.
I wonder how often mom or dad tiptoed by that fireplace quietly checking on me?
That old house stands empty and the fireplace but a dark shadow of its previous days.
I hope another young girl will one day watch and rest in its warm and brilliant sway.

Friday Verse Journal Proverbs 15:1

 

 

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I know that one of the many things, I need to work on in life is how I listen to and respond to the people which God brings to me. This includes family, friends, co-workers, and anyone new that comes into my life. I don’t always know or understand someone else’s personal history or their life experiences. I also don’t understand or know their personal beliefs and convictions. But I do try to be caring and kind to others even when i hardly know them. Basically, I try to follow Jesus’ example of gentleness; he is the Good Shepherd and a gentle teacher. While pondering this, I came across this verse recently which immediately made a deep impression when I consider my own behavior; whether I’ve been kind or not so kind. Admittedly, I am not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but I can say that God is continually working on me.

Proverbs 15:1 (Holy Bible New International Standard):

 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Writing 101 Assignment 7: The Battle Between Summer and Winter

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“I like summer!”

“Well, I like winter!”

“What’s so great about winter?”

“What’s so great about summer?”

“During the summer, the temperature is warm

And I can stay outside all day long.”

“Winter is an adventure when that mighty wind blows

And I bravely trample through drifts of snow.”

“But that northern breeze is just too much for me!

Soon I have a cold as I start to sneeze and sneeze.”

“You know, summer is no picnic either

With the pollen, the weeds, and flowers in bloom, I soon have hay fever.”

“Winter is so white and bleak with no vivid colors to see.

But summer is a vibrant rainbow of red, orange, purple, yellow, and green.”

“Summer is sometimes too drab with brown grass and dry dust floating in the air.

Winter ushers in the purest breezes which filter and clean the atmosphere.”

“Winter lasts too long, those months and months of snow seem to go on forever.”

”Summer drags on too when heat and humidity rise I just perspire and swelter.”

“In the summer, birds gladly sing while grazing, strolling wildlife can be seen.”

“Winter has its own wonder and surprises like seeing a brilliant sundog in the sky.”

“You know this battle between summer and winter can go on forever:

I know, let’s just talk about the weather.”

“That is fine with me but what about autumn and spring?”

“Well, I like autumn.”

“and I like spring!”

“Oh, no, here we go again.”

Writing 101 Assignment 5: Lost in the Woods Part 2

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Prompted by a recent writing assignment, I felt inspired to try continuing a story I started some weeks ago. So for those interested here is another segment of Lost in the Woods:

Lost in the Woods (part 2)

Josh stirred in his sleeping bag and gazed up into cluster of tree branches swaying in the morning breeze. The sun’s shimmering rays were filtering through leaves. He rolled on his side to check on his younger brother. Timothy remained sound asleep. Josh quietly rose to stoke and rebuild the campfire which had slowly smoldered during the night. Soon, he had coffee brewing and prepared a small breakfast consisting of instant oatmeal and berries.

Timothy rolled in his sleeping sniffing the air, “Josh that aroma is killing me; my stomach is really growling.”

The older brother looked up, “You’re always hungry! It’s time to get up; breakfast is ready.”

In seconds, Timothy was up and sitting at his brother’s side who handed him a tin plate of food, “Thanks.” He ate for a few moments and then inquired, “So, what is our plan?”

Josh sipped his coffee and shrugged, “Well, the basic plan, like I said last night, is to retrace our journey and head back towards our previous campsite. Then I should be able to find our jeep. Hopefully, along the way, we’ll recognize a landmark or something and know then how to get home. Losing that gps unit was really bad luck.”

“Not to mention, losing a good portion of our food supplies,” Timothy returned as he finished his oatmeal and the last berry on his plate.

“Are you complaining now? I thought you said this was an adventure.”

Timothy raised one hand in surrender, “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to grumble like an Israelite wandering in the desert. I still consider this a much unexpected and awesome adventure.”

Josh smiled at his brother’s words, “Remember they journeyed in that desert for 40 years and faced plenty of hardships. If I was there, I’d have a hard time not complaining.”

The younger brother grinned, “Gee,I hope we’re not lost in the woods for that long.”

While sipping the last of his coffee, Josh continued, “Well, like those travelers looking for the Promised Land so long ago, we need some inspiration to find our way back home.”

Soon the two brothers packed up their supplies and gear. Each one wore a backpack with their bedding rolled and tied on. They also dowsed the campfire making sure it was completely extinguished. Soon Josh and Timothy began their journey through the woods. Josh took the lead in an effort to retrace their trek from the day before. The thick forest was pungent of recent rain and the ground was muddy. Josh sighed as he felt wet branches and leaves brush his arms and clothing. The boys continued in silence for some time.

Timothy broke the silence, “So, are we going the right way?”

“I don’t know.”

“Why is that?”

“That rain washed away our footprints; I am just guessing which way we need to go. I’m hoping we’ll find something that looks familiar.”

“Oh”

Again the brothers traveled in silence. They exited the cluster of trees and starting crossing a grassy meadow. Josh gazed around surveying the area, “I don’t think, we’re going the right direction.”

“That figures. I had a feeling,” Timothy commented as he pushed through the long grass swishing around his knees, “Perhaps, we’ll find something helpful when we reach the other side of this meadow.”

“I think we need to turn around and head back.”

This time, Timothy’s impatience showed, “I don’t agree. If we do that we’ll just be walking in one big circle.”

With concern registering in his troubled face, Josh shook his head, “We need to find our original trail. Right now, we risk going in completely the wrong direction.”

Unmoved by his brother’s reasoning, Timothy maintained his position, “But I read somewhere, that we should keep traveling in a straight line as much as we can. The idea is that eventually we’ll find a road or a sign which will direct us where to go.”

“But this forest is huge. It could take a long time to find a road or a sign or any hint of civilization.”

Timothy shifted his weight from one leg to the other and sighed, “Look Josh, so far I have been listening and following everything you say. Can’t we just give my idea a chance?”

The older brother, with his dark head bent, remained quiet for a few minutes and slowly replied, “Well, okay. I’m not sure that my idea would work out any better. Let’s give your plan a try.”

They continued their trek across the meadow entering another cluster of pine and deciduous trees. The ground was damp and offered no indication of a recent trail. Soon Josh could hear the trickling of a stream, “We must be near water. We can stop there and refill our canisters.”

They followed the sound of softly flowing water until they discovered a small gently rushing creek. The brothers removed their backpacks, found their canisters and refilled them. As Josh was filling his second canister, he looked up into a nearby hollowed tree, “Hey, there’s something glistening in there.”

He placed his filled canisters aside, stood up, and approached the nearby oak tree with a large trunk containing a hollowed opening. He carefully reached in and pulled out an old glass bottle, “That’s strange. There’s a message inside.”

Timothy watched in amusement as he stored his refilled canisters, “Well, gee, you wanted some inspiration today. Maybe this is it.”

Using two fingers as tweezers, Josh retrieved the brittle note from the bottle and carefully unfolded it, “this paper is old and I can barely read it.”

“What does it say?”

While standing in the shadow of the sprawling oak tree trying to find some sun, Josh squinted at the faint writing, “It says, ‘Time is running out. Meet me at the old lake cabin at sundown. I will be…’” Josh hesitated, “I can’t read any more of it.”

The younger brother hurried over to study at the mysterious note, “Looks like a love letter. I can just see a small heart and a faint signature near the bottom.”

Josh gently refolded the letter and returned it to its container, “Well, that is no help for us.”

He reached to replace the bottle in its resting place in the tree but Timothy had another idea, “Let’s keep it. Perhaps we’ll discover what this is all about. You know I like mysteries.”

“This is an old mystery and I doubt we’ll find any clues to solve it.”

Widening his pale blue eyes, Timothy pleaded, “Oh please, let’s hang on to it. You just never know what else we might find along the way.”

“Alright, you’re in charge of this bottle and its’ mystery,” Josh handed the old glass container to Timothy who carefully placed it in his backpack.

Then he stooped over to study the ground, “As best as I can see, no one has been this way for a long time. There is just no indication of a trail. The best thing I can think of to do is to follow this stream until we find a bridge or a road. Or until we find another suitable place to camp for the night.”

The brothers continued their journey walking single file along the creek which widened into a small river. Josh listened to the tranquil sound of flowing water while circling around a thick cluster of trees and thorny bushes. Without warning, he stopped in his tracks. Timothy was trekking so close that he collided with Josh, “hey, why did you stop so sudden?”

Josh pointed, “Look, this river feeds into a lake and there’s a tiny house.”

Timothy peered over Josh’s shoulder staring at the distant, minute building and replied with excitement, “you mean a cabin; a cabin by the lake. I wonder if that is the same cabin mentioned in that old note.”

Gazing at the small wooden structure sitting on the edge of a rippling lake, Josh scratched his dirt speckled forehead and replied, “Well, let’s go see if anyone is home.”

 

 

 

Sunday Drive Round Up for June 8, 2014

 

 

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Finding Hope and Inspiration in Poetry, Writing, and Genealogy

Oops!! A day late but I am determined to write a little round up of some interesting blog sites and articles I visited this past week:

Here is yet another touching and self-searching poem by Source of Inspiration. The writer reminds us to look to our Creator who wants what’s best for us:

http://patcegan.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/what-does-he-want/

In relation to the art of writing and publishing, I came across this very timely and interesting article written by author David Guaghran:

http://davidgaughran.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/whos-afraid-of-very-cheap-books/

Here is another interesting article about the fun in discovering family stories in genealogy research. It also includes useful links related to ancestry research:

Genealogy with Valerie:

http://genealogywithvalerie.wordpress.com/2014/06/09/they-were-only-farmers-take-the-challenge/

 

 

 

Writing 101 Assignment 3: More Ramblings by Becky

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Humm, I am to write about my 3 favorite songs. And I am supposed to write and write without correcting my spelling, punctuation, or grammar. That drove me nuts. I went back and corrected it all because I want readers to understand what I write. So here are my latest ramblings of my mind:

What are my 3 most favorite songs? I know a lot of songs and I like a lot of songs. This is hard. Let me think on this. Well, to begin with my favorite Christmas song ever is “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”. I like the majestic sounding music of that song and the words portray hope and peace on earth and may all nations be peaceable. And it focuses on Jesus who was born in Bethlehem, Jesus the hope of Christmas.

Humm let me think of another great and favorite song, oh I know, “The Circle of Life” song featured in The Lion King and sung by Elton John. To me that song inspires one to cherish the planet we all live on. I especially love the line, “sun rolling high in sapphire skies.”…that just captures my imagination as I consider the natural beauty of earth. And we’re to not take our days, our time on earth for granted.

Let me think, another very special favorite song is “How Great Thou Art”. A very old hymn and it too is very majestic sounding. Hearing a great rendition of it by an orchestra sends chills up my spine. The words also are beautiful. The first two verses focus on the beauty of our universe and earth. The last two verses focus on God and his son Jesus.  I have loved that song since going to vacation bible school when I was a kid. We rode our bikes there to an old one room school house where all the kids of the neighborhood met up to visit, learn, and play at this old schoolhouse. The teachers were kind and very interesting. There were from Chicago and the beauty of Wisconsin really captured them. They thought our hills were beautiful mountains. I guess they never been to California or Wyoming. Now those states have mountains, I have seen them and tried to climb them. Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing those teachers every summer and I treasured that time in that old schoolhouse.

Friday Verse Journal June 6, 2014

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Lately, over the last weeks and even longer, I easily become agitate or unhappy or very discouraged about different parts of my life. And when I am already down, it doesn’t take much at all for me to become completely unglued and totally unsure of myself or what it really is that God wants me to do. The Apostle Paul’s words about contentment have been coming to my mind:

Philippians 4:11b-13 (Holy Bible English Standard Version)

“I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”