Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Summer
Summer is with it,
she's wild,
she likes
bare legs and cutoffs
and camping
and hikes;
she dives in deep water,
she wades in a stream,
she guzzles cold drinks
and she drowns in ice cream;
she runs barefoot,
she picnics,
she fishes,
digs bait,
she pitches a tent
and she stays up too late
while she counts out the stars,
swats mosquitoes and flies,
hears crickets,
smells pine trees,
spies night-creature eyes;
she rides bareback,
goes sailing,
plays tennis,
climbs trees;
she soaks in the sunshine;
she gulps in a breeze;
she tastes the warm air
on the end of her tongue,
and she falls asleep
reading
alone
in the sun.
~ Myra Cohn Livingston
she's wild,
she likes
bare legs and cutoffs
and camping
and hikes;
she dives in deep water,
she wades in a stream,
she guzzles cold drinks
and she drowns in ice cream;
she runs barefoot,
she picnics,
she fishes,
digs bait,
she pitches a tent
and she stays up too late
while she counts out the stars,
swats mosquitoes and flies,
hears crickets,
smells pine trees,
spies night-creature eyes;
she rides bareback,
goes sailing,
plays tennis,
climbs trees;
she soaks in the sunshine;
she gulps in a breeze;
she tastes the warm air
on the end of her tongue,
and she falls asleep
reading
alone
in the sun.
~ Myra Cohn Livingston
Just once...
Soon I will begin to live-
But today I must prepare for tomorrow,
And tomorrow I’ll solve the problems of the world.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait till I’m old, but just once, I’ll live.
I’ll rock my rocker to the bone, as I watch the boys dropping their girls off after a night out,
And I’ll spend summer nights camped on the trampoline.
I’ll splatter-paint the walls,
And throw pottery in the barn;
I’ll hog the swings at the park,
Wear two spots of rouge, one on the apple of each cheek,
And just once I’ll chase the children off the grass- just to experience being a crotchety old woman-
Just to experience life.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s tomorrow,
But just once, I’ll live.
I’ll feign deafness, and holler into the telephone,
And go wading in the river with my dress hiked well above my knees.
I’ll sit on my roof to gaze at the stars above, or the cars filing past below;
I'll drive a paint-stripped, old Chevy,
And chase little dogs with my umbrella.
And just once I’ll whistle at the boys playing basketball in the park without their shirts on.
Just once, because it’s a part of life.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s tomorrow,
But just once, I’ll live.
I’ll wiggle my toes in the mud,
And perch in the trees, singing with the birds.
Art will fill the kitchen cupboards,
And coffee will be brewed, whether it is drunk or not, simply for that pungent, earthy smell.
I’ll walk under the trees, holding my husband’s hand- slowing down traffic together.
I'll sneak candy to the children sitting in pews in front of me at church.
And just once I’ll hollow out the center of a pie- and leave the crust behind.
Just once, so that I can glory in life.
Soon I will begin to live-
But today I must prepare for tomorrow,
And tomorrow I’ll solve the problems of the world.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait till I’m old, but just once, I’ll live
As seen a couple posts below, Jenny Joseph's "Warning," inspired me to rant about what I dream old age contains. Well a list very easily translates into a poem, and here you have it. I can't recall ever having written a poem just for the sake of doing it, so don't be too critical! I don't want to fear old age, so instead I dream dreams: and these are them.
But today I must prepare for tomorrow,
And tomorrow I’ll solve the problems of the world.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait till I’m old, but just once, I’ll live.
I’ll rock my rocker to the bone, as I watch the boys dropping their girls off after a night out,
And I’ll spend summer nights camped on the trampoline.
I’ll splatter-paint the walls,
And throw pottery in the barn;
I’ll hog the swings at the park,
Wear two spots of rouge, one on the apple of each cheek,
And just once I’ll chase the children off the grass- just to experience being a crotchety old woman-
Just to experience life.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s tomorrow,
But just once, I’ll live.
I’ll feign deafness, and holler into the telephone,
And go wading in the river with my dress hiked well above my knees.
I’ll sit on my roof to gaze at the stars above, or the cars filing past below;
I'll drive a paint-stripped, old Chevy,
And chase little dogs with my umbrella.
And just once I’ll whistle at the boys playing basketball in the park without their shirts on.
Just once, because it’s a part of life.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s tomorrow,
But just once, I’ll live.
I’ll wiggle my toes in the mud,
And perch in the trees, singing with the birds.
Art will fill the kitchen cupboards,
And coffee will be brewed, whether it is drunk or not, simply for that pungent, earthy smell.
I’ll walk under the trees, holding my husband’s hand- slowing down traffic together.
I'll sneak candy to the children sitting in pews in front of me at church.
And just once I’ll hollow out the center of a pie- and leave the crust behind.
Just once, so that I can glory in life.
Soon I will begin to live-
But today I must prepare for tomorrow,
And tomorrow I’ll solve the problems of the world.
Perhaps I’ll have to wait till I’m old, but just once, I’ll live
As seen a couple posts below, Jenny Joseph's "Warning," inspired me to rant about what I dream old age contains. Well a list very easily translates into a poem, and here you have it. I can't recall ever having written a poem just for the sake of doing it, so don't be too critical! I don't want to fear old age, so instead I dream dreams: and these are them.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Losing my identity.
I've been warped into a Canadian. Three or four people in the last day have made general observations of "those Canadians," including me in this. Oh boy. I have nothing against Canadians- I've loved all the ones I've been able to get to know. I am, however, very happy to remain an American, eh.
Friday, January 28, 2011
There's one inside each of us
Friday night, and Student Senate planned a Revenge of the Nerd Rollerskating event. Too much fun. It was great to go out and make a fool of myself- both in costume and out on the rink. I made it through without eating it- but just very barely. I do, however, have nice blisters which will make tomorrow's hike just that much more interesting.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Warning- by Jenny Joseph
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple
I was talking to Dave Monday night, and telling him how I was kind of excited to be old. I want to move to the South and sit on my porch with my shotgun. I want to throw pottery in my barn, and I want to spend nights camped out on our trampoline. And I want to splatter paint and not worry about washing the paint off the walls. Just once I want to chase children off the grass- just to see what it feels like to be a crotchety old woman. I want to drive a beat-up, old Chevy. I want to sit out on my roof at night and watch the stars above, and the cars file past below. I want to pretend like I can't hear, and holler into the telephone. I want to go wading in a river, with my dress hiked up well beyond my knees. I want to sneak candy to the children who sit in the pews in front of me at church. I want to hog the swings at the park, and chase the little dogs with my umbrella. I want to wiggle my toes in the grass, and sit in the trees with the birds. I want to cover my walls, and ceiling for that matter, with art. I want to squeeze the life from oranges and drink the juice each morning, and I want to brew coffee each morning just for it's pungent odor. I'll whistle at the boys playing basketball in the park without their shirts on. I want to stroll under the trees while holding my husband's hand, slowing down the traffic. He read this poem to me- it captures what I want PRECISELY- and sent me off on a tangent of what I'd like to be like. I love, love, love it.
With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.
I shall sit down on the pavement when I'm tired
And gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells
And run my stick along the public railings
And make up for the sobriety of my youth.
I shall go out in my slippers in the rain
And pick flowers in other people's gardens
And learn to spit.
You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat
And eat three pounds of sausages at a go
Or only bread and pickle for a week
And hoard pens and pencils and beermats and things in boxes.
But now we must have clothes that keep us dry
And pay our rent and not swear in the street
And set a good example for the children.
We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.
But maybe I ought to practice a little now?
So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised
When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple
I was talking to Dave Monday night, and telling him how I was kind of excited to be old. I want to move to the South and sit on my porch with my shotgun. I want to throw pottery in my barn, and I want to spend nights camped out on our trampoline. And I want to splatter paint and not worry about washing the paint off the walls. Just once I want to chase children off the grass- just to see what it feels like to be a crotchety old woman. I want to drive a beat-up, old Chevy. I want to sit out on my roof at night and watch the stars above, and the cars file past below. I want to pretend like I can't hear, and holler into the telephone. I want to go wading in a river, with my dress hiked up well beyond my knees. I want to sneak candy to the children who sit in the pews in front of me at church. I want to hog the swings at the park, and chase the little dogs with my umbrella. I want to wiggle my toes in the grass, and sit in the trees with the birds. I want to cover my walls, and ceiling for that matter, with art. I want to squeeze the life from oranges and drink the juice each morning, and I want to brew coffee each morning just for it's pungent odor. I'll whistle at the boys playing basketball in the park without their shirts on. I want to stroll under the trees while holding my husband's hand, slowing down the traffic. He read this poem to me- it captures what I want PRECISELY- and sent me off on a tangent of what I'd like to be like. I love, love, love it.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
I left my heart in Sacramento
Seriously, I'm completely enamored. What a wonderful trip to visit with Mary and Luke. Ben is at Calvin teaching a class for a month so they are home alone; I went up to visit and fill time. The weather was quite cold, so we didn't end up doing much- at least as far as outside goes.
Wednesday Morning I arrived (After waking up at 5:30!!!) early, around 8:30. I think we went to the park- where some adorable old men shared their crumbs with Luke and helped him feed the ducks. We ran general errands, and I got to babysit while Mary had some time out of the house.
Thursday was a lazy day- we lit a fire and enjoyed that so much. We did go to the train museum where Luke emphatically pointed to every train and shouted "choo, choo!" We made Indian curry (which I have been wanting to do all break!) for dinner- so simple, and so yumm. I again babysat that night so she could go out. Friday morning I dropped Mary off at an appointment and took Luke to a church where there was an organized class full of jungle gym equipment- but for babies. Saturday we again went to the park- this time equipped with our own food for the ducks.
The whole time, Luke was so fun. He decided to try standing on one leg, hiding all his toys and making you ask where ______ was (difficult when you don't know what he hid in the first place), and he was even trying to say my name! Granted it sounded more like Dedus, but it was definitely what his name for me. He introduced me to another kid when we were at the park. :)
Friday, December 31, 2010
"Yo, yo!"
Looks like I'll be sending out 2010 making yo-yos. Actually, I'm quite excited about it. It's my latest project. I doubt I'll have enough to make a quilt, but maybe a pillow cover? :) We shall see.
A yo-yo is one of those individual circles.
Not a bad way to send out the year, considering. I'm not feeling great, so going out was out of the question.
I can't believe how long of a year 2010 was. I feel like the past 4 months of school made up the whole year, but there were 8 months previous to that! It hasn't been the easiest of years, but I've learned a lot. I think the overarching theme of the year would have to be learning to trust in God. I have had bookend experiences at the beginning and end of the year which rounded the year off nicely, giving it a balanced feeling.
I never really have any new goals for the new year. Rather, I always seem to have the same goals that I've never quite reached. Funny how that happens. :P
This year I hope to continue to:
stay true to myself as much as I can,
use the opportunities put infront of me to learn,
be a blessing to people if that is possible,
remain cheerful,
realize the little blessings that go so far to make a day wonderful,
and go out of my box to experience more.
Maybe instead of yo-yos I should stitch these on a pillow to remind me. :P
A yo-yo is one of those individual circles.
Not a bad way to send out the year, considering. I'm not feeling great, so going out was out of the question.
I can't believe how long of a year 2010 was. I feel like the past 4 months of school made up the whole year, but there were 8 months previous to that! It hasn't been the easiest of years, but I've learned a lot. I think the overarching theme of the year would have to be learning to trust in God. I have had bookend experiences at the beginning and end of the year which rounded the year off nicely, giving it a balanced feeling.
I never really have any new goals for the new year. Rather, I always seem to have the same goals that I've never quite reached. Funny how that happens. :P
This year I hope to continue to:
stay true to myself as much as I can,
use the opportunities put infront of me to learn,
be a blessing to people if that is possible,
remain cheerful,
realize the little blessings that go so far to make a day wonderful,
and go out of my box to experience more.
Maybe instead of yo-yos I should stitch these on a pillow to remind me. :P
"Fee, fi, fo, fum!"
Playing "monster" with Luke has to have been one of the best parts of break so far. I'd stomp after him, chanting in a deep voice "fee, fi, fo, fum!" He'd run squealing into the living room, looking over his sholder, until I got to "phum." Then he'd turn around and come straight into my arms, when I'd launch him into the air, and pretend to eat his belly.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Words of Wisdom?
"One of the secrets in life is know how to do everything yourself but not advertise it, so you don't have to do everything yourself." :P
and from my grandpa:
"share 90% of what you know with your friends/coworkers, but keep 10% for yourself."
So. Good advice or is it being selfish?
I guess they can take you far in the business world.
and from my grandpa:
"share 90% of what you know with your friends/coworkers, but keep 10% for yourself."
So. Good advice or is it being selfish?
I guess they can take you far in the business world.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Everything Fall.
It's been a bit, but a while ago, I went up to an apple farm. Technically orchard, yes, but lets not be technical. We were hoping to find an event that was "all things fall." Danielle and I found the apple orchard and everybody else was on board, so we hit the road! It was a perfect day- slightly cloudy- but not raining, and we found apples, pumpkins (rotting by this time), hills, tractors, and a whole lot of fun. Go figure.
Afterwards, we found a cute little place to eat. They had super yummy food- and Amy was brave enough to order (and nice enough to share!) an apple grilled cheese. Pretty yum, actually.
Afterwards, we found a cute little place to eat. They had super yummy food- and Amy was brave enough to order (and nice enough to share!) an apple grilled cheese. Pretty yum, actually.
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