Sweet Sunday

"Jerusalem" is one of the most haunting hymns I've ever heard. Based on a poem by William Blake (one of my favorite poets), this song was also featured in the movie "Chariots of Fire." I was thrilled to hear it again as a part of a medley in the Opening Ceremonies for the London Summer Olympic Games.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

Jerusalem


And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On Englands pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England's green & pleasant land.

~William Blake

Saturday Sweethearts

My daughter put this photo together on her iPod. Isn't it the cutest? 

Who are your Saturday Sweethearts?

10 on 10

I saw this done years ago...and forgot all about it.

On the 10th of the month, you take a theme and post 10 photos related to it. I've done others here and here.

See if you can figure out my theme today.

Why not do one yourself? Leave the link in the comments so we can check it out. (Someday I'll figure out the "linky" thing.)

And a bonus photo:

Friend or Foe...or Somewhere in Between - Part 3

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold."

We used to sing that when I was a little girl in the Brownies. We would sit in a circle and cross our arms to hold hands with the girls next to us. My mom was one of the leaders, volunteering in the hopes that I would make friends and enjoy Girl Scouts as much as my sisters did. I didn't. And I didn't.

Not because I didn't try. I think it just wasn't meant to be. We moved soon afterwards.

The problem with the above song is that not all "old friends" want to remain friends. People today are temporal. We want to be friends with those who are tangible...right there in our sight.

We've moved from two different churches over the past few decades. We spent 18 years at the one and 12 at the next...and in both cases the people we thought were our close friends dropped us, forgetting us like we never existed.

It's not that they were trying to be mean. We just weren't there anymore. So, out of sight, out of mind...and heart.

It makes a person a little heartsick to think that we meant that much to them.

And it's interesting, given the amount of free social media options out there, that our friendships couldn't keep going. We have email, Facebook, Twitter, Skype, Yahoo! Instant Messenger...etc.

But it takes work to stay in touch. Not everyone has that strength or the stamina. And sometimes we're so busy with our own lives that we forget. (I'm just as guilty as the next person for that.)

Where's that leave me and my little Brownie song?

Pretty much singing alone with my arms crossed and no one's hands to hold.

Maybe it's time to get off the social apps and start again...in person? Find new friends, who like me, need a little silver.

Maybe it will be a silver lining in the clouds.

But how does one go about finding new friends as an adult?  Any ideas or suggestions?

To be continued...

Wordless Wednesday

Of Time and Books and Love

I love books. I've always loved books. I think that's what drew me into writing at a very young age.

Growing up, we always had a ton of books in our house, and my mom was a great believer in going to the library for more. One year when I was a kid, we even spent a rainy day on our beach vacation at the local library.

I love the way books smell and feel and, well, everything about them.

I'm especially fond of children's books. I started collecting them when I was a kid myself. So it was a huge thrill, years ago, to work for Boyd's Mills Press, the book publishing arm of Highlights for Children. I got to see the process of publishing children's books up close and personal.

As time moved on, however, and babies appeared on the scene, my patience level waned for reading anything longer than a board book. I had a stack of books that I wanted to read...but never seemed to have the stamina to do it.

Once the older two kids became more self-sufficient, though, I began to read again...a bit. Then another little one arrived and my reading level dropped to the point of merely reading the front and back covers of books I hoped to one day have the energy to read.

And so the stack grew taller, until I finally decided that I'm a "collector" of books. As a collector, I have the option of reading or not reading the books I have on my shelves, right?

Somehow that relieves some of the guilt I've been feeling in having all these fun books and not reading them -- yet.

Works for me, especially since I still love books -- to collect and (hopefully) read. *wink-grin*

Fleeting Summer Monday Musings

Emily and Stuart on a facetime chat

Happy Monday!

I cannot believe that a little less than a month from now we'll be starting school. Yikes!

Our daughter starts 10th grade, our older son starts 6th (with 7th-grade math and language arts), and the "baby" starts kindergarten. How did all this come up so fast?

Didn't the summer drag a bit longer when we were young?  I remember having times when I felt extremely bored...almost (though I'm not sure I would have readily admitted to it) eager for school to start again. That said, I did like school, so maybe?  Still, I remember summer feeling like one long relaxing hot day.....

Now?  I feel like it's pretty much the same scramble as the school year. 

Ah, well. The play is over and now we can settle down for a few weeks and get some of the necessary tidying done in the house. I'd been hoping to get the dining room and kitchen sorted out before the new school year. I'd love to have more space (and less stuff!) for our lessons...especially with another student joining us.

Speaking of Ethan...  He's loving his Summer Bridge book and keeping right up with it. He's even trying to spell words for himself. It's amazing to watch him go. He was drawing a get-well card today and spelled "ritiin" on it for "written." Not bad for a nearly-4-year-old.

Speaking of Emily... (Okay. So no one actually mentioned her, but...) She's glad the play is over (practice-wise), but I think she's missing the acting part.  We had a great idea of starting our own little skit group to take some fun entertainment to elderly-care homes in the area.  Watch this space. 

My real dream would be to do a Christmas pantomime, complete with a humorous "baddie" and audience participation. Such fun!  Oh, that and open a tea shop. But time will tell.

No one mentioned Edward... But we finally sorted out last year's curriculum to send back and opened up this year's stuff...and he's well-chuffed by all the fun stuff he has this year. So well-chuffed that he was ready to start school today. Hmm... Hang on to that feeling, Budboy. Only a few weeks to go.

Stuart's off in Kansas for the week. We "facetimed" him after he left. I love so much that we have this technology now. It's such fun to be able to keep in touch face-to-face.

How's your week starting? Hope your Monday is a great one!

Sweet Sunday

This is what's been on my dishwasher lately. Ethan put it there, spelling each word all by himself.

Awesome, huh?

Moreover, God is awesome for creating this sweet little boy.

Saturday Sweetheart

It's always so amazing how quickly our children grow. 

This is Edward, our 11-year-old sweetheart. His is one of the most imaginative, funny, quick-learning boys I've ever known. He has a heart as big as a canyon, and he desires to be a missionary pilot when he grows up. I don't know if God will call him to do that, but it warms my heart to hear him talk about it.

I know he feels a bit slighted at times by his big sister and little brother seeming to get all the attention, so I wanted to honor him with this post today because sometimes -- more often than I like -- I forget the treasures I have right in my own house. 

We get so busy looking around on other people's blogs or on Facebook...and the best-est stuff ever is sitting right next to us.

Love you, Budboy!

Friday First and Funnies

Tonight, we had the honor of watching our awesomely gifted daughter and the rest of the talented cast perform "Twelfth Night" for the first-ever "Shakespeare in the Park" offered by the Berks County Parks and Recreation Board.

As it's a comedy and the first time ever done in a park in our county, today's post counts as a Friday First and a Friday Funny.

We are so proud of Emily and all the hard work she and the others put into this production.

And fun was had by all!

Some photos:

In the Middle of the Street

"Our house...in the middle of the street... Our house..."

Remember that song?

We've been doing a lot with houses at the moment.

A few days ago, I braved the heat of our attic and dug out the "Happy Street" sets we began buying when Emily was a baby/toddler.

It was a joyous reunion of all the various sets and people. Ethan was amazed -- and delighted -- by it all.  His siblings were wistful and a bit regretful that they didn't spend more time playing with it.

We put together a few sets and dusted off a few more and set up the people and cars, and Ethan began to play with his newly established English village, Happy Street.

He played and played. He loved it!

After a day of playing with it, I asked if I could join in.

I had some of the little children and older people figures set up at one end of the "village" we'd created. He had the emergency center with the firemen and police constable.

Suddenly, the constable drove madly down the street and knocked down all of the people I set up.

Ethan laughed wickedly.

I laughed, too, and asked him what he was doing.

"Now it's 'Sad Street,'" he told me with a giggle as he helped me reset the people..

Hmm...methinks somebody is watching too many of his brother's iPod games? *wink-grin*

Wordless Wednesday

Freedom of What?

The thing about freedom of speech is that it has to go both ways. You cannot tell one side to agree...or shut-up. Sort of goes contrary to the whole meaning of freedom, right?

So I don't agree with the lifestyle choice of the lesbian and homosexual community. (Earth-shattering, I know.)  I don't appreciate them trying to redefine marriage, and I most especially despise their perception of my opinion as being "hateful" to them.

I disagree, but that does NOT mean I hate them.

We've gotten away from the concept of separating beliefs from the actual person.  I use the Bible as the basis for my values and beliefs. I may say that in public or in private to friends or acquaintances. But I never shove it down their throats. That's part of the freedom. To choose to believe or not to believe.

When people (especially those of public-figure stature) actually tweet about their desire for people who eat at certain restaurants (owned by people who support my view of traditional marriage) to get cancer and die....

WOW!

Really?!?

And what's even sadder is that that's okay for them. If someone from the other side says that? It's considered a threat and horrific (which it is from either side).

Hmm...

Civilization can only exist where its citizens respect and honor each other -- on both sides of any subject.

It's agreeing to disagree...and loving each other despite the differences.  Since when did we become such an intolerant people?

It's a freedom to say something and a freedom to listen. In the case of stuff I don't agree with, I just choose not to listen. But the difference is I never tweet about it...or wish ill on someone who believes the opposite of me.

Sigh.

As another blogger noted: Choosing to boycott a fastfood restaurant chain because you don't agree with the owner's opinions and beliefs...such a first world problem.

How indulged are we?

Plenty of companies openly support the lesbian and homosexual communities.  You don't hear the rest of us calling on the fires of Hell to destroy them, right?

Know that even if you support those causes -- or any others I might not agree with -- I still love you. And because of that, I can agree to disagree with you.  That's TRUE freedom of speech.

Mondays and Musings: Perfect Together

Happy Monday! The final Monday in July! Jeepers.

FINAL Monday in July?

That means we have only ONE month left of summer vacation. Considering how fast the first month and a half went, that isn't long.

Still, we'll enjoy it and the hazy/lazy days of the rest of summer...if we can.

I'm attempting to do some reading this summer. I finished The Janson Command last week and started The Cry of the Halidon by Robert Ludlum. So far so good.  I have a stack of other books to read, and I'm hoping this greases the wheel for me.

So, Emily continues practicing for the "Twelfth Night" play. It will be performed this coming Friday and Sunday -- pending no rain. I think she's getting excited. We sure are...though we've been missing her, too.

The boys are enjoying our recent walks to the park. We've been trying to get outside more...to run off the endless energy Ethan seems to have and build up Edward's endurance -- getting some steps for Mommy and Daddy in the process. We've been trying to hit 10,000 steps every day. I haven't done too well with it yet. I can usually get between 6,000 and 8,000, but the extra 2,000-4,000 have eluded me. I'm not giving up, though. There's a "dancing guy" that appears on my pedometer when I hit 10,000 steps, and I want to see him.

Speaking of school starting, we're getting pumped up for it. Edward's curriculum should arrive tomorrow and Wednesday. It's always so much fun to see what schoolwork he'll have for the year. (A bit like opening a birthday or Christmas prezzie.)

And speaking of Christmas...

ONLY 148 shopping days left....147 if you don't shop on Christmas Day.  And so endeth the Christmas Shopping public service announcement. Still plenty of time. Pleennnnnnnty of time.

I'm here for you.

Sweet Sunday

We had a guest worship group -- Heartsong from Cedarville College -- lead us in our church service today, and one of the songs they chose was the one below.

I love the words...especially knowing that my God is stronger than anything I will ever face. And in an election year, those are a comforting promise!

"It is written:

Christ is risen.

Jesus, You

Are Lord of all!"

Praise God for who He is, and have a super sweet Sunday!

   

Saturday Sweetheart

Here is Jane, our not-so-modest sweet kitty. I love that she lays around like this. So relaxed.

Friday Funnies

We got to see the trailer for another funny kids' movie coming out later this year. It's looks funny and poignant...and cute.

Enjoy, and have a fun Friday!

Friend or Foe...or Somewhere in Between - Part 2

So I started on this subject a few weeks ago in this post.

Friendship has always lent itself to some pretty deep pondering...about oneself and about others...at least in my life. Sometimes it's hard to figure out why some people have so many and others seem to have none.

We have mixed feelings about the telephone in our house.

Sometimes we are excited by its ring...and sometimes we are angered...and sometimes it doesn't ring at all.

We love for the phone to ring when its someone we love -- or, for me, when it's a source I've been trying to get in touch with for an article.

We're mad when it's telephone solicitation...or a campaign call...or a wrong number with someone asking for the same people...again.

It's a bit perplexing at times when it's silent, and we realize that the phone doesn't ring for us very often.

My mom has been encouraging us to get to know people and make new friends. She gets very worried about the kids seeming to not have any friends. She doesn't see the effort I've put into helping them find some and how that effort falls flat. If it happens enough times, people finally give up.  I mean, why is the onus always on us to make friends? Why aren't other kids seeking out our kids for playdates?

Phone numbers are exchanged, but no one calls -- on either side.

Sometimes we're told it would be different if our kids went to school.

Hmm... I agree that they would be exposed to more kids, thereby the possibility for friendship goes up, but that doesn't guarantee friends. It seems that people need to be "desirable" to draw friends. I'm guessing we're not.

The kids go to activities -- at church and in our community. We ask the parents/kids to meet up. We get lots of smiles and lots of "sounds great"s. But still the phone never rings...the emails never come, even in response to our calls/emails.

But it's a different world these days -- a world filled with activities of all sorts and electronics of even more sorts. People are busy, busy, busy.  Kids don't play outside anymore.

At least not where we live.

We know. We've "trolled" the neighborhood, looking for someone to meet and get to know and play with. And when kids do play outside, they're not interested in meeting new kids to add to their group of peers. 

No one encourages it either.

We get polite smiles from the adults and wide-eyed stares from the kids. And one look at my kids as we continue to walk, and I know and feel their disappointment.

My point is this:  Friendship is a two-way street. Both sides need to be seeking and working at it for it to work. When just because one side tries and nothing comes of it doesn't mean that there's something wrong with them or they aren't trying hard enough. It becomes easy to think that.

Ah, well.  Enough pondering -- and complaining. We'll keep on trying...or perhaps it's time to move?

At least we'd get a new phone number.

To be continued...

Wordless Wednesday

Have One's Cake...

There's a famous expression that goes something like this: You can't "have one's cake and eat it, too." 

According to Wikipedia: To have one's cake and eat it too is a popular English idiomatic proverb or figure of speech, sometimes stated as eat one's cake and have it too or simply have one's cake and eat it. This is most often used negatively, to connote the idea of consuming a thing whilst managing to preserve it. This may also indicate having or wanting more than one can handle or deserve, or trying to have two incompatible things. The proverb's meaning is similar to the phrases, "you can't have it both ways" and "you can't have the best of both worlds." Conversely, in the positive sense, it would refer to "having it both ways" or "having the best of both worlds."

I did the unthinkable today. I don't know why I did it. Afterwards I wished in many ways that I hadn't done it.

But I did. 

So there you have it.

What was my heinous crime, you might wonder?

I went onto Dan Cathy's Facebook page and posted some kudos to him.

(I'll pause whilst you gasp and choke and decide whether or not you can associate with me anymore.)

I know. I know. I should have stayed away. After all, it's only the ones who oppose his views that are allowed to comment on his recent statements.

Or is it?

It's an interesting world we live in at the moment. 

Interesting in that only one side of any given issue is "allowed" to be spoken. Everyone else must be silenced or else threatened, bullied, and basically made to feel vile for having an opinion opposite of the politically correct/acceptable one.

Um...whatever happened to Freedom of Speech?

Seems to me that it goes both ways. I have to listen to your thoughts and respect you for having and/or sharing them...and you are obligated to do the same.  That's a polite society...that's called respecting one another.

Respecting you doesn't mean I agree with you. But it does mean that I don't hate you...or wish you were dead...or think you're a bigot, ignorant a**hole for your viewpoints.

But that's exactly what people who disagree with Dan Cathy's personal statement on his beliefs think. I posted the following and within seconds got the comments below it:

"Thank you, Dan, for being a public figure who stands up and is HONEST about his beliefs. It is so refreshing and such a blessing to have someone for our kids to looks up to. We will always support your business. And we thank God for you!!"

Comment 1: Learn to be a good Christian and not hate.

Comment 2: What an interesting parent you must be to want your kids to look up to the president of fast food who advertises his "Christian" morals of hate!

Wow!

What did I say that made them think I hate anyone?

And, for that matter, what did Dan Cathy say?

Here's a snippet from an article I read:

Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy said this week that his privately owned company is "guilty as charged" in support of what he called the biblical definition of the family unit.

The Atlanta-based chain opened its first location in a Georgia mall in 1967 and grown to more than 1,615 restaurants in 39 states and Washington, D.C., with annual sales over $4.1 billion, according to its website.

"We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that," Cathy told the Baptist Press, the news agency of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Later in the article:

Chick-fil-A released its own statement, saying it has a history of applying biblically-based principles to its business, such as keeping its stores closed on Sundays.

"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," according to the statement.

"Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," it said.

Seems to me that people want their opinions heard, but they don't want to listen or read or see or know that the other side is disagreeing -- respectfully -- with them. And that's sad to me. I hear and read and see and know that the other side disagrees with me...but I never call them names or belittle their ideas or hang about on sites they like and wait to post mean comments. 

Whoa.  It's called Freedom of Speech? Something that we're all -- on both sides of the aisle -- guaranteed.

That I could post something personal and seemingly benign that within seconds had comments against it just makes me wonder if these people have too much time on their hands.

Or maybe I just live in a bubble most of the time...  Maybe this is really how the world behaves...

I think I'll go back inside that bubble for awhile...and maybe I'll take a piece of cake with me.