Wood between the Worlds

     My dad began painting a few years ago and has since gifted us with his handiwork. About a year ago, he gave me the choice of a few others he had on hand and I immediately knew which one I wanted. This one.
     When I was growing up, in the providence of our Maker, I lived in a small 3 bedroom home situated  at the edge of our town. And next to that home were acres and acres of meadows, wooded areas, creeks, streams, and even a wild strawberry patch. There was one place that stood out and to this day still does, and this painting reminds me of that spot. It was still, quiet, peaceful, and green with life. A place, as the narrator in The Magician's Nephew described, where "The trees grew close together and were so leafy that he could get no glimpse of the sky. All the light was green light that came through the leaves: but there must have been a very strong sun overhead, for this green daylight was bright and warm. It was the quietest wood you could possibly imagine. ...This wood was very much alive. ...'It was a rich place...'"

30 Days of Thankfulness 5

Thankful for my dear son-in-law who makes my daughter happy by working hard and sharing her love of theology, literature, and many more facets of life and shares all that he is with this new family of his! I love you, James!

30 Days of Thankfulness 4

Thankful for a lovely, gracious, compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent, enjoyable, fun-loving daughter! I love you, Grace.

30 days of Thankfulness 3

Thankful for a husband who believes excellence is a gift from God and practices to be a good steward of that gift. I love you, Ed!

30 days of Thankfulness 2

Thankful for a beautiful baby, now a lovely, godly young woman,  that God blessed me with 22 years ago. I love you, Sarah!

30 Days of Thankfulness

Being home and dinner with the family.

Summer 2010

A very good summer

The Sunrise of Your Smile

Dedicated to Sarah and Grace.

Reject the worldly lie that says,
That life lies always up ahead,
Let power go before control becomes a crust around your soul,
Escape the hunger to possess,
And soul-diminishing success,
This world is full of narrow lives,
I pray by grace your smile survives.

Now close your eyes so you can see,
Your own unfinished memories,
Now open them, for time is brief,
And you'll be blest beyond belief,
Now glance above you at the sky,
There's beauty there to blind the eye,
I ask all this then wait awhile,
To see the dawning of your smile.

Michael and Susan Card penned the lyrics above to give , as he says, "...all the advice...[we] could cram into one song ... to the kids...." They chose for a time, as we did, to homeschool their children.  It has been and is a lifestyle that challenges us in many ways. Challenges that more often than not have show the selfishness of my motives and actions which is why I appreciated those, whatever their educational or other lifestyle choices, who are willing to share their thoughts, ideas, triumphs, and struggles.  Susan Card wrote of her experiences as a homeschooling mom in The Homeschool Journey . When I read her book I was challenged by her willingness to do the things that she needed to do for her children's well-being even if that meant stepping outside the "normal" (whatever that is) homeschool choices. But more so I was encouraged to examine what my heart's desire was for my girls. My hope and prayer is that God will take I have done, both the wise and the foolish, and redeem it.   As any parent, and their children, will honestly confess, I haven't been the perfect, or even best, role model, but I hope they know that

"...I would wander weary miles,
Would welcome ridicule, my child,
To simply see the sunrise of your smile,
To see the light behind your eyes,
The happy thought that makes you fly,
Yes, I would wander weary miles,
To simply see the sunrise of your smile."

Love you girls. 

Veteran's Day 2009

Thanks Daddy, Pawpaw, and all the uncles and great-uncles that served. Thanks to all veterans who have ever served. And thanks to those who are serving or preparing to serve. Someday we will know the true extent of the sacrifice and service you have provided and are providing us.

Concert in the Garden

Every summer, the Missouri Botanical Garden hosts free jazz concerts on Wednesday nights. What it turns into is a picnic on steroids. Half of St. Louis usually shows up toting coolers, blankets, picnic baskets, portable tables, portable cribs, take-out, gourmet food and everything else except the kitchen sink. Now there are some who actually want to listen to the music and those die-hards get there early and get a spot close enough to do so. Some of us get there when we can and enjoy the music in the background as we enjoy our picnic. Most are spread out over the entire grounds and are simply enjoying a beautiful part of our city surrounded by loved ones. More photos here.

Shakespeare in the Park

Every summer for one month an area of the park is tranformed into an outdoor amphitheater for St. Louis Shakespeare in the Park's production. This year's production was The Merry Wives of Windsor. Sorry no photos of the production due to copyright laws but I did get some photos of the park, which due to the cooler spring temps and abundant rainfall is beautiful this year. Some of you have seen these photos on Facebook, but I'm posting them here in a larger format. Click on each photo to see a larger version. Enjoy!!!

End of the year recital

My fencer

Twilight Reverie

Here is Grace's piece from last night's recital. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Fencing Part II

As mentioned in the previous post, my younger daughter participated in her first fencing tournament this weekend.

Does this look like the face of a savage?

But that is what the back of her lame says

In her starting pool of seven fencers, she did not win a bout, but did improve with each bout in the number of touches she scored. All of those in her original pool went on to place in the top eight. In the direct elimination bout she won her first 15 touch bout. In her second bout she was paired with the 4 seed, who eventually went on to tie for third. She did lose that bout, but not before getting in 6 touches toward the end of the bout. She was not going down without a fight!!! Here's a few more photos:

and with two of her coaches
and of course the Slaughter/Savage team

No actions shots this time. The trusty point and shoot can't handle the fast action. Looks like we are in the market for a DSLR. Any suggestions?

Fencing

My dad arrived this weekend to watch my younger daughter participate in her first fencing tournament. He came appropriately dressed to *fence*.


Needless to say we realized that our wires got crossed.

He came bearing gifts as well.


A girl is never too old to be wowed or spoiled by her daddy.

A beautiful fall day

For those of you interested, I have posted photos of our beautiful fall day. This is especially for the gal who's a little far away. Click on the link below and enjoy.

Fall in Eureka.

A trip to Hillsdale

We had an enjoyable visit with our oldest DD at Hillsdale College this past weekend. Thursday night we attended a lecture given by Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia. We met old friends, professors, and many of our daughter's friends. We attended a football game(they won), ate a delicious dinner hosted by the Honors students where we were delightful entertained and gently reminded of the joys of life by Dr. Sundahl.  We attended Hillsdale OPC church and were grateful to find a warm church body that ministers faithfully to the students. Here's a few photos for those of you who have asked how she is doing so you can judge for yourself.

Blessed indeed!

Check out my two gals' blogs. Links to the side. They are a perfect example of God's unmerited favor. I have done nothing to deserve having these two delightful young ladies in my life. The joy and "embarrassment of riches" they bring to my life is inestimable.

Dad's Christmas present was this

I used it to buy thisTomorrow I will use it to make this

Butternut Apple Soup