Overheard in the anatomy lab...

after instructing my students to cut through the pig skull to expose the brain...


Grace said, "I've always wanted to do this!"

Really????

 Grace and Joel

Sure looks like they're having fun!

Plant sale

I do love a good plant sale.  This morning, Mama, Daddy, and I were early birds at the Piedmont Plant and Flower Festival at the Greenville Farmer's Market.  We were not disappointed.  I will be going home with:

- Two Julia Child roses (a floribunda type with lovely yellow blossoms and a hint of licorice scent when flowers are warmed by the sun - so said the plantsman who sold them to me!)

-a Confederate Jasmine which I hope will happily clamber up and completely cover the lattice screening at the bottom of my porch.  It will remind us of it's presence in the spring with a delightful delicate scent.  One garden writer said, of this popular southern vine, which is also called a star jasmine...

On moonlit nights the warm spring breeze wafts exotic fragrances about that summon me outdoors to witness thousands of tiny white star-like blossoms glowing in the full moonlight.

- a Gardenia. More delicious fragrance

- a couple of penstemmons for the terrace.  My Fine Gardening magazine said this is one perennial everyone should have in the cutting garden.  Soon I will.

- a Lady's Mantle.  I used to have huge gorgeous Lady's Mantles in my Massachusetts front garden but they haven't done well for me in NC.  I'm trying again. I cannot resist the beauty of this plant in the early morning with dew glistening on her crimped edge leaves.  Please, dear Lady, grow for me this time. 

- Basil.  Lots.  For pesto, of course.

- Peppers.  Lots.  Different varieties.  Because I love them and they are always prolific in my garden.

- Cherry and Roma tomatoes

- Pickling cucs

- Parsley, chives, mint.  I can never really have enough herbs.  There is really nothing like walking out in your garden, picking herbs, and bringing them in to use in your meal.  I am a much happier and more creative cook when I have fresh herbs at hand.

I have my work cut out for me when I get these plants home.  Dirt under the fingernails kind of work.  I can't wait!

Mama and I admiring the wacky garden sculptures made from garden implements and other household items.  Very fun.  I love that little rooster with his rake tail and fork comb.

In anatomy class...

we've spent the last two weeks dissecting fetal pigs.  Today we finish them.  And then, next week, a final review session to prepare for a take home exam.  And we're done.

This has been such an enjoyable class to teach, a great group of kids with whom I've learned and laughed and wondered.  I'm going to miss them next year.  Oh, I'll see many of them in co-op still, but this group of 10-12th graders will never be together in a class again.  They've been fun.  I think that they have learned far more than they ever believed they would about the human body, and some of them who have not enjoyed high school science before this year, loved the class.  As a teacher, that makes me really happy.

A perfect morning...

for a walk.  Coty and I went 4 miles.  The air is crystal clear after yesterday's pollen washing rain.  It's cool, too, and every blade of grass seems to hold a sparkling jewel.  A mist is emanating from some of the trees - where the sun rays hit cool, damp bark, condensation spreading outward in all directions.  Roofs seem to be smoking, too.

Next, my push-ups.  And then, it's hot oatmeal and strong Sumatra coffee on the porch.  Don't worry, I checked for snakes.  The coast is clear.

It's that time of year again...

...when the snakes come back out.  With all the woods around us, the rocky terrace, and plenty of lizards and woodland rodents for food, our snake population is healthy.  We've identified garter snakes, rough green snakes, king snakes, and copperheads over the years.  This year, the rat snakes are the first ones we've seen. 

Joel noticed this fellow in a shrub over by the fence.  He was probably 4 feet long but it was hard to tell as he just hung out in the branches, his body all curled up.

Then, early this past Sunday morning, I looked up from the porch swing and saw this sight.  I'm afraid this fellow, smaller than the one in the photo above, may have eaten a phoebe baby from the nest above the outside porch light for breakfast.  Or he may have feasted on one of the lizards or skinks that frequent the sunny deck.  Whatever he'd eaten, it had filled his belly and made him quite sluggish.  He was still on his perch later when we returned from church.  Coty dislodged him from his spot with a broom handle and returned him to the brush.  I don't mind most of the snakes that share our property.  Actually, I appreciate that they eat mice and other pests, but I'd prefer they do their hunting outside and leave the porch to me!

New header...

My favorite place.  Our screen porch.  With Lady Banks and Knock Out roses.  Squishy cushions on the lounge chair.  The perfect place for morning reading or night-time talking with candles lit.  And in the background, always, the birds...cardinals, wrens, phoebes, hawks, owls, chickadees...

Come sit....

Seventeenth Monday

Ah, babies....aren't they wonderful.  I have felt so incredibly thankful for the gift of a granddaughter.  She's been gone for a week now and we miss Clara and her amazing parents so much.  Looking back on last week, I feel so thankful that Clara got over her shyness and decided she loved...

907.  Uncle Joel

908.  Uncle Matthew

909.  And of course, Coty, a very adoring grandfather!  

 910.  Our sweet ones went back home, but the very next day, we had a visit from some more babies and their parents!  So thankful for how Savannah and Sierra have grown and developed and thankful for a visit with Kari and Eric.  Good thing we left the portacrib set up and had an extra one on hand!

And more to thank God for...

911.  Women on my porch on Friday night eating pie and discussing the life of Helen Roseveare.

912.  Sewing projects - learning new techniques for one and finding just the right fabric for another.

913. Hard work on the new fence today and a beautiful day for the work.

914. Roses...especially this favorite...a Mother's Day gift from several years back...bursting into bloom today.

915.  Our church family and the way the Holy Spirit binds our hearts together even as we discuss finances and church cleaning in a business meeting.

916.  The faithful, often tearful, full of love prayers of our church family.

Sewing on silk

Like Noel, I was feeling quite intimidated at the thought of cutting into and sewing the beautiful silk sari that is to become the bridesmaid's dress that Erin will wear in Jonathan's wedding.  But I got some advice from a veteran seamstress, read a bit online, talked to the knowledgeable ladies at Mary Jo's, and summoned up my courage!

First was the cutting.  This is usually my least favorite part of making a garment.  I was worrying a bit about cutting into that silk, but like Noel, I had plenty to spare.  There are about six yards of fabric in a sari so even if I totally muffed it the first go-round, we'd still have plenty.  But I didn't want to muff it.  I did what my expert advisers suggested and cut each piece separately instead of cutting two at once on a folded piece of fabric, as you normally do.  I was careful to make sure the nap on all the pieces went the same way.  I measured several times.  I held my breath when I made the first cut, but it went well.

Before starting on the silk, I had made a sample dress.  Erin and I decided, though, that we didn't like the cut of the skirt,  so I pulled this wonderful book on drafting skirts off my shelf, and worked out how to do an A-line skirt to attach to the bodice. A bit of figuring and more careful measuring, which was the key.  Making the A-line was actually easier than the skirt on the original pattern.  I decided to made the lining piece first, to make sure I was happy with the drafted pattern, and then moved on to cutting the silk again.

Oh, speaking of lining....our pattern is actually not for a lined dress, so that was another thing to figure out, how to make a lined bodice instead of using the facing pieces from the pattern.  The trickiest part of lining the bodice was getting it just right at the shoulders.  Poring over the instructions from another pattern and practicing on a sample dress with that pattern gave me the confidence to go at it with the silk.  Erin was right there helping me figure it out, too, thank goodness. 

Once the lined pieces were all put together, it was time for the zipper.  We chose an invisible zipper, which I've never used before.  Again, I felt intimidated.  I haven't put a zipper in anything in a very long time.  I've never done an invisible zipper.  So, I am very thankful for online tutorials.  I watched a couple on Youtube, but this one, from a sewing blog, was the most helpful.  It even had pictures of the exact invisible zipper foot recommended. 

What was I worried about?  It went in like a charm.  I don't think I'll ever use a regular zipper again.

With the zipper in, the only thing left for now was stitching down the lining.  This evening, I spent a happy half hour hand sewing the lining down all around in the back along the zipper and all around the waistline.  And now the dress is ready to send off to Erin to try on.

We still have to decide how to use the exquisite border embroidery.  Sash, waist band, border around the bottom???  Decisions, decisions.  But the hard part is done.  And we have plenty of silk left.  I think Clara's going to get a pretty silk dress to wear to the wedding, too!

It's been a real learning experience, making this silk dress.  My sewing confidence has grown greatly in the process as I've learned a couple of new skills and gained a greater understanding of dress construction.  I'm not afraid of sewing on silk anymore, either.

Pictures, tomorrow...

Getting back to it!

I've taken a bit of time of from my distance walking.  Weather, sickness, company, busy-ness, life...all intervened and I got out of the good habit I'd been in of making time for my longer walks.  I've still managed to get in a few walks here and there, usually four miles or so at a time, but I've gotten away from the consistency and discipline of the fall and early winter. Time to get back to it.

This morning, Coty and I had a nice 4 mile walk.  It was cool, overcast, spitting a little rain, and very pleasant.  It feels so good to start the day with a walk.

I'd also like to try this again.  I think Erin's going to join me!

Sixteenth Monday

Well, technically, it's Tuesday, but I haven't gone to bed yet.  So, I will spill out my thanks because they've overflowed these last few days...

881.  Erin, precious daughter, intuitive, wise young mother, a joy to her mother's heart.
882.  Girls cooking together in the kitchen - Kay and Erin and cinnamon roll cheesecake!
883.  Baby smiles, scrunchy nose, squeals and kisses and chubby legs
884.  Baby love - arms reaching out and that little head on my shoulder
885.  Sewing - for Erin, with Erin.  She's envisions the confusing parts.  I do the sewing.  I loved working with her this past week and so wish she was still here so we could finish her dress together.
886.  Black eyed peas, greens, cornbread and sweet tea.  Erin's southern dinner request.
887.  Erin and Luke's love for each other
888.  Luke's love for his girls
889.  Luke sharing his girls with us

And today...
890.  A visit from Kari, Eric, and the twins!
891.  Albert dropping by
892.  Long, good conversation
893.  Two precious little girls, remember them from last year...they're so big now!

895.  Time to clean and tidy and begin the purge of closets, cabinets, and drawers
896.  Time to sew more on beautiful silk
897.  Car repaired!
898.  A good walk
899.  Holding a bird in my hand this evening.  He got caught on the screen porch and I did what Thomas would have done and caught him in my hand.
900.  Seeing him fly from my open palm.  Joy!
901.  Berry cobbler
902.  Azaleas.  More joy!

And though we miss him tonight, I am thankful for...

903.  Coty's opportunity to go to VA and speak at the Shank's church
904.  Andrew and Laura and their ministry and hospitality for Coty
905.  His time praying and walking in a state park today

And now, I am thankful for...

906.  Rest.

When we go to bed at night, Coty often thanks God for the gift of rest and the knowledge that while we sleep, He watches; while we are unaware, He continues sovereign; while we need rest, He never tires or slumbers.  Thank you, Father God.

And now, I, very late and very thankful for these days and their blessings...retire.

Bye, Clara

They are mothers, I'm sure,

these ticket counter agents

who oooh and ahhh at you

as they issue your mother's boarding pass

and weigh the suitcase. 

They say, "Oh, look at her little

socks, like Mary Janes," and

"her necklace, how cute."

When you smile, they forget

about the other passengers

waiting their turns.

Early morning travelers

with stoic, blank expressions

wheel their carry-on bags

through the maze for Passengers Only

and when they see you,

they smile their first smile 

of the morning.

Serious security officials 

attending to ID's and papers
and X-ray scanners

pause for a moment and smile, too,

when you reach the front

of the snaking line.

One checks your mom's ID 

and the other, a dad, I expect,

leans across the desk 

to get closer to you.

I can't hear him from my 

outside the boundary watching place,

but I am guessing that the 

monotone of his official voice 

takes on a fatherly warmth 

as he speaks and waves and 

wiggles his fingers

to get your attention.

And then I can only see the 

back of your mother's head,

newly shorn hair bouncing,

and the straps of your sling

criss-crossing her back,

as she steps to the side of

the metal detector and
another security person

waves a wand over you.  

But you are the one with

the magic, 

turning the faces

of everyone who looks at you 

into smiles,

and making the limbo land

of the airline gate into

the joy spot of the morning

with baby squeals and bright, blue eyes.

There is only one person

who isn't smiling, 

watching you with a tear

and a tight throat as you

disappear beyond the checkpoint.

I expected that.

You have already worked

your magic with me this week, 

letting me hold and feed

and cuddle,
letting me walk in the

garden and show you
a bright green lizard
and yellow roses.  

When you decided that 

Gramma was not a stranger

anymore and reached out your

arms and leaped into mine, 

your acceptance was powerful

beyond words.
I've had my smiles and
baby kisses,
so this fragile feeling
of breaking into tears
at church this morning

the first time someone asks 

about your departure is not

a surprise.

It will pass and

I'll sew for your mommy and

you and hear you
over the phone

and think of you
and imagine the smiles
and scrunch of the nose,
the little sniff
and the wave

and hope, in May,
that you

remember.

This morning's moment of joy

Sitting on the porch swing in the slanting morning light with a happy baby who has now decided she loves not only her mother and father, but her grandmother, too.  Sweet, sweet, sweet.

You really should know about...

...the Move Over Law

and

you should always check your blind spot.

Also, it is never a good idea to cut right in front of a highway patrolman because he will feel compelled to give you a ticket.

Well, at least the one I cut in front of today felt bad about giving me a ticket.  I really think he didn't want to do it.  He was very kind about the whole thing and looked truly said when he said, "I'm sorry I have to give you a citation, but I really have to since you almost drove me off the road."  When I told him it was only the second ticket I've gotten in all my years of driving, he told me I can probably get it dropped with a "prayer for judgement."  I hope so.

And about that Move Over Law violation...It wasn't me.  Really.  It was another family member, who perhaps felt a little better today after his mother got a ticket the same week he did.

Thankfully, the one who really should have gotten a ticket for driving a rattle-trap truck that would never pass inspection 700 miles across three states this past weekend made it back to college...even though the gas tank sprung a leak 150 miles from his destination.  Don't think he'll be borrowing that truck again.

That's enough driving excitement for one week.  Think I'll stay home tomorrow....

Someone...

...is very happy with her new swimsuit.

Thank you, Mamaliz!

(my mom, Clara's great-grandmother)

Those uncles of mine...

sure have a lot of socks...

little bitty black ones...

great big red ones...

What do you suppose Uncle Joel does with this one?

Fifteenth Monday

I feel pretty full to overflowing this week.  Erin, Luke, and Clara arrived last Thursday and we've had such sweet times with them these last few days.  I'm getting to know my precious granddaughter who has grown and changed so much since Thanksgiving! 

So today, I count my thanks for...

872.  Time with Erin...talking, sewing, cooking, watching her blossom as a mother
873.  Clara's smiles and expressive eyes
874.  Luke's love for his "girls"
875.  Moments when we can just be in the same room and not need to talk - I just love having them close
876.  Enjoying meals together
877.  Seeing Clara stick out her hand for a kiss from Coty
878.  Watching the boys love on their niece and laugh at her baby ways
879.  A chance to introduce my dear ones to my church family
880.  Having four generations together today

Daddy, Mama, Erin, and Clara

Four generations of girls

My mom and Clara!

Warning...cute baby pictures coming...

Sorry, folks.  You will just have to indulge me because there is nothing like being a grandmother.  Nothing.  We are having a delightful time with our little girl and her very wonderful parents.

This girl loves her food!

She also loves animals and we think Madison is being surprisingly tolerant....good old cat!  The only thing he really objects to is Clara's high pitched scream of excitement.  When he hears that, he vacates the chair for quieter regions of the house.

Young horse girl checking out the ranch ponies.  Her daddy's starting her young.

She's fine with that.

And this was one of my favorite moments of yesterday.  Erin and Luke went out for a bit and left Clara with Coty and me.  She's not too sure yet about these grandparents she hasn't seen for so long and she's hit that separation anxiety age a bit, so the best activity for us was a loooong walk.  Clara and I hit the roads with the jogging stroller for an hour and twenty minutes.  Happy baby who took a nice snooze and happy gramma who got in a great walk with a very precious walking companion.  I think my smiles for passing neighborhood walkers were extra big yesterday!

And now I'm off to stitch up a proper sun bonnet for that little blond head because we're taking another walk this afternoon!

*A little ditty before I go to bed...

They're Coming

After...
One sleep,
Two classes.
Three hugs...

For...
One baby,
Two parents.
Three cheers!



___________________________________

*another contribution to Matthew's Poem a Day Challenge for Poetry Month.  I'm putting them in the sidebar, but if you read in a reader you won't see them.

Guess who's coming tomorrow...

...and bringing her parents???!!!!!

Excited  doesn't begin to describe the mood around here!

We have pondered...

...and celebrated.  Now we live, day by day, in light of the cross and the resurrection.

Present
by Luci Shaw

At light speed, God speed,
time collapses into now, so that
we may see Christ's wounds as
still bleeding, his torso,
that ready sponge, still
absorbing our vice, our toxic shame.

He is still being pierced
by every hateful nail
we hammer home.  In this
Golgotha moment his body--
chalice for the dark weeping
of the whole world -- brims,

spilling over as his lifeblood
drains.  His dying into the earth
begins the great reversal --
as blood from a vein leaps
into the needle, so with his rising,
we surge into light.

Originally published in "http://www.radixmagazine.com/">Radix</a>, "Present" was subsequently collected in What the Light Was Like</a> (WordFarm). Copyright © 2006 by /">Luci Shaw. Used with permission from /">WordFarm.

 early morning sun through the family room window reflecting on the hutch

_____________________________________________
I had intended to post this poem last week, but since I wanted to post it in its entirety, I contacted the publisher for permission.  Do people do that?  It's what we are told to do in the front of books... all rights reserved, no publication without prior permission.   I'm glad I asked.  I received a kind email back with permission and thanks for sharing the poem.  I am very happy to share Luci Shaw with you all.  I thank Bonnie for originally sharing her with me.

Fourteenth Monday

858.  Sunrise service with birdsong chorus
859.  Bountiful breakfast spread
860.  Acapella singing, so rich and beautiful - I feel the sense of corporate worship so sweetly when we do this!
861.  Words of gravity and joy at both services

864.  Jesus's willingness to bear the crushing weight of my sin and the agony of separation from God.
865.  The power of God, that raised Him, proving the sufficiency of the sacrifice
866.  The hope of that resurrection - He lives.  I too, can live in light of that triumph over sin and death.

867.  Friends, around the table, on the porch, in the sunshine on the deck sharing roasted chicken, lamb, sweet potatoes, Natalia's special salad, grape salad, orange ginger asparagus, and more.  Mmmmm!
868.  Sermon round robin discussion with young and old
869.  Games in the afternoon
869.  Porch sitting in the evening
870.  A house full!
871.  Many hands to help

So tired tonight, after the excitement of the wedding trip to Arkansas (more to come on that), a visit from my in-laws right after we got home, the boys (and friends) home from college for the weekend, and a house full of folks on Sunday.  It was, as they say, all good...but now I'm tired. 

I didn't go through the last few days always in a spirit of thankfulness and joy.  I find it so easy to grumble on the inside about "all I have to do."  I was grumbling a bit on Saturday with "so much to do"  to get ready for Sunday.  I was even grumbling a wee bit Sunday morning as I rose earlier than I really wanted to, to finish my offering for the breakfast potluck buffet.  Oh, how easy it is to complain as I focus on me, my work, my cares, my tasks.

Gratitude - that day and this - is the key that unlocks the joy in a heart bound up in the chains of care.  It releases this sometimes overburdened heart to rest in knowledge of God's overflowing goodness.  Slowing down to reflect on the gifts He gives takes my eyes off of me and the often quite full list of responsibilities and commitments, to the One who gives the privilege and the strength to do and give and serve.

This month is also...

No Pants April.

When I mentioned that to the boys, they said it sounded "sketch."

But it's not, really. 

I've met the initiator of this month-long skirt and dress wearing a couple of times, but I know her mostly through her dear, amazing mother and sister, who are good friends.  I lurk on her blog because I enjoy her writing.  Hi, Abby.  I'm joining you, too.  I'm in.  No Pants April. Love it.

Here's the rule:  You must wear skirts and dresses.  The only exception is when you're working out.  But I've got that one covered, too, with the Nike exercise skort I found at the consignment store in Conway....

Anyway, here's to skirts and dresses and creative fun with what's in the closet.

Rehearsal Dinner

Rehearsal dinners are interesting affairs.  A mix of family and friends from far and wide, who likely don't know each other and will probably never be gathered together in such an assemblage again...except of course, at the wedding the next day.

Toasts were made.  A few tears were shed.  Abbi was lovely and Rob, all smiles.  I loved meeting Rob's and Abbi's  family members, some of whom we've heard about for several years.

It was a very sweet evening.

Conway!

For those of you following this travelogue, I must warn you that the rest of the trip, while wonderful, was not nearly as funny as Day 1.  It was, however, very enjoyable, meaningful, and memorable in an altogether different sort of way. 

After our morning constitutional along the Mississippi, we packed up and said good-bye to Memphis.  We never did see BB King, though we did pass the Pyramid on our way out.  It's kind of weird.  No, really weird.  There is even a statue of  Ramses the Great out front.  But you can't fool me.  I knew I wasn't in Egypt because there were no fellucas on the river.

We crossed the Nile Mississippi on 1-40 and entered Arkansas: The Natural State.  It was flat.  Really flat.  We gazed out across wide, flat (did I say it was flat?) fields that reminded me a wee bit of the rice fields of Andhra Pradesh. There were no buffaloes, though, so I knew I was in Arkansas, not India.  See, I told you, you can't fool me.  Joel kept remarking about how nice the fields were.  I am wondering if he has a secret hankering to be a farmer...

Anyway, with four hungry boys in the car, we found our way to the nearest Cracker Barrel for a late, leisurely breakfast.  I am not a huge fan of Cracker Barrel, but their breakfasts are decent and large.  Even Joel left the table full, I'm happy to report.

We got to Conway about 3:00, checked in, and settled in.  The boys headed to the fitness center.  Coty got ready for the wedding rehearsal and I did ... nothing.  Rare.  Delightful.  I just rested and took my time to get gussied up for the rehearsal dinner.  It felt like a vacation. Ahhhhhh......

April is Poetry Month

Last year, to celebrate National Poetry Month, Matthew undertook the challenge of writing a poem a day during the month of April.  This year, he's doing it again and he's invited family and friends to join him.

My meager, feeble efforts will be updated daily in the sidebar.

Won't you join in the fun?