THANKSGIVING 2014
It is mid afternoon, Sage and I are
taking our 'after school' walk as the sun is getting low in the
November sky. It is beginning to feel like winter, a little snow
still crunches under our feet, left from the first snow of the
season. We seem to be having less rain and more cold this November,
and that is fine with both of us. Both Sage and I seem to perk up
when the temperature drops. We love sloshing through the thick bed
of leaves on our trails, sniffing (whatever it is that dogs sniff)
and studying the progression of the seasons as we mosey along, and
mosey it is now, Sage's arthritis doesn't allow for much speed, but
after all- she is almost 16, I am thankful for the fairly steep
hills along our daily walk, and lately I discovered that I can get
more exercise if I walk up the hill backwards, hmmm-- didn't know
“those” muscles were there.
As
another Thanksgiving day is nearly here we reflect on all the
blessings of the past year.
2014 Started off with a bang when Sam
and Jaxon requested that I forget about retirement and homeschool
them for the second semester of 6th grade. Beside
fractions, spelling and Bible study they turned out to have great
aptitude for bread making. And for the last two weeks of the
2013-2014 school year their main concern was planning for the whole
7th grade at “ullaschool”. The '14-'15 schoolyear is
now well under way and we are having a good time.
Splitting wood doesn't wipe the smiles
from their faces, and--
Here's how they make good use of the
equipment when I ask them to pick up some leaves from the neighbor's
yard. Sorry the pict are reversed, but my blogging skills are still VERY limited.
The sad news of granddaughter Miriam's
death while doing missionary service in Nigeria was a shock to all of
us. While sharing in the grief we also rejoice in the knowledge
that Miriam was right with Jesus and is now resting in the
anticipation of His return and a grand reunion while journeying to
the home He has prepared for His family.'
From that sorrow sprang beauty most
unusual.
Dear friends sent me a lovely pot of
Hydrangeas,
After they finished cheering my heart,
I planted them in the garden
hoping that they would survive for next
year.
But they did better than that,
All through late September, October and
into November the same plant displayed this beautiful purple
(Miriam's favorite color) blossom.
“Grandma's Swimming hole” reached
its full potential with all 6 grandchildren and “ullaschoolers”
making maximum use of it during the warm weeks of summer. What joy
to have wet towels, suits, and shorts strewn all over the place
and squeels and splashing echoing through the woods. Picnics with
veggie dogs roasting over the campfire and fireworks across the lake
on Independence day. A summer not soon to be forgotten.
And then there was a total surprise
Birthday party for Maria, orchestrated by Daughter Eve, How
heartwarming to see Maria's eyes sparkle with surprise and pleasure
in the company of friends and family.
And so, from the Little house on the
hillside in the Maine Woods we wish for you each and every one a
profound sense of the presence of someone who is:
Stronger than your weakness, INDIGO
Wiser than your questions GABBY
Fullness of joy for the vacuum in your
heart. SAGE
May your 2015 be Filled with HIM ULLA
While I have been working on this, it started to snow. So I can be "dreaming of a white Thanksgiving".
