Pecans In Pie

In case you're wondering, 160ish pecans collected in a park from one's distant memories equals roughly 2cups of shelled pecans after taxes, duds. and the quality control efforts of a junior chef supervising the making of pie. pie.

Another helpful tip you may want to tuck away for future reference: in a pinch, kitchen tongs can double as a nutcracker. 

Things I've taken for granted: 

every pecan in every pie, ever

proper kitchen tools

#TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

A Walk In The Park

Had I not found the old park, it may have been possible to convince me I'd dreamed it. Just beyond the canal, I found the sturdy wood-beam and rubber-tire playground equipment situated  below the factory road in an area known to locals as 'The Valley', right where my memory said it ought to be.

Being a Valley Girl in these parts is not synonymous with wealth or privilege- in fact, it tends toward the opposite pole. The pleasures there are simple and more affordable to come by.

As a young mom, I went a stretch of time without a car, so when I finally had a way to get around, going to the playground was one of my simple pleasures. This particular park was an especial luxury- its peaceful setting at least five miles from our Valley house- much further than I could push strollers and haul babies.

As Rye explored the park broken in for her so many years ago by her siblings, I walked the track that circles the park.

On the foot path in front of me sat a lone pecan. I cracked it open and enjoyed a microscopic harvest, labor-free.

I spotted a few more and put them in my hoodie pockets. Once my pockets were full, I emptied them into a bag from my car. I had nearly 80 not counting the few I ate as I walked.

Rye tested one. She couldn't remember ever having a pecan. She liked it. I told her we could make a teeny-tiny pie with what was gathered. Fans of pie, we decided to gather more. We came home with a little over 160 pecans. 

I'm thankful for pecans and walks in the park, for tire swings and teeny-tiny pie tins.

Things I've taken for granted: transportation

tree identification

unanticipated treats finding me

#TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

Fuel

Whew! Finding the FiveStar with only fumes in the tank. 

Things I've taken for granted: gas stations everywhere

GPS navigation

#TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

Thirst

Ah, the simple joy of freely drinking.

Things I've taken for granted: water fountains

#TakenForGranted #ThinksGiving #Thankful

Dancing

 "COMMON SENSE AND A SENSE OF HUMOR ARE THE SAME THING, MOVING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. A SENSE OF HUMOR IS JUST COMMON SENSE, DANCING."

~ CLIVE JAMES

 

Trampled

“Reader, you must know that an interesting fate (sometimes involving rats, sometimes not) awaits almost everyone, mouse or man, who does not conform.” 
― Kate DiCamillo, Despereaux

 'It is a good rule in life never to apologize. The right sort of people do not want apologies, and the wrong sort take a mean advantage of them.' P. G. Wodehouse

On Tuesday, I will apologize. 

To the sort of people who demand apologies and invite the press. 

I will apologize for being too Public School for their Christian School sensibilities.

And I will do it because... I've learned to walk away. 

I will say the words they want to hear - cry "Uncle!"  to bring them cheer.

As they smile with smug delight, I'm walking away and I'll be alright. 

"Look what we made you do! We finally got the best of you. " 

Truth is, they already had the best of me, but I ? 

I was chunking pearls at swine. 

** Special thanks to the mid-90's-Newsboys for imprinting this secret recipe for strength and dignity into the wet cement of my soul: "...He left His rights... will you leave yours? You won't understand it, let it go." **

'#doubleChristmas Pearls' 

'Trampled pearls' 

No worries... students will receive Mercy (and more) as STEAM becomes Storytime 

Veteran's Day Weekend

While the term veteran is used almost exclusively for military personnel, it also attributes the meaning of experience and serving for a long time.  We will observe Veteran's Day this week. 

I have recently been working on various writing projects and in response to having this blog over-cautiously blocked on social media during the recent presidential election season ( I didn't post anything political, revenue based or fake- it was bizarre) I started publishing my bloggety-thoughts in a new 'journal' 

I may come back to this blog some time later, if only to create a main directory of where to find me on various platforms, and I will leave my posts in tact as an archive, and to link back to as my writing leads,  but it seems fitting for fresh chapters to be written on blank pages. 

So, without further adieu (and though I still have some formatting to do)... I invite you to join me on 

TumbleDown Mountain. 

The Decade Challenge: December 2010 -

 I'm writing (and posting this) in November. And to let you in on a little secret, some of these posts have been sitting as drafts for months. 

What started out as a fun way to prompt posts turned into an in-depth and sometimes heart-wrenching journey into the lands of Before. 

I've cried. I don't do that a lot and I admit it even less... but I am human and will not rust... it is best to tell other humans about occasional leakage so they do not feel defective should they leak, too.

I've wanted to vomit - the after-taste of Supposed To Be overpowering me,  until with a deep breath I remember and admit that even these sweet memories hid pits onlookers cannot see.

Oh, but I have smiled a whole lot, too. Thankful - so thankful-  for all -every last drop- of it.

Life is busy and there are still new ropes I'm learning to climb. I've been writing new chapters and keeping my thoughts in a fresh new journal of a blog, too. So, here's to December and a decade gone by. 

My,  how the time did fly ... 

~k

 Brew Crew Virtual Christmas Card  2010   
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from the page: 

It's that time of year again...

 ...time for warm wishes , fond memories & sharing the joy in our 

lives with those we care about. Time for Merry Christmas, 

Happy New Year & stopping to tell folks we 

LOVE & hold them dear- 

(not only this holiday season but all throughout the year!) 

which brings us to...

YOU!

from our family to you & yours- 

may your days be Merry & Bright & may you know the 

PEACE that only comes from God's gift to us in Christ. 

The Decade Challenge: November 2010 - Little Boy Blue & Baby Bird

 On November 1, my little boy bluegrass, Fisher,  turned eight.     

                                

On November 2, baby bird Riley Wren was born. 

That was another time entirely. 

Pretty soon, the technology that fuels her birth announcement will fade with the memories they share... until then, you can view it here: 

Riley Wren 

..our lives are made

In these small hours

These little wonders

These twists and turns of fate

Time falls away

But these small hours

These small hours still remain

All of my regret

Will wash away some how

But I cannot forget

The way I feel right now...

…

 

(from the page) 

It is no secret to many of you that for the past few years our family has been 'Under Construction'. We have been blessed to watch God repair and heal what we broke. Many of you watched as we climbed the mountain to WinShape Retreat, beginning our best adventure yet. Some of you know it was truly just the beginning of a long journey and have watched as we fought through the mending that must be done. We know that the journey never ends and thank God for His faithfulness to finish the good work He started in us. It is His hand that guides and upholds us and from His hand we have receieved undeserved blessings, too many to count. 

Riley Wren  is one of those many blessings. 

With her arrival comes the celebration of stepping from dark valleys into sunshine, the victory of reaching deep into scarred places and withdrawing handfuls of forgiveness, mercy and love.  It is with great joy that we welcome this Little Bird into our nest. Our hearts spilling over with gratitude, we thank God for the grace He has poured over our lives.