With a Grateful Heart…

Mood: Grateful
Song: Give Thanks

From an 18th Century Thanksgiving Proclamation:

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:—– Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Done in Congress, at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

JOHN HANSON, President. Charles Thomson, Secretary.

Like our forefathers, I feel compelled to give thanks to our Lord for the manifold blessings he has meted out to me this past year (a veritable roller coaster, emotionally speaking).

A brief, but not by any means all-encompassing list, might include:

*a faithful, intellient, compassionate, loving husband
*a furry vacuum cleaner (sorry, Rosie, but flour is NOT edible if you're a canine)
*a treehouse appartment…our own space
*delicious food (especially pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bread, pumpkin scones, pumpkin pie, etc.)
*150 7th graders who actually believe I have something to teach them ( 😉 )
*cooler weather (only 80 degrees in Phoenix today)
*books…such wisdom!
*family near and far/friends who are closer than family…
*stars and anything glittery, to remind us of the beauty awaiting us in heaven.
*a church that is, if nothing else "faithfully committed to the Word of God"
*the church universal, the true body of faith
*history and its many lessons
*St. Anne's
*the list continues…

Carnivorous Carnival…

I realize with some regret that, no, I am not in Torrey anymore. Nostalgia aside…

I always read voraciously (that dratted $15/day habit!) but most of it is "brain candy"…I must admit to enjoying my frequent forays into the world of young adult lit, but what I'm craving is MEAT! A nice, juicy book steak that would make me chew for hours, even days, mentally speaking.

Help! I need a fix, and quickly…any suggestions????

Love In Deed and Truth…

Mood: Blessed
Song: Insert a sappy love song here

Love…

Coming home after an exhasting day of explaining to seventh graders why they should focus on English rather than on the new X-box or Harry Potter

to find:

a freshly clean house and dog and my husband industriously cooking us a delicious dinner after making me my very favorite ice cream (pumpkin…mmm…). The hug I got when I came through the door was the highlight of my day :).

It all started with a lonely, lost taco…

Proving Montaigne Wrong…

Mood: poetic
Song: "Auld Lange Syne"

For Miriam on her 26th Birthday
Tuesday’s Children
A poem in terza rima

In Southern California, halcyon days
Were swept away before November gusts
And she emerged, fresh soul with ancient gaze.

Rough diamond, all her brightness yet untried,
Her middle name revealed the heart within:
The “Grace” to cast all bitterness aside.

She grew, fair child who learned to face the wind
And gained compassion through the steeper path
By loving those whose youth would never end.

A firstborn girl, in books she found her ease
And trained to hear the music of the spheres
With hours perfecting notes on ivory keys

At sixteen years she followed study’s muse
But questioned views her parents had endorsed
And sought the truth she’d need to freely choose.

Another girl first struggled to draw breath
Mere months after the other child appeared
But life for her would take a separate path.

In deepest summer haze she ventured forth
The only child of a gambling man
She wandered long before she found true north.

That heart was youthful, even as her name;
Her eyes saw farthest when they turned within
A mind where wisdom early staked a claim.

She grew, strong child who weathered desert blaze
And scorned compassion when it was unjust.
Her time was measured out in ordered ways.

This firstborn girl was steeped in history;
In antique texts she sought the only One
With power to transmute pain to bright glory.

For eighteen years the earth traversed its course
And these twin souls remained in ignorance
That they’d become each other’s sharpening force.

Yet like will evermore call out to like
And bonds of iron finally were forged
To make one heart that beat in bodies twain.