Poppycock

Be careful of the words you say                           
Keep them soft and sweet
Because you never know from day to day
Which ones you'll have to eat.


I wasn't thinking of K. McCarthy's words when I wrote "Poppycock"--this year's entry in Lyrical Iowa.  When perusing the dictionary one afternoon, my pointer finger landed on poppycock, and I was amused.  Such a funny sounding word with connotations worth exploring that I determined to write a poem.  Other fun words came to mind:  nonsense, staccato, babbling, swelling, blazing, blather . . .

                            Poppycock

They sit with potbellies

Cups of tepid coffee

And comrades

(They think)

Fellow soldiers

In the fight against apathy

Stirring emotions

With opinions about everything

Speaking nonsense

                                             In blatant staccato

                                            Babbling, gloating, swelling

                                            With empty talk

                                           Becoming contagious

                                          Everyone expounding

                                            No one listening

                                            Blazing with blather.

Words.  Some, simply because of their sounds, are more entertaining than others:  huggermugger, haberdashery, cantankerous, gobbledygook, snollygoster, widdershins, whippesnapper, bloomers--to name a few.

Looking for children?

These are real words.  Huggermugger connotes a contradiction--threatening and cuddly at the same time; whereas, the real meaning in its verb form is to keep secret. Snollygoster is a mythical creature that  preys on children and poultry-- or an unprincipled but shrewd person.

Reading Dr. Seuss to grandchildren, I realized the blast Seuss had with language--using comical combinations and creating new. . .

                                        

Poppycock?  I don't think so . . .

Crunk-car

Ga-zoom!

Googoo goggles
Ichabod is itchy
Zike-bike

. . . and, decided to try a tale on my own . . .

An Incomplete Fairy-y Tale

While attaching the orange cummberbund around her tiny waist and a bright bauble at her neckline, Splenda felt the collywobbles in her tummy.  Being awkward in social situations, she wondered why she had allowed her sister, Higgle, to finagle her into attending Spillville's annual hootenanny.

A soft moan escaped her lips; Splenda remembered: Higgle had not been asked by anyone.  Not wanting to show up alone-- no one did that!--Higgle had niggled Splenda until she finally said yes.

Doodling with the curls that drooped at her neckline, Splenda slumped on the bed feeling downright despondent as Higgle waltzed into her room.

"Ready?" she demanded.

Higgle's bouffant was blanketed with various ribbons.  Bloomers peeped beneath her razzamatazz skirts.  Her winkle-pinchers produced a gait Splenda had not previously witnessed in her sister.  Nincompoop came to mind.  Splenda wanted to giggle.  Giggle at Higgle?  She could not.

Nor could she say anything.    

****

 

 Speaking, communicating, sounding with lips and vocal chords--amazing what we can do?  Entertain, tease, share, comfort, explain, complain, compromise, love . . .

 God cares about your words.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, 

sweet to the soul 

and

healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

And, sometimes, it is best to use no words at all--as was the case with Splenda.

During these moments of stillness, 
 you will often sense the infinite love

and power of your Creator--and, 

He, in turn will speak directly to your heart.  

(Day 12, 365 Daily Devotions for Women)

***

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

Psalm 46:10

Have a fun week with loving words be they entertaining, kind, or compassionate...

Next week's blog: SISTERS

New Year's Resolutions

Where are you going?

      This is really titled.......
"Where are you going?" 

Okay, it's January 13th, and yes, I am talking New Year's Resolutions.  Either you haven't made any or you've made some and have already broken them.
                                   Hmmmm.... Sound familiar?
It takes 21 days to make/break a habit...

If you're in-to-words, know that resolute means marked by firm determination.  Resolve means to declare or decide.  And, resolution is a determination.

New Year's Resolution, thanks to Wikipedia assistance, is a commitment to a personal goal, project or the reforming of a habit made at the beginning of  a year with a plan to carry it out for the entire year.

The idea of a New Year Resolution has religious origins:  the Babylonians made promises to their gods that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts, the Romans made promises to their god, Janus, for whom the month of January is named.  Christians have prepared for the year ahead by praying and making resolutions at "watchnight" services. 

Mom's Diary

Wanting a sense of more recent history,
I pulled out my mother's diary.
       I discovered:

January 1, 1955:  Left home at 8 a.m.  We all went to Carolyn's in Sioux City to watch the Rose Parade on TV.*  A nice warm day.  Gladys, Chuck and Jerry were there.  (Missed church.)
January 1, 1956:  Church and Sunday School.
January 1, 1957:  We all went to church.  Dad came out to watch Rose Parade and spent rest of day.**  I ironed all afternoon and washed eggs.
January 1, 1958:  Went to church and then to Art's for dinner.  Plautz's and Kaylen and Lorraine were there.  Lorraine got a diamond for Christmas.

*No TV in our home at this time.
**TV!

My mother was a daily and weekly list maker.

I checked the days before January 1 and the days following.   

           No record of any New Year's Resolution?

I pulled out my own diary.
This is what I discovered written on January 1 --on sporadic occasions.

1980: New Year's Resolutions?  I used to have a list of 5 - 10 and now I have trouble thinking of some.  There are a lot to be made, I guess, but I'm busier than ever and don't have time for reflection.

1987 Resolutions*

 

1987*  {See left.}  There was also mention of saving $100 a month for a college fund and plans of growing-out my hair. I'm  sure saving $100 a month was in no way sufficient; however, four children made it through college, and $100 a month was an indication of our income level.  I did grow my hair out--but that happened in 2012--over 20 years later.  Okay, some things take time.  I did read the Bible and have done so since.  Physical exercise?  On-going.

1991: I made some resolutions but don't have time to write them down. . .  Isaac has a cold, again.  Found out we'll be moving in the spring.**
**An indication of a somewhat scattered existence?  We didn't move in the spring, and at this time (2013), I have no idea where I thought we would be going.



Perhaps when talking about where are you going,
we need to establish where one has been and where one is now.

It's easy to feel secure all wrapped up in my tiny package

 and not venture out to try something new,

include someone new in my friendship group, or share what I have outside my comfort level.

***

A person all wrapped up in herself makes a very small package. 

***

 

Perhaps my resolutions made at the beginning of a 

new year have matured along with me.  

As I've grown older, I've become more 

comfortable with myself.  

I can stop kidding myself about who I am and 

embrace the me that evolved because life 

was not always easy, take that life,

and blossom in other ways. 

Resolutions could be divided into three areas:

Body

Mind

Spirit 

I am determined (God willing) to publish a book in 2013; 
I want to continue exercising;
I will read and study God's word daily.

So far, it's been all about ME.  

Stop.

I need another category:  
Others.

Remember:
A person all wrapped up in herself makes a very small package?

Luci Swindoll wrote, 

The proper perspective creates within us a spirit 

of reaching outside of ourselves with joy and enthusiasm.

James 1:27 reads...Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

God wants us to take care of ourselves 
After all . . .

{We were created in his image.}

He also wants us to take care of others.

According to Wikipedea, less than 1/2 of Americans make resolutions.
Of those that do, close to 90% fail.
Telling?
Is it possible we're directing our attention or focus down the wrong path?
The "me" path?

Consider the other category in your resolution-making.

It may bring unexpected joy.

Dear Lord, 

the Christian life is a forever adventure--

may I, this year, 

share my zeal and blessings with others.  

 Amen

I will "journal" in 2013...may it be . . .

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.     Ephesians 2:10

. . .more about others--less about me.

Next blog:
Poppycock!

Blog: Companionship?

A good friend of mine asked, 
"Why do you do it?  The blog, why?"

And, then--

"What is it really?"

She knew me well; she could ask me anything.  We had been best friends since second grade, celebrated birthdays together, washed eggs together in their farmhouse basement, and shared each others' deepest secrets.

She wanted to know, "Why?"

I had to think about it.

I finally mumbled, "My last publisher encouraged me to do it." (As if I needed an excuse to do it.)  And, then, "I tried it, and I like it."



It got me to thinking about blogging and what I did not know about it.  Knowing it would not be in my Webster's 7th New Collegiate Dictionary, 1965 edition--the one that got me through college--I looked it up anyway.  Noting that the word "blog" would have occurred between "blocky" and "bloke," I went to Merriam-Webster, on-line.  Learning it was a personal journal with comments, opinions and reflections, I was relieved, feeling that since I was "blogging," I was apparently on the right path.

Interesting to me was the fact that blogosphere 

was previous to blog and bloedpens followed.  

Blogosphere I could figure out.  Bloedpens?

Blogging?
I have enjoyed it.  I find it purposeful.

Walt Wangerin, Jr. in his last article in The Lutheran was asked a similar question from a friend.  "Isn't writng a lonely craft? . . . You sit alone in your room, staring at a blank computer screen."

Lonely?  Not really.

"By writing," Walt answered, "I am asking for companionship.  By reading the reader is answering, 'Yes.'"


Through my writing, I have an opportunity to companionship with you, the reader.  I want to share my thoughts and perceptions and hopefully give you something to think about.  You may agree or disagree.

However, when you read it, you are saying "yes"--let me read this.  Knowing this gives me purpose and encouragement.  When you read, I am connecting with you.  And, you are connecting with others--someone in California, Minnesota, Iowa, Alaska, Canada, Germany, or Spain is reading also.  It's the way of the Web.

I used to think I would run out of things to write about,
 but everywhere I turn, there are new ideas: 

A picture--rediscovered...trespassing?

Sisters:  last year's Christmas card....,

a Bible study discussion, a child's smile, 
the way of the clouds, a new word (bloedpen) 
or an old word newly viewed (poppycock).

Stick with me.  

You'll hear about these and more.  

But more significantly, 

I will tie everything 

I write about into 

God.  

Why?

Catherine Marshall in 365 Devotions for Women writes, "Recently, I've been learning that life comes down to this:  God is in everything.  Regardless of what difficulties I am experiencing at the moment, or what things are not as I would like them to be, I look at the circumstances and say, "Lord what are you trying to teach me?"  

My blogs are intended to be inspirational and reflective. 

 Thank you for reading them.
*****

On another note:

If you enjoy fiction and like a book filled with intrigue along with a spiritual message, I encourage you to order my books by clicking on amazon.com or barnes&noble in the upper right hand corner of this blog.  

 

They are not perfectly written, but the stories are filled with suspense, intrigue and inspirational thoughts that will may cause you to reflect. 

You can take one on vacation, snuggle with one in a chair with a warm blanket and your favorite hot drink, or squeeze in a few pages on your commute with one at your side.  I will be your companion.

                             Wishing you God's blessing in the New Year.

For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor death, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  
     Romans 8:38, 39

The Christmas Elf?

 


Next blog:  New Year's resolutions?...
 or The Christmas Elf...

Christmas Hope

The Old Testament prophesies*:  

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, one of you will come for me , one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are of old, from ancient times.  Micah 5:2

. . . *a prophecy 
is a prediction,
 a foretelling, 
a divine forecast.


The New Testament confirms the prophecy. . . 

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David. . .   He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger . . .  Luke 2

Mary, did you know?

Have you heard Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene's lyrics
"Mary Did You Know?" . . .
{If you have a chance, listen to this on utube.} 

One can not help but be touched by this song.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?

. . . calm a storm with his hand?

. . . has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

. . . This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

This sleeping child Mary held would be a leader, a prophet, a lawgiver, a deliverer, a teacher, a priest, an anointed one, a mediator, a human and an intermediary between God and man. . . and Our Savior.

He is All this.

And, because He is ALL this,

we have hope.

And, when we have hope,

each day is new.

Your Christmas celebration
 may be past,
or you may be
putting the house in order,
baking goodies,
and wrapping gifts. . .

. . . in the midst of it all . . .

Considered the season of the "Good News,"

 when it is all done and over. . .

for some of us, there's a let down. . .
a feeling of what-now?

There are no extra cars in the driveway.

The front entry way is missing fourteen extra pairs of shoes.

We prepared and prepared and now it's passed.

Passed?
Many have this feeling after December 25th.
But actually, it has not passed.
It is just a beginning for Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem.

He was made like us (a baby) so that he might deliver us.  
He became man to save man. 

(His genealogy is given in Luke and goes back to Adam, "son of God.")

He was God manifest in the flesh.  Although becoming a "man," he was born holy.

{from "What the Bible is All About" by Dr. Henrietta C. Mears}

Our homes may seem empty....

Our hearts are not. . . "From Heaven Above to Earth I Come"

 I leave you contented because of God's promises.

May you always have hope and dwell on the Good News.

In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. . .John 1:1

Merry Christmas. . 
   from our house to yours.



                                                 Next blog:  January 5

Christmas and Martha

Martha?

God used the story of Mary and Martha from the book of Luke to explain how we should relationship with Our Savior.  You may remember that Martha was the busy-body in their household--concerned about preparations for many arriving guests.

Mary, on the other hand, sat contently at Jesus' feet.  I remember hearing this story in Sunday School  as a child and thinking that perhaps Mary was lazy and even irresponsible--not helping her sister, as needed.

But, of course, the story is bigger than this

 because 
Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus.  

Jesus tells Martha, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:38-42 NIV

Martha?  Who, me?

I do not consider myself anxious or impatient.  Others may disagree.  However, I am typically the energy-bunny in the house whether our house is full or empty.  And, I know, I need to learn to settle.  I have discovered that some of my most creative moments, the times I have felt filled with praise for an awesome creation, the times I have felt connected to another soul, have come when I have been still.  

So, this morning I determined to start out differently.

1) I opened the window and let the December air rush in as the stars twinkled through bare tree branches.  Pulling the covers up to my chin, I breathed in fresh, winter air--and rested. 

2) I used the Christmas dishes to eat my ordinary breakfast of oatmeal. 

3) I decided not to watch the clock when I did my daily Bible study and finished reading Mark.

After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God.  Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them. . .

Mark 16: 19-20

3) Later in the morning, I went to our wellness center and stopped to talk to a friend.  Stopped--and talked.  More than the Hi, how are you today? in passing.  Later, I swam my laps and decided not to count them.  Instead, I pondered my blessings.

 4) While picking up in the afternoon, I pulled a hymnal given as a confirmation gift from the bookshelf.  Finding the Christmas hymn section, I opened it and placed it on the piano.  I'll play the piano tomorrow when my  husband is playing pool with his buddies.

God wants us to be busy.

He also wants us to rest, 

be content, and trust 

so we do not miss out 

on what He is trying to 
convey to us.

I encourage you, especially during Christmas when there is so much to do and the preparations are many, to just STOP whenever you can and connect with someone with more than a Hi, how are you?  STOP and enjoy the lights on your tree when everyone else is asleep.  STOP and watch the snowflakes drift to the earth.  STOP and clear your head of the clutter . . . 

God wants your heart, your mind, your soul.

That's why he came.

  
 Dear Lord, When I feel hurried, 

Amen.

give me peace.  
When I am frustrated, 
give me perspective.  
When I am too busy 
being busy, remind me 
of your presence 
and why you came.  

 ***

 I can not help but comment on the situation in Connecticut.
It sickens me and I can not stop thinking of the incredible sadness enveloping so many because of this.  Pray without ceasing came to my mind.  

I leave you with Romans 8: 18, 19. . . 

     For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*** 

Christmas Cookies

Stored in the cellar in various, marked containers, the cookies waited to be assembled.  The family arrived--aunts and uncles and cousins to Grandpa and Grandma's house.  The traditional Christmas feast of turkey, ham, several salads, a variety of vegetables, a relish tray and rolls with butter was enjoyed. Although stuffed, the meal was not complete until several aunts disappeared into the basement to pull together an assortment of cookies and candies that was a delight just to look at--a collection of sweets that Grandma Stauffer had diligently and lovingly prepared in the weeks preceding the holidays.  

When individual families returned to their own homes, 

each made sure a left-over cookie container was in their possession 

with their favorites nestled inside.  

Early in our marriage, I tried to emulate Grandma Stauffer's Christmas-cookie skills in our own home, but they were never as pretty or tasty.

Was it the ingredients?  

Did I rush through the forming and shaping?  

Should I not let the children frost with creative flair?

Grandma Stauffer is no longer with us, but the cookie tradition is and will be.  Christmas is not Christmas without the cookie tray--which means a good variety--at our house.  Over the years, my skills have improved, and my children even make comments of "Ohhhh, Mom."

Me, digging in:  Cookie Season

The kitchen resembling a disaster area.

 It doesn't help that I try to wrap gifts, decorate, you name it, at the same time.
 Perhaps multi-tasking doesn't mix well with Christmas cooking-making.






There is also a problem in our household, in that I live with the "cookie bear."  Cookies seem to disappear as I make them.  Over the years, I have had to locate various hiding places so that cookies are still available on Christmas Day.  I have also realized it is best to make/bake the cookies when the cookie bear is busy elsewhere.  

Cookie Bear cleaning up the back yard?

Other things I have learned:

1) It is more fun to make cookies when one has help.

2) The "whoops" cookies can be stored in a container for the cookie bear so that when he gets the urge, it can be satisfied.

3) Grandchildren are best at assembling the cookie tray....

Today, after making/baking a dozen different cookies and candies, I know that when my children and grandchildren walk in the door with "Merry Christmas," the next question will be, "Where are the cookies?"

Cookie Bear:  Just sampling?

In the midst of Christmas preparation--

whether you are wrapping gifts, making cookies, 

or decorating the tree, 

let us all remember to open our hearts to God's abiding presence--

the reason for the season.  

Let the joy of the angels of Christmas become our joy,

let the devotion of the shepherds' become our devotion,

 let the vision of the wise men become our vision,

 and may the wonder of God's love be born in us.

Rouse up from sleep...He is coming; He is coming indeed.