~Capture~

Day 25 Capture

Capture- v.; to record accurately in words or pictures

If you are blogging, then you are probably trying to capture words or pictures accurately – trying to convey what you want your reader to understand, by using just the right words. 

Poetry captivates me. I’d really like to spend more time composing poems. The thought of using only the strong, necessary words to paint a picture intrigues me. 

During Lent a few years ago, I decided to go through a book called Writing to God:40 Days of Praying With My Pen by Rachel G. Hackenberg. It was an exercise in prayer, but in sort of a free verse way. Bible verse prompts and meditations were given. It was a very meaningful activity and I really felt connected to God during those 40 days. It definitely was a discipline to sit down each day and take time to ponder the words and then let my writing flow freely and honestly as prayer.

 Do you enjoy capturing your words and pictures to communicate with others? There is something about sharing together using the written word. I’ve always enjoyed writing. This challenge of freewriting for only 5 minutes has freed me from being so perfectionistic.  I don’t have time to be too fussy about how I say things.  I’d like to try 30 days of writing short poems sometime. Wouldn’t that be a great way to capture some thoughts and share them?

I'm enjoying being a part of the 31 Days of Five Minute Freewrites. Read more about it here.

Book Review: The Christian Book of Mystical Verse

My early church experience was quite conservative and traditional, which included singing hymns, reciting the Apostles' Creed,  and singing the Doxology at the end of every Sunday church service. Looking back, I am so thankful for this part of my faith walk, which I now see as very rich and grounding. It gave me an anchor that I still hold onto, even though  I consider myself nondenominational now (read: I don't really fit in any box!) It seems the older I get, however,  the more I value liturgy and prayers written by others. Although they can easily become 'just words', they also can be very meaningful, encouraging, and inspiring.

Which is why  The Christian Book of Mystical Verse  piqued my interest. It's a collection of Poems, Hymns, and Prayers for devotional reading, compiled by A.W. Tozer, author of several classic devotionals This book has a very attractive cover, as well, which initially drew me to it.

First published in 1963, this was book written for the purpose of private devotion. What exactly does Tozer mean by 'mystic'? He refers to the "evangelical mystic who has been brought by the gospel into intimate fellowship with the Godhead. His theology is no less and no more than is taught in the Christian scriptures. He walks the high road of truth where walked of old prophets and apostles, and where down the centuries walked martyrs, reformers, Puritans, evangelists, and missionaries of the cross... He is quietly, deeply, and sometimes almost ecstatically aware of the Presence of God in his own nature and in the world around him".

The hymns and poems, (most of which I am unfamiliar with)  "... cover almost the full spectrum of religious feeling... The mood runs from near despair to near ecstacy.." I think we can all relate to varied emotions and struggles in our faith walk, as do these writers.

Some of the authors contained in this collection include: Isaac Watts, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Christina Rossetti, Charles Wesley, William Faber, Jeanne Marie de la Motte-Guyon, and Bernard of Clairvaux.

For those who value old hymns and poets from the past, this will be a welcome addition to your library. You will be sure to find a few treasures in this book.

Thanks to Moody Publishers for this free book in exchange for an honest review.

Getting Through February

February is not my favorite month of the year, although I do like it better than January.With February the promise of Spring is that much closer. I know, we have almost another official month of winter, but around here the snow is gone and it's not really that cold out any more. Still hovering around freezing in the morning sometimes, but still, it could be worse!

So, what's gotten me through February, a month that finds me mostly indoors sipping coffee (one cup a day usually-- I really do sip!) whittling away at portfolios, and dreaming of warmer days?

A trip to the coast! We celebrated my mother in law's 86th birthday together with a slew of family. A great weekend.

This little guy. He is my companion. He is a blessing in my life. He makes me laugh. He gets me off my chair,  taking little breaks throughout the day. He sleeps quietly as I work. And he's always over-the-moon happy to see me when I return home from outings. Talk about an esteem booster! No, I'm not talking about my hubby although he does fit the bill in some ways!haha!

Books!  I've got a few on the go. Just finished Someday Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham. I saw it recommended on Goodreads and decided to finally read it. A twenty something tries to make it as an actress in New York. A cute, funny quick read with some great characters.
I'm also reading In the Land of the Blue Burquas by Kate McCord. It was written before Farewell, Four Waters, which I just finished a few weeks ago. But I don't think it really matters that I'm reading in reverse order. It's giving me more insight into the culture in Afghanistan, and the life of a foreign aid worker. Fascinating.
I am half way through The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown. Three adult sisters converge on their home town to visit their mother who is battling cancer. All about family relationships, importance of home, growing up, and figuring out life. The title refers to Shakespeare and the father quotes Shakespeare all the time (his daughters are named after characters) and all members of the family are book nerds. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but it's grown on me. It's my bedtime read.

Spotify. I listen to music all. day. long. sometimes. Music to reflect my mood or to get me out of my mood! Or to motivate me to work.
Classical, contemplative, meditative, acoustic, counry, jazz, pop. Adele, Andy Grammar, Andra Day, All Sons and Daughters, Rend Collective, The Brilliance. etc etc.  If you're looking for some new music, check out Spotify. It's free and it recommends music based on what you like, so there is always something new to explore. 

Podcasts. I've added a few more to my list. Don't listen to every
episode but sure do enjoy them. I find the ones that are about 30 minutes in length are just about right. Any longer, and I skip them because I don't always have one hour to listen.  A few others I enjoy: The Essential Oil Revolution, Spark My Muse, Katy Says with Katy Bowman

Knitting. Been enjoying knitting a comfort shawl and socks this winter. And some bibs and dish cloths. Just small items but it's great to have something on the needles when I feel the urge to create something tangible. And they make great little gifts to give away.

Netflix. My hubby and I try to find something we both like to watch together one or two nights a week. We are not always successful. We did watch Making a Murderer together and I have to say we were sucked right into the drama of that documentary. Truth and justice and the miscarriage of it. Who knows what the the truth is when people lie through their teeth? Yes, it was a pretty biased documentary, but we had some good discussion while watching that. Still confused about what really happened. It was hard to watch at times, just seeing the depravity and awful lives some people live. Sad. I couldn't watch too many shows like this, that's for sure. We binge watched it for about 2 weeks.  I think I prefer fiction! He likes shows with zombies or war  and I would rather watch an episode of Downton Abbey or Mr Selfridge, but the verdict is still out on the latter. Haven't continued for a few weeks. Sometimes we watch  an episode of  the murder mystery Death in Paradise. It's good!  I'm waiting for Nashville Season 4 to come to Netflix. And looking foward to watching the next season of The Voice (on the CTVgo App) . Got any recommendations for must-see TV shows on Netflix?

Planet Woman - got a membership for one month because my kids encouraged me to sign up for a 5km trail run at the end of March, and how am I going to be able to do that if I don't grow my muscles and my cardio?! Don't always want to go but always glad when I do. Except when I'm sore afterwards. And recovery takes longer than it used to! Soon I must transition my workouts to the outdoors..actually running 5 km!! Doesn't sound like much except if you haven't done it in a while! I'm a little bit concerned... but --as my daughter in law mentioned "There's no shame in walking". I'll try to embrace that thought.

and finally...

Z is for Zumba. Imagine doing Zumba with a band of church ladies aged 19-50-something? To hip hop music? Imagine the fun and comeraderie. Yes, it brings some much needed levity to my Wednesdays. We don't do the moves very well at all, but it's good for a laugh, it's a workout, and it's a way to connect with those I mostly just see at church happenings.

What got you through February?

Mending Walls, Building Fences

Have you ever read Mending Wall by Robert Frost? It's a great poem to read at this time of year -- when we have just done that - built a fence and a tall one (6 ft) at that! And I wonder if this fence will make us better neighbours? Will we still chat with the little girls next door and get to know the family a little better? 

In the poem, the author wonders if it's true that 'good fences make good neighbours' and why people put up fences when there's really nothing to keep in or out. His neighbour obviously wants to keep the fence up between their properties. Here's an excerpt from the poem..

He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn’t it 
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That wants it down.'  I could say ‘Elves’ to him,
But it’s not elves exactly, and I’d rather
He said it for himself.  I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father’s saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'

Well, one good reason for putting up a good solid fence between our yards is keeping a good separation between the neighbour's bull mastiff (who is not friendly towards us at all, although we've made effort) and this:

Little Enzo will be staying with us for a week, and maybe longer. He is the cutest little thing and I might have the option to adopt him from my sister. Small chance, because I'm pretty sure he is growing on her more each day!. When I visited my sis a few weeks ago, Enzo and I became fast friends. We shall see what transpires. 

Do you have a (substantial) fence between you and your neighbours? Has that been a good thing? 

The Waiting

The Waiting

autumn

cool, crisp colors of crimson and gold

leaves, grasses, sky

change comes, leaves loose, trees bare all

flowers pale, shrivel,

limp against the cold wind

tall grasses shiver

fog, frost, freeze

hints of lost life, hope fades,breath expires

snow falls

winter

all hidden under cold blankets of white death

the mystery of harsh beauty

long silence, wait, suffer,

complain, watch, breathless

peaceful pain,

breathtaking, shiver

snow covers

perfect reminder, death prolongs

dare to dream

breeze touches the face

a warmer wind caresses

first revelation

change, hope renewed, eyes seek

newness, fresh anticipation

movement,uncover, pushing against death

power contained,potential unleashed

green growth, new life,

touch the sun

born again

spring

Holding onto Fall

Autumn is certainly in full swing, but today winter was threatening to move in. At least it sure felt that way. The wind didn't tickle, it sliced! Not nice.  My girlfriend who lives an hour and a half away told me she saw snowflakes swirling in the air. No.. !! Say it isn't so!! 

I have enjoyed our autumn weather so much, and I think I was in denial that our beautiful Fall weather would actually end. So, in honor of the dwindling autumn season... 

I managed to work through most of this bin. A few pies made, bags of apple slices frozen for later, and containers of homemade applesauce. These apples were so sweet, I didn't even have to add sugar!

Our huge lodgepole pine dropped its nasty needles a few weeks ago. Not a fun job to rake those up. 

picking a pail of painful pinecones

 (step on one of these with bare feet and you'll know what I mean!)

I stepped out to check for mail later in the day and was greeted by a pile of lost, lonely leaves pushing pathetically against the door. I was sure they were begging to be let in, 

away from the cold wind! 

 View from my desk, which I was chained to for most of the day. The sun tempted me to go out, but I could hear the wind's warning whistle.  Wimp that I am, I chose to stay indoors.  I think it's time to bundle up a bit more before heading out! 

Not sure if you noticed or not, but I have been using alliteration in this post.

Couldn't help myself. 

Poetry on the brain, what with planning for this week's lesson. 

I spent an hour writing a 'found poem'. I figured that if I asked my students to write one, I should probably write one, too. It was rather fun, I have to admit. Although it took longer than I expected. Creativity is hard work! 

Prancing Poetry

For the last few weeks, I've been teaching poetry appreciation to a class of homeschooled 9-12 year olds. I had no idea how this was going to work out, since I haven't actually taught a class for quite a while. But, I am rather enjoying it. 

When I took a poll during our first class on whether they liked or disliked poetry, it was about 50/50. I wonder how the stats will look at the end of our 7 weeks together (we're about half way done now)? 

I've always loved to read poems. There is something satisfying about trying to deciper the meaning the author is conveying.  Sometimes it takes a bit of time. 

  Emily Dickinson says it well : 

 There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Nor any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul! 

Writing poetry is a bit more daunting. Most of my students are surprising me with their effort and imaginations, though. They seem to be enjoying the process. Not all, but most. That's okay. Writing poetry isn't everybody's cup of tea. I think it's more important to appreciate the magic of words in poetry. 

Do you read and/or write poetry?