MAY SLIPS AWAY

Just last week I was roaming Teelside camera in hand looking for lingering signs of spring. Changing seasons always call out to be recorded. And for good reason: no two sets of seasonal photos are the same...similar, but not the same. Flowers take turns; one year the daffodils and iris excel, the next year the peonies outshine them all. Trees and shrubs also change from year to year. Like children they stretch out and mark their own place with larger shadows.

Without question, the best part of Spring in every passing  is the birdsong of morning. My head  rarely lingers upon the pillow beyond dawn, so addicted am I to the sound of it. It is a long-lived tether; a link from early childhood when I woke in my grandparent's farmhouse to birds that seemed to be singing through megaphones. The joy returns as clear reflections of those long ago mornings wash over me with each new morn sixty years hence. God is good.

Back to the photo journal...all at once the camera lens caught more shades of summer than spring. Everything was summer green with only faint illusion to the tender tones of April. May slips away quite quickly when temperatures soar and humidity hangs over the meadow. I sigh and say goodbye to another budding season. 

It is NOT imagination that marks the flying calendar gathering speed with age. It's happening. I've noted as well that the green, green hills of summer are observed with more acute awareness, distinct definition. Awareness is a blessing - God is good.

Visiting time after yesterday's church services took us to shut-ins - a gentleman suffering at home with advanced cancer, a sweet little bird of a lady 'trapped' in a rehab center with a broken hip. These dear folks are by circumstance deprived of birdsong, sunlight and blossoms beckoning in gentle breezes. Perhaps their hearts store pictures of like beauty and they are comforted by their remembrance even among the vicissitudes of life. I do hope so. Along with that, may our brief presence reflect a refreshing breath of loving Son-light for their keeping.

A NEAR-PERFECT DAY

THE NEAR-PERFECT DAY

A nearly perfect day in May--

A canopy of powder blue,

Fresh-grown greens of every hue,

Fragrant blossoms by the way,

Warbling birds on fence and trees,

And rippling streams heard o'er the lea

Hold happy hands and whisper "stay."

"Remain here with us, let the sun

Contentment, joy and peace begin."

They seek us out; they draw us in.

The circling arc of work begun

With April buds and gentle rain,

Brings hope for Life - refreshed again 

In kinship with the Risen Son

Immersed in beauty so serene;

Touched by the grace of Holy Hands,

A soul will soar to distant lands;

A glimpse of Heaven may be seen;

A heart will find its way and throng

With saints before the Son-lit throne,

To sing His praise with the redeemed.

No perfect day will mortals gain

E'en in the beauty that surrounds

These seamless times of wonder found

When seasons change. Yet there remains

God's perfect day, perfect design

When joy eternal will ascend

In perfect life that never ends.

5/20/12

ONLY ISOBEL

Sometime back I thought I might put all of Isobel's gifts on the table, take a picture, and write about how caring and generous she is. Ran into a real dilemma. The more I gathered, the more I found that belonged to that category. And even that sturdy oak table Daddy made wouldn't hold them all.

This, of course, does not mean I've stopped thinking about Isobel's gifts (too many reminders around for that). But inventory is impossible. It's like trying to list friends and knowing you'll leave some out no matter how diligent you are. I'm left with scratching the surface. So be it.

For this purpose, suppose I should stick to functional items (but it would be remiss of me not to mention the boxes of lemon pie mix that are often tucked into the parcels for Wayne).  Many of Isobel's presents are sewing tools. I suspect that when she finds a new gadget - and Isobel does like gadgets - she buys in triplicate: one for herself and one each for the twins. She has added sundry rulers and rotary cutters, quilt calculators and color wheels, frequent packs of fabric, and a nice pair of Gingher appliqué scissors to my little sewing corner - just to name a few.  

The granddaddy of all sewing tools is a Bernina Serger she brought my way when she found a newer model for herself.  That machine (besides driving me bonkers sometimes when it needs re-threading) has been such a boon and blessing. It has made pjs , nightgowns, aprons, jumpers and skirts galore - mostly for grandchildren who are beyond grateful. I hope she knows she has facilitated my happiness in the making as well as theirs.

Since I have dubbed my sewing machine and computer MAGGIE and MOLLY, it occurs to me that the serger needs a name, too. Think I'll call her ISIE (Isobel's childhood nickname). Guess that also means ISIE becomes the grandmommy of all sewing tools.

And now this...can you figure it out? The pin cushion is obvious. And it obviously belongs beside a sewing machine. What is less evident in the photo are especially convenient features. The pin cushion is weighted with some kind of heavy base so that it will not fall off the table or go creeping away from you when you try to poke it with a pin. The bag that hangs over the edge is held open with a stout metal ring sewn in the top; and it is lined with satin so that threads and scraps that are handily dropped in slide out easily when it needs emptying. Isobel doesn't do ugly so the colors and embroidered design on the front are very nice, too.

Now isn't my generous, thoughtful sister so very clever? I appreciate you Isobel, and love you so very dearly!

BUILDING BRICKS

Big celebrations in Temple Terrace last night. Two grandchildren (Luke and Sarah Jane - with baby Joshua tagging along 'baby bump' style) walked for Bachelor's degrees; another granddaughter (Hannah) walked for an Associate degree at the Florida College graduation ceremonies. I think it a very special thing for cousins to do together.

DS Doy marked the occasion by posting pictures of the 4-yr 'bricks' laid down as a record for his wife, son and son's wife. I don't know the story of the commemorative bricks, but imagine them to be laid down somewhere on the F.C. campus. Not knowing the details did not keep me from getting a big lump in my throat as I looked at (and lifted) the pictures from Doy's Facebook page.

Sarah Jane's comments on this occasion were: "Graduation! How bittersweet. I wouldn't trade these past four years for anything. The amount of growth and knowledge I have obtained is priceless. Thank you, F.C., for everything. Especially my husband :) I also believe I owe my firstborn to you ;)"

I'm guessing she's giving credit for her firstborn to Luke, not F.C., but you never know. (There is that running joke about kids going to F.C. to get a husband/wife...and it worked well for our girls Laurie/Nina.) Guess Sarah Jane could give F.C. the credit for meeting Luke. However it is sliced, baby Joshua will always tie into college memories.


As to Hannah's response to all the fuss, she wrote: "First year at F.C. is over and I got an itchy blue robe, an empty red case, and a "gold" cord to prove it. Happy Graduation everybody!"


Audrey was packing up the dorm room she and Hannah shared this year and wrote with a touch of wistfulness: "Just took all my happy mail off my walls. There was a lot. I am so blessed. :) As for goodbyes... not really my thing."


My own reaction brought to mind one of those David/Beccie stories stored in memory. When Jonathan and Hannah were baptized (on my birthday) several years back, Beccie asked David, "What did we ever do to deserve these children...?"   Such milestones are both awesome and humbling. And like Audrey, "I am so blessed."

MY REMEMBRANCE BOX

We always return from the Teel Family Reunion with a box plumb full of memories. Some naturally come to the forefront as I review the week just past:

• Two phone calls while on the way to Tennessee … first, Evabeth telling us she was baptized that morning and second, John calling to say he was baptized that afternoon. What a great start – rejoicing with the angels. Coincidentally, Caleb was born on June 26 – the day Eva and John were born again. No phone call can be more precious than those that bring news of birth and rebirth.

Our cup runs over … knowing that the Wayne Teel family now numbers 30 - 27 of them are now faithful to the Lord. And, as Grandfather says, we have every confidence that the 3 remaining will step up and take a place in the family of God when knowledge and age make them accountable. How blessed, how blessed!

• Evening songs of praise and worship … including John at his first time song leading with the rest of his brothers and cousins. The rafters rang out … and it was so interesting / encouraging to see the songs each chose and how their choices reflected their sincere hearts.

• Josiah, across the room, singing tenor with his Grandfather.


• Morning coffee and crochet hook…in the rocker … on the porch … watching the early morning mists traverse the Smokey Mountain landscape.


• Grandsons and granddaughters scampering off to the pool every chance they had … under supervision of older cousins, brothers or father … always modestly dressed.


• Talent upon talent as the “kids” performed lovely music, silly songs and playful skits of insightful humor. [Interested parties could check out Lisa's Facebook page for videos of several talent show acts.]

***Audrey and Hannah singing “Mama’s Hands” … the song with its dedication to the Teel sisters, as I requested … they learned it well and performed it SO beautifully!
***All the grandsons trooping out in Sears shirts in an hilarious skit about the Sears repairman, a.k.a., Wayne Teel; a.k.a. Grandfather.

***Luke taking on “Awake” (a Josh Groban song) … with Audrey’s guitar accompaniment … soloist and guitar carried out, again, SO beautifully!

***Caitlin … our queen of silly songs … leading an uproarious rendition of “Ghost Chickens in the Sky” … ably aided by Laurie Anne and Hannah. You had to be there!!! [It seems that practicing that act was the ‘straw that broke the kneecap’s back’ and sent Laurie Anne to the hospital in an ambulance the evening before … she came back in a brace and so she sat/sang on a stool and joined the trio with gusto … such a trooper.]

***The ‘youngers’ of the clan, Trevor, Eva, Rebekah and Taylor, pitching in to present their songs and skits with the same vigor as the others.

• The traditional “Elders’ Breakfast” … it has long been the custom of the second generation to host a breakfast (or evening event) for the Teel Siblings and their spouses. Always a special act of honor and love that provides keepsakes for our remembrance boxes. This one included antique oil cans for the guys, handmade doilies (crocheted by Hannah) and framed floral photos (done by Lisa) for the gals. Beccie arranged the festivities … after eating, the siblings were encouraged to tell tales on each other … some were even NEW … with a whole lot of “gun” stories in the mix. Still, I’m not inclined to suppose the brothers were truly hoodlums … not even in their wildest escapades … but who’s to say.

• Splendid suppers prepared in turns (so each group arranged just one evening meal for the week). The Teels seem never short of food and this plan worked very smoothly. The menus: Subs with veggies and chips; Fried Chicken, Green Beans and Salad; Filet Mignon, Baked Potatoes (white and sweet), Salad and Rolls; (all served courtesy of family friend Clyde); Mexican Pile-Up; and Turkey with trimmings.

***Now really, how many folks are blessed with filet mignon for a clan of fifty plus relatives? Not any in my circle of acquaintances – but Clyde and Erline are always extremely generous.

***The grandsons taking their turn at clean up duty after evening meals – Caitlin was in charge of those arrangements and camping has taught her the value of using all resources available. It’s good to feel useful, after all.

***It was fitting that our last meal was a Thanksgiving menu … we had so much to be thankful for as our time together wound down.

• Sweet Georgia Peaches – Jonathan Isaac, as well as the edible variety.

• Prayers – every one of them so thoughtful … especially Luke’s prayer for Laurie Anne and her care givers (first off, before Part I of the Talent Show) in her absence. First things first … how heartwarming.

• And last but not least, the beautiful accommodations and surroundings of The Preserve in the Great Smokey Mountains … planned in true Laurie Moyer style. We brought home so many personal touches that reflect her talent and her love of family. A welcome basket was on each bedroom chest or table – they held Family Directories to help us keep in touch; Laurie’s handmade bath salts and ‘leafy petals’ hand soap; hand sanitizer; solo cups; tissues packets in sewn holder; mints/candies … pretty as a picture. Laurie made tapestry cup holders with each individual’s name on an embroidered tag – a stroke of genius, as we could always locate our own cup and conserve on supplies. She also laid in basic pantry supplies and brought cafeteria trays – that fit in the dishwasher. Planning for, handling the finances and shuffling activities for a group of 50+ folks of different ages, tastes and needs is no small task. What a job! How well done!

This is to be the last of the Teel Reunions involving Wayne’s siblings/families and we certainly finished off the tradition in style. Aunt June said, “we started off with peanuts and we ended up with caviar” – a pretty apt description. The reunions began in 1967. It is sad to see something so good come to a close but such is inevitable with changing lives and moving time. A lot of remembrance boxes have been filled through the years … couldn’t trade them (as Wayne’s dad used to say) for a farm in Georgia.

So there we were – kith and kin from Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia (all but two of us a good long way from Queen Shoals, West Virginia where the Teel siblings were born). We continue to thank God for safe journeys (in both directions) for all of our dear family and the sweet memories we made together. How Blessed! How Blessed!

As I've said elsewhere...this is about as near to heaven as I ever expect to feel/be on this earth ...

SIMPLICITY

'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free ...

It's not exactly Spring yet, so this quilt is not exactly Spring colors. But, it is leaning in that direction. Aren't we all.

The older I get, the more I like simple things. No clutter on the tables; no unnatural looking arrangements of fake flowers; a patchwork quilt for a bedspread; simple fare for supper with buttermilk cornbread now and then; quiet spaces for reading, meditation or listening to birds as they begin their courting songs in the morning, and "cheepers" calling in the distance at twilight.  Simplicity in Springtime. What more could one want?

Perhaps with age we lean toward our heritage. Mine is certainly artfully simple. Former generations are thought of often and warmly - they pursued a simple life in a slower time with much talent, ingenuity and, might I say, brilliance of mind. No fault could be found in leaning in their direction. Indeed, there is comfort and profit.

Back to the quilt. The theme fabric waiting patiently in the stash called out to me as winter began to wane. It demanded, by virtue of its larger design something that would show it to advantage. This design was gleaned from a magazine advertisement  and worked fine for me. See, simple can still be pretty.

Keep it simple - a very rewarding objective.

Remembering Anna

Long, long ago we lived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country around Lancaster. We rented a house in farm country, surrounded by gentle rolling knolls and an endless sky. I never tired of watching the wide skies, knolls and tree lines - so far a stretch from the close ridges of my West Virginia home. It was a very happy time for our young family.

We moved to Pennsylvania when our first son was but three months old, and the other three were born there. Four children in five years make for busy days - and we loved it all. We soon formed ties with our church family and they were so good at caring for us and filling the gaps for relatives far away. There were two families in particular whose ties remain, and today I'm remembering Anna especially.

Anna and Clyde served very well as surrogate family for so many. When we first met, Anna was about my age, I guess. (Funny how "over 65" seemed older then). She and her dear daughter Olive planned a housewarming/welcome party for us not long after we came from Florida. An adorable donkey cookie jar given to us at that gathering remains a Teelside fixture. The beginning of many kindnesses showered upon us over the years.

Anna taught me a lot about a lot of things. Hospitality, benevolence, nurturing. Clyde would drive me to doctor's appointments while Anna watched the kiddos. They were likely to knock on the door any day some need was perceived. They knew how to visit the sick and were not afraid to do so. Once, when hubby was down with mono and missed a couple weeks' pay, they came bearing canned goods --"just things that had set on the shelves long enough and needed to be used." Canned gravy ... I would never have thought to buy that, but it was tasty. It takes special knack to treat the needy without making them feel pitiful, and they were good at caring, tending with grace.

Anna would tell funny stories about blowing sulfur back into her mama's face when she was trying to shake it from a paper funnel into the back of Anna's throat. [(Early antibiotic therapy?) I was in stitches with that one - and new surgical stitches had me begging for no more funny tales until I was home from the hospital.] Or the time she was sick and Clyde made a big pot of vegetable soup - he figured anything and everything from the pantry should go into it and tossed in a couple cans of beets. It looked funny, but was all eaten. Oh, I can just see her eyes sparkling and her shoulders shaking. She could giggle like any little girl. Clyde's eyes sparkled too; and though a thin man, he had plump rosy cheeks that gave him the look of a sweet little elf.

So many fond memories. In their home, I knew the meaning of warmth, ease and comfort. There was a front closet with toys - the children made a bee line for that as soon as they arrived and played contentedly for the duration of the visit. The coffee pot was always on. Lunch was simple and delicious - Lebanon bologna and white cheese (from a local butcher shop) for sandwiches spread with butter (instead of mayo) and garnished with radishes. Yummy!

Before we moved from Pennsylvania, Clyde taught me how to drive. And again, Anna was babysitter. I said nothing to my dear hubby about the scheme (he started to teach me but it was too taxing on both our nerves, if you know what I mean). So off Clyde and I go to the police headquarters to take the driver's test. There I was, a 29 year-old mama of four, driving a Volkswagen Campmobile with a 72-year old instructor at my side. The officer likely passed me either for spunk or out of pity (for Clyde). Just imagine hubby's surprise when I picked up the car keys and headed for the grocery store leaving him as babysitter later that week.


And one more thing I must consider - a continuing and immeasurable treasure. Anna took the time and effort to teach me how to knit and crochet. I recently renewed my acquaintance with yarn and hook, using the hook she gave me starting out. What joy to think of Anna with every stitch and row. She was an excellent teacher. I will never knit socks on the porch in the dark of evening, needles clicking and flying as Anna said her mother once did; but oh, the practical, creative pleasure this gift of learning brought me. Dear hubby says every skill you learn you can keep for future benefit. Some skills come more dearly and last a lifetime.

What a blessing it becomes, remembering Anna -  for the sweet person she was, for all the difference she made in a young woman's life and all the ways her example and influence has continued to enrich my life since first we met.