the twilight zone

Some religions believe that what you understand to be real, is illusion and what you imagine, is true reality.  Oh dear, I think Erin captured it!  And she even caught the sacred cow.

I just finished reading "Death of a Guru" by Rabi Maharaj (for the 3rd time).  Read it.  You'll understand where this picture took me and why I rejoice!

Blessings, Debbie

chickadee!

Chickadee

Debbie Penington

May 23,  2012 

A hopeful hand held open

offering a tiny seed

a single seed

a nervous flutter looking

down in contemplation

yes, it's tempting

a decision to be brave 

because there's no turning back

once committed

a chickadee sized feast

trustingly enjoyed,

and a grateful perch.


*Audrey would like everyone to know that she too had her special moments with the chickadee but apparently no one loves her enough to take pictures!

Blessings, Debbie

three cheers for chubby cheeks!

As the day progressed and my little chipmunk persevered, my heart swelled.  She was in pain.  There was a bit of pride as she tried to cover her swollen cheeks and teeth that refused to be hidden by lips that normally close when she wills them to.  Yet, not once did she say, "I want to go home."  It was a long day... a rich, 'I can do this' sort of day.  And her reward?  She ribboned in every event she entered!  I say it was a blue ribbon day even if she didn't have a handful of fabric to show the camera.  She did the hard thing and she felt true joy when she closed her tired sedated eyes in sleep.  Yes, definitely a blue ribbon day.

Blessings, Debbie  

sunrise, sunset

It seems that the only way I know how to communicate here anymore is in updates.  This obviously is a little something from Mother's Day.  I have a lot of wonderful something's but if I continue to wait until I can show all the pictures it will be Father's Day!

So, I had a lovely Mother's Day and at the risk of being sacriligeous (or something) I will do a ridiculously out of order post when my daughter finally sends me the pictures that I took on her camera...  Thanks Hillary! The testing that I've been mentioning actually took place yesterday and I'm glad to have that one out of the way.  It was in fact (surprise) a great day.  The mom's always have an extended meeting while the kids are doing their thing and it's the best attended meeting of the year, kind of like a captive audience and it's so nice to spend time chatting with a room full of like-minded women.

Erin stayed home recouping from Wednesday's oral surgery.  She had all 4 wisdom teeth extracted and she was feeling it.  Today is a bit worst and we're really praying that she's better in the morning.  She is scheduled for 4 events in tomorrow's horse show and really wants to participate.  

Aside from that, the sun rises, the sun sets, again and again and each new day brings fresh amazement at the goodness of the One who loves and so richly blesses us!!  I pray all is well with you and that your days are filled with gratitude...

Hugs, Debbie    

the party's over

Her bub has been doing some 'pallet' building...

As I was placing seventeen candles on her chocolate cake I was a bit shell-shocked.  She's seventeen.  My little girl who used to trot around the house hugging everyone as she burst with excitement over any happy event... actually, she still does that.  My little girl who used to surprise those she loves with little notes tucked in their travel bags when they would be gone overnight... hmm, still does that too.  Oh Erin, if growing up meant letting go of all your youthful giftings, I couldn't let it happen.  Lucky for you you're still the sweet, thoughtful gal you always were.  We'll just take this thing a year at a time... kay?

Grandmas, Grandpa, Uncles, Aunts, cousins, old friends, new friends...  what was supposed to be a 4 hour party turned into 5 1/2 as the weather was so kind as to cooperate.  Having an outdoor party in early May is definitely walking on the wild side in Central Oregon.  Those of us on the sidelines were often chilly.  Poor granny was the bravest of the brave as she huddled deep within her jacket to honor her great grand daughter.  I think the temperature was perfect for the athletes but when Erin viewed the photos afterward she became sympathetic and that much more thankful for the sacrifice of the elders.

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We're still looking forward to testing on the seventeenth.  Let me rephrase that lest I be misunderstood.  We are still looking *ahead* to testing.  I really don't think it would be accurate to say any of us actually look forward to it.  :)  Home schooling has been one of the biggest blessings in our life.  The ability to learn and grow together, to arrange our days around our interests and needs and to be able to center everything around the God who is more important than anything that the world deems important.  It amazes me that somehow 8 hours a day, five days a week separated from family and the workings of the home somehow became not only the norm... but mandatory.  That's not what this country was founded on and I for one am glad to hold tight to my American freedom and school where we still study the divine providence of God in our history, the truth of His creation in science, His moral character in reading and writing.  He is in everything.  He is the breath of every subject.

I may still be absent quite a bit here but I think of my dear blog friends, as well as my dear snail mail friends (who haven't heard much from me lately either) every day.  I look forward to finding the rhythm to visit here daily again but for now, I'm doin' what needs doin'! 

Blessings, Debbie