Diamond Glint on Snow

Back in the 1980's I read a poem in a "Dear Abby" column. I have a copy of the poem next to my biological mother's photo (she died when I was 3 1/2). The poem is by Mary Elizabeth Frye. I've been thinking of the poem since my aunt just passed away - and today I see some "diamond glints on snow". Ms. Frye changed the poem a little, but I like this version:

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.

It's hard to see, but click on the photo and look toward the bottom portion for the "diamond glints on snow".

Best of the Best

I made a trip to Kansas City Sunday to pick up my 18 y.o. The ground was warm enough to make the snow very slippery. A 6-7 hour round trip drive took over 8 hours. Several cars that passed me were in ditches further up the road.

Meanwhile, the farm is under a blanket of 4-5" of snow. I can see animal tracks across one of our ponds and along the tree line. With a bright blue sky and the white snow - the scene is very striking.

A writer-friend of mine is on the Chicago Library Best of the Best list for two of her children's books. Her name is Jill Esbaum and her books are published by National Geographic Books for Kids. They are Picture the Seasons: Apples for Everyone and Picture the Seasons: Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin, Pie. Way to go, Jill! Here's the link to the list: http://www.chipublib.org/forkids/kidsbooklists/bestofbest_list.php

Jill has some great rhyming picture books too. My daughter's current favorite is: Stanza.

I'm hoping to pitch the photobiography I'm writing to National Geographic Books. I'll be in good company - they have some very nice nonfiction books - and of course, great photos to go along with them. I need to go to Chicago soon to finish my research. I'm looking forward to seeing where the subject of my book lived and worked.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Happy Birthday Mom

The kids and I sang "Happy Birthday" to my mom yesterday. She was having a pretty good day.

At the end of the video, my son is motioning to me that Grandma needs a shave. I don't know how to edit a movie to take it out!

Valentine's Day

Today is my mom's birthday. My 4 y.o. and I made her a "heart" cheesecake. (We added some food coloring to some of the batter.) Since one of her son's birthday is Valentine's day (and the other's birthday is Feb 8) we decorated with hearts.

On New Year's Day, two bald eagles visited our farm. Last week, when one of my sisters was visiting, we drove to Keokuk, IA. We saw several HUNDRED eagles. They just flew past in wave after wave. Quite awesome!

About a week ago we had 15 turkeys travel past. A day before I took these photos, there were four tom turkeys. Two had quite long "beards".

These three were scrounging around the pond bank for seeds or something.

Deuteronomy 5:16 "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you."