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."

Writing

For a blog that I was going to update at least once a week, I'm not doing a very good job. Perhaps I will do better this year!

I've been conducting more research for the photobiography I'm working on. I hope to make a trip to Chicago in February to complete the final research. Of course, that will depend on the weather - of which we've had a lot of rain, sleet, snow (only about an inch on the ground) - but mostly VERY cold temperatures. The wind chill today is -13 degrees Fahrenheit. My 18 y.o. has had nine days off from school because of the weather and flu. They will be going to school until almost June.

I've read some good books for writer's lately. One is: The Giblin Guide to Writing Children's Books by James Cross Giblin. I gleaned a lot of good information from it. The other is: Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write by Elizabeth Lyon. It was a step-by-step guide to writing a proposal.

I'm traveling to Massachusetts next week for a memorial service. My aunt lost her battle with cancer. A fine lady who will be missed.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2, 4 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, ... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance..."

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve 2009 - presents under the tree, stockings ready, youngest child with 101 fever, and snow in the forecast.

Praying for sickness to go away very quickly and the snow to hold off until after the family get-together on Saturday!

Praying that everyone realizes the real reasons to celebrate Christmas: Jesus came to earth so everyone could have a relationship with God; presents to remember the gifts given by the wisemen (and by God), lights to remember the Light of the World, and the tree to remember the cross. We are blessed.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17

Merry Christmas

My last post was quite a while ago. We've been trying to get the harvest done but the weather hasn't cooperated. My husband is on the combine again today trying to get as much done before more possible snow tomorrow.

I've gotten the Christmas shopping done and the house is ready for the large family get-together. Other than wrapping presents, I can relax until Christmas and enjoy the Season!

My 17 y.o. is doing pretty good in school. He is starting a new seizure medicine today. If he does okay on it, we will lower one of his other meds.

4 y.o. is very excited about Christmas to say the least. She keeps asking me if I want to open my presents yet and she wants to know where her presents are.

I worked very hard on the biography this Fall and I received a lot of great research information and photographs.. I won't be able to work on it any more until after New Year's Day.

I pray God's blessings on you this Christmas season as you follow Him.
Matthew 1:20-21 “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”