A Charmed Life

Tiny Silver Swim Fins

2012-01-27T08:06:00.002-05:00

My sister is the swimmer in the family. I do not like to put my face in the water. I like to swim like a puppy, head up, facing forward, nose out of range of the water.

A work out friend suggested a class called Finning. Back and forth in the pool, fins on your feet, hands on a kickboard, face out of the water. I figured even I could do this, probably wouldn't drown.

So, I go to the class in my bathing suit that fit last summer and the summer before, but not so well now. I get in and she showed me the basic strokes.

Soon I was gliding through the water like Flipper!! When the class started, the first laps, I was third in line...behind a leisurely finner. The second set of laps, I manuevered to the front and offered to be the guinea pig to learn the new stroke.

Out in front, I plowed through the water with all of the grace I could. Made it back to the starting point and turned for another lap, the other students behind me. I felt like I could do this for hours. It was a great workout, both cardio and strength training.

As a matter of fact, I liked it so much, I ordered my own fins and kickboard...and thankfully, still don't have to put my face in the water!

A Tiny Silver Phone

2012-01-16T21:47:00.002-05:00

...or Learning to Laugh at Yourself!!

So, I carry two phones, actually wear them clipped at my waistband. Normally the ringers are turned off so they vibrate when they ring. Although my personal phone has hundreds of ring tones, makes it easy to assign ringtones so I know who is calling without even looking...

Anyway, tonight at the gym, I took off my jacket and folded it up nicely on the floor. I tucked my work phone in the pocket and went about my workout. Fast forward an hour, great workout, headed out the door. Reach in my pocket for my work phone to see if I had any messages that needed to be attended to...but wait...no phone in my pocket.
My personal phone was clipped at my waistband, but no work phone.

I went back upstairs, over to the area where I was working out, checked the floor, all around the machine...no phone!!

One of the girls I see there pretty often suggested calling the number. I am thinking that won't work because it only vibrates, and we will never hear it ring. But, I thought it was worth a shot...ring...ring...ring...

No phone ringing in sight...I crossed my arms in frustration...and felt something vibrating. I looked at the phone in my hand, but it wasn't ringing. I swung my other arm away from my body and back...my ARM was vibrating. I looked down and right there, on the inside of my arm was a zipper. Unzipping the zipper I realized that my phone was in the arm pocket...what kind of coat has an arm pocket?! And how did it eat my phone?!

So, we had a bit of a laugh...laughing at yourself is a good thing!!

A Tiny Silver Flamingo

2012-01-01T11:12:00.003-05:00

I've said before that if you are my friend and you are going to write a book, I will read it. I will buy it and read it. I will buy it and read it and ask you to sign it. I will buy it and read it and ask you to sign it and tell my friends to read it.

...And I will be inspired by it to make a little piece of art.

Here's to a very creative New Year!!

A Tiny Silver Tree

2011-12-14T08:52:00.002-05:00

Me: What do you want to do for your Christmas card picture this year?
Her: Don't you think I'm too old for a card photo? After all, I haven't really changed much in the past three years.
Me: Well, what should I do for a card?
Her: Make something special and only send out a few...
Me: Or...

Our card this year is a print of a mixed media piece of art I made after seeing a lovely video tutorial on the Scarlet Lime blog, using a canvas, paper, glue, paint, stamps, transfers, glitter, ink and love!!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A Tiny Short Story

2011-12-13T22:17:00.003-05:00

She walked past the doorway.
She glanced at the man standing there.
He turned his head.
It was him.
She hadn't seen him in years, but she knew those eyes.
She stopped short.
His eyes lingered on her face
and he broke into a big smile.
She whispered his name.
He crossed the floor and stood in front of her.
He said her name and reached for her hand, their fingers interlocking in an old familiar way.
He reached his other arm around her shoulders and drew her close.
His lips brushed her cheek gently and her eyes closed.
As she drew back, his eyes locked on hers.
She reached up and touched his face.
He leaned nearer, his eyes closed and his lips touched hers.
Her heart stopped beating and the world came down to this moment.
He said, you know, I loved you then and I love you now.
She opened her eyes and he smiled.

**Challenge: Write about what happened right before this picture was taken...

A Tiny Silver Cup

2010-11-18T20:49:00.002-05:00

From the minute you walk into a restaurant, there are many decisions to be made.
Wait...first you recognized that you were hungry and then the discussion ensues about where you are going to go....but let's bypass that part, because it always goes like this...
"Where do you want to go?"
"I don't know, wherever you want."
"What are you hungry for?"
"What did you have for lunch?"
"You pick, I can find something wherever we go, you are the picky one."
...and then we go somewhere.

Okay, back to walking into the restaurant.
Where are you going to sit? You quickly scan for the quiet table, there, that one looks good. You sit down and wait for it...wait for it...here comes the server and they ask THE question,
"Can I get you something to drink?"
And I answer, "Are you a Coke or Pepsi restaurant?"
The server always gets that look on their face, as if they know there is a 50/50 chance that I will not like the answer and my disappointment will be reflected in their tip.
When the answer is "Coke", I may or may not order a Diet Coke, depending on my mood.
However, if the answer is "Pepsi", I quickly say,
"May I have a glass of water, please".
I have matured past the days of the heavy sigh, eye rolls and looks that could kill...after all, it is just a beverage, right?!

I don't care for Pepsi, I can't tolerate Diet Pepsi and am not a big fan of Sierra Mist. I do indeed love Mountain Dew ( after all, it is a southern invention) but don't need all of the sugar.

So, why all of the fuss about a simple beverage?

I just read somewhere that a person was suing a restaurant because they ordered a "Diet Drink of a Certain Brand" and were served a "Diet Drink of Another Brand". Turns out there is a regulation that says if someone orders a "Certain Brand" product and you don't serve "That Brand" products, you must tell the person what brand you will be serving before it is served and consumed.

Really?!

I mean, I appreciate knowing what I am going to get, but taking legal action for not getting what you expected...hmmmmmmm

For the record, we go to a restaurant most every Sunday for lunch and they do not serve my favorite brand...but they do have tasty water!!

A Tiny Silver Purse

2010-08-16T21:39:00.003-04:00

I love handbags, pocketbooks, purses, tote bags, really any type of container for my stuff. I really like when I get a new handbag and transfer all of my daily items from one bag to another. Or pull an old one from the closet and use it once again.
The other day, I decided to use a bag that I hadn't carried in a while and of course, there were bits and pieces of papers and other items left in the bag from the last time I carried it.
In this Levenger seafoam green leather bag was an invitation to a baby shower, a red pen, a lipstick, a couple of dollars, a handful of change, a fortune from a cookie, a nail file, a couple of receipts and a half of a pack of gum.
The baby shower invitation was for a mom who has had two more children since the one featured at this party!! The receipt from a craft project long ago started and finished and given away.
What in our lives do we tuck away, whether forgotten or saved for another day? Is it time to let go of those little things that are just taking up space?
It is like a little treasure hunt, who knows what you will find in a seldom used bag...and who knows what treasures, once forgotten, are ready to be found and which ones are ready to be let go!

A Tiny Photo Frame

2009-11-11T13:59:00.004-05:00

I was working on choosing photos for my daughter's senior page in her yearbook. This meant getting out the photo albums from the early years! The albums are labeled by year, the photos placed in the sleeves when they were fresh from the developer.
Way back before digital cameras, you had to take the film to the drug store to get it developed. And remember to ask for duplicates for the grandparents. And there were always those odd random shots when you were trying to use up the film. Seems like there are cameras around here that held 110 film, 126 film, 35mm, and those funny little canisters that you got back and you have to store those forever.
I can tell exactly when I got my first digital camera because the albums, as they were, stop and the computer files begin!!
As I was looking through the albums, I was swept back in time.
To the first time she came home from the hospital in her University of Tennessee sweat suit and then the second time she came home after having to be re-admitted, this time in a beautiful pink smocked Felton Brothers dress, complete with slip, bonnet and tiny white leather shoes. Her first bath, with Grandmother pouring water gently over her hair. Grandmother, who jumped on a plane, and came to stay with us when my baby girl showed up several weeks early!
To her first day of preschool, when I took her picture standing next to the stairs and she is barely taller than the third step. I've taken her picture standing in the same spot on the first and last day of school every year. On the last day of PK, she couldn't go to school because she had chicken pox. Her teachers came to visit her after school was over that day and brought her papers and things from school. In her picture that day, she is dressed in a yellow outfit, a faint dusting of cornstarch powder covering her face.
To ballet recitals, first bike rides, visits to the pumpkin patch, the apple orchard, the fire station, carnivals, a series of cow girl halloween costumes, classroom parties, snow days, Easter egg hunts, holidays in Tennessee, birthday parties and loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
She sat on the floor with me and helped me select the photos, knowing that I would give her final say in what appeared in the yearbook. Both of us laughing and remembering some fun times.
I am glad I was able to be her room mother at school and capture so many images. I am glad that she has been in school with so many of the same children since lower school. I am glad I have gotten to watch them grow.
As I started to scan the photos and she went back to filling out a college application, I realized that those little photos give me great memories to enjoy, for now, for later and when she is away from home.
I love you, my brown eyed girl!

A Tiny Silver Car

2009-07-19T22:10:00.002-04:00

Just a quick thought...
It is a good thing when you see the car in front of the car in front of you completing a good traffic manuever...using their blinker, making good driving decisions...and realizing it is your child driving their own car...yes, a good thing!!

A Tiny China Plate

2009-06-30T17:12:00.006-04:00

I was talking to a friend today and the subject of family heirlooms came up. She was talking about how her mom and aunts were arguing, fighting and bad mouthing each other over things they thought should belong to each of them upon the eventual demise of their mother. That's right, they are fighting and the dear lady is still using all of those silver knives, lace doilies and sitting in that particular velvet chair!
My friend asked me what I would do if in that situation and I told her that I could not imagine.
So, let me go on record...Mike, Melinda...if you want it that badly, it's yours!

Anyway, it seems that what they are fighting about are family photos, the china and that red velvet chair.

I had a photo of my mom and dad at a high school dance that I loved and had on a shelf for many years. One day, my sister asked me to make a copy of it for her. I figured I had had the original long enough, made myself a copy and gave her the original. I still have the picture, it still makes me smile! So, if you are fighting over photos, invest in a high quality photo printer, make copies and share them...making sure to include names, dates, places, favorite memories and the photographer if known. Share the memories.

I have a little white china saucer hanging on the wall in my kitchen. It is about 6 1/2" round, shiny white with a green border. It doesn't match any other of the dishes, not the fine china, not the Christmas china, not the nice everyday china, not the everyday china, not the Fiesta ware, not the Dan Finnegan handpainted china...nothing.

So, why would I have this single china plate hanging on the wall? This is the saucer that sat under the coffee cup that my great-grandfather, known as Pap-paw Goodness Gracious, used every morning for his coffee. Pap-paw would spill over a little coffee into the saucer, add some milk and let me drink it. I don't know if I have this actual memory or have heard the story so many times that is is real to me. It doesn't matter, what matters is that he loved me and shared his coffee...I still love coffee, with a little milk, no sugar...any wonder why?! This plate is one of my treasures, of value to no one but me, a reminder to share what you know is good.

I have two corner china cabinets, one from my great-grandparent's house and one from my grandmother's house. I brought them with me to Virginia when I got married and they are treasures for the beautiful pieces of furniture that they are and also as they remind me of the dining rooms in their houses...meals shared with family.
My grandmother used to tell me that she wanted certain people to have certain things of hers. This china cabinet came to me and another piece that stood in her entry hall went to my sister. They were focal points in her home and in ours.
After I lived in my house for several years, I decided to paint the dining room. I carefully unloaded all of the china, crystal and silver out of the cabinets and gently moved them to the center of the room. I started painting and as I worked my way around the room, I ended up behind the china cabinet...and there, on the back, written in white chalk, in my grandmother's handwriting, was my name. I stopped in my tracks and gently traced around the letters, remembering her beautiful handwriting that I saw on many cards, letters to camp and recipe cards. I had never noticed this in the two moves and since it was up against the wall, the chalk marking had not been erased, a minor miracle in itself.
So, the cabinet still stands in my dining room, filled with treasures I love, my name in faded white chalk on the back, a reminder of family meals taken together over the years. And being intentional...if you have a specific wish...let it be known.

I hope my friend's mom and her sisters can get beyond the "things" and see past them to the memories that are brought about by a meal on that china, a look through that picture album, a quiet nap, nestled in that red velvet chair or a tiny sip of coffee presented in the simplest of vessels.

It is the memories that count, the feelings that matter and the comfort in knowing we are loved.

A Tiny Little Map

2009-06-29T20:23:00.002-04:00

Last week, I went to orientation and training for my new job. The drive from my house to the interstate can be long and arduous, passing house after house, field after field, over a river, over a lake, down a curving road.
On this trip, I took a different route to the interstate, one that passed fields, rivers and farms...beautiful farms with grand names and perfectly green meadows, dotted with horses and a few cows. Some of the farms had deliberately planted rows of trees, marching up the hillsides and disappearing back down over into the valleys. Some of the farms had wild groves of tress that looked like they had been there for hundreds of years, with driveways and roads carved into the fields next to them. I saw an old church, complete with stone walls and a carved limestone cross. I saw more white fences than I have seen anywhere except for Middle Tennessee.

In the place where I was staying, I had no internet access for my computer. I could get access on my phone, but it is really hard to do a lot of typing on that little screen! So, instead of staying in my room, I took a drive or two.

I explored back roads and one evening, I just drove south for about 45 minutes, taking in the beauty of the mountains, the warm air rushing by. And in those peaceful moments, I found the simple pleasure of an afternoon drive. The smells of fresh cut grass, honeysuckle and wild flowers perfumed the air and it was nice, very nice.

Taking a route, never taken before, can be a gift all in itself.

A Tiny Silver Rattle

2009-05-31T20:51:00.002-04:00

This afternoon, I attended a baby shower for a friend who is having her seventh baby girl! That is right...seven baby girls. Suwema, Elizabet, Stella, Daines, Regina and Neema will be big sisters to the new baby in just a few weeks!! The mom, Jerida, is a beautiful lady with a lovely smile that lights up her whole face.
As she was opening presents, she would look around the room to identify who had brought her gifts. After she finished, she hugged each person, saying "Thank You" and "God Bless You".
I have taught two of the girls in Sunday School, taught two of the girls in ESL preschool and have turned a jumprope or two for the other two girls!! Sweet girls who take care of each other!!
This will be Jerida's first child born in the USA, first born in a hospital, first child whose first home will not be a tent in a refugee camp.
Blessings to this family, mom, dad, sisters and new baby!!

A Tiny Silver Strawberry

2009-05-16T15:55:00.002-04:00

Early this morning, Bob and I set out for the Farmer's Market on Rt. 3 in Spotsylvania to see what was available today. Since we are so early in the season, the produce consisted of beautiful lettuces, radishes, assorted onions, fennel, beets and the most amazing asparagus. I didn't start eating asparagus until about 16 years ago, when my friend Tia introduced me to steaming it and dressing it with a bit of balsamic vinegarette...delicious!
The strawberries are also in...Westmoreland Berry Farms has berries that are a pure red, sweet and juicy...perfect to just slice and eat!
Also at the market were a vast array of cut flowers, peonies and iris, ready to take home and arrange. We have several peony bushes in our back yard, planted by the lady we bought our house from and they have continued to bloom year after year, providing a profusion of blush and bashful colored blossoms!
There were blooming plants, ready to be bought and brought home to add to our flower garden in the front yard. Vibrant geraniums, their peppery smell filling the morning air. Lantana that reminds me of the walk way to the swimming pool at Old Natchez. Hanging baskets, already planted with an assortment of summer blooming plants, ready to hang on a front porch.
And don't forget the little potted vegetable and herb plants...get a couple of tomato plants, a basil plant and stop by the tent where the folks are selling fresh mozzarella and you have the makings of a beautiful caprese salad.
After a quick trip to the grocery store, we headed home. A few more errands in the afternoon, with a stop at the Sonic for a Diet Cherry Limeade ( for me) and a vanilla milkshake ( for him) and back home to enjoy the sunny day.
Tomorrow is Youth Sunday with a picnic after church...and it is supposed to be 61 degrees and raining...unlike the the 82 degree sunny day we are having today.
Well, we can only hope that the cold front blows right by here and tomorrow brings a sunny day...complete with strawberry pie at the picnic!!!

A Tiny Little Wedding Cake

2009-04-28T15:16:00.002-04:00

Last weekend, we celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary!! Surprisingly, I am not going to wax nostalgic about being married so long...suffice it to say, it seems like a long time and it seems like no time at all...at the same time!! Someone asked me what the secret is to a long marriage and I told them that when I found out, I would tell them!
I know that I am not the easiest person to live with...I don't like to share closets, bathrooms or checkbooks...I think that if you can keep those separate, you run out of things to fight over really quickly.
I am not much of a fighter, and as long as I follow the old standby of "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"...then we all win.
I think I am funny..really, I am funny...so having a spouse that also thinks I am funny is a bonus. He laughs at my jokes and I laugh when he makes up words or draws little pictures on the grocery list of what he wants me to buy or pictures of our cats on the church bulletin.
I give him a lot of credit for learning quickly that I need a lot of quiet time, to read, to draw, to think, to nap(!) and time with my friends.
He gets an A+ for taking care of things like keeping my car clean and full of gas, so I don't get my hands all stinky. He likes to cook and knows just how I like my steak...really rare, barely done.
He thinks I am smarter than him, but still likes to amaze me with some tricky answers on Jeopardy.
So, what is the secret of staying married...I don't know, but I wish you well and remember, if it isn't going to matter, really matter, in 5 minutes, then just don't worry about it!

A Tiny Silver Airplane

2009-04-10T12:02:00.003-04:00

There is something about standing in a parking lot, waving goodbye to your child, who is on a bus, headed out of town. My stomach is in knots, I bravely stand and wave, smiling all the time.

The first time my daughter went away without me, she was on a trip to a church sports camp at Carson Newman College... I could be there within 6 or 7 hours, no problem. As I waved goodbye to her that day, my pastor stood next to me and told me to just wave and smile. No matter that I wanted to throw myself in front of the bus and beg them to let her off of the bus, I know, a little dramatic, but that is how I felt!! She made it through the week, had a wonderful time, and I survived.

Since then, she has been to Boston, Toronto, North Carolina, Mississippi, Mexico, Germany...all without me, all successful, wonderful trips!!

This morning, she was headed to the airport, on her way to Costa Rica with the Global Explorers group from her school. They will be doing a service project, exploring the rain forest, riding on a zip line through the tree tops(!), visiting a pineapple plantation and lots of hiking. Oh, and they will be joined by 4 hearing impaired students, their interpreters, two guides and two teachers. In preparation for the trip, they have been studying sign language in order to communicate with the students joining them. I think they were looking forward to being somewhere warm, even though it might be rainy!!

So, as I stood there this morning, with my friend Kelly, waving and smiling, I am proud of how hard they worked in preparing for the trip. I am excited for the adventures they will experience.

And most of all, I am looking forward the the tiny silver airplane that will bring her home again.

A Tiny Silver Book 6

2009-03-24T13:10:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working at the Book Fair at a local elementary school. Surrounded by the best titles Scholastic had to offer...I was delighted!
Things have changed since my daughter was in elementary school. Now, there is a little bar code scanner to ring up the sale, with a little machine that prints out a receipt. Better than the days of having to count books at the end of the day and do a written report.
The children were excited to come to the Fair and there were several who were disappointed that they hadn't brought any money. My friend, who is the librarian, assured them that if they didn't buy a book, they could still check one out, so everyone could have a book to read.
The two most popular books for the older children were various editions of "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" and "Coke or Pepsi". Neither title held a lot of appeal for me, however, I do believe I know where many of the Facebook quizzes come from!!
I was excited that the children were happy to see the books and many of those who bought a book or checked out a book were seen reading as they walked out the door. Instilling a love of reading in a child is one of the greatest gifts you can give them.
I started reading "Scat" in between my customers yesterday and hope to be able to finish it tomorrow. If not, I may have to buy it and bring it home!
There are so may fabulous books out there for children and if your child does not like to read...find something he or she is interested in...whether it be Star Wars, Barbie or Wimpy Kids...encourage them to read and soon they will branch out into other books.
Happy reading and if you get a chance, read to your child, your teen or your mom...I know they will love to hear you reading to them.

A Tiny Silver Birthday Cake

2009-03-21T09:39:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday, Mom!!
Today is my mom's birthday and I hope that it is a special day for her!

My mom is an extremely gifted and talented person in so many ways. She is creative, smart, and the best Grandmother to my child and nieces and nephews!

My mom is a talented seamstress. When I was a little girl, a lady at our church gave me some Barbie dolls, which I loved to play with. One Christmas, I happened upon my mom sewing some tiny little dresses, which she told me were for another little girl. Disappointed, yes, but I loved watching her sew. Imagine my surprise on Christmas morning when I unwrapped those little dresses!!! She sewed many dresses and outfits for me, including my wedding dress. I loved helping her to pin the patterns to the fabric and mark the details with that tiny pokey wheel and marking paper. And then when I was expecting a child, she gave me a sewing machine of my own, which I have used to make baby clothes, toddler dresses, quilts, slipcovers, pillows, curtains and many other things.
Thanks mom, for teaching me how to sew.

My mom is very creative. When I was young, she taught me how to be crafty. I remember making these fabulous candle holders out of old jars and cans. The items were stacked upon each other, taped together and then covered with a papier mache layer. Then we would add designs using string dipped in white glue. After it was dry, we would paint them, antique them and clear coat them. I remember a beautiful turquoise blue one that stood at my grandmothers house for many years. She also took me to ceramics classes, where I could pick out a piece of bisque, paint it, have it fired and display it on my dresser...remember the girl with the flower basket, the puppy dog and the orange mushroom?! I still have them! She also taught me how to embroider, cross stitch and encouraged me to try new things.
I give her credit for passing on the decorating gene and the education to learn how to use it!
Thanks mom, for opening my eyes to the colors and patterns around me.

My mom is a great cook. When we go to her house for a visit, she always makes sure to have our favorite things while we are there. The recipes that she has shared with me have become favorites in Virginia as well. When I go to my in-laws for a holiday meal, I take my mom's dressing, blueberry jello salad and coconut cake.
When we were little, she would let us help in the kitchen and now her grandchildren enjoy the same pleasure. Standing on a stool at the island, mixing up some banana bread is still a treat for the children.
Now, my sister and I cut up the fruit for a delicious dish known as "goo" and I remember my great-grandfather, in the kitchen, talking to my mom as he cut up the fruit when I was little.
Thanks mom, for teaching me how to cook and how to make memories.

My mom is a good friend. She has several friends, one as long as I can remember, who are special to her. I have learned by watching them, how to be a friend. That even when you are separated by distance or circumstances, you can pick up the phone and cross the miles with ease. My mom has the gift of never meeting a stranger. Last Christmas, while taking a break from shopping, she was sitting at a table and some other weary shoppers had joined her. She chatted easily and made a new friend!
Like my mom, many of my friends are church friends, people I have met through my child and people I have worked with. People I can laugh with, cry with and go to for help.
Thanks mom, for teaching me that to have a friend you have to be a friend.

My mom is a good Christian. She always made sure we were at church "every time the doors were open". When she was working on Wednesday, she arranged rides so we could get there on time for choir, handbells and dinner. She taught 9th grade girls Sunday School for many years and was one of my favorite teachers! She taught me at an early age that unless you make up your mind on Saturday to go to church on Sunday, you might not make it. When I thought I was old enough to decide when I wanted to go to church, she wisely knew that I wasn't ready to make that decision. And through her influence, I found a church home when I was away at school and after I married.
Thanks mom, for being a positive Christian influence in my life.

And last, but not least, my mom taught me how to be a good mom.
And I thank you for that!!

So, Happy Birthday, Judith Ann, happy birthday to youuuuuuu!!!

A Tiny Silver Book 5

2009-03-14T23:41:00.002-04:00

As you know, I love to read. And while my taste runs to fiction, I like a variety of reading material. Having said that, my friends, if you write a book, you should let me know. I will buy it. I will read it. And I will recommend it to those who also share my love for books. Just let me know where I can get a copy. Even if it is about physics or chemistry...
So, imagine my delight, when I saw a note on Facebook that a friend from the old days has a new book coming out! I pre-ordered it and discovered two others that he had written. Ordered them too. Have read one, liked it, and the other is on the top of my list.
I like his writing style. I remember him mostly as a friend of my sister, someone who would come over and play games and talk about books. Someone I loved to listen to as he debated the worthiness of words while playing Scattergories. Good times.

In the past week or so, I read Ken Follett's Pillars of the Earth and World Without End. Both books are filled with some of my favorite things; medieval times, cathedrals, religious imagery, architecture, treachery, conflict, war, knights, red wool cloth. I had heard a lot about both of the books and was hesitant to dive in, but found them easy to follow and full of intertwined stories. Thumbs up.

One of the teachers at my daughter's school co-wrote a book about Leonardo DaVinci...can't wait to start that one...after I finish Math and the Mona Lisa by Dr. Bulent Atalay!

Someday, I would hope to have enough shelves to put all of my books out so I can get to them anytime, instead of rotating them, like a bookmobile! But for now, I'll just read a little at a time!

A Tiny Silver Map

2009-03-02T08:45:00.005-05:00

FA was on Winter Break last week, so for the parents of juniors, many of us took this opportunity to visit prospective colleges. That is right, the college tour begins.
Several weeks ago, we met with her college counselor and received a list of match schools, so I visited the web sites, got the dates for the tours, bought a new map and we were ready to go!
The first school we visited was the largest at about 18,000 students. I thought the campus would feel really big, but was surprised to find that it did not. We started out at the newer part of campus in the admissions office, killing a little time by looking through some old yearbooks. The wide range of clubs and service organizations were definitely appealing, scoring a point for the big school. The admissions director gave a wonderful presentation, the media piece included student interviews, which were delightful. The campus included old original buildings, new exciting construction and a beautiful football stadium. The tour guides were friendly and informative and even some of the students we encountered along the way stopped to ask us how the tour was going. I was pleased that she liked it and look forward to another visit.

The second tour was a little closer to home and has about 6,000 students. Beautiful campus, great programs, lots of history. The admissions representative was okay, but probably could have been a little more polished and professional, as she was the first person most of the prospective students had met face to face. Our tour guide was nice, but kind of quiet and shy and had about six points that she kept bringing up over and over. We met a friend who teaches there afterwards for lunch and discussed having another personal tour, so that will be great.

The third tour was at the school where my husband attended college. I had been there many times and it was indeed one of the most beautiful campuses I have ever visited. We found a yearbook in the admissions office with his senior picture and had fun looking at that! The admissions director was delightful and covered every aspect of the school. There were about 50 prospective students in the group, with my daughter being the only one from Virginia. This is a highly competitive school and it attracts the best students from all over the world.

The fourth tour was at a school with about 5,000 students. The presentation was given by the President of the school and he obviously loves the school. The classes are all taught by professors, the dorms were lovely and the campus was less than 300 acres, so it was easy to navigate. This Open House was well developed with representatives from many areas of campus, from housing to sports to dining options. There were probably 500 students and the tours were overly large, making it hard to hear the tour guides.

All in all, it was a good week. We have some more schools to check out and I am sure when she gets back to school this week, she will have lots of notes to compare with her friends. We came back with lots of great information, lots of t-shirts and sweatshirts and good memories.

So, now it is on to taking the SAT and ACT, writing essays and filling out applications.
And I will get out the map and go wherever she wants to go, as long as she always remembers the way home.

A Tiny Silver Basketball

2009-02-20T23:32:00.002-05:00

Fredericksburg Academy Girls Varsity Basketball team has made it to the finals! They will play Wakefield Country Day School tomorrow at The Highland School in Warrenton VA.
I believe it will be a close game and could be won by either team. I have also heard that the WCD coach has been suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct and will not be coaching. This is a good thing.
Ya'll know that I am not a sporty girl, normally picked last for teams...and actually okay with that. I wrote a lot of papers in school to make up for a lack of mad skills on the playing field. But I was a great scorekeeper, color announcer and cheer-er...all important skills, right?!
At FA, the students are required to play two seasons of sports per year, so I became a parent fan a few years ago. Anyone who wants to play can be on the team, however, they may not get a lot of playing time. One thing I have noticed over the years is how the coaches have fostered a great sense of "team". A team need skilled players, able subs, cheering fans and a sense of good sportsmanship.
As I have watched several coaches over the years and several groups of parents, I am struck by how fortunate that our school has had some great coaches!
I have witnessed coaches who have badgered, berated, brow beat and used unseemly language while coaching their teams. Maybe I am naive, but I would like my daughter coached by someone who is an encourager, not a belittle-er.
Last fall, I had the privilage to play "soccer mom" to a group of children who are new to our country. I was saddened to hear adults yell at 5 year olds as if they were playing professional soccer...for money. On the other hand, I was filled with joy at the dads who gently coached some of our children from the sidelines, helping them understand about throwing the ball in without letting your feet leave the ground.
I am thankful that I have seen more positive actions and that all of the parents who volunteer their time to coach these children is fantastic.
I am thankful that my daughter has had some wonderful coaches who have taught them that just because they CAN run up the score, it is not the right thing to do.
I am thankful that somehow, an athletic gene snuck through and she is a great player.
And, I am thankful that she is a great teammate and encourager. Play Ball!!

A Tiny Silver Pencil

2009-02-05T10:23:00.005-05:00

I went to a meeting today with the college counselor at my darling daughter's school. She is a junior and the testing and application processes have begun. When I started filling out forms, I commented to my mother that I didn't remember all of this when I was applying to college. She replied that she was the one who filled everything out...so no wonder I don't remember!
The counselor had prepared an extensive list of schools she is interested in attending, with size, tuition, grades requires, test scores required, etc. I was amazed at the amount of information we received...thank you very much Ms. Nobles!
We have made some plans to attend tours/Open Houses at the top 4 schools during Winter Break and....
WAIT JUST A MINUTE...do you know what this means?!
I will soon be the mom of a college student...how did that happen?!

Before long, I will no longer see her before bed each night, nor will I greet her with a "Good Morning, sweetheart" before school.

Before I break down into a sobbing mess...let's look at this a little differently...

She has attended a fantastic school since Pre-K, which is a college prep school, so what did I think she was going to do after graduation? That's right, go to college!

She is bright, curious, intelligent, caring, positive, cheerful, smart, sensible, a good friend and a warrior for those whose voices yearn to be heard. And one of the most beautiful people I have ever met.

I am excited for her to journey towards being a grown up person, someone who will make a difference and change the lives of others.

She is the kind of person I would like to have for a friend.

No matter where she ends up going to school, near, far, big school, little school...she is always in my heart, no matter where she goes.

So, grab your pencil, color in those dots, sign those applications and take the world by storm!!

A Tiny Silver Pocketbook

2009-01-27T00:50:00.003-05:00

My extraordinarily talented college friend, Julie Britton Burney, hand painted a fabulous pocketbook for me!!! I have known Julie a long, long time...she was a bridsmaid in my wedding and wore her pale pink dress like a true princess!!
After getting her degree in Interior Design back in the day, she has been busy and is now back in school getting her degree in Graphic Arts.
She is going to New York in May and is going to have a booth at a show, working on getting some of her drawings licensed!! I am very excited for this new opportunity for her and proud of her taking that step out in faith!
She personalizes her bags and paintings for the person she is painting for.
For me, she painted me as she remembered first meeting me...long brown wavy hair and big green eyes...Ah, Youth!!!
I can't wait to put my things in my new pocketbook and sashay around town!!!
Thank you Julie, you made my day!

A Tiny Little List

2009-01-25T23:23:00.001-05:00

25 Random facts about me ( As posted on Facebook):

1. I have way too much free time or I would not be writing these notes.
2. The first VCR tape I bought was "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane" and it cost about $80.00 back in 1987.
3. My dvd's are alphabetized.
4. My laptop is green and my phone is pink, my two favorite colors.
5. I make my own greeting cards...and have sold them as well.
6. I have all of my drafting equipment, pens and project boards from college.
7. I know all of the songs from "The Sound of Music", just in case I am at a show and someone needs a quick replacement.
8. I like making lists and marking things off as they are accomplished.
9. I love, love, love pocketbooks, especially really big ones.
10. I have all of the books written by Stephen King, bound in red leather, on my bookshelf.
11. I don't know how to drive a stick shift, although when I am dream that I am driving, I always drive a stick shift.
12. I cannot drive over a tall bridge, flat ones are okay.
13. I still haven't unpacked all of my wedding presents.
14. I like to wrap presents in shiny white paper and big hand tied bows.
15. I would like to go back to school and study studio art, just to learn.
16. I love shopping in paper and stationery stores.
17. I learned how to knit last year.
18. The thermostat in my car has to be on an even number.
19. I am somewhat claustrophobic and like to sit on the end.
20. I like to be early.
21. I check and double check maps before I go on a trip.
22. I would like to take piano lessons again someday.
23. I love fresh flowers, but not star gazer lilies.
24. I don't like to share closets or bathrooms.
25. I wish I lived closer to my family.

A Tiny Silver Movie Camera (2)

2009-01-20T18:55:00.002-05:00

Here are the answers to "Guess My Favorite Movies" quiz.
Note: I have all of these movies on my dvd shelf, so come on over and we can watch one or two!!!
I posted the answers in the original post!

A Tiny Silver Movie Camera

2009-01-17T22:27:00.005-05:00

Guess My Favorite Movies!!!

I posted this on Facebook, but thought my sister sister would enjoy playing!!!

The Rules...
1. I picked 20 of my favorite movies.
2. I went to IMDb and found a quote from each movie.
3. Posted them here for everyone to guess.
4. I will strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
5. NO GOOGLING/using IMDb search or other search functions.
6. No looking at my favorite movies on my Facebook page.

1. It's giving life that counts. Until you are ready for it, all the rest is just a big fraud. All the crazy haircuts in the world won't keep it turning. Life isn't a love in, it's the dishes and the ortho and the shoe repairman and ground round instead of roast beef. And I'll tell you something else; it isn't going to bed with a man that proves you're in love with him; it's getting up in the morning and facing the drab, miserable , wonderful world with him that counts.
YOURS, MINE AND OURS ( THE ORIGINAL VERSION WITH HENRY FONDA AND LUCILLE BALL)

2. I believe one should fight for what one believes. Provided one is absolutely sure one is absolutely right.
TO SIR, WITH LOVE

3. Some people hear their own inner voices with great clearness and they live by what they hear. Such people become crazy, or they become legends.
LEGENDS OF THE FALL

4. This old gypsy women once told me that if you jump backwards nine times before the sun comes up, you won't be pregnant. Well, I jumped so far I had to take a bus back and then I had twins.
WHERE THE HEART IS

5. Now, what would you like to wear? Black, black, or black?
THE SECRET GARDEN

6. In my philosophy, a man cannot call himself well-contented until he has done all he can to be of service to his employer. Of course, this assumes that one's employer is a superior person, not only in rank, or wealth, but in moral stature.
THE REMAINS OF THE DAY

7. You know, dolls make the very best friends. Just because they can't speak doesn't mean they don't listen. And did you know that when we leave them alone in our room, they come to life?
THE LITTLE PRINCESS

8. I can't go all my life waiting to catch you between husbands.
GONE WITH THE WIND

9. All my life I had to fight. I had to fight my daddy. I had to fight my uncles. I had to fight my brothers. A girl child ain't safe in a family of men, but I ain't never thought I'd have to fight in my own house.
THE COLOR PURPLE

10. Well, from this day henceforth, it seems you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you marry him...and I will never see you again if you do.
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE ( BBC VERSION)

11. With the exception of Eddie and myself, whom you already know, we're going to be using aliases on this job. Under no circumstances do I want any of you to relate to each other by your Christian names, and I don't want any talk about yourself personally. That includes where you've been, your wife's name, where you might've done time, or maybe a bank you robbed in St. Pertersburg. All I want you guys to talk about, if you have to, is what you're going to do. That should do it.
RESERVOIR DOGS

12. Congratulations. In the history of this camp, that was the most infamous, the most disgusting, the most revolting display of hooliganism we have ever seen.
THE PARENT TRAP ( ORIGINAL VERSION WITH HAYLEY MILLS)

13. If you can paint, I can walk - anything can happen, right?
AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER

14. Say Lou, did ya hear the one about the guy who couldn't afford personalized plates, so he went and changed his name to J3L2404.
FARGO

15. On the page, it looked like nothing. The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a pulse - bassoons and basset horns - like a rusty squeezebox. Then suddenly - high above it - an oboe, a single note, hanging there unwavering, till a clarinet took over and sweetened it into a phrase of such delight! This was no composition by a performing monkey! This was a music I had never heard. Filled with such longing, such unfulfillable songing it had me trembling. It seemed to me I was hearing the voice of God.
AMADEUS

16. When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

17. Now please get out of my Van Halen t-shirt before you jinx the band and they break up.
THE WEDDING SINGER

18. I don't want to talk about it! Everytime I think about something nice, you remind me of bad things. I only want to talk about the nice things.
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE

19. I don't know if it will help saying this to you...some men in this world are born to do our unpleasant jobs for us...your father is one of them...
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

20. Me? I'm scared of everything. I'm scared of what I saw, I'm scared of what I did, of who I am, and most of all I'm scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I am with you.
DIRTY DANCING

A Tiny Silver Television Set

2009-01-14T21:18:00.002-05:00

I sat down yesterday to watch what I thought would be a funny movie...it was not...so after watching about half of it, I gave up and switched over to regular tv. I dvr several shows, so there was bound to be something ready to watch. I found my show, but there was no sound. Great picture, no sound. I switched over to regular tv and again, no sound.

Hmmmmm...I am famous for hitting the wrong sequence of buttons and messing up the HD tv functions...

I tried turning it off, checked the settings, nothing worked. Finally I gave up and went to my darling daughter's basketball game. While there, I mentioned to my husband the tv problem. Knowing that I would want to watch American Idol in my den, he went home after the game and went to work.

I went to church to help prepare a meal and called him on the way home, only to find that he had spent the last two hours unhooking all of the wires from the tv, moving the tv to a different room ( where the sound worked perfectly), moving it back to the den ( again, no sound). He then put a movie in, which played perfectly...thus putting a cap on his frustration.

His first comment when I got home was that I could watch tv in the "man-cave" since the one in the den was not working. I just watched a movie, figuring the dvr would capture it's scheduled recordings and I would call the cable company in the morning.

In the middle of the night, I sat bolt upright...thinking..."I wonder if he unplugged the cable box?"

So, bright and early, I came downstairs, unplugged the cable box, waited a few minutes and plugged it back in. The re-booting started and after about 10 minutes, the box came back on, the time was displayed...looked normal.

I gingerly pushed the TV button and the Power button...and snap...there was Al Roker, telling me all about the weather!! Hurray, I have audio, I don't have to get the tv repaired, I don't have to shop for a new tv ( although, I am loving a certain Samsung I saw over Christmas holiday)!!

So, the solution was the unplug the cable bos and plug it back in, allowing it to reboot. So simple, so simple...

Kind of like hearing an animal with four legs and hooves running by and thinking Zebra, instead of horse!!!

So, I am catching up on American Idol...it looks like itis going to be an interesting season...on my favorite tv!

A Tiny Silver Book 5

2009-01-12T23:47:00.003-05:00

Someone asked me tonight to name my 5 favorite books to read of all time, excluding The Bible. Not the 5 best books of all time, but my favorites. The ones that I can read over and over, can pick up at any time, and start anywhere in the book and enjoy them.

I have only thought about this for a couple of hours, but let's give it a whirl...

1. "A Wrinkle in Time" Madeleine L'Engle
I read this book for the first time in the 4th grade. And many times over the years. I still have that original copy, as well as a couple of others. I was young enough to think it was possible that three witches could transport a person through time and get them back before bed time. I thought the teen aged main character was strong, different and had a hard time fitting in with her peers, but was intuitive and daring at the same time. The descriptions of the characters were detailed and thorough and several years ago, when a movie version came out, I was naturally disappointed. The other books written later about the same family were also favorites. I wanted to know what kind of adults these children became and was not disappointed. One summer, I ordered every book written by this author from an online retailer and read them all, in the order she had written them, just to try to understand her thoughts.

2. "The Catcher in the Rye" J.D. Salinger
I read this book in the 9th grade Honors English class. Ms. Bryson was my teacher and I remember her telling us to read beyond the language ( off-color language) and hear what he was saying. And I did, and I heard him say that he felt like he had no control over his life. A helplessness, a hopelessness, a longing to grow up and start living...sounds like a lot of people I know!

3. "Pride and Prejudice" Jane Austen
What can I say? I love the language, the descriptions, the characters and mostly, Mr. Darcy. I want to live in Pemberley, I want to giggle at Mr. Collins, and exchange cutting eyes with Jane. I have read all of her books, several times and think "Persuasion" is also a favorite.

4. "To Kill A Mockingbird" Harper Lee
Predictable? Maybe, as I do love a book by a southern author. Humid nights, when the air is so thick, you can set your glass of ice tea on the edge of your wrought iron chair and it will never fall. The smell of fresh cut grass and honeysuckle wafting in the window of your car as you drive home from church. The endless sound of crickets chirping as you sit on the patio watching the stars blink through the leaves of an over hanging tree.
My sister gave me a signed copy of the book last year...sweet bliss!
I would like to meet Harper Lee and tell her that I think she wrote the perfect book and thank her for letting us into her world.

5. " 'Salems Lot" Stephen King
This was the first book I read by him and I will confess that the visual of the little boy vampire scratching at my window, waiting to be let in, floating around out there...was enough to make me create a cross out of popsicle sticks and keep it by my bed. I don't think I have ever slept in a room with the blinds open since then. I have read every one of his books, have them all in matching red leather on my bookshelf. This book introduced me to the whole scary book genre and for that, I am thankful. I have read books that have kept me out of basements, our of cemetaries and other places where I have no business. I am suspicious of dolls coming to life, of things that go bump in the night and the dark. Nothing like scaring yourself a little now and then!

Okay, that is it for today's list...a list that could change with the next book I read...I have posted a link to my Shelfari bookshelf, so check it out!
Read on, gentle reader, read on into the night!

A Tiny Silver Book 4

2009-01-11T02:15:00.002-05:00

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates

I, like the rest of you, had read reviews periodically about this book. One person calls it brilliant, a true look at life in the late 1950's. Another calls it depressing, a sad look at life in the late 1950's.
With the release of a movie version of Revolutionary Road, I decided to take the time and read the book.
I finished the book a couple of hours ago and I have to say, unlike most books, I do not feel like a better person for having read it. The tone is gritty, sticky and disagreeable. Arguing and simmering rage...should make for a very dramatic movie.
I might see it, I might not.
But if I do, I hope it doesn't leave me with a sense of hopelessness, like the book.

A Tiny Paintbrush

2009-01-10T10:36:00.002-05:00

A Flower for Sarah

Baby Jesus in the manger for Sarah

His Eye is on the Sparrow for Sarah

Baylor Skyline at Sunset for Sarah

So, I am sitting in Sunday School one morning and the pastor of our church, who is also my Sunday School teacher, says he has a little project he needs some help with. (Let me interject here that lots of people have said this to me, especially in the past few months, thinking I have way to much free time while I am not working. And am ready to jump up and create something for them...)

Anyway, he tells me how a person we both know has remodeled her office and in doing so, had to move the ceiling light fixture. Covering the old location was a simple white plastic plate, effective, but boring. He had an idea of having a few covers painted with various scenes and put them up to surprise her. Maybe something with a Christmas theme or something.

That afternoon, I sent my dear husband to the local hardware store for a couple of these plates and started working on them.
The first one was a manger scene, not terribly detailed, but something to catch her attention and celebrate the season of Advent.
The second one was an eye, like the eye of God is looking down on you as you sit at your desk, diligently working. Maybe a little spooky, but always nice to know Someone is watching out for you.

The next day, the pastor called me and said he had some ideas for the covers. He was surprised to find that I had done two already, but I had a couple of more ideas.

I didn't deliver the second set until after Christmas, what with Christmas cards to write, holiday traveling and festivities to attend.
The next one is the Baylor skyline at sunset, just in case she got a little homesick for school or needed to remember where she came from.
And the last one is a simply flower, the sign of new beginnings, of new days ahead and of the beauty of God's earth.

See, my friend, Sarah, works with people who don't always fit in with society, maybe don't have a place to stay...like the Baby Jesus.
People who need to remember that God is always watching over them and loves them.
People who are helped by someone who spent a long time in school, learning how best to serve.
People who need to know that tomorrow is a new day, that you can begin again and that there is beauty in every flower, in every smile, in every person.

So, when asked to get out my tiny, little paintbrush and try to brighten up someone's day...how can I resist?

A Tiny Silver Hammer

2009-01-07T15:13:00.005-05:00

Donald Amos Franklin

Today is my dad's birthday. He says he is 29, has been saying that for years, so we will let that be his reality!
I consider my dad to be the original McGuyver. He could build anything, fix anything, invent anything and did his best to teach us the same.

When I was very young, we lived in Florida for a while. I remember him taking a big truck innertube and lashing a round piece of plywood to the bottom and making a raft. He would pull Big Brother and I out past the waves into the deep part and let us jump off. Well, Big Brother probably jumped off of the raft...me, I was scared of seaweed, so I most likely just rode the waves. I also remember him throwing us in to the waves, sputtering to the top and saying, "Do it again!"
Thanks Dad, for teaching me how to get past my fears.

He taught me how to build a campfire, which came in handy when I was in the Girl Scouts. I can still lay out a pattern of sticks that will start a slow burn and not go out...you have to let the oxygen in to keep the fire burning.
Thanks Dad, for teaching me a skill that can save a life.

When I was in the 7th grade and taking Algebra, my dad sat at the table night after night, helping me learn the concepts. I was (am) hard headed and stubborn and I know I was hard to help. He did not give up and kept working with me until I understood that the numbers on both sides of the equal sign had to match...always.
Thanks Dad, for your patience and helping me develop my sense of logic.

He taught me how to drive. The first time I drove was in the driveway of Ganny's house on Easter Sunday, 1979. I drove frome the back of the driveway to the street, which looked like it was a mile long, but was just a couple of hundred feet or so. And then he made me back up to where we started. And that you should always push on the pedals like you have an egg under there...easy and gentle...no stomping.
He took me out to empty parking lots in the snow and taught me how to test the slickness of the road under my tires. One time he instructed me to drive way out past Leiper's Fork, driving until we had about a half a tank of gas, and then telling me to find my way back home. And I did.
Thanks Dad, for teaching me that paying attention and finding my own way are important.

My dad taught me how to fix things around the house. Good information that I have used all through my married life. I still have the little hammer he gave me when I went to college. Of course we weren't supposed to hammer nails into the walls, but a handy thing to have around. When I went to design school, he gave me his drafting tools and drawing board that he had used in college.
Thanks Dad, for giving me tools and the knowledge of how to use them.

And thank you for knocking down the rails on the fence ( see, I was listening), giving me roots and giving me wings.

I love you, I thank you and wish you a very happy 29th birthday!

A Tiny Silver Book 3

2009-01-03T18:55:00.003-05:00

Today, while visiting a friend, the chat turned to books as it often does with My Friend, who is a librarian ( dream job!). She was telling me about someone who did not want their child to read a book at school because their family did not appreciate the language used in the book. A certain word offended them. Evidently, the parents met with the school and an alternate book was found for the child to read. The book was read, assignments were completed, story is over.
Except that this family felt so strongly that they wanted to book banned from the school, not just for their child, but for every child present and future.
And, here is where I am conflicted.
Just because they feel it is not right for them, in their opinion, it should not be right for every other child. And that smells of censorship.
Oddly enough, neither of us, nor our high schoolers had read the book, so off to the bookstore we went to buy the book.
I have read about 29 chapters ( the chapters are numbered by prime numbers, so it isn't really 29 actual chapters...) and am fascinated by the book. And wondering why I haven't read it before...so many books out there, so little reading time!
So, just because Person A does not like a book, should they be allowed to influence a large public school system?
I say no, but that is just my opinion.
The opinion of someone who was required to read "The Catcher In The Rye" in the ninth grade. And, yes that book contains many, many words that can be offensive, but it is the language of the character, chosen by the author. I don't remember any parents running into Northside Junior High to ban the book. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't, maybe they were glad we were reading.

Happy Reading!

A Tiny Silver Book 2

2009-01-02T15:12:00.003-05:00

Two of my favorite gifts I got for Christmas were gift cards to Davis Kidd Booksellers and Borders Books. Thank you, mom and dad and the two cats, Dorothy and Smokey!!
Here are the books I am looking forward to reading this month:
World Without End by Ken Follett ( I read about 100 pages at the store today...can't wait to read more!)
A Mercy by Toni Morrison ( It is Toni Morrison, what else can I say!)
Knit Two by Kate Jacobs ( This is the sequel to A Friday Night Knitting Club, which I thoroughly enjoyed!)
Between Here and April by Deborah Copaken Kogan ( This one caught my eye and looks like a great new author to try.)
The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan
The Three Junes by Julia Glass
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
The Road to Eden's Ridge by M.L. Rose ( a collaborative effort between Myra McLarey and Linda Weeks, who are writing teachers from Nashville)
So, if you call and i don't answer the phone, I am probably reading...
I'll let you know how I like them...or check out my shelf on Shelfari for some recommendations!

A Tiny Silver Book

2009-01-01T16:51:00.002-05:00

I just finished reading A Wolf at the Table by Augusten Burroughs while I was on Christmas vacation. I had bought it for my Sony Reader several months ago, but had put off reading it. I have read all of his books, and while I find many things about them disturbing, I am compelled to read whatever he writes. The story of his childhood was made into a movie, not a great movie, but kind of predictable.
I love a good story and Augusten ( and I feel I can call him by his first name because if he knocked on my door, I could talk about anything he has ever written) is brutally honest about his childhood, his parents, his brother, his friends, the people who influenced him, his drinking, his work in advertising, his sexuality...everything.
When I first started to read his book, Running With Scissors, I wondered how in the world his father could let his mother make the decisions she did, concerning his living arrangements. Now I have a better idea. And I am saddened by his life. I truly want to invite him over for dinner.
His earlier books featured his father as this shadowy person, not in the picture, on the outside, looking in, if he cared. This book is all about his father and his mind games. That is all I am going to say because you may want to read him.
I heard Sellevision is being made into a movie...let's hope so!
And even if you don't read this book, read a book, read any book, tell someone about what you read and share the book with them!
Happy Reading!

A Tiny Little Snowman

2008-12-23T13:33:00.002-05:00

Because my family lives so far from where I live, long ago, we had to come up with a Christmas plan that worked for everyone. Bob's family likes to open gifts together on Christmas Eve, I like to open gifts on Christmas morning. And somehow get to my family 630 miles away to celebrate with them!
So, we spend Christmas Eve with Bob's parents, here in Fredericksburg, open our Santa gifts at home on Christmas morning and then hop on a plane and fly to Tennessee for family Christmas there! I appreciate that my brother and sister always plan their trips around us so we can all be there together. Often, our family Christmas takes place the day after, depending on when we can all get there! My parents are great about being flexible and we have our celebration when we can all be together.
Chelsea and I are headed to Franklin, TN on Thursday for the Christmas festivities with the Franklin family! I like travelling on Christmas Day, smaller crowds, people are cheerful, Santa has been to the house!!!
Bob is staying home to take care of the catty-cats, Smokey and Dorothy.

This Christmas, we are missing our sweet Jacquie, Mike's wife, who passed away in October. She was a bright star in our family and I miss her. She, Melinda and I normally would clean up the dishes together and giggle in the kitchen...I will miss that. My grandmother, Marie Elizabeth Valentine Franklin, also passed away this year, so things are a little different this year.

We will open some presents, play with the most darling children, catch up on each other's lives, eat a wonderfully prepared meal and yes, maybe take a little nap...a wonderful Christmas day.

I wish blessings to you, gentle readers, during this precious Christmas season. Enjoy your loved ones and tell them you love them!
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!!

A Tiny Silver Bell

2008-12-18T22:53:00.003-05:00

Lalo Eduardo, Angel, Miguel, Estella and Renesse

Believe it or not Jingle Bells, one of the most famous American Christmas songs, was originally written for Thanksgiving! The author and composer of Jingle Bells was a minister called James Pierpoint who composed the song in 1857 for children celebrating his Boston Sunday School Thanksgiving. The song was so popular that it was repeated at Christmas, and indeed Jingle Bells has been reprised ever since. The essence of a traditional Christmas is captured in the lyrics of Jingle Bells and the sound effects using the bells have become synonymous with the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus to the delight of children of all ages!
We made some jingle bell necklaces at preschool last week and sang the song...lots and lots of times!!!
Several of the children are now speaking English fairly well, but the funny thing is that even the couple who don't speak much or sing much, know exactly when to say "Hey" at the right time!
So, ring those bells, sing those songs and find joy in the little things...Hey!!!

A Tiny Television

2008-12-12T18:12:00.001-05:00

Have you heard of the group from Indiana University called Straight No Chaser? If not, check out the video...sit back and enjoy!

A Tiny Christmas Ornament

2008-12-08T10:46:00.002-05:00

The first Friday of December is the Fredericksburg Baptist Church Ornament Exchange. Some yummy food, some fabulous ornaments and a wonderful time of fellowship with good friends!
Susan hosted the party and I especially loved seeing her newly remodeled kitchen!! Loved all of the sliding trays in the pantry cabinets!
After drawing the numbers and getting started, Darla was trying to figure out which bag had the ornament she wanted. The rules of the game state that an ornament can only have 4 owners...so she was sweating!! She opened the red bag with the big lime green bow and there was the ornament she wanted!! It was "stolen" from her and then stolen again...But fortunately for her, Miss Ann took what Darla was holding thus allowing Darla to "steal" back the ornament she wanted!
In order to keep it safe for the rest of the party, Darla chose to wear it as a necklace, although I hear it has ended up on her mantle in her family room.
The three snowmen represent the Holy Trinity, according to the artist. She likes to paint things in threes.
Darla and I also discovered we shared a love of the Vince and Jenny Gill song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth".
As you journey through the Advent Season, think of your friends, remember that the best ornament for any house is good friends!

A Tiny Sleigh Bell

2008-12-03T07:45:00.007-05:00

I love Christmas music. I can remember my parents having albums by Johnny Mathis, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole and a host of others. Lots of those old albums are on a shelf in my room, back at my parents house, even though there is no turntable to play them on. I can remember my grandparents also having a delightful selection that they played on one of those fabulous stereo consoles in their den. I loved the slightly bizarre version of "Little Drummer Boy" sung by Bing Crosby and David Bowie...still do. I remember learning to play "Silver Bells" on the piano and singing along, mostly to annoy my brother. I love Handel's The Messiah, which is being performed this weekend at my church. I wish I could sing the high parts like Lisa Welch Kosier could back in high school.I look forward to the Sundays during Advent when we sing Christmas songs from the hymnal each week. When Chelsea was little, she would look at me in amazement when we got to the part " In excelsis Deo" of Angels We Have Heard on High. It sounds like you are saying her name in the song and she loved that.There is a radio station in our town that plays Christmas music from Thanksgiving until Christmas...all day and all night. And I love to play that in the car. I turned on the station Thanksgiving morning on my way home from serving breakfast at church to our community friends and the first song I heard was, " The Christmas Shoes". I am going to say that the first 2700 times I heard the song, it brought a tear to my eye. Now, not so much.When Chelsea was a tiny baby, I would rock her to sleep every night and sing to her. The only songs I could readily recall in the middle of the night were Christmas songs and songs from "The Sound of Music". So those were her lullabies.
Christmas music reminds me of my family, of growing up, spending Christmas with my parents, my grandparents, my brother and my sister.
As we enter the Advent season, I have shopped a little, sung a few songs and made some cards and ornaments. But what I really enjoy is the little trips down memory lane that each song bring to me."Just hear those sleigh bells jingle-ing, ting ting tingle-ing..."

A Tiny Tree

2008-11-25T07:54:00.002-05:00

When I walk out of my front door, I can see a tree at the top of a little hill. Having lived in this house for 21 years, I have watched it grow and change through the years. In the spring, the leaves start to fill in, blocking the afternoon sun from my front window. In the summer, more often than not, there are little children dangling from the branches, dropping to the ground and rolling down the hill. In the winter, the branches dance in the wind, creating shadows on the ground below.
But in the fall, the tree is at it's finest. The leaves start to turn with a bright orange and red glow and for a few short days, the tree seems to shine with an inner light. As the winds begin to blow, the leaves let go of their delicate connection and drift down the hill. And before you know it, the tree is bare once again, gently waving in the wind, waiting for the snow, waiting for the ice and waiting once again for the tiny green leaves.

A Tiny Square of Paper

2008-11-21T08:31:00.003-05:00

I am headed to Williamsburg this weekend for a Women's Retreat with my church lady friends. Our theme is, " Go Down to the Potter's House and Be Remade as Seems Best to God". We are going to be doing some crafting while we are there and that sounds like lots of fun.
I was cutting paper last night for a new "paper quilt" and was playing with colors of paper, different values of the same patterns. The next one is probably going to be another cross pattern, I have a couple of ideas I want to work on...maybe I'll take my box of tiny squares of paper and get creative!

A Tiny Little Girl

2008-11-17T17:25:00.004-05:00

When one of my little preschoolers wants something, they usually say,
"Can I have?" in a tiny little voice. Hard to resist, epecially when they say,
"Please???"
And usually, what they are asking for is whatever crayon I am currently using or more snack. The crayon is an easy one, I don't mind sharing and more often than not, they are using please and thank you with regularity!
At snack time, I cut up some apples, some bananas, add some little crackers, cheerios, teddy grahams, an assortment for everyone. And like any group of children, some like everything, some only like one thing and they expect me to remember who likes what. Bear in mind that I am the mom of an only child, so remembering what eight little children like can be challenging!
When I first met some of the children, back in June, they would not eat their snack, but would wrap it up. When I asked them why they weren't eating it, more often than not, I would be told that they were taking it home to their mommy. Or a little sister or brother who didn't come to day camp that day. If I handed out lollipops, I would be asked for more to take home.
Now, some might say that this sounds greedy, but the reality is this. Most of the children came to America from a refugee camp. A camp where one family member might be given a handful of food for the whole family, for the whole day. If there was any extra food, it was shared, no matter what it was or how little was left.
At preschool, they have learned that there is always more and plenty to share, sometimes there is lots left over to take home, funny how that works out!
Last Sunday, Josephine came to church with her new baby, Agnes, who is ten days old. When I asked Josephine how many children she had, she said,
"Lots!"
She gently placed Agnes into my arms and as she opened her eyes and softly yawned, the first thing that came to my mind was...
"Can I have?"
Not to keep, but to hold, to nurture, to love, to watch her grow and maybe be a teacher to this Tiny Little Girl!!

A Tiny License Plate

2008-11-11T21:41:00.003-05:00

Two of our cars sport license plates that identify my college of choice as The University of Tennessee. I got the plate " 8T6VOL" when I first moved to Virginia and it has been on the pre-baby sporty car, the mini van, the suv and is now on the car Bob drives. The other plate "UTVOL86" ( notice the clever use of the Great Seal of Virginia as the letter O, thanks to Larry Haun for this trick!) is on my convertible. Fun to drive, especially on a summer evening, driving home at dusk, the smell of fresh cut grass drifing by.
Anyway, someone asked me if I was going to change my plates in light of the disappointing football season this year. I was a little surprised by the question, because anyone who knows me, knows that I am not very athletic and didn't play football then or now, so I can't really take credit or blame for their record this year or any other year.
And, surprisingly, did not pick UT as my school of choice because of their football team! Or because I look so good in the color orange!
So, my loyalties are not tied to a school with a great team, a lovely campus or a cute mascot. My loyalties are tied to a school where I got an incredible education, made some life long friends and learned how to stand on my own.
I am thankful to my parents for making this possible, grateful indeed!
So, tag my car that I am a VOL, tag me as a Franklin, as an Edwards, as a Baptist, as a mom, as a friend, as a wife, as a daughter, as a sister, as an aunt, as a artist and I will remain loyal to those who have tagged me! Tag you're it!

A Tiny Silver Bus

2008-11-08T21:18:00.003-05:00

I got a phone call yesterday that one of our friends was moving to Iowa in just a couple of hours. This family came to Fredericksburg from a refugee camp in the Congo almost two years ago. There is Sebastian, the dad, Nantoori, the mom, David, the oldest son, Emmanuel, the 19 year old son, Nanziza, the 12 year old daughter and Irakoze, the 6 year old son.
Sebastian and David have worked very hard, but our town has a really high cost of living ( being so close to D.C.) and it is hard for newcomer families to get ahead. Emmanuel, Nanziza and Irakoze are in school, learning English, making friends. Nanziza was in the Sunday School Class I taught last year and is an amazing young lady. Irakoze played on his first soccer team, The Rush, this fall and I loved to watch him play.
Emmanuel is a senior in high school and went to Passport Camp with our FBC youth group this summer and he and Chelsea have become great friends. They went to the Homecoming Dance at FA a few weeks ago and had lots of fun together.
So, when I got a call that Sebastian and Emmanuel were leaving to go to Iowa, with the rest of the family following in a couple of months, I was stunned. Sebastian has a cousin in Des Moines, had gone there and found a job and it was time for a change.
I picked up Chelsea and went to their house after school to see them. Another friend, Thomas, translated Sebastian's words to me. That he loved the people in Fredericksburg, that he loved his friends, but he needed to go where he could support his family. And while I understand completely why he is going, my heart hurts to see my friends move away.
My heart was breaking as I watched Chelsea saying goodbye to her friend. And as her mom, I wanted to fix it, but I can't.
While we were there, another friend, Faraha, who lives here with her husband and five sons, said she too was going to Iowa...for a visit...and taking the youngest boy, Bosco. That didn't make any sense to me. Why would you ride three days on a bus, stay for five days and then come back. Seemed like an awful lot of traveling for a mom and baby. Later we were told that she was not coming back and the rest of her family was also going to Iowa. Her little boys have taken residence in my heart and I will miss them greatly. Bosco, the sweet baby, who mimics what I say in a funny southern accent. Alexi, who responds to Chelsea like no other, who is sweet and funny and started pre-school a couple of months ago. Manirakisa, who runs and hugs me whenever he sees me and also played soccer this season. Meshack, who lets me help him with his homework and loves to read to me. Wilson, the oldest son, who loves his brothers and takes care of them.
Seeing these friends board A Tiny Silver Bus and head off to a new life is hard. I pray that they will find a good life, meet new friends who will love them and the children as we have and traveling mercies as they begin a new journey.

A Tiny Silver Fork

2008-11-05T15:54:00.002-05:00

Wednesday Night Supper at church. An activity that happens at churches all over the world. A chance to gather with church family in fellowship before going to Bible study classes, children's choir, discussion groups and prayer meeting.
Last Wednesday night, just as Janis, Keith, Mikayla, Judy, Dewey, Amber, Chelsea and I were finishing our meal and getting ready for the next activity, Jeanne stopped by our table and said she had a baby who needed to eat, could Janis take him? And of course, Janis opened her arms and Bosco held her tight. Someone got the high chair, a bowl of fruit, a drink, a fork and he was ready to go! Bosco's mom was sick and he and his four brothers came to church to eat. And they are a part of our family.
I love that we are all a part of God's family and when we sit down together, we become one family.
We share a meal, we share our lives, we share our love for Jesus!!! As I am far away from most of my Franklin Family, I am thankful for my Fredericksburg Family and look forward to fellowship and fun and a tiny silver fork.

A Tiny Sad Face

2008-11-04T23:47:00.003-05:00

Election 2008.
Enough Said.

Phil Fulmer.
Enough Said.

A Tiny Envelope

2008-11-03T21:31:00.005-05:00

Don't you just love to open the mailbox and find a letter,lovingly addressed just to you? Amongst the bills, circulars, political flyers, magazines, and solicitations, s letter pops out, cream colored envelope decorated with a drawing from an artist I love and admire. Gently opening the envelope, a card is revealed. It is a drawing from my niece, Halina. Using my mad skills as an art interpreter, the envelope is showing a house and a self-portrait of Halina, wearing a groovy dress and some kicky heels. The drawing on the card appears to be a picture of me, also wearing a groovy dress and an assortment of bracelets. Or, it might be Grandmother because there is what may be a golf club and golf ball in the picture!
Halina is four, but draws like an older child. Her figures have a torso, but no neck ( that comes later), two legs, two arms, two eyes, a nose, a mouth, hair, feet and fingers. Her people have feet drawn at different levels, depicting walking or action, which gives them perspective.
I think she is pretty talented, has a good use of color and filled the border area.
All in all, a delightful letter!
I like writing letters, sending cards, sharing news with my friends. I like visiting neat stationery stores, the feel of heavy card stock under a fine writing pen.
So, the next time you think about writing a note, instead of an e-mail, pick up your pen, get out your paper, address the envelope, apply your stamp and let your thoughts flow. I am sure the recipient will love opening the mailbox and finding A Tiny Envelope, just from you.

A Tiny Silver Pumpkin

2008-10-30T15:53:00.004-04:00

I love the Fall season. A little football, the leaves on the trees turning yellow, orange and red, the wind blowing through the trees in my backyard, needing a light jacket in the morning ( although I am still wearing sandals!), and of course, a trip to the pumpkin patch.
I always loved going on field trips with Chelsea's classes, visiting the pumpkin patch, running through the field to find the perfect pumpkin. Riding on the big haywagon, sliding on the bales of hay...sneezing, sneezing and sneezing!!!
Once the pumpkin is home, the time comes to decorate...do we carve it or paint it? I've carved them in a simple triangle-eyed jack 'o lantern, I've carved complicated patterns where you put the paper pattern on the pumpkin, poked the holes and carved out the design. ( Hint: If you do this, rub some flour over the holes before carving and the holes will show up better, making it easier to carve!)
Someone ( a four year old)once told me that we are like pumpkins: God scoops out the sloppy stuff and puts his light in us.
But my favorite way to decorate the pumpkins is to paint them. I'll admit this is far more appealing to me because I love to paint and I don't like scooping out the insides!
Our youth group went to Belvedere a couple of weeks ago and brought back pumpkins to paint with the children at church. Some people painted in an abstract style, some painted actual faces, some mixed all of the colors together and scooped the paint on the pumpkin, allowing it to drip down the sides.
No matter what the painting style, the children enjoyed the painting and the drying room was quite a site to behold.
So, this year on Halloween, no matter how you celebrate...trick or treating, haunted houses, football games, greeting little goblins or spending the night at home watching scary movies...have fun, be safe and let your light shine!!!

A Tiny Woven Box

2008-10-24T13:08:00.003-04:00

My dad is having shoulder surgery today. He has an excellent surgeon, the best of care once he gets home, challenging physical therapy and no golf for several months. That's right, no golf for Grandpa Arnie. My dad's "grandparent' name is Grandpa Arnie, a nod to Arnold Palmer, who is also a golfer of some note! His name is Don, but we all call him Arnie.

My dad is also known for his inventiveness. He can see a need, design a product and then go down in the basement and build it. At a young age, he taught me how to hold a hammer, gave me a hammer and let me build things. He taught me how to fix things around the house, letting me help, showing me how to use a wrench, a screwdriver, a drill. I liked to sort the nails, nuts, bolts and washers into jars and buckets on his workbench. He taught me how to sharpen a knife the proper way, which makes me the knife sharpener in our family!

One time, when I was 11, our Girl Scout Troop was having a Father -Daughter Basket Dinner. The idea was that the girls made a dinner, packed it in a basket and the dads bid on the dinner as a way to raise money for the troop. My mom helped me make the dinner, but I didn't have a basket. Not sure what to do, I asked him if he had anything I could use. He said he would look around in the basement. Later, he called me downstairs and showed me what he had made. A box shaped basket, with a plywood base, corner uprights and woven thin pieces of wood. Perfect for carrying a dinner to a party!

That box stayed in my room, filled at different times with stuffed animals, magazines or records. It went to college with me and was filled with drafting supplies for my design classes. Now, 34 years later, the box sits on a bench ( a bench actually made by my sister, Melinda)in my hallway, filled with books, waiting to be read. Something from my dad, made with his hands, invaluable to me. A simple project that told me he loved me and wanted me to have a basket for the dinner. A simple project made with simple tools that reminds me to be inventive, to be creative and to perhaps think outside of the box.

A Tiny Number Four

2008-10-21T16:45:00.003-04:00

Today, our letter for the day was "G" and our number was the number "4".

4 pairs of glasses, 4 green grapes, 4 goldfish crackers, 4 goats, 4 green gum balls...you get the picture. We colored a picture of a girl with green eyes, just like Miss Melanie, played games and drank gatorade.

We counted squares on the floor, tiles in the ceiling, shoes on our feet, bows in our hair and rings on our fingers.

My sister introduced me to an episode of Sesame Street featuring a singer who turned her very popular song into a song about the number 4. Singing time went like this:

"One, two, three, four, monsters walking 'cross the floor"
"Miss Melanie, Miss Melanie"
"Yes, Faines?"
"We no like monsters!"
"Well, it is just a song..."
"No monsters!"

So, we made a new version...
"One, two, three, four, blocks are stacked up on the floor. I like stacking blocks and want to stack some more!"
"One, two, three, four, friends are knocking on the door. I like friends who are knocking on the door."

A little safer than singing about monsters when you are four!

A Tiny Silver Present

2008-10-13T23:13:00.002-04:00

Isn't it fun to receive a present? I know someone who snoops in her husband's desk drawer to look at her Christmas gift. One year, she said that when she saw what he had gotten, she was disappointed and wondered how she could get him to exchange it. A little sad, I guess.

I drove to my parent's house yesterday, an 11 hour trip in the car, alone, on my way home for a funeral. All along the way, I was delighted to find that there were lots of little "gifts" on my journey.

The trees are just starting to change colors, so every once in a while, there would be a blaze of red or orange amidst the green trees. What a gift!

Beautiful purple flowers planted in the median strip. What a gift!

I had my MP3 player on random play and I had lots of fun singing along. What a gift!

The frozen Coke machine was working at the Krystal in Knoxville. What a gift!

I saw a license plate in Knoxville with a "catch phrase" my friend Kimberly and use to greet each other, almost as if she was saying "Hey" to me as I drove along. What a gift!

It was a long drive, but I was driving in a car that is fun to drive! What a gift!

It was a beautiful, bright, sunny day with no rain. What a gift!

When I drove into my mom's driveway, my sister and her family were there to greet me! What a gift!

So, yesterday's gifts were not tangible, well, except for the frozen Coke (!), but I enjoyed each one as the were presented to me. Just some tiny little presents that made my day better. What a gift!

A Tiny Book

2008-10-10T21:09:00.009-04:00

I love to read. I love a good story, a beginning, an ending, some back story, some fore shadowing, all of it. A friend introduced me to www.shelfari.com which is an on-line bookshelf where one can post books they have read, books they own, books they are planning to read, reviews, and reading groups. It is a fun way to keep up with your reading list.

I started a reading log in 2000 because I found that I read so many books so quickly, that I would buy the same books, not remembering the title, at times. Looking back at the log, I remember the summer I read ( and re-read) all of the books written by Madeleine L'Engle. All of them, from juvenile fiction to journals to poetry. She is one of my favorite authors and when I recommended "A Wrinkle in Time" to a friend when I was 12, only to be told she thought the book was weird, I was not swayed, but continued to read everything I could find.

Last week I re-read "The Secret Life of Bees" and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. It has been made into a movie, which may or may not capture the spirit of the book, but if you have a chance, read the book. Read a book, any book, read to your children, and if you really like the book you are reading, tell someone. Share the adventure.

Happy Reading!

A Tiny Crayon

2008-10-09T23:09:00.003-04:00

Our church is fortunate to host ESL classes two days a week. There are about 25 children who accompany their parents to the classes. There are tiny babies, toddlers and pre school aged children. Call it a God moment, but the first day of class, having a little extra time on my hands, I stopped by the church to see if they needed an extra pair of hands to help with the children. Some of the children participated in the day camp where I volunteered this summer, so I was excited to see them. Some of the children were playing with toys, several were crying and a few were sitting over by the wall, with wide eyes, taking it all in. After a few days of this, my friend Courtney and I thought we might take the older children into the next room and work on some simple learning skills. Learning the alphabet, counting to 10, recognizing colors and shapes and maybe sing a song or two.

Courtney printed off some coloring sheets, I brought some simple books and flash cards and our version of preschool was born! Each morning, I cover the table with paper, write the letter of the day in front of each place, write their names and draw some simple shapes. When the children come in, they eagerly reach into the box of crayons for their favorite color and trace the letters, find their names, circle all of the letter e's ( we all have an e in our names)and draw anything we can think of. We especially like to trace our hands. Sometimes we make shapes using craft sticks ( thank you, Melinda, for that idea!) We spend time in the play room and have a snack, hear a story and sing some songs. We really like to sing "The Wheels On the Bus", but then again, who doesn't?!

While volunteering a little time a couple of times a week with 7 or 8 children may not seem like an important way to spend time to some people, I think it may just be where God wants me to be right now. And when I go back to work, I will have to trade my crayons for a nice black pen, but until then, I will be in the moment with Jeta, Miguel, Angel, Lalo-Edwardo, Renesse, Estella and Faines and color with my carnation pink crayon.

A Tiny Class Ring

2008-10-09T00:45:00.003-04:00

My daughter brought home an order form for her class ring today. Her class ring?! One more sign that her high school career is on the other side of the mountain. I remember when the Class of 1981 gathered around the tables in the lobby of Franklin High School. Our school colors were maroon and gray, making the garnet stone a popular choice. I wanted the emerald stone because green was my favorite color and if I was choosing one today, I would still pick the green stone. My ring sits in my jewelry box, tucked away, probably seldom worn after high school, but a favorite memento none the less.

Exciting times at our house, ordering a class ring, a yearbook, spirit week, homecoming games and the dance on Saturday. Milestones and memories and a tiny class ring.

A Tiny Silver Telephone

2008-10-07T22:49:00.004-04:00

Several times this year I have have the opportunity to reconnect with people I knew long ago in a far away land! My youth group from Junior/Senior High at Woodmont Baptist Church had a reunion in May, Co-workers from my first job in Virginia got together several weeks ago and just this week, I heard from a college friend who I have not talked to in 22 years and a high school/college friend who I haven't seen in about 5 years. So forgive me if I am feeling a bit nostalgic, but thanks to these connections, I have been able to visit some wonderful memories and catch up on my now grown up friends!
Thanks to e-mail, myspace, facebook, classmates.com, etc., the possiblities to find old friends and reconnect seems endless. I never know who will pop up on my screen saying...remember me? And what a wonderful gift this can be.

So, if you are wondering where they are, what are they doing or you just want to say hello, find them and use that tiny silver telephone!

A Tiny Silver Car

2008-10-06T15:49:00.002-04:00

A court summons came in the mail. My presence was requested on a Monday morning in the fall. The day had come for my daughter to receive her actual drivers license. In Virginia, the final step in the licensing process is to appear before the judge, who explains the rules and responsibilities that go along with having driving privileges, shows a series of graphic slides of actual car accidents ( of teen aged drivers) in our area and reminds the parent that they have the authority to take away the license if they so choose.

As I watched the slide show, set to a popular song, the images made me want to shut my eyes or get up and leave. As tears collected at the corner of my eye, my daughter reached over and put her arm around my shoulder, offering comfort. A moment before, the photos were making me think of those children and their parents and the phone calls they must have gotten in the night. Now, it really hit me that those children were just like mine, excited about the freedoms that come along with driving and being able to run an errand or drive alone to school. But on that particular fateful day, they had perhaps made the simplest of errors in judgement that led to the accident.

A deputy had given the license to me as we entered the court room and the final words of the judge were that it was our, the parents, responsibilty to give the license to our child. I saw one boy take the folded paper from his father, tear off the license and put it in his pocket. But most parents, like me, left the court room with the folded paper clutched tightly in their hand.

When we got to the car, I gave it to my husband and as he handed it to her, I took a photo. They were both grinning on that sunny morning, looking like sweepstakes winners, ready to get on with the day. I wanted to stand in that parking lot and make time stop, not quite ready to watch her drive off in a tiny silver car.

A Tiny Pair of Scissors

2008-10-02T22:23:00.005-04:00

Yesterday, I cut sheets of paper into 1" squares, preparing to make another paper quilt. I liked how the first one turned out, it featured a cross design in the center. I made another one of the alphabet to use as the ESL preschool class. The children especially like counting the buttons, calling out the colors, tracing the letters with one pointed finger.

I like the challenge of the layout, mixing colors, patterns and directions. I like bold sassy colors. The next one will be pink and green toile, dots and stripes. There is something really satisfying about repeating shapes, letting a pattern emerge in the overall design. Many tiny cuts make one big quilt.