Posts Tagged ‘Family Life’

Mommy: Do you like my new polka-dot pajamas?

Elijah: No.

As much as I admire honesty, perhaps I should teach the boy some tact before he gets married. While I’m at it, I might also consider giving him a bit of advice regarding his own wardrobe selections.

What do you think?

I recently read an interesting article regarding organic, fair trade clothing. Having had an interest for several years in the health benefits of living a more natural lifestyle, I have stood on the fringes of the “go-green” movement, watching in dismay as the green elite step off their private jets with their evian and tell us all to use one square of toilet paper and buy organic apples for $4 a pound. If you preach green and you live like Ed Begley,Jr. or Bill Nye the Science Guy, you have my respect. If you preach green and leave the practice of it to others…not so much.

One word: balance. Okay, two more words: common sense.

As a Christian, I do not worship the earth, as some seem inclined to do. I am aware of the Biblical prophesies regarding the earth’s future and know that we cannot “save the planet” per se, just as we cannot eliminate poverty. Nevertheless, I am equally aware that this planet is a gift from God for our use, and with that gift comes a level of responsibility. It is our duty to care for God’s creation…but not worship it, not see it as the be-all and end-all of Christian existence. Praise the Creator, appreciate the creation. Read the rest of this entry »

It has been gloomy here in our desert. The sky has been grey and cheerless, the mountains obscured by listless clouds seemingly reaching to the earth. Living almost constantly under the cheering influence of the sun, we desert-dwellers suffer a bit of enviro-shock when its warming rays are missing. With the darkening of the skies comes the darkening of the mood.  We grow tense, morose, and dilatory. It’s pathetic, I know, this micro-version of seasonal anxiety disorder, but, hey, nobody ever said you had to be tough to live in the desert with air-conditioning!

I liken the gloomy effects of an overcast day to the contagious results of a mother’s countenance.  Like most overused sayings, the expression “if Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” is grounded in the basic truths of a mother’s influence. Mother’s smile, kind word, or loving caress spreads peace over her brood, but equally as potent is Mother’s frown, sharp rebuke, or impatient gesture. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the simple joys of homeschooling is that my family spends a lot (and I mean a lot) of time together. This constant togetherness provides numerous opportunities for impromptu lessons.  I remember one such lesson in particular, a study in vocabulary.

While driving home from an appointment, my then six-year-old Elisabeth asked for the specific definition of the word “deflating.”  (She likes to confirm the definitions of words she is already using.  Better late than never.) I explained that deflating is when a person’s joy or energy seems to be leaking out or when the air comes out of something.

Pleased with myself for presenting such a simple, yet all-encompassing explanation, I was even more delighted with Elisabeth for her mature intelligence.  A quick glance in the rearview mirror assured me that, indeed, her “gears” were turning.

Confirming in her matter-of-fact way that the definition had, in a sense, sunk in, she said, “Oh, like pooting. You’d better open the window, ‘cuz I’m deflating.”

After I went out on a limb and explained why my Beloved does not give me chocolate, what do you suppose he did for the first time ever on Valentine’s Day? You guessed it. He presented me with a big, beautiful box of chocolate.  Ha ha ha! It’s pretty safe giving me chocolate these days, since I’m good at sharing, and the box has been pilfered by everyone.  I think there is one turtle left, so I’d best get it before…oops…too late.

Have you ever dared to venture to the store on Valentine’s Day? It’s very amusing and pathetically sad at the same time. Valentine’s Day is one day when the men vastly outnumber the women in the store. Almost every one of these men is trying to find something, anything that is red, heart-shaped, cuddly or sweet to give to the woman in his life to appease her until next Valentine’s Day. Most of them look confused, some resigned, others annoyed. Why are they there? Because society tells them they have to show their love on this day above all others. It’s pitiful actually. (Never mind that my own dear husband is at the store right now! He’s buying a router…and not in the shape of a heart.)

I remember from years ago in my waitressing days a threat made by the restaurant owner’s twenty-something daughter. She fumed that her “significant other” better make a good showing at Valentine’s Day or it was over…again. I asked her what she had in mind, not particularly wanting to know the answer, but not having an escape route at the time. (Life lesson, always have an escape route!) She showed me the catalog she had been carrying around with her all week. She pointed an adamant finger (can fingers be adamant? I think so!) at a rather garish piece of jewelry with a shocking price tag of $349. The poor man. I hope he ran while he still could.

My husband and I wear silver bands on the ring fingers of our left hands. We purchased them together at a small jewelry stand at a Renaissance Fair in Illinois. We never can come to a consensus on what they actually cost. I say $30 for the set. He says $20. At the time, it was a lot of money for us. We have in the past discussed getting gold rings with diamonds and other frills, but then we laugh, rub our rings on our jeans a bit to shine them up, and go on living. Read the rest of this entry »

Years ago I told my then newlywed husband that I would follow him anywhere except the desert. While some people love the desert and others think–say it with me–”it’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there,” I did not even want to visit. I did not want so much as to see it on television. I’d been there a few times and had enough!

The Lord tested my loyalty. Apparently, I passed the test, because we moved to the desert three years into our marriage, and we have been here ever since. Read the rest of this entry »