10/23/2007

Virginia Firebrand

He loves the smell of leaves in Fall
He loves Jesus most of all
With eyes ablaze, a voice that booms
He brings conviction to the room

He says we ought to go to prayer
He goes to Washington...Beware!
His daughters play the violin
He thunders loud, “Depart from sin!”

10/11/2007

Urge for Going

I woke up today to find
A frost perched on the town
It hovered on a frozen sky
And gobbled summer down
And when the sun turned traitor cold
And naked trees are standing in a shivering row

I get the urge for going
But I never seem to go
Yes, I get the urge for going
When meadow grass is turning brown
And summertime is falling down
And winter closing in

I had a girl in summertime
With summer-colored skin
And not another man in town
My darling's heart could win
But when the leaves came trembling down
And bully winds did push their faces in the snow

She got the urge for going
And I had to let her go
Yes, she got the urge for going
When meadow grass was turning brown
And summertime was falling down
And winter closing in

The warriors of winter
Give a cold, triumphant shout
And all that stays is dying
All that lives is getting out
See the geese in chevron flight
Straining and a flapping on before the snow

They’ve got the urge for going
And they’ve got the wings to go
Yes, they get the urge for going
When meadow grass is turning brown
And summertime is falling down
And winter closing in

I'll ply the fire with kindling
Pull the blankets to my chin
I'll lock the vagrant winter out
And bolt my wandering in
I'd like to call back summertime
And have her stay for just another month or so

But she's got the urge for going
And I guess she'll have to go
Yes, she gets the urge for going
When meadow grass is turning brown
And all her empire is falling down
And winter closing in.

Joni Mitchell
Dave Von Ronk version

10/10/2007

Blue Skies

Yesterday I took a walk at Culver Academies. What a gorgeous day! The sky was clear blue; not a cloud in the sky. Lake Maxinkuckee was shimmering in the sunshine; autumn foliage beginning to be brilliant. I visited the Huffington Library overlooking the lake. I plan to write from this “Inspiration Point.”

I also visited the horse barn. The indoor arena is undergoing renovation. Thomas, the black Friesian, greeted me at his stall door. He is my favorite, although there is a new Friesian named Zoolander just as beautiful. These horses are worth over $50,000 I have heard. They were donated. I am seeking the LORD about working with the horses at Culver part time. I am also considering donating my Haflingers. They would have a good home and I would enjoy seeing children ride them. Culver Academies consists of Culver Military Academy and Culver Girls’ Academy, college prep schools. My grandson, Austin, attended summer camp here and looks forward to attending next summer.

Pat and I and our two young children used to live just a mile from this place in 1977-78. I used to enjoy hearing the lap of the rippling current from my bedroom window at 802 Lake Shore Drive.

Blue Skies....reminds me of my dad’s sailboat. That was the name of his favorite sailboat. He used to race sailboats (Hustler and Indian class) at Squantum Yacht Club, Wollaston, Massachusetts. Blue was Dad’s favorite color. He often wore dark blue sweaters and light blue shirts. On summer evenings, we would sit outside at 1 North Central Avenue looking up at the blue sky. Dad taught me the names of the different types of clouds and I did a report on Clouds for a junior high class. I still enjoy blue skies and cloud formations.

Blue Skies....reminds me of this poem by Annie J. Flint (1919)...a favorite of mine:

What God Hath Promised

God hath not promised skies always blue,
Flower strewn pathways all our lives through;
God hath not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God hath not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain rocky and steep,
Never a river turbid and deep.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

*********************************************

10/07/2007

Sukkot Joy

Feast of Tabernacles 2007 was partly joyful. Pat helped me build our “suggest-a-sukkah” which consists of a few oak branches forming the foundation of a sukkah at my “prayer closet in the woods” where other Sukkot celebrations have been held in the past with family and friends. Interest has waned over the years as the grandchildren got older and no one we know locally embraced the Messianic/Torah perspective.

I sang this silly “Sukkot Song” I made up....

We come a-rejoicing
Boughs of goodly trees we bring
We will dance and sing
Feast of Tabernacles
O hear the fire crackle.

I am feasting all alone
In my woods, at my home
Wishing for some other friends
To be feasting with me
.................................

[After a settled squabble...]

I’m not feasting all alone
In my woods, at my home
“Bring a chair, Take II” I said
Pat says he is coming
Well now my heart is humming.


After the brief squabble in which the RV was parked out front for sale, Pat and I took it to Potato Creek State Park for part of three days. It was enjoyable. We rode bikes. Pat fished with our grandson, Dakota. I hiked a beautiful trail. We read Scripture. We met a nice man and had a pleasant conversation. How wonderful it would be if the campground were filled with like-minded believers next year, with special speakers at the “Campground Circle” and lots of kosher fun, kosher food, and the laughter of children. I can only hope.

Sukkot Sorrow

Well, it did not happen. Tabernacles 2007 has ended....and a certain gentle, polite, godly young wordsmith did not push his somewhat eccentric yet faithful friend on the swing in the woods while talking of Torah. That man did not manifest as hoped. Delightful children did not dot my campground with laughter and song. Twin spirits did not collaborate and become partners in rhyme. Stimulating conversations and theological discussions among like-minded friends did not transpire.

Maybe next year...LORD willing.