And more crocus!
Friday, March 31, 2006
Crocus!
Glimpses of Spring
-Gradual lengthening of daylight.
-Unpredictable spring weather.
-A hint of green in the lawns.
-Crocus blooming.
-Miscellaneous green shoots beginning to appear
(daffodils, tulips, lupine,daylilies).
-Meadowlarks practicing vocals on fence posts.
-Water in the irrigation ditch behind our house.
These first glimpses of spring always lift my spirits. I'm ready to shed my coat and come out of winter hibernation. My soul is once again in need of the warm sunshine. I'm beginning to anticipate the longer days and again working outside
---playing in the dirt. I can’t wait to hang my porch swing and plant a few pots of geraniums.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Mama Always Said...
"Always wear clean underwear!" my mother admonished.
I think all moms of her generation gave out that same admonition to their daughters. Do you suppose that their mothers gave them this same advice? It may be an important part of hygiene to wear clean underwear, but to be truthful, I've never figured out why it was so important to have on clean underwear if you were in an accident!
No matter how far removed we are from childhood, most of us can readily recall the words of our mamas, whether it was silly or sound advice—or harsh criticism. I still remember some of the things my mother always said. I was listening—perhaps more than she thought I was.
"Never date someone you know you wouldn't want to marry," my mom advised. As a teen-ager, I listened half-heartedly to her advice. My mom thought that there wasn't any sense wasting time in relationships that had no future. She also knew it was too easy to make personal compromises if a relationship became comfortable. Furthermore, she believed there was a risk of marrying someone that you never even intended to get serious about.
Actually, my mother's advice was quite good. It gave me the courage to break up with someone that I dated in high school. I came to realized that this person was not someone that I would want to marry. Our ideals, goals, hopes, and dreams didn't match. Even though this was a difficult choice at the time, it was one of the many forks in the road of life in which I "took the road less traveled" and later was grateful for my choice.
As I raised my three children, I basically passed on the same philosophy. I don't know if I ever actually verbalized my mother's exact words, but I gave them the same general message. I was never in favor of dating just for the sake of having someone to date. It will be interesting for me to observe whether this same message will be imparted to their children.
"Learn by experience—someone else's." My mother often said these words. She believed that if we were observant of others and their experiences, we could avoid having to learn many of life's difficult lessons first hand. She wanted us to carefully observe the consequences that others experienced because of their poor choices, as well as their rewards for wise choices. What can I say? I definitely agree with this morsel of wisdom. In fact, I'm going to use this same advice as part of the introduction to a speech I'm preparing. Sharing some of my personal experiences may help others to avoid a few of life's potholes.
"Make your bed as soon as you get up."
"Do the dishes as soon as the meal is over."
I suppose there was nothing wrong with that advice. However, I have to admit I don't follow either one with any regularity. I've given up feeling guilty that I don't. Sometimes someone is still in my bed when I get up. It's unusually difficult to make a bed with a body in it! Even if there wasn't, it just isn't a priority for me.
The same is true with the dishes. From my perspective, doing them once a day is adequate. When I die, will anyone care one way or the other whether my bed was made every day and that my dishes were always done? Sorry, Mother, I’m not convinced!
What I am convinced of, however, is that the words mothers say to their children have a profound impact both positively and negatively. Somehow a mother's words are indelibly written on the hearts of her children. Long after childhood, her voice is still heard. Some spend years trying to quiet the voice of criticism and derision, while others find immense comfort and direction.
I wonder what words my children remember now that they are grown. What tape recordings of my voice do they hear? Hopefully, they will cast aside that which is not positive or helpful and keep only that which is a blessing and benefit to them.
It's been interesting for some of my "sayings" to come back to me as my children have attempted to encourage me. When I started college in my mid-forties, my youngest daughter used the exact phrases that I had often told her to help me with my trepidation. After she recited all of my advice back to me, she smiled and said, “You didn’t think I was listening, did you?”
As you think of your mother, what words do you hear? What advice do you remember? One friend of mine said that her mom was forever reminding her to make sure to keep the lace paper dollies straight when serving guests.
Regardless of what we remember, may we all be reminded of the need to weigh our words and the tone of our words carefully.
I think all moms of her generation gave out that same admonition to their daughters. Do you suppose that their mothers gave them this same advice? It may be an important part of hygiene to wear clean underwear, but to be truthful, I've never figured out why it was so important to have on clean underwear if you were in an accident!
No matter how far removed we are from childhood, most of us can readily recall the words of our mamas, whether it was silly or sound advice—or harsh criticism. I still remember some of the things my mother always said. I was listening—perhaps more than she thought I was.
"Never date someone you know you wouldn't want to marry," my mom advised. As a teen-ager, I listened half-heartedly to her advice. My mom thought that there wasn't any sense wasting time in relationships that had no future. She also knew it was too easy to make personal compromises if a relationship became comfortable. Furthermore, she believed there was a risk of marrying someone that you never even intended to get serious about.
Actually, my mother's advice was quite good. It gave me the courage to break up with someone that I dated in high school. I came to realized that this person was not someone that I would want to marry. Our ideals, goals, hopes, and dreams didn't match. Even though this was a difficult choice at the time, it was one of the many forks in the road of life in which I "took the road less traveled" and later was grateful for my choice.
As I raised my three children, I basically passed on the same philosophy. I don't know if I ever actually verbalized my mother's exact words, but I gave them the same general message. I was never in favor of dating just for the sake of having someone to date. It will be interesting for me to observe whether this same message will be imparted to their children.
"Learn by experience—someone else's." My mother often said these words. She believed that if we were observant of others and their experiences, we could avoid having to learn many of life's difficult lessons first hand. She wanted us to carefully observe the consequences that others experienced because of their poor choices, as well as their rewards for wise choices. What can I say? I definitely agree with this morsel of wisdom. In fact, I'm going to use this same advice as part of the introduction to a speech I'm preparing. Sharing some of my personal experiences may help others to avoid a few of life's potholes.
"Make your bed as soon as you get up."
"Do the dishes as soon as the meal is over."
I suppose there was nothing wrong with that advice. However, I have to admit I don't follow either one with any regularity. I've given up feeling guilty that I don't. Sometimes someone is still in my bed when I get up. It's unusually difficult to make a bed with a body in it! Even if there wasn't, it just isn't a priority for me.
The same is true with the dishes. From my perspective, doing them once a day is adequate. When I die, will anyone care one way or the other whether my bed was made every day and that my dishes were always done? Sorry, Mother, I’m not convinced!
What I am convinced of, however, is that the words mothers say to their children have a profound impact both positively and negatively. Somehow a mother's words are indelibly written on the hearts of her children. Long after childhood, her voice is still heard. Some spend years trying to quiet the voice of criticism and derision, while others find immense comfort and direction.
I wonder what words my children remember now that they are grown. What tape recordings of my voice do they hear? Hopefully, they will cast aside that which is not positive or helpful and keep only that which is a blessing and benefit to them.
It's been interesting for some of my "sayings" to come back to me as my children have attempted to encourage me. When I started college in my mid-forties, my youngest daughter used the exact phrases that I had often told her to help me with my trepidation. After she recited all of my advice back to me, she smiled and said, “You didn’t think I was listening, did you?”
As you think of your mother, what words do you hear? What advice do you remember? One friend of mine said that her mom was forever reminding her to make sure to keep the lace paper dollies straight when serving guests.
Regardless of what we remember, may we all be reminded of the need to weigh our words and the tone of our words carefully.
Proverbs 25:11. "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
(c) Marlene Depler
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Pink March Sunrise
The sunrise this morning was a beautiful concrast to the fresh dusting of snow. (This was the view out my kitchen window a few minutes ago.) Just a few days ago the temparature was in the 60s (F)! Our spring snows always melt quickly, so it won't be cold long. My crocus bulbs are blooming. Yeah, spring!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Granddaughter
Here is a poem I wrote when my first granddaughter (Alicia) was two years old. It also seemed fitting for my second granddaughter (Rachel) at two. Now I will have to wait a couple of years to see if this poem fits Laura. (I always thought I would get a poem done for grandsons, but so far I haven't managed to get it done!)
(c) 1998 Marlene Depler
A miniature of perfection,
Spontaneous warmth and affection.
Such delicate sweetness,
Inhibition not her weakness.
Excited. Curious. Playful.
Each expression so delightful.
Always asking, "Why?" "Why?" "Why?"
Sometimes pretending to be shy.
Reading books and singing songs.
Constant chatter all day long.
Lots of hugs and lots of kisses.
Buttons and bows on her dresses.
Ice cream is her favorite treat.
What she hears, she will repeat.
Filled with magic and with wonder.
Barefoot all throughout the summer.
Perhaps I have been beguiled
By this two-year old grandchild.
(c) 1998 Marlene Depler
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