Very Big and Very Small

My husband and I just returned from a vacation with our son and his family. We went to the coast of Oregon and then to Northern California to see the giant redwoods. This is my third time to see these mammoth trees, and yet their size still amazes me. It was fun to share this natural wonder with two of our grandchildren. The trees are quite the contrast with the smallest harbor! Enjoy the photos!

The world's smallest working harbor is in Depot Bay, Oregon. Quite a contrast from the Giant Redwoods!

Coming to My Senses

By Marlene Depler


Yesterday morning we were blessed with light showers. By afternoon the sun appeared, so I decided to squeeze in a walk even though I was busy doing laundry and housework. I headed out the door with a myriad of thoughts running through my mind.

Step by step my senses gradually came alive. The fragrant sweetness of the late-blooming Japanese lilacs awakened my sense of smell. Then the aroma of something freshly baked wafted from one of the homes I passed. Brown sugar and cinnamon, I thought. I was tempted to stop in and ask for a taste.

It wasn’t long before I noticed the hum of a lawnmower along with various tweet, tweets and chirp, chirps. Then there was the whir of tires on pavement as cars headed toward home at the end of a work week, and a train whistle in the distance.

My eyes couldn’t miss the giant pink and white blooms on the peonies, the little puffy clouds that looked like tufts of cotton, or the beautiful blue of the sky. I examined every yard for anything and everything that was blooming.

The sun warmed my skin. I reached out to touch the soft new green growth on a pine tree.

Yes, little by little I came to my senses. And as I did, my appreciation for those senses increased. I was reminded to experience life fully by enlisting each of those senses.

Perhaps you need a gentle reminder to do the same.

Everything Pink---Well, Almost!

I had to laugh at myself yesterday when I was hanging up my shirts from the laundry at all the shades of pink, burgundy, and red with a little lavender thrown in for good measure!!! While I do admit that every shade of pink imaginable can be found in my closet, I really do where other colors, such as blue, red, purple, black, white, green, and yellow.

Next time I shop I will try to branch out a little more!

Remembering

By Marlene Depler



I listen to the cricket chorus
and the crickets beckon me
to a time that was
and never more shall be—
when sultry summer days
seemed to last forever
mud pies, marbles, jacks,
dill pickles and blackberry cobbler
dangling bare feet that didn’t reach the floor

I hear the call of the whippoorwill
And I am transported
to days and years that where
and never more shall be—
open windows, oscillating fans
banging screen doors
barefoot in cotton dresses
hide and seek with cousins
catching fireflies, and oh, those chiggers

My heart cries out when I’m alone,
longing for my mother.
She cannot answer me.
I yearn for all the days that were
and never more shall be—
fresh baked bread after school
her floral house dresses
her gentle hands and listening ear
a heart that cared more than I knew

I call out to God and He whispers back to me,
Reminding me of what now is and what is yet to be.

(c) Marlene Depler (Authors permission required to publish or reprint in any form)

Note: My mother died six years ago. Life support was removed on Mother's Day, so I always think of her today with sadness and joy intermingled.

Allured by Spring

My new hanging basket! I can see it from my kitchen window!



Lilacs are in full bloom! The fragrance is amazing!


It has been way too long since I posted! My apologies. I shall try to do better.

First, my husband and I went to Missouri to visit my dad and his wife, as well as my oldest sister and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Then when I returned, I was allured outside by spring! Couldn't help myself!

The days have been sunny and beautiful, so I have been pruning roses, planting my garden, and anything else I can find to do to stay outside. I love to visit the various garden centers and nurseries this time of year. The colors of blooming things are intoxicating.

The bird baths are filled with fresh water. My porch swing is hanging on the front porch. Want to stop by for lemonade or iced tea?

You Can't Journal Wrong!

Photo of my current journal

By Marlene Depler


I've lost count of my futile attempts at journaling. In my adolescent years, I started several diaries. After detailing a few monotonous days or my latest crush on some boy, I soon tossed the diary into a drawer and promptly forgot about it.

As an adult I tried numerous times to capture a portion of my life on the pages of a journal. Once again my attempts tuned into unsuccessful endeavors. For a few weeks or a few months at best, I managed to write every day. But life happened—things like having a baby or moving to another state. I missed a few days that turned into months. Eventually, I gave up—temporarily that is—until my next fitful attempt. Over time I quit trying altogether.

For many years I made no effort to journal. That is until I heard Luci Shaw say, "You can't journal wrong!"

Her statement led me to approach journaling in a new way. Keeping a journal has become a rewarding and sustainable experience. But first, I had to confront the misconceptions about journaling that had sabotaged my success.

Misconception 1: Journals must be kept the right way.

I unknowingly believed there was a right way and a wrong way to keep a journal. I just couldn't quite decide what the right way was. There were so many types of journals—travel journals, gardening journals, prayer journals, etc. What kind of a journal should I keep? What topics should I write about in my journal?

I didn't know the right formula. This belief was rooted in the black-and-white thinking that often accompanies perfectionism. The way in which a person chooses to journal is not right or wrong. It is strictly a personal choice that may change from day to day and year to year as we grow and change. We are free to include or exclude anything we choose without being rigid.

So as I began to journal once again, I often reminded myself, You can't journal wrong! Now I include anything I choose in my journal. I write observations and reflections about life or nature. I sometimes complain and sometimes I dream. Writing ideas germinate sometimes before I even realize a seed was planted.

I pen heartfelt prayers and questions for which I currently have no answers. I talk about my feelings, thoughts, and struggles. I give a voice to both joy and sorrow. Humorous things my grandchildren say and do make their way onto the page. I include meaningful quotations from books or even friends. I no longer worry about whether it is right. My journal is simply whatever I want it to be on any given day.

Misconception 2: One must journal everyday.

Another misconception I held was that I MUST write every day—no exceptions. This belief set me up for failure. It didn't allow for real life with all its uncertainties and interruptions. If I missed a few days or weeks, I gave up. Now I just return and jump right in. It's OK if a few gaps occur.

I now view my journal more like a friend or companion. Sometimes I confide in my journal more than once a day. When I have been away for a few days, I can't wait to spend time with this friend. I write when I choose to, not because I must.

Misconception 3: Entries must be error-free.

If I was to journal successfully, I needed to discard my compulsion for "error-free" entries. It may be normal to desire a certain degree of neatness, but I had to learn to live with a few misspelled words, grammatical errors, and crossed-out sentences. Of course, I attempt to write well, but if I make a few mistakes, so what? After all, I'm human! I might as well embrace my humanity and allow for some imperfection. So now, if I make some type of mistake, I draw a line through it and move on.

Discarding my tendencies toward perfectionism has made sustained journaling attainable for me. And journaling has enabled me to live and write more fully. It has become a richly satisfying experience.

For others who may be considering a whirl at journaling, I highly recommend it—that is if you are willing to give up your misconceptions—and your perfectionism. Remember, "You can't journal wrong!"

(c) Marlene Depler

To publish in any form, permission must be granted by author.

Motley Friends

Just a few of my favorite books!

MOTLEY FRIENDS
By Marlene Depler

Companions old and new;
tall and short, thick and thin.
Some don jackets, colorful and bold;
the attire of others—simple and plain.
Well-known and obscure,
yet each a friend to me.

Standing in rows, leaning, or stacked,
both hardback and paperback;
fiction and non-fiction;
favorite children's books-
first read to my children-
now to my children's children.

A world without books—who could imagine?
No Holy Scriptures, no C. S. Lewis,
no Harriot, no Hemingway,
no Dr. Suess, no Robert Frost;
no feasts of syllables and sentences;
no food for soul and spirit.

For the printed word, I'm grateful—
the various volumes in my possession:
cookbooks to commentaries,
thesaurus and assorted travel books
on castles, catacombs, cathedrals,
Paris, Pompeii, and Pearl Harbor.

These books reflect who I was,
who I am now, who I am becoming.
Each mirror a part of me—
where I have been and what I know.
If you know the company I keep,
you will also know me.

(c) Marlene Depler (Must have author's permission to reprint in any form.)

Bear with Me

I have been in the hospital with pneumonia. I'm home now, but please bear with me while I recupperate and say "good-bye" to my daughter and her family as they leave for Bosnia. I'll be back soon.

Marlene

Bring on Spring!

Swollen buds on my lilac bushes.

First tips of crocus amidst some dead leaves.

Daffodils shoots in my rose bed.

Weeds always show up! But at least they are a sign of spring!

Nothing like a nasty cold and cough to make me ready for spring! (I have coughed until my muscles all ache. And I have taken more drops and teas and concoctions than I care to innumerate.) Then we have had so much more snow this winter than normal. I think we had snow at least once a week for eight weeks straight---some of them were biggies.

Yes, bring on spring! I am ready for green grass and leaves. I am ready for blooming bulbs in assorted colors.I am ready for warm sunshine streaming in my east windows. I want to walk in the fresh air and talk to my neighbors. I want to shed the heavy coats and turtlenecks.

I'm delighted to begin noticing the first signs of spring. The daylight lasts longer. The daffodils and crocus bulbs are pushing up out of the soil. Buds are swelling on the tips of my lilac bush. I see a hint of green in the lawn. These little traces all give me hope for what lies ahead.

I think we all need something to look forward to. Anticipation gives us the spark of hope that moves us forward. Maybe you are like me, awaiting the arrival of spring. Or perhaps you are anticipaiting a trip, lunch with a friend, or finishing a some project. Regardless of whether these things are big or small, we must cherish them, knowing that they infuse us with a small morsel of hope and joyful anticipation.

In a little over a week, I will once again be saying "good-bye" to my oldest daughter, her husband, and their three darling children as they return to Bosnia. Now that---I am NOT looking forward too. I hate how much that hurts a grandma's heart! In spite of this difficult hurdle in my near future, I am trying to find things to look forward to after that. Perhaps a little anticipation in other areas of my life will get me beyond the feelings of loss.

Blessing to all of you!
Marlene

Great Slideshow of U.S.

Check out this website: http://oldbluewebdesigns.com/mybeautifulamerica.htm

It has wonderful photographs of the United States. You can take a great trip without ever leaving home. I truly enjoyed this slide show, so I wanted to share it with you.

First Birthday

Laura, our youngest granddaughter, turns one!

Little ones learn so much in their first year of life. It is exciting to watch them grow and change. It is an opportunity for us to once again attempt to see the world through their eyes. If only we could hold on to their sense of wonder and their excitement over the simplest things.

Seize every opportunity to see the world through the eyes of a child!

Happy Valentine's Day

My husband came home with this beautiful bouquet last night! He knows I love mixed bouquets. The card in this photo is for him, as well as Celtic Women's latest CD. (He hasn't even seen them yet.) Two of my grandchildren, their mom, and I baked these lovely cookies. Right now, Paula, my eldest daughter, is down in the kitchen whipping up heart-shaped pancakes for the grandchildren.

Yes, Valentine's Day is an wonderful opportunity to express our love to those around us. However, love is so much more than our typical romantice notions---or cards, flowers, or chocolate on this one day of the year. This day will come and go. Love, whether with family members or friends, has much more to do with a relationship sustained all year long.

Lately, I have often thought about the cost of love in terms of time, energy, commitment, sacrifice, concerns, sleepless nights, prayer time, etc. While love has its tender and precious moments, in acutuality love costs me. Love costs those who love me.

When we enter into a love relationship, we have no idea of the price we will pay when we let someone into our hearts. This is true with our marriages, our children, our extended family, and even our friends. When I gave birth to my children, I certainly had no comprehension of the price I would pay to love them so deeply. The nights caring for them when they were sick. The nights lying awake waiting for them to come home when they were teens. Their concerns have been my concerns. Their dissappointments and struggles have also been mine. Even though my children have all grown into adults, I still "feel" with them. When they married and had children, I opened my heart all the more. More people equals a greater cost in terms of compassion and energy.

Regardless of the cost, I wouldn't change a thing. The blessing of loving relationships outweighs the price paid. And even if it didn't, I still choose to love. I am reminded of the price God paid to love me.

Grand-parenting: Exponential Joy

By Marlene Depler

My siblings and I were like a broken record. "How much further?" "Are we almost there?" I'm sure it nearly drove our parents crazy. When we finally turned down the dirt road that led to my grandparent's farm, I nearly burst with excitement. I knew Grandma would rush out the door to greet us with hugs and kisses, and Grandpa wouldn't be far behind.

Even though I was the eleventh in a string of seventeen grandchildren, I still sensed Grandma's delight and love for me as an individual. Her house provided a wealth of memories: eating her homemade dill pickles as fast as she cut them into spears, sitting outside on hot summer evenings with a bowl of homemade ice cream, and listening to her recite a poem or sing a hymn. Almost daily she made hot fresh biscuits for breakfast. Grandpa always teased her about the biscuits being flat.

"Elsie Lorene, it looks like a cow stepped on these biscuits," he would say as he devoured yet another biscuit.

As the years unfolded, I married and had children, making my parents into grandparents. However, I never gave much thought to becoming a grandparent myself—that is until our son and his wife gave us the news. "We're expecting a baby in December!" Then it hit me. That means I'll be a grandmother!

The months flew by. Late one evening, we got the call. "It's a girl!" our son said.

The next day I met my granddaughter for the first time. Without warning, this tiny infant in a cradle stole my heart. She was MY granddaughter—which, of course, made me a grandma. I slipped comfortably into my role as a grandparent without a second thought.

Since that time we have welcomed five more babies into our hearts, three grandsons and two more granddaughters. The delight has never diminished. As I cuddle these precious bundles, I am awed again and again by the miracle of birth and life. According to Proverbs 17:6, "Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged…" (I like the "crowning glory" part, but don't call me "aged"!)

As grandparents we have the opportunity to bless our children's children. We can provide extra love, attention, acceptance, and FUN! As a parent, I was often consumed by the endless responsibilities, the constant care, and the daily decisions and discipline. I didn't always give each child the attention they needed. However, as a grandparent, I'm no longer as distracted the routine obligations of parenting. It's easier now to drop what I am doing and give my undivided attention to the grandchildren. It's more important to read books, make cookies, draw pictures, fly paper airplanes, eat Popsicles on the porch swing, or play Candyland than it is to dust, pull weeds, or fold laundry. Once the grandchildren leave, the chores can be done.

It is important for grandparents to respect the rules and values of the parents. I’m generally mindful of this, but I'll admit that occasionally I have indulged them with a few more sweets than the parents would probably approve of. One such time, I made something similar to marshmallow treats, only this recipe called for Fruit Loops instead of the typical rice cereal. I'm quite sure that I would never have considered making this recipe for my own children. Nevertheless, the bright colors made for visually appealing treats. I invited the two oldest grandchildren over to eat them.

Later as they were stuffing their faces with gooey treats, my granddaughter repeated what her mom had told her, "It's Nana's job to spoil us, but it's Mommy's job to keep us healthy." I may have to exercise some restraint when it comes to giving them goodies, but I doubt that my love and attention will ever do them any harm. Children need all the stability they can get in this unsettled world.

It is a joy and privilege to invest in the lives of my grandchildren, to delight in their presence, to augment their learning, and to pray for them. Hopefully, I will be a model of active faith for them like my grandmother was for me.

As I look back over my childhood, I realize that my grandmother made a huge impact on me. Her eyes always lit up with delight whenever she saw me. I never doubted that she loved me and thought I was special. Her legacy to me was one of family and faith.

May my grandchildren experience that same delight. May they never doubt my love. It is my desire that my grandmother's legacy continue to flow into the lives of her great-great grandchildren through me.

8 of the Best Gifts any Grandparent Can Give:
1. Pray for each grandchild without ceasing.
2. Model your faith in God.
3. Acknowledge their presence with delight.
4. Listen at eye level.
5. Spend time with them and make them a priority.
6. Accept each grandchild's unique personality and individual strengths.
7. Let them share in activities you enjoy, and allow them to work alongside of you when possible.
8. Laugh with them.

(c) Marlene Depler (Reprint in only form only with permission of author.)

Winter Continues

We had more snow on Sunday, and the weather forecast says more this next weekend. Wow! This is unusual. I'm ready for spring.

Today I thought I would share a poem I wrote a few years ago about winter arriving.

Winter Arrives

By Marlene Depler



Days grow short and nights grow long.
Gone away—the meadowlark's song.
Out my window, I observe the day.
Snow feathers cascade from skies of gray.

Mountain peaks wear white stocking caps
to keep their ears warm—perhaps.
Bare-branched trees shiver in their boots.
Children frolic in colorful snowsuits.

Earth dances in her gown of white.
The pond clutches a cloak of ice.
Finches huddle in evergreen tree.
As for me, I sip a second cup of tea!

(c) Marlene Depler (Use only with permission. To reprint in any form contact author.)

"Nana Duty"

My blog posting has been set aside because I have been watching three of my grandchildren for the past week. (Mom and Dad will be home Sunday from training in Florida.) The munchkins that fill these three pairs of "Crocs" have been occupying every minute of each day. I continually wipe noses and clean up messes. I dispense hugs and kisses. I wash hands dozens of times a day. It seems like I am always serving up something to nourish little bodies and filling cups with juice and milk. Somehow we manage to get in a little home school and play games. By the time bathtime comes, I'm more exhausted than they are.

This has taken me back to the days when my three children were little. Looking back I wonder how I did it! Of course I was thirty years younger!

Rachel (age 4) loves to sing, and she is such a chatter box. One morning she was trying to convince me to get out of bed. She said, "Open your eyes, Nana. Get out of bed. You're going to miss the day!"

Another day, she crawled up on my lap and said, "I'm glad God gave you me as your grandgirl."

Then Jake (age 2) always says, "Gammaw, hold you!"

He also loves to tease.

Brent (age 6) is full of questions. He wants to know how everything works. I try to give him good answers, but sometimes I am stumped. One day he was helping vacuum the stairs with the central vacuum. He wanted to know where the dirt went. So I took him out in the garage to show him the canister of dirt.

Right now he has been asking me how the mini-blind at the window goes up and down. Every few minutes I stop to answer a question, so forgive me if what I am writing doesn't make sense. He is such a curious little guy.

This week I have been often transported back to the days when my three children were little. Looking back I wonder how I did it! Of course I was thirty years younger!

Young children bring such joy and delight AND such exhaustion and frustration. To all you moms out there who invest so much in the lives of their children, I salute you! May God sustain you with supernatural energy and love.

Recycled Christmas Cards!

My daughter-in-law suggested cutting up Christmas cards to make gift tags for next years packages. Here are some of the ones I cut out this morning. I will store them with my wrapping paper to use next Christmas.

Just cut up cards, making sure there is no writing on the back. The tags can either be taped on packages or use a hole punch in the corner and tie them on with ribbon.

Prayer for the New Year

By Marlene Depler

(I wrote this last year, but it still applies for this coming year as well!)

Dear Heavenly Father,

A year of glorious days stretches out before me. I am filled with anticipation and a twinge of apprehension about the uncertain adventure ahead. Nevertheless, I am choosing to walk in faith.

As each day unfolds, may I become more and more the woman you have intended me to be. Live in me and through me. May I do your bidding.

Still my thoughts and my hands long enough to hear your voice and to find rest for my often weary soul. Meet me in the deep places of my heart. Hear my heart cries when words won’t form.

Let your love penetrate every fiber of my being. Bring hope, courage, and healing. What I receive freely from your hand, let me in turn give freely to others.

Teach me your ways. Give me an undivided heart. Reveal and transform my misconceptions and distorted perceptions with the light of truth.

May I always delight in the wonders of your creation and the little blessings of each day. And when the sun sets on the final day of the year, may I rejoice in your continued faithfulness.


AMEN!
(c) Marlene Depler (reprint in any form only with permission)

Open Hands, Open Heart

By Marlene Depler

Open heart, open hands,
I receive God's lavish gifts---
love, grace, forgiveness,
provisions for body and spirit.

Open heart, open hands,
let me give a smile to the lonely,
kind words to the discouraged,
a loaf of bread to the hungry.

Oh, that my actions
will light a path to the cross
where God will again pour out blessing
into an open heart and open hands.

(c) Marlene Depler (reprint in any form only with permission)

White Christmas a Bit Early

What a snow storm! Over two feet of snow! Most businesses were closed today. A good day to stay inside and play games. The grandchildren did venture out for some fun in the snow while the men cleared snow.

White Chocolate Christmas Party Mix

1 package (10 oz.) mini pretzels

5 cups Cheerios

5 cups Corn Chex

2 cups salted peanuts

1 pound Christmas M & M's

2 packages (12 oz. each) vanilla (white chocolate) chips

3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Combine first five ingredients in a very large bowl. Melt chips and oil in microwave: medium powere for two to three minutes, stirring once, then 10 seconds on high power. Stir until smooth. Pour over dry mixture and mix well with a large spoon, being careful not to crush the mix. Spread on waxed paper. Cool and store in airtight containers. For gifts, scoop into cellophone bags, use a "twistie" tie and then add a colorful ribbon.

This is yummy! Just the right blend of salty and sweet! I made two big batches yesterday. They are ready to give to neighbors and friends.