Silver Valley Stories

Taking A Leap Of Faith

2012-01-16T21:17:00.000-08:00

^"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." Hebrews 11:1-2

Last night The Princess, Z2 and I were having a conversation about taking a leap of faith. The Princess is ready to do something different, and take a new course in her life.

Her practical sister Z2 cautioned her about being too hasty with her decisions.

The Princess believes God is leading her in a certain direction. I told her, "Take a leap of faith. You are never going to know if God wants you to do this or not unleass you take that leap of faith."

Then it reminded me of PKR and I about 20 years ago. We were living in Eastern Montana, and The Princess was about 8 months old. PKR was the Associate Pastor at our Church and also substitute teaching at the high school. I worked as a radio announcer at the Christian/Agriculture station in town. We felt like God was telling us it was time to move.

Our two options were either around Kellogg, where both our parents lived, or to Meridian, where some of Paul's family lived. It came down to moving to Meridian, because Paul's grandpa, who was the Pastor of the church, said Paul could get a small stipend for being the Youth Pastor if we moved to Meridian. So, with no job prospects, an 8 month old baby, and our faith in God, we took a leap of faith and moved to Meridian.

Well, actually, Paul moved to Meridian. The Princess and I went to Kellogg for a while. Paul's parents and my mom came to help us move. As we headed west, PKR and his parents drove the U-Haul truck to Meridian. Mom and I and The Princess drove our car to Kellogg.

Eventually PKR got a job with his cousin Verl building houses. When I moved down to Meridian, we moved in with Paul's brother and his wife until we could find a place to rent. (As I recall, finding a place to rent in Meridian was a very frustrating exercise. Eventually, though, God blessed us with an apartment right across the street from the church. It was perfect!!)

As I spent my days taking care of The Princess, and looking for a place to rent that would take a baby and two cats, PKR worked construction, and also applied for a job in the Meridian School District. He eventually got an interview, and was hired by the principal of Meridian Academy, the newly formed Alternative High School in the Meridian School District.

Through this summer, God met our every need. We always had a place to live. We always had food on the table. And PKR always had a job. Our faith grew, and we knew that God would always provide for our needs. But we needed to take that leap of faith.

When we hear that still small voice speaking to us, and leading us in a certain direction, we need to respond. We need to say, okay, I'm stepping out in the unknown, but You are walking right alongside me Lord, and I know it is going to be okay. And as He provides for us, our love for Him and our faith in Him grows by leaps and bounds.

So Princess, it is time to spread your wings, put that foot forward, and see where God is leading you. Remember, He is walking beside you every step of the way.

Caleb's Crossing: A Book Review

2012-01-13T21:31:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I finished the book "Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks. It was the book I chose this month for my Book Group to read. It is an historical fiction story about the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College.

The book is very interesting, and gives you a glimpse into life in the latter part of the 1600's. It is always fascinating to me to be swept up into another time and another place as I read books. This book first takes you to Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusets. You learn about the Native people who first inhabited the island, and how and why the English made their way to the island.

Then you meet the narrator Bethia and how she met Caleb, and their relationship throughout the book, and she is the one who tells Caleb's story.

This will be a fun book to discuss, because there are some various themes running through the book, such as light and darkness.

I would recommend this book because of what you learn about the culture of that time, and because it is a good story.

It seems like I don't have a very good track record for the books I choose for our Book Group, so I'm glad I finally chose a good one!!

Simple Delights

2012-01-12T07:16:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I catch myself enjoying little things in life, and today I want to write some of those down. I refer to them as "Simple Delights". I hope to make a list occasionally to remember the little things that bring me joy. Because today is January 12th, I am going to share 12 Simple Delights.

A warm, soft bed to lie on
Soft sheets on my bare feet
A cat cuddled on my head
Our dog Peaches laying down beside my bed
A purring cat on my lap
Our dog Sadie snuggled at my feet
Thick socks to keep my feet warm
Flannel pajamas
A warm cup of coffee
My daughter's enthusiasm
Talking with my husband
Praying with my husband

What are your Simple Delights?

Priority Number One

2012-01-10T20:34:00.000-08:00

I'm home tonight enjoying some alone time. I had some work to do to get ready for being in class with sophomores tomorrow, so I came home after my senior parent meeting instead of attending the boys basketball games with PKR, Z2 and KikiAru. The Princess went to visit a friend, then off to Coeur d'Alene to see a movie with AA.

This has been an interesting week. I am now back to working full-time. It has been a long time since I have had a 40 hour work week. But I am so thankful to be able to have this job, and work with the students I get to work with each day. And right now, the seniors are busy filling out FAFSA applications and applying to colleges, and filling out scholarship information. So it is a busy time.

At the end of the month I start working at Kellogg Middle School again with seventh graders. That will be fun, getting to know a new group of students and parents.

So, with this new schedule, setting my priorities is even that much more important. I am slowly working into my new focus. Part of my problem is I have way too many priorities. I even combined and wittled down some, but I just have too many things in my life. Which makes having a plan and goals for each week even that much more important.

I loved the verses in my quiet time this morning with the Lord. I want Matthew 22:37-39 to be my Number One Priority every day..."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it. "Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

If I keep this my daily focus, all other priorities should fall into place.

One of my goals this year is to read our book club book each month. This month the book I chose for book group is "Caleb's Crossing" by Geraldine Brooks. It is a historical fiction story about the first Native American to attend Harvard. One of my book club members just sent me a text about how the ending made her cry, and only one other book has done so, (and she blamed that on pregnancy hormones), so now I am very motivated to finish the book before I host our book club next week. I can always use a good cry!!

Priorities in Order...Goals Have Been Established...Time to Refine Goals

2012-01-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Today was a good day. No one in our house had to be anywhere until 12:30 p.m. today, so we all got to sleep in and relax today. I had a wonderful time of quiet this morning. Raymond Pert came over to say goodbye before he headed to Spokane to have dinner with IEG and her husband. RP heads back to Eugene tomorrow.

I spent some time organizing the Christmas stuff in our basement storage room. Then we put it all away, and it is in order and ready for next year. It felt good to have that done.

Goodbye Santa Claus, hello Snowmen. Now the living room is full of cute smiling snowmen. I guess if there isn't snow outside, there is a little bit of winter wonderland inside the house.

PKR and I made a "date" at 6 p.m. to work on our priorities and goal setting. For about 2 hours we sat and went through our lists, refining them, and discussing them, and putting things on a calendar. We now have our Priorities and Goals set. Tomorrow, we meet again at 6 p.m. to break the goals down even more and set some deadlines or put some timelines to them.

It has taken us 25 years of marriage, but maybe we are finally on to something!! Who says you can't teach an old dog (or perhaps a couple of middle-aged dogs) new tricks? I think we may be learning something from this!!

One of my goals is to write in my blog at least once a week. Well, it is January 7th and I've already written three times this week. Let's hope the ball keeps rolling!!

I mentioned earlier that PKR and I were also doing a Daniel Fast, a time to fast and pray about our lives, our church, and whatever else God seems to want to show us. I found a book online that is titled "The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast" by Kristen Feola. I bought it for my new Nook Color, and it has been a wonderful resource this week. Each day is a different devotional reading, plus it explains what a Daniel Fast is, and also gives some great recipes. What a blessing!!

I'm looking forward to church tomorrow. We had a good Worship Team time last week. It seems like renewal is in the air in many areas of my life, and Worship Team is one of them. I can't wait to see how God uses our team this year.

Another goal is to get to bed by 10 p.m. each night, so I had better start getting ready for bed. Can't wait to see what is ahead tomorrow!!

New Years Are For New Beginnings...Changes...New Challenges...Renewing Our Faith and Hope

2012-01-04T21:47:00.000-08:00

I love new years. New years are a chance for new beginnings, for changes, for new challenges, for renewing our faith and hope.

This year is already starting off with changes. Personally, a big change in my life is going from working part-time to working full-time. This will be a change. I will be finishing up a grant at Kellogg High School, and beginning a new grant at Kellogg Middle School with the federal grant program I work with, Gear Up. But I am looking forward to the challenge.

Another change is PKR becoming the president of the board of directors of the community theater we are involved with, the Sixth Street Theater. This brings on a new challenge for him as well, and I am also on the board, and I am the board's secretary. This will be a new aspect of theater life for us.

The Princess has decided to return to college next fall and pursue a degree in Communications with a minor in Business. She has applied to return to NIC, and will take some classes here in Kellogg and online. She is welcoming a change in her life, and also welcoming the new challenge.

Z2 is a senior this year, and has been accepted to the College of Idaho in Caldwell. She is looking forward to attending this college, and starting a new chapter in her life. And, as with all college experiences, it will be a challenge.

Kiki Aru is a sophomore this year. She is hoping to take Drivers Ed and get her license. That is the challenge she is most looking forward to this year. And she really wants here sisters to move on so she can have the house to herself with Mom and Dad!!

I am looking forward to the new year, and looking forward to seeing how all our changes and challenges play out. I have evaluated my priorities, and set some goals that hopefully will make this a very purposeful year ahead.

Happy New Year one and all!!

Breaking Down The Walls in 2011

2012-01-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

The Walls of Jericho

I spent some time this morning reading some things I wrote down at the beginning of 2011. I'm glad I wrote those things down, because I see how far God has brought us this year.

As PKR and I began 2011, we were in a very dark place. We both felt very lonely, and we felt we had spent a lot of time building up walls and not letting people into our lives. We had cut ourselves off from people, and it wasn't good. So we made a concerted effort to break down those walls, and reach out to people, and start building back relationships. And, as I look back over the year, God was faithful.

One of my first moves was to start meeting regularly with my friend CM for Bible Study. What a good choice that was for me. Through the year, we were able to lift each other up, and learn about our loving God. Part way through the year we started reading Eugenia Price's book, "Woman to Woman", a book that focuses on the importance of having your personality under Christ's control. Even though this book was written in 1959, it is such a timely message, over 50 years later.

Next PKR and I hosted and lead a Bible Study through our church in our home. I can't begin to describe how these members of our church family helped PKR and I through some very difficult times. The study was called "Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God", by Henry Blackaby. We learned so much through that study, and the fellowship with our group was amazing. We were very blessed.

I also made some reconnections with people I hadn't talked to in a while. It made me realize how important relationships are in our lives, and to not take them for granted, or close ourselves off from people.

As I sat down to write out my prayer list for the year, it was so exciting as God revealed to me all the people to put on my prayer list, and the abundance of people who are in my life that I have the priviledge to pray for each day. I am surrounded by some very wonderful people. And many of these are people we have opened up to this year, and developed or renewed a relationship with through 2011.

Last year was about "breaking down the walls", as Joshua did to the town of Jericho. I am so thankful our hearts were opened and the walls were broken down in 2011.

This year is the year of focusing on priorities. Each day I want to ask myself, "What are my priorities today?" That is my task today. To sit down, write out my priorities for the year, and set goals based on those priorities.

Part of this process of developing these goals is doing something for 21 days called "The Daniel Fast". This is a time when you fast from certain foods, and focus on what God has for you for the upcoming year. We were fortunate to learn about this practice while we were under Pastors Ralph and Susie Lowe at Christian Life Center, and it was carried on by Pastor Carey Schram.

Yesterday, at our current church, Mountain View Congregational Church, Pastor David Langer gave a wonderful message on how the Magi are our model in seeking after Jesus. They prepared for their journey and then followed the start in search of the King. The Magi found more than they anticipated. And that is the same with us. As we seek the Lord, we will find more than we anticipate. Often when we seek after the Lord, we get bored and give up on the seeking. But the Magi would not be deterred. They did not give up. They continued their journey until they found Jesus. Like the Magi, we can bring find someone who can bring more into our lives than we will ever know.

Jesus is inviting us into a relationship with Him. Jesus takes care of us in the journey of this life. Jesus will move us beyond our lowly expectations and dreams and move us beyond all that we ask or think. Then Pastor Dave asked us these questions..."Are we truly seeking him? Am I seeking Jesus Christ day by day? Do I want to give Him my all? He can do more with our lives than we can ever imagine."

Where am I today and where do I wish to be? If I am weary and heavy laden, He will be there for me.

What a wonderful message to begin the new year with, and to be like the Magi, daily seeking after Jesus, and finding more than I could ask or think.

I look forward to the year ahead, and seeing what 2012 will bring.

Sibling Assignment 151: Sibling Outing

2011-09-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

A photo taken in the Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area near Clarkia, Idaho.

During the month of August, my sibling Raymond Pert and Inland Empire Girl and myself headed out on a "Sibling Outing". We have done several of these over the years, and this year our destination was driving east to Wallace, then driving over Moon Pass to Avery. Then we headed down the St. Joe River to Calder, then St. Maries. Then we headed south to Clarkia, and then on up the mountain to Hobo Cedar Grove Botanical Area.

For Sibling Assignment #151, Raymond Pert has asked us to write about a particular thing that happened on our Sibling Outing that was especially enjoyable. If possible, include an image, but not required.

Inland Empire Girl's is here, and Raymond Pert's will be here.

For me, the most enjoyable times were sharing stories as we drove along in the car. We had the priviledge of being together from about 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day. That is about 10 hours of uninterupted time spending time with my brother and sister. And we realize this is a rare thing. I don't know too many other people who make it a priority in their life to spend time with only their siblings, without other family around. I am fortunate to have a brother and sister who want to make this time a priority. We try and do it at least once a year.

As we drove in the car, we would bring up stories of memories of driving in the car to our grandmother's house in Orofino, and the erratic driving practices of our father.

My siblings would give me a good-natured hard time as I shared yet another historical fact about the area we were visiting.

We had a book with us that shared facts about the areas we were driving through, and it was fun to share those, or listen to my sister share them.

I'm glad we understand the importance of connecting with one another, and spending time together, even if it is fr oone day, once a year. It helps continue to create memories that we add to our family story book.

Sibling Assignment 149: A Collection of Pottery

2011-03-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

I'm getting caught up on my sibling assignments. This sibling assignment was given to us by IEG, and the assignment was this:

"Create A Collection". Choose something that is easily accessible: soup bowls, cell phones, sofas, chairs, vases... whatever.Create a series of photographs on the collection all photographed the same way. Put the together into a collage or a frame together. Write about the experience.

I took some of the pottery items I have collected over the years and photographed them, and put them in a collage. Some I have bought. Some have been gifts. I started this collection the first year I lived in Montana. I found a vase at a county fair, and loved it, and decided to start my own collection. Unfortunately one year, while living in Meridian, the shelf my pottery was on fell to the ground, and I lost some of my pieces. But they are still in a box in the basement....with the hopes of being made into a mosaic creation.

I love pottery. It is such a solid, earthy art medium. I have always wanted to learn how to do my own pottery pieces. Some day...some day. But for now, I get to enjoy and use pieces others have created.

Images of Christmas 2010

2010-12-29T17:05:00.000-08:00

In our final sibling assignment of 2010, IEG gave us this assignment:

In only images portray Christmas from your point of view.

RP's Christmas images are here, and IEG's images will be here soon.

Here are my images of Christmas 2010.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

2010-12-19T15:19:00.000-08:00

The third sibling assignment from IEG this month is this one:

What movie most connects you to Christmas and why?

One of the movies that connects me to Christmas is "White Christmas". I think this is because it was one of those movies we always tried to watch every year growing up, and it reminds me of family Christmas memories. In fact, our family is going to sit down and watch it this afternoon once the girls return performing in their Christmas concert.

There is something magical about this movie, plus it is full of music, performing, show business and Irving Berlin music. I love every aspect of this show.

I also love that they come together for the "old man" and put on a show for him, and all those men come back to help out on Christmas Eve.

I love singing along to the song "Sisters".

I love watching them rehearse all the numbers for the big variety show.

And I love how the snow starts falling at the end.

And other people must feel the same way, because this has certainly been a classic movie since it came out, and loved by many.

So, time to sing along with Bing, Danny, Rosemary and Vera-Ellen as soon we begin "White Christmas".

You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch!!

2010-12-19T15:04:00.000-08:00

Our next Christmas-themed sibling assignment given to us by IEG is this:

What book or story most connects you to Christmas and why? IEG's is here, and RP's is here.

I would have to say "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" is one of my favorite Christmas stories. I like it because this nasty, lonely Grinch who lives up on the mountain with his dog Max is so mad because of all the Who's enjoying Christmas, and so he goes down to Whoville to steal Christmas. But in the end he realizes that Christmas isn't all the packages, boxes and bags!! It is the time spent with family and friends, and the spirit of love that is the true meaning of Christmas.

I love how the Grinch is transformed because of the love he feels from the Whos down in Whoville, the tall and the small. I love how his heart grows 10 sizes. I love how the Whos accept him despite how Grinchy he had been in the past.

I need to extend this same love and grace to those "grinches" in my life, and realize their shoes may be too small, and they just need a little love to make their heart grow in size.

Or maybe they just need to carve the roast beast.

Sunnyside Elementary Christmas Memories

2010-12-03T22:21:00.000-08:00

Inland Empire Girl is trying to revive our sibling assignments this month. For sibling assignment #137, she wants Raymond Pert and I to think of a Christmas memory tied to a school experience and why it has stayed with us.

I remember the Christmas tradition at Sunnyside Elementary. Each year, the sixth graders would put on the Christmas program at school.

When I was in fifth grade, I remember Teresa Vergobbi, one of the sixth graders, wearing a black dress and reciting the following poem during the Christmas program:

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.
Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.
I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

If I remember correctly, the fifth grade band also performed at this program, and I got to direct the band while they played a few songs.

The following year, it was my sixth grade classes turn. My memory of this program was playing the flute backstage during the reading of the story about "Greensleeves". I remember Terry LeClaire played the role of Greensleeves, which, for this production, was a story about a shepherd, if I'm not mistaken.

I also remember helping out during the SIlver King Elementary Christmas program that same year. My mom was a teacher at Silver King, and they put on a Christmas program every year. This year, I got to sit with our music teacher, Mrs. Williams, and help turn her music. It was a very important job, and one I took quite seriously.

I love school Christmas programs. I am so glad my daughters are in choir and band, so I can attend their concerts during the Christmas season. I love listening to Christmas music and watching the students perform. Watching these performances always gets me in the Christmas spirit.

I think I remember these particular programs because I was a part of them, and had a part in each of the performances, whether it was directing the band as a fifth grader, playing the flute as a sixth grader, or turning the pages of music, I was a part of the performance, and I enjoyed that very much.

Let The Juicing Begin

2010-10-18T19:08:00.000-07:00

Inland Empire Girl visited me this weekend, and brought me two grocery bags full of purple grapes so I can juice them and make jelly.

Yesterday at church, my friend DS said she would be more than happy to lend me her steamer/juicer to help with the process.

So here are the beautiful grapes.

Here they are getting cleaned off.

Into the steamer/juicer they go!!

Soon all the juice will be made into beautiful jars of grape jelly!!

Traveling Moon Pass from Wallace to Avery

2010-08-26T23:14:00.000-07:00

Since PKR and I have been immersed in the 1910 fire commemoration in one way or another this summer, I have wanted to drive to Avery over Moon Pass. This week I got my wish.

On Tuesday, we didn't have anything planned during the day, so I suggested to Paul we drive to Avery. He was up to it, so off we went.

I was awestruck by the beauty of the drive, and also the surprises in store that I didn't know existed. Here are some pictures of our trip.

The Post Office and Museum in Avery.

The Milwaukee Road train car in Avery.

Inside the train car.

Who knew you drove inside of train tunnels on the road from Wallace to Avery.

Here is another.

And another.

This one was a little longer.

You see the bottom of the start of the Hiawatha Bike Trail on your way.

The Beautiful North Fork of the St. Joe River.

Burned snags from the 1910 fire.

Snags along the water.

Look at the burned and charred inside of this snag.

The snags have a beauty of their own.

Beautiful water.

Another snag.

On top of the pass. Breathtakingly beautiful.

One more shot from up on top.

Embracing August

2010-08-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

This week I gave the sibling assignment, which, to put it simply, is What do you like, and what do you dislike about August.

Here you can read about IEG's last days of August.

Traditionally, August has never been my favorite month. Either it is too hot, or the evenings and mornings are too cold, and it goes by too fast, because school begins, which in our house signals the end of summer.

But this year, I decided to embrace August, and consciously enjoy the eighth month this year, and be in the moment during each part of August.

As I toured my yard this week, I realized August brought with it much beauty and the beginning of harvest. I'm going to take you on a tour of my lovely August yard and garden.

String beans growing up the teepee poles. The beans grow overnight I swear.

Still picking pea pods.

Cilantro, lettuce and Sweet Million tomatoes.

Yellow and green zucchini.

Lots of green tomatoes. I hope they get enough hot weather to ripen before it frosts.

Goliath grillers.

Goliath grillers and banana peppers.

Yummy carrots.

I got a blossom, but I fear no pumpkins this year.

I've enjoyed picking raspberries all summer.

Sweet peas climbing the rusty bed springs.

My absolute favorite perennial...Moonbeam Coreopsis.

My wagon wheel herb garden...that needs some grass removal!!

My house plants are thriving outside.....I wish I could keep them out all winter long!!

My favorite tree....the Tri-Color Beech Tree.

One of my new rose plants.

Another lovely rose.

I love this shade of pink.

Almost ready to bloom.

I keep

Despite the fact I have quite a few projects going this summer, I have to say it has been one of the most relaxing summers I have ever experienced since moving back to the Silver Valley. Partly because most of the things PKR and I have been involved in take place in the late afternoon or evening. So I have had my mornings to putter around the yard, and enjoy the beauty of the backyard. It has been wonderful. I wish I could have this schedule year round.

As August winds down, I am embracing the cooler evenings, and cooler mornings. I am enjoying the harvest from my backyard garden. I am enjoying the peaches my sister brought me from the orchard near her home. I'm embracing the final days of vacation before I officially return to work on August 31st. I'm enjoying the last week of all our 1910 Fire projects coming to an end, where I have dressed as Emma Pulaski and hosted the Trailing the 1910 Fire Trolley around the town of Wallace. I also helped direct the show at the Sixth Street Melodrama this month, which PKR wrote about his grandpa's birth, called "Rustler's at the Ranch, or...How Swift Can the Taylor's Run?" And PKR and I have also been presenting "Voices of the Big Burn" a historical presentation on the 1910 Fire where we share first hand accounts from the fire, newspaper stories, and photographs taken by the Forest Service after the fire. We continue this presentation through the end of the month.

Soon my schedule will change. I will be back on the school schedule, and back at Kellogg High School working with ninth, tenth and eleventh graders in the Gear Up program. School begins September 7th.

But until then, I will continue to enjoy and embrace the month of August, with the slower pace, and days filled with no obligations.

Coeur d'Alene Lake

2010-08-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

Inland Empire Girl gave us the next sibling assignment:

Coeur d'Alene Lake

One of my first recollections and memories of this lake involved a speed boat and a flying saucer. Yes, interestingly enough I have this memory of being in a speed boat on the lake when I was about 3 or 4, and I was hanging over the edge of the boat in Beauty Bay, and there was a silver flying saucer in the air. Not sure if I actually did encounter a UFO, but I sure do have a memory about this incident.

I often like to try and imagine what the lake was like back when the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, or the Schitsu'Umsh freely roamed this land, and were the only inhabitants of the lake. I picture tribal members quietly canoeing across the lake, calling to the birds on a cool, misty morning as the fog settled on the lake, and then, all of a sudden, the sun bursts through. What a peaceful, quiet time on the lake that must have been.

I like the lake better when it was filled with rustic cabins. Some of the "cabins" on the lake now don't seem to fit. They are million dollar homes that don't quite fit in their wooded setting.

It is still a beautiful lake, despite the onslaught of tourism that has taken over parts of the lake, but you can still find the quiet, peaceful parts that don't have as much traffic, and perhaps, in these places, if you listen carefully, you will hear the Schitsu'Umsh voices of long ago.

The Fourth Commandment: Refreshment of God's Creation

2010-08-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

Raymond Pert gave us this sibling assignment:

I woke up this morning with the words "Remember the Sabbath. Keep it Holy." (my paraphrase) repeating in my head.

Reflect however you'd like upon the idea of the sabbath and your practice of it.

We had recently been talking about this one afternoon at my Mom's house when RP was there, because he had taken a Sunday afternoon nap, and I told him, that was a good thing, because our pastor at church had just talked about the fourth commandment in the Bible.

These are some of the notes I took from that sermon that Pastor David Langer gave on July 18, 201o at Mountain View Congregational Church in Kellogg.

God built into His commandments a day of rest.

Working seven days a week breaks people's spirit. If they do work this hard, they can find ways to repair their spirit, such as drinking, drugs, illicit relationships, etc.

God realized people needed a day of rest.

If we over burden ourselves with work, we shouldn't pretend that we are doing this our of obedience to God.

God wants us not to overwork, but to refresh.

We must labor not for our own good, but for the labor of others.

Our fortunes and well being are not in our own hands, but they are in the hands of God.

We need rest!! God's purpose for the day of rest is to recreate us and refresh us.

God wants us to experience the blessings He has given us in life.

The Sabbath Day is a special gift of God to people.

God in His abundant grace wanted a time of joy and rest for all of creation.

Christ's love is meant to unite...God's Sabbath is meant to unite God's people in refreshment.

Concepts like a weekend or a five day work week came from the heart of God.

I know I feel much more rested if I get a nap on Sunday afternoon. Especially when things are really busy at work, and hectic and I'm working lots of hours, that day of rest is so important. I like being refreshed. I like slowing down the pace, and taking it easy.

I'm glad God steers us toward that time of refreshment.

Clearwater River Fears

2010-07-23T09:58:00.000-07:00

It is interesting as I read over my siblings writings about the Clearwater River here and here, and read about the fears of the Clearwater River, mostly passed on by our mother.

Mom's fears must have been all absorbed by Raymond Pert and Inland Empire Girl before I came along, because I have no memory of Mom being so afraid of the river.

In fact, I never remember being at the river with my mom.

Many of my sibling's memories of the river were at Beaver Dam. This was before my time. This was before Dworshak Dam and the reservoir became a reality. And because of that reality, Beaver Dam was covered up.

My memories of the Clearwater River all happened at Zann's Beach.

And I only remember being at the river with my dad. And I remember being amazed Dad could swim across the river and back, because I had never seen him swim at home, even when we would visit friend's river places up the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River.

I did have a fear of the river one summer, though. It was the summer of 1975. I would have been 12-years-old. That summer I had gone to The Rena Theater, and watched a movie called "Jaws".

That summer when we went to Zann's Beach with my family, I refused to go out into the water very deep, because I was convinced a great white shark would come and attack me.

Seriously!

Thank goodness, 35 years later, my fears of sharks in the water are gone. I was able to go to Zann's beach with my own daughters and husband and niece, and enjoy the water, and remember the white sand on the beach that was hard to get off, the volcanic rocks on the beach, and the memories of times gone by.

Here are some pictures of our family at Zann's Beach a few weeks ago when our family attended the "Last Cousin Standing Hootenanny" family reunion in Orofino, Idaho.

Our niece and three daughters...the bathing beauties in the Clearwater River.
Peaches swimming in the Clearwater River.

PKR, my own muscle man on the beach.
More beauties on the beach.
PKR with Juliet.
Sadie sunning herself on the beach.

Stories to hear, stories to tell....it's family reunion time!!

2010-06-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

For this week's sibling assignment Raymond Pert asked Inland Empire Girl and myself what we are looking forward to when we have our reunion in Orofino.

Here is what RP is looking forward to, and IEG will write about hers after she returns home from the Twin Cities.

Growing up, Orofino was our vacation spot. Every summer we would load up the car, and drive to my mother's home town to visit Grandma West and Auntie Lila and Uncle Ted, Uncle Bob and Auntie Ronnie, Cousin Lura and Lyle, and her boys, Derrick and Mark, and Cousin John and his kids Paul, Matt and Summer.

Sometimes the Coomer cousins from Boise would be in Orofino as well. This was always fun, because they were around my age and it was fun having cousins to be with that were close to the same age.

Here are the Coomer cousins and myself.

Often the week in Orofino included playing the piano at Grandma West's house, going swimming at Zan's Beach, on the Clearwater River, enjoying lots of good food from the many gardens my relatives grew in the dark, rich volcanic soil, and one summer highlight was working at my Aunt and Uncles business, "West's Gun and Tackle Shop" for a few days.

The last time the cousins were all together.

I am looking forward to being with my West family as we gather in Orofino in a few weeks. It will be a joy to sit and visit with cousins face to face I haven't seen in decades, but have seen their face on Facebook. It will be nice to reminisce about Grandma West, and Uncle Ted, and Cousin John and Auntie Ronnie, and all the other people who have left us, and fondly remember, through our stories, the stories that will bring them to life during out brief time together, and realize once again that they were all a part in shaping who I am today.

Yes, it is the story telling I am most anticipating. Learning things I never knew. Hearing things again to remind me of memories long gone.

I also look forward to watching my mom return to her roots, and be surrounded by the family she loves, and the people who have always adored her. I look forward to her beaming all weekend long as she shares and listens to stories being told.

Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clearer, more meaningful experience. They are the currency of human contact. ---Robert McKee

This quote sums up what I am thinking about for this reunion weekend. I want to gather as much currency as I can during this time. No, RP, not from the casinos, but from the interaction with my family, and the treasures I will gain by listening to their stories.

Okay, gaining some currency at the casinos wouldn't be that bad!!

Getting Lost in the Garden

2010-06-13T08:21:00.000-07:00

What a joy to finally get out in my yard yesterday and work in the garden. Because of the abundance of rain over the past month, the grass in my flower beds, as well as other various weeds, had taken over. Yesterday was my chance to tackle the grass.

I feel like I get involved in a task such as weed pulling, and time stands still. I get lost in my task, take time to let my mind wander, and it is such a wonderful experience. Not to mention the benefits of just being outside and watching life go on around me.

We have had some cowbirds chirping around the yard for a few weeks, and taunting the cats. I believe they have nest around here, and, on Friday, PKR saw a baby bird in one of the trees that the other birds were protecting. Unfortunately, they didn't protect the baby enough from Toby, the mighty three-legged hunter. Yes, our cat Toby (who is missing one of his front legs) hunted down and captured the poor baby bird in our backyard. It felt as if I was watching an episode of Wild Kingdom. Of course, he felt so proud. Poor bird.

My veggies are coming up, and I love to watch their progress. The tomatoes are looking much better, now that they are in soil. The radishes are bursting forth, and I see signs of peas and carrots. Various types of lettuce are also emerging. I'm waiting to see signs of beets, zucchini, and cilantro.

I finally got my pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds planted yesterday. I got one little pumpkin last year, so we'll see how they do this year.

Later today I have some roses I need to plant. I've been scouting out my yard, trying to find the best location to grow them. I think I have found the place, but I need to get the ground ready for planting.

As I look out at the yard this morning, Toby is again being taunted by the cowbirds. I think he is also digging up some flower seeds I planted yesterday out by the raspberries. That cat can be so destructive in my yard. That is why my raised beds have fencing on top of them, so he doesn't use them as one big little box.

T.C., one of our other cats, just came up to say good morning, rubbing her head on the side of the laptop.

Off to make breakfast before we go to church this morning. It is amazing how sunshine boosts the spirits, and energizes me for the day.

"This is the day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Schools Out For Summer!!!

2010-06-11T21:45:00.000-07:00

School is out for the year, and I'm so glad. Z2 is going to be a junior next year, and was elected Junior Class president.

Kiki Aru completed 8th grade at KMS, and now will be a freshman at Kellogg High School.

I head off to KHS myself. I will no longer work at KMS, and will be at KHS all the time now. So PKR, Z2, Kiki Aru and myself will all be at KHS next year.

Soon PKR and I will be immersing ourselves in the history of the 1910 fire. We are involved in many projects this summer helping to tell the story of the very prominent event in Silver Valley history. We are going to be doing some historical tours in Wallace, directing a melodrama, and writing and performing an historical production called "Voice of the Big Burn". We are also going to work with some kids on some street theater stuff. I'm really looking forward to this summer.

If you are in the Wallace area, come and see a show. More information can be found at www.sixthstreetmelodrama.com.

I Found It! I Found It!

2010-04-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

After some quiet prayer and meditation, I think my mind has been partially restored....I think I still have some on the loose somewhere. If you see it, direct it my way.

I look forward to driving to Sandpoint this afternoon with my friend SB to the KMS Track Meet. Kiki Aru will be participating in High Jump, the 400 and the 4x400 relay. I hope the weather holds, but we are taking umbrellas just in case.

Lots of excitement over the weekend. The Princess participated in the Silver Valley Karaoke Showcase here in Kellogg and got second place, singing Tracy Chapman's "Give Me One Reason". Here she is, belting out the song....

And here she is with her trophy.

I did tape it, and hope to have video of the performance soon.

If You Have Found My Mind, Could You Please Return It...It Seems To Be Lost

2010-04-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

Maybe that is why I haven't been writing here in a while. It is rather hard to concentrate when your mind is missing. If you happen to come across it, please leave me a message, and I'll come and get it.

Thanks. Silver Valley Girl

Bless Be The Ties That Bind...Our Hearts in Christian Love

2010-03-31T11:53:00.000-07:00

After meeting 27 years ago, we grow more and more in love every day.

Well, I'm a little behind on my sibling assignments, so I hope to get caught up during this week of spring break.

Let us hearken back to February 14, Valentine's Day, when this assignment was due.

The assignment, which I assigned throughout the month of February, with the theme "Ties", is as follows:

"Write about the ties that bind you to your husband or wife."

PKR and I joke about the first two times we met. I didn't make much of an impression on him, because he didn't remember me until we met the third time...I guess third times a charm.

The one he remembers is me coming over to his parent's house to deliver his sister's high school graduation present. I had just finished my first year at the University of Idaho, and he was home from Western Montana College. His sister and I were friends.

It was first the ties of Christian love that brought us together. There was a group of young people that summer that hung out together, and did different activities all summer. Yes, I thought PKR was very attractive, but I thought he was way out of my league. After all, I remember him from being a freshman at Kellogg Junior High School as the senior who was the quarterback on the football team, one of the start basketball players, and a state track champion. Those kind of guys weren't interested in girls like me.

Summer culminated with a trip to Church Camp during the first week, of August. PKR was attending, as was most of the kids who we hung out with that summer. We arrived at camp, and one of the girls from Kellogg made a comment about PKR and I making a "good couple". I was genuinely surprised by this comment...again, he was way out of my league.

But I guess PKR had other plans. When I went to church camp, it was popular for the boys to ask the girls to the Thursday night Bonfire. Well, by Wednesday night, PKR asked me to go to the bonfire. I was quite pleased, and I guess that was our first date.

While at camp, our hearts were tied, first with Christian love, and then that focus also started changing beyond being "a brother and sister in Christ", so something a bit more romantic. When we returned to Kellogg after camp, we spent the night before I left for college walking around town, and talking alot. Then I returned to Moscow, and, later, he returned to Dillon.

We started dating in August of 1982. Between that time, and July 1986, when we got married, we were only in the same town about 18 months of those four years...so it was letter writing that tied us together at that point. And I think it helped us get to know one another on a different level...especially because we both like to write.

Marriage wasn't something I took lightly at all. I wanted to make sure that PKR was the man I was suppose to marry, and that I had not doubt whatsoever he was the man for me. During the summer of 1984 I moved to San Bernardino, California and worked at the International Headquarters for Campus Crusade for Christ. The question I wanted answered that summer was this..."Is PKR the man I am suppose to marry?"

By the end of the summer, after much prayer, the answer was yes. If PKR asked me to marry him, I knew without any reservations, that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life.

During the spring of 1984, PKR told my best friend CE that he was going to ask me to marry him, and that he wanted her help. But God knew I needed some time over the summer to have peace about the decision.

On December 10, 1984, PKR asked me to marry him in front of a room full of sorority sisters at the TriDelt house at U of I. By then, I could with confidence say, "Of Course!!"

Once that decision was made, and I committed myself to PKR, and he to me, that is what has kept us tied together. Because we knew if was right, because we are committed (as he puts it, divorce is not a word we use), we are forever tied to one another, through the good times and the bad. And, for us, it was that time of deliberate seeking after God to give us the answer and patiently waiting for Him to say, "Yes", this is the one for you.

And since that time, I have never regretted my decision.

Life Continues, Despite the Drought

2010-03-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Despite the drought in my blog writing, life continues.

March has brought with it many pleasant surprises, much spiritual growth, and beautiful spring weather.

I survived my big project at work, Career Day last week. I believe it went really well, and it was nice to read the comment of one of the students who said listening to one of the speakers made her really think about going to college. To me, that is what Career Day is all about.

We have started a home group at our house on Sunday evenings through our church, Mountain Valley Congregation Church, and it has been such a blessing. We are doing Rick Warren's "Forty Days of Community" which challenges us to share and pray with one another, encourage and serve one another at church, and do a project in the community. We have the wonderful opportunity to help a woman who runs a local daycare fix up her yard, a task she is unable to do. We are also going to relieve the workers at another church in the valley who do a soup kitchen once a week.

I have found I have needed this group to help me focus on the needs of others. I tend to isolate myself, and focus on my own needs so much, that I don't look at the world around me and what God wants me to do for others in my community. This group is helping me do that, and I am so thankful that my focus is changing.

I had a wonderful weekend. Friday night Paul and I entertained at a dinner at the Shoshone Golf Course, and had a wonderful time. Then I got up early Saturday morning, picked up my mom and drove to Lewiston for Kiki Aru's basketball tournament. My cousin LM picked Mom up in Lewiston and drove her to Orofino to spend the night with her sister.

On Sunday, Kiki Aru and I drove to Orofino and had a wonderful lunch at my cousin's house, and then headed back to Kellogg. After a little detour that wasn't planned, we made it home. I think the detour was planned by my Grandma West (who has been deceased almost 20 years), because the road we traveled on took us to the place where she was born. We traveled along Cedar Creek Ridge Road, and ended up at Gold Hill. Very interesting, because we had just been talking about this area at lunch with my cousin.

This summer all the Orofino family is planning a reunion, and hopefully we will take a road trip to Grandma's birthplace, as well as "The Ranch" where Mom lived until she moved into Orofino.

Z2 went to the District Speech Competition this weekend, participating in Duo Interpretation. Her and her friend RC got third place, and will be going to State Competition in Pocatello next month. I am so proud of her!! PKR had six of his students qualify for state, which he is very excited about.

Spring break starts at the end of the week. I hope to get a lot of organizing done and possibly even a garage sale at the end of the week. That would be a big accomplishment!!

I hope to use spring break to get caught up on my sibling assignments. I think I am behind by about a month and a half.

Hope to write again sooner, rather than later.

Here, There and Everywhere

2010-03-06T22:06:00.000-08:00

That is what I have felt lately. I've been here, there and everywhere.

Except writing on my blog.

Except reading others blogs.

But, since the first of the year, I have been to Post Falls, Coeur d'Alene, Wallace, Mullan, Houston, Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Spokane, Moscow, St. Maries, and Bonners Ferry.

I feel like I could write my own version of the song "I've Been Everywhere, Man".

Now that I have settled back home for a while, I hope to share some stories soon.

Z2 Will Survive

2010-02-20T12:22:00.000-08:00

Z2 performing "I Will Survive" with the Joybells, the Select Choir from Kellogg High School. The concert was really, really good.

Tied to Dorothy

2010-02-11T22:30:00.000-08:00

She couldn't have said it any better.

It feels so good to be back in the Silver Valley.

Tied to Helping Students Prepare for Post-Secondary Education

2010-02-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

For the last few days I have been attending a conference that has had me focus on what parts of the program I work with at Kellogg Middle School I feel would be worth sustaining, and creating a plan to do this.

All these have to do with preparing students to prepare to stay in high school, graduate, and go on to some kind of post-secondary education.

First, I would like all 8th graders from now on to have the opportunity to visit a college campus.

I would also like them to go through the Dependable Strengths process, that helps them identify their strengths, and their good experiences, which can help them in the process of identifying a subject for their senior project.

I would also like them to take a test that helps them prepare for their ACT test they have to take as a junior in order to graduate from high school.

And I would like them to have access to a program called eCIS, that gives them and their parents an abundant amount of information on colleges, careers and financial aid options.

I would also like to start a "Parent Academy" program that has parents teaching other parents about information about how to get their students prepared to get a post-secondary education.

So now it is time to write a plan, and get it done!!

Tied to Grieving

2010-02-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

Many people close to me are dealing with grief lately.

As I look over the past few months, many of my close family and friends have lost loved ones close to them.

And we all deal with grief in very different ways.

My sister-in-law lost her mother and her brother recently. Both losses have been very hard on their family, and on my brother as well.

My first cousin died last week, out of the blue. He had hip surgery on Monday, came home Tuesday, and died in bed Tuesday night. We were all shocked, and grieve his loss. As we gather this summer for a cousin's reunion, he will be greatly missed.

A man her in the valley recently died, taking his own life. His brother and sister-in-law were good friends of ours, as well as much of his extended family. It was hard to hear of his loss.

My sister recently had a former student die in a car accident, and she watched as a community grieved his loss.

When people leave our lives, we do grieve. We grieve their passing. We grieve that our relationship with that person has ended. We grieve that we are unable to spend more time with that person. We grieve the things we didn't say to that person or do with that person.

And it reminds us that relationships with those we love are very special, and we shouldn't let petty arguments and grudges come in the way of having a relationship with our family and friends.

Life is too short not to love.

Tied to Gospel Music

2010-02-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

Sunday morning we headed over to the House of Blues here in Houston for their Gospel Brunch.

What a wonderful experience. When PKR heard I was going to this, he pouted a little...and with good reason. He would have loved this, as well as many of my other friends....Nita Jo...you would have been in Heaven!!

But first, there was the food. There were four different stations of food. At the first station you could build you own omelet. The next station had scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, fried chicken, shrimp and cocktail sauce, salad, bagels and lox, fried potatoes and waffle bar.

The next station had three kids of meats, some cheesy grits, and lots of different sauces.

Then there was fresh fruit, pastries, muffins, bread pudding and apple crisp.

Yes, it was quite a spread, and quite good.

As you are sitting down, enjoying your meal, the curtain opens and this week "The Discples of Christ" was the music group performing. It was four ladies, and their band of four men including a bass player, drummer, electric guitar and keyboard. They definitely had the Gospel music sound. They had people dancing and clapping and singing, and it was a great time.

I missed going to my church this morning, but it was fun having church with the people at House of Blues this morning.

Tied to Glendive, Montana

2010-02-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

This week I gave my siblings the following assignment:

Think about one of the places you lived in the 1980's, and write about how you are still tied to that place.

I live four different places in the 1980's.

I lived in Kellogg, Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, San Bernardino, California and Glendive, Montana.

I am going to write about how I am still tied to Glendive, Montana.

Glendive is where I moved to after I graduated from college in 1985. I was hired as the Director of Admissions and Public Relations at Dawson Community College.

I moved into my first apartment, lived there a year on my own, then married PKR over the summer, and he came and joined me there in the summer of 1986.

The Princess was born in Glendive in 1990, and the experience of being pregnant and having you first child in a location always ties you to that place because of the memories of that incredible experience.

I still keep in touch with many of the people I knew in Glendive. Each year I receive Christmas cards from a variety of people I either worked with or went to church with, keeping up on their lives and their families.

Through Facebook, I have reconnected with many of the kids we had in youth group while we were youth group leaders at our church.

Many of the lessons we learned in church from our Pastor have strengthened our faith in God, and have stayed with us throughout the years.

The work I did at the college helps me in my current position, helping students and parents prepare early to attend college.

I'm tied to the spirit of Glendive. The people in eastern Montana had a certain way of looking at life, and dealing with life that has always stayed with me. They never gave up, even when they were dry land farming throughout years of drought. Even though the oil slowly dried up, and the railroad slowly quit stopping as often. They had a spirit I admired.

I loved my time in Glendive, and I'm glad PKR and I were able to start our married life there, and I will always have ties to that wonderful town, and the wonderful people who live there.

Ties to Traveling

2010-02-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

I love to travel.

I love experiencing new places and seeing more of this great country of ours.

Today I woke up, got on a plane, and flew to Houston, Texas.

I am here for a conference for work.

After I checked into the hotel and rested for a bit, I ventured out to find something to eat for dinner. Always interesting when you are alone in a city you have never been to before.

But there was a lot of activity in the area of our hotel, because the Toyota Center is about a block away, and the Houston Rockets were playing the Philadelphia 76ers. I was even a bit tempted to go buy a ticket, if one was available, and watch the game, but I was too tired.

So I started walking toward a park area and found a little cafe to have a burger and fries and lemonade. It was wonderful to have the weather nice enough to sit outside. There was a beautiful fountain to watch, and it was just interesting watching people walk by in the park.

Then I came back to my room, and watched Sarah Palin's speech from the Tea Party Convention. I actually like her speech. I've never been a big fan, but I thought she did a good job on this speech.

Tomorrow I am joining some of my colleagues at the House of Blues for their Gospel Brunch. I can't wait!!

I hope to take in some of the other sites around town while here.

I have been fighting a cold all week, and I am feeling much better, thank goodness. And I get to sleep in tomorrow, so that is good.

Tied to Law and Order

2010-02-05T22:45:00.000-08:00

I decided to start getting all seasons of the original "Law and Order"series, starting with Season One.

We have finished with the first season, and are now onto Season Two.

Watching this is like stepping back into time, back to the 1990's with the fashions and the hair.

They do such a good job of developing the characters, such as the District Attorneys, the Homicide Detectives, and the people involved in the crimes.

So, far as long as it takes to get through all 20 seasons, we will keep working our way through the 1990's and the 2000's, as we watch the people be represented by two separate, yet equally important groups. The police who investigate crime, and the District Attorneys who prosecute the offenders.

These are their stories.

Tied To Sports

2010-02-04T22:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight PKR and I traveled to St. Maries to watch Kiki Aru and the other Lady Wildcats from the 8th grade Kellogg Middle School play basketball. I really enjoy watching those girls play. Most of them have played together as a team through AAU and school ball since they were in third grade. It has been great to watch them grow and develop into the players they are today.

I am not a big sports fan, but my life has always been tied to sports. My dad was a big sports fan, and I still can hear Joe Garigiola announcing the baseball games during the summer. Even thought I didn't sit down and watch the games, I liked the sound of the baseball announcers. There was a quiet, almost rhythmic quality to their announcing that I enjoyed listening to.

Monday Night Football was always on the television on Monday nights. Basketball, golf, even that wierd fake wrestling show was on the television.

And Raymond Pert was an athlete, so we often followed his sporting events. I remember traveling around to different places when he played American Legion baseball. One trip I really remember is to Cashmere, Washington.

I also remember going to his basketball games when he was in high school. My babysitter's husband was the basketball coach, so she made her daughter TC and myself little wildcat outfits to wear at the basketball games. I still remember the cheerleading mascot coming up and giving me a Wildcat button to wear with my wildcat print shirt that AC had sewed for me.

When I was in sixth grade, they started allowing girls to play Little League baseball. I was actually a pioneer for the Kellogg Little League, by being one of the first girls to play the sport in Kellogg. In fact, there were two girls on the team, MR and myself. She was the best player on the team....I was the worst. I remember my favorite position to play was left field, because the balls hardly ever were hit to left field.

In junior high, I tried basketball, track and volleyball. The only one I stuck with into high school was volleyball. But, by my senior year, I wasn't good enough to make the varsity team. But that is okay, because by this time, band, choir, drama, pep club and school government were much more important to me than playing volleyball.

When I went to college, I discovered the joy of jogging. I found out I could run at an easy pace and really enjoyed it. When I moved to Montana, I continued my love of running. Then we moved to Meridian, and I started doing fun runs, starting with 5 K's, then 10 K's, and finally half marathons. They were my favorite. I still have a dream of running a marathon. I got close once. The longest run I ever completed was 16 miles.

While in Meridian, The Princess was on the Meridian Swim Team for a couple of years. I wish she could have kept up with swimming. She really enjoyed it.

The girls have played softball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, cross country and track

One daughter continues to compete in running. Z2 runs cross country and track, and I enjoy attending the cross country meets and track meets to watch Z2 and her fellow athletes compete in the meets.

So I think I will always have a tie to sports one way or another.

Tied to My Pets

2010-02-03T22:51:00.000-08:00

I am a pet person.

I couldn't imagine my life without pets in the house.

Now, to some of you who aren't pet people, I know you think we pet people are a little bit on the crazy side.

But, I admit it, I am totally a pet person.

When I was growing up, I remember having a cat named Peter Twinkletoes and a dog named Cleo. Both were fun over by cars in front of our house. So we never had anymore dogs or cats.

But I did have a white rat, and several parakeets growing up. And there was usually an aquarium full of fish around the house each summer that Mom brought home from her classroom. One summer I even remember Mom had seahorses in the aquarium. That was pretty cool.

Once I was out on my own after graduating college, I adopted two kittens, Lynx and Jessie. They kept me company during a very lonely time in my life when I lived in Eastern Montana, and my family and friends were all back in Idaho, plus my fiance PKR.

When we moved to Meridian, we lost Lynx, but gained Cozomo, our first black cat. We also had Smokey for a brief time while in Meridian as well.

Jessie and Cozomo moved to Kellogg with us. Then Mikey came along, then we added Benjamin. After we lost Mikey, we added Milo and T.C. Then three legged Toby was added to the mix.

We lost Milo last year, which was hard for all of us.

So that is the story with our cats.

Once we moved to Kellogg, and had a fenced in yard, we got our first dog, Peaches, our Keeshond. It was such a joy adding a dog to our family of pets.

Then The Princess wanted a dog, and thought a Pomeranian was a good idea. So Sadie was brought into our lives. Then last summer, Z2 adopted another Pomeranian, Juliet.

I love their presence in our home. I love when I am home alone, and reading in the living, they all come and find their spots, and find a comfy spot in the living room to keep me company. I love when they come and sit next to me on the couch and snuggle.

I love taking them for walks. I love when I cry, and they come and comfort me.

Pets love without condition. They are such a special part of our lives.

And they will be tied to me forever.

Ties to a Sore Throat

2010-02-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

I wish I didn't have a tie to a sore throat. It wasn't fun realizing last night my throat was hurting, I was coughing, and that it was really burning by the time I woke up this morning.

I stayed in bed and rested all day.

I looked up ways to alleviate the pain of a sore throat.

I have gargled with salt water. Kind of makes you gag, but it works.

I have drank water.

I have drank Throat Coat Tea.

I have drank beef bullion.

I took Nyquil today, and that helped with the post nasal drip, and helped me sleep all afternoon.

I suck on Ricola Throat Drops.

I watched many episodes from the second season of Law and Order. I'm not sure it helps my throat much, but it is very entertaining.

I ate a teaspoon full of honey. I also plan to gargle with Listerine.

I looked up some remedies on the Internet. Here are some I did not try:

I have not gargled with sage, raspberry tea or turmeric. They are suppose to work, though.

I did not make a Horseradish cocktail.

I don't have any juice bars, so I didn't eat them. But that does sound good.

I haven't sucked on garlic.

But I did post on Facebook for my friends to pray that I feel better, and I know that has helped immensely.

Anyone else have a proven home remedy for me to try?

Thanks for the suggestions.

I really hope to get better by Saturday. I am flying to Houston, Texas for a conference, and I really don't want to be sick while I'm traveling. So keep those prayers and remedies coming my way!!

Ties to My Workplace--Kellogg Junior High School/Kellogg Middle School

2010-02-01T22:17:00.000-08:00

I enjoy working in a school where I was also a student.

Actually, both schools that are my workplace, I was once a student.

Kellogg Middle School used to be Kellogg Junior High School. I enjoy having ties to this building, and memories of being a student there.

It is also fun having ties to some of the staff. As I stroll through the halls of Kellogg Middle School, I can find ties to many of the faculty and staff.

The choir director started her career at Kellogg Junior High School when I was a student there, and still continues to work and help students perform.

Another faculty member was a fellow student with me at KJHS and Kellogg High School, and today she is a wonderful role model for the students at KMS.

One of my brother's best friend's sons teaches Science at KMS.

One of my sister's former students teaches English at KMS, and has had all three of my daughter as students.

When I was a student at Sunnyside Elementary in Kellogg, JD came and started her teaching career as a fifth grade teacher. Now she teaches Math and Social Studies at KMS.

One of the teacher aides is the daughter of one of Dad's best friends.

The art/computer teacher married a man I grew up with in Kellogg.

When I was growing up, I stayed at one of the secretaries parent's houses when she and my mom and sister went on a trip.

And I have established ties with other staff by working in this building for the last three years. I have come to admire these men and women, and am very fortunate to work with such a caring group of people, who really care about the students they work with, and try to help them in many ways.

I am very glad I have ties to such a wonderful group of people.

Theater Provides Many Opportunties for Using Creative Energy

2010-01-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

The final "Best" assignment from IEG is this:

Best Way For Using Creative Energy

Wow, I may even get this one in before tomorrow's deadline.

Working with the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater has given me many opportunities to use my creative energy.

At first, I was able to sing onstage.

Then I was acting and singing.

A few summers ago, I decided to write a Melodrama, and act in it, and my husband directed the show.

Two summers ago, I put on my director's hat, and directed my first melodrama. Plus I had to add to and rewrite a lot of the material from that show to somehow have it make sense.

Last summer, I directed another melodrama, and also produced a Kelly's Alley Revue.

Producing the revue was a lot of fun. Taking a theme, which last summer was "The 1920's" and researching songs and historical facts about that decade, and blending them all together to create an hour musical revue was really fun. Then to see the six actors sing and dance and perform it was even more wonderful.

This summer, PKR and I have been asked to write a couple of shows with the 1910 fire as the theme. We will be writing a melodrama and a Kelly's Alley Revue. The revue's theme will be full of songs having to do with fire, heat and hot.

We are also producing more of an historical narrative with some multimedia aspects to it, that will help tell some real stories from the summer of the 1910 fire.

All this will be this summer in Wallace during the month of August. So mark your calendars, and come and learn more about this historical time in the Silver Valley's history.

Mel Gibson brought his heart, mind and soul to "Braveheart"

2010-01-30T15:56:00.000-08:00

The next "Best" sibling assignment IEG gave us is this:

Best Movie because of a memorable role of an actor/actress played

I would have to say one of my favorite movie roles was watching Mel Gibson portray William Wallace in the film "Braveheart".

Not only was this a wonderful, historic epic picture, but Gibson's passion for the story, subject matter and role shone through in his performance.

He portrayed William Wallace as a romantic, intellegent, passionate fighter who believed in Scotland and all she stood for, and who believed in freedom for his people.

Besides the role he was playing, Gibson's love of the total project itself was evident in every aspect of the film. It is one of those films I can watch over and over again, and never tire of watching it.

And it doesn't hurt that Mel Gibson is so darn handsome!!

Many Best Songs for Stirring Up Memories

2010-01-30T15:45:00.000-08:00

The next "Best" assignment IEG gave us this month is this:

Best Song for Stirring Up Memories of Another Time

The trouble with this assignment wasn't finding a song, but narrowing down my many choices.

Because there are so many songs I can hear, and it transports me back to a certain time, a certain place, and helps me relive the memory.

Here are some that come to mind:

Chicago's "Saturday in the Park" takes me back to Cedar Island on the North Fork of the Coeur d'Alene River, to the Turnbow's river property.

"You've Lost That Loving Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers made a comeback in the early 80's. I remember sitting in my boyfriend DG's car in the parking lot of a football field, maybe in Post Falls, and hearing this song come on the radio, and realizing our relationship was coming to an end.

If I hear any song from K.T. Tunstall's album "Eye of the Telescope", it reminds me of our family vacation to Los Angelas in the summer of 2006.

Hearing "I Try" by Macy Gray reminds me of the summer of 2000, when we were getting ready to leave Meridian and move to Kellogg.

Oh, and the list could go on and on!!!

Oswald Chambers is Changing My Thinking

2010-01-30T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I am now into the January sibling assignments, so I am slowly getting caught up.

IEG gave us four sibling assignments this month, all to do with the subject Best.

Her first assignment was this:

Best Book Read Recently That Helped Change Your Thinking About Something

For my daily devotions I have decided to read "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.

This devotional is changing my view of God, and how I respond to Him on a daily basis.

I love it when Chambers challenges me with how I am living my life, and responding daily to God and what He wants me to do.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from this past month.

January 3rd--If we have never had the experience of taking off our commonplace religious shoes off our commonplace religious feet, and getting rid of all the undue familiarity with which we approach God, it is questionable whether we have ever stood in His presence.

January 4th--When God brings the blank space, see that you do not fill it in, but wait.

January 6th--Whenever you get a blessing from God, give it back to Him as a love gift. Take time to meditate before God and offer the blessing back to him in a deliberate act of worship.

January 11th--Stagnation in spiritual life comes when we say we will bear the whole thing ourselves.

January 12th--We have to get rid of that idea that we understand ourselves; it is the last conceit to go. The Only One Who understands us is God.

January 13th--There are whole tracts of stubbornness and ignorance to be revealed by the Holy Spirit in each one of us, and it can only be done when Jesus gets us alone.

January 18--The greatest competitor of devotion to Jesus is service for Him. Is is easier to serve than to be drunk to the dregs.

January 19th--The one thing for which we are all being disciplined is to know that God is real.

These devotions are directing my thoughts daily toward God and is helping develop and stronger and closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

And through this process, my thinking is changed.

Returning Back To My Domestic Side

2010-01-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

Another Sibling Assignment is this:

Find a photograph you snapped last year that epitomizes 2099 for you and explain.

I have rediscovered the joy of being domestic.

I have always loved cooking, baking, canning, creating things, and sharing them with other people.

With the busyness of life and children getting older, I haven't experienced many of the things I used to do when the girls were younger.

But this last year I seem to have rediscovered some of those joys, and put them back into practice.

Canning and preserving food was one of the big things I did this last year. We moved into our current house in the spring of 2006, and I know the stovetop at our new house has never had a canner with boiling hot water and glass jars perched on top of it.

But last summer that changed. Last summer, as I started harvesting the garden, and picking apples off a friend's tree, I was given suggestions of what to do with the bounty, and canning was part of those suggestions. First there was the spicy apple chutney, and the apple pie filling, and the salsa.

Then I headed to my sister's in October, to make more chutney, and grape jelly, and dry apples.

This Christmas, it was such a joy to share canned goods with friends and family.

I am also spending more time knitting.

And I am creating more home cooked meals from scratch, which has also been a delight.

I love being domestic, using my hands and heart to be creative, and share that creativity with others.

As Martha says, "It is a very good thing."

Going To Grandma's House Each Summer

2010-01-30T13:55:00.000-08:00

Going to Grandma West's house was an annual pilgrimage in our family when I was growing up. Our summer vacation was spending a week in Orofino, Idaho, usually in August.

Here is another sibling assignment I missed:

Write about specific things you remember about being at Grandma West's house during the summer.

So many memories flood back to me when I think of being in Orofino during the summers.

Sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste.

Sight:
I have a very early memory (probably two or three years old) of driving up to the Dworshak Dam site, and looking at a display that told about what the dam would look like, and that the place where the display was would be under water once the dam was built. Here is a little information on the dam. Once it was completed, it was always nice getting that view of the dam as you drove into town, because you knew you were almost to Grandma's house.

Hearing:
Another very early memory was going next door to Grandma's house with my sister IEG and visiting the girl who lived next door, who was close to Christy's age. I remember going upstairs to MS's bedroom, and she was listening to music, and the song was "Sealed With A Kiss". Another cool thing about their house was the huge curved wooden banister that was on the stairs as you went upstairs in their house.

Touch:
I remember catching a blonde colored fuzzy caterpillar in Grandma's backyard one summer, and putting it in a jar, so we could watch it make a cocoon, and become a butterfly. The cocoon was very unique, almost furry, not like the normal ones that would hang on our house in the summer. It never did emerge from the cocoon. But I still remember catching that unique looking caterpiller.

Another touch I experiences was when an insect flew in my ear on summer when I was standing on the front porch of Grandma's house. If my memory serves me correctly, it was a mayfly. It flew in my ear, and started flying down my ear canal. I was taken to the emergency room, and the doctor used a syringe filled with water to flush the insect out of my ear. It was not a very pleasant experience.

Smell:
I remember the smells of Grandma's garden. The soil in her garden was very dark, and I believe it was full of volcanic material, which made it a very rich soil. Everytime I smell tomato plants I think of Grandma's garden. It was always nice to watch Grandma in her garden, and take in the smells of, not only the vegetables but all her beautiful flowers as well.

Taste:
Orofino in the summer had the taste of corn on the cob, Swiss Steak, cucumbers in cream, and fresh picked tomatoes. It was wonderful.

One of my favorite things to do in the summer was go to Zan's Beach and swim in the Clearwater River. I do remember the summer after I saw "Jaws", I was terrified to go into the river, because I didn't want a shark to come and get me!! Zan's Beach had beautiful white sand, and lots of volcano rocks scattered on the beach.

This summer we are planning a reunion in Orofino with all my the cousins on my Mom's side of the family. It will be a wonderful time of reconnecting, sharing stories, and hopefully eating some of those wonderful meals we experienced as children. All of us are anticipating a very good weekend.

When Dad Made Me Proud

2010-01-30T13:12:00.000-08:00

Today I am going back into the Sibling Assignment archives, and catching up a bit. Actually, I only went back through the last 15 or so. I actually wrote more than I thought I had.

So, back in June, around Father's Day, the sibling assignment was this:

Remember a time that our Father made us proud.

I remember at Dad's funeral visiting with my friend KCM who lived in our neighborhood. In fact, our backyards were kittycorner from each other.

After I went off to college, Dad started taking a real interest in gardening. He loved planting vegetables and harvesting them in the late summer and fall.

He was particularly proud of his tomatoes, and liked to share that information with others.

One of those people was KCM. When KCM would be in Kellogg visiting her parents, Dad would talk to her over the back fence, and would often give her tomatoes, or share tips on how to grow the biggest, juiciest, most flavorful tomatoes.

I loved that she shared that story with me, and it made me very proud!!

The Curtain is Closed

2010-01-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Another show has come and gone, and it is off to other things.

I think I've been in a little bit of a funk this week with the closing of "I Do! I Do!" What an incredible experience to share with my husband, and we had such a fun time performing that show for the community.

One comment we kept hearing over and over was people couldn't believe the stamina we had to perform on stage, just the two of us, for two hours straight, and people wondered if we were exhausted at the end of the show.

It was just the opposite. I think when you do something you love so much, it is like playing a favorite game, and we were actually energized at the end of the evening, not tired. The only night I felt a little tired was last Saturday, when we performed two shows. That tended to be a long day.

PKR kept commenting that it felt like we were "playing" like when we were little kids. We were like two grownups who got to "play house" onstage. And it was so much fun.

I learned to dance with a feather boa, and became very relaxed as I sang "Flaming Agnes" each night. It just became more fun the more I performed that number. (Even though my daughters were quite mortified by the whole performance, especially Z2)!

We had such wonderful audiences who responded to well to the story. Because of many circumstances, I was able to see friends from high school I hadn't seen in a while, because they came to see the show. That was such a blessing.

Our small crew that worked on the show each night was such a blessing. From our director CSP, who brought things out of us we didn't know we could do, and her encouraging words each night as we performed, to JP playing the music each night, and keeping us on track, to KM who did the lights, and RW and CW who were our backstage crew the majority of the time, as well as some help from BC, Kiki Aru and CSP.

We were able to raise close to $1,000 to give to three different charities in the Silver Valley. Meals on Wheels, The Shoshone Women's Resource Center, and Shoshone Community Health Clinic will each receive over $300 a piece to help people in the Silver Valley.

Most performances we didn't greet the audience, but we decided to on our last performance. It was heartwarming to hear people share how good the story made them feel, and how true to life it was for them, watching this couple through the ups and downs of their 50 years of marriage.

The last thing we sing at the end of the show are these words....

"Marriage is a very good thing, though it's far from easy...
Still it's filled this house with life and love."

I love leaving that message with people, because it is so true. Marriage had its ups and downs, it goes through different stages, whether that be having babies, raising teenagers, children getting married, mid life crisis, menopause, or leaving the house you've lived in your whole married life to move into a smaller apartment, it is a tough journey, but it is a very good thing. And it is totally worth it all.

Goodbye, Agnes. Goodbye, Michael.

You both will always be a part of our marriage, and a part of our lives, and we are better because of it. You will never truly leave either of us, and to that I am grateful.

Happy New Year!!

2010-01-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well, it is January 10th, and I haven't even posted anything for the new year.

It always seems to happen. When I am rehearsing for a play, blogging, reading and other creative outlets seem to get put aside until life returns to some normalcy.

So we made it through our first weekend of shows. They all went really well. I was a bit concerned about PKR's voice today, but he made it through. I hope his throat is feeling better by next weekend. Poor guy!!

We are back to school, and into the swing of things there. I talked to freshmen last week about career information, and gave the 8th grader the EXPLORE assessment. This is the 8th grade ACT test. Next week is the end of the semester, and semester tests. That is good, because then I can do some organizing and catching up.

I hope to get the Christmas decorations down tomorrow. I don't think I have ever taken this long to take them down. YIKES!!

I really hope to look back on 2010, and see that I have accomplished something. It seems like I make the same "resolutions" every year, and never get them accomplished. Well, I am bound and determined to make this year different. All it will take is a little discipline and self-control in some areas. Here is to 2010....(I prefer calling is two thousand ten, not twenty ten).

And we're off............

Weepy, Weepy, Weepy

2009-12-31T21:29:00.000-08:00

PKR and I rehearsing for "I Do! I Do!"

As I have mentioned a few times, PKR and I are doing a two person musical called "I Do! I Do!", which opens next Friday, January 8th at the Sixth Street Theater in Wallace.

This has been a very interesting process, rehearsing with my own husband, where the show is about a couple's long marriage.

I find myself choking up during rehearsal. Last night, when we got to the end of the show and we are walking out, the tears in my eyes were not fake.

It is such a touching musical. And to have the privilege of performing this show with my own husband of 23 years.

The tears surprise me. And, as we rehearse, it comes in different places. But it is usually somewhere in the second act, toward the end of the show.

I keep wondering if this is going to go away, or get more intense throughout next week, as we open the show.

This is such a well written musical, and I really wish everyone I know could see it. And it isn't because it is PKR and I performing it, it is because it is such a good show.

Another plus from doing this show is that most of the proceeds from the ticket sales will be going toward three local charities in the Silver Valley, "Meals on Wheels", "The Women's Resource Center" and "The Shoshone Community Health Clinic". PKR and I wish we could give away all kinds of money to help people in need. But we have been blessed with an enthusiasm for performing, and it is something we love to do, and can use this ability to give back to our community. So we are.

And people have been very generous in sponsoring the show, too. We asked people to sponsor the royalties for each night's show, so the expenses would be covered, and more of the ticket sales could go directly toward the charities. So far, we have had over $1800 donated to help with expenses. What a blessing.

So, we have a music rehearsal on Saturday, then three more rehearsals next week, and open on Friday. We'll see if I can make it through opening night without needing a box of Kleenix.

But, if I do need that box of Kleenix, I think it would pretty cool.

Noche Buena

2009-12-24T22:53:00.000-08:00

One of our family traditions for Christmas Eve is picking a country or region, and planning a meal from that country.

This year, we had a Latin American feast.

Here is this year's menu.

Special thanks to Inland Empire Girl for taking all the pictures. I was too busy cooking to snap some pics.

Appetizer: Peruvian Spicy Hot Beef Kabobs

Anticuchs

Here I am assembling the Kabobs

Next was Guatemalan Chicken With Pineapple
Pollo En Pina

Here is Kiki Aru showing off the chicken dish that IEG made.

For the salad course, we had Peruvian Potato Salad

Papas a la Huancaina

Mom made this delicious salad.

I made Paraguayan Corn Bread.

Sopa Paraguay.

Our vegetable was Greens with Bacon from Brazil

Couve a Mineira

(Sorry, no picture)

Our made dish was Stuffed Rolled Steak from Argentina

Carne Rellena

And to top it all off, dessert was Peruvian Carmel Sauce With Fruit and Guatemalan Banana Bread.

Natillas Pluranas and Pao de Banano

Joining our family for dinner was Mom, IEG, JEJ and our friend RG.

After dinner, we sang "O Come, O Come Emmanuel/Emmanuel" for our guests.

After the Candlelight Christmas Eve service at church, it was time to watch

"Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", (an early Christmas present they opened)

and enjoy a roaring fire.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

White Christmas

2009-12-20T23:42:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Christmas movies is "White Christmas". I watched it tonight with my girls. It is such a great show, filled with wonderful music, dance numbers, and a good message.

They just don't make movies like "White Christmas" any more.

I still giggle when the General walks into the dining room in his uniform at the end, and sees all the army men sitting in the room.

I get a little weepy.

One of my favorite parts is to sing a long to "Sisters, Sisters".

Now I'm dreaming of my own White Christmas!!

Z2 the Medical Mystery

2009-12-10T22:04:00.000-08:00

Last August, Z2 was running in our backyard, and hurt her foot. She went to the clinic, and was told to use crutches and stay off of it for about four weeks.

She missed Cross Country season because of the injury.

It was feeling better, and only hurt when she used it for long periods of time. like marching in the parade for U of I Homecoming. And, when her foot was cold, it would ache.

Today, we visited a podiatrist. He was amazed that she had a very diminished ability to flex her big toe, and the one next to it on her right foot. Her big toe on her left foot had 70 percent flexibility, and 60 percent in normal.

Her big toe on her right foot has 25 percent flexibility....not good.

So, to help alleviate some of the pain, she will have some orthodics made to put in her shoes. And hopefully this will help.

I joked with her and told her, if she kept running in track and cross country, someday they would base one of those feel good sports movies on her, the girl who persevered despite the inability to move her toes!!

The doctor was going to consult with some other specialists to see if they had heard of anything like this before. Until then, we are thankful and grateful that she can still run and be active, and that it shouldn't cause any damage by running.

Remembering School Christmas Memories Through Music

2009-12-06T01:00:00.000-08:00

IEG gave the Sibling Assignment this week.

"Write a memory about Christmas related to an experience at school."

To find out about IEG's Christmas art project, go here. RP's will be here later.

Many of my memories about Christmas in school center around music.

When I attended Sunnyside Elementary, the sixth graders were the ones to put on the Christmas program.

Christmas programs were a bit different back then, because it wasn't wrong to have something about the birth of Christ in the program.

I still have this vivid memory of Teresa Vergobbi dressed in a black dress and reciting this reading....

One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village, the son of a peasant woman.

He grew up in another village, where he worked in a carpenter's shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he became a wandering preacher.

He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a house. He didn't go to college. He never visited a big city. He never travelled two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He did none of those things one usually associates with greatness.

He had no credentials but himself.

He was only thirty-three when the tide of public opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. He was turned over to his enemies and went through a mockery of a trial. He was executed by the state. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing, the only property he had on earth. When he was dead he was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure of the human race and the leader of mankind's progress. All the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man on this earth as much as that One Solitary Life.

When I was in sixth grade, I remember playing my flute for "What Child Is This?"

I also got to direct the band.

And I think it was that year I got to help at the Silver King Christmas program, by being the page turner for Mrs. Williams, our music teacher.

I still love Christmas music. Tonight, I got to perform some Christmas tunes with The Princess and Kiki Aru at the Wallace Elks as part of the Wallace Lighting Ceremony. It isn't every mom that can have such willing kids to go sing Christmas tunes with them. I am blessed!!!

Z2 and PKR were not with us, because they were in Idaho Falls at the State Drama Competition. Z2 and her partner CM made it to the final round in Ensemble Pantomime. We are very proud of them!!!

Speaking of Christmas music, I am going to put a plug in for my blogging friend at Blog My Rabbit. He is doing a holiday countdown of some unique Christmas music...Here is what he says..

I embark on a 27-day blog voyage, offering up daily some of my favorite Christmastime-related tracks to the yuletide spirit, in hopes that the exercise might help me enjoy the season more while annoying those around me less.

I invite you to check out Blog My Rabbit, and enjoy some unique Christmas tunes.

Faithful Friends Who Are Dear To Us, Gather Near To Us Once More...

2009-12-05T21:38:00.000-08:00

For the last eight years, we have gathered together each Christmas to catch up, exchange gifts, and share a meal, and laugh, share stories, and have a wonderful time.

These ladies have been faithful friends....for many, many years....and it is a joy to gather together once more.

Mystery Reader

2009-12-04T18:06:00.000-08:00

Today I accompanied my mom to Mrs. Baillie's second grade classroom, where Mom had the honor of being this week's "Mystery Reader" in this second grade classroom at Pinehurst Elementary.

Part of the reason Mrs. Baillie wanted her second graders to meet Mom was because Mom was Mrs. Baillie's second grade teacher.

Mom's book pick was "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Suess. It is one of Mom's favorite Christmas books. Mom has been retired from teaching for 20 years, but she still has the teaching knack. She doesn't just read the story...she engages the students, drawing them in by asking questions.

"What do they call an icebox today?"

"What do we call the horn on Max's head?"

"Do you have a huge feast at Christmas?"

After the story ended, the students asked Mrs. Woolum, the mystery reader, what it was like to be Mrs. Baillie's teacher. Mom explained how students could be paddled back when Mrs. Baillie was in school.

"Did Mrs. Baillie ever get spanked?"

"Was Mrs. Baillie good at Math?"

Some of the students in Mrs. Baillie's room were related to people Mom had been very close to as a teacher. One young man was the great grandson of one of the teacher Mom taught with at Silver King School. Another girl was the great grandaughter of a man who Dad worked with at the Zinc Plant.

Again, there are always connections.

Here are some more pictures of Mom sharing her story with the class. What a joy to watch Mom share this special story with this group of students.

Staying Connected

2009-12-03T22:50:00.000-08:00

There is something about growing up with people in the same place for years and years, then, later in life, you want to stay connected.

This Saturday I am gathering with some girl friends that all grew up in the Silver Valley, and, at least one time a year, we gather together for lunch, to have a Christmas gift exchange, and to get caught up on life.

After I moved back to Kellogg nine years ago, we started getting together. There are six of us who have been together for almost every lunch each year since Christmas 2001.

I have a history with each of these women.

CM is one of my oldest friends...meaning I have known her since I was four years old. We attended kindergarden together, and her mother babysat me when I was in kindergarden. We attended school together through junior high, then she moved to Coeur d'Alene for a few years. She returned in ninth grade, then we graduated from high school together. We were at U of I together one year. We have know each other for almost 42 years. She now lives in Coeur d'Alene, and is working on her Masters of Social Work degree. Two of our daughters were born within weeks of each other.

BB was also in my kindergarden class. We then were in sixth grade together, and on through graduation. Her daughter is right between Kiki Aru and Z2, so I get to catch up with BB at sporting events, usually track in the spring. BB is a hair stylist in Hayden.

CD came to Kellogg while we were in junior high, but had relatives living in Kellogg, so her Silver Valley roots run deep. She married a guy from Mullan and her mom still lives in Kellogg. Her daughter runs cross country and her son runs track, so again, I see her at sporting events.

PS was a Pinehurst girl, so I didn't meet her until junior high. She is the "planner". She always gets our get together organized. PS has the youngest child of all of us. As many of us have children out on their own, or in middle school or high school, PS has a daughter in grade school, and loves every moment of it!!

TF returned to the Silver Valley the same summer we did, and both of our husbands were hired by the Wallace School District the same year. Our oldest daughters graduated from high school together, and we occasionally run into each other as well.

MR is a new comer to our luncheon this year. She was raised in Kellogg, and I got to know her when she came to Sunnyside School in fourth grade. Her mother was my Campfire leader for many years. She was a fellow flute player, and we were always in competition for first chair. One of my memories of MR is when, in sixth grade, the Little League babeball allowed girls for the first time to try out for a team. Both MR and I tried out and made the same team. She was the best player on the team....I was the worst. MR moved away after our freshman year and moved to Wisconsin. She is know back in Kellogg, and I look forward to rekindling our friendship after many, many years.

My brother also sees the value in gathering with his friends. For many years, Thanksgiving has been a time for him to reconnect with his high school buddies, either somewhere in Oregon, or here in the Silver Valley. For him, the catalyst for spending time with old friends was our father's funeral. He was very moved by the way Dad's friends responded as Dad lay in his bed dieing of cancer, and how his many friends he grew up with in the Silver Valley came and spent time with him as he lay in bed. My brother realized there was a special bond between Dad and his friends, and he wanted to experience that bond with the buddies he grew up with as well.

And I, too, realize the specialness in old friends. AL will not be with us on Saturday, but is arriving on Sunday to be here in the Silver Valley for about a month. AL and I can say one or two words, and be on the floor laughing, remember a funny story or joke from years gone by. It has been too long since I spend time with AL, and I look forward to getting caught up, and laughing until I cry.

KM is like that as well. She will also miss the lunch on Saturday, but will be here at her parent's house for Christmas, so we will find some time to get together. KM's house and my house had kitty corner back yards. Again, I have known KM since I was three or four years old.

What amazes me is the remarkable women the friends of mine have become, with beautiful families. Yes, there have been struggles....grief, pain, life....but we gather together, and it doesn't matter, because our bond is stronger than the circumstances of life.

We are social workers, nurses, mothers, wives, counselors, educators, lovers, friends, volunteers, hair stylists, insurance industry workers, substitute teachers, daughters.

Our roots go back to the hey days of the Silver Valley, when mining was big, and smelter smoke was even bigger!! But we didn't care.

It has forged in us a connection that we never want to break, as we continue our ritual of our yearly Christmas gathering, to share stories, share gifts, share lives.

Christmas Time Is Here

2009-12-01T21:54:00.000-08:00

It is December 1st, and time to start preparing for Christmas.

While driving to Wallace tonight, many people took advantage of the good weather after Thanksgiving to put up their Christmas lights.

I need to take some time in the next few days to get our nativity scene outside. We do have our Christmas swag on the front door.

Then up come the boxes and boxes of decorations.

The tree must be purchased and put up and decorated.

Recipes to be gone over to see what Christmas goodies I will make this year.

Presents need to be wrapped.

This Saturday I am having my annual Christmas luncheon with my high school friends. This will be our ninth year meeting together. It will be so fun.

I will also be singing Christmas songs with a group at the Wallace Elks on Saturday night.

We are in the midst of practicing for the "Christmas Festival of Music" at Mountain View Congregational Church. This will be Sunday evening, December 13th at 6:30 p.m. Our family is singing, and we are also singing in some smaller groups. It should be a very fun night.

Then there are the school Christmas concerts. Kiki Aru will be in the Kellogg Middle School band concert on December 10th, and Z2 will be performing almost every night the following week, with her Kellogg High School band concert, choir concert, and Joy Bells concerts the following week.

Christmas music and Christmas concerts are always a great way to get in the holiday spirit.

I hope each and every one of you is enjoying the beginning of this most wonderful time of the year!!!

Oops

2009-11-29T00:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I missed my NaBloPoMo deadline by about 38 minutes.

Oh well, it was a busy day here.

We threw PKR a birthday open house, and so we were busy all day cleaning house, and preparing for the birthday open house.

PKR is in a barbershop quartet called "The Debonairs", and they started off the festivities with about half an hour of singing.

It was fun to have people drop in and visit with them.

When you turn 50, you sure do get some funny birthday cards.

The girls even joined with us to do our "special" version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

It was a very fun evening, so it was worth not making my deadline.

Then we watched "Angels and Demons" and cleaned up and headed for bed.

Dust Bowl

2009-11-27T22:29:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading a book by Timothy Egan titled "The Worst Hard Time".

It is a story of people who lived through the Dust Bowl in the 1930's, in the states of Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Texas, Colorado and New Mexico.

I remember reading "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck, about people leaving the Dust Bowl.

This is a factual account of people who stayed and lived through these years.

It is a story of how the plowing up of grassland to grow wheat caused the land to create dust storms.

As I read this book and read how these people lived year after year, with continual dust storms coming through for over 10 years, drought, the stripping of the land so things cannot be grown. Dust pneumonia was a new phenomenon that killed people because of all the dust they breathed in and collected in their lungs.

People went crazy.

But some survived. And they continued to live in "no man lands" as this area was referred to in the book.

And this book is their stories.

It was very well written and a very informative look at a piece of our country's history.

Z is for Z2 and her Sisters

2009-11-26T21:54:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for my three daughters, Z2, Kiki Aru and The Princess.

They are each so very unique, but yet are definitely sisters.

Some people shudder when they hear I have three teenage daughters living at home.

I love this time of their lives. I understand teenagers. I understand girls. I love having three teenage daughters.

Oh, yes, there are the hormonal ups and downs, the sibling fighting, the times when I ask, "Do I know you?"...

but that is okay. Because most of the time, they are funny, intelligent, talented, creative,caring girls who make me laugh and smile, who love God with all their heart and soul, and I feel proud that they are my girls.

I am thankful for three teenage daughters.

Y is for Yummy Yeasty Goodness

2009-11-25T10:30:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the ability to use yeast to make yummy homemade breads this holiday season.

I will be making some dinner rolls for Thanksgiving tomorrow, and then some French bread and other breads as well.

And perhaps I'll make some Cinnamon or Orange rolls for breakfast tomorrow.

Nothing beats the smell of bread baking in the oven.

Yum!!

X is for Xerox

2009-11-24T11:27:00.001-08:00

I am thankful for a company like Xerox who prints off postcards and sends them to our troops.

Take a few moments, and send a postcard, and let our troops know how much we appreciate them!!

W is for Grandma Woolum and Grandma West

2009-11-23T11:21:00.000-08:00

I am very thankful for my two grandmas.

In a time when single motherhood was not very common, both of my grandmothers raised their families without the help of a husband.

Grandma Woolum's husband left her, and he eventually died when my dad was fairly young. My Grandma stayed in Wardner and Kellogg, and raised her family until health concerns had her moving to Spokane, where she continued to live until she passed away.

Grandma West's husband also left, and they eventually divorced. He relocated to Mexico, and remarried.

Grandma West raised her family in Orofino, Idaho.

Both were strong, loving women, and I am proud to be a product of these two wonderful women.

V is for Vision

2009-11-22T23:38:00.000-08:00

I'm thankful for people with a vision.

We just started working on our next play, and we are fortunate to have a director with a vision.

I'll write more later.

Okay, now I can write a bit better after a good night's sleep.

Yesterday, I finished a run of "Here We Sit" at the Sixth Street Theater.

Now, PKR and I have started rehearsal for "I Do! I Do!", a musical about a couple's 50 years of marriage, and the ups and downs they experienced. We are the only two in the show, so it will be quite a workout!!

We are fortunate to have Carrie Stuart Parks directing the show. We sat down with her for a table read last week, and it is already evident she has a real vision for the show, our characters, and what she wants us to do. It is so exciting!!!

So, call now for reservations. It isn't too early! 1-877-SIXTHST!!

We run Jan. 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24.

U is for Unity

2009-11-21T15:06:00.000-08:00

How good and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

I am thankful to dwell in unity with Christian brothers and sisters around the world, knowing that each of us believes that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that God loved the world so much that He gave His son Jesus, and if we believe in Him, we will not perish but have everlasting life.

I have had wonderful encounters with people, and once we realized Christianity was our common thread, it was like we were old friends.

One of my more special Christian brothers in unity moment was two summer ago, when I visited the National Cathedral in Washington D.C., and attended a service in the basement of the Cathedral, in a small chapel. People from around the world opened up and shared how they had Hope because of Jesus Christ. I shared communion with these people, breaking the break and drinking the wine, just as Jesus commanded us to do.

Unity is pleasant. Unity brings peace. Unity brings love. Unity brings joy.

I am thankful for unity.

T is for Too Tired

2009-11-20T22:54:00.000-08:00

I am thankful, when I am too tired, that I have a wonderful, warm, comfy bed to lie down in and sleep.

Today, I am too tired.

Tonight, I will have a wonderful night's sleep, in my warm, comfy bed.

S is for Siblings

2009-11-19T23:07:00.000-08:00

I am so thankful for my two siblings.

This following passage from the essay "One Village" by Naomi Shihab Neye reminds me of the connection I share with my two siblings, and what it is like to be together in Kellogg.

Feelings crowd in on me; maybe this is what it means to be in your genetic home. That you will feel on fifty levels at once, the immediate as well as the level of blood, the level of uncles, of weeping in the pillow at night, weddings and graves, level of the secret and unseen. Maybe this is heritage, that deep well that gives us more than we deserve. Each time I write or walk or think, I drop a bucket in. Staring at my grandmother, my Sitti, as she sits on the low bed, rocking back and forth in time with conversation, tapping her fingertips on her knees, I think, this is the nectar off which I feed.

R is for Romance

2009-11-18T20:46:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for the my husband, who has brought romance into my life for over 25 years.

Today PKR turned 50 years old, and, since this was a rather busy day with kids going every which way, we all gathered together for breakfast. We put some candles on a "birthday scone" and also had some fried potatoes. All five of us ate breakfast together for PKR's 50th birthday.

Last night Z2 and I "decorated" his classroom at Kellogg High School with balloons and Z2 brought some of his high school and college memorabilia, and put it up in his class. I photocopied some old high school yearbook photos, and made flyers that I posted throughout the school. It was hard to miss it was his birthday at school today.

PKR is a pie man, so I baked him an apple pie and also made him a huckleberry/rhubarb cobbler, and took it to school, and shared it with the KHS faculty.

Tonight, PKR and Z2 have the final night of KHS's production of "One Mad Night". As soon as I locate my card reader, I will download some pictures from the production. It was very funny.

Yes, I am married to someone who has been alive for half a century. Wow.

Q is for Quiet Time

2009-11-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for times of quiet.

If I don't get that quiet time to myself each day to pray, reflect, talk to God, and sometimes just sit back and do nothing, I do not function my best.

I like praying, and letting God show me things. I like having people brought to mind that I can pray for, or perhaps send a card to, or pick up the phone and call.

In the midst of life, a quiet time is a must. We need time to sit and listen. To be refreshed. To be rejuvenated.

Afternoon Movie Watching With Dad

2009-11-17T08:17:00.000-08:00

This week, I gave the sibling assignment to my brother and sister. IEG remembers watching Peter Pan here, and once RP comes back from the spiritual zone of ancient writers to focus on his blog posts, you will see his here.

The assignment is this: Think back to a movie you remember watching at our house in Kellogg, name the movie, what it was about, and what makes you remember watching it at the house.

I remember during a time growing up that one of the Spokane television stations, I am thinking it was KXLY, showed movies in the afternoon. One movie I remember watching more than once was "The Greatest Show on Earth".

This Academy Award winning movie is about the circus, and had a all star cast, including Betty Hutton, Dorothy Lamour, Charlton Heston and Jimmy Stewart. And more than once, I remember sitting there with my dad watching this movie. Me coming home after a day at Sunnyside School, and he from working all day at the Zinc Plant at the Bunker Hill Company.

And I always remembered the last line of the movie...

That's all, ladies and gentlemen, that's all. Come again to the greatest show on earth. Bring the children. Bring the old folks. You can shake the sawdust off your feet, but you can't shake it outta your heart. Come again, folks. The Greatest Show on Earth. Come again.

If you don't remember this movie, here is a trailer. It might jar your memory.

P is for Philanthropy

2009-11-16T20:59:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling very thankful for the philanthropic people I work with on a daily basis.

There truly are angels among us in the Kellogg School District.

Today, I was overwhelmed with good will, because of some wonderful people.

Because of some kind-hearted souls, a coat drive has be started at KHS. It started when PE realized one of her students didn't have a winter coat to wear, and I realized someone had left a man's coat here about a year ago, and so I washed it up, and this student now has a winter coat. They are hoping to get warm coats to other students as well.

JD is one of the most giving people I know at KMS. Whenever a student or their family is in distress, she sends out the word, and before you know it her classroom is overflowing with items for families in need. Just this past week, three of our students lost their father. We were able to gather together many bags full of food to send to the family. What a blessing.

My day started of this morning with all the KHS freshmen and sophomores gathering together in the KHS gym to put the food they had brought in to put in laundry baskets to provide turkey dinners for 14 needy families in the Silver Valley. How wonderful to see some of the baskets overflowing with food. And our KHS staff was also generous, donating money to purchase turkeys for each of the baskets.

Today was one of those days when you realize there are some really wonderful people in this world who really care about kids, and other people.

O is for Oklahoma

2009-11-15T21:17:00.000-08:00

When I lived in Meridian, I was part of the cast of "Oklahoma" during the 50th anniversary of Boise Music Week. We performed it in the Morrison Center on the Boise State University Campus.

I am thankful I got to be a part of that "Oklahoma" production. I have always loved musical theater, and am also thankful I get to continue to perform musicals in our local community theater.

N is for New Every Morning

2009-11-14T13:51:00.000-08:00

I love the hope this passage gives to the reader, especially when things are going hard, and life isn't going that great. Our hope is always in God, who will always see us through.

I also like that this chapter is an Acrostic Poem, where each line of the poem begins with the first letter of the Hebrew Alphabet. Below is Lamentations 3, with the Hebrew translation next to each verse.

As I read through this chapter, it remind me of the book I am currently reading titled "The Worst Hard Time" by Timothy Egan. It is a book about the Dust Bowl in the early 1930's. As I read the words from Lamentations 3:29 that says "Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope."

It took strength from those people who continued to live in the harsh, barren, dusty land on the plains of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado during those drought-stricken early years of the 1930's. But many continued to hope, and believe that things would get better.

Often our lives can seem overwhelming. We find ourselves in a dark place. We become despondent, and it is hard to function.

But, if we turn to God's Word, we know our hope is in God.

"Surely the Lord's mercies are not consumed, surely His compassions fail not. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness." vs. 22 and 23.

Lamentations Chapter 3 אֵיכָה

א אֲנִי הַגֶּבֶר רָאָה עֳנִי, בְּשֵׁבֶט עֶבְרָתוֹ.	1 I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of His wrath.
ב אוֹתִי נָהַג וַיֹּלַךְ, חֹשֶׁךְ וְלֹא-אוֹר.	2 He hath led me and caused me to walk in darkness and not in light.
ג אַךְ בִּי יָשֻׁב יַהֲפֹךְ יָדוֹ, כָּל-הַיּוֹם. {ס}	3 Surely against me He turneth His hand again and again all the day. {S}
ד בִּלָּה בְשָׂרִי וְעוֹרִי, שִׁבַּר עַצְמוֹתָי.	4 My flesh and my skin hath He worn out; He hath broken my bones.
ה בָּנָה עָלַי וַיַּקַּף, רֹאשׁ וּתְלָאָה.	5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.
ו בְּמַחֲשַׁכִּים הוֹשִׁיבַנִי, כְּמֵתֵי עוֹלָם. {ס}	6 He hath made me to dwell in dark places, as those that have been long dead. {S}
ז גָּדַר בַּעֲדִי וְלֹא אֵצֵא, הִכְבִּיד נְחָשְׁתִּי.	7 He hath hedged me about, that I cannot go forth; He hath made my chain heavy.
ח גַּם כִּי אֶזְעַק וַאֲשַׁוֵּעַ, שָׂתַם תְּפִלָּתִי.	8 Yea, when I cry and call for help, He shutteth out my prayer.
ט גָּדַר דְּרָכַי בְּגָזִית, נְתִיבֹתַי עִוָּה. {ס}	9 He hath enclosed my ways with hewn stone, He hath made my paths crooked. {S}
י דֹּב אֹרֵב הוּא לִי, אריה (אֲרִי) בְּמִסְתָּרִים.	10 He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.
יא דְּרָכַי סוֹרֵר וַיְפַשְּׁחֵנִי, שָׂמַנִי שֹׁמֵם.	11 He hath turned aside my ways, and pulled me in pieces; He hath made me desolate.
יב דָּרַךְ קַשְׁתּוֹ וַיַּצִּיבֵנִי, כַּמַּטָּרָא לַחֵץ. {ס}	12 He hath bent His bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. {S}
יג הֵבִיא, בְּכִלְיֹתָי, בְּנֵי, אַשְׁפָּתוֹ.	13 He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my reins.
יד הָיִיתִי שְּׂחֹק לְכָל-עַמִּי, נְגִינָתָם כָּל-הַיּוֹם.	14 I am become a derision to all my people, and their song all the day.
טו הִשְׂבִּיעַנִי בַמְּרוֹרִים, הִרְוַנִי לַעֲנָה. {ס}	15 He hath filled me with bitterness, He hath sated me with wormwood. {S}
טז וַיַּגְרֵס בֶּחָצָץ שִׁנָּי, הִכְפִּישַׁנִי בָּאֵפֶר.	16 He hath also broken my teeth with gravel stones, He hath made me to wallow in ashes.
יז וַתִּזְנַח מִשָּׁלוֹם נַפְשִׁי, נָשִׁיתִי טוֹבָה.	17 And my soul is removed far off from peace, I forgot prosperity.
יח וָאֹמַר אָבַד נִצְחִי, וְתוֹחַלְתִּי מֵיְהוָה. {ס}	18 And I said: 'My strength is perished, and mine expectation from the LORD.' {S}
יט זְכָר-עָנְיִי וּמְרוּדִי, לַעֲנָה וָרֹאשׁ.	19 Remember mine affliction and mine anguish, the wormwood and the gall.
כ זָכוֹר תִּזְכּוֹר, ותשיח (וְתָשׁוֹחַ) עָלַי נַפְשִׁי.	20 My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is bowed down within me.
כא זֹאת אָשִׁיב אֶל-לִבִּי, עַל-כֵּן אוֹחִיל. {ס}	21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. {S}
כב חַסְדֵי יְהוָה כִּי לֹא-תָמְנוּ, כִּי לֹא-כָלוּ רַחֲמָיו.	22 Surely the LORD'S mercies are not consumed, surely His compassions fail not.
כג חֲדָשִׁים, לַבְּקָרִים, רַבָּה, אֱמוּנָתֶךָ.	23 They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness.
כד חֶלְקִי יְהוָה אָמְרָה נַפְשִׁי, עַל-כֵּן אוֹחִיל לוֹ. {ס}	24 'The LORD is my portion', saith my soul; 'Therefore will I hope in Him.' {S}
כה טוֹב יְהוָה לְקֹוָו, לְנֶפֶשׁ תִּדְרְשֶׁנּוּ.	25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for Him, to the soul that seeketh Him.
כו טוֹב וְיָחִיל וְדוּמָם, לִתְשׁוּעַת יְהוָה.	26 It is good that a man should quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.
כז טוֹב לַגֶּבֶר, כִּי-יִשָּׂא עֹל בִּנְעוּרָיו. {ס}	27 It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. {S}
כח יֵשֵׁב בָּדָד וְיִדֹּם, כִּי נָטַל עָלָיו.	28 Let him sit alone and keep silence, because He hath laid it upon him.
כט יִתֵּן בֶּעָפָר פִּיהוּ, אוּלַי יֵשׁ תִּקְוָה.	29 Let him put his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope.
ל יִתֵּן לְמַכֵּהוּ לֶחִי, יִשְׂבַּע בְּחֶרְפָּה. {ס}	30 Let him give his cheek to him that smiteth him, let him be filled full with reproach. {S}
לא כִּי לֹא יִזְנַח לְעוֹלָם, אֲדֹנָי.	31 For the Lord will not cast off for ever.
לב כִּי אִם-הוֹגָה, וְרִחַם כְּרֹב חֲסָדָיו.	32 For though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.
לג כִּי לֹא עִנָּה מִלִּבּוֹ, וַיַּגֶּה בְּנֵי-אִישׁ. {ס}	33 For He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. {S}
לד לְדַכֵּא תַּחַת רַגְלָיו, כֹּל אֲסִירֵי אָרֶץ.	34 To crush under foot all the prisoners of the earth,
לה לְהַטּוֹת, מִשְׁפַּט-גָּבֶר, נֶגֶד, פְּנֵי עֶלְיוֹן.	35 To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High,
לו לְעַוֵּת אָדָם בְּרִיבוֹ, אֲדֹנָי לֹא רָאָה. {ס}	36 To subvert a man in his cause, the Lord approveth not. {S}
לז מִי זֶה אָמַר וַתֶּהִי, אֲדֹנָי לֹא צִוָּה.	37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?
לח מִפִּי עֶלְיוֹן לֹא תֵצֵא, הָרָעוֹת וְהַטּוֹב.	38 Out of the mouth of the Most High proceedeth not evil and good?
לט מַה-יִּתְאוֹנֵן אָדָם חָי, גֶּבֶר עַל-חֲטָאָו. {ס}	39 Wherefore doth a living man complain, a strong man because of his sins? {S}
מ נַחְפְּשָׂה דְרָכֵינוּ וְנַחְקֹרָה, וְנָשׁוּבָה עַד-יְהוָה.	40 Let us search and try our ways, and return to the LORD.
מא נִשָּׂא לְבָבֵנוּ אֶל-כַּפָּיִם, אֶל-אֵל בַּשָּׁמָיִם.	41 Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.
מב נַחְנוּ פָשַׁעְנוּ וּמָרִינוּ, אַתָּה לֹא סָלָחְתָּ. {ס}	42 We have transgressed and have rebelled; Thou hast not pardoned. {S}
מג סַכּוֹתָה בָאַף וַתִּרְדְּפֵנוּ, הָרַגְתָּ לֹא חָמָלְתָּ.	43 Thou hast covered with anger and pursued us; Thou hast slain unsparingly.
מד סַכּוֹתָה בֶעָנָן לָךְ, מֵעֲבוֹר תְּפִלָּה.	44 Thou hast covered Thyself with a cloud, so that no prayer can pass through.
מה סְחִי וּמָאוֹס תְּשִׂימֵנוּ, בְּקֶרֶב הָעַמִּים. {ס}	45 Thou hast made us as the offscouring and refuse in the midst of the peoples. {S}
מו פָּצוּ עָלֵינוּ פִּיהֶם, כָּל-אֹיְבֵינוּ.	46 All our enemies have opened their mouth wide against us.
מז פַּחַד וָפַחַת הָיָה לָנוּ, הַשֵּׁאת וְהַשָּׁבֶר.	47 Terror and the pit are come upon us, desolation and destruction.
מח פַּלְגֵי-מַיִם תֵּרַד עֵינִי, עַל-שֶׁבֶר בַּת-עַמִּי. {ס}	48 Mine eye runneth down with rivers of water, for the breach of the daughter of my people. {S}
מט עֵינִי נִגְּרָה וְלֹא תִדְמֶה, מֵאֵין הֲפֻגוֹת.	49 Mine eye is poured out, and ceaseth not, without any intermission,
נ עַד-יַשְׁקִיף וְיֵרֶא, יְהוָה מִשָּׁמָיִם.	50 Till the LORD look forth, and behold from heaven.
נא עֵינִי עוֹלְלָה לְנַפְשִׁי, מִכֹּל בְּנוֹת עִירִי. {ס}	51 Mine eye affected my soul, because of all the daughters of my city. {S}
נב צוֹד צָדוּנִי כַּצִּפּוֹר, אֹיְבַי חִנָּם.	52 They have chased me sore like a bird, that are mine enemies without cause.
נג צָמְתוּ בַבּוֹר חַיָּי, וַיַּדּוּ-אֶבֶן בִּי.	53 They have cut off my life in the dungeon, and have cast stones upon me.
נד צָפוּ-מַיִם עַל-רֹאשִׁי, אָמַרְתִּי נִגְזָרְתִּי. {ס}	54 Waters flowed over my head; I said: 'I am cut off.' {S}
נה קָרָאתִי שִׁמְךָ יְהוָה, מִבּוֹר תַּחְתִּיּוֹת.	55 I called upon Thy name, O LORD, Out of the lowest dungeon.
נו קוֹלִי, שָׁמָעְתָּ: אַל-תַּעְלֵם אָזְנְךָ לְרַוְחָתִי, לְשַׁוְעָתִי.	56 Thou heardest my voice; hide not Thine ear at my sighing, at my cry.
נז קָרַבְתָּ בְּיוֹם אֶקְרָאֶךָּ, אָמַרְתָּ אַל-תִּירָא. {ס}	57 Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon Thee; Thou saidst: 'Fear not.' {S}
נח רַבְתָּ אֲדֹנָי רִיבֵי נַפְשִׁי, גָּאַלְתָּ חַיָּי.	58 O Lord, Thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; Thou hast redeemed my life.
נט רָאִיתָה יְהוָה עַוָּתָתִי, שָׁפְטָה מִשְׁפָּטִי.	59 O LORD, Thou hast seen my wrong; judge Thou my cause.
ס רָאִיתָה, כָּל-נִקְמָתָם--כָּל-מַחְשְׁבֹתָם, לִי. {ס}	60 Thou hast seen all their vengeance and all their devices against me. {S}
סא שָׁמַעְתָּ חֶרְפָּתָם יְהוָה, כָּל-מַחְשְׁבֹתָם עָלָי.	61 Thou hast heard their taunt, O LORD, and all their devices against me;
סב שִׂפְתֵי קָמַי וְהֶגְיוֹנָם, עָלַי כָּל-הַיּוֹם.	62 The lips of those that rose up against me, and their muttering against me all the day.
סג שִׁבְתָּם וְקִימָתָם הַבִּיטָה, אֲנִי מַנְגִּינָתָם. {ס}	63 Behold Thou their sitting down, and their rising up; I am their song. {S}
סד תָּשִׁיב לָהֶם גְּמוּל יְהוָה, כְּמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם.	64 Thou wilt render unto them a recompense, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.
סה תִּתֵּן לָהֶם מְגִנַּת-לֵב, תַּאֲלָתְךָ לָהֶם.	65 Thou wilt give them hardness of heart, Thy curse unto them.
סו תִּרְדֹּף בְּאַף וְתַשְׁמִידֵם, מִתַּחַת שְׁמֵי יְהוָה. {פ}	66 Thou wilt pursue them in anger, and destroy them from under the heavens of the LORD. {P}

M is for Melodrama

2009-11-13T23:46:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for being a part of the Sixth Street Melodrama and Theater here in the Silver Valley.

I first began my Sixth Street journey in the fall of 2004 in a Christmas show called "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

The following summer, I was in one of the summer melodrama productions.

Since then, I have been in musicals, comedies, and more melodramas. I have had the opportunity to act, sing, write a melodrama, direct two melodramas, and one musical revue.

It has helped nurture my creativity in ways I never thought possible.

I have gained confidence through my time on the stage.

My whole family loves performing on stage, and singing and acting. What a blessing that we all have this common love.

Who Knew Bing Crosby Was A University of Idaho Vandal Fan?

2009-11-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

Here is a University of Idaho Fight Song from 1947 sung by Bing Crosby.

I-D-A-H-O!! Idaho, Idaho, Go, Go, Go!!

L is for Lovely Ladies

2009-11-12T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today I am very thankful for the lovely ladies I meet with on a monthly basis who are in my book group.

We have been meeting together for five years now. We started the fall of 2004, and only have had one member move away, then got another to replace her.

We have read a variety of books over the years, from best selling novels, to non-fiction, and ones that really surprised me because of how good they were.

We often call it our monthly "therapy session". We solve the world's problems. Yeah, we may get around to talking about the book, especially if it was a really good one, but mostly we get together to enjoy each other's company.

And we have about a 20 year age span between all of us. I am the youngster of the group. I love sharing time with these beautiful women who have taught me so many things over the years, and we have created quite a bond.

Next month we are having our annual Christmas book club, where we have a cookie exchange, and usually share small gifts, and we are each bringing a Christmas story to share.

Most of the time, we all make it to book group. Sometimes one can't make it. But we have had a pretty good track record.

I am so thankful for these ladies...these lovely, lovely ladies.

K is for Kellogg Patriotism

2009-11-11T20:45:00.000-08:00

I absolutely love Veteran's Day, and paying tribute to our Veterans.

We are fortunate in the Silver Valley to have many opportunities to honor the men and women who have served and continue to serve our country.

Today I attended the Veteran's Day assemblies at both Kellogg Middle School and Kellogg High School. Both were very well done, and made me proud to be on staff at both these schools, and have daughters who were a part of the both assemblies.

At KMS, Kiki Aru was part of the band that played a beautiful patriotic melody. The main speaker was a man named Bill White who served in the Vietnam War. He shared how proud he was to serve his country, but that coming home was very hard, because it wasn't a very welcoming homecoming.

At KHS, Z2 played in the band, and also sang in the Select Choir. Bob McKay spoke about the new Veteran's Memorial in Kellogg, and ways Veterans are involved in the community.

As part of the KHS assembly, four Boy Scouts performed the flag folding ceremony. This ceremony explains what each of the 13 folds of the flag means, when a flag is presented to a deceased servicemen's family, or a policeman or fireman.

Here is what the Boy Scouts shared today during the assembly:

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother's day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

(Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

Also as part of the KHS assembly, each veteran was asked to come up to the podium, say their name, what branch of the service they served in, and how long they served. What a stirring moment to watch men I have seen my whole life get up and share how they served their country to preserve our freedoms. Men like John Yergler, Jack Etherton, Louis Groves, Mike Groves, Jim Lewis and Joe Peak.

Then PKR and I sang a Patriotic Medley at the Wallace Elks tonight, as part of a short program they did to honor the veterans. It was a wonderful tribute.

At each of the Veteran's Day ceremonies, I was also impressed with the KHS JrROTC students who presented the flag. They do such a nice job, and my heart wells with pride as I watch these young men and women take their job of presenting the colors so seriously.

Thank you, Veterans, for your sacrifice to this wonderful country in which we live.

J is for James Taylor

2009-11-10T20:46:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am a big James Taylor fan, and I am very thankful for his music in my life.

There is something about his music that touches me, and I love listening to his songs.

I was very excited to hear about an upcoming tour with James Taylor and Carole King. I hope they get close, because that is a concert I would not want to miss!!

Here is one of the reasons why I am thankful for the music of James Taylor.

I is for "I Do! I Do!"

2009-11-09T19:28:00.000-08:00

I am thankful that PKR and I get to perform in the two person musical "I Do! I Do!" in January at the Sixth Street Theater.

I am thankful that we get the opportunity to use our love of performing to help people in the Silver Valley.

We have chosen three different Silver Valley charities to donate some of the proceeds to from the performances.

Below is a letter from our board president, Vern Hanson, about how people can help become royalty sponsors for the show, so we have more money to donate to charities.

November 2009

Dear Sixth Street Fans—

In January, we will be presenting a two person musical titled “I Do! I Do!”. This show is special and unique because it will give our theater an opportunity to give back to the community by donating part of each weekend’s proceeds to three different Silver Valley Charities, The Shoshone Community Health Clinic, Meals on Wheels and The Women’s Resource Center.

Because we would like to donate a majority of our proceeds to the charities, we would like royalty sponsors to cover the cost of presenting the show each performance. It costs $140 in royalty fees to present “I Do! I Do!” each night. Would you be willing to help cover the cost of one night’s royalty payment, or a partial royalty payment, in order to help us give more back to our community?

“I Do! I Do!” is a musical about a marriage, and the many events happening as a married couple. The show features husband and wife team Paul and Carol Roberts. It will be directed by Carrie Stuart-Parks, and the music will be under the direction of Joy Persoon.

We hope you take this opportunity to help us with this endeavor by becoming a royalty sponsor for this production. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Vern Hanson, Sixth Street Theater Board President

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would be willing to donate: _____$25 _____$50 _____$100

Full Royalty Sponsorship _____$140

Please make checks to Sixth Street Theater and drop your check at the ticket desk, or mail donation to:

Sixth Street Theater, Box 1243, Wallace, Idaho 83873

(PLEASE INDICATE ROYALTY PAYMENT ON THE SUBJECT LINE)

What a wonderful opportunity to give back to our precious Silver Valley community. I am thankful for this opportunity!!

H is for History

2009-11-08T21:32:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for learning about History.

Various kinds of history.

Such as local Silver Valley history.

Since moving back here in 2000, I have become fascinated with the local history of this area. I think what really got me going on the history is realizing what a relatively "young" area this is when I think that Noah Kellogg discovered the Bunker Hill mine in 1885, and my Dad was born in Wardner in 1930, only 40 years after the Bunker Hill mine was discovered. I think I was blown away when I made this discovery.

I also like learning about the history of our country. Traveling to Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, and seeing some of the historical sites really helps you appreciate the sacrifice people made for our country.

Today in our Adult Sunday School class, we are starting a series on the history of the Christian Church, and how the church was influenced by culture throughout the ages. It begins with the Roman Age, then today we talked about The Middle Ages. We will then go into the following times:

The Renaissance, The Reformation, The Revolutionary Age, The Scientific Age, The Age of Non-Reason, The Age of Fragmentation, then the Age of Personal Peace and Affluence.

It will be interesting to see what we learn from these lessons.

Vandal Football Memories

2009-11-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

Raymond Pert gave us this Sibling Assignment:

The surprising, shocking, soaring Idaho Vandals are off to a 7-2 start and, for me, it stirs memories of Vandal football in the late 60's through the early 80's.

How about you? Do you have a story to tell about a particular Vandal game and what happened that is memorable to you, either on or off the field?

Write it!

Soon IEG and Raymond Pert will have their posts here and here.

As I have written in the past, football has never really been my game. I never really understood, so have never grown to really appreciate and enjoy watching the sport.

But there are some moments during my college years at U of I that I do remember some things about the college football experience.

I was in the U of I Marching Band my freshman and sophomore years, which pretty much forced me to attend the U of I football games those two years.

Unfortunately, many of my memories involve a particular song we played during halftime (such as Ravel's Bolero), or reminders of the musty smelling Kibbie Dome when they were having roof problems, and you would get dripped on while practicing Marching Band in the Kibbie Dome.

As a sophomore in the U of I Marching Band, an exciting part was traveling to Seattle and getting to march at a Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburg Steelers football game. I still remember being only feet from Jim Zorn, and watching Mean Joe Green and Terry Bradshaw jog around the field before the game began. That was pretty exciting.

Another Vandal Football rememberance was sitting with PKR at one of the games, and having him try ( a big emphasis on TRY) to explain to me the nuances of the game. He would tell me what play was about the happen, tell me to watch certain players, and he could predict where they would be going (how could he do that?), but he might as well have been explaining some mathematical theory to me. I was totally clueless.

But the Vandals did have a successful year in 1982, and I remember because they played Eastern Kentucky, and their quarterback's name was Tuck Woolum. He must be some relation, because Woolum isn't the most common name on the planet. So I do remember that little piece of Vandal trivia.

I really haven't been that interested in Vandal football since college, until they started winning this year. I may even take some time to follow the BSU/Vandal game next weekend. What I wouldn't do to have the Vandals beat the Broncos.

Now that would be sweet!!

Finding God's Country Everywhere I've Lived

2009-11-08T16:58:00.000-08:00

Time to get caught up on Sibling Assignments. A couple of weeks ago, IEG gave us this assignment:

"What do you consider 'God's Country' and why?"

Raymond Pert's is here and IEG's here.

I am glad I have lived a few different places in this great country of ours, and have managed to consider each place God's Country.

My first 18 years were spent living in the Silver Valley of northern Idaho. The Silver Valley from 1963-1981 was a lot different looking than the one of right now, but it was my home, and beautiful just the same.

Even though Kellogg's hillsides were bare of trees, living in Kellogg was a wonderful experience, and I'm glad I grew up here. You felt safe. People looked out for one another. You started kindergarten with about 25 kids, and most of them graduated from high school with you. You established traditions. And, I didn't know much else besides living in Kellogg. We didn't venture far from the valley while I was growing up. Sometimes to Spokane, and a once a summer trip to Orofino. Other than that, we stayed in Kellogg. Even traveling 15 miles to Wallace was a big deal to my folks.

But I longed for adventure. I liked going new places, and seeing new things.

My second home was in Moscow, Idaho, while I attended the University of Idaho. The beautiful rolling hills of the Palouse, and the U of I campus had a beauty all their own. The years at college were foundational as I grew closer in my relationship with God, and trying to figure out who I was, which really made it God's Country for me.

One summer, I lived in California. I worked at the International Headquarters for Campus Crusade for Christ, and lived at Arrowhead Springs, and worked in San Bernadino. This again was God's Country, because of the work I did, helping spread the "Good News" in all that I did that summer. I found beauty in the desert, in crowded Los Angeles, and Disneyland. I found God everywhere that summer, and again grew closer to Him. I also realized that summer that I loved PKR, and he was the man I wanted to marry and spend the rest of my life with. I attended the 1984 Summer Olympics that while in Los Angeles, and enjoyed watching the USA Basketball team play (Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, among others). I still keep in touch with some of the people I lived with that summer.

After college, my first job was in Glendive, Montana. My dad always said Glendive wasn't the end of the world, but you could see it from there. I lived in Glendive from 1985 to 1991. While we lived there, eastern Montana was experiencing a drought. This is a problem when the type of farming you did was dry land farming...no irrigation.

But you found a tough and genuine breed of people in Eastern Montana. Those farmers and ranchers taught us plenty about trusting and having faith in God and many of the things we learned in the Glendive's Evangelical Church of North America have been the foundation for our Christian faith throughout the years.

One area that really grew on us while living in Glendive, and we came to appreciate were the "Badlands", and Makoshika State Park, located in Glendive. It had a very particular beauty all its' own, and we absolutely loved it.
After Montana, we moved to Meridian, Idaho, outside of Boise. The Treasure Valley again brought us growth in our relationship with God. We grew a lot in our faith and trust and understanding of God, and learned alot while in Meridian. But then, it was time to return to my roots.

In 2000, we returned to Kellogg. And the Kellogg of 2000 looked much different from the Kellogg of 1981, when I had lived here permanently that last time. The hills were now filled with the trees that were planted on the hillsides while I was in high school. The wetlands were emerging. There was no more smelter smoke. But God was still here, and that is because the spirit of the people remained the same. I still had many connections to people in this valley, and this is where a part of my heart and soul had remained all these years. And now I continue to enjoy life here in God's Country, the Silver Valley, the place I have always considered home.

G is for Garden

2009-11-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

I love having a yard where I can plant beautiful plants and flowers and enjoy them year round.

There is something so real about getting your hands plunged into the earth, and planting seeds or bulbs.

And the accomplishment when those seeds sprout and become plants, and provide food, or beautful flowers to enjoy.

I am so thankful for my garden.

Gardening for me is one of my creative outlets. It is fun to see how I can arrange plants and flowers to be appealing to the eyes.

It is also therapy. I love spending time alone in the garden, planting, weeding, harvesting, and letting my mind wander and thinking of all kinds of things.

Gardening allows me to pray. There is an old hymn titled "In the Garden". It was actually one of my Grandma West's favorite hymns. (I was fortunate to inheritate the "gardening gene" from both of my wonderful grandmothers).

The words of the hymn go like this:

In The Garden

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The son of God discloses

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet that the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known

I found a video of Brad Paisley singing this song. It is a beautiful rendition. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

F is for Friendship

2009-11-06T22:53:00.000-08:00

Here I am with my best friend from college at our reunion last summer.

I am very thankful for the friends in my life.

Today I had a lunch date with a friend, and we spent four hours catching up.

Another friend has been trying to call me for about a week to talk, but we can't seem to connect. But I know soon we will talk.

Some I gather together with once a month to talk about books.

Some I see only when I visit them in their hometown.

I have different levels of friends, but each are important to me.

Sometimes I seclude myself from my friends. I don't really mean to, but I do. But I realize that isn't a good thing. I need my friends. They have been put into my life for a variety of reasons.

I am so thankful for my friends.

E is for Early

2009-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

I love being up early in the morning, when the house is quiet, and I can just sit and think and meditate. I am thankful for this quiet time in the morning.

I am usually an early riser. I get up around 5:15 a.m. to be ready for my walk with NR every morning.

I like that time, when there is a hush over the house, the dogs and cats are curled up sleeping somewhere in my vicinity, and I can read the paper, read the Bible, pray and start out my day.

I like making a cup of my double bergamot earl grey tea in the mornings, with a little bit of honey, and relax and start my day off on a good note.

Some days don't allow this early morning luxury. I have a meeting, or have to be out the door earlier than expected. But the days I can have that quiet time, it is what I need to start my day off right.

²¹ Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

²³ They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

²⁴ I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD.

Lamentations 3: 21-26