tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147741952024-03-15T20:09:20.267-05:00My Messy, Thrilling LifeBrinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.comBlogger1036125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-63923680660303423752023-12-29T15:31:00.002-06:002023-12-29T15:31:14.989-06:00Freeman House<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnYTt2hSUgrtLMXljNpmtjNAA6B3zCTcERKX2hefYv-MZIDLTyvaNNdbamKI1o_09lmkKGedKvaG_PSDjCBzX1YI99if8XnyAJMXj0bmYM-oWKMHD3jCWh2kSjOA2f3aILX2LbUhvvphgaARtvPc32gXi_2z_teU8gknZmhzKcg_TYSPqaAS_5w/s384/FH2023.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="384" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnYTt2hSUgrtLMXljNpmtjNAA6B3zCTcERKX2hefYv-MZIDLTyvaNNdbamKI1o_09lmkKGedKvaG_PSDjCBzX1YI99if8XnyAJMXj0bmYM-oWKMHD3jCWh2kSjOA2f3aILX2LbUhvvphgaARtvPc32gXi_2z_teU8gknZmhzKcg_TYSPqaAS_5w/s320/FH2023.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: georgia;">Hello, you. How are you? We have some catching up to do. Namely, because, let's get right to it:<br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b> I went back to Freeman House.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I went back, y'all.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hadn't meant to. It wasn't even<i> </i>remotely a thought as I went about my day yesterday, running errands and rushing everywhere. It was a distracted, hurried day, so it's no wonder my frazzled brain gave the wrong name at the dry cleaners. <i>Brin Wisdom</i>, I told the lady twice, before realizing my over-drive brain mistake and correcting it so she could locate Matt's shirts. And as she handed them over, she studied me closely and said, thoughtfully: <i>Brin Wisdom. You're the girl they almost made the movie about, aren't you? That girl with the house</i>?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I gave it no thought, quickly assuring her there was no movie, and no, that couldn't be me. But as I was tapping the chip of my debit card to the reader, she persisted: <i>Yes you are! Did you know your house is for sale? They're selling it.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And suddenly, it all clicked<i>- </i>the debit card reader..<i>. Brin Wisdom... </i>"the girl with the house". My brain quit spinning and stopped with a big arrow on this singular thought. She meant Freeman House. Freeman House was for sale.<i> <br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Understand: in the almost fifteen years since I bought her, I've driven by Freeman House three times. And one of those times I couldn't even turn my head to look. So I can't say exactly why I ran to the car, abandoned my errand-running, and drove straight to her. But suddenly, there I was, braking hard in front of her much-altered yard, dry cleaning hangers rocking wildly on the hook behind me. <br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There she was. With a realtor sign in the front yard. I started crying.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"> - - - - -<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Not as hard as I did when, hours later, Matt and the realtor waited inside Freeman House's front hall as I stood on the porch repeating, <i>I don't know if I can. I don't know if I can go in. </i>But as Matt joked the realtor began pointing out features, I took a deep breath and willed myself inside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She's changed so much. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfFsiCyKe8OsJhvPTrxI6IMTpKbuAspCDjtAzdle0Yvzz4enxiK4xrJJYXMtbkTqmW9PAtnIuJTUSLS1LX9luLapHSYqzCkrZIAbeXDirYE-km6Mx_3jqiUDxebbdqujURWj-T-LMJqfm2aLUHN-kHbA676rD1waOV0y4ATIRHwZtWuXxJQV_Gw/s400/Entry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfFsiCyKe8OsJhvPTrxI6IMTpKbuAspCDjtAzdle0Yvzz4enxiK4xrJJYXMtbkTqmW9PAtnIuJTUSLS1LX9luLapHSYqzCkrZIAbeXDirYE-km6Mx_3jqiUDxebbdqujURWj-T-LMJqfm2aLUHN-kHbA676rD1waOV0y4ATIRHwZtWuXxJQV_Gw/s320/Entry1.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hated it. I hated it all.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The original woodwork and doors? Gone. The enormous, wavy-glass windows? Ripped out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The library? Now a dark, odd "primary suite". </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The cozy living room? Chopped up into a bathroom, walk-in closet, and storage area.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The kitchen? Well, the brick fireplace is gone. So is an entire wall and doorway. The upstairs stairs are in a different, crammed place. There are doorways added and doorways missing, rooms altered and rooms missing. And that enormous wavy-glass built-in in the old dining room where I spent my first many nights after I bought her? Astonishingly, it's nowhere to be found. Instead, there's an empty cove in the wall with a wifi router/TV cable outlet.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wandered the place, trying to be present in the conversation, as memory upon memory flitted just beyond sight. Here's where <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2007/05/what-dress-form-saw.html">the break-in happened</a>. There's where <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2007/01/freeman-house-kitchen.html">t</a><a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2007/01/freeman-house-kitchen.html">he range used to sit</a>. This used to be <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2007/11/thanksgiving-2007-or-grateful-heart.html">the dining room</a>. That was my desk area when I got that email about <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2006/03/would-real-prim-shady-please-step.html">being on the Dr. Phil Show</a>. No, no... this used to be the back porch-turned sitting room where <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2007/07/house-workin.html">I sat in the mornings</a> and drank up the sun with my coffee.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We tried, as best we could, I guess, to tell the realtor of this house being so much more than just... a house. So much more. But how do you? How do we tell someone, twenty years later, about the time I saved the house and the house saved me?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">How could we all possibly tell the story of Freeman House? <br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRDxGyL62JZwYYGEaMIkngeFmqvl45zDhO0DHcAN0Lk6bpMj62zUJd8iMWGW3pdl75R0ZBRw5-E0W9ZymrYvcgeuW2PCFZvLVHM3d3qs5TvOG8Bhwa63DGmeDOapPnG9ucPuo-pgb5-FbYh1nva0mIMGlP5QOWmDdJ87VSwx-PwIYU5sq68H79g/s1600/SitRoom5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRDxGyL62JZwYYGEaMIkngeFmqvl45zDhO0DHcAN0Lk6bpMj62zUJd8iMWGW3pdl75R0ZBRw5-E0W9ZymrYvcgeuW2PCFZvLVHM3d3qs5TvOG8Bhwa63DGmeDOapPnG9ucPuo-pgb5-FbYh1nva0mIMGlP5QOWmDdJ87VSwx-PwIYU5sq68H79g/s320/SitRoom5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Here we are. We all have a decision to make. Freeman House is for sale, again. The owner is motivated to sell quickly, so there isn't much time.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do we see this as God restoring all things and bringing us full circle? Do we buy it and open her for guests as I intended before? </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Do we let her to go the interested family from Kansas looking at her now, trusting that this new life will bring its own new blessings?</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Vote your heart. I'm listening. And somehow, I think she is, too. -Brin </span><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: center;"><br /></h3>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-84684939630525326562020-09-07T10:11:00.003-05:002020-09-07T10:13:55.196-05:00What He Said<div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Come to Me,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>all you who labor and are heavy laden,</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>and I will give you rest.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Jesus, Matthew 11:28</span></div><div class="separator"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigF4o2MUy1r1y1wDQKmVoq4zExUEs5G1G29DO5oXpLYN9T0aufVALZj4GpV4dWWfCBTvDB_iQx9NTxJdKMxqkm5h2m_qRdrUx-S4MLy_-W94rpUmiSaU6IAJ5GZ3e6NJCLtq3PvA/w400-h400/4E09C377-377B-44DF-8279-652077B5A8A5.jpeg" width="400" /></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>He didn't say:</b></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><b>Come to Me, all you who</b></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Have a meal plan</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Got your finances in order</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Stay caught up on laundry</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Hit your goal weight</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><b>He didn't say:</b></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <b>Come to Me, all you who</b></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Are killing it at your job</span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Have the perfect home life</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Keep your house spotless</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Are a model spouse/parent/sibling</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>He didn't say:</b></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <b>Come to Me, all you who</b></span></div></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Never lose it</span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Got the credit cards paid off</span><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Have it all figured out</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Are living your best life now</span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span></div></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span>No. He didn't say any of those things. </span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>He DID say:</b></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"> </span><b style="font-family: georgia;">Come to Me, all you who</b></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> <span> Labor (weary)</span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Are heavy laden (carrying big burdens)</span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If this Labor Day finds you weary - finds you carrying heavy burdens at home... at work... in your heart - Jesus has a place for you. It's next to Him. The Savior of those who are tired, overworked, weak, and weighed down. </span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Take heart, fellow laborer.</b> We have a Savior who has a place of rest for us. Go to Him. Carry your weariness and your worries to Him. </span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>He wants them. </span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>He wants <b>you</b>. </span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>He said so.</span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator"><b style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Monday Moment is a little devotional to help kick start your week. See you again next time!</span></b></div><p></p>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-49332611042253528832020-09-02T10:50:00.004-05:002020-09-02T10:54:51.363-05:00Frankie and Charlie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M8SvndzeNiFCutoksiyedC39ym7dSc7Rk7cPeFzEV7VmVi7YwVviiIPEvW8obf8hmdpJfPDhkbU1Oq4hFMuendvtKAoXXUFmTLtdB95kow3e0t7oGmCM-74PArJ5yJJFIOqJwA/s1773/E2C3C87D-4F6F-408D-ADD3-BF1B27EFECE6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="1773" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0M8SvndzeNiFCutoksiyedC39ym7dSc7Rk7cPeFzEV7VmVi7YwVviiIPEvW8obf8hmdpJfPDhkbU1Oq4hFMuendvtKAoXXUFmTLtdB95kow3e0t7oGmCM-74PArJ5yJJFIOqJwA/w400-h400/E2C3C87D-4F6F-408D-ADD3-BF1B27EFECE6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think of them every day, throughout the day. Frances and Charles. Frankie and Charlie. Our children. In heaven.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was mid November last year, and something wasn't right. I did a tele-doc appointment, and the diagnosis came back quickly, easily: <i>Shingles</i>. Only the doctor wouldn't prescribe me any "hard" medicines because my period was late. Could you be pregnant?, the doctor asked. I grimaced, and explained that I was 40... and childless.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">How wrong we all were. The "Shingles" was a pregnancy rash. I was pregnant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I found out the week of Thanksgiving and told Matthew Thanksgiving day. It was a day I'll never forget. We joyfully celebrated the holidays- we were giddy, in fact- and I started knitting a baby blanket. We told immediate family selectively, knowing the risks associated with our geriatric pregnancy, and asked them to pray with us for this tiny miracle. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mid-January. Sonogram appointment. I started worrying when the sono tech grew quiet, then stopped talking. I started shaking when she wouldn't look me in the face. My world fell out from under me when the doctor walked in the room and quietly shut the door behind her.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We lost baby Frances on a cold winter's night, at home. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">- - - - -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast forward to spring. In the height of the Covid-19 quarantine, I got another rash. Not as severe as last time, but this time around, I knew it wasn't Shingles.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I heard a heartbeat in June. Due to the pandemic, Matthew wasn't allowed to come with me to my appointments, so I watched the screens alone as the tiny baby with its perfect heart beat developed.<i> Your rainbow baby</i>, a dear friend said. Everything was good, the baby seemed strong - a miracle at my 41 years old. The week we planned to tell the world, I woke up and instantly knew something was wrong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Same sonogram room. Same doctor. This time she told us and then left the exam room, quietly closing the door behind her.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We lost baby Charlie on a blistering hot summer's night, at home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">- - - - -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm going to write, in the coming days, about my experience with loss and how I believe we can respond when loved ones are going through it. Things we can do (and should not do). Things we can say (and should never say). But right now it's still too recent and still too... hard. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For now I simply needed to tell you about our sweet babies. I needed you to know the things that have happened FOR us, not TO us. And I hoped you would rejoice with us in the precious lives that I can't wait to see on the other side of all of this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">- - - - -</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Revelation 5 talks about heaven - as a literal place, of course - and how every created being in heaven and on earth will vocally praise God. I truly believe I will stand with my children one day and hear their sweet voices as we all praise God, together, fully knowing and fully known (1 Corinthians 13). </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">What a day that will be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FA-wE-yGOeyvqpv2igjphLspeK60ONwN3vbLskDKgNy5yIGZHCvy_nyw-uhfHF8cxGe-aQ9wDrkQibO8WDfI3A3LQgn1PTIg5uMH43QWnvW61gkYa_p6aCE_CM0mRGZkvbiBcQ/s2048/4A591276-5645-40CD-A23F-6146B9D26601.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FA-wE-yGOeyvqpv2igjphLspeK60ONwN3vbLskDKgNy5yIGZHCvy_nyw-uhfHF8cxGe-aQ9wDrkQibO8WDfI3A3LQgn1PTIg5uMH43QWnvW61gkYa_p6aCE_CM0mRGZkvbiBcQ/w375-h400/4A591276-5645-40CD-A23F-6146B9D26601.jpeg" title="Charlie's Service" width="375" /></a></div><br /></div><div><p></p></div>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-13823329157614841462020-08-31T10:33:00.005-05:002020-08-31T10:36:22.916-05:00Monday Moment: Right Where We Are<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4D_K6MVIpUaurWPNZoQOPG41GXsgCagesPQfqhZeQjR63JtX3kfhISV5eyuZUHiPbgD3k1ww2NmOvkpWTbx1blsuietTjnjssSpSyM7xRDsd_wK0IQJrbjVVG1YLk6yO91oHqA/s2048/1D9B436D-C4AB-4249-8C0D-268C22A97B08.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL4D_K6MVIpUaurWPNZoQOPG41GXsgCagesPQfqhZeQjR63JtX3kfhISV5eyuZUHiPbgD3k1ww2NmOvkpWTbx1blsuietTjnjssSpSyM7xRDsd_wK0IQJrbjVVG1YLk6yO91oHqA/w400-h400/1D9B436D-C4AB-4249-8C0D-268C22A97B08.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ah, Monday. We meet again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And you and I... we do, too. :) Hey there. How are you? I'm glad to see you back. How's your day looking? Mine's looking like a long day of cleaning and laundry and trying to wage war on farm mess + dirt + mud in the house. And I have about 10 quarts of peas to can for the pantry for winter. Agh. You know, farm life.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Which brings me to the point of today's Monday Moment, because something lit up my faith radar recently and it has me even more fascinated with how God sees and how God loves you and me as women, especially.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's this: when God encountered women in the Bible,<i> He sought us out and showed up in the minutia of our daily lives. </i>And instead of telling us, "Follow me", or "go", as He did many men, He seems to have met many women where we were, encountered us, and strengthened us to continue in our lives and circumstances.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I mean, look at </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hagar. Mary. Anna. The woman at the well. Women going about their day-to-day lives. In the midst of their own crisis, their own heartbreak, their own sin. All in the midst of their own stories. And then Love Himself showed up on the scene of their daily grind.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Abram, He said: "Go." To Jonah, He said, "Go". To Peter and Andrew, Jesus said: "Come." To the disciples, "Follow me." And later, "Go." But I can find few instances in Scripture where God made the same call to women. <i>He worked in and through us where we were</i>. Was it because of the role of women and the culture of the times? Was it due to the circumstances of the women? Was it because He sees us differently?</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C8MIzO_mXXPf8NwlkPRM3mzkJrIKSxZusDpTX0APjWlfsFXw3O3YfjIaB7btuTKIY9Qr1PfZAKAmXkRV9JdSdfZm7MKvk3Lf_Vupqi7NKxbiOJ4Iy5mu_CYwKfnyzuX5ayfdhA/w400-h400/9C9BBB6A-C5EE-4B2A-B6D6-1B147EAE2D9D.jpeg" width="400" /></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of course, I'm not suggesting that God has never or will never call women to go... or otherwise disrupt our lives in the course of following Him. That's ludicrous. <i>What I am saying</i> is that He beautifully seeks us out in the midst of the obligations we shoulder and the reality of our days, and He meets with us there: in the wilderness (Hagar), at church (Anna), on our errands (woman at the well).</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Obviously there is much we could pick apart and discuss on the topic. But here's the message to tuck in your heart pocket today: <i>He sees right where you are</i>. And He loves you right where you are. And He is known to be a God who will show up in the midst of it all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Take heart. Lift your weary head, dear one. You are divinely seen. You are intimately known. You are eternally loved. Right where you are.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Brin</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you have a few moments and your heart could use it, <span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkSQZN4pHM4"><span style="color: black;">give this a listen today</span></a>. It got me.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Monday Moment is a little devotional to help kick start your week. See you again next time!</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-28724096165793530772020-08-28T11:00:00.007-05:002020-08-28T11:08:58.620-05:00The Miracle and Mystery in Farming A Legacy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUeKicgJR91YmFYJdxAKTOmMP1KXTIqY_TJSA6teICpmE9eELxw2B1e6yEFFC8Fe5XCuD-uYWDuZMZmAuUeGz0OSMfFcXZqNnflpsECyB_5BGVyrL0D1P1PDTXCqBYqEABHjKJA/s1136/F8DD5229-C712-4A9F-AF5D-795B3E91843A.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUeKicgJR91YmFYJdxAKTOmMP1KXTIqY_TJSA6teICpmE9eELxw2B1e6yEFFC8Fe5XCuD-uYWDuZMZmAuUeGz0OSMfFcXZqNnflpsECyB_5BGVyrL0D1P1PDTXCqBYqEABHjKJA/s640/F8DD5229-C712-4A9F-AF5D-795B3E91843A.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">We signed the papers the week we got back from our honeymoon. The homeplace that has been in Matthew's family for the last three generations is now entrusted to us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Wedged between main street and 150+ acres of abandoned ore mines, our little place is odd. It's in town but it feels rural. We see deer graze daily, yet we have neighbors. We deal with traffic noise, but we grow crops and keep chickens. It's strangely right for what we need and where we want to be.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Immediately after buying, we set about trying to put the house right and plant a garden. (I'll be sharing so much more about that in the coming days.) And one of the first things we planted?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Nannie peas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">You all have to hear this story. The story of Nannie peas.<br /></span><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirN_dD2k9WUnD8CnkW6ywSv94t5VFrJXwOsQyaLBl8kmVsGV6NppAkVp-6ua-Cw0k4dnVCUTbgGpCaeRki3LO5Sjl1hkEUNnt-1j4qj-GGMC-gQo1kjJxxkFUmxzRr15AZ-ioVmA/s640/A7B22B9B-0EAB-45BF-A054-9EA1431C1E0F.jpeg" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">At least that's what Matthew and his identical twin, Mark, grew up calling them. Their Nannie and Papa grew these peas in their garden for decades right here in Cass County. The family grew up with them on the table every family gathering and holiday meal. The tiny cream peas were a staple, and no one ever really considered what they were... they were just there. Papa bought them the first time from a long-gone feed store in the county seat, faithfully saved the seed each year, and grew and cooked them for decades. What were they actually called? No one knew. They were <i>Nannie peas</i>, they went alongside mashed potatoes and meat, and that's all anyone cared about.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the 1990s, when Nannie and Papa died within months of each other, their children - Matthew's mother, included - found bags of peas from their last garden in the deep freezer. They divided them up and Matthew's mother carried a ziploc bag of the peas home. But cooking the last bag of her parents' peas? That would warrant a special occasion. And, as these things go, the peas waited in the freezer until, 25 years later, she came across them this summer. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We all stood around and looked at the little battered bag of peas. The bag Nannie herself had shelled and packaged. Would they grow?, Matthew's mother asked. We were planting our garden and had space, but would these peas germinate after 25 years? Could they?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Miracle of all miracles, y'all, they did. The peas came back to life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OL9hz-3iQyxC6YRLOxbVMWgXOebJC95J8u1j_9UMVck0L66Q4nUoOZ05496QE0oOHDqxQFfbZMvtI5EqgguwXsVZLus5wz1gEwj_Yl6G2bMHqp9xfO17gOq3WCyQRK26Km5VPg/s2048/2141443F-5E45-46FC-AB8D-077F5CAF1636.jpeg" style="font-family: "times new roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OL9hz-3iQyxC6YRLOxbVMWgXOebJC95J8u1j_9UMVck0L66Q4nUoOZ05496QE0oOHDqxQFfbZMvtI5EqgguwXsVZLus5wz1gEwj_Yl6G2bMHqp9xfO17gOq3WCyQRK26Km5VPg/w400-h400/2141443F-5E45-46FC-AB8D-077F5CAF1636.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In July, we all gathered around the table as a family and had our first taste of Nannie peas in decades. The family said that the house even smelled like Nannie's. As I looked up and watched Matthew eat the fruit of his labor, I wondered how proud Nannie would be of her handsome grandson, all grown up now, growing her favorite heirloom crop and feeding her family once again.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">All the feels.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After the cooler temperatures and the rain Hurricane Laura brought us this week, I expect the Nannie peas to set out one last good bloom before fall sets in. Tonight I plan to can about 10 pints of peas for the pantry, and shell several quarts more. It's a labor of love, and one I'm happy to help carry on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's a strange legacy, but one I'll gladly help pass down.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hope you have a wonderful Friday and weekend, friend. If you need me, I'll be in the pea patch or the kitchen.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Brin</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">P.S. We still haven't been able to identify Nannie's pea, and plan to send it off to the experts at Texas A&M this fall. </span></div>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-89249307405879502432020-08-25T13:21:00.007-05:002020-08-25T13:25:17.312-05:00More Ahead<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hope is not wishful thinking.<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hope is the audacity to believe:<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;">"After all I have been through, there is more ahead of me." </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>-<a href="https://morganharpernichols.com/"><span style="color: black;">Morgan Harper Nichols</span></a></b></span></div><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK4SpiZ5sIvfhUm5BVQwFA7rD22JciXTVBWKNDOtF-BqT5eyPqC8kVlIPf3PcuJq07n1DzkRnmG4rUIacC3tDghv5A6E263h8XZfk1Zs97agVyVp5dy1RCehmkycrOtj3q5pc7A/s1440/81189CE5-3F44-4D0C-853A-EC90004F2CE9.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyK4SpiZ5sIvfhUm5BVQwFA7rD22JciXTVBWKNDOtF-BqT5eyPqC8kVlIPf3PcuJq07n1DzkRnmG4rUIacC3tDghv5A6E263h8XZfk1Zs97agVyVp5dy1RCehmkycrOtj3q5pc7A/s640/81189CE5-3F44-4D0C-853A-EC90004F2CE9.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The garden is still producing - still hanging on - despite the August temperatures and general lack of any rainfall. At all. I walked the rows this morning, delighting over the swelling black eyed pea pods and colorful peppers and okra I had to jump to reach. (It's on my Instagram stories, if you care to see: @brinwisdom.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqPJAxkJU9J5mPT5UdmDqJpNd0iQZFhvfzrvxV4gG-qgPX_BQpCoEoMU6gF_FYriev7CSTpJdtw-YU_8NcVpbCBiE36cGNLy8ghUtjxm1AWzro2u2DIw0aO1-PeY3l5FNdyCSOA/s1440/0D9ACBB1-7AE6-47A5-A969-946BB1B14256.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTqPJAxkJU9J5mPT5UdmDqJpNd0iQZFhvfzrvxV4gG-qgPX_BQpCoEoMU6gF_FYriev7CSTpJdtw-YU_8NcVpbCBiE36cGNLy8ghUtjxm1AWzro2u2DIw0aO1-PeY3l5FNdyCSOA/s640/0D9ACBB1-7AE6-47A5-A969-946BB1B14256.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We have farm kittens now. A stray wandered up in spring, starved for food and love, and it was our joy to give her both. Marble, as I named her, was pregnant, it turns out, and had her kittens one blistering day in June. There were seven. These two kittens, Exxon and Mobil, they're now called, were inseparable from birth. Their antics and adventures are equal parts hilarious and adorable. They're staying. Welcome to our little farm place you two.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm busy today trying to put up garden produce and batten down the hatches for Hurricane Laura, which is promising to visit us with wind and rain. There's a tropical storm warning (watch? I never remember the difference) in effect for our region, although technically they drew the red line zone 10 minutes from our house. Regardless, prayers are being said today for all in Laura's path.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Gardens... kittens... storms: all simple reminders that, even after all we've seen and been through, there is yet more ahead of us. <3<span> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Audaciously hoping you have a good Tuesday,</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span>-Brin</span></span></div>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-64645512680843570042020-08-24T09:53:00.000-05:002020-08-24T09:53:00.611-05:00Monday Moment: "For", Not "To"<p style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKKAqHHUB6dWKzoO0yFbvmRye4YLyLiYWWu-Qb20EFq70z4LM3S02091uTP8Jnue0x9AyK7F6UPyE_0J5M8Io9q0m8qf43RzuoUTaIK8sksxFvzU_jdfCbfcKOAoQAufbiXjULw/s586/Rose1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="579" data-original-width="586" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiKKAqHHUB6dWKzoO0yFbvmRye4YLyLiYWWu-Qb20EFq70z4LM3S02091uTP8Jnue0x9AyK7F6UPyE_0J5M8Io9q0m8qf43RzuoUTaIK8sksxFvzU_jdfCbfcKOAoQAufbiXjULw/w640-h632/Rose1.PNG" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It took my breath away. Stole it right out of my lungs. Still does, in fact, when I think about it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Matthew and I were dating. We had been to a rose garden earlier, and the beauty of that perfect summer day was still with us. We were talking, then, about life - about how everything hadn't exactly come up roses. And that's when, quietly, he said it:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"You know those things happened FOR you, not TO you, right?"</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Right then, my heart began to bloom again as that scriptural truth settled on me: </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">Things happened FOR me, not TO me.</i></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">- - - - - </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Romans 8:28 has made me roll my eyes for years. Is there a more cliche verse in the Bible? It says: </span><i style="font-family: georgia;">And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose. </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">We Christians hear it so often it can make us cringe. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Why? Because it gets twisted. Misused. Some well-meaning people can invalidate your circumstances or hurts by sing-songing that verse until it's a mockery. Others quote it at you as if <i>all things are good, </i>so put on a happy face and deal because everything's fine. But no. No. All things are <i>not</i> good. Losing a child is not good. Cancer is not good. Financial hardship is not good. A global pandemic, lockdown, unrest, violence... these things are <i>not</i> good.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But God - how He weaves and wields and works these <i>not goods</i> together into something beautiful- well, THAT <i>is</i> good. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Adrian Rogers, a longtime pastor and follower of Jesus, put it like this: I<i>n the chemistry of the cross, God takes things that, in and of themselves, are bad, and He puts them together much as a chemist might take chemicals that, in and of themselves, may be deleterious and mixes them to make a medicine that brings healing.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">- - - - -</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Listen, dear one. These things you're going through today... these sore things, these sad things, these stress things: they are happening FOR you, not TO you. FOR YOU, NOT JUST TO YOU. Preach it to your heart. Sing it to your soul. Remind your mind that things are happening for your good and His glory. Today. Always. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">The cross chemist God who also makes the roses is working even now to make good in your life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>For</i> you, not <i>to</i> you.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; color: grey; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Monday Moment is a little devotional to help kick start your week. See you again next time!</span></b></p>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-63878797542240256892020-08-21T09:00:00.006-05:002020-08-21T09:00:58.392-05:00True Love and Homegrown Tomatoes<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>Only two things money can't buy:<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>That's true love and homegrown tomatoes.</b><br /></span><b>-Guy Clark</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGJO5VaXCvigYSdHUEzzJqL6jHPhesTvShVCNqtLnv9y7s7LqlU80VnoCKrutb-gHvM-d1t7D9H-DAl3fG-CgdKYW3EPbtG7DSAgbiL6CtTuOd-2y-z3v4c2eS_epWEVf9FUwgg/s960/Hunk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGJO5VaXCvigYSdHUEzzJqL6jHPhesTvShVCNqtLnv9y7s7LqlU80VnoCKrutb-gHvM-d1t7D9H-DAl3fG-CgdKYW3EPbtG7DSAgbiL6CtTuOd-2y-z3v4c2eS_epWEVf9FUwgg/s640/Hunk1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's true love and homegrown tomato season over here, big time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Agh. God is preposterously wild with both His plans and His goodness. For our good and His glory. I'll spend my life trying to understand it all....</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hey you! Hello again. If you missed it yesterday, I'm back. I'm so glad - truly, glad - you stopped by today. I have so much to tell and show you in these many many days (er... <i>years</i>) since we talked last.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>First things first</u>: I hope you'll find some grace in your heart to forgive me for my absence.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><u>Second things second</u>: I hope, in the days to come, we'll find we're like the oldest and best of friends in that we hardly miss a beat and take right back up where we left it.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In truth, though, I know we've been through some things in our gap time. Life. Pandemic. Heart things. Hard things. Hopeful things, too, maybe. And I want to hear about it all. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Me? I've been working hard building a life and a home I love - utterly, bewilderingly love - about 10 minutes from Freeman House. Much more on that to come. Last May, I married Matthew (who someone in town dubbed #thehunkyfarmer which is now an Instagram thing). Matthew is an identical twin... an insanely gifted musician/actor... a licensed minister/seminary graduate... and a Behavioral Specialist for people with special needs - Autism, especially. And yes, a country boy who helps me farm... thus the overalls and tomatoes above. (And... heavens. Did you catch those eyes and how they're looking at me? Swooooon.) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Annnyway. We can't wait to share our story with you. It starts way back in 1993 when we were both 14, so we have some ground to cover.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Other things coming at you:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-All things gardening</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-All things HOME</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Monday Moments </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-RECIPES!!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Frankie and Charlie</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Farm animals</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Honey bees</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-... and just every day life. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">But most of all, just us. You and me. Friends through a LOT, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I missed you. Hello, friend. Thanks for being here. Hang on through the weekend and I'll see you Monday.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">-Brin</span></div><p></p>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-64317622307517173672020-08-20T10:17:00.001-05:002020-08-20T10:18:16.977-05:00The Long Hello<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3DTzCy8zeYPTsBYUwp6qPhGnqmd0izxkH_EV6SoA2JggIITjgFSPvVlIai7DOHsmsEArotdnyo52XxChZDORtf-xqCg_jvoE0rnf_7vGm8rhoBhdseyUOKnief_uocwZNsl1bQ/s960/Sunflower1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3DTzCy8zeYPTsBYUwp6qPhGnqmd0izxkH_EV6SoA2JggIITjgFSPvVlIai7DOHsmsEArotdnyo52XxChZDORtf-xqCg_jvoE0rnf_7vGm8rhoBhdseyUOKnief_uocwZNsl1bQ/s640/Sunflower1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been so long. <i>Two years</i>. How has it been two years?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, friend. I've missed you. I have <i>missed </i>you. And... I'm back. Are you back, too? Let's come back together and sit and talk in these coming days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have so much to tell you. So much to show you. And there's so much I need to hear from you: are you okay? When was the last time you took a deep breath? What's on your mind? ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But for now, I just wanted to wave the first of a long hello.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's good to see you again. Meet back here tomorrow?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Brin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S. Are you on Instagram? If so, please come find me @brinwisdom. </div><p></p>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-27470898507726323152018-08-17T15:54:00.002-05:002018-08-17T16:13:35.098-05:00Spinning and Telling: Symbols of a Beginning, Part Two<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ruins, for me, are the beginning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With the debris, you can construct new ideas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They are the symbols of a beginning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">-Anselm Kiefer </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fil8Nymq4G3RYaNZaV1eHsgRGatV-0i0s_ohzM6gyuQL9G8XOasjoVWEotZVALt9Pu8OZpaFFmDAv8RDsGpeLhLES4-mEdSADNwCBgVsX7mUdwLtA_Sz8CzbL8m48oa6wDNwZA/s1600/Mrkt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Fil8Nymq4G3RYaNZaV1eHsgRGatV-0i0s_ohzM6gyuQL9G8XOasjoVWEotZVALt9Pu8OZpaFFmDAv8RDsGpeLhLES4-mEdSADNwCBgVsX7mUdwLtA_Sz8CzbL8m48oa6wDNwZA/s320/Mrkt1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ruins. Debris. Call it what you will, but these last few years, my life - my home, my plans - were a wrecked mess. They were unmade. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Each day, all day, I yearned for one thing: <i>life</i>. Color. Movement. I longed for anything that showed me promise of growth or renewal or that stubbornness to<i> live</i> ... that unyielding, seek-the-sun-reality our Creator bred into nature. I clung to realities such as <i>Seeds have to be buried to grow</i>, and <a href="https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/richard_bach_121662" target="_blank"><i>What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls the butterfly</i></a>. Things like that. Whatever. It helped.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But from that season while I was away from you, friend, ideas were born. Then they grew into a dream. And then that dream had a name and a purpose and a life of its own. I officially started <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BalmandHoney?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank"><b>Balm and Honey Farm</b></a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc43Xey_vUG_is0wvMqeHUWeGgjQdZenMcA06NNzfUmk6faOzgm76jD8rzm1jGDHp5oB_K-c6BahgN9h1nlgirWl8h7QwdX51Ac2GutHtb-gvOtUjEWbAFE0YEwR23xqu0RJPxg/s1600/Market3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="640" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsc43Xey_vUG_is0wvMqeHUWeGgjQdZenMcA06NNzfUmk6faOzgm76jD8rzm1jGDHp5oB_K-c6BahgN9h1nlgirWl8h7QwdX51Ac2GutHtb-gvOtUjEWbAFE0YEwR23xqu0RJPxg/s320/Market3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It began with the bees. With honey. Then it morphed into a small market farm with an active <a href="http://www.justfood.org/csa" target="_blank">CSA program</a> and weekly farmer's market. It took off so quickly I didn't have time to think. Or breathe. One minute it was an idea, and the next I was delivering crates of food to beloved customers. (That's how it seemed, anyway.) That first picture up there? That was my first season at market. The picture just above was the second season. And this here? This is one of the weekly CSA shares that soon followed:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht__f2tM_xjwakbgV8JxIzXLR1ke6J5l6TZkagpigj-dNbrKH4W_D9Rfb2IKNeTKiLagltByGevJGCCuAMJ2HMKpKAL4lCXMjhcaZ48ueoGeIjmETV5QCDlXP5sZvSLLBZI7ySxA/s1600/Market5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht__f2tM_xjwakbgV8JxIzXLR1ke6J5l6TZkagpigj-dNbrKH4W_D9Rfb2IKNeTKiLagltByGevJGCCuAMJ2HMKpKAL4lCXMjhcaZ48ueoGeIjmETV5QCDlXP5sZvSLLBZI7ySxA/s320/Market5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I loved every minute of farming. All of it. The challenges, the growth, the pressure, the living on a prayer. God used the work to busy and sustain me. The food was just bonus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But man, was it a bonus! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi450HolxPaS5rdVroDCLY6veSKY9gAmTrcy7svyT_abYiQ9lNSDB_aFTfQSYVUVWEWhlbqKMeyQrFyRdMBE4R6QTjo8OgkUMGbW7KANfmFwV30bkxIQY15tGFHz24JVhwoeOLAsw/s1600/BannerHoney2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="588" data-original-width="589" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi450HolxPaS5rdVroDCLY6veSKY9gAmTrcy7svyT_abYiQ9lNSDB_aFTfQSYVUVWEWhlbqKMeyQrFyRdMBE4R6QTjo8OgkUMGbW7KANfmFwV30bkxIQY15tGFHz24JVhwoeOLAsw/s320/BannerHoney2.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The vegetables and flowers and honey were fantastic, but I couldn't just leave those old <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2009/03/sweet-to-soul.html" target="_blank">henrybella's</a> recipes in the past, either. (Remember that old bakery?) Some of those old favorites came out and were featured at market, too: the Country Bread..</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha97Ns5hMyYpBO4bicCBa4FeNC7ez27mI0aUjWrVF26qMslseMaAqALTHsNoj4RiB3FhFIITZU8tfnGmkiE3jLO9LbwLpykDM6m6IPTNyfKIbeDga1MIoi-TS_H-oN4wGI-JCzcQ/s1600/Bread6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="640" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha97Ns5hMyYpBO4bicCBa4FeNC7ez27mI0aUjWrVF26qMslseMaAqALTHsNoj4RiB3FhFIITZU8tfnGmkiE3jLO9LbwLpykDM6m6IPTNyfKIbeDga1MIoi-TS_H-oN4wGI-JCzcQ/s320/Bread6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">... and Honey Cinnamon Rolls...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabOIu91paIBlvIHf-UntMfcmVskrOlqJg2TkN8f4aWEGs4B9fAEtTNwIua4UUVyN3ai6NoO98gTLIdNcJdq3y5SJ0IakleG7BSrY_4pk0rKCOZ4whipbIz9PBnj435UsUXjBcmA/s1600/Market9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabOIu91paIBlvIHf-UntMfcmVskrOlqJg2TkN8f4aWEGs4B9fAEtTNwIua4UUVyN3ai6NoO98gTLIdNcJdq3y5SJ0IakleG7BSrY_4pk0rKCOZ4whipbIz9PBnj435UsUXjBcmA/s320/Market9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ... and it was good. It was fun. In the midst of a death of a marriage and the loss of my home, a purpose and a vision were exploding into life. And strangely, all those small and seemingly disparate hobbies and interests and tragedies and setbacks throughout my life were coming together into a cohesive objective: to nourish, to house, to live simply and work with my hands, and to <i>make lives better</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All along, He was doing the same to me. And He wasn't done there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This past May, I had coffee with a childhood acquaintance who wanted to pick my brain about farming. He wanted to start a residential and occupational place, he said, for the disabled in our community. As a teacher and attendant for people with disabilities, he had watched too many times as his precious, misunderstood, undervalued students and clients were shuffled into homes or lost in the system, simply because they didn't have a place or a purpose. My heart burned as we talked and realized we had been carrying the same vision: to farm, and to house people there who had challenges, or at-risk behavior, or recently survived life situations like we had.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Then that dream got a name, and this new adventure swept onto the scene. We're calling it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/therockcollectiveorg/" target="_blank">The ROCK Collective</a>, and it's an emerging non-profit that seeks to provide homes and jobs and dignity to the overlooked and underserved in our community. We're starting a tiny home community in a farm setting. Balm and Honey Farm will merge into this mission. I can't wait to take you along for adventure. I can't wait to welcome you out to the place. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yes, ruins, debris... call them what you will. But from them, my life - my home, my plans - are being <b><i>remade</i></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Symbols of a beginning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have a great weekend and we'll talk again soon. -Brin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Oh! You can follow the farm @balmandhoney on Instagram or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/balmandhoney/" target="_blank">Balm and Honey Farm</a> on Facebook. Also, check out the new project on Facebook by searching: The Rock Collective or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/therockcollectiveorg/" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. Website is coming soon!</b></span></span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-47898491027224499902018-06-04T15:24:00.004-05:002018-06-04T15:25:29.405-05:00Spinning and Telling, Part One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>You mustn't live so lightly.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Spin your stories, tale your tales,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Let them dance across the oceans</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And set the wind upon your sails.</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>For every truth found on your travels</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>And in the pits of your despair,</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Is a shout into forever</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Of "I existed", and "I cared".</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">- Erin Hanson / The Poet Underground</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I've been living lightly these past months (turned year). Sometimes sleeping, sometimes not. Sometimes eating, sometimes not. Sometimes feeling free, then later that day: captive. I've blinked. I've cried. I've wandered. I've been paralyzed. I've sat at the edge of the dancing ocean, tentative, and then I've plunged in so deep I didn't know if I'd make it out. But through it all, I've kept breathing. <i>I exist</i>, after all. And <i>I care</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This absence, friend, is simply explained like this: I married a textbook cerebral narcissist, and the week of Christmas in 2017, he (blessedly, overwhelmingly, tragically, thankfully) filed for divorce, changed the locks to my beloved house, and left me on the porch with... almost nothing. And it was impossible - I'm telling you, it was<i> impossible</i> - to narrate someone through that story when I couldn't even read the lines myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But I'm better now. I am <i>better</i> now. And the pages of these past years are telling tales now. And lately, I feel a wind upon my sails whispering me back to all the familiar and beloved places. Including here. Especially here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Welcome back, dear one. I'm glad to see you again. Let's talk and I'll catch you up. -Brin</span></div>
Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-35781636109165689712016-04-21T09:27:00.003-05:002016-04-21T09:33:19.613-05:00Hurts and Verses and Candles<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">yet my
unfailing love for you will not be shaken </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">nor my covenant of peace be
removed," says the LORD, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">who has compassion on you.</span></span><span class="p"></span></div>
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<span class="p"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Isaiah 54:10</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My heart has been so crammed full lately, and anxious and troubled and hurting. Daily- sometimes more than once or twice- I've hit my knees and just cried and cried out to God. Anyone else experiencing the same sort of days? I was talking to someone yesterday and we were discussing the hope we have as followers of Jesus, and the importance of living by faith in these dark days.<i> I know we can have hope</i> in the midst of trouble, and heart-settling peace in the midst of chaos. I know this because my anxiousness and trouble and hurt always feel temporary in the light of God's promises, and underneath my feelings I sense the presence of a <a href="http://biblehub.com/isaiah/33-6.htm">sure and firm foundation</a> that's solid and unshakeable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I memorized the above verse recently and feel as though it will be important in the days and weeks to come. Psalms 121 and 91 are now on my refresher and memorize list. Fellow believer, if you haven't heard of or read <a href="http://amzn.to/1WfqoDk">The Heavenly Man</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">* </span>yet, oh, I so recommend it. It will inspire you- especially to continue or start memorizing verses in earnest. After reading that book, you will WANT to. Or want to even more than you currently do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">While making my first ever hand-dipped beeswax candles last week, I got in a memorizing rhythm. Ha. Whatever works, right? I finished my first round of candles and lit one and sat at the table. And wow. As wonky as it is to say, that little beeswax candle was such a beautiful touch of solace in that moment. Isn't it strange how people, for centuries, have been lighting candles and saying prayers... or gathering or worshiping in the flickering glow of candles? I'm making them more for preparedness... and beauty, but I see why people enjoy lighting them at home as they eat or pray. I hope to have bundles of these 100% pure, chemical-free beeswax candles in my soon-to-be relaunched<a href="http://www.balmandhoney.com/"> shop</a>, and I hope you experience the same bit of peace and solace as I am with them!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you have hurts, or if you can offer encouragement for those who do, I welcome you to comment, friends. Re<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gardless, I pray peace <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">over your heart and mind today.</span></span> -Brin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">affiliate link is provided to give you quick access to information about the books<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> or music or things I'm currently enjoying or using.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Amazon pays <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a small pittance <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">if someone orders through <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">links on this blog, and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at</span> money helps<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> keep the blog online.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> You know the drill, right? Thanks!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-49934691945577751762016-04-11T09:03:00.001-05:002018-06-26T14:01:21.393-05:00Birthday Week<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The great thing about getting older</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Madeleine L'Engle</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I had a birthday during my blog break. 37. Where has time gone? I was 25 when I started this blog and... wow. I've lived a LOT of life in the 12 years since. But I suppose a blessing of getting older<i> is</i> that we get to keep all those ages and all those places and all those people we once were....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My birthday was <i>wonderful</i>. The day began with heading downtown to visit some homeless friends who've started a bakery out of our local homeless shelter. Oh wow. Their signature cupcake was a Vanilla Honey with local honey drizzle. We supplied the honey, and upon one taste of this mythical, magical cupcake, I began stuttering and promising them all the honey they needed. I think they said okay. My world was kind of fading in and out between bites of that amazing cupcake. Oh my, y'all. These men (and their genius leader, a local baker named Cathy) can <i>BAKE</i>....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to homeless people and their gourmet cupcakes, the birthday celebration also included balloon sculptures, Indian food, antique shopping, plant buying, lunch with a friend who's more like my BFF/older sister, kissing on the nephew, lots of faces I love, strawberry drinks, and a party. With my Mom's from scratch chocolate pie. It was a weekend to remember. (And I think I'm just now coming down off all that sugar. Heh.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So back to a "normal" routine this week. A new normal. While I was away, I began teaching piano lessons out of the big Front Room of Hedge House.<i> So</i> much fun. My first student, Emma, a super smart 9 year old with endless energy, thinks this house is "PERFECT for Hide and Seek" and has asked to play more than once. It's made me think back to my piano teacher, a firm (and somewhat terrifying to my 10 year<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span>old self) woman who expected perfection, no nonsense, and painfully short fingernails. I try to be stern piano teacher Brin, but so far it's not happening. Maybe I just have to hit my stride, though. We'll see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Enough about me. How are YOU? I hope your April is off to a wonderful start. Anyone planting anything yet? Celebrating anything? Do keep talking back. One of my favorite parts of the day is hearing from you....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's to a good week! -Brin</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-1519741993925012412016-03-25T10:48:00.001-05:002016-04-07T15:15:04.132-05:00Good Friday and Easter Keeping<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See the land, her Easter keeping,<br />
Rises as her Maker rose.<br />
Seeds, so long in darkness sleeping,<br />
Burst at last from winter snows.<br />
Earth with heaven above rejoices...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "bookman old style" , "palatino linotype" , "book antiqua" , "palatino" , "trebuchet ms" , "helvetica" , "garamond" , sans-serif , "arial" , "verdana" , "avante garde" , "century gothic" , "comic sans ms" , "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Charles Kingsley </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I found purple, Easter-egg colored bluebells blooming just outside the garden this morning. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Earth with heaven above rejoices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because He lives, I can, too. Because He rose, one day we will, too. We are an Easter people and this is our song. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blessed are you, Jesus, for paying my debt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wishing you all a special Good Friday and a joyful Easter. -Brin</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-33628439835011321542016-03-23T10:24:00.001-05:002016-03-23T10:24:57.107-05:00He Still Gives Grace<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">From His fullness we have all received</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>grace upon grace</b></span>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">-John 1:16</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Haven't we? I mean, absolutely: life is tough now. Sin, sickness and Satan are having their way with our world and, to some degree, our very lives. But even through it all- <i>especially</i> through it all- His grace glitters. His fullness flourishes. God is on His throne and He still gives you and He still gives me grace upon grace out of His fullness.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we just have to quit complaining and questioning and stressing long enough to see it....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Praying His front-porch-sitting grace and solace will fill your mind and heart today. -Brin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(And yeah... I definitely need to mop and decorate this porch. What can you see here? Tell me in the comments and look for the porch reveal in April!) </span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-45312534995062791002016-03-22T10:31:00.004-05:002020-08-20T12:27:08.666-05:00Perseverance<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.<br />
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=perseverance</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.<br />
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=perseverance</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
</div>
<div style="left: -99999px; position: absolute;">
Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.<br />
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=perseverance</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Great works are performed not by strength</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">but by perseverance.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">-Samuel Johnson</span></span></span></b></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQw0q3kuu8o7OTf9UaRs44q_3DKKbsle4ldjPPV7vAtDJo4MXaWrlbkDUtl8ZbGW34gr5cbYpypPYdH5MEDGaaeeUX9hVR3UQbnrAVljCcr8JNDlvDkM9Y8fGPif3R4We2GiC7w/s1600/FrontBed1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKQw0q3kuu8o7OTf9UaRs44q_3DKKbsle4ldjPPV7vAtDJo4MXaWrlbkDUtl8ZbGW34gr5cbYpypPYdH5MEDGaaeeUX9hVR3UQbnrAVljCcr8JNDlvDkM9Y8fGPif3R4We2GiC7w/s640/FrontBed1.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh my. You all should have <i>seen</i> the state of this third of an acre when we bought the place last May. Although there was evidence that someone once loved and doted on the old home and grounds-- i.e., the rose garden,<a href="http://www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-stone-path.html"> the hidden path</a>, the brick-encircled trees, the scalloped bed edgings-- that time was obviously long ago. Everything seemed choked with weeds and poison oak and invasive shrubs and murder vine.</span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But that is slowly changing. I'm making plans now to landscape the front and side of the house, as well as a (partially missing?) back brick patio. Such fun! A friend gave me a copy of an older edition of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580115136?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=1580115136&linkCode=xm2&tag=mymesthrlif-20"><i>Texas Home Landscaping </i></a>and I'm getting a LOT of good ideas from it. Highly recommend. Since my budget is limited, I'll be relying on plants I can start from seed, garage and junk sale finds, and plant cuttings from friends and folks about town. (And maybe a few roses from Antique Rose Emporium for my birthday. But that's just a wild thought I had.<i> *cough*</i>) Vicki mentioned <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brin-Wisdom-My-Messy-Thrilling-Life-761702420622530/">over on Facebook</a> that she could see ferns and geraniums on the porch. Absolutely. </span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">(Oh. And that reminds me! If you're on Facebook, don't miss the porch picture I posted last night. Such a relaxing and pretty spot to sit a moment...)</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Won't this be a great project? </span><br />
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For now, I start with a relatively clean slate. Check out the "Before" in the picture above and the "Now" right here: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaWnpZ9hfBgqP2IHS7hGaeLG1v9ckoaYu2JIKD9dI0yRDbqLdh_GI1xN6km2UfdkeJU_d2TQXFz5nxqMRteL09eJJ0_hIVibFDnIpw9TuGaRfLgt-hHvflJTUimSoH1wHwolaNw/s1600/FrontBed2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaWnpZ9hfBgqP2IHS7hGaeLG1v9ckoaYu2JIKD9dI0yRDbqLdh_GI1xN6km2UfdkeJU_d2TQXFz5nxqMRteL09eJJ0_hIVibFDnIpw9TuGaRfLgt-hHvflJTUimSoH1wHwolaNw/s640/FrontBed2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Little by little!</span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Spring, dear friend. Hope you are well and persevere today. -Brin </span><br />
<br />
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This
post contains an Amazon affiliate link for the purposes of sharing
exact products I'm using and enjoying. You know the spill, right? If you
click and buy, Amazon gives me a small kickback for the referral to
their site, and that money helps me keep the blog going. It doesn't cost
you or impact you in any way. Thanks!</span></span> </span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-67314914282326046292016-03-18T10:15:00.003-05:002016-03-18T10:27:02.731-05:00Small Things, Diligence, Love, and B.E.D. Part III<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9ZPIvh6At6mH3czHbz8yBHYt-QhSowxj5Coy0nIs8LNG_dtBHoxvVeddkBxVa4g_TxE3Ql_XHoX4ru-MDJrTSFN3Pw1IEax-Tc963Mqv3z4MQDzNJdSDxXWYkZnMvEE67WjW2g/s1600/hedges1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9ZPIvh6At6mH3czHbz8yBHYt-QhSowxj5Coy0nIs8LNG_dtBHoxvVeddkBxVa4g_TxE3Ql_XHoX4ru-MDJrTSFN3Pw1IEax-Tc963Mqv3z4MQDzNJdSDxXWYkZnMvEE67WjW2g/s640/hedges1.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A corner of Hedge House that I need to tackle this weekend. Hey: Better. Every. Day.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Thank you all again, so much, for keeping the beautiful comments and messages coming. I've always thought this MMTL readership is among the most kind and thoughtful of all in blog land, and this week you all have proven that again.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Your comments resonated deeply with me. <a href="http://www.mysacredsojourn.com/">April</a> was among those who came by yesterday, and I wanted you all to see what she said in case you missed it:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, what a precious poem. I saved it to my file for our children to
learn during our homeschool time. It's funny that you mention the
laundry getting in the way of making your homestead better every day. I
have struggled with that as well (oh the things I could get accomplished
if it weren't for So. Much. Laundry!) But the Lord has been softening
my heart and showing me that clean laundry is simply love made visible.
Cooking is love made visible. And love always, ALWAYS makes things
better. So, any act of love is so important and so valuable to God. Oh, I
hear you...there are so many projects I'd love to get done and things
I'd rather do than laundry, but seeing God in the piles of colors and
whites reminds me that the work I do when I serve my neighbor (my
children, my husband) is an act of faithfulness that doesn't go
unnoticed in the Kingdom.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love that, April. Thank you. And she's right, you know.<i> It is</i> the little things. It is all about the daily, small, little things. They add up. Maybe we've forgotten the impact of these small things. Maybe we needed to be reminded that oftentimes the people who make a difference... who achieve much... who live a life faithfully before God and others... are the ones who wake up every day and do it all one more day. They keep doing. They keep fighting. They start that washer one more time and head back to the job one more day and turn and face that project one more weekend. They see the purpose in small tasks and being diligent and giving what they can every day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think that's what God's saying to me this week. Shazza reminded us yesterday of the verse in Zechariah where the people were instructed not to despise the days of small beginnings. Absolutely. And<a href="http://biblehub.com/context/mark/12-41.htm"> the widow and her tiny/huge offering </a>came to mind, too. Do and give what you can today, and it will <i>matter</i>. These things we do, every day, <i>they mean something</i>. They catch God's eye. They help build a home. They love-up hungry hearts. <br /> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ye<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s. </span>If there's anything that matters- that<i> really</i> matters in this hour- <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it's </span><u>diligence</u><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span> It's <u>love</u>. It's staying the course and standing firm and resolving within ourselves to <u>keep going</u>, no matter how small or insignificant what we're accomplishing seems. That acorn will become the forest's pride. That tiny offering will be noticed by the God of heaven. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, as we head into the weekend, I just want to encourage you: <i>keep going</i>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blessings in Jesus' name, and thanks for being here, friend. Have a great Palm Sunday weekend. -Brin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also... as a weird aside, I can't get <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btfz9qKXUIk">this song </a>out of my head this week... especially that first line: <i>God, I give you all I can today</i>...</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-5408601121987906712016-03-17T09:18:00.001-05:002016-03-18T11:36:30.456-05:00Better Every Day - The B.E.D Mantra, Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyNrAgGLSO2eQaDrcqoTwU_CaQ5dQJWhXVTmJOVImI3JjCuwYF9Q5_pvrJbvSjyTQ2sBrtoO80YAdH02j-1QvTfJdg4NHseu7qnVzzC4Kw3YmLDg_9ZP9TbzmthzpZRLTDvAoNA/s1600/strawberry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoyNrAgGLSO2eQaDrcqoTwU_CaQ5dQJWhXVTmJOVImI3JjCuwYF9Q5_pvrJbvSjyTQ2sBrtoO80YAdH02j-1QvTfJdg4NHseu7qnVzzC4Kw3YmLDg_9ZP9TbzmthzpZRLTDvAoNA/s640/strawberry3.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you- each of you- for your kind comments yesterday. I read every one and every word, whether you commented or emailed or Facebook messaged me. Thank you, really. Thank you for being here. Thank you for taking the time to write back. It means so much to me, and to the others who come here looking for a little something heartening.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I wanted to make sure I didn't give the impression yesterday that my BED mantra always results in the accomplishment of something... dramatic... or significant. Some days, my Better Every Day is a tiny victory. Some days, it gets diminished by laundry and cleaning and my long list of To Dos. Some days, Better Every Day is just shredding an old stack of mail. Or organizing a corner cabinet. Some days it's making a decision on something I've been putting off, or buying something that will help with a project. Weekend before last, it was holding a yard sale and getting rid of some junk and unnecessary things the previous owner left behind. The point is, every night at bed I want to be able to point at some step I took or task I completed and say, <i>Yes. That made this place and our life here better today. </i>No matter how small or simple.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This attitude is especially important to those of us taking on big projects, I think, in our get-it-now society. I mean, one episode of <i>Fixer Upper</i> has the potential to leave an overwhelmed DIYer discouraged for days. You know? They have an all-in budget of <i>what</i>?<i> </i>Chip and JoJo presented them the perfect home in <i>how long</i>? And then we look around, bewildered and frustrated, at our own projects and get lost in the magnitude of slow progress and what remains before us. Yikes. I adore the Gaines family and thank God for their testimony and putting Jesus and His goodness on display. (I mean, truly. God is showing off with that family!) But let's be real: some of us are living in and through fixer uppers on tiny budgets or hard circumstances and tackling small projects as we learn the necessary skills on the odd weekend or week off, right? Better Every Day is just something that encourages me to be patient, trust God's heart, and be thankful <i>in the midst of </i>overload or overwhelm. After all, sometimes our miracles and transformations play out over years, not days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you know the poem <i><a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=cXYpAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA215&lpg=PA215&dq=moment+by+moment+I%27ll+will+employ&source=bl&ots=PEU0cKxZVJ&sig=haqWJIPDsSC03hDxHhmZcXDDevs&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwil_NnB78fLAhXCu4MKHVUXBVUQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=moment%20by%20moment%20I%27ll%20will%20employ&f=false">Little By Little</a></i>? I had to memorize it when I was 9, and it hasn't left me. Here's the beginning:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> "Little by little," an acorn said</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As it slowly sank in its mossy bed;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I am improving every day,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hidden deep in the earth away."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little by little each day it grew,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little by little it sipped the dew;</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Downward it sent a thread-like root,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Up in the air sprung a tiny shoot.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Day after day, and year after year,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Little by little the leaves appear:</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And the slender branches spread far and wide,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Til the mighty oak is the forest's pride.</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So I just wanted to encourage you: <i>You can do this.</i> Not today. Not all of it. But today<i> you can do a part of it</i>. Little by little. Day after day. Do what you can, and one day you'll look back and realize you have your miracle. Your tiny acorn will be the forest's pride. Better every day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm right here with you. -Brin</span><br />
<br />
- - - - -<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Not to bog you down with children's <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">lit </span> today, b<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ut t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">his is another <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(on topic) childhood favorite:</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do your best,</span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And leave the rest,</span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'Twill all come right</span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some day o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">night.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Anna Sewell, <i>Black Beauty </i></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh! And the reason for the strawberry picture is this: today my BED project is <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/78461218485379130/">paint</a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/78461218485379130/">ing these strawberry stones</a>.</span></span><i> </i></span></span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-88463537314638777512016-03-16T10:36:00.004-05:002020-08-20T12:30:21.175-05:00My B.E.D Motto<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GC1CluQCHtJrkqUzFXodrBNF9m026hno788mLxBSjjUkLt2krfvA628mjWN933Cbxizk3cWAanQToaE3rygce_JiB5_sJo5FKWiPOo3ENEwGjAx59Xcd8EN5Qw2ulAtP0MCDTg/s1600/HHGarden1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8GC1CluQCHtJrkqUzFXodrBNF9m026hno788mLxBSjjUkLt2krfvA628mjWN933Cbxizk3cWAanQToaE3rygce_JiB5_sJo5FKWiPOo3ENEwGjAx59Xcd8EN5Qw2ulAtP0MCDTg/s640/HHGarden1.jpg" width="480" /></a> </div>
<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">So maybe, like me, you're dreaming of a place in the country where you can stretch out and have a flower garden, a <a href="http://messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2016/03/back-from-fair-sans-cow.html">mini milk cow</a>, and some independence, but for now you must bloom where you're planted and such. Or maybe you're pleased as punch to be right where you find yourself but want to add a bit of the country life where you are. Either way, I think you might be interested in what I have coming up on the blog.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">And what's coming up is this</span>: putting a pretty, functional garden on a 1/3 acre lot in a busy city that makes you get a permit before you sneeze. We're going to have to be very creative while building this little urban homestead. We can't keep chickens here (although we've formed a coalition to overturn that ordinance) or keep bees here. Yet. I anticipate this changing soon. So we will prevail, and I will show you how as we go along.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I think I've spent several months being sort of let down and upset over this place, to be honest. (I've always been honest with you guys, I think. To a fault.) After all, I gave up my cute cabin to get married... with the understanding that a place in the country would be an option soon. But friends, as you probably know all too well, life usually doesn't work out as it does in our heads. A compromise means we bought an old house on this double lot in town. I must make the best of it! </span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah. It was a difficult time during our 2015 house hunting days.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">My first goal on this homeplace was to get a clothesline, stat. <span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Not having to run the d<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">ryer all week saves</span></span> me real dollars every month on my electric bill and, in turn, give me an excuse to slow down. Hanging laundry, for me, is therapeutic. Most days I even fold it straight off the line. For now I have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AP3YK8?ie=UTF8&creativeASIN=B000AP3YK8&linkCode=xm2&tag=mymesthrlif-20">this retractable clothesline</a> running between the house and a nearby tree, and it's getting the job done until we can get a permanent one built. If you're renting or don't have a clothesline yet, I highly recommend going this route. Baby steps, friends. Baby steps.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">The goal I'm tackling now is what you saw in the picture above: putting in a combo raised bed/in-ground bed vegetable garden. I'm making progress every day and can't wait to show you once I get it completed. I'm shooting for a completion date of my birthday, April 8. It's a big, big task, but I am determined. Today I'm preparing the second in-ground bed, <a href="http://www.backtoedenfilm.com/">Back to Eden</a> style. I'm also getting some herbs in those well-used terra cotta pots you see in the picture above. Between the clearing out and the putting in and the garden bed making, I've come up with a motto for these challenging, early days. <i>Better Every Day</i>, is my recent motto. BED= Better.Every.Day. I ask myself each night as I get in bed, <i>Did you do anything to make this place better today? </i>Elementary, I know, but it helps. It really helps.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Do me a favor? Talk back to me: tell me what project you're working on or what you're doing around your homeplace. Help encourage or inspire me/us to keep going. I find it wildly heartening to see other women talk about their challenges, their projects, and their hopes for their homes. It sort of helps us chin-up and tackle our own mountains knowing that someone else out there is climbing hers at the same time, too.</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Off to tackle that second garden bed before I ask myself my BED question at bed tonight. Have a good Wednesday! -Brin</span><br />
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<span face="" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This post contains an Amazon affiliate link for the purposes of sharing exact products I'm using and enjoying. You know the spill, right? If you click and buy, Amazon gives me a small kickback for the referral to their site, and that money helps me keep the blog going. It doesn't cost you or impact you in any way. Thanks!</span></span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-88050567899997141662016-03-15T14:53:00.000-05:002016-03-15T14:54:51.272-05:00Bees, Spring, and Allergies, Oh My!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6t9dKAm1pzImJnzkznDgJgqbiKWF8VaQ5GFv9bIeRb8Vs2kVWjP52poHW1vtLCDNAx63v9PCk6hw7WvcX0YvkKdJRPqD5kvSn24g4OpeLy4fC4sd3ntUUVm0AJtgk0GTRlnncvw/s1600/TBH+Bars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6t9dKAm1pzImJnzkznDgJgqbiKWF8VaQ5GFv9bIeRb8Vs2kVWjP52poHW1vtLCDNAx63v9PCk6hw7WvcX0YvkKdJRPqD5kvSn24g4OpeLy4fC4sd3ntUUVm0AJtgk0GTRlnncvw/s640/TBH+Bars1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've just finished coating two hives worth of top bars with beeswax in anticipation of splitting a hive this afternoon. It's incredible, if you think of it: just before a colony of bees swarms, you intervene- taking baby bees, worker bees, and honey/nectar/pollen stores and making a new hive. Hopefully, then, the bees will raise their own queen, acclimate to their new digs, and establish a new happy and healthy colony. It gets technical and the failure rate is real and ugly, but it can happen. Hopefully, today, it will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Due to a lack of information out there for beekeepers wanting to transition from a Langstroth hive to a Top Bar Hive without having to buy a new nuc of bees, I'm conducting a grand experiment. A video will be forthcoming, but for now, it's all very speculative and risky, this bee experiment I'm hoping to pull off. I'll update soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Otherwise, it's spring already here in the East Texas piney woods. Ugh. Pollen is everywhere and most everyone feels awful; our eyes are puffy, our noses run, our conversations are constantly interrupted with someone sneezing or coughing or blowing their nose or their kid's nose or asking if you need to blow your nose. Ha. This year seems especially allergy troublesome. I must find some raw honey remedies that <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">cut down on the<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span>boxes of Advil allergy relief and trash cans overflowing with tissues. I know they're out there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(To do: c<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">oncoct</span> raw honey allergy relief solutions. Note<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d.)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Anyhow... how are you? It seems as though it's been awhile. I've been struggling much with finding a rhythm and deciding on priorities and I know that's apparent here. I've missed you, though, and hope you're well as we collectively usher in this warmer, busy bee season.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Off to the hives now, but I'll be back tomorrow with some new pictures. See you then. -Brin</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-90830821942548684582016-03-01T12:50:00.001-06:002016-03-01T12:50:38.198-06:00Back From the Fair (Sans Cow)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwCdRnxvJbbPs7K_UxsPsSK6iZbkV5HoZOIcJ-kQnDDUpOsme_WfRGVGnhm72hqJgNX-SqvppSloPFtQoz6x3SLKI21j8nIfjN2ovttNiwZ6zRPTpz_g-PR4AvRoBNgVb3KCkRQ/s1600/Cow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhwCdRnxvJbbPs7K_UxsPsSK6iZbkV5HoZOIcJ-kQnDDUpOsme_WfRGVGnhm72hqJgNX-SqvppSloPFtQoz6x3SLKI21j8nIfjN2ovttNiwZ6zRPTpz_g-PR4AvRoBNgVb3KCkRQ/s640/Cow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh friends. I have so much to tell you and so much to write down now that I'm back from my time at the Fair and visiting loved ones. So much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until I can sit down and get it all down, I thought you might enjoy seeing this sweet little Jersey cow. (Full grown! Is anything cuter than a miniature milk cow?) My Dad and I visited her several times during our days at the fair, and had she not been $3,000 <i>and </i>already sold, I know we would have tried to find a way to get her home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some girls buy shoes. Me? Coffee, books, plants, and now homestead animals and equipment, apparently. Glory.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Talk soon, promise. Happy March!</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-41163846813962186952016-02-18T12:04:00.000-06:002016-02-18T12:09:14.707-06:00Faring and Fairing<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are certain pursuits which, if not
wholly poetic and true, </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">do at least suggest a nobler and finer relation
to nature than we know. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The keeping of bees, for instance.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">-Henry David Thoreau</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3H6kZglIrXfo0kGNAE2eRlFIZ2p4lfts1HF7A6gT1AurQdvZwHWFC08qR8fpKeMNiCQ8taWHa7kSvoGRE3OfeOzeygdRSkC53ykq0OXOhTE9I_HLcg3-lC73Ksji3Xe-iBUhTw/s1600/HiveInspection4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3H6kZglIrXfo0kGNAE2eRlFIZ2p4lfts1HF7A6gT1AurQdvZwHWFC08qR8fpKeMNiCQ8taWHa7kSvoGRE3OfeOzeygdRSkC53ykq0OXOhTE9I_HLcg3-lC73Ksji3Xe-iBUhTw/s640/HiveInspection4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's hive inspection day at the Balm and Honey bee farm. I'm getting ready to climb in my truck, rumble down some county roads, put on my bee suit and crack open a hive. I can't wait. Today I find out how the bees fared this winter<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">... how they're faring headed into the spring honey flow.</span> Today I see how many splits, or new hives, I'll be able to make for the coming year. Today I will taste the sweetness of victory or the bitterness of <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(temporary) defeat.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0Tss2-XcUvn6bgW9-tSyOJ-fHo8WINrKEG7DBISVo26VQVNiLG1rmEhlAg83YUL1774H1zIMFtDfBhjeryJ6nmHZbsrBlqQ3h1lda58w5Pxvai3VIo9hSCfjHZBa1s1QMZan5w/s1600/BeeDelivery6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0Tss2-XcUvn6bgW9-tSyOJ-fHo8WINrKEG7DBISVo26VQVNiLG1rmEhlAg83YUL1774H1zIMFtDfBhjeryJ6nmHZbsrBlqQ3h1lda58w5Pxvai3VIo9hSCfjHZBa1s1QMZan5w/s640/BeeDelivery6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think of beekeepers like I think of firefighters: they're just not normal. No rational person runs into a burning building, and, likewise, no rational person sticks their head into a hive of stinging bees. Both require (at varying levels, sure) a bit of bravery- a deep-seated assurance somewhere inside that you have to be among those who <i>do something</i> about dire situations. Firefighters are more glorious, honorable, and <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">brave</span>, yes. But beekeepers are savers in their own quiet way. I am humbled to join their ranks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So today I get bee answers and tomorrow I hit the road for the<i> Mother Earth News</i> (you know that magazine, right?) Texas Fair-- a two day homesteading extravaganza. I'll be taking a cheesemaking class and attending lectures on farming from Joel Salatin (what?!) and diving in to beekeeping and poultry production methods. I think there's a specialty kombucha brewing lesson thrown in there somewhere, too. Pretty sure I won't sleep a wink tonight, I'm that excited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will report on bees and the fair next week. Until then, be safe and well, friends. -Brin</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-34134669165336879222016-02-16T14:17:00.001-06:002016-02-17T07:31:45.681-06:00Clover and Creeping<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's actually Oxalis, but we always just called it <i>clover</i> growing up. It's blooming now, here in the piney woods of east Texas. I picked a fist full yesterday from the farthest corner of the third-acre, back where the ivy is creeping over everything, and near where the tiny pink roses are, finally, taking a rest from blooming. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The clover is actually for a small lookbook I'm putting together for <a href="http://www.balmandhoney.com/">Balm and Honey</a>. I've found the most incredible yarns that sing, softly, of spring, and I'm knitting them now int<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">o<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span>cloths to sell. I have plans of setting up at the local farmer's market after the spring honey comes in and my herbs and flowers are ready. Looking forward to that, definitely.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When I was working in Colorado and living in that tiny cabin (<a href="http://www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com/2008/06/cabin.html">remember those days</a>?), I would drive into Cortez every week for the farmer's market. It was a glorious one. There was a girl who ran a vegetable booth there who probably came to think of me as a creeper before the summer was over. Oh man. She was the coolest. Her clothes were handmade and colorful and imaginative and messy and perfection. She cut her own hair, I heard her say once, and it was the best, most beautifully styled hair I've seen on a person outside of the theater. In the winter, this girl worked as a ski instructor, but in the summer she was an organic farmer and grew her own food and made her own trail mixes and tea blends. She drove this rusted Jeep and had these two spotted dogs that sat at her feet and only moved at her command. She was impossibly awesome. I think of all the people I've met and would like to have lunch with, she is among the top on my list. See? Creeper. I told you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Speaking of cool people and creeping, I'm heading to the<a href="http://www.motherearthnewsfair.com/texas/"> Mother Earth Fair in Texas</a> on Friday with hopes of meeting up with the likes of Joel Salatin and Wranglerstar and Claudia Lucero. Heck yes. If you'll be there, too, please drop me a line at brin@brinwisdom.com and let's meet up!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spring is on its way, friends. It is, it is. Take heart. -Brin</span>Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-81061462904438909262016-02-09T10:43:00.001-06:002016-02-09T11:12:11.668-06:00Calling All Instagrammers!<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tuesday came knocking this morning, dragging a brilliant sun and a biting chill in behind her. I'm happy to see that blue sky, though, and the light <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in here this </span>morning is perfect. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The latest Valentine's Day cloths from <a href="http://www.balmandhoney.com/">Balm and Honey</a>. Love!</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you on Instagram? If so, I want to tell you about a giveaway I'm doing over at <a href="http://www.balmandhoney.com/">Balm and Honey</a>. <b>Follow @balmandhoney on Instagram</b> <b>anytime now through Valentine's Day and be automatically entered to win one of the handknit House Helpers above.</b> What? Yes. No purchase required or anything, just pull up Instagram right now, follow @balmandhoney, and your name goes straight into the drawing. The winner will be announced Valentine's Day at 8 PM on Instagram. So... follow @balmandhoney... live your life... then watch Instagram Valentine's night to see if you're the lucky winner!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you've been wanting a chance to try these cloths, now's your chance to win one. (Have you seen the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/264790516/what-folks-are-saying-about-balm-honey?ref=shop_home_active_9">super fun feedback</a> that's coming in from my Balm and Honey customers? Agh. So fun. I think it's my favorite part of being an Etsy gal... except for the knitting, of course.) <u>The only caveat: domestic US entries only, please.</u> I love you out-of-the-US-gals, too, but our USPS is getting grumpier about shipping outside our lower 48. Thanks for understanding!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See you Instagrammers in a few. And everyone, hope you have a perfectly nice Tuesday. Thanks, as ever, for your support and love. We need each other. -Brin </span><br />
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Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14774195.post-82920914663200420182016-02-08T09:02:00.000-06:002016-02-08T09:02:17.321-06:00Monday Moment: Beautiful God<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and establish thou the work of our hands...</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">-Psalm 90:17</span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqpLF85IfGBbFWGDvoWbe97z9B5bjNjNw-69TFR8s4e7G8vxAamIRMi2Ppzu_n12Oz2JaNMrq11yHLDif_-uAj3W3fZAqwRXItuCdB6UpDVSUWzBfWMkFjkoN_5l8rJMgUxg_8g/s1600/RPJam1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqpLF85IfGBbFWGDvoWbe97z9B5bjNjNw-69TFR8s4e7G8vxAamIRMi2Ppzu_n12Oz2JaNMrq11yHLDif_-uAj3W3fZAqwRXItuCdB6UpDVSUWzBfWMkFjkoN_5l8rJMgUxg_8g/s640/RPJam1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He is a beautiful, beautiful God Who makes beautiful, beautiful things. Among them: roses and lemons, which I used over the weekend to make some blushed, fragrant rose petal jam.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soon we will see His beauty face to face! But may you be encouraged by God's beauty <i>today</i>, even as He works around you. -Brin</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Monday Moment is a little devotional to help kick start your week. See you again next time!</span></b></span></span> </span></div>
Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06516947462811712702noreply@blogger.com2