writing and fun

I was 9 years old when I decided that my time walking the block to elementary school could be productive if I wrote poetry on my way to and from school. The problem was that I knew little to nothing about poetry. My daddy wrote light verse for Mom and us kids before he went to work each morning so that's what I thought poetry was all about. With my school-walking poem though, I never got beyond the first couplet because rhyming wasn't a strength of mine back then. I was stuck and didn't know how to get unstuck! Even as a child, I knew that creatively writing could be wonderful and satisfying though I couldn't yet get the hang of it myself.

Fifty years later, enter my wildly enthusiastic granddaughter who loves just about everything! She'd do it! I knew she would! I told Summer if she'd write a story, I'd post it on my blog for all my friends and our family to see--and she did it. She wrote a story for me and ultimately, for you all. The only changes I made were to add a couple of commas and quotation marks for clarity. Here it is in its entirety for your reading enjoyment.

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Candy

by

Summer Loftin

(age 10)

I know for a fact that everyone LOVES candy! But has anyone ever been scared of it or at least think it's creepy in any way shape or form? Your probably thinking, "What the heck? This girl is crazy! I love candy and nothing will ever change that!"

Well, think again! After you read this story, you will say, "WOW! candy can be creepy after all." And I'll be the one doin' the runnin' man, sayin, "Oh yeah, suckers, I was right! WOOP! WOOP!"

So, once upon a time there was a girl named Penelopea. She loved candy so much she actually wanted to change her name to Sweet Tart Sally! Just Kidding! But she did love candy a whole lot! One day she was casually walking on a yellow brick rode when she spotted a huge lollipop with a hole just her size. So she climbed in and hoped for the best! She was surprised that when she fell it didn't hurt at all. When she realised where she was and what was fluffy and apparently she was sitting on cotton candy! And best of all she was in Candy Wonderland!

So she wandered and wandered all around until she saw that all of the candy around her had really mean, scary faces on! She was really scared and super upset! The only thing she could think of was, "Why are all these pieces of candy so mad at her?"

Apparently, she forgot to sign in at the front desk and they said they were not mad, just scared. They said they were sorry to frighten her and they lived happily ever after!!

So, you see, candy can be sort of scary.

I guess that wraps it up.

The End

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I love my little Summer, her story, and the Lord, The original Creator, for blessing me with three wonderful grandkids who are creative in their own unique ways.

Suz

walking in the dark

I was watching Intervention tonight with my pups when the power went out. It's the first time we've lost power here in Alabama so I wasn't exactly sure what to do or who to call. Would it be a long time? What's the power outage phone number? Did burglars cut our lines? I had lots of questions as I sat in the darkness.

After about a minute I decided to check out the burglar thing by looking out the window. After all, it's a full moon tonight. I should be able to see them if they are messing around our house, right? I went to the door and opened the shade. Nope. Nobody there--and the power pole light was out too. Then, I decided I'd walk to the front windows to see if our neighbors had power.

Now, I knew the pups water bowl was behind the recliner and close to the futon...I KNEW it was there--but I hit it with my foot anyway and it spilled all over the floor and got the carpeting wet. Shoot! It figures. My next mission was to feel my way the short distance to the kitchen to get a kitchen towel to sop up the mess. That's what I get for meandering around in the dark--even though I thought there was enough moonlight was seeping through the slits in our blinds to do it safely. One can never have too much light for safety's sake. No power next door, but also no strange cars in our long driveway, either. Seems as though all was well on the western front--or whichever direction we're in.

Next mission. Find my IPhone for its light and look up the power company's phone number to report the outage since we didn't have a flashlight in the house. I didn't want to go hours on end waiting for it to come back on just because I didn't report it. I keep it in my purse and I usually drop my purse on the floor by my nightstand so I felt my way in there to find it. OK, found the table with no problem. Then, I bent down to grab my purse and when I did I whapped my mouth flatly on the corner of the nightstand. OUCH! Of course, I hollered and woke up Byron. It hurt like crazy! I could just see myself now, big honkin' swollen lip, bleeding all over the place, big blue ugly thing...

So, of course, by then Byron got up and found a type flashlight in his hunting backpack that shows blood trails when he's hunting. No regular flashlights in this house. I'm holding my mouth and shedding a couple tears heading for the kitchen table where I remembered setting my purse after we'd come in tonight. I'm digging in my purse, still holding my mouth, and he's chasing me with his light saying, "Hold still. Let me look at it. HOLD STILL!" But I've already left the table and made my way to my notebook with all my Alabama documents to find the outage line number.

"Come here! Let me look at it! Will you just stand still for a minute!"

"OK, here. Look! But be careful. It hurts so bad."

"I'm not gonna hurt you. Just let me see it."

"OK. Ow Ow Ow."

He looked at my lip and pronounced it "not bad at all." No blood. No cut. A little puffy on the inside but otherwise I'm in good shape. I'm torn. I'm glad I'm not an ugly mess, but after all, I've already endured the pain and now I don't even have a battle scar, a trophy, for this little adventure. While we're assessing the tiny bit of damage to my lip, the power comes back on and we have light and air conditioning once again. Yay!

Byron kept saying, "You just can't go wandering around the house in the dark like this." He doesn't know that I often move around the house with no lights on. Every night, when I get up to get some water, or inevitably go to the bathroom, I have no light. I know where I'm going and I never have a problem...at least I'd never HAD a problem until tonight. Light would have been the very thing I needed so I wouldn't have hurt myself.

His words got me thinking about my spiritual life. How many times have I thought I knew better about spiritual matters when what I really needed was Jesus' light on the issue? How often could I have had His wisdom and light in giving advice to someone but I decided I was OK without it? How many times have I fallen in my own strength when, if I'd only asked, I could have had His strength?

The Lord is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. Tonight's slightly bruised lip helped me remember something vitally important about the Lord in my life--I need His light everywhere, all the time.

Sometimes it's the smallest thing that brings to light the biggest truth.

Suz

my walk in the woods

"C'mon. Let's go for a walk. I want to find the surveyor's pins on the corner of our property."

"I don't wanna go for a walk."

"C'mon. It's not a hard walk...the grade isn't too steep. It'll be an easy path."

"OK. I don't really want to, but I'll come."

So we walked. Up the hill. Over to the side of the hill. Up a little higher. It was, just as Byron said, an easy walk. As we moved northward I could see a huge valley between the two hills. Then I heard the creek down at the bottom of the valley. As small as it is, it sounded refreshing and inviting. I had never been this far down the creek before and I wanted to see it. I told Byron I was going down to the creek.

"It's a long way down there and pretty steep to climb back up."

"I know. But it's clear walking and I have lots of little hangy-on trees to help me come back up."

"You're gonna think "little hangy-on trees" when you start back up that hill."

"I'll be back!"

I worked my way down the steep hill. There was about a foot or so of leaf litter all over the ground and I had my Keds on--which aren't known for their gripping ability--so it was an adventure all the way down. Finally, I reached the bottom and it was beautiful. The creek is only about 6 ft across at the widest point and there were a couple of little falls that were very pretty. It's nothing spectacular, just a little creek in the middle of nowhere, but the music of the rushing water coupled with the sunshiney day and the cool breeze between the two high hills made it amazing.

I walked along the creek for a little bit and looked around enjoying the solitude. I felt safe because I knew at the top of the hill was my husband listening out for me if I should need help and I also felt fairly safe because despite being in the woods down a steep hill in a part of the woods I've never been before, I knew the way home. Home was just over the hill. It might take a little bit to get there, but I wasn't at all lost.

After a little while, I decided to make my return up the hill. It sure looked higher going up than I thought it would but I started up, and sure enough, I used the "hangy-on" trees occasionally as I walked. I had just about reached the top and Byron was only feet from me. As I stepped toward a clump of trees, I grabbed onto a skinny trunk. Just then, my right leg slid clean as a whistle, completely and totally into a hole! My right leg disappeared into the ground up to my thigh. There was nothing around my leg and my shoe wasn't touching anything inside the hole!

I didn't feel hurt so I didn't panick, but I yelled to Byron, "My leg's in a hole!"

That's when my protector-husband calmly yelled back, "Well, pull it out!"

Byron is an experienced woodsman so I figured if he wasn't alarmed, then I wouldn't be alarmed either. I pulled it out.

I checked myself out. My pants leg was a little dirty. My shoe was still on my foot. No ant bites. No bees nest in the hole. No water. No bugs. No worms. No scrapes. No bumps. No bruises. No nothing. I pulled myself up and walked up the rest of the way to Byron.

"There was NOTHING in the hole! Nothing! My foot touched nothing at all!"

"When trees die and rot out, they leave holes in the ground." Such a matter of fact kinda guy!

I was relieved that I hadn't been hurt and that I wasn't alone out there when it had happened. Byron and I laughed about it all the way back to the house--and every time I think about my adventure today, I laugh--mostly, because I'm relieved and so very grateful that I wasn't hurt in some freak mountain-woods accident. What if I'd broken my leg? Or, what if that hole had been big enough for BOTH my legs? I might have discovered another Ruby Falls--or disappeared into an abyss, forever gone. Can't you just see Byron trying to explain my disappearance to the police? HA!

When we've imagined all the possibilities of what might have happened, the "what-ifs" don't really matter. Although I will probably remember this day as the day my leg fell into the mountain hole, I will also remember the rushing water and solitude of the creek as that icy water ran freely over the little falls to who knows where. Most of all, when life is hard and I struggle with people, circumstances, finances, emotions and situations, I will remember that I am still never alone and home is just over the hill.

Suz

a happy heart

If there's anything that's true it's that change is inevitable. Yep, change is the constant. Many years ago, we had a minister that often said, "If you don't like how things are now, just hang around and it will change soon." And it always did.

We're adjusting to some changes and some of them are a bit challenging, and I mention them merely as an observation--not as a complaint. The Lord has been so good to us, I've got NOTHING to complain about. Gotta love downsizing our expenses! We're giving up a few things, but nothing earth shattering at this point. I no longer have my IPhone with the internet constantly at my fingertips--and it seems odd to be even a little disconnected but I'm beginning to like it. I still have a phone, but just not all the bells and whistles.

We've also changed to a satellite tv company instead of cable and I no longer have a million channels with still nothing special to watch--although I do miss Jerseylicious. I know. I know. But I liked it! Olivia is my girl. Gotta love the underdog :) I still get to watch my eclectic group of favorite shows: Top Chef, Chopped, Hoarders, Animal Cops, Dogs 101, Judge Judy, Lockup, Bones and Law and Order, Criminal Intent reruns. I just love Bobby Goren. He's a crime fighting savant, for goodness sakes. Please, no comments about my selections. We all have our weaknesses and quirks :)

We are also considering and reconsidering purchases before making them now. Do we really need this? Is there something else we could use to make do? Can I borrow it or find it secondhand? Though we are making adjustments because of economic changes, the facts are that we have a comfortable home, clothing on our backs, a vehicle in good shape with fuel, a healthy family, fat healthy dogs, and we haven't missed a meal yet--but ultimately, we have a heavenly Father who loves us utterly and takes care of us completely. So, I cannot--I do not consider these changes bad. They're just different. Period.

I am reminded daily that this world is not the be all and end all for us Christians. Our hope lies not in the checkbook balance nor the toys we possess. Our hope lies in Christ alone.

"In Christ alone my hope is found He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All here in the love of Christ I stand."

I don't know if our circumstances will change anytime soon, but I'm not worried. We are only passing through this place and will soon spend forever with the One who loved us even when we were so very unlovable.

Thank you Lord for your good care of us. You are our generous, loving Father who meets our every need. I have a happy heart. I love you.

Suz

Monday night fun

What a great time! Our friends, Marsha, Odis, and their son Sam, along with Benny and Joyce came to our house last night for dinner and conversation. We’ve been on many short term missions trips together but haven’t all been together in quite some time–since Marsha and Odis moved to Alabama more than a year ago.

I cooked a good hearty meal of garlic chicken, rice, green beans and roasted veggies (yellow squash, brussel sprouts and carrots. We all ate till we were full. Dessert was pecan pie, berry pie and vanilla ice cream. I often get nervous cooking for my extended family–not for my children–but I never feel nervous when I’m cooking for these friends. I don’t feel insecure with them. When you’ve shared hardship and difficulty on a mission trip with someone, you know whether they are judgmental or not toward others. My friends are NOT critical or harsh. I can cook for them and they will enjoy the fellowship and the food. My plates can be paper to save work after the meal. My glasses can be mismatched. The girls will pitch in and help get the food on the table and then help me clean up after the fact. It’s what we do. It’s who we are. So I didn't stress about this meal, about this get together.

Conversation during dinner went from ethics, to finances, to wills, to memories of previous trips around the world. There was nothing boring about anything we talked about. Anyone can speak up. Any opinion is heard. Lightness is inserted whenever desired. Seriousness and silliness are both encouraged. We can be ourselves without fear of recrimination or ridicule. We like each other and it shows.

I feel so very blessed to have these people and other good friends in my life. They are my siblings, my friends. True friends. Thanks, Father. I love these ‘gifts!’

Suz

changes

I thought several times this week about calling my mom and talking to her again...but before the thought is even complete, I let it go. My Mom died 3 years, 5 months and 10 days ago, on June 17, 2007. In the days before she found out she had cancer, we'd talk a lot around the holidays, mostly about cooking and recipes. We could discuss a good dinner and dessert!

Since Byron's unplanned early retirement, we are spending more time in Alabama and this year we celebrated a good Thanksgiving there with our eldest daughter, Amy, Lane and Sid and our good friends, while Holly and her family feasted with other family members in FL. It was different and even though we had a great time, I missed our usual get together with both our daughters and families.

My body is getting cranky. Walk across one field too many in the cold morning or wear the wrong shoes and it lets me know I've committed a great error that I will regret at 2 a.m. Eat right before bedtime and acid reflux will raise its ugly head. Plan too many things to do right in a row and my ability to multi-task becomes non-existent--either my brain can't--or won't--wrap itself around the list--and in which order to do them--or I just slow down to a crawl and don't come near to finishing them all.

My dog, Treasure, is having a problem with her hip. She's limping after laying in one position for a long time. There's nothing wrong with her foot. I checked. She's eleven years old, 69 in dog years, and I think she's just struggling to move around when she used to be so spry and lively as a pup--about 6 months ago. Right!

All these changes. Crazy, huh? I have a fifteen year old granddaughter! I have a ten year old granddaughter! I have an eight year old grandson! What happened? I didn't plan all this. They are growing up way too fast. Next time I blink they will be married with children of their own--if the Lord wills.

I've never been one who embraced change easily. Too many years ago, when I was a teen myself, I got upset when Pepsi Co put eight 16 oz bottles in a carton instead of the six they'd always had until then. Silly, I know, but I liked it the way it WAS and sometimes I still have trouble with changes. Oh, not so much the soda pop ones any more, but the big, life altering ones shake me up--like grandkids who are no longer my babies, painful legs in the middle of the night, limping dogs, unplanned retirement and the death of loved ones. These changes--these shifts in MY plans--have caused many fearful moments and not a few tears.

...Praise your God! He made your city secure, he blessed your children among you. He keeps the peace at your borders, he puts the best bread on your tables. He launches his promises earthward—how swift and sure they come! He spreads snow like a white fleece, he scatters frost like ashes, He broadcasts hail like birdseed—who can survive his winter? Then he gives the command and it all melts; he breathes on winter—suddenly it's spring! Psalm 147:12-18

I've been in the place where it seemed to be the middle of winter in the heat of July--when circumstances seemed bleak and disheartening and that the sun would never shine again. Sometimes I STILL feel this way. I was feeling especially overwhelmed by life changes when I found this section of verses, when I discovered that despite the depths of winter that HE allows, at His own command, it all melts and SUDDENLY IT'S SPRING! Winter may be here now, but summer is on its way. I may always struggle with change but with the Lord's breath on winter, it's going to be all right. The seasons will change. THIS season will change. What a relief!

Father, I'm so glad I'm not in charge. Even though I don't always understand your direction and choices for us, I know they are the best ones. There is one season I'm in right now that I wish would pass. Sometimes it's especially tough for me--like right now. I pray you will breathe on this winter and let it be spring. I love you so much and am trusting you for the answer to my prayer.

Suz

screaming ankles and cries for help

I had a very busy day today. I spent much of it in my best athletic shoes, running up and down the porch steps and back and forth through an unfamiliar super Walmart. By bedtime my ankles were screaming!

I took something to relieve the pain and went to bed. After dozing and waking and turning over and over again--kinda like a rotisserie chicken--I finally told Byron I was getting up for a while--but before my feet actually hit the floor, in a split second prayer--I asked the Lord why I had to get up. He said I needed to answer a friend's request for prayer. I had intended to send her a letter in the morning, but the Lord showed me that I needed to encourage her NOW.

So, that's what I did. I got up and wrote to her but since it was so late, she may not get it until morning, but I feel like I did what the Lord told me to do. It makes me wonder how many other sleepless nights the Lord tried to show me something and I didn't hear it or see it. Now I wonder if I had even asked Him why I was awake.

What strikes me most about this event tonight is the Lord's compassion for his children. Yes, my ankles hurt badly--but He knows how much my friend needed to hear from her friend. Her cries for help touched the heart of God himself. Her pain moved the Lord to allow me a bit of misery so she could receive support from her friend.

I am so glad the Lord will get one of His children out of the bed to help another one. I'm sure there have been times He's done it for me. I pray that next time I can't sleep--for whatever reason--I will ask Him, "Why?" If I were a betting woman, I'd bet He'd tell me!

Father, thank you for having compassion on my good friend. Thank you for answering our prayers for her. Thank you for your total and merciful love. I love you with all my heart.

Suz