Saturday Poetry --- A Book by Emily Dickinson

A Book

There is no frigate like a book

To take us lands away,

Not any coursers like a page

Of prancing poetry.

This traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of toll;

How frugal is the chariot

That bears a human soul!

Simple Woman's Daybook -- November 2nd

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...it is STILL pitch black! I am ready for the time change.

I am thinking...about how busy the last week has been. I haven't felt as if I've had the time to do any of the usual stuff. Home from vacation, dd is home, a sick doggie who had to have surgery and is still requiring extra trips to the vet -- Calgon take me away! (But I still don't have a bathtub!)

I am thankful for...that dd is home and apparently doing so well! She has a job interview later today.

From the learning rooms...we met with ds' history teacher last week. I had him for history when I was in high school, so it was lovely to see him. He admitted he doesn't teach like he used to, mores the pity! He really should have moved on to university teaching, so it looks like it's going to be a really long year for ds and history!

From the kitchen...freezer bread just came out of the oven for breakfast.

I am wearing...my winter gown and my summer robe! It might be time to start swapping out the clothes officially!

I am creating...a rosary to complete an order for my Etsy store, and then I'm making fleece ponchos for dd and me to wear on our autumn trip to Pickett Park.

I am going...to the doctor today. Blech! Going to talk about "female" troubles and see if she has any plausible suggestions.

I am reading...The Feast by Josh Graves. It is wonderful!

I am hoping...to be able to slow down a bit and clarify what I really want to be doing with my time. I feel as if I am a leaf being pushed along by a strong autumn wind!

I am hearing...silence -- which would normally be lovely, except ds is supposed to be getting ready for school.

Around the house...the laundry (and ironing) are calling my name.

One of my favorite things...is the smell of autumn leaves! Dd and I have been walking the dogs together and we both enjoy the smell of sugar maple leaves and pine needles mingling in the cool autumn air.

A few plans for the rest of the week...slowing down! I need more time to think than I have been getting lately, so I am making a deliberate effort to allow more quiet in my life.

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Thankful Thursday -- October 28th

On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for:

1. My dd is home from her program in Missouri. I am so proud of the work she has done. I am also proud of the progress she has made. Pray for a job for her and a good transition back to life with the family.

2. A wonderful vacation with dh in Mexico. We saw and did SO many amazing things! Hopefully over the next few weeks I'll be sharing some of it with all of you. 

3. Learning new things! Last week in Mexico I learned to snorkel and scuba dive -- two things I never thought I'd do!

4. My wonderful ds! He is growing into such a fine young man. He has shown great responsibility over the last couple of weeks, and I am just so proud.

5. Beautiful autumn colors! We were blessed by seeing so much of God's beauty in Mexico last week, and then to come to the states and drive through country full of changing leaves!

May your Thankful Thursday be full of blessings. Check out Spiritually Unequal Marriage for more sharing of gratitude.

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . . October 27th

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...the sky is blue and the leaves on my neighbor's sugar maple are a brilliant orange. I took the dogs for a walk this morning and the temperature is in the high 50's right now.

I am thinking...about changes. Dd is home from her stay in Missouri. We are reconfiguring our schedules. I am feeling positive.

I am thankful for...safe travels! Dh and I spent a week in Mexico last week (more on that later), and Monday dh, ds and I drove to Missouri to pick up dd, and then home yesterday. No real problems. We are all a little tired!

From the learning rooms...ds is still struggling in American History and he needs to pick up the pace in German II. On the upside he is enjoying reading Frankenstein.

From the kitchen...a bare cupboard and refrigerator means a trip to the grocery later today.

I am wearing...black exercise pants and my Blue Mountain Beach shirt with pseudo-crocs.

I am creating...plans! I got to go to the Hancock's store in Paducah, KY, and bought more fabric. Spent more than I meant too, but even dh said I got good stuff!

I am going...to unpack, do laundry, grocery shop, walk with dd, and generally try to find order from chaos today.

I am reading...The Feast and The Myth of You and Me.

I am hoping...that things will begin to settle into a calmer routine over the next week or so.

I am hearing...birds chirping and the wind blowing as I have all the windows opened.

Around the house...order must be regained. We also have a sick doggie. Squeaker, ds' half beagle half dachshund, has a mass in her abdomen. The vet doesn't think it's cancer, but she will be having surgery on Friday. Pray for a good outcome!

One of my favorite things...is this kind of weather! Sunny and cool in the mornings. Sunny and warm in the afternoons. Beautiful autumnal colors to view, and small animals foraging for the winter.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Bible studies, readjusting to having dd at home, making plans for crafting.

Hosted by The Simple Woman's Daybook

Saturday Poetry -- The Revenant by Billy Collins

I am the dog you put to sleep,
as you like to call the needle of oblivion,
come back to tell you this simple thing:
I never liked you--not one bit.

When I licked your face,
I thought of biting off your nose.
When I watched you toweling yourself dry,
I wanted to leap and unman you with a snap.

I resented the way you moved,
your lack of animal grace,
the way you would sit in a chair to eat,
a napkin on your lap, knife in your hand.

I would have run away,
but I was too weak, a trick you taught me
while I was learning to sit and heel,
and--greatest of insults--shake hands without a hand.

I admit the sight of the leash
would excite me
but only because it meant I was about
to smell things you had never touched.

You do not want to believe this,
but I have no reason to lie.
I hated the car, the rubber toys,
disliked your friends and, worse, your relatives.

The jingling of my tags drove me mad.
You always scratched me in the wrong place.
All I ever wanted from you
was food and fresh water in my metal bowls.

While you slept, I watched you breathe
as the moon rose in the sky.
It took all of my strength
not to raise my head and howl.

Now I am free of the collar,
the yellow raincoat, monogrammed sweater,
the absurdity of your lawn,
and that is all you need to know about this place

except what you already supposed
and are glad it did not happen sooner--

that everyone here can read and write,
the dogs in poetry, the cats and the others in prose.

Feel Good Friday and Brief Hiatus

Well it's been a crazy week around here -- 

not feeling well, dh business trip, 

ds PSAT and tests and Spirit Week. 

It has come to my attention that I'm going 

to be a little busier than usual for 

the next couple of weeks. 

I'm taking a brief hiatus, 

but will hopefully have a VERY good 

FGF post when I get back. 

Until then, I hope everyone has a great 

Friday, weekend, and next couple of weeks!

I'll see you on the 29th!

Feel Good Friday is hosted by The Girl Next Door Grows Up.

Thankful Thursday -- October 14th

On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for:

1. An expected and pleasant call from dd last night.

2. Less self imposed guilt for not having "it" all together.

3. Some time on Tuesday with my bff, LBB. It is so wonderful to have a friend in my life who knows everything about me and still likes me! Thirty plus years and counting, and she still chooses to spend time with me!

4. Beautiful fabric to match 2 coordinating fabrics I came across in my stash recently. Now if I can just get the bag made before fall is over. LOL!

5. More lovely autumn weather and a good soaking rain yesterday. We have been pretty dry around here, so the rain was good for the earth, as well as my soul.


May your Thankful Thursday be full of blessings. Check out Spiritually Unequal Marriage for more sharing of gratitude.