I am going to be honest in sharing that living life as a hobbit is not always as easy as it is cracked up to be…
The only consistent feedback and healthy criticism, comes primarily from God, as He is always near. While this is actually what I feel safest with, it is not completely without flaws… Not His of course, but rather, mine…
I sometimes find myself using God as my excuse to stay safely hidden away, tucked into our RV to be left alone. The price of living in this world has been costly to my spirit, but there is also much joy and hope, love and happiness, and KINDNESS… yes, there is still some of that out there. God has been faithfully healing all of the wounds inflicted, undoing damage that I believed to be permanant. While there will be scars that I carry and tend for the remainder of my life, I will endeavor to continue LOOKING UP!
Whenever I am faced with having to venture out, expose my mind and heart to a world I struggle to engage in, I will literally feel my intestines begin knotting up! My frenemy IBS starts pacing the inner corridors of my heart, giving rise to an emotion of fear. Here I am, a 54 year old woman of God, chosen, set apart, by the very King of the World, and I get scared! I know, right?!?
Well, that is the truth of it! Most of us carry on with smiles and faith, while we still have days that make us want to run and get back in bed. So….. I have thought of a gift for any of you, living like I do, one day at a time…
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
If you read this far, then I hope you are left with the fragrance of my love, His love in truth, that flows from a fountain that I drink from quite often. For those of you that stayed, I have set a table of refreshments to share… Please, help yourselves…
I know it might be too much, but I did not know how many might show up, and I wanted to make sure there were eno…. oh for crying out loud, I like donuts, and if no one eats any, then I get them all … muh huh huh hah hah…
Spanish 21 for me… and my kids, of course! Yup, I will confess that I did, in fact, teach my children to gamble. Don’t Judge… you can be judgy after you lock YOURself up in a camper with three loud, and very bored children… and no electronic devices… none! No cell phones, vcr’s, radios, or the like… Just us, all trapped in a camper during a rain storm.
All we had was a deck of cards, a heater for warmth, and a bag of M&M’s and one of Skittles. What’s a mom to do? I doled out a pile of each candy to my kids, and us grown ups, and we all separated our candy currency into color coded piles based on value. From there it devolved…
The game was hilarious, looking more like a game of go fish, or spoons, with all the yelling and grabbing. Right in the middle of the game, one of my daughters began teasing me with her sticky little candy fingers, as if she was going to wipe candy on my face. You know how when you are playing with a child and teasing them like you are gonna nibble on their fingers or something like that?
Tears sprang to both our eyes… her tears were obviously due to shock and pain, while mine were of shock and sincere sorrow for causing my baby girl pain. I want you to know that what makes this story so good, is not that I bit her finger, but the moments right after… I do not think it was more than 5 seconds of the shock tears before the entire table erupted in laughter. We were all looking at her and she just burst into rolling laughter, pointing at all of us, and hiccupping through tears, “you should have seen all you guys faces, it was so funny”. That was what broke the shock part, for us all.
Never fear, she has all of her fingers to this day, and just so you know, I didn’t ever break the skin when I bit her, but her fingers did taste like cherry… and I liked it!
Somewhat like the words of the Abominable Snowman, I will love her, and water her, and hug her pot, and she will be my friend, and I will call her Sis, after my grand daughter, who just had a birthday!
Why do I chose to refer to the plant as a her, you may be asking yourself… well, I am going to answer as if you did ask…
I believe it to be a girl, because she is a tough little thing… her life is difficult, as she lives in a very rough environment, just like her mamma…
And yet, she is sassy, stubborn, and refuses to lose, again, just like her mamma. My sweet friend gave her to me when she was still floating in water (the plant that is, not my friend). Such a tiny thing back then. I truly thought that I would have killed her already, either by over watering, once I put her in this tiny pot, or simply because the air in our RV is not conducive to growing anything other than dust bunnies or cob webs… we don’t even own a vacuum cleaner.
I am so very proud of her, don’t laugh, this is a major win for me in the green mom thumb department. I for sure need to get her into a bigger pot with better soil, now that she has her own baby to raise. Winters in our space can be brutal, so she may be sleeping with me next to my bedside each night and light will be tricky in the darker months… but I have faith in her… she is a fighter!
With this renewed green pride, I am going to do whatever possible to give her a good life.
(In terms of the real world of RVing, if I ever post a picture of a completely different plant, and make a feeble attempt at convincing you it is her, you gotta play along for my sake, and don’t judge me if I kill this one on accident.)
Thanks for having my back, and she cannot see what I am typing, so if she finds out I said that, I will not offer you any more cookies since your the only ones I told. Here is your advance payment for said silence…
Though I may be cooking with just a Ninja foodie nowadays, living in an RV and all, I have always loved to cook. I must admit, I am quite average when it comes to the savory side, but on the sweet side… I knock it out the park! My first love is Cheesecake! I make an awesome Snickers one, and an Oreo one, but one time my husband and I did an Old Fashioned cheesecake and then poured a galaxy colored glaze over it… so much fun!
I learned how to make Indian Fry Bread when my kids were small, and their favorites were Banoch Burgers and Indian Tacos… good times…
I could make an awesome salsa that was delish, though it melted your face off!
BROWN SUGAR BURGERS…MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM…
My mother’s homemade chili and cornbread…
My husbands favorite is those cool bread bowls and then I make either homemade clam chowder, or a thick potato soup.
I will leave you with just these few, because, I am a writer and I love to cook so this could rapidly become a lengthy novel…
My all time specialty happens to be enormous Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter cookies… gooey on the inside, but lightly flaky on the outside… now you know why I like to leave everyone cookies all the time.
Remember when I told you that I had not seen The Pottsworths for some time, you know, Bob and Netticia Pottsworth…
Well, as I was walking the other day, I ran into a local that happened to live near my friends… you would be surprised at how much information can be forthcoming if you have a peanut!
When I asked of the Pottsworths’ whereabouts, I was so pleased to discover that Bob and his family were not missing at all, but had actually just moved down the river a bit and on the opposite side of the trail. Of course, once I knew they had only moved, I inquired further as to the reason for the move… Why… because I am nosy, that’s why…
It was purely an accident that I ended up stumbling upon this news, and I thought I would tell you about it, in part to convince myself that it actually happened…
this is not one of my pictures, fyi, I just wanted to add some cuteness…
Apparently, there was a big to do over something Netticia said, regarding what she heard about the widow, Hazel Nuttlavios, who lived just next door to the Pottsworths. I will back up a bit, to fill you in on those involved in said kerfuffle.
In this small community, I am personally only aware of several families, so the others possible involvement is purely speculation, on my part. Obviously, I know Bob and Netty POTTsworth, and I have to admit that Netty does have a tendency to stick her nose up at others in a bit of a judgy manner. This has apparently been a problem in the past (rumors). Just next door to their tree was a small community of Squirrel folk, of which I have met several families, one of which is the Beechnuts, Henry and Barbara. Henry is often working in the meadows, and I have only met him once (seemed very kind and quit in nature). Barbara, on the other hand is a bit of a busy body… always needs to be nuts deep in everyone else’s business.
Again, this pic is not one of mine
Now if you had ever met the widow, Hazel Nuttlavios, you would think it absurd that she would be involved in something as scandalous as what Netty blurted out at the Saturday Squirrel Social… I feel badly for Netty, as in truth, it was brought on by none other than the busy body Bushy Barbara Beechnut (no wonder Henry works away from home so much).
Here is what went down, to the best of my knowledge, as my informant talked with a mouth full of peanut the whole time we chatted… this cost me 6 peanuts by the way…
While Barbara was down by the river, washing her dishes, she thought that she saw the wild Rico Pistachio, sneaking out of the back door of Widow Hazel’s home, but she was not 100% sure. Instead of either minding her own business, or simply clarifying things with the widow, Barbara made the mistake of sharing her thoughts with Netty over tea, about an hour later. Yup! I think we all know where this is going…
From the time of their morning tea, Netty stewed and fretted over her neighbors shared thoughts (gossip), and by the time the social began, she wandered from group to group of other squirrels, whispering her judgement and disdain for the Widows inappropriate behavior… scandalous!
Here was the problem… Rico, happened to be the widows distant cousin. Neither Netty or Barbara knew this, but point in fact, there were a good number of other river folk that DID know…
Long story short, the uproar that occurred from words exchanged both in private, as well as at the social, destroyed not only the friendship between the two squirrel neighbors, but the trust within the small community of Squirrel folk…
Well, I am not only very nosy, but I also believe in forgiveness, and second chances, so I sent a request to the village council asking for an audience with their elders… perhaps, a little more than peanuts is called for in this situation. I am not clear, at all, as to the things I might say to the council, but I care for the families that live in this place. I know that Netticia was kicked out of her own nest as a young squirrel, through no fault of her own… she has carried the weight of feeling wrongly judged all of her life. I am also aware that Barbara’s husband, Henry, is not exactly kind or tender with her in any way… he is rarely home, and when he is there, he simply sleeps to avoid spending any time with her ( their marriage was arranged).
Of everything that I uncovered, something humorous… the widow… she thought this whole thing was an absolute riot… her family comes from a long line of nuts…
I give you my word that I will bring you up to speed as soon as I meet with the council. Oh, and by the way, in the event that you are wondering about the wedding in Acorn Valley, it has been postponed for a short bit. There was some sort of massive human gathering within the valley and there was an enormous amount of trash left over. The valley is a mess, and the decision was made to push the nuptials off by a week, in order to allow the valley to recover from all the garbage still being hauled away by the city workers.
I have been tasked with a journey of great importance, and I am hoping you will share a desire to come along. If you were wondering the reason for my invitation, I will do my best to explain. The giver of the bag I carry is in need of a courier! Originally, it had been intended that I accompany another to deliver an important artifact. We were to carry said artifact to a small village along the edge of the wilderness, resting near the shore of a great sea. I know it is not a lot to go on, and I am asking you to put your trust in someone you don’t know. You may feel better knowing that I am putting my trust in you, just as much as I am asking you, in essence, to trust in me. Since you know me, it is my hope that you will at least put a bit of trust there, for now. If you might be brave, for me…
I am just as curious as you are, as to the identity of the item in which I now carry, as I was unable to ascertain what it was before it was placed within my bag. Due to my companions unexpected absence, the task now rests with me for delivery. I would be ever indebted to you for company, while the owner of the artifact feels it imperative to locate my missing friend. Though it is painful for me, as my companion and I do not travel separately under normal circumstances; I trust fully in the one seeking them out.
This frees me up to deliver whatever is within my bag, with great speed! That is, if you are with me? If it gives you courage to know, I have been given full authority to speak for One much greater than myself! Whatever I carry must be of great importance to the one leaving it in my care, as we will be accompanied by an unseen army of guardians; to be called upon at any time we require assistance. I could ask, as you probably are, why couldn’t said army deliver said package without a mortal’s assistance?
Apparently, my willingness to take up this task without questioning, was the very reason I was called up from within the ranks! My immediate response to His call, blessed me with the gift of inviting YOU! Why do I need you? I am anticipating that what I carry within my bag is something of great value, and of great importance to the sender; therefore, sharing it with you fills me with happiness.
If you choose to continue along with me, I will be waiting for you further down the path a bit. Look for a lantern shining brightly from a post, not far from my tent. I hope the smell of cocoa and blueberry scones helps encourage you to quicken your pace, as I am eager to start out! I pray you feel excitement, and not apprehension, as I will fully prepare you with more specifics that will build our groups strength and confidence for the journey ahead. I will look for you…
P.S. I have been instructed to encourage you to correspond with me through your bags… I discovered that when we are out in the wilds, we may either send or receive connection with one another from any distance. Simply reach within for any encouragement or directions needed… and to send your message, you need only trace the line of stitches etched upon your bag. I know, right?! BONUS!!!
I know that a book is a thing, not an activity in the sense of the word. Now that I know that you know that I know that you know, we can continue on…
Though a book is just an object, what is within its pages draws us inward. Once there, one can disappear into any number of activities that will make one lose track of time. I did not have an easy childhood, and reading became the only safe place I could find to survive things I was not equipped to experience. I began reading as early as I can remember; reading books from authors like Louis Lamour when I was only seven or eight years old.
The beauty of books lies in the sheer number of different available choices… from adventures, histories, poetry, and music, our adventure (activity) can take us anywhere we want to go. I clung to books for all of my younger years, and as I grew and matured into the woman (writer) I am today, I have continued to read. I don’t read so much to get lost anymore. Instead, I am now reading to get where I am going.
Though I only have one good eye that is willing to cooperate with me at the moment, I still spend at least half my day reading…
Reading blog posts…
Reading comments…
Reading the weather report…
Reading my own blogs or projects that must be edited…
My favorite book, as you know, is the Bible. I say this because, as I have grown into my own skin, I discovered that among all the books I have ever had the pleasure of reading, this one is the only one that gives me comfort when I need it the most. When people do and say things that make absolutely no sense at all, I take solace in the word. When the ugliness of the world pushes me down, I discover strength within its pages. When I find myself in fear and doubt of how things might turn out for us, I shelter within the pages of the only living breathing Book I know exists.
I know, I know, it got a bit deep there for a second… see what I mean, I can even lose track of time talking about the Bible. I will not ramble on any more, but I will leave you with this…
If you are wondering what to do when you are bored, here is a great way to waste an hour or 3…
I take a good many pictures of things outdoors while I do my morning wanderings. When I am bored, I will take a random photo from my stack and open it in the free app on my computer, randomly letting it try to fix all the errors, and remove everything I did not see with my one good eye…
I am always wondering if it is because I cannot see well, or if the pictures do look better after some fixin? I will let you guys all select your favorites, and then I will let you know what the overall stats ended up being. I numbered them for you, and after you pick which is your favorite, there is a dish of candy for your time…
Journey With Me! 