by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Poetry done well has a way of meandering its way into one’s soul. It moves us, inviting us to observe life from a fresh perspective. Mary Oliver is my favorite poet. Every time I read her work I want to grab paper and pen. Every. Single. Time. She inspires me—and I believe she will inspire you as well, which is why I’m sharing her Fall Song with you today.
Be sure to add your favorite line to the comment section!
Fall Song
Another year gone, leaving everywhere
its rich spiced residues: vines, leaves,
the uneaten fruits crumbling damply
in the shadows, unmattering back
from the particular island
of this summer, this NOW, that now is nowhere
except underfoot, moldering
in that black subterranean castle
of unobservable mysteries – roots and sealed seeds
and the wanderings of water. This
I try to remember when time’s measure
painfully chafes, for instance when autumn
flares out at the last, boisterous and like us longing
to stay – how everything lives, shifting
from one bright vision to another, forever
in these momentary pastures.
– Mary Oliver
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Grandchildren heading your way on one of these beautiful Fall evenings?
If so, here are some fun ideas to make the most of the season, and your time with the next generation.
Pile On! Rake a heapin’ pile of leaves on a grassy area of your lawn. No rules required. It seems like children instinctively know that if there’s a pile of leaves before them, they must jump.
Enjoy a Picnic. Simplicity is the key. Pack up peanut butter and honey sandwiches, cheese sticks, fruit, and juice boxes. Throw out a blanket or sheet (avoiding fire ants!), gather the little ones and prepare for lots of giggles. Be sure to take pictures. Raining? No problem! Move it inside.
Hand Shadow Puppet Show. I walked in on Brian’s show with two of our grands at the beach a few weeks ago. They were in awe of Brian’s masterful bunnies and hawks (we’re grateful for the awe-factor while they’re young). All you need is a dark wall and a flashlight. Not sure how to make the figures? Check this out on Pinterest.
Turn on the music…and dance. “Your royal highness, may I have the honor of this dance?” Brian asked. Piper’s facial expression was priceless. Donned in her Belle princess gown, she accepted with the grace of a real princess because, well, she is. 🙂 But we’ve also cut loose by playing The Doors while all four of us (Brian, me, Piper and Gabe) formed a dance train, moving throughout all the rooms of the house. Oh my, the laughter!
Backyard Campout. If the weather is nice, pop a tent, pull out the sleeping bags/pillows, and a lamp (those operating with LED are ideal to read by.) If possible, make a small campfire and break out the graham crackers, marshmallows, and Hershey bars. Weather not cooperating? Move it inside! The best part? You can make S’mores in the microwave. Score! Hershey has great instructions for both indoor and outdoor prep.
Fall is a magnet for fun, laughter, and the making of good memories. Let’s take hold of these moments refusing to let them slip by.
Which one of the above ideas could you see yourself enjoying the most? Or do you have another idea we can add to the list? Love it! Let’s get it posted via comments.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
What better season to curl up with a book and a warm cup of tea than Fall? This is especially true if the book you’re reading is Emily P. Freeman’s recent release, Simply Tuesday…Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World.
I’ve been a fan of Emily’s work since I read A Million Little Ways. (If you missed this post, you can read it here.)
Her voice reads as one of a friend that you could sit with and chat for hours…on a bench, of course (you’ll have to read the book!) Her message resonates with the writer within, but even more, it echoes my desire to stay in step with the Spirit, not only in the so-called big things in life, but the small as well.
Truth be told, I would’ve purchased this book simply based on the fact that I enjoy Emily’s work but its release date was no coincidence. In recent months, I’ve struggled with the word contentment and how it lines up with my life. I had peace about a certain situation but I wanted to put it to the test, if you will, by reading a book that deals with living in the now. I wanted to be awakened to the challenge, not soothed to sleep by words more comforting than a warm grilled cheese sandwich, with a side of soup. Emily delivered.
One of my favorite chapters is Community & Competition…Finding Safe Places to Feel Insecure. We all need to safe place to land. I know I do. Emily explores what this might look like if we have a proper perspective on community. As a result of this chapter, I’m praying about starting my own Tuesday Group. (I’ll keep you posted!)
Oh, how true! Wouldn’t you agree? It’s not called the comparison-trap for nothing.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone longing to live their ordinary days in extraordinary ways.
So go ahead! Download this book or grab another, pour a hot cup of tea, or brew a batch of coffee, and settle in for a true celebration of this awe-inspiring season.
Your turn! I’d love to know what book you’re currently reading. Please, share it with us. Many are searching for a good read these days. Thank you.
Congratulations Ginger Harrington! You were the randomly selected winner of the writing journal for the September drawing. Please message me your address.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Friday nights around the Baker house means date night!
Tonight, after we trek over to Moe’s (hubster’s favorite place) we’ll make our regular rounds to TJ Maxx and perhaps a bookstore. Yep, we empty nesters know how to whoop it up on a Friday night. See what so many of you have to look forward to? 🙂
But wait…the excitement continues! (Actually, if you’re a list-lover such as myself, you know I mean this in all seriousness.) Later tonight, we’ll pull out a sheet of paper and take turns listing ten things we’d each like to add to our Fall Bucket List. Here are a few of mine:
- Start a walk/run regime. (I just got clearance from the doctor!) What better time to begin an outdoor exercise than the Fall?
- Go to the Pumpkin Patch with the grand kids. I mean, could anything top this?
- Put on my flannel PJ’s, pop my favorite corn, turn on my heated throw blanket (best purchase EVER!), and watch all the original Pride and Prejudice’s (with Colin Firth, the one and only Mr. Darcy in my book) in a row…with the lights out. Remember one of the final scenes where they finally confess their love for one another? It’s a beautiful Autumn scene! But then again, I have to admit I’m a little distracted by the pools of affection catching light in Mr. Darcy’s eyes around that same time. Just sayin’.
It’s time to fall in love with Fall all over again and one way to accomplish this is for us to become more intentional. Just as we could list the many reasons we love someone, let’s list a few things we love and appreciate about Fall so we can make the most of our time.
So now it’s your turn! What’s one Fallish delight that will be added to your Fall Bucket List this October?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
This month we’ve learned how things like accountability, choosing wise priorities, and organizing our evenings can help us make over our mornings.
Today let’s talk decluttering.
Not the kind of clutter collecting in our closets, but the sort that lurks in the corners of our minds. For me, this tends to happen when I try to sweep unresolved situations under labels such as “I’ll deal with this when I have more time to think it through” or “Maybe if I ignore it long enough, it will go away.” Before I know it, mental clutter makes itself at home in my heart, making my true home feel like anything but.
This requires decluttering of a different sort.
I find that a cluttered mind often remains undetected until it begins spilling over the sides of my soul, revealing itself through an overall feeling of uneasiness, almost as if I’m being suffocated by my circumstances.
While a hefty bag goes a long way in helping to clear closet clutter, the only help for the kind of clutter we’re talking about today comes from the LORD.
I lift my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1, 2
When I recently found myself in a discombobulated state of mind, I knew I needed to go back to the basics:
- Get quiet before the Lord. (Psalm 46:10)
- Release the burdens. I sometimes do this by writing each one down on a piece of paper, praying through each one, and then disposing of it. (Matt. 11:28)
- Receive His peace. (Phil. 4:7) It’s our choice as to whether or not we want to walk around with either cluttered or clear, sound minds. Our God is not one of chaos or confusion but clarity and purpose.
I think we can agree that quality time with the Lord far surpasses anything we’ve touched on this month when it comes to making the most of our mornings, and our days.
Whether you’re stopping by today for the first time or you’ve joined me for the entire September series (thank you!), you’re invited to leave a comment, and in doing so, you’ll automatically be in the running for this uber-cool writing journal*, just waiting to be enjoyed by you during your morning hours! The random drawing will take place next Monday, October 5th.
One way I’m learning to make the most of my mornings is to: _____________________.
And speaking of October, I’m once again joining the 31 Day Challenge to blog everyday. This year’s theme? 31 Ways to Fall in Love With Fall. Hope you’ll join me on this journey beginning Thursday!
*US readers only
