Pondering with a Purpose--Skirt

Today's prompt is: Skirt

I won't skirt the issue, I love skirts.  I have a closet full of them.  One of my favorite is my denim skirt.

I like to wear it with a white embroidery shirt for dress or a red bandana print top for casual occasions.

I have several long skirts that I also enjoy.  One of the reasons that I favor a skirt is that I can get a nice fit.  I am slimmer from the waist down so skirts are a good choice.

Then of course, at Christmas time I drag out one of my favorite tree skirts.  I have themed trees, so I have one for each theme--most of which I have made.  One of my favorites is similar to this.  I also have made ones with angels, and cardinals, and snow men.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When the children of today grow up, what do you think they'll say about this period in time? What do you most hope they remember?
They may say that it was a time of confusion, a time when people seemed to have lost their vision of the future, a time when dreams dimmed.  But it was also a time of unlimited information and opportunities.

2. National Teacher's Day is celebrated in the US of A on the first Tuesday in May, this year May 7th...share how a particular teacher positively impacted you.
I loved school and all my teachers.  I especially enjoyed Mr Graham, my civics teacher--he made the study of the US alive and made me proud to be an American

3. What's a dish your mama made, that if set in front of you today would whisk you right back to childhood?
My mom was a wonderful cook.  After my dad died she supported the family by managing college kitchens.  If I see crepes, I think of those mornings when Mom made thin pancakes and sprinkled them with powdered sugar and we knew that we were rich. (When we were actually poor as church mice.)

4. Mother May I was a game we played when I was growing up...no pieces, parts, or plugs required. What games from childhood do you remember loving that were also pieces, parts, and plug-free?
Fox and geese in the snow.

5. Besides your own mother, tell us about a woman who influenced you as a child?
My mother was the only woman in my life as a child.  I wasn't around another until I left home at 13, and then the women were my employers.

6. Mamma Mia! What's the best play or musical you've ever seen?
Hated Mamma Mia=the whole premise was tawdry.  I did love Sound of Music, Annie get your Gun, and South Pacific.

7. What are three smells that make you feel nostalgic?

Cinnamon, Mom used it a lot--Pine, the smell of our mountain side--and fresh baked bread.

Sunday Meditation--Tongue

One of the first things which a physician says to his patient is "Let me see your tongue".  A spiritual advisor might do well to do the same.

James 3: 5-6, 8 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell... but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Jonny Cornflakes

I enjoyed this moving true story of a spoiled preacher's wife and her confrontation with a homeless man.  It exposes many of the attitudes that we all secretly carry to those who are different from us.

"It all started as an ordinary dinner party. But life was about to change forever for Denise, the new-in-town young minister’s wife. Displaced from the security of her childhood home to work with her husband in the slums of Boston, it is while serving a candlelight dinner to friends that Denise encounters the town drunk—the entirely unloved Johnny Cornflakes. With his dramatic and unwelcome appearance, he spoils her picture-perfect social gathering and sets the stage for Denise’s growing contempt of him.
In the next surprising turn of events, Denise meets Johnny again—this time at the church’s Friday night Coffee House. As a group of troubled teenagers read from Matthew 25, the words of Jesus tug at their hearts when they are confronted by the noisy entrance of homeless, cold and hungry Johnny Cornflakes. It is the gaping hole in his shoe that captures their attention, and armed with compassion, they forge a plan to help this mysterious stranger. 
The heart-warming tale of Johnny Cornflakes is based on a true story, presented in vivid detail by master storyteller Denise George. The narrative offers hope even in difficult places, challenges our attitudes toward others and shows how God can work in the most unexpected ways through the most unlikely, unloved people." --Amazon.com

Friday Favorite Things

These are a few of my favorite things this week

Last Sunday--Our first 100 degree day

A book I made in a class

The book can either be used for recipes or photos

My beautiful jacaranda tree

Each week, Hilary lists four statements with a blank to fill in on your own blogs. If you want to join the fun and come up with four fill in’s of your own, please email them to her at feelingbeachie@gmail.com. If she uses them, she will add you as co-host to the hop!
This week’s statements:
1. Sometimes I wonder __why I haven't remarried ___ yet.
2. I try not to but I get_emotional__ very__easily__
3. Today I promise that I will __work_ until I __finish the spring cleaning in my dining/kitchen
4. In my dreams I _am skinny_ and sometimes __athletic_.