Family Holidays

I am sitting on my mother-in-law’s screened patio in Florida.  The wind is whipping through the palm tree in front of me.  I have been watching a pair of sandhill cranes carefully, cautiously walk around the edge of the small lake.  Such beautiful, graceful birds!  I have resisted the urge to run and get my camera.  I am at peace simply watching.

We arrived here a couple of days ago to visit my 93-year-­old mother-in-law.  We haven’t done much but that is okay because I am tired and still recovering from surgery.  Today we went for a walk, yesterday we joined others for lunch, and the day before we went to the pool.  It’s enough.  Tonight, New Year’s Eve, the three of us plus my sister-in-law and her boyfriend are going to the New Year’s Eve dinner and party for this retirement community.

My husband and I spent Christmas at our older daughter’s house in North Carolina,  It was wonderful spending time with her, our son-in-law, and our 15-month-old grandson.  We also had the opportunity to be with our younger daughter who lives close by.  On Christmas Day we were joined by our younger daughter’s boyfriend and our son-in-law’s parents.  We had a full table.  The highlight of our visit was our grandson.  It’s been a long time since we’ve been around a small child at Christmas.  What joy they bring!  Of course, he is too young to understand anything about Christmas yet but old enough to appreciated some of its delights.  One night we rode on a wagon behind a tractor on a farm that had been converted to a huge light display that turned on as we approached.  The next night we walked through a Chinese lantern event.  These “lanterns” were wire sculptures of all sizes covered with silk and lit from within.  Our grandson stared with wonder at these creations—we all did.  His eyes were bright as he stared at all the lights.

On Christmas Eve we attended a 7:00 p.m. worship service with our daughter and family.  The little guy was dressed up in his suit and sat on his mother’s lap.  He loves music so he clapped after each musical number and even some scripture readings.  Of course nobody else did.  Occasionally he would add a loud laugh.  He was clearly enjoying himself.  Fortunately, the people around him turned and smiled at him in amusement.  Our grandson was not interested in the minister’s sermon so he and mom left for a little while.  When we returned home and he was ready for bed, we sat together in the rocker while I read “The Night Before Christmas” to him from a book that belonged to my mother, published in 1932.  This was special and the rest of the family watched,

Christmas Day was overwhelming for our grandson.  He opened his stocking, took a nap, and his other grandparents arrived.  He had a stack of presents larger than him but somehow he and his mom got through them.  Of course, nearly every toy makes a noise these days.  He learns quickly so he was going between toys, turning one on then going to the next one.  I am pleased that the little people airplane I bought for him is his favorite.  Needless to say, with all these new things and a bunch of people around, our busy little boy was tired and cranky at the end of the day.  Christmas overload! 

Christmas in North Carolina was not relaxing but it was a lot of fun.  Today I am finally able to simply relax in a nice warm climate.  The weather should be lovely for our last few days here before we have to return to Idaho’s frigid weather.  I hope to continue my recuperation here, appreciating the climate, scenery, and family.  Hopefully I can return home with a bit more energy, ready to tackle the new year.

The Magic and Mystery of Christmas

I wrote the following for our church's Advent devotional booklet.  It is today's devotion.

When I was a small child, Christmas was a time filled with magic, mystery, and wonder.  I eagerly awaited the arrival of that jolly, mysterious man in the red suit, Santa Claus.  One year I was certain that I heard the footsteps of reindeer on our roof as I lay in bed on Christmas Eve.  However, Santa was not the only magical part of Christmas for me.  Each year we would dress up in our Christmas best and head to our Methodist Church for the Christmas Eve service.  Following a wonderful service of music and hand-held candles, my family took the long way home.  We sought out beautiful Christmas lights and displays with Santa.  Our ultimate destination, and the destination of many other people, was a very special nativity display at the home of Sundar Shadi.  Mr. Shadi was Hindu, not Christian.  He had come to the United States as a young man, an immigrant from India.  The display was his way of saying thanks to our community.

For me, this nativity scene was magical.  You could not actually see the Holy Family.  What we saw was the town of Bethlehem at the top of the hill.  A large star hovered above it.  There were angels and shepherds with their flocks plus wise men with camels.  Christmas music was playing and there was a sign with a passage from Luke.  This scene always filled me with wonder.  Mr. Shadi’s gift of love was a reminder of God’s greatest gift of all.

Through the years I have tried to keep my Christmas focused on what is most meaningful to me instead of trying to create what retailers tell us is the “perfect” Christmas.  Gifts are not a big deal anymore, although I do enjoy making or finding something special for a loved one.  No matter where we are, it is important to find a candlelight Christmas Eve service.  I have begun collecting nativity scenes from all over the world, something that has brought me great joy.  At Christmas I want to celebrate the mystery that is God and God’s most wondrous gift, Jesus, a gift of love.

Holy God, this year let us be filled with the magic and mystery of Christmas.  Let us celebrate your wondrous gift of love and spread your light for all to see.  Amen

Recovering

Two weeks ago today I returned home from the hospital after undergoing major surgery.  I was glad to be able to sleep in my own bed.  It’s not that I didn’t like the hospital bed with all of its different positions but it was somewhat difficult to figure out how to do it while heavily drugged.  A side sleeper, I couldn’t quite figure out how to move with an IV and several other things attached to me.

Our recliner has become my spot, perfect for reading, napping, and watching a little TV.  Our black cat, Juno, is happy about this.  Wherever she is, within a few minutes of the time I sit down she is in my lap.  Of course, this makes getting out of the chair difficult.

My doctor told me that recovery time would be 6 weeks so I would have to take it easy.  No driving for 2 weeks.  No lifting, dancing, or traveling for 6 weeks.  No exercise except walking.  She said that I could go out if I feel up to it but I would need to sit.  Apparently there are a lot of people who believe that I am incapable of sitting still for long.  Friends on my Facebook page said “Take it easy!” “Don’t overdo it” and “Behave!”  My pastor commented during Bible study that perhaps somebody should tie me to my bed.  For her benefit I posted a photo of myself in a chair with a chain wrapped around me.  Before I went out the first time I posted a photo with the chain on the floor.

I have been lucky and have not had much pain, even in the hospital.  However, I cannot believe how tired I am.  I don’t think I have ever been this tired in my life.  I wake up tired in the morning and after naps.  Simple acts like getting dressed wear me out.  I have ventured out about half a dozen times for events, a meeting, a church service and meal, errands, and my post-op appointment. Although I spent most of my time sitting when I went out, I have needed a nap when returning home.  Today my husband and I went to a large craft store for what was supposed to be a quick trip.  There was a big sale and the store was crowded.  I could not find the items I wanted.  Multiple clerks tried to help me.  As I stood in an aisle waiting, I looked around desperately for a chair—or anything I could sit on.  Nothing.  OMG, I need to sit down!  Finally a third salesclerk showed up and led me to my items.  I handed them to my husband and while he stood in line, I walked out to the car so I could sit.  Relief.  When I got home I headed to the recliner.  The other cat, Sadie, joined me, and then later Juno claimed her spot.

My husband did not have to cook for the first week I was home because friends from our church brought over food.  I have received care packages from a sister and my parents plus lots of cards and greetings on Facebook.  My husband has taken good care of me.  I ordered a stack of books from Amazon which should keep me entertained for some time.  I made sure that there were humorous books in this stack.  Today I began reading Nora Ephron’s I Feel Bad About My Neck.  After that first chapter, I got out of my recliner and went to look at my neck in the bathroom mirror.

I had thought that I would be able to catch up and do things at home that I haven’t had time to do.  I simply have not had the energy yet.  I am trying to be patient.  I am aware that I am so much better off than some other people.  In another month I’ll be almost as good as new.  I will simply have to work at getting back in shape and losing weight.  We have good medical insurance that has paid the majority of my doctor and hospital bills.  Just after my 6-week post op appointment, we will be flying across the country to join our family for Christmas.  I can’t wait to see our 1-year-old grandson and watch his reaction to our Christmas celebration.  By the beginning of 2017, I should be ready to deal with whatever the new year has to bring.

How Do We Respond?

When I woke up this morning, the sun was shining—another beautiful fall day.  For a few moments I could almost hope that last night was just a bad dream.  Then my husband turned on the radio.  Hillary Clinton had conceded and Donald Trump will be our new President.

How can this be?  How did this happen?  A foul-mouthed, narcissistic, xenophobic, and totally unqualified candidate beat the most qualified candidate in the history of the United States?  What will happen to our country?

My first reaction was despair.  Do we really have that many citizens who are so hateful or so apathetic towards other people that they could vote for this man?  My heart breaks for the marginalized people in this country.  I have many friends in the LGBT community and I see their pain and fear reflected in their Facebook posts.  Other people are panicked about losing their health insurance.  What will my Muslim friends have to face?  How about refugees and other immigrants?  There is no sympathy for the homeless from Trump and his supporters.  And there is a video of Trump making fun of a disabled man.

As a woman I am bitterly disappointed that Hillary Clinton , a very qualified candidate, will not be our first woman president.  Instead we have a man who shows no respect for women; he mocks us, objectifies us, and he has even been accused of sexual assault.  The night before the election a Facebook friend added me to the “secret” group Pantsuit Nation.  Someone even started a group for Idaho women.  Women shared their stories and posted photos of themselves voting with their daughters or their mothers.  We have been through so much and have waited so long to be more than second class citizens.  Women posed in their pantsuits, a sign of solidarity not only with Hillary but with other women.  We are holding each other up.

Today I attended an event of unity for people of faith, organized by my interfaith group.  This was not easy because I underwent major surgery just 5 days ago.  However, I really wanted to be there.  This was planned weeks ago and we had hoped for a different election outcome.  We gathered in our Capitol rotunda while clergy led us with reflections, prayer, and music.  I witnessed many hugs and tears.

Is unity possible?  I don’t know.  Our nation is deeply divided.  The side promoting inclusivity lost.  It seems like the haters won.  Will they really want to work together when much of Trump’s rhetoric was about excluding people?  Hillary Clinton said we need to give him a chance to lead.  Time will tell.

For me, this is not a time to wring my hands in despair.  I will refrain from angry words and hate towards those with whom I disagree.  But I will not be silent.  I will continue to stand on the side of justice because that is where my God calls me to be.  I will work for the protection of all of God’s creation—the Earth and all living things.  I will take the hands of my gay and transgender brothers and sisters, my Muslim friends, homeless neighbors, and immigrants and I will walk with them.  I sincerely hope that these election results will inspire others to have the courage to stand up.  We must move forward together in love.  It’s the only way.

Huckleberry Heaven

As a resident of Idaho, I am familiar with huckleberries.  You could call them a bit of a delicacy here.  I had heard people talking about picking huckleberries but didn’t get the opportunity to try it myself until 7 years ago.  We were camping at Priest Lake in northern Idaho and heard that the huckleberries were ripe.  We wanted to join the hunt.  Now it’s not easy to get people to tell you where to look.  People do not want to divulge their favorite spots.  Someone told us a general direction to go, so we grabbed some of our camping pots and jumped into the car.  We drove to a likely area and spotted cars parked by the road and people scrambling through bushes.  Aha!  We went a little further to find our own spot.  Now, we knew nothing about huckleberries.  We weren’t even sure what the plants looked like.  This did not deter us.  Before long we were pulling small blue-red berries off bushes.  These are little berries so it takes a lot of picking to fill a pot or bucket.  This explains why they are so expensive if you buy them at a fruit stand.  We made huckleberry pancakes while camping and took a lot of them home.  I even bought a book of recipes for huckleberries.

This past week my husband and I stayed at a condo near Glacier National Park.  Huckleberry products were everywhere.  It’s not hard to find huckleberry ice cream—and it’s delicious!  The second huckleberry delicacy we ate was cobbler, part of a wonderful brunch.  Perhaps the most unusual food I tried was huckleberry pulled pork.  No cafes were open in the park so we left to find lunch.  We found a small restaurant by the highway.  I ordered the huckleberry pulled pork sandwich which was quite tasty.  The huckleberries added a subtle tangy flavor.  During another lunch stop, my husband tried a huckleberry beer.  It was okay but I preferred my dark beer.  One afternoon we stopped at a shop in Hungry Horse which sold souvenirs and lots of local huckleberry products.  There were plenty of soaps and lotions but we decided to purchase edible items.  We walked out with huckleberry tea, huckleberry preserves, and huckleberry chocolate.  Our final purchase was huckleberry liqueur.  I have been enjoying a small glass of it in the evenings.  The flavor could best be described as fermented berry juice.  I would buy it again. 

Of course, I could find many of these huckleberry items in Idaho.  However, it was fun to sample while on vacation.  In fact, I am thinking that next year we need to visit north Idaho during huckleberry season and do our own picking again.  For now I think I'll just pour myself some of that huckleberry liqueur.

Breathing in the Mountains

What a fabulous fall day!  I am in Donnelly, Idaho, for a church women’s retreat.  This morning we talked about breathing—our theme is “Breathe. . . Take a deep breath, the breath of God.”  I especially like this poem (don’t know who wrote it).

Breathe

To pause

To collect your thoughts

To remember

To face the next moment

To choose

We relaxed by tapping into our creative sides.  One member of our group gave a brief watercolor lesson.  I painted a pine cone and then experimented with clouds.  It was a good release for me.

I came to this retreat to breathe both literally and figuratively.  I have been struggling with asthma lately, first because of smoke and recently because of the high sage pollen count.  Yesterday, when we arrived it was windy and I could detect the pollen in the air.  Today the air is mostly still and the sun is shining.  I can take a deep breath and feel the cool mountain air fill my lungs.  It is delightful.

I can breathe out and let go of my responsibilities at home and then breathe in and concentrate on God’s presence in my life.  This afternoon four of us drove to a trailhead for a short hike.  The drive up there was beautiful.  We have not seen such intense fall colors for years.  On our walk and on our drive back down we stopped frequently to try to capture the beauty with our cameras.  The sun lit up the red leaves, intensifying their bright color.  The yellow leaves with light shining through them caused the trees to absolutely glow.  It took our breath away.  I am so grateful to be here this weekend for the chance to breathe and enjoy God’s creation.

Written on 9/24/2016

 

 

Chronic Pain Patient

I am sitting on my deck looking out at my yard, feeling pleasantly tired and relaxed.  I did a couple hours of weeding, cleaning up, and watering.  Now I need to sit.  The sun is low in the sky and I’m beginning to feel the chill that comes with a late summer evening.

This morning I had a physical therapy session with a woman who claims to have a sixth sense about bodies.  She does.  My regular physical therapist, the owner of the clinic, brings this woman in from another state every 6 weeks or so.  I always feel so much better when I walk out.  I think part of my tiredness right now is my body adjusting to her treatment.

Last week during my biweekly physical therapy session, my therapist and I were discussing what will happen when I qualify for Medicare.  She referred to me as one of her chronic pain patients.  Oh.  I just hadn’t thought of myself like that.  I know people who are much worse off than me.  I do deal with a certain level of discomfort or pain daily.  It is my baseline, my normal.

I get regular physical therapy to help me with my scoliosis (curvature of the spine) plus all the problems it causes and my arthritis.  I take medications also.  I exercise regularly.  The exercise is essential for me to be able to keep moving.  I am a person who prefers to be on the go.  I like to be active.

I am also someone who lives in the present.  My body is now causing me to think a bit more into the future.  I have to sit and rest periodically even if I would prefer to keep going.  It pains me to accept that there are some things I will never do again, like backpacking.  I am pushing to improve my yard and make it easier to care for.  My husband and I are beginning to discuss trips we want to take with our retirement savings—before we are no longer able to do it.

I don’t think any medical person can really tell me exactly what will happen to my body in the future.  I’m not sure that I want to know.  I do know that I will not get better.  I also know I will live my life to its fullest to the best of my ability.  There are so many wonderful things to experience in our world.  How could I not?

Star Gazing

I scoot down in my camp chair, tilt my head back, and stare up at the night sky.  There’s a new moon so no moonlight brightens the sky.  One by one the stars make their appearance.  The Big Dipper is easy to spot.  Gradually, as the night falls, the sky fills with stars.  Even the Milky Way is visible.  It is breathtaking.

To see the night sky in all its glory, you have to be far away from the bright lights of cities.  My husband and I are camping at Goose Lake near McCall, Idaho.  We sit next to our campfire, warming our feet.  A jet passes overhead.  We spot an oblong object moving through the sky and wonder if it could be the space station.  Smaller moving dots of light are probably satellites.  And then there are the stars—so many of them.  I am filled with awe.

We could sit and talk about the galaxies, the speed of light, black holes, and numerous scientific studies.  Somehow that doesn’t do justice to what I am experiencing.  When I gaze up at the myriad of stars, bright lights in patterns and swirls in the black sky, I feel the presence of God.  Although we have learned a lot about outer space and continue to learn more, our knowledge is limited.  The heavens are a mystery, just like our Creator.  Will I ever know the answers to all of my questions?  I don’t know.  Tonight I am simply enjoying the beauty of the night sky.

Written on 8/4/2016

Deal Me In!

Last night I watched history being made when Hillary Rodham Clinton accepted her party’s nomination for President of the United States.  I was surprised at the emotion I felt, but I was certainly not the only one who was moved by this historic moment.  The cameras caught young girls and women of all ages with huge smiles and tears in their eyes.  Earlier in the week, when the delegates cast their votes, a 102-year-old woman cast the votes for Clinton from the state of Arizona.  Women were not even able to vote when she was born.  This was a moment for us all.  I think it was especially poignant for older women like me.  We can remember the discrimination and the way women and girls were treated like second class citizens.  I can remember as a young teenager looking over test scores and being told that I could do anything I wanted when I grew up but the message behind that still seemed to be—teacher/nurse, teacher/nurse, teacher/nurse. . . My daughters have had many more choices in their lives.  Women are not equal yet but we have come a long ways.  Hillary’s nomination is another barrier that has come crashing down.

For me, it is meaningful that Hillary Clinton is the nominee.  This strong, intelligent woman has been in the public eye for decades.  As President Obama stated last night, Hillary Clinton is the most qualified person who has ever been nominated for President.  However, the lies about her and the vitriol directed at her are incredible.  Why do people have such a negative view of her?  When she first came into the public eye, strong women were not accepted; she was scorned as a 1960s radical feminist.  Women are viewed through a different lens than men.  In a traditional male field we must work twice as hard as men and even then we are not treated the same.  Hillary is a private person and has not shared much about her life.  Last night she said that she knows people don’t understand her so she told some personal stories as a way to humanize herself.

In many ways I get Hillary Clinton.  We were both raised in the Methodist Church and are active United Methodist Women.  I was excited when she used this Methodist quote:

                Do all the good you can,

                By all the means you can,

                In all the ways you can,

                In all the places you can,

                At all the times you can,

                To all the people you can,

                As long as you ever can.

This quote explains how we are to live as followers of Jesus.  It is meaningful to me and clearly it is to Hillary Clinton too.  It is how she lives her life and it is how I try to live mine.  Last night we heard how she has worked for women and children all her life.  (This is a United Methodist Women emphasis.)  Hillary Clinton is a doer and a hard worker.  It’s just how she operates; I understand that.  She is a detail person.  So am I.  Hillary is pragmatic.  She is someone who plans, pays attention to details, works with others, and gets things done.  She is not glamorous or a great speaker but are those things really important for the office of President?  I want a President who is smart, compassionate, and will work for the good of all Americans.  I believe that Hillary Clinton has what it takes to be a great President.  Deal me in!  I’m with her!

Written on 7/29/16

Retreat to Vancouver Island

My husband and I left the country during the Republican Convention.  Although that was not the reason we left, we were not sorry that we missed it.  Actually, we were disconnected from a lot of things.  While I did stay connected via email and social media, I left a lot of daily responsibilities behind.  And it was good.

We spent 5 nights on Vancouver Island near Nanaimo Bay.  We had a deck that overlooked the water.  We watched the tide go in and out.  Families played together on the grass below us.  Usually I try to see as much as possible while on vacation and there is a lot to see here.  I purposely resisted the urge to do that this time.  We took a walk along the sea wall of our resort then kept going and ended up in a nature reserve.  On another local walk we investigated the tide pools.  We took a short drive to visit some nearby beaches.  Today we took a short but very steep hike up a hill for a fantastic view of the bay.  It was worth the effort. 

The only all day outing was our trip to Victoria yesterday.  We visited the Royal BC Museum and enjoyed the short-term exhibition on mammoths.  The highlight of the day was Butchart Gardens.  Although I ended up very tired after walking through all the gardens, I was touched by their beauty.  The sunken garden, formed out of an old quarry was my favorite.  We ate dinner there and listened to a concert.  It was getting dark as we left.  The lights transformed the garden into a different place.

I enjoyed sitting on the deck reading.  It was delightful to watch the sunset while standing on rocks near the water.  Lazy mornings drinking coffee on the deck refreshed me.  Tonight we grilled dinner at the barbeque area next to the water.  We were there at sundown.

I really hate to leave tomorrow.  We have a long drive ahead of us.  I realize that I need to spend more time on my own deck at home enjoying our lovely view.  I believe that I am beginning to learn how to relax.

Written on 7/21/16

 

 

 

Find the Quiet Center

This past Sunday my pastor preached about keeping the Sabbath.  She pointed out that in Genesis it wasn’t God who needed rest on the seventh day; it’s an example for us.  We sang “Come and Find the Quiet Center,” a peaceful hymn that reminds me to take time to be still.  We all need a day of rest.  In Bible study my pastor stated that I am probably the one who has the hardest time with this.  Unfortunately, I think she’s right.

I am over-committed and tired.  I do need to take time to rest.  I am actually doing that right now.  On Tuesday evening my husband and I arrived at our favorite campground along the Salmon River; we were lucky to get one of the best campsites right next to the river.  Now it’s Thursday morning and soon it will be time to pack up and go home.  I’m not ready.  I wish I was staying another day.

Yesterday we took our time getting up because it was a cool morning.  When we finally emerged from our tent I cooked our breakfast and then we sat for a while and enjoyed the river.  We watched rafts and kayaks float by.  A bit before noon we left our campsite to do some hiking.  The Sawtooth Mountains are magnificent and there are so many choices of trails.  We stopped by the ranger station to ask some questions and then we were off.  Following instructions, we soon found ourselves on a narrow, rocky dirt road that was not maintained.  We have a high clearance vehicle but it’s not four wheel drive.  My husband used to do lots of field work in his government job so his experience helped.  We had trouble in one spot.  He had to get out, move a couple rocks, and recalculate which way to go up the steep grade.  We made it past that spot and before long we arrived at the Upper Trailhead for Hell Roaring Lake. 

The trail was fairly easy, mostly flat, rocky in places and smooth in others.  We were in trees most of the time.  Early on we glimpsed some of the tall, snow-covered peaks of the Sawtooths; this encouraged us to go on.  Less than a mile out we encountered two logs over the river that we had to cross.  One log had a flat, even surface while the other was bumpy and sloped outward.  I watched my husband carefully walk over this bridge first.  I was so nervous, worried I would fall several feet down to the river below.  I was wearing my hiking boots which are great for walking over rocks but are not very flexible when I need to step carefully.  Slowly, slowly I successfully made my way across—and then I could breathe again.

Just after I commented that I hadn’t seen any wildflowers, a bunch of tiny daisy type flowers appeared in front of me.  I stooped to snap a photo.  I take great pleasure in trying to capture some of the beauty I experience on my hikes—my camera is always with me.

After about a 3-mile hike we arrived at Hell Roaring Lake.  It was certainly worth the walk.  Jagged, snow-covered peaks framed the marshy lake.  We sat and ate our snacks, taking in the scenery.  I took photos of the lake, the peaks, and my husband.  And we just sat.  We didn’t stay long because it was getting late and we needed to get back.  I had planned a dutch oven dinner and I needed time to prepare it.  We returned to camp tired but satisfied.

Hiking 6 miles may not sound like rest but in a way it is.  This outing was good for both my body and soul.  It was a break from my usual activities and it gave me the chance to appreciate God’s beautiful creation. 

This morning I am once again sitting by the river.  The sound of the river rushing by is both relaxing and refreshing.  Happy people float by in rafts with either paddles or fishing poles in their hands.  It is easy to rest here, to observe Sabbath.  But once I am home, how do I find the rest I need with so many distractions and demands on my time?  Obviously this is something I need to figure out.

Written on 7/7/2016

Come and Find the Quiet Center

Come and find the quiet center

in the crowded life we lead,

find the room for hope to enter,

find the frame where we are freed:

clear the chaos and the clutter,

clear our eyes, that we can see

all the things that really matter,

be at peace, and simply be.

Silence is a friend who claims us,

cools the heat and slows the pace,

God it is who speaks and names us,

knows our being, touches base,

making space within our thinking,

lifting shades to show the sun,

raising courage when we're shrinking,

finding scope for faith begun.

In the Spirit let us travel,

open to each other's pain,

let our loves and fears unravel,

celebrate the space we gain:

there's a place for deepest dreaming,

there's a time for heart to care,

in the Spirit's lively scheming

there is always room to spare!

                        By Shirley Erena Murray 

Campfire Magic

Bright orange flames dance around the wood inside the fire ring

Their warmth and beauty invite me closer

I add another piece of wood and the flames dance higher

Tentacles of fire reach out as if attempting to escape

It crackles and spits, perhaps in anger at its confinement

Glowing red coals begin to form at the bottom of the pit

I move closer, enchanted

Smoke arises, stinging my eyes

I poke the fire and flames leap up

Once again the flames dance, slowly consuming the wood

The flames diminish and the coals burn brighter

As the fire burns down, I eagerly anticipate what comes next

Roasting marshmallows for s’mores!

Written on 7/6/16