Purposeful Endowment

I'm supposed to be packing and making (literally) last minute arrangements for my Nashville trip....but I was so inspired the other day by a radio program on NPR that I wanted to share what I heard and the mental rabbit trails that the program lead me down.  I believe in giving credit where it's due- but I have no idea what show I was listening to. The guest speaker was talking about linguistics and vocabulary and the art of teaching your children. Obviously, children are not born with eloquent (or any) vocabulary and learn it by hearing words used in context. Children are not limited. The guest host was instructing parents not to "dummy down" your conversation with your children. Children  will pick up the meanings of  words and will emulate the words into their own conversations. Sometimes, whether we like it or not. 
I'm reminded of my younger cousin who thought the front door was a "d*mn door"...and many times he'd say something like, "Mommy! Someone's knocking at the d*mn door!" Obviously, he was only repeating what he had heard and was trying to use the word in it's correct context, as was exemplified by his parents. They hear. They process. They repeat.


That's what learning is.

learn·ing/ˈlərniNG/

Noun:

The acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, practice, or study, or by being taught. Knowledge acquired in this way.

So, this lead me to think back to my own childhood. Realizing that many of the things I do and the way I do them were absorbed in an osmosis sort of way. Even the mundane things.( Ie: only washing dishes on the right side of the sink, rinsing in the left and drying to the far left.) My mother doesn't eat red meat. Never has. Guess what, neither do I. I'm repulsed by it, usually. But, I asked myself, am I really? Is it that I REALLY don't like it- or have I been trained not to like it by example? Then, my mind goes down another bunny trail, my Father loved steaks and meat and ate them heartily. So,  why is it that I learned from the negative reaction towards it than the positive? No one ever said "THOU SHALT NOT"  wash on the left hand side of the sink, nor did my mother ever tell me to not eat a steak...it was taught by EXAMPLE. Without meaning to instruct a concept, I learned it...and have passed it on. My oldest daughter would rather eat a plate of hamburger toppings than the actual burger.

So, beyond vocabulary....beyond dish washing and meat eating, and all the other peculiar traits that I've adopted over the years...I have to wonder....WHAT about LOVE, COMPASSION, EMPATHY?

Am I teaching these "gifts"? Am I passing on a legacy to my children- do I demonstrate how to care for others? Do I give cheerfully? Will my children grow into adults who give without expecting anything in return? Will they exercise the art of empathy instead of judgement? Love instead of jury? Where have I unwittingly taught them to perceive something negatively? (by not being a cheerful giver, hypocritically being a reluctant servant, a huffy friend, giving a sharp answer to a wounded heart etc, etc....)

For the past week or so, these thoughts have rattled around in the mind and have taken root in my heart. Last night I watched my children interact with others at VBS through new eyes. I was watching my kiddos, but looking past  them, for signs of MYSELF in smaller, younger bodies. Looking for familiar traits mirrored back at me from across the church gymnasium. Traits that I haven't meant to instill. Prejudices that I didn't realize were contagious. Watching yourself in the next generation can be a scary realization, gladly there were some attributes that I was pleased to recognize from these little mirrors of mine. :)

I hope this post wasn't a downer to anyone. In all actuality, it's quite encouraging to me that I can begin anew- each day- as a fresh example. I will endeavor to teach by exemplifying positive attributes, living life to the fullest, embracing, engaging positive influences and empowering (through encouragement)  others in their personal endeavors, by loving unconditionally....and above all keep shinin' this little light of mine. :)


Keep Shining On ~   Cass

"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see." John W. Whitehead, founder, Rutherford Institute

Did You Hear About Mary Jones?

Did you hear about Mary Jones? She was quite the woman! She was married to a wonderful man and had three children.  She was the perfect example of a "room mother" at her children's schools....and the Cheerleader Coach of one of her kids teams. She was also on the PTA. On Tuesday nights she volunteered at the library as a member of the "Friends of the Library" club and on Thursdays she hosted the ladies book club; on the weekends she taxied her kids to CubScouts and Glee Club...and then raced home and  hosted the "Christian Singles Club" in her home. On Sunday Mornings she brought  Sunday School snack and helped in the nursery.

The community LOVED HER! They knew that Mary Jones was the lady to go to for anything that needed done. In fact she raised more money than ANYONE to put in new turf at the Country Club!!!

One day, Mary got sick. She was sent tons of flowers from various organizations, associations, civic clubs and church groups that she was members of. The cards were signed by people that her family could vaguely place names they'd heard with faces they'd rarely or had never seen. Mary died at home surrounded by her children and loving husband.  After much thought and consideration by her family Mary Jone's epitaph read this:

HERE LIES MARY JONES. SHE WAS CLUBBED TO DEATH.

 Keep it real. Keep your priorities straight...and above all: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL THE LADIES OUT THERE!!! :)

SHINE!!! <3
Picture credit: FLICKR by Bryan Burke

Gardening By Numbers.....

It's kinda like "Paint by Numbers"...but not really....It's more like, "One, Two--skip a few-- ninety nine- One hundred!"

ONE: Trailer to haul tractor

TWO: Peeps in truck to pick up the tractor

THREE: Really hick country songs on radio before Cass changes the station ;)

FOUR: Eyes locked on each other in a defiant stare down of wills

FIVE: Feet down the road before Boyscout changes the station back

(skip a few)

 

 SEVENTEEN: Mile drive to pick up the tractor at the farm

 THIRTY THREE: Yards of gravel driveway to the farm and shed

(where the tractor lives) Isn't it pretty?

(Sedum blooms at sunset)

EightySeven: foot wide garden

Onehundred: Degrees picking 4,789 Lima beans *lol*

Circularly Things That Turn....

What are these things called? Because, apparently, I have a fetish for these little spigot-esque handle thingys....which is news to me. I have lots of obcessions and interests, but who knew that this was one of them? 

Mr. Boyscout had heard tell of a rather important local landmark being demolished- and felt it was our patriotic duty to crawl between locked gates and under No Trespassing signs to chronicle the things that are- which will soon be the "things that were".
I have over 200 photos of this location- so plan on seeing more.....but today I'm just sharing these circularly things that turned.

This is the bottom side of a fire escape.... 

A THIS SIDE UP view of the staircase

 Worthy of a Pulitzer price? Nah....but I do like the contrast of the blue
against the yellow

Tons of handles, dials and knobs in this place!

The turbines. There were originally 7 or 8- but only two remain. These large wheels were attached to a conveyor system of belts that kept the plants machinery cool by a man made lake used to pump water through the facility. This is on the bottom level of a six story building. Notice the natural lighting at the rear of the picture? That's right.....enough sun coming through SIX STORIES of FLOORS into the basement. At one time this facility was the bustling den of 10,800 employees, a railroad house and several "Sister Plants" within a few mile radius.

More pipes with wheels and handles in the separate quarters for the railcars and engineers.....

It's amazing to walk through this dusty, desolate and abandoned empire of industrialism. Half of our town is named after the family that owned this facility. The labor, the lives the relationships and the town that was built within the confines of this mega-structure at one time was the backbone of our community.....and now, it's awaiting demolition. Although I have no personal ties to this family or business it was hard not to feel a pang of loss or melancholy over what was- but will never be again. The deafening silence screamed through the  brick skeleton that once was the hub of life for our town.
There is a season for everything...a time to plant, a time to sow---a time to give and a time to receive....a time to build and a time to tear down...the words of this scripture rang true on this Sunday afternoon.

It wasn't difficult to walk through the halls of this place and picture the industrial age in full swing- the ladies at the desks, the men in the offices in derbies and waxed mustaches, the shrill sound of a train pulling in to station, squeaky cart wheels loaded with textiles being pushed from one work bench to the other, the jovial calls of fellow workers one to another, the hissing of steam....the clacking of typewriters. It was as if so many years of these activities had buried the scent and sounds into the old walls...the building still breathed of bustling activities- the shadows still held the secrets of cigarette break whispers and employee gossip....The building had the personality of an old lady with a tired smile, but shimmering eyes. This old building still knew its worth, still held its head high with proud memories. She knows that it had a good, long, prosperous life and was content knowing she was going the way of all life... back to the dust and ashes with the knowledge and pride of a life well lived.

There's more of this story (and pictures) to come. I had culled over 200 pictures from this shoot....and am itching to get more uploaded. ;)

Shine all your light...live your life to the fullest- and remember it's better to be kind than right.

Shine Upward! Cass

When Kids "Snap"

Snap. Snap pictures, that is. :)

 Here's the results of my kids playing with my camera; which is against the rules, by the way. ;) However, it's fun to see things thru your kids eyes...and they get pictures that I would have NEVER taken....like the seven pictures of my badly pedicured foot on the gas pedal....or the floor of Mellow Mushrooms restaurant...and the clouds. I have a gazillion pictures of clouds.....

This is a close up of a flower on Sarah's skirt.....

 Random images like Zebra trucks show up....

 Or kinda awesome pics....like this....

 Funny Stuff....that I wouldn't have thought to snap....

 There are pluses to kids playing with your camera. It confirms how badly your hair looks in public....and lets you see the "lets get this over with" look your son makes as you kiss him in public. :)

 One of the gazillion cloud pictures. Seriously, there's like 12, 945, 389 pictures of CLOUDS. Without exaggeration. Because I would never exxagerate just to make a point. No. I promise. Matthew McCaughney helped me count them while he was here painting my bathroom. :)

Don't be afraid to let your kids use your camera! Sometimes its surprising what you find. Sometimes its embarrassing....and sometimes its downright hilarious....

If you're a waitress...never, ever tell me that your out of sweet tea. I don't take it well....as documented by Sarah. :)  This picture isn't posed....if you don't believe me, just as Matthew McC- he was there :)

Shine!!! Caffeinated or not! :)  Cass

Shamrock On!

Aye, my lads and lassies tis' been a long while since we've crossed paths! Today is the day of Irish blessings, corned beef and cabbage, green rivers, shamrocks, bag pipes and lots and lots of funny hats. (trust me on that, LOTS of funny hats) The kids and I had a great day in downtown GREENSboro today...and took lots of "GREEN" pictures of  random green greatness.

We spent our day visiting vintage shops of all kinds...its our latest (and yet oldest) obcession....meaning, we've rediscovered our love for "vintage" things.

Being in "GREENSboro" you can imagine there is much GREEN to behold....

There was a parade...but we chose to spend our time in the shops, meeting friendly shop owners and mulling over books that smell like moth balls and old women. We couldn't have been happier.

Well, at least some of us couldn't have been happier....

 Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover? You don't want to press your luck. 

A live band was setting up...and the party revelers were moving in....they were festive, with their sparkly bowties and moss-green hair :)

This is my daughter Sarah.....I love the ribbon in her hair...

My daughter, Kiddles :)

Hope your St. Patty's Day was as fun filled and grandly green as ours! :)
May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door. 

-Shine!! Cass

The Christmas Angel

Since Jakey was about two years old we've had a Christmas tradition called "The Christmas Angel". It all started when a lady at a yard sale was tossing out a bunch of stuff- put it in a  FREE box and sent it home with my kids. The box had all sorts of junk in it- and one little blue mailbox with Santa Clause on the side of it.  Jakey seemed particularly fond of the little Christmas mailbox and its red flag. So, one night- just on a fluke I put Christmas candy in the mailbox. Sometime during the next day he found the candy in the mailbox and Sarah spontaneously  said "The Christmas Angel mailed you candy, Jake-Jake!!" And that was the beginning of one of our favorite Christmas traditions!

The Christmas Angel comes each night beginning sometime around December 10th  leading up to Christmas- bringing small toys, candy and various treats- usually wrapped up in a scripture verse telling about the birth of Jesus.  The Christmas Angel does not come on Sunday  Morning- because it's a "holy day" and she doesn't want to interfere with church preparations :)

The Christmas Angel is "magical" in that- sometimes.....she leaves a trail of glitter. And somehow-we know that the angel is a "SHE".  There's LOTS of speculation on Jakey's part regarding the Christmas Angel....last year he thought she was very tiny (like Tinkerbell) and she flitted about the world bringing good tidings. This year, he figures that she's VERY BIG and  I quote, "probably can hardly fit in our house because she has to carry Christmas Angel gifts across the whole universe. Probably even Mars!" Other speculations for reasons unknown to me- the Christmas Angel wears a braided bun like Princess Leia in Star Wars. And she has wings- but they stay under a cape. (A cape??? Hey, it's his Christmas Angel!)

This year the Christmas Angel has been particularly forgetful....so forgetful that to cover up her forgetfulness and not disappoint big blue eyes and a believing heart.....Mommy had to explain to Jake that maybe the Christmas Angel was playing a game? Maybe SHE DID COME....but, she wanted Jakey to search for the treat......and mommy had to scurry down the hall and tend to some very quick business!!!!  The Christmas Angel has sent Jake on a treasure hunt three times (so far) this year.   !!!!

 So, this explains our little Christmas Angel tradition. I'm seriously considering writing a children's book about the Christmas Angel and how she comes to homes with the special mailbox to bring Good Tidings of Great Joy....one day....when there's peace on earth....and a silent night...I just may be writing about a little angel that puts the anticipation of the Christ child in the hearts of little children....