Grandpa John

I got to visit my Yanchi today! (that's Johnny in Hungarian) Grandpa had a heart attack back on August 17 and spent a week in the hospital. Then he went home for about a week, but last night the visiting nurse encouraged my parents to take him back because his lungs were filling up with fluid. Today, his lungs are clearing and his blood pressure, which was a concern this morning, is holding steady, so back home he goes! My sweet sister had the great idea to bring her laptop to the hospital so I could have a Skype call with him, since my parents don't have it at their house. It was so good to see him. I can't stand being away from home right now...my mom has been a superstar in giving him homecare and wakeful watches all hours of the night. I know that his years are almost used up, so I had to share this precious smile he gave me over the computer. Please keep him in your prayers...

Love Never Fails

Behold, I am the Lord your God; is anything too hard for Me? I am the Light of the World, and the greatest darkness will never be able to quench the light. I will be to you a cloud to perserve you by day and pillar of fire to protect you by night. Both in sunshine and in darkness, I shall be near you. You will delight in me in your joys; and in your difficulty. My love for you shall be as inescapably real as a blazing pillar of fire. Yes, all I was to Israel and more I shall be to you. For have I not promised to give you the desires of your heart, and the nations for your inheritance (Psalm 2:8)?

Let no fear hinder you. Whoever wavers will not receive. But be single-minded and rebuke every alien thought in My Name, for it comes from the enemy. He knows full well that he has no defense against pure faith. Only if he succeeds in planting seeds of doubt can he hold back the blessing of heaven among God's people and nullify the witness to the lost. So hold fast your profession of faith, for there is great recompense of reward.

So praise Me continually, for praise works faith, and God inhabits the praise of His people. If I seem to be far from you, praise! If darkness seems to press about you, know this--you have neglected to praise Me. Love Me; pour out your adoration and worship. Be sure of this: LOVE NEVER FAILS. Loving Me never fails to bring Me to your side. He sees Me most clearly who loves Me most dearly.

From Come Away My Beloved, Francis J. Roberts

Happy Anniversary, Scott, sweet husband and friend! The past four years with you are my most cherished yet...

Wildflower

These are some of the lovely wildflowers that are growing in the abandoned property behind our own backyard, affectionately known as the Back Forty. Being the only view out our back window, it is a true eyesore, with its ten dilapidated brick garages and broken doors and peppered with your typical abandoned lot trash: some glass bottles, crumbled cement, an old mattress (that we moved) and often times, dozens of vinyl records, chucked like frisbees by stupid, drunk college kids...So, these precious and colorful little lives are like a song on a breeze in this tattered neighborhood!



Wildflowers grow from mere dust to reach their full potential.
Wildflowers grow well, even in adverse soil conditions.
Wildflowers don't require late nights at the office to grow.
Wildflowers grow thick and stick together.
Wildflowers grow strong and tall.
Wildflowers display their brilliant personalities for all to see.
Wildflowers withstand drought and grow all the more beautiful when watered.
Wildflowers withstand frost and hail.
Wildflowers last late in the season, when other flowers have given up.

Are you a wildflower? --David Leonhardt

(1. Bouncing Bette 2. Tansy 3. Daisy Fleabane 4. Celandine 5. Chicory 6. Day Lily)

Summer 'Reading' Project

This summer I set out to read as many plays and watch as many musicals as I could to play catch up, since I've apparently missed many a classic. So far, I have read:

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Doubt by John Patrick Shanley
A Doll House by Ibsen
The Wild Duck by Ibsen

Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon and Angels in America by Tony Kushner
are on deck...

I've watched, (and yes, these are all for the first time!):

Annie Get Your Gun
Carousel
State Fair
Sunday in the Park with George
Sweeney Todd
Jesus Christ Superstar
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Flower Drum Song
Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum
Highschool Musical

What are your favorite plays or musicals? Any good recommendations?

92 years and still going...

Grandpa, your life took a new turn this year, giving up your independence by moving in with my parents and suffering from a moderate stroke in January...You are still Grandpa. Sweet as pie. I'm so glad you can rest now in my parents care and know you're getting top rate provisions. Be blessed in another year of life that God granted you with grace and love. Enjoy every minute, Yanchie Bachi. I love you.

Happy Birthday Lori!

...She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also, and her praises her:

"Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Give her of the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31

Happy Birthday Dearest

An excellent woman who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.

The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.



She rises while it is yet night
and provides for her household
and portions for her maidens.

She dresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.



She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue...

Proverbs 31

Pesto!

1 large clove garlic
2/3 cup tightly packed fresh young basil
2 heaping Tsp pine nuts
1/4 grated sheep cheese
1/2 grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
6 to 8 Tsp extra-virgin olive oil
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper

(and a food processor, if you don't want to kill your
hands with mortar and pestle)

Mix with pasta of your choice and enjoy a real Italian
simple country dish!