untitled poem (that became an altered board book)

I was guided to the river
though lacking in vision
my hands lightly clenched
like one prepared to fight.

The sweet scent of Autumn
filled my mind
and I breathed in deeply
--- too deeply I think
for I succembed to sleep
( I supposed )
near a stream, shedding
my guard on the shore.

Images of white on water
danced in my dreams
like so many shadows
piercing and blinding
shimmering and quickening
soothing and healing
under my heavy lids.

I was weightless in the moment
awake in newness and light.
--- as I arose and walked
I realized I had found
exactly what I had been
missing.

Tues10/06kac

needing kindling

somedays are just harder than others.

When we want to be nice and toasty warm in our old, heritage home, we need to make a blazing fire in the woodstove.

Seems simple, right?

It isn't always.

Take last time ... I was cold and restless and the boys seemed to be off in space, so I slipped out the door to collect branches from a wee little tree outside the window. I began to snap off branch after branch thinking of how good a cup of tea would be and how motivated the boys would become with the warmth.

It was not to be.

The tree was dead, but the branches were still "green" I guess because I had not brought them inside to finish drying out. The paper burned just fine, but the twigs were useless, not even responding to my fierce blowing on them.

I began to hear the typical barrage of accusations in my head.

" you stink" " you can't do anything without your husband" " you are going to run up the heating bill for another winter because you cannot make a simple fire" " why can't you do this ... both your boys are in Cubs and Scouts and they could start a fire!" " what kind of homeschool Mom are you?"

My husband came home that evening and was as gracious as usual.

It is hard to start a fire if you aren't properly prepared he reminded me.

I can always pick up twigs and branches from the yard for kindling ... they light without hesitation. I can use up the leftover boards from the building sites, too ... they offer a steady warmth that so far no logs have been able to match.

Am I getting the picture, yet?

Pick up the things on the ground that have been provided for me to burn.

Ask for provision, then look for the provision ... expect it. I am reminded of the biblical account of Naomi and Ruth who collected grain that was left behind. It wasn't inferior, and neither were they ... what their God provided for them served their purpose and was a foreshadowing of what was to come.

May I be prepared because I never know what may come.

May I spy the kindling my God has provided ... and unafraid to burn it.

art lessons onfire

Homeschool meeting, I announced we would be teaching art lessons for the kids at our home/studio.

...All available spaces were filled in less than 5 minutes...



I really did not know what to expect, but when God has placed something on your heart, He doesn't mean it to just weigh heavily.



We all have things " up our sleeve ", but not all of us pull them out.



One of the bullets on the advertisement I wrote asked WHY? as in why should your child take art lessons in the first place, let alone through us? and I found myself writing:

because we worship the Creator when we enjoy His creations.



For by Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

col.1:29

keeping the home fires burning

well, I thought I might get a head-start on blogging this evening as I have a busier than normal week ahead.

Tomorrow we drive to pick up E's new glasses. He has been needing them since the day I went to my best sister's to have tea and " jonam was being irritating so i hit him on the head with my glasses and the arm broke off. "

Yep. It happens on those days you know nothing will possibly happen.

I never seem to mind the drive though. It is breathtaking to me.

Wonderfully winding roads of sunshine and fall. I like to pass all the farms along the way and imagine that one of them is ours. My husband is keeping the woodstove welcome all the while sitting at his studio desk working on his latest charcoal creation or silverpoint success because he is a professional artist and I am his lovely wife with narry a headache or complaint.

I like to dream ...

a dream

Last night, before sleeping, I asked, out loud, for some fresh inspiration for my art. I almost cannot believe that it happened... in my dreams ... three new ideas for altered art. This is crazy!

No ... this is Father loving me.

the hard part is asking


True humility is not thinking lowly of yourself but thinking accurately of yourself. the humble heart does not say, " I can't do anything. " But rather, " I can't do everything. I know my part and am happy to do it. "


In humility consider others better than yourselves.

stoking the fire, altered

well, last night I got an email saying that some of my work was posted on the web

www.alteredbookartists.com/gallery/memberspages/kcampbell.html

and I felt a little accomplished for a change. Not that I do not love what I do at home but last night was an interesting night all together...

I had a play rehersal for Pollyanna and got a little " grilled " about homeschooling.

One of the ladies there had, of course, had an experience with a homeschool family that so sheltered their daughter that --- prepare yourself --- when playing Trivial Persuit, she only knew ( shock and horror ) Bible trivia ( gasp ) .... no History or Geography! Forsooth!

Imagine that! It could never happen that way if the poor dear had only been properly edumicated!!!

I have also been asked exactly three times in one month if I ask my children to wash and dress before commencing lessons, or do we Homeschool in our pajamas?

It was one of those nights that left me knowing, without a doubt, that I am doing exactly what I was created to do ... even if I AM in pajamas!