—and passing time.
It’s summer and the porch is “open.” My little Scandinavian theme is going full force out in this comfortable place where birdsong is everywhere, coffee tastes wonderful, and quiet hearts are welcome. I’m out here typing and thinking.
I knew I was Swedish and Norwegian, but I didn’t realize how much. My brother did a test for that and I assume we have the same data background. It looked mostly from southern Norway and Sweden (adding up to over 80%) –with some Russian, Finnish, German, Northern UK, and Italian thrown in. Not exactly what we expected, but interesting anyway.
Fun to think about those ancestors.
Those Scandinavian roots run strong.
I am so grateful to God today. This time of year it is easy to be free of anxiety. The weather is gentle, the sun shines, breezes are calming yet evocative. I have good energy to complete tasks that have been waiting for the end of the school year.
Goals have been set and tried, thoughts are ordered, and past events are analyzed.
I’ve complained here on this blog about the stresses of fixing my house, repairing water issues, maintenance and upkeep.
This brings me to an acceptance that I must face the rest of my life alone.
When my husband died I didn’t think I’d survive a week without him. He was my rock, my fortress, my shield, my everything. He did it all. I was along for the ride.
Since he left for heaven I’ve had to make decisions, purchase stuff I knew nothing about, fix things, and generally survive living on an acreage in the country in a harsh climate. Minnesota is know for its weather extremes.
I’ve done poorly, but I’ve survived.
Four years of survival. I guess I can say with conviction that God is my husband, and He has watched over for me. For those who have taken advantage of me there is accountability, and it won’t be pretty.
God does work in mysterious ways.
I was chatting with a new friend from my international fellowship and I expressed my desire to “hide” and “fortress” (verb, here).
I have been “fortressing” for four years, all the while knowing that God is my Fortress, my Defender, my Guard and Protector.
There is something in a woman that (I believe) deep down desires protection. When pursuing an attraction in a husband there is a question of his ability to guard what belongs to him.
I am all for a husband guarding his wife. He should.
I am so glad God guards me.
Today I made fresh strawberry pie and it was so delicious. I used some German “tortenguss” for the glaze and it turned out so perfect with sparkling strawberry juice from Trader Joe’s. I admit I had two pieces with a bit of whipped cream from Costco.
Strawberry pie doesn’t have so many calories, right?
I used “Millie’s Pie Crust” in an iron skillet. You can probably search for that recipe over at the old blog, corgihollows.blogspot.com. It is no-fail pie crust.
The pool is closed this week at the YMCA, so I need to get to CrossFit tonight. The dogs have appreciated our daily walks.
The hay was mowed and baled this week, so we can get back to running the hayfield. Delicious smells everywhere.
Cherie, Jeremiah and I got the kitchen garden planted: herbs, carrots (not coming up) radishes, cucumbers, tomato plants, nasturtiums, peas (also not coming up). I planted Buttercup squash, pumpkins and zucchini this morning. I know it is mid-June, but I can still hope for some bright yellow flowers at least. I plant squashes for the flowers as much as for the fruit.
The raspberry patch is thriving.
I have pansies in the window boxes and planters. They are so easy to grow. My dear friend Anne gifted me a miniature rose and I planted that in the front door planter, too. It likes it there. I don’t have very good skills with roses, but I love them.
Peonies are glorious this year.
We’ve had light rain at just the right times so far. Perfect. So perfect.
My heart is so full it just aches.
I’m like that.
Thanks for reading my passing thoughts. We await the Savior of the World.
MARANATHA