Renewal

Isn’t it a miracle?  Every year, out of the cold drab earth, somehow life springs forth.  To me spring is one of God’s ineffable mysteries, part of the great cycle of give and take. And every year, there it is, carrying out the drama right before our eyes.

I grew up in the Midwest and lived in Minneapolis for 15 years before moving to New Jersey.  Once I moved to NJ, I became acutely aware of spring. Often in Minneapolis, the winter would last and last until it seemed to turn a corner into summer.  Here, spring begins slowly and lingers. And as it unfolds, it dazzles.

I have come to watch for certain signs of spring. The daffodils outside my front door, the burst of yellow forsythia, the eggs and the tiny fluffball chicks in the eagle’s nest across the river, the wild Virginia bluebells that color the riverbank for a short but glorious time each spring.

Take a look at the eagle nest here... this is coming to you live!  Best in daylight...

https://dukefarms.org/making-an-impact/eagle-cam/

 

Spring is a time of renewal, the time when we celebrate Easter, the triumph over death.  In writing this post I remembered this poem by John Neihardt.  When I was in college I was lucky enough to hear him recite it:

April Theology

O to be breathing and hearing and feeling and seeing!
O the ineffably glorious privilege of being!
All of the World’s lovely girlhood, unfleshed and made spirit,
Broods out in the sunlight this morning — I see it, I hear it!

So read me no text, O my Brothers, and preach me no creeds;
I am busy beholding the glory of God in His deeds!
See! Everywhere buds coming out, blossoms flaming, bees humming!
Glad athletic growers up-reaching, things striving, becoming!

O, I know in my heart, in the sun-quickened, blossoming soul of me.
This something called self is a part, but the world is the whole of me!
I am one with these growers, these singers, these earnest becomers —
Co-heirs of the summer to be and past aeons of summers!

I kneel not nor grovel; no prayer with my lips shall I fashion.
Close-knit in the fabric of things, fused with one common passion —
To go on and become something greater — we growers are one;
None more in the world than a bird and none less than the sun;
But all woven into the glad indivisible Scheme,
God fashioning out in the Finite a part of His dream!

Out here where the world-love is flowing, unfettered, unpriced,
I feel all the depth of the man-soul and girl-heart of Christ!
‘Mid this riot of pink and white flame in this miracle weather,
Soul to soul, merged in one, God and I dream the vast dream together.
We are one in the doing of things that are done and to be;
I am part of my God as a raindrop is part of the sea!

What!  House me my God?  Take me in where no blossoms are blowing?
Roof me in from the blue, wall me in from the green, and wonder of growing?
Parcel out what is already mine, like a vender of staples?
See! Yonder my God burns revealed in the sap-drunken maples!

Praise God for the mystery and beauty of spring, for the ridiculously radiant blooms, for the exuberance and humor of life, and for the promise that we, too, can be renewed.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

As I post this I also want to thank my friend, Margaret, for helping me navigate this maze that is called a blog. I would not have made it this far without her.  Many many thanks!!!

Blessings for this glorious month of April.

Karen

Balance

On any given morning, as our coffee brews, I can glance at my husband and see him standing on one foot, the other foot slightly raised, a look of concentration on his face. He’s working on balance. It’s a quiet practice, but important. If I join him and take the tree pose I’ve learned in yoga, he’ll snort to suggest I’m a show off, and he’ll continue his work.  Balance requires work.

Evidence of balance is all around us. Day turns to night, night turns to day. We breathe in and out, in and out. The seasons turn warm, then cold. Don’t forget your checkbook! Balance is of utmost importance.

We find beauty in balance. Consider the ballet a dancer, the scales of justice, or the flavors of a savory stew. These all depend on balance. 

Yet even though we see examples of balance all around us, and even though we admire it, balance is really tricky. We can’t just achieve balance. It requires constant tending.

I am not in perfect balance. My faith helps me see that I need help with that.  Every day I need recalibrating, practice, and reliance on God.  The best I can do is offer you my own recipe, which turned into an open ended list… please add your own gifts.

Recipe for Balance

Put God first

Begin with Prayer:

   Praising God, Confessing, Thanking, and Asking God’s help

Accept a big dose of Forgiveness

Forgive others

Hope for the best

Be Courageous

Always Search for Truth

Open your heart and mind

Read for inspiration and direction

Find People to love and challenge you

Work at something that brings you joy

Seek beauty

Enjoy nature

Throw all the above in the air and practice keeping them off the floor!

Be at peace even when you fail

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, I wish you peace, joy, and hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Happy Pi Day

Happy Pi Day, everyone! Here is my offering, to the tune of Clementine...

In an oven
In a kitchen
Waiting for the bell to chime
Bakes a pastry
Oh so tasty
It's a favorite of mine

Flaky crust and
Fluted edges
And a filling that divine
Whether cherry or blueberry
It's a favorite of mine

Some are spicy
Some are creamy
Some have slices in a line
Some are topped with froth that's dreamy
They're all favorites of mine

Boston cream or
Lemon custard
Even minced meat or key lime
Nothing beats pie
You need not try
Just eat yours, do not touch mine!

©Karen Eastlund 2013

😋

January 1928

Jan 1 – New Year’s Day – 1 below zero

Pretty cold, but we all went over to Raymonds and ate turkey and chicken. Ervin and Alice Young were there. Anita & Elmer came home about 3:30 & Doris & Emil & kids & I stayed until after supper & Raymond brought us home. It was a lovely moonlight night & we didn’t get cold either. Both Margarette & baby were very restless all night.

Jan 2 – Monday - 20 below

The coldest morning we have had. I washed all of Doris’ & kids’ clothes. Emil walked to Burr Oak and went home. It was a bright nice day but cold. Margarette has more cold.

Jan 3 – Tuesday – 8 below

Bright and nice. We hustled around and packed up & Elmer took us to B. O. & Emil met us & we got to Spring Grove about noon. They were cleaning up and getting ready for a big feed for they had the baby baptized at 5:30 and named her Marion Doris. We had a swell feed and was tired enough when bed time came.  Doris, baby, Margarette & I slept downstairs in one room.

Jan 4 – Wednesday

Warmer again but snowing a little.  We got up a little after six & got started a little before nine, had a flat tired at La Crescent & he fixed it and we got to Red Wing about 2 & Olga made us stop for lunch & we got to Minneapolis at 5 & stayed at John Newhouse and the night was a regular nightmare for Margarette was to sleep with Doris and I and she kicked so that we couldn’t sleep and the baby wouldn’t sleep in the crib so we changed them around and slept from 2 until morning.

Jan 5 – Thursday

Nice & warm. We didn’t get up until after 8 so didn’t get started until nearly 10 but got home at 2.  It was lovely riding but we were glad when we got here & got something ready to eat & the house cleaned up.

Jan 6 – Friday – In Isle

A lovely warm day. I washed & didn’t get through until about 12, after dinner I mopped both floors. Doris cleaned up the rooms & took care of the kids & put things away.  Emil took Margarette for a ride on Mildred Church’s sled.

Jan 7 – Saturday – Isle

Just as nice as yesterday. We got up pretty late but we did the ironing & some cleaning & went for a little ride up north. Emil took Margarette with him up town & up to school house. Miss Bede was here a while to see the baby. Doris & Emil walked up town in evening. I got a letter from Anita & a whole bundle of cards & letters.

Jan 8 – Sunday – Isle

Cloudy & foggy all day but warm. We were home all day and no one came but Mildred Church was over twice to see if Margarette couldn’t go out & play. But she was asleep. I wanted Emil & Doris to go to movie in evening but Doris wouldn’t go. Margarette was sick all night. I guess she ate too much chicken. We cooked two that Luella gave us.

Jan 9 – Monday – Isle

A beautiful day. I washed. Margarette didn’t feel very good all day, her teeth are hurting her. In afternoon Doris cleaned her bedroom & Mrs. Baeck and old Mrs. Baeck were here. Doris served lunch. They went home about 4:30. Emil took Margarette up town just before supper.

Jan 10 – Tuesday – Isle

Another lovely day. I ironed and made cookies and Doris cleaned up the house.

Jan 11 – Wednesday – Isle

Very nice day, the warmest one yet. We had Margarette take a good long sleep in forenoon & Emil got the car out for us at noon & we went over to Halla’s (?) & had a very good visit & she served lunch for us. The baby had colic until nearly midnight.

Jan 12 – Thursday – Isle

Nice again. We just did the housework & Doris washed a suit of Emil’s & cleaned my bedroom. After school we drove over to Wakkon for Castoria for the baby but she had colic worse than ever until 10:30.

Jan 13 – Friday – Isle

Cloudy and a little colder. I washed. Nellie Haggberg was here in afternoon & we served lunch & then Emil, Doris & Margarette went up town. I got letters from Anita, Hazel, Mrs. Hanson & Vere. Emil went to community meeting at schoolhouse & then played basketball with the town team so didn’t get home until 12 o’clock.

Jan 14 – Saturday – Isle

Rainy in morning & turned to snow. We were very busy all day as four of the teachers were here to supper… they came at 5 & stayed until 8.  Doris & Emil went to a show & I stayed with the kids.

Jan 15 – Sunday, 4 below – Isle

Cloudy & colder. Mr. & Mrs. Barsness & two kids were here to dinner & until 5 o’clock. Mrs. Church & Mildred came over & asked us over to supper so we went & got home at 8.

Jan 16 – Monday – Isle

A dark day & sort of sleety in morning but wind turned to west. I did a big washing, after dinner I went up town and then over to Halla’s & Mrs. H. & I went over on the lake to a cottage they have on an Island. I was very tired & went to bed at 8:30 with Margarette.  Emil went to basketball practice. The baby was very fretful until 12.

Jan 17 – Tuesday – Isle

A lovely day & thawed. I ironed & took Margarette for a ride on the sled after dinner. The man came & put a telephone in. We weighed the baby & she weighs 10 ½ lbs & will be six weeks tomorrow.

Jan 18 – Wednesday – Isle

A lovely day but colder than yesterday, very frosty in morning. I washed again & brought the clothes in toward night. Emil, Doris & Margarette went up town about 5 & we made ice cream for supper. He went to basketball practice. I didn’t get to sleep until after 12. It snowed a little.

Jan 19 – Thursday – Isle

I got up at 5 & fixed lunch for me & we went up to bus station at 20 to 7 & the bus was ready to go. Emil carried my suitcase for me. I got in Minneapolis at 10:45 & left at 11:30 on the train but got on the train about 11. It got very stormy & blizzardy & when I changed at LaCross it was fierce. They thought the train would not get through. I got off at Prosper & the agent told me Luella had called & said for me to go to Canton & stay as it was too bad to come after me.  Ezra Reed carried my suitcase to Frank’s or I would have had to asked some one as I could not have got there alone. I was quite cold & chilled after riding in the warm cars.

Jan 20 – Friday

Quite cold this morning but the wind isn’t so bad today. I stayed to Frank’s for dinner & Elmer came just after noon so we got home before three & I was glad to get here.

Paul & Myrtle Luell had a baby boy born today. LuVerne came over  stayed all night while they went to a dance.

Jan 21 – Saturday – Prosper

Very nice today. Elmer went to Burr Oak & LuVerne rode home with him.  Anita & I went to sleep in afternoon. We went to bed quite early.

Jan 22 – Sunday

Very nice but a cold wind. We went over to Raymonds with a buggy & it broke down with us so we had to bring Raymond’s buggy home. Anita was sick half the night & threw up three or four times. Connie Ward went back to the hospital this afternoon.

Jan 23 – Monday

Nice but a cold wind. Elmer went to Canton after coal. I sewed all day. I got a letter from Doris & they had the blizzard there too.

Jan 24 – Tuesday

Nice day but terribly windy. Elmer went to Burr Oak, took 8 ½ doz eggs and got 30cts per doz. I got a letter from Hazel today. Vere & Dorothy Kelly went home with LuVerne & stayed all night. I talked to Mrs. Price today & she said Lillie was getting along as well as could be expected.

Jan 25 – Wednesday

Nice in morning but clouded over & was pretty cold afternoon. Anita & I went over to Raymonds when Elmer went to help saw. We got home at 2:30. The wind was a fright before night.

January 26 –Thursday

Not so windy as yesterday but quite cold. Elmer went to B.O. and brought the car home & took a calf to Canton. Eda Wade rode down with him and went home about 4. Got a letter from Doris.

January 27 – Friday

Very cold day. We were going to Decorah but it was too cold. I washed the colored clothes & we ironed. We didn’t do anything but shiver & shake & try to keep warm.

Jan 28 – Saturday – 10 below

Pretty cold, but the wind didn’t blow. Elmer went to B.O. in afternoon & Amelia rode home with him. I should have gone over to Allie’s but thought it was too cold.

Jan 29 – Sunday

Some warmer & the sun shone nice all day. We made ice cream & I ate so much of everything for dinner so had stomach ache all evening. Anita popped some corn & that helped some.

Jan 30 – Nice day & Elmer & I went to Decorah about 10 o-clock. I paid $75 on notes & the int(erest)… so altogether it amounted to $103.  Went down to see Lilly & was there about 2 hours. They haven’t anyone there to do the work.

Jan 31 – Tuesday

Not a very nice day. Elmer went to Burr Oak & Anita sent a pie & some potatoes to the Wolfenbergers as the Club Girls have to help keep them. We washed but didn’t hang the clothes out.

Intro to GP Diary

Welcome to Grandma Pierce’s diary!   Born in 1875, Grace E. Masters Pierce was my maternal grandmother. Along with her other commitments, she was devoted to recording her life in Burr Oak, Iowa.  I remember her as soft spoken, her thin gray hair pulled back in a tiny bun, wire rim glasses on her nose, an apron over her dress.  She made the clearest and most flavorful chicken broth and tenderest homemade noodles I have ever eaten. 

Her diary offers us a glimpse into the past. I’m struck by the many chores that she accomplished, the strong sense of community, the breadth of experience and ingenuity, the active social life, and much more. Her diaries are a treasure to me. I hope you will enjoy them also.

Additions to this diary will come online as I have time.  So far I am working on 1928.  More to come.

Spiritual Journey First Thursday

Hi Friends!

I’m still dipping my toe into this blog adventure. I thought I would have time to work on it by now, but it seemed that even January was busy. So… on we go with hopes of more attention to blogging as the year progresses.

The theme for January is: Home is Where the Heart Is

I received some family pictures recently, and I almost held my breath as I looked through them. More family members have died and I miss them all. I’d forgotten some of the gatherings, the funny clothes, the loss of hair. The gathering that was both wonderful and awful, yet we all managed a smile for the picture. The innocence and beauty in young faces. But what surprised me, made me gasp, was an unexpected picture of the home I grew up in.  Oh, how I loved it.

It was a true home to me. We gathered in the kitchen or around the table, we loved each other the best we could, we shared wonderful food, we prayed. Daddy traveled so Mama was in charge, and she ran a tight ship. Not always a happy ship, but aimed in a good direction. We knew what was expected of us.

Home is where everything begins, a place warmth and sustenance, challenge and solace. In our home we had wonderful meals together, many around the table, lots of laughter. My husband and I have tried to pass those good traditions along, adding to them. We still make Mama’s oatmeal macaroons and anise cookies. Meatballs on Christmas Eve. We added homemade chicken soup to the tradition, and when my son asked me to bring some to him at college, it warmed my heart.

A strong faith tradition runs through our families, and we continue the practice of grace before meals. Our grandchildren now lead us:

Come, Lord Jesus

Be our guest

Let these gifts

To us be blessed

Amen.

These gatherings, places and traditions remain almost sacred to us. I feel they are somehow reflections of goodness, of heaven on earth, of God.  The older I grow, the more important it seems to examine my origins, searching for anything that was good. Home is a place that can be holy, a place that calls us to be nourished and renewed.  When I listen, I find that the call is still strong and sweet.

Psalm 42:1  As the deer pants for water, so my heart pants for you, my God.