A beautiful way of seeing

Dear Laurel,

  I smiled the whole way through this short video--couldn't help it, because he's right. I loved the colors and the questions and the ideas.  I think you'll love it, too.  (I found the link at CuriousAcorn.)

All my best,
Kate

Hospitality

The Rune of Hospitality

I saw a stranger yestreen;

I put food in the eating place;

Drink in the drinking place;

Music in the listening place;

And, in the sacred name of the Triune,

He blessed myself and my house,

My cattle and my dear ones.

And the lark said in her song,

Often, often, often,

Goes the Christ in the strangers guise,

Often, often, often,

Goes the Christ in the strangers guise.

Dear Sarah,

  My copy of this Rune of Hospitality has been on my kitchen wall since I bought it at St. Margaret's in London in 1979.  When I got home from that trip I immediately went looking through my collection of vintage picture frames and found the perfect thing with a bit of blue and gilt around the edges; it fits in where ever I live.  This little card doesn't hang as art in my kitchen. It's a life directive for me, not my guests, so I always put it out of the way in my workspace (glad for the glass that protects it).   It has become part of how I think.  Glad to share my secret, thanks for asking.

All my best,
Kate

Thanksgiving

Wishing you a day filled with peace and with gratitude for blessings past, present, and yet to come.

All my best,
Kate

Lemon Pie

Dear Friends,

I made this pie to celebrate what would have been my father's 80th birthday.  He died so long ago that I can't even begin to imagine him in old age.  In our family we remember our dearly loveds on their birthdays by doing something they enjoyed or by preparing their favorite food.  It's a wonderful way to keep the good memories flowing, and to teach the young ones about those who are already gone.  I emphasize the idea of good memories.  The story of life with my father is not an easy one.  We lived through a kind of hardship that most people could not, and did not begin to understand. When I was in college he asked me to forgive him for being the kind of father he'd been.  I agreed; I knew there was no other way for me to live.  When I said yes I had no idea of the journey ahead.  I didn't realize that I'd have to forgive him over and over again--every time I remembered or thought of the bad times, I'd have to return to my commitment to forgive and then say yes, again. I do not regret the commitment or the hard work of it.  I'm able to enjoy the memories of the good things, I've been able to tell my kids an honest but healthy version of the real story, and best of all when my dad died we were friends.  I was pleased to honor my father on his birthday, and I look forward to seeing him in heaven where all things will be made new.

All my best,
Kate

Yes, of course!

Dear Laurel,

   It's hard to put a finger on those magical ingredients that go into the moment when a friend (of any age) unabashedly asks for something.  I love it!  Could I have more dessert with whipped cream?  Could I come over and have some of that pie you're baking?  I need some creative input with my project, could I come over and show it to you?  I need to bake some cakes, could I come bake in your kitchen?  Seriously, I can't measure how that warms my heart.  Is there any better gift than the confidence and trust of friendship?  I am thankful that I have that kind of friendship with you. So I have to ask, when can I come to your house for coffee?

All my best,
Kate

A winter luxury

Dear Sonja,

  I love to hear about the small luxuries people allow themselves--especially from people who live a simple lifestyle and their idea of luxury has nothing to do with a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue.  This is a good one:  My friend and her husband put a hot tub in their small, one-car garage so they can enjoy a hot soak in all kinds of wild weather.  When it snows they open the garage door so can lean back and take it all in--hot water and snow, who cares what the neighbors think.  Perfect!  I just checked with her, and if we get the predicted snow this weekend they'll be opening that big door.  What are you going to do for yourself this winter?

All my best,
Kate

Transition

Dear Laurel,

  Sometimes I wonder if we are the first generation to struggle so hard with the transition of aging and everything that comes with it.  People are talking about it everywhere I go.  It seems that it's a surprise no one was expecting--at least we didn't expect it to feel like this.  Culturally we're caught between those who worked in one job for a lifetime and those who expect to change careers at least five times, parenting is over, and relationships have changed--it's no wonder we feel a nagging unrest.  My grandparents told me all about life and growing older, but they didn't mention this in between part that has us on the road to somewhere we've never been before.  Maybe we're the first ones, or maybe we're just learning to talk about it.

All my best,
Kate

James 3:17

The Message (MSG)

^17-18Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

Morning light

Dear Sonja,

Today I'm grateful for the early morning light and for colors that change by the minute.  Sometimes as the dark part of the year comes I forget to look for light in the most logical places.  The cold air I brought back into the house has already started to dissipate, but I'm hoping I'll carry the light with me all day long.

All my best,
Kate

They'll be home for Christmas!

Home from the Land of Far Away

Dear Cal,

  They're all coming!  I'm marking dates on the calendar for trips to the airport in December--who cares about the traffic jams and crowds, bring it on!  We're still waiting on the train reservation news from the grandparents.  It's been several years since we were all in the same place at the same time. The anticipation is delicious.  From here even the challenges look good.  And... it's the grandparents who are hoping that we'll get snowed in like we did the last time they were here for Christmas.  Funny!

All my best,
Kate