QUESTION OF THE WEEK

S'MORE FUN, PLEASE!

Last night, I hosted an outing for the Youth Group at my church, Oakleaf Christian Fellowship. Mom's and dad's, along with their teenagers, journeyed to Connor's Amazing Acres, which is a corn maze, out in the middle of nowhere, Florida. Under the sliver of a moon hanging low in the night sky, we found our way through a corn maze in the dark, gazed at the stars on a hayride, and huddled around a bonfire roasting marshmallows; the perfect way to spend an Autumn evening.
(Pictured left: Mom's in the corn bin!)

What could be more fun than trudging through a dark corn maze full of thrill-hungry folks, earnestly trying not to get lost? Our only hope to ever make it out was to answer various clues that either left us lost or sent us right on our way. Every now and then, something or somebody popped out of the dark, sending ear-piercing shrikes into our quiet, rural surroundings. With the help of a flashlight and a good attitude, our team made to the exit in one piece.

After the maze, our entire group boarded two trailers filled with fresh hay and set out for the "back 40," where we enjoyed a star-gazer's delight. The sky was filled with sparkling illumination, set in the sky by His Majesty, Himself. City folks like us sat amazed as we are not usually able to see such a stellar display. The tractor's engine, along with the rise and fall of excited voices, were the only sounds we heard on our lazy hayride.

Last but not least, the highlight of the evening... S'mores! I'll never forget where I was the very first time I ever ate this delectably sweet combination of three very simple ingredients. The marshmallows must be roasted to perfection and then slipped between two crisp graham crackers, along with the addition of a small slab of chocolate. The key is patience... patience to wait for the chocolate to melt BEFORE you take your first bite. And then the inevitable happens - you want s'more S'mores!

With just the right amount of chill in the air, the S'mores, hayride, and corn maze were a perfect Fall fit. Everything from the long and winding drive to our destination, to the last roasted marshmallow, it was a fabulous evening. I'm a glutton for fun and already I'm ready for S'more!

If you could name one thing you can't get enough of, what would it be?
Cyberpsalmist

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

A Must Read

I recently had to move on in an area of my life. Everyone kept asking me what was "wrong?" I guess it was either my mood, facial expressions, or the fact that I feel unsociable at times that gave them cause to wonder. What I had to get friends and family to realize was, it wasn't about what's "wrong" with me, it was about what was "right."

Generally, I'm a pretty happy, easy going person. Granted, my Italian temper goes from 0-90 in two seconds but I calm down just as fast as I light up. While I can't give myself an excuse to be angry and sin, I do recognize this trait to be somewhat cultural. Italians have been described in many places as fiery and feisty... short fused and intense. On the other hand, we are passionate people, full of mercy. My mood can obviously change like the direction of the wind, happening any time and not necessarily generated by mood.

My mother said that even as a baby, my mood was happy. Her most difficult task was feeding me - I would rather smile than drink my bottle. I don't notice if I'm smiling or not since for me, the expression has nothing to do with how I'm feeling. I guess my face doesn't know the difference. Then there are those blank days... it's like when the computer tower is on but you forget to flip on the monitor; everything is running like it should, only know one else can see the screen. For someone like me, it's perceived as "something is wrong."

Not only am I misunderstood, I'm not aloud to be unsociable. My husband finds this the most difficult trait of mine to comprehend. He is used to seeing me on a stage (as well as partly responsible for putting me there) which to him is synonymous with sociable. What he hasn't grasped is although I have no trouble communicating with large crowds of people, I am more comfortable in smaller groups. Sometimes this doesn't translate well.

My life is an open book so don't just look at the cover. I've been known to laugh when I'm suppose to be serious and cry when I'm happy. Whats more, my reactions are not always what others expect. Yet deep inside, all is as it should be and God has complete control of my life. Whether it be an inherited disposition, a blank stare, or bashful demeanor, it's possible to read me wrong.

When are you misread?

Cyberpsalist

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Chunk of Change

Fall is the time of year when I think about change... the weather begins to change, the leaves change color and the time changes, due to daylight savings. Although change can be good, bringing spice to my routine, not all modifications bring improvement. Sometimes it's inconvenient and comes at the wrong time. Other times, I get weary in the waiting. If I could change three things about my life right now, I would want to grow about four inches, remodel my entire house, and go back to college to finish my degree.

Being vertically challenged has its advantages. For some reason, people associate youth with height. I guess it's because adults are usually looking down at children. Who knows, I never question a good thing. Another benefit is being placed in the front row when it comes to photographs. Regarding dressmaking, being fun sized means I need less fabric to make a garment. But sometimes I just wish I could be about four inches taller. Those extra inches would definitely put me in a different height/weight category... you know, those dreadful charts the medical professionals use to determine if you are overweight - or not.

The other thing I would like to see changed is the interior of my entire home. I love my property and the layout of my house is cozy, but it's in need of serious architectural reconstruction. Although right now I'm in the process of remodeling my kitchen, I'm already thinking about the next room I need to transform. With its wood paneling and drafty windows, my red brick ranch home reflects the true style of the sixties and the sixties are where it's stagnated. Every day, it begs me for a face-lift! I wish I had the money to remodel it all at once, then at least all the rooms would have some sort of design cohesion.

The last thing I'd change would be the sense of unfinished business that hovers over me like a gray cloud. After high school, I went away to college to pursue a degree in Clothing and Textiles. It covered everything from Fabric Science to Drafting & Design. I was completely immersed in my field of my dreams but due to unforeseen circumstances, I never completed the course. To this day, I live with gnawing regret. I met the Lord between the Spring and Fall semester of 1978 and because of the massive changes taking place in my life at that time, I never made it back to school. Although I was able earn a living using my sewing skills, I never reached the goal I had intended for myself. There is something to be said about finishing what you start. Who knows, maybe one day I'll have the opportunity.

If change is possible, then we need to be chasing after it. Our desire must be strong enough to give us the gumption necessary to grasp hold of that which is still within our reach.

Sure, changing my educational status from incomplete to finished is slightly possible, and a whole-house renovation is feasible, if I can lay my hands on a big chunk of change. But in order to add four extra inches to my stature, I'm gonna need a creative miracle, and according to Matthew 6:27, ("Has anyone, by fussing in front of the mirror, ever gotten taller by so much as an inch?" The Message) it won't benefit me one bit! Ugh!!!

If you could change three things about your life, what would they be???

Cyberpsalmist

Question of the Week

BESIDES DESSERT

"Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens,
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens;
Brown paper packages tied up with string,
These are a few of my favorite things."

Not mine, but Maria from the movie, "The Sound of Music." Although I have compared myself to her, our opinions differ when it comes to what tickles our fancy. Some of the things I call favorites include tomatoes, two wheels and twilight.

My family has a special spaghetti sauce recipe which goes back many, many generations. It is not written down but learned "over the shoulder of the older." This ritual right of passage is usually a rather big event and includes a meal made by the student. Only family members are privy to the recipe so just in case you thought you could weasel the recipe out of me, know there's NO WAY to get it except you "marry in." (Line up, guys and gals... I still have three available offspring who have rights to the recipe!) Do I need to tell you how absolutely delicious this gravy is? That it's robust flavor and delicate texture draws taste-buds for miles? How it's aroma leisurely mesmerizes anyone in it's path? The "Sauce" makes anything it relaxes on, my favorite.

Speaking of relaxing, nothing eases tension like a ride on my motorcycle. From start-up to kick-stand down, all my stress seems to roll off as I slip the clutch into gear. It's sleek profile and classy burgundy/cream exterior give me a sense of pride, knowing he was modified just for me. (Yes, you heard me right, I said "he." I prefer my motorcycle be male instead of female.) Some of my favorite roads take their residence in the mountains of North Carolina, but when I can't be there, a ride along the St. Johns River through Mandarin in the moonlight beats all.

Moonbeams on the river remind me of twilight touching the soft cheeks of my sleeping children. I especially love tip-toeing into my kids rooms to watch them sleep. They don't believe me when I tell them about the kissing liberties I've taken... not having to fight a child who's too busy or too old for such nonsense. It's my way of getting what's mine, not to mention how gratifying it is.

Enjoyment comes in many forms and what floats your boat or makes you smile varies tremendously from person to person. The beauty of it is no one need agree with your choices. I truly believe God intended for simple pleasures to reverse negative circumstances. That's why it's no coincidence that "stressed" is "desserts" spelled backwards!

My curiosity is up! What are a few of your favorite things?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

UNDER MY SKIN!

In general, I'm a pretty easy-going person. I tend to see the glass half full and give people the benefit of the doubt. But there a few things that get my goat, rub me raw, and just plain stick in my craw. I get angry when people cut me off in traffic, when something sticky gets spilled, and when innocent children suffer abuse.

Honestly, I don't understand why people would want to cut me off. In fact, I take it downright personally. While it's not always easy to be Mr. Nice Guy, preferring the other driver, it's especially difficult to smile at the idiot who is mercilessly merging onto the highway, as though they were there first! This is a true test of my self-control.

If you want to test the strength of my last straw, just spill something sticky in my kitchen. To put me over the top, forget to clean it up! I have zero tolerance for this kind of offense. It not only affects me, it spreads as you take your next step, going where you go, leaving its nasty trail for everyone to step in. The clean up is endless.

Endless describes the ripple affect abuse has on innocent children, as well as generations to follow. From the robbery of all self-esteem, to the possibility of an inherited behavioral trait themselves, this injustice takes the cake. According to the scriptures though, I am allowed to get righteously angry about this. So much so, I am moved to pray for those who have no voice and no defense. My intercession to the Father can then become their silent cry when no one hears.

Whether my peeves are personal, spread to others, or affect upcoming generations, these all get under my skin. But I have come to realize that how I respond to these situations, whether internally or external, is really what's on the line. Still, abuse is unjust, sticky is unnecessary, and road rudeness is totally undeserving.

Question of the week...

What three things grind your gut, blow your fuse or really cheese you off and why?

Cyberpsalmist