Naturally, since I am a memoir writer, I spend much time thinking about the influences our ancestors played in the kind of life we live after they have departed this Earth. For me, this topic can not be covered all in one blog post. This is the first in a series of three writings on this subject. What I have in mind for the final, I am especially excited about because it will culminate the series into an obvious thread of ponderings.
“I remember with great affection my mother’s wonderful eye for design and the well-coordinated home she made for us four kids and my Dad, the one who custom-built homes for our family and so many others…The hunt for economical, special cast offs is something I have developed…they bring interest to an abode…” ~ excerpts of writings from my personal journal which sits on my inherited 1920’s antique spinet writing desk of my grandmother. ~ Sue Batton Leonard.
Do return for the 2nd in the series of blog posts about my life as a memoir-writer and other ponderings about my family flock. Our ancestor’s influences have been cast into the big net of family who took great notice.
Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. ~ Winston Churchill
In what seems like the blink of the eye, the whole picture has changed out on my wonderful porch. Many days of summer were spent out on it.
Now, one need not look any further than the porch door to see the squirrels foraging for winter.
How about you? Are you beginning to stock the larder with soup and stew makings? Things to keep on hand – basic soup stock or bouillon, dried beans and legumes ,barley and rice. Then there are veggies that hold in a root cellar – carrots, potatoes (russets and sweet), turnips, onions, leeks, shallots for the daintier tasting soups (such as leek and potato) and of course plenty of fresh and dried seasonings. A heavier hand in seasoning brings better results. Something I need to take note of.
Many old-world master paintings as well as many of today’s contemporary artists have chosen to feature items from the pantry or root cellars in their autumn paintings. The fall season has arrived! Enjoy it in your own creative way of living.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” ~ Matthew 9:38
Every 4th of July my faith in our country is restored when I see all the American flags and banners of red, white and blue and hear the patriotic tunes. It leads me to believe there are many in our country who have the same American spirit of faith our forebearers had when they built this new country.
So, tomorrow on America’s birthday, celebrate the independence we have as a nation and all it stands for. As President Herbert Hoover once said, “Freedom is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and human dignity.”
“The shadow is the greatest teacher for how to come to the light.” — Ram Dass
I’ve been doing a little experiment with one of my houseplants to give Chloe, my writers muse a more creative look. In my opinion, she is now looking rather jaunty with her tresses swept to the side! Her transformance has taken some months but now it is coming into full evidence. How timely! Her new look became apparent just as the horse racing season began when the southern-set women put on their fascinator hats, placement atilt on their heads. I didn’t rotate her position for many, many months, thus, her tresses have been leaning toward the greatest source of light – the nearest window.
Isn’t it wonderful that in our Universe, our Creator thought to give us both dark and light? The basic truth is most of us crave the light rather than darkness, it’s the reason why we are more joy-filled in the brighter seasons or when in life we are actively moving in a positive direction.
The way I see things, enriching the fabric of a community is it’s thread of cultural offerings. And in this county where I live, there is a real appreciation for all forms of art. On Sunday before Thanksgiving, I attended a concert that wove music and the fabric arts together for a lovely evening. The setting of St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church in Hickory, MD magnified the event further. The church squares the block with it’s gorgeous tall, gold-domed presence. And colorful handmade quilts stitched by Flying Geese Quilters Guild were displayed across backs of pews and at the front of the church.
The musical program of the evening stitched together themes of all the things a life filled with goodness should include. The opening composition of the program had commissioned lyrics written for it, titled “Fabric of Gratitude.” Each one of the other songs was sensitively chosen for the stories they told, many remixed, patching together some of the complexities we face throughout our lives. But the words and music of Annie Lennox and Craig Hella Johnson tell how there is beauty even in brokenness in 1,000 Beautiful Things. But Thanks be to God, even in brokenness, there is always hope for rebirth. The music of George Frederic Handel from “Messiah” told of this truth.
Measure me Sky! Told of possibilities, dreams and adventure which was a great segue into the next part of the program which included the Deer Creek Youth Choirs who sang of what childhood ought to be filled with – joy, laughter, nature, finding independence and finding purpose. However, purpose may come at anytime, even in later years, with wisdom, acceptance and truth.
One of my personal favorites incorporated the words of Mark Twain and it was sung by the children. The humor in it hit my heartstrings, because I identified so strongly with the words on several levels. “My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it.” Thanks be to God, the challenges did not last a lifetime. Two other favorite compositions, about literature/bold adventures and A Welsh Prayer, music by Paul Mealor and words by Grahame Davies told of the spirit of giving and service. The prayer was sung with accompaniment of soloists, as were a few other songs. Make Our Garden Grow (from Candide) spoke of family heritage and making sense of life.
The final composition How Can I Keep from Singing by Robert Lowry arrangement by Daniel McDavitt focused on hope; the perfect ending to anything! As it’s been said, “Always walk on with hope in your heart.”
People are generous of spirit. I’ve met many in my lifetime. Sometimes the only way we can return appreciation for it is to pass it on to others. And that feels good; it’s a way of sharing our gifts and talents and hope someone might benefit.
Many decades after I learned to knit, I laugh to myself because the woman who taught me to knit asked me what I wanted to learn first. I said, “I want to knit a pair of socks.” Oh, how innocent I was to think it would be an easy task to teach a complete non-knitter something as difficult as that. But, she hung in there with me through every trial and error. Under her voluntary tutelage, I finished a pair of socks and several more pairs after that, along with sweaters and other items. Truly, she had the patience of a Saint.
So in this month of Thanksgiving I’d like to thank all who have shared with me what they know about life, writing, publishing, art and all the other creative fulfilling things that I enjoy. If it hadn’t been for your friendship and goodness, many things that bring me joy would not have become part of my lived experience.
“Blessed is the influence of one true, loving human soul on another.” – George Eliot
Just a few ounces of trivia today, and then we will get to the point of this post. Did you know in the 1770s and 1780s pouring a little tea in the saucer was common culture? It gave the teetotaler a little something to sip while the rest of the tea in the cup cooled a bit.
This poem written by James Dean and published by Lamb Lover Music/BMI struck my heartstrings and it speaks to the nip of trivia. It is a song of praise and thanksgiving – which is what November is all about.
Drinking from My Saucer (verse 1) written by Jimmy Dean and Published by Lamb Lover Music/BMI .
I’ve never made a fortune; I guess it’s too late now Oh but I don’t worry about that none cause I’m happy anyhow As I go along life’s journey, I’m reaping better than I sow I’m drinking from my saucer, cause my cup has overflowed.
Yes, I’ll keep drinking from my saucer, Lord, cause my cup has overflowed My cup has overflowed ~ Jimmy Dean
I’d like to take this opportunity to say how grateful I am for those who follow this website. Many of whom have been returning for more than a decade. What connects me with my community of readers across the broad branches of the humanities, is we all seek to manifest a satisfying life by digging a little deeper into the blessings that art, culture and spirituality bring to our existence.
This month, I’m looking forward to taking an art excursion to see a special exhibit at one of the top art museums in the city of Baltimore. I will share it with you right after Thanksgiving, right here on AllThingsFulfilling.com.
“A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Last weekend it was showery. But it was filled with the harvests of intentional living bringing a mix of fulfilling things to do beginning on Thursday at a lecture and slide show given by Adrienne Stein and Quang Ho at the fabulous Ladew Topiary Gardens.
On Friday evening, The Maryland Center for the Arts provided a second opportunity to see the exhibit of the 2023 Harford County Plein Air Painters. Local art, painted outdoors at many cultural and familiar sites around the county in which I live. The talented artists who participated provided plenty of visual pleasure for me – one who is drawn to representational paintings at it’s finest.
I self-created my own seasonal blessings on Saturday by spending the morning listening to George Winston’s Autumn selections while I cooked. Winston is well-known for solo piano compositions which are said to be, “melodic, warm, pastoral music.”
So what did I cook? Seasonal favorites, of course! Butternut squash muffins filled with warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, a dash of clove and ginger, made even better topped with apple butter. And green split pea soup – flavors enhanced with hearty chunks of ham and a hint of thyme. A gastronomical melding of autumn flavors. A little sweet and savory.
At the end of the day, through a simple choice I made about what I value for this website, I attended an event that brought more coziness to my heart and soul. I went to a small village where the people who settled it in the 1800’s shared many of the cultural values I also try to embrace in my every day living.
Won’t you join me? Come on back in four days hence, on the 16th of October, and we will revisit a time in our nation’s history when life was very different.
Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved. ~ Mattie Stepanek
The mission behind All Things Fulfilling has been always been a multi-media approach to sharing information about things that make my heart zing – what fills my heart with joy and happiness. That includes information on what has become my career and passion since 1998 – independent publishing.
I seldom make strong statements on All Things Fulfilling because we don’t need another platform on which to air controversial opinions all for the sake of being heard.
This statement I am going to make is about valuing human life and it really doesn’t matter where you stand politically. We need people in this country to discover and fill open spaces in their hearts with what brings them personal fulfillment, not evil and violence.
Dr. Ben Carson recently said about the recent occurrences in Charleston, South Carolina that the
“By working faithfully eight hours a day you may eventually get to be the boss and work twelve hours a day.” ~ Robert Frost
Some people need a boss behind them cracking the whip, helping them to stay on task and motivated. Having the corporate structure behind them saying “Your workday begins promptly at 9am and ends at 5pm, with a half an hour for lunch,” is what they relate to best.
Guess what, I worked under those conditions for most of my life. Now I’ve gotten a raise! “Twelve hours a day, hmmm, Mr. Frost?” Tell me, how does a writer, who is also essentially an entrepreneur, limit oneself to that?
Sometimes I find it hard to give myself permission to “lay off, let it go and call it a day.” It’s a challenge to remember the person in charge of me is myself!
All Things Fulfilling 