Hunter* and Gavin: Best Cousin-buddies. On Father’s Day
*NOTE: Hunter’s shirt, a gift for his poppa on Father’s Day, references Dave’s main character in his first novel, Altar, which is available on Amazon. CLICK HERE.
Mood music for reading about Dave!
If you could dream the perfect man for a daughter you love, if you could order up qualities you’d want your daughter and the children they’d have to enjoy their whole lives through and a personality that was made to bless and challenge and delight the whole family, if you could choose a man of character and one with as much wit as wisdom, if God would have just written across the sky, “Oh yes. I created him to be in your family,” the choice could not be more perfect than Dave Powers.
[Picard, Data and Worf are attacked and pursued by Kolaran natives] Picard: I think it’s time to try some unsafe velocities.
Dave Powers. I still remember the first time I heard your name. It echoed around in the halls of my heart along with a spark, me wondering, “Would Tara ever be interested in a guy like him?…” {WOULD SHE EVER!!! was the answer!} Before ever even meeting you, before ever even laying eyes on you, your name just sort of plopped into my mind and if wishing you’d love Tara could have had anything to do with it, then no wonder it happened. I still love that you were born the very day Dad was proposing to me. As you said yesterday, in the way only you can, “God was hookin’ a sister up!” He was. He was looking down the road, knowing what we’d need.
For I am of the persuasion that the children we get are as much used by God to form us and train us as we are in their lives, And you, son-of-my-heart, are a shining example of it. You are courageous and bold and have invited to me to go places I never would have gone, didn’t even think I wanted to go and sometimes have been crazy-uncomfortable. Most of it, I wouldn’t trade. Some of it I am waiting for the day I can say, “Oh we can laugh about that now…” Haha.
I wouldn’t trade you for anything, though, Dave and since the day I met you and for the months we spent getting to know you before you and Tara met and then after, I always knew you were meant for greatness and that I would one day say, “I knew Dave Powers when…” I just didn’t know I’d get to hang out near the path you are walking so closely. You were born to make an impact and you are blowing up the universe. You were born to terrorize the devil and you annihilating his strongholds. {throwing in some DP-talk there}
[In the attempt to find an alternative exit, Picard intends to blast with a shuttle through the inner shuttle bay doors and fly through the Scimitar] Data: Do you think this is a wise course of action, sir? Picard: We’re about to find out, Data
Picard: Captain’s personal log, supplemental. We’re heading toward Federation space at maximum warp. The crew has responded with the dedication I’ve come to expect of them. And like a thousand other commanders on a thousand other battlefields, I wait for the dawn…
You are such a great daddy to our little Hunter Magoo!
Praetor Shinzon: Were we Picards always warriors? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I think of myself as an explorer. Praetor Shinzon: Well… were we always explorers? Captain Jean-Luc Picard: I was the first Picard to leave our solar system. It… caused quite a stir in the family. But… I’d spent my youth… Praetor Shinzon: …looking up at the stars, dreaming about what was up there; about… Captain Jean-Luc Picard: …new worlds…
And for all your giftings, for the strong anointing on your life, for your natural abiliies and Holy Spirit-empowered insight and works, for the sensitivity you have with people and your way with words, because you can capture a conversation with one or with hundreds, though you have a voice that does not quit and the power of God rides into a room on it, and you can lead and protect and empower thousands of people, and even because I believe God is calling you to not only bring the Church together in unity, but He is making a way for you to impact governments and jurisdictions, and because I will never ever forget 2 years ago when He told me He would not let your foot slip – for these and many other reason, I know you are a great man, destined for amazing opportunities.
But I am most thankful and love you best for loving my daughter, for raising Hunter to be what God has called him to and for joining this imperfect family and calling us your own. When you’re just “ours,” it is lovely.
photos by www.lilacphotography.com
NOTE TO HF LEADERSHIP: You can trust him, his heart. I do.
Jovan posted this picture of Averi on Facebook recently. Love this little girl and her pretty blue eyes. And it made me laugh, too, to remember her new pediatrician asked if her head had always been this big. It is her gorgeous HAIR, I tell ya! Or perhaps her extraordinarily tiny shoulders. Seriously.
This has been one of my all-time favorite songs since I was 14 (“My eyes adored you”). So pretty. So…sweet.
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful to Me So beautiful, so beautiful to me And the fragrance of your love it is so sweet to Me The fragrance of your love anoints Me And I will pour it back upon myou I will pour the oil of My love upon you
This is the song I am hearing for you, sweet Dess. It’s a song of love from the Lord to you (Laura Rhinehart, Isa’s Song). I can hear God singing with delight over you, I can hear Him singing strong. I am humming along.
From your birth, you possessed a quiet serenity, a sure confidence. From your tiny beginnings, the blessing of God and His call on your heart have been apparent. Deep calls to deep…even at three, your main topic of conversation was “And the Bible says…” and your love for God and for His word have been the hallmark of all the days of your life so far. How pleasing it is to me to see how strong that remains in you. You are woman who is to be admired. You have my awe and respect.
And it’s through your love and through your life I will pour my anointing out over all the nations I have not forgotten you I have not forgotten even one tear I have not ever left you alone And I am showing Myself strong to you
And you’re my little girl, too. Sometimes I hear you giggle and I get to see that ornery twinkle in your eye. Your ultra-wry sense of humor is so fine-tuned, yet not often what you are known for, as capable and gifted as you are and sometimes maybe you hide it a little, fearful that it is a frivolous part of you. But I think you crack God up and when you are lighthearted and a little silly, when you set out to make God smile and wind up making the rest of us laugh? You are in your strongest place. You will never be considered a silly airhead, my sweet. Not possible. The fact that you could run a small nation – or even this nation (Obama would be wise to offer you a position) is what makes it OK for you enjoy some frivolity and cause some laughter. Your joy is a strength to us, as it flows from above. You are so plugged in to the Source!
Today is the day of My love poured out over you like you have never known Today is the day of my love being poured out all over you And you will see all the desires that you have had You’re going to see them fulfilled!
O, baby number three {thus: Tre}, I know God is dancing over you, but I am so pleased to see His delight dancing through you. You are in your groove, yet, it is only the beginning. God is the Writer of your story, the Author of your very faith. We all wait with eager anticipation to see how the grand drama will progress. What will the finish look like, I wonder? What plot does our Father have in mind for one Tredessa Christine, a true heroine of the faith?
It is hard to say because I think it will be beyond what any of us could even imagine, but certainly, when you were three and we were dirt-poor and would buy one drink at the drive-through for you and your older sisters to share after church – we saw an inkling. When you’d ask, “Can I be in charge of the drink?” in that raspy little voice – your giftedness and call were already at work and you are a woman in charge. You, darling and amazing woman, are a Grace Kelly ~ without a doubt! You are Arwen Evenstar (Liv Tyler) from Lord of the Rings, a grace and strength giving warrior-princess.
Arwen: Do you remember when we first met?
Aragorn: I thought I had wandered into a dream.
Arwen: Long years have passed. You did not have the cares you carry now. Do you remember what I told you?
Aragorn: You said you’d bind yourself to me, forsaking the immortal life of your people.
Arwen: And to that I hold. I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.
[hands him her pendant]
Arwen: I choose a mortal life.
Aragorn: You cannot give me this.
Arwen: It is mine to give to whom I will. Like my heart.
Tredessa and her sister at HF Sunday at NHC; Tredessa addressing the HF leadership at Union reservoir recently; Tredessa during a video shoot for HF. She dies a lot of HF. {smile}
All the dreams of your heart, all the dreams of your heart They will be fulfilled, they will be fulfilled As I dance over you, as I dance over you they will be fulfilled As I dance through you… My love is increasing… I am breathing on the fire The desire in increasing… I love you, I will love you, love you*
You are wise beyond your years. You are thoughtful and kind. You are deep and strong. You are intelligence and ability, capable and giving. You are grace and vision and worth much trust. Wildly lucky, deeply blessed will be the man who wins you.
“The blue hour comes from a French expression, l’heure bleue, which refers to the period of twilight each morning and evening where there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness. The time is considered special because of the quality of the light at this time of day. The blue hour is considered especially flattering for people with blond hair in photography and is often also when the smell of the flowers is at its strongest during the summertime.”
I can’t remember the blue hour anywhere else I have ever lived, even though I am sure it was there. And some say it cannot be experienced with the naked eye, only by camera. But here in Colorado – I have seen it, touched it, breathed it and taken it in. I see “the magic hour” sky as a blue with such great depth, such varied levels of intensity and such deep saturation that it stops me in my tracks – whether I am in the yard inhaling the pungent, floral scent of the early evening flowers or walking a country road or leaving Target with bags on each arm. It just arrests me, intoxicates me. The blue hour with a full, bright moon completel…dazes me (I slipped away for a moment…).
It isn’t actually an hour long, this richly saturated moment in time. It is fleeting and may only last 20 minutes, during which it is ever changing and kaleidescoping across the sky in breath-taking beauty. But when it happens? Oooohhhh-la-la ~ it puts me in a mood. Mesmerizing.
L’heure bleue is…Suspension in time. I am not young, but I am not old. I am not running from anything, nor to anything. It isn’t sad, but it isn’t grasping for happiness, either. It’s not event, it is a moment, a sense. It is breathing the atmosphere. It is floating in the ocean as if you belong there. It is standing on the summit after a long climb as victory strength surges through your body. The blue hour is a feeling. It is a sound. It’s a taste. It is the rhythm of your breathing, the steady pound of your heart. It is the fleeting memory flash, recognition flickering, then passing quickly. It’s coming to consciousness, then fading again just before your mind can become overloaded. It is an emptying out, a filling up. And voices from another room, muffled, but sweet laughter. L’heure blue is a mix of the darkest sleep under heavy quilts and the brightest morning with a gentle breeze on a sheet-covered sleeping porch. It’s angelic choirs and total silence. It is knowing you’re loved and knowing you love. The blue hour is beauty. The blue hour captures me, it holds me. I am suspended when the hour is blue.
This song from “The Big Easy” starring Dennis Quaid and the pre-surgically-enhanced Ellen Barkin (sung here by Dennis, Bonnie Raittt and Aaron Neville), captures my l’heure bleue mood beautifully, perfectly, maybe. This is a summer’s eve drive under the heavy-romantic blue-hour sky. Twilight. This is the song of l’heure bleue. Oh, yes.
NOTE: This song is my brother Joe’s favorite because it is about “the smell of morning in a rainy land,” Louisiana. We lived there as kids and Joe carries the bayou in his heart. He very sweetly shared this song with me not long ago and I am loving it. But it is his. It is only on loan to me. And you can’t have it, either. But close your eyes aand listen to this… Thanks, Joe-Joe.
RECENTLY SEEN: The Blue Hour in decorating at www.houzz.com
NOTE TO SELF: June 26, sometime after 9 o’clock pm….the magic hour & a full moon. Watch for it…
…I love a rainy night I love to hear the thunder Watch the lightning When it lights up the sky You know it makes me feel good
I do love a rainy night – especially after a sunny day. I am not really a fan of several days of rain, but a rainy night is good. Very good. I love the green the rain brings. And I love how the garden looks because water from a hose just isn’t the same. Rain from the sky is magic. Green magic!
Well, I love a rainy night It’s such a beautiful sight I love to feel the rain on my face Taste the rain on my lips In the moonlight shadow
On the way home from church today I saw the cutest little girl in my neighborhood running up the driveway in her pink galoshes and pink and yellow rain slicker. She was so cute twirling her pink and yellow, floral umbrella. It took me back to the 1960s when we all owned galoshes and rainslickers and umbrellas and placed them in the cloak room at school. Yes. I am that old.
Showers washed All my cares away I wake up to a sunny day…
I got permission to snap some shots of some little girls at church. I don’t know them, but aren’t they sweet?
Puts a song In this heart of mine Puts a smile on my face every time ‘Cos I love a rainy night… Yeah, I love a rainy night
Yeah, I love a rainy night… Well, it makes me high… I love a rainy night You can see it in my eyes….*
But this rainy night is luscious, too.
Gemma at Cold Stone with Aunt Stormie recently. The sun always shines on GemGem.
*LYRICS: I Love a Rainy Night, Eddie Rabbit
Wanna get involved?
Summertime and the living is easy
Fish are jumping and the cotton is high
Your daddy’s rich and your mama’s good-looking
Hush, little baby don’t you cry
don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry
no no no no don’t cry, don’t cry
Uncle Joe has a cabin by a lake near Aberdeen. Rocky fished there and brought home 12 of the best-ever walleye and we had a family fish fry the night after we all got home. Delish! {soft fried corn shells, guac and sour cream, cheese, the slaw with jalepenos, fresh tomato and cilantro salsa…omygosh…yummmmmm!}
No, these aren’t ours. These are google-images. We ate ours too fast to photograph them…but these? Bring back goooood memories!
Gavin and Guini spent the night and started asking for lunch 20 minutes after breakfast was over. You know what they wanted? That leftover fried walleye! They know a good thing when they taste it.
Gavin did a self-portrait photo shoot while here.
Good food with people you love intensifies the enjoyment all the way around. You may quote me on that!
So, thanks for the fish, Rocker-Bo. Gotta get you that boat so we can enjoy more-more-more!
P.S. And look: http://asoftplace.net/2010/06/hello-summer/ I found THESE after I posted about creating a SUMMER SANDBUCKET LIST the other day. Creative mommy/design blogs out there! I LOVE it!! Now I must make my own display like this! Good times in the summer!
NOTE TO SELF: Add {Mexico!!} to Summer Sandbucket List!
Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the sunshine? Are you ready for the birds and bees, the apple trees, and a whole lot of fooling around
Three months of…nothing. Three months of everything! Summer was so great. I loved those last days of school: cleaning out my desk and hauling my No. 2 pencils home where they would be used for meaningless pursuits and drawing whatever I felt like. Time off from school!
I liked school. But I lived in anticipation of summer.
Pictured: Left, The dog just hangs out; Right, I snapped this quick shot of a sedum in my backyard. Then I saw grandbebe playthings in the background and realized THAT is really the beauty of summer…
…Where I would spend inordinate amounts of time reading, playing with friends, acting out plays with siblings, watching baseball, playing jacks, organizing neighborhood projects, making homemade macaroni and cheese or pork and bean sandwiches (which were delicious-take my word for it) and listening to music. I loved basking in the sun and speeding around on a bike at twilight. I loved driving around with the windows down and small dipped cones at the Dairy Queen. Collecting fireflies in jars was fun, hopscotch on the sidewalk was normal and a brand new jumprope begged to be used. I skipped-a-rope and hula-hooped on long summer days.
Summer was never boring because if I’d said I was bored, my chores list would have been increased. So I kept busy and it was fun. And wow, I miss it. Don’t you?
Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the hot nights? Are you ready for the fireflies, the moonlit skies, and a whole lot of fooling around
Shouldn’t we all get a three month vacation when the sun is shining and the birds are singing and the pool is glistening? Shouldn’t we all get so much time off that when the fall comes around again and the lined paper goes on sale next to the argyle sweaters, we are thrilled to throw ourselves back in to it?
No more pencils, no more books No more teachers dirty looks No more math and history, Summer time has set us free
My red onions against the puffy-clouded, Colorado-blue sky. They are simply statuesque, very sculptural.
During my workaholic-super-achiever days, I’d get to the end of summer and realize that, as an adult, I’d “missed” summer. Because even though we don’t get them “off” from all responsibilities more like when we were kids, I still had definite ideas on what “summer” should be, simple things…Like homegrown tomatoes, dinners of grilled steak and corn on the cob, big bowls of potato salad and ice cream in the backyard. I’d think of summer as being how many glasses of iced tea I’d enjoyed on the patio after a long, hard day in the yard or garden. I’d wish to have read a book, a really good book that had taught me something new and to have stayed outside until that last shred of light was gone on countless summer evenings. And yes, there should have been at least one miserable sunburn.
And for too many years, come Labor Day, I would look back and realize I hadn’t done any of those things. Or way too few.
See the bee in the middle picture?
So my advice to you? My advice to me? Plan now. Make your list and check it twice. What will you have to have enjoyed by Labor Day to know, that even though we are all grown up and have jobs and lives and responsibilities, you also had your “summer vacation”? What are those things for you? It will be like a Bucket List for Summer. Let’s call it, hmmm….a Sandbucket List. I will get mine started….(o, there will be more)…
“Summer breeze makes me feel fine, blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind….” Song: Summer Breeze by Seals and Croft
So there you have it. My Sandbucket List for right now. I will keep adding. Get your pen and paper out and start making yours. Tell me what you’ll be up to!
Are you ready for the summer? Are you ready for the good times?…*
*LYRICS: “Are You Ready for the Summer” from the movie classic, Meatballs (1979) starring Bill Murray.
