Don’t the hours grow shorter as the days go by
You never get to stop and open your eyes
One day you’re waiting for the sky to fall
The next you’re dazzled by the beauty of it all
When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
These fragile bodies of touch and taste
This vibrant skin — this hair like lace
Spirits open to the thrust of grace Never a breath you can afford to waste When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Sometimes you’re made to feel as if your love’s a crime —
But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight —
Got to kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight
When you’re lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
And we’re lovers in a dangerous time
Lovers in a dangerous time
~Lyrics by Bruce Cockburn, Lovers in a Dangerous Time
July 15, 2009, yesterday, there they were: two small, red, Oregon Spring tomatoes. I was feeding the straw bales and they just appeared.
I wasn’t expecting anything from that tomato plant because it seems to have stayed so small, stocky, but compact. However, upon re-reading the tag that came with it this morning, I see that it is quite determinate and needs no staking, but produces mature fruit within 60 days (it has been in the straw bale for about 6 weeks, so, of course). So heads up for you patio gardeners: Oregon Spring= good choice.
But anyway, my point? I have bacon in the fridge and two lovely tomatoes on my counter. It is a sign from God that I can go on.
In other tomato news:
The upside-down tomato thing/project/experiment I am trying is going ok, I think. The plant is definitely growing and seems, actually to be thriving in its’ protected locale. Pictured above: the night it was first placed and then the two-week picture from last week (today would be three weeks, no picture yet). I noticed yesterday it has a good little bunch of flowers, aka future tomatoes, on it. I just have to remember to water it. Geesh. (That is a Roma and a tomatillo residing below in straw)
Misc. Garden Updates:
Some nasty worms have descended upon and are chowing down on all my petunia buds leaving quite the trail of poo-poo behind, yet I cannot find and destroy them. Grrrrrr…..And the sugar snaps are keeping me snacking daily for the past two weeks. Not enough to share yet. ; )
Playing in dirt is good for the soul…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Check the carrots and discipline the cukes.
Dickenson County, VA – “Who is Darrell Powers?” I’m sure many of you are asking. With the death of Michael Jackson, the major news networks have sucked the oxygen from the atmosphere with all their bloviating, contrived adulation and non stop coverage of every aspect of the performer’s life. It is no surprise that most have not heard of Power’s passing.
Darrell “Shifty” Powers, like millions of Americans, answered the call of World War II. A quiet, unassuming man, Shifty joined the Army and then volunteered for the Airborne.
After intensive training, Powers was assigned to the famed Easy Company 2nd Battalion 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, where he jumped into Normandy on D-day. He was involved in the assault on Bracore Manor, which saved thousands of lives on Omaha Beach.
Powers fought in the battle of Carentan and the airborne invasion of Holland as part of Operation Market Garden, where millions of French and Dutch citizens found freedom.
The 506th was encircled by superior German forces in the Battle of the Bulge and against incredible odds, successfully defended the city of Bastone. Powers and the 506th then entered Germany, liberated concentration camps and captured Hitlers, “Eagles Nest” in Berchtesgarden.
Shifty survived the war only to be seriously injured in an auto accident while en route home and his return to civilian life.
Like millions of veterans, Powers lived a simple productive life and would have slipped into history unknown if it were not for Stephen Ambrose and the story “Band of Brothers”, which was turned into an HBO mini series.
Tom Brokaw called this the “Greatest Generation” and I tend to agree. Average men and women rose to the call to defend freedom. Their sacrifice freed millions and defeated true evil.
This quiet man did not live in ostentatious wealth. He did not want to go to war, nor did he seek adulation for his service, but he answered the call and the world is free because of his efforts and sacrifice.
I doubt Shifty could do the moon walk, or that he was a gifted dancer or singer. He was never accused of pedophilia, nor did he find escape in drugs. He was not a pop icon, but, to me, Darrell “Shifty” Powers was a true hero.
We are losing our fathers and grandfathers by the thousands now; they are that age. The “Greatest Generation” – have you said thank you?
From Jeanie~
I grew up with Michael Jackson. We were born the same year. I can sing his hits and recognize the gifted artist he was and am cognizant of the impact he had on our society and music. I can say I have been both an all-out fan at times and have truly felt sorry for his mis-steps and very uncomfortable by his behavior at others. But we seem, as always, to idolize and revere the flashy and forget the true heroes who make life better day in and day out, not for screaming masses, but for the people around them. And they have impacted the generations just as certainly.
Thank-you to the men and women who, even still, protect us and our freedoms. Thanks to Darrell Powers and the men like him (including my father-in-law, Raymond Rhoades, who is still living, and my grandfathers, Dean Baker and Everett Allison, who are not).
The passing of a friend
I also want to mention our friend Ken Culkin. He died on July 4th at the age of 43, grilling for his family who were swimming in the backyard pool. Ken was a veteran, too, but I knew him as a great neighbor and friend, a godly brother in Christ, a man who loved his family (his beautiful wife of 18 years and 6 wonderful daughters) deeply. He was generous and kind, gentle and true-hearted. Ken will be missed.
Ken Culkin at the Heaven Fest Leadership Appreciation dinner last fall
Remember the heroes…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Love and hold people close while they are here…
Up Boulder Canyon, just off to the left side a few miles up the mountain, is a “rock pile” sitting above the rushing river. We affectionately call it Moslander Mountain. Here are 27 us (of the 35 total).
pictured below: Jovan and Averi, the family climbing and exploring
pictured below: a rite of passage for the men is to get to the peak; the 2 on the right are both DP from different cameras.
pictured below: Robin with her kids, Elise and Corbin; “the boys” Gerron, Dan and Joe
pictured below: the water was a little too crazy to wade in that day
A Beautiful Day.
Triumph.
Psalm 95.4 NIV “In His hands are the depth of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him.”
If you love roasted red peppers, if you enjoy them on chimichangas or like to make roasted red pepper soup, if you like them in or on anything, crave the savory sweetness they add to a meal, then you will mourn with me the fact that I cannot find a local vendor for my canned red peppers anymore.
I used to buy them at King Soopers for $6.99. Yes. Only $6.99 for a 5-pound 8-ounce can which held an average of 36 roasted red peppers. About a year and a half ago, during one of their ridiculous re-arrangements, they discontinued them.
I figured I’d find them somewhere, but alas, I have not.
I have checked all the major grocers as well as disounters like Big Lots. I have even ventured into Asian markets and scoured the Mexican Carnicerias. I had such hopes when Rancho Liberio started sending me their ads. But to no avail.
Sure, I can order the peppers from an online source. But it is quite a lot more expensive, and naturally, the shipping is exhorbitant.
They are a product of Spain and I miss them so. The Roland Food Company is an importer of such deliciousness. Can anyone tell me where I can get them now? Product #45630. UPC# 0 41224 45630 3
“Cooks up to 65 hamburgers or 126 hotdogs at once: offers 1001 square inches of grilling space with 2 hinged covers that open to reveal over 1000 square inches of side shelf space for food prep, storage and serving.”
Yes, folks. That’s right. The kids got Dave an event grill for Father’s Day because the top-of-the-line grills at Target and WalMart just were not big enough in his mind. No, this one is more than 7 feet long and has 8 burners, because…? They actually have online forums for the owners of these babies. Yikes!
A Late Father’s Day
Because of travel and crazy schedules, we postponed Father’s Day by a week. It was also cool because it was in the middle of our reunion so my sibs and I got to tell dad we love him and give him a framed print we’d taken at church that morning and Elise and Corbin wrote my brother Joe a poem and basically: we just honored all the dads there!
Even I was surprised that they did it, as I thought they’d decided on something else. And Dave and I had truly been shopping for a new grill before the reunion.
Let me just tell you, in case you are getting any ideas, Dave has added addditional lockage to our gate so his “cadillac of grills” doesn’t go rolling out on its nice wheeled stand. He thinks everyone will covet.
He hauled it out and built it for 4th-of-July grilling and at just the moment it was time to grill the marinated chicken tenders, steaks, burgers, all-beef hot dogs, cheese brats and chicken and pineapple kabobs (can you say overkill?), we got a major downpour. I looked through my kitchen window to see a forlorn Dave unhurling the umbrella so his grill wouldn’t get wet. Hilarious!
Everybody ate their fill and left the fridge stocked with enough cooked meats to get us through the week.
Kiddos – you blessed your dad! Bring the meat and come for dinner!…Mom
NOTE TO SELF: All meals on Dave’s grill for the rest of the summer…this is a good thing!
It started on July 7th. And we will be meeting EVERY NIGHT at Northern Hills Church (location of Heaven Fest) for 2 hours of prayer and worship through August 15th.
Most nights will be live worship with a band or artist. WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU to come out at least once. When we did this last year, it was amazing! Every single night great things happened!!
July 7 – August 15
7-9 pm nightly at
Northern Hills Church
5061 E. 16oth Ave (highway 7, 3 miles east of I-25) in Brighton, CO MAP
Now-here is why I think you should come~
I got to attend the very first night this past Tuesday and actually co-lead with my daughter, Tara. And it was awesome! About 20 people ended up attending, along with a few small children, and it was informal and sweet and there was scripture reading and praying for one another and grandmother types (me) and teen-agers (who read about it on Facebook and came. -I love this generation!) and we were all just one, happy family.
I know. I know. You are busy. You had a long day at work, preceded by one and to be followed by many. And I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep, but I attended a lot last year and this year started, at least, exacly the same: peace, joy, excitement about Heaven Fest and sunsets more beautiful than Maui (and I LOVE Maui)!
Kick-off night had rays beaming in all directions in blazing hot pink and mimosa and orange. We got a double dose as it reflected off the lake where the horses gazed while large birds sailed effortlessly overhead. Little songbirds on the lightposts in the church parking lot answered our praises to heaven with their own. Small children played and ran and laughed and also cried and tattled a little, but all kids should enjoy church so much!
The sanctuary? Outside, on the westside of the building, the veranda outside the Cafe. The worship leader and/or staff member leading? It varies. The song? Something to please the Lord and welcome Him here. The purpose? To worship Him and pray for our communities and this region and for Heaven Fest and for whatever God wants to do around here.
If I’d have been home, I may have missed the sweetness of the still waters, the glory of the Lord in the clouds, the green pastures of friendship with God’s like-hearted people. I may have missed a glorious summer night and watched re-runs.
Un-plug. Breathe in some air. Worship the Lord. And bring the fam. You’re welcomed to help us welcome Him.
Not just trying to fill your hours, but to enrich them…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Summer of ’09, a return to the song of the joy of the Lord in my life…
THINK ABOUT IT: Bring your small group each week for the next few! Oh-and bug spray (they swarm suddenly just as the most raptuous moment of sunset is occurring)…hey it IS the country, sort of, after all!
Me with my two younger brothers, Joe and Dan…and their amazing wives, my sisters Robin and Dawn!
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev’rybody and sing
The Other Sister
The sister I grew up with, aka the sister born into my family (as opposed to marrying one of the brothers), aka Tamera Dawn, aka “Tami.” She is the bottle of bubbles at the party, the the whipped cream and the cherry on top of family gatherings. She is the adored Aunt Tami, my little sister, and her husband, Uncle Gerron-the great one.
Everybody can see we’re together
As we walk on by
(FLY!) and we fly just like birds of a feather
I won’t tell no lie
(ALL!) all of the people around us they say
Can they be that close
Just let me state for the record
We’re giving love in a family dose
Joe and Robin ~ married for 25 years this month!
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev’rybody and sing
The golfers
Living life is fun and we’ve just begun
To get our share of the world’s delights
(HIGH!) high hopes we have for the future
And our goal’s in sight
(WE!) no we don’t get depressed
Here’s what we call our golden rule
Have faith in God and the things He’ll do
You won’t go wrong
This is our family truth
Yes. They are watching a bird play in a sprinkler puddle across the street.
We are family
I got all my sisters with me
We are family
Get up ev’rybody and sing
We gathered, we ate, we talked and sang and took pictures. We worshiped together as a family. We prayed for each other, we cried sometimes and laughed a lot. We ate some more. We splashed in the pool and sunned a little. We teased each other and told silly stories of affection. We ate some more. We golfed. We danced and celebrated Joe and Robin’s 25th anniversary. In short, we just hung out together~with love. It was Ross the Boss, Mrs. Moss and Jeanie, Joey, Timmy, Tami and Danny. Er, no…Tim didn’t make it… :[…sad face.
Previous posts about the Moslander family reunion:
Actually, I may add a category to my blog filled with, as it were, holy crap. It would be everything we’ve added to following Christ that I think may indeed be a load of poo-poo. But then perhaps my own judgementalism would have to be included?
Seems to be flourishing. I haven’t fed it, yet, but probably should weekly. Read the “how-to” here, and note the comment from Carol of Brazil, who gave a great milk-jug tomato-growing idea (she is a teacher and creativity-guru).
