May 8 Penny Candy

For being well-behaved, my sister and I would each get a nickel to go to the store for candy. We had a romp through the field behind our house where spittle bug and butterfly played. The final stretch of the journey was a stony road which teased us uphill. At the top we spied our store and raced to the brownstone which cradled it beneath. We walked down the stone steps into the coolness and relief of a hot summer's day. Our store was actually a butcher shop and the butcher always smiled at us.
There was a tall glass case with many shelves filled with candy. My sister ran over and studied the candy bars. Back then, she could choose a Clark Bar, Milky Way, Snickers or Three Muskateers. Or she could get a Sky Bar. Sky Bars had four different fillings covered with chocolate. Or she could decide on Necco Wafers. These were little multi-colored circles, each with a different flavor. She picked out one of those chocolate candy bars. Nice choice, but when it was gone, it was gone.
My nickel was saved for penny candy. Yes, you could get a tasty treat for a penny. I could choose five things. Perhaps I'd get a long piece of black licorice. Oh, I know licorice has a bad name now, but my kind was chewy and sweet. Do they make that kind anymore? Maybe I'd pick a little celophane package of pretend watermelon slices. I could get a candy peanut, a candy orange slice with sugar, or a red coin with the words 'one cent' printed on it.
The silliest thing in the cabinet was wax lips. These were to be worn, laughed over, chewed, and spit out. On another shelf of the glass case, the store carried bubble gum with comics, colored dots you ate off a paper, or jawbreakers to be chewed at your own risk.
In the corner of the store was a gumball machine filled with gum, small toys, and miniature decks of cards. Some days I would try for the cards.
When the butcher crossed his arms, I knew it was time to decide. He gave me a little bag and I put five things inside. I gave him my nickel. By then, my sister was done with her candy bar and I had a bag full of good things to treasure.
What did I buy? What do you think? Here's a little bag for you.
(Did I miss anything? What would you put inside? Till next time, enjoy your treats. Nancy)

May 6 Explaining "Double Vision"

I took a walk around my neighborhood yesterday and I saw such darling little purple violets here and there in the grass. They are wildflowers, just a tiny free gift to those who have eyes to see. What others see as weeds, I often see as flowers. Thanks to my daughter-in-law for all her comments and for all responses to this blog. I can assure you I treasure every one. My poem at first means that sometimes when we are closer to things, they seem clearer. The child is getting away with "playing around" with the mother, being allowed to call the shots. The mother seems a bit distressed. But she knows her child. At the end, it is the play-weary child who reaches for her and the comfort she can give. He releases that control back to her as protector. Then, there is just the fun of playing with words and ideas. That's why I love art, it can be interpreted and enjoyed in so many ways.
Next time I have a little walk down Memory Lane for the Boomers. Till then, get outside if you can and look down. God can be found there, too. Nancy

May 5 Open Up to Spring

(Here is an essay that I hope you enjoy.)

Open Up To Spring

By

Gracie Prior

Once again, the weather is warmer and outside that wispy, wonderful excitement gets to our senses and we realize the world is good, again. Oh, there is growth in all seasons, but the movement in spring is exceptional. Not only are little green things springing up from the frozen ground and buds are bursting on trees, but there is also a hunger in the heart for more meaning. This season starts in bitter cold and ends in the warmth of a seasonal transition. So our minds and hearts, our very souls can form that same change from rigid weights and harsh imaginings to a freedom to worship our God and experience more of Him. Just as the crocuses must burst forth from hard ground, our growth must be a forward movement, not always easy. It is simpler to stay in one place, to get comfortable where we are spiritually. New ground is awe-inspiring and a bit fearful. But we must not be like the Israelites who searched the Promised Land and came back with a bad report. When God says the land is good, we must believe Him and pursue it with all our hearts.

It is true there may be giants in the land but we must not be afraid. He has given us skills to fight for new territory. That is what we learned in the wilderness, where the ground was hard and unbending. Now that we have fertile soil to cultivate, we can plant for new growth and expect a harvest.

In the spring we plant flowers, we cultivate vegetables in gardens, we plant trees. When we do, we are expecting something. We are not just looking for exercise or extra work. So, when we seek our own Promised Land, our new place in the Lord, we should work with hope and joy. Faith comes into play both spiritually and literally as we plant our seeds.

We are not left to a harsh taskmaster. We hear the birds sing. Their voices alone should be enough to cheer us on our way. We have the beautiful sunshine that is most healthy and appreciated. And we have less weight. We can peel off layers and enjoy a greater freedom of movement.

Things won't be perfect. There will be problems. Spring brings worms and bugs which are necessary to air out the soil. Who is on our side? The Lord strong and mighty. Let's open up to spring and take our steps. Every step we take the Lord has given us.

(This makes me want to go pull that brown crispy stuff from my garden and think about what I want to plant. Next time, I'll tell you what I think "Double Vision" means. Hope to see you right here. Nancy)

May 4 About that Journal

I have just finished a journal. It's one of those slim notebooks you get at the discount store. I'm sorry to say it took my three years to complete. To say that there were dry spells would be an understatement. Last night, I read it through from beginning to end. Such a powerful thing to do. I discovered how faithful the Lord has been in these years. One son found the girl of his dreams, got engaged, and now is getting married. Another son and daughter in law are about to adopt a baby, so I will finally be a grandmother. My daughter passed a very difficult test and graduated from college. My husband found out that an operation he had earlier will likely last and not have to be redone. I prayed for healing of several issues and the Lord healed me. All this and the everyday trials and troubles that come to everyone, I journaled and found the Lord faithful. I highlighted those places that were so profound. Now I can see them quickly. What a faith-builder a journal can be. It's a glorious sunny day today. God bless. Nancy

May 3 I Cover You

I want to share with you one of the ideas the Lord spoke to me:

I Cover You

Scribed by Gracie Prior

I will always cover you. That is your joy that you are forever covered by Me. Notice the tray in the store said,"a penny covers you." I will cover you. Think about that. Think a lot about it. You are covered by all that I am. You are covered. As in "I've got you covered." You were thinking - maybe I'll just put a penny in the dish when I see one - just for fun - just to give and not receive - even if others think I'm foolish. What is a penny? People don't pick one up off the ground because it's worth so little. But you put one in the dish. See if just by giving, your whole outlook changes. Also, let people in line when driving. You have given me your time. Let them in. I'll get you there. Don't worry about the person behind. I'll deal with him. Be generous. I will cover you.

(Be sure to view my new profile.) Nancy

May 2, 2009 Double Vision

Today I have a travel tip for you. I collect all those perfume samples that come in magazines. I find that most of them smell better than some of my perfumes. It turns out I gathered an unruly mass of them. So now I
a have a little tin of them spread prettily in my bathroom, a bunch on my dresser, and unfortunately, many left over. The tip is: because of the problem taking liquids on planes now, you can take a selection of the strips with you instead. When you cut the strip from the magazine, cut it in two across the short way. Then you will have a sample to put on in the morning and a refresher for your purse for later - no spills (and you won't be mixing fragrances.)

Also wanted to let you know that I got my spring cleaning done yesterday, on May first. That was a week early. I have just had so much energy. This blog with the new ideas coming energizes me. So this week I got all my kitchen done and the dining room and the den and the hall closet. Now everything is in its place. I love that. It all started three weeks ago when before I realized it, I was in the midst of cleaning. I was like Mr. Mole in The Wind In the Willows where he started whitewashing his ceiling and then got that whiff of spring air and went on an adventure. I stayed and cleaned instead.

Cleaning house is just one of the ways The Lord has been helping me get exercise. Today I walked around with my neighbor. Another time, I had to walk a block to a jewelry store to get a gift and the store wasn't even opened. And then the time I walked to chedk the mail and got back and found an outgoing letter on my dresser. So, I had to do the trip over. Finally, there was the baby I told you about earlier and my many flights up and down the stairs. I even kept limber by being on the floor a lot with him. So spring is bringing me many new and good things. I hope for you, too.

Here is a poem from my early writings. I'd love it if you could tell me what you think it means. I will say what I think in a later blog.

Double Vision

by

Gracie Prior

Playing childish zoo games

Crouched behind a chair,

Bars appear before me

My vision to impair.

My child roars his laughter,

"Mommy's in a cage,"

As wild his leaping shadow

On my wall has set the stage.

Why's he laughing at me?

This play was all for him.

Could it be he likes me

With my wit and eye so dim?

Sitting, resting, viewing,

My child still full of glee,

I place my face upon the bars

And find that I can see.

Lengthen my perspective,

I'm caged by callous youth

But up against reality

I gaze beyond to truth.

Playing childish zoo games,

He comes to take my hand

And pull me up to warm embrace

Then on to slumberland.

That's all for today. Nancy

May 1, 2009 The Stain

Today marks my first week on my new blog. I feel like celebrating. To mark the occasion, I am going to do a little devotion. When I do articles and stories, I will be using my pen name: Gracie Prior.

The Stain

By Gracie Prior

I thought my white dresser scarf was ruined because of a dark water stain from a plant. I almost threw it out. At the last minute, I decided to go ahead and wash it and see what would happen. I used some concentrated spot remover and water on it and dried it on top of the dryer. It came out nicely and needed almost no ironing. On one side, there was a slight stain with no dark rim that you could see only by holding it up to the light. I could still display it on a chair or under my pitcher and bowl.

People's lives are like that. They seem useless and marred. They need one last chance. God wants to redeem and use those people. They are still valluable and lovely. If you are feeling down or discouraged today remember, God's not finished with you yet. Ask Him. He will give you hope and new ideas. He is the Creator and He can create newness for you.

That's the end of the devotion. Have a wonderful day. Nancy