Yesterday was not a good day. Here are some of the things I do on a not-so-good day:
I go across to Ganeida's Knot and read any new posts.
I go across to Just Julie and read any new posts. I specially loved the ones about Edith and Piggeth, and about the little girl in Guatemala, so I looked at them a second time yesterday.
I have a look at Quaker Jane, and delight in Ibbie Penraeth's courage, wisdom, determination and smile. And the adorable Tabitha.
I spend a little while with the Burrell family at Shepherd's Hill, and enjoy the faces of gentle people of Plain faith. I look at the other blogs in the list down in the right-hand pane here, and find inspiration and new things to think about in them all.
I pop across to Anglican, Plain to see what Magdalena's up to. When I went there yesterday, I was inspired by all the sewing and making Magdalena has been doing.
I like buying things other people have made - I so love the dresses Daina at King's Daughters has made me, and the kapps and headcoverings and bonnet I have had from Christian Coverings, Pilgrim Hen's Plain-n-Simple, Sarah Burrell at Tabitha's Legacy and Sowers of Hope - but I also like making things myself.
So this morning, as well as eating a piece of the delicious birthday cake my son-in-law Clay made for Badger's 60th birthday at the weekend (with some soyatoo cream as an indulgent extra!), I made something myself.
My mother is eighty-three now. She is fit and well and active, and has slightly more energy than I do. But I see the seeds of frailty just starting to sprout. It is time to have a room ready in our home so that, whenever she needs it, she knows there is a quiet place here for her to come and stay. A couple of weeks ago we put a beautiful Shaker-style chest of drawers in there for her, and hung a print of one of Hebe's paintings that Rosie had made for us (she has the original). Yesterday the bed arrived for her room, and we set it up and I hung net curtains at the window because it looks onto the street. When we go to visit with her on her birthday, we shall bring back a spare duvet and spare curtains from her home.
And today I made this heart out of card and ribbon to hang on the wall as a blessing.
Not a very complicated thing to put together compared with a dress; but good sometimes to make instead of buy - as Mother Anne Lee said, "Put your hands to work and your hearts to God."
Advices & Queries No 26:
"Do you recognise the needs and gifts of each member of your family and household, not forgetting your own? Try to make your home a place of loving friendship and enjoyment, where all who live or visit may find the peace and refreshment of God's presence."