Most of you have already said your good-byes to summer and moved on to fall foliage and pumpkin recipes. So I'm taking my cue, and saying farewell to the season. Although in Southern California you know we don't really have seasons - unless you count Fire, Flood, Fishing and Fashion.
My personal ritual that indicates Fall is upon us consists of closing the kitchen windows. During warm weather the window sill is cleared off, and the windows are propped open. Then everything's put back in place. My asparagus plant was so happy this year that it connected with the granite colander nearby. I sometimes change out the decor on the mantle in the living room. But that's not too important to me anymore. Last winter, during an especially rainy week, moisture got into the wall above the fireplace through the chimney. It weakened the plaster and the nail pulled loose that was holding a large picture. The picture fell, sweeping everything on the mantle onto the bricks below.
Passing by the room and glancing in I first noticed that the picture was down, and when I went to pick it up I found vintage Roseville and Weller pottery broken to pieces underneath it.So here's the good news. When I saw the broken Roseville, I thought to myself, "Well, if I'm going to do without the pottery, I would rather have sold it and given the money to the Homeless Project."
What?! Being a lifelong collector and sometimes hoarder, I was stunned by my own thoughts. It was then that I realized I had passed "the money test", my heart was right, and I was ready to be used.
I gathered up as many shards as I could find and Mr. D glued them back together. But somehow lots of pieces had gone missing.I spy the pottery on a shelf in the garage from time to time. And by golly, there's not even a teeny twinge of grief when I see them. For me, that's huge. These days I'm interested in helping put shattered lives back together - and that's a window I plan on keeping open.
He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25
That is a wonderful testimony of God's work in your heart and life.
ReplyDeleteI haven't known you for very long...but I think I would like you very much IRL.
I have a piece of Roseville Pottery that I cherish....not for it's perfection but because Warren's Grandmother gave it to me. Our early relationship was shaky but we ended up loving each other a lot in the end.
You asked about Chelsea and Culinary School. It is her dream to go one day. At the moment we are waiting to hear if she will be working part time in a local bakery. She is nervous but excited by the possibility.
Becky K.
First of all, I laughed... Our CA. seasons: "Fire, Flood, Fishing, and Fashion." So true.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I was just thinking yesterday about how much I have changed. I have never had the budget to collect the big items like Roseville and McCoy. I've wanted to, but my taste has usually been much bigger than my ability to buy it. And, my biggest reason for hating to see things I love destroyed is my inability to replace anything. So, I find myself protecting being very protective of what little I have.
However, I have noticed that I seem to be dying to these things. And, quite frankly, I'm loving that about myself!
Years ago, my hubby and I had our first apartment in Norwalk. We lived on the second floor. Once we got locked out, so my husband found a ladder and gained entrance through our kitchen window. This would normally not pose a problem except that I had just placed my brand new collection of Waterford Crystal goblets (wedding gifts) on the window sill. That did not seem to phase my hubby and he someone felt he could maneuver through the window without moving the goblets.
The rest is history... I didn't handle it well. And, I believe that was the first of many tests that God would send my way. Well, it's working...
Happy Saturday!
KJ
I joined Karen in laughing at the first part of your post. Too funny!
ReplyDeleteIn the Pacific Northwest, we usually say we have two seasons
"Rain" and "Less Rain." Lol.
Happy Fall, Happy Spiritual Sunday, and Happy New Week!
Well, we have all four seasons here and Hubby and I prefer the Spring and Summer as Fall and Winter gets cold here; especially the Winter. But no matter the season, we can always be helping someone else. Nothing makes you feel any better than blessing someone else's life. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sandi
Oh, I love your post! I am in New Orleans, but I was in Calif all my life...Granada Hills actually...I sure love your 4 seasons! So true!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Cindy
I so enjoyed reading your post.Enjoy the changing of the season.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Sue
I know what you mean about the seasons. I lived in CA most of my life and now here in AZ, it doesn't seem much like fall when the weather is still over 100 degrees. The days are getting a little shorter and the nights longer though. There is a different feeling in the air even though it is still very warm.
ReplyDeleteI loved your post. Sometimes it takes something we thought was so important being lost or broken that helps us remember what is really important, and as much as we like our stuff, in the long run it doesn't really mean anything at all. Thank you for sharing your lesson learned with us.
Blessings,
Charlotte
I live in Corona, CA. I do have to admit my favorite thing is to have my kitchen window open.I wish that the values I have today would of came my way when I was younger. I truly can't remember the last time I bought something out of want. Everything these days are out of need. I loved your post today it touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless,
Ginger
You said that so beautifully, Susy.
ReplyDeleteDue to the economy, our lives have changed in the last two years. I am feeling the same way about my stuff...it's just stuff and family is so much more important. I think your commitment to help others is so admirable. What a sweet heart you have and we can all learn a lesson from your broken pottery.
Thanks for sharing that scripture.
We have only two seasons in Wisconsin, winter and road consrtuction. I'm often up at night and enjoy looking at blogs too. This is a great post, sometimes we don't see the small changes in ourselves at first. We dealt with unemployment for 3 years. I didn't see it at first. but now i see that God had reordered our lives and we are better for it. We too, seek to look beyond ourselves and help others. I love Proverbs 11:25
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