Intermission IV

© jb katke

Found: Buried treasure! Keep reading, I’ll tell you.

Pertaining to my husband’s project, as so often Dave says, “All it lacks is finishing.”  Progress continues on the bookshelf. Soon you will see his handiwork. Right now, it requires my involvement too.

At the risk of downplaying Dave’s labor, my part is tough. Going throughout the house gathering books and fabric from forgotten places. What a delight to come across long forgotten memories!

Three grocery bags revealed good intentions. Each labeled with my child’s name. Inside were garments along with fabric from things I had made for them. The ongoing issue with a quilter, is the ability to see potential in discarded, outgrown clothes. The plan was to cut them up into a crazy quilt for them, some day. Ruthless, hard decisions must be made. Sorry kids. It ain’t gonna happen. They have been demoted to the ‘get rid of pile.’  

I have never denied loving books. But as I gathered them from all over the house, had no idea there so many. This new addition is going in what used to be my quilt room. My reading material will share space with sewing material. Past comments said I could open a quilt shop. Not really, but there is a lot. Correction. There was a lot, much has been given away. By all appearances more will go.

Old habits die hard. Checking the labels on the girls dresses to see what is washable from the dry clean only, I wonder. Would the granddaughters be interested in their mom’s old clothes? Probably not. But it would be a travesty to not let them see what they may reject. That same logic must be in keeping my wedding gown. One of the girls may wish to wed in it. That did not happen. Speaking of wedding gowns, I think I have my mothers too. A brocade fabric cut in a simple, timeless style.

Right or wrong, we the people seem to feel the need to hold onto things—only for one of our descendants pitch. Such is the cycle of life. With one exception that was mentioned in a previous blog. The letter ‘L.’ It came from my father-in-law’s varsity sweater. I had petitioned you to help me come up with a new name for the room.

I had a couple of good suggestions, but decided on one I had made up myself, with a humorous history. Several years back, Dave had traced my family roots through Ancestry. He came across an ancestor from Great Britian, that was quite prosperous. Among the many hats he wore, he was a banker and shipbuilder.

My logical query was where did his money go, and why was I not informed of his ‘summer castle?’ Unanswered questions remain, but I jokingly told Dave he may call me Lady J. Hence the name of my remodeled room, Lady J’s Lair.

Bookworm Days

© jb katke
© jb katke

Books? Why yes, I have tonnage of them. Stacks everywhere. Thank you for asking.

I even wrote one. Thinking one and done. Those who know me well, know I never imagined myself a writer, much less an author. But here I am, embarking on book two.

Why do I do this to myself; or you? As I entered this world of writing, I learned quite a few things. A writer needs to write something that piques the interest of readers, making them want to read your words. But not everyone is a reader.

What do you enjoy reading? While I do want to know, it’s only fair to tell you what this second book of mine holds. Encouragement. At least that is what I’m aiming for. We all can use a dose of that once in a while, right?

Among the many things that have enlightened my mind recently is having something worth sharing. I’m hoping ‘hope’ is it. Okay, that’s two things I wish to share, encouragement and hope.

A friend of mine is currently writing up a storm, but not necessarily for publication yet. She is focused on writing prayers for our nation. I consider that a needed and worthy cause. Another friend writes amazing poems, again not intended for publication. But I’m telling you the world needs to hear her words. They come straight from the heart and impact as no other can.

The thing is we all are impacted by something. Whether it’s an injustice or a fellow shopper letting you go ahead of them in the checkout line. People not being what you thought they were can leave a sour taste in the mouth unless eyes are opened to goodness.

It’s there, but it might require digging around to find it.

For example. I’m not one to journal my thoughts. Those that do, encourage us non-journalers to start. Mine began as an assignment for one month to note daily something I was grateful for. It was an eyeopener.

Sometimes I wrote of things I was glad to have accomplished, other days consisted of words that ran along the line of ‘glad this day is over!’  We all have an occasional day like that. I now realize each sunrise can be a fresh start.

I wish I could rise early enough to watch the sunrise. It can be a beautiful way to start the day, reminding me of who is in charge. It’s not me. Not to mention the early start to getting my to-do’s done!

Keeping in mind that above requisite for a writer to have something worth sharing. I will pass on a tidbit that might be of interest to you. When starting my day, I have asked Jesus to give me the desire and energy to accomplish what he deems important. So far, it’s working!

Despite Appearances

© jb katke

“Wow, you folks must read a lot of books.”

“No ,we really don’t.”

Have you ever met someone whose words did not match their lifestyle? During our travels, we had the pleasure of catching up with the Skrogans. These friends from the past have the most amazing bookshelf I have ever seen in a private home.

Greeting us at the door, Kyle and Suzanne gave us the warmest welcome ever. Stepping inside It was the next thing luring us in. Seeing the books put me at immediate ease, and felt right at home.

Not obvious to the naked eye, Suzanne explained, “They are all categorized. These here are my manuals for my work, Over here are the ones that Kyle has used in his studies and ministry work. The ones at eye level are where we keep the children’s books when the grandchildren come by. This lower shelf holds paper, anytime we need something to write on, it comes in handy.”

They say they don’t read much? I beg to differ.

The four of us come from a generation to know books as an information highway. Clearly, they were available before things like internet. What we didn’t have at home, the public library made accessible.

Today the internet is certainly more available, but sometimes I question the accuracy. Plus, books can always be referred back to. I have discovered what I see on the internet could get lost in cyberspace, never to be found again. To my knowledge, the internet doesn’t read to children either.

I am a bookaholic. Does it show?

Recently, Dave and I found a reality television show concerning an overabundance of…pretty much everything. Not to say the Skrogans home is like that, it was neat as a pin. Nor am I alluding that we identify with excess either.

But we do have books. Some high school textbooks that are no longer applicable to today. Yearbooks of course. Souvenir books from places we have lived or visited. Then there are those books from family members. The ones that meant something to them only. Some are worth keeping, others not so much.

As we have seen on television, some things carry a heavy emotional value. I have found that to be true with many of my home items. Admittedly, I have even thought so far as to purchase in three’s, so that my kids would have this wonderful whatever I was buying too.

Your can’t imagine my shock and amazement that they are not interested.  The television show aired a daughter explaining to her mom, “Your ties to this are yours, not mine. You knew my uncle, I never met him. I don’t have your memories Mom; I have different ones.”

Oh. My. Goodness. My daughter shared those same words with me some time ago. The truth can hurt, but it also is freeing. I now have the ability to let go of an object I’m not taking into eternity with me anyway. Furthermore, I won’t be burdening the kids with stuff.

This letting go stuff is a process. It takes time.

By the same token, I am extremely grateful that God still finds value me and hasn’t disposed of me like an outdated book.