Sabbath Keeping

Recently, it's been my pleasure to find new blogs that are heart touching in their emotional rawness and beauty. In the midst of pain and sorrow, many find they can still love even while they are healing. I love people who "put it all out there", who lay themselves on the line, who aren't afraid...or even if they are afraid...they are still real. This is how I live my life because I have a healthier fear of God than I do of what people may think of me. This is how I perceive Christianity to be but find, too frequently, it's not, raw and real.

Much like the Velveteen Rabbit, remember? Margery Williams wrote this children's classic that speaks to adults just as much, perhaps more so, than children. BTW, if you're unaware of the Celebration of Women Writers, please visit. It's an amazing resource listing women writers, the world over, regardless of how well know or what they have written. You'll find many favorites as well as new favorites.

Chronicles of a Country Girl is one such new found blog. On her blog, she has a side button that reads "What Kind of Flower Are You?" Apparently, she's a sunflower and it grabbed my attention as sunflowers are one of my favorites. So bright, sturdy and always seeking the sun. I mean, how much better can it get, right? So, I went to their website, took the quiz and found out I'm a daffodil. Hmmm...at first thought, not as wonderful as being a sunflower, eh? Then, upon reflection, I began to think how so many of us aren't satisfied with who we are, what we are, where we live, work...all those 'life things' that seem to be greener on the other side of the fence. Then I started remembering how the first flowers to shout SPRING! are daffodils. They are, almost without fail, found around abandoned homesteads, old farmhouses, alongside the road. They bloom on and on and on, without benefit of human intervention, nourished by God, watered and fed by Him and they bring joy to everyone. Now, I'm liking this better...

In doing a bit of research, I found out daffodils mean "respect". Hmmm, that's pretty good. I'm cautious about my name and reputation, ever so much more so than my younger days...I'm sorry to admit...and respect is a good thing. Aretha Franklin thought so, right? She's the one who made Otis Reading's song so famous although Otis died in his mid 20's and never knew. Aretha, I'm happy to say, is still going strong and has released a new album.

Anyway, sunflowers mean adoration and rosemary, while not a flower, means "to remember". When Dave's mother died, I placed a sprig of rosemary in her casket. Until now, I don't think anyone else knew but that act brought, and brings, me happiness. Since it's spring, forsythia means 'anticipation', ivy means 'fidelity' and lilac means 'first love'. These meanings come in a small advert in our weekly newspaper but there's a website, The Language of Flowers, that has the names and meanings of many flowers; it's a joy to read and I bet many brides would get wonderful ideas about wedding bouquets. The Sunday dinner table could also benefit from new-found knowledge. It's such small joys that bring happiness to ourselves and others; those small acts of kindness that may go unnoticed if not done but are always noticed when one makes the effort.

The website says daffodil means "Regard; Unrequited Love; You're the Only One; The Sun is Always Shinging When I'm with You"...Oh Joy, I like this as well! They agree on forsythia, don't list lilac and said ivy means "Wedded Love; Fidelity; Friendship; Affection". Good things, all.

Recently, I planted pansy's at the driveway as I enjoy seeing colorful flowers as I approach the farm. Pansy's mean 'love' which is appropriate as I love this farm so much. This is my digging tool which is some ole piece of farm equipment. I found it while I was digging in the garden one year and it's now used for poking holes in the earth to stick in plants.

So, what kind of flower are you? Please let me know.



Blessings ~ Aretha ~ Otis ~ Bloggers who live REAL ~ Sunflowers ~ Daffodils ~ baler twine ~