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Mother Noah according to Madeleine L’Engle

May 13, 2013 in God - Faith - Hope - Love, Nurturing the Child

Mother Noah must have been amazing!  Author Madeleine L’Engle thinks so. Yes, the same Madeleine L’Engle who wrote “A Wrinkle in Time”, a must read for kids and adults.

Mother Noah must have been a busy woman which I am sure all women can relate to. Whether you are at the beginning, middle or end of mothering, I think you will enjoy Ms. L’Engle’s take on Mother Noah.  She uses her awesome creativity to help us imaging what might have taken place on the ark, make sure and read to the end for the “grand motherhood” punch line.  

Mrs. Noah Speaking
I suppose under the circumstances
There’s really no point in complaining
but really! Noah and I had just got accustomed
to living alone and having some peace and quiet
and fixing up the house the way we wanted it at last.
I brought up tree boys, wiped their runny noses, changed their messy diapers,
washed, sewed, cooked, saw to it that they had the proper advantages,
We got them safely married
   (thought if I didn’t know it before I know it now:
   their wives leave a great deal to be desired).
We liked having them come to visit us on the proper holidays,
  bring the babies, taking enough food home to feed them for a week,
  and Noah and I could go to bed in peace.
And now look what has happened!
Sometimes I think it would have been simpler to have drowned
  with everybody else—
at least their troubles are over.
And here we are jammed in this Ark—
  why didn’t the Lord give Noah enough time to build a big enough ark
  If he wanted him to build one at all?
The animals take up almost all the room
 and Noah and I are crowded together with Shem, Ham, and Japheth,
  their slovenly wives and noisy children,
and nowhere to go for a moment’s peace.
Noah, of course had hidden several elephant’s skins of wine somewhere,
  and when the rain and noise and confusion get too bad
  he goes down to the dirty hold with the beast and gets drunk,
  sleeps it off on the dirty straw,
  and then comes up to bed smelling of armadillo dung and platypus piss.
Not that I blame him.
It’s my daughters-in-law who get me.
They insist on changing the beds every time I turn around.
They won’t use a towel more than once, and they’re always getting dressed up
  and throwing their dirty linen at me to wash.
The washing is easy enough—we’ve plenty of water—
But how do they expect me to get anything dry in all this rain?
I don’t mind doing the cooking, but they’re always coming out to the
  kitchen to fix little snacks with the excuse that it will help me:
  “You’re so good to us, Mother Noah, we’ll just do this for you,”
  and they never put anything away where it belongs.  They’ve lost
  one of my measuring cups and they never clean the stove and they’ve
  broken half of the best china that came down to us from Grandfather Seth.
When the babies squall in the night, who gets up with them?
Not my daughters-in-law.
“Oh, Mother Noah’ll do it. She loves the babies so.”
  Ham’s wife is always stirring up quarrels, playing people off against
  each other. Shem’s wife, who never does anything for anybody, manages
  to make me feel lazy and mean if I ask her to dry one dish. Japheth’s
  wife is eyeing Shem and Ham; she’ll cause trouble; mark my words.
Today that silly dove Noah is so fond of came back with an olive twig
  on his beak. Maybe there’s hope that we’ll get out of this Ark after all.
We’ve landed! At last!  Now we can get back to normal and have some
  peace and quiet and If I put something where it belongs it will stay there
  and I can clean up this mess and get some sleep at night and—
Noah! Noah! I miss the children.

Funny, huh?  This was a quote from Madeleine L’Engle’s book “The Irrational Season”, which I was reading this morning as I took a hot bath which I do sometimes to ease my achy bones or just taking a little “me” time.

I am sure you all can use a little of that right? Hey dads, watch the kids for an hour, run the tub, light some candles and let mom do a little soak and read time, a great mom gift, good all year round. (mom’s you might just have to ask and don’t tell anyone where you will be, try it.)

Madeleine L’Engle Book-about life, family and Christian community, great read!

Noah’s Ark flip page book- there are so many great Noah’s Ark books available

Kids 1st book about Noah-check your local thrift store/yard sales for lots of affordable books

The 1st picture is from KidKraft Noah’s Ark shape sorter– looks fun, I have never seen this one before.

Other posts you may like: My Mother’s Creative Legacy with more motherly post links @ the bottom

Which part of motherhood gets you plainly pooped out? Which part of motherhood unexpectantly lifts you up? Leave a comment…

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We love sharing great resources for you and your children to make life a little more happy and healthy.

Happy Belated Mother’s Day

Ms. Dawn

 

 

 

 

My Mother’s Creative Legacy

May 7, 2012 in Creative Adventures

 

Dolls by Shirley D

I hope you enjoy my tribute to my mother who went to her rest in 1998 at the young age of 68.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who stop by.

My mother loved her kids and grand babies, loved old folks and was an animal lover. She enjoyed bowling (got a 200 once) and golfing later in life. She was a bit of a tomboy, liked camping, road trips, cruises and  hanging out at the beach on the week-ends. Our family bonded and ate easy prep can food dinners as we went on family sand buggy trips.

She entered the doll making world after all the kids were grown and gainfully employed. She made sculpey dolls, created porcelain dolls from scratch as she poured them in molds, sanded and cleaned them, painted them, fired them and sewed all the clothes. You will see what beautiful work she did. Now that my children are grown and gone I have more time to be creative myself, yes there is life after young kids.

It would have been nice to have enjoyed that season of my mom’s life, but…what ya gonna do, I was a very busy young mother with small children and 3000 miles away.

Shirley D, my mother

 

 

My mother also made baby blankets for my children besides all of the dolls you will see below. She loved her dolls and bears. I do not know how many dolls she made, these are the ones I inherited and she made for my kids. I have three other siblings with kids. When my mother passed on, my father was really drowning in her collection. He was going to miss her, but he was very happy to shed a small stadium of peering eyes.

 

 

 

 

The first set of pictures are peasant dolls, the toy seller’s head turns so you are able to change back and forth to the young or old face, very cool.

  

The bottom two pictures are sculpey dolls. They are made from scratch, not molds and the surface feels waxy. 

           

Doll in a box, Campbell doll 

         

Clown & Flapper doll, Stevie doll

         

Baby dolls 

          

Oriental dolls, I believe one of these belonged to a royal family and my mother made a mold from the original doll.

         

Pinkie, Blue Boy & Little boy doll. 

        

The Pinkie and Blue Boy dolls are really beautiful, they have so much detail. The Pinkie & Blue Boy dolls were a set, she would give one away & of course the doll dealers would want the set, so they would purchase the other doll. 

How has your mother made her imprint on your life? Is she or was she creative, loving, or a woman of God? What example has she set for you? I would love to hear from you. Please make a comment below.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Ms. Dawn

Other posts you may enjoy…

 Woman of God-Song

 Doing What They Do-Song Lyrics

 SMA Child’s tribute to mom 

 ♥ Tissue Paper Vase for Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Women’s Day Song Tribute

March 12, 2012 in Creative Adventures, God - Faith - Hope - Love, TSN Therapeutic Projects

“Woman of God, thank you for being a friend.”

I was straightening up my bedroom recently and found a letter from a dear friend. You know the kind, the friend that will stick with you through it all. The friend that nails the situation perfectly and helps you see things the way they really are. The kind of friend you can trust your very soul with because you have never heard her utter a gossip, so you know your most vulnerable self is safe with her. These are the kind of friends that develop over time as you experience their actions and words. These are the kind of friends my father-in-law has said, in your life time, you are a rich man if you can count true friends on one hand.

Well I reread the letter written by her and the first words that came to mind, and out of my mouth with an affirming “yes” fist in the air were,  “Woman of God”. Her words were truthful, easily entreated(kind, but cutting), you know the kind that are selected carefully after praying and asking God if you should share them.

The words in her letter resonated a bit different this time because some time has lapsed, the tough time is fading and healing, and she, a few others and God have been part of that healing. Sooo, all this to say, this “Woman of God” inspired this simple song I would like to share with you.  She is a true woman.

             

Woman of God

Woman of God, seeking His face

Pour out your heart sharing His grace

Woman of God, thank you, for being a friend

                    

Sharing the truth, always in love

Simple kind words, even when they’re tough

Woman of God, thank you, for being a friend

                     

Strength and honor, wisdom and kindness

And a woman, who fears the Lord

Let her be praised, let her be praised     

                     

Though others may doubt, you lift me up

You remind me, in God I am free

Woman of God, thank you, for being a friend

                      

Your words are like oil, healing my soul

You are so full and you overflow, on me

Woman of God, thank you, for being a friend

Dawn Ginese, 3/9/12

Click below for PDF of word only and lyrics with chords

             “Woman of God” by Dawn Ginese 3/9/12

I would that all of us would strive to be a true friend to someone.

Tell us about a true “Woman of God” in your life.  Please tell her too.  Comment below and pass along this post to a few of your true friends.
One of His,

Dawn

Original Painting in Video by Erin Dertner

Happy Mother’s Day

May 7, 2011 in God - Faith - Hope - Love, Nurturing the Child, Uncategorized

 

Little Boy Learns to Walk in Daddy's Shoes.

An appropriate time to give appreciation and share some motherly thoughts with you. Mom’s are wonderful, they rock the cradle and have the awesome privilege of sharing lifes treasures with their children. Happy Mother’s Day!

Here are the lyrics to the most recent song I wrote. I really like it, it has a lot of heart and comes right from the depths of mine. It is about the changes that go along with life, raising kids, loving and losing people in your lives whether they grow and move on or pass on. “Doing what they do”,  it’s part of life. Hope you enjoy….Appreciate you stopping by. Dawn

 

 

 

Doing What They Do- D. Ginese 4/3/10

1.     Birds are flying, flowers blooming, doing what they do

Skies are changing, winds rearranging, doing what they do

1st Break: Sometimes they’re grey, sometimes they’re blue

Whatever they will be, He’s there for me and you

2.     Children come, children grow, doing what they do

Learn to walk, trip and fall, doing what they do

1st break: Surely we all know, some will come and go

It’s beautiful but sad; love this life we’ve had

3.     Dreams are growing, kids are going, doing what they do

Want adventure, their own journey, doing what they do

2nd Break: Dreams, dreams, we’ve had ours too,

So glad this time, will never have a final ending

But while we, live in space and time

With these fragile hearts and minds

4.     Sun is shining, moonlight dining, doing what we do

Precious memories, love filled thoughts, doing what they do

1st break: Surely we all know, some will come and go

It’s beautiful but sad; love this life we’ve had

For moms, dads and those who care for children.

Dedicated to the Memory of Anthony Ginese Sr. Dec. 13, 2010

 


SMA Child’s Tribute to His Mom

May 5, 2010 in Chronic Illness - Disabilities, God - Faith - Hope - Love, Nurturing the Child, Uncategorized

SMA Child’s Tribute to His Mom

kian abc pic 098

“If I Could Say It.”

If I could say it, I would say I love you Mom.  You know how to handle me and care for me the very best of anyone.  You are ever learning about kids like me and teach my nurses how to help me.

You always try different things to care for me because I can’t talk and tell you what I want or need. I don’t talk but I vocalize with my sighs, and you listen. You read the expression of my eyes, I like when you look in my eyes.

Mom you always get me what I need. I need a wheelchair, so I can go for walks and enjoy the sunshine outside during the warmer months. I’m too big now for my stroller, you are making sure the right people are working on it. When we needed a big tub you rallied all the workers and got things moving. You always speak for me.

Even though you work hard all day, thanks for sleeping close by on the couch when I’m having a rough night so you can be ready if the nurses and I need you. When I’m upset or something is hurting in my body, you give the best massages and comfort. I love your kisses too.

Thanks for hoping and keeping that sparkle in your eye. Mom you brighten my day. Thanks for loving me the way you do.

Happy Mother’s Day,

Kian

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For Nurturing Children, Ms. Dawn, The Singing Nurse