At the base of each drying leaf Is a bud full of life and potential Waiting patiently for summer’s heat Or winter’s cold to pass Knowing Spring will …
A Bud of Hope for the New Year
I hope you can open the link to read the blog I am posting. It is such a beautiful poem by Dwight at Roth Poetry. .
The Christmas cards are done
They’re ready to be mailed
But we can’t leave our home
We’d surely be derailed
The winds were 40 mph gusts, and
The drifts have blown like crazy
I’ll have to ZOOM church tomorrow
And it’s not cuz I am lazy
I’d attend if I could get out
And after church I’d go
To the post office to mail the cards
But I can’t get through the snow
So we are at the mercy
Of a kind and helpful neighbor
When he comes with his bobcat blower
We’ll watch him work and thank him later
He’ll blow out the driveway
And clear a path for us
So we can get to church
Without shoveling and lots of fuss
But if you don’t see us
And if our card to you doesn’t come,
You might send out a sled team
To rescue us… we’re frozen and numb!
That’s our driveway that’s the culprit
The wind swirls the snow in piles
Inside between the rabbit brush
It blows in from many miles
That photo was a light snow
This time it’s at least two feet tall
After our neighbor plowed us out
The piles were a five foot wall!
We haven’t seen a winter like this
This storm has been a doozy
It started way too early this year –
The freezing wind makes me woozy
The Christmas cards are done
They’re ready to be mailed
But like I said, I’m stuck in here
Our Christmas travel might be curtailed
Try coming in through the drifts
I’ve some hot chocolate to share
But if you don’t make it here
Mr Snowman will be content floating there
Hope you’re having a happy December so far.
God bless you! Stay in touch.
Love ya,
JanBeek
Take a look at this photo I found!
That’s me – pregnant with our 1st child, Ty.
And that’s my sis and her hubby with my niece, Denise
and my mom and dad…
1964 Christmas …
Sweet memories!
Jem Croucher, Poet’s Corner introduced to me today a new poetry form. Her blog beautifully described “In the Autumn Now” in an aaab rhyme scheme.
For those of you unfamiliar with those poetic descriptors, the aaab scheme means the first three lines all rhyme, but not the 4th one.
The fun thing about her last line is that it was the poem’s title and it was repeated in each of the four stanzas. Brilliantly done! (There are probably other rules to this rhyme form, like 7 or 8 syllables to create rhythm on each line… but I’m not sure I can do that! So will just go with the rhyme scheme and number of lines for now.)
I’m going to try my hand at this poetry form, but as you know if you saw my post yesterday, we – here in Ennis, MT – are “In the Winter Now.” Alas, our fall colors are buried under several inches of snow. Beautiful, but – oh my – too early for me!
October snow fell softly
October snow – unseasonable
Way too early – unreasonable
Return of colors – unfeasible
In the Winter now
Lack of wind – delightful
Snow in clusters – rightful
Blue sky returning – eyeful
In the Winter now
Howling winds return – disappointing
Wind chimes play – enjoying
Returning storm looms – annoying
In the Winter now
Tasting falling snowflakes – purely
Venturing out in the snow – securely
Getting skis ready – prematurely
In the Winter now
Wanna try your hand at this poetic form?
Go ahead … give it your best shot.
It’s fun!
For a really good example of the form,
check out Jem’s
In the autumn now
It’s delightful!
Send your poem to Jem Croucher
She’d be delighted to hear from you.
Speaking of fun –
Look at that photo of us –
100 years ago –
Ready for winter!
Hah!
See ya later.
Stay warm.
Love, JanBeek
Today is National Smile Day.
Our glorious Montana Colors
will sure give you something to smile about!
We took a drive from Ennis
up into the Tobacco Root Range
up North MeadowCreek
above McAllister
where our friends,
Mary & Paul Carlson live.
The colors along the roadside
were so glorious!
I got out to take this picture
instead of looking though
our cracked windshield
like I did on that first photo.
We visited Paul and Mary at their house.
We met a new friend as we were
traveling up to Paul’s little cabin.
Paul & Mary invited him
to come on home with them.
This piece of old mining equipment
was found abandoned along the roadway
leading up to their house.
A friend helped them haul it into their backyard
The mining apparatus
fits perfectly with the remains of
this old mining shed
(that’s also in their backyard).
It was probably built in the late 1800’s.
The views from their backyard
are breathtaking!
They just completed this fence
last week – attempting to keep the deer
out of their greenhouse and flowerbeds.
Mary inherited this old barn
when she bought this mountain property
Paul uses it now as his “Man Cave.”
It’s where he creates magical things
with all his woodworking equipment.
Paul took Bob & me up to see
the property he dreamed about
as a kid… and the cabin he and
nine of his friends built there
-around 2005 –
(same year we came to MT).
Many happy memories are tucked in here!
The road leading to/from the cabin
is lined with wonderful aspen
that shine their gold this time of the year.
Some farmers raise cattle in this high country.
Autumn is a wonderful season
It brings with it colors galore
I love the fall leaves and scenery
I hope you can get out and explore
Do get out before all the leaves drop.
Pick up your pup and take a hike.
Tell me about your choices:
Which of the scenes did you particularly like?
See ya later, my friends.
Bee well!
Love,
JanBeek
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got joy like a fountain
I’ve got love like the ocean
I will share from my mountain
I’ve got peace like a river
I’ve got love like a river in my soul
I’ve got joy like a fountain
Shared joy makes me whole
Let us share Living Water
Let us share with one another
Let us share from the depths
Of our soul with sister and brother
Be still my soul and let
My God bring His peace
May the waves & winds be calm
In this world – and all strife decrease
God promises us His peace
A peace that passes understanding
It comes to us by His grace
Not by our demanding
So, do not be afraid, my friends
To show your weakness anytime
In this world of chaos and turmoil
We need a place sublime
That place is in our Lord’s presence
His Holy Spirit is here to guide
So take His peace and share it
Your sparkle cannot be denied
Thanks for visiting JanBeek on this lovely Sunday.
Be at peace, my friends.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
God bless you!
I love October
When the leaves change their color.
Hold off the freeze, please!
Too soon icicles –
Winter comes too early here.
Hold off for awhile!
God bless the colors
That brighten our autumn days
Now, please stick around!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek today.
Have a lovely October first!
Fall
Summer’s gone
Experiencing cooler weather
Enjoying the changing colors
Autumn
(Elfchen are poems with 11 words
The pattern is 1+2+3+4+1)
I enjoy reading Richard’s at Big Sky Buckeye
Changes
Green – Orange
Temperatures affect them
They decorate the branches
Leaves
Gifts
From friends
Adorn my table
A beautifully painted gourd
Sunflowers
Quotes
Inspire me
Pass them along
Let them inspire others
Enjoy
Colors
God’s creations
Painted for us
Joys of the Season
Autumn
Hues
Of pink
Blend with green
Change their hues daily
Fall
Workers
Man’s creations
Ease our load
Make our farming easier
Tractors
Problems
Trouble us
Turn to God
He will comfort you
Peace
Peace my friends!
Have a love-filled week!
I will fall into autumn…
But no more falls, broken fingers or skulls…
Bee safe, my friends!
See ya tomorrow (maybe)- hah!
JanBeek
Seeing the falls he named in honor of his queen, David Livingstone wrote in his journal, “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
Waterfalls and all God’s natural beauty affect me the same way. This country of Switzerland is so full of those “scenes so lovely.”
As we venture out, the lovely scenes are amazing in every season here.
Scenes so lovely!
André and De are so generous as they share their chalet, meals, transportation and their love with us and with De’s best buddy (our daughter #2 Laina) and her daughter Katy. What a grand reunion we had with them here yesterday!
Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Last night Mike & Tania joined us for a fun evening of raclette & karaoke. Chris & Nick and their girlfriends came, too. Ah, we are so blessed with this wonderful Swiss family!
Thanks for joining me and sharing these “Scenes so Lovely” today. Wish you were here in person! Come back tomorrow, okay? See ya then (God willing).
Hugs, JanBeek
What a wonderful way to spend a Monday afternoon in Switzerland! DeAna drove us up to Zinal… just to enjoy the time together, the scenery, and an ice cream. We did all three. Wanna join us?
Mountain majesty
Views usually not seen
Except in movies
Sharing with our De
Made all the more beautiful
By stream and mountains
Blue sky up above
Flowing River at our feet
Life can’t be more sweet
Then add some icecream
And the cows that made the cream
Surely it’s a dream!
Hearing the children
Laughing and playing outside
Yes, it’s Paradise!
Meantime, the Groshongs
Continued their hiking fun
In this same region
Found a gentle cow
Grazing on the Swiss hillside
Up close – personal!
Lucky the bovine
Was feeling cooperative
But don’t press your luck
Here comes another
He’s looking mighty leery
Don’t try petting him
Onward to glacier
Visit before it is gone
Then back to Zinal
What will tomorrow bring? Come back and see! I love sharing with you. Which of my pictures today did you like best?
Love to you from JanBeek (and Bob & De, too)
The hills are alive with the sounds of family!
Yesterday our daughter, DeAna, drove us down into the Rhône River Valley, through Sierre, and up into the Alps on the other side to an area called Crans-Montana. It is where she & André lived 30 years ago when they first moved here. On the hillside e hind the restaurant André managed way back then are a few chalets. One of them, built in 1772, is owned by ZuZu & Célia. They invited us to spend the day there with them.
ZuZu (Christian Zufferey) was our AFS son in 1980-81. He is André’s first cousin. He and Célia prepared an amazing meal for us! The first plate was an outstanding eggplant quiche. The second plate was lamb (my favorite) and a ratatouille. All the vegetables they grew in their gardens here in this gorgeous high Alpine place.
The opportunity to be together again with ZuZu was so very special. After the meal we shared various liqueurs – also made by them using various fruits, etc. that they grew.
After our time there, De took us back down into Sierre where we had a nice visit with our friend, Christiane Rielle.
Then (as if day was not already blessed enough), we were treated by our DeDe and our grandson, Nick, to a wonderful dinner at Capri Restaurant in Sierre before returning to Vissoie for the night.
Then today we went on a guided tour of Sierre. Our grandson, Mike’s new bride, Tania, provided the tour. At the Sierre Tourisma Office, my buddy Terry found a hat for a souvenir… and I found a terrific pair of funky glasses that I could not resist!
Now you can see why I didn’t bring a pair of sunglasses with me on this trip. I needed THIS pair!!
Bob, Jim & Terry Groshong, our MT/CA best friends, learned all about the history of Sierre. There is the town hall behind the 4 of us. If you saw my post about Mike & Tania’s civil ceremony, it’s the same place where they were married last weekend.
Then Tania guided us to an old (1700s) chalet. Look at they key Jim is holding. It opened the cellar door where we did some wine tasting.
Next Tania drove us to Chateau Mercier where she explained the history and we tasted more fine Swiss wines.
Lovely Chateau Mercier has beautiful gardens, too. We walked around and admired them before going to Chateau Villa for Raclette dinner. Mike joined us there.
Jim & Terry will leave tomorrow – so you can say farewell to them for now nit’s been wonderful to have them with us this week!
I can never tire of these beautiful Swiss Alpine views! Come back tomorrow. We’re going to take the bus down to stay with André’s mom. I’ll share those views with you, too..
Thanks for traveling vicariously with us! Bee 🐝 well, dear friends! See you tomorrow (God willing).
Love, JanBeek (and Bob)
Hugs to You !!
Inspire to Love
Let the SonShine!
You inspire me to respond
Learning to Live; Living to Learn; Learning to Love; Living in Love
