Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove-off 4 abit

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: My guru always said
Date: 28 Jan 10 - 03:45 AM

So good to hear that you're finding your treasures Maeve, each item must feel so special. Positive thoughts!
x

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 11:02 AM

Friends have been sending us music in the form of cds. If you are one, thank you. I'll never be able to say what it has meant.

I'm listening to music as much as I can bear to do so. Eventually the tears can come; until then I'm keeping the song-holding parts of my brain awake and available. Some well-loved, familiar voices are especially dear after so many years of listening and singing...Archie Fisher, the Fisher Family, Cindy Kallet, Lizzie Higgins, Gordon Bok...Others are of more recent acquaintance but no less welcome.

TL isn't ready for music yet. His loss is a different and deep-running pain.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: gnu
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 02:50 PM

m... TL must be truely and deeply saddened to have lost his collection of old vinyl. Indeed.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 04:26 PM

Yes, gnu. He is that.

I took in our Windstar van for an inspection sticker today. No joy; looks like we need a car now, too.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 08:56 PM

You know...Some days it's easy to just quit. I'm about there.

Tomorrow's another day.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Janie
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 08:57 PM

Now that the 'cat is out of bag, maeve, I'll be shipping more off to you soon, compliments of assorted good folks here. Stragglers keep appearing in my mailbox, luring me to wait "just one more day."

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 09:49 PM

Thank you, Janie and assorted good folks of Mudcat. Every one is most gratefully received.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 01 Feb 10 - 10:52 PM

Maeve, I KNOW you will never quit. It's OK to let down long enough to FEEL like you might, and we'll all hold the reality for ya, in our hearts, while you coast down.... and back UP again.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 07:52 AM

<<<< HUGS >>>>

and, for perhaps a little ray of sunshine, here's another
<<< HUG >>> from your friend and mine, Debbie Potter! She's on my morris team and we had an "aha" moment last night. She sends her dearest love.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: jacqui.c
Date: 02 Feb 10 - 02:51 PM

Hi Dear

I have a mitten knitting book to send to you in the next couple of days - Kendall forgot to take it with him on Saturday!

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 10:04 AM

My Windstar died a few months back too, Maeve. I was able to get a bit for it on trade in. Fiddle dee dee Scarlett. Think about it tomorrow.
SINS

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: LilyFestre
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 10:59 AM

(((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))

Just because you're so sweet and I'm thinking of you this morning.

Michelle

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 02:45 PM

Blessings:
We just had a lovely visit from friends (Kendall and Jacqui know them both) who brought piles of beautiful art supplies for my delight. We were given a printer and I've been printing the reclaimed photos a few at a time. We have a vacuum cleaner gift from a stranger so I'm no longer sweeping the carpet. Three friends are conspiring to get me to an Archie Fisher concert.

I made my first post-fire jewelry- a necklace of periwinkle seed beads and drilled amber chips with a teardrop of sterling silver that survived the fire. Truelove and I celebrated the 13th anniversary of our engagement yesterday. The highly respected photographer who made or wedding portraits sent us copies and the negatives. More music cds arrived from Scotland. We own an English banjo, a case full of whistles that traveled to us from New Hampshire, and a playable guitar. Thank you for hugs, hellos, mitten making manual, and merriment.

There may indeed be parts of our former lives and current challenges that I will quit if it is the healthy thing to do. My husband and I are choosing our course through this experience through the grace of God rather than by human guidelines. We're grateful for the many here and at home who take time to encourage, walk along, and listen. Laughter is good too.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 02:59 PM

For my Truelove:

    Roses and Amber*

    I wished for roses from my dearie,
    A gift to show your love is true,
    An amber ring to say you love me.
    You only kissed me tenderly.
    The night is cold and I am weary
    I watch you dream the long night through.
    I lie awake and sleep escapes me
    And so I listen to you breathe.

          And as you sleep I say, "I love you"
          There is no star I'd place above you.
          When you awake I'll work beside you.
          You are my darling dear, goodnight.

    The years have bloomed for us more sweetly
    Than all the fragrant roses do.
    Your tender kiss suits me completely
    You hold me close to comfort me.
    Your callused hands grow flowers and berries,
    Ripe apples, pears and peaches too.
    You gather up the garden bounty:
    All that you have you give to me.

          And as you sleep I say, "I love you"
          There is no star I'd place above you.
          When you awake I'll work beside you.
          You are my darling dear, goodnight.

    A steadfast heart is what you give me,
    Upon my hand a wedding ring.
    The songs I have your courage brings me
    I need no jewels from the sea.
    What price the light that only joy sees;
    The loving trust that gives me wings?
    You are my true love here beside me.
    I hold your hand and fall asleep.

          And as we sleep I say, "I love you"
          There is no star I'd place above you.
          When we awake I'll work beside you.
          You are my darling dear. Goodnight.

maeve in Maine Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved
*First posted on Mudcat by Kendall hereand here in September of 2009.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: gnu
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 03:09 PM

Sniff....

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:22 PM

I hope nobody minds if I post another song written for my husband. It's another one that would have been lost except that I had found the courage to send it to a few trusted friends for review. I post it here as a thank you to those offering many kinds of support to us.
********************************************************

            Ice Storm      
Tune and lyrics copyright 2009 maeve in Maine

The rain was falling down in sheets of silver as the cold descended.
Ice had glazed your old, blue truck, felling trees and downing lines.
We filled the kettles full. We stoked up all the fires,
The lights went out and there we sat; contented.
In crystal-studded morning, we slid down the icy hill. The air was
Hushed, except our footsteps and the chanting of the chickadees.
We carried buckets to the stream still flowing in the violet shadows;
Joy was in your eyes. How I loved you!

chorus: Well water, sweet and clean, is out of reach today.
            Power lines along the road are heavy; all strung with pearls.
            Stack up more firewood, then set the bread to rise,
            In time our hearts will make us wise.

I reached to take each bucket from your hands; then lifting, carried each one
Back from stream to frozen hill. You filled my buckets nigh as full
As yours were, knowing I am strong, yet when I paused to catch my breath
You stopped, and walked along beside me.
My joy is not the glory of the sky like blueberries in hot July,
Nor the weeping diamond lace of apple trees that sparkle
It is the sweet, unconscious grace, as bodies move together,
Lifting, pouring, living water

Our work together is our answer to the ice and stormy weather.
Sky grows bright as we keep pace. We give a prayer of thanks.
I take your hand, you pull me onward. Ravens, laughing by the garden gate,
Surely know the joy of living.
Some morning when your work's complete you'll let go of my hand. I know
I'll go and fetch the water, stoke the fire, set the bread to rise.
For I am strong, and you'll be waiting for me.
Some bright day, we'll go again; we'll fetch the water.

Some morning when your work's complete - you'll let go of my hand.
- I'll fetch the water.
******************************

The fire nearly ended everything. We are thankful to be here.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:31 PM

You are a beautiful woman, you know that?

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: jacqui.c
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:33 PM

I agree with Allison.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: gnu
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:39 PM

Indeed agreed. Salt of the earth. Period.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:45 PM

...woman who makes people weep gladsome tears.

I know your ice pearls. Some years, driving south to diocesan events, they perch on top of the long, brown roadside grass, and then when the rising sun catches them, they become a river of Hope Diamonds. It's safer to look when yer the passenger, but when yer alone you can't NOT look.... and look and look. THOSE make me cry too, come to think of it.

I would freeze TrueLove's tears (and yours of course mingled) on the remains of the incinerated life left behind till you rebuild, and THOSE would be the REAL Hope Diamonds.

I know your water-fetching too. Here it's done from a spring. I'll find the link to the writing of it, it's here somewhere... and I'll think of YOU next time I go fetch icy winterwater.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:53 PM

You are so beautiful, maeve and I am gratefull you have shared AND that the fire was NOT the end.

Much love to you and TL.

kat

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 07:53 PM

The Spring story is buried beyond the search function's ability to Find, for now, so this is an old version-- it has since been edited quite a bit but it's on a hard drive not near to hand.

===

(From a letter to a friend)

Pennsyltucky tried to be cold and gray today but I took my warm heart off into it, to do what my "lost" message tried to tell you about. I'll try to capture it, I was thinking so much about you while planning and doing it. It was wrote so gude, too! No-- I'm going to save it for a poem. In it there will be sweet-bitter farmer men who milk a living out of hardscrabble hills, and who haunt the spring in Cherry Flats when the water in the well runs low. There they meet their neighbors, known and unknown, and judge your worth by the practicality of the waterjugs you bring. You are counted a neighbor if you help them with their water filling, or let them help you, appropriately, according to yer ability. You may be a just-discovered cousin, if you say "Yep" for "You're Welcome" when they thank you kindly for helping them, and if you just smile a man-loving smile when they help you. And you're family, if you carry water down to your neighbor when he's too busy or sick to go himself, and you don't ask first-- you leave your help on the step and go away without knocking. (Eggs and produce appear this way also. No one likes to cause a thank you note to be owed for basic life support.)

They love deeply and long, wordlessly, in actions humbly done. They anger slowly but violently. They forgive with difficulty, but with true commitment when they do.

Ah, never mind the poem, what I wrote before is coming back. I am drinking the water now... The water is still ice cold, hours later. If I'd had the good jugs in the car, the big insulated ones, it'd be cold for days. *G*

It was the lovely setting of the spring, a pipe jutting out of a rise in the ground alongside the hill road just up a bit from Zimmer's century farm. (Century Farms earn a special landmark sign under the front-yard tree, for farms farmed by the same family for a century. Some of the signs are, themselves, very old.) The present Zimmer is at least 6th generation, and the 5th generation Zimmer was well-loved so extravagantly that the neighbors erected the improved outflow pipe and stone housing in his name. He must have been a giant in his time, for no one here takes being honored by name in public on plaques unless they're dead, if they can help it, and they made his plaque awful big.

Now the present Zimmer ekes out a hard living. He's an honorable, do-anything-for-ya plumber by day and night, and a Christmas tree farmer by season. Last season was tough; WalMart went for the shipped-in "tree bundles" devoid of all moisture. He had nowhere public to set up his beautiful fresh trees and visit with everyone till they paid and loaded up. Now if you need a plumber, when you call Zimmer, you get Zimmer, any hour. I don't recall a Missis ever answering the phone-- I hope he has one. Once again I see a flatlander still looking back from the mirror-- never occurred to me to ask after a Missis.

You have lived in Tioga County long enough when you can pull away from the free-running water without kidding your car-mate, "Didja turn it off?" (And your car-mate has lived here long enough when, if you ask that, they don't at least start to turn around to look!) The outflow pipe is about hip height on me, and it has a gorgeously green and always-sparkling beard of moss growing in and out of the pipe. I don't understand how it clings to the shiny metal, but although weather prunes it, it's always there, so pretty you want to stroke and squash the fullness and rough softness of it, but I guess no one ever does, it'd wear away.

Until May, the ground is still half froze. When you step on the hard-packed gravel, on the shoulder and where the perpetually repaired, crumbling old tarmac is partly washed away by the year's runoff, it gives gently before holding firm where it's still friz.

Summertimes you wait for the hottest, humidest, buggiest day to go fetch your 5 or 50 or 500 gallons of water, so you can enjoy getting your feet wet in ice cold water and take your numb cool toes back to your hot fly-ridden house.

In the winter, you learn quick to fetch your fill on a clear windless day, to get as much sun and as little wind on your wettened fingers as possible, and you hope there isn't so much ice you slide down and into the pooled runoff. It takes at least two brave souls in winter, one to fill and the other to stow. You run the heater full blast while taking turns filling, so it will toast you when you dive in shivering.

Much of the water table is contaminated here. For some, like our family, the romance of the spring is not lost in the necessity of going. For, though go we must, we can after all take our best tunes to blast from the hilltop while we work, in our turns.

There is much lusty singalong-ing up at the spring; no one is EVER too embarrassed there. During the years my stepson prayed for our death on a nightly basis, and my son languished in his room withdrawn from us all, a trip to the spring involved everyone and a good time could always be had on that special occasion. The best was when we blasted Mary Chapin Carpenter "He Thinks He'll Keep Her" with its fantastic ndow-dow-dow-dowww guitar, and we all joined in on that riff like the fools we were. No one too cool that day.

Fall fetching is the best. It's in the fall you buy more containers, or clean out the milk jugs (one more time) that have been too dusty to bother with in summer. In the fall, you want as much water as possible. It's pretty to go, and winter is coming-- you want to get ahead and pack as much as you can down cellar against the days the pipes may freeze or the pump go down in an ice storm. And you THINK if you stock up, you'll have fewer trips. But the containers are on sale as camping season ends, so everyone sports new plastic in bright colors.

Fall at the spring . . . . No need to describe it; unless you're an idiot, everyone can picture fall, can't they? Except you probably don't have the tiny orange-gold blossoms whose silver leaves can reputedly heal scrapes and hurts. I loved them for years not knowing their name or their healing property, until a parishioner I adore (she helped Search us here) went to pick one for a bumped grandson's forehead at a parish picnic. At last someone could tell me its name. Now I think it was Silverleaf, but don't quote me. I traded caring about the name for the memory of the kids, the picnic, and the rhythm instruments I'd brought.

We are not of this place, but we are such as can love this place and its hardscrabble, gallant, abusive, inbred, sometimes courtly people-- quite thoroughly. I love them as outrageously, in my own way, as I do you, and they giggle and blush most becomingly.

At night, when the stars are out (but too dim by our house because of the big bright farmyard light), sometimes, I go up to the spring. No one else in my family quite appreciates it, at night, so I have learned to go alone. I would take you. We would take empty water bottles and a loaded .357, because you never waste a trip to the spring, and you never go somewhere lonely here in the dark without making preparations for your share of the possible drunken confrontations that are common here. (I'm a safe and sure shot.) We would also take a soft mat to lay on the stone pipe housing. We would sit beside each other, with the water gurgling out between us and running away down the hill. (Making us have to pee in the woods, I completely embarrassed and laughing way too loud for such a quiet place!)

We would talk some and most probably snuggle a bit in a friendly and chaste fashion, and you would find out how soft my lips are when I kiss your cheek, and you would hear how loud I really can laugh in the echoing woods. We would talk about the things we like to talk about, and have long quiet moments to really hear each other's voices before firing back answers long saved up to be shared. The stars would remind us how small and how grand we are, and the words we would use would respect that juxtaposition. The closest to open disagreement would be the occasional affectionate word of exasperation, expressed only to restore concord.

Then of course word would get out, due to our loud laughter penetrating even the closed pickup truck cabs dopplering C&W all over the peace and quiet. I'd be scandalised, you'd be appointed town guru, and the fun would be over. But I'd never forget it.

I'll always think about you when I go to the spring again.

(C) Susan O. Hinton, 2000 and 2001

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Janie
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 09:29 PM

Thank you, Maeve.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 08:10 AM

I liked your story, Susan. Thanks.

Y'all are making me blush. Thank you.

Listening to Kendall Morse, Kieron Means, Deb Cowan, Seamus Kennedy, Janie, and Alaska Mike today. Lovely. Thank you.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Cuilionn
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 08:53 AM

Oh, Maeve--

I've just caught myself up on the entire aching story of your fire-loss. Typical of me-- rarely taking the time to scroll down to the BS even though it matters as much as the music, only allowing myself a snippet of "educational indulgence" in the songthreads before I hoist myself up and back to more grindstonish work. But laughter and tears and banter and talespinning are so sacred and necessary...I guess I need to teach myself to "go below the line" more regularly.

Aye, hard times, to lose so many dear and precious things, and I do admire your graceful way of facing it all more than I can say. I know you've said you don't need too much--and I don't have much to offer--but I do have a fair stock of seeds from FEDCO and would be happy to share if and when you feel up to starting, coaxing, & planting. I'll PM with a rough list. (No inflatable lobsters, I promise!)

An beannachd oirbh / Blessings,

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 04:02 PM

There's nothing better than Fedco seeds, Cuilionn. I'll watch for your PM- thanks.

A few Mudcatters have been interested in sending an envelope of quilt fabric to for the post-fire-scraps-revival quilt I want to make. If you think that would be fun, a PM will suffice.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 06:43 PM

Maeve? Do you need a cat? Maybe a nice calico with a curly tail???? Just a thought.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: gnu
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 06:47 PM

A female only. Trust me.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 06:48 PM

Don't you dare, Mary! Don't even think it!

Ummm That's a "No, thank you" Mary dear.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: gnu
Date: 04 Feb 10 - 06:48 PM

Hmmm... curly tail?

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 02:01 PM

I always used to have a cat, Mary. It's been a long time since we were set up for pets; we certainly can't manage pets now. You made me laugh, anyway!

I'm so tired, and tire so easily. It seems to be the human interactions more than physical labor that is a challenge for me.

I hope that you who are doing so many thoughtful things for us will understand if I don't manage personal thank you's...though our goal is to thank each person the reality might not match the vision. Please know that we are deeply appreciative of the sensitive and creative ways you are finding to ease our road for us.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 02:06 PM

You know, Maeve, it is much easier to part with bedding once Alice is done with it. I know from experience - multiple quilts, spreads, sheets, blankets, tablecloths...wonder why I keep the little darling around?
Spring is not far away. You and TL have your work cut out for you. Concentrate on that. The thank yous, I suspect, are implied with the offerings.
M

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 02:15 PM

Thanks, Mary. When we have a bed of our own again, I'm going to BUY some nice sheets.

Spring...We realized this weekend that we don't really believe that Spring will come this year. Intellectually we know it will, but we don't believe it. Usually we would have been hearing, feeling, and seeing the subtle little changes each time we went out for firewood, tending to the chickens, carrying out the compost. Bulbs would be sprouting down cellar ready for spring sales.

There is a time for faith.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 02:16 PM

Interacting with people takes a lot of energy; one wants to be attentive, listen, converse, please, opine, etc. When you have been through a huge trauma, the stress of such can be magnified.

After heart surgery, I have had a very tough time with more than one or two people at a time, esp. folks I am just meeting. Family members were esp. a trial, at times. One of them still claims I am a recluse. Fine with me...it keeps them away.

So, maeve, darlin' don't worry about it or about the thank yous. We know and part of giving is the self-gratification we get from giving freely, lovingly, and with no implications and no expectation of receiving anything. We pay it forward and know you do the same...that circle keeps going round and round, up and up.

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 02:54 PM

Maeve

re the tired and tiring easily. Pro'lly preachin' to the choir, but the stress you have been through and will continue to go through will wear you out. Please take as much as and when you need to. Now I am of a certain age, I believe all the pushing myself beyond endurance so many years, was not a very good idea.

Take care of yourselves and each other.


tam... still watching and wishing good things at you

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 03:23 PM

Maeve, what the last four posts said, including yours.

Also, are you getting too much stuff in the mail for now? (It sounds like maybe you are?)

No one here wants anything other than healing/progress for you, guided by your own, excellent self.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 03:39 PM

Maeve,
Don't be surprised if one or two of those basement bulbs pops up to say Hi amid the ashes. I have two tulips in a pile of junk behind my shed that persist. Every year I try to remember to rescue them but...
M

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 03:45 PM

BTW - your daisies are still brilliantly fresh while the water turns a weird shade of blueish greenish grey. Very nice.
M

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 08:51 PM

Susan- As I said earlier, I appreciate the "thoughtful and creative" actions...no complaints about mail flow. I'm just struggling with the realities of stress after a fire... as kat and Tam noted. Thanks for the mp3 player. I'm learning different uses for it.

Mary- I like the notion of basement bulbs bursting forth. Unfortunately, the bulb stock was lost last spring when I broke my arm. All of the waiting bulbs were ruined by their overlong wait in the (wet spring) cellar. I had no income for buying bulbs this past autumn. Nice idea, anyway. I'm glad you're enjoying the crazy-colored dyed daisies.

An entry level Yamaha guitar has been given to me by a local church for whom I used to sing, with permission to trade it in for something worth playing. Unfortunately I can only get $50 trade in value for it. So home it came again, for further thought. Patience hs sprung a leak. :)

Some Mudcat friends are sending small pieces of favorite quilt fabric with which I plan to make a log cabin quilt. I'll embroider the names of the donors and add scraps of fabric that survived the fire- and an appliqued heart in the center of each block where the traditional red hearth square usually goes. Other clever angels have arranged for us to be able to buy fresh seeds and planting medium for our early spring planting. More cds are on their way, too.

Such lovely people all around us! Thank you- you know who you are.
Goodnight, friends.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 08 Feb 10 - 11:24 PM

I'm sorry I misunderstood, Maeve.

~S~

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 07:25 AM

This quilt fabric - 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix preferred? I have been sorting (slowly) and have some pieces that you might like.

Stiff upper lip old gal, come spring, you could have a fine crop of bright magenta fireweed (rosebay willowherb - if you get that in the US) to gladden your eyes.

Enjoy what you can, whatever else, will pass. Thoughts and prayers still being had for you here.

XX
LTS

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 07:53 AM

Maeve, dear, you also know that those who can't/don't send physical things are wrapping you in light and love and strength - your strength is an inspiration!

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 10:15 AM

Just found a news update on the Farmer's Market in Portland. It opens Saturday, 2/20, 10AM - 1PM and runs through April 24.
Thanks for the heads up, Maeve.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 01:51 PM

Susan- No worries.

Sinsull- Good. You'll enjoy finding fresh, happy food.

Liz- If my upper lip gets any stiffer I'll use it for a snow shovel. I need tears but they're all "froze up." Fireweed, yes. We had some planted at what was the south end of the house. Lovely stuff.

I'll find a way to use whatever small pieces of cloth that folks send. Cotton works best but there may also be silk, cotton/poly, and any odd scraps that remain after cutting away the charred areas. I'm thinking a regular envelope will hold donations; nothing so large that it costs serious postage. If the givers will put their names on a favorite scrap or enclosed paper I can add the names to the quilt.

Allison- Yes- I know there are plenty unnamed friends who check on us and think of us without posting or mailing anything. Much appreciated, you can be sure.

Thanks, all.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: wysiwyg
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 02:13 PM

I need tears but they're all "froze up."

There's an inner wisdom that camps out, way deep, in a safe place. It holds the vision and the hope of all the beautiful things it always hoped life would be.

It protects those things tenderly, until it deems it "safe enough" to stir. And stir it does, and will, when the time is right.... people usually see and describe the outer, visible part of this process and call it by that little word, "shock." But it's the invisible, protected underpart that matters so much more.

You can absolutely trust it to know when it has the exact kind and degree of safety it needs.

Until that dam breaks you just keep moving as gently as you can, dear, while other folks keep guard.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: open mike
Date: 09 Feb 10 - 03:09 PM

Oh, my heart is with you thru all this!

I was amazed at the bulbs i found the year after the fire
that took my house.

Some (Canna Lilies) had been squelched by the building of a
porch/deck which stifled their growth for nearly 10 years,
and now they have spring forth despite all the obstacles.

I hope you will be able to do the same!

I have been cheered by the resiliance of Mother Nature..
keep your eyes open for the doors that will open .. as
some doors may have closed. Here, the woods have yielded
morel mushrooms like never before and the lupines were
prolific after the fire.

Do you have a sewing machine? the quilt project sounds great!
I heard yesterday of a woman (on E-town radio show) who went
to the ocean and meditated on a word and the word that came
was Moszaic. she is writing a book about patching together
our broken world..using the scraps and pieces to create a
work of art and beauty. Terry Tempest Williams' new book
is 'Finding Beauty In A Broken World.' & she envisions
putting together the puzzle that our world has become
(for some of us even more than others!) into a new
thing of beauty! you can hear her interview at
www.etown.org website air dates Feb 3 - Feb 9
Terry's web site: http://www.coyoteclan.com/
Here is another writer who helped me when
I was in a difficult and stressful place
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pema_Chödrön
here she discusses Buddhist Maitri
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s-rRMUl04I
an antidote to suffering--her book
"When Things Fall Apart" is very
helpful. I was given a dog-eared
copy which had been shared and
passed around to many who were
able to find some insight and
assistance through her ideas.
I would like to send a scrap
or two for your quilt, so
let me know where to
send these. I would
like to be involved
in the piecing
together of
your life!
blessings.
Laurel

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 Feb 10 - 09:49 AM

Laurel - What is with the strange paragraph? Haiku?
Where are you in your rebuild/recover? A phoenix yet?
Mary

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: SINSULL
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 08:45 AM

Did you get to see Archie Fisher last night, Maeve? The weather cooperated.

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 08:52 AM

Yes Sinsull- Thanks to Jacqui and Kendall I had a wonderful evening. Truelove and I hadn't seen Archie since our honeymoon. He is still making wonderful music. It was GOOD to visit with him again, and the music was comforting.

maeve

Subject: RE: Tribulation/ Blessings Maeve & Truelove
From: maeve
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 09:40 AM

Not to forget Kendall's tasty pot roast & vegetables- the first solid food I've been able to enjoy for days. Yummy!

m