Sibling Assignment #205: My Spiritual Home In Nature

Lake Roosevelt close to home.

Brother Bill gave Sibling Assignment #205:"Write an essay explaining where you find your spiritual home and why." You will find Bill's here and Carol's here.

spiritual: of or relating to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical nature

spiritual home: A place in which one feels a strong sense of belonging.

lilypads, Heyburn State Park

Today I chose to write about my spiritual home as defined above. My spirituality related to my religious beliefs is private. I know what my beliefs are, but I have a hard time explaining them to others.

My spiritual home is outdoors away from town. I started camping when I first met JEJ and quickly found that being in the woods, standing by a lake, gazing at the stars, or sitting by a campfire was my spiritual home. I could always release the stresses of week and find a calm place in the outdoors.  I didn't care if it was raining, hot, or freezing cold. Any weather, any location worked just fine for me. I just dressed for the weather.

French Rock, Lake Roosevelt

When we lived in northeastern Washington we were surrounded by a large scenic lake, numerous campgrounds, calming creeks, and roaring rivers. We didn't have to drive far to be away from people and responsibities. I always made sure I packed great food, great beverages, great books, a journal, and a camera.

I felt a sense of belonging in my spiritual home in nature even more when I began using a camera earnestly. It caused me to pause and take in more of my surroundings. It gave me images to keep as a remembrance of a specific campground, hiking trail, or lake. Time stood still for me. The only schedule I had was getting home before I had to return to work.

Our favorite spiritual home, Canyon Creek Campground

Finding my soul in nature didn't happen right away.  At first I was always on a mission to find a certain trail, locate the perfect camp site, or gather firewood.  As I spent more time in nature I unwound easier, slowed myself down, and read, wrote, and reflected more often. It was good for my soul. It was what I needed.

Now that I am retired and we relocated, we left camping behind. I miss it, but in northern Idaho we again are close to lakes, streams, rivers, and mountains. Now we can find a place to appreciate nature, but not stay overnight.  I still carry the camera and continue to find perfect subjects for pictures.  The best part is that I found God in those times in nature. I always feel closer to him in my spiritual home.
Enjoy some images I have captured in my spiritual homes in nature.

Kettle Falls Campgroumd

“We need to find God and God cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees and flowers and grass—grow in silence. See the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. The more we receive in silent prayer, the more we can give in our active life.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Barnaby Island in winter, Lake Roosevelt

Sibling Assignment #202 : Advice From Anne Lamott: Let It Be

Sister Carol gave the sibling assignment this week:

"Think back over the last year, and write about something you have either read, listened to or watched that has made a tremendous impact on your life.  Share about it, and why it impacted your life." Brother Bill's is here. Sister Carol's is here.

I had the privilege of hearing Anne Lamott speak in Spokane last April. It had a tremendous impact on my life. I have written two other blog posts about her and her talk and I will link them at the bottom. There are many reasons why this talk impacted my life. I will share a few:

She is very down-to-earth. She could have joined my summer writing group or sat down for coffee with my book group and fit right in. She has this ability to take big ideas and break them down into prose that makes more sense, yet carries a big punch. She makes you believe that being a good writer isn't as difficult to attain as many think. Here is an example:

“Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds. This happens more often when we have as little expectation as possible. If you say, ‘Well, that’s pretty much what I thought I’d see,’ you are in trouble. At that point you have to ask yourself why you are even here. Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time. Let it be. Unto us, so much is given. We just have to be open for business.”

All writers want to be better at their craft, even if  the writing is a personal journal every day or jottings on a blog.  Lamott guides us gently into the writing process and helps us understand you need to keep "the butt to the chair" and there are lots of "shitty first drafts". There are lots of starts and stops. Writing is messy. Here she explains why writing matters: 

“So why does our writing matter, again?" they ask.

Because of the spirit, I say. Because of the heart. Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again.” 

 Her journey of faith, though unconventional, guides ua to see that faith isn't a cookie cutter way of believing.  She has struggled with addiction, body image issues, depression, and failure. Her faith has carried her through many valleys and mountaintops and her series of books on faith illustrate how prayer, God, spirituality,and grace can be understood and viewed differently by each individual, and that is okay.

I have a few more of her books on my stack to read. I love to read her quotes on Twitter every day. If  you haven't read any of her books, I highly recommend them. Here are the links to my other two posts about Anne Lamott.

http://gatheringaroundthetable.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-shed-notebook-bird-by-bird.html

http://gatheringaroundthetable.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-shed-notebook-anne-lamott-and.html

Sibling Assignment #201: 717 E. Bridgeport

I gave this writing assignment. “Grandma Woolum's birthday is in early November. Write about good memories with our grandmother.” Brother Bill's is here and sister Carol's is here.

Grandma Woolum lived at 717 E. Bridgeport in Spokane, WA frome before I was born until she died. That house held memories of a fire in the fireplace in summer, the cellar in the basement that smelled like dill, the snowball bush out front that bloomed every spring, the aroma of fried chicken in the kitchen, and the sweet smell of Jergen's hand lotion. Grandma had an apartment upstairs that was rented out often when we were young. I think the picture above it Bill and I upstairs at her renter's apartment. (I learned this picture was not taken upstairs, but I love the picture so I am keeping it in.)When the apartment wasn't rented, we loved to go upstairs and play house or just hang out.

Grandma Woolum was a strong woman that raised her childen almost by herself. She loved to garden, to can, to bake and prepare meals, and shop at The Crescent. She didn't drive, but learned the bus system in Spokane and was able to go to Fairchild, downtown, or Northtown easily.

 Even though Grandma only lived in Spokane, it seemed like a journey for our family.  I loved to review old pictures and remember fun times there. Above I guess I was trying to hide from brother Bill behind the furnace in the dining room.

 One year we celebrated Bill's birthday after Christmas as Grandma's house. I loved the drapes behind us and never knew anyone else that had venetian blinds.

 This is one of my favorite pictures of Grandma Woolum. It shows her row of beautiful roses by the shed and it also shows my sister Carol with Grandma. Grandma loved her children, grandchildren, and other family members so much. She loved it when we came to visit.

This is another favorite picture of mine. Grandma's kitchen was my favorite room in her house. She had African violets blooming on the counter, she had a trash burner that warmed up the kitchen on cold mornings, and she had an old wringer washing machine by the back door. I was too young to remember this picture of myself and my parents, but I love how Dad is helping with the dishes. I don't remember him doing that too often when I was older.

I still drive by 717 E. Bridgeport often when I am in Spokane. The neighborhood looks a bit worn out now. The house has changed in some ways, but it isfull of memories for me. I would love to knock on the door and go inside and visit.

Sibling Assignment #200: Apple Bundt Cake Recipe Revised

Carol gave sibling assignment #200. "Since we all enjoy spending time in the kitchen, it is time share some of our creativity.  Share your own variation of an already published recipe that is a good fall offering. Share the recipe, share why you made the changes you did, and your critique of the dish you created.  Share photos as well." Sister Carol's is here and brother Bill's is here.

When my neighbor Jane gave us a bag of apples I quickly searched for an apple cake recipe to use the apples and to serve for Sunday dinner. I love the blog Sally's Baking Addiction so I was pleased when I found the recipe below there. There were a few changes I made in the recipe. The first change I made was replacing stevia with the white sugar. I couldn't find my vanilla so I used almond extract. All I had was vanilla yogurt, and it worked great. I also added some bourban to the recipe.

I didn't make the glaze. That was the hardest part because the glaze sounded so yummy. I did heavy whipped cream with stevia and bourban added. Even though it was a cake, I think I made it a bit more healthy. I added my changes below in yellow. If you are looking for delicious baking recipes, check out the link above.

(p.s. I found my vanilla later in the refrigerator... go figure.)

Glazed Apple Bundt Cake

yield: SERVES 10-12

prep time: 30 MINUTES

cook time: 1 HOUR

total time: 1 HOUR, 30 MINUTES PLUS COOLING

Tender and moist homemade apple bundt cake smothered in a buttery brown sugar glaze. Your new favorite cake for the crisp fall weather.

Ingredients:

APPLE BUNDT CAKE

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 and 1/4 cups (300ml) canola or vegetable oil (I used olive oil)
• 1/2 cup (120g) plain yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature (I used vanilla yogurt)
• 1 and 1/4 cups (250g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar ( I used stevia)
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla extract (yes, 1 full Tablespoon) ( I used almond extract)
• 3 medium apples, peeled and chopped into small chunks (about 3 cups) (I left peelings on the apples)
• I added three tablespoons bourbon because I didn't have rum.
• I added a cup of  chopped pecans

I didn't make the glaze but whipped heavy cream and added stevia and bourbon to taste

I didnBROWN SUGAR GLAZE

• 1 cup (190g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 cup (62g) confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Spray a 10-12 cup bundt pan with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, toss the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, yogurt, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until combined and creamy. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and slowly whisk until no large lumps remain. Try to avoid overmixing. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold in the apple chunks. If you feel 3 large apples is too much, feel free to cut down to 2 apples. I like a lot of apple chunks in my cake.
3. Spoon/pour the thick batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 55-75 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean. The baking times may vary depending on your oven, if you used a 10 cup bundt pan or 12 cup, or if you used less apple chunks. Keep your eye on the cake after 55 minutes. Feel free to cover the cake loosely with aluminum foil about halfway through to prevent heavy browning on top.
4. Allow the cake to cool in the pan set on a wire rack, then invert onto a serving plate once cooled and ready to serve. As it cools, however, you may prepare the brown sugar glaze. Combine the brown sugar, butter, and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring the mixture often. Allow to boil for 1 minute (without stirring), then turn the heat down to low and allow to simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and whisk in the confectioners' sugar. Allow glaze to cool and slightly thicken for at least 5 minutes. Spoon glaze over the cake right before serving. If your glaze thickens up too much before serving the cake, warm in the microwave for 15 seconds and stir until smooth.
5. I like this cake warm, at room temperature, and even cold. Cover leftovers and store at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Flavor is outstanding on day 2!

Make ahead tip: Cake freezes well up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before serving.

Sibling Assignment #199: A Piece of Heaven: Priest Lake

Brother Bill gave this assignment. "  I’m thinking about Christy’s recent trip to Priest Lake, Carol’s recent  trip to Seattle, and my recent trip to Eugene. Let’s all describe and write about an unexpected pleasure each of us experienced on these trips. " You can find sister Carol's post here and brother Bill's post here

 I love to call Priest Lake a piece of heaven. Growing up we were so close to Priest Lake, but had never gone there. In northern Idaho there are so many lakes that we often visited ones that were closer to home. About ten years ago we decided to take a week-end getaway to Hill's Resort on Priest and have continued to visit since then, moving up the lake to stay at Elkin's Resort.

There are always unexpected pleasures each time we take a trip to Elkin's Resort. That is why we continue to visit at least once a year. This year the first unexpected pleasure was the weather. It was sunny, warm, and just the right temperature to sit on the sand by the water, or take a hike to Hanna Flats.

The second unexpected pleasure was the cabin we stayed in. I had always looked at the cabin across a little bridge from the rest of the cabins and wanted to stay there. Our other favorite cabins were booked this time, so it worked out perfectly. The cabin was off by itself, it was full of beautiful furniture, and it even had a washer and dryer. We learned later that this cabin had been a home to the owners son while he was building a house, We could have stayed a week!

The third unexpected pleasure was the trail outside the cabin that led to a deserted beach. We had warm sunshine, lovely red chairs, the lakeshore for the dogs to romp in the water, and peace and quiet. I love these pictures of that beach enjoying quality time with Everett and the dogs. 

I spent time journaling, reading, sipping adult beverages, taking lots of photos, taking each dog for walks, and and spending quality time with Everett. The resturant was a short walk across the parking lot so we had it made.

I can't wait for our next trip to Elkin's Resort at Priest Lake.

Sibling Assignment #197: KHS Homecoming: GAA, Driving Teachers' Cars, and Going to the Bar

Bill gave this assignment. "When we were in high school, we had Homecoming every fall. Write about
something you recall about one of your three high school homecomings whether it’s a football game,

a dance, a pep rally/bonfire, or anything else." You can find sister Carol's post is here and brother Bill's post
is here.

Girls only had one sport when I was in high school in the early seventies. We just had track. To give us atheletic experiences, we had GAA ( Girl's Athletic Association). We met at the football field or the gym on Thursday nights and played flag football, basketball, and other competitive games. Another activity GAA participated in was running the concession stand at football and basketball games. The money earned provided money for some fun field trips and other things. Mrs. H was our advisor and I was president of the organization my senior year.

Back in the day we were allowed to do many things that would make a school board and principal shutter today. First, we were given permission to drive teachers' cars and do it during the school day. They gave out "town passes". If Kenton needed to get the school newspaper up to the Kellogg Evening News to get printed, he drove Mrs. Faraca's car. If Mrs. H. left something at home, she let a girl that was her TA drive and get it.

As president of GAA one of my big duties during football season was to help set up the concession stand before games. I don't know why, but we got ice from the bowling alley up the hill from Teeter's Field. I took Mrs. H's car which had coolers inside and drove up to the bowling alley. I got the ice in the bar, so there was Mrs. Callahan or Bill Kramer waiting to fill my coolers with ice. Then off I went to drive her car inside the football field to the concession stand. The concession stand was a big money maker and I think we only sold fountain pop, popcorn, and candy.

I still played in the pep band, marched on the field during halftime, wished I was a cheerleader, yearned to be Homecoming Queen, yelled my head off as part of Pep Club, and maybe even watched the game. When the game ended I played "Alma Mater" with the Pep Band while everyone around me swayed side to side singing the verses loudly. Back then lots of alumni did return home also, so it was fun to look around and see former cheerleaders, football players, and drill team members that I idolized in my youth.

I must have had much more energy back then, because next I helped clean up the consession stand and loaded up the empty coolers for another game and headed to the Northwest Medals for a dance.

I don't know what was worse back in the fall of '72: driving a teacher's car or going to the bar to get ice. We were trusted back then. We all survived. All the teachers' cars survived. It was just different back in the day.

Sibling Assignment #196: Autumn Through the Lens of My Camera

Sister Carol gave the assignment this week. "Use a portion of the music from Vivaldi’s Autumn to be the
background in a slideshow of autumn images you have taken with your camera.  
They can be old or current images. " You can find sister Carol's here and brother Bill's here
Since I love autumn, especially autumn leaves, it wasn't hard to put the slide show together. Enjoy!

Sibling Assignment #195: The Gentle Hope of Autumn

I gave the sibling assignment this week. "The first day of autumn is September 22nd. Share a poem about the season that appeals to you and why." Sister Carol's post is here. Brother Bill's is here.

The Gentle Hope of Autumn

The many-hued leaves that fall
To nurture the life lying below the ground

The songs of birds trilling out
Lifting our spirits

The chill of mornings that lead
To a day of sunny warmth

The final ripening of fruit
Before the winter chill arrives

The light of dawn when I rise (sometimes)
And the early dusk that calls me
To quiet evenings of thought, prayer and words

Be still as all slows down
Be still in this time of quiet gathering
Be still and listen to Earth going to rest
Be still in peace in the hope of new life to come

For from the dying of Autumn
Comes the birthing of Spring

In the passing of the past
Comes the arrival of the future

In the changing of what has been
Comes what will be

In the moving forward of one generation
Comes the moving in of the next

In the silent listening of questions
Comes the answers for our times

Angela Coleman

I have memories of having autumn poems read to me before I went to sleep when I was a child. I also remember autumn poems that a teacher read, then had us memorize . While reading and rereading poems this week I first noticed the title of this poem. It reminded me why I love autumn. It fills me with gentle hope.

Things begin to slow down. the Earth is going to rest. Moving into autumn I experince the contrast of cold mornings and warm afternoons. We pick ripe tomatoes, then see black vines from frost. Sunflowers are the crowns of the garden, then  their heads bend as if weeping.
The poem spoke of what we do as the season is dying. We get our soil ready for winter, we build up the garden remains to produce compost in the spring, we dry the last rose pedals in a jar by the light.

As the author reminds us, autumn is "quiet evenings of thought, prayer, and words". I am ready for that after a hot summer of busyness and harvesting, tending flowers, and deadheading spent blossoms.

I will now go and listen to the birds trilling, observe the leaves turning, and embrace the gentle hope of autumn.

Sibling Assignment #194: Crossroads That Led to the Classroom

Sister Carol gave Sibling Assignment #194. While attending Cosette’s graduation recently, it got me thinking about when I graduated from college, what I did and didn’t remember from that day, and where I was at regarding my future.  Think back to when you graduated and received your bachelor’s degree.  What happened next in your life, and how do you remember feeling at this crossroads of your life? You will find her post here and brother Bill'shere

When you major in education in college you are on a strict timetable before and after graduation. When I graduated from college most teaching jobs were posted in spring/early summer and teachers were hired for the next school year by early July. Back in the day, we got a newsletter that listed all the teaching jobs that were open.

I knew I wanted a teaching job. I had student taught in Coeur d’Alene and hoped to continue teaching there. I did get an interview, but back then hundreds of new teachers applied for jobs there. I wasn’t  selected. I focused my search on the Inland Empire mostly because I thought it would make it easier to relocate.

I was most interested in fourth or fifth grade, but would have considered other grade levels. I had my bright yellow interview dress and often was driven to interviews in the early part of the summer because I didn’t have a car. Sometimes my parents let me use their car.  I interviewed in Bonners Ferry, Sandpoint, Garfield WA, and Kellogg. I decided to take the job in Kellogg because it was fourth grade. The pay was better than the districts up north. It was at Pinehurst Elementary which meant I would know lots of the staff.

For me it was a fun crossroads in life summer. It was easy to find an apartment, I got my first car, and I got lots of help and support from my mom and other teachers in the district. I didn’t have much money in September so I ate dinner at my parents every night. I enjoyed that because I could troubleshoot teaching strategies with Mom. Dad’s favorite saying during that time was, “Are you two going to teach school all evening?” Yes, we pretty much did that.

It was a smart decision for me and it got my teaching career off to a strong start. I had quality people I taught with, supportive parents, students I have never forgotten, and a fun social life also. I stayed at PInehurst the first three years of my career and only left because a marriage to my first husband required relocation.

Sibling Assignment #192 : The Memory of Lilacs

I gave the following sibling assignment #192:

“What flower evoke strong memories with you? Share those memories in our next sibling assignment. “ You will find brother Bill's assignment here and sister Carol's here.

I have been surrounded by garden flowers since I was a little girl, Both my
grandmothers raised beautiful flowers gardens as did my Auntie Lila. Mom did the best she could, but the smelter smoke always made it a challenge in Kellogg. Later she was able to add more flowers when the smoke went away. When I would go visit these family gardens, it usually was in August when many varieties of perennials and annuals were in bloom. 

In spring though I could also look forward to lilacs. Lilacs evoke strong memories
with me. When we moved to 516 W. Cameron the back fence was lined with lilac bushes. The lilacs were strong enough to stand up to the smelter smoke. I looked forward to them blooming in the spring and filling the air with a sweet, heady fragrance.

Grandma Woolum also had lilacs in Spokane. Spokane is the Lilac City and what I
remember is that hers always bloomed first. We would bring home a bouquet that would carry that sweet scent in the car and continue when we arrived home. I could treasure that bouquet until ours bloomed.

It was one the first thing I planted when I had room for lilacs at Martin Creek.
 Now that I am back next door to Mom’s lilacs, I was pleased a row of lilac bushes were planted in my new backyard also.

Lilacs are also a favorite bloom to photograph. Here are a few of my favorite photo images.There is one thing I wish I could change about ilacs. I  just wish they lasted longer.

Sibling Assignment #191:Swan Song and 52 Cups of Poetry

I gave the following assignment for this month:

"Write a tribute to a friend that is no longer with us."
You will find brother Bill's here and sister Carol's here.

I chose to write about a student rather than a friend. After the first year of teaching at Inchelium,
I was working with students in summer school when we got the news that one of our students had
been shot in a freak accident while the family was camping south of town. The student had just finished
third grade that spring. Her family and the reservation community was never the same.
I can remember attending her funeral and walking outside to see her laying in an open casket i
n the most beautiful dress. She looked like a precious doll. That haunted me long after the service.
When I worked with a poet as the writing project a few years later, she worked with me to get my
thoughts to paper. This poem also helps me reach my goal of writing 52 poems in 2018.

Swan Song
in memory of S.A. Swan
A Sacred Place On Lake Roosevelt
(1983-1995)

Don’t apologize for the day you allowed your sister to

mark in that brand new book,
Remember, I wanted you to take it home

and practice reading it to her.

Don’t apologize for the day your mother arrived

to visit your teachers at school.
You were good to steady her when

she stumbled and used angy words.

Don’t apologize for the day you forgot the words

from a story you composed in class.
Remember, we wrote them, whispered them,

wrestled with them to help you feel the sound.

Don’t apologize for the day after recess when

I had to send someone for you.
Because your other teacher kept you in your seat,

redoing that ditto ‘till you got it right.

Don’t apologize for the day you never appeared,

missing Indian tacos for lunch.

Remember, it was the day your mother returned

to the rez once again.

Don’t apologize for the day at summer school when

the children heard of your death
We tried to read, we tried to write,

but ended up seeing you.

Don’t apologize for leaving before I could say

how much I loved your spirit.
Remember S.A., you were a fragile duckling,

beginning to become a swan.