Lady Ivorwen

are your friends visible?

2011-07-26T10:18:00.000-06:00

One of the things I love about being a parent is teasing my children. They love it too! It makes them feel appreciated and wanted.

Last night, my almost eight year old, asked me if we could buy the ingredients for his birthday cake this week. Then he asked if he could have a birthday party.
I asked him who he wanted to invite.

He shrugged, "My friends."

"And who would they be," I asked, hoping for names.

"Oh, you know," he replied earnestly.

"Have I ever seen your friends?" I asked him in a teasing tone.

"Mmmmm.... some of them," he shrugged again, getting board with the conversation.

"Are the rest invisible?" I asked.

He began to laugh, looking this way and that. Leif, who'd been listening all along piped up, "Some of his friends are aliens. He thinks aliens are real!"

. . . this could be a very interesting birthday party . . .

fired worms

2011-06-06T10:32:00.000-06:00

and grasshoppers too

Kaycee, with an earthworm form an early morning walk.

Last night we were reading a story with the boys of some missionaries in Brazil, and their initial contacts with one group of primitive people. It told of the natives offering them black hornet larva as a gift -- a food they considered a great delicacy.

This prompted my husband to ask the boys whether they had ever read the book 'Fried Worms'. Their response? "No, but we've eaten fried worms!"

They then went on to tell him how good fried worms are, and explained their process for frying them until they are crispy, on the hood of a vehicle, sprinkled with a dash of salt and pepper. They said they are excellent with spinach.

You should have seen the smiles on their faces as they told about this 'summer lunch special'.

My husband, grossed out, finished reading the chapter and sent them to bed. But one little boy, Wesley, wasn't done talking. He came to me, "Mom, now that it is summer, I can't wait for the grasshoppers to come out."

"Why? Do you want to eat them too?" I asked, sarcastically.

"Yeah! They are soooo good! The big grey flying ones are the best... but they don't show up until late summer. Their wings are the best part!

I also like ants. But you have to make sure they are dead before you eat them, or they will bite your tongue."

Note: Kaycee's worm was let go in the flower bed. ;)

what if...

2011-06-01T19:44:00.000-06:00

What if you woke up today with only what you thanked God for yesterday?

I saw this question posted on facebook, and it got me thinking, 'What did I thank God for yesterday?' And I had to conclude, the most important things would still be here.

I'd still have my family, both immediate and extended, and my home. I'd still have some of the greatest friends in the world, and some of the most confusing. The weather would be beautiful. I'd still have the ability to make the things I want to make. There would be enough money to pay the bills, and there would still be fabulous music.

In fact, thinking this over kind of made me wish I could wake up with only what I thanked Him for... but then, there is the washing machine and the freedoms we have that I didn't thank Him for, and I would hate to loose those, or any of the many other things I so often take for granted.

Thank you Father, for blessing me so abundantly!

sleeping super heros

2011-05-29T17:51:00.000-06:00

All tuckered out, from a hard day of saving the world.
. . . A bit like Brer Rabbit.

words from a friend...

2011-05-21T23:22:00.001-06:00

"Don't let your fears keep you captive."

Thank you, Friend, for this simple yet profound advise. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” I think you said it even better.

"Fear you not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you; yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness." --Isiah 41:10

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1

this mother's day

2011-05-09T14:28:00.000-06:00

This mother's day was truly splendid! It began with well wishes from friends and family, then progressed into a fun filled day.

My husband went out of his way to make sure of it. He made me dinner and dessert-- or I should say, he tried. I ended up making the side dishes, because it was easier than explaining the recipe to him (of course it is not written down!). And the dessert was the same way... which I didn't mind, because it is super simple and delicious. It was fun working with him in the kitchen. It is not something we have ever done much of, but if it could always be like it was yesterday, then I would like to make it a habit!

After dinner, he got the kids ready for a drive, and took us to see parts of the valley we haven't been in for years. I loved seeing all the little streams and brooks running down the hillsides, through the pastures and under the fences.

This is one of the things I love about living in the mountains. When spring finally does hit, it comes with a rush.

When we returned home, I discovered my first daffodil blooming:

The poor thing isn't in the greatest shape, because our silly dog insists on laying in front of this window. From the looks of things, it may be my only one this year. Oh well. I could move the flowers, or add spikes to the bed. I'll probably do neither. :P

Supper Simple Cheese Cake:

1 8 oz. block of cream cheese
1 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice

1 graham cracker crust

Warm cheese to room temperature and beat together with milk and juice, until thoroughly blended. Pour into crust and chill until firm. (1 1/2 - 3 hours) Top with berries or chocolate, as desired.

the first bluebird

2011-05-03T19:13:00.000-06:00

The first bluebird of the year always brings me joy. Seeing bluebirds was one of the thrills that came with moving to the mountains from the plains of Colorado.

The First Bluebird of 2011, Alpine, WY.

There is something so delightful about their bright feathers and their erratic flight pattern. I love the way they stand out against any background, bringing light to a dark day.

I know I am not alone in finding joy with the return of the bluebird. In one of my favorite books, The Harvester, by Gene Stratton-Porter, which was first published 100 years ago (1911), the bluebird plays a major role in determining the future. ...Or, at least the timing of making choices.

So I watched with delight as the first bluebird of the year flit across my yard and landed on the chain-link fence. I was glad my camera was handy! In the past I have always missed getting a picture.

* * *

The Harvester

"Bel, come here!" The Harvester sat in the hollow worn in the hewed log stoop by the feet of his father and mother and his own sturdier tread, and rested his head against the casing of the cabin door when he gave the command. The tip of the dog's nose touched the gravel between his paws as he crouched flat on earth, with beautiful eyes steadily watching the master, but he did not move a muscle.

"Bel, come here!"

Twinkles flashed in the eyes of the man when he repeated the order, while his voice grew more imperative as he stretched a lean, wiry hand toward the dog. The animal's eyes gleamed and his sensitive nose quivered, yet he lay quietly.

"Belshazzar, kommen Sie hier!"

The body of the dog arose on straightened legs and his muzzle dropped in the outstretched palm. A wind slightly perfumed with the odour of melting snow and unsheathing buds swept the lake beside them, and lifted

a waving tangle of light hair on the brow of the man, while a level ray of the setting sun flashed across the water and illumined the graven, sensitive face, now alive with keen interest in the game being played.

"Bel, dost remember the day?" inquired the Harvester.

The eager attitude and anxious eyes of the dog betrayed that he did not, but was waiting with every sense alert for a familiar word that would tell him what was expected.

"Surely you heard the killdeers crying in the night," prompted the man. "I called your attention when the ecstasy of the first bluebird waked the dawn. All day you have seen the gold-yellow and blood-red osiers,

the sap-wet maples and spring tracing announcements of her arrival on the sunny side of the levee."

The dog found no clew, but he recognized tones he loved in the suave, easy voice, and his tail beat his sides in vigorous approval. The man nodded gravely.

"Ah, so! Then you realize this day to be the most important of all the coming year to me; this hour a solemn one that influences my whole after life. It is time for your annual decision on my fate for a twelve-month. Are you sure you are fully alive to the gravity of the situation, Bel?" Read more, free...

can i keep him?

2011-05-02T13:48:00.000-06:00

"Please Momma?"

"My brothers find him for me!"

Spring cleaning the neighborhood is always fun. It is a good excuse to get outdoors and the melting snow always uncovers some interesting things. Plus, it pays. There are enough beer cans to make a pretty penny at the recyclers.

Then, there are the interesting finds. Some of them, you have to wonder about... Last year I had about two dozen beer boxes that had escaped from the nearby bar's dumpster. This year, there are little skunks all up and down the road. And the prize finding so far? A muddy little Eeyore, with a missing tail. If we can get him cleaned up, he will be a keeper.

Maybe I can find a little paintbrush to glue on him for a tail...

i'm sorry

2011-05-01T20:04:00.000-06:00

"Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart." --Proverbs 25:20

There is one I care about greatly, who has had a heavy heart. I fear I have been a singer of songs. I am sorry. So sorry.

You know who you are. Please forgive me.

seven is a journey

2011-04-30T14:17:00.001-06:00

journey: Seven is a Journey: "April 30, 2011 A few years ago I heard a superstitious rhyme that pertained to counting ravens, crows or magpies: One for sorrow, Two ..."

2011-04-28T09:34:00.001-06:00

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

dreams do come true

2011-04-27T17:30:00.000-06:00

...at least some of them!

For months now I have been agonizing over just how to build my kitchen cabinets, what to cover the walls with and most of all, the counter tops! I had no idea what I wanted for counter tops, once we ruled out pouring concrete ones ourselves. Nothing I looked at seemed right. At one point I threw my hands up and said, 'Who cares! We'll go with laminate!' But then, we priced it...

There. Is. No. Way. I am going to pay that much for something I think is ugly!

Which put me back to looking and thinking and eventually, dreaming. Yes. I dreamed about my counter top. And in the dream, I saw a brick looking counter. Now, I had thought of this in the beginning, but I hadn't seen any brick looking tiles in all my trips through Home Depot, Lowes and the local flooring shops... so I had given it up.

But yesterday, I found them! They were hiding out in a Habitat for Humanity ReStore:

My 'brick' counter top.

And there was just enough of them for my counter top! Do you know how hard it is to find enough of something at a ReStore? I am so amazed at the things God does for us: First the thought, then the product.

The fact that He cares about the little, dumb things in our lives completely amazes me.

And then the nail polish... I found just want I wanted!

I'm usually not a purple person -- normally I avoid it -- but it seemed the perfect color for this spring.

A few years ago, the boys got into my polish and painted the walls in their bathroom many shades of pink. I never replaced them, deciding a clear coat was good enough... but I love the way the black polish looks... so I decided to get some. And purple too. Don't ask me why, but I wanted it to go with the dress I am making. I just didn't think black would be right...

The fabric my dress is being made out of.

Now, don't tell me you have bed sheets out of this. I don't want to hear it! I love the fabric, and will use it as I please.

And the black polish I wanted? When I told the friend I went shopping with what was on my list, she said, 'Scratch the black polish. I have some you can have. It has only been used once.'

I couldn't imagine her wearing black polish, so I had to ask... She had bought it for her husband... The guys at work had told him he would be bored after his surgery, so he painted his nails before stopping in one day and telling them he hadn't been bored at all! ROFLMAO!!! Gotta love people like that!

And now: A song for the title of this post:

Okay. Don't get me wrong. I really like this song, but I have a serious issue with some of the lyrics:

"Kiss me once and I will surely melt and die. Kiss me twice and I never leave your side."

If you melted and died with the first kiss, how do you expect to be there for the second one? Just askin'.

open hands, open heart

2011-03-27T17:13:00.000-06:00

"And then I look inside and pray that I don't care."

Maybe I am just a fool, but I care. I hope. I believe.
My friends say it is a strength, but some days it feels like a weakness.
The Bible says it is love. God's kind of love. (I Corinthians 13) And who can argue with that?

Sleep, by Savatage
sung by Zak Stevens 

Hey there you

Way out there in the distance

Can you hear me

Are you there

I know it's late

So please forgive my persistence

But I'm hanging

Do you care

So lay back

Call off the attack

Cause if you look deep

Dreams are nothing that I lack

And all I seek

A final chance to speak

And I would let the whole thing keep

If I could just sleep

Hey there you

Way out there could you show me

Just a signal

Or a sign

That after all

All these years that you've known me

And I'm not just killing time

So lay back

Call off the attack

Cause if you look deep

Dreams are nothing that I lack

And all I seek

A final chance to speak

But I would let the whole thing keep

If I could just sleep

As I lay there late at night

Building castles in the air

Out of alibis and all those little lies

And then I look inside

And pray that I don't care

I don't care

I don't care

Hey there you way out there in the distance

-----------------------------------------------------
"But seasons come and seasons go.  Time changes things.  If people want to fly, they are free to go.  If they want to come back, my arms are still open and so is my heart."  --2011: Bold and Beautiful

feeling like a damned failure*

2011-02-28T20:42:00.004-07:00

I lost it today.

Really lost it.

Not once, not twice. I don't know how many times...

Mostly, it was just a quiet rage, within myself. A fuming and internal fussing.

Something I tried to squelch. Something I tried to ignore.

I didn't know why I felt so angry...
Why every chore set off a new string of unmentionable words within my brain.

Why did scrubbing the bathroom make me want to explode?
Why did starting a load of laundry anger me?
What is it about simple chores that upsets me so?

I like a clean home. I like my counters to sparkle, my windows to shine, the laundry neatly folded and put away. I like a job well done...

So why do I want to cuss the whole time I am working at it?

The answer came in a rush of tears... When I couldn't bite my tongue any longer...

I feel like a failure when I clean.

Yep. That's it. All of it.

There is something about sweeping, scrubbing and sorting that makes me feel like I have failed.
            Already done did fail!

Something about the fact that it needs to be done, again, makes me feel like I have failed to succeed.

There is something about a mess that screams, "Ha ha! You lose! Again!"
           ...and I feel like a failure...

I want to be a trophy wife.
The kind of wife my husband is always proud of.
The kind of wife that gets hugged in public.

He did that the other night.
Hugged me right out in the open, where others could see.

I can't remember the last time that happened...

It made me feel so good.

It made me feel so loved.

I want it to always be like that.

But then I fail. I lose it. I explode. I forget to start supper in a timely manner.
           ...and I fail...

I love to clean with Metallica blaring in the background.
I love to work as hard as I can, making our house a home...

But he hates my music.
So I don't play it when he is about.
Nor do I clean when he is about.
But that causes fights.

He thinks I'm sexy when I clean.
He thinks a lack cleaning when he is around is a lack of love for him.

And I feel damned.
Damned again and again and again.

But still I rise.
I rise, because I won't let this feeling beat me.
I rise, to show my children that it can be done. To stop the damage my attitude has already done.
I rise, to create my future.
But most of all, I rise because I know that feelings lie, and I won't be beaten by a lie!

*I wrote this about two months ago (the date on it), but published it elsewhere to begin with.

God Speaks

2011-02-16T21:58:00.000-07:00

When will I learn to listen?

Today I went shopping with my oldest son. I had a list of things to get and the one item that I had no clue where to find was an epi-lady. I looked at several stores, but didn't find one. As I was leaving Ross Dress for Less I noticed Target, and 'knew' that they would carry them, but for some reason, it didn't dawn on me to stop there.

I shopped at Wal-Mart, I went to the mall and visited EVERY store that Might Possibly have one. No luck. Most had never even heard of them. I was on the verge of tears, and just wanted to go home. I hated that I couldn't find this one. simple. item.

I figured it was time to give up and finish my shopping, when once again Target popped into my head. I figured, 'What the heck. What could I loose by checking it out?'

So I went. There, I found not one choice, but two! From the look of the shelf, they actually carried two others that were currently out of stock, but I found just what I was after! It cost a bit more than I had intended to spend on one, but it is made in Germany, instead of China!

I am so happy to have found what I was after, but I am so disappointed in myself. I could have saved myself so much trouble if I had only stopped to realize it was the voice of my Lord and Savior speaking to me, in the first place. He told me at the outset of the day... but I didn't listen. I didn't even stop to contemplate the voice I had heard or what I was being told. I took it all for granted, and ignored it. How sad. When will I learn to listen?

But isn't He wonderful? He told once, at the beginning of my search, and when I had lost hope, He was there, to tell me again. My God is good.

go ahead

2011-02-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

GO AHEAD
Take chances.
Tell the truth.
Date someone totally wrong for you.
Say no.
Spend all your cash.
Get to know some one random.
Be random.
Say I love you.
Sing out loud.
Laugh at stupid jokes.
Cry.
Apologize.
Tell someone how much they mean to you.
Tell a jerk what you think.
Laugh until your stomach hurts.
Live life.
Regret nothing.

feeling grateful

2010-12-28T16:29:00.000-07:00

...and a little bit sad...

Just a few minutes ago, I took a bag of garbage out, and on my way back into the house, saw my husband and oldest son walking towards the house. Walking.

They had left on the snowmachine, for a time of mountain skiing. They had been gone four hours.

How long had they been walking?

Knowing that they were close enough not to need a ride, I went to start the kettle for them, so they could have something warm to drink, before leaving again to get the machine...

But they won't be going after the snowmachine.

It burnt to the ground.

With our skies on it.

Our winter activity is gone. At least for this year.

Sure, the little boys can still ski in the field by our house, which is enough for them, but for the rest of us... we are out of luck... but maybe it is for the best. Who knows?

Personally, I am grateful that my guys were okay. The tank didn't explode while they were riding it. They were not hurt at all. They didn't even have to walk back into town.

Before the fire had died out, some kindly neighbor had come along and seeing their plight, offered them a ride! What could have been a five or six mile walk in the cold snow, with the sun setting, turned into a quick trip.

All in all, I am very grateful. Praise God, for His blessings, His watchful eyes and helping hands.

What are you grateful for?

2010-12-28T08:10:00.001-07:00

You Are a Visionary

You crave human connection. You're ready to deepen your existing relationships and develop new ones.

You are working on following your gut. Your intuition is usually right, and you know you should listen to it more.

Your past has made your ready for a major breakthrough, and you're just about to have it.

The key to improving your life right now is consistency. You need to get into a routine.

How Do You Shape Your Life?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

Believe

2010-12-27T14:34:00.001-07:00

So after all these one night stands

You've ended up with heart in hand

A child alone

On your own

Retreating

Regretful for the things you're not

And all dreams you haven't got

Without a home

A heart of stone

Lies bleeding

And for all the roads you followed

And for all you did not find

And for all the things you had to leave behind

I am the way

I am the light

I am the dark inside the night

I hear your hopes

I feel your dreams

And in the dark

I hear your screams

Don't turn away

Just take my hand

And when you make your final stand

I'll be right there

I'll never leave

All I ask of you

Believe

Your childhood eyes were so intense

While bartering your innocence

For bits of string

Grown-up wings

You needed

But when you had to add them up

You found that they were not enough

To get you in

Pay for sins repeated

And for all the years you borrowed

And for all the tears you cried

And for all the fears you had to keep inside

I am the way 

I am the light 

I am the dark inside the night 

I hear your hopes 

I feel your dreams 

And in the dark 

I hear your screams

Don't turn away

Just take my hand

And when you make your final stand

I'll be right there

I'll never leave

And all I ask of you is

Believe

I never wanted to know

Never wanted to see

I wasted my time

Till time wasted me

Never wanted to go

Always wanted to stay

'Cause the person I am

Are the parts that I play

So I plot and I plan

Hope and I scheme

To the lure of a night

Filled with unfinished dreams

And I'm holding on tight

To a world gone astray

As they charge me for years

I can't pay

I am the way

I am the light

I am the dark inside the night

I hear your hopes

I feel your dreams

And in the dark

I hear your screams Don't turn away

Just take my hand

And when you make your final stand

I'll be right there

I'll never leave

And all I ask of you is

Believe

Believe

say no to snow!

2010-11-01T12:01:00.000-06:00

Kill it dead!

Last week a few inches of snow fell, and the boys, being easily excited by any change, ran out to make fort balls. They succeeded in creating two before the snow began melting. One was made the evening the snow fell, the second, the next morning, before the sun had risen. By that evening, most of the snow had melted!!!

These balls were all that was left in the yard, and they quickly became target practice.

I loved looking out and seeing it stuck full of arrows! It so how I feel about the coming of winter!

*evil laughter*

I know, I know. Winter is going to come, complete with lots and lots of snow, whether I like it or not...

what metal are you?

2010-10-23T16:24:00.000-06:00

You Are Copper

You are provocative and challenging. You help people realize who they really are.

You live a very balanced life. You always take time for love and art.

You are both a powerful and generous person. You always have time to give back.

People find you to be incredibly ethical and loyal.

What Metal Are You?

Blogthings: Discover the Parts of Your Personality that Have Been Hiding

catching up

2010-10-20T12:06:00.000-06:00

On October 12, 2010, I recieved the news that my Grandmother had passed on. It was not unexpected news, but it still caught me by suprize. I spent the day in shock and disbelief. I didn't think we would be able to go to the funeral, but my husband had some business to attend to in that part of the country and was able to pull some strings so that we could go.

The day before we left, Lief, my 4 yo kept running around the house singing, "We are going to celibrate Grandma's death!" It seemed morbid at the time, but I later realized that Grandma would be celibrating, and that is what she would want us to do too.

At the funeral, there were many happy stories told and fond memories shared. It was good to finally meet some of her friends that she had written to me about... although I discovered that most of them were more my mothers age than mine, as she had always told me. :) I think it was the first time, since Grandpa's funeral 11 years ago that everyone had been together, and of course those years have added many great-grandchildren and several spouces to the number. It was so fun to see everyone.

While in the area, we stayed with my sister at her old farm house that they are in the process of restoring. It was fun to live with them for a few days, cooking on the wood cook stove -- really it seems much nicer than the electirc gadgit I've got, though a bit messier when the chimney was blocked. While we were there, our dogs got along great and no one ran into the giant skunk or linx that also live there. We gathered buckeye nuts from the tree, which won't be edible for another year or so, but have so many uses, they are worth waiting for.

The entire trip consisted of about 26 hours on the road, and the children hardly complained at all. They are really becoming good travelers.

types of people

2010-10-09T18:08:00.000-06:00

For the most part, I happen to be one of those who watch. I rarely wonder. What type are you?

There are three types of people. Those who make things happen. Those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened.

i'd like to believe

2010-10-07T21:39:00.000-06:00

With fall closing in, we are trying to wrap up our travel for the year, so that we do not have any commitments once the snow begins to fly. One of those commitments is visiting with family. I was blessed to see most of my family this summer, at my cousin's wedding, and a couple of weeks before that my father-in-law visited us. Today we saw my mother-in-law. We met up at Bear World, and had planned to spend the day there, but just as we were finishing up lunch, it began to rain. Luckily, we had had our fill of bears, wolves and other wild life, including carnival rides. So we drove a few miles to a mall and hung out there for the rest of the afternoon. It was a really good time.

Now comes the hard part. I'd like to believe that today was the really good day that it seems to have been. I would like to believe that I can take everything and everyone at face value. I would like to believe that a good, peaceable relationship with my mother-in-law is an honest to goodness possibility. I really would. But I don't. I hope for it, but I don't believe it. I have believe it before, and I have always been knocked flat by the outcome.

Right now, I am sitting here, with my guard up high, wondering what is going to happen next. What sly, subtle thing is going to be thrown at me this time? In the past, I have never been ready... and I have always been hit hard. But still, I want to believe. I really really do.

I want to believe the best about people, even when all past indicators point the other way.

Which brings me to the second drama of the day, which is really the reason I am writing. We got home and put the kids to bed. I thought I would spend some time online, reading my favorite blogs and listening to music. No sooner had I logged on, than I found a message from a friend saying, "I need you to support me Ivorwen!" Now, this message being from a friend, I went to see what was up, but all I found was drama.

Drama, just like the kind I had been through all day. The kind, where you never know when you are going to get stabbed in the back, yer just pretty sure that if you hang out long enough with your guard down, it will happen.

Like I said:

I want to believe the best about people,

but, when

all the indicators point the other way...

It is asking a bit much.

Friend, you're not vain, if you think this is about you. And it is not you I don't trust. I know I say I hate drama, and yet here I am making a bit of my own by writing this, but I will not be pulled into other peoples fights. Let them have it out. It is their thing.

...now back to our regular programing...

It is one thing to run from people in real life, especially when they do have the power to hurt you, but this is the internet! The internet! Let it go and move on. Deleting your work because some A-hole is troubling you is letting them know that they have power over you. Do you really want to give them that? Because it is yours to give -- no one can take that aways from you. Now, please excuse me while I go take some of my own advise and realize that even if I do get some books or articles in the mail, I don't have to read them, especially, if I can tell from the cover that they are in direct opposition to entire way I live my life!

"words not needed"

2010-10-05T09:29:00.000-06:00

A series of dreams have left me wondering what is meant by 'words not needed'.

Several days ago I dreamed I was visiting my parents, and I had woken up late in the morning. I came downstairs in time to see my mom carrying food to the table. I was going to offer help, but she put a finger to her lips to shush me and said "Words not needed! He is waiting by the corrals."

I slipped on some shoes and headed out the back door. I could see Gem waiting for me. He was standing on the fence by the working chutes. The pathways were overgrown with tall grass and weeds. As I got close he simply said, "Words not needed," and held out his hand for me to join him. As I neared, all I could think was, 'Those weeds will make me sneeze.'

The other night I dreamed I was at a hotel with my family. They had all left the room for breakfast, and as I was heading to the dining room to join them a hotel worker met me in the lobby, pointed out the window, across the lawn, to where a man stood in the unmowed edge.. "He said for you to join him. Words not needed!"

I looked at her, trying to figure out what was going on, but she just said, "Hurry, he is waiting for you." I could see my husband with the boys in the dining room, and he waved at me, as though he knew what was going on, so I headed out to see the man. As I near I could tell it was a friend of Gem's, a man I will call Kay. I started to say hello, but he put his finger on his lips and said, "Words not needed." He came forward, put his hand on the small of my back, and guided me on a walk through the tall grass.

Last night I had another dream of the same sort. I was staying in a very fancy stone built house. I woke up early and headed downstairs, just as the sun was rising. There was a young maid waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, and she pointed at a back door, saying, "Words not needed."

I looked at her hard, hoping for more of an explanation, when I woke up just enough to hear that the kitchen heater was running. I got out of bed, still half asleep and went into the kitchen to turn the thermostat down. As I did, I told it, "Words not needed." Then I went back to bed. It was only later that I realized the dream never finished playing itself out.

I woke up this morning, wondering what is meant by 'Words not needed.'