It's almost St. Patrick's Day! I love green, Irish step dancing, celtic music and a vast array of other "Irish" things. So I'm planning on tomorrow being a good day.
I love that my dainty purple crocus flowers have already bloomed in my front flower bed, right along side my snowman decoration that I need to put away. However, as I recall, about a year ago we were shoveling some 20 plus inches of snow around here!
New flowers remind me of new beginnings. Last week was long and rough, and I'm looking forward to the new beginnings that come with Spring. Christine's funeral was beautiful and yet so mournful. As we walked into the funeral home for the viewing, Emily spotted Michaela and fell into her arms as the tears flowed. It was such a bittersweet picture for me. It could have been Linda and myself. As we say our good-bye's here on earth, I know that the deep grief is just beginning for her family left here. Please keep praying for Linda and her family - we will all miss "Mammy".
If you didn't hear, Sophia was home for four nights with her family! Now we must surround them with much prayer as she is entering a very crucial stage in her chemo treatments. Please pray that God grants this baby life and health and peace. Please pray for continued strength for Ginger, Adam and their entire family.
We will be entering day 20 something of our remodeling project tomorrow....bla!!!
I'm too "old and busted" to be tackling some of this stuff. I'm so thankful that in heaven, there will be no need for any remodeling or repainting!
A year ago, I was writing limerick's for all my facebook friends.
I was inspired by my friend Pam, who wrote one for Dan when we first found out he had bladder cancer. It went like this:
"There once was a fine man named Dan,
who daily would ask God his plan,
God gave His answer,
by allowing Dan cancer,
Dan said: "Can we try this again?"
It is silly, but really fun. One guy named me the "Limerick lady" - and in honor of St. Patrick's day, I'm going to copy and paste my "Interview with the Limerick lady." (I had severe insomnia and could think of nothing better to do than "interview" myself - just for the fun of it. It's amazing what you will write at 3 in the morning. Plus, it is a good exercise to make fun of yourself once in a while.)
Read the story of St. Patrick to your children - it's an amazing one!
Interview with the "Limerick Lady".Share
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 11:14am | Edit Note | Delete
Yesterday afternoon, I was able to catch up with the woman who is now being referred to as the “Limerick Lady” on Facebook. She has been writing a personal limerick for each of her friends, and is creating quite a stir among the community. We met over a steaming mug of Highlander Grogg coffee in her home. She was very casual in a black sweater and dark jeans and her demeanor, given her newfound status, was upbeat and yet still very down to earth.
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to meet with me and grant me this interview! ( The pleasure is all mine )
So, you're taken on the huge task of writing a limerick for each of your friends. Tell me, what inspired you to do such a thing?
(Well, I've become quite attached to the 71 wonderful people who call me their friend on Facebook, and I wanted to find a way to express that to each of them. Several weeks ago I wrote a limerick for my “wee” kitten, and as I quoted it out loud to her, her response was incredible. She just stared at me! Literally stared for quite some time, and it was at that moment that I knew just how profoundly a limerick could touch a living soul.)
Please, can you explain briefly what a limerick is, and why you chose that sort of poetry to touch these living souls?
(A limerick is a five lined form of humerus verse. Limericks may cover a wide range of subjects and derives its name from the city of Limerick, Ireland. Now, it's not that I'm completely partial to the Irish. But I do prefer their lyrical poetry over... say, the Japanese form called the “haiku”. I mean, trying to arrange a verse in three lines, with 17 syllables is too complicated for me. I can't be counting syllables - It doesn't fit my style. Besides, we have a lot to thank the Irish for. They gave us St. Patrick's Day, Lucky Charm's cereal (they're magically delicious!), River dance, Red hair (which I particularly love), Corned beef and cabbage, plus they invented the potato. They also gave us the adjective “wee” - which I personally think is great fun to throw around.)
The Irish invented the potato? I thought potatos were around long before the Irish.
(I may need to check my facts on that one, however we do owe the Irish a great deal.)
Back to the creation of your limerick's – why do you think this form of poetry comes so effortlessly to you?
(Most people forget that I am a home schooling Mom, with many “wee” youngsters around here. On any given day, I run across a lot of rhyming words. It has been a natural outpouring of my unique way of looking at others combined with what I am already familiar with.)
What has been the greatest reward to you, thus far, concerning the magnificent limericks you've written?
(Without a doubt, the greatest thing for me has been watching my wee children support my literary efforts. They make coffee for me (exclusively – Highlander Grogg), help keep our home tidy, and encourage me by asking me to write more. Their support has been.....(at this point, she began to tear up....) nothing short of amazing. Just seeing their happy faces as I quote their limericks has touched me! They literally beg me for more , bless their wee hearts.)
Given the huge success of this literary project of yours, have you considered what you would like to tackle next?
(I have, actually. I'm considering writing an “Ode” - which is a more serious, elaborate lyric, full of high praise and noble thinking. I'm thinking of “An Ode to Kirpi the Hedgehog”. Perhaps in the future, I'd also like to collaborate my writings with the poems of another and publish a masterpiece. I was thinking of something like:
“The Best of Lord Alfred Tennyson and the Limerick Lady.” What do you think?)
Well, I'm no expert on publishing books....but wouldn't that be rather difficult, considering that Lord Tennyson died in the late 1800's?
(You've got a wee point there.)
Do you anticipate that your current standard of living will change much, again, given the success of your limericks?
(Well......I don't know. I would still want to schedule my book signings far in advance, so I could take advantage of the $10 Skybus flights to the various cities. If I really wanted to splurge, I may purchase the Kalamutu variety of olives instead of the plain ones - or buy myself a wee bit more chocolate. But other than that, I think my life will pretty much stay the same.)
Well, it has been a pleasure getting to know you and the lyric that you hold so dear to your heart. Is there anything you'd like to say in closing?
(Yes. I'd like to thank my friends Pam Parsons and Robyn Baden, for their insightful comments regarding limericks in the past. I'd also like to thank Nate Johnson for referring to me as the “Limerick Lady” first! So in closing, I'd like to thank them, and the Irish. But especially, the Irish. And thank you for this wee interview!)
(post note: This has been a silly writing without any merit ~ but on a more serious note, I'd like to honestly share why I am writing limericks. Several years ago after Dan was diagnosed with cancer, Pam wrote Dan a limerick, which made us laugh and helped us see the lighter side of life! Her limerick:
“There once was a fine man named Dan,
who daily would ask God His plan,
God gave His answer,
by allowing Dan cancer,
Dan said, “Can we try this again?”
About the same time, Robyn and James Baden wrote a paper with the title:
“The Top Ten Reasons why Dan cannot die of bladder cancer.”
They said things like:
“Rabbit trails would grow over from lack of use.”
“Deb would have to conduct all Dan's business meetings in the form of Praise Dance.”
and other humerus reasons! They helped us get through our trial by helping us laugh again, and at the time – that was priceless.
In recent years, my heart has hurt over the other trials we've experienced, and I have found that writing, or singing or laughing, all these things help me cope. I love the written word – because the Lord used it to give us His Word. His Word has been my supreme comfort and joy. The Psalms have been my life during difficult, sleepless nights. Besides – I really do like poetry! Jen won a poetry contest at Otterbein College, plus Dan's Dad, in addition to my Uncle Don – loved writing poetry. I hope that this inspires one young person to pick up Tennyson or another poet, and give it a read! )
POST NOTE: March 17, 2008
A Very Happy St. Patrick's Day to all of you!!!
Growing up in a predominately Catholic community, I always thought St. Patrick's Day was a party day - green beer, pinching...the things my friends would talk about in middle school. How could I have missed hearing the true story of St. Patrick? He was one amazing person.
So today was pretty much thethe best for me...how could it not be with the profile I have! I was able to be home - watch "Riverdance", strike a few of my friends on facebook with a limerick - you know, fun stuff. Read with the kids about St. Patrick, The Irish- Americans - plus we checked out the website for the upcoming Irish Festival in Dublin - Aug. 1-3 - you should all come if you can. It's pretty awesome..and speaking of awesome - The live Riverdance troupe is coming to the Palace Theatre on April 16 - 22(?). I covet tickets for this! Our friends, James and Rachel bought us tickets one year - and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever witnessed. The music, the dancing and costumes ...oh wow.
Well, to the relief of many - the Limerick Lady is going on Sabbatical. (stop cheering - I can hear you.) I finished 25 limerick's, made a few laugh, a few cry and definatey embarressed a few of my kids. So....
I'm thinking I'll trade in my love of the limerick for the admiration of the author.
I keep looking at all my friends facebooks, and most have book reviews and the such. They must think I'm a nit wit or something -
Seriously - onto Holy Week now and the most sacred of all days - in my opinion - Resurrection Sunday. Jesus Christ was the MOST amazing individual to ever walk this earth. Fully God, fully man. So many deep things to now think of this week. So many things in Christ, our Savior - to be thankful for.
Blessings to all of you!
In this note: Jennifer Frederick (notes), Kirpi Frederick (notes), Pamela
Monday, March 16, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Pulled in Many Directions
My eyes popped wide open at 5 a.m. this morning. Oh snap...it's going to be a long day I believe.
It is before 8 a.m. now, and I'd rather not admit how many cups of coffee I've enjoyed already on this serene and beautiful morning.
It's so quiet...I cherish these hours in the morning before the day gets noisy and busy. I sometimes find myself so far behind, I don't know where to start. So I'll begin this rambling of thought and word with what I think is most important...
Oh, how I wish I could express how wonderful the Lord is to me! Every day - His mercies are indeed new and I don't know how people can live a day without Him! In the margin of my Bible this morning, I saw a date that I had jotted down next to Psalm 40: 1 - 5: November the seventeenth, 2005. I wonder what happened on that morning? I'll have to get out my journals and see what blessing the Lord brought into our lives that day. That was a rough year for us, as I remember. How I love this passage penned by King David so long ago:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry....Many, Oh Lord my God, are the wonders you have done! The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."
Ps. 40: 1a, 5
Even though I feel "pulled in many directions" today, the direction I feel most pulled toward is heavenward. How wonderful to know that it is a certain reality waiting for me - in God's time and in his way.
Today begins a very tough time for my dear friend, Linda. Her dear mother is now face to face with Jesus - and on this side of eternity - many will gather in the next two days for her Viewing and Funeral. As Jen penned this week, I wish we could bear some of the hurt of those that we love. Somehow redistribute the pain load, so we could all carry a part of the grief and burden that is so real and painful. But we cannot. We can only walk beside our friends and family as they in turn walk with God through this narrow path called grief. Several of my close friends have lost their mothers already, and the thought of saying a final good-bye to my own dear Mom brings a pit in my stomach. Dan and I have only lost one of our parents thus far. Dad has been with the Lord for alittle over two years now. Watching Linda go through this process with her Mom brought back many painful memories for me. Yet it has also brought a sense of comfort too. Christine is in a very real place, heaven, and it is a real place that I will be someday too.
I wonder how Corey's family is today. This little fellow is also with the Lord now....death is such a terrible part of this life. So painful.
Never far from my thoughts is Miss Sophia Hope too. I hope to see Ginger today to hear an update on how she is faring these days.
Life. It's good - it's painful - it is filled with extremes.
The daily things have been challenging to me lately. I guess that is why I am feeling pulled in so many directions. I want to spend more time with Dan and the kids (all of them...I miss the adult kids too), but we're in the middle of what I might call remodeling h - e - double hockey sticks. I wasn't anticipating how hard this would be. Again, it's good! but it's painful! We're on day 14 now, and things are still very disheveled. I don't do well with "mess" - as I can't find things and feel like I'm in a foreigh country. Not really - I tend to over exagerate things...but I am weary of it all. We want to do a good job, knowing this floor may not be updated again for awhile. I want to pick the right paint colors and envision how we will want things for years to come so we make the most of every dollar we're spending. Last night on our way to church, Dan and I made yet another Lowes stop picking up more supplies. We encouraged ourselves with the fact that we are saving lots of money by doing a good portion of this ourselves. We'll all be grateful when we're done. We've had a lot of help that we're grateful for, especially from the kids. The men we hired have been great too. It will get done!
In the meantime, I'm also juggling some other major things. I am trying to get some help with Michaela and her home schooling. I've really dropped the ball in some areas and she has some learning challenges that I'm trying to identify and help. She's so sweet though...I love her attitude. On the other end of the spectrum, Danielle and I are making our way through her upcoming high school graduation and perhaps her leaving for College in the fall. Lots of paperwork, lots of mixed emotions going on for me. One of the boys is moving home this weekend also, so that is yet another area I want to help with. We're also trying to locate a piano, primarily for Jon-Mark - to encourage him to pursue his musical interests. I'm excited that Jen and Funnel are looking into the possibility of being first time home buyers! Hopefully Peab and Amy will be able to look soon too. Seth and Micah will be back from Colorado in April sometime - wow, how the months fly by. I am looking forward to having a dozen people around a table for a Sunday dinner again.
I'm thankful for Dan these days. He is a perfect partner for me! We're looking forward to a short time away for his birthday soon.
Even though we as women do feel pulled in many directions at times, it's good to remember to keep our focus on the Lord. I'm grateful for the many wonderful older women and girlfriends the Lord has blessed me with, because they each have taught me many valuable lessons. One of my "Titus two" women turned 60 this week! It would take me all day to list and express to each family member/friend that has benefitted my life in some way. My wonderful Mom, my sweet mother-in-law - my sisters, (both biological and spiritual)...each has taught me lessons that I hope I put into practice, and I pray that I learn to balance my life and keep things heading in the right direction.
It is before 8 a.m. now, and I'd rather not admit how many cups of coffee I've enjoyed already on this serene and beautiful morning.
It's so quiet...I cherish these hours in the morning before the day gets noisy and busy. I sometimes find myself so far behind, I don't know where to start. So I'll begin this rambling of thought and word with what I think is most important...
Oh, how I wish I could express how wonderful the Lord is to me! Every day - His mercies are indeed new and I don't know how people can live a day without Him! In the margin of my Bible this morning, I saw a date that I had jotted down next to Psalm 40: 1 - 5: November the seventeenth, 2005. I wonder what happened on that morning? I'll have to get out my journals and see what blessing the Lord brought into our lives that day. That was a rough year for us, as I remember. How I love this passage penned by King David so long ago:
"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry....Many, Oh Lord my God, are the wonders you have done! The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare."
Ps. 40: 1a, 5
Even though I feel "pulled in many directions" today, the direction I feel most pulled toward is heavenward. How wonderful to know that it is a certain reality waiting for me - in God's time and in his way.
Today begins a very tough time for my dear friend, Linda. Her dear mother is now face to face with Jesus - and on this side of eternity - many will gather in the next two days for her Viewing and Funeral. As Jen penned this week, I wish we could bear some of the hurt of those that we love. Somehow redistribute the pain load, so we could all carry a part of the grief and burden that is so real and painful. But we cannot. We can only walk beside our friends and family as they in turn walk with God through this narrow path called grief. Several of my close friends have lost their mothers already, and the thought of saying a final good-bye to my own dear Mom brings a pit in my stomach. Dan and I have only lost one of our parents thus far. Dad has been with the Lord for alittle over two years now. Watching Linda go through this process with her Mom brought back many painful memories for me. Yet it has also brought a sense of comfort too. Christine is in a very real place, heaven, and it is a real place that I will be someday too.
I wonder how Corey's family is today. This little fellow is also with the Lord now....death is such a terrible part of this life. So painful.
Never far from my thoughts is Miss Sophia Hope too. I hope to see Ginger today to hear an update on how she is faring these days.
Life. It's good - it's painful - it is filled with extremes.
The daily things have been challenging to me lately. I guess that is why I am feeling pulled in so many directions. I want to spend more time with Dan and the kids (all of them...I miss the adult kids too), but we're in the middle of what I might call remodeling h - e - double hockey sticks. I wasn't anticipating how hard this would be. Again, it's good! but it's painful! We're on day 14 now, and things are still very disheveled. I don't do well with "mess" - as I can't find things and feel like I'm in a foreigh country. Not really - I tend to over exagerate things...but I am weary of it all. We want to do a good job, knowing this floor may not be updated again for awhile. I want to pick the right paint colors and envision how we will want things for years to come so we make the most of every dollar we're spending. Last night on our way to church, Dan and I made yet another Lowes stop picking up more supplies. We encouraged ourselves with the fact that we are saving lots of money by doing a good portion of this ourselves. We'll all be grateful when we're done. We've had a lot of help that we're grateful for, especially from the kids. The men we hired have been great too. It will get done!
In the meantime, I'm also juggling some other major things. I am trying to get some help with Michaela and her home schooling. I've really dropped the ball in some areas and she has some learning challenges that I'm trying to identify and help. She's so sweet though...I love her attitude. On the other end of the spectrum, Danielle and I are making our way through her upcoming high school graduation and perhaps her leaving for College in the fall. Lots of paperwork, lots of mixed emotions going on for me. One of the boys is moving home this weekend also, so that is yet another area I want to help with. We're also trying to locate a piano, primarily for Jon-Mark - to encourage him to pursue his musical interests. I'm excited that Jen and Funnel are looking into the possibility of being first time home buyers! Hopefully Peab and Amy will be able to look soon too. Seth and Micah will be back from Colorado in April sometime - wow, how the months fly by. I am looking forward to having a dozen people around a table for a Sunday dinner again.
I'm thankful for Dan these days. He is a perfect partner for me! We're looking forward to a short time away for his birthday soon.
Even though we as women do feel pulled in many directions at times, it's good to remember to keep our focus on the Lord. I'm grateful for the many wonderful older women and girlfriends the Lord has blessed me with, because they each have taught me many valuable lessons. One of my "Titus two" women turned 60 this week! It would take me all day to list and express to each family member/friend that has benefitted my life in some way. My wonderful Mom, my sweet mother-in-law - my sisters, (both biological and spiritual)...each has taught me lessons that I hope I put into practice, and I pray that I learn to balance my life and keep things heading in the right direction.
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