Cathryn's Corner

Recent poems..................

2011-06-07T03:29:00.000-07:00

For Such a Time

A Shepherd for the weakest of sheep....
A walk in the valley
with goodness and mercy

(though death, though sorrow)

A Father who gently holds his children
Fowl's wings to protect
Weeping will tarry for this night
and nights to come
     but the morning will break forth.in all it's glory.

A Father's Balm, February 2011

The bleak becomes beautiful
though ponderous the pain
when the wounded walk
in all their sorrow; in all their faith.

Some may call their wavering
full of doubt and unbelief
but those who draw near
will see Jacob weeping,
     “I will not let you go, I will not let you go...”

We are all the wounded yet walking
as our Savior who bore the taunts
of demons and man.

Caught in a world in tension
Held by the Father of every
second; we rest, we crawl, we are weak
     beyond our understanding.

Yes, we are weak
and He is strong.
His balm to soothe our sores.

Understanding will present
itself in the not yet.
     Peace comes now and then
Faith ripples through our tears
and the brilliance of hope guides our path.

It is a messy road, this valley in shadows;
at times so dark it blinds. Walk with the wounded as your heart beats with theirs;
The Heart that created every sinew
will comfort and caress.

I'm alive

2011-06-07T03:11:00.000-07:00

Dodging Death. I have twice in the last three weeks. Hmm...God wants me alive for His purposes. Very clear message from above. Much comfort and encouragement. Let's do it!!!.

still here............

2011-06-07T03:09:00.000-07:00

My soldier has come home safe and happy, waiting for his first baby and being cherished by his dear wife. We cherish him also but that is not as deep in his heart as his bride of three years. That's okay.Being a Grandmomcat to a baby girl ...in six weeks. ....thrilling.

Another son (and last of our four in college) graduated this May...or should I say almost got there. All hope for the final two classes to finish this summer.

Another child has fallen back into the family bosom. sigh.

And the other..still here and there, hoping for a prince, hoping for her own kingdom of peace.

A Father's Balm For Those Who Suffer feb 2011 by Cathryn

2011-02-19T15:15:00.000-08:00

A Father's Balm For Those who Suffer

(in Roy's memory)

The bleak becomes beautiful

though ponderous the pain

when the wounded walk

in all their sorrow; in all their faith.

Some may call their wavering

full of doubt and unbelief

but those who draw near

will see Jacob weeping,

“I will not let you go, I will not let you go...”

We are all the wounded yet walking

as our Savior who bore the taunts

of demons and man.

Caught in a world in tension

Held by the Father of every

second,

We rest, we crawl, we are weak

beyond our understanding.

Yes, we are weak

and He is strong.

His balm to soothe our sores.

Though understanding will present

itself in the not yet,

Peace comes now and then

Faith ripples through our tears

and the brilliance of hope guides our path.

It is a messy road

this valley in shadows;

at times so dark it blinds.

Walk with the wounded

as your heart beats with theirs

the Heart that created every joy and sorrow

will comfort and caress.

for Ron, Tina, Anna, Nick

Robin, Carolyn, Jonathon, Stevie, Lucy

Noah and those who love him

the many Millers

Carolyn and her two bothers

Diane who saw Christmas wedded with grief

when a child went home

the priests who walk beside...

and my loved ones along the path.

Caitlin and Alanna celebrating John and Rachael's Wedding, 07

2010-04-03T18:15:00.001-07:00

steve, me, Caitlin (oldest of our four) and Mark, boyfriend (past)

2010-04-03T18:14:00.000-07:00

Alanna's beach time with Mom.

2010-04-03T18:12:00.001-07:00

Meet my girls, Caitlin and Alanna

2010-04-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

Resurrection thoughts.

2010-04-03T18:06:00.000-07:00

It's Easter week and I'm thankful Jesus was given to us by the Father and that we live in a country where we can worship freely. He is Risen. He is Risen Indeed.

Miss my kiddos this weekend. First time not having one of them around for Easter. They range from 23 to 27 years old. THree of the children and one daughter in law having fun at a dear friend of the family's wedding in Chattanooga. Wish we could be there Heidi, but the Messiah calls. Steve and I love our choir and tomorrow with Worth is The Lamb to Be Slain..'shall receive honor and glory and ...."

When my children were toddlers and preschoolers I wrote an article, Celebrate with Solemnity. I felt there were no Easter traditions to celebrate the darkness and light of the Holy Week. So, on Maundy Thurs, Good Friday and Sat night we had no lights on in our house, just candlelight. Hence there introduction to candlelight baths, which isn't only now for Easter week. But, at least they have a strong memory of why it was dark. We decorated the garage with some picutre of crown of thorns or dark clouds. Then they wake to a new sign,on Easter; a painting of flowers, sunlight, butterflies, rainbows...anything that can speak joy and life to a child's heart. We did back up our events with a daily telling of the events throughout the week that Jesus went through.

Any other good Easter traditions for young chldren, besides the bunny rabbit, which has nothing at all to do with Jesus' resurrection.

On train in Germany.

2010-04-03T17:54:00.001-07:00

unknown succulent looking pine??? CA

2010-04-03T17:53:00.001-07:00

green photos from around the globe.. Cowell's Cabin In Smokey's

2010-04-03T17:52:00.000-07:00

Naked Boys. they are not but looks like it. seee how different they are?

2010-03-18T05:17:00.000-07:00

that's our boy..20th bday

2010-03-18T05:13:00.000-07:00

Scot Murray Ritchie, or Murray the Moose (moose because he was small.

2010-03-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

Baby of the family

2010-03-18T05:08:00.000-07:00

Do you have a younger baby of the family that was a bit of a pet? Our readers would love to hear your stories.

Aren't they the hardest Not to spoil. Because they are the last of the children, parents view them with much tenderness and, in spite of knowing and fighting it, cuddle him literally and figuratively.

Tell me your stories.

2010-03-17T19:47:00.001-07:00

I do have more children

2010-03-17T19:45:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd tell you a little more about my family. If you read some of my blogs, you see I have a married son, Lt. in army and soon to go to Afgha.

Also, he has a younger bro, Scot or Scottie, now a philosophy major in the end of junior semester. I'm attaching a couple photos; he loves guiltar, talking with friends, philosophy, theology, talking, skateboarding, being with friends, any kind of coffee shop and did I say talking with friends. He also adores his older bro and his wife, Rachael and his older sis's , Alanna and Caitlin.

He is the baby of the family and has always been adored...but you should have seen him as a baby...adorable.

When he was young he wanted to be like his brother and the next year he said he wanted to BE his brother.

More stories to come.

It's a California DAY in Florida!

2010-03-06T12:42:00.000-08:00

     It is a California Day here in Florida. I've talked to several of my expatriates here and they agree. If it is just the right temperature for a walk in the park or on the beach, a bit breezy, possibly a wee crisp and no humidity, then that is a California Day.
     The first summer we arrived here I'd look outside on our lake and the blue skies with trees swaying in the wind, I felt like it was a beautiful afternoon in CA. But, upon opening my porch door, the heat slammed into me like a hot, wet blanket. So, FL was hard to get used to. We have even had the a/c on at Christmas time for a fire in the fireplace. I should just fill it with those big candle things and give up.
     But, I don't want to waste another minute, I must get outside to enjoy the beauty of this Florida Day.
     I will concede, the humid weather here does give Florida much of its beauty: green. Not like California where many freeway banks are sprayed green. Also, in a minute or two anywhere here in FL you can find a peaceful, quiet park or lake to lounge on....at least 3 or 4 months of the year. That's why the snow birds come here from all over the northeast; from Jan to May, they escape snowshoveling, scraping car windows and don their Spring clothes in March.
     I'm really not complaining; everywhere I've lived God has given some form of beauty to the land: the Colorado Rockies, Lookout Mountain, Ga, the Mississipi and wineries east of St. Louis, the wonderful old streets with Victorian homess and bungalows in St. Louis and Colorado.
     While raising our four children we drove all over the country (except the New England states, which is still to be explored, hopefully in the Fall time). We've traveled in at least 35 states and I marvel at the uniqeness and beauty of each.
     Must go. Got to get the rays while I can. Just wish I could stop by for an In-and-Out-Burger or a restful Marie Calendars restaurant before I did my last stop of the day: Trader Joes. Any exp.s agree?

About mothering...baby to soldier

2010-02-26T10:56:00.000-08:00

Emerging
            by Cathryn
He emerged once
weak, beginning, needy
nothing like he'd become
decades down the road.

Dozing as he grew
struggling, moving mountains;
     ME was his mantra.
A day passed and then another
and on and on he grew.

He stood defiant, knowing his mind
believing he was whole
yet still a kernel popping through
            the soil of time.
Violent, quiet, charming, words and words
            and endless ideas swam from his interior.

And his body did not contour to my own any longer;
his friends were over there, not here, not with me.
     And he grew in stature and he did know so much
(maybe not as much as he thought he knew, but much).

He wedded the princess of his youth and
emerged a husband,
caring, protecting, loving, being a man.

And again, he emerges-
though this time his emergence takes him far from me.
That is okay for that is why this kernel grew
to be blown away by God's hand and grow in new lands.

And now another dark land emerges into his life
fighting his life.

A land of scrub brush and hidden bombs
of people fighting against my son, the infidel.
again, I pray he emerges, alive, stronger, wiser
and even more tender to what is true and beautiful.

Another Colmar Photo

2010-02-26T10:42:00.000-08:00

This area of Colmar is called Litte Venice for its canals and quiant houses. It is a wonderful evening walk through this area and the whole old town of Colmar. Friendly people, beautiful restaurants and great food. Thanks to Dale and Carlene King for suggesting we add this to our itenary.

New Day Photo

2010-02-26T10:37:00.000-08:00

I think this looks like a good wake up, it's a new day photo. This is actually an afternoon shot from our tree-house-type room window. I'm not too sure what this bulding is. All I know it I loved the clouds above it and the clouds reflecting off the windows right into our room in Colmar, France (near German Border).

AND YOU

2010-02-25T16:26:00.000-08:00

What do you think? I want to hear your struggles. I want to help you walk this walk we have been called to. Let's talk. Here is a photo of Hope...anyway, I think it is.

Motherhood Motherhood: the guilt.......

2010-02-25T16:12:00.000-08:00

This is what I'm writing about these days. You could think this book is basking in my pain because I, above all, should never write a book about GUILT. But I pause, and know that because I've failed in so many ways and Yes, I still want to live and I to cherish those moments, days and years that my mothering Wasn't about guilt.

In Corinthians Paul tells us that He will comfort us and in turn we are to comfort others with that. I desire that. Paul (pretty smart guy) also tells us that God can use the weakest vasel for His Glory and that in our weakness GOD will be our strength. I'm counting on that.

Share with me your struggles in motherhhood guilt and what has helpd you or that you need help

In the midst of my saddest months of guilt, I believe God encouraged me with this poem I wrote, so I could find His peace and in turn encourage you:

                          FORGIVENESS
by Cat

Facing the truth; from the well of my existence,
sorrow so deep I can't find the bottom.
Ripped from my marrow, my flesh, my soul.

How will I ever look up or forward or at tomorrow?
I am full of regret and guilt; turning from, turning towards.
Tears falling again and again - weeping like the weeping willow.

Yet now, I , find my Father, He rocks my soul,
              back and forth,
                                 back and forth.

"I wipe your tears little one,
     I've heard your pain - My heart has felt the hurt,
      felt your guilt and I bring you peace,
                  sweet, lay-you-by-still-waters peace.

It has ripped my soul also.
Remember, 'the east from the west',
                          'whiter than snow.'"

I rest in the One who holds my tears, who loves me
                   in so many ways He gives me grace,
                  hope, joy.
Now I rest,
     His peace flowing in and around me.

Salzburg, Austria.. Did you ever take a picture of a scene and afterwards you could swear it is a painting yoiu've seen someplace. I have had comments that this is a pic that is an exact replication of a famous painting. Any thoughts?

2010-02-25T15:36:00.000-08:00

taken on castle grounds, overlooking city.

Favorite photo, favorite Paris cafe

2010-02-25T06:39:00.000-08:00

The chilly rainy night made this an even warmer cafe, full of life and looking more like a painting. our fav pic of trip. i said, this one you've got to take. Steve is the author.

2010-02-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

Well I can't let others think that happy soldier is happy just because he has a great Mom; here is his wife, the true love of his life.

Sad Heart for those from HOME

2010-02-24T08:09:00.000-08:00

Hearts a bit sad today. My Son John (with both boots on) will be out of touch weeks. This is making his deployment much more real. He will probably be able to connect a bit with his wife, Rachael; for that I am glad and hope to get some tidbits from her. Now, being unable to connect with him is hard. When he deploys that will be a whole different category.

I seek not to borrow fear and anxiety from the future. I pray I will be like Corrie Ten Boom and understand that I will have the strength to carry the heavy suitcase when I need it. God will provide. But, day one when he is overseas I will run to Evelyn's house. She had sons deployed and they are fine today,.,,and so is she.

2010-02-24T07:54:00.001-08:00

Photo today: Halstatt, Austria

2010-02-24T07:51:00.000-08:00

Every day or two I change my desktop photo After a four week trip to Europe I can't decide which photo I want to use permanently. I love this Halstatt photo because of its many lines: triangles, both big and small, squares, vertical and horizontal lines and the wonderful background collage of fall trees and, even further back to the surrounding mountains.

What do you think?

motherhood

2010-02-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

Just read a blog on mamapedia about losing one;s identity when a mother. Put a long post there; feel free to read it.

This has led me to other thoughts of being a woman and mothering. though I'd post a poem or two.

first about being a woman:

When a Woman BY Cat

Only as my woman heart speaks from my soul
do tears of sorrow and joy mingle-
finding union with
who I am.
to feel.....
It is my gift, to express what I know
to struggle with what I don't.
It is my pain, tears flowing from the
well of who I am.
It is my hope,as words of truth
filter through the intuition
of my self.
When a woman
I am at home,
I am free,
to be.

and on becoming a mother I wrote:

When a Mother, BY CaT
My heart has come out of hiding.
forced out by giving love,
giving safety, receiving love.
Creeping and fearful at first
But out it came.
So frightening being responsible
to be in charge of little ones so fragile.
And I, the fragile one (though outsiders never suspect).
But little ones know
they sense the fear
they sense the love
they sense the parts of me broken.
And yet,
little ones have called me with tenderness
and have given me life anew.
Tears flow from the deepest well of my soul.
For love, for joy, for sorrow, for hope.
In hope, that in my mothering
I'm taken beyond I am
to the I AM.

There is more where this came from. Do you identify with any of this? Does it help/hinder?

Thanks for sitting with me.
Cat

2010-02-12T04:42:00.000-08:00

2010-02-12T04:00:00.000-08:00

IT'S WINTER TIME AND I ALWAYS MISS COLORADO DURING THEIR SNOWY SEASON AND THE COOL FLORIDA DAYS THAT ARE EMPTY OF SNOW. REMINDS ME OF A POEM I WROTE YEARS AGO. HOPE YOU ENJOY:

Colorado Comes to Me
By Cat

Colorado comes to me, early evening breezes refresh the air.
Clouds frolicking in the crispy blue of the Columbine.

I remember the aspen leaves' love of following
running with the wind, their translucent dresses
playing with forever green needles.

Atop peaks of cotton, gold rimmed horizon
streaking a sunset at the end of day over majestic mountains
(giving the word its meaning).

And the snow storm wore different outfits
gentle powder of the angels
whirling-white-wind and wetness
thrashing icy rain-slush-snow flurries.

Though far away, Colorado calls to me, “Come home”.

Okay this isn't exactly Colorado...but it made me feel like I was in Colorado while in Austria