For The Love of a Clothesline

I have been around clotheslines all of my life by women who used them. Today, after 37 years of marriage and six children later, I am still without a dryer because of choice. There is something so special within the act of laundry hanging. It allows you to slow down, taking each piece in hand and snapping it with a wooden clothespin to the line. It gives you time to pray, sort your thoughts, enjoy nature and be touched by a bit of sunshine.

 Then the bringing in of that clean, breeze-blown basket of goodness is your reward and if you are doing sheets and bedding, well, that freshly made bed is just pure joy!

I had this poem in my notebook and thought I would share it since a number of us are on the precipice of Spring and all the loveliness it brings, hanging laundry being one. 

~*~

The Clothes Line

by Marilyn K. Walker

A clothes line was a news forecast,

to neighbors passing by.

There were no secrets you could keep,

when clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link,

for neighbors always knew,

If company had stopped on by,

to spend a night or two.

For then you'd see the fancy sheets

and towels upon the line;

You'd see the company tablecloths,

with intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth,

to folks who lived inside,

As brand new infant clothes,

were hung so carefully with pride.

The ages of the children,

could so readily be known

By watching how the sizes changed,

you'd know how much they'd grown.

It also told when illness struck,

as extra sheets were hung;

Then night-clothes, and a bathrobe too,

haphazardly were strung.

It said "Gone on vacation now",

when lines hung limp and bare.

It told "We're back!" when full lines sagged,

with not an inch to spare.

New folks in town were scorned upon,

if washing was dingy grey,

As neighbors raised their brows,

and looked disgustedly away.

But clotheslines now are of the past,

for dryers make work less,

Now what goes on inside a home,

is anybodies guess.

I really miss that way of life;

it was a friendly sign,

When neighbors knew each other best,

by what was on the line.

A Prayer for Womanhood

A Prayer for Womanhood

God, give each true good woman

Her own small house to keep

No heart should ache with longing

No hurt should go too deep

Grant her age-old desire

A house to love and sweep

Give her a man beside her

A kind man, and a true

And let them work together

And love, a lifetime through

And let her mother children

As gentle women do

Give her a shelf for dishes

And a shining box for bread

A white cloth for her table

And a white spread for her bed

A shaded lamp at nightfall

And a row of books much read

God, let her work with laughter

And let her rest with sleep

No life can truly offer

A peace more sure and deep

God, give each true woman

Her own small house to keep

~Grace Noll Crowell

The Desk Series: Books (part 3)

The Desk Series :: My Meeting Place 

Books  - Part 6

Continuing with part 6 in this series, I want to share a few more titles with you that have made a difference in my life. 

You can find  parts 1-5 of The Desk Series listed on the sidebar.

The first book for this third post in the area of books is of course, Fervent: A Woman's Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer by Priscilla Shirer! I could go on and on about Priscillia and the wonderment of her gift in ministry. She is on fire for Jesus...we need more to step out with that kind of fire today! I will have more to post on her work once we move to studies.

The book, Fervent was inspired by the movie, War Room. That movie was a game changer for women and prayer "closets" began springing up in a lot of homes because of it.  If you need a reminder of it's inspiration or you have never watched it for yourself...here is a clip. I found it a fantastic movie which reminds me I want to get my copy out and watch it again. 

The book is broken down into strategies using precise topics in which to pray. If you want to build your prayer life and need a bit of help, do read and study this book. I am sending along the little videos that go along with each strategy and they are free! You can begin here with week 1 and conclude with the 11th week being her final thoughts. They are awesome and go along with personal study so well. Enjoy!

*~*~*~*

The second book for this post is The Divine Mentor: Growing your Faith as You Sit at the Feet of the Savior by Wayne Cordeiro. I like this book because the author reminds us of mentors in the Bible. 

Also, he guides us to and through commitment and devotion in order to put time aside for study and the importance of getting in the Word and staying in the Word. One chapter reminds us how important 5 things are; Bible, pen, journal, Bible-reading plan and a daily planner. I would agree since this entire desk series is devoted to items I have found to enhance my quiet time.

Once you reach the second half he goes into depth to teach you the S.O.A.P. method for studying your Bible. If you are not familiar with this method, it means:

S ---> Scripture

O ---> Observation

A ---> Application

P ---> Prayer

Personally, I have used this method somewhat over the years, but it tends to keep me a bit more structured than I want to be. However, it is a great place to begin...find the scripture, tell what it says in your own words, how can I apply it to my life and finish with prayer. I just finished reading and studying the book of Hebrews using my own method which I will share with you in a future post.

Also, the author speaks strongly of the "fruit of daily devotions", telling us to "Look intently". "God isn't inaccessible. He's neither coy nor introverted. But He does require us to seek Him. This hones our hearts and purifies our motives. And the ancillary benefits are manifold. Seeking and searching for God builds our faith, like pecking out of the shell strengthens a newborn chick." You know the more we do something, the better we will be at it.

If I Had A Remembrance Book : A Friend Like Fairlight

I have more posts coming on The Desk Series soon, but I want to break again from those for another series entitled, "If I Had A Remembrance Book". If you think you have heard that phrase before, you might have if you ever watched The Little House on the Prairie television show where Laura would begin with the words, "If I had a remembrance book I'd write..." and then she goes on about a beautiful moment she would want to capture on paper. (which of course she did and they are well loved)

I have felt a bit reflective these past months as I near another birthday that seems like a milestone for me...you know the ones that end with a zero. So looking through notebooks of past writings long forgotten with bittersweet melancholy, I thought I would take you along with me.

If I Had A Remembrance Book : A Friend Like Fairlight

(taken from my notebook of written memories)

I just finished my bible study an hour ago and tucked everyone in their nest and now I sit and write. The house is quiet, my mint tea is steeping and a chocolate chip cookie tart is melting in my warmer. I look down at my day calendar and the little saying on it says, "My dear, my better half". It is sad that not everyone sees their husband in that light, but I understand. It hasn't always been easy for me either, but I keep working at it. Spirits are roaring and minds are going this way and that, fretting over this problem and wondering if things will ever change. They do, but it takes time.

Here on my mountain tonight my thoughts are calm and sorted, nothing jumbled together. Above the grand wall of the great room, at it's peak is my precious lookout, an eight sided window with little grids. My husband made sure when he and our boys built the room that he would add that little dream request of mine, to be akin to the one in Fairlight Spencer's cabin (my book character mentor). Just as Fairlight showed Christy (the beloved novel by Catherine Marshall), I look out and see the stars by night and fix my vision of home once again in the morning, renewing myself for yet another day. 

Oh, I wish I could sit in her cabin and glean from her, a kindred spirit for sure. I love the plain and devoted attention she has for her family and home, nothing glitters, nothing is golden...just her sweet face shining with a smile as she chats with Christy. Women like that are sorely hard to find...you find one, but they are in passing as they move at the speed of "forget you", some are so caught up in their own lives that they have no time or room to grow a deep friendship to blooming, while others wear masks or seem to have two faces. To sit with a woman of finery such as Fairlight must have been a dream for the young Christy.

One time during a walk and rest in the woods with Fairlight, Christy thinks..."I turned over and lay on my stomach and look at Fairlight. She was not sleeping, but she was so silent. I had learned by now that stillness was part of these mountain people. I lay there studying Fairlight's face in repose. She looked tranquil enough. Little did I realize at the time what depths there were underneath the tranquility..." Does that not soak into your mind a bit? It does for me, but I might be a little different wanting to grab onto the simple and plain sweetness of thought. Many a chilly Saturday afternoon have been spent awestruck with the simplicity of the treasures placed within this series. 

Well spoken language without correct English, full of rich sentences without watered down exchanges of thought, plain words without being full of radical terms that give no understanding. For me it just fits like a well-worn glove, the outline of my hand was there before I put it on.

The Simple Woman's Daybook {April Edition}

For Today

Looking out my window... a bit warmer each day! Winter is over!

I am thinking... of all the outside work that needs completed, a great way to get a work-out in!

I am thankful... for those early bouquets of daffodils. A promise kept.

bringing out some pretties for spring

One of my favorite things... is sharing with you by way of my blog. The only space I continue to use online for writing.

I am wearing... cropped jeans, gray cami sticking out under a navy long-sleeve knit top with gray Skechers.

I am creating... a list of what to plant in the garden this year.

I am watching... the garden closely and the minute it is dry enough it will be plowed to ready for planting.

I am reading... Abound : A call to purposeful servant LEADERSHIP by Jessie Seneca so I am ready for the She Leads conference held the end of April. So excited to have the opportunity to attend!

I am listening to... this by Priscilla Shirer! I think this is the best thing I have listened to in a long time. If there is one thing you listen to this week, please take about 40 or so minutes to be blown away!!! Oh! and get a tissue before you do.

I am hoping... the next six months move s-l-o-w-l-y.

I am learning... how important diet, exercise, water intake, and vitamin supplements are to my good health. I feel better now than when I was in my 30's!

In the garden... the Rhubarb is up!

In the kitchen... an ever steady stream of fruits, vegetables, rice, pasta, beans and grains with small amounts of meat added for my husband.

Board Room



 from my Pinterest board "in spring"

 full credit for this pin here

Shared Quote

My quote this month comes from the beloved book, Christy by Catherine Marshall. The book has been turned into an excellent set of 20 dvds. I own this entire series and it will always and forever be a favorite and have a special place in my heart.

Thus the quote...

"I often marveled that the interior peace of the woman was selected so faithfully in her surroundings. Even the selection and arrangements of her possessions gave an aura of uncluttered calm. In addition, there was a directness in her approach to all of life-including the art of housekeeping-that never failed to fascinate me. 

Miss Alice was a woman to whom color, symmetry of line and contrast of texture were important. She flouted the accepted custom of covering her table tops with doilies or small scarves; the sheen and patina of the lovely old wood were all the decoration needed. In a pewter bowl she could arrange with artistry a few well-polished apples and some nuts, or a piece of quartz picked up somewhere in the mountains along with some unusual leaves and berries. I reveled in all of this."

On a side note: I wrote more on my love of Christy in a post I will share with you next week. 

Post Script

If you enjoyed reading my daybook and would like to create one of your own, HERE is the link to the format, guidelines and complete list of prompts. 

The May Edition will be posted May 6th

Please Note:
If you want to be notified by email of each monthly daybook edition, as well as all other posts you can "subscribe" using the box on the sidebar. 

Also, for those of you who post a daybook here each month, I am planning on leaving the daybook post up for one week before adding a new post to my blog. Once I post a new blog, the link will then be added to the sidebar and be found under, "current daybook". 

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