Ponder with a sigh

If you are like me, you just want to know why everything happens the way it does.  Well, I have learned that the "not knowing" is what fosters faith.  

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." 

 Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

If we have faith, someday we will know the answer to the question "why?".

Why???

I too often seem to wonder:  why?

Why bad things happen that make us cry?

Why must we endure the pain?

Why we suffer, why the strain?

Then I know from deep inside,

We are sinners; we have pride,

In Romans 5, verses two thru four,

Hides the answer and so much more,

We must have struggles to build endurance,

Endurance leads to our assurance,

From perseverance, character grows,

Like the blooming of a rose,

Strength of character leads to hope,

Hope in Christ, like a solid rope,

A rope to save us from our sins,

On these attributes, our faith depends,

So, I won’t worry about the why,

As I ponder with a sigh,

If Christ endured the cross for me,

Surely, I can wait patiently.

Tammy Harvey  

written:  8/9/2016

Jack Rocks

If you are like me, you played jacks as a kid.  What a fun game that worked best on concrete porches or hardwood floors.  I noticed that the jacks we had are smaller than today's version.  Introduce your children to this game.  I don't want the fun to end! By the way, my Mam-maw L always called them "jack rocks".

Playing Jacks

Take the jacks in both hands,

Shake them up and let them land,

Ball goes up, grab a jack,

Then catch the ball, you’ve got the knack,

Onesies, twosies, threesies, four,

Can you scoop up even more?

At tensies you must toss the ball,

Let it bounce, then scoop them all,

Catch the ball with your hand full,

Playing jacks is so old school!

Tammy Harvey  

written:  2/24/2016

A Piece of History

I have a liking for old books.  When I say old, I mean mostly older than me. Now that's old!  I usually find them in the thrift stores.  The smell of a musty old book that hasn't been cracked open in years is exhilarating.  Call me crazy, but this poem reflects how I feel about it:

The Smell of Old Books

I love to smell the books of old,
A treasure to find; like nuggets of gold,
I search amongst the stacks and rows,
Where these books have been, heaven only knows,
The pages are so aged and turning brown,
I flip through them; can't put them down,
I want to collect them; a piece of history,
And what I might find is quite a mystery,
Inside an old book, once I found,
A handwritten letter tucked safe and sound,
It was written back 50 years ago,
From three sons to their parents, whom I do not know,
Break open an old book and discover the past,
You might find it's alive with memories that last,
The musty smell may not please your nose,
But to me it is like a vintage rose.

Tammy Harvey
written:  4/24/2016

Old letter dated November 23, 1966 found in a book called The Priceless Gift (love letters of Woodrow Wilson and Ellen Axson Wilson)  Edited by Eleanor Wilson McAdoo, their daughter, and published in 1962.
Another historical note: She married William Gibbs McAdoo, Secretary of the Treasury during her father's administration. 

Make it so

Creativity has been a part of my life most recently with the origination of this blog.  I have always had an awe of the creative spirit which inspired this poem:

Create

Create a song, a melody, a tune,
Create a dance that twirls you 'round the room,
Create a mood, the kind that warms your heart,
Create a painting, a poem, a piece of art,
Create a vivid image in your mind,
Create a relationship, caring and kind,
Create harmony amid the hate,
Create a journey beyond the gate,
Create a bridge that spans the gap,
Create a destination beyond the map,
Create within you a positive spirit,
Create it and let others see it.

Tammy Harvey 
written:  5/25/2016

Prepare

So every now and again, I post a spiritual poem.  I hope that you will find it uplifting as you read:

The Hourglass

Our days are numbered, like grains of sand,

Ticking one by one like a secondhand,

Steadily falling through the hourglass,

Amount unknown, like blades of grass,

Some have many, while others have few,

It’s a mystery to solve, what do we do?

We make the best of every day,

We keep the faith, we smile, we pray,

We take what God has given us,

We live, we laugh; we hope and trust,

His mercies are new at every daybreak,

Great is His faithfulness; He does not forsake,

When the last grain falls and our work here is done,

Prepare to be in the arms of the Son.

Tammy Harvey

written: 1/31/2016 

My Wish for you

Today, Sept 20, is our oldest son's 28th Birthday! Yesterday on 9/19 was our youngest son's 22nd Birthday AND our daughter-in-law's 26th Birthday!!  In honor of all these birthdays, I am posting a poem written a few years ago that is fitting for this occasion:

IF Wishes…

                               

If wishes were dishes, I’d give you a set,

If wishes were fishes, I’d buy you a net,

If wishes were stitches, I’d sew you a quilt,

If wishes were flowers, I’d not let them wilt,

There is no end to what I would do,

To grant abundant wishes on you,

If wishes were geese, I’d get you a gaggle,

If wishes were flea markets, I’d teach you to haggle, 

If wishes had itches, I’d scratch them for you,

There really is nothing I would not do,

If wishes had wings, you’d soar in the air,

If wishes were sweatpants, I’d loan you a pair,

If wishes were songs, I’d serenade you,

Okay, maybe that is not true,

But can you sort of get the gist,

I wish you wishes hand over fist,

Best wishes to you and to your kind,

Best wishes to good friends of mine,

 Tammy Harvey 

written:  6/14/14

In memory of III

A very close childhood friend of mine died suddenly one year ago today.  This poem is in his honor. Sam McCarty Murphy III.   March 8, 1962- Sept 19, 2015
He was a true outdoors man.

We Remember Him

As the beauty of nature is all around,
The memories of him can always be found,
We remember him during twilight hours,
When the sun rises up and there's dew on the flowers,
We remember him when the sun is high,
But the white fluffy clouds are low in the sky,
We remember him as the afternoon breeze,
Brings a fresh breath of air with the sway of the trees,
We remember him in the smallest of things,
From the rocks on the ground to the songbirds that sing,
Our thoughts of him will not stop,
Like the haze lingers up on the mountain top,
His memory lives where he found joy,
Ever since he was a boy,
As the beauty of nature is all around,
The memories of him can always be found.

Tammy Harvey  

written:  9/28/2015

Snap, Crackle, Pop

Campfire
Snap! Snap!
Puff of smoke; Igniting sticks,
Flames grow thick,
Crackle! Crackle!
Blazes higher,
Fire appearing; As desired,
Pop! Pop!
Logs are glowing,
Charred and crumbling; Black is showing,
Burn! Burn!
Burning lightly,
Once was ebbing; Now is slowing,
Stoke! Stoke!
Heat abounds,
Heat for those who gather round,
Smoke! Smoke!
Swirling high,
Clouds of smoke fill the sky,
Going! Going!
But at last,
Firewood burns up really fast,
Gone! Gone!
Barely smoldering,
Red embers on the ground,
That is all that can be found.

Tammy Harvey
written: 6/10/2014

The Adventure of a Lifetime

You Might Be in Minnesota
If you accepted an invite to the Gold Mine “Resort”,
And you took a plane then a car, ‘cause the trip was not short!
You might be in Minnesota.
If you’re eager to catch some Northern Pike,
And you traveled past the town of Buyck,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the bald eagle in flight makes your heart swell with pride,
And to reach your cabin is a 6-mile wilderness ride,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the closest small town is 30 miles away,
And you’re “unplugged” from the world for most of your stay,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the scampering of chipmunks gives you delight,
And there’s a good chance you’ll be viewing the Northern Lights,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the darkness at night is as black as coal,
And the silence and stillness refresh your soul,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the Vermillion falls is a sight to behold,
And you’re lodged at a place where they once mined for gold,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the bark of the birch trees is as white as snow,
And the local people end their sentences with “ya know?”
You might be in Minnesota!
If you love the outdoors and adventure calls,
And just to the north is International Falls,
You might be in Minnesota!
If you watch a sea plane take off from Crane Lake,
And pulling up the anchor has made your back ache,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the river is lined on both sides with rice grass,
And the guys that are there are catching Rock bass,
You might be in Minnesota!
If the fishermen gather each night for a meal,
And exchange the day’s stories, most of them real,
You ARE in Minnesota!
Tammy Harvey

Written at Gold Mine “Resort” on a brown paper grocery bag on 9/9/2016

Tiny but mighty

I can't tell you how much fun I had using a tiny little stove on our recent trip to a remote cabin in Minnesota! Or can I?...

The Little Stove that Could
We recently rented a cabin in the sticks,
The meals for us I had to fix,
The tiny white stove was circa “old”,
But it worked well and had no mold,
It was the cutest thing I’d ever seen,
Really small but really clean,
The Easy Bake oven came to mind,
The tiny oven was a one of a kind,
I had never cooked with gas before,
I carefully opened the tiny door,
It scarcely would hold a loaf of bread,
“I really like this”, was all I said,
The front right eye was my pick,
And it got very hot, oh so quick,
I boiled the water in the pot,
Spaghetti for dinner, like it or not,
Next day, we’d have grilled cheese,
Any excuse to use the stove, please,
The strangest thing that I did prepare,
Was a rock or two that I placed there,
In the oven to get nice and warm,
A “heating pad” in a primitive form,
It eased the back pain as it should,
The little stove that certainly could

Tammy Harvey
Written: 9/12/2016

I just returned from an adventurous trip to Minnesota where I experienced life in a remote and primitive cabin for a week. No phones, no internet, no television, but we did have running water and electricity, a rustic cabin but with a bathroom and shower, plus a small kitchen for cooking. It was peaceful and beautiful. The weather was perfect, and the fishing was fine.

A Sentimental Goodbye

Working at a florist, I have had the opportunity to meet many people in need of funeral arrangements. This spring a family requested a casket spray for their matriarch Betty Lou.  It was most memorable to me because at the family's request, our manager went to Betty Lou's house and cut flowers from her own yard to put in her special memorial.  I was very impressed by the sentiment in that arrangement and how beautiful it was.  Betty Lou's garden inspired this poem:

Betty Lou's Garden

It was the most beautiful display of colors and textures I've seen,
It was lively; it was soft; it was laden with green,
The casket spray in memory of Miss Betty Lou,
Was a garden of inspiration and it was then I knew,
She was a very special lady & family member,
The flowers were so fresh and oh so tender,
They were chosen from her own backyard,
Letting  her go must be really hard,
Lace hydrangea, white nandina, only the best,
The petunias were added as she did request,
It was one of the most meaningful flower memorials,
I've ever had the pleasure to see, in my days making florals,
Many thanks for allowing us to be a part,
In keeping Betty Lou close in your heart.

Tammy Harvey for Preston Flowers     written:  5/27/2016

Seasons change

With the dog days of summer almost behind us, we welcome in cool, crisp fall days.  In honor of the changing of our seasons, a poem called Beautiful Sky:

Beautiful sky, 

Clear and warm,

Puffy clouds begin to form,

Gentle rain falls to the ground,

Springtime makes another round,

Beautiful sky,

Hot and bright,

Fireflies show up at night,

Crickets sing and frogs croak too,

Summertime has come anew,

Beautiful sky,

Cool and crisper,

Leaves are changing like a whisper,

Colorfully they tumble down,

Autumn now has come to town,

Beautiful sky,

Frosty and cold,

Snowflakes shine like silver and gold,

A soft white blanket covers the land,

Wintertime, your entrance is grand,

Beautiful sky,

The whole year through,

Four seasons were made for me and you.

Tammy Harvey   written: 8/27/2015

Sleep Tight

There is no substitute for a good night's sleep.

Sleep…

Mr. Sandman makes his rounds,
Now you are drifting toward sleepy town,
Warm and cozy in your bed,
Laying down your weary head,
Slumber falls upon your body,
Sleep is sure to quickly follow,
Quiet and rhythmic is your chest,
Escaping to a place of rest,
Peacefulness and sweet dreams,
Prayers and feeling so serene,
Forgetting all about your worry,
No work, no thoughts, no hassles, no hurry,
Needing to refresh your soul,
No toss or turning is your goal,
Until the alarm sounds in the morning,
Awaking you without warning,
Yawn, stretch, awake, and rise,
Keeps you healthy, wealthy and wise,
Rise and shine, like the sun,
A brand-new day has just begun.

Tammy Harvey written: 7/16/14