Perspectives | Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

Lighthouses

15 Oct 2014 Comments Off on Lighthouses

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: endless love, God, light, lighthouse

Light always follows darkness

Endless is Your Love

~Tom Kendzia

You know my heart. You know my mind.

You know my words..long before I speak them.

There is no place that I can hide.

Endless is Your love for us.

Surely there’s a place, even You don’t know.

If I can climb there, if I fly there, can I hide from you?

Can’t I hide at night, darkness by my light?

Can you see the day in darkness,

Can you find me there?

Wonderful Your works, countless as the sand.

Earth and Heaven know Your beauty,

Fashioned by Your hand.

I have always had a fascination with lighthouses. These magnificent beacons of hope and light guide travelers safely to shore every night. Some of them have fallen into disrepair and are idle. Others have solar-charged battery-powered lights and are maintained by the U S Coast Guard.

Originally, the source of the light was fueled by open flames, then candles, then whale oil, kerosene and finally the electric light. The lenses were rotated by a weight-driven clock wound by the Lighthouse Keeper. The Fresnel lens focused 85% of the light but has now been replaced by rotating aerobeams similar to obstruction lights.

The words of the hymn above remind me of the way that God shines His light and Truth into our lives so that we can see clearly the things He wants to change in us. Sometimes we are stubborn and don’t want to change. Sometimes we are ashamed and try to hide our sins so deep that we sometimes forget them. When I “hear’ the words to the hymn above echo in my heart, I go to Him in prayer. His arms open wide and I am enveloped in His love and forgiveness. His light shines out and covers me and leads me to His dwelling place.

~Sallie

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

Halloween Parties

08 Oct 2014 1 Comment

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: candy, ghosts, Halloween

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The following post comes from MaryBeth. Enjoy!

~Sallie

Our Neighborhood Halloween Party

Around our “neck of the woods” the kids start thinking about Halloween the day after school starts! “Gee Whiz” I exclaimed when our daughter asked at the dinner table if I’d make her Halloween costume that year. “School just started and you’re already thinking of Halloween?” “But Mom!” I had heard it all before but somehow that year was different. As a parent, you are always concerned about safety and while we live on a quiet street in a quiet town, bad things can happen everywhere.

Over coffee a few days later, some of the other neighborhood Moms started talking about having a Neighborhood Halloween Party. We’d have everyone get involved, we’d all be responsible for something and the kids would get lots of candy and lots of supervision. Even our husbands thought it was a good idea.

We drew up a plan and each of us took a role. There were 12 neighbors on our little cul-de-sac and 10 on the next street and 10 on the street in front of us. We figured that we’d have 30 or so kids and that was more than enough. They all knew each other from baseball, soccer or dance so they’d have fun together. We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare so we decided to contact every Mom and Dad in what we called the “target area” and tell them of the plan. We arranged to meet in the school gym after a game. One parent of each family had to attend.

We had divided the responsibilities into groups: decorations, food, beverages, paper, games and activities. Some of the neighbors formed little groups in charge of activities and these are some of the highlights of our first year:

1. Each household decorated their front door.

2. Each child participated in the neighborhood parade. We gave out prizes for the best costume

3. We decided on pizza. One of the neighbors owned a pizza restaurant and gave us the pizza at cost!

4. Some of the more creative neighbors made spider webs (stretched out polyester batting and plastic spiders) and drew ghosts on white sheets for our games. One of the older teens (sworn to secrecy) made colored eyeballs to double stick tape onto the sheet ghosts (like pin the eyes on the ghost)

5. A group of families bought popcorn balls, tealights, dollar store goodies.

6. The food committee made the Bucket of dirt and our witches brew (contact me through Sallie if you want the recipes).

7 The paper committee bought paper plates and decorated them with stickers and cups and napkins.

8. Our candy committee bought candy bars and candy corn.

9. Some of the guys set up the candy corn toss. One even wrote a scary story complete with action and creepy music. The guys on his “committee” performed it in costume!

10. We collected the receipts and divided up the cost. Since so many of us were involved, the cost per household was really low.

Every year after that, we had a Neighborhood Halloween Party. It grew in popularity and scope and we got more sophisticated as time went on but in the end, our children were safe, happy and loved. “T’s” college classmates are really envious and I’ve heard that they are thinking of starting neighborhood parties in their towns!

Whatever and however you celebrate Halloween, I hope it is happy for you!

MaryBeth

Mr. Sun

19 Sep 2014 Comments Off on Mr. Sun

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: opportunity, sun

Dear Fellow Journalers,

In what is fast becoming a tradition, one of our contributor’s G has asked to write his Perspectives once a month. Here is a classic:

~Sallie

MR SUN

I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t get up with the sun, and usually before it. I mean it– all my life, Sats and Sunds usually included. I even have a little game I play. I make some coffee and go to the window and wait for old Mr. Sun to arrive. (Somedays he’s late– Somedays I am. We give each other hell for being late too! He has some bullshit story about having to travel around the world to meet me!)

Anyway, every morning I ask him”What do you have in store for me today Old Man?” His answer is always the same “Opportunity Kid, Opportunity.”

Can’t you answer better than that? I ask. There is no better answer than that! he responds.

This little dialog, conducted daily, makes me want to answer the order given by Capt. Picard of the Starship Enterprize: Let’s see what’s out there!

And everyday it comes: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Everything that comprises L*I*F*E! And all the time, Mr. Sun watches and observes. Mr Sun himself never really knows what he brings with him. And often I wonder what he thinks of my life. He’s seen every day of it. He reminded me just last week how old I was getting. He shone down on a picture of me taken when I was two. We (my parents and I) were on vacation. Damn, I was cute! Sandy blond hair, big blue eyes, etc.

What ever happened to that kid? I asked Mr. Sun. I kept going through space! he replied, and every day I did it, you got a day older.

Hey Mr Sun, speaking of getting older, care to tell me how many more morning meetings we have left?

Sorry Kid, no can do– but I will tell you something special.

Ok what’s that Mr Sun?

Well kid, when you can no longer come to these meetings, I’ll still be showing up. And when I pass over that tiny green spot that comprises your little bit of immortality on Earth, I always send extra rays to those of you who said Good Morning AND Good Night to me. Let’s you know I appreciated you.

I appreciate you too Mr. Sun. BUT, coffee’s finished, the day awaits.

Hey kid, by the way, I saw you eyeing the pretty girl yesterday!

Mr. Sun! YOU went and put that tan and those TAN LINES on her, so don’t blame me!

Alright kid, fair enough– let’s go see what’s out there for you today! Remember now– all I promise is OPPORTUNITY– the rest is up to you.

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

Patriot Day

11 Sep 2014 Comments Off on Patriot Day

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The following is a piece written by G on 9-9-11, the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Please read all the way to the end. I would appreciate any comments you may have.

Thanks, ~Sallie

I knew I had to write this piece, but I’ve been dreading it at the same time. This piece has to be good. In my opinion, a lot rides on it. This is one I really want to get right. I thought about writing about where I was and what I was doing. Scratch that. Everyone remembers where and what they were doing that day. I won’t bore you with my story. I thought about writing about what it meant to me. Scratch that. Everyone had deep feelings about the meaning of 9/11. I thought about writing about continuing effects of 9/11. Scratch that. Anyone who’s been through an airport in the last 10 years knows that. So what does a dumb ass, half ass writer like me write about on this sacred anniversary? I have not yet been to the new 9/11 museum. I hear it’s fabulous and do plan on going. But I have been to the USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. I imagine the feeling is exactly the same. You see Americans hate the very idea of a sneak attack. We Americans declare ourselves. Piss us off and we tell you we’re coming to get you. Franklin Roosevelt before congress saying “a day which will live in infamy”. George W. Bush on a pile of rumble saying “Those who did this will hear from us soon”. Americans knock BEFORE they kick down the door. Then we come with a vengeance. I guess an argument could be made for the sneak attack. But America was founded on a principle called HONOR. We even sent letters of grievance to Mother England way back when. When they ignored us, we struck back. We only respond with aggression when aggression comes against us. A lot of folks would say the hell with honor. Thank God more wise heads prevail. Honor is what keeps America America.

So today we look back on 10 years. The loss of almost 4,000 lives in three separate places. Ceremonies will be held in New York at the WTC site, in Washington at the Pentagon, and in a field at a crash site in Pennsylvania. Tears will flow. More than a few will be from me. You see I’m one of those stupid few who still believe that when diplomacy fails, the place of final resolution is on the battlefield, not on the streets of a civilian community. But forgive an old man his whimsy. I’m a dinosaur. I still believe in honor. I can’t help it. It’s the way I was raised. It’s what I believe. And you know what? Must be a few of us left. On 9/11/11 a lot of people will come together all over America to remember. I’m sorry, but I believe that a great part of those ceremonies will be those decrying the loss of honor. Those who believe that hostilities should begin with some form of a declaration of war. A matter of HONOR. Those who think that if you disagree with one’s politics, religion, beliefs, or anything else, you DECLARE yourself, THEN come in aggression. That to do less is a matter of DISHONOR.

Oh well, I wanted this to be great piece. A masterpiece! Instead what I’ve written is a thought-provoking piece. One that makes one THINK about the REAL lessons to be learned from 9/11. To start asking questions about what America’s future will look like. I’d like to believe that the honored dead of 9/11 would want it that way. So as 9/11 10 passes, please think about something called HONOR. If 9/11 was about nothing else, it was about that. And all the memorials and ceremonies will truly be about that. One more thing while I’m on a roll here. Radio and TV are full of lessons learned that tragic day. The subjects are indeed interesting. Better construction, better fire proofing, better safety methods, and of course, better anti-terrorism methods. Since I’m no expert on any of the above, I’d like to take a shot at it from another point of view. So, with your kind indulgence:

SIX IMPORTANT LESSONS LEARNED FROM 9 / 11

NEVER leave your loved ones for the day without telling them you love them. You may never a get chance to do it again. Believe me, I know.
NEVER leave your home no matter how late you are with unmade beds or unwashed dishes. It’s a fickle irony that after discovering your loved one is dead, and upon coming home, this is your first chore.
NEVER underestimate the power of terrorism, fate, circumstances, sudden illness etc. If you do, they’ll get you every time!
ALWAYS know that a belief in your inner strength and a faith in the Almighty will get you through. Sometimes this can mean and include a trip to eternity.
ALWAYS remember that in times of crisis, people will show their true character. Let your character show its bright side. We’re all in this together.
EVERY DAY IS A TRAINING DAY. LIFE IS THE LESSON WE LEARN!

Well, no exciting revelations there! No new scientific, political, historical, or other type news. But please consider this: The REAL LESSONS of 9 / 11 were not about any of those things. The REAL LESSONS of 9 / 11 were about HUMANITY. It was about the good and evil that encompasses humanity. About the kindness and inhumanity we are capable of showing each other. One 24 hour period that presented the human melodrama in ALL its’ glory and ALL its’ horror. And we were alive to experience it all. May God bless you all, and may He also cause you to remember the PERSONAL lessons learned that day, and every day since.

Copyright – 2014 by Uniquelyyourscraftjournal All rights reserved. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com

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Lessons from the radio

06 Aug 2014 1 Comment

by uniquelyyourscraftjournal in Perspectives Tags: change, Perspectives, radio

Dear Fellow Journalers,

The following is another one of “G’s” classics:

~Sallie

LESSONS FROM A RADIO

On my recent trip to Detroit, I had to drive around 150 miles in a rental car at 3am for a 6am arrival. This didn’t bother me in the least, as I have long preferred to make long drives at this time to avoid traffic.

Another thing I like about it is that I LOVE to use my car as a classroom. I simply pop in a tape or CD from my vast collection, and somehow always manage to learn something useful.

For this particular ride I stopped in that evening at a local bookstore and bought a “book on tape” that I’ve been meaning to read. I was set.

So the morning of I arrived at the car rental place and picked up my rental. While driving out I discovered the horror! NO TAPE, NO CD! All the unit had was an AM-FM RADIO!

Now let me tell you: ALL that’s on FM radio at that time of day (3am) are either talk shows, or news. Let me tell you something further– THE PEOPLE WHO CALL IN TO TALK SHOWS AT THAT HOUR ARE WEIRD! AND THE SUBJECTS THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT ARE WEIRDER!

Frantically, I pushed buttons. I think I hit EVERY FM station available and could find NOTHING worth listening to. I sat back and wondered how I would cope with the rest of the trip at this ungodly (even for me) hour.

Then I remembered that the radio also had the AM frequency. I haven’t listened to AM radio in a LONG time. But I was desperate, and so I switched over to the AM frequency.

Guess what? The very first station I hit on AM was an “oldies” station! There they were. The sounds of my youth. Beach Boys! Martha and the Vandellas, etc! The sounds of my youth that I LOVE! There, in the privacy of my car surrounded only by the dark, I burst into song. And I happily bopped down the road, singing in my terrible voice, having a ball, and crewing up 150 miles of highway! Happy as a clam! The trip was over in no time.

Later, after time to contemplate, I got a life lesson from the experience—

How many of us waste time changing from station to station when what we REALLY need is a change of frequency? How many of us search uselessly through one area, when we really need another? It’s EASY to change stations, but VERY hard to change frequencies.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given

To Sallie and uniquelyyourscraftjournal with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

You may reach Sallie at uniquelyyourscraftjournal@outlook.com