Peanut Butter and Grace

Peanut Butter and Grace, by Valaree Weiss

I worked for a small bookstore for a few years, near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The best thing about working there was we had the ability to borrow books.  If we decided to keep one, we could ask to have it taken of our paycheck and receive a discount. There were no tablet devices to read a book at that time, so I found myself carrying a variety of books.  It was the era of inspired reading in my lifetime.

The books were amazing and so were the dust covers, printed artwork ready to be framed, in all shape and sizes. One in particular book caught my attention, it simply stated, “Grace”.  I don’t remember who the author of the book was, but I still remember the message of the book. It held me spell bound at first and I found it hard to put down, till I read the part about peanut butter.  It went something like this: There were missionaries also known as teachers, who went to a remote part of the world to do good. When the first family arrived they soon learned there was no peanut butter to be found anywhere.  In order to get peanut butter it had shipped to them, at a huge expense. They decided to give it up, they did so with good intentions and it became of way of life. The missionaries lived in the remote area many years without any outside visitors or newcomers. After many years alone a new missionary family moved into a nearby village and they all became good friends very quickly. The new family began to inquire on how to get peanut butter; because it was something they like to eat.  They soon learned there was no peanut butter to be found. The newcomers decided they couldn’t live without peanut butter and that they would have it shipped to them. It created great strife between the two families; the family that had been there for many years couldn’t understand why the newcomers just didn’t give up peanut butter like they had. The strife became unbearable between the two families, the newcomers decided to give up their post and go home.

After reading this, I read it again, and then I reread it a third time making sure I didn’t miss a clue or an important fact. I was so disappointed that I put the book down and quit reading it, because I didn’t understand what peanut butter had to do with grace. The whole thing seemed ridiculous to me, because I thought the families were there to do good. After some time had passed, I finally pick up the book and finished reading it. What I learned was the first family made a choice, not a bad choice, but a choice that was good for them. They lived with the choice for so long it became like the law for them and it wasn’t a bad thing, it was just choice. When it became a problem is when they insisted that the new comers should follow their decision, to give up peanut butter. They simply forgot they made a choice.

So what I learned from the peanut butter story is that everybody makes a decision on how they should live and what is best for them. Everybody, from rocket scientist to those who dig ditches makes a choice on what they believe is right and wrong, and then how to  live.  This election this year taught me a lot about myself and others, especially on social networking.  I learned is that we all definitely have opinions; some are just more forward in stating them. There were times I wanted so bad to comment on what I believe and I did a couple of times. But I went back a deleted them. I believe that grace is something needed to be given freely; even though we may not walk down the same path or believe in the same things. Grace covers those things we don’t understand fully, yet allows us to be friends no matter what we believe or choose how to live. I am happy to report; the peanut butter story wasn’t real and really didn’t happen. The author created a fable, a parable to teach about grace, one I have not forgotten, and one that I will continue to work on.

Rug Pulling

Sometimes, following ones dream, is like sitting in a chair, you get comfortable and sit for while and quietly doze off. When you least expect it, someone sneaks in up behind you and pulls the rug out from under the chair. The chair you've become quite complacent in. Once you hit the ground, you start to realize you are your going no where. You stand up shake it off and start moving forward again. I'm thinking it's best not to get to comfortable sitting in any chair, especially since when one is both creative and a dreamer. It doesn't matter where life has taken you, but you do need to work hard to make a dream come true. Work, school and rabbit trails may distract you, so having the rug pulled out is actually wake up call. A friendly reminder, directing you back to what you started out to do. Keep at it daily: write a journal, network, talk to anyone one who will listen, just don't give up. Surround yourself with believers, dreamers, followers and don't give up. Just a note, to the rug pullers, who come from all walks of life in all shapes, sizes and temperments. You may have knocked me or someone else to the ground. But, we are standing on our feet now, just watch and see what we can do.... Olive Branch Creations and other untold stories by, Valaree Weiss

Off Kilter

There is a mirror hanging in our house that is off kilter and not centered. I was in a hurry to get it off the floor and I only had one hook so it's been hanging like that for awhile. I'd like to think it's because I'm artsy and creative. But in all honesty on my flip side I am very organized and everything has a place. In my space, I make a plan, label everything and give it a home. When I use a tool, I put it back. There are times when I am working on a project that a cutting tool may sit out for a couple of days, but it aiways goes back, to its perfect planned space.

I have found that life gets busy at times and it is not picture perfect, no matter how hard you try. There are advents in life that just happen. These chapters in life are ones that you don't write a plan for, that can set your life off center and make it questionable. There are no set answers on how to fix it. I have come to believe there are times one has to slide sideways in life to make it through the narrow opening and life is never the same again. Once I've made it through the opening, I secretly hope, keep my fingers crossed and pray I will never have to go there again.

This last weekend I had some time to straighten the mirror and I decided just to let it hang askew. To remind me life isn't always the same. I took a few pictures to show you, to make us laugh. But as I looked at the pictures I found one had been taken upside down. I'm not quite sure how it happened. It wasn't planned, but isn't that how life happens at time, just a little off kilter.

Blue Jeans and Green...

Blue jeans, a pair of 100% cotton woven pants were banned from public places, schools and represented a generation who identified themselves as rebellious and radical in the early sixties. One could catch flip side of this group wearing flowers in their hair, holding two fingers up for peace and talking about love. It was a group of contemporaries looking to find themselves and loose the identity of an older era, wanting save the earth and the start of an era going green.

During the seventies the ban was lifted, some schools started allowing blue jeans to worn; it was quite fashionable to wear bell bottom hip huggers. Blue jeans became entirely acceptable by all as casual wear. In the eighties fashion designers picked up on the trend with their own styles and labels for a price, blue jeans became a staple in every wardrobe. Fashion changes have come and gone, but cotton blue jeans still hold their statement for comfort.

A new generation of blue jeans has surfaced over the last three to four years. A new mixture of Spandex aka Lycra has been added to the pants, for stretch, gone is the 100% cotton comfort of real blue jeans. Spandex aka Lycra is a synthetic fiber with a polymer base like that of nylon or polyester. Spandex can irritate sensitive skin because of the chemicals it contains. Common sense would say not to wear blue jeans made of these fibers, but it is easier said than done. To find a pair of 100% percent cotton blue jeans in ready to wear, is impossible, all major manufactures of blue jeans have gone to the stretch blend. The only place so far to find organic 100% cotton blue jeans is on the Internet.

What amazes me is that we have generations of green in this era, who will not drink out of plastic water bottles, only eat organic produce and fruit not touched by chemicals, but on the flip side they will wear blue jeans and other fabrics mix with Spandex aka Lycra, made from chemicals that touch their skin. I do believe a wake up call is needed and a voice needs to be heard, we need to start reading garment labels and asking what they are made of. I would like to see those who demand green in what they eat demand green in what they wear. I myself would like to find a pair of 100% cotton blue jeans that fit.

Wallflowers

Wallflowers are usually hidden along the garden wall filling in space adding

height and interest to the garden layout. There are flowers of every shape and

color in front of them and along side of them that seem to attract all the

attention. The wallflower stands alone or in clusters with other wallflowers,

quietly observing all that goes on around them. Wallflowers usually know

all the good and bad about all the other variety of flowers in the garden,

but won't say a thing, because they are shy and respectful. Most

wallflowers blend into the wall and won't be seen because of their quiet

nature, most are ignored until someone walks up closer and takes a look

at the wallflowers real beauty, most of it's beauty is hidden

and has to be drawn out. When given the chance a wall flower will bloom

beyond it's wall and to areas unknown and other flowers from the garden

are surprised. I am one of those wallflowers, not only am I shy but I used

to be thin and willowy, but years have pass and I have gained weight causing

me to feel socially awkward. I went to a reunion and I had fun catching up

with a few friends and chatting, but I stayed along the wall hiding, but deep

down inside of me I wanted out and I wanted to be friends with everyone.

I was determined, so I read articles on being mature and dating, yes even

though I am married and I wanted to feel attractive. I was amazed to read

that size isn't an issue, but being friendly is, wearing attractive clothing, not

expensive but something besides blue jeans and t-shirts, nice clean fingernails

and nice clean simple haircut will do wonders. If I had to write between the

lines, basically how you really feel about yourself is how you present yourself,

you don't have to wear designer clothes to look nice. So I gave it a try, first it

was having my nails done, I was amazed when others noticed, then it was

the hair and boy was I surprised at the compliments I received. Slowly

I've been emerging, in all honesty, I don't think it's the clothes or the

hairdo, it's the confidence that's been expanded by all of it and the

real me that's been blossoming a little bit further away from the wall.

Once was a Brother

There once was a brother,

who looked at the sky.

Wandering through rugged mountains,

close to ragging rivers, he would spy.

It’s in the valley he would lie.

Capturing nature’s treasures, just a guy,

Just peek and see he’s got a magical eye.

By Valaree Weiss for Greg Muir.

Light - by Greg Muir

In all life's frustrations agonies and pain, light still

shines through the falling rain. Streaming down from the

heavens a massive sea of light, brings life to the vine

and separates the day from night. Without the sun and no

light so see the world would be in darkness and misery.

So count your blessing when the day is done be glad you

rise and see the sun. By Greg Muir