TUULI

                "Ours was a night born of the wind," Tuuli breath blew dry desert thru the flame of cafe  candle.

                "Can this movie get any sadder?" Neath askew brow Tess's emerald eyes shouted louder than words. "What a way to spend a Saturday evening."

                On screen at cafe table a gray suited Roark cast lament, "Of all the hearts in all the chests of all mankind, why did you Tuuli, why did you storm into mine?"

                "It's a classic," the love handled Ted defended his all time favorite movie, stuffed gob of popcorn in gullet, wiped salted butter from hand onto gray sweats.

                "You mean classic black and white antique. Tuuli's dress suit is gray, her hat off white, her hair somewhere in between." On the couch the pink and white plaid, pajama clad Tess ran fingers thru brunette shag to freckled nape of neck. Yet, was it boredom only that plowed that same hand into tortilla chips to scoop avocado dip and distractedly dribble green from bowl to lip?

                "Could it be that I trust you, Roark?" Tuuli eyes flashed. "I trust the more I despise you, the more you love me."

                "Save yourself, Roark." Ted teared up.

                "Girly man," Tess nudged Ted shoulder to shoulder.

                "Stop it," Ted choked out.

                "Cry baby!" Tess giggled.

                "A strong man's cry tis the dew of roses!" Ted sniffled.

                "Smell ain't everything, Ted." Tess pinched nose, giggled some more.

                With face of stone Roark dug deep the grave for love, "Did our kiss mean nothing?"

                In no hurry to end his suffering, Tuuli took lingering sip of cabernet sauvignon, answered with wry question, "Tell me, what necessitated your journey," the pupils of her eyes sharpened to rapier point, "your pilgrimage to the desert of my heart?"

                "Thirst," the word rasped from Roark throat.

                "You sought water in the heart of the desert?"

                "I found no water."

                "What did' you find?"

                "A fish."

                "So you see me as a fish out of water?  Do I look like I need saving?" Tuuli's laugh reeks the stench of marooned on shore sun baked eel, stirred by the feasting of gulls.

                "I smell even now the water of oasis." The heart of Roark beats deceit.

                "Roark is one sick puppy, poor baby." Tess adds sound effect puppy whimpers.

                Tuuli slaps Roark face, purrs, "I am a mirage. I am the wind."

                "Why do you hate me?" Roark implores.

                "Like I give you any thought." Tuuli tilts head, torments with mocking laugh, as beyond full lips her inner darkness exposes barren soul.

                Roark is stunned.

                Chin up Tuuli leans in close across table, "Do you see your love reflected in my eyes?"

                "Yes,"Roark breathes, then sees the match struck, sees it incinerate love's reflection and return the eyes of Tuuli to absence of light.

                Tuuli blows out the match, whispers whirlwind of scattered smoke a swirl, "Go... away."

                The dam of Tess false bravado bursts into full kilter squall.

                Ted, amid open sobbing of his own, offers Tess a tissue.

                Tess grabs it, squalls the more, "Give me the whole darn box, Ted!" She slobbers, she sobs, she swears, "Never will I ever let you ever' pick that movie to watch again!" She blows nose. "I mean it this time!"

                And on screen Tuuli's beautiful lips morph to corner of lip snarl, "My only ocean is me!"

                Tess throws empty box of nose wipes at Tuuli's head on TV screen. "Vain evil witch! Self composes no symphony of sympathy..."

                "... yet digs the ore of ego from deep dark mine!!" Ted repeats his part of well rehearsed line.

                Yet with heart sans reason Roark raises sail, "Even now, I see the the voyage anew." His head nods in sway, as if on a boat lifted by lapping white capped waves.

                "I see no ship." Tuuli trembles.

                Roark takes her hand, "Let us sail our ocean of tears."

                Tuuli wistfully withdraws her hand from his, "Dear Roark, who can turn the wind?"

                "Oooooh! I love you, Teddy!" Savagely bawling Tess entangles herself in Ted arms, kisses and slobbers all over his tad less than chubby face and tad more than receding hairline.

                And the Ted , well the Ted so says, "Truly Tuuli missed the boat."

                And into Ted ear, Tess breath breezes, "Thank you Jesus for my love handled tug boat."


In Parting: A life of vanity is but a chasing after the wind... but a shadow under the sun...
(Ecclesiastes 5:16; 2:11; 6:12: 8:13)

The whole duty of us all: Love God... Love one another...
Jesus two commands in Matthew 22:36-40. 

And as to the question, "Who can turn the wind?" The answer is in Mark 4:35-41 KJV.



                                 

FIRST TOUCH

                "Personality prickly as desert cactus, skin soft as eiderdown, too wild to tame, too soft not to touch." So tugged Ted's heart toward trouble and love in that not so much by chance crowded church pew seating.

                And in that crowded pew neath God Is Love t-shirt sleeves, the bare arms of Tess and Ted first time touched, a touch, a spark not of coincidental static electricity, but a spark heavenly planned. Thus spilled out lips of the Ted into Tess ear, "Jesus loves you," he whispered, "and so do I."

                More than a few next them snickered.  Even the Sunday school teacher smiled.  Seemed they all too knew before the two, the inevitable had come to bear for the bare armed pair.

                But my oh my how Tess flushed, recoiled in maiden blush, raised porcupine quills. Yet grasping heavenly gravity, she cocked her head, more than glanced at the petrified Ted, noticed he too blushed bright pink red, as he bashfully stared straight ahead.

                By the time Tess shoulder bumped Ted to turn his eyes to hers, the teacher had stopped teaching, every eye eyed them, and fadingly a frowned, Tess ignored them all, "Just how do you love me?" Words of honey spilled from Tess lips.

                And oh how Ted breathed, "Like Jesus loves the church," as his almond eyes danced in the dream of her emerald eyes trance.

                Thus did Tess slide arm of eider down round the arm of Ted; and the corners of her plush pink lips raised up to heaven and matter of factly said, "Thank you Jesus."

                "And that my precious sons and daughters," to kiddos huddled on and round well worn leather couch in front of warmth breathing hearth, "that," Ted attempted to finish story of first touch tradition, "that is how your Mom and Dad were so led to wed, and I might add have six little Tess and Teds.

                "But you left it out Daddy," little Tess Ana reminded.

                "Yep, you did," in unison Tess Bess, Tess Colette, Ted Red, Ted Ryan and Tim Ted chimed in.

                "We want to hear bout Mommy again," Tess Ana, hands on hips postured like her Mom in prickly moments sometimes did.

                 Tess snuggled closer to hubby on couch, hugged Ted arm tighter, and eyes into eyes of husband began that at least once a year said. "What a dilemma, two teenagers in love just about to graduate from good ole Liberty High and bound off to college 1,221 miles apart..."

                "What to do? What to do?" Kids in unison sighed well rehearsed, heart felt part.

                "We prayed," Ted nodded, "and listened, and obeyed, and what we did was not the wisdom of the world."

                "And not at first what our parents thought best." Tess gave side of lips smile.

                Ted added, "Although, through prayer of their own the financial savings and wisdom of our decision dawned on them.  For you see although our decision was not for everyone, praying to God and listening is."

                "Community college." Tess smiled. "After researching which four year colleges our required prerequisite courses would transfer to, it just made blessed sense to our parents too."

                "Boring!" Little Tess Ana added healthy, "Hmmmph!"

                "Yeah, tell us about that romantificated part," Tim Ted tee-heed.

                "The romantificated part!" So cued the rest of Tesses and Teds.

                Ted began, "It was a dark and stormy night..."

                "No it wasn't!" Tess Ana pouted. "Quit fooling round Daddy. Tell it right."

                "Twas a dark and stormy night, that your Dad to be proposed to me under that weeping willow on that cliff..."

                Tess rebooted Ted with elbow. The kids giggled.

                The rebooted Ted then said, "Lolling neath that picnic tree, from poignant to evocative, to reminiscent, to blessed, I said to my Tess, "You are the fuzziest little peach ever rubbed to cheek. To which your Mom to be replied..."

                "...I am your peach, you are my tree." Tess completed now line of tradition.

                And just like that time of not so long ago, the Tess and the Ted kissed a kiss, heavenly planned.

                To which little hands on hips Tess Ana observed, "What I'd like to know is why every time you two get that silly look in your eyes and kiss, we are blessed with another little Tess or Ted in about nine months.  Every time it's the same old thing, Another Tess or Ted will make seven."

Can we even imagine the newly created on earth first woman and man's very first touch? (Genesis - Adam & Eve)

Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV: 5)Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6)In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7)Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD and depart from evil. 8)It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Jeremiah 29:11-12 KJV: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12)Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.


       

         

             
                     

OOT N ABOOT

                "Owl in water," Tess sat up in tent sleeping bag, lips echoed mist of dream, "Owl in water..."
             
                Ted, gathering her close, comforting spoke, "Remember your favorite Inuit philosopher, Overt Avert once obviated, 'Why worry about nothing, before nothing happens'." Thus wrapped in loving arms a smiling Tess fell deep asleep, while Ted, well the Ted's mind wandered until guided to wonder, that old Inuit had paraphrased a certain Galilean of many centuries prior.  Then the Ted, he rested too.

                So it came to pass on a morning tad less than eerie, yet bit dark damp and dreary, a mist not quite in focus chilled the banks of the Sabinal, a river of hill spring beginning and underground disappearing.  And thus o'er bed of stone did gentle water a ripple, so raise riddle within the rising mist, casting veil o'er vale hidden, hidden tween hills below...

                In the mist on a log by the campfire, clad in trendy Grinn n Barrett brand khaki shorts, knee high hiking socks, boots and light green hoodies, Tess and Ted sat bit less than semi-aware of the supernatural swirling about them.  A too early risen Tess struggled to open eyes a squint, raised left eyelid only to have right lid fall closed.  With hand she vigorously ruffled already sleeping bag tussled hair, thus stimulating green peepers to almost simultaneously half open.  Her first focus spied the Ted pouring last coffee driblet into mug.

                "Don't you dare drain all the bean!"

                "For my angel," Ted poked coffee mug in Tess direction.

                Tess reached for it, missed.

                Ted steadied her hand, placed mug ear tween her fingers.

                "Eh, thanks ol' man." Tess breath stirred the mist. "Eh, I seem to be aboot a few trees shy a the meadow this morning."

                "Eh," Ted teased the recently all things Canadian obsessed Tess, "I hear the one too many Canuck wilderness specials stirrin' oot n aboot your Texas twang." He snickered.

                "Quit it!" Her Canadian accent crumbled. "At least I know how to have fun."

                "Yes you do. You are the very essence of fun my precious petite queen." Ted should a stopped there, mumbled under breath, "Aboot as much fun as a Yukon grizzly roused from hibernation."

                "What! What did you say, Theodore!"

                "I said you are precious and I love you, and I have..." Ted reached into green hoodie, retrieved tight little roll, unfurled bright red distraction, "I have a wee tee for my petite queen."

                "I may be little, but I be mighty, Ted boy, and don't you forget..." Distraction took root. "Wow, a blow me away hot red t-shirt with LOST MAPLES across the top, and below a big ol' red  maple leaf set in splotch of antique white.  Not exactly the glorious Canadian flag, but wow, thank you Teddy." Tess squirmed out of hoodie, held up arms. "Help me put it on!"

                While threading her arms and head thru t-shirt, Ted explained, "I picked it up yesterday just past the entrance at the park store." He smiled, patted himself on the back, silently thought, "That old distraction trick works purd-near every time."

                "I see that smug mug, Ted.  It's plastered all over that possum eatin' sweet tatters grin of yours. I am all too familiar with that little boy distraction ploy.  You better thank Jesus, I've a patient and forgiving heart."

                "Of patience and forgiveness," Ted scooted closer on log, "though the tree root be bitter," his warm breath teased freckled nape of neck, "the fruit be sweet." The kiss raised Tess goosebumps mid giggles.

                "Stop it, Teddy!" Tess crinkled neck. "Stop it... some more." She raised chin, exposed sweet spot.

                Ted lips barely brushed her throat when...

                Tess eyes refocused, "Hey, wait a minute. I recall somebody promising me, like, like a little bit of Canada heaven in Texas."

                Ted tried moving closer.

                "Uh-uh, so where is it? Where is this spectacular picturesque scenic beauty that you promised? And, is this fog, mist, or whatever it is; is it ever going to lift?"

                Ted stood, took Tess by the hand, helped her up, re-donned her in hoodie, lead her thru path a mist.

                "Uh," the mist coiled round Tess ankles, "are you sure about this?" The toe of her boot met solid rock.

                "Seems the steps up the cliff have found us." Ted breath puffed smoke. "Hang on to the back of my belt with one hand and the railing with the other. Hewn out of rock the steps to near heaven are sure, but by mist made wet and slippery."

                "Steps to near heaven?" Tess eyes widened. "Eh, aboot that, uh, I know that I've been aboot a whole whack a ice queen, to use a Canuckism," she took tentative step, "but I sure hope this cliff doesn't terminate in dead end." She snirkled at her own little joke.

                Many steps later Ted abruptly halted ascent. Tess snuggled up neath his shoulder. Ted reached out into the mist with foot, felt around, "It's flat, the top of outlook cliff no doubt. Got to be a bench up here somewhere." A few cautious steps in, "Ouch, found it." Ted set down on stone bench, guided Tess to his side, hugged her to him, commenced rubbing shin bone.

                "Let me," Tess scooted her hand neath Ted paw, "Let me rub."

                "Oh, thank Jesus for my Sofie," Ted breathed relief.

                "Sofie! Oh, you mean as in Canuck slang, I am your very own unexplainably beautiful sweet woman."

                "Uh... absolutely," Ted gave teasing wink.

                "Eh, does the fact that I can almost see that wink mean the mist is aboot to..."

                And the mist of veil o'er vale, like a scroll rolled away...

                Tess and Ted arose, stood in awe of a morning not eerie, not a bit cold, damp and dreary; stood in focus of the Sabinal, a river of hill spring beginning and underground disappearing, now a river from stone tomb arising. And thus o'er bed of rock did gentle water ripple, as cedar green and maple red set fire forgiving waters.

                 "Owl in water..." Tess lips a smile did re-utter, "Owl in water..."

                As in river reflection the owl a flight swept thru the rose colored sky, across the morning sun, and so echoed praises thru the once Lost Maples hills, "Who, who-who... Who, who-who..."

                And side by side Tess and Ted answered in sweet by and by, "In joy and in peace, so do the hills sing and the trees clap their hands to the glory of our risen Lord and Savior... Jesus..."


Epilogue:

Lost Maples is an actual Texas State Park, where the red cedar, cypress and red maple grow. Lost Maples is one of the few remaining areas in the state where the red maple thrives.

Sabinal is derived from the word sabina, meaning juniper tree. The red cedar is an evergreen juniper with reddish bark. The heart of the red cedar is aromatic wood the color of a rose.

The hills sing, the trees clap their hands:  Isaiah 55:12 KJV (vs 6 thru 11 beautifully explain vs 12)

The owl & praises: Genesis 1:21 KJV & all Psalm 148 NLT

Who Jesus is and what he says about worry: John 1:1-4&14 KJV; John 3:16 KJV; Matthew 6:25-34 KJV

Jesus gives living water eternal: John 4:1 through 42 (reread verses 10 through 14)   KJV 

PawPaw loves you...  Jesus loves you more...


 

             

             

               














               

                 

               

               
  

KISMET

                Hiking long Providence Falls in the hills of lost maples autumn red and gold, the in love two burned like dueling besorexia banjos at play.

                Now, twenty one years later in the light of hearth, the fair haired Tess sits and knits, while the cat in lap Ted reads to his beloved a tale of salty sea:

                      "Be there drift to Kismet, the home of destination?"

                      "Captain, seems no matter turn of sail, Kismet be near."

                      "Aye, even though we be at sea, and Kismet be in Kansas."

                But that was yesterday, a yesterday winnowed in wind away?

                For that very next frumpy house coat and hair a mess Tess morning, "Time to immerse these babies in the sap of maple." By kitchen nook window Tess reached across table for pancake syrup, grasped ghost of air.

                Ted snickered, poured torrent of maple over king sized stack.

                "Give me that, you, you, syrup usurper!"

                Ted thumped bottle bottom to make sure he got every last drop.

                A wintry frost burned in the green eyes of Tess.     

                Yet, the Ted sailed to Kismet, pushed his plate next hers.

                "You stinker," Tess giggled.

                Ted slid his chair near.  An elbow greeted his ribs.

                "Ouch?"

                "Affection is only two letters away from affliction, Ted." Tess semi-simmered, took fork to his king sized, now her queen sized stack.

                "So Tess, I hear you sayin' share my hot cocoa with you also."

                "And for the crepes sweet cream butter," so did she mutter while engulfing pancake bite another.

                Ted scooted butter over, with fork lifted each fluffy snack in stack, inserted glob of sweet pat, wanderingly wondered out loud, "Is polly unsaturated... a dry parrot?"

                Tess mid giggles fought to retain mapley pancake mouthful, cast her own touch and go tongue in cheek, "Me thinks the tracks of loco motive have led to perilous derail." She giggled again. "Plus, are you not semi-literally patting me on the back, and buttering me up too?"

                "Yes sweet Tess, compliments can be the sliest barb of all, but I really do have a penchant for my fluffy little parakeet." Ted teased.

                "Fluffy? As in plump!"

                "Pleasingly."

                "Ted, I swear, you will never taste not one bite of these pancakes!"

                "The fluffier the better and the more to love," Ted winked, opened baby bird beak.

                Momma bird laughed in spite of herself, poked maple dripping worm into baby bird beak. Thus, along with sugar-intoxification, dueling giggles grew.

                "If only such a short stack time were never to taste another never bite," with mouth full of maple Ted smacked..

                "If the if that was...were; what would that if be, but the ifiest if of all..." Tess smugulated mid munch.

                "Aye, the ether of either be a one or another dilemma." Ted agreed.

                "Yet is not the other side of the coin of equal cost?" Tess mused.

                "So should we bee a keeper and ooze honey." Ted schmoozed.

                "Life is short, walk tall," self challenged the height challenged Tess.

                "Identity is more than a look," the love handled Ted agreed.

                "And so should we oft recollect in the never too late... of not a moment too soon," Tess sighed, "that prosperity is but smoke out the chimney... without grace."

                "So be there drift to Kismet, the home of destination," Ted recalled prior night tale of salty sea.

                "Captain, no matter the turn of sail, Kismet be near," first mate Tess harkened.  .

                "Aye, even though we be at sea, and Kismet be in Kansas," together promised the beloved two.

                And so did dueling besorexia banjos at play ensue; 

                And the kisses of kismet sail the sun kissed sea of blue...

                And later that day, past the edge of night, teetering on the rim of sleep, the in each others arms Tess and Ted drew near that Great Tiller of the ship named Kismet...

                "Kismet is a matter of time. Time is the fabric woven by the Word of God." Ted joyfully sighed.

                Tess snuggled close, breathed near ear, "Let us pray to the One who clothes us. Thank the One who by his Word... weaves.''

                  

Epilogue: The Word is Jesus  +++John 1:1-4&14; John 10:27-30+++

Isaiah 55:6 KJV, "Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near."
(When with Jesus in our hearts we ask of God the Father, he, in his time, provides all we need, even the right mate and blessed fate.)

Let not your dust whisper of only vanities under the sun...

LOVE GOD... LOVE ONE ANOTHER...       See the words of Jesus in Matthew 22:35-40)                   

                     

                                 
                .