WHIM FLIT

            In the dwelling, the so restless dwelling, no peace before the morning light... 

            "Are you mad at me, Tessy?"

            At desolate kitchen island Tess fought drink flinging urge, emphatically clunked down lukewarm mug of creme brulee coffee. "Now Theodore, what inapt reason could possibly propel our wedded bliss into the Land of Irkdom?"

            "Irkdom?" Ted slid onto stool next Tess.

            "The point where displeasure meets disappointment, Ted." Elbow next coffee on island, Tess sighed, rubbed right temple neath dark hair a muss.

            "So, we are not at the point of no return, but experiencing turbulence." Ted smiled, added, "No way to fly a paper plane airline, Tessy."

            "That little boy smile of yours and semi-handsome good looks are not getting you out of this one, mister whim-flit."

            "So now I'm a what, dimwit?" Ted feigned indignation.

            "Whim-flit, not dimwit, Teddy. You are intelligent, considering you're a man," she chuckled, "but your brain darts like a honey bee from flower to flower, flutters like a butterfly on the evening breeze, flicks like a squirrel tail at pecan burial. I'm talking spur of the moment ditsy whim-flit mania."

            "Well I tad near never!" Little boy grin dimpled Ted chin. "Umbridge, Tess, umbridge is a bridge full a potholes."

            "But..." Tess lips gave up smile of their own.

            "But I'm a whim-flit?"

            "Pretty much so."

            "Might help if I knew what a whim-flit is, you think?"

            "Thought you'd never ask." Tess raised left brow. "You might be a whim-flit if you flick, flutter, frisk, maybe even whisk from flower to thorn." Tess punctuated with head cocked nod.

            "Ah, so you said I am a beautiful butterfly?" Ted fluttered butterfly lashes, celebrated selective hearing. 

            Mid coffee sip, Tess near spit, choked it down, recuperated, spit words instead. "Teddy, you are beautiful, but," she tilted head back to better cast schoolmarm glare down freckled nose, "but Teddy, you have the propensity to act on impulse, to indulge in urge, to tend toward notion, fancy and dream. Capriciousness, foilability and even fickleness may at times be deemed cute, yet even a tasty tart lemon in time spoils sour."

            "Not just a sour lemon, a spoiled sour lemon, eh. Well let me tell you something little missy. You are smart, cute verging on gorgeous and tasty as sweet fig preserves on warm buttered toast."

            "Fig jam?" Tess near giggled.

            "Fig preserves." Ted eyed Tess. Tess eyed Ted. "And you know what I do to my favorite fig of all?" Ted wiggled semi-bushy brow, aimed puckering lips toward Tess ticklish neck.

            "Stay away fig boy!" Tess cocked head, dipped chin, neck to protect.

            Ted's hypnotic breath warmed Tess throat, raised dipped chin, and Ted should a stayed with plan, but the ill advised spilled out typical male mouth, "Now Tessy, you say your husband suffers from WFS, Whim Flit Syndrome, yet little is the evidence of wings of flit or flutter, nor bushy squirrel tail a flick or a frisk. Therefore, ergo, and to wit there be no basis for whim-flit castigation." Ted punctuated with unwise grin.

           "Ah, but flit, flutter, flick and frisk only begins to describe what my tush did swimming in the shadow of forgotten and unclosed toilet seat this very night!"

            "Ooops!" Grin fled Ted lips. 

            "I was so mad at you." Tears near welled in Tess green eyes.

            "I apologize, Tessy." Her Teddy hugged her. "I would have been upset too." He kissed her forehead, sincerely plead, "Please find it in you heart to forgive me; and please know my transgression  was no on-purpose whim, but half asleep unintended err of oops."

            Tess made cozy nest of Ted chest. Snuggled closer than close. The Good Book did quote, "Jesus teaches us that if you forgive others their trespasses, our heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you forgive not others their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive your trespasses."

            And as the err of oops faded away: Tess kissed her Teddy. Ted kissed his Tess. And as their hug grew closeness, Tess so blessed breathed prayer, "Thank you heavenly Father for my Teddy. Thank you for this beautiful man. For does not your creation the bee dart and whisk from flower to flower to make honey? Does not the flit and frisk of the squirrels tail shine praise for your provision of pecan and tree? Does not the flutter of your butterfly bring bright your joy? Please guide us by your Light our every flit, flutter and frisk. May our every word and deed reflect your love. Thank you heavenly Father. In Jesus name we ask and pray."

            And near morning light Tess and her Ted found peaceful rest... blessed blissful dream...

            Be not a wave tossed in the sea of whim... seek safe harbor in the arms of Jesus...    

            Matthew 11:28-30 KJV Jesus speaking, "Come unto me, all yea who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and yea shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

            John 8:12 Jesus speaking: "I am the light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." 

            Tess quoted Matthew 6:14-15 KJV the two verses following the Lord's Prayer (forgiveness) 

                   

            

     

   

SILENT VALLEY LANE

                 Not so silent that echo down Silent Valley Lane, a sweet and sour serenade, a soft song to tag along, a tree line trail with quaint tale to tell... that not so silent echo down Silent Valley Lane...

                Neath thatched cottage roof eyebrow eave, two calico kitty cat pets grace window stoop, wink out latticed panes over perch filled lily pad pond, where pines a whisper breathe fresh breeze breath, a heaven scent, a sans lament, rolling along with that not so silent echo... down Silent Valley Lane...

                On tree spotted hill wee cottage sings, 'I wannabe a bungalow.' Sings desire from heart of family room where two etched in henna intertwined roses grace knotty pine wall. But oops, oh my, oh no, and aw-shucks, beneath those intertwined wall flower roses, sit a non-intertwined couple on a once upon a time loveseat.

                "Theodore, we are not selling our home!" Tess yodeled echo through hills and down Silent Valley Lane.

                "But..." Ted would have pled.

                "No!" Arms folded tight to bosom, Tess with full pink lips askew more than puffed at stray fair hair strand.

                "You might just listen..."

                "No!" Size seven and a half leather moccasin sole punctuated hard wood floor.

                "But the offers are mega-licious and frequent, Tess." Ted ran exasperated fingers through grey shock of dark brown hair.

                "Because why, Ted? Why are people tossing money at us? Why?"

                "Location plays part."

                "That is correct, goof head, rolling foot hills, mountains in the backdrop, spring fed pond, cottage picturesque, and a paved Silent Valley Lane below, all are precious part of this place called home." Tess rubbed crick in neck.

                "Yes, but we need more space." Ted massaged Tess freckled nape. 

                "Yes," Tess sighed, as tension in neck faded way.

                "Yes?" Ted knew Tess yes often carried heavy laden amendments, perilous clauses, mandatory capitulation, and it all better be sealed with husband's approving and sincere smile.

                "Yes, we need more space," Tess matter-of-facted.

                Ted answered Tess echo down Silent Valley Lane with well practiced smile. A smile sparked to near snicker by internal pun, "When Moe Mentum is wed to Amanda Tory, married life demands quick adaptation."    

                "Yep, for my home based realty business more room is a must. Plus my resident writer hubby has creative needs for alternating quiet solitude and music loud enough to wake the dead."

                "So the prettiest realtorette in Silent Valley finds us the perfect move?"

                "How bout stunningly cute, vivacious realtor and bordering on genius amateur architect creates calico kitty cat pet friendly plans for expansion."

                "I thought about that very alternative, but drew a blank on how to preserve the quaintness of the cottage and country setting." Ted voiced concern. Yet he gathered hope, for as annoying as Tess's know-it-all notions sometimes were, she proved usually right. "And how true," he silently mused, "how true the rose be petal and thorn, lest it be thornless, and so be helpless."

                And lo, so low descended the sun, till night blanketed evening shadows. And there in the inner light of the cottage called home, neath rain in bath shower, be the Ted. A Ted having a bit more than a spot a trouble reaching mid shoulders with soap. But then, so tenderly then, he felt lithe hands caress with suds a bless, and husband and wife under shower rain washed away the grit of one feisty day.

                Just a tad in time later, a giggling two dropped towels to floor, fell in bed, pulled up the covers, kissed and snuggled too. And Tess soft breath blew prayer past Ted ear and into the ear of heaven, "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for blessing my Teddy and I with each other. Thank you for providing our precious home and growing businesses. Please guide us as to how we can accommodate that growth with the space needed. Thank you especially for Jesus. In Jesus name we ask, we pray." They kiss, they snuggle, they sleep, they dream... the Good Shepherd watches over...

                More than a dream, a month or two passed. Ted had his writer needs simply blessed. He kept his familiar bedroom desk. Tess bought him a high-tech set of headphones for his alternating need of solitude and loud music. And Ted fulfilled a visionary gift given to the heart of Tess: a nest with familiar view.

                So that wannabe-a-bungalow wee country cottage grew; the forgotten attic converted into a realty office comfy and bright. Bright by the light of two newly added dormer windows. Windows, where calico kitty cat pets wink out thatch browed panes overlooking perch filled lily pad pond. Windows to pines a whisper breathing fresh breeze breath, a heaven scent, a sans lament, a snuggles and sighs sweet serenade, a soft song to tag along, a tree line trail with quaint tale to tell... that not so silent echo down Silent Valley Lane... not so silent echo... down Silent Valley Lane... 

                Galatians 3:26... Ye are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus...

                John Chapter 10 verses 1 thru 30...  "The Good Shepherd"

                Psalm 150 verse 6... Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD....            

SMIDGEONS A FLY

        One morning wee alight the sun peeked thru kitchen window, where the Ted sat sipping cream laden green tea matcha and drinking in wife Tess's bouncing brunette tresses, as she stirred, as she scrambled, a tad more than eggs...

        Ted loved her every symphony of movement. He longed to hug the dancing hot pink hearted fleece pajamas precious wife wore. And yet did he peer through window, dare peek back at the sun now softly filtering through garden tree. 

        "Tess, a whole herd of smidgeons just flew up into our mustard tree." Thus the tartan shorts and tee clad Ted did hatch infallible plan to hug those dancing hot pink hearted fleece pajamas.

        "What?" Tess halted egg spatulating. 

        "Smidgeons in our mustard tree."

        "Smidgeons?  Ted, a smidgeon does not a pigeon make."

        "Tess, you just do not understand.  Am I going to have to Goo-gull the internet for smidgeon pictures?"

        "Teddy," Tess set spatula aside, turned stove top off, rubbed her temples, "what part of smidgeons are not birds do you not understand?"

        "Well duh, a whole lotta things are not smidgeons. For example take this kitchen table; it does not fly up into a mustard tree."

        "Oh, the table is about to fly alright!" Tess only half giggled.  Her hot pink hearted fleece pajamas swayed closer Ted's way.

        "Surely you are not an anti-smidgeonator."

        "That is not a word, Ted."

        "Even a wee bit of bias is ugly, Tess."

        "Ted, surely you possess more than a tiddle of thought," Tess placed hand on his shoulder, "possess more than a copious crumb of sense, more than mere wee morsel of mentality, and more than a dab or a dash of discernment.  But, listening to the wife may need tiny tad of improvement."

        "I listen but like not to hear."

        "Yes dear, selective hearing be your forte."

        "Thank you for the selective hearing compliment, Tess," Ted stifled smirk, "but I did not farte."

        "And," Tess lifted left brow, squinched right eye, with both hands grabbed the neck of the Ted.  She pulled him nose to nose, took sniff of whiff, replied, "and yet you are my sweet stinker!" She kissed him soft.

        Ted caught his breath, breathily said, "So now you see, so now you agree, a small pigeon be but a smidgeon?'

        "You are a pest and more than a smidgeon sometimes silly, dear," Tess whispered in ear.

        "Out of my mind... in love," Ted breathed between kisses.

        "So are kisses," Tess kissed him again, "infinitely better than just caressing hot pink hearted fleece pajamas..." Tess giggled at her well played scrambled egg plan...

        "Where smidgeons fly, the heart follows.  Thank you for love, Lord above," one blissful Ted so praise said.

Matthew 13:31-32 NLT (a parable by Jesus) The Kingdom of  Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches. (Jesus loves you and has prepared a nest in heaven for all who believe in him.)  

1st Corinthians 16:14, Let all that you do be done in love.   

1st Corinthians 13:13, And now live in faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love... 

             Jesus loves you...                                                           

THE SQUINCH

             Once upon a wee sleepy weekend, early sunbeam pierced clouds of sky, stirred the wind, twirled the whirlwind only a tad less than legacy of someday piddle. But what might be a piddle paddle in puddle to some, was about to be oars of life boat strumming Sea of Fate... to one Tess and one Ted.

            And so it just so happened, or was it more a dab ordained that Tess poured forth from carafe two mugs a coffee, coffee soon to be near half sweet cream for the sweet toothed two.

            Sitting at table nook, Ted squinched sleepy eyes to better see the morning light flow, and bathe his Tess all a glow. And as the silhouette of her lithe body swayed neath one of his borrowed eggshell white tees, the Ted, well the Ted quietly to self said, "I am so blessed."

            What was that, dear?" Mug a coffee in each freckled finger hand, Tess swayed near, "Am I too slow retrieving the bean? Is that why you are squinching those puppy brown eyes up at me?"

            "I'm not squinching."

            "You are so."

            "Am not."

            "Ted I know a squinch when I see one."

            "It was just a wink, or perhaps maybe a peek seasoned with tad a squint."

            "Ted, a squinch is more than a squint and that look was more than either." Tess placed all a steam mugs a bean on table. Hands on hips added, "So why are you so grumpy this morning?"

            "Now I'm grumpy?"

            "Yes grumpy." Tess squinched left eye, raised brow of other, plunked on his lap. "Grumpy Teddy," she pouted in his ear.

            "Me thinks the lady's squinch and pout tis but a squint and smirk." Ted near half figured it out.

            "No, cause I know," Tess teased.

            "Know what?"

            "I know why too."

            "No you do not." Ted fought sheepish smile.

            "Do so."

            "Do not."

            "Do so!"

            "Do not!"

            "It was the light."

            "Light?"

            "The light through which yon window breaks." Tess did smile.

            "Yes," Ted at last confessed.

            "You saw the light expose lithe silhouette. Saw the sway of my body neath pale thin cloth..."

            "Saw the blessings of a virtuous wife more precious than rubies," breath from the soul escaped the truth laden lips of the Ted.

            Tess kissed the temple above Ted's not so sleepy right eye. Hugged his face close to her heart, contentedly sighed...

            And so once upon a wee sleepy weekend, early sunbeam kissed clouds of sky, stirred the wind, filled shiply sail o'er sea of God's love... for one Tess and one Ted...

            Ecclesiastes 4:12, the blessings of a three fold cord: God, groom, bride.

            Wonderfully expanded: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12.

            Awesomely expanded: The whole of the beautifully poetic Ecclesiastes records King Solomon's quest for "the meaning of life' and reveals such in the 12th and final chapter, the last 4 verses.

            Jesus two commandments: love God... love one another... Matthew 22:36-40.

            "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life."  John 3:16                                    

PITY PARTY

            Once upon a time in the non-enchanted town of Pity, a plot of party hatched for the day one Satchmo Algar Pity was born.  And so it came to pass in this time of not so distant yore, that after work one exhausted Pity had just walked through Pity home door.

            "Satch a pity that Pity is here!" Friends fired away their never surprising punster greeting at surprise party. "Happy birthday Satch!" Reverberated throughout the Pity house.

            Satch, as always took all this kidding in life tide stride, all the live long while sporting the trademark winningest of any real estate agent smile.  Indeed every friend took turns giving Pity a pity-pat hug, a trade mark hug that each and every one had learned from Satch A. Pity himself.  But the last hug was the best of all, one complete with wispy kiss, and an "I love my Satch," from precious wife Ann.

            And so it was in the home of Pity, in that town of Pity that celebration swung full swing.  There was joking.  There was joy.  Candles where blown out, and wishes were made round a chocolate cake so sweet, it was sinful.  Thus did Satch take such a big huge bite of the cake of Pity, that he promptly choked. Sinfully sweet cake had stuck in Pity's throat, and as he turned lack of oxygen purple, Satch truly repented of that cake too sweet, big huge bite.

            "Dear Jesus, please help my Satch!" Wife Ann prayed forth pure pity.

            And so was sent to the rescue Satch's best buddy Jonah. "Stand back everyone!" Jonah commanded, hugged like a paw clad bear, then slapped extra hard pity-pat smack to Satchmo's back. Thus big huge bite flew way far out, and from saccharin sinful cake, Pity was spared.

            Rejoicing broke out over the salvation of Satch A. Pity.  And so in one body the whole of the party sang: "Oh, it is so awesomely pretty what the grace of the LORD's pity... WILL DOOO..."

            How much does God love us: Psalms 103:13 KJV, "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him." (Love and respect the LORD, for he is like a tender and compassionate father to his children.) (Actually, please read all of Psalms 103 even out loud . Bless and be blessed.)

            What does Jesus say about friends: John 15:12-17 KJV

            

YAWNY RIVER

            Once upon a tad near bedtime story, nestled midst the mighty oaks on the east bank of the Yawny River, dwelled the humble yet picturesque cottage of the Tess and the Ted. Much was the life of this loving couple like that sleepy little Yawny River, the river of gentle surface, yet deep and chasmic channel. And so it came to pass that Tess and Ted sat perched upon nubuck sofa, not so engrossed in a yesteryear movie.

                        

            "Stop it, Ted!" Tess yawned.

            

            "Stop what?" Ted, the initial instigator of yawn, yawned again.

            "Stop it, stop it, stop yawnnnnnnn-ing." Tess spun yawn of her own. "Just stop." She nudged elbow into companion's ribs.

            Ted mid yawn warned, "Watch it little squirt or you might bruise the rib from which you came." Ted mid giggle yawned again.

            "I may just have to elbow every last one of those yawns out of you!" Tess attempted stifle of both giggle and yawn.

            "How am I to deny my wide open mouth from involuntarily inhaling the air of fatigue?"

            "Me thinks tis more a voluntary betrayal of boredom."

            "What?"

            "You are bored with moi, your most precious wife?"

            "Tess, please don't slip down the slippery yawning chasm of self-pity."

            "Thee protesteth too mucheth like the bird singeth of paradise losteth." Tess splattered lispy lisp of metaphor.

            Ted sat stunned. Did not know whether to laugh or gag. Decided neither was safe. Tess had lost it. He let slip, "You done gone possum eatin' persimmons crazy!" And to make it worse, too late to hide with hand... he yawned!

            "Now that yawn was for sure more a voluntary signal of displeasure to the point of obnoxious distain." Tess trembled like a boiling tea pot, vibrated like a volcano fixin' to spew, buzzed like a rattle snake signaling strike. Then she quietly with tears welling in eyes pled, "All I ever ask for is a little love."

            Ted gathered his Tess close, rubbed her back and shoulders, whispered thru her shag cut auburn hair into ear, "I'm sorry sweet Tess. My yawn was just a hint, just a signal, it's time to go to bed."

            "Now you're talking," Tess batted eyelashes, gave hint of suggestive wink punctuated with what else but fake yawn.

            "Deception by yawn? No fair!" Ted feigned protest.

            "Don't forget the fake tears, dear. Works every time."

            "You little scamp."

            "Yeah."

            "You skunk petite."

            "Yeah, how stinky am I?" Tess wiggled, she giggled.

            Ted smiled, swept up into his arms a certain favorite pest. Made nonstop way to bedroom and to foot of bed, where Squeaky the cat lay catnapping head...

            And pausing at the foot of that bed while still in Ted arms, Tess blessedly said, "Perhaps the most noble motive of the yawn," she yawned, "may just be empathy."

            Ted echoed yawn, whispered warm breath in Tess ear, "What a gift that sharing of light heart, a giggle or two, maybe even a precious oneness."

            "Let us thank the Lord." Tess kissed her Teddy.

            So ends, maybe more so begins our tad near once upon a bedtime story, where dwells the humble yet picturesque cottage of the Tess and the Ted, nestled midst the mighty oaks on the east bank of the not so sleepy Yawny River...

Ecclesiastes 3:1&4...   Psalm 150: 1 thru 6...               

KOOKIE COOKIE

        How many the times have your times been sleepless lullabies of never again? Thus begins a midnight collision, a pajama clad wreck, a bickering banter between two ought to know betters...

        "No matter where! No matter where I hide my chocolate chip pecan cookies, you are like a pig sniffing out truffles!" Tess stirred piggy pie mad. 

        "I was. There they was. Now we are one." The frumpy haired Ted burped, rubbed cookie poochy tummy.

        "You flying pig buzzard!" Tess green eyes flashed. 

        Ted burped again, took mug a milk gulp.

        "You, you always, every time, never falls..."

        "That's fails, Tess."

        "What?"

         "That's never fails, not falls, sweetie." Ted's bushy brow wiggled up and down.

        "And there it is, the little boy plow to..."

        "That's ploy, not plow, Tess." 

        "Ted! I am discomboobulated, befuddled, flustered and, and agitated! Not your normal agitated, but agitated like an overloaded out of balance washing machine on the spin cycle. I mean agitated, not miffed. Agitated!" Running out of steam, Tess huffed then puffed at stray strand of dish water blond hair.

        "That's discombobulated, Tess, not discomboobulated."

        "What! What!!"

        Ted kissed a certain someone's ticklish freckled neck, "I am sorry," he breathed in her ear.

        "Get your pig snout off me!" Tess stifled giggle.

        "Ah, my little truffle petite, the tad of always, the smidgeon of every time, the pinch of never again, does not an eternity make, but our love like a dove, oh so it does."

        Tess kissed a certain someone's lips. "I suppose a girl could do worse than a chocolate chip pecan cookie breath man."

        "I'm a peach," Ted smugulated.

        "And we all know every peach has its pit, Teddy."

        "I think of it as being fruity."

        "Fruity be the operative word," Tess giggled mid kiss.

        "How many the times have our times been sweet lullabies of often when..." Ted pulled Tess tenderly close.

        And the Tess, well the Tess so sealed with bless, "Sometimes always, every time, never fails, conceives love begain again."

        "That's begun, Tessie."

        "But begain just sounds better, Mr. Grampus police."

        "Tess, that's... you are absolutely correct," Ted so said, hugged her tight.

        "Often do I wonder who is the more blessed: forgiver or forgivee?" Tess breathed snuggly sigh. "Besides," she giggled, "I was accusing you of being a pig, when I was the one hiding the cookies."

One forgiven much, loves much. One forgiven little, loves little... Inspired by Luke 7:47 KJV and surrounding scripture from the breath of Jesus.

Garnered from 1st Corinthians 13"4-8 ESV: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy nor boast; is not arrogant nor rude; is not overbearing; is not irritable nor resentful; does not rejoice in wrong doing but rejoices in truth. Love bears all, believes, hopes and endures... Refresh love forever anew...

John 3:16 KJV, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life...

Love God and love thy neighbor... So does Jesus bless us with the recipe for life as recorded in Matthew 22:37-38.            

        

            

BRISK WHISK WINTER WAY

        Thru brisk whisk winter way drove that Woodie Chevrolet to snow covered alpine chalet, to warm embers hearth, to arms of of love, to kisses soft, to song of brisk whisk winter way.

        Oh, as smoke a puff from chimney rose, those Christmas lights thru windows glowed in that house called home; a home not adrift but nestled in white cloud nest, blanketed picturesque. And as for Ted, well he to self said, "What a blessing this wagon load of gifts a joy, presents for my preggers Tess and soon to be Tess Juniorette, and presents for precious kitty pets Squeaky, Buddy and the Lynx. Even found one for me, a well insulated L.L. Legume tartan plaid Yukon cap, for which did I ever pay in every way far too much." So did the Ted strap cap on, to keep his ears, oh so warm.

        Thus Ted, carol a humming, undertook Woodie unloading. But alas, forsooth, oh my, and aw shucks already, like a stereo turntable turned askew, that too sharp needle came a screeching across vinyl LP noel a carol. For after the laden arms of the Ted negotiated picket fence gate, and his feet had near trod all the way up icy path to front porch steps, and just as the Tess, Squeaky, Buddy and the Lynx out picture window glanced, they witnessed snow boot done gone a slipping and gifts done gone a flipping. Ted's back slapped ice, sent from lungs breath mist into air a freezing, and his head ker-smacked that ice so unforgiving.

        Tess flung open door, cats round her legs did out door swirl. Cradling tummy full a baby, Tess made cautious way to hubby, lifted his cat licked face, "Open those eyes Teddy!" Tess repleaded, "Open those big dopey brown eyes, Theodore. Don't you dare turn this noel a carol into dirge of peril. Think of our little Tess Juniorette, Teddy. Teddy, please say something. Oh, dear Jesus help us..."

            As for Ted, well the Ted did open eyes, although they were tad crossed. And then, and then that's when the after head smacked on ice utterances, an avalanche of guilt laden adages began: "Too-too paid toot-toot tootle-loo, the whole kit and caboodle, the whole ball of wax, the yodel of yarn, the whole shebang, whole schmear, the whole nine yards, the whole shootin match, the full monte, the kitchen sink, the bathroom tub, high noon, rice and beans, extra chips please, the whole enchilada. I paid too selfish much for this dumb tartan plaid floppy eared cap."

            That's when the Lynx felt so guided to give his Pa Pa's face one last slurpy tongue baptism. Ted eyes uncrossed, the tears on Tess rosy cheeks came into focus, and the Ted, well that is when he said, "I know, I paid too much for this silly plaid cap, but Tess did you have to clobber me?" He grinned.

          "You dummy, the super insulated padding of that blessed floppy eared cap saved your noggin. What possessed you to buy it?"

            "Well Tess, it was the strangest thing. In the sporting goods store, passing by this L.L. Legume winter cap display, a still small voice commanded, 'You are going to need this...' " 

            "Just as the Lord sees the situation not yet come, so he also hears the urgent prayer to be," Tess smiled, "for what is time to the Creator of time..."

            "Look at you, all up in that metaphysical ether," Ted grinned.

            "Better metaphysical than needing a medical physical." A wide eyed Tess shook head yes.

            "Sometimes the little slips in life so remind." Ted sat up, got up, helped up his with child Tess. And all went up steps into the warmth of the house called home...

            All... including with straight up tails a twitching, trois bon chats noel a carol with meows a plenty and a purr-ee or three. 

            So ends our little tall tail tale, that so began: Thru brisk whisk winter way, drove that Woodie Chevrolet to snow covered alpine chalet, to warm embers hearth, to arms of love, to kisses soft, to song of brisk whisk winter way... 

            The wise know the reason for the season is the greatest gift of all... JESUS...

            Merry Christmas... for YOU are loved...

            Luke 1:26-35, 2:1-19 the birth of Jesus...

            1st Kings 19:11-13 the still small voice...

            Listen...         

             

            

             

                        

            

                 

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)                   

                     

                                 
                .