Clutter Putter

by Susie Talbot

So much I want to do
but then, I ask Him is it true
is it so much hay and stubble
is it really worth my trouble
something You want me to do?
Am I like a circus clown
bouncing all around
from one thing to another
making others laugh or shudder?
How aimless this all seems sometimes
even when I write these rhymes
but then I tell myself it's true
it all makes sense when serving You.

Been tripping around...

Left Casa Grande early Sunday morning on August 1 and made it to Tonopah, AZ.

We took these photos of each other at a quaint little restaurant called Tonopah Station.

Left Tonopah the next day heading for Susanville and then onto Eagle Lake.

 

Wednesday we made reservations to rent a boat to go fishing. Scott checked us out on the boat and taught us how to THREAD a WORM...never heard of such a thing, but he guaranteed it gave fishermen the edge on catching an Eagle Lake trout. GROSS, GROSS, GROSS...!

Thanks Scott!   (name and photo used with permission)

Heading out to fish at 6 a.m. Thursday morning...beautiful sight...The chill in the air felt wonderful.

Six of us fished, three per boat. Jay, Dean (brother-in-law) and I on one, K family on the other boat. Three and a half hours later, one trout to show for our trip...ah well. As it should be the youngest of the pack snagged the big one! Here's little J. K. with his gorgeous Eagle Lake trout.

PS...he didn't thread his worm!!!!!

Is that a cute picture or what?  Look at that fish will ya?  Barbecued, it was a tasty morsel.

So, that's what we've been doing. The rest of the time, eating and sleeping, enjoying sunrises over the water and evening skies smeared with milky ways and stars. 

Alas, on Saturday it was time to say goodbye to our "rellies and the lake and motor on down to Chico to see our dear friends. This is T and J (buddies since childhood) standing in front of the house they rented together over 45 years ago. It was painted a morbid yellow back then, but otherwise looks pretty much the same. The guys haven't changed that much either! We're doing a little reminiscing. 

Enjoying our trip...Next stop Davis, CA and then on to Coarsegold to see our son and family. 

I don't cry easily, but

I'm sitting here crying at my computer after watching this clip...PURE INSPIRATION!

Another poem dripped from my pen...

Writing poetry is one of my greatest joys. I'm teaching a Bible Study on Colossians and was inspired to write this little poem from Colossians 3:14.

Love Coat



Joseph had an amazing coat

A gift from his father

We too have an amazing coat

A gift from our Father



I want to wear Your coat of love

For everyone to see

So all will know Your sacrifice

For love You set men free

You tell me I may put it on

I’ll find it on a tree

You paid Your life for this coat

I’ll wear it with humility

To My Friend

To My Friend, With Love , Susie

Dear sister in Christ, my dearest friend

I’ve hurt you in a way I didn’t intend

I thought “I can help, I love her and so…”

But I wounded instead—that I now know

I can talk about virtue, and teach it too

But living it out is harder to do

I read in Colossians about gentleness and grace

Oh boy did I miss it when I got in your face

I’m grieved at the memory—pricked to the core

I beg your forgiveness. I can’t ask for more

Dear sister I love you in Christ it is true

Next time with His grace I’ll do better by you

I pray for our friendship to be even more

Stronger and brighter than ever before

Not ‘cause we’re deserving or perfect or right

But because of God’s Son Who gives us His sight

He’ll guide us through dark times side-by-side

As we live in His love and enjoy the ride

Akiane-Artist/Poet Prodigy

Hi Friends,

We're in Payson AZ this weekend and I've come across a book about AKIANE, a child prodigy artist and poet. She started drawing at the age of 4 and then went on to paint amazing large works of art, some featured in this video. She's 15 now.

I'm absolutely carried away by her work so thought I'd share with you. I found this video about her on YouTube and will copy down one of her poems at the end of my post. Enjoy and I pray you'll be as inspired as I am by watching what God can do through a yielded vessel, a listening heart. Some think she's a hoax, but I choose to believe "all things are possible" through Christ and commend her diligence.



I copied the following poem from Akiane's book called:  akiane  her life, her art, her poetry

Courage

Our hands

still

hold today's future...

I still see the mill

standing way on top of the island in the ocean

and feel the last chill from steadily rolling heavy wave...

Changes fold back the past folding the heart

reminding me where I lived

up high there on the tree with the nature's view...

where faith

immediately could see

and immediately could believe...

Making the slide from the charcoal paper of times

I will tape my self portrait

on a trumpeter swan...

Maybe she will explain my voice

writing for miles

for centuries and for choices...

Crossing the bridge that is not even built

is courage...

I hope Akiane has inspired you as she has me to be all that you can be in the Lord. Nothing is impossible in Him! Do you believe it too? 

Bitty Bits of Nonsense

Tweedle-lee-diddle-lee dum
I once drank a bottle of rum
It washed down the hatch with a burn
Next time I'll give you a turn

Fiddle-lee-diddle-lee mink
I once knew a guy named Hink
He sputtered, he stammered and then he swore
That's all I know--or I'd tell you more

Rinkle-dee-dinkle-lee-do
I have a great story for you
About an old man who never lied
But bragged about it until he died

Frankle-lee-dankle-lee-bee
Can this life be all about me?
I can't believe the answer is "no"
Yet I hear it often wherever I go