Poetry Friday: Snuggled Holidays

 snuggled holidays

 my feet are happy because

 you are here with me

 Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Poetry Friday: In Line

In Line

Echoed lines resound

sighted joy, life etched between 

mother and daughter.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Rare Jewel: Chapter Seven

Here are the notes from Chapter 7: The Excellence of Contentment.

1. By contentment we come to give God the worship that is due to him.
2. There is much exercise of grace in contentment.
    a. There is faith, humility, love, patience, wisdom, and hope which are tried.
    b. There is a great deal of strength found in quiet contentment.
    c. There is a great deal of beauty of grace. God's glory appears in the man living quietly in adversity.
3. By contentment, the soul is fitted with quietness to receive mercy.
4. And the soul is fitted to do service, once it has been quieted.
5. Contentment delivers us from an abundance of temptations.
6. There is an abundance of comforts in contentment.
    a. He doesn't depend on any else for comfort but God.
    b. If God raises him, he is assured it is by love.
    c. No matter storms or tempests, there will be light in his soul.
 7. God fashions our spirits to our conditions.
        a. Possessions won't bring contentment like grace in the soul.
        b. Possessions don't better my soul.
        c. Satisfied desires can be the result of self-love versus contentment which is from love to God.
        d. Acquiring one thing, we'll only desire more and more, while true contentment brings comfort in all conditions.
8. Contentment is a great blessing upon the soul.
9. God will give the comfort of the thing which we are contented to be without or something in lieu of it.
10. Through contentment, the soul comes the closest possible to God.

Poetry Friday: Directed

Directed 

Empty sockets, he

waits to sink poised incisors 

in my dotted lines. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012 

So Janet doesn't fret at the dinner table over what this is about: this is the personification of pain directed by sovereignty. 

Poetry Friday: Book Birth

Book Birth

Cracking from my black

crust, words brim, bubble, and boil

onto my paper.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

I took this photo on the Big Island. It was glorious to see at my feet!

Love Story

Love Story by lorieanngrover featuring a grey cardigan

Poetry Friday: Sentinel

Sentinel

Hearing childhood hearts,

she curled branches around hopes

and secreted dreams. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Rare Jewel: Chapters Five and Six

Notes from Chapters 5 and 6
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment

Christ Teaches Contentment

1. He teaches it through self denial.
   a. We are nothing in ourselves.
   b. We deserve nothing.
   c. We can do nothing.
   d. We cannot, of ourselves, even receive good.
   e. We can make no use of what we have if God withdraws from us.
   f. We are worse than nothing.
   g. If we perish, it will be no loss. God can raise another to serve.
   h. The soul comes to rejoice and take satisfaction in all of God's ways, even those which don't suit our own ends.

A discontented heart is troubled because he has no more comfort, but a self-denying man rather wonders that he has as much as he has.

2. He teaches it through the knowledge that all things of the world are vanity. There is nothing which will feed our hearts.

3. He teaches it through the fear of eternity. Earthly concerns seem to have no consequence in comparison.

4. He teaches we are pilgrims on earth; our momentary stay needs little comfort.

5. He teaches the good we do have is from God's hand; it can draw us closer to God, and it can cause us to be of better service.

6. He teaches us to examine our own hearts.
   a. We'll find the root of our discontent.
   b. In the affliction, we'll know it is suited for us, particularly.
   c. We'll be content knowing what we can manage, and that this condition is perfect for us.

7. He teaches that the prosperous condition is a burden.
   a. There is a burden of trouble.
   b. There is a burden of danger.
   c. There is a burden of duty.
   d. There is the burden to give account to God.

8. He teaches it is a great evil to be given up to the heart's desires. Better a plague than a hard heart.

9. He teaches the right knowledge of God's providence.
   a. God's providence has universality. Nothing is outside of it.
   b. God's providence is not altered by us, even our loudest rantings.
   c. All the infinite varieties of providence work in an orderly way.
   d. He makes us familiar with God's ways of working.

       * God's ordinary course is that his people in this world will be afflicted.
       * Often when God intends the greatest mercy, he brings a person into the lowest condition.
          i.e. Joseph in prison, David hunted, Christ crucified.
       * God will often use evil for his good.

Poetry Friday: The Studio

The Studio

Ballet bent my bones

 to shape the perfect turnout,

leaping, crippled flight. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Poetry Friday: Heard in Time

Heard in Time

Sweet notes plink my mind; 

her song slips beyond childhood, 

circles and comforts. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012 

Stories to Tell

Stories to Tell by lorieanngrover on Polyvore

Poetry Friday: Cratered Hope

Cratered Hope

Across the black hill,

a wisp of moon cracks charcoal

darkness and gleams hope.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Herbivoracious: Michael Natkin

Joy of joy, a full cookbook from the winning vegetarian blog, Herbivoracious, by Michael Natkin! Packed with "global flavors" your palate will be delighted with the recipes in this extensive collection.

"Why vegetarian? Because vegetarian meals are good for you, tread more lightly on our planet's resources, and are kinder to animals. And personally, I figure that because I am a vegetarian I have a little leeway to indulge in extra chocolate, cheese, or French fries without overdosing on saturated fats."

So says Chef Natkin. Sweet! With an aim to pack immense flavor into each dish, you'll never miss the meat in the 150 original recipes. Photos of food dishes, not staged, give the book an honest, tangible feel.

How about chickpea fritters, white bean and kale soup, Persian rice pilaf, or caramel apple french toast? I am working my way through this beauty and enjoying the artistry, journey, and taste. Further features are found at the website where an interactive community thrives. Find Herbivoracious and eat your veggies!

Herbivoracious
A flavor revolution, with 150 vibrant and original vegetarian recipes
by Michael Natkin
Harvard Common Press, 2012

My Doctor

My Doctor by lorieanngrover featuring brass jewelry

Poetry Friday: In the Dark Night of the Soul

In the Dark Night of the Soul

Creeping, drifting, and

undulating through the dark; 

suction and release. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Rare Jewel: Chapter Three and Four

Continuing on in this book of awesome, here are the notes from Chapter 3 and 4.

1. The contented believer lives on God's blessing
    a. knowing what he has is God's love.
    b. knowing what he has is sanctified for his good.
    c. knowing he won't be called to pay for what he has as it's already been purchased by Christ.
    d. knowing what he has is an earnest for future glory.
2. The contented believer sees God's sweet love in all afflictions, evils, and mercies.
3. The contented believer sees the afflictions are sanctified in Christ who suffered the same and takes the curse of the current affliction.
4. The contented believer brings Christ's strength into his soul.
5. The contented believer makes up all loses in God. He has the Kingdom within him.
6. The contented believer gains contentment through the Covenant of Grace
    a. when seeing disorder in his life, he knows there is order in the everlasting covenant
    b. by seizing the promises of God.
7. The contented believer makes up all his outward wants from what he finds within himself, as he has God within.
8. The contented believer makes the Kingdom of Heaven present by faith in the midst of trial.
9. The contented believer opens and lets his heart cry to God.

And that's a wrap!

Poetry Friday: September October

September October

In two months, I have

seen contained color explode,

falling fireworks. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

This tree is what I see from my bedroom window. It has been glorious autumn for me!

Life with Lupus: In the Predni-ZONE

Logo from this blog.

An update as I'm living in the predni-ZONE. This is my second round of prednisone in my fall, 2012, flare. The first wasn't strong enough, so the dosage is doubled. At the 8 week mark of being housebound, I'm looking at 4 weeks in the zone. Hopefully, the flare cycle will be broken! 

There's a love/hate relationship with prednisone, that's for certain. As a powerful steroid, it has the potential to heal. It removes pain. But along with the: "I love, love, love how this works!" is the: "I hate this drug of evil evilness!" Here's the dialogue that might be exchanged these coming weeks. The response is always: "I'm in the predni-ZONE."

"It's 1 AM. You are still up?"

"It's 3 AM. You are starting your day?"

"Really? You can't concentrate?"

"Why are there cuts on your hands?"

"Are you drinking pickle juice?"

"I think your face has grown round as the moon."

"Why are you crying?"

All of this calls for the big guns. I finished reading A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada which was wonderful and encouraging. 

But now I return to A Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. 

Ah, that bestseller from 1651. I began the work nearly 2 years ago. I'm starting over with a 99 cent Kindle download! 

Here's where I posted highlights previously:

Chapter One 

Chapter Two 

Contentment is the sweet, inward, quiet, gracious, frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God's wise disposal in every condition. Burroughs

Of course, that includes the predni-ZONE. I hope to add more chapter notes to encourage myself. Thanks to everyone for the cards, notes, gifts, and visits. I appreciate you each very much. Onward!

 

Poetry Friday: Barely Balanced

Barely Balanced

Walking the edge of 

wind, waves, and cloud, teetering

on the swirl of change. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

This was the last day of our Kauai vacation, and my lupus was awakening. Here's to 6 weeks of the flare done!

Robot Happiness

Robot Happiness by lorieanngrover on Polyvore

Poetry Friday: Click, Click, Click

Click, Click, Click

What pack rat scurries

in the dark bends of my brain

nesting stench and lies?

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Video Review of On Pointe!

So fun to run across a video review of On Pointe. Thank you, Bookalicious! And I love your hair. :~)

Poetry Friday: Scuttling Orchid

Scuttling Orchard

Joy bursts open, but

beware the sharp points poised to

prick your happiness. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Sing Over the Bones

Sing Over the Bones by lorieanngrover on Polyvore

You Make Me Happy

You Make Me Happy by lorieanngrover on Polyvore

Poetry Friday: The Dragon

(Eastern Washington fires, Dia Calhoun)

The Dragon

His smokey exhale

billows blackness; smoldering

red eyes burn our breath. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Poetry Friday: Known

photo by Emily Kay Grover

Known

Our lives bob in the 

scope of the curve of the earth

in the eye of God. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Life with Lupus, Fall 2012

Logo from this blog.

It's been two weeks of a lupus flare, and I thought to post in case it's helpful to another. Of course this only encapsulates my limited experience.

Awakening
The autoimmune disease flare can be awakened by sun exposure. Even with sunscreen, the skin and then internal organs can experience inflammation.

Symptoms
Migraine, flu-like aches, nausea, joint pain, weakness, chills, muscle spasms, rash, darkening of the skin.

Instruction
Bed rest, short walks when able, no sun exposure (including through windows). A general waiting it out. (Medications are limited for me because I've had cancer.)

Low Point
Realizing it can last weeks, months, or years.

Encouragement
Seeing photos online verified it could be so much worse.

What I Miss
Sitting in the sun
Attending Bible Study and Sunday worship
Running to meet friends
Shopping for groceries
Gardening
The gym

What I Gain
Time to read, think, pray, and fill my creative pot. Time to rest.

Lessons Learned 
During the 2 weeks, I've read books and listened to sermons. Here are a few highlights:

* We are not made to be great but to see great. Piper

* The worth and excellency of a soul is to be measured by the object of its love. Scougal

* We look at the dark, tangled threads of a tapestry of history from beneath. From above we will see the dark threads are woven into beauty. Ten Boom

* Cling to God through the painful humbling of his trying you. Remain cheerful and charitable in frustrating circumstances. Packer

* Return to eidetic perception: observing, apprehending, and devouring like a child. Berne

* Test yourself by questioning to see if there is any ulterior motive in an exchange in order to reveal whether you are playing a game. Stop it, if discovered. Berne

Those are the highlights from the time of quiet. All good stuff to mull over no matter the circumstances.

This is the start of week three, and I do believe I feel some improvement. I hope so. Thanks to everyone for the phone calls, visits, flowers, and prayers. I appreciate them! Onward!

Poetry Friday: A Board Book

photo by Melissa Walker

A Board Book

From my pen to your

chubby hands, a glow, a smile,

a long-distance hug. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Poetry Friday: By Grace

By Grace

Holding your hand, I 

leap into the churning deep,

laughing at unknowns. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Poetry Friday: Strands of Oyster Shells

Strands of Oyster Shells

Flecks of sky, shell caught,

turn, spin, clink in the sun shaft.

Cupped echoes of light.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Poetry Friday Anthology!

I'm so happy to be in this collection of poems!

The Poetry Friday Anthology: Poems for the School Year with Connections to the Common Core
compiled by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong
Pomelo Books, 2012 -- official release date September 1

Here are 218 unpublished poems by 75 poets. There are 36 poems for each grade level, K-5 -- one for each week of the school year. 5 tips are included for every poem as a theme each week links all the grade levels together.

Teachers, poets, readers of poetry, check this work out! e-versions will be up in September. Sweet!

Poetry Friday: Painting Palm

Painting Palm

Dipped in India

ink, fronds sweep the sky, with

whispered, sighing strokes.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

The Rheumatoid Factor: Ready, Set, Fly!

What does it take to fly with the Trifecta: Lupus, Sjogren's, and Rheumatoid Arthritis? On my recent flight to and from Kauai, I made a mental note to post this info. Maybe it will be helpful to someone else. Here goes:


First up is KT tape for tendons, as I have to lift and carry bags.



Refresh Plus to combat the dry plane air.


An eye patch for when the drops don't hack it.


Lidoderm Patches are great for lower back spasms.


A lacrosse ball is another way to chase spasms away.

An Empi Electrotherapy Device in case things go downhill quickly.


Ankle braces, hopefully on after security or I have to take them off.


A walking stick is super helpful. Mine's collapsible from REI. It fits in the overhead bin.


Naproxyn and backup pain meds, of course.

I think that's it! If I've forgotten a tip, I'll add it in the comments. Otherwise, Aloha and safe travels!

Poetry Friday: Lacemakers' Pause

Lacemakers' Pause

Pastel painted walls 

bake in the heat. Silenced, they

pant for a sweet breeze. 

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

photo by Dia Calhoun, Burano, Italy

Poetry Friday: Stoned Fear

Stoned Fear

How often the beast

and his roar are only stone?

We can sip in peace.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Photo by Dia Calhoun, in Italy

Poetry Friday: Moss Mouth

Moss Mouth

See what grows and drips

from his mouth, while my words reek

and fester unseen.

Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Photo by Dia Calhoun in Florence, Italy

Poetry Friday: Possibilities

Possibilities

On a sheet metal

riveted door, a crystal 

knob waits to be turned. 

by Lorie Ann Grover, 2012

Unfortunately, there were pack rat nests behind this one!