Author: Jeanne Lemmon Skinner

What Inspires You?

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Where does the path lead?

This picture hung in my classroom all year. It was now spring and one of my students asked, “When are we going to write about that picture?” I had not thought about making that an assignment. I told her if the picture inspired her she should write about it, and I would love to read it. She said she didn’t like to write that much! So Sad!

The picture could be the basis for several stories. At the end of the path there’s a tree that the cat would climb in my story. The tree allows the cat to have a different perspective of the garden. She would see the homes of the garden insects and critters and appreciate the beauty of what the gardener created. Maybe she’d see the gardener differently and understand why he didn’t want her using his flower beds as a giant litter box! It’s just a thought.

I enjoy art and don’t feel every piece speaks to me. But when they do, I feel I have a connection with the artist. Someone took this picture who had an artistic eye. I wonder what he or she would write about it. Any thoughts?

Beautiful Imperfections!

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This bowl was created with a bump!

I love pottery. In fact my husband calls me a pottery junkie. This is one of my treasured bowls. I like it because it’s so different. I have a cupboard full of pottery bowls that were each uniquely created.

There is a Psalm that calls God the potter and refers to us as the clay. I’ve always liked that. It also helps me accept the fact that I’m not perfect and don’t have to be. My bowls aren’t perfectly created and yet they are beautiful and they hold a variety of things.

We hold a variety of talents and knowledge. I have bumps and imperfect coloring, but I still have talents. I can make a great pie and I can design a beautiful flower bed. However, being a good person who accepts others is what is most important to me.

The political environment of our country is so divisive it’s scary. I love my family and friends for who they are as unique individuals, and it really doesn’t matter if we have different political views. The potter who created me, created them, so I think that’s what is important. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone remembered our shared creator?

Fairies and Fires!

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A Fire Provides More Than Warmth!

I love our wood burning fireplace. No, I don’t mind building the fires or removing the ashes. I think a fire has a magical quality as many stories have been told along side one.

Obviously man has used fire for centuries for heat, light, and cooking. It also keeps unwanted animals away. It even keeps the fairies away until the fire dies down and only the embers are left. The soft, red glow of the embers is an invitation to the fairies to come out of hiding. They cautiously gather in the ring of light and the ceremony begins.

The dance of the fairies is well known for its beauty and mystical quality. Only a few have witnessed it. I was told the fairies’ wings were silver and their clothes shimmered in soft colors of blue and green. After the dance, wishes were taken to the embers to see if they would be granted. Wishes that caught fire were accepted and white smoke carried them into the night sky.

I wonder if this will work in my fireplace. I think it’s worth a try!

Tell Me About Yourself!

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What a terrible comment!

Could you be more specific? Perhaps ask where I’m from or my education or what is my job? I just heard this remark on a TV show and was irritated. I can remember sitting in a chair squirming while the guy across from me grinned. He had said, Tell me about yourself! What did he want to hear? My life’s story? I won a blue ribbon for the train I drew in elementary school; I should have started with that.

This was not a job interview, but it felt like it. I was introduced to a friend of the man I eventually married. If I hadn’t been so intimidated, I could have thought of some interesting attributes!

People are interesting. Their talents are discovered through conversation. Artists, chefs, writers, and scholars can be revealed. I don’t think anyone would share his or her talent in response to that comment. Maybe the best response is, I’m a great listener. Tell me all about you!

Coffee is more than a drink!

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The joy of a cup of java!

Many of us begin our day with a cup of coffee, but it took The Boston Tea Party for coffee to become the drink of the people. Rebelling against the tax on tea, the colonists turned to coffee. Coffee was part of the rations the soldiers (both Union and Confederate) received during the Civil War. During WWII, coffee was rationed here in order to ensure our soldiers had enough. After the war, instant coffee became popular. My mother drank it, and I don’t know how. Yuck!

Coffee has had a profound effect on society. There are coffee houses, coffee breaks, coffee groups, and “Let’s meet for coffee.” The quiet time spent talking over a cup of coffee is special. It’s a time of sharing and listening. For many, it’s a time to relax and perhaps reconnect with those who are important in our lives. Our lives are busy and sitting down with a cup of coffee is frequently needed. The caffeine helps too!

I salute James Folger, Maxwell House and the Hills Brothers for promoting the sell of coffee. They were rewarded financially, but we were rewarded with a drink that brings people together in a quiet, communal way. Enjoy your coffee and those you share a cup with, it’s an important part of any day.

Waiting, Just Waiting

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Waiting for Snow!

A sled without snow is useless. All it can do is sit and wait for the flurries to fly. It makes me think of Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and the Waiting Place where people just wait. Over the holidays I heard a lot about what people were waiting for in 2020.

Students are waiting to hear where they will be accepted for college, others waiting to hear about jobs, a few waiting for medical tests to be completed. All are waiting. The question is what do we do while we wait?

I admit I’m not very good at waiting. I choose not to be like the sled and just sit, so I’ve learned to redirect my energies if I can’t affect the wait time. There is always someone who needs help and there is always something that needs to be done. I love a new project that takes my mind off whatever I’m waiting to happen.

I don’t want to spend much time in Dr. Seuss’s Waiting Place. It isn’t a pleasant place and nothing gets accomplished. If you find yourself there, look around and see where you are needed. Giving of your time and talents will help you feel confident about what lies ahead. Also if it ever snows, get on a sled and enjoy the ride!

Food for Good Luck!

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Eating Black-Eyed Peas is a Southern Tradition

I have never eaten black-eyed peas. Every New Year’s Day I eat sauerkraut and pork. I grew up believing it brought good luck in the coming year. I decided to do a little research to find out why.

Pigs move forward in rooting for food and since we are moving into a new year, it seems appropriate. The German settlers ate sauerkraut with their pork and since many Germans settled in Ohio their traditions have continued. I also read that cabbage counts as a green leafy vegetable that brings fortune in the new year.

In the South, black-eyes peas reign as the New Year’s meal for good fortune. One story is that the only food Union soldiers didn’t take during the Civil War was black-eyed peas. They thought it was food for the animals. To have the peas spared was indeed good fortune!

Grapes are also considered a food to bring good fortune and in Spain they are eaten as the clock strikes midnight. In addition, eating a green leafy vegetable brings good luck along with cornbread because it is yellow like gold. I never knew I had these food options to bring me good luck!

I will continue my family tradition and have pork and sauerkraut cooked with apples. That along with mashed potatoes and gravy will be delicious. The diet begins January 2, so I plan on enjoying my New Year’s meal! Happy New Year, everyone!

Santa Claus!

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The Joy of Santa!

Clement Moore wrote The Night Before Christmas in 1822 to entertain his children. He had nine children! Moore was a religious man whose father was a minister, and he practiced his faith by teaching at the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church. I can’t imagine having to say all that when asked where I taught.

I wonder what Moore would think about the effect Santa has had on America. Being a religious man, would he be appalled that Santa reigns at Christmas and not Jesus? I think that he created a character that represents love and generosity. Jesus taught that loving others was the greatest gift. Santa loves all children and doesn’t discriminate. As an adult, I cherish the joy of Santa Claus and I hope Clement Moore would be proud of his Saint Nicholas.

Jesus is the reason Christians celebrate Christmas, but there are many people who aren’t Christians who demonstrate the love for others that Jesus talked about. They show love, kindness, and generosity and give credit to Santa. Santa embodies love, and I hope you all receive an extra dollop of love this year. Happy Christmas to all and to all a joyful new year!

Christmas Snow

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December Snow is Special!

Anytime it snows in December it becomes Christmas snow. I like snow, so it’s a good thing I live in Ohio. Snow has a magical quality in December. It seems to sparkle more in the sunlight and it becomes the background for all things Christmas.

I like to think it quiets the earth in preparation for the joy of Christmas and the love and kindness that is shared. So many give freely to help others and celebrate the season by being with loved ones. That truly makes the season special, being with loved ones.

It is a time of memories and reflection. As we get older we have more memories. I remember being in the Christmas pageant as a child and seeing my own children wearing angel wings and crowns. My grandchildren are now in a Christmas program. The years pass quickly, but what wonderful memories I have.

Christmas snow is special, but by the end of February I’m done with it. March snow is not a welcomed sight. I’m hoping for a little snow on Christmas, but I’ll be with my family and that is more important than snow!

A Cradle in Bethlehem

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The Maple Grove Players Present!

Christmas in Pine Grove will be performed this Saturday night at Maple Grove Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00. The show ends with this scene which is what Christmas in all about.

We had a small audience last night during rehearsal, and I loved hearing how lucky I am to get to work with such talented people! It is true, and I am blessed. There were several comments about the nativity scene. My friend said she was so moved by the scene she couldn’t bring herself to applaud. Believe me, that’s okay! The scene is formed while the song A Cradle in Bethlehem is being sung. It’s on Nat King Cole’s Christmas CD. Google it! It is a wonderful song that many people aren’t familiar with.

After many weeks of rehearsal we are ready to share our God given talents. The show has lots of laughter and lots of music. I hope to see many of you there!