inspirational

Fairies and Fires!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / Leave a comment

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!

Waiting, Just Waiting

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 1 Comment

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!

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!

A Cradle in Bethlehem

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 3 Comments

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!

Christmas in Pine Grove

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Rudolph will be there!

This is my fourth year to write the Christmas show for Maple Grove Methodist Church. The show will be performed on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. This year it’s a story about two angels who visit Pine Grove. They find that people do a lot of singing!

In the show, Rudolph has a bad case of fleas. Yes, I know deer don’t get fleas, but it works. His agent Saulie is frantic because he has scheduled many events for Rudolph. It’s a good thing there is an angel in town!

There are serious moments in the show and there is lots of laughter. Particularly from grumpy, old Ed who insists on cream in his coffee. That part is based on my need for cream. The show is very entertaining because the cast is so talented. All are welcome and tickets are only $5.00. I consider the show a gift to the community. I hope to see you there!

It’s the Little Things!

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 2 Comments

A Joyful Sight!

Many people keep gratitude or blessings journals. I think a good question to consider are the things that bring you happiness that don’t involve another person. Lots of us would say a cup of coffee!

I was doing my annual switching of summer clothes to winter and pulled out my sock drawer. I immediately smiled. I love my variety of socks. They make me happy. Since it’s gotten cooler, I can wear them, and I have a very nice fall selection!

I remember a fellow teacher saying that writing with a sharpened pencil made her happy. The first snowfall makes a lot of kids happy! I would love to hear from my readers where you find little pockets of joy!

Cardinals as Messengers

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There are many stories of people receiving messages from deceased loved ones via a cardinal visit. My friend was sitting on her deck missing her mother who had recently passed and a cardinal flew to the deck railing. The cardinal hopped towards her and appeared to stare at her. She returned the stare and he remained for several minutes. When he left, my friend said she was certain the cardinal had been sent by her mother and her sadness had been lifted. Her mother was a bird watcher and kept her bird feeder filled. Living in Ohio, cardinals were frequent visitors.

Wheat Pennies

/ Jeanne Lemmon Skinner / 4 Comments

Wheat pennies were made in the United States from 1909 to 1956. A friend was eager to share her wheat penny story with me. She and her sister were at the hospital visiting another sister who was fighting cancer. The two sisters went to the cafeteria to get lunch. While eating, one received a call and pushed her tray aside. When she pulled the tray back in front of her, she found a wheat penny sitting on the tray. The two sisters looked at each other in amazement. The coin had not been there before. When they examined the coin, they realized it was the year their ill sister had been born. Even more amazing was their dad had collected wheat pennies. Both sisters agreed that this was sign that their father was watching over his three girls from the other side. I love to receive stories like this. So if you have one to share, I’d love to hear it!