Red Stained Fingers

   I remember being so excited when berry picking time arrived.  Oh yes, we had the raspberries and strawberries in the garden but what could more exciting then picking "wild berries" along the river trees?
Sharon and I would cover ourselves with insect spray; strap on a belt to hold our buckets and follow Mama with her friend Glenice........
   Sometimes, when I was very young, I can remember Grandma Fitzpatrick coming along too.  It was an adventure of sorts.  Walking thru the planted fields; following cow paths; walking thru tall grass to search for "lost treasures".

   We would pick plums and chokecherries.  We loved to see who could pick the most or find the BIGGEST one of day.  When we got home Mama would wash them and check for sticks or maybe even bugs, lol.
I loved that day as the kitchen would smell so sweet and fruity as she made the jams and jellies.

Now that I still have strawberries in my own garden................I think of times like these.
 

Fitzpatrick 50th Wedding Anniversay

When going through some old photos a while back; I found this old one taken in the St. Vincent Evangelical Free Church basement during my grand parent's 50th wedding anniversary. That is me standing in the middle against the post with a blank look and my cousin, John Jr next to me.  I do not know who else is in the picture, maybe you do?

Funny how pictures can take us back in time......

It's moments like these

this was written on the date below from a past blog called: god's gift

sunday, august 10, 2003

Moments

It's moments like these:

On Saturday night, Taylor asked me if there would be Communion tomorrow.
I said "yes", why?
Taylor said, "The last time I was in Children's church and never got to take it."
Out of curiosity and her self awareness, I asked her why she wanted to take it.
Taylor said, "Because I feel blessed".
I said, ok, I will make sure you can.

During church on Sunday morning Pastor Gary asked for any prayer requests; Taylor raised her hand and without prompting from me; asked for prayer for her Grandma in Chicago and for an elderly man, Alvin Grosz (76, heart attack, been in hospital for 6 weeks now, not doing good).

It's times like this that God confirms to me that children are a blessing and I am so lucky to have God blessed us with her.

A Gift From Heaven

I’m sending you a child, God said,
to take care of for me.
You’ll need patience and understanding
‘cause this child cannot walk you see.
You’ll learn the beauty of a smile,
you see, her learning will be slow
but with the love that you will give
I know that she will grow.

This child will bring you pride and joy
with each new thing she learns
though there will be times she brings
you worries and concerns.
But you’re the kind of parents
that I know can make it through.
That is why I’m sending her
to the two of you.

The lessons she will teach you
not everyone will see,
because she will also have
what’s known down there as CP.
Her learning will take effort
and progress will be slow
but the love and joy she’ll bring you
few "normal" kids' parents know.

I’m not sending her because you’ve sinned,
nor to punish you,
I’m sending her to you because
I know you’ll love her too.
This child is a special child
I wouldn’t place just anywhere,
I want her with a family
I know will take good care.

And after searching wide and long
the whole world through and through,
I decided that this gift of love
would be sent from heaven to you.

A POEM BY Fran M. WEBB 

Forever and Always

   When I first meet my beloved Bill - the first people to welcome me into his family was his older sister Arlene and husband Lloyd. That bound has never broken but only grown over the 40+ years we have been married.
   You see they are remarkable people.  They love the Lord our God with all their hearts, mind, body and soul.  And their lives are lived by that example.

  They come from a large family, on both sides.  One had 11 siblings and the other 19!  They know nothing but to give.  I can't ever remember Arlene not smiling; unless she was crying with you.  She is the matriarch of the family - all the cousins on down know Aunti Arlene and of course her camera.   She lights up the room with her presence and always makes you feel special..only to her. LOL   I can't imagine my life without them in it.
  She is 15 years older than Bill and was the instrument God used to bring Bill to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 17.  She is his big sister and he will always be her baby brother.   There is so much that can be said of her such as:  all the reunions she organized, all the thousands of pictures she takes, her homemade soups and her homemade caramel rolls.  All the clothes she has sewed or knitted plus the numerous blankets.
  I wanted to pay tribute to you both hear in hopes that maybe someday in the distance future people will still read about both when we are gone.  I love you guys.  Bets

Faces into their Hearts

...this is so true.   I have changed.  I am not who I used to be. You will change too.  Life has a way of doing that.   I began this blog to express my thoughts..good or bad..happy or sad.   I think a lot...about everything. My children and their lives.  They grew up so much different then I expected them to be. We were ok parents; not the best.  We did what we thought we could at the time.  I always wish we could have done so much more.   At  times, even now - I still hear what we did wrong.  It hurts.
   It hurts when you do not hear from your children in a very long time.
   I don't know if other parents have thought this - but there have been many times I have thought the hurt is too much to bare thinking quietly, I wish I had never had children.   Grandma always said; you're a parent till the day you die.  So true.
  I know having children make you smile when they are little; and you are proud of things they do and accomplish; but what most people don't  talk about are the disappointing times...the embarrassing times....the turning your face so they don't see you crying times..the disrespecting times...the turning away from God times.
   The times you want to say so many things and can't because...you'd be interfering, butting in or they just plain do not want to hear you.

Our Special Child

   Taylor has had some difficult months dealing with back pain.  She is special. She is our "special child".

The Special Child 

The Child, yet unborn, spoke with the Father, 
"Lord, how will I survive in the world? 
I will not be like other children, My 
walk may be slower, my speech hard 
to understand, I may look different. 
What is to become of me?" 

The Lord replied to the child, 
"My precious one, have no fear, I will 
give you exceptional parents, They 
will love you because you are special, 
not in spite of it. Though your path 
through life will be difficult, your 
reward will be greater, You have been 
blessed with a special ability to love, 
and those whose lives you touch will 
be blessed because you are special." 

Author/Source Unknown 


You have Taught Me
By Anne Maclellan 
March 1998 

You have taught me patience 
to rejoice in small gains which others take for granted. 
You have taught me tolerance 
to accept that your perspective is different 
and deserves respect. 
You have taught me courage 
to fight for you when no one else will. 
You have taught me endurance 
to go on when I feel I can't any more. 
You have taught me humility 
to accept when I can't make things better 
but can only be here for you. 
You have taught me to love 
at a deeper level than I ever thought possible. 

SLOWLY

I wrote this on an earlier blog  but want to incorporate it all on one blog.

SLOWLY.....

I feel the drawing in.....
My body and mind being pulled slowly in....
Helpless as time relentlessly robs me.....

What will the next 10 years bring......
Will I make it to retirement.......
Who goes first.....

Never thought I'd be at this place in time....
Never thought there would be limits.....
Never thought about loneliness.....until now

There are lists to help the memory...
There are pills to help the pain....
There are pains, just to remind you.....

I'm tired of being the problem solver...
I'm tired of worrying about the bills.....
I'm tired of always being busy.......

I feel the drawing in.....

by Betty Thorsvig
July 2005

Kris Alan Thorsvig D.O.B. 2-13-74

Today, 37 years ago we were blessed with our second son.  Kris Alan Thorsvig.   Oh, I finally had a baby born with "hair"!!  What a beautiful baby boy.  He was named after Bill's Grandfather: Christian Thorsvig.
Kris was a lovey boy; to be hugged and rocked.  He has a heart of gold for others.  Kris does not talk much like his father and grandfather.  They are deep thinkers.  But, they all love children and animals.   Kris always wanted to please and be helpful.   I remember once he performed a Noah's Ark comedy skit from Bill Cosby.  He wouldn't do it in front of us; so we had to go into the kitchen and listen to him.  It was hilarious!!

Kris grew up to be a very handsome man who loves his family (of SIX children) and all their pets!!  We taught our children to love nature and everything in it - and he does.  We are so proud of you son and we love you more than life itself.  Here are just a few pictures that remind us of the time God gave us with you..

Slideshow from Webshots

And Sew it goes...

After writing the previous blog on the "old sewing machine"; I had a flood of memories that I wanted to write down...such as:  taking many trips to Grand Forks to buy material, patterns, thread.....

Sharon and I loved to go with Mom and look through pattern books.  Look up the number like #8755 and go to the big drawer and pull it out in your size.  Take it over to the bolts of material:

Then get the thread, zippers if needed.  I can't tell you how many times we did this.  And we all sewed on the same machine. LOL   I think of taking the thin paper of the pattern..lay the material out on the kitchen table, pin the pattern to the material (the right way!!)  Trace areas with that colored tracing paper and that cute little rolling tracing thingy.   Carefully cut and fold till sewing begins.   What an accomplishment when the last touch of ironing is done.  *smile*   My mother was SO talented in sewing.  She sewed just about anything people asked of her.  Lining a coat was always hard for me and doing collars!  Yuck.   I got pretty good on zippers tho.   I still like to sew but now it is just mending; but I am glad I have that talent - as it saves a lot of money. 

Above The Earth I Dream

 

 

Above The Earth I Dream

 

 White majestic clouds

   Soaring the heavens above

   Fresh clear air

   With freedom in my heart

 

   The glow of the sun

   Warms my wings

   Spread wide

   To greet thee

 

   I know no greater

   Freedom

   Then the sky

   Solitude

 

   Peaceful

   Dreams beyond imagination

   Rush over me

   Passion rests in my soul

By BJ Thorsvig

 

The Old Singer Sewing Machine

It's quite a sight, isn't it?  I love it.  If this could only talk - as the saying goes.   My mother sewed all of our clothes on this machine, mended and sewed for others around town.   Sharon and I sewed many of our high school clothes on it as well.
Today I mend and do little projects.  I wanted to cover my beautiful Viking Mixer that we make bread in plus baking and my toaster.   So I got to thinking one night - why not use some place mats my mother made - that I never use and design my own cover.  So, I did.

My first memory of a sewing machine was my Grandmother Fitzpatrick with a pedal machine.  I loved that one and I still kick myself to this very day.  Why?  My mother wanted me to take it and I was young and stupid and did not.  A cousin in Illinois I believe has it today.  I do have other cherished pieces from her that I will post at a later day.

Billy Graham: The Second Coming of Christ

Billy Graham: The Second Coming of Christ

I had the the privilege of attending a Billy Graham Crusade in Winnipeg, Canada in the late 1960's. I will never forget it.

The first year Bill and I were married we watched a Crusade and rededicated our lives to God.

We were both raised by Godly parents that knew to have faith was more than just attending church. However, it is an essential part of walking with the my Lord.

We raised our children to have a personal relationship with God and each to make a decision to ask Him into their hearts.

There has been many times I have worried with a graven heart but Bill reminds me of (Prov 22:6 KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Billy's sermon that I have attached here is as relevant today as it was then. Just listen.

I wish ...

Cheese n' Chicken Casserole

We tried this for the first time this evening and I received "three thumbs up"!  Wanted to share. Easy and fun to make.

Preheat oven to 350*  Makes 6 servings.

6 cooked and chopped chicken breasts(or any parts of the chicken you prefer)

In a large bowl combine:

3/4 cup of Miracle Whip
1/2 cup milk
1/2 t. Celery Salt (or 4 stalks celery,sliced. I used the celery salt)
1Tablespoon dry minced onion (or 1/4 cup chopped onion, I used the minced)

After chicken is cooked, chop up and add to the above mixture.  Then add 2 cups cubed croutons and 2 cups Shredded Cheese (I used a 3 cheese blended)

Spoon into a sprayed 2 qt. casserole dish. AND top with either 1/2 cup silvered almonds or walnuts.
Bake 40 minutes.  Enjoy. (we did)

Twas a Sheep not a Lamb

I was going thru a book a poetry of my mothers and a book marker fell out with this poem on it.  I found it on The Pink Chair Blog.  http://the-pink-chair.blogspot.com/2007/10/twas-sheep.html

Winter's Moon

Winter's Moon

 

The night air

so brisk

flows from my lips

steaming

 

The moon

bright

glowing

in the stillness of night

 

I look

across the

snow covered

fields

 

The moon's reflection

glistens on the snow

like a white

frozen lake

 

In the calm

of darkness

beauty

cries out

 

Only to those

who stand

in awe

see it's glory

...By BJ Thorsvig

  

I wrote this poem several years ago when living in Glyndon, MN.  I was in our patio, late at night with a full moon - looking across the field that "glistened" after a light rain upon the white snow.  It was so beautiful.....

Children & Chickens

*Smiling*  I bought this once at a craft show with Mom and Dad at Cavalier, ND.  It was when I had 5, yes FIVE, teenagers in the house at the same time.  (For those of you with ONE child - you will never know what this means, LOL)  Anyway, I loved it.

A Friend

A Friend

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

Once was honest and pure

is hidden, covered

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

Loved freely, passionate

with sincerity

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

knew the very thoughts

before spoken

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

longs to be happy

again

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

fearful of saying

the wrong words

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

desperate to know

she is loved

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

obedient to please

the one she loves

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

dares not to ask

tears fall

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

to have so much

taken away

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

fearful of sharing

in devastation of losing

A friend, just a friend

is hurting

trying her best

Waiting for just

one little sign

...........But just a friend....................

.....can only remain.....a prisoner ......

of silence
by BJ Thorsvig

A Journey begins....

........I have decided to begin a blog..to share a part of me.  I have called it "MASKS" for many reasons. You think you know me - you only know the part I allow you to see.  This is true of every one - if we are truthful.  I have intimidated people as people have intimidated me. Masks--we all wear them.  We act differently..depending upon who we are with...our boss, a clerk, a law officer, our parents, our friends, our enemies, our children and even at times..our mates.  Hopefully with this blog you will see "more" of me. Welcome aboard!!