highlights from the 2009 swim season

RUSSELL

breaststroke and backstroke

his "dive" at the beginning of the season...

and his dive at the end of the season

SCOTT

freestyle and fly

a butterflyer in the making

MARK

backstroke and freestyle

backstroke is a favorite for him

cheering for fellow team-mates

games between races at the meets

MARISSA

backstroke and freestyle

she took 10th (of 16) in Sundance in the 100yard back

CAITY

IM (individual medley- butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, free) and Fly

my drawing was voted for the cover of the Sundance programe

lots of rest!

friends

marginalia

Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man's friend gives delight by heart council.

Proverbs 27:9

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17

"Manners may differ from culture to culture, just as sauces do, but the presence of them is nearly universal...manners help us learn how to be considerate of one another...manners are designed to adorn and beautify our lives, not to gum them up." -My Life for Yours by Douglas Wilson

"How we honor God (or not) in an overt way drives or defines how we honor Him (or not) in our day-to-day activity as we are dealing with other members of the family." - ibid

asseveration- the solemn or emphatic declaration or statement of something

aphorism- a pithy observation that contains a general truth

- a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author

triumvirate- a group of three powerful or notable people or things existing in relation to each other

modicum- a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something considered desirable or valuable

connexion- a relationship in which a person, thing or idea is linked or associated with something else

- a supplier of narcotics

substratum- an underlying layer or substance, in particular, a layer of rock or soil beneath the surface of the ground

excise- a tax levied on certain goods and commodities produced or sold within a country and on licenses granted for certain activities

More than a Relaxing Moment?

What a treat, what a treasure, what a memory, when three brothers who call themselves "the trio" go out of their way to creatively come up with their own way to bless the ladies in their family. "The trio" put their three heads together and decided to open a spa for the girls. They wrote out a list of all the things they could do, and passed it around for us to review. We were ushered out to the patio with our books to relax and enjoy: foot scrubs; lotion for feet, legs, hands, and arms; back rubs, and shoulder massages. 

When the paper was handed around I heard my mind preparing to say something like: "I have work to do," "I need to finish math," "no, thank you...." and so on. But suddenly, I realized I was about to crush the hearts of three little boys who went out of their way to bless me. I didn't have to be invited, but they wanted me to be there. They wanted to give me a gift of their time and love. How could I say "no" on pretense of being "too busy?" As I enjoyed the treat, because I did say "yes, thank you," I wondered if this was a treat that they would repeat with any regularity, and in time become more proficient at it. Then I thought what a blessing it could be to their future wives as well. I hope in the future I'll still be able to catch my tongue before I say "no," and think about how it might impact who they will become.

I hope the picture turned out ok. I tried to scan the paper of spa options. They also listed things that they could do to bless Momma, such as: working in the garden, cleaning, and helping out. =)

marginalia

"You know that a man is educated, not by what he knows, but by what he knows he doesn't know."
-C.S. Lewis

"On the page, punctuation performs its grammatical function, but in the mind of the reader it does more than that. It tells the reader how to hum the tune."
- Lynne Truss from her book: Eats, Shoots & Leaves

pejorative- expressing contempt or disapproval

atelier- a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designe

abrogate- repeal or do away with (a law, right or formal agreement)

lade- load (a ship or other vessel)

solecism- a grammatical mistake in speech or writing
- a breech of good manners; a piece of incorrect behavior

July by Robert Herrick

First, April, she brings with mellow showers
Opens the way for early flowers;
Then after her comes smiling May,
In a more rich and sweet array;
Next enters June, and brings us more
Gems than those two that went before:
Then, lastly, July comes, and she
More wealth brings in than all those three

marginalia

Through wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Proverbs 24:3-4

"Punctuation is a courtesy designed to help readers to understand a story without stumbling."

cropper- a person who raises a crop

vigilante- a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate

tautology- the saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style

didactic- intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive

milieu- a person's social environment

efficacious- (typically of something inanimate or abstract) successful in producing a desired or intended result

he's 8!

Happy Birthday Russell

marginalia

"But words are things, and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew upon a thought, produces
That which makes thousands, perhaps millions, think."
- Lord Byron

aoristic- not occurring in a specified time period

leaftail- in great demand

bayadére- a fabric of contrasting horizontal stripes

brontophobia- abnormal fear of thunder

dystopia- an imaginary place or state in which living conditions are as bad as possible, as from deprivation, oppression or terror

bel esprit- a cultivated, witty person; someone who is intellectually gifted

tautology- the unecessary repetition of meaning in different words, such as "free gift"

pococurante- an indifferent, nonchalant person

euonym- an appropriate name

camarilla- a group of scheming, private advisors to a person in authority

Sadly I did not find these words while reading a book already on my list. A friend lent me a copy of Rare WORDS II and ways to master their meanings. It is full of extraordinary words, which I happen to enjoy prerusing through. =) (thanks Corey!)

marginalia

I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your Marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

"On the day of judgement, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how well we have lived." -Thomas á Kempis from his book The Imitation of Christ

imprecation- a spoken curse

salubrious- health-giving

tonsure- a part of a monk's or priest's head left bare on top by shaving off the hair

avaricious- having or showing an extreme greed for wealth of material gain

concatenation- a series of interconnected things or events

innocuous- not harmful or offensive

spume- froth or foam, especially that found on waves

machinate- engage in plots and intrigues

In Honor of a Birthday

May 16th is a very special day to me because it marks the anniversary of the life of a very sweet, dear friend. So in celebration of the precious life of this special friend and mentor, I am going to list several (there are tons!) of things I love about her. 

Mrs. Poff:

1. loves the Lord with all her heart, mind, and soul.

2. continually praises God for His abounding goodness.

3. is (along with Mr. Poff) raising seven precious children to walk in the ways of the Lord. 

4. is an amazing example of godly womanhood; I admire her tremendously.

5. keeps a home not a house; it always smells nice, looks beautiful, feels like home, and overflows with love. 

6. encourages people with words of inspiration, notes of kindness, and gifts of love. 

7. challenges me to think about the things I do and read. 

8. allows me to practice being a "mother's helper."

9. has a countenance of joy. 

10. shares stories, struggles, passions, and hopes.

11. is willing and able to actually discuss classic books (if I could ever actually finish one). 

12. challenges friends and family through frequent blog posts on life, books, and thoughts. 

13. considers children as blessings from the Lord and has placed her family size in God's hands.

14. remembers and prays for the things going on in friends' lives. 

15. shares in the joys and sorrows of friends.

16. is a wonderful role model and mentor.

I am so BLESSED to have you in my life Mrs. Poff. I love you! Happy Birthday. =D