Oh, For a Book

Oh, for a book and shady nook,

Either in door or out;

With the green leaves whisp'ring

overhead or the street cries all about.

Where I may read all at my ease,

both of the new and old;

For a jolly good book whereon to

look is better to me than gold.

-Christopher North

My Symphony

To live content with small means,

to seek elegance rather than luxury,

and refinement rather than fashion,

to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich,

to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly,

to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages with open heart,

to bear all cheerfully,

do all bravely,

await occasions,

hurry never-

in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious,

grow up through the common.

This is to be my symphony.

-William Ellery Channing

God's World

O world, I cannot hold thee close enough!
Thy winds, thy wide gray skies!
Thy mists that roll and rise!
Thy woods, this autumn day, that ache and sag
And all but cry and color! That gaunt crag
To crush! To lift the lean of that black bluff!
World, world, I cannot get thee close enough!

Long have I known a glory in it all,
But never knew I this;
Here such a passion is
As stretcheth me apart. Lord, I do fear
Thou'st made the world too beautiful this year.
My soul is all but out of me,-let fall
No burning leaf; prithee, let no bird call.

-Edna St. Vincent Millay

New Nephew!

Zachary Jacob has joined the family! 

Congratulations Ryan (Renee's brother) and Emily!!

Born October 30 at 1:52 pm.

7 lbs 8 oz and 20.5 inches long

All is well.

Be Like the Bird

Be like the bird, who

Resting in his flight

On a twig too slight

Feels it give way beneath him,

Yet sings

Knowing he has wings.

-Victor Hugo