Why You Should Not Live in Fear

 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; 

but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

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Today in History: Poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Death

A Psalm of Life

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 
(February 27, 1807 – March 24, 1882)

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
     Life is but an empty dream!—
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
     And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
     And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
     Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
     Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
     Find us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
     And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
     Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
     In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
     Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
     Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,—act in the living Present!
     Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
     We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
     Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
     Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
     Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
     With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
     Learn to labor and to wait.

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;

 for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, 

in the grave, whither thou goest. (Ecclesiastes 9)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

A Psalm of Life

Ars longa, vita brevis

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CS Lewis & President John Kennedy

pc: wikipedia

Author, Clive Staples Lewis, was born on November 29, 1898.  His day of death was largely overshadowed by the assassination of President John F Kennedy on the same day (November 22, 1963), approximately 55 minutes after Mr Lewis collapsed. 

Based on  the authority of holy scripture, I can say that one man was eternally saved in Christ, while the other perished into an awful Christ-less eternity.  Good works, fame, family wealth and earthly power had no bearing whatsoever. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life."

I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him [Jesus]: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. -- Mere Christianity

C S Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia





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Our Velux Skylight, Part 2

This is GORGEOUS!  Luv the picture below via Ashley Stark Kenner (she is the Creative Director of Stark Carpet and owner of Scalamandre.  Why is it that I tend to take note of the filthy rich when they post on decor or lifestyle?!  Aerin Lauder is another example, yipes). 

I wanted lots of light streaming in from a skylight, windows, and door; and a view of our backyard.

WoW!!

Realistically:  Had to stay within the footprint of what we already had. Stuck to what was practical and within our budget of approximately $25k. Got a herringbone floor installed at a different spot in the house. On sunny days, when sunshine streams in from the SW, our kitchen is wonderfully aglow with light.

I remain pleased with our choices.

Pictures of others' skylights 

Photo by Laura Butler-Madden 

Photo by Andrew Feldon

Photo by Roundhouse 

Photo by Eisenmann Architecture 

All things are artificial, 

for Nature is the art of God. 

- Thomas Browne

20 Kitchen Must-Haves From Houzz Readers

Wall Comes Down and a Skylight Goes Up in a Sleek New Kitchen

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Full House Home On Sale

Set aside the recent bribery scandal involving actress,  Lori Loughlin --- who has a birthday this month, July 28th --- and many of us still have good memories of the show, Full House.  The renovated actual house is now on sale. It's beautiful, especially the skylit, large kitchen;  but have you $5+ million to spare?!!

BEFORE

pc: Hooked on Houses

Rare opportunity to own a 1883 Charles Hinkel Lewis home that has been impeccably renovated to please even the most discerning tastes, with a touch of iconic flair. This Richard Landry designed home is sleek with soaring ceilings, skylights and a masterful floor plan that allows for exceptional light and movement throughout, creating an ethereal residence that offers comfort, class and opulent finishes. The top floor features a sexy master suite with walk-in closet and gorgeous, stylish bath. Two additional bedrooms and guest bath complete this level. The gracious main living level features a bold kitchen that strikes a pose against a large backdrop of open living spaces with powder room, custom cabinetry, Calacatta Oro, Viking appliances and second living room with fireplace. The lower level boasts a bedroom, bath, walk-in closet, den, wet bar, and laundry. English garden, storage and garage parking. Coveted location just moments from world class shops, restaurants, parks and schools. - Compass

See the Real Estate Listing H E R E

Loughlin and Giannulli are accused of paying $500,000 to have their two daughters admitted to USC as crew recruits. Though neither is a rower, the parents saw being a coxswain as their daughters’ ticket into the private college, according to an affidavit filed in federal court. USC’s admissions rate is 13%. --  L A Times

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Real Estate Listing

Sitcom: Full House

Actress, Lori Loughlin

Fun Facts About Tanner Family Victorian House

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Georgia O'Keeffe On Why She Painted Art

Georgia Totto O'Keeffe (b. November 15, 1887) passed away 33 years ago (March 6, 1986).  

What she said struck a chord. Not one for high falutin words, I too am drawn to color  and shapes (patterns). Take a look at what I like in knick-knacks, art, towels, and so on.

I've tried to make color pop even more with large objects and walls in neutrals, but don't always succeed.  What can I say -- I am drawn to color!

pc: High Museum of Art

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way -- things I had no words for."  (Georgia O'Keeffe)

Georgia Totto O'Keeffe

A Source of Joy: bright Vivid Colors

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