Silk or mud? Let's hear the real stories.

Many years ago, I remember wandering through the beautifully restored McCloughlin House which is connected with the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The volunteer tour guide pointed out the family's belongings, sequestered behind velvet ropes.

"Of course, only the Chief Factor's family enjoyed this level of luxury," the guide reminded us. "The officers and other high-ranking employees lived in barracks, and hundreds of other low-ranking, non-British employees lived in an encampment outside the Fort walls known as 'the village'."

I turned to the guide. "Is there a reconstruction of this village?"

He laughed. "No. Most people would rather learn about the leaders. But we hope to have something in the future."

I left with a unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. How much of our history is colored by our reverence for the wealthy and powerful? Most of the work of building this nation was done by the working class folks, but what do we know of them?

I was excited today when I spent some time on Fort Vancouver's web site. Apparently in recent years, the Park Service has focused resources at the Fort researching these forgotten peoples, uncovering a wealth of information that it now shares in its educational programs, tours, and brigade encampment events. Park rangers and volunteers dress in period clothing and demonstrate what life was like for ALL the employees of the Hudson Bay Company.

There are only a few days left in the school year. I'm thinking it might be time to bundle the kids into the car, re-visit this park and see what's changed.

What about the historical parks in your area? Do they do a good job of telling everyone's story? Tell me about your favorite museums and historical sites.

(Photos courtesy of the NPS).

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Songs for a Writer's Heart

Do you have songs that break down your defenses and speak straight to your heart? I think we all do. Today, I heard David Crowder's "Wholly Yours" on the radio. It tickles my imagination. I've never heard another song writer work in the word "antonym." I mean, come on--who does that? And to play with the difference between "holy" and "wholly?" It's awesome.

I am full of earth, you are heaven's worth. I am stained with dirt, prone to depravity. And You are everything that is bright and clean. The antonym of me, You are divinity.

Another favorite is MercyMe's "Word of God, Speak." I used to listen to this song every time I sat down to write, praying through the words before I opened my computer. Eventually I had to stop, because it began to feel like a ritual--sort of like the baseball player who refuses to change their lucky socks even though flies are buzzing in their general vicinity. Even after listening to it all those times, it still says everything that I hope for my writing.

I'm finding myself at a loss for words, but the funny thing is--it's okay. The last thing I need is to be heard, but to hear what You would say. Word of God, speak. Would You pour down like rain? Washing my eyes to see Your majesty. To be still and know that You're in this place. Please let me stay and rest in Your holiness...Word of God, speak. 

Our worship band recently sang the song "Take My Life" by Chris Tomlin. Its lyrics re-affirm the call I feel toward both worship and writing:

Take my voice and let me sing, always, only for my King. Take my lips and let them be filled with messages from Thee. Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold. Take my intellect and use every power as You choose. Here am I, all of me. Take my life, it's all for Thee.

I always look forward to hearing pianist Dave Talbot lead "Be Thou My Vision" at the Mount Hermon Christian Writer's Conference. His skills on the piano raise my spirits, but the words are a gentle reminder for those of us pursuing the writing life:

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise. Thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, High King of Heaven, my treasure Thou art. 

Those are all songs that speak to a writer's heart. But some songs are just plain fun, right?

I am filled with joy when songwriters use clever turns of phrases and imagery to tell their stories. It inspires me to do better in my own writing. My vote for most creative lyricist would have to be Owl City.

For all my pals who live in the oceans and the seas. With fronds like these well, who needs anemones? (from "The Bird and the Worm") 

Then we'll take a long walk through the cornfield
And I'll kiss you between the ears (also "Bird and the Worm")

and...

I've been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill (from "Dental Care")

and...

Met a girl in the parking lot, and all I did was say hello.Her pepper spray made it rather hard for me to walk her home,But I guess that's the way it goes. (From "Deer in the Headlights")

I could probably name dozens of others. What song is speaking to your heart and mind these days?

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Listen in at my house...

Yesterday, my son ran up to me, an accusatory tone in his voice, "Mom, she LICKED the dog!"

"Sweetie," I glared at my daughter. "Don't lick the dog." (I added this to my list of things I never thought I'd have to say).

She retorted, "HE licked the dog first!"

 ***

My nine-year-old smiled at me. "Mom, tomorrow's career day at school, can I wear your old park ranger uniform?"

My heart skipped a beat. "Great idea! Let me get it for you." Five minutes later, she turned in front of the mirror dressed in my old uniform shirt, tie, and Smokey Bear hat. My chest swelled with pride. "You look awesome!"

She glanced down at herself. "I look ridiculous. You WORE this?"

"Um, yeah. I was proud to wear it--the 'green and the gray.'  

"I can't possibly wear this. Everyone will laugh. I think I'll go back to my first idea."

My pride deflated. "And what was that?"

"A ballerina dolphin rescuer."

"Uh-huh. Okaaaay..."

***

Our family continued discussing Spirit Week costumes as we sat down to dinner--my daughter still decked out for pajama day.

My husband grinned at her. "Hey, you should be a writer for career day."

"Like Mom?" she asked.

"Yes! Then you could just wear your pajamas again!"

***

This morning my daughter was wrapping a stuffed dolphin in bandages for her costume. I pointed to the flat dolphin pillow-pet still lying on her bed. "You should take that one instead."

"Why?"

"You can can say it was run over by a jet ski."

"Mmmmooooommmm!!!"

****

As we prepared to leave for school today, my son looked at his sister's dolphin rescuer costume (she wisely decided to save the ballerina part for sports day). He shook his head. "You look crazy!"

She eyed his Star Trek uniform. "Uh-huh. Okaaaaay..."


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