August 28, 2010
I love to get away, for a day, a weekend, or longer and I love to come home to the familiar again. This trip was back to the original grounds from which I’ve been transplanted. It was a vacation of remembrances and renewals of relationships. I notice that as I age, the good memories are the ones that have lingered to greet me. Some events that were not at all funny when they occurred now are conduits for shared laughter among friends. As I compared archives of thoughts and conclusions with family members, I realized how quickly we've carved canyons with our judgements of miniscule particles of hard information. It's sad to count the years of separation we endure when materials of openness and forgiveness and tools of willingness are available for bridge building. And when you've crossed over, the rifts seem like mere cracks in the sidewalk. This year, it was just my granddaughter and I making the journey back to Montana. We stopped at the familiar places but left the traveled path for some new discoveries. I play the tour guide, throwing out tidbits of Montana history as we drive through the open museum at 75 mph and ask her to imagine what it must have been like for the Lewis and Clark travelers, Native Americans, or early pioneers before roads snaked through the passes and farm stripes lay across the valleys. She looks up from her game and says 'uh-huH", and I wonder what will stick. I voice my observations about what I did where and what has changed anyway because I now wish I had seen and learned more about my own parents’ and grandparents’ earlier communities. I'm grateful, at any rate, to have her as my companion through my past and present. More descriptive travelogue to follow.
Since those olden days of the 40’s and 50’s in Great Falls, a lot has changed, though some has not. The downtown of my childhood is only in the photo album of my mind although many of the buildings still stand. Favorite restaurants and hang-outs are gone. I’m inspired now to write my descriptions of my earlier life in detail. When my memory has departed, I would like, if I am able, to read about who I was once. Major health events and deaths of friends and family members remind me recording time is now.
Just as I breathe a sigh of belonging as I pass through the last mountain passes of Idaho into Montana, the approach towards the Washington Cascades, with Mt. Rainier in the distance, is a welcoming sight. I went home again, now I am home again.
Posted by Marlene Obie
July 13, 2010
I got home last night from vacation and am feeling satisfied, comfortable and grateful for both the break in routine and to settle back into the familiar. I’m always ready for a venture, nearby or farther out, to look at and taste a new environment or activity. I browse through local and getaway opportunities as I do cookbooks, searching for a different experience to blend into my ordinary meals. Often my interest is raised as I notice combinations of ingredients I hadn’t considered... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
May 10, 2010
I give thanks to God:
for all the women in our lives,
Mothers all—biological, adoptive, “step”, surrogate,
pastors, teachers, friends, daughters, bosses, coworkers,
aunts, grandmothers, granddaughters, mother-in-laws, sister-in-laws
daughter-in-laws, aunts, nieces, cousins--
all females who contribute
to our health and well-being,
those who have and continue to plant mustard seeds
of love, faith and power in this time
and those who have planted in the past,
whose harves... ? Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
May 3, 2010
As I was brushing my hair yesterday morning, getting ready for church, I was a bit surprised to see my Aunt Mary staring back at me from the mirror. It was about twenty years ago that my father had said I looked like her, but I didn’t see it at that time. Yesterday, it was there. I smiled back at her and thought I’m honored if I’m like her in more ways than appearance.
I lived with my Aunt Mary, Uncle Lowell and Cousin Darlene during my grade school years after my parents di...? Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
February 15, 2010
I’m sorting through the contents of boxes for the 4th time in the last year and a half. How many items will I actually need and use? What are some of these things? (As sure as rain in the Northwest, if I toss one, I‘ll discover it was a necessary part of something that won’t work without it and can’t be ordered because the something has been discontinued.) Lives of sundry stuff have seen only fleeting moments of light as they’ve moved between boxes, homes and states. Others dis... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
December 30, 2009
What am I missing? Sometimes it seems like a lot when I see all the empty space in my basket and look at my lists of dreams, intentions and goals. As another years closes, I wonder what more I'll be able to gather in the time left. I'm not so concerned about the things as I am experiences, places and activities. The desire to taste more of what's in the marketplace. Why? I guess it's to see if I've been missing something that would somehow make life richer.
Then, I wonder what that could... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
December 20, 2009
Are you ready for Christmas? We ask it of each other especially during these last weeks as a conversation opener. I envy those who have all their preparations complete because I seldom have been satisfied with my own progress, no matter how hard I try. I recognize it has to do again with my expectations of what is necessary. I have let go of some traditional tasks, pared down others and don't feel frenzied or guilty about it. Circumstances have changed my routines which at first left me... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
November 26, 2009
My greatest gratitude is for all the people in my life--past and present. The greatest gift was being sent to Sunday School at an early age and discovering the unconditional, continual love of God and being part of a church family. I have no doubt that my mental and emotional survival is due to my relationship with God and all the angels that have brought into my life. I feel particularly blessed to have been part of some special churches, always filled with people who live their faith day... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
November 23, 2009
Everyday I do it, sometimes just saying it without embellishments or explanation. No matter what, there's something to which it applies. In the darkest night, for belief that light exists; and it will ride in on dawn's superwave. Throughout the day, for another chance to breathe, see, hear, smell, taste, feel, love, and enjoy it all. For another clean, fresh space to explore and find more understanding and insight and and apply it, perhaps with greater finesse. That evening brings closure, bringi... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
November 19, 2009
On these sopping wet days with forecasts for rain, showers, rain, possible snow, rain, wind, showers, I search for climpses of the sun and am thankful when the breaks occur, whatever the length. I remember days of below 0 weather and piles of snow in Montana and tell myself it's just rain. Hopefully, the snow will stay in the mountains where it belongs so those who love it can go visit. Whatever the weather may bring too much of at a praticular time, residents of that location adjust their ... Continue reading...
Posted by Marlene Obie
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About Me
| Marlene Obie |
| Bothell, Washington |
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I'm a writer with 2 published books and other published articles and materials. There's been a gap in organizing my work and marketing it, but definitely not in the experiences and observations to write about.
For the last 10 years, I've been living in the Seattle area and helping my son raise his daughter. I'm writing sections on my other site here which will be basis for a book and will invite others in this situation to comment.
I retired a year ago from being a Volunteer Coordinator at a Nursing Home, a job I enjoyed very much. I have been given constant nudges though to clear some time for getting my writing published. I fully believe that the lessons we've learned from our life experiences are meant to be shared, especially if we've been given the ability to clarify and get them out there.
My published works so far include nostalgic, personal experience essays, travel descriptions, and inspirationsl. Works in progress and for sale include poetry, short stories, a novel, non-fictional books, spiritual, and health experiences.
This fall, I wrote two weeks of devotions for Christ in Our Home, a Lutheran Quarterly Devotion booklet . They will be in the Third Quarter booklet for two weeks of July.
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