Modesty Quote~

 In Hubby’s recent readings of Patrick O’Brian’s books (Master and Commander, Far side of the World, Etc)  He stubbled across this quote which we thought to share with our readers.

 

Not far into the second book of the Aubrey/Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brian, Stephen Maturin becomes acquainted with a young widow named Diana Villiers, who lives with her aunt and three cousins in the vicinity of the residence that Captain Aubrey and Stephen Maturin occupy. At a ball given by Diana’s aunt, Mrs. Williams, Stephen and Diana are engaged in a conversation, a portion of which revolves around Diana’s forceful comments:

“…You must know that married men are the worst enemies women can have…They offer what they call friendship or some stuff of that kind - the name don’t matter - and all they want in return for this great favour is your heart, your life, your future, your - I will not be coarse, but you know very well what I mean. There is no friendship in men….Listen, Maturin, I speak openly to you, because I like you; I like you very much, and I believe you have a kindness for me - you are almost the only man I have met in England I can treat as a friend - trust as a friend.”

“You have my friendship, sure,” said Stephen heavily. After a long pause he said with a fair attempt at lightness, “You are not altogether just. You look as desirable as you can - that dress, particularly the bosom of that dress, would inflame Saint Anthony, as you know very well. It is unjust to provoke a man and then to complain he is a satyr if the provocation succeeds…”

“Do you tell me I am provocative?” cried Diana.

“Certainly I do. That is exactly what I am saying. But I do not suppose you know how much you make men suffer. In any case, you are arguing from the particular to the general: you have met some men who wish to take advantage of you, and you go too far. Not all French waiters have red hair.” ………

~Post Captain By Patrick O’Brian page 50-51 ~

Typed out by David.

Happy Father’s Day

 My Dearest one, 
This will be quite a long post.  I recommend reading it either tonight or tomorrow morning before Church. 

I want to start this part 1 out by listing 50 things I love about you, as appose to 10 things I hate about you.  (the movie dear )
 

1.  I love your Christian attitude and heart.
2. I love the memories we share and the smile that comes to your eyes
3. I love the way you smile when you come home from work.
4. I love to watch you cuddle with Emma
5. I love to hear you play the piano, even when you stumble. 
6. I love the emphasis you make on family devotions
7. I love the fact that you continue to pray for meals even when we are rushed for time.
8. I love when you look words up in the dictionary.  I know it sounds like I tease you to death about it, and I do but you just wouldn’t be you without doing it.
9. I love the way you choose to dress and the way you make sure your hair is always combed.
10. I love the way you work hard (but I wouldn’t mind it if you took a few breaks now and then )
11. I love your dreams about gardening and living on a farm
12. I love the way you gently correct me
13. I love the fact that I wake up and you are tucked away in your study reading God’s word or writting down thoughts.
14. I love the way you honor both sets of your parents
15. I love the way you take care of things and teach me to be a good stewart of the things God has given us.
16. I love the way you read the Psalms to Emma
17. I love the way you laugh over Jerry Lewis
18. I love the way you ponder over things
19. I love the way you are more anxious to read a story then sit infront of the TV
20. I love the way you like to see our house run.
21. I love the way you say,  “we need to talk”
22. I love it when you cook
23. I love you when you let me sleep in even though it means you’ll be making your own lunch and breakfast on workdays because I am just exhausted.
24. I love how you very little complain.
25. i love your encouraging notes I find
26. I love your eagerness to find toads and lizards
27. I love the way you be neighborly without being a doormat
28. I love how you stand up for what is right and just
29. I love the sort of books you read and when you want to share what you are learning with me
30. I love you, body, mind and soul
31. I love your admiration of fine and good women, noble and true
32. I love the way you learn from the patriarchs
33. I love the fact that I can usually just come and talk to you.
34. I love the way you search for healthy alternitives
35. I love the way you support my sewing but remind me of the priorities
36. I love the way you write your letters
37. I love the fact that you take time to write me
38. I love the fact that you don’t rush into decisions
39. I love to watch you shave.
40. I love your quietness
41. I love your pet names for Emma
42.  I love it when you call me, Hopin’
43. I love your gentleness and giving spirit
44. I love the fact that you do things even when you don’t want too
45. I love it that we debate but walk away smiling at each other
46. I love it that you are the provider and protector of our family
47. I love the way you firmly but lovingly disclipine our child
48. I love watching you with Emma on any occasion, the father pride just beems from your face
49. I love your old fashion gentlmaness about you but most of all…
50. I love you, with every breadth, depth and hight.. if God chose, I shall but love thee better after death.

 

Because i know how much you love this poem;

Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind
For, from the nunnery
Of thy chaste breast, and quiet mind,
To war and arms I fly.

True, a new mistress now I chase,
The first foe in the field;
And with a stronger faith- embrace
A sword, a horse, a shield.

Yet this unconstancy is such
As you too shall adore;
For, I could not love thee, Dear, so much,
Loved I not honour more.

Since we have been living more frugaly lately and since you “made” me promise not to use our cash to get you something, Euphemia and I came up with a scheme and it was quite enjoyable.

What we first did was count all the change in the house.  It added up to something like $1.60? Euphemia then pick-pocketed all the change from your pocket and even managed a dollar bill.  What a clever lil 8 month girl she is.  We then took all the empty bottles and can’s to the recycling center.  That gave us $5.80 there.  We now had about $9 and some change.  We then took that infamous picture the other day of your socks…

Emma took it into her head to find those perfect pair of wool socks that you love so much.  Cotton just won’t do and since I have not learned the technique of knitting with four needles (how daunting that sounds!) we decided that it was much cheaper and better for the poor widow woman, that stayed up all night knitting these specially for you, if we purchased them.  Oh wait, that would have been a few decades ago… never mind, we went to the small shop around the corner.

Emma picked these out for you…

 I am not sure which she is more happy about… the left over change at her feet or the fact that you have some socks, or the fact I pulled out the camera… but whatever the reason.. we love you!

Happy Father’s Day to the bestest husband and father in the world!

Your darlings…

 

The day of love

I really don’t need a particular day to remind my hubby how much I love him but just like Sunday is a day to sit, rest and reflect on God, I shall use this day to write about all the attributes about my darling that I so love.

My hubby is a Christian.  How meaningless some might say, but it is the best thing in the world.  Being a Christian for him means to follow Christ.  My hubby knows he is saved by Christ and therefore willingly becomes HIS slave.  Don’t shrink back on that word.  A slave in indebted to his lord, just as we are by His blood.  A slave is protected and cared for by his lord, just as we are.  True there are some horror stories about slaves and masters but isn’t it wonderful taht we have a perfect Master?

Since he is a Christian all these other qualities about him come into view.  He provides for the family.  I do not have to worry about where food will come from or if we will have a the house a month longer for I trust hubby in the knowledge that he will not let us starve or be without shelter.  He is doing his loving duty to us (mother and child).  He works so hard and barely ever complains.  It is usually I that complain about him having to work so hard.  But he smile’s and calmly says,  “I do what I must do. I love you.”   Can you say, “bless his heart and oh be still heart o mine!”  Neither of us love the job he has. It’s very hard work and we have to pay a chiropracter monthly because of it. 

My husband takes care of our child.  He loves her.  He does not shun her at all.  He changes her messy diapers and even will get on the rug and giggle with her.  If I am busy in the kitchen around her bed time he will walk the floors with her singing hymns to quiet her down.  THey are both exhausted but he does not think of himself but putting this tired lil girl to sleep.  It’s enough to make your stomache full of butterflies when you see it.

 Perhaps at this point, especially since it’s valentines, you are wondering what else he does good. Let’s leave that to our privacy and and just think about your own hubby. :D  We have a daughter don’t we?

The list could be endless about him.  I love him. Each day the love is renewed by a simple kiss or hug for our morning.  In the two years we have been married I could count on one hand the times he has forgotten to call me at lunch.  I could count on all my hands and toes the times i have not been home to recieve those calls. 

So, my dear, I love you. That is just the plain and simple truth.  I have never recieved 1 dozen red roses, or a humungous box of chocolates, but I know that you know I would not like them as much as the simple pansy you bring, or the sprig of rosemary, or even a primrose plant that we both know will die within a week.  I do not regret one day of being married to you.  You have your flaws, I have mine.  We are both forgiven.  I am not the perfect wife but you are sure close to being a perfect husband, minus your flaws of course.

Happy Valentine’s day my love.  Here is our many recited poems for you;

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, — I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! — and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
~Elizabeth Browning, How do I love thee?