Orchard Songs

Recently I spent a few days stepping back into my orchards, especially the one I've come to know as my deer sanctuary. Named for the apples that remain there on the ground after frost and harvest time and for the deer who find them, but mostly for how content my heart feels in that shared space.

So for that and no other reason, I decided to share an older post on this blog. A time remembered in my thoughts or a reminder to you, the reader, to from time to time, take a step back. Read an older post on this trail...for maybe that time, like this time is heart shared and only separated by this abstract concept called, time.


The beginning….
Songs of the orchard played in my mind as words appeared on paper.
I thought of Daisy and her home with Jim…

Nearing the ending…
At the depth of my heart I knew the Truth of my singing the folk songs in the orchards with the wind…

As I wrote…
Songs of days long ago lived then gone, never outgrown, continued to play in my head and I hummed along as words appeared on paper…



Songs of the orchard…closest I’ve ever found to poetry; truly, the inspiration for such…
words playing on canvas.

Winds blow then fade. One moment of time changes the world, or at least our perception.

There standing, sitting, being, holding her space-filling her space; Daisy.
Learned lesson, the one that came to me just watching Daisy, no words; she needed none:
Just hold your space-fill your space. Her message, so clear to me now.


So truth told, I learned about blank space in writing from her, and from holding my space while the winds did their own game. Filled in the space between with orchard songs. Daisy by nature didn’t use many words. The gaps between allowed me to just be, there with her.

So I learned most about words by time spent in listening and waiting. Let them be. Give them space and respect. Honor the life rhythm of each and every. Together, they find their own place and share.

Blank space in writing is where you, the reader comes…to sit and be.

Blank space, that’s where all the “what ifs” live.





From somewhere deep within, there was a voice calling me home. I had to listen. When a child of any age hears that voice, there’s no denying it, least not to yourself, especially when the call becomes a whisper.
Jane Marla Ver Dow
Dear Daisy, 2004



Let your heart guide you. It whispers, so listen closely.
~ The Land Before Time

I remember and heal 10-28

As individuals and as churches, we have need to determine if our mission is to light candles and to keep candles lit, or to blow candles out. I still believe that one candle and that candles united in purpose create the World’s path of creation and life, or can be used to ignite the fire of destruction. If we seek Peace, whether the War is between Nations or the War is between peoples, our own stone and our own flame is really all that any of us have control over.

- Jane Marla VerDow




Dear Daisy, 2004

As the story begins, the author caught in a personal struggle of survival under conditions felt oppressive, writes to Daisy. As the reflective search for self and path unfolds, the 9-11-01 story strikes as a Holy War between extremists of Nations. Before the dust settles, 10-28-01 brings world chaos personal. Living the aftermath, the author struggles to forgive and declares through writing an Epistle as part of her emancipation pathway that violence as a rightful expression and worship of God is not the God of her faith.

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Whats Your Smooshed PBJ Sandwich

"Definition of" : Smooshed Peanut Butter-Jelly Sandwich (PBJ)

Anything that triggers one to think of people, places, environments when/where they were most content and filled with abundance, heart and soul.

Now, there are peanut butter sandwiches that are well, just OK.

Then PBJ sandwiches that rank based upon specific jellies. Variety is good but my mind memory is Grape.

But there is a truth lost down the ages that I'll share now with you: the distinguishing feature that makes a PBJ a true Smooshed PBJ in my opinion is the temperature of the sandwich.

For best results place sandwich in shade of tree (around 6:30 AM). Now remember you do want some heat getting to that sandwich so yes, place sandwich on west side of tree (if the sun rises from the east where you live) but make sure that the limbs and branches over-hanging are not so thick that sandwich can't find light of day.

Remember, you are not the only creature wanting that sandwich, so be sure to place in top rolled down brown paper bag (modern could be zip lock if you're into plastic) to deter ants or bigger.

If all works to plan, that sandwich you placed 6:30 will be perfect temperature and smooshedness by 9:30 AM. Worst case 10 AM. No accidental or intentional stomping on required.

If you aren't up by 6:30 to place your own sandwich...you're outta luck.

Science behind process: Bread becomes a sponge when PB and J become PBJ.
(I knew this by the time I was 2 but I think it was later also covered in one of my logic or algebra classes.)

So, my early morning hearing a bird tweet led to thought and blog post (here) Monday, October 19, 2009 9:43 AM. Title: Morning Tweeters and Orchard Talks. Search Key words: orchard //orchard talks

That then led to this blog post, What's Your Smooshed PBJ Sandwich

That leads me to circle back to the question (now nearing lunchtime): What's Your Smooshed PBJ Sandwich?


Shared with you here because I feel sorry for the "outta luck" statement above, I'll share a link. And more to the true reason, I believe in and try to live by, Lifting As We Climb.

On my walk out to the orchards (now apple...seasons change, Smooshed PBJ Sandwiches don't), I found another author. So additional link, similar logic, shared interest in serendipity included here: http://serendipitouslyrich.com/book/


Content in this blog also referenced Lifting As We Climb. See older post of Author, Jane Marla VerDow,this blog. Lifting As We Climb Post date: Monday, March 26, 2007
Blog Search Keywords: lifting // climb // lifting as we climb //Daisy // Dear Daisy

Note: If you use key word, Lift the published post on Pooh Bear appears. That's one of my favorite (me) posts on this blog.

Author: Jane Marla VerDow, Dear Daisy copyright ©2004; Independent Publishing: Rising Sparrow Press, est. 2003. Visit Author Website http://www.risingsparrowpress.com/ to learn more about author’s upcoming titles or for writing and self-publishing resources. Also find Hard to Find Resources on history, travel, rare/old book finds, and arts/literature. Enjoy following Blogs: http://www.storytellersandwriters.blogspot.com/ and http://lakeontarioshoreline.blogspot.com/

Morning Tweeters and Orchard Talks

Sun was up this morning when I woke. Never rise willingly without the sun sparking my awakening. Unwillingly is taken care of by Jordash since he first came to live with me as a puppy. No need for an alarm clock.

This Sun pattern is not new to me. I've always used the Sun this way...or it plays me this way. I haven't yet figured which is truth.

I wake fast, but also its true I'm a slow riser. Seems more true a statement with adding on years. Brain slower, body slower, no matter...same truth. Real truth...I think somedays I wake more aware of what can impact a day, the negatives life can deliver, and at least some days, the energy it takes to laugh at or walk past or work through seems a bit much for the asking. Some days, ...many, not true. That blessing I guard with my dreams and faith and gratitude.

Self-aware of all the above, and also true, I heard a bird chirp this morning first thing...a tweet from Twitter. Wise Insight followed before my mind had time to start another thought. Must be the news had reached many birds, for many by now were up and tweeting. Hard to keep walk-sleeping when birds have another plan for the day. This morning in particular being a Monday morning, I thought I'd ease into my planned for the week. Not the same plan of birds. Not this morning when I heard the song of the sparrow and song of the eagle within also sung by tweeters. So this morning I engaged, just for the good enough reason, because. I thank you, tweeters.

All above same truth when I was little, I reminded me. Next, days back when floated in competing with my next thought, NOW, must get something done list (ego-mind). Like I said, I'm a slow riser so I followed the path leading to...picking cherries and trying to get out to the orchards to make my daily bread. Translated into kid language, earn my bike or transistor AM/FM radio. Even then, money was just a part of the plan motivator for me. What I mean to say, the motivator that kicked in when my energy was fully engaged, usually along towards 10 AM. Early bird in that regard, I'm not. I knew mid morning smooshed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches didn't happen until at earliest 9:30 AM. No rush really needed before that.

Daisy, back then was my time to get moving to get to work motivator. I knew Jim and Daisy would be out there sunrise, at least by 6:30. Catching those first sparrow and eagle songs for sure. Knowing this much, that spark would get my heart up full speed and would carry my legs faster. The real mission for me, to get to the orchards for our first morning "hellos" and sit down orchard talks. The money just sort of came along. End of season, I always found myself in a store buying what I had dreamed of having.

So where did all this early rising, bird singing, thought engaging lead? Stay tuned for next posts on this blog and www.lakeontarioshoreline.blogspot.com My mind is sorting at the moment at least five more to come. That is if they don't all smoosh together like that peanut butter and jelly sandwich I'm re-dreaming about.




To "hear" Replays of bird songs that captured my attention this early morning:
http://www.theblessingsbook.com/ blessings is the message but so much more into links

and another tweeting about publishing/early promotion pathways and suggestions
http://presalemastery.com/

for link to http://www.twitter.com/


Author: Jane Marla VerDow, Dear Daisy copyright ©2004; Independent Publishing: Rising Sparrow Press, est. 2003.
Visit Author Website http://www.risingsparrowpress.com/ to learn more about author’s upcoming titles or for writing and self-publishing resources. Also find Hard to Find Resources on history, travel, rare/old book finds, and arts/literature.

Character Jordash

Jordash "baby" has grown. Now "full grown" a pouncing, playful 82 lbs.!!!

Loves watching "his TV" Saturday mornings entertaining himself with Cartoons!!!

Or just hanging out while I write.

Try new Search This Blog (top roght side of blog under header) using word Levi or Bear

To view Puppy and Puppy Growing pictures of Jordash Search This Blog using Jordash or Puppy keyword

Words to Keep a Soul Alive

To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer, is to have kept your soul alive. ~Robert Louis Stevenson