” Be Warm Inside and Out”

**I want guests to walk in my house and feel like they are going to have a good time! I want my house to SMILE inside and out!**

Dear Reader:

Every time I notice something new or actually old, but renewed, in my present vision and past memories, I feel happy!

Yesterday it was glancing at my pine tree, right outside my front window, and realizing that even a simple, ordinary vine… can produce its own unique beauty as it climbs its destined path.

**Summerville… Our ” Sacred” Pine Tree**

While putting out all my pumpkin decor last month… inside and out…I removed some other articles to make room and yesterday discovered one framed painting that I loved and now needed to be returned to the happy room den!

**So true! READING is one of life’s greatest gifts!**

Ever since I first learned to read… books have been my best friends. I have read to more dolls and stuffed bears than I can even begin to recall throughout my childhood… playing teacher.

When I think of a home I immediately think of books… to me… they help define the coziness of a place … bringing the warmth of thousands of favorite stories that, over time, became a part of me… constantly redefining who I am.

The picture of the mother reading to her child reminded me how much I loved the illustrations of Jessie Wilcox Smith… especially her illustrations in a Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Today art critics liken Smith’s ” Little Miss Muffet” illustration to an adult Mona Lisa in its popularity.

… But it was the cover illustration for Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm that made me an ardent life-long fan. A favorite book of mine growing up. ( In my imagination I WAS Rebecca)

Yes… yesterday was a day to ponder and wonder and simply be kind to others and myself in creating my cozy abide of love…

So until tomorrow… Pause and slow down perhaps the way Robert Rohr demonstrates…

Be still and know that I am God

Be still and know that I am

Be still and know

Be still

Be.

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Kindness was bestowed on me yesterday by Susan ‘s corn chowder… fulfilling … in so many ways!

” **Boo” the friendly witch welcomes all carriers of fun mail and curses to bills… especially insurance and taxes!**

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”

View all posts by Becky Dingle →

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.