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Music David Lanz : CD - Return To The Heart
Christofori's Dream
Near The Still Waters Of Amsterdam
Return To The Heart
Love You Mom - "Love Hold Our Tomorrow"
12 years ago
May 30, 2011
Mom's Garden
Remembering my Mom this Memorial Day (1924-2011)
Music David Lanz : CD - Return To The Heart
Christofori's Dream
Near The Still Waters Of Amsterdam
Return To The Heart
Music David Lanz : CD - Return To The Heart
Christofori's Dream
Near The Still Waters Of Amsterdam
Return To The Heart
December 23, 2010
Somewhere lost in "Silent Night"
Dear Daisy,
Jus' a few hours 'til Christmas. This is a different Christmas for me. It certainly has been a year of letting go. I know we all have years like this one. Makes it hard though when the news reporting talks of "prosperous times". I've always felt out of timing with this World, but this year I'm really feeling it more than usual.
...The sanctuary was packed this eve. Maybe this was my chance to catch up to the timing of this World with at least this crowd in this sanctuary even if the outside World wasn't all here...
...the balcony Light had spread following the curvature design, row by row. The Light stopped from the right. There was this huge aisle between me and the Light. I smiled and looked for the Light from the left. I didn't on this night have anyone sitting there. I was alone. For a moment I remembered that, too had been part of this year. I looked to the right more behind than in front. The Light had stopped moving. Ahh, but the Light was now in front of me, the row was long and surely they would...the Light would...it stopped moving.
I looked down. There hadn't been a miracle where my light had been touched by accident without my awareness. The wind hadn't picked up to spark ignite the wick of my candle and I was certain that a big gust of wind hadn't struck in this sanctuary on this evening to blow it out for the wick was clean. No one had had to do anything in particular to receive their Light this night that I hadn't done and certainly my patience with this past year had been doing something positive. I felt like a body shell receiving the message from these people or maybe God Himself that I was somehow less worthy of receiving the Light offerin' from Christ. I was a child of God, created by God, and this room...too blind...
Couldn't these people open their eyes to see that my candle had been missed? I wasn't able to give much to the plate tonight, but I had been giving my heart (as much as was left of it) this year. I was doing my best not to clam up, fold up, or give up on the human condition and life through all the hard times I faced getting through this year, moving through the heart break of this one, and facing this World alone. Besides what was it costing these people to share what Christ gave them for nothing? Christ wasn't some possession that they owned, or needed to protect like all their materialistic things of this World...So Daisy, tell me, what did these peoples do tuh earn dem this right? I jus' needed a little part of the Flame for my heart.
My mind questioned, my heart sat in "silent night" even more cut from the feeling that had grown for years of feeling left out, not understood, unworthy, and different. I pledged to move on with my own head held high, jaw set, candle lit or not, believing God and Christ's promise without proof, that I, too was a child of God. Borrowed token candle lit or not, my inside candle knew how to shine, had kept on shining against all kinds of winds, and was going to continue to shine despite this sick, cruel World. Christ had never walked away from me...Babe Jesus was having his birthday and I was going to celebrate even if this moment held nothing worth celebrating.
Finally after several chorus and verse combinations of "Silent Night", way passed "all is calm, all is bright", the woman to my right across the aisle noticed that my candle remained unlit. She reached over without eye contact and crossed the great gap divide. I had started to move toward her halfway as I saw her movement and especially to thank her. With hurt lingering from the long wait, included in some timing other than my own, I was thankful for the one who noticed, hurt by many who didn't, and I felt emptiness with the closing of this service.
I walked, passed the crowds of people gathering at the exits all talking more of their holiday plans than what they had just witnessed or experienced in this sanctuary of the traveling Light. I didn't know what else to do stepping out of this or how to regain strength that I would need to face the outside. I put on a smile, wished "Merry Christmas" through nod and voice to those I made eye contact with and thought of getting home to spend the remaining hours of Christmas Eve with Levi and welcoming in Christmas morning.
I drove home that snowy night through the City to avoid expressway traffic and icy roads. As I drove out the parking lot I realized that I hadn't seen Main Street decorated for Christmas so this would be a fun option. The drive was beautiful, fresh snow-covered with streetlights glimmering. I drove passed a Mission House. People had gathered for holiday dinner, warmth, and those that I could see were communing at the door having a smoke. I knew the mixed feelings in their hearts, the uncertainties that times of survival and struggle bring, and I knew how cold and dark a night can feel when the day before brought little light. I knew how cold the streets. I had lived them for a time. I said silently as if they could hear, ("Merry Christmas, God Bless") and drove home. For now, that was all I could do. For now.
I wasn't in a good place myself that night and certainly not in a place to help them. My energy level and heart was somewhere lost in "Silent Night" and I knew far too well how fine a line between warmth of home and nowhere to go, and I wasn't prepared to be that cold tonight. God forgive me for not stopping. I can't seem to get them out of my mind, though. I know that I will be back in a way that I can really help. I'll find some way to relight their candles and to help them keep them lit. I know its part of God's Plan. It has to be part of God's Plan for me to witness as often as I do.
...Merry Christmas, dear friend. If you see Jesus up There in Heaven, tell him "Happy Birthday" from me.
Mis' Jane
(Christmas Eve, December 24th, 1999)
Jus' a few hours 'til Christmas. This is a different Christmas for me. It certainly has been a year of letting go. I know we all have years like this one. Makes it hard though when the news reporting talks of "prosperous times". I've always felt out of timing with this World, but this year I'm really feeling it more than usual.
...The sanctuary was packed this eve. Maybe this was my chance to catch up to the timing of this World with at least this crowd in this sanctuary even if the outside World wasn't all here...
...the balcony Light had spread following the curvature design, row by row. The Light stopped from the right. There was this huge aisle between me and the Light. I smiled and looked for the Light from the left. I didn't on this night have anyone sitting there. I was alone. For a moment I remembered that, too had been part of this year. I looked to the right more behind than in front. The Light had stopped moving. Ahh, but the Light was now in front of me, the row was long and surely they would...the Light would...it stopped moving.
I looked down. There hadn't been a miracle where my light had been touched by accident without my awareness. The wind hadn't picked up to spark ignite the wick of my candle and I was certain that a big gust of wind hadn't struck in this sanctuary on this evening to blow it out for the wick was clean. No one had had to do anything in particular to receive their Light this night that I hadn't done and certainly my patience with this past year had been doing something positive. I felt like a body shell receiving the message from these people or maybe God Himself that I was somehow less worthy of receiving the Light offerin' from Christ. I was a child of God, created by God, and this room...too blind...
Couldn't these people open their eyes to see that my candle had been missed? I wasn't able to give much to the plate tonight, but I had been giving my heart (as much as was left of it) this year. I was doing my best not to clam up, fold up, or give up on the human condition and life through all the hard times I faced getting through this year, moving through the heart break of this one, and facing this World alone. Besides what was it costing these people to share what Christ gave them for nothing? Christ wasn't some possession that they owned, or needed to protect like all their materialistic things of this World...So Daisy, tell me, what did these peoples do tuh earn dem this right? I jus' needed a little part of the Flame for my heart.
My mind questioned, my heart sat in "silent night" even more cut from the feeling that had grown for years of feeling left out, not understood, unworthy, and different. I pledged to move on with my own head held high, jaw set, candle lit or not, believing God and Christ's promise without proof, that I, too was a child of God. Borrowed token candle lit or not, my inside candle knew how to shine, had kept on shining against all kinds of winds, and was going to continue to shine despite this sick, cruel World. Christ had never walked away from me...Babe Jesus was having his birthday and I was going to celebrate even if this moment held nothing worth celebrating.
Finally after several chorus and verse combinations of "Silent Night", way passed "all is calm, all is bright", the woman to my right across the aisle noticed that my candle remained unlit. She reached over without eye contact and crossed the great gap divide. I had started to move toward her halfway as I saw her movement and especially to thank her. With hurt lingering from the long wait, included in some timing other than my own, I was thankful for the one who noticed, hurt by many who didn't, and I felt emptiness with the closing of this service.
I walked, passed the crowds of people gathering at the exits all talking more of their holiday plans than what they had just witnessed or experienced in this sanctuary of the traveling Light. I didn't know what else to do stepping out of this or how to regain strength that I would need to face the outside. I put on a smile, wished "Merry Christmas" through nod and voice to those I made eye contact with and thought of getting home to spend the remaining hours of Christmas Eve with Levi and welcoming in Christmas morning.
I drove home that snowy night through the City to avoid expressway traffic and icy roads. As I drove out the parking lot I realized that I hadn't seen Main Street decorated for Christmas so this would be a fun option. The drive was beautiful, fresh snow-covered with streetlights glimmering. I drove passed a Mission House. People had gathered for holiday dinner, warmth, and those that I could see were communing at the door having a smoke. I knew the mixed feelings in their hearts, the uncertainties that times of survival and struggle bring, and I knew how cold and dark a night can feel when the day before brought little light. I knew how cold the streets. I had lived them for a time. I said silently as if they could hear, ("Merry Christmas, God Bless") and drove home. For now, that was all I could do. For now.
I wasn't in a good place myself that night and certainly not in a place to help them. My energy level and heart was somewhere lost in "Silent Night" and I knew far too well how fine a line between warmth of home and nowhere to go, and I wasn't prepared to be that cold tonight. God forgive me for not stopping. I can't seem to get them out of my mind, though. I know that I will be back in a way that I can really help. I'll find some way to relight their candles and to help them keep them lit. I know its part of God's Plan. It has to be part of God's Plan for me to witness as often as I do.
...Merry Christmas, dear friend. If you see Jesus up There in Heaven, tell him "Happy Birthday" from me.
Mis' Jane
(Christmas Eve, December 24th, 1999)
September 20, 2010
Dear Daisy, Theme Song and Path
Theme Song, "Dear Daisy" composed by Hiroshi Takatani
(video features final instrumental version)
June 2010, the song, "Dear Daisy" was born.
Based on the book Dear Daisy by Jane Marla Ver Dow
Though the years they may change us
Some things in life forever remain
Like those years we spent together
Living life its joys and pain
You taught me all 'bout honesty
How the truth would set me free
Like a teacher you inspired me
Each day beneath that Cherry tree
Chorus)
Now "Dear Daisy" as I write this letter
Though eyes can't see I know you're there
I feel your presence surround me
Your angel wings as they brush my hair
Your smile my summer mornin' Sun
Your wisdom my guide no end
Your actions more than words spoken
Showed me I had a special friend
(Chorus)
Now "Dear Daisy" as I write this letter
Though eyes can't see I know you're there
I feel your presence surround me
Your angel wings as they brush my hair
(Bridge)
Say everything now there's a reason
Not in ours but in God's time
A path our lasting friendship
Enough love to last a lifetime
(Chorus)
Now "Dear Daisy" as I write this letter
Though eyes can't see I know you're there
I feel your presence surround me
Your angel wings as they brush my hair
"Dear Daisy"
© Buddy Sutton June 09 2010
Additional Lyrics Jane Marla Ver Dow
To all I met on my summer festival Dear Daisy book signing path...thank-you for your purchases, but mostly I thank you for the joy and support you brought to my life. Sharing stories, laughs, and connecting with you has made all the difference.
Sincerely,
Author, Jane Marla VerDow
September 01, 2010
September Events Author Calendar
September, still Summer and two Festival Weekends with Rising Sparrow Press hosting an Author's Tent for local authors. Books Etc of Macedon and Village Bookmarket of Palmyra will be sponsoring a second tent for local authors. (For Lumberjack Festival both "tents" will be vending space indoors).
Authors from Wayne, Monroe, and Ontario Counties will be there discussing and autographing their books, sharing writing and book promotion projects, and to answer any questions you may have about writing-creating books and publishing pathways.
Lumberjack Festival Macedon
28th annual Macedon Center Community Lumberjack Festival September 11 & 12, 2010
"Gates open both days at 8AM. Amateur competition will begin on Saturday at 9AM. The events will include log rolling, two-man crosscut, buck saw, chain saw, log chop, and tree falling...At 5PM the grease pole climb will take place, so gather up 4 people and get a team together...
On Sunday, professional competition will begin at 10:30AM. All the competitors will use their own equipment. Men and Women events will include the underhand chop, stock saw, single buck, and two-man crosscut. Open events will include springboard, hot saw and ax throw. Demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day. The grease pole final will be held at 5PM. After the grease pole climb we will raffle off gift cards and other items donated by local merchants."
Canaltown Days Palmyra
September 18 & 19 Calendar of Canaltown Days Festival Events
The Canaltown Days Parade travels a 1.5 mile route through the village of Palmyra. Parade time 4:00PM on Saturday, September 18th, 2010
Antique and Classic Car Show Saturday, September 18, 2010
Boat Tours
The Rose Lummis, a 1953 Mississippi River Boat, is coming to town for Canaltown Days in Palmyra. Saturday, Sept. 18, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm and Sunday, Sept. 19, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Boat tours will leave the Port of Palmyra Marina on the hour. The cost is $10 per person, $8 for kids ages 2 to 12. Tickets will be sold at the Canaltown Days Information Booth and at the boat.
Music Entertainment provided by bands, choirs, dancers, fiddlers...
Jane Marla VerDow
Author of "Dear Daisy"
Upcoming title "Rising Sparrow"
"Dear Daisy"
"A dream of a child from under a cherry tree...
that came to be under an apple tree...
For everything there is a season"
~ Jane Marla VerDow, Rising Sparrow
"Childhood is nothing more than, absolutely nothing less than, the courage to discover for the first time with innocence and openness, the faith and passion to explore the next, and the inner wisdom to sense the value of each moment along the path."
~ Jane Marla VerDow, Dear Daisy
In honor of Daisy, Author, Jane Marla VerDow will be donating 10% of all "Dear Daisy" book sales to Love Is The Answer to assist HIV/AIDS orphaned children of Uganda.
Also follow Author Blog Storytellers and Writers
Authors from Wayne, Monroe, and Ontario Counties will be there discussing and autographing their books, sharing writing and book promotion projects, and to answer any questions you may have about writing-creating books and publishing pathways.
Lumberjack Festival Macedon
28th annual Macedon Center Community Lumberjack Festival September 11 & 12, 2010
"Gates open both days at 8AM. Amateur competition will begin on Saturday at 9AM. The events will include log rolling, two-man crosscut, buck saw, chain saw, log chop, and tree falling...At 5PM the grease pole climb will take place, so gather up 4 people and get a team together...
On Sunday, professional competition will begin at 10:30AM. All the competitors will use their own equipment. Men and Women events will include the underhand chop, stock saw, single buck, and two-man crosscut. Open events will include springboard, hot saw and ax throw. Demonstrations will be conducted throughout the day. The grease pole final will be held at 5PM. After the grease pole climb we will raffle off gift cards and other items donated by local merchants."
Canaltown Days Palmyra
September 18 & 19 Calendar of Canaltown Days Festival Events
The Canaltown Days Parade travels a 1.5 mile route through the village of Palmyra. Parade time 4:00PM on Saturday, September 18th, 2010
Antique and Classic Car Show Saturday, September 18, 2010
Boat Tours
The Rose Lummis, a 1953 Mississippi River Boat, is coming to town for Canaltown Days in Palmyra. Saturday, Sept. 18, from 12:00pm to 4:00pm and Sunday, Sept. 19, from 11:00am to 4:00pm. Boat tours will leave the Port of Palmyra Marina on the hour. The cost is $10 per person, $8 for kids ages 2 to 12. Tickets will be sold at the Canaltown Days Information Booth and at the boat.
Music Entertainment provided by bands, choirs, dancers, fiddlers...
Jane Marla VerDow
Author of "Dear Daisy"
Upcoming title "Rising Sparrow"
"Dear Daisy"
"A dream of a child from under a cherry tree...
that came to be under an apple tree...
For everything there is a season"
~ Jane Marla VerDow, Rising Sparrow
"Childhood is nothing more than, absolutely nothing less than, the courage to discover for the first time with innocence and openness, the faith and passion to explore the next, and the inner wisdom to sense the value of each moment along the path."
~ Jane Marla VerDow, Dear Daisy
In honor of Daisy, Author, Jane Marla VerDow will be donating 10% of all "Dear Daisy" book sales to Love Is The Answer to assist HIV/AIDS orphaned children of Uganda.
Also follow Author Blog Storytellers and Writers
August 10, 2010
Wayne County Fair
Dear Daisy is dedicated by the author to her friend, Daisy whose warmth taught her love, whose gift of patience taught her to search for patience with others, and whose soul taught her strength equal to compassion.
"Dear Daisy" at Wayne County Fair August 9-14, 2010
Rising Sparrow Press, est.2003 is an Independent Publishing Company founder by Author, Jane Marla VerDow.
Current Title: Dear Daisy
Hardcover, case bound, 384 pages, nonfiction-spiritual
Publisher Rising Sparrow Press $27.95
A nonfiction, spiritual memoir, Dear Daisy is the storyteller’s journal recording footsteps on her life path from days long ago shared with her friend, Daisy (1960′s) to the 911 aftermath. Sharing humor, visions, dreams, heartbreaks and challenges, Jane Marla VerDow has written a compelling account that both entertains and challenges one’s soulful reflection. Written in a unique style the author refers to as “language layers”, Dear Daisy has been described by readers as “enchanting”, “ profoundly written”, and “courageous.”
Books Etc of Macedon and Village Bookmarket of Palmyra will be at the Wayne County Fair all week in the Floral Hall. Local authors have been invited to drop by to talk about their books and for book signing. I'll be at the fair Saturday and some evenings.
Wayne County Fair History
August 02, 2010
“Arrrgggggg” say the Authors at Pirates Festival Palmyra August 7-8
Authors take on the Pirates along the Erie Canal in Palmyra this weekend. Village Bookmarket, Palmyra (Marcia Delue Marsille) and Books ETC of Macedon (John Cieslinski) bring five Wayne County Authors, another tent of Five Local Authors will be led by Gary Fitzpatrick, and Rising Sparrow Press (Jane Marla VerDow) is strong with three from New York State.
Donna Bennett, author of Petey and the Mean Pirates is a delightful 27 page paperback children's book (Preschool-4th Grade) that appeals to both kids and parents, alike. Written to speak to the common childhood belief that all pirates have to be rough and tough and aggressive, Petey the pirate is different, using something other than swords, angry words, and bullying. The Ice Cream Pirates, an “illustrate your own” and “create your own depictions of the storyline”, teaches children the basics of entrepreneurship as they help the pirates open their own ice cream shop.
Also available from Three Chiquitas Publishing, Sherry Widmer's Wild Animal Kid Songs, a compact disc (CD) and Seven Days At Camp EAGR!, a children's book (written for the Epilepsy Association of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton) increases awareness about childhood epilepsy. Author website / Three Chiquitas Publishing :
Sheila Jarkins is a Children’s Book Author and Illustrator after a career in arts education. Her Picture books Marco Flamingo and The Adventures of Marco Flamingo Under the Sea are available as English and bilingual editions and in Hard cover and paperback.
Sheila will also have Prints from the original book illustrations for $22.00 available at the festival. Along with the book, the prints make a great Holiday or baby shower gift. For more information visit Author and Book website: or follow Sheila on her blog
Jane Marla VerDow, author of "Dear Daisy" and upcoming title, Rising Sparrow, both editions Independent Published by Rising Sparrow Press. "Dear Daisy", Hardcover, case bound, 384 page, nonfiction-spiritual memoir is the storyteller’s journal of her life with Daisy retelling her childhood days on her family’s Upstate New York fruit farm and years later, Daisy her angel returns to lead her on the pathway Home. Rising Sparrow Press designed both books to reflect a book of the 1960’s era in pre dustcover style, book layout, short storytelling format, time era language and values. Sharing humor, visions, dreams, heartbreaks and challenges, Jane Marla VerDow has written a compelling account that both entertains and challenges one’s soulful reflection and has been described by readers as “enchanting”, “profoundly written”, and “courageous”.
Rising Sparrow Press also produces and publishes book related items, photography, postcards, and prints. An education background, Jane VerDow teaches self-independent publishing, author promotion pathways, creative writing-media projects (video and scrapbooking), and speaks on nonviolence topics. Rising Sparrow Press
Donna Bennett, author of Petey and the Mean Pirates is a delightful 27 page paperback children's book (Preschool-4th Grade) that appeals to both kids and parents, alike. Written to speak to the common childhood belief that all pirates have to be rough and tough and aggressive, Petey the pirate is different, using something other than swords, angry words, and bullying. The Ice Cream Pirates, an “illustrate your own” and “create your own depictions of the storyline”, teaches children the basics of entrepreneurship as they help the pirates open their own ice cream shop.
Also available from Three Chiquitas Publishing, Sherry Widmer's Wild Animal Kid Songs, a compact disc (CD) and Seven Days At Camp EAGR!, a children's book (written for the Epilepsy Association of Rochester-Syracuse-Binghamton) increases awareness about childhood epilepsy. Author website / Three Chiquitas Publishing :
Sheila Jarkins is a Children’s Book Author and Illustrator after a career in arts education. Her Picture books Marco Flamingo and The Adventures of Marco Flamingo Under the Sea are available as English and bilingual editions and in Hard cover and paperback.
Sheila will also have Prints from the original book illustrations for $22.00 available at the festival. Along with the book, the prints make a great Holiday or baby shower gift. For more information visit Author and Book website: or follow Sheila on her blog
Jane Marla VerDow, author of "Dear Daisy" and upcoming title, Rising Sparrow, both editions Independent Published by Rising Sparrow Press. "Dear Daisy", Hardcover, case bound, 384 page, nonfiction-spiritual memoir is the storyteller’s journal of her life with Daisy retelling her childhood days on her family’s Upstate New York fruit farm and years later, Daisy her angel returns to lead her on the pathway Home. Rising Sparrow Press designed both books to reflect a book of the 1960’s era in pre dustcover style, book layout, short storytelling format, time era language and values. Sharing humor, visions, dreams, heartbreaks and challenges, Jane Marla VerDow has written a compelling account that both entertains and challenges one’s soulful reflection and has been described by readers as “enchanting”, “profoundly written”, and “courageous”.
Rising Sparrow Press also produces and publishes book related items, photography, postcards, and prints. An education background, Jane VerDow teaches self-independent publishing, author promotion pathways, creative writing-media projects (video and scrapbooking), and speaks on nonviolence topics. Rising Sparrow Press
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