In Flanders Fields

I first heard the poem In Flanders Fields back in 1983. And every time those who have died for our country are honored or remembered, I recall this poem written during WWI by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (pictured right).

McCrae was inspired to write it on May 3, 1915 after presiding over the funeral of friend and fellow soldier Alexis Helmer, who died in the Second Battle of Ypres. According to history, fellow soldiers retrieved the poem after McCrae, initially unsatisfied with his work, discarded it. "In Flanders Fields" was first published on December 8 of that year and is the most quoted poem associated with honoring fallen soldiers.


A sobering piece about remaining faithful, about keeping diligent, and about the brevity of life, the poem is written from the point-of-view of those who have died...


In Flanders Fields


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. 


If you know someone who's in the military, or perhaps know a family who's lost a loved one in service of our country, would you make a point to thank them today? I'll do the same.


Tammy

An autographed copy of the poem from In Flanders Fields and Other Poems

Making beautiful music together

Quick! Can you tell me the 25 most played songs on your iPod or MP3 player? Here are mine...

Do we have any in common?

While I listen to a ton of music, the most played songs (as you can see) are instrumentals, and that's because I often write to music. But I cannot write to music that has words. Messes me up big time.

If you have a favorite instrumental album, I'd love to know! I like to change things up on occasion, and appreciate personal recommendations.

My sweet-but-mostly-snarky daughter, Kelsey, turned 25 last week. And in honor of her birthday––and to embarrass her, of course––I posted some pics of her "through the years" on FB. But here are a few I haven't shared yet... 

I surprised her at work with a little something from Edible Arrangements. 

Oh. My. Goodness! Fruit and chocolate. What's not to love!

Strawberries, apples, and bananas wrapped in chocolate bliss!

So pretty. So delicious!

The bananas were the best! Who knew...

Makes me want one right now!

Please send those instrumental recommendations my way, if you have any. I'm in major writing mode and could use some fresh listening fodder. And some chocolate-dipped bananas. But, I digress…

Much love, friends,

Tammy 

P.S. And the latest from the Jack Cam!

Cordina’s Tennessee Tea Cakes

Love these quotes from Christy Jordan's Southern Plate newsletter...

"God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's ME."
- Author Unknown

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.
~Zig Ziglar

Diplomacy is the art of saying "Nice doggie" until you can find a rock.
~Will Rogers

I love Christy's Southern cookin' and also love writing Southern fiction where I can incorporate so many of these delicious (and historically accurate) recipes into my stories.

Here's one for CORDINA'S TENNESSEE TEA CAKES that's included in A Lasting Impression, the first of three Belmont Mansion novels, and that were served at the book launch event at the Belmont Mansion. Enjoy!

Cordina’s Tennessee Tea Cakes

1 Cup butter or margarine


1 Cup sugar


3 eggs

3 1/2 Cup self rising flour

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and mix again. Add vanilla and flour and mix well. Roll thin on floured board, cut with cookie or biscuit cutter. Bake at 350 for ten minutes. Sprinkle with sugar while warm. Mmmmm... Delicious!

Do you have a favorite recipe that's been passed down through generations? I'd love to know. (And if you're game, maybe I could share it in a future book...??)

Blessings on your weekend!

iPad App for Beginners Bible by Zondervan

Adorable! And a great resource for parents (and grandparents) of young children!

Finding Jesus in my hell, a splash over of heaven

"One of the splash overs of heaven…is finding Jesus in my hell. It's so indescribably sweet..."
~Joni Eareckson Tada

Do you live with chronic pain? Are you discouraged? Depressed? Fearing the future? Here's an amazing, encouraging, heart-lifting interview with Joni Eareckson Tada and Michael Easley (one of our ministers at Fellowship Bible Church in Nashville) on what it means to seek God's face in the midst of pain and when life is at its rawest.

Click here to be blessed

I love to read

I love to read. 

That's no surprise, I realize. But there are times when I'm reading a book, and I'm transported into another time and place, and I get to live in the skin of characters who I sometimes like and sometimes don't, and I'm reminded how much I love to read.

I learn from the characters. Sometimes, I want to be them. Other times, I'm thanking God I'm not. I envy their adventures. Their dreams. I like their clothes. I don't like their corsets. I love their hair. I don't like that they didn't wash it but maybe three times a year. Ewwwww... And not bathing every day? Don't even get me started.

I love that the world was a simpler place "back then." Not that it was easier, mind you. In many ways, it was far more difficult. But there was a simplicity in no telephones, no texting, no televisions, no 49,874 ways to get in touch with someone. And yet I love my iPhone. 

I love punching a single button and speaking with someone across the country. Or the world. And yet one of the most powerful lines I've ever read in fiction is the last sentence from the epilogue in Francine Rivers' As Sure as the Dawn. Don't worry, no spoilers, I promise.

"And though none of them ever saw him again, they knew he was in God's hands––just as each of them was––and they were at peace."

I still get teary eyed when I read that, because the story comes back to me in a flood. All the character struggles, their victories, their losses. Their journeys. And I'm reminded why I love to read. 

Why do you love to read?

And I'm not talking about what makes you pick up a book. But rather, what makes you love getting lost in a story? What––when it happens––reminds you that you love to read?

Tammy

God's timing

Glimpse of spring in Nashville

Something God has written on my heart in recent years is that "Every 'No' along the way is really part of His final 'Yes!' when His perfect timing is reached."

Are you waiting on something today? Hoping for something to happen this week? Been told 'No' so many times you're sure this "something" is never going to happen? Lay your dream, your requests before the Lord in prayer today, and then WATCH with gratitude as he reveals his plan. His timing is never slow, his march is never off the beat.

And never doubt: there's nothing better than being centered right smack in the middle of his will for your life. And nothing more miserable than being outside of it.

So tell me, are YOU waiting on something today? Does God's timing ever feel slow?

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

A new "younger" reader

I love the picture that Christy Jordan from Christy Jordan's Southern Plate recently posted on my FB Page, along with this (about her cute daughter):

"Katy Rose was very excited to see your books this weekend at Lifeway! I took her to the section and explained who you were (that you had a copy of HER book and had emailed her and that we were friends) and she was over the moon! "Oh Mama, you have GOT to take my picture with this and send it to her!"

Isn't her Katy Rose a doll? Thanks again for sharing that, Christy! Katy Rose, love you, babe! AND the book YOU wrote!


Tammy