For Your Weekend: A Little Madeleine L'Engle, A Little Photography, A Little Link Love

"I am still every age that I have been. Because I was once a child, I am always a child. Because I was once a searching adolescent, given to moods and ecstasies, these are still part of me, and always will be... This does not mean that I ought to be trapped or enclosed in any of these ages...the delayed adolescent, the childish adult, but that they are in me to be drawn on; to forget is a form of suicide... Far too many people misunderstand what *putting away childish things* means, and think that forgetting what it is like to think and feel and touch and smell and taste and see and hear like a three-year-old or a thirteen-year-old or a twenty-three-year-old means being grownup. When I'm with these people I, like the kids, feel that if this is what it means to be a grown-up, then I don't ever want to be one. Instead of which, if I can retain a child's awareness and joy, and *be* fifty-one, then I will really learn what it means to be grownup."
            ― Madeleine L'Engle

I've been wondering lately, about childhood and why I write about it so much when I'm given a prompt or a 5 minute time-limit. It's where my mind naturally goes. I've also been thinking about how hard writing has been lately for me, and for many I know. With all the noise, and loud voices raising to be heard above it, I wonder about still and quiet, child-like faith and wonder, happiness in simple things, and I wonder about happiness itself and how important it is to God.

I think I've about come to the conclusion it's extremely important to Him.



Warmest wishes of love and happiness as you remember how to be a kid again this weekend, friends.

Need a little push?

I. dare. you.

So, run outside like a wild woman (or man) and swing with your kids, make fires out of brush and sticks and roast marshmallows and get sticky, sing songs, dance to old blues and jazz, lie in the hammock and read and smooth back their hair 'til you fall asleep, have conversations with little ones that stir wonder in them, chase them around the yard, and dare your daughter to see if she can out-run you with her long legs.

What do you think about Madeleine L'Engle's quote? Tell me in the comments how you relate/don't relate? Or meet me over here and let's discuss there! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nacole-Simmons-Writer/504842422877296?ref=hl

And just to prove that I walk the walk, not just talk the talk, here ya go:

Jump-roping challenge during the Easter games my Lorna set up

The girls and I playing on the trampoline in late afternoon, us a rag-tag bunch

Me about to do some amazing award-winning gymnastics move. No, not really. 

Now for #concretewords highlight of the week! The writer I'm highlighting this week for #concretewords is:
Ashley Larkin of Drawing Near--The Frame --this made me breathless, made me feel like I could fly--please give Ashley some lovin' and share her post! (Remember to use the hashtag #concretewords!)
**Also, Kelli Woodford will be our guest writer for Concrete Words Monday, and our prompt is the Cup!**


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Some lovely reading & laughter for the weekend?

All the best links for me this week:


On voice in a noisy world...getting back to basics in writing..

Sarah Bessey --In Which I've Got A Song to Sing

Alia Hagenbach: Small grace

Ashleigh Baker-- Simple Stories [An Invitation to Old-Fashioned Blogging]

Sarah Bessey --In Which (love looks like) an Unsteady Mother's Day and an Anniversary at Wal-Mart

Seth Haines --Lyricism, Church Infighting, and The Creed--I keep coming back to this over and over...

Jennifer Camp-- Waking Up--The Path to Experiencing and Creating Art--this deeply encouraged me.

At Bibledude:..
Cara Sexton-- On Crumpled Bills and Broken Souls

Because we all need laughter in our lives:
Diane Bailey-- The Exit Is Part of the Arrival  
Amanda Johnston Hill--Things I Tell My Six-Year-Old--have you been to Amanda's site? If not, you should visit often. I'm in love with it. She seasons life with humor, wit, and fierce love.
This hilarious video-- Pumpcast