Patti Wolf

November Newsletter Scribbling Spiritual Sand

Several of the Apron String authors will be introducing their newsletters starting on November 19. The reason behind this is to further get to know each of us, while you are waiting for the first book to be released in January 2024. Thank you for dropping in. Stop by the other author’s sites to answer scavenger hunt questions from “The Apron Strings Readers” site off of Facebook. Have a great day!

October’s Recap

Seasons

I have always wonder at the season in the “North”. A quiet warmth arrives within me with each turning season. It’s like those feelings which linger days before a holiday comes. I sense a surge of excitement at what is to change. I am like a child on the eve of Christmas, sleepless in my bed. Yet, a sadness seeps steadily through my veins with the final farewell to a dear friend, the season leaving.

Those are the seasons in Wisconsin and other northern states where our clothes are shed four times a year. It’s a time of metamorphosis as the seasons fly away. I long to watch the leaves change, then fall to the moist earth and wait for the buds to once again return.

Welcome to Autumn of the North.

Farewell

Leaves blush a short farewell
like a bride before her groom;
embracing seasons final days.

Squirrels chatter and gather
anxious to stretch the days,
their legs and stored stockpiles.

Song birds have long vanished;
fair weather-friends flown on.
Yet, faithful chick-a-dee remains.

Pumpkins rots in nearby fields;
once treasures gems of early fall
now just shrinking, stale stench.

It’s the seasons I’m reminded of,
as evening becomes an early veil
above darkened earth once again.

“He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2:21-22

Beatrice Coming April 2024

Jerusalem

Israel’s 9/11

A half of century trials
blooms into great suffering
boys and girls dressed
for war, living on the edge.

What aisle, then miles
muddy boots shuffling;
youth in strides of unrest-
the young live to pledge.

Debris lay in littered piles,
too many heart shuttering
war spreads east to west;
youth too young to fledge.

My son, Ryan, stayed in Israel this past summer. He traveled everywhere. The one thing he noticed was young people dressed in uniforms and holding assault rifles, youth 17-19 years of age. Pray for this nation as the loss of the next generation is threatened.

Poetry

FINAL CALL

Worship falls from lips of men
as day settles like dazed dust.
Comes forth silken strains of life;
with heated hues once again.
Whose soul shall He then entrust?
The groom comes for waiting wife.

Yet still shadows twist and turn
danger dangles over earth;
grasps and tangles sinful mind.
Righteous people pause, stand firm;
now enters your end time’s worth.
God does care, calls all mankind.

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:42

2023 Poetry Collection

Pray for Israel

October Family Fun

The Promise

THE PROMISE

The red wing sings a final lullaby,
as dampness fills the stilled air.
Leaves fall gently to the ground,
while a slice of silence is found.

My heart now taken back to spring;
when opening buds were a new thing.
Now the scattering of old leaves fall,
color blazes as they whisper and call.

A solo spring peeper deeply groans.
His mates have all left pond to roam;
autumn lingers without a single care,
while soon critter’s life will not spare.

The new snows are soon to coming,
and too many shortened days ahead.
It’s the changing of our annual guard;
which whole heartedly I often dread.

Yet for today, I will solemnly linger,
as final leaves take a graceful bow
and colors illuminates the tinted sky;
it’s today I feel autumn is still alive.

One day the world will be renewed.
Eternal spring will come once again.
It’s to God’s promises which I hold,
as seasons transition and unfold.

“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
Revelations 21:5a

The Song a Bird Sings

QUOTE FROM CAGED BIRD

“But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.”

-Maya Angelou

Yes, caged you say
as he ambles narrow
and constrained way;
life straight as piercing arrow.
No bars can contain the joy
his sweet song doth bring.
Those flying free can’t deploy
the wonder that a caged bird sings.

What then is said
as freedom rings?
What tears are shed
to righteous King?
What cage does fade,
confinement is no grave?
What brings forth a shade
of petty paths to pave?

Now a freed bird drifts,
wanders place to place
follows as wild wind shifts;
has no room for Holy grace.
He’s heavily laden with his life
shadows veil his weary path;
steady sleet slices like a knife,
as weather strikes with wrath.

For only one path
for both to take,
it’s really simple math;
true to heart, not fake.
Whether free or in a cage
seek liberty from above.
Be freed from sinful rage;
find God’s sacrificial love.

-P. Wolf

“And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.” Psalm 119:45

“As a civil rights activist, Angelou worked for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She was also an educator and served as the Reynolds professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.”

My poem above is a response to Maya Angelou poem “Caged Bird” which was a challenge from another poetry group.

Linking up at DVerse

“Nature Poetry” Review

From My Heart to Yours

Are you having trouble staying in the Word of God? This little book of poetry and verses from the Bible may help give you a boost. Or perhaps, you don’t have time for a morning walk. “Nature Poetry” will take you to the source of Creation. Written from my heart to yours💕

Available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble

Nature Poetry

Maybe you’ve noticed we have a talented group of authors from the “Apron String”series. (A new series being released next year. You can find us on Facebook.) Besides writing fiction, I have a passion to pen poetry. Not any type of verse, but lines capturing God’s Creation.

“Nature Poetry” is the first book in the “Scribbling Spiritual Sand” series and is my most recent poetry works. Each poem includes Bible inspiration. The poems are mainly based on the four seasons I experience in Wisconsin. I hope they’ll be a blessing to you as you wait for the fourth book in the “Apron Series”, “Beatrice” taking place in 1950.

Paperback only, on Amazon

A Collection of Poetry

October Newsletter 2023 Scribbling Spiritual Sand

Fall’s blissful colors
spill from tidy garden bed
sublime sweet scents sing

Western Window

All is quiet out my western window,
blooms have bowed their heads,
moon has faded into a shrunken slice
and song birds are tucked in their beds.

September slithers, while days sneak by.
Darkness seeps past cracks of light,
overtaking summer’s sweltering sunshine.
Once again, Fall enters with great might.

Ears strain for bluebirds and wrens,
going to my window which squeaks
a scornful song and mournful tune.
Only my floor creaks and steps speak.

Autumn has entered in; chased birds away,
caused blooms to drop their prickly seeds,
pushed tepid breezes miles to the south,
and has done its dastardly, deadly deeds.

My hope is when seasons do change,
I’d embrace what joys attaches to each;
now the air will blow a blush on trees-
while a new lesson God may daily teach.

P. Wolf

“… He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28

NATURE OF CONSTRUCTION

Layered beyond the rumble of traffic;
Autumn birds call in from the distance.
They care not of coming change, as long
as they can bellow their merry sober song.

Buried beneath lengthy marsh grass,
Fall crickets sing a lovely lulling call.
They worry not of the rumbling noise;
humming, strumming song of choice.

Above in skies which gleam slate blue;
migrating birds now traveling anew.
They tour and soar the heavens high
content and cheerful with not a worry.

Within the dewy forest floor, I now spy
white tailed deer and wild turkey hidden.
They hunker down waiting for some relief
alert, alarmed, annoyed by traffic grief.

Upon my gravel driveway I engage;
moaning of my morning stroll’s change.
I care more of my daily walking habitat
than road repair with so much traffic.

Perhaps, it may be one of God‘s design;
for a detour or two in earthly life’s decline.
I see freedom in flocks of migrating birds
and hear the joy in chipper cricket’s call.

I’ll willingly sport my new safety vest,
pace my gravel driveway for the morn
and whisper a prayer of good to bloom;
as birds go south, while crickets swoon.

“For May thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

ROOTED

Along the banks of Turtle Creek,
there stands a solitary tree.
The sky ablaze behind its form,
and murky waters slowly flow.
In an isolated moment, I feel like
a reclusive, remote, rooted tree;
standing firm along Turtle Creek.

P. Wolf

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.” Psalm 1:2-3

Coming in 2024

You can join all 11 authors on Facebook at: The Apron String’s Reader Group where weekly we post tidbits about our upcoming books. Step into 1920, 1930, 1940 and all the way through 2020; enjoying historical facts about the decades. P. Wolf

Scarlet dancers drip,
drop in fragile pools and piles
crackle under foot.

Enjoy Autumn

September 2023 Newsletter Scribbling Spiritual Sand

Trumpet Vine

I ponder long and well this vine
the state of things to come;
the religious prophecy of some.

It’s been a long decade or two,
since I tucked this vine in earth
waiting patiently for flower’s birth.

Tangerine trumpet vine easily grows,
adapts and resilient in loosen soil;
the gardener has no need to toil.

I waited long and well for its bloom,
as days faded to years then more;
my gardener hands not worn or sore.

No need, they said to primp or labor;
it’s a vine in sun or shade that thieves,
yet, my garden has seen so many lives;

void of blossoms and bird alike.
Brilliant flowers did not bloom
nor humming birds buzz their tune.

What lesson came ms to be learned
from years unfolded from the past?
I think of that great trumpet blast!

One day His great return will come.
Gathered with be the grateful elect
so glorious, and much more I suspect.

All happens in God’s appointed time.
It’s just this year my vine has bloomed.
Many little lambs are lost and doomed.

What suitable structure supports you?
Is it the influence of holy God or man?
How rich is the spiritual soil in your land?

“And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET BLAST, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” Matthew 24:31

Writing Updates

My draft books should arrive by September 6. I’m so excited about this new series!

Here’s a peek at my new children’s series, Teddy’s Tales. I’ll be finishing the manuscript soon. This story is perfect for all kids, especially little boys!

A Verse to Ponder

Writing for Kids

How to drawn children to Christian living in your story:

Express thankfulness and praise God in your story
Show forgiveness in your scenes
Engage your characters with the Bible
Have your characters talk about Jesus
Characters should live some of the “Fruits of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control)
Conflict can show a struggle with sin, but resolve it with repentance
Implement characters from the pages of Scripture
As a writer grown in your own relationship with Jesus

The Skimmer

You delicate skimmer dragonfly
perched boldly upon tender leaf,
as summer breeze tickles wings.

Gentle meadowhawks that soar,
then darts about cluttered prairies
where steady rings buzzing bugs.

You breed in steamy country ponds
as summer now fades to early fall,
where crickets play their soft lullaby.

Come now you northern darters,
live your life among grassy meadow
eat where succulent shoots shiver.

Your turn is now at hand to fly high,
across northern kindly skies filled
tightly with coming autumn’s bliss!

“If take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:9-10

Happy September

Coming Soon

At Rest

I, with wind-

wings abreast,

no time to rest;

floating high in

cloudless sky.

I, on currents

gliding free,

lacing trees,

make my mark,

touching bark.

I, twist and turn

feathers a-fluff,

bugs and stuff;

clothed in all

tumble then fall.

I, side by side

with lofty hawk

a shrill, a squawk;

in break of day

highest of ways.

I, wait on He Who

makes the wind,

pardons sin;

by grace am saved

from a hellish grave.

“Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.”

Isaiah 40:31