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Taking Turns, Taking It Slow

by Laurie Klein 22 Chiming In

orange and blue, taking turns

Hairpin turns funnel our 30-foot RV downward today, through Idaho’s wild canyons.

Yours truly is not driving.

I am 93% Bilbo Baggins, a homebody who loves peace, quiet. Warm food.

Bilbo had to dig deep when the great Gandalf appeared and set him on a quest. But the little hobbit discovered derring-do within—latent “Took” qualities from his mother’s side of the family gene pool.

We’ve been traveling for ten days. Taking turns with the driving? Well, hoping to channel my inner Took, a week ago I “took” the wheel. Did I mention we’re also towing a station wagon?

Blues taking turns in the hills of Idaho

I rollercoasted us up and down and around, again, and again, taking turns, taking it slow. To give Bill a break.

Longest. Hour. Ever.

And then the weather changed . . .

clouds, taking turns over the canyon

Today, from the passenger seat, my senses plunge into spring scenery.

Moraines left behind by ancient glaciers look wetly vibrant. Balsam Root Daisies carpet slopes, glowing patches of gray and chartreuse amid deeper greens.

daisies and grass, taking turns on the hillsides

Camera braced on a raised knee, I shoot through the open window. Colors abound!

pastels taking turns on the hillsides

I can almost hear Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp (who definitely claimed her Took side) singing “The hills are alive with the sound of music.”

What inspired those lyrics? Perhaps, the canyons of Idaho.

Or Isaiah 55:12 (NIV):

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

What an ear-tingling promise for people who failed, so spectacularly often, to listen to God. People who clung to their comforts, idols and appetites.

Which sounds like me.

I wonder what today’s scenery might be broadcasting . . .

colors taking turns on the hills

Married to a roamer, I get to regularly unearth my latent Tookishness. Took and Baggins, taking turns inside me. Is one better?

This world needs those who stir things up.

It also needs those who stir the soup,
and those who keep candles burning on window sills.

What will you stir up today? What’s stirring in you?

 

 

Laurie Klein, Scribe

 

Filed Under: Immersions Tagged With: adventure, Baggins, peace, quest, taking turns, Took May 10, 2016

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  1. Nancy Ruegg says

    May 18, 2016 at 5:13 pm

    Love to read your posts, Laurie, for the content of what you write (You always make me think!) and the artistry of how you write (You always inspire and regale!). Your descriptions are sweet dessert for the soul. And today you’ve got me thinking: the world needs a variety of stirrers–those who stir up, those who stir within, even those who are a little stir crazy! These days I’m one of the soup-stirrers–family soup, friend soup, prayer soup, mentee soup, and blog soup. I consider myself very blessed!

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 19, 2016 at 1:42 am

      Nancy, I so enjoy your feedback as well as reading your posts! Your “soups” sound superb, and I love your expanded takes on “stirring.” Now I feel hungry . . .

      Reply
  2. Joy Lenton says

    May 11, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    Dear Laurie ‘Took’ Klein, you are no decliner of metre and rhyme wherever you find it. And those hills? They breathe pure poetry. May you enjoy the pace of these slowing down journeying days. As a setter of candles, window-watcher, I’m enjoying the gorgeous views! Postcards and poetry for the soul. Thank you, friend. Xx <3

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 13, 2016 at 12:07 am

      Joy, I’m going to start claiming that middle name! The scenery in spring is a wonder. We drive in and out of winter and spring as we make our way onward. So glad to provide you some views of the Wild West! Thanks for dropping by, dear friend.

      Reply
  3. Susie says

    May 11, 2016 at 4:58 am

    Your photos could be mistaken for VanGogh paintings, especially the first one. I believe you’re a vagabond lover, Laurie Klein!

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:45 pm

      Susie, these landscapes in spring are a marvel. No wonder Vincent loved plein air painting. I do love my vagabond! Perhaps there’s more Took in me than I ever imagined.

      Reply
  4. Katherine deQuilettes says

    May 11, 2016 at 3:10 am

    Brave and beautiful sister, you never fail to inspire faith in God’s ability to keep His finger on the pulse of my heart. Love you much!

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:37 pm

      Katherine, I must be the least brave of your companions but so grateful to be your forever friend. You are more Took than I’ll ever be!! Thanks for your lovely words. May grace envelop you today.

      Reply
  5. Lynn Kamola says

    May 10, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    I’m glad you are sharing your venture.

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:36 pm

      Hey Lynn, we went off the charts yesterday on the adventure side of things. A good night’s sleep and coffee and the love of friends like you are good medicine this morning. Thanks for writing!

      Reply
  6. Margaret Dingle says

    May 10, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    Your pictures and words take me back to wonderful days of roaming in our motor home. It is good to stretch our comfort zone and your description of stretch made me smile….been there, done that!! Love your insight and descriptions.

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:43 pm

      Margy, I thought of you behind the wheel as I wound through that crazy canyon. And again as we survived yet another “depth perception adventure” on the main street of a small town. You’re my hero in this on-the-move undertaking, an inspiration for me in so many ways! Thanks for reminding me of the word s – t – r – e – t – c – h! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Dana Bowne says

    May 10, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    You are amazing!

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:34 pm

      Dear Dana, pretty sure it’s God’s grace alone that’s amazing, but so happy to have your voice in my head today before we set out again this morning. Thank you. Blessings on your next project . . . VBS, this year?

      Reply
  8. Deanna Bax says

    May 10, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    Thank you Laurie! My inner Bilbo needed the Took challenge today! We miss you here in “The Shire” as you travel on your quest.

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:33 pm

      Dear Deanna, I miss you, and all the others in the Shire! I am sending a Brava! to your Tookish exploits, wherever they take you today. And saluting your clever, loving voice in my life, and this world.

      Reply
  9. Laura Brown says

    May 10, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    Moving to Pittsburgh. A whole lot of stirring.

    I love these photos. Thanks for letting us see.

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:31 pm

      Laura, you and your beloved kin have been at the front of my prayer consciousness for days. I will look forward to updates as you have the time and energy. Know I am alongside, believing for goodness and mercy at every turn.

      Reply
  10. Jody Lee Collins says

    May 10, 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Oh my, oh my–you are brave, Ms. Took. “longest.hour.ever.” made me laugh out loud (if you’ll forgive…)
    What’s stirring in me? I’ll have to ponder that all day long.
    The hills are not only alive but draped in such color–delicate but powerful. Thank you for this postcard of your journey.
    It’s good to hear your voice.

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:29 pm

      Jody, I rejoice in that laugh! Afterward, I could laugh about it too. 🙂

      Good to hear your voice, too. And this notion of the post being a postcard? What a great idea! I will be more intentional about this focus in the remaining weeks, Thank you! As always, you strengthen and inspire me.

      Reply
  11. Nancy Bentz says

    May 10, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    Lovely musings as you journey, Laurie Took 🙂 Enjoy your vagabond days with Bill. Peace, joy, care-free rest and safe return when it’s time to turn homeward again.

    Reply
    • Laurie Klein says

      May 11, 2016 at 3:26 pm

      Nancy, you encourage me no end, not least to take Took for a new middle name! Thanks for your kind wishes. Blessings on you!

      Reply
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