Today is Brought To You By The Letter "T"

Today we canned tuna, which we do every year but usually in the month of August. August was a rather full month for us this year so we just put the already frozen tuna in the freezer to can later, well..."later" turned out to be today. So now we have all these wonderful jars of freshly canned tuna on our pantry shelves. We love to can and have our pantry shelves stocked well with various food items. It gives us a sense of having provided well for the winter ahead.

There are times, while canning or admiring well stocked shelves, that I wonder about women from generations past, the women who worked from sun up to sun down preparing for her tomorrows. Plant the garden, water it, work it everyday. Watching as the tiny green sprouts grew with the promise of hot stew on a snowy day several months away. A knock on the door could mean travelers who would be hungry and in need of nourishment...a quick trip to the cellar for a smoked ham, potatoes and carrots...remembering to grab a sack of apples for an apple cake as well.

After a day of canning (we started early this morning, it is after 9 p.m. and we are not even close to being done) I do so appreciate all that these ladies of the past accomplished everyday. How they did all they did I will never know. Where did all the energy come from? I love reading the journals of early 19th century women. I am inspired by these women. Could I have done all they did? I am certain I would have done what needed to be done, but I am also certain I would have been a bit grumbly at times about it.

A legacy left, oh to strive to be....

A wife of a noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Her husband has full confidence in her

and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax

and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;

she provides food for her family

and portions for her servants girls.

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously,

her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,

her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff

and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor

and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

for all of them are clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed,

her husband also, and he praises her.

Many women do noble things,

but you surpass them all.

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting,

but a women who fears the Lord is to be praise.

Give her the reward she has earned,

and let her words bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31