Favorite Thing - Lanterns

Everyone should have at least one.

I decided I need two. Mayhap I'm greedy, but I was thinking of last year's ice storm and how I've scavenged -- for dipping pinecones and firebugs -- every tired, old candle we once had.

Charles suggested we look for another at the farm supply store. The farm supply store has some really cool stuff, but I wanted to look at Wal*Mart, where I'd bought the first one, and prices are more in keeping with my shopping comfort zone. "I bought the other one at Wal*Mart. Let's try there first. I know right where to look."

I was wiggly-happy to discover they're still stocking MY lantern, and the price hadn't gone up a dime. Maybe mine is the only demand, and theirs is an abundant supply.

I haven't fired-up the newer one yet, but just bringing it into the house made me know I had to use a lantern now to light my way as I deliver our bammy's nightly snack. "Here, let me get you my flashlight," offered Son4, who uses his light nightly to gather eggs and secure the coop.

"No, no, that's okay. Thank you, but I wanna use my lantern."

I just felt so Caroline, as I dangled my lantern and made the trek to Bammy's door, and that's what the lanterns are really about. Of course, this lasted about three days, because I am CarolineNot. "Hey, will you run this over to Bammy for me?" and Son4 grabbed his flashlight and was out the door.

But come a snowstorm, I'll be using my lantern again, because it just can't get any better than a lantern in a blinding snowstorm, with a son standing at the back door, beating on a pot with a spoon, so I can find my way back home.

Until then, I remain


But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. ~II Corinthians 4:3, 4