Be sure to
click that link
ya’ll…

Comment by James Michael Blaine
2009-03-23 19:51:51

Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above diamonds
The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
Strength and honor are her clothing;
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all.”

breathe…
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Comment by Irene Zion on the road again
2009-03-24 08:31:27

James Michael Blaine,
This is part of Proverbs 31:
(I think it starts with: “A Wife of Noble Character”)

10 A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

The first time I saw Rene Zellweger was in a movie called “A Price Above Rubies.”
It was powerful.
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Comment by James Michael Blaine
2009-03-24 08:54:08

Ah friend, you know my sources.
Mine is from the NLT translation.

It’s a fine thing to read Torah and find that you have a Proverbs 31 wife.

I bet you know who Rabbi Yeshua is as well.

thank you so much for adding this,
Your husband thinks the same, no doubt.
(Comments wont nest below this level)
Comment by Irene Zion on the road again
2009-03-24 09:15:56

At the very least, he’s used to me, after 40 years, six kids, two fatally ill mothers-in-law living with us, too many cats to count, one blue front amazon parrot, at least nine dogs and a major crisis roughly every six months.

Comment by James Michael Blaine
2009-03-24 11:57:40

Irene Zion,
far beyond Rubies

Reply here

Comment by Erika Rae
2009-03-23 20:06:43

I feel like I just had a spa treatment.

I feel like running barefoot through fields of spring flowers now. I’m pretty sure you’re right – that’s heaven right there.
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Comment by josie
2009-03-23 20:52:01

Forever, Amen.

The simple dreams of land and home, to dwell in the notion of family growth. You’re thoughts hearken back to a timeless vision of ancestors long gone. Is this not what God dreamed from the very beginning?

A beautiful treasure blooming even now.
You’re closer than you think, my friend.
You are amidst the garden.
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Comment by josie
2009-03-23 20:55:39

PS – please let me help you pick the drapes – those orange ones clash with the foil.
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Comment by Irene Zion on the road again
2009-03-24 06:11:08

James Michael Blaine,
Story and Ever are perfect names for your children. How lucky they will be to be born to your gentle family.
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Comment by Kimberly M. Wetherell
2009-03-24 06:19:46

Dang, this was purdy.

p.s. Was that Allison Krauss? Loved it.
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Comment by James Michael Blaine
2009-03-24 07:10:27

Thank you all.

Indeed, Alison Krauss, singing an old Waylon song.
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Comment by Megan
2009-03-24 07:19:07

Story and Ever ARE the perfect names for your children! Hurry up and have them so we can all fawn. Click the breathe link!
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Comment by James Michael Blaine
2009-03-24 07:29:42

Thank you Megan friend.

(By the way, this is not a ‘we’re pregnant’ announcement.)
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Comment by Jennifer Duffield White
2009-03-24 07:30:59

That breathe link was perfect.
I sometimes get jaded about “love,” but with you and Mr. Maksik writing so damn beautifully about it, well … I find myself wanting to fall in love this week.
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Comment by Kimberly M. Wetherell
2009-03-24 19:54:35

I know, right???
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Comment by Dawn Corrigan
2009-03-24 07:45:20

Thank you for letting us hang out with you and your lovely, good wife for a bit.
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Comment by James Michael Blaine
2009-03-24 08:48:21

Well thank you, ma’ams.
For spending a little time here with me.
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Comment by Lenore
2009-03-24 14:33:01

hahaha, trailor = womb for you!

you should make goat cheese with your future goats. then you can have really good salads.

i think you might be the sweetest man alive, btw.
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Comment by jmb
2009-03-24 18:36:11

Friend, I am truly saved by grace.

Grace and goat cheese.
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Comment by Rich Ferguson
2009-03-24 14:44:21

I so enjoy these posts with you and your wife. I just love how the two of you talk to each other.
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Comment by jmb
2009-03-24 18:38:01

Well thank you my brother.
They are really hard for me to write but a good teacher told me to not shoot Roman Candles all the time and just be me…..
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Comment by John
2009-03-24 14:48:58

I’m always impressed with the simple elegance and beauty of your prose. I’ll always feel a little indebted to TNB for all of these amazing authors/writers/bloggers/humorists/poets that it has exposed me to.

I can’t help but feel a little jealous. The beautiful wife, the beautiful countryside, the beautiful dreams…
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Comment by jmb
2009-03-24 18:41:39

John, thank you sire, that was very kind.
Elegance and beauty, she teaches me those things too.

Beautiful dreams come from beautiful struggles, we’ve had plenty of those too.
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Comment by Marni Grossman
2009-03-24 17:53:57

I tend to resent people who love the land. Who love the idea of living simply. I don’t understand these people and the fact that they tend to implicate me, to throw into relief my entitlement and materialism…it irritates me.

“I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately.” This line from Thoreau always inspires a “fuck you” from me.

But coming from you, I wonder whether I ought not take another look.
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Comment by jmb
2009-03-24 18:48:16

Heh, My dad calls me Henry David when I get that way.

I told him once I wanted to be like Thoreau.
“Thoreau was lazy,” he scoffed.

To be honest with you, I feel the same way sometimes. I’m still plenty materialistic.
Tractors and Nanny Goats wont automatically bring me peace, cause my messed-up self will still be out there, making war.

Walden isnt a place, its a feeling and a state of mind, it could be Times Square or the side cell of the county jail.

Hey, great comment.
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Comment by sheree
2009-03-25 12:24:47

Damn this made me miss living in Clinton TN. Foleyhill road up in the hills all covered with snow and low fog, sun straining to break through to my California bones.

Beautiful read. Thanks.
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Comment by jmb
2009-03-27 06:51:37

Once you get Tennessee in your bones…

Authors Note:
I was asked recently what my favorite TNB story might be and no doubt it is this one, I can still get choked up reading it and it seems to be one of the few times I captured what was in that car, in that moment, in my true love’s eyes. A little bit.