Evening star

The Danish American Center in Minneapolis recently held its annual meeting. Being relatively new to this organization, I attended for the first time.

 

Danes love to sing, so we opened the meeting with a folksy-type song and ended with another, each written by a Danish composer.

The first song talked about oats. Sung from the oat's perspective, the lyrics spoke of all the things the oats see (sun, wind, rain) and the many uses oats have. It was snappy and fun to sing.
 

 

 

The second called Evening Star (printed above) was written in 1861. It had an easy melody for me, a non-singer and reader of music, to follow.

But it was the words that really spoke to me. They stuck in my head and I had to borrow a songbook from the center so I could copy this particular song.

Danish people see the beauty and prose in all of nature. Thinking you might enjoy the lessons in this lovely song, I share the words with you here.

" Evening star up yonder, Teach me like you to wander 

Willing and obediently, The path that God ordained for me.

Evening star up yonder!

 

Teach me, gentle flowers, To wait for springtime showers

In this winter world to grow, Green and strong beneath the snow.

Teach me, gentle flowers!

 

Teach me, lonely heather, Where songbirds nest together,

Though my life should seem unblest, To keep a song within my breast.

Teach me, lonely heather.

 

Mighty ocean, teach me, To do the task that needs me,

And reflect as days depart, Heaven's peace within my heart.

Mighty ocean, teach me!

 

Shady lanes, refreshing, Teach me to be a blessing

To some weary soul each day, Friends or foes who pass my way.

Shady lanes, refreshing!

 

Evening sun, descending, Teach me, when life is ending,

Night shall pass and I, like you, Shall rise again where life is new.
Teach me, sun descending! "

 

 

As the seasons change, now from summer to autumn, and the days grow shorter, nature is a wonder and can teach us so much. Each season has its purpose and its beauty. We can learn, as the song tells us, from the ocean, the heather, the sun and the shady lane.

When I once commented that there wasn't anything I liked about winter, a friend very poetically told me it was such a beautiful season, with all the trees and flowers and earth enjoying a peaceful rest, quietly readying themselves to burst forth and be alive again.

 

I've never looked at it quite the same since.

Beauty counter

Last week, when I was in Minnesota, I spent a most delightful day at Maplewood Mall, shopping for makeup for my mother.

She asked if, since I was home, I would do some shopping for her. She gave me her list: light brown eyebrow pencil, a compact with vanilla, rose and two other shades of eye shadow, and a tube of concealer. Estee Lauder, no less. Lancome is reserved for her facial cleanser, and Regenerist is her moisturizer.

Mind you, my mother is 87 years old, and is recovering in a transitional care center from a recent fall, with her right leg in a boot for four to six weeks.

I love that she wanted new makeup. I love that she still cares about her appearance. I love that she likes quality products. She has always been, and still is, one, very classy, lady.

The consultant at Macy's was welcoming and most helpful. She had me try on different shades, which was fun for me as I don't wear much makeup. I was inspired by all the choices and couldn't resist sampling a few things for myself. I even took home a "10-day" trial bottle of foundation with the exact color formula written on a little card so I could have more made for me.

That was last week. I have yet to try it.

As I paid for my Mom's purchases, the consultant informed me it came with a free bag of goodies: lip conditioner (whatever that is), lipstick, wrinkle cream (that I can use), makeup remover, mascara, an eyebrow pencil. All in a beautiful blue and white cosmetic bag. The lipsticks even have their own little matching bag to put inside the larger bag.

I decided I'd keep the freebies; my mother later concurred.

Going up and down the various makeup aisles, I also sprayed on several samples of cologne. I especially loved the one at the men's counter. I hadn't even realized I was at a men's counter.

But I walked out of the store feeling so, well, beautiful. Like I was somehow transformed.

As I passed a mirror on my way out, I had a sudden reality check: red coat with fur collar, brown suede Uggs, camel corduroy slacks, black gloves. Thirty (at least) pounds that need to come off. Hair that's in dire need of a new style.

But I smelled so good, and my face was made up perfectly, compliments of Estee Lauder.

I headed out to the parking lot to my car, turned on the car radio, and this is what I heard the announcer say:

You're only beautiful if your beauty is projected onto others.

I was supposed to hear that. I felt better then.