photographic week in review

The last week has been like feast or famine with activities and deadlines.

A wonderful Sunday afternoon with parishioners at the cathedral for music, and dinner afterward; shopping for dog food and replenishing the bin of biscuits (these are scraps); filling the car with a month+ of recycling for a trek to the recycling center in the next county (they do glass and more plastic); recognizing the prominence of photography in my life; I believe the coffee needs no further comment; my "grab and go" key chain, attached to a pouch with driver's license and debit card (this photo was prompted by a question on Country Girl's blog); and the afternoon sun lighting up a tree in our front yard, a reflection of some leisure that found its way into the end of my otherwise crazed week.

A good week, all in all, with a nice mix of business and pleasure. More weeks should be like this!

project life - week 5

I am short on time this morning, so will offer my week's images as a single presentation. You've already seen some of them from my days on retreat. It is a pleasure for me to look at them from the distance wedged by life between then and now, and be reminded of the gift that time provided.

A favorite, not previously shared, is the raindrop clinging to the thin, wintery branch, one of many that I passed on an afternoon walk. Such a small thing to command my attention and focus.

Collectively these pictures are a fair summation of the week. does anyone else see a search for comfort? Okay, maybe the gong doesn't appear to fit, but in fact in a silent retreat it is used to summon the community. Our pattern of worship was one of the blessings of the week, so comfort is very much present to me in that image.

Others: a cup of tea on a cold day, and last night's chicken cacciatore. Why is it that every new recipe seems to take hours to prepare, and yet when repeated can be accomplished as one of a multitude of simultaneous tasks? This recipe came from a cookbook designed for healthy eating, and I am happy to report that it is not only delicious but full of fiber.

Today dawns cold and dreary, as most days in the last week have done. I am holding fast to warmth in my heart, however. There is deep gratitude that I managed to haul in when I cast the net of my faith into what I thought was a sea barren of God's presence. (Hint to non-lectionary readers: this is a reference to today's gospel.) That is one of the mysteries and joys of God's world: abundance when none was thought to exist.

Blessings to you this day. May you cast your net into riches unexpected. For some, that means a big biscuit day (wink, wink!).

project life - week 4

Sundays tend to be difficult days for me to give adequate time to writing a blog post. Taking a page from my blog buddy The Bug, I've decided to recap the week's Project Life photos! 

Sunday, January 24

 Our vestry, with two newly elected members and our new officers elected several nights earlier at our first meeting. (I don't usually vest in cassock and surplice, but I had left my alb at home following diocesan convention!)

Monday, January 25

Time to donate blood! I'm a rare type (AB negative), so I try to give as often as I can. It helps that two churches in the area hold regular blood drives.

Tuesday, January 26
I picked up this book the previous week at the Cokesbury bookstore. It is full of observations and insights that I am finding extraordinarily valuable!

Wednesday, January 27
The promise of snow or the reality of it brings out the baker in me. It must have something to do with the warmth and intimacy of the kitchen that draws me to it to create comfort.


Thursday, January 28
When the temperature drops Ken gets the fire going. The dogs love to help!

Friday, January 29
The snow actually arrived! This is a view of the backyard that excludes the um, man clutter. The shed belongs to the neighbor, and is in the corner of their yard.

Saturday, January 30
McKinlee loves the snow!

Got pictures from your week?