today's smile

This picture deserves a caption. What say you? Sarcasm is fair game.

formative phrases

Whether we think of them as rules, wisdom, or advice, most of us can probably recall a list of such items that our parents or elders recited to help shape our manners and even, perhaps, our worldview. My father had three favorites that were repeated at meals: chew with your mouth closed, put your napkin on your lap, and keep your elbows off the table.

It was with some delight that I came across this list on Pinterest espousing those same bits of ettiquette, with a few others thrown in. With less regularity we also heard the good counsel to sit up straight and refrain from playing with our food. We learned early on to ask to be excused from the table, and I never did manage to eat my vegetables.

What's interesting to me as I hear these instructive bits in my head is that images of where these meals took place pop into my mind. The triad of fatherly advice puts me at the kitchen table at the home to which we moved when I was 9. I'm sure Dad used those words earlier, but for whatever reason I trapped them in my memory at a particular time in that particular place. I have no doubt that the chewing and elbow portions were directed to my brothers. I can't say one way or the other if I might have been guilty of breaking the napkin code.

I'm absolutely grateful for stumbling across the cornerstones and staples of other peoples lives to evoke my own. I'm not good at recalling memories out of the blue. For me a "memory keyword" is necessary to go delving into my brain to return with a slice of my earlier life to remember or share.

How about you? Are there phrases of advice and counsel that have followed you from childhood? Is your memory like mine, needing a catalyst to release its riches, or do you have stories to relate that don't require evocation? Do tell!

friday five: what do you seek?

At RevGals Jan is inspired by a few verses from Psalm 105:3-4:

. . . let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually.

Seeking is rejoicing. Rejoicing comes from the seeking, NOT the end of glory, heaven, enlightenment, or whatever. Seeking is the journey--RIGHT NOW!

So for this Friday Five the following list reflects what I am seeking.

1) My first response is to say TIME! Since returning to the conventional schedule of work I don't have the same freedom or flexibility with time I had for, oh, the last twenty years! It's an adjustment, with a capital A. Much as I miss the freedom and flexibility, however, time isn't really what I seek. The wherewithal to use my time more effectively is what I seek. Is wherewithal something one can seek? Well, this is my Friday five, so I say "yes!"

2) I seek a return to the depth of God's presence that I once experienced. I've shared before how God's apparent disregard for going to war in Iraq really messed with my prayer life, and nothing has been the same since. I miss that intimacy.

3) I seek friends. My life has become increasingly isolated in the relationship department. I'm trying to look at my  part in the loneliness that I feel, and though I can take some responsibility for it, the rest remains a mystery. It's increasingly painful.

4) I seek God's intervention in a number of arenas: my own life (see #2, above); the hearts of so-called Christians whose espoused beliefs reflect nothing of the gospel; the US congress; the global economy; and my dog's bladder habits. 

5) I seek the courage to make some changes in my life. Overcoming the inertia that keeps me from exercising would be a great place to start. I really hate to exercise, and I need/want to lose 50 pounds. 

Bonus) I seek healing for the pain and brokenness of the world.

Second Bonus) I'm desperate for inspiration for a Halloween costume.

this kiss is worth a thousand words

You all know I'm nutso about dogs, and not just my own. I'm a big fan of Dog Bless You, a facebook page that celebrates all dogs, but in particular champions service dogs to soldiers who suffer from PTSD. Dog Bless You also connects dog and soldier supporters to organizations that support our wounded warriors through service dogs, and shares wonderful, heartwarming dog stories. This is one of them. The writeup was found on animalslook.com.  

This photograph shows a red Doberman kissing an exhausted fireman. He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, while he continued to fight the fire. She is pregnant. The firefighter was afraid of her at first, because he had never been around a Doberman before. When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest. A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina newspaper, "The Observer," noticed this red Doberman in the distance looking at the fireman. He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do. As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, when the photographer snapped this shot.

I'm collecting some dog photos and stories that will appear here from time to time. Be warned, and have your hankies ready.

Woof!

I'm still here, are you?

I realize I have been a spotty blogger since becoming part of a more conventional workforce, but I can't tell if anyone is still visiting here (except for my mother).  If no one is reading the blog I'll fold it up and tuck it away, but if my less frequent posts matter to anyone, please let me know. I DO have things to say, but if no one is reading them there's not much point in spending the time to put them out there.

Please just let me know.

Thanks, and have a stellar day!

halloween, anyone?

Ken and I have a costume party to attend next month, and I've been trying to think of interesting costume ideas. Ken seems determined to go as Andrew Jackson (we are in the Jackson state, after all), but I'm not interested in going as Rachel Jackson, Andy's beloved. She was about two feet shorter than Andrew, for one thing...

Anyway, I found these photos on Pinterest, and they tempt me. What do you think?

This totally cracks me up.

As does this

I would be going as Mary without her chimney-sweeping other half if I wore this.

Ideas? Votes? Let me know what you suggest!

Once upon a time I wrote meditations based on the Daily Office Lectionary (Wednesdays) and sent them out via email to a list of subscribers. What follows is what I wrote on September 12, 2001. It seems fitting to revive it as a measure of reflection on the work that lay ahead, and where we are now.

“If there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Phil. 2:1).

There is no better time to embrace Paul’s words than in the aftermath of national devastation. When shock and disbelief yield to raw emotion, it is natural for anger, fear and vengeance to step front and center to demand attention. And they will. As we discover our own connections to victims of this tragedy, our pain will burrow deeply into the crevices created by the impact of Tuesday’s events. As stories emerge from the wreckage of the World Trade Center and Pentagon, and photographs and video footage imprint themselves into our vulnerable psyches, the desire for justice will burn deeper and deeper within our individual and collective souls.

The temptation will be to assuage our outrage and mitigate our grief with the time honored response of an eye for an eye. We claim that it is human nature to seek vengeance, and it is, but it is also human nature to feel compassion. At a time when our faith has been rocked on its foundation, the encouragement of Christ is what steadies us and keeps us centered. When anger flares it is the love of Christ that transcends the desire to act or speak impulsively. When fear rises from the core of our being it is participation in the spirit that transforms our disabilities into bold actions for good.

To be in Christ is to seek his mind and reflect his love. In the coming days and weeks we have the opportunity to make choices that will demonstrate whether or not we have sought to be in full accord with our savior, and to share in the depth of his love. How we respond to that opportunity will be the measure of our faith. Daily we will be tested, and daily we must pray for the wisdom and courage to follow the example of Christ. It will not be easy, but living in the shadow of the cross has never been easy.

When my community of faith gathered Tuesday night for prayer and worship, the following verse of one of the hymns we sang spoke to our heartache. It reminds us succinctly that we are made in the image of God, and that the single most important aspect of our creation is that we share in his love:

God is love, and love enfolds us, all the world in one embrace: 

with unfailing grasp God holds us, every child of every race. 
And when human hearts are breaking under sorrow’s iron rod,

then we find that self-same aching deep within the heart of God.

As we live within the heart of God we serve those whom we have lost. For the sake of their memory and the glory of God, we honor them best when we act in love.

presidium

Let me introduce you to some awesome college students. Yes, the ones appearing in the picture above. The student leadership retreat known as Presidium came to its rockin' conclusion Tuesday, and my small group "Family" took a moment to pose with our Family banner. We were the Beezz Neezz.


The students I got to know represented a fraternity, two soroities, the Equestrian Team+, the Swing Dance Club, Best Buddies (mentoring young people with disabilities), a campus ministry, the Penhellenic Council +(for any non-Greek folks out there, this is sorority-related), a computer club, the sociology club, and our student leader and facilitator.


We had three days full of presentations, motivation, small group discussions, games and lots of food. Throughout Presidium anyone could have copped an attitude resulting from heat, clashes in personalities and differences in opinion, but this group of student leaders were amazingly mature, listened intently (well, except when they weren't scrolling through their phones), and contributed thoughtfully to conversations and discussions. I came away from the retreat appreciative of these very fine representatives of this next generation of leaders and count myself fortunate to work with them.

And now, we're bracing ourselves for the start of school (Saturday) and 26,000+ students on campus.  Let the semester begin!

Sunday miscellaney

I'm offering miscellaneous thoughts this morning since I will be away from my computer for Monday's round.

Today I am heading off for a university-wide student organization leadership retreat. As part of the administrative team of the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership I will spend the next three days with 150 college students. Yay! You heard my cloaked enthusiasm there, right? Of course you did. But seriously, it wouldn't be so bad except that this event is being held at a 4-H camp. Which translates outdoors. In August. In Tennessee. I got very excited when I clicked on a weather icon on a new toolbar on my computer and the highs for Monday and Tuesday were in the 70's. Imagine a sudden improvement in my outlook accompanied by arched eyebrows. Then I noticed that the reading was for somewhere in Ohio. Slump. No such luck here. 90's. I'm packing my best attitude along with my ball cap. Go Blue!

In the good old days--that would be two months ago when free time wasn't limited to weekends (I LOVE weekends!)--it wouldn't feel like the end of the world to lose power in the middle of an online project. Or to spend hours on said project only to discover that it would not work out in the manner I had hoped and it would be necessary to abandon it (in that particular incarnation). I don't despair, but I do wish I could catch a break.

I really hate it when one of the online photo production sites finally offers the sale I've been waiting for but it expires the day I return from being out of town working with college kids. Note to self: start that project anyway so that when the next sale comes I'll be ready for it!

I had a dream last night that included far too many dog containment issues for my comfort. BUT! A part of last night's dreaming also included a difficult, yet triumphant, reconciliation with a friend who dropped out of my life previously. I'm not sure if that's a sign of real possibility or a sign that some healing has taken place. It was the best part of the dream, I can tell you that.

One of the nice things about my new work environment is that I wear regular clothes, as opposed to donning a mostly black and white themed wardrobe. Think accessories! I had a jewelry party the other night that was really fun because I get to pick out all sorts of fun stuff that I can actually wear. Can't wait for those lovelies to arrive!

Anyone need any Pampered Chef? I've got a show going until the end of the month and I'm offering everyone ten percent off, and regular shipping to my out-of-town and -state friends! Discounts taken when I process the order. You can go here to take a look at what you might need (or want). There is a fabulous deal on our grill pan and press being sold as a set this month only. With the additional ten percent off you save $49, plus you qualify for the free guest special (one of our color-coated knives), adding another $15 value to your order. This would make a great gift if it's something you don't need for yourself. Just sayin'! Feel free to share this with your friends who enjoy cooking or love Pampered Chef products.

I'm still working on getting into the scheduling groove of my life's new rhythm. Blogging and reading blogs have been a challenge, but I miss the connection (or what I perceive as such), so I am going to hang in there and try to keep at this effort. I am grateful to those of you who are also hanging in there with me.

Off to pack. Have a great few days until we read again!

out of the blue

Something I listened to on the radio driving home from work yesterday must have been the nudge that dislodged an ancient memory.  There I was, minding my own business and obeying the speed limit (well, more or less) when a song popped into my head. Not just any song, mind you, but a song that I heard when I was 14 and enjoying an extended visit with cousins who lived in Lausanne,  Switzerland (above). I was there for six weeks (how nice for me!), so the song had, at most, that length of time to be heard and make an impression. It did. I bought the 45. Never mind that I didn't understand a word of it at the time. 

And then, there I was behind the wheel bursting into song. In french. I was actually able to recall most of the first verse by the time I got home, and I continued to sing it to myself in an effort to retrieve more of it.  I couldn't let it go. The record itself is long gone, the victim of a vinyl purge when my mother moved many years ago. I prayed that I would find it on YouTube. Ah, thank you, Internet for delivering to me Non, non, Rien n'a Change, by Les Poppys!

My first delight was that I could listen to it again and confirm the phrases that my memory offered up to me. The second, more surprising gift is the lyrics. The song came out in 1971. Sung by a boys choir, the appeal for peace is poignant. 

According to Wikipedia the record sold 1.2 million copies, was a number one hit in Holland and was in the Dutch Top 40 for 25 weeks. It's amazing what you can find on Wikipedia.

There are a number of videos of the song, one of which includes the English subtitles, but this one is less chaotic visually. I hope you find it as engaging as I did then, and do still.

 

Here are the words in English.

This is the story of a cease-fire I asked for
This is the story of a sun I had hoped for 
This is the story of a love I thought was alive 
This is the story of a beautiful day 
That as a small child I wished 
would be very happy for the whole planet

I wished, I hoped that peace would reign 
On this Christmas Eve 
But everything continued  
But everything continued
But everything continued
 
(Chorus 2 times) 
No, no, nothing has changed 
Everything, everything continued  
Hey! Hey!  

Hey! Hey!
 
Yet many people sang with us 
Many people got down on their knees  
To pray, yes pray 
To pray, yes pray 
But every day I watched TV  
and even on Christmas Eve 
Guns and cannons  
I cried, yes I cried 
I cried  
Who could explain to me ...
 
(Chorus)
I think about the child surrounded by soldiers  
I think of the child asking why  
All the time, yes all the time  
All the time, yes all the time 
I think of that 
But I shouldn't 
All these things do not concern me 
And yet, and yet 
I sing, I sing ...
 
(Chorus)

This is the story of a cease-fire I asked for
This is the story of a sun I had hoped for 
This is the story of a love I thought was alive 
This is the story of a beautiful day 
That as a small child I wished 

would be very happy for the whole planet

I wished, I hoped that peace would reign 

On this Christmas Eve 

But everything continued  

But everything continued

But everything continued

friday five: on the road again!

(love this graphic that Jan posted at RevGals!)

Ah, road trips. Those words are music to my ears! Jan at RevGals has just been on an extensive road trip with her husband and invites us to share some of our own roadie stories. So many from which to choose!

1) I'll start with a general review of childhood travels. Each spring my family spent our school vacation at Melrose, the family tree farm that regular readers know is a staple of my life! We traveled from Connecticut to South Carolina (and back, of course), periodically detouring for stops at historic places of interest. Among those were Williamsburg, Charlottesville, Gettysburg, Valley Forge, and so on. It was a great way to introduce us to American History in a way that "stuck:" beyond reading about it or hearing teacher lectures. An anecdote that I recall: on one such trip it was the first leg of the journey, and we were trying to cover a certain distance before stopping for the night. I was at a stage of childhood where viewfinders were a form of entertainment, and sitting in the rear of the family station wagon I was able to look through the viewfinder as we passed cars on the highway, using the beams from headlights as a source of light. We weren't passing enough cars to satisfy me, so I called to my dad at the wheel, "go faster Daddy!" Apparently he did, because not only was I a happy camper with my viewfinder, but we also got pulled over for speeding.

 2) Fast forward to the age of 30. A friend of mine was getting married in Scotland that summer, and I decided that it was past time for a return visit to that country where I had spent a semester in college. I flew over to surprise Betsey at her wedding. I spent a week traveling on my own, revelling in the countryside (and sheep) that I love so much, go where I wanted, when I wanted, with the freedom to stop for pictures, linger at vistas, and get my fill of gift shops. It was heaven, and a particularly empowering trip as I traveled solo.

The wedding was in St. Andrews (see photo), and I think I will always carry in my mind the look on my friend Betsey's face when she saw me there in the small chapel where she and her beloved tied their knot. When Betsey and her newly minted husband turned to greet the small congregation of well-wishers and begin their trek out of the church, she gave me a wink and a huge smile and thrust her bouquet into my hands. In the photo you will see how well the colors of the bouquet match my dress (heh). I am posing with Betsey's daughter.

One other not-so-insignificant note about that trip. Betsey's priest traveled to Scotland also to perform the ceremony. The short version of the story is that we began dating shortly after our return to the US, and on the occasion when I first went to hear him preach, I experienced a spiritual conversion that led to my ordination.  Life hasn't been the same since!

3) I moved to St. Louis is 1995 to accept a call at a church there. The Diocese of Missouri offered Fresh Start to clergy new to the diocese and in new cures. Four of the members of that class that fall were women, and we quickly dubbed ourselves the "clergy babes." We ranged in age from 30 to 60. We were an odd but fun mix of women, and we decided that as newcomers to that part of the Midwest we should venture forth together to explore the region. We planned a road trip to Memphis (about four hours south?) and had an adventurous couple of days sampling barbecue, listening to Jazz, and locking ourselves out of the car.

4) It was while living in St. Louis that I met my dear friend Kathy, who became my traveling buddy and partner in all sorts of innocent crime. We took a number of trips together, the farthest afield being a two-week sojourn through northern California (we had the BEST time!). We also enjoyed visits to members of my parish who spent their summers in northern Michigan. The first time we made that trip we made a number of stops along the way on our return: a farmer's market, craft shop, and outlet shops in Michigan City, IN. I'll just say that we did our part to aid the economy of Michigan City on that trip. There's a great picture of the car overflowing with our packages and purchases that barely left room for us to squeeze in, but here is the photo of me sitting on the steps at my driveway after unloading the car when we reached our destination. I am a master packer, so things have already been consolidated in bags in this picture. I don't look like it was a joyous trip (it was midnight), but it was one of our best.

5) My husband and I made a big (and fun) road trip east the first summer that we were together. We left Tennessee and headed to Connecticut, where our first stop was to see, and for Ken to meet, my family. We spent a great afternoon kayaking with my brother and his family, had dinners and visits with my dad and younger brother, and spent several days with my Mom on Cape Cod where she was on vacation. We traveled to New Hampshire to see Ken's sister and brother-in-law and enjoyed a fabulous drive up the coast of Maine, then made a stop in New York City on our return to Tennessee. There we visited Ground Zero, went to the top of the Empire State Building and the USS Intrepid and Museum,  and had the best ever pastrami sandwich at a restaurant across the street from the train station in Morris Plains, NJ, where we spent the night. Great trip.

And that's a wrap for today. I'll leave you with this picture from a white-water adventure trip Kathy and I enjoyed on the Ocoee River in East Tennessee. We're int he front.

reporting live in my jammies

That deep sigh of contentment you hear off in the distance is mine. It is the blessed weekend. And this weekend I have a lot of time to myself. A lot. Picture me grinning. Ken is working at the county fair over the next week, which offers me the gift of solitude.

I'm still adjusting to the notion of having a weekend. Saturdays still feel a bit pressured with the anticipation of Sunday morning responsibilities, but after a full week of office hours the weekend is a very welcome thing. All two days of it!

It's been good for my creativity. Sort of. I'm part of a postcard swap, and I finally got my July card out this past Tuesday. Yay! I also managed to make a get well card for a dear one who had surgery earlier this week, and I've been collecting "pins" of various creative projects that are now on my "do" list.

One of the student organizations supported by our Center at work is called OWLs: Older Wiser Learners (I add a comma after the word "older," but acronyms don't seem to recognize punctuation). Friends who follow me on Pinterest will note that I've been pinning owl-related items, and that is why. When we hold our OWLs open house in September I'm planning on making owl cookies, stringing owl garland, and filling owl bags with something or other as giveaways. With all the fabric I've been hoarding I'll also make an owl tote/purse and a couple of other owl cuddlies for door prizes. See pics here (aren't those cookies just the cutest?):

 

 

 

 

 

I am so into this. Thank you, Harry Potter!

In the meantime I've decided to play with digital scrapbooking and learn a thing or two about that craft. I am grateful for the efforts of those who have gone boldly before me and written tutorials on the subject. I am benefiting from step by step instructions in Photoshop, and am thrilled to be adding those skills to my humble puddle of graphic abilities. It's been a rather exciting week in that department!

So in spite of my absence from this page--I'm still adjusting to the office hour thing--I'm still up to my usual antics of keeping an eye out for fun and pleasure. Stay tuned for photos of my own versions of the above that will come to life in the coming weeks. I especially need to practice with those cookies.

Ciao, and have have a ridiculously amazing weekend!

beloveds

Did you know this was Pet Appreciation Week? Me either! But thanks to an email from Tractor Supply, now I do, and not a moment too soon! So in honor of my pets, here are some images readily available to share.

That's Brenna, top left. She was my sweetheart Border Collie who came from a real working sheep farm in the Adirondacks. Her grandmother travelled to this country from Scotland, pregnant with Brenna's Mama. That is such an "awwww" thing for me. I lost Brenna to what was likely a brain tumor, six years ago. She took to hiding in the bathtub during thunder storms, or sometimes getting wedged under the bed when she got older and it was hard for her to jump up onto the bed to snuggled for comfort. I miss her.

Then there's Juliet, my current sweetheart. She's a rescue, an Akita/Greyhound mix and the Lady of the House. Her name is, officially, "The Lady Juliet." She's my gem. Rigel is to Juliet's right, looking rather dignified in this pose. We adore Rigel, but dignified is not a word I would typically attribute to him. He's a love.

Starting the second row is McKinlee. She's a mess, as one says in the south. She's also a rescue, Yellow Lab/Jack Russell Terrier. That about says it, eh? That explains the mess. And then there's Dooley, my beloved boy who died in my arms a few years ago. Junior called him Mr. Grumpy, because he could get a little grumpy, but he was the best cuddlebug of any dog I've ever had. During the winter I called him my hot water dog because he would curl up against the curve of my lap in bed and keep me warm. I miss him dreadfully. Hokey, the one cat in my life, is from my youth. She gave birth to kittens in my bedroom closet.

And then we have repeating images of the present trio: Rigel, Juliet and McKinlee (she doesn't even look innocent as a pup!). They are our joy and delight, and our lives would be far less interesting if they weren't a part of them.

So here's to our pets, long may they live and warm our hearts.

light

I started to type the single word: change. An early Beatles song popped into my head, though the word is wrong: "Chains! My baby's got me in chains!" Sometimes I guess guess change feels like chains. Just thought I'd throw that out.

What I really want to post today is how aware I've become of the transitions so many people are living. Some of them are wrenching, others less so, but the truth remains that transitions are in progress. Most of them are for better, but some are not. Some are jolts to the system, others the inevitable progression of life.

On their own merit many of life's changes and transitions are part of the flow, and we ride them like a wave. There are those, however, that catch us like cross currents to be battled just to stay in place. The effort wears us out and, externally, we have nothing to show for it. I'm not going to go so far as to say that life sucks at such time (though it feels that way), but that the challenge of our days are then best borne when surrounded by the help, love and comfort of others.

For those carrying burdens, I offer this light to you. When I went in search of an image I only sought light. But this is xfold better: I hold you in the light. So rest. Close your eyes and know that you are not alone as you soldier on. The Lord gives even as the world takes away.

"Peace I give to you. My own peace I leave with you."

You are loved.

a sober declaration

On my way to work this morning, on a local state highway, I passed a work crew picking up trash along the roadway. As I approached a dark pink, square sign with it's corners pointing in compass directions proclaimed "DUI Utility Crew." My eyesbrows arched slightly: this was a first.

As I passed the crew I couldn't miss the yellow-green neon workvests sported by many roadwork crews, but neither could I miss the words blaring on their backs: I am a drunk driver. These were men and women, most of them between the ages of 20 and 40.

As my travels took me past and away from them I pondered the vests. My first reaction was that the identification of these workers as drunk drivers seemed shaming. I'm not a fan of using shame as a tactic to effect behavior. And then I thought again. Was this shaming? It was an honest statement, and communicated a great deal. Should the fact that they made a choice to drive while under the influence be hidden? Does it make an impact on them in a way that will effect that choice in the future?

I'm still pondering, and would be interested to hear what you think.

prevention

On my way to work this morning I heard a report on a news program about the possibility of birth control being considered a "preventive" health measure, making it essentially free through insurance programs. One of the statistics was startling: one out of two pregnancies in this day and age are unplanned. Half. (I write that for emphasis, not because I think you can't do the math.)

There are proponents of this measure, of course, and there are opponents. The opponents come down heavily on two sides: conscience, and morality. On the conscience side the argument is that those who don't believe in "artificial" birth control would essentially be paying through their insurance plan to support the cost of contraceptive for others. I hear that, but the argument doesn't wash for me. I'm a pacifist who pays taxes, and I'm not overjoyed that a portion of my tax dollars supports the military-industrial-complex. Does that mean that the government shouldn't dole out money to the Department of Defense because of my belief system?

That would be an emphatic "no." Instead of railing against the system (although there are certainly those that do, some more constructively and thoughtfully than others) I choose to invest my efforts by living in a way that exemplifies my values, and hope that there are opportunities for others to see the positive impact of those values not only at work in my life, but as a postive impact on others.

There is a bigger picture here than individual belief systems, even when those beliefs are shared by other. The implications of policies that make birth control available as a preventive measure aren't about flaunting one belief over another. They are in place to assist families, and particularly the poor, in making decisions freely about their own lives and the size of families and the spacing of the birth of their children. Such freedoms benefit all of us. It's how we live together, experience the ebb and flow of our challenges and joys, and work our way through the life's labyrinths toward liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

As for morality--come see me when the death penalty has been abolished.

and baby makes nana and grandpa happy

We're back from a weekend with our daughter and her newly expanded family! Each visit with them familiarizes us with our grandsons, and them, us. A good great thing! Friday evening after dinner we were out in their backyard and Luke was leading the way, calling over his shoulder, "Come ON, Nana!" Music to my ears.

We were blessed with good weather for mid-July. The days got into the high 80's, but overnight it cooled to 70 or slightly lower, and sleeping under ceiling fans to help cool the house down at Melrose, this was an incredible blessing. Humidity was present, but low, and a slight breeze made the warmth bearable. A big "thank you" for that.

Jude, whose birth was the catalyzing event for the timing of this trip, is sweet, and I drank in the joy of watching the constantly changing expressions on his face when he was awake, which wasn't often. In a way it is just as well that his interactive capacity is low right now, because it gave us time to play with Luke and Cross and let them know that Nana and Grandpa are cool. Ya know?

Friday we cooked out on the deck and then played in the backyard, swings and a trampoline being the activity of choice. It's been about 40 years since I was on a trampoline, and although I'm sure I looked anything but graceful up there, it was fun to bounce and giggle with my boys! Other activities included puzzle making and oohing and ahhing over the collection of trucks, trains and boats. I couldn't keep up with all their names, so (shhhhh!) don't tell.

Saturday was spent out by the lake with picnic lunches, some paddling in the blow-up canoe, and attempts to fish. We were also delighted to have dinner with our friends Jimmy and Barbara Saturday night. Time with them is always a treat.


Sunday morning we met the family for breakfast at Cracker Barrel before they headed to church and we returned to Melrose to wash sheets and towels and take care of other sundry details to close up the house. We got on the road around noon and headed home.

Now it's back to the grind with wonderful memories and some fun pictures to light our way into the week. Week? Here we come!

Ashley and Luke rockin' it at Cracker Barrel

Travis and Jude share a moment

Cross demonstrates his double-fisted agility with a banana split.

love, love, love

I hope that Spider Solitaire won't take it personally that I have forsaken it (mostly) for Pinterest. Oh, gracious, how addictive is Pinterest! But it's a good addiction: I discover all sorts of great ideas that I can adopt, imitate, or use for inspiration. I discover recipes that I can dream about and feel like I've eaten without actually using and devouring the results of them. I learn about beautiful places that soothe my soul, laugh at the antics of people I have never met, and find inspiration through encouraging words and quotes. And more.

There have been some very moving items posted lately, and this one was in my vision this morning when I perused the latest pinings. It's an adorable story. Whether or not it's true, I don't care. Posted at herOinchic@tumbler.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.  She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.  I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her. Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.  I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, ‘To Meredith’ in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, ‘When a Pet Dies.’ Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.  Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I’m easy to find, I am wherever there is love. Love, God…

So happy to introduce

our new grandson, Jude! Facebook friends met him last night, and we will meet him in the flesh this weekend! This makes three boys and one very happy family. I don't have details at this point, but does anyone really care when he got here and how much he weighs? We're just delighted he has arrived!

market day

On our way home from Mammoth Cave last week we detoured to a small Amish community near Scottsville, KY. We picked up some wonderful fresh produce along with home baked tomato cheese bread (oh. my. god.), and maple syrup, but arrived at the door of Habegger's market just in time for them to close for the day. Subsequently hooked on the cantaloup, Ken suggested a return trip (about an hour's drive) Saturday morning.

We knew little about the contents of the market. The worker at the produce store told us that the market sold "Amish goods:" not particularly suggestive. A peek through the locked door revealed a lot of candy along the lines of a general store. We didn't know what to expect.

When we arrived at the market we found a full parking lot, which boded well for an interesting visit. Sure enough!

Indeed, there were candies, and the makings of candy. THIS is the place to come to find anything you want for baking (including cinnamon chips, which will be used in muffins or scones). The colors of sprinkles was extensive, the little silver balls were abundant, and pieces of peppermint stick neatly packaged to spare the agony of smashing your own into powder with a rolling pin, hammer or meat tenderizer.

There was a variety of flours, all manner of things pickled (including brussel sprouts), and fillings for pie vacuum-sealed, rather than canned, in a quantity sufficient for a substantive pie. There were homemade breads, fudge, cookies, and ice cream. The meat at the deli (from which we enjoyed lunch) was sliced to order. There were cheeses and butter and produce and peaches (now in season locally). This was a slice of heaven.

Our basket filled quickly with the selections of items we couldn't resist, and then overflowed to include additional items. We filled two reusable bags from the car, and were smart enough to have brought a cooler and ice packs for the cheese and butter. I braced myself for a high price tag, and was shocked when the total came to $63 and change. Here's our stash for that amount (contents: about 1 1/2 pounds of butter, goat, colby and havarti cheeses, soy beans, corn nuts, pilaf, quinoa, granola, potato salad, cinnamon chips, sliced almonds, ground cinnamon, ranch dressing mix, salt substitute, green peppers, cucumber, peaches, zucchini, squash, banana peppers, and chili peppers.) 

As noted above we enjoyed amazingly fresh sandwiches, and were thrilled to find that they also carried diet birch beer! I couldn't resist a sample of soft-serve ice cream (which tasted so much better than the stuff we usually buy under that name), but we did resist the peanuts.  And the fudge. And every other sweet temptation.We couldn't help but note how many people were also making Habegger's market their Saturday destination.

It was a great day for a drive through the country, and we look forward to future trips to Habegger's, as well as discovery other delights of the area about which we have learned since our return. Just trying to do our part to eat local, with delicious results. What did you do over the weekend?

friday five: summertime and the living is abundant!

painted by my dear friend Wendilee Heath O'Brien

At RevGals Dorcas greets us: So, what's up, Rev Gals and Pals? How are you spending your summer? (I know, some of you are in a different hemisphere and it may be chilly...sorry!) Are you experiencing fire or floods or tornados? Vacationing? Working harder than ever? Experiencing change? Longing for change?

Share five things that are happening in your life, personally or professionally or some of each, in this season of life.

1) Big change here! An involuntary departure from my most recent adventure in parish ministry has led to an amazing opportunity. Through what can only be attributed to divine intervention I am now working at a local university as interim director of their center for women and nontraditional students. This is an amazing place, great staff, and I am in heaven.

2) My departure from the parish (I wasn't fired, there just wasn't money to support my continuing employment) led to a great deal of soul-searching, grieving and assessing. I realized this morning, tearing up as I listened to a moving story on NPR, that the boundaries of parish ministry were like shackles on my soul. I feel liberated (thank you, God!), and am reconnecting to deep reservoirs within my being that feed me in hugely beneficial ways. I will probably be a more sacramental presence to the people I serve here than I could be to members of my previous parishes thanks to this change. I feel like Lazarus being unbound.

3) Grandchild number three is due to make his or her entrance into the world any day now. Can't wait to meet him or her!

4) Because I am no longer working a parish ministry schedule I have weekends! That is a big, huge, fat Amen!

5) Being in a new work environment I am meeting new people, experiencing new challenges, finding new strengths, reviving my confidence and plunging with glee into the future. Yay! and YAY!

thankful thursday

It's an adjustment, this being-on-a-schedule-thing. I've gotten up just once at the time I intended. I still get out the door on time when I get up later than I should but there are consequences. Like having to buy my lunch yesterday since I ran out of time to make and take it. But this morning I actually have time to blog before I leave for work!

LOTS of things for which to be thankful. Starting with coffee, which helps me ease into consciousness at these earlier hours.

I move quickly to my gratitude for pain medication. Two days ago my right hip began to hurt. Yesterday it began to ache just after lunch, and continued to ache through the day. It was particularly bad last night and the extra strength whatever it was didn't alleviate the pain by bedtime. Which meant that sleep came much later than I needed, and which also meant that multiple attempts to go to bed and get to sleep confused the heck out of the dogs. Not to mention me. I think Ken slept through it all. If the pain persists a visit to the doctor will be in order.

I work at an awesome university. New student orientation happens multiple times during the summer with small and manageable slices of the population of the new students and their parents at each session. I have renewed appreciation for my Boss (as opposed to my boss) who does a superb job of assuring parents that MTSU is committed to helping students succeed. At a session with parents yesterday she communicated that reality with directness, honesty, compassion and humor. You rock, Deb!

Golf carts are invaluable on a large college campus.

Yesterday a student gave me a "welcome!" card, along with the gift of a frame to let me know that I was appreciated. Pass me the kleenex! This same student came to the office on Friday to have a quiet place where he could take part in a conference call with President Obama and other students around the country. It was pretty cool to be within earshot of that opportunity for Laurence.

It feels incredible to work with people who have faith and confidence in me, who tell me that they're glad I'm there, and who pile assignments on because they know I'll get the job done. That latter part is a little overwhelming with three days under my belt, but I've got a handle on it!

Today is the second day of this round of new student orientation, which means that wardrobe decisions are much easier than other days. I am to wear blue!

And off I go to get into my blue. For what are you thankful?

patriotic miscellany

I struggle to be original, and although I sometimes succeed at originality I often need inspiration (read: an idea to copy or steal) to accomplish whatever is in my sights. Like today. I'm copying The Bug's presentation of a patriotic version of a Monday miscellany. Ready or not!

My favorite period of American history is the Revolutionary War. Especially the 70's. When I was a tween I wanted to be a docent at Colonial Williamsburg so I could wear those cool dresses. I even wrote a letter to inquire about how to go about getting the job and got a really snotty response. I guess being 13 didn't impress them much. I ended up making my own really cool costume later on. Take THAT, Williamsburg.

In keeping with my love for all things revolutionary I also have in my possession a 13-starred flag. My younger brother (who can be very original) got the idea of giving it to me one year for my birthday. Best. Gift. Ever! Except for the Sheltie when I was 11. My beloved flag hasn't flown in a while. The other day Ken and I were at Home Depot and he bought a "regular" flag (the last one we had got sort of torn up by snagging on the bricks on our house). When I mentioned that I had this Beloved Flag he asked, "why?" Men. They can be so clueless sometimes. (Dr. M., you are an exception, especially regarding this flag!).

Does anyone remember a very short-lived television series back in, oh, 1970, called The Young Rebels? Set in greater Philly, 1777. I ate, slept, and breathed that show. I even wrote my own stories for the characters. You can take the TV show out of the lineup but you can't--well, never mind.

Another tidbit of my revolutionary war-phile era (and then I'll move on, promise) is that I really wanted to be part of a fife and drum corp. March in parades and all that stuff. It wasn't the parades that was cool, it was the dressing up part. I know, there's a theme in the offing. Any wonder I became a priest? I get to dress up!  I played the recorder so I figured it couldn't be too much of a stretch to play a fife. Or whatever it's called. I seem to recall that my mother discouraged me from pursuing this. The word "no" comes to mind. But I honestly can't recall and I don't mean to malign my mother in any way. She knows I love her. Eventually I got over the fife and drum thing. I think I realized that I would be really hot (as in sweaty hot) in that colonial costume. Especially marching in a parade on July 4.

According to a very well hidden legend the song Yankee Doodle (as in "went to town,...") was "inspired" by the disorderly troops under the command of one of my lateral ancestors. A great-great-great-great-great-grandmother's brother, to be precise: Colonel Thomas Fitch.  Lest Tom get all the glory, his sister, Elizabeth (that would my ancestor), later saved the town of Fairfield, CT from being burned by the British. Girls rule!

I have two favorite musicals. One is A Chorus Line, the other is 1776. Surprised you there, didn't I?  I was fortunate to see it twice with its original cast on Broadway, with William Daniels as John Adams, and Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson. I still break into song sometimes when certain phrases cue the lyrics. Musicals written for the stage just don't translate well to movies, IMHO. For instance, the play ends with the various representatives of the Continental Congress being called up to John Hancock's desk to sign the Declaration of Independence. The liberty bell begins to toll in the background. Adams, Jefferson, Franklin and two others are standing there at the desk when the tolling of the bell crescendos and a screen with the declaration printed on it drops like a curtain in front of the scene. A light shines from behind it and the scene on stage freezes. You realize that it is the famous portrait of the signing (see below). There is such power in that visual presentation of the signing and the words superimposed with the image.  This isn't what makes this a fabulous musical, it's just the crowning glory. If you haven't ever seen it, I recommend highly that you do so if the opportunity presents itself.

I guess that's enough historic miscellany for today. I hope you enjoy your celebration, whatever it entails, or your day, wherever you might be. For the record, we'll be home doing regular stuff, and our cooking out will involve a drunken chicken.