Lisa's ethoughts-from the zany to the sublime

Diverting you!

2010-10-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

If you are new to this site, a new reader, or just hopelessly meandering...It. is. okay.

Just-Go to my main blog site.

I hope you will join my facebook humor page here.

Cheers.

Lisa

Prayer and Meditation with Scriptures

2010-09-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

I have been concentrating on my other blog, and this is why posts here have been sparse.

I'm going ON TOUR!

Well, that is to say, I'm scheduling lessons for medium and small groups, to guide them in Lectio Divina, the ancient Christian spiritual Practice of Prayer and Meditation using Scriptures. It is worshipful, prayerful, and devotional.

"Lectio Divina" literally means, "Sacred reading." It's not woo woo, so don't get thrown off by the unfamiliar title. (Lectio is pronounced: LEX-ee-oh)

Just today my oh-so-glossy Lectio Divina guide came from the printer. I love that freshly printed smell.

If you have any comments, questions about me, or what I'm doing, click on my blog link, and contact me.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Lisa

Adventures in Killing (ants)

2010-01-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

I bought this product today. It's a small bottle of clear liquid that one uses to kill ants by putting a few drops on pieces of card board around ant territories. It can take two weeks to kill off the population. Ant genocide.

Here's the weird part- The packaging says the pesticide is good for these types of ants:

Argentine ants

Ghost ants

Cornfield ants

Pavement ants

Acrobat ants

White footed ants.

Little black ants

Odorous house ants

Crazy ants

Big headed ants

and "other sweet eating ants"

I read read this and thought, "Um, huh?" Are these real ants? Those names sound completely made up!"

I did some research, and yes they are real, and some of the most unofficial sounding names-ever-I might say!

Comments, thoughts? What ant would you add?

How not to Accept an Award-Tips for Mariah Carey (for next time)

2010-01-06T16:00:00.000-08:00

Some of you may have seen video Mariah Carey try to accept an actress award in Palm Springs January 6th, 2010.

If not, see it here.

If you are Mariah Carey, or you ever have to accept an award soon, follow these few tips to avoid making a goofy fool out of yourself.

1. Stop drinking excessively a few hours before receiving your award, swinging around in someone's arms, or moving too much in tight clothing. Better yet, hold off on the booze.

2. Drug use has an unpredictable effect. Your normal level of LOOPY will only be amplified, so "Just Say No."

3. Sudden clapping, especially when you aren't so sure why you are doing it, is not advisable. It screams, "space cowboy."

4. Having a nanny, or au par may be a wise choice for your evening, especially if public drunkenness has been a reoccurring issue. Yes, Lindsay Lohan, this means you, too.

5. The more you talk, the more you'll slur. It's just a simple fact.

6. If you have to admit, or want to admit, to the audience that you're trashed, your planning for your evening has gone ghastly wrong. In this case, admitting is not the first step. The first step is asking your escort to accept your award on your behalf, or turning the limo around, or going straight to the after party, where you'll likely wake up near the toilet in about 7 hours anyway.

7. Short award speeches are best. Ge grateful, be humble, and don't ramble-EVER-especially if you're smashed out of your mind.

Readers, now it's your turn:

What advice would you give?

Recycled Santa Greetings

2009-12-20T16:59:00.001-08:00

I found this creative Christmas Greetings created from recycled materials on Rte. 61 by

Weiner Iron & Metal Corporation

It was a big display, so I had to get it in 3 shots

Nathan's note for Christmas Eve

2009-12-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Nathan won't be swayed about Santa's existence, despite our admissions, and his sister's emphatic declaration of the facts. Inspired by the letter writing of the Peanuts characters, he decided to write Santa a note to be found on Christmas Eve, next to cookies.

How to: Make your blog, book, or product a sensation on the cheap

2009-12-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

If you have a blog, you need reader traffic, and a fan base.

If you have a book, you need to spread the word to readers.

If you have a product or service, you need exposure.

The following link is some of the best information out there in one compact spot, that I've ever heard; and I want to share it with you.

Self-promo guru, testing and web marketing innovator, Tim Ferriss, shares his amazing advice , in his presentation to Le Web in Paris. He explains how your book, blogging, idea, or products can be easily marketed on the web to a global sensation-for free or cheap.

Video link:

(Also scroll down on this page, for more articles on marketing, and other topics.)

Texting Tip: Text from email (At&T) free

2009-11-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

It's free to text from your email software to someone's phone, (to an AT&T customer). They will be charged in accordance with their plan, but you will not be charged at all. It's handy if you're already working on the computer, and need to shoot someone a quick note. But you need to have their number memorized, or nearby!

DIRECTIONS:

Put this in your email "To:" field to send a text message. You must put the recipient's number in place of the numbers shown below--obviously.

5706402005@txt.att.net

(This may possbily work with other mobile phone service providers. Try it, and find out. Please let me know! For instance, would this work with a T-mobile customer? 578-478-9837@txt.tmobile.net)

BEWARE- iPhone Car Chargers Catch Fire

2009-11-17T07:26:00.000-08:00

Our relatives, Lester and Mary in Cleveland, Ohio sent us photos of what happened to their 2007 Suburban. All they did was leave their iPhone charger / docking station plugged into their car outlet. They caught the fire in the garage before it spread to their home–even their their fire detectors did not sound.

Protect yourself! Please check your fire detectors to make sure they are in working order, and unplug phone chargers, and other devices from your car outlets when they are not in use. They get a bit hot!

5 Short-Cut Cleaning Tips for Untidy people (like me)

2009-10-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Yes, if you know me, the first thing you'll say is, "Ha! Lisa, you're a "person of clutter." What makes you think you have the expertise or clout to offer REAL solutions to messiness?"

Oh! But actually this makes me just the person to do it. You see, I like things clean, especially germ-free, but I'm not what you would call "meticulous." Plenty of other things get my attention before being tidy does. Finally, I look around, and I say, "Things change NOW!" I'm also trying to be more proactive, so deep cleaning happens less.

Here's some tips that help a messy person like me.

1. Maintenance. I hate to feel like I'm cleaning all the time, and maintenance is what tidy people call cleaning when it happens all the time.

I'm a bit more practical. If it makes a big difference, down the line, in time spent on housework, I try to do it. I have found some short cuts that make a huge difference, but I won't kid you, "maintenance" coming from a tidy person, just means, "I love to have continual order. My house WILL be clean and tidy. period. I call that maintenance to make it seem less neurotic." For me maintenance is a short burst of clean up to save me a load of misery later. Like I said, I'm no neat freak. Ask my husband, or any of my friends!

2. The grubby microwave: (bonus 2 tips in 1)

a. First be proactive, even though it means a few extra seconds of delayed food gratification. Cover up heating food. It saves loads of time later. (I try not to use a plastic cover because I've heard the toxins in the plastics leech into the food, and that's not so healthy over time. Think cancer. Not so good.) I usually keep a paper plate, napkin, or paper towel handy, and that way messes are more minimal.

b. Here's the jewel of the tip! To clean your microwave, you'll hardly have any scrubbing or too much work at all if you heat up a nice wet washcloth for about 60-90 seconds. It makes the crud loosen up, and then you just wipe it off, with barely any trouble. (Don't burn yourself on the heated wash cloth. Let it cool down for a minute or so.) If you put a tiny bit of lemon juice on it--oh boy! I'll leave it at that.

As you can tell, I don't like cleaning or scrubbing very much. I won't even go into my reluctance to dust (allergies, plus I hate it). Here are a few techniques I use for big time short cuts to get the same cleaning power!

3. I try to ALWAYS rinse out pots, pans, or other cookware, I've cooked in *right after* they've been used/cooked with. I don't like leaving it on the stove, or just popping it into the sink. If I blast the thing off with the sink hose for 15 seconds, it will literally save me 5-15 minutes of clean up later, when the stuff has caked on.

4. If I have a garbage lid that's getting funky, or a cutting board that needs a rigorous scrub down, (etc.) I don't do it. Here's my trick. I use Clorox clean up spray, put the object in the sink, spray it down, wait 3-5 minutes, and then blast it off with my sink hose, and then let it dry, or dry it myself. It's super clean, has no germs, and I didn't have to scrub AT ALL.

5. Here's how I get out of scrubbing the shower.

I keep a spray bottle of bleach and water in the shower, and a green scouring pad. At the end of my shower, I spritz the shower curtain and walls, and wipe them off. It takes about 40 seconds, and it puts off a hefty scrubbing for years...months, I mean. No, I mean a few weeks. You get the idea.

Which ones sound good to you?

What short cuts do you have?

thanks for reading. Use some, then stop back and tell me which ones have helped you.

simple celtic knot work

2009-10-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

From Brandi - artist at Altered Ego Studios, Sch. Hvn

Celtic knot- (symbol of The Trinity)

Mutant Milk - Cow with 5 legs

2009-10-04T18:24:00.000-07:00

In Chernobyl a cow with five legs is fairly normal, right? It should be no surprise to see them on milk boxes. However, where I'm from, it's an odd sight.

Got (mutant) milk?

LOL

Fun at the Hibachi Grill

2009-09-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

We found these guys at the grill. They looked dangerous, but were actually friendly and nice.

The talented chef made a volcano from an onion. FIRE!

Great mistake!

2009-09-16T14:56:00.000-07:00

I make tons of mistakes. I have trouble spelling, and I make plenty of typos too.

But, this sign REALLY made me laugh, because this patriotic (?) guy, was trying to prove a point that Americans should be English speakers.

5 Reasons Why Viral Marketing Works

2009-09-03T07:20:00.000-07:00

1. It's fun. Be it just plain silly, or very clever, people want in on some fun.

2. Guilt, plain and simple. Some people don't want to participate, but they do anyway because otherwise, they'll feel bad about not participating.

3. Viral Marketing is oh, so grassroots, and taps into people's natural desire to be interconnected. Web viral marketing offer this connection without further emotional investment, like face-to-face relationships. (yes, this is good and bad)

4. Something bigger: People enjoy being part of something bigger than themselves, or on the front end of a popular, or emerging trend. They don't want to be left behind.

5. Each person drives the trend. It's "open source," changing and evolving individually, making it vivacious, and attractive in an empowering type of way.

Thank you for reading. I hope this was helpful.

What did I leave out?

Feel free to leave your responses, comments, marketing ideas, or suggestions.

Please my other project. It's a kind of "travelers blog," and proposes, among other things, that God cannot possibly be a angry, white, old, bearded dude in the sky. Well, that and I recently posted a hilarious photo of a man with a tramp stamp tattoo of the Golden Arches. What's not to like. Hope you can check it out.

A diner with the best pie -yum

2009-09-03T06:27:00.000-07:00

I just had the pleasure of going to the Kumm Esse Diner at the corner of Rts 501 & 422 in Myerstown, Lebanon, County, Pa. They make all their own pies, and often used freshly picked fruit (not canned or frozen). I had some fresh strawberry and some deep dish apple, and both were superb!

I have no idea what Kumm Esse means, though it seemed vulgar to me at first. The diner is a 1950s style shinny sheet metal type, and I imagine the name is derived from the local PA German dialect, and might actually mean something nice. Maybe like, "rest for a while' or something, who knows. (If you happen to know, drop me a comment!)

The waitresses all wore colorful scrubs. I image because they may be nursing us with comfort foods. The coffee was spot-on diner coffee. Good joe, but not gourmet. Fine enough to go well with great pie. My BLT sandwich was good, but not amazing. The staff was friendly. Our waitress sat down to chat briefly with two different customers who were eating alone–probably two of her regular customers.

What diners do you like? And what kinds of pie?

Great ideas to catch Dinner Guests that snoop

2009-08-26T09:03:00.000-07:00

I heard a story of a couple who filled their medicine cabinet with ping pong balls. They anticipated one of their dinner guest wouldn't be able to resist peeking in their bathroom medicine cabinet. When the first snooper did, the sound echoed brightly off the ceramic tile, and the balls went everywhere, exposing their faux pas. Everyone at the dinner table broke into hysterics as they were told of the prank.

Here are five other was to expose less-than-classy guests:

1. Keep an open envelope out with a bill or statement inside. On the back rub graphite from a pencil. It'll stick on their fingers.

2. If ping pong balls aren't at your disposal, try filling the bathroom cabinet with something noisy.

-Silverware

-Nuts and bolts

-A pot lid

3. Put a note in your bookcase that says a personal, "Hello, _____!" When they look over your shelves, they will see your greeting.

4. Just before they leave, tell them you love to stay up after people leave, and watch the tape that the hidden camera takes. And check out the look on their face. (Maybe tell them you're kidding, so you can keep your friends/guests.)

5. Just after they use your bathroom, tell them a crazy story about the last unfortunate soul who looked through your medicine cabinet.

If you try any of these, tell me how it turns out!

Chinese Tower Sign against Ragamuffins

2009-08-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ragamuffins aren't taken kindly to at Oriental Pearl TV tower. This odd sign is awfully funny, as it must be mostly lost in translation. (I found this Peter Hill photo, and other images at the BBC.com.)

My Top Ten Blogging Tips

2009-08-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

My Top Ten Tips for Blogging

1. Make Blogs with Lists. They're quick to digest, so people like 'em.

2. Go for quality of content more than frequency.

3. Don't be afraid to niche your articles. Random thoughts might be "you", but predictability will grow a reader base. For an example of this, don't look around here see my other blog.

4. Don't swipe. Plagiarism is wrong. (Stealing-taking what isn't yours.) It's totally brainless, and shows you're a hack. Link to the content, and give proper credit. Your reputation depends on it.

5. Spread the love. If you like something, where you live, work, or play, promote it. Take a picture. Include specific information. Give a shout out. Generosity comes back to you. You should see the free stuff I get, by doing this sort of thing! Plus, I love to spread good news!

6. Give away stuff. Authors, give away signed books; coffee companies, offer up some samples; chocolate makers, ship out some boxes. Word spreads fast! Btw, all the things I mentioned...I just LOVE, so if you happen to be anyone of these types, I WILL notice you, and deeply appreciate you. :)

7. More than 1 post a day is really not so good, unless you have good reason, or goal. Just, back away from the keys, and get another hobby.

8. Retweet. Retweet/pass along your good blog finds, and often others will do the same about the good content they find on your blog.

9. Decide how often you will post, and stick to it. If it's once per day, once per week, or whatever, be consistent. People get into habits, so it's a nuisance for them to wait around for 10 days for your new stuff every day, without getting way too sick of it. They may move on to other material, but it's quite likely they'll get out of the habit of stopping by. Not good for you. Don't teach them they can't rely on you. Give them a reason to keep you a habit.

10. Interconnect your writing updates. If you have more than one blog, or social media tool, link them up, as one, to inform the visitors, so everyone you are connected to gets a headline of your newest article when it goes up, in one swift maneuver.

What are your best tips?

Crafting Fandango-style bag Puppets

2009-08-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

My daughter made these two interesting characters today.

Hair Sweater-Hot

2009-08-06T14:35:00.000-07:00

The beach scene was hot! I mean truly. This beach bear started to look ill from the heat of his natural pelt which had to increase his felt temperature experience to about 104º. No one told him, or he hasn't listened to the hints, that long curly shoulder hair isn't the rage anymore. It only really worked with a few odd Chewbacca fans, anyway.

Create a Caption for Option 2- (25 more entries needed)

2009-07-30T08:02:00.001-07:00

For all of you who have been throw off by the cat car... here's a 2nd option to snag my coffee give-away. I'm still collecting entries. We have some good ones. I didn't post all of them. Some are below, some I got in messages on FB, or DM on Twitter. The person with the most clever caption will win a bag of Caribou Coffee, and bragging rights.

Enter up to 3 times. Have fun & be funny!
(please spread the word)

Funniest caption wins a bag of great coffee

2009-07-16T18:59:00.000-07:00

Christmas in July! It's the time of giving. Purrrfect!

So, I'm having a contest of sorts. Give this cat car the funniest caption or description, and I'll send you a 12oz. bag of Caribou Coffee's delicious signature blend. If you like coffee, or know someone who does, this will be a nice treat to get in the mail. Click on the photo to read the taste description. I'm drinking some right now, and it's wonderful. (You like my product shot photo, complete with coon skin cap? Hope so! A sudden burst of whimsy brought that on.) :)

Send up to 3 entries per person, as a DM to my twitter @lisacolondelay, a message to me (Lisa Colón DeLay) on Facebook, or just right here in the comments section, (you don't need a blogger acct to leave a message). I'll start a selection process once I hit 75 entries-So please pass along the news, so we get a bunch of high quality laughs.

HAVE FUN!

Found car pict here

Amazing nature- unclassified cloud formations

2009-07-09T07:56:00.000-07:00

This summer has been a season of amazing encounters. I've held a wild bird, and routinely got inches from others. I've enjoyed picking wild berries, walked in the light of foggy, sunlit mornings, and have been enchanted by the glory of the created world.

I just found the most amazing pictures of new cloud formations from the UK that are undergoing classification. (article here) They look "made up" in Photoshop, or sci-fi, but in Europe, and New Zealand, these formations have been spotted. Recently, in New York City (union square park area), quite odd formations at dusk, looked like lava light blobs. (weird article here)

Bad Hair Day?

2009-07-07T05:20:00.000-07:00

We've all been there with having bad hair days, right?
We are like a bad haircut, we get better with growth.
Just when you think you've arrived, take a closer look in the mirror, and you'll see there is still a lot of room for growth. You might think you're doing fine, but to someone else, it might seem like things in you just haven't finished off quite yet. We are never done growing, learning, and improving.

Be open to honest criticism, and be wise. Then fewer bad hair days will be in your future!

What have you improved on in the last few years?

2009-06-27T19:49:00.001-07:00

Soccer fingers / rainy day fun, or office high jinks

2009-06-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

I drew these on my kids and they played nice for almost an hour. We had a bunch of laughs. A crumpled ball of paper is a fine soccer ball, and bent out paperclips taped on each finger can make the frame for shoes. I saw this on the HP site called fingerskilz.

I'm making it big...Blue and Jazzy with author Donald Miller

2009-06-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, the long awaited new book from NYT best selling author, Donald Miller is coming out soon. But what many don't realize is that I'll be given credit as a co-author--this time. Last time, with Blue Like Jazz, I wasn't so lucky. But all is forgiven. (See my public discussion with Don about this topic here: http://bit.ly/tIcmj )This is a big moment for me. I hope you get a chance to check out this great book we've come up with.Follow this link to read the news story on our current joint venture. http://bit.ly/ncENi

K-fun... My review of Knoble Amusement Park

2009-06-06T16:08:00.001-07:00

Knobles is old fashioned. They don't do much in the way of banners, or digital printing around the park. They still do hand painted signs for just about everything. They have some moderate thrill rides, but nothing that will make you wet your pants. There's a yesteryear atmosphere there, with huge trees overhead creating shade, and ride attendants taking paper tickets. Many rides are acquired from theme parks who want to give up the old favorites to make room to build the latest steel speed coasters. I love the smooth steel coasters, that shoot me out, and don't jostle me on wooden track until I get a nasty headache, but there's something so charming about a park with all the old rides from another simpler, more carefree time. The carmel corn, soft serve, and french fries can't be beat, and the free parking, pavilions and picnic tables aplenty, no entry fee, and loads of kiddie rides make it a great choice for families with children.

Summer and complications

2009-06-01T08:20:00.001-07:00

I love this picture of me and my kiddos. It was taken at the state park. I love having picnics and hanging on at the beachhead. They play in the sand, and water for hours, and just love it. Now summer is here, and I hope we can do this more.

But there's a catch. Nathan has to be in extended school year, and I have him in a program to help his social skills. These are two things he really needs, but it seems to kill summer. Tues- Thurs is chopped, so only a bit of afternoon is left, and now Mondays and Fridays will be gone too. It makes these favorite summer season times we enjoy much more rare, and, of course, special too.

I switch back and forth, wondering if the sacrifice is too big, or if the help is worth losing what we do, or what I do. I know we'll still get to the park, and have our times, but the struggle to pick the best path as a parent can be daunting.

How to make wonderful scones.

2009-05-30T05:48:00.000-07:00

How to make great scones: Short, helpful, video.

NOTE: sultanas are white raisins.

Picking the best watermelon

2009-05-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

Watermelon is a summertime favorite, but how can you pick the best choice?

Here are a couple of tips.

1. Like other fruits, check for soft spots or obvious visible damage to the rind, like rotten areas, and bruising.
2. For your best chance at a sweet, ripe pick give them all a solid thump, with your fist, right in the middle of the long side. If you hear a ‘thud’ sound, it’s not quite ready. If you hear a nice, hollow sound then that is the melon for you. Test a few to notice the difference. A thud is a more full sound, and a hollow is lighter, more ringing sound. You can practice thumping full and half full plastic containers to get the hang of it.
Happy melon munching!

Campfire cooking: Why, and How to...

2009-05-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Some reasons I'll be campfire cooking more in the next few months:

Fun for the kids. (Simple way to get the kids happily involved in a low-tech, low-cost activity.)

It keeps the house cooler in the summer.

It's cheaper than going out to eat--by a lot.

It teaches the kids a useful skill for future camping fun; or perhaps, God forbid, survival.

It's potentially healthier than many other meal choices.

It creates more family-time opportunities.

Time spent outdoors is something we all enjoy.

Here is a link to how to make a cooking style campfire, and some easy recipes to enjoy outside, or in your fireplace.

Enjoy the season.

solipsistic hell

2009-05-24T18:33:00.000-07:00

(from wikipedia) In Mark Twain's "The Mysterious Stranger," the character Satan makes the following statement of solipsism at the end of the novella, "In a little while you will be alone in shoreless space, to wander its limitless solitudes without friend or comrade forever—for you will remain a thought, the only existent thought, and by your nature inextinguishable, indestructible. But I, your poor servant, have revealed you to yourself and set you free. Dream other dreams, and better!...You perceive, now, that these things are all impossible except in a dream. You perceive that they are pure and puerile insanities, the silly creations of an imagination that is not conscious of its freaks - in a word, that they are a dream, and you the maker of it. The dream-marks are all present; you should have recognized them earlier. It is true, that which I have revealed to you; there is no God, no universe, no human race, no earthly life, no heaven, no hell. It is all a dream - a grotesque and foolish dream. Nothing exists but you. And you are but a thought - a vagrant thought, a useless thought, a homeless thought, wandering forlorn among the empty eternities!"

This gets me to wonder if Twain, an atheist, may actually be quite close to the mark, so to speak. At times, it seems the road to hell is paved with solipsistics, but perhaps the lost human soul in eternity comes to a situation thinking much like what Twain describes. Alone, homeless, wandering, never to have reconciliation, or communion again.

playing at Dept. Stores

2009-05-19T07:14:00.000-07:00

There is some reason to believe that the department store sales personnel cringe when we walk into their section. We are ready to play, but don't have the money to buy.

Goldfinch encounter

2009-05-18T05:34:00.001-07:00

Today on my walk I had a beautiful encounter with a baby American goldfinch. This bird is also called a lesser goldfinch because of its size.

This beautiful, bright yellow, little bird was in the grass lying there, and so still I thought it had just fallen from its nest, and was dead. Moved in compassion, I touched it, and startled it...it seemed to be only napping. It fluttered, and darted a few feet away. Perhaps it was tired from trying to fly, I thought. It was a strange thing to see. Then I thought , maybe it was hurt or sick or dying. I reached out again, and it peeped and fluttered just a bit out of reach, but seemed healthy, and though a bit nervous, somewhat uninterested in fleeing altogether. Our worlds were coming together, and we reckoned each other.

I might be able to briefly hold him, and take him home, just long enough to show such a beautiful creature to my children, and then set him off, and back to his flying practice. I reached over to him, and took him in my hand with hardly any effort. He peeped a few times, and fluttered, his heart pounded in my palm, but as I cupped in securely in my hand, and against my stomach, he calmed down completely, and even drifted to sleep as I walked home about two blocks away.

Once indoors, my husband helped me unfasten my remaining hand weight I use for exercising, and I brought the little bird over to my son to see up close. The goldfinch opened his eyes and stared, completely at ease, and looked at him. My son, was plunged into awe, and delight. I told him, he should speak in a whisper, and that he could gently stroke his head with one finger. The bird accepted the gesture with grace.

Then my son said, we should let him go, and I felt too that it was time. We had joined in a beautiful time together, and our worlds had met peacefully and lovingly. Now we wanted him to be free of us, and go on happily.

I had some concerns in the back of my mind that perhaps I had not been a bird whisperer, maybe he was only sick, or injured. Maybe he would stay languishing in the grass, and be eaten by a local animal. Still, I placed him in a tuft of grass near our porch, and watched him. He sat only for a second, and then fluttered quickly, regaining himself. Then he flew about fifteen feet away. He rested there for about three minutes, and then continued his flying practice toward the shadow of our house. I went indoors, and back out a few minutes later to see if I could find him, and to see if he was indeed healthy enough to truly fly, but he was gone. Though our worlds met, he emerged into his world well.

What a beautiful blessing.

I found out a bit about him, including the image shown, and his bird call (once he matures) at this helpful site. I hope to learn many calls of our local birds this summer, because on my daily walks I hear them sing. What glorious creatures. This should be a helpful way to do that.

Exploring failure-awesome

2009-05-16T19:06:00.000-07:00

So, I starting looking up these fascinating and humorous images about various failures.

The moral of this story is before you tell the world you are awesome, be awesome at spelling. Look it up, write it down, and if it's going on your skin forever, have the dude proofread it back to you first. I'm a terrible speller, and I need a fuller time proofreader, if only! But this takes the cake. I think he'll be wearing a t-shirt at the beach, until he saves the huge chunk of change to have it removed.

Mr. Fun

2009-05-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

My husband and I went to a bike gear swap meet, and in the parking lot, this guy was there. All he needs is a friend to ride along.

It looks like he's crafted his own kaiak rack attached to his sidecar, and attached to that is a bike rack. You just don't see this sort of thing every day. It's kind of like this man has said, "I'm going to have a lot of fun, and I swear I won't need a car or a truck to help me do it." His big motorbike had full dressers too.

Titanic - The Legos' version, my son's creation

2009-05-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

My son has a new fascination-The story of the Titanic. He built a Lego version of it. It's quite clever. (Okay, I realize that sounds like a brag, but Nathan is 9 and has autism, and some profound learning disabilities, so this is a celebration I want to share with all of you!)

Notice the life boat on the side, the four steam funnels, and the captain in the crow's nest. lol.

Local Honey / allergy experiment update

2009-05-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

The locally harvested honey has worked very well this season for allergies. Many are complaining of quite bad symptoms, and I'm not saying I have none, but they are minor.

I take 2 teaspoons a day. I got my locally harvested honey at a farm market down the road, for about $4 for about a 2-3 month supply, and also a nearby health food store. Sometimes I mix it in a smoothie, some milk with a scoop of protein powder, and a banana or strawberries. Also good mixed in tea.

Also I experience no side effects that I can tell. Sometimes it just seems just too sweet. But, washing it down with O.J. makes it fine.

I'm really glad I tried it, and plan on taking it until frost, usually Sept or Oct.

Humor-science, math, spiritual

2009-04-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

Quick note and update:

I've been considering this topic, because I get joy from little silly things in life. I've researched comedy, and engaged in my own pranks/hijinxs.

Now, I explore the nature of humor at the place where I engage life as I perceive it as it really IS.

Life As Prayer.

Read and respond. I LOVE that.

3 more weeks of school this semester. AHHH!

Bird Calls Getting me Out of Bed

2009-04-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

A strange and beautiful thing has been happening to me, a consummate night owl. Birds are singing me awake in the a.m.. One day it was a turtle dove saying what sounded like, "Come one, Come one!" and I was beckoned to get up for my morning walk. This walk is wonderful. I examine my dreams, I pray (thanking God, praise him for his world, and lifting up others on my mind). I really have never been a morning person, and I still don't think I am, but this new habit is very refreshing.

I'm starting to really be captivated by the calls of the birds I hear as I walk. They are so busy in the morning. I heard a woodpecker this week as he was getting breakfast out of a tree. I may have to start studying the bird calls of local birds. I think they might be talking about me, or maybe they have important things to say that I should know. : )

Morning Fog Rising

2009-04-16T06:33:00.000-07:00

Today I took an early morning walk. I'm not a morning person. I've been trying to get out for exercise.

Today was particularly cold, but beautiful with an encompassing fog hovering over the path I walked. I could hear many birds busy singing in their day, which I haven't been nearly well-enough aware of, though spring is fully here.

I thought about the beauty of the morning that I'm too cooped up in my home to witness most days, because I am too tired, and feel too busy to join in. And I walk the around the forgiving gravel of the nearby cemetery, which is easier on my joints than pavement. This course choice pulls into perspective the brevity of existence, and hones my priorities, just before my hectic day begins. It all helps lift me from my fog.

new gnome site

2009-04-08T17:38:00.000-07:00

I'll broken off the random escapade gnome adventuring enterprise "Into the Great Un-gnome" to a new site dedicated to that purpose. Hope you check out the fun. Keep those cards, and gnomes coming! Thanks for the support.

"Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises" answers FAQ

2009-04-06T13:37:00.000-07:00

What is "INTO the GREAT UN-GNOME ENTERPRISES" ?

q: Is this some kind of a joke, or will you seriously travel around with statues, and take pictures?

a: Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises provides a way for people to experience the pleasure of a vicarious adventure by sending a garden gnome friend to us for a unique experience we will capture on camera and chronicle on Facebook and this blog.

q: Why did you start this?

a: The short answer is to have some fun. But, this idea, in general, is not new. Wikipedia details this movement in this article. The award-winning French film Amélie featured this idea also. Travel service Travelocity uses a gnome as its mascot. Apparently, gnomes, once free from forced labor gardening, enjoy adventures and world travel.

q: What does it cost to send a gnome on an adventure with you?

a: It costs nothing, but really the fun and enjoyment you'll have is priceless.

q: Can I choose the adventure, trip, or activity for my gnome?

a: Our modest financial abilities do not allow this possibility at present. Gnomes arriving without financial wherewithal are surprised with the next available adventure, be it a modest or extravagant one.

q: If I want to see a gnome I send you go on an adventure, what should I do?

a: You should carefully pack your gnome, and mail him to Gnome Handlers Services c/o Ovation Enterprises 49 S. 2nd St. Cressona, Pa 17929.

q: Will my gnome be returned?

a: No.

q: Do you accept trolls, elves, pixies, fairies, dwarfs, and the like?

a: Not at this time. However, special exceptions may accepted upon request.

q: If I find a gnome, can I send it?

a: Not, if it doesn't belong to you. That's what is typically referred to as stealing, and we do not condone that.

q: What if I don't have a gnome, but I want to send one?

a: See if the owner of a nearby gnome is agreeable to the adventure, or purchase one of your own. mastergardening.com is where we got our first gnome Trevor (seen in photo) for only about 12$.

q: Will this make me famous or make my gnome famous?

a: Maybe. We will only use your first name when referencing your gnome story, unless you specify otherwise. We will reveal whatever details you give us about your gnome that we feel are appropriate, and details about his adventure.

q: You keep saying "him", don't you accept female gnomes?

a: Not at this time. Our gnome told us they are all male, and reproduce by magic. He said any known female gnomes are a farce. (He may have told us a fib to get away with something!)

If you have any questions about this venture, please leave your comments.

Thanks for your support.

Keep those cards, letters, and gnomes coming.

Agape Love: a choice of the mind not the heart

2009-04-05T10:41:00.001-07:00

To first understand this concept, it helps to know a little background of Hebrew language. In Hebrew, the "heart" is associated with not feelings and emotions, by with choice and the mind. The guts (innards or bowels) are associated with the feelings and emotions. This is a formidable difference in language, and therefore translation and meaning.

While it may seem like too much to ask to feel loving toward someone who has hurt your feelings, wronged you, be it an enemy, or a person who really bothers you, understanding the nature of choice in agape love helps take the burden off what may seem insurmountable. We may never be able to emotionally reconcile with someone else in those cases. We may even hate them, but we may be able to truly treat them lovingly and respectfully, why? Because the highest form of love "agape love," truly self-sacrificing love is conceptualized as cool and calculated, a decision of the mind. One need only to *decide* to not collect on the debt owed, and operate in great benevolence toward the other. In this way one wants good for them. Not because they deserve it, mind you, but because the choice is on the decider's part as one of the will (not the heart/emotions).

Eros love, is another subcategory of love in general, (of which agape in also a subcategory). This form of love has to do with feeling love, desire, passions, affections. We cannot feel Eros love for those we do not enjoy being around.

To move into true forgiveness agape love, grace is called for. Thankfully, our feelings need not play into the goodness of it, if they aren't there yet.

YOUR Gnome– on a Travel Adventure

2009-04-01T17:42:00.000-07:00

Important Announcement:
Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises is now accepting new applications for Gnome Participants. Do you believe in Gnome Liberation? We realize launching a vision to the world on April Fool's Day carries some risk. We assure you, our enterprise is no joke. You see, many gnomes long to journey beyond the forced labor of gardening, and decorative posing for the open road adventures that lie beyond the garden fence. But how can they be free? Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises is the answer. Free your gnome from a garden near you, or the confines of a shop, and send him on a travel adventure of a lifetime. Trevor, pictured here at the beach on his travel adventure, was redeemed from the slavery trade at Mastergardening.com

Your gnome will be featured in the next available travel adventure, along with photos and descriptions of his activities along the way. No spending money or travel costs are required, because Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises covers all gnome related travel and activity expenses. Facebook and blog updates will capture the adventure, and the release of your gnome, back into the wild for you and the world to see. The first five rescuers to free a gnome will receive trip souvenirs, and a personalized photo album of the trip as a keepsake to treasure forever.

Simply ship the gnome you wish to liberate to our Travel Gnome Handlers Service, c/o Ovation Enterprises, 49 S. 2nd St Cressona, PA 17292, with his name, and any vital information necessary, such as age, nationality, allergies, previous work and medical history (if known), travel experience, and tastes, etc.

What kind of an adventure can your rescued gnome expect? We prefer to keep the actual trip a surprise for each gnome, but gnomes may experience a wide variety of adventures, such as white water rafting, caber tossing, swimming with shrieking eels, mountain climbing and orienteering, beach volleyball, wilderness campouts, amusements parks, late night cheesecake outings incognito, jig festivals, and so much more. In the end, we free each gnome back into the woods, or a safe environment, to live the rest of his days in serenity–leaving the haunting memories of grueling gardening servitude far behind him.

Won’t you please make a wish come true for a gnome and free one from oppression today? We can make a difference for justice, one gnome at a time.

T-shirts to support gnome liberation are available at another gnome-friendly site.

Donations in any amount for the care of gnomes are greatly appreciated, but are not tax-deductible.

Please spread the word, and thank you for your support.

Natural Allergy Relief- local honey

2009-03-30T16:53:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a great tip I want to try this Spring.

5. Local honey : It is recommended that you start eating about 1-2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts. Bees are known to collect pollen from local plants. Therefore honey is known to have some low levels of pollen, and taking it before the season helps your body to get use to some pollen level in advance before the full blown season strikes.

See the 14 other great natural tips: here.

Lance Armstrong-in a sling

2009-03-23T20:00:00.000-07:00

Image Credit: TwitPic/Lance Armstrong (2009)

After a bike crash Lance Armstrong will be in surgery for a broken right clavicle (collarbone). This will be a major setback to his training for the Tour de France this summer. Follow his twitter for his updates.

Gnome in NYC

2009-03-18T05:26:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick photo tour of NYC highlights with Trevor. Fun stuff, that day.

Impressions

2009-03-17T06:12:00.000-07:00

I saw the play Impressions on Saturday in NYC. Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen at the Schoenfeld Theatre. Lots of beautiful paintings, love right in front you, and a joyful ending.

waking up

2009-03-11T08:23:00.000-07:00

People might say, "Have you found Jesus?" or "Have you received God." or something like that.

Now, I see it more like waking up from a dream were you thought you were alone. More accurately, I don't think we find God or that he finds us. I think we realize he's there. (Not that God is a "he".) We dawn to the conception, and also to the experience, of a Reality we didn't accept or encounter before. And then we realize God really is everywhere, holding it altogether, and we were either too childish, or too blind to see it. God is not something we get to hold in our hand, or even in our mind all that well–receive or acquire–it's a journey of consciousness. Awakening. (And a gift of grace.) And it is a continual progression into deeper levels. Especially if we can be brave.

Woe, No-ah Way.

2009-03-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Back in the day, they thought Noah was crazy. Johan Huibers in the Netherlands is getting similar reactions. Like Noah, he thinks he's on a mission from God. His ark replica (scale model) is 3/4 of a football field long, and he offers rides along the local canals.

In England they throw desserts

2009-03-06T12:36:00.000-08:00

English Business Secretary was smacked with green custard. Very nice. Why don't we do this in the U.S.A.? Do we take food too seriously? What dessert items should be tossed toward U.S. Tres. Sec. Geithner? Banana Creme pie perhaps? Any ideas?

See the video of Lord Mandelson's getting walloped.

NYC adventure-Trevor is coming along

2009-03-01T11:14:00.000-08:00

Humorous website to stop oppressive gardening- official site for the support of garden gnome liberation. They sell some pretty funny t-shirts.

Yanni called-he wants his hair back

2009-02-28T08:03:00.000-08:00

What's with the hair? Terror detainee Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri is pictured here. Washington Post articleby Carrie Johnson details the change in court status of terrorist Ali Saleh Kahlah who is accused of conspiracy in planning terroristic acts on Americans. Saleh Kahlah is not accused of " visual hair terror inflicted on others" though, as many may assume, but the grooming police, I suspect, will be on the scene soon. It may be concluded that Yanni would be proud of him for his tresses.

chips in cars: no, these don't go with salsa, they track milage

2009-02-25T19:39:00.000-08:00

Apparently PA is nearing the stage of Oregon, Mass. and others as Gov. Rendell wants to tax people per mile, not per gallon. This requires cars to have chips put in them. This also means anyone who shelled out money to save money and the environment with a fuel efficient vehicle gets the shaft. It seems that taxes will create the opposite of what they intend. The state needs the money they thrive on more than they want to "save the planet" (conserve resources) and encourage responsibility. They will always find a way to pick pockets. So will fuel efficient car sales go down? Of course. Why not buy the car with power and performance--the gas hog. It's too expensive not to. But what about the big brother watching thing? Creepy.

In hobbit fashion

2009-02-20T06:46:00.000-08:00

My buddy Doug Jackson, a facebook friend, pointed out that giving away presents on your birthday was something hobbits do. All month I've been giving away things as a new way of celebrating life. If you'd like to celebrate with me, please join in. (All Feb) Go to emergingpa.blogspot.com for details and pictures.

two weird dreams

2009-02-19T16:24:00.000-08:00

I've always had vivid and powerful dreams. Lately, this is no exception. Within 10 days I had two dreams where someone who had died came back and spoke to me. If I was the creepy and conspiratorial type, I could take this as an ominous sign, but I think it may rather represent spiritual transition for me.

Because dreams carry so much symbolism for me, it seems they help me to circumvent the over thinking I may tend to do in waking life, by showing me something that represents something I will understand later upon reflection and prayer. In waking life I can tend to end up in circular reasoning, and more questions than resolution, or direction.

Sam I & Sam II

2009-02-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

I Samuel and II Samuel were one book, but split into two parts to fit on to two scrolls and not be so bulky. What is the centerpiece of the story? It can be found at the chiastic literary center of the work. Curiously, it's not about the reign of King David, or some part of his conquest, it's about the fact that power corrupts. It's a cautionary message. It's possible the book was written by the prophet Nathan showing that God is the true hero of the book. And also that monarchy, and human power, in general, are dangerously seductive.

Yes. In times like these, it gives one pause.

My fascination with micro-blogging, micro-"fame", and how the playing field gets leveled 140 slots at a time

2009-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

I've been sucked into the mirco-world of Twitter. I admit it. I really dig micro-blogging. With 140 characters, and a social network working for a person, even the pen is not mightier than the Tweet. That's because the Tweet is instant and potent. News travels fast, and may contain links with video, or loads of extra info. and news. Also-and here's the BIG one. It's free.

For me, it's not about becoming well-known, it's about disseminating very helpful information that makes life better, that changes lives. Or, that brightens someone's day. To me, that's "micro-fame" if Twitter is involved.

@mashable has nearly 100,000 followers, and the influence there shut down a part of yahoo recently, and sold out a company's line of shirts, with just a few characters. The shirt said, "Eat, Sleep, Tweet."

who's shrinking my clothes?

2009-02-12T17:30:00.000-08:00

Is there is a gnome somewhere that's been shrinking all my clothing? I'm encountering some unfortunate dressing experiences in the mornings, much like the one you see here.

ecoNOmy

2009-02-11T05:25:00.000-08:00

I have to say, I have never felt more grim about where things are headed, or what kind of future my kids will have, than I do now. Even after Sept 11. I worried. But not like now.

Spending this much money for banks, when it didn't work before, and the government intrusion, (health care like the DMV, and all the pork, and the loads of $ the country doesn't have.) I really am starting to think my children will not be better off than I have been. I grew up poor, but with hard work I put myself through school, and we've managed to be okay. I don't know if those types of things can happen on this current course. I find I am sobered more often in spirit, and my thoughts wander as I kept wondering. It's not just me.

I start to go to humor when these types of things happen, because worry won't solve anything. The tension needs to break. What's a 'stimulus package' anyway...? "Well, As Michael Scott would say...that's what 'he said'." Or "a stimulus package is what Chris Brown wanted to give Rihanna just before he bit her, because she said, 'I have a headache'."

Yes, it's a coping mechanism. I have to learn to trust my divine Father. I do, in general. And each day, in these times, I'll get more chances.

new eyes to see...new blog

2009-02-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

I started a new blog at wordpress (LifeAsPrayer.wordpress.com) to cover ideas in my book project and take them from the book into regular life. I didn't think I'd need a new blog for that, but it seems right. I think I might merge the emergingPA blog there at some point.

At emergingPA.blogspot.com I'm giving out freebies all month in Feb, b/c of my birthday. I'm sharing the love. It feels nice.

From current reading (assigned)

2009-02-07T07:28:00.000-08:00

You, the great homesickness
we could never shake off,
You, the forest that always surrounds us,
You, the song we sang in every silence,
You dark net threading through us.

(Rilke's Book of Hours: Love Poems to God, NY: Riverhead, 1996, p. 70)

Candy

2009-02-04T08:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, I have to admit, not eating these is hard.

It's like they're looking right at me.

Darkness

2009-01-30T13:55:00.000-08:00

I've been pondering the links between darkness and growth.

I have most often (as many do) thought of darkness with negative things or hidden things.

But now I am encountering it in a new way as of late. We dream in darkness. Seeds germinate in darkness. Winter season, the needed time of dormancy in a normal cycle of a year, has long periods of darkness-short days, long nights. These are not bad things.

And I've been thinking of "the dark night of the soul"...silence, for the better.

UPDATE on fast

2009-01-28T20:02:00.000-08:00

Success.

chocolate intake in general is down too.

I did enjoy a wonderful donut yesterday (glazed and chocolate covered). I split it up and had it last night and this morning.

Will I go three weeks... Class starts tomorrow.... Vending machine. GULP.

Fasting-starting with M&Ms

2009-01-25T14:36:00.000-08:00

I've decided to add Fasting to my "rule of life" as a spiritual practice. I am starting with M&Ms. This sounds like a small thing. But, you don't have a close up of my thighs, and don't know the huge quantity of candy I've had this year. You'd think I made a New Year's resolution to eat 8lbs a month. I love the peanut + chocolate combo. Well, I'm going to practice restraint. I'm going without my favorite candy for three weeks. Starting now. (I'm chewing my last three) After I swallow these, that's it! Sure this doesn't sound so big a deal, but I get these CRAVINGS! usually after supper. I buy in bulk and I still have some in the house, so it could be hard.

The way fasting is helpful is that when you feel the pain of want you pray and focus (or refocus) on God, his provision, and worship him. He is a sustainer.

Have you ever fasted? How did it go?

Give it a try, on a small scale. Maybe just skip one meal (like lunch) in a week. Or withhold a typical treat.

HERE I GO!

Test Subjects faired well during chocolate consumption in spiritual conversations

2009-01-10T10:28:00.000-08:00

Four subjects were given chocolate in a controlled spiritual environment (grad class). Three were unaware of the test. One was aware. [I loved the chocolate, and ate it gratefully.]

The experiment showed that the chocolate candy was enjoyed, made the environment more productive, stimulating, and the time seemed to go more quickly.

My preliminary conclusion for this experiment is that chocolate does make life better, and may be considered as part of a spiritual practice in conjunction with other theological pursuits, as it seems to produce positive benefits. More research seems necessary, and I will gladly pursue this.

Yes, Chocolate can make life better

2009-01-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

I'm supposed to be turning into an expert on spirituality at this point, and I don't want to just start tossed my opinions around willy-nilly quite yet, but I think I also have science on my side here too, in this case.

It seems to me that chocolate has some spiritual benefits.

I'm going to do my own research as I take my gi-NORMOUS bag of peanut M&Ms to my 9 hours of Contemporary spirituality class tomorrow.

Details to follow, if I don't get ill on the stuff.

Favorite things this week

2008-12-20T08:23:00.000-08:00

Gingerbread

Rock salt

Finding old friends

Trash bags on sale

Centering prayer

Daughter's coloring

Camera phone

Baked Oatmeal

. . . . how about you?

disaster averted - no children were shot

2008-12-19T11:38:00.000-08:00

today an automated call came from the superintendent of my children's school district that a child planned to bring guns to school today, but was averted and arrested. No further details could be told she said.

We were snowed in and school was canceled anyway. When you get a call like that, it is quite chilling. You wonder why things are so unsafe, even among the world of children. You start to list the many reasons why. Video games? Cable tv? The abundance of glorified violence? Lack of proper bonding? No mentors? Dysfunctional families?

Improper spiritual formation? (certainly). From my perspective, of course, I'll end up here because I study this. I see all problems as spiritual ones at their root. And are they not? When we cannot live with each other, or we wish to hurt each other, that is a spiritual problem. It comes out as a criminal problem. It gets met by law enforcement. It becomes punished by what is called justice, but really is largely secular retribution and recompense.

Will this young person be healed? Will he (or she, but we all know this is highly unlikely. Don't boys cry in bullets?) be soon reinstated into loving community, found, and healed? That is his only hope really. Will he find his way because he realizes what grace is, what love is, what forgiveness is? Or will he grow hard and cold? Will he stay lost? Will he stay hateful?

People are scared. It's strange to live in a place that seems safe, but of course is like any other place, normal, which means, American, and therefore chaotic and prone to violence.

I'm glad disaster was averted. I hope no one will hope to copy him on a day when bad weather isn't a factor that changes the day.

My mind is spinning.

trying for the best

2008-12-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

Sometimes when you have an opinion, or make an observation... even an incredibly obvious one, you can be crucified for it (socially I mean). Sometimes physically, but not usually, of course, at least not in my country.

You can get maligned.

You have to ask yourself the important question, in those cases. If you can save a person, (or persons) from potential damage, you should try to do it, even if it costs you dearly. Even if its unpopular. Even if the discomfort of the pointing out the obvious will target you for revenge of the inner guilt you rouse in others.

Trying for the best isn't easy or safe. I'm not perfect. I've made mistakes. Like Eve, I been deceived by a serpent or two. In learning from those mistakes I hope to save some lambs from the jaws of some wolves, even wolves in sheep's clothing if that's the case, if at all possible.

This use to really surprise me, even depress me how hard it was to do well, or better. It does not surprise me any more. It's hardest among people you would hope it would be easiest. There you have it!

Spiritual formation is a journey. We have to try to for the best. When we fail we have to keep trying. I FAIL. I must press on.

Disappearing . . .

2008-12-06T18:06:00.000-08:00

When I was young sometimes I would get the sense that if I closed my eyes I might completely disappear. I might not just sink into the floor or fade like a vapor-though sometimes I wondered that too-but maybe I wouldn't exist because I was not existing. Was I there if I felt invisible and unnoticed? Was it possible to disappear? Does this speak in some way of how a child absorbs things that are less than loving-neglectful things; or is this more of creativity and how one imagines and gets use to one's metaphysics?

Remembering that, and the potential adult manifestations of those sorts of topics, gets me to thinking about love. It seems it can bring us back, to life. It can make us reappear, maybe something like clapping for Tinkerbell could bring her back to fairy-ness.

But too, I think that disappeared person has to be able to feel that love first too. Those perceptions cannot be too deadened. If one's been under the ice too long and gotten too numb, a quick warm up does not "do the trick". Then the cut off has been too great, though a thaw can happen, rescuers must be patient.

How do we make people reappear?

Loneliness and Love

2008-11-25T12:07:00.000-08:00

Loneliness will drive us to do unwise things.

Love will drive us to do very unwise things.

Does it seems a great many people don't take the care to tell of which one is driving them?

The former will condition seems to rarely settle down into one that begins out of the latter condition (love).

The latter condition keeps the former condition from happening at all.

If it weren't for the great gap, and horrifying feeling and condition (both) of loneliness, could we not love so much better and more wholly?

possessing nothing

2008-11-23T12:34:00.001-08:00

In reading Tozer, I have enjoyed his take on this "possessing nothing" issue. It can encompass a worldview.

Tozer (in the Pursuit of God) says, "I have everything, but I possess nothing." If this is the perspective, nothing possesses us. We are not "other possessed", but have no chain to anything, and then can be given, or shall we say, released, to God.

I think the image here isn't that of apathy toward things. We may care quite deeply, and engage fully, love fully, even lay our lives down for friends and enemies. The difference I see is that we do not clutch anything.

So, I may love my child, my spouse, my friend, with all my heart, but I know that God gave them to me. They are God's, not mine to clutch. I possess nothing. (I don't contend I have this mastered, but only that I'm beginning to understand this as working as such!)

Your comments are welcome!

Porcupine Traits

2008-11-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

Porcupines are SOLITARY creatures.
They live ALONE. They are not like other rodents like mice or squirrels who live together in colonies.

Their spiny quills dislodge into anything they touch and can cause agony, infection, and even death.

With these qualities we would think they would be extinict long ago. But actually they flourish very well.

How?

Simply put, porcupines DANCE.

They flatten their pain inducing quills and two-step.

That's right, dance! It's a delicate balancing act to make things work out, when you have the ability to hurt others.

On cold nights they have even been known to snuggle down together in what is termed as "a prickle".

If these barbed creatures can overcome their prickly tendencies, we humans can learn to get along.

We can be agreeable even when we disagree.

We are porcupines too, but we can all learn to flatten our quills and dance.

SLR camera collection

2008-11-15T11:52:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have accumulated 4 SLR cameras at this point. It's funny to be sitting on all this old technology. They are worth very little on ebay.

We both had to buy them during our years in college for Photography class. Tim was given two that belonged to his grandmother. we thought of selling them to get a cheap digital, but they will hardly cover the expense.

I've always loved taking B&W shots with my camera. Our current digital just doesn't do it for me. It's bulky too.

I think the best scenario might be to get a small pocket sized digital, a nice digital SLR, and keep one of the traditional SLRs.

But the big thing is we're rather poor to consider such luxuries, so these are dreams, for now.

un-spooky

2008-11-02T18:30:00.000-08:00

Success-

The kids had fun for Halloween. Meaning: After about 20 houses we could be done. It's not a big deal at our house--not hushed up, nor hyped. We carve two pumpkins about a week prior, roast seeds (YUM) and then throw together costumes from the costume bin about 15 min before it's time to go. That's about all the thought and prep. that goes into the night.

Other potential spooky situations seemed averted and turned out positively. Very relieved.

the next crazy thing will be....

the whacky ELECTION! ugh.

My boy wants a beard

2008-10-30T12:00:00.001-07:00

Tonight I get to draw a beard on my 8 year old. It's very important that he be an engineer and have a manly beard. It's key to the outfit for Trick-or-treating too because he doesn't really have a fantastic costume. We have to rely on good make-up.

Facial hair is a funny thing. When Nathan couldn't find the word for "mustache" in his language testing this summer, he used hand motions on his lip and said, "It's on a man's lip and it tickles." You can tell his daddy has a beard and mustache and gives kisses. Maybe that's why obtaining a beard is so important. Whatever it is, it helps get candy.

October madness

2008-10-26T19:16:00.000-07:00

I've noticed lots of spooky things recently... decorations, clothing, pumpkins, people, surprising turns in conversations...

Our car got egged. I loved it because our car is 16 years old. It's a wonderful piece of junk car. It's beautiful to us because somehow it manages to still run. But it's about as ugly as cars get. The egg didn't really matter. The YOKE was on them really. HA!

It's been madness lately for several big reasons, and several small ones, and several odd ones, and one or two that should stop making my radar, but do.

Besides that, when it's the worst, the good news is, the (so-called) "worst" HAVE gotten less irritating ... practicing the presence of God DOES work.

Will "the madness" stop by Halloween?

hum...
I'll have only to wonder.

God's sufficiency

2008-10-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

It seems my most fitful times are all rooted in doubts of God's sufficiency for me.

They often do not appear this way though. They might present as symptoms of just being too stressed out, wanting to pack up and leave, the feeling of losing faith in humanity, of just a proverbial "temper tantrum".

If I let God calm me down, it usually ends up with him sort of asking me some tough questions about where I am placing my trust.

hearing songs in the morning

2008-10-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

Seismic forces may have their way

For a while -

So that, my heart quakes

Or my compunction like Tsunamis

Unfurl, or give away my strength,

And too, herald my weakness.

But, I hear your Song

On the open breeze.

Part howl, and crying

Part calling, my name and yours

Together.

Of home beyond the veil,

Making a thirst amid me

So rich and aching

That I sate

Even in aridity

Until your eschaton

A song for Rich Kilmer

2008-10-05T20:28:00.000-07:00

Today Deb Perkins our church organist, and a talented musician, played a tribute on the piano to a lovely man Rich Kilmer. It was the Bach/Gounod of Ave Maria. This song is a prayer. For that reason, it is like life itself. There is a bitter sweetness to this piece that stirs my newly aquired compunction. Which I've learn is also what is known (historically) as a "gift of tears"... though I didn't realize it was anything close to a gift (and saw no real use for it until recently). When I am now stirred to compunction, in this case because of the immense beauty, frailty, pain, and reality and sharp, brevity of life and loss, I weep. And now that I am not jolted by those tears, I can be in those moments unencumbered, and enjoy the music; and also realize, though perhaps still with wet eyes, that God is very much in all of reality, in my world and the next one. Even so, in those moments also, "Jesus wept".

Like a prayer, we are like a breath. We come into this world, and there is beauty, and joy, and sadness, and sorrow, bitterness, goodness, vanity, excellence, and excess, dryness ... and then we are gone. The things we have done are then over. It is brief. Our friend Rich, dear Rich, and his sweet, smiling face, and his good nature are gone now, suddenly from us, and this life. And he passes to another.

It was so lovely and fitting of Deb to play a tribute.

To hear what I mean, listen to a rendition of the song on you-tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMdhEt7J31Y

See you soon, Rich.
We miss you already.

The Blaine Dive of Death

2008-09-24T20:02:00.000-07:00

I'm watching tv after reading my text book FOREVER. In a few minutes the showboat, stuntman David Blaine will lower himself five stories on a wire in a stunt called the Dive of Death. Supposedly, he's starved himself, and been sleep deprived too to make it more difficult.

After reading about Medieval Mystics, I associating Dave as a postmodern solipsistic ascetic. Instead of devoting his fasting or hardship to God, he wears himself out for publicity and fame. Instead of identifying himself with Christ in his suffering, David furthers his career with it... or we shall see. . .

Stunt Update: David just jumped 44 feet on a wire then swung around. After an odd camera cut, the announcer informed us he disappeared into the night. The crowd seemed perplexed. An odd display. Maybe I misunderstood his intent and it was planned as the David Blaine "Career Dive of Death," because that was totally a waste to watch. Or perhaps, it just didn't translate to television. A postmodern vapid center I suppose.

things I've loved this week

2008-09-18T12:25:00.000-07:00

Italian bread with garlic butter

Palin's new hair (just kidding)

M & M's

My free book from NavPress (how did I get on that list? I hope I get more books! How cool.)

New friends on facebook. I love friends.

Baking chocolate chip cookies

Napping near Pam as she read her homework (Wednesday was fun.)

Helping in my daughter's kindergarten class-very rewarding

Making new friends at my school. Very nice people. I do love that.

Hugs and kisses from my kids and husband. Priceless.

HOW TO: Keeping naked men from chasing the kids in your yard

2008-09-13T14:27:00.000-07:00

1. Preemptively--- Keep careful watch of the people in your neighborhood, and if possible know them by name.

2. If you suspect that anyone will remove pants and underwear, carry the cordless phone with you, or buy a clip for your belt loop.

3. Have the police on speed dial. (Remember they won't think of it as a 911 emergency, so input the local phone number.)

4. If the perpetrator ventures into your yard, use the element of surprise and barge out your door yelling at him and waving your phone. (Sometimes they think it's a gun, which is nice.)

5. Flip out! As you yell, act crazy, and yell a lot about calling the cops. (Yes, it's probably just a threat, because they would not get there in time, or bother helping you, perhaps. But, if you sale it hard enough, WITH PASSION, the "perp" will likely believe you.)

6. Be very brave, because children should be protected.

7. This worked for me, but it might not work for you. I don't own a gun. I'm considering a tazer. You may need to consult a professional, or go with your gut.

faltering and learning

2008-09-09T09:43:00.000-07:00

If we can learning anything at all... it is that mistakes, errors, suffering, do-overs, all these things, produce character and growth.

Otherwise, we remain like infants in EZ chairs with remote controls. A life of easy, and of ease produces really nothing at all. Nothing much good. Really nothing of eternal value either.

I wonder if the American way of life is too soft, and that in some real way it, and not war, or something else, will be the end of us. What a strange irony. I don't mean the "end of us" in any physical sense, as doomsdays as that sounds, (read: dramatic. People DO love that, though). I mean, on the inside, from which we live. We make our decisions from that spot.

We falter, and then we learn. It's simple really. It's just not very pretty.

Janie asked

2008-09-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

(fictionalized)

Janie asked, "Why did he die? God could have saved my brother. . ."

"you miss him"

Janie asks, "Can you help me understand? Of all the people. . . Why does God seem to take the good ones? He had just adopted a little Chinese baby with his wife. They struggled so long to have children. He would have been the best father. . ."

"it feels like a mistake"

Janie asks, "How am I suppose to reconcile the God I know with something so reckless?"

"your heart is broken"

Janie says, "Yes. But I feel like I don't have the right to admit that, not really."

"you have to forgive"

Janie asks, "What? Forgive? Who?"

"God"

Janie asks, "No. God can't be forgiven if he doesn't do wrong. What are you saying?"

"you have to forgive God for braking your heart"

Janie asks, "It's my view of him?"

"It's an offense you perceive and you are stuck"

Janie says, "I know God is good."

"But you don't trust him with your heart, not at the moment."

Janie says, "No, he seems too wild."

"you think he's careless"

Janie says, "Yes."

"he's not."

Janie says, "He doesn't make sense, not lately."

"He doesn't make sense when we want him to, sometimes."

Janie says, "But he is good. I mean, I do know that. I just don't see it sometimes."

"but he is good"

Janie asks, "How can you know?"

"you suffer first"

Janie says, "I don't like the sound of that."

"then you see him for who he really is"

Janie asks, "Does it always have to hurt?"

"yes"

Janies aks, "Then why do it?"

"because then you will be like him"

Things you said about a mission

2008-08-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

You said

I was on a dangerous mission.

I was wishing

You hadn't say that.

Later.

But, then again.

I wanted to be very-

Cool.

At the time.

Dangerous,

In all the perilous ways,

you meant.

Not the hip, pop culture ways.

Unless, one counts being

counter-counter-cultural,

before everybody else

figures out how to.

Everyone is starting to think

Life is a movie staring them.

But reality is a story staring God.

How tricky

At the plot's climax

When it turns out

You are not the protagonist

after all.

It's a dangerous mission

To break the bad news

And call it Good News,

Even if it can save some one

From him self

He will probably only

Just hate you

For trashing his movie.

I'm... seriously... almost famous

2008-08-19T19:37:00.000-07:00

We're all almost famous. Those mathematical 6 degrees of separation are not too far for any of us. It can be creepy to think of it sometimes.

I shook President Clinton's hand one time, no twice. This was when he visited my university. It was also before the Monica news broke. I started washing my hands more after that media frenzy. The "I know someone that knows someone" thing is really true. We've all been close to greatness, infamy, or something of that sort.

It was super fantastic to read Michael Hyatt's blog yesterday. His "From where I sit" blog is awfully amazing. For those of you unaware or illiterate, Michael is the CEO of the world's most successful Christian publisher Thomas Nelson. Hyatt gave great advice for first time authors (that would be me) so, obviously, I read it. Lo and behold, he listed my agent as one of three noteworthy agent bloggers to read. That's some nice street cred. Surprisingly my thought wasn't to have that feeling like, gosh, gee, I almost know him, (in a weird way).

Instead, I thought about how gracious people can be. Chip MacGregor is a talented, gracious agent who, obviously, takes a few charity cases. I'm working on some cool things, and, sometime soon we're going to see what deals we can swing. No matter what happens, I hope the same graciousness, the same goodness will be imbued into the character of my projects, because that is what matters most to me. All that other "being famous" stuff, or whatever you could try to call it, it's a means to an end that doesn't count for things beyond a short end.

Just today I was reading my Christian Spiritual Direction book assignment for grad class, and it actually said how you introduce yourself shows the self you want to live out of. This is really an attached self, a part of who you are. Mainly this is a false self. The things we have and do are not us at all. It is only the us that can be found in the identity with Christ that becomes the true self. Not a diminished self, but a fully human self, body and spirit.

I am famous, you could say, with Christ, but not almost famous. I'm awash in abounding love.

Weekend Haikus

2008-08-16T19:27:00.000-07:00

Gray clouds mummer
Pink petals upraised
A flower wishes

Leafy groundcover
Crawling life mixed in cool earth
Dirt under my nails

Ivy, ferns, beetles
Canopy of outdoor art
Vivacious surfeit

Rain is good for. . .

2008-08-11T18:36:00.000-07:00

1) Making cookies

2) Remembering that flowers grow

3) Snuggling under blankets (indoors, obviously)

4) Catching up with old friends (on the phone or in a letter)

5) Eating soup

6) Getting cozy with a good book, and a person at same time preferably

7) Philosophy

8) Looking for rainbows

Today's Afternoon Summer Rain

2008-08-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

All the leaves are singing

with tiny drops of rain--

right now.

And the breeze is caressing my hair

as is blows in through the window,

and summer has its way.

The patters and droplets

are punctuating something

just out of reach,

but cool and familiar,

and almost mine.

The puddles are deepening,

and the streets are washing clean.

Things are smelling fresh again and free and light,

as evening approaches.

DEAR CHRISTIAN- YOU MIGHT NEED MEDS IF. . . .

2008-08-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

SO, HERE"S THE THING. . .

I've been taking a short break from this wonderful summer weather, enjoying the great outdoors, and playing with my fun kids, and I've been around some blogs lately. I'll be honest, I've been really surprised!

The folks with the Christian worldview (supposedly) have been awfully self-centered and negative. However... to my surprise (and I dare say, my chagrin) the secular folks, (and some former strays from the faith) are down right fun, positive, funny, interesting, and worth reading in general. The first thought to cross my mind was. . . is there an outbreak of clinical depression going on? I'm sensing real discontent, even whining. . . What's with the oppressive tone?

So, listen... .if you're down and troubled, and you need a helping hand. And nothing, no nothing is going right--set up an appoint with your primary care physician. It's nothing to be ashamed of to seek medical treatment and pharmaceutical remedies in times of need. And yes, Jesus will be right with you, too. Doctors are professionals there to help you. Anti-depressants can be that little boost you may need to begin anew.

When your worldview isn't doing the job, you may need some community, and you may also need some meds. Really. It's okay.

self-contempt

2008-07-29T08:27:00.000-07:00

What a shock it is to trace back problems social, spiritual, emotional, occupational, or otherwise in and around me, (with myself and others) all the way back to self-contempt. That, or pride, which is rather the a kind of funhouse mirror image are really the main things going on. Both are sin, if you will. The type that is both human (and not making us worthless) but unavoidable, brokenness that cries out to be whole and remedied, and, of course, one always hopes, forgiven. One wants to be spared, even from one's self, if possible, sometimes. But I don't know if we realize this "why" of how we suffer silently, or very loudly, or drag others into our perils and haunts. This odd barb of contempt is just under the skin, but with little, or big, veins into the deep of us, the muscle of our hearts, sometimes hurting and squeezing us.

So, I wonder at the hugeness of it sometimes. The cloud of it, and it's great undoing. I push breathlessly against it, if truth be told, far too much than I have been aware. And much more than I wish too. And I am beginning a journey to untie knots, even if my fingers callous and bleed.

Appraisals

2008-07-14T18:27:00.000-07:00

We had our house appraised. In seven years, it's done well.

I've been thinking it doesn't translate to people. It's not really the same on the human level to the stuff of the soul, the whole person. People age, deteriorate, and beyond that on the interior, even with great effort people often don't improve 35%, 45% percent or better in seven years, do they? If they are not trying to get better, my guess is that they indeed depreciate. Like dairy, they "go bad." How much does the human character improve in two years, or five? How much does spiritual formation develop in a normal year for a well-fed, pampered, indulgent American? The church fathers and mothers wrote that suffering and struggle were often helpful for improvement.

Of course it's hard to gauge improvement quantifiably, and I don't really believe it is most important. My point is to say, we can't let our homes of wood and stone out due us, accumulating advantage with time, and getting better with age as we regress in some ways.

How would you appraise yourself, in all honesty? (How would I?) If you had a camera attached on you, unaware for a week, how would viewers appraise you? (I'm thinking about this for me too.)

Etta Marie's intervention - (End of Part 1)

2008-07-01T14:49:00.000-07:00

Barry and Jackie filed to the rocky lookout near Etta Marie. She couldn't hear them over the crashing waves. It was her birthday, and 365 stones filled her mason jar.

"Your gig is up Etta," shouted Barry.

Etta whirled around and smiled, bumping her jar over between her outstretched legs. Jackie replaced the pebbles in the jar and sat down. Barry bent down and handed her a wrapped gift. "We know what you've been doing," he said.

"What do you mean?" said Etta Marie gaping at them.

"We know you swallow these all year," said Jackie." Etta pulled in her chin and closed her mouth tight. "We figured it out. . .We're going to stop you. It's not a good idea, Etta," Jackie finished.

"It's just some fiber," Etta laughed. She pressed her hand over the top of the jar. They watched some birds alight from the rocks and circle from the waves to the land.

"No, it's pain," said Barry. "You're not alone, Etta. We love you." Etta Marie looked far out into the water, into the golden sunset.

"I think I have to do this, you two," she sighed.

"Listen," shuttered Barry, "Keep collecting them, I mean, if that makes you feel safe. Then give them to me, and I'll keep them. At the end of a year, we'll take a ride and put them somewhere together."

"We got you this," said Jackie tapping the jar.

Etta Marie fumbled with the wrapping paper until it released a mason jar with hot tamale candies inside. "There are 365 in there," Barry muttered through the side of his mouth. Etta Marie grinned and set down the new jar next to her own jar.

"You're taking care of me," she said

"You've been taking care of us for a while, Etta." said Jackie. Barry nodded and shoved his hands deep into his cutoff shorts.

THE END

Etta Marie, Spiritual Consultant

2008-06-23T17:02:00.001-07:00

"Talk me out of giving up church, Etta Maire."

"I thought you said you were 'between churches'?" Etta Marie said glancing toward Jackie. She slouched into the sofa and toyed with her half-empty stemware.

"It's more like I'm between a rock and a hard place," said Jackie. She spread a glob of brie on a piece of bread, and swooped it into her mouth with one athletic motion. "You've been there. I mean, in my situation. You'd give it up, probably, right? You would have too, hiding out down here."

"I'm between Sundays, not between churches."

"You don't go to church down here, at the beach, fibber!" said Jackie through her bread.

"Every day is church, babe," Etta Marie shot back through the echo of her glass as it tipped into her mouth. She laughed, and then slowly wiped her mouth dry on a cloth napkin. "It's not the building, Jackie. It's not the guy at the front of the stadium seating. It's not what you get out of it."

"After a while, it is."

"Well, then maybe you're being selfish."

"Etta, didn't you ever just what to be fed, and think, "What am I doing here?"

"For a while I did, once, yes, but that's what I'm saying. It's not okay. Like I told you at Gilmore House, I was thinking backwards. It's not an Etta Marie world. It's not a Jackie Mayer world," Etta folded her hands and let out air through her nose. "I -- I know that's not so nice to say it like that. I just mean, we're here to minister, not get something. Worship and serve. Love God and love others."

"You're forgetting about growth, learning, and Christian education. The church is suppose to do that. That's the job of the church, of the pastor."

"Not really."

"How can you say that?!" Jackie waved her hands.

"We can find mentors. We can read books. We can be responsible for our own growth. There are ministries and resources for that everywhere. We don't have to be spoon-fed from the pulpit. Plus, disciple-making never happens there very much. It happens life-to-life, in the real world, not at a distance with sermons.

"I don't think too many people at my church care about that, i mean being disciples. That's hard work. It just gets too tough."

"That's why you have to take someone on and disciple her--show her why it matters to grow spiritually. Show someone the reality of a living faith in your Rescuer."

"Etta, Why are you telling me all this? You've been to my church, I thought you would just say, "find a good fit." And what's going on with you? Why are you hiding out down here anyway?"

Etta Marie stood up and stretched and then yawned. The room was pink with sunset. Jackie shook her head and started collecting food wrappings and silverware from the coffee table. Etta Marie moved over to the window where the view of the surf was white and low. The soft sound was muted until she pried open the sliding door. It blotted out the noise of the ceiling fan, soft music, and the conversation still hanging in the room. She crossed her arms and turned to Jackie, as she eyed her jar of stones, resting on the kitchen island.

"The truth is, Jackie, I'm on a Sabbatical, of sorts. I need time to rest, think, learn, and pray. I need quiet too. In every way I need some quiet."

Jackie nodded."You're not going to green light my leaving."

"No." She looked at the floor. "But, you know that they need you there. You know you have to bloom where you are planted."

"Why does the right thing to do always seem like the much harder route? Shouldn't it be 50/50 for the sake of odds? Or 40/60? I'd take that."

"I know."

"I guess you do need a break. You've never given yourself time to get away for a long time." Jackie put the dirty dishes in the sink and leaned on the counter.

"I have to collect some stones too."

"Really?"

"Yep. I've never told anybody this, but every year I collect 365 small stones at the beach. It's like ritual."

"That's cool."

"Not really."

"Why not.

"Never mind."

"What?"

"One secret admission at a time, okay?"

"Um. Okay, weirdo."

"I'll tell you. I just have to work a few things out first."

"It's okay, Etta. Whenever you're ready."