Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
What does iPod stand for anyway?
Raymond and Lori gifted me with an iPod for their 25th wedding anniversary. For REALZ! Because this gift came with two free lines (27 characters each) of engraving a huge dilemma was created. What WORDS!
I wrestled for hours, days and nights only to realize the following: I'm not going to find what I'm looking for!
It was in that moment of clarity I remembered, for a long time there was a U2 song that had always touched something in me. When the song came out ('87), I was entrenched in the "charismatic Christian movement" so I let my doctrine get in the way of hearing what they were trying to say. Although, the song flew in the face of what I was being taught at the time, it somehow managed to resonated in that part of me where all my questions are and I could never let it go. Now that I am older, and wiser and not so much in the movement, I see genius in every line:
I have climbed highest mountain
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run. I have crawled.
I have scaled these city walls, these city walls
Only to be with you
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing in her fingertips
It burned like fire
This burning desire
I have spoke with the tongue of angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
In conclusion, I would like to say that it reminds me of that scripture (that I love) in Philippians 3:12:
Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Oh, so from U2 I engraved the following line on my iPod:
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for....
Thank you Raymond and Lori. I was blessed the day you got married (August 22, 1981), even though I wasn't invited to the wedding!
Thank you Raymond and Lori. I was blessed the day you got married (August 22, 1981), even though I wasn't invited to the wedding!
Monday, August 14, 2006
Pictures of Bill
I was recently on Ashley's blog (Guerras in the City) looking at her last post. She created a "sound track" to her life based on songs she was into during different phases of her life. By the way, please go to her site and do the same. She wants visitors!
I've said it before, the Beatles music permeated my early years. So, the first song on my life's "soundtrack" will be: Hey Jude. The song was written by Paul McCartney (genius) to comfort John Lennon's son Julian when John Lennon and his first wife divorced. And although I don't hear it often, the song evokes in me a strong emotional response.
At the time it came out, my brother Bill enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to Korea. We were close and I struggled with the separation. When he came home on leave after basic training, I remember being on an escalator at the airport headed to where we would pick him up. When we reached him everyone was talking and hugging but I couldn't say a word. I was afraid to speak because I knew if I did I would start crying. I was only 5 years old and was confused by my emotions, how could I be so happy and yet want to cry?
Then the day came when we had to take him back. We took group photos and I think you can tell by my face I was on the brink of a break down.On the way home I sat in the back seat with David crying inconsolably. Then over the air waves floated Hey Jude. David made them turn it up. I sang through my tears and was comforted.
Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.
Ps. 30:5
I've said it before, the Beatles music permeated my early years. So, the first song on my life's "soundtrack" will be: Hey Jude. The song was written by Paul McCartney (genius) to comfort John Lennon's son Julian when John Lennon and his first wife divorced. And although I don't hear it often, the song evokes in me a strong emotional response.
At the time it came out, my brother Bill enlisted in the Air Force and was sent to Korea. We were close and I struggled with the separation. When he came home on leave after basic training, I remember being on an escalator at the airport headed to where we would pick him up. When we reached him everyone was talking and hugging but I couldn't say a word. I was afraid to speak because I knew if I did I would start crying. I was only 5 years old and was confused by my emotions, how could I be so happy and yet want to cry?
Then the day came when we had to take him back. We took group photos and I think you can tell by my face I was on the brink of a break down.On the way home I sat in the back seat with David crying inconsolably. Then over the air waves floated Hey Jude. David made them turn it up. I sang through my tears and was comforted.
Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning.Ps. 30:5
Sunday, August 13, 2006
What does OPI stand for anyway?
From the desk of the Fashion Editor:
I went to the store to buy cat food today only to be distracted by the fingernail polish. They have it right there on the end case on purpose you know.
So, does anyone know what OPI stands for? Then I wondered who names these polishes. I picked up a new one today called: Will You Mari-achi Me? Sadly, the color wasn't as cool as the name.
I then wondered if women are ever influenced to purchase by the name OPI gives to a particular color. Sounds like something I would do, but not today; I resisted. Here's my current OPI inventory:
I went to the store to buy cat food today only to be distracted by the fingernail polish. They have it right there on the end case on purpose you know.
So, does anyone know what OPI stands for? Then I wondered who names these polishes. I picked up a new one today called: Will You Mari-achi Me? Sadly, the color wasn't as cool as the name.
I then wondered if women are ever influenced to purchase by the name OPI gives to a particular color. Sounds like something I would do, but not today; I resisted. Here's my current OPI inventory:
- First Dance
- Lovander
- Nomad's Dream
- Most Honorable Red
- Never Lon-Done Shopping
I would like to note that the all time best, sheer pink polish is Mademoiselle by Esse.
Monday, August 07, 2006
Weighing In
O.K. I was going to write about this, but then I realized the picture speaks for itself. Don't worry Dr. Geneser gave me a perscription they normally give to anorexics and A.I.D.S. patients. It's suppose to stimulate my appetite. I have no faith in it, but other than that I am fine. :)
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Risky Business
"There can be no vulnerability without risk; there can be no community without vulnerability; there can be no peace, and ultimately no life, without community." - M. Scott Peck
When I moved to Rockport in 1992 I left family and friends to pursue my career as a Home Economics teacher. Being a first year teacher was next to impossible and it consumed a lot of my time and energy. In the process of being “too” busy I always chose to sleep in on Sundays instead of going to church.
After about three year, two of my students (Jeremy and Brent) began trying to get me to start attending church. They weren’t worried about my eternal soul, oddly enough, what bothered them was I was living in isolation. Jeremy stated their case simply by saying, “Hanna, it takes a village.”
Today as I look back, I honestly believe that it was one of the most significant things anyone had ever said to me. It isn’t easy venturing out alone. I liken it to walking the plank. Over the years, however, I managed to involve myself in the local church and independent bible studies, as well as take art classes, and join a quilting group. I still had the high school with all its activities to be a part of and I added to that helping in Young Life. Each new activity provided new opportunities to connect with new people. Together, in these new relationships, we affect change in the world around us and become better people in the process. We built community among ourselves.
Since I had to retired last year this community has been an invaluable support. The burden of life seems more manageable when you don't have to manage it alone. Who is in your community? Is it diverse? Start reaching out because just as you have something to offer, they have something to give.
Community in action: Today Anne brought snacks. She saw I needed to have non-perishables that require very little preparation, so she loaded me up.
When I moved to Rockport in 1992 I left family and friends to pursue my career as a Home Economics teacher. Being a first year teacher was next to impossible and it consumed a lot of my time and energy. In the process of being “too” busy I always chose to sleep in on Sundays instead of going to church.
After about three year, two of my students (Jeremy and Brent) began trying to get me to start attending church. They weren’t worried about my eternal soul, oddly enough, what bothered them was I was living in isolation. Jeremy stated their case simply by saying, “Hanna, it takes a village.”
Today as I look back, I honestly believe that it was one of the most significant things anyone had ever said to me. It isn’t easy venturing out alone. I liken it to walking the plank. Over the years, however, I managed to involve myself in the local church and independent bible studies, as well as take art classes, and join a quilting group. I still had the high school with all its activities to be a part of and I added to that helping in Young Life. Each new activity provided new opportunities to connect with new people. Together, in these new relationships, we affect change in the world around us and become better people in the process. We built community among ourselves.
Since I had to retired last year this community has been an invaluable support. The burden of life seems more manageable when you don't have to manage it alone. Who is in your community? Is it diverse? Start reaching out because just as you have something to offer, they have something to give.
Community in action: Today Anne brought snacks. She saw I needed to have non-perishables that require very little preparation, so she loaded me up.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Cat Tales from the Crypt
I read once in a book about the Oregon Trail that when people died they wrapped them in quilts and then sewed up the sides and buried them. I liked this idea because to me coffins are creepy.
So when a cat dies at my house, the ritual is to wrap him/her in fabric like a mummy, sew up the sides, and then get some guy I know with a shovel (usually Shane or Seth) to come over and dig a hole in the back corner of my lot.
The first cat to die was Francis. I wrapped him in muslin and tied him up with bows. Seth dug a hole and buried him so fast that Anne and I barely had time to cry; turns out Seth doesn't like crying and he wanted to get it over with as fast as possible.
The next cat to bite the dust was Coconut. I wrapped him in a white, terry cloth towel and actually did sew up the sides. Shane had the honors of burying this one. At the grave site I was a little confused (grief stricken) as to where Shane should start digging. I wanted Coconut next to Francis since they were buddies, so I pointed out a spot and Shane started plowing up the dirt. He had a strange look on his face as he dug and asked me if I was sure this was the right spot. As he was telling me that way the dirt moved and a snapping sound being made by the shovel that maybe…..oh my gosh, he was digging up Francis! I saw what looked like a femur with a ring of black fur around it. All the muslin and most of Francis had decomposed. Oddly enough the experience was more liberating than traumatizing. It made me happy to see that he was almost gone and not trapped in some claustrophobic subterranean state.
Later, Rusty died, but ironically I was in the hospital on life support when it happened. My brother David, Seth and Anne buried him being careful not to dig up dead thing 1 and dead thing 2. Carlene had put Rusty in a plastic garbage bag but Anne, knowing how I think in these regards, insisted that the cat be removed from the bag and buried au natural. She was right and I am thankful for her persistence.
O.K. here’s the deep part: I know when you’re dead your dead. We’ve all seen enough dead animals or people to know that whatever it is that makes them alive and real and wonderful is no longer present. The spirit is gone and all that remains is the flesh. So actually all we end up burying is the part of us that demands its own way and that’s fine with me.
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.....but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:17-23ish)
It's interesting to note that later, I found out that one of the ways Dr. Geneser used to determine if I could be taken off life support was by looking into my eyes. On that day he could see I was still alive and real and wonderful. So such is life.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better. (Phil. 1:21-23)
So when a cat dies at my house, the ritual is to wrap him/her in fabric like a mummy, sew up the sides, and then get some guy I know with a shovel (usually Shane or Seth) to come over and dig a hole in the back corner of my lot.
The first cat to die was Francis. I wrapped him in muslin and tied him up with bows. Seth dug a hole and buried him so fast that Anne and I barely had time to cry; turns out Seth doesn't like crying and he wanted to get it over with as fast as possible.
The next cat to bite the dust was Coconut. I wrapped him in a white, terry cloth towel and actually did sew up the sides. Shane had the honors of burying this one. At the grave site I was a little confused (grief stricken) as to where Shane should start digging. I wanted Coconut next to Francis since they were buddies, so I pointed out a spot and Shane started plowing up the dirt. He had a strange look on his face as he dug and asked me if I was sure this was the right spot. As he was telling me that way the dirt moved and a snapping sound being made by the shovel that maybe…..oh my gosh, he was digging up Francis! I saw what looked like a femur with a ring of black fur around it. All the muslin and most of Francis had decomposed. Oddly enough the experience was more liberating than traumatizing. It made me happy to see that he was almost gone and not trapped in some claustrophobic subterranean state.
Later, Rusty died, but ironically I was in the hospital on life support when it happened. My brother David, Seth and Anne buried him being careful not to dig up dead thing 1 and dead thing 2. Carlene had put Rusty in a plastic garbage bag but Anne, knowing how I think in these regards, insisted that the cat be removed from the bag and buried au natural. She was right and I am thankful for her persistence.
O.K. here’s the deep part: I know when you’re dead your dead. We’ve all seen enough dead animals or people to know that whatever it is that makes them alive and real and wonderful is no longer present. The spirit is gone and all that remains is the flesh. So actually all we end up burying is the part of us that demands its own way and that’s fine with me.
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, that you may not do the things that you desire.....but the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:17-23ish)
It's interesting to note that later, I found out that one of the ways Dr. Geneser used to determine if I could be taken off life support was by looking into my eyes. On that day he could see I was still alive and real and wonderful. So such is life.
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better. (Phil. 1:21-23)
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