Dance with me

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Wickett's Remedy

I just finished reading another book. It is by Myra Goldberg and titled Wickett's Remedy. Myra also wrote Bee Season. I am loving her writing. She is creative and brave. This book is about the flu epidemic during WWI. She tells this story with so many sides....articles, sidenotes in the margins...mostly from the dead, letters and the story that is told in the traditional way. At first I thought it was distracting but just became natural as I read more.

If you haven't read Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks about the plague...you should.

Don't know why I like sickness books. maybe because I am a nurse.



Prayer request: Stephen Bailey's nephew Connor Brown (in high school) was killed yesterday in a car accident and his niece Bailey Brown was seriously injured. Bailey is supposed to start at ACU this fall. Please pray for full recovery and for comfort for this sweet family.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Seven Things About Me

I have been tagged and I am not sure what to put here...so, I will tell you the things that just pop into my head.

1. I cry often.

2. But I do laugh easily also.

3. I love ice...probably more than the drink that goes with it. I usually end up getting so much ice that I have to keep going
back for refills.

4. I love the greens in our world...I particularly like the greens in spring...soft, and a little lighter than summer green.

5. I love deep conversation...the kind of conversation that could easily become heated or bring tears to someone's eyes.

6. I love a good book...one that keeps you from doing all your normal daily life stuff...the kind of book that pulls you in and
makes you sad that it ends.

7. I love movies that are thought-provoking and beautifully filmed and subtle about their point.

Okay, I did it but it sounds like a dating service ad. Sorry. Some of you will be tagged. I promise. This was hard for me.

Monday, May 21, 2007

I forgot to say that this cat is Jeremiah's friend. Ask him about it sometime.
Jeremiah, would you like to catsit?

Pets


Do all of you have pets?
We have two cats. One old, one young. The old one is cranky. Not because she is old. She has always been cranky. The young one is sweet but shy.
I love what pets offer our family but I hate that they also offer hair and hairballs and just plain throwup and pee and poop....and they never learn how to pick up after themselves.
They do make us laugh and we talk about them and with them and do crazy things.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Wow

I sat down at the computer this morning while I was waiting for my breakfast to be ready. It is early and I was up way too late and I am feeling like I should go back to bed and sleep for the rest of the day. I was feeling like I was sleepwalking and suddenly outside there is a huge racket. All kinds of bird sounds and so much movement. I look out and see baby bluejays that are being fed by their mama and they are fussing through it all...isn't that just like a bluejay. The bluejays are in a tree. On my patio are two baby mourning doves and their mama. They are quieter and keep walking close to their mama. In the grass are baby sparrows. I haven't seen their mama but she could've come by while I was typing.
Okay, it was worth getting up at this time.

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Real Life


I am reading Anne Lamott's new book, Grace (Eventually). I am loving it and I knew that I would. She is one of my favorite authors and has been for awhile. I knew that she had a new book coming out but I wasn't really paying attention and then Ann talked about it and then Mike blogged about it....so.....I bought it this week. I should've been grocery shopping but Mary Kate and I went to the bookstore instead. Where do you think my priorities are?
I love these next passages....they are not my absolute favorites...but I am being discriminating and was afraid that some might be offended by my very favorite so far.
So, here is some amazing insight from Anne Lamott...

Joy is the best makeup. Joy, and good lighting.
If you ask me, a little lipstick is a close runner-up.
I know women from every place on the makeup continuum: some who wear none; some who wear a lot, who spackle it on, who could play Shakespeare in the park as soon as they drop the kids off. I know some who wear a lot, and look wonderful.
It's only when you think you need to be concealed, because you're unacceptable, that makeup causes harm. Skin does get rattled with age; wrinkles and hectic color do not contribute to an impression of the dewy calmness of youth. But some makeup, while perhaps not simulating dewy youth, acts as a kind of airbrushing. It restores balance to the face. It makes you look less terminal.
Also, it distracts from the melatonin mustache.
And pretty lipstick makes you look so much less tense and mean. Left to their own devices, lips pucker with the purse strings of age; lipstick can make them soft and more relaxed again.
I wear tinted moisturizer, light blush, and lipstick. It gives me a face I am happier to bring into the world. I look less scary. I'm very glad to claim the crone who is coming to life within me; I just don't want her to screech so loudly that she silences the little girl who is still around, drowns out the naughtly teenager, or mutes the flirtatious middle-aged woman.
Here is my theory: I am all the ages I've ever been. You realize this at some point about your child-even when your kid is sixteen, you can see all the ages in him, the baby wrapped up like a burrito, the one-year-old about to walk, the four-year-old napping, the ten-year-old on a trampoline.

Monday, May 14, 2007

Mom






My mom has many talents but one of my favorites is her green thumb...tomatoes, flowers, green peppers, eggplant, cumcumbers... She does this all in her suburban yard. I don't believe that there is a more delicious tomato than one from my mother's garden.
I love you, Mom. I know that you had fun on Mother's Day. Wish I could've celebrated with you.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Nineteen


I have just been reading a book that is titled The Girls Who Went Away The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade. This book is by Ann Fessler, who herself was adopted and has her own story. This book is honestly written. This honesty brings with it power and emotion and reminds us of injustices doled out to young women during this time period.
Finishing this book today, on Mary Kate's birthday, has made me think of all those women who went through childbirth and then were told that it was best that this baby live with someone else. I know from the very moment that I viewed each of my children I was in love. My birth experience with Mary Kate was the best of all my children...not the fastest...just the best. I had control and it was wonderful. I was able to make choices...isn't that what we all want? choices?
We already had two sons and were delighted that she was a girl. I announced that she was a girl and then Tim and I started to cry. She wasn't tiny...just a little over 8 pounds and 22 inches long. She was devastatingly beautiful to me. Her brothers were also immediately in love and she watched their every move from the moment she first saw them.
She is nineteen years old today and I adore the young woman that she has become...strong, bright, elegant and still devastatingly beautiful. I do love being with her but I would love for just a little to have that baby or toddler or preschooler or 7 year old or middler schooler or high schooler back. Just for a little. I would love to hold her in my lap or read to her or brush her hair or sing to her.
I do thank God everyday for her.
Mary Kate, I hope that you feel loved today while you start your last year as a teenager. Wow, next year, 20!

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Saturday, May 05, 2007

Engaged



Such a sweet evening on Friday. So fun to be a part of their important decision. They are precious to us and we felt honored to witness those private moments. Don't they look happy?
Holy Lord, I ask your protection over Katie and Jeremiah....their hearts, their minds and their love for you and each other. I ask your blessing on their relationship....that they will always look out for what is best for the other, that they will spend the next year preparing themselves for taking this huge step...not just wedding plans but growing deeper into who you want them to be. I pray that they feel the shelter of love over them...from their families, their friends, from me and Tim, from our small group, from the Highland church, from the ACU community. In the name of your precious son, Jesus, Amen.

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