Faith in a song. The words say it all...no further commment is needed
Monday, 25 June 2007
Friday, 22 June 2007
Friday Five --On time! Summertime memories
And from the home of RevGals, here is this week's Friday Five..
1. Favorite summer food(s) and beverage(s)
Iced tea with fresh mint
Fruit salad with big chunks of watermelon
2. Song that "says" summer to you. (Need not be about summer explicitly.)
Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts
3. A childhood summer memory
Endless car vacations with my family. I wanted to
a) Read
b) Swim
The rest was lost on me, except for a few memories of museums (Chicago's Science and Industry, San Francisco's Exploratorium) and tourist attractions (The Gateway Arch in St. Louis stands out.)
4. An adult summer memory
Sunrise on the beach with friends -- always a very special moment. And summer in Northern California with the cool foggy mornings and warm afternoons...perfect!
5. Describe a wonderful summer day you'd like to have in the near future. (weather, location, activities)
I want to visit Provence, and enjoy the fruits of summer, sitting at a village cafe, talking, eating, taking in the surroundings...and finally, truly relaxing for the first time in I don't know when.
Optional: Does your place of worship do anything differently in the summer? (Fewer services, casual dress, etc.)
Less services, less formal, more music and discussion and new versions of worship
1. Favorite summer food(s) and beverage(s)
Iced tea with fresh mint
Fruit salad with big chunks of watermelon
2. Song that "says" summer to you. (Need not be about summer explicitly.)
Summer Breeze by Seals and Crofts
3. A childhood summer memory
Endless car vacations with my family. I wanted to
a) Read
b) Swim
The rest was lost on me, except for a few memories of museums (Chicago's Science and Industry, San Francisco's Exploratorium) and tourist attractions (The Gateway Arch in St. Louis stands out.)
4. An adult summer memory
Sunrise on the beach with friends -- always a very special moment. And summer in Northern California with the cool foggy mornings and warm afternoons...perfect!
5. Describe a wonderful summer day you'd like to have in the near future. (weather, location, activities)
I want to visit Provence, and enjoy the fruits of summer, sitting at a village cafe, talking, eating, taking in the surroundings...and finally, truly relaxing for the first time in I don't know when.
Optional: Does your place of worship do anything differently in the summer? (Fewer services, casual dress, etc.)
Less services, less formal, more music and discussion and new versions of worship
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Thoughts for today...
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
- Mahatma Gandhi
We can do no great things, only small things with great love
- Mother Teresa
There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.
- The Buddha
Great acts are made up of small deeds
- Lao Tzu
You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.
- Seneca
A person's true wealth is the good he or she does in the world.
- Mohammed
The highest form of wisdom is kindness
- The Talmud
That kind of takes the wind out of the "I can't save the world so why should I even try " excuse!
Just my random thoughts for today...
Mommy, I touched a snake!!!
My nine year old is visiting her dad in Pennsylvania for the summer. I love her daily updates on her adventures away from home.
Today she called me all excited..."Mommy there was this wildlife exhibit...and I touched a black snake!"
I was astounded by her bravery.
This is a child who has had a fear of snakes that seems to have started at birth.
Before she could talk, she would flail in panic in her bath as though something was on her feet. She would awaken in terror in the night, doing the same...kicking and screaming in terror. When she began to talk, her bathtime and nighttime terrors were accompanied by a scream of "NAKE! NAKE!" I was baffled.
It was not until we made a trip to a science museum that I understood what she had been trying to say...she took one look at the reptile exhibit and screamed, trying to pull in her feet and hide..."Nake! NAKE!" she yelled from under her blanket. We were standing in front of the snake cages. As far as I know, that was the very first time she ever saw a snake. And yet her fear had predated that exposure by months.
A few time before, she has tried to approach a snake. She has watched, from a distance of several yards, while I handled a boa at a mall nature booth. But her terror prevented her from coming any closer.
But today, she gathered her bravery and TOUCHED a snake. "It's cool and soft, Mommy" she told me, her voice bursting with pride. "And I touched it!"
I stand in awe -- she has faced a fear that has haunted her throughout her entire life. At nine years old.
How many of us are so brave as to touch our greatest fear?
Of course, there is a price for me to pay for her triumph...she wants me to go on the Great Bear roller coaster at Hershey Park when I go up there later this summer.
I am TERRIFIED of rollar coasters! But unfortunately, unlike with snakes, just touching the ride doesn't count.
I only hope at the end of July, I will be as brave as my 9 year old daughter...but her example is going to be a hard one to follow!
Today she called me all excited..."Mommy there was this wildlife exhibit...and I touched a black snake!"
I was astounded by her bravery.
This is a child who has had a fear of snakes that seems to have started at birth.
Before she could talk, she would flail in panic in her bath as though something was on her feet. She would awaken in terror in the night, doing the same...kicking and screaming in terror. When she began to talk, her bathtime and nighttime terrors were accompanied by a scream of "NAKE! NAKE!" I was baffled.
It was not until we made a trip to a science museum that I understood what she had been trying to say...she took one look at the reptile exhibit and screamed, trying to pull in her feet and hide..."Nake! NAKE!" she yelled from under her blanket. We were standing in front of the snake cages. As far as I know, that was the very first time she ever saw a snake. And yet her fear had predated that exposure by months.
A few time before, she has tried to approach a snake. She has watched, from a distance of several yards, while I handled a boa at a mall nature booth. But her terror prevented her from coming any closer.
But today, she gathered her bravery and TOUCHED a snake. "It's cool and soft, Mommy" she told me, her voice bursting with pride. "And I touched it!"
I stand in awe -- she has faced a fear that has haunted her throughout her entire life. At nine years old.
How many of us are so brave as to touch our greatest fear?
Of course, there is a price for me to pay for her triumph...she wants me to go on the Great Bear roller coaster at Hershey Park when I go up there later this summer.
I am TERRIFIED of rollar coasters! But unfortunately, unlike with snakes, just touching the ride doesn't count.
I only hope at the end of July, I will be as brave as my 9 year old daughter...but her example is going to be a hard one to follow!
Friday, 15 June 2007
Does "I love you" have an expiration date?
Another Sex in the City inspired post....
In one episode, Carrie tells Big that she loves him. He responds with some comment totally off subject, and she gets annoyed. She concludes that an unreturned "I love you" has about the same shelf life as a dairy product...about a week.
In another episode (or maybe the same one? ) Samantha sums up the problem men and women have with those three little words...
Is that really true? Has love become so scarce that people have to ration it out, choosing to walk away instead of loving in return? What are we so scared of?
And what about the love between two people when a relationship ends? Does it stay out there in the universe, somewhere in the background like an inconspicuous piece in a big collage? Just an eye or a hand or a bit of color within the big picure?
Or does that expire too...souring and congealing -- needing to be put out with the week's peelings and egg shells like that carton of milk from the back of the fridge that no one wants to open?
In one episode, Carrie tells Big that she loves him. He responds with some comment totally off subject, and she gets annoyed. She concludes that an unreturned "I love you" has about the same shelf life as a dairy product...about a week.
In another episode (or maybe the same one? ) Samantha sums up the problem men and women have with those three little words...
You can tell a man you hate him and have the best sex of your life. But tell him "I love you" and you'll probably never see him again.
Is that really true? Has love become so scarce that people have to ration it out, choosing to walk away instead of loving in return? What are we so scared of?
And what about the love between two people when a relationship ends? Does it stay out there in the universe, somewhere in the background like an inconspicuous piece in a big collage? Just an eye or a hand or a bit of color within the big picure?
Or does that expire too...souring and congealing -- needing to be put out with the week's peelings and egg shells like that carton of milk from the back of the fridge that no one wants to open?
Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Friday Five -- a Bit Late!
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I just discovered that one of the blog rings to which I belong has a Friday Five --- a set of questions to journal/blog. So cool...so here is last week's post, and here are my answers. I'd love to hear from y'all, too on these...if you put these on your blog, be sure to send me a link!
This week's questions are about an ideal get-away to somewhere far from the daily stresses of life....
Describe your location, in general or specific terms
Warm but not hot. Breezy. Green. Lots and lots of water. No bugs. Time (no real deadline to leave.) Money not a worry. Access to diving gear, snorkles, sailboat. Someone special with me. Or a very good friend at least.
and....
1) What book(s) will you bring? Whatever book I am reading when I go (today that is Jules and Jim), a journal to write in, and something inspirational (probably something on meditation)
2) What music accompanies you? Vivaldi, R Carlos Nakai
3) What essentials of everyday living must you take (as in the health and beauty aids aisle variety)? Shampoo, soap, lotion, deodorant, and lip balm
4) What technological gadgets if any, will you take with you or do you leave it all behind? I would take something on which to play my music, a book light for nighttime journaling on the beach
5) What culinary delights will you partake in while there? Fresh fruit -- lots of it, all cut up and ready for me to snack. Mangoes, peaches, apricots, nectarines, oranges, berries, guava, passion fruit. Nuts...almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pine nuts. Homemade whole grain bread. preferably with dried fruit and nuts in it. And cool, clear water with a bit of lime.
As a bonus question, what makes for a perfect day on vacation for you? Beautiful scenery, warm weather, cool breezes, sunshine, friends or even better, someone I love.
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
I've been tagged! Here are my 8 facts...and my victims list!
Monday, June 11, 2007
I've been tagged:
I was tagged by Kievas, so here are my 8 random facts about me....and my victims list! But first, here are the rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3.At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
My facts:
1) I like to go to adventure/thriller movies all by myself. Other movies are great with a date or group...but I enjoy a thriller more alone.
2) I tried coffee once and hated it. Never tried it again.
3) When I was little, I told my mom I wanted to be a dancer in a cage like I saw in a James Bond movie on TV. To her credit, she did not panic. Nor laugh!
4) Also as a small child, I told her I was going to marry Omar Sharif when I grew up. (After seeing him as Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl)
5) My dream car is a Lamborghini Diablo. Red.
6) My favorite city for walking around, relaxing, and talking with people is San Francisco.
7) I am almost finished with a Mormon novel set in and around Denver, Colorado
8) I believe in reincarnation. No doubts on this one.
Okay, now for the victims! Claudette, Hugh, Rachel, David, Sister Todja, Kat, Connie, and Molly Dog (a blogging dog).
I've been tagged:
I was tagged by Kievas, so here are my 8 random facts about me....and my victims list! But first, here are the rules:
1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3.At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.
My facts:
1) I like to go to adventure/thriller movies all by myself. Other movies are great with a date or group...but I enjoy a thriller more alone.
2) I tried coffee once and hated it. Never tried it again.
3) When I was little, I told my mom I wanted to be a dancer in a cage like I saw in a James Bond movie on TV. To her credit, she did not panic. Nor laugh!
4) Also as a small child, I told her I was going to marry Omar Sharif when I grew up. (After seeing him as Nick Arnstein in Funny Girl)
5) My dream car is a Lamborghini Diablo. Red.
6) My favorite city for walking around, relaxing, and talking with people is San Francisco.
7) I am almost finished with a Mormon novel set in and around Denver, Colorado
8) I believe in reincarnation. No doubts on this one.
Okay, now for the victims! Claudette, Hugh, Rachel, David, Sister Todja, Kat, Connie, and Molly Dog (a blogging dog).
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