It's been a quiet weekend here in Normal. We managed to be a Beck-free zone yesterday, mostly by keeping the TV off all day, and watching a DVD in the evening. So we didn't have to see or hear that little Nazi douchebag defiling the steps of the Washington Monument on the anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream Speech" -- nor were we subjected to his little lap dog Sarah, or reports about either of them later in the evening. Sadly it appears neither of them were struck down by lightening for their douchbaggery -- I suppose God is much more tolerant, loving, and patient that I am. Good thing for the Beck's and Palins of the world.
And we are enjoying a pretty lazy Sunday afternoon now. Went to church but I wasn't preaching so got to just sit there for the most part. Then we had a potluck after the service which, okay yeah, I had to set up for but then I got to eat yummy food. Some people signed up to help with clean-up afterwards, which they did a great job doing, so I only had to do a little bit which was good because usually I do most of the clean-up at these things and then my legs and body hurt afterwards. But today I sat and let the clean-up people do the job they signed up to do instead of managing everything and it was nice. And it all mostly got cleaned up, so, yeah. Good times.
I got to sit and eat and visit with Tasha and Chrissy and David and Bob, and that was nice too. It was kinda hot in the coffeehouse but other than that, it was a nice time with tons of great food (I LOVE potluck food) and Tasha made sweet tea just for sweet lil ole me, which was divine. Then we came home and have not being doing a whole heck of a lot, which is nice. Tomorrow is my day off so it's kind of like my weekend now, with swimming and grocery shopping the only thing on the agenda for tomorrow. Then back to it on Tuesday, with a drive to Springfield for a meeting with my fellow presbytery commissioners to plan for how to deal with the upcoming overtures that need to be approved, blah blah blah. That will not be fun, but dinner later that evening with C and E will be!
But I shall not think of any of these things now, because it's Sunday afternoon and there are still a few hours left before Bob passes out, so I shall enjoy them. Perhaps by watching a Clooney movie with Bob. What more could a girl want than to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon with her first and second husbands?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Penelope Anne
I like not needing to change the music today, or the background, as I share more about my new great niece. Frankly, it was difficult for me to find music for Penelope. Penny Lane was a no brainer, assuming they call her Penny instead of Penelope. The other one is a song I've never heard before by a band I've never heard of, but it's growing on me.
We have no idea why they named her Penelope. My mom, Great Gramma P-Dub, was supposed to go see her last night with my brother, Penny's Grampa. Not sure if they did or not, but if they did, Mom was going to ask where the name came from.
Here's a new picture of her, texted to my sister, emailed to me:
We have no idea why they named her Penelope. My mom, Great Gramma P-Dub, was supposed to go see her last night with my brother, Penny's Grampa. Not sure if they did or not, but if they did, Mom was going to ask where the name came from.
Here's a new picture of her, texted to my sister, emailed to me:
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| This was taken by Penelope's second cousin, my niece, Laura, who was the first member of our family to meet Penelope, and who cried throughout the whole visit, which I find very sweet. |
I think she kind of looks like her grandfather, my brother, who I am enjoying calling "Gramps" to no end. Ah hell, she looks like a baby, that's what she looks like. Kind of a cute one for only being a day old when this was taken since, let's be honest, newborn babies are normally kind of smushy-faced and not all that cute. But this one, she's kind of a cutie pie already. I wonder if I have that blindness that comes when a baby is born into your family and no matter what you see her as beautiful? I am fascinated by her double chin. Hey wait, maybe she looks like me!?! I am still not sure about her nose. But yeah, she is kind of cute isn't she?
Hi there little peanut! I wonder if she'll talk to me the way Chelsie talks to her Auntie C in her "We Are Family" blog?
A few more pics from today, when Great Gramma P-Dub and Great Aunt Betsy visited. Okay, I have to say it, she's damn cute!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Great Aunt Susan!
When it rains, it pours. Just over two weeks ago I turned 50, and now I am a great aunt!
My brother's daughter Kim, and her husband Jason, welcomed Penelope Anne Berg to our family at 11:30pm PDT, August 26, 2010. What a lucky baby. Not only does she have this big, loving, crazy family, but she was born in a "beginning-of-a-decade year" just like I was (1960), which makes it soooooooo much easier to figure out one's age.
Too bad she was born a few days too late to join the other Leo women in the family.
Welcome to the family, Penelope Anne!
My brother's daughter Kim, and her husband Jason, welcomed Penelope Anne Berg to our family at 11:30pm PDT, August 26, 2010. What a lucky baby. Not only does she have this big, loving, crazy family, but she was born in a "beginning-of-a-decade year" just like I was (1960), which makes it soooooooo much easier to figure out one's age.
Too bad she was born a few days too late to join the other Leo women in the family.
Welcome to the family, Penelope Anne!
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| Penelope Anne and her Daddy, Jason. |
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Wow. Wow?
Lately I've been upset/worried about all of the anti-Muslim bashing going on because of the proposed Islamic Center to be built two blocks from Ground Zero. I preached about it. I FB'd about it, posting links to Jon Stewart and Huffington Post articles. Trying not to overdo it but oy, it's so scary. I feel another Krystalnacht coming ...
So anyway, a few weeks ago I posted about my elation at Prop H8te being overturned in CA, and an old friend from my HS Youth Group posted: "so you apparently like this? interesting..." I don't think he found it interesting at all, I think he found it disturbing (remember, I grew up in the REAL OC), but I decided not to respond. Then yesterday I posted a link to a great story Jon Stewart did on the Daily Show regarding all of the Mosque BS and Fox News, and this morning he writes: "are you left leaning or fully committed left handed player? Wow." I replied to this one: "Wow?" I am hoping he'll respond and say what he REALLY thinks so we can talk more about it.
Now first of all, please don't run over to my FP page and comment on his comment. I don't want to start a war of words, I actually would love to engage in meaningful dialog with him, and maybe help him realize that someone he cared about and respected all through HS and College, who may be a "tad" liberal now, isn't a bad thing. And perhaps I can offer him a different perspective than what he's used to, living as an upper-class SoCal Republican Presbyterian ...
Why bother? Well, I was madly in love with him all through high school, and most of college. But we were always "just friends," though very close friends. Kinda brother/sister. We met when I was in 9th grade at my church youth group, and became "just friends" very quickly. He cared about me, prayed for me when I got RA, spent time with me, was a camp counselor for my HS kids when I was a youth director after college, etc.
At the time I thought he looked like a younger Tom Selleck, who, for you young-ens, was hot at the time. No, he was no George Clooney, but still, teh-hot for the 70's and 80's. I was kind of cute too back then, and very skinny. Here we are at my going away part in 1984, just before I left for Princeton.
Damn, I WAS skinny! Where did she go? It looks like I ate her. But I digress ...
Now back then I was not a conservative Republican -- I was already a Democrat by that time, more as rebellion than actual political savvy. And whilst I was a good Christian girl (obviously, as I was about to give my life to Jesus and go to seminary in this picture) I was always more moderate in my faith beliefs and practices than the people at my church (where John and I met). So basically we didn't always believe the same way even way back then, but I guess maybe he didn't really pay attention to that and, to be fair, I wasn't quite the flamer that I am now, liberally speaking.
But then I left the OC, and headed to the liberal East Coast. And after that, well, I went to the Midwest but that's beside the point ... the point is, I GOT OUT OF ORANGE COUNTY, which is, to say the least, the conservative bastion of California and possibly the whole country. Okay no, that would be most of Texas, but I digress again. So I got out of the OC, looked around, saw there was a whole other world out here, and I embraced it, I swam in it, I danced in it, and my eyes and heart and mind were opened. And though I was never a gay-basher in my youth, more of a "I don't get it" kind of gal, I became a gay-lover. And while I was never a basher of non-Christians, more of a "well I bet God will still let them into heaven cuz God is cool that way" -- I became a universalist who isn't even sure there is a "God" and is pretty sure there is no heaven/hell. Etc. Etc.
But Johnny-boy stayed in the OC, and did well for himself professionally/financially. He has a beautiful wife, three kids, and a sail boat. And he still goes to a conservative Presbyterian church -- not the church of our youth but one nearby. He's living the dream. And he thinks it's "interesting" and "wow-worthy" that I have different beliefs than he does. I am pretty sure he's disappointed in me, and I am positive he disagrees with me. But see, I know John. Well, I knew 14-24 year old John. And I knew his heart back then, and his brain. And so I'm pretty sure that if we do have an open, respectful dialog, while I may not change his mind, I may just give him something to think about.
So yeah, don't comment on his FB comments on my posts. Let's see how it plays out. Maybe it'll go nowhere -- maybe he'll stop responding and unfriend me. Or maybe, just maybe, I can offer him a different perspective ...
So anyway, a few weeks ago I posted about my elation at Prop H8te being overturned in CA, and an old friend from my HS Youth Group posted: "so you apparently like this? interesting..." I don't think he found it interesting at all, I think he found it disturbing (remember, I grew up in the REAL OC), but I decided not to respond. Then yesterday I posted a link to a great story Jon Stewart did on the Daily Show regarding all of the Mosque BS and Fox News, and this morning he writes: "are you left leaning or fully committed left handed player? Wow." I replied to this one: "Wow?" I am hoping he'll respond and say what he REALLY thinks so we can talk more about it.
Now first of all, please don't run over to my FP page and comment on his comment. I don't want to start a war of words, I actually would love to engage in meaningful dialog with him, and maybe help him realize that someone he cared about and respected all through HS and College, who may be a "tad" liberal now, isn't a bad thing. And perhaps I can offer him a different perspective than what he's used to, living as an upper-class SoCal Republican Presbyterian ...
Why bother? Well, I was madly in love with him all through high school, and most of college. But we were always "just friends," though very close friends. Kinda brother/sister. We met when I was in 9th grade at my church youth group, and became "just friends" very quickly. He cared about me, prayed for me when I got RA, spent time with me, was a camp counselor for my HS kids when I was a youth director after college, etc.
At the time I thought he looked like a younger Tom Selleck, who, for you young-ens, was hot at the time. No, he was no George Clooney, but still, teh-hot for the 70's and 80's. I was kind of cute too back then, and very skinny. Here we are at my going away part in 1984, just before I left for Princeton.
Now back then I was not a conservative Republican -- I was already a Democrat by that time, more as rebellion than actual political savvy. And whilst I was a good Christian girl (obviously, as I was about to give my life to Jesus and go to seminary in this picture) I was always more moderate in my faith beliefs and practices than the people at my church (where John and I met). So basically we didn't always believe the same way even way back then, but I guess maybe he didn't really pay attention to that and, to be fair, I wasn't quite the flamer that I am now, liberally speaking.
But then I left the OC, and headed to the liberal East Coast. And after that, well, I went to the Midwest but that's beside the point ... the point is, I GOT OUT OF ORANGE COUNTY, which is, to say the least, the conservative bastion of California and possibly the whole country. Okay no, that would be most of Texas, but I digress again. So I got out of the OC, looked around, saw there was a whole other world out here, and I embraced it, I swam in it, I danced in it, and my eyes and heart and mind were opened. And though I was never a gay-basher in my youth, more of a "I don't get it" kind of gal, I became a gay-lover. And while I was never a basher of non-Christians, more of a "well I bet God will still let them into heaven cuz God is cool that way" -- I became a universalist who isn't even sure there is a "God" and is pretty sure there is no heaven/hell. Etc. Etc.
But Johnny-boy stayed in the OC, and did well for himself professionally/financially. He has a beautiful wife, three kids, and a sail boat. And he still goes to a conservative Presbyterian church -- not the church of our youth but one nearby. He's living the dream. And he thinks it's "interesting" and "wow-worthy" that I have different beliefs than he does. I am pretty sure he's disappointed in me, and I am positive he disagrees with me. But see, I know John. Well, I knew 14-24 year old John. And I knew his heart back then, and his brain. And so I'm pretty sure that if we do have an open, respectful dialog, while I may not change his mind, I may just give him something to think about.
So yeah, don't comment on his FB comments on my posts. Let's see how it plays out. Maybe it'll go nowhere -- maybe he'll stop responding and unfriend me. Or maybe, just maybe, I can offer him a different perspective ...
Sunday, August 22, 2010
A new table
After preaching my barn burner sermon in support of the Islamic Center in NYC at church this morning, we went out to lunch as we usually do. Then we went over to Scott and Monica's to "look" at a table they are selling. I had mentioned I would like to get a new table whilst dining and playing Euchre with them last week -- a smaller round one since we have an eat-in kitchen and it's not huge. And as it happened they had one they wanted to sell, so we went by to see it and spend time thinking about it before making a decision -- and of course came home with it. It's round, a darker brown than our old one, with four chairs that all have arms. It's a nice small size, and can get bigger if we add a leaf. I am going to buy some cushions for the chairs to make them more comfy and then we'll be set. We have two chairs out now, will bring out a third when P-Dub returns, and can have a fourth if we have more for dinner sometime.
We set our old table and chairs out at our curb, assuming someone would take them since they didn't want it at the CRC, where we offered them for the apartment. We knew it would be gone before morning, however we did not expect it to be gone within 20 minutes. They set it up with the four chairs around it, so for a brief time we had a "dining room" in front of our house near the street. And it must have looked so attractive that someone couldn't help snatching it up right away. I hope they enjoy them -- we did for 12 years. Someone gave them to us so we didn't feel right selling them. Enjoy your new home!
So I came upstairs to clean the kitchen and get used to the new table which, I like, but I am very not used to yet! In fact I wanted us to keep the old one a day or two in case I changed my mind, but I was voted down by Bob, who evidently got two votes to my one. While cleaning off the counter I noticed the peaches I bought last week were getting overly ripe, so I sliced them up and made a peach pie, which I can smell from the oven. It's almost done. We had a nice big lunch so perhaps we'll have peach pie for dinner?
We set our old table and chairs out at our curb, assuming someone would take them since they didn't want it at the CRC, where we offered them for the apartment. We knew it would be gone before morning, however we did not expect it to be gone within 20 minutes. They set it up with the four chairs around it, so for a brief time we had a "dining room" in front of our house near the street. And it must have looked so attractive that someone couldn't help snatching it up right away. I hope they enjoy them -- we did for 12 years. Someone gave them to us so we didn't feel right selling them. Enjoy your new home!
So I came upstairs to clean the kitchen and get used to the new table which, I like, but I am very not used to yet! In fact I wanted us to keep the old one a day or two in case I changed my mind, but I was voted down by Bob, who evidently got two votes to my one. While cleaning off the counter I noticed the peaches I bought last week were getting overly ripe, so I sliced them up and made a peach pie, which I can smell from the oven. It's almost done. We had a nice big lunch so perhaps we'll have peach pie for dinner?
Friday, August 20, 2010
Anchor Babies and Mosques
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| http://www.someecards.com/ |
I'm supposed to be writing my Reflection, which I am doing, but then realized I hadn't blogged in two days so here I am.
I am basing my Reflection on all the crap going on in our country related to xenophobia and, more to the point, racism against people of Arab descent -- okay, well, Muslims -- and all of the backlash against building a Mosque, a house of prayer for f'sake, two blocks from Ground Zero. Not to mention the new move to repeal the 14th Amendment so "terrorists" will stop birthing babies in the US, which grants the baby US citizenship, so they can go back to their "terrorist" country and be raised up to be adult "terrorists" who are American citizens and come back and, well, I suppose terrorize us. (We all know why they are really trying to get rid of #14 -- it'll open the door to getting rid of the Right's biggest target -- Social Security. But I digress. *See below if you want to know what the hell I'm talking about. Yikes, I'm in a mood!)
I am using a passage from Luke about Jesus healing a woman in the temple on the Sabbath as my text. HA! That'll be quite a feat (to connect them). Actually, it's pretty easy. If you are here Sunday you'll be amazed, and inspired! Or possibly confused. In the meantime, I am sickened as I do some research. Such ugly bullshit being flung in all directions. My favorite is Sarah Palin tweeting her disapproval of the Mosque a couple of weeks ago, and then supporting Dr. Laura's 1st Amendment rights after her use of the N-word on her radio show -- um, WHAT? Oy. Sometimes I just wanna smack some people.
To watch this, you'll need to mute the lovely "Imagine" that's playing.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Moment of Zen - Sarah Palin on NYC Mosques | ||||
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*Phil Davis of Phil’s Stock World has an idea about the real agenda:
According to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution (oh that thing), right there in section 4, is the statement that: "The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned." So we’re stuck with those Social Security obligations (the ones people put money into their whole lives on the good faith that the US Government would take care of it for them and pay them back when they retire) unless we can figure out a way to get that 14th Amendment repealed so we can default on that obligation.
Well thank goodness once again for our Conservative cousins because House Minority Leader, John Boehner, is already on the case and has suggested repealing the 14th amendment under the guise of blocking citizenship for children born in the US to immigrant parents….It is now becoming clear that the ENTIRE anti-immigration mania, from the day Bush first suggested a fence between Texas and Mexico, has really been about mounting a back-door attack on Social Security - the true enemy of the right since it’s founding in 1935.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Back to the real world
Okay well technically I was not "off" work for the last week but let's just say that while Betsy was here, I didn't do a whole lot of it! But that's just between you and me, dear reader. Don't let the people I work for hear about it or there will be hell to pay I'm sure. hehe.
Bob and I came home to a quiet, empty house yesterday afternoon from the airport. No Mom. No Betsy. Just me, Bob, and the dog. And the balloons which still are floating in the living room (sometimes we think it's a person swaying to the breeze of the ceiling fan). Betsy called from her layover in Dallas and we all shared a Patron shot together one last time. Then we had dinner, just the two of us, some television, and earlier to bed for me than I had hit the sack in days (midnight/1am was most common while Betsy was here -- I hit my pillow by 11pm last night). Fortunately the pool at the gym is closed for some reason (has been all week) so I could sleep in without the guilt and catch up on all my lost sleep from the weekend.
So I slept until 8am, which is late for me, and then got up, showered, and headed into the office to sort through mail, get some things ready for the returning students, who started moving back in to ISU already, and then a quick run to the grocery store before Bob got home from work. We'll have a quiet dinner (grilled burgers) then some TV before Bob passes out. Then some TV for me before I pass out. Pretty boring, and quite a let down from the excitement of the previous week.
I did have a fabulous birthday celebration that lasted for days, but now with everyone gone and no more birthday cards showing up in the mail, I guess it's really over. Which is good since I'm 50 now and I should probably limit my excitement. So I'm easing back into work, first with preaching ("reflecting") on Sunday, and then with my student programs beginning next week on Thursday night. I moved it from Wednesdays to Thursdays so maybe some PRIDE kids will come -- it will totally cut-in to my Thursday night TV watching but if I get some new students it'll be worth it. Kind of. ;-)
Bob and I came home to a quiet, empty house yesterday afternoon from the airport. No Mom. No Betsy. Just me, Bob, and the dog. And the balloons which still are floating in the living room (sometimes we think it's a person swaying to the breeze of the ceiling fan). Betsy called from her layover in Dallas and we all shared a Patron shot together one last time. Then we had dinner, just the two of us, some television, and earlier to bed for me than I had hit the sack in days (midnight/1am was most common while Betsy was here -- I hit my pillow by 11pm last night). Fortunately the pool at the gym is closed for some reason (has been all week) so I could sleep in without the guilt and catch up on all my lost sleep from the weekend.
So I slept until 8am, which is late for me, and then got up, showered, and headed into the office to sort through mail, get some things ready for the returning students, who started moving back in to ISU already, and then a quick run to the grocery store before Bob got home from work. We'll have a quiet dinner (grilled burgers) then some TV before Bob passes out. Then some TV for me before I pass out. Pretty boring, and quite a let down from the excitement of the previous week.
I did have a fabulous birthday celebration that lasted for days, but now with everyone gone and no more birthday cards showing up in the mail, I guess it's really over. Which is good since I'm 50 now and I should probably limit my excitement. So I'm easing back into work, first with preaching ("reflecting") on Sunday, and then with my student programs beginning next week on Thursday night. I moved it from Wednesdays to Thursdays so maybe some PRIDE kids will come -- it will totally cut-in to my Thursday night TV watching but if I get some new students it'll be worth it. Kind of. ;-)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Betsy is leaving soon ...
... going back to CA this afternoon :-(
A great visit -- a wonderful 50th B'day present!
Will write more tomorrow, but for now going to hang out with her for a bit before we head to the airport (after a last lunch together at Baxters).
A great visit -- a wonderful 50th B'day present!
Will write more tomorrow, but for now going to hang out with her for a bit before we head to the airport (after a last lunch together at Baxters).
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| Our last night, partying on the deck finally! |
Monday, August 16, 2010
Pontoonery
The heat and humidity finally broke yesterday and it was a lovely day, half of which we spent out on Clinton Lake with Suzie, Caleb, Dawn, and Nancy. There was a nice breeze on the lake, increased when we drove around -- and for a nice little bit Betsy, Bob, Dawn, and Nancy all enjoyed some float time in the water.
Betsy had a fabulous time (as did Bob and I) and we were appreciative of the hospitality and generosity being offered, especially since one of Suzie and Danielle's dogs is very sick and was at the emergency vet while we were out having fun -- and instead of understandably canceling our afternoon they took us out anyway.
When we came home we ordered Chinese food to be delivered and then sat and actually enjoyed eating it on the deck (we tried to eat out there last night but it was too damn hot and humid). Bob stayed out there with us until 9pm before he crashed, then Betsy and I stayed out there talking until past 11pm.
I hoped to sleep in this morning but Kayla had other plans so I am groggy and foggy this morning after little sleep. I hear Betsy moving around upstairs so she must be up. Soon we'll head out to the grocery store, downtown Normal (sorry folks, I refuse to call it Uptown), before coming home to enjoy more deck time with Bob.
Betsy had a fabulous time (as did Bob and I) and we were appreciative of the hospitality and generosity being offered, especially since one of Suzie and Danielle's dogs is very sick and was at the emergency vet while we were out having fun -- and instead of understandably canceling our afternoon they took us out anyway.
When we came home we ordered Chinese food to be delivered and then sat and actually enjoyed eating it on the deck (we tried to eat out there last night but it was too damn hot and humid). Bob stayed out there with us until 9pm before he crashed, then Betsy and I stayed out there talking until past 11pm.
I hoped to sleep in this morning but Kayla had other plans so I am groggy and foggy this morning after little sleep. I hear Betsy moving around upstairs so she must be up. Soon we'll head out to the grocery store, downtown Normal (sorry folks, I refuse to call it Uptown), before coming home to enjoy more deck time with Bob.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Okay well not really over
Mom left for CA this morning but Betsy is still here, so technically the party is not over until she goes back to CA on Tuesday. So, our big plans for today, after a lovely brunch with Mimosas, are for me and Betsy to go see "Eat, Pray, Love" while Bob finishes his Reflection. Then we will come home, have dinner, and have some fun with the three of us. In the meantime, here are some photos from my birthday fun on Aug. 11!
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| Bob bought me Patron Silver for a present. We did shots, using orange slices instead of lime. |
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| Bob cannot handle Tequila shots. |
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| The four of us at Lancasters on Aug. 11, my actual 50th birthday. |
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| Betsy's first Cosmo, a strong one. She likey! |
The Party's Over ...
Well it's been quite a birthday celebration that's for sure.
My sister, due to arrive on Thursday, just in time for the big party on Friday the 13th, arrived instead on Wednesday, to surprise me on my actual birthday. Bob did some errands on the way home from work, or so he told me. One of those errands was going to the airport to pick up Betsy. When he got home about 3:30pm he asked me to come down to the garage to "help" him with something. I got very giggly and excited, just knowing he had a wonderful surprise for me (a present of some sort). Well he did have a surprise for me indeed!
So we changed our dinner reservation from 3 to 4, and after hugging and laughing and getting her settled into her room which, thankfully, I had cleaned and gotten ready on Tuesday, we headed out for a lovely birthday dinner at Lancasters, a favorite restaurant we only venture to on special occasions.
Thursday I had to work until noon because I had made appointments based on her expected Thursday afternoon arrival. That proved to be just fine as she slept until at least noon due to jet-lag and pre-trip packing/lack of sleep before she arrived. We went out to lunch with my friend Suzie, who dropped by earlier, then grocery shopping for dinner (I grilled Filets, we had corn on the cob, grilled asparagus, and lots of wine) and relaxing at home (not on the big damn deck because it's too hot and humid, but in the living room). While relaxing Betsy shared the video of this lovely song by Bob's other true love (she's his George Clooney).
We had a lovely dinner, then tried to play cards but teaching Euchre to Betsy and Mom proved futile even though Betsy did seem to catch on. Then Bob passed out and we turned to Dominos before I passed out, much earlier than Betsy wanted me to do. But hey, we geezers need our sleep (and are not on CA time).
Friday I treated Betsy (and myself) to a pedicure, then we primped and prepared for dinner at Destihl with a few friends. We provided wine, appetizers, and birthday cake while our guests paid for their own dinners. We wished we could afford to pay for everyone's meals but, well, we couldn't. And since all of them know what we do for a living and in fact, how much money we make, they understood.
It was wonderfully fun with much laughter and many photos, which I hope to upload later after I get some from Bob's camera. And a few even trickled over to our house afterwards, where the weather had cooled immensely from a thunderstorm that blew through during the party. Alas, the big damn deck was still not to be, since it was wet and still sprinkling when we got to the house. So we turned on the light outside and looked at the deck longingly from the living room while continuing the party.
I am happy to report that turning 50 has been okay so far, thanks to visiting family and wonderful friends (and since my colonoscopy won't be at least until the Fall)!
My sister, due to arrive on Thursday, just in time for the big party on Friday the 13th, arrived instead on Wednesday, to surprise me on my actual birthday. Bob did some errands on the way home from work, or so he told me. One of those errands was going to the airport to pick up Betsy. When he got home about 3:30pm he asked me to come down to the garage to "help" him with something. I got very giggly and excited, just knowing he had a wonderful surprise for me (a present of some sort). Well he did have a surprise for me indeed!
So we changed our dinner reservation from 3 to 4, and after hugging and laughing and getting her settled into her room which, thankfully, I had cleaned and gotten ready on Tuesday, we headed out for a lovely birthday dinner at Lancasters, a favorite restaurant we only venture to on special occasions.
Thursday I had to work until noon because I had made appointments based on her expected Thursday afternoon arrival. That proved to be just fine as she slept until at least noon due to jet-lag and pre-trip packing/lack of sleep before she arrived. We went out to lunch with my friend Suzie, who dropped by earlier, then grocery shopping for dinner (I grilled Filets, we had corn on the cob, grilled asparagus, and lots of wine) and relaxing at home (not on the big damn deck because it's too hot and humid, but in the living room). While relaxing Betsy shared the video of this lovely song by Bob's other true love (she's his George Clooney).
We had a lovely dinner, then tried to play cards but teaching Euchre to Betsy and Mom proved futile even though Betsy did seem to catch on. Then Bob passed out and we turned to Dominos before I passed out, much earlier than Betsy wanted me to do. But hey, we geezers need our sleep (and are not on CA time).
Friday I treated Betsy (and myself) to a pedicure, then we primped and prepared for dinner at Destihl with a few friends. We provided wine, appetizers, and birthday cake while our guests paid for their own dinners. We wished we could afford to pay for everyone's meals but, well, we couldn't. And since all of them know what we do for a living and in fact, how much money we make, they understood.
It was wonderfully fun with much laughter and many photos, which I hope to upload later after I get some from Bob's camera. And a few even trickled over to our house afterwards, where the weather had cooled immensely from a thunderstorm that blew through during the party. Alas, the big damn deck was still not to be, since it was wet and still sprinkling when we got to the house. So we turned on the light outside and looked at the deck longingly from the living room while continuing the party.
I am happy to report that turning 50 has been okay so far, thanks to visiting family and wonderful friends (and since my colonoscopy won't be at least until the Fall)!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Gonna party like it's my birthday!
Drink Bicardi like it's my birthday! Okay, probably not Bicardi, but maybe some Patron shots after dinner? I was gonna put the 50 cent song on here, but it has some naughty words in it -- so I went with the Beatles instead, cause they are old like me.
So as a birthday gift to myself, I got up at 6am and went swimming. Get up at 6am and go swimming on one's birthday?!? That doesn't sound like a very nice birthday present. Sleeping in, not going swimming, and having bacon, eggs, english muffins, and mimosas sounds like a better gift to give oneself for one's birthday, particularly one's 50th birthday!
Perhaps. But it was a gift to myself because it was an effort to take care of my 50 year old self by doing something healthy. Plus, there were no thunderstorms last night to keep me, Kayla, and Bob awake (mostly kept awake from Kayla's nervousing, not the actual storm) so I got a good night's sleep, woke up at 6am, and decided to go for it.
I got greeted at the front desk with a "Happy Birthday" from one of the young women who works at the counter. And then when I got in the car to come home there was a song on my cell phone from Mom. Arrived home to beautiful flowers and a bottle of Mumm's from Mom on the buffet, plus some cards and wrapped gifts (will open them later). Got some coffee (no bacon, no mimosas) and went to my office to get online and found bunches of birthday greetings on Facebook, which is very cool.
So for the rest of today I will take it easy -- maybe do some cleaning up to get ready for Betsy's arrival but not much else. Then tonight we'll go to dinner at Lancaster's for my official birthday dinner. And then perhaps some Patron shots, though not on the deck since it's too blazing hot for that. But definitely in the living room with the AC blaring.
Happy birthday to me!
So as a birthday gift to myself, I got up at 6am and went swimming. Get up at 6am and go swimming on one's birthday?!? That doesn't sound like a very nice birthday present. Sleeping in, not going swimming, and having bacon, eggs, english muffins, and mimosas sounds like a better gift to give oneself for one's birthday, particularly one's 50th birthday!
Perhaps. But it was a gift to myself because it was an effort to take care of my 50 year old self by doing something healthy. Plus, there were no thunderstorms last night to keep me, Kayla, and Bob awake (mostly kept awake from Kayla's nervousing, not the actual storm) so I got a good night's sleep, woke up at 6am, and decided to go for it.
I got greeted at the front desk with a "Happy Birthday" from one of the young women who works at the counter. And then when I got in the car to come home there was a song on my cell phone from Mom. Arrived home to beautiful flowers and a bottle of Mumm's from Mom on the buffet, plus some cards and wrapped gifts (will open them later). Got some coffee (no bacon, no mimosas) and went to my office to get online and found bunches of birthday greetings on Facebook, which is very cool.
So for the rest of today I will take it easy -- maybe do some cleaning up to get ready for Betsy's arrival but not much else. Then tonight we'll go to dinner at Lancaster's for my official birthday dinner. And then perhaps some Patron shots, though not on the deck since it's too blazing hot for that. But definitely in the living room with the AC blaring.
Happy birthday to me!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Last day of my forties
Well it's finally here -- my last day of being "in my forties" before embarking into my fifties tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about it, as most of you know. Fifty just seems, well, old. I enjoyed turning 30, I thought that was very cool. And when I turned 40 it was cool because "they" said 40 was the new 30. I have no idea what 50 is, other than half a century, and most likely past "middle age" since most of us don't live to be 100. Rather sobering to realize that my life is at least, and probably more, than half over. How did this happen? Where did all of those years go? It sure doesn't seem like 50 years, whatever that should seem like.
Still, I am blessed by so many things in my life, and so essentially I am grateful. I have a family who loves me, two of whom are able to be here to celebrate with me (Mom now, Betsy on Thursday -- unfortunately my brother, his wife, and my nieces are unable to make the trip due to work, money issues, but they'll be here in spirit). I have the best dog in the universe in Kayla, who is my soul-dog/soul-mate in every way possible, and who is still alive and kicking at 11 years old (which makes her 67 in human years according to new methods for figuring those things our) and seems happy to be alive and thrilled to be in our company. I have friends who love me and make me laugh -- and what's most interesting is that many of the friends I have now were not in my life when I turned 40, (while some who were such important part of my life at 40 have drifted away) and now I can't imagine life without them, so that truly is a blessing.
And there is Bob, who has been at the center of my life for almost half of it. I turned 25 in August of 1985, and met Bob in September of 1985, engaged 3 months later. There are ways in my life that I have been lucky -- great friends, a loving family -- and ways that I have not been particularly lucky -- mainly in the arena of my health challenges for 34 years. But I hit the jackpot when I met, fell in love with, and married Bob.
If I were able to go back in time and be offered a trade -- not meet Bob but get my healthy body back -- there's no question what I would choose. The healthy body, of course! :-D Okay no, I'd choose Bob, over and over again. Maybe he's the reason time has sped so quickly?
Here's to the next 50 years!
Still, I am blessed by so many things in my life, and so essentially I am grateful. I have a family who loves me, two of whom are able to be here to celebrate with me (Mom now, Betsy on Thursday -- unfortunately my brother, his wife, and my nieces are unable to make the trip due to work, money issues, but they'll be here in spirit). I have the best dog in the universe in Kayla, who is my soul-dog/soul-mate in every way possible, and who is still alive and kicking at 11 years old (which makes her 67 in human years according to new methods for figuring those things our) and seems happy to be alive and thrilled to be in our company. I have friends who love me and make me laugh -- and what's most interesting is that many of the friends I have now were not in my life when I turned 40, (while some who were such important part of my life at 40 have drifted away) and now I can't imagine life without them, so that truly is a blessing.
And there is Bob, who has been at the center of my life for almost half of it. I turned 25 in August of 1985, and met Bob in September of 1985, engaged 3 months later. There are ways in my life that I have been lucky -- great friends, a loving family -- and ways that I have not been particularly lucky -- mainly in the arena of my health challenges for 34 years. But I hit the jackpot when I met, fell in love with, and married Bob.
If I were able to go back in time and be offered a trade -- not meet Bob but get my healthy body back -- there's no question what I would choose. The healthy body, of course! :-D Okay no, I'd choose Bob, over and over again. Maybe he's the reason time has sped so quickly?
Here's to the next 50 years!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Wedding Bells
While Bob finishes up his week of dog-training-training and starts to head back home later today, I am finishing my Reflection and getting ready for a wedding. Tonight is the rehearsal and dinner, and tomorrow afternoon is the wedding. Bob and I will do the wedding together, tomorrow, and I will solo the rehearsal tonight. Which is fine -- I'm the bossy one anyway and I excel at bossing around people at wedding rehearsals. It'll be a bummer to go to the rehearsal dinner alone, but it's at Biagis, and I like Biagis, so it's all good. Plus it will be wonderful to see the bride, who has been living out of state for the past couple of years. She is our former church secretary and ISU student, Heather (whom I affectionately refer to as Kitten) and it's be nice to see her and meet the groom for the first time. Hope I approve!
Meanwhile Mom arrived yesterday as planned and instead of going out to dinner like we usually do, we stopped at the Jewel on the way home and got filets to grill because it was one of the few nice days we have had in ages (not so hot, not so humid) and I wanted to sit out on the deck for the first time in weeks. We had steaks, corn, and some sliced cucumbers/tomatoes from my neighbors garden, and I made a pitcher of Peach Whiz's, which she hadn't had in years. She was weary from her long day of travel (OC to Dallas to Bloom) and got a little tipsy on the Peach Whiz. I took this picture right after she told me: "I am drunk on the goodness of life." Um, okay, whatever P-Dub. Drunk is drunk!
Meanwhile Mom arrived yesterday as planned and instead of going out to dinner like we usually do, we stopped at the Jewel on the way home and got filets to grill because it was one of the few nice days we have had in ages (not so hot, not so humid) and I wanted to sit out on the deck for the first time in weeks. We had steaks, corn, and some sliced cucumbers/tomatoes from my neighbors garden, and I made a pitcher of Peach Whiz's, which she hadn't had in years. She was weary from her long day of travel (OC to Dallas to Bloom) and got a little tipsy on the Peach Whiz. I took this picture right after she told me: "I am drunk on the goodness of life." Um, okay, whatever P-Dub. Drunk is drunk!
Okay enough blogging here -- back to work!
Friday, August 6, 2010
I'm gonna miss Target
So evidently I now have to boycott my beloved Target.
Which sucks because I love me some Target. But evidently Target loves conservative haters, so now I refuse to give them another dime. Stupid Target. I wonder if this will change their HRC Corporate Equality Index, which is 100 for 2010? So yeah -- Target sucks.
On another note, Mom arrives today for "birthday week." She's flying through Dallas (and she wants everything to know she is NOT thrilled about that) and should be here by 3pm. Before that I am having lunch with Art, and before that I'll be at the office playing secretary (running off and folding the bulletin). Perhaps we shall go out to dinner this evening, but it's so nice today maybe she'll want to stay here instead and we can grill and have dinner on the deck. It's been so hot we've not had much deck time this summer but tonight might be perfect (and the last chance for a while).
Tomorrow I have a wedding rehearsal, then Sunday I have church and BOB COMES HOME (!) and then we have a wedding to do on Sunday evening. After that I plan to relax next week and rest up for turning 50, and for my sister's arrival on Thursday. WHEEEEEE!
Which sucks because I love me some Target. But evidently Target loves conservative haters, so now I refuse to give them another dime. Stupid Target. I wonder if this will change their HRC Corporate Equality Index, which is 100 for 2010? So yeah -- Target sucks.
On another note, Mom arrives today for "birthday week." She's flying through Dallas (and she wants everything to know she is NOT thrilled about that) and should be here by 3pm. Before that I am having lunch with Art, and before that I'll be at the office playing secretary (running off and folding the bulletin). Perhaps we shall go out to dinner this evening, but it's so nice today maybe she'll want to stay here instead and we can grill and have dinner on the deck. It's been so hot we've not had much deck time this summer but tonight might be perfect (and the last chance for a while).
Tomorrow I have a wedding rehearsal, then Sunday I have church and BOB COMES HOME (!) and then we have a wedding to do on Sunday evening. After that I plan to relax next week and rest up for turning 50, and for my sister's arrival on Thursday. WHEEEEEE!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Hate loses, as it should, as it always eventually does
Ten Points of Light
1. "Individuals do not generally choose their sexual orientation. No credible evidence supports a finding that an individual may, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change his or her sexual orientation."
2. "California has no interest in asking gays and lesbians to change their sexual orientation or in reducing the number of gays and lesbians in California."
3. "Same-sex couples are identical to opposite-sex couples in the characteristics relevant to the ability to form successful marital unions. Like opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples have happy, satisfying relationships and form deep emotional bonds and strong commitments to their partners."
4. "Marrying a person of the opposite sex is an unrealistic option for gay and lesbian individuals."
5. "The availability of domestic partnership does not provide gays and lesbians with a status equivalent to marriage because the cultural meaning of marriage and its associated benefits are intentionally withheld from same-sex couples in domestic partnerships."
6. "Permitting same-sex couples to marry will not affect the number of opposite-sex couples who marry, divorce, cohabit, have children outside of marriage or otherwise affect the stability of opposite-sex marriages."
7. "Proposition 8 places the force of law behind stigmas against gays and lesbians, including: gays and lesbians do not have intimate relationships similar to heterosexual couples; gays and lesbians are not as good as heterosexuals; and gay and lesbian relationships do not deserve the full recognition of society."
8. "Proposition 8 increases costs and decreases wealth for same sex couples because of increased tax burdens, decreased availability of health insurance and higher transactions costs to secure rights and obligations typically associated with marriage."
9. "Proposition 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment. Proposition 8 perpetuates the stereotype that gays and lesbians are incapable of forming long-term loving relationships and that gays and lesbians are not good parents."
10. "The gender of a child's parent is not a factor in a child's adjustment. The sexual orientation of an individual does not determine whether that individual can be a good parent. Children raised by gay or lesbian parents are as likely as children raised by heterosexual parents to be healthy, successful and well-adjusted."
~ Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, August 4, 2010
Soon after I heard the news about Prop Hate being ruled unconstitutional in my beloved home state (YAY for Judge Walker) I ventured to a nearby Lutheran church to talk to them about why I love, accept, affirm, and am passionate about justice for LGBT persons. The Lutherans voted last summer to allow ordination of gaybees and, unlike the Presbyterians, who have to approve such a vote in the local presbyteries before it becomes "law," it became the new policy for the Lutherans immediately. What this means is that congregations don't HAVE to hire a gay pastor, but gay pastors who want to serve in Lutheran churches can now do so (if they can get hired).
So this little church is struggling with that new policy, as are many Lutheran churches, and trying to decide if they can stay part of the ELCA or if they need to leave and join the newly forming anti-gay-ordination Lutherans. They are doing a "study" of the issue with seven members who will report their findings to the church council and then they will decide where to go from there. The pastor does not want to leave the ELCA, tho at this point he was honest in telling me before the meeting (during our phone call to set this up) that he is against gay ordination -- and the study group, which includes him, has a mix of pro-gay, anti-gay, and "good lordy this is confusing" members.
What was neat about last night's conversation with them, besides the basic fact that they were doing this study in the first place, taking it seriously, and inviting someone like me to speak to them (because I am pastor of an open/affirming gay-friendly congregation) was that I couldn't really tell for sure who was who in terms of where they fell on this issue. They were friendly, open to hear what I had to say. They asked me about my background, my education, my congregation, and how I came to my current position on the gay issue. I was able to express my passion for gays, and gay rights, in a way that was respectful of them and the fact that they weren't on the same page that I was. I did it joyfully and non-judgmentally, and told them the story of my father's own conversion to the gay-loving train. I felt really good about it, and of course, was buoyed by the decision on gay marriage in California earlier in the day.
I suggested they invite a gay/lesbian Christian to speak to them at some point, and they agreed that would be a good idea. They thanked me for being there. And I think I helped them a bit in their journey. Another day -- second in a row -- that made me remember why there are times I do something helpful, and why I love this job. And tomorrow -- the dearest man in my congregation is taking me to lunch (for a special occasion, was all he told me -- I suspect it is birthday related). I'm a lucky almost 50 year old!
Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson teamed up with David Boies, bringing together a pair of litigators best known as adversaries who respectively represented George W. Bush and Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election.
1. "Individuals do not generally choose their sexual orientation. No credible evidence supports a finding that an individual may, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change his or her sexual orientation."
2. "California has no interest in asking gays and lesbians to change their sexual orientation or in reducing the number of gays and lesbians in California."
3. "Same-sex couples are identical to opposite-sex couples in the characteristics relevant to the ability to form successful marital unions. Like opposite-sex couples, same-sex couples have happy, satisfying relationships and form deep emotional bonds and strong commitments to their partners."
4. "Marrying a person of the opposite sex is an unrealistic option for gay and lesbian individuals."
5. "The availability of domestic partnership does not provide gays and lesbians with a status equivalent to marriage because the cultural meaning of marriage and its associated benefits are intentionally withheld from same-sex couples in domestic partnerships."
6. "Permitting same-sex couples to marry will not affect the number of opposite-sex couples who marry, divorce, cohabit, have children outside of marriage or otherwise affect the stability of opposite-sex marriages."
7. "Proposition 8 places the force of law behind stigmas against gays and lesbians, including: gays and lesbians do not have intimate relationships similar to heterosexual couples; gays and lesbians are not as good as heterosexuals; and gay and lesbian relationships do not deserve the full recognition of society."
8. "Proposition 8 increases costs and decreases wealth for same sex couples because of increased tax burdens, decreased availability of health insurance and higher transactions costs to secure rights and obligations typically associated with marriage."
9. "Proposition 8 singles out gays and lesbians and legitimates their unequal treatment. Proposition 8 perpetuates the stereotype that gays and lesbians are incapable of forming long-term loving relationships and that gays and lesbians are not good parents."
10. "The gender of a child's parent is not a factor in a child's adjustment. The sexual orientation of an individual does not determine whether that individual can be a good parent. Children raised by gay or lesbian parents are as likely as children raised by heterosexual parents to be healthy, successful and well-adjusted."
~ Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker, August 4, 2010
Soon after I heard the news about Prop Hate being ruled unconstitutional in my beloved home state (YAY for Judge Walker) I ventured to a nearby Lutheran church to talk to them about why I love, accept, affirm, and am passionate about justice for LGBT persons. The Lutherans voted last summer to allow ordination of gaybees and, unlike the Presbyterians, who have to approve such a vote in the local presbyteries before it becomes "law," it became the new policy for the Lutherans immediately. What this means is that congregations don't HAVE to hire a gay pastor, but gay pastors who want to serve in Lutheran churches can now do so (if they can get hired).
So this little church is struggling with that new policy, as are many Lutheran churches, and trying to decide if they can stay part of the ELCA or if they need to leave and join the newly forming anti-gay-ordination Lutherans. They are doing a "study" of the issue with seven members who will report their findings to the church council and then they will decide where to go from there. The pastor does not want to leave the ELCA, tho at this point he was honest in telling me before the meeting (during our phone call to set this up) that he is against gay ordination -- and the study group, which includes him, has a mix of pro-gay, anti-gay, and "good lordy this is confusing" members.
What was neat about last night's conversation with them, besides the basic fact that they were doing this study in the first place, taking it seriously, and inviting someone like me to speak to them (because I am pastor of an open/affirming gay-friendly congregation) was that I couldn't really tell for sure who was who in terms of where they fell on this issue. They were friendly, open to hear what I had to say. They asked me about my background, my education, my congregation, and how I came to my current position on the gay issue. I was able to express my passion for gays, and gay rights, in a way that was respectful of them and the fact that they weren't on the same page that I was. I did it joyfully and non-judgmentally, and told them the story of my father's own conversion to the gay-loving train. I felt really good about it, and of course, was buoyed by the decision on gay marriage in California earlier in the day.
I suggested they invite a gay/lesbian Christian to speak to them at some point, and they agreed that would be a good idea. They thanked me for being there. And I think I helped them a bit in their journey. Another day -- second in a row -- that made me remember why there are times I do something helpful, and why I love this job. And tomorrow -- the dearest man in my congregation is taking me to lunch (for a special occasion, was all he told me -- I suspect it is birthday related). I'm a lucky almost 50 year old!
Former U.S. Solicitor General Theodore Olson teamed up with David Boies, bringing together a pair of litigators best known as adversaries who respectively represented George W. Bush and Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election.
Reveling in their joint victory, Boies said he and Olson's alliance would prove valuable if the Proposition 8 case, known as Perry v. Schwarzenegger, reaches the Supreme Court.
"Ted and I have a deal — He is going to get the 5 justices that were for him in Bush v. Gore and I'm going to get the 4 justices that were with me in Bush v. Gore," he joked.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Interesting
Found this on one of my favorite blogs by a fellow progressive pastor, Shuck and Jive -- it's an article about a clergy colleague/friend of Jim P -- I've never met him myself but Jim often sends forwards from him to other campus ministers so I know of him: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/08/02/609889/pastor-sticks-up-for-modern-view.html
Because of this article, and the TUFTS study it mentions, Mark also made the Presbyterian Layman (it's kinda like PCUSA's version of the National Enquirer in that it publishes inflamed/inflaming stories about things that piss them off and in this case, for us liberals anyway, it's a privilege and honor to be mentioned in it -- it means we are doing our jobs). I'd link that for you here too, but I don't want to scare you, my sweet innocent readers. Plus I don't want them to think that the hits it gets today means people like them. I will link you to the TUFTS study tho. You can google the Layman if you are feeling brave.
Anyway, what's interesting about the timing of all this is that today I had a meeting with a student (as I too, am a Campus Minister) and we were talking about his faith journey. He was wondering if his spiritual journey was authentic in the sense that he wondered if he was "on the right path." He has a roommate who is challenging him (and damning him to hell for various things) which made him start to doubt himself. I won't go into specifics other than to say that he is a charming, kind, loving soul who has nothing to worry about. I shared with him my liberal/progressive agnostic leanings, which brought him comfort. And told him that if we are more about love than hate, and are compassionate toward others, we can be pretty certain our path is just fine. When he left I felt like I had been helpful to him, and was grateful for the reminder that what I get to do is sometimes really cool. (Yeah sometimes it's a pain in the ass too, but today it was cool.)
So then I came home and read the article about a minister who seems a lot like me in many ways, and enjoyed the synchronicity that what I shared with the student was similar to things Mark says in the article. For instance, Mark admits he does not believe in a supernatural God with supernatural powers. "The cosmic guy in the sky is not a credible image of God," he said. I said much the same thing to my student, only I said, "old white-haired man in the sky" instead of cosmic.
Somebody call the Layman!
P.S. I also read this when I got home:
Because of this article, and the TUFTS study it mentions, Mark also made the Presbyterian Layman (it's kinda like PCUSA's version of the National Enquirer in that it publishes inflamed/inflaming stories about things that piss them off and in this case, for us liberals anyway, it's a privilege and honor to be mentioned in it -- it means we are doing our jobs). I'd link that for you here too, but I don't want to scare you, my sweet innocent readers. Plus I don't want them to think that the hits it gets today means people like them. I will link you to the TUFTS study tho. You can google the Layman if you are feeling brave.
Anyway, what's interesting about the timing of all this is that today I had a meeting with a student (as I too, am a Campus Minister) and we were talking about his faith journey. He was wondering if his spiritual journey was authentic in the sense that he wondered if he was "on the right path." He has a roommate who is challenging him (and damning him to hell for various things) which made him start to doubt himself. I won't go into specifics other than to say that he is a charming, kind, loving soul who has nothing to worry about. I shared with him my liberal/progressive agnostic leanings, which brought him comfort. And told him that if we are more about love than hate, and are compassionate toward others, we can be pretty certain our path is just fine. When he left I felt like I had been helpful to him, and was grateful for the reminder that what I get to do is sometimes really cool. (Yeah sometimes it's a pain in the ass too, but today it was cool.)
So then I came home and read the article about a minister who seems a lot like me in many ways, and enjoyed the synchronicity that what I shared with the student was similar to things Mark says in the article. For instance, Mark admits he does not believe in a supernatural God with supernatural powers. "The cosmic guy in the sky is not a credible image of God," he said. I said much the same thing to my student, only I said, "old white-haired man in the sky" instead of cosmic.
Somebody call the Layman!
P.S. I also read this when I got home:
Monday, August 2, 2010
AARP
So I walk out to the mailbox to get my Monday mail, talking to my sister on the phone as I go, and lo and behold there's my AARP card! Okay, well not my actual AARP card -- but my temporary fake AARP card and an invitation for me to join AARP. And instead of bursting into tears as I expected to do when this day arrived (by the way, THANK YOU AARP, for not timing its arrival on my actual birthday -- that might have sent me over the edge) I burst out laughing. Hysterical, full-on belly laughing. Granted, I started laughing so hard I almost cried, as there is a fine line between crying and laughing -- but all in all I found it extremely amusing and not as traumatic as I expected.
It did, however, make this big 5-0 thing seem real for the first time. Yes, getting my sister's plane arrival info made it seem real too. So have the daily birthday cards I've been getting from Mom for the last 40 days (a card-a-day 50th b'day card countdown). And my sister's own helpful countdown on Facebook (which she messed up today as her birthday was yesterday and she had too much champagne so she thought it was still 10 days today when it's really only 9) But the AARP thing? That makes it FURREALS!
So, my friends who have already surpassed this milestone ... what do I do? Pay to join for a year, three years, or five years? Are the benefits worthwhile, especially if I have to work another 15-20 years? Are the discounts worth it?
I look forward to the wisdom of my elders ....
It did, however, make this big 5-0 thing seem real for the first time. Yes, getting my sister's plane arrival info made it seem real too. So have the daily birthday cards I've been getting from Mom for the last 40 days (a card-a-day 50th b'day card countdown). And my sister's own helpful countdown on Facebook (which she messed up today as her birthday was yesterday and she had too much champagne so she thought it was still 10 days today when it's really only 9) But the AARP thing? That makes it FURREALS!
So, my friends who have already surpassed this milestone ... what do I do? Pay to join for a year, three years, or five years? Are the benefits worthwhile, especially if I have to work another 15-20 years? Are the discounts worth it?
I look forward to the wisdom of my elders ....
I'm the new Bachelorette!
As Ali chooses (or not) her one true love tonight, (I'm rooting for Chris but I suspect she may pick neither of them -- yes, I watched the show this season -- it's summer and nothing else is on so sue me!) I have become the newest Bachelorette. Only it my case, it won't be televised, and it will only last a week.
Bob is in Maryland for his second dog training internship. He left early Sunday morning and made it there safe and sound before it got dark and the deer came out in West Virginia (West Virginia leads the nation in deer-related vehicle collisions -- I almost hit one last fall while driving through the state after midnight). I was hoping to go with him again but we have a wedding this coming weekend and one of us has to be at the rehearsal on Saturday. The plan is for Bob to be home in time to help officiate the wedding with me Sunday afternoon (his class ends Saturday afternoon, he'll drive part way home Saturday night and then home hopefully early Sunday afternoon).
So while he's learning how to teach dog training classes, I'm bach'ing it with Kayla for the week. Or at least until Friday when Mom arrives to celebrate my birthday the following week. She'll be here Friday, Bob will be home Sunday, and then my sister arrives on the following Thursday. So I'll go from an empty house to a house-full very quickly.
Today is my day off so it'll be pretty quiet around here. I already swam, and am leaving as soon as I post this to grocery shop. Then I'll probably spend the rest of the day wandering around the house talking to myself while carrying around a picture of Bob, counting the hours until he gets back. Okay, probably not -- I'll most likely do some laundry, clean the kitchen, and watch some girlie movies. And drink wine. And then, I'll see if Ali picks Chris on the Bachelorette!
Bob is in Maryland for his second dog training internship. He left early Sunday morning and made it there safe and sound before it got dark and the deer came out in West Virginia (West Virginia leads the nation in deer-related vehicle collisions -- I almost hit one last fall while driving through the state after midnight). I was hoping to go with him again but we have a wedding this coming weekend and one of us has to be at the rehearsal on Saturday. The plan is for Bob to be home in time to help officiate the wedding with me Sunday afternoon (his class ends Saturday afternoon, he'll drive part way home Saturday night and then home hopefully early Sunday afternoon).
So while he's learning how to teach dog training classes, I'm bach'ing it with Kayla for the week. Or at least until Friday when Mom arrives to celebrate my birthday the following week. She'll be here Friday, Bob will be home Sunday, and then my sister arrives on the following Thursday. So I'll go from an empty house to a house-full very quickly.
Today is my day off so it'll be pretty quiet around here. I already swam, and am leaving as soon as I post this to grocery shop. Then I'll probably spend the rest of the day wandering around the house talking to myself while carrying around a picture of Bob, counting the hours until he gets back. Okay, probably not -- I'll most likely do some laundry, clean the kitchen, and watch some girlie movies. And drink wine. And then, I'll see if Ali picks Chris on the Bachelorette!
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