Christmas Coundown...it's official!

Today Lelainia, and all the participants of her 12 Days of Christmas Gift Exchange began the countdown. We're each opening a handmade gift each morning from now to Christmas Eve. It's so exciting! My gifts arrived in the nick of time, with present #1 just making it's arrival the day before yesterday. Whew!



Debra Cooper made each of the artists in group Two a beautiful clutch, of soft and lovely vintage re-purposed fabric, with a chunky button clasp and gorgeous hand stitched detail on the front. I love it!

Random thoughts on passion and curiosity

"I think curious people are like magnets," he said

That's a quote I recently read in a blog post somewhere, attributed to a young German man who caught a ride with the blogger on a trip across the US. It explained why they felt so comfortable traveling together.

Curiosity is one of my favorite character traits, along with passion. There is so much energy in both.
When I meet someone new, and I see them passionately pursuing their great love of whatever, I feel drawn to engage them in conversation, find out what it is that draws them to their particular endeavor. People are passionate about an amazing variety of things.
I have met people in the last couple of months who are passionate in an astonishingly wide range of interests and expertise.
Like moss. Who knew there are so many kinds of moss in Canada, or the world, and that the study of moss could be a life mission of this biologist, the husband and father of a family we know and love? I think that is wonderful, and the fact that I had never imagined this as a subject of depth surprised me. And made me strangely happy, because once again I am reminded that there is SO MUCH OUT THERE that I have yet to discover! There is so much to be curious about!

Another family we know are astounding in their passion for the environment in general, and the southern Alberta area in particular. Paul and Sherri and their family stepped in to be the change they wish to see in the natural world they love so much. Their mission is to bring together all the diverse groups and individuals who share their love and concern, to concentrate the impact of many people passionate about the same thing, working together to bring about change.

In the journey of guitar that Levi has recently embarked upon, the teacher he has connected with is passionate about guitar to a degree I have never encountered. Here is a direct quote from lessons on Monday. (yes, I carry a notebook to write down things like this. I just don't tell people what I am doing. Until now. The secret is out. Oops.)

"I believe a guitar has a spirit just like I do. And I can pick up a guitar and feel it. I have picked up guitars and know instantly that they hate my guts! If they've been played for years by someone who really loved them, they don't want me anywhere near them, and I can feel that, and I just have to set them down and walk away".

Ev Norris

Now, I'm not saying I agree with his theology, but I admire the passion.

Curiosity draws me too.
Why do things work? Why do you feel so drawn to that particular thing? What is the nature of your passion? How can I share in it?
Curiosity leads us to many new discoveries, where we may find our true passions.

quality of light

....sometimes it makes up for the lack of quantity of daylight.

But in 11 more days, we turn the corner! It may be getting dark by 5pm now, but on the 21st, the days will start getting longer again!

Where I agree with a mega church...sort of.

Wow.   

This video's content was not surprising to me, but the source was.  Willow Creek is one of the biggest mega churches in the U.S.  That they would come right out and share, in a sincere desire to (hopefully) do things better, is admirable.  Do they really get that the programs of the institution (of any kind, not just the religious kind) can never equal the power of real relationship? 

 My own experiences in the institutional church have taught me a few things.   

 

-Small is better-for me.

-Pastors who depend on congregational giving to feed their families eventually decide to choose big over small.  

 

-Bigger is not neccessarily more effective at encouraging real disciples; those who love God and other people, and act accordingly, without compulsion. (What I see as faith with works). 

-A lot of "relationships" formed in institutional settings are very shallow; based a lot more on the fact that we are in the same physical space than that we are connected in any deep, meaningful way.  (School friends, whom I knew for years but after graduation have lost contact with as we have nothing in common, fall into this category.)

 

-I need relationships, not for accountability, but for love, my deepest need, which is a reflection of the God who has called me His own. 

-Eventually people become dissatisfied with that which does not work (more programs; which take more time and cost more money), and they go looking for it somewhere else. Often at the new mega church down the road.

-Those who can build the new mega church can attract all these dissatisfied people to their institution...at the expense of the smaller churches in the community. 

-I hesitate to add..."and the cycle continues", but as this is just my opinion, I can say whatever I want and you can just call me cynical if you disagree.  

Am I cynical?  Am I reactive?  Am I part of the problem, rather than part of the solution?  Honestly, I don't know.  But I do know that my faith is becoming more and more to be attributed to the person of God, and not to a desired outcome of my choosing.  He, not me, is the author, and finisher of the whole thing.  

Another new project completed

It was too cold to go out today, so I stayed in and made a bag. I didn't use a pattern, just decided how big I wanted it, cut some pieces to roughly that size, and had fun.

It's a collage of fabric, paper and lace...I call it "Shabby Cheep". (There are a couple little birds on it, and all the materials came from the re-use center. harhar) None of the edges are finished, so it's frayed and tattery and rough around the edges. I love that look.

Maykala and the boys came over. Suresh is returning from India today, and rather than drive all the way back to the city after church, she picked up some KFC and came for lunch while she waited for his flight. It is always great spending time with her, and the boys were very happy to see Malfy.

My (not so) Hollywood debut

I forgot to mention that yesterday after our family outing to get flue shots, we went to West Edmonton Mall to do some Christmas shopping, and see this movie. Now ordinarily, I'd much rather have a flue shot, or dental work, than set foot in that place.

But we had a motive. Mr Wonderful, Josh and a few friends and I spent a very long day last summer as extras in a movie that was being shot at the mall. (it would have saved us a lot of misery if the *shooting* had been fatal!) It opened there yesterday, and we decided to go see it.

I was surprised to see it opening on the big screen. I was expecting it to go direct to video. My friend Linda assures me it's opening here on the big screen at Silver City, but that's because the promoters of the mall want to showcase it...it's basically a travelogue of the mall. The local news did a piece and admitted it's not being shown in theaters anywhere else. It's that (yawn) good.

The one big scene, which my hubby and I were supposed to be casual bench-sitters as Patrick Swayze walks by in the last scene, was cut. I am shocked!

I am sure that was the best scene in the movie, and the back of my head would have been featured prominently, as I gazed lovingly into my sweethearts eyes, completely ignoring the big time star moving down the mall toward us, passing within a couple of feet of where we sat. (after the first ten takes, my eyes were glazed over, so it's lucky the camera was at my back). He even talked to us, and told us his feet, in his high heeled boots (he's pretty short) were killing him. But I digress.
In this scene, he walks, with his family, toward the big Christmas tree which stayed up all summer on Europa Boulevard. Everything works out fine, blah, blah, blah. But this pivotal scene, (with my spectacular hair-do) ended up on the cutting room floor! I am not amused. Nor is my husband. Who. paid. fifty. bucks. to take us to see our big debut.

But as a consolation, I am in another scene, behind the action taking place as Patrick tries to purchase a snowblower for his wife for Christmas.(hahaha...even in Edmonton that's not going over buddy!)
If you look over the cashier's shoulder at the line of shoppers going through the other till, I'm the blurry blue blob moving from right to left. That's me! Followed closely by Josh, Mikayla, and Dawn as various coloured blobs, with or without hats.

As for my husband, I told him fifty bucks is a small price to pay. From now on, he gets to sleep with a Hollywood star.

Things I love right now:

Health by Chocolate by Victoria Laine
A local nutritionist who, besides being a yoga teacher and a lovely person, is passionate about chocolate, and it's health and wellness benefits. Mmmmmmmmm. Check out the link for sample recipes. (I attended a tasting last night and the results are delicious!)

Exploring this blog: Wonderful and sometimes strange, but never boring. What a warren of rabbit trails to follow.

This recipe; on oats, with a side of yogurt, for breakfast. Don't laugh! In fact, I love Molly and Brandon and get simple pleasure from following their gastronomically romantic life. So sue me. But do try some of her recipes first. You will thank me.

Maker Faire. The magazine, the videos, the concept, the possibilities, the danger...("every thing's funny till somebody looses an eye!") I love the thought of a trip to San Fransisco in May to attend the real deal!

The fact that Nialle is recovering well, (and writing about the whole thing). The weightless feeling of knowing the worst is over. Do you ever stop and just consider the wonderful feeling of literally experiencing answered prayer? I do.

The Canadian medical system. Wow.

The Lyceum. A community building project in action, with all the headaches and growing pains and joy that entails. It's inviting and inspiring and challenging. No links, but here are a couple of photos of the physical space:

Colour my World

Out of the dull and the grey, I see colour everywhere today...

My packages before I sent them off to the four corners of the Art World, for the 12 Days Of Christmas exchange by the lovely and talented Lelainia.

Berries in our front yard...a feast for the birds. Photo by Josh.

My piece (and the photo which I used as a reference) done in October at a water colour and ink class by Susan Woolgar. She showed us how to carve a drawing implement from a dry willow stick, to be used with ink.
This was a technique taught to her by the late Euphemia McNaught, an artist who lived and taught school in northern Alberta. Euphemia sometimes painted with the Group of Seven.
After drawing with the stick and ink, we then used water colour and chalk to add colour.
It was a fun class. Susan is really fun person to hang out with, and though I'm not a painter, I decided to just not judge myself while I was enjoying the process.

Zoot. (Liam's new best friend.) Look at those eyes!

Silent Night

Frosty and quiet and snow that sparkles like diamonds.

a night of being artsy

I decided what to do with the piece I made today. I mounted it on a plain canvas, and used it in a little vignette, filling a funny niche in my dining room. The spot has been neglected for far too long, colecting dust and odds and ends, with a mirror I am not fond of propped on the ledge.
I printed off a few photos and mounted them on the back of the niche, set out some candles and added some favorite stones, a little bird to remind me to hope, and placed my new piece in to give it a dash of colour.

I am quite happy with it, it seems to give the room a lift.

When Mr. Wonderful came home for dinner, he admired the whole effect. I asked him what he thought of my art work. It's been forever since I made something for myself, and longer than that since I made something to display.
He was quite taken with it, and couldn't get over the beautiful background. (Uh, that would be the PLAIN WHITE CANVAS I mounted it on!) Ahem, OK, then. He paused, and he looked at me, waiting for his admiration to sink in.
I said..."You mean your favorite part is the canvas...the canvas which came from the store looking exactly like that??!"
The boys and I burst into hysterical laughter, leaving him embarrassed and floundering...reaching, reaching...but nope...nothing was coming to him in the way of ecstatic praise...just: "Really, really nice white canvas!"
Hokey Dinah! I married an art critic!
Sheesh, I should have taken Deb's advice...namely: "NEVER ASK YOUR HUSBAND WHAT HE THINKS OF YOUR ARTWORK".

Something Creative

It's been three weeks of struggling to do what we have to do, and of hurting beyond my ability to explain.
Anyone with a child knows what I'm talking about...seeing them going through something so painful and out of all of our control. All I've wanted; all I want, is to make the hurt and worry all go away. Having my hands tied; knowing I am helpless to protect them, is too hard.
Nialle is at home now, working on recovering and getting strong. Trying not to worry; trying to take one day at a time; trying to remember "normal". Vanessa is at his side, doing the same, trusting and praying and helping as best she can.

I realize we never know what tomorrow will bring. In the last three weeks, with this thing hanging over our head, there have been moments of joy and beauty and grace. Liam has been with us a lot. I am so thankful to be here, to have a tangible way to help, just being with my favorite little boy in the world. He is a joy!

One day we went to the Telus World of Science. Liam loved the discovery area, where he could dance on the big piano, build a wall...or rather help knock down the walls his Uncles built, or look in the fun-house mirrors.









Today I decided it was time for a bit of creative therapy. I made a mixed media piece with fabric, paper ephemera, buttons, metal bits, lace...and whatever else I could easily put my hand to here in my messy studio. I don't know what I'll do with it. I may use it as a base for a bag or book, or I may mount it on a canvas. I really like creating like this, with no end in mind, enjoying the process more than the product.

Nialle

...might be able to go home tomorrow.
If he can learn to give himself the shots he needs, the blood thinners, then he can continue to recover at home. His count is around 100 after the last transfusion on Wednesday.

Did you know that all the blood in his body is from transfusions? !! I guess I knew that, because I've seen all the blood pumping into him, but I did not really stop to think about it till his doctor pointed out to him that he is not hemolysing it, and that is a good sign! As his body is accepting this "borrowed" blood, then it is also not likely to reject his own. (his bilirubin count is normal, so that confirms that he's not destroying red blood cells any more!)

He is looking forward to going home. Vanessa and Liam, real food, his own bed. Music and privacy and his guitar. (he's plotting how he'll get it into his lap...it's too heavy to lift after his surgery).
Even if he needs another transfusion or two, it can be done outpatient. His hemoglobin will take a while to recover, but once his body adjusts to all the stress and changes and surgery, he will bounce back!

We are all looking forward to a return to normalcy. He can't wait to get back to work in a few weeks, to get back to leading worship, to get back to his life with Nessa and Liam and *baby*.

Yes, Vanessa is expecting. Please pray for her; for strength and for everything else she needs. Especially her man.

Knowing without seeing

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, right?

I am faithful...full of faith...that all is well with Nialle.
He's back in the hospital after a brief night at home. The reason? Pulmonary Embolism, or blood clots, in both lungs. They appeared yesterday, caused a lot of problems, a call to 911, and a trip back to the hospital in an ambulance.

Today, after a day on blood thinners, everything looks fine. Doppler scans, ultra sounds, other scans that involved inhaling radioactive air beforehand...but the clots are not causing any more problems, and have probably dissolved.

He's staying where he is till they can figure out what happened, or rather, why it happened. The incidence of blood clots post-op is very uncommon, especially in someone his age. The incidence of double embolisms is unheard of.

I believe he is going to stump them yet again. I believe he is going to continue to improve, have no further incidence of this disorder, ever. I believe he will live such a long and happy, healthy life that this will not be considered important because though we will remember it happened, we will never dwell on this chapter of his life, except to give thanks, in awe, for his healing.

Please continue to pray for this with me.

I have seen miracles happen in the last week. Answers to prayer when things looked very bleak.
I have been blessed beyond measure with abundant, practical acts of kindness (Lisa, Judi, Kathryn and Ving, Lana and Karyn and Nathanel!!! You are angels!)

Words, cards, hugs, and offers of help at every turn. The love shown to Nialle and Vanessa and Liam from those close to them, and from people who only know of them...it means so much.
It's a body at work, each of you are a part of this body, and the whole would not work without the individual parts. None of us are an island, and all of your support gives all of us more strength.

It's very comforting, and humbling, and all I can say is thank you. You are well loved.

Success!

Niall'e surgery is complete, and was a success! They were able to do it laprascopically, and he didn't loose blood, and it all went perfectly.

Now we wait and see how his blood production goes. I posted the following on facebook while we were waiting.....................................................................................................................................................

Sitting waiting in the hospital...Nialle is in surgery. Artist on the ward wanders by and offers a "humourous thought for the day". Not too humourous. Then he explains he writes poems for people. I tell him stuff; he translates it to paper thoughts and pictures in words...would I like one?Yes. We talk. He inquires. He scribbles...he's a lefty, like Nialle.Here is the result:

The Singer by Gary Garrison

Anxious, bright, angular sunrise
glowing gold street poles
random rainbow crystals
scattered accross the windshield
Bending morning light into wondering
if he'll be well enough
for the splenectomy
if that rebel organ is the cause
of his blood destroying itself
if he'll be strong enogh
to lift his guitar and his voice
to give him one good reason
to turn right back around
to raise his own son
to mentor his own grandchildren
to keep writing songs untill he's 90.


And my heart says a resounding YES!

Thank you, everyone who has prayed, called, brought gifts and sent love and offered hugs. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Nialle

Well, hopefully tomorrow is show time. Nialle is on the list for surgery, and has just been assured that without a spleen (which is very enlarged), the chance that this condition will never occur again are about eighty percent. That is such good news!! We were never told this before, and it gives us a burst of hope.

Please pray that:
a) Nialle's surgery will not get bumped
b) The cough he has developed will disappear
c) There will be lots of matched blood available
d) Liam will also be rid of his cough
e) Vanessa will be strong and energetic (she's amazing!)
f) Nialle's bone marrow will recover it's ability to produce healthy cells
g) The surgery will be a success on every level

Thanks for all the prayers. We can feel them.

Liam visits Daddy

Well, of course they had to share a cookie.

Liam is a bright spot of sunshine where ever he goes, just like his Daddy.

Daddy is waiting for his blood count (red cells) to come up over 90 so he can have surgery to remove his spleen. Please pray that will happen soon, and that everything will be well.

Update

For all who know Nialle, please pray for him. He is in hospital, with AIHA and is fighting a hard battle, with amazing courage and grace. He is so strong. He never whines. He is my hero.

He needs blood that will match, which he will not react to. With auto immune diseases, it can be a problem to find blood that his body will not reject. So far, the blood they are pumping in is helping him to stay even at about 80. (Normal for him is 160-180) So far, our prayers have been answered! Someone, somewhere, gave blood that was a close enough match that he has had no reaction. Blessed...that's what we are!

If anyone wants to "do" something...and many people have told me to let them know if they can "do" anything...(it's hard when you want to help and you feel like your hands are tied...I know) I would ask that you go to the nearest Red Cross Blood Services and donate some blood. Someone else out there is praying.

Here's Nialle, all dressed for battle, and Liam....and is that an angel on Nialle's shoulder? That explains a lot!

Beautiful Words...

Have you ever encountered words of such grace that they take your breath away? Words that make you ache to express yourself in such simplicity and beauty?

Here is a patchwork piece of such a meeting....I marvel that any one could be so in tune with the elegance of nature...

Her hands lie open in the long fresh grass
Her fingertips look through like rosy blooms

Your eyes smile peace
The pasture gleams and glooms

Deep in the sun searched growths the dragonfly
Hangs like a blue thread loosened from the sky

From The House of Life #19 Silent Noon
by Dante Gabriell Rossetti

Do these words not just shine? Can you feel the beauty of the imagery? They have taken my breath away, and I revisit them time after time, especially deep into a hot afternoon when the sky glows and the dragonflies un-weave themselves from the fabric of a summer day to sway in the breeze.

As fall settles in I will hang on these words till I can return to the lake of my dreams.

Be a Maker, not a Consumer

Madeleine L'Engle insisted she was not a consumer. That word was distasteful to her. She said "fire consumes; cancer consumes".

Wendy Tremayne says ""There is no creativity in consumerism… makers don't make good consumers. The less you know, the less you can make, the more you're going to buy."

I'm kicking around this idea. I love the concept and I know people who are interested. Should I go for it?

Swap Art

I haven't done many swaps for the last few months, but Dawn convinced me (made me an offer I couldn't refuse!) to join this Wacky Photo Booth Swap. And yes, I can spell!

Evolution of a tree from my kitchen window

It's a grand day. Sunny and clear and crisp. I love fall!

My kitchen window looks out onto the most beautiful big tree. It's huge, and has wide spreading branches that beg to be climbed. (It can keep on begging me all it wants...I'm staying down here with the camera!)

Here is the evolution of a tree over the course of the last month...enjoy!

This is the tree as it looked a month ago.

A week later it was transformed to this...(can you see the boy in the tree? It's enough to give the mother a real bad case of hiney clench!)

Isn't this brilliant? OK, I'm calm again...

Ack! There's another one up there!!

Oh Lordy! Now the boy has the camera and is taking pictures that give me vertigo as well as instilling deep terror for their lives!!

That's better! Everyone is safe on the ground. And will be here for quite some time. It could take weeks to clean up these leaves!

Though if they make this little pumpkin happy, I'll keep them around.

It Is Well.

Here's Why...

My Daniel,...Mr Wonderful. He adores me, works hard for us, and loves to make me happy. He really deserves a white horse.

The leaves scattered and piled in my back yard...golden and crisp and fragrant; rustling underfoot as I walk through my garden.

My family; growing and capable...a grown son and daughter in law whom I am honoured to call my friends, and my little Liam, a brilliant spot even in my dark days.

The friends; the beautiful friends that I have, who encourage me, support me, are transparent with me, and who accept me as real and flawed and often wrong, but love me through and in spite of it all.

The wonderful news that my Dad is feeling strong and happy and energetic...a true miracle!

A house that holds a family, and friends, and has room for all. We had 18 for Thanksgiving and did not feel crowded. Cozy; yes, but not cramped!

The excitement of finding my muse to make a special gift for 13 of the most artistic people in the universe. (No pressure there). To even think of mass producing something causes me to panic...but I am loving what I dreamed of, literally, as I was relaxing in my bed, half awake. Each one is unique and a little different.

The grand opening of the Lyceum this Friday and the doors that will open to our home education community.

My parents, married 53 years and always there for all of us.

The new project the boys are so engrossed in! Sports for the Mind!

My 13 year old who attended the forum for our municipal elections tonight and listened to the speeches of 14 candidates because he cares about his neighbourhood. And then he said it was very interesting!

Vinyl Cafe...laugh out loud one moment, blinking back a tear the next. (Why don't we have more words like bittersweet to describe an experience like this?) If you're not Canadian, get to a radio or pick up a book. It'll make up for having to wait so long to celebrate Thanksgiving. What's not to love about something with the motto "We may not be big, but we're small!"
Did I mention it's Canadian?

Back to "Normal"

Well, after 5 months of Cable TV, (AKA Crapple TV!) which we signed on for when they offered it to us at a ridiculously low introductory rate, we have unsubscribed. I did not get hooked on any shows, did not succumb to the "Ugly Betty" craze...(what is THAT about? Every second billboard is pushing that show down my throat! I watched 5 minutes and all I have to say is "why bother?")
The boys were definitely hooked on History Channel's "Lost Worlds" and Discovery's "Myth Busters". They are really great shows, and I'll miss them just a little.

Why can't I just sign up for the channels I want? Why does the package with the above two channels also have the awful, horrid adult one that I accidentally flipped to one night to avoid a commercial? I mean, it's ONE CHANNEL away from Discovery! Even with Digital you have to buy Basic crap too! What? Why? Who's idea was that?? I mean, most people don't actually watch the commercials, do they? I mean, if you watch TV? Don't you get a couple shows going and hope that the commercial breaks don't overlap? I had a system. I could watch Food TV and Jamie (OK, I'll admit I'll miss my Jamie), and some Home show at the same time. (My attention span does not extend to embrace commercial viewing). Well, instead of flipping from 32 to 51 I just hit the "down" button and got a horrified eyeful of something no one should ever have to see from the comfort of their living room. Or Planet Earth.

I canceled the Cable. I would like to be connected to the good stuff, but not at the cost of reality. 'Cause that stuff ain't real folks!

We rearranged the family room today. Moved chairs back to the cozy Library corner, instead of having them all oriented toward the Shrine to St. Shaw.
Six years with no TV; 5 months with "the Works"; now back to "Normal". It's not just a setting on the dryer folks, it's life spent facing each other.

Levi's new Amp and Guitar Practice area.

Guitar's workout area. (Spoiled guitars! A whole treadmill to help them keep those hourglass figures!)

Zoot the Cat's workout area.

My workout area...my new KingKong massage chair from my wonderful MOM!! A gift for NO REASON!

Books/games/cozy up with a warm beverage area...my favorite!

We All Do Our Part...

Liam spent the day helping us rid the house of dust bunnies. He came for the day while Mommy subbed for a teacher. Uncle Levi had cheerfully vacuumed the floor so Liam would not have to spend the day crawling around looking for crumbs and wayward bits that might be on the carpet. Which he would be forced to "deal with".

Liam really liked the vacuum cleaner, and like a true boy decided it looked remarkably like a Harley. He decided to take it for a test drive. But like a real biker, he had to keep his machine in pristine condition.
Grandma was a little distracted with the phone call Josh was having in the background, but still she was able to film, talk and swoop in to remove the fascinating bit of fuzz from Liam's Disposal System.





I think we'll stick with the vacuum cleaner. I'm sure his Mom will appreciate that.

September

September is a beautiful month. I love it! My dear friends Pat and Linda celebrate their birthdays, as does my gorgeous MOM. Happy Birthday Mom!

I love the newness of so many things in September...a new season, a new school year...the scent and sight of harvest.

Here are some of my September moments. I want to savour every one!



Nessa made Pat's Birthday cakes...Grandma B's recipe and Nessas special frosting...YUM.

Josh and I worked hard on our shed after the help getting the foundation done. He's a handy guy, just like his Grandad.

I don't WANT to fill it with junk! I want to have a party in it!

The September light is exquisite.

Here's a busy boy and his Great Grandad...he's just WAY to busy to hold still for a photo!

Name Game...stop reading if you won't play nice

OK...this is a good one people...play along and don't blow me off. (I'm in no mood for hurt feelings, what with the insomnia and all). And it's silly...but a harmless kinda' fun!

This is called "The Name Game"

Rules:
Read mine,
Copy and paste the whole thing into comments,
Replace my answers with yours,
Post your results here AND in your own blog to tag others.

Oh, come on, just do it! (Karyn, Dawn, Tanya, Nessa...this means you!)

Name Game

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet,current car) Buffy Venture

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Vanilla Ginga' Snap

3. YOUR FLY GIRL NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)
A- Tra (uh...what's a fly girl? a stewardess? pest control?...anybody...? )

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Blue Horse (yawn)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born), Patricia Lac La Biche (Don't ask for the literal translation...though it IS kind of Diva-ish, no?)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Tra -Ar (may the farce be with you)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Periwinkle Rooibos

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Billy-Earl (technically William, but that thar's not'cher tipickal Red neck name...and we all knows NASCAR stands fer' Non Athletic Sport Centered Around Rednecks)

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume, favorite candy) Sung Kit-Kat (hmmmm...personally I think Kit-Kat Sung would look better in lights...oh Lordy, let's not go there)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) Patricia Earl (if I've ever had a restraining order against you, please erase this one from your memory)

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Moodie Manhattan

12. SPY NAME/BOND GIRL: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Summer Cosmos (said in a breathy voice)

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Watermelon Sockie (Holy Fruit fly, Batman!)

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Smoothie Birch

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) The Mixed Media,Thunder and Lighning Tour (cue amazing guitar lick and pyrotechnics!)



There ya' have it! That wasn't so hard!

Wayne's World

So meeting one of my new favorite authors was quite a surprise. Wayne Jabobsen, of The God Journey was in town and stayed with friends last night so we could have dinner, hang out and talk about our journeys.
I have read one of his books co-authored and written under a pseudonym, and have read, and am currently digesting, The Shack, which he helped write, edit, and has published.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I thought I knew God, and understood the trinity, and was on close terms with Jesus. Then I saw Him through new eyes in the pages of this book's story and my preconceptions have been rearranged. I recognize the truth in what I am beginning to see. I am having a hard time realizing how much more He is. I am also having a hard time admitting that most of what I have been taught is through the lenses of an Old Testament understanding. I am also discovering how religious practice has dictated my response to Him. And all I can say is "I did not know".

For instance, chew on this....as we were talking about the cross last night, Wayne asked, "If you did something to some guy, and really hurt him, and he said that the only way he could ever accept you as a friend was if someone paid...and then he went home and beat the tar out of his son with a baseball bat, then came and said that it was OK now, and you could be friends, would you ever WANT to be friends with someone like that?"
NO! Yet that is basically my understanding of the cross...someone innocent had to pay for my shortcomings. But as we talked, Wayne presented another analogy about the cross, which was never for God; it was all for ME.

His analogy is this; We have a terminal blood disease (sin), and the only cure is chemo, which will also absolutely kill us (the law). So Jesus, being God, and being Love, takes our diseased blood into His healthy body and transfuses His healthy blood to us. The disease kills Him, but when He has died, we are left with the antibodies for all time, for everyone who suffers from this disease. He provides both a cure for the disease, (sin) and relief from the deadly "cure", (the law). That is love, that is His sacrifice.

Our God is not one who ever needed us to sacrifice for Him, unlike every other god and religion. He desired to sacrifice for us. Our sacrifice is worthless to Him. His message to us in the Old Testament is this: Sin kills, and the law will cover it up but will never cure us, and will never make us feel remotely clean. The law is as deadly as the disease of sin.

But surely we have to qualify, by our righteous acts, for this gift of relief from sin, and for it's cure?

We qualify when we give ourselves to Him, in Love and of our free will.

This immediately makes perfect sense to me. It is the Gospels.

There was a lot more, all of which I will be attempting to assimilate over the next few months... and years. Meanwhile, check out his blog, linked above and in the Lifestream link on the right hand side of the blog.

Portland...

I'm still dreaming about the pizza we had a year ago, in downtown Portland,


It was chewy and crisp at the same time, with luscious thick and tasty pesto topping and home made, real berry soda pop to sip with...

It was cooked in wood fired ovens that heated the historic, enviro-friendly Eco-Trust building the HotLips is situated in in the Pearl District. I promise you, I would make a trip to Portland just to eat that pizza again! On foot! *


Oh, and to go to Powell's Books of course, THE WORLDS LARGEST BOOK STORE!! Two reasons to visit Portland!! Go, I tell you, it's worth it!


* OK, maybe not on foot...after all, how many books could I carry home? That's why I love road trips....in a van!!

Look at Liam grow!

He is from good farm stock after all.
Have your ever seen such a brilliant smile?

Busy, busy at the Hutchy farm.

Dweller by a Dark Stream:

Have a look at Bruce Cockburn's beautiful lyrics...(that's a silent "ck" folks)

he sings:

" It could have been me put the thorns in your crown
Rooted as I am in a violent ground
How many times have I turned your promise down
Still you pour out your love…Pour out your love

I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you’ve done…Jesus, thank-you joyous Son

You entered a life like ours to give us back our own
You wanted us like you, as choosers not clones
You offered up your flesh and death was overthrown
Now salvation is ours…Salvation is ours

I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you’ve done…Jesus, thank-you joyous Son

So I’m walking this prison camp world
I long for a glimpse of the new world unfurled
The chrysalis cracking and moistened wings uncurl
Like in the vision John saw…The vision John saw

I was a dweller by a dark stream
A crying heart hooked on a dark dream
In my convict soul I saw your love gleam
And you showed me what you’ve done…Jesus, thank-you joyous Son"

(photo by Josh)

In The Shack, Papa is "particularly fond" of Bruce...I can see why!