And somehow, I feel cooler.

Despite the fact that my toilet is currently in my bedroom, I am more than thrilled to be living where I am. And why is that, you might wonder? While Rich, the building's fix-it man was busy ripping up my bathroom floor and breaking up mortar (the floor's level needs to be raised and the linoleum replaced), he did some investigating. For some reason, my apartment is higher than any of the others on the second floor. For those of you that have visited, you know the hallway leading to my door is an actual ramp. Very bizarre.

From the little I know, the building was most likely built during the mid-1800s. In its early stages it was an actual saloon. That's right--men in cowboy hats and chaps with their horses, making a scene down beneath my kitchen. The local brothel was also conveniently located around the corner, where the Irish Pub stands now. Scandalous. This building was also used as a beer bottling company, a couple of diner-type establishments, and a not-so-glorious dry cleaning business. But GET THIS--as Rich was digging around, he noticed a very large space between my apartment's floor and the ceiling of the bakery beneath me.

His theory:


(drum roll, please)


The space was used for hiding slaves.

Now how great would that be? It now has my head spinning with the possibilities of all the lives that have come through here . . . . I think this is why I love old buildings so much. I get to be a small part of their ongoing stories, while also learning from their history. To think--I put on makeup above a place where actual slaves might have been fleeing captivity . . .how mind-blowing is that?! What else has gone on between these walls and underneath these floors?

Current Favorite Song

Patty Griffin's No Bad News--definitely worth a listen.

Snow in my backyard . . . .

The snow pile is almost as high as the trees. And yes, that is wild-man Chachi zipping by it. I believe he thinks he has returned to Northern MN.

The view from the top of the pile--I couldn't resist climbing it . . . . It is the absolute DREAM snow hill for kids. Serious snow forts and caves; not to mention all of the King of the Hill games that could be played.

To be a kid again!

Who knew?

So fun--two girls (now women!) that were part of a small group I mentored for three years in MN have blogs. Dani is in Ireland and Breanna is in Fiji and Hawaii. I have heard reports that Kristi is also in Amsterdam. Now how great is that?!

I have a picture of them hanging among my family pictures here in my apartment. I see their 8th grade faces looking back at me now, and I remember all of the laughter . . . the tears . . .the misunderstandings and AHA! moments. Little did they know that they would be off traversing the world in a few years. Needless to say, I'm extremely proud of them.

Current Favorites

Album: Iron & Wine's The Sea & the Rhythm

Book: Marilynne Robinson's Gilead

Quote (among many) from Gilead: "And I'm glad I knew it at the time, because now, in my present situation, now that I am about to leave this world, I realize there is nothing more astonishing than a human face. Boughton and I have talked about that, too. It has something to do with incarnation. You feel your obligation to a child when you have seen it and held it. Any human face is a claim on you, because you can't help but understand the singularity of it, the courage and the loneliness of it. But this is truest in the face of an infant. I consider that to be one kind of vision, as mystical as any. Boughton agrees."

Smoothie: Vanilla yogurt with frozen blueberries and a splash of milk and, at times, honey

Ordinary Time

These midwinter days that bridge
Epiphany to Lent
can seem anything but ordinary
as the steady waxing light reflects
across old December's glaze of ice,
a biting wind hisses across
the stark bones of the bracken,
and treetops signal sparse
against a sky expecting still
more snow before nightfall.
Scarlet and speckled birds
announce themselves about
the brightness of the holly,
spray from the creek creates
bright frosted chandeliers among
the tangled overhanging branches,
and dusk draws down its spangling
of stars so crystalline they lift the eye--
heart too--toward a principality
that banishes any vestige
of routine predictability.
Ordinariness exists--if at all--
within the desiccated soul,
too distracted by its fearful self
to notice.
-J. Barrie Shepherd

The Year of "What I Have is Enough"

Lately I've been challenged by a homily my pastor gave a few weeks ago. She was discussing the Jewish Sabbatical year and the notion of rest--for the land, for people--and renewal as well. It was a year designed for self-evaluation and, in a sense, relief. There was no need to work the land; one ate what it produced on its own accord and debts that were owed were forgiven. The year provided a clean slate for all . . .and an opportunity to trust God anew.

In a sense, I'm in a sabbatical year. Having graduated college in 2001 and it now being 2007, I find myself needing to lay low, reflect, and learn contentment. I think that for a long time, I thought being content was something out of my control; it happened to me. . .all circumstances would collide in perfect harmony and everything would make sense. Or contentment was within my control; something I could wear, eat or not eat, drive, weigh, or even someone I could date or marry. But in truth, I'm finding that contentment doesn't come easily. Rather, it takes work and commitment--I contribute . . .I control my actions and evaluate my perspectives. It also takes a trusting that is counter-cultural to today's society of consumerism, and this trusting puts me in a position to not "control." So in usual Jesus-fashion, the preferred approach to life is somewhat upside-down . . .very backwards looking to today's average person.

So with that said, this is my professed year of "What I Have is Enough." I'm taking up the challenge to not buy anything additional to what I already own. No upgrades on cell phones or services; no new clothes or shoes. Instead, I will celebrate the abundance I already have. And I suspect that I will find a deeper rest than that quick fix that sometimes comes with a new purchase. Maybe (?) I'll even break this American addiction to buying, and instead pay more attention to the daily provisions that already exist . . .like having the use of all 5 of my senses, shelter, great neighbors and family (not to mention great friends), the ability to read and write, and so on.

I stand and wait for light
To open the dark night.
I stand and wait for prayer
To come and find me here.
-W. Berry, Sabbaths 2000

A gem from a website a friend sent me . . . .

When Tired

A student once asked his teacher,

"Master, what is enlightenment?"

The master replied,

"When hungry, eat. When tired, sleep."

Affirmation of Ministry

Today I joined Emmanuel UCC. This is a big deal as I'm a little commitment phobic when it comes to churches that are affiliated with a denomination, and I'm a bit of a theology snob (seminary does this to some people--my apologies).

For starters:

• I like women preaching and involved in decision-making.

• I love this world and want to take care of it.
  

• People who happen to be gay are just as incredible as people who happen to be straight.

• Words are extremely important to me. I like them used carefully, deliberately.

• And yes, I'm a big fan of Jesus' teachings. I'm a bigger fan of people who live out those teachings.

And that is only a beginning!

But the affirmation posted in our bulletin (and below) sums up my core hopes, and having read it before and with the congregation, I'm excited to know that I've made a good decision. Kind of like a wedding day, in a really bizarre way . . . .

And yes, for those of you who know me--I was a weepy mess. I get it from both parents. :)

Lord, I offer my whole being to Your purposes.
I will not dishonor my soul with hatred,
but offer myself to You humbly
as a guardian of nature, as a healer of misery,
as a messenger of wonder, as an architect of peace.
Lord, use me to bring good into the world.
Through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

A+

This evening's simple pleasure: listening to a new album the whole way through.

The candles are burning, the dog is sleeping, and Patty Griffin's Children Running Through has me feeling and, yes, loving her thoughtful lyrics and folksy gospel/blues vibe.

Well done in every way, Patty. Well done.

Uncle Mike

For those of you who know me and know my family--please keep my mom's younger brother in your prayers. He has been in the hospital for the past few days, and had surgery for a bowel obstruction 3 days ago. Unfortunately the surgery revealed extensive cancer. Mike is also mentally handicapped, and he associates the hospital with the place where his mother died, so this is obviously a terrifying experience for him. It's terrifying for my mother, too, as she is here in WI while he is there in CO.

I imagine they both feel helpless and scared, so please pray that they would be comforted as these next few days progress. Thank you.

Chaise lounges . . .for dogs, too?

Chili Fest 2007

-25 degrees with the wind chill, and does that keep Oconomowoc from celebrating winter? Absolutely not! Below is a picture of me posing with an ice sculpture of a polar bear . . .though that gets missed in the picture . . . .

A couple of cold parents . . .I think my father's expression says it all.

My personal favorite. Well done! Though there was one of a human ear, which was quite impressive as well. . . .

My mom and me at Fiesta Cancun after enjoying a bowl of chili. Several of the local establishments participated in the city's chili competition. My favorite? Hands down, Todd's Bar and Grill. (They also have the best fish fry in town.)