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Friday, January 7, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday Five: The Janus Post
I'm not a big fan of New Year's resolutions, but it does seem a good time for some reflection and planning. For the last few days I keep thinking of Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Among other things, that seems to say that reflection is in order if we want to learn and grow.
For some of us, this has been an incredibly difficult year; for others it has been a year of many joys. For all of us, there have been challenges and questions and there have been blessings and--maybe even an answer or two! As we say our goodbyes to 2010 and look towards 2011, share with us five blessings from 2010 along with five hopes or dreams for 2011.From Singing Owl at RevGalBlogPals
1. Blessing Five: To have retired. Not expected or planned, but the realization that I just didn't have the skills or patience to deal or cope in the way I wanted to with the situation. It has freed me.
2. Blessing Four: The wherewithal to travel to amazing places. Each place I've been this year has changed me in some way--some small, some large. Time alone in Yosemite and reading/thinking about meditation and meditation and the loping brown bear as frightened of me as I was startled by him/her. Bhutan and thinking about death in a Buddhist context. Ethiopia and so much I never learned about in school and the amazing rock churches and what does their vision of Trinity mean (three identical old men).
3. Blessing Three: Running again. I still don't really like running. But it's the only thing that I do with any sort of intensity. I can dog all other exercises, but there is no way for me to dog running. Even at a slow jog, it's still more intense than anything else I can do. I want to be strong and fit enough to climb those hills at Addis and Yosemite.
4. Blessing Two. Life. Two years and nine months ago today was my surgery for ovarian cancer. It is good to be alive and healthy. I am grateful I failed Southern Belle 101 and became an assertive (OK, aggressive obnoxious) person because otherwise I might not be alive. (Yes, I'm still angry at the doctors who dismissed my complaints with you can't possibly be whatever.)
5. Blessing One. My son, my family, my friends everywhere, in real life and on line. I have been blessed in knowing some wonderful people who have listened to me kvetch (so much nicer a word than bitch) about everything, who have encouraged me, who haven't said (but I'm sure thought) "quit complaining and DO something."
Hopes for 2011
1. To be healthy and strong.
2. To continue to travel to amazing places (plans include a dive trip to Yap and Palau in Jan/Feb, the RevGalBlogPal cruise where I can meet some of the folks I know on line, a road trip to the Canadian Maritimes, visits to family, particularly a road trip to see Bubba Jim (yes, I do have a Bubba Jim) in Florida, trip to India to tiger reserves. And to sell my house so that I can travel around the world.
3. That an idea that has been percolating for a while will develop further. That the hungry, cold and homeless may be fed, warmed and sheltered.
4. That my family and friends continue to flourish: that God will heal the losses in their lives and grant them joy.
5. Oh, and world peace and thin thighs.
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Ethiopia--things that amazed me
1. The thing that amazed me most was the interior of the churches in Lalibela. The churches in Lalibela are carved into the volcanic rock. Imagine, you are on a mountain made of volcanic rock. Then there is a rectangular trench dug out. Then in the center of the trench, there is a large rectangular building, carved completely out of the rock. Then, in the building, there is the interior of a Romanesque bascilica. With arches and columns, with lintels and posts around the doors, with a barrel vault over the center aisle. How does anyone design and build such a thing? In the 12th century? I am still amazed. It boggles the mind to consider. One guide book said that if these churches were anywhere else but Ethiopia, they would rank up there with the pyramids as one of the wonders of the world. Quite frankly, I can't imagine any thing I have ever seen as being more awesome.
2. There are several legends about Christianity coming to Ethiopia. The one I like is that a Christian Syrian merchant was traveling back from India and stopped for water in Ethiopia and converted the people in the time of the apostles. Now, let's think about that. In the first century, people were traveling from the eastern shores of the Med down to the Red Sea and into the Indian Ocean and to India (which was further east then than now, but still...).
3. There was a large Jewish population in Ethiopia and there are still Jews there now. Since there was a huge Jewish diaspora from I believe the Babylonian captivity, why should this surprise me, but it does.
4. Italian artists traveled to Ethiopia in the 1600s painting church icons.
5. The Axumite Empire until the 5th or 6th C AD covered vast territory including parts of the Arabian peninsula.
My education in world history focused on Greece, Rome and Europe. But the vast area from the eastern Med eastward to China and Japan was filled with traders. Christianity traveled to India and China and Ethiopia. During the European dark ages, this area was filled with scientific progress and learning. Algebra was invented (in central Asia.) The writings of the Greek philosophers survived in the Islamic world, not in Europe. I am amazed at how Eurocentric we remain today.
2. There are several legends about Christianity coming to Ethiopia. The one I like is that a Christian Syrian merchant was traveling back from India and stopped for water in Ethiopia and converted the people in the time of the apostles. Now, let's think about that. In the first century, people were traveling from the eastern shores of the Med down to the Red Sea and into the Indian Ocean and to India (which was further east then than now, but still...).
3. There was a large Jewish population in Ethiopia and there are still Jews there now. Since there was a huge Jewish diaspora from I believe the Babylonian captivity, why should this surprise me, but it does.
4. Italian artists traveled to Ethiopia in the 1600s painting church icons.
5. The Axumite Empire until the 5th or 6th C AD covered vast territory including parts of the Arabian peninsula.
My education in world history focused on Greece, Rome and Europe. But the vast area from the eastern Med eastward to China and Japan was filled with traders. Christianity traveled to India and China and Ethiopia. During the European dark ages, this area was filled with scientific progress and learning. Algebra was invented (in central Asia.) The writings of the Greek philosophers survived in the Islamic world, not in Europe. I am amazed at how Eurocentric we remain today.
Musings about Ethiopia and travel.
Two blogs this morning resonated with me this morning. The first talked about finding a guide who would show the blogger around sample as much food in Mumbai as possible, The second by a PCUSA educator in Ethiopia talked of Christmas in Kenya as the slum children don't have food and the wealthy travel to the shore to stay in expensive resorts.
Travel to the developing world is fraught with hypocrisy. The difference between what I have and what most of the people who live there have is enormous. I give money to the beggars until my wad of bills and coins is exhausted. (I do not give to children, though. Most guidebooks caution it teaches them to beg and not go to school--but many don't go to school anyway.) I could choose to stay home and then be confronted only by the poor and homeless here. Mary's song resonates in my head. The hungry shall be filled and the rich turned away. I could give away all that I have, but like the rich young man, I don't want to. I like my nice home (much larger than I really need). I like to eat good food. (The irony of my joy at losing three pounds eating Ethiopian fasting food while so many don't have enough is not lost on me.) I love to travel to far away places many people only dream of going.
I always come back grateful to have been born in the US, having had the parents I had who valued education, being able to work and save and spend. I am always convinced that if I had been born in other circumstances I would not have been able to work myself out of poverty. Travel sharpens my understanding of my privilege, the gifts I have been given that I have not worked for, have done nothing to deserve.
And I am left with what is my response?
Travel to the developing world is fraught with hypocrisy. The difference between what I have and what most of the people who live there have is enormous. I give money to the beggars until my wad of bills and coins is exhausted. (I do not give to children, though. Most guidebooks caution it teaches them to beg and not go to school--but many don't go to school anyway.) I could choose to stay home and then be confronted only by the poor and homeless here. Mary's song resonates in my head. The hungry shall be filled and the rich turned away. I could give away all that I have, but like the rich young man, I don't want to. I like my nice home (much larger than I really need). I like to eat good food. (The irony of my joy at losing three pounds eating Ethiopian fasting food while so many don't have enough is not lost on me.) I love to travel to far away places many people only dream of going.
I always come back grateful to have been born in the US, having had the parents I had who valued education, being able to work and save and spend. I am always convinced that if I had been born in other circumstances I would not have been able to work myself out of poverty. Travel sharpens my understanding of my privilege, the gifts I have been given that I have not worked for, have done nothing to deserve.
And I am left with what is my response?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday Five: Pies
Happy post Thanksgiving avoid the mall day. I'm waiting till it warms up a bit for my run. In other news, I have a leaking roof and I'm leaving for Cleveland today and Ethiopia on Sunday. Won't be back until Christmas. Ugh.
So on to Friday Five--from Songbird who has been making pies--Pies
Please answer these five questions about pie:
1) Are pies an important part of a holiday meal? Hmmm no. I suppose I always, usually, sometimes bake a pie. It's bought crust and canned fruit. Now, I'm doing lemon tarts as my fav dessert. It has a shortbread crust and a lemon-cream cheese (really lemony) filling. Much better than pie. I make it like lemon squares, but it is nothing like lemon squares.
2) Men prefer pie; women prefer cake. Discuss. I don't know. I'm trying not to eat sugar any more (or salt either) and so my dessert of choice is lemon tart. (See #1 above)
3) Cherries--do they belong in a pie? I think cherry pie is my favorite fruit pie. Unless it's apple. Or maybe blueberry. Actually as a teen, my favorite pie was a cherry cheesecake make with sweetened condensed milk. It was a popular recipe.
4) Meringue--if you have to choose, is it best on lemon or chocolate? Meringue? Are you kidding? The only white stuff that belongs on a pie is real whipped cream. Maybe ice cream in a pinch. Meringue--ugh.
5) In a chicken pie, what are the most compatible vegetables? Anything you don't like to find in a chicken pie? Chicken pie? Why would you put chicken in a pie?
So on to Friday Five--from Songbird who has been making pies--Pies
Please answer these five questions about pie:
1) Are pies an important part of a holiday meal? Hmmm no. I suppose I always, usually, sometimes bake a pie. It's bought crust and canned fruit. Now, I'm doing lemon tarts as my fav dessert. It has a shortbread crust and a lemon-cream cheese (really lemony) filling. Much better than pie. I make it like lemon squares, but it is nothing like lemon squares.
2) Men prefer pie; women prefer cake. Discuss. I don't know. I'm trying not to eat sugar any more (or salt either) and so my dessert of choice is lemon tart. (See #1 above)
3) Cherries--do they belong in a pie? I think cherry pie is my favorite fruit pie. Unless it's apple. Or maybe blueberry. Actually as a teen, my favorite pie was a cherry cheesecake make with sweetened condensed milk. It was a popular recipe.
4) Meringue--if you have to choose, is it best on lemon or chocolate? Meringue? Are you kidding? The only white stuff that belongs on a pie is real whipped cream. Maybe ice cream in a pinch. Meringue--ugh.
5) In a chicken pie, what are the most compatible vegetables? Anything you don't like to find in a chicken pie? Chicken pie? Why would you put chicken in a pie?
Saturday, November 6, 2010
One Perfect Day
I have been thinking of volunteering with a hospice. One of the volunteer options is to help provide "one perfect day" for one of their clients. The client describes what their one perfect day would be and then the staff and volunteers try to make it happen.
Recently, I read on someone's blog that someone had seen St. Francis hoeing and asked what he would do if he knew he was to die at sunset. St. Francis said that he would finish his hoeing.
So often what people want to do as they are dying is reconcile with loved ones. So, why do we not do that while we have time? Why do we wait until there is no time for a relationship with those from whom we are estranged?
Shouldn't each day be one perfect day?
Recently, I read on someone's blog that someone had seen St. Francis hoeing and asked what he would do if he knew he was to die at sunset. St. Francis said that he would finish his hoeing.
So often what people want to do as they are dying is reconcile with loved ones. So, why do we not do that while we have time? Why do we wait until there is no time for a relationship with those from whom we are estranged?
Shouldn't each day be one perfect day?
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday Five: Gratitude
We lead privileged lives.
True, some are more privileged than others but the fact that we are communicating right now via technological devices puts us in the privileged category.
There are many perks in my life for which I give thanks and then there are some that make everything right in the world during the moment I am enjoying them. I'm wondering what a few of those things - five to be specific - are for you.
Five things I 'm thankful for (not thankful for the fact that I can't get rid of the itals).
I don't even know where to begin!
1. First is my son. I am grateful that we talk to each other. I know so many people who are estranged from their parents or children. I enjoy being with him. He is funny, has a wry take on the world and is a phenomenal tour guide.
2. Next Are my friends in Memphis, in Cleveland, in California, in Michigan and across the web and the world. I love being with them. I should mention my sisters too. I love that we are connecting on FB. I love seeing my nieces' daughters.
3. OK, away from the smaltzy stuff. I am grateful for my house which I love. There are big windows in the back and it is full of light. I had the back yard completely landscaped (it is tiny) with a pond and a waterfall. The birds love it and I love watching the birds play.
4. I love good food. I am finding that I love cooking. And so, I have a friend who comes to lunch once a week. Cooking for one is not fun, but cooking for two really is. I love going to Whole Foods and sampling the good stuff and the junk food. I love eating in good restaurants. I love eating (in most places) when I travel because the food is so fresh and tastes better than food in the US.
5. I am addicted to travel. I love to get on a plane knowing I am going somewhere I've never been before, knowing that an adventure is in store for me, knowing that I will see things I've never seen before, meet people I've never known before, encounter ideas I've never thought of before. I love getting on a plane knowing I am going somewhere I've been before and love, knowing that I will see old friends, eat at favorite restaurants, visit familiar haunts, hike well loved mountains, dive under the ocean and visit favorite reefs, see favorite fish, celphapods, turtles.
6. I love being alive. I love learning new stuff. I love sitting in the sun. I love going to sleep at night. I love smelling the flowers. (I was serving at More than a Meal last night and began to smell jasmine. I realized the rice I was spooning up must be jasmine rice. I never knew it smelled of jasmine.) I love the feeling of relief in my legs when I've reached the top of the mountain, the end of the trail. I love mountain air. I love the smell of the ocean. I love strong coffee with cream. I love a clean house (not enough to clean more often, though). I love drinking wine with friends and talking about the strangest things. I love photography. I love tools. I love the web.
7. For the last two weeks almost every morning, the first thought that enters my mind is "I am happy." I can't believe the difference retiring, giving up, saying I simply can't do this any more has made in my life.
Five things I 'm thankful for (not thankful for the fact that I can't get rid of the itals).
I don't even know where to begin!
1. First is my son. I am grateful that we talk to each other. I know so many people who are estranged from their parents or children. I enjoy being with him. He is funny, has a wry take on the world and is a phenomenal tour guide.
2. Next Are my friends in Memphis, in Cleveland, in California, in Michigan and across the web and the world. I love being with them. I should mention my sisters too. I love that we are connecting on FB. I love seeing my nieces' daughters.
3. OK, away from the smaltzy stuff. I am grateful for my house which I love. There are big windows in the back and it is full of light. I had the back yard completely landscaped (it is tiny) with a pond and a waterfall. The birds love it and I love watching the birds play.
4. I love good food. I am finding that I love cooking. And so, I have a friend who comes to lunch once a week. Cooking for one is not fun, but cooking for two really is. I love going to Whole Foods and sampling the good stuff and the junk food. I love eating in good restaurants. I love eating (in most places) when I travel because the food is so fresh and tastes better than food in the US.
5. I am addicted to travel. I love to get on a plane knowing I am going somewhere I've never been before, knowing that an adventure is in store for me, knowing that I will see things I've never seen before, meet people I've never known before, encounter ideas I've never thought of before. I love getting on a plane knowing I am going somewhere I've been before and love, knowing that I will see old friends, eat at favorite restaurants, visit familiar haunts, hike well loved mountains, dive under the ocean and visit favorite reefs, see favorite fish, celphapods, turtles.
6. I love being alive. I love learning new stuff. I love sitting in the sun. I love going to sleep at night. I love smelling the flowers. (I was serving at More than a Meal last night and began to smell jasmine. I realized the rice I was spooning up must be jasmine rice. I never knew it smelled of jasmine.) I love the feeling of relief in my legs when I've reached the top of the mountain, the end of the trail. I love mountain air. I love the smell of the ocean. I love strong coffee with cream. I love a clean house (not enough to clean more often, though). I love drinking wine with friends and talking about the strangest things. I love photography. I love tools. I love the web.
7. For the last two weeks almost every morning, the first thought that enters my mind is "I am happy." I can't believe the difference retiring, giving up, saying I simply can't do this any more has made in my life.
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