5.28.2009
Holy Cow
Okay, so I'm spending a week with Eugene Peterson this summer and therefore do not get to whine about not getting to go to cool conferences with cool people this summer. BUT. Thanks to a little bit of harmless procrastination, I just happened upon the Faculty list for the 2009 Glen Workshop. Karin Bergquist and Linford Detweiler have been teaching a songwriting workshop there for a couple years now, so no big surprise. But guess who is the staff Pastor for the week? Debbie Blue, who has quickly become the preaching equivalent of Over the Rhine in my nerdy universe. As much as I would totally love to be there (so not going to happen, I'm already off for a month this summer!), I can't tell you how giddy it makes me to think that these three people that I respect so much - who have had such a real impact on my life - are going to spend the week together. They are going to have some great conversations, I just know it.
5.26.2009
Ten on Tuesday
1. We have a new favorite: Harvest Grains Blend from Trader Joe's. It's a mix of orzo, quinoa, garbanzo beans, and Israeli couscous, and it's quick and super yummy. Juliette is a big fan, too. Anyone within reach of a Trader Joe's should go stock up.2. Yesterday I went out to the garage to locate a piece of the stroller we're trying to sell on Craigslist (dude who was going to buy it today didn't show). I ended up not leaving the garage until two hours later... and not because I couldn't find the piece. Our garage was just seriously in need of spring cleaning. It's pretty close to finished - just a few more odds and ends to get rid of, and we will once again have a workable garage! And, thanks to the trustees who spent a couple hours working on some parsonage issues last week, we also have a workable garage door opener.
3. I had big intentions to write a nice long post about the great visit we had with Rebecca last week (or is it already the week before last?!). Alas, that didn't happen. For the record, we kayaked, got slightly painful massages, went to Amoeba, and had days of wonderful conversations. Oh, and ate a lot of great food. Most of which I actually cooked!
4. Here's a picture of Juliette and Rebecca, who were fast friends. Rebecca reminded me that I wouldn't let her hold Juliette the first time they met. In my defense, she was in her wedding dress and Juliette was very much in her projectile bodily fluids phase. I suppose not being allowed to hold your friend's baby on your wedding day isn't the best memory, but I stand by my decision to prevent a much worse memory: having to change into sweatpants at your wedding reception because your friend's baby pooped on your beautiful vintage gown.
5. That wasn't really supposed to be a picture in front of an ugly wall; it was supposed to be a picture in front of our garden. We got a little bold this year and tore out some less-than-stellar landscaping in our backyard so that we could plant tomatoes, zucchini, and pumpkin. The zucchini is already ready for harvest; we've eaten two already and there are ten or so more on the way. It's really great zucchini, too - we're taking the advice to pick it early (4-6 inches long) so as to avoid that bitter taste the larger ones can get. I love our garden.
6. Those Cavs.
7. I finally finished Debbie Blue's From Stone to Living Word: Letting the Bible Live Again. I loved it so much I had to savor it. Soooo good.
8. I'm going to attempt to make a dress for Juliette. Sew a dress for Juliette, that is. On my sewing machine that I am afraid to turn on without supervision. The so-called "very easy" pattern was apparently labeled by a sarcastic person.
9. I watched exactly two episodes of American Idol - the last two. And that was enough to know that Adam Lambert was robbed. Robbed!
10. Here's another shot of sweet, spunky, emotional, talkative, funny, darling Juliette. All that hair!
5.17.2009
Motherhood/Earthquake
I was just getting ready to jot down a quick post about how today marks two years since I found out I was pregnant when the 4.7 earthquake hit just north of us. I was going to ruminate on how much life has changed since the stick said yes; how nary a moment has passed that I haven't thought about Juliette, even before I knew her name or how deeply brown her eyes would be. I was going to ponder how that sudden, comprehensive reordering of my thinking has changed me, to the point that I can't even really imagine what the childless Katherine in a parallel universe would be like. I am different in so many ways, and tonight this tops the list: before Juliette, I honestly got a little kick out of the minor earthquakes we'd experienced. And now I get a little panic attack.
5.07.2009
Prayer for Peace
I'm offering the prayer for peace at the Redondo Beach National Day of Prayer Service this afternoon. This is what I'm prayin' for...
God of many names, you formed all humankind to live in peace, yet your beloved creation is broken by violence. The earth is besieged by pollution. Nations wage war against nations. Terrorists inflict pain and fear against civilians. Gangs battle one another in the streets, and innocent children are caught in the crossfire. Even our personal relationships are often bereft of peace, as friends are divided by quarrels and families are shattered by irreconcilable differences. In a world marred by such pain, our hearts are anxious.
And so we pray for healing, for reconciliation, for peace. The sacred scriptures from so many faith traditions bear witness to a world in which peace is a reality. Renew our vision of a peaceable world, and give us hope that conflict will give way to harmony.
You are the God of every nation, and so we pray for all leaders throughout the world. Restore justice to governments that abuse their citizens with corrupt practices or harsh treatment. Teach the nations to study war no more. Retrain leaders in the ways of diplomacy and cooperation, especially as we live in an era in which oil and water and food are scarce. Break our addiction to systems that exploit the earth and keep its resources controlled by so few. Let the peoples of every land seek the common good.
God of comfort, we lift up all people who live beneath a shadow of violence. Lend them your presence. Cast out their fear. Mend the wounds of all who have been victimized by war, so that they may be made whole in body, mind, and spirit. We pray especially for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico, Somalia, Sudan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
God of life, we confess that the greatness of our own country is compromised by our tendency toward violence. We mourn that school shootings have left even our children wondering if they are safe in their classrooms. We grieve the statistics that reveal how often Americans use weapons to harm other Americans. Keep us safe, O God, and transform the hearts of those who believe that pulling the trigger solves anything.
God of mercy, we cannot pray for peace without also praying to be made peacemakers. Instill in each of us a conscience that will not allow us to be silent in the face of evil. Give us the courage to speak out against injustice, for as your prophet Martin Luther King Jr. taught, there will be no peace without justice. Help us to make peace in our homes and neighborhoods. Let your love for us empower us to love one another, not only with our best intentions but with our best actions.
We pray all of these things, and so much more, with confidence that you will listen and respond. Amen.
God of many names, you formed all humankind to live in peace, yet your beloved creation is broken by violence. The earth is besieged by pollution. Nations wage war against nations. Terrorists inflict pain and fear against civilians. Gangs battle one another in the streets, and innocent children are caught in the crossfire. Even our personal relationships are often bereft of peace, as friends are divided by quarrels and families are shattered by irreconcilable differences. In a world marred by such pain, our hearts are anxious.
And so we pray for healing, for reconciliation, for peace. The sacred scriptures from so many faith traditions bear witness to a world in which peace is a reality. Renew our vision of a peaceable world, and give us hope that conflict will give way to harmony.
You are the God of every nation, and so we pray for all leaders throughout the world. Restore justice to governments that abuse their citizens with corrupt practices or harsh treatment. Teach the nations to study war no more. Retrain leaders in the ways of diplomacy and cooperation, especially as we live in an era in which oil and water and food are scarce. Break our addiction to systems that exploit the earth and keep its resources controlled by so few. Let the peoples of every land seek the common good.
God of comfort, we lift up all people who live beneath a shadow of violence. Lend them your presence. Cast out their fear. Mend the wounds of all who have been victimized by war, so that they may be made whole in body, mind, and spirit. We pray especially for peace in Iraq, Afghanistan, Mexico, Somalia, Sudan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.
God of life, we confess that the greatness of our own country is compromised by our tendency toward violence. We mourn that school shootings have left even our children wondering if they are safe in their classrooms. We grieve the statistics that reveal how often Americans use weapons to harm other Americans. Keep us safe, O God, and transform the hearts of those who believe that pulling the trigger solves anything.
God of mercy, we cannot pray for peace without also praying to be made peacemakers. Instill in each of us a conscience that will not allow us to be silent in the face of evil. Give us the courage to speak out against injustice, for as your prophet Martin Luther King Jr. taught, there will be no peace without justice. Help us to make peace in our homes and neighborhoods. Let your love for us empower us to love one another, not only with our best intentions but with our best actions.
We pray all of these things, and so much more, with confidence that you will listen and respond. Amen.
5.06.2009
Ten on Tuesday
1. The Family Fun people should seriously consider hiring the Wondertime art team to revamp their garishly designed glossy. Although I don't think even a redesign could make Family Fun as great as Wondertime was. Hmph.
2. Over two years ago, I wrote a blog post about using the retouch button to de-wrinkle myself in a photograph, and ended by saying I was going to use more sunscreen and moisturizer. Susie commented about how it's important to moisturize your neck, too. Now I always think of her while I'm slathering it on. I like my once (and sometimes twice) daily think-of-Susie times. Thanks for the great advice, Susie!
3. The White House publishes an official photo stream on Flickr, and it's pretty cool.
4. This is Eric Carle reading The Hungry Caterpillar at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. If you look closely, you can tell he's on the butterfly page.
5. Aside from sort of seeing and almost hearing Eric Carle read The Hungry Caterpillar, we did not have such a great time at the book festival this year. It was the fourth year in a row we've attended; the first year I described it as better than Disneyland, Halloween, and a candy store combined. But I've got to say, as much as I am a firm believer in the importance of books in Juliette's life, the book festival is just not a great place for toddlers. While we were sort of seeing and almost hearing Eric Carle amidst the teeming masses of humanity, Juliette was in her stroller with nothing to look at but the rear ends of the teeming masses of humanity. There was no way we could let her roam. We ended up leaving not too long after we'd arrived. I think until Juliette is at least four or five, she may have to stay home with a babysitter. And in the interlude, we'll leave the live performance of Yo Gabba Gabba off our list and repopulate it with all the nerdy panel discussions we love.
6. Juliette, what does a lion (covered in lasagna sauce) say?
(roar.)
7. My photo of some board books at Elliott Bay Bookstore was selected for the Schmap guide to Seattle. Too bad my name isn't spelled correctly.
8. I am so excited that my friend Rebecca is coming to visit next week. She came to see us in Claremont before she started grad school, and now that she's graduated (CONGRATULATIONS, BEC!!!), she's coming again! Rebecca and I have been friends since we were fourteen or so, and have gone through a lot together. She is dear to my heart.
9. I just bought a new pair of jogging shoes for the first time in years, to go along with our new jogging stroller. For the last six weeks or so, I've kept up a pretty regular exercise schedule, pushing our incredibly cumbersome Peg Perego around the neighborhood wearing worn out sneakers. The difference is amazing; I walked and jogged on the beach path for an hour and a half on Saturday morning with the new gear, and then took to the trails at Will Rogers State Park on Sunday afternoon. The primary inspiration for my new fitness routine, other than just not wanting to be out of shape anymore, is the sermon podcast revolution. I've discovered that I LOVE listening to sermons while exercising - if the sermons are excellent, that is. I burned through pretty much everything Debbie Blue has on iTunes, nabbed a few random Anna Carter Florence and Barbara Brown Taylor tracks, and have moved on to listening to Eugene Peterson's Tell it Slant. I'm open to suggestions for great sermon podcasts, as I'm thinking it's time start training for another 5k.
10. On Friday night, my friend Sara and I went to go hear Allison play at the House of Blues. Oh my goodness, was it a fun night. Allison came on while we were in the bathroom, and we stampeded back to the stage like it was 1991 and New Kids on the Block was in town. I fully expected Allison to be amazing live, but the combination of the great energy of her band and the impeccable sound system at House of Blues was exquisite. If you live near Pocatello, Minneapolis, Holmen, Columbus, Pittsburgh, or Tuscon, do not miss her May tour beginning soon! Details here.
Nighty night, y'all.
2. Over two years ago, I wrote a blog post about using the retouch button to de-wrinkle myself in a photograph, and ended by saying I was going to use more sunscreen and moisturizer. Susie commented about how it's important to moisturize your neck, too. Now I always think of her while I'm slathering it on. I like my once (and sometimes twice) daily think-of-Susie times. Thanks for the great advice, Susie!
3. The White House publishes an official photo stream on Flickr, and it's pretty cool.
4. This is Eric Carle reading The Hungry Caterpillar at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. If you look closely, you can tell he's on the butterfly page.
5. Aside from sort of seeing and almost hearing Eric Carle read The Hungry Caterpillar, we did not have such a great time at the book festival this year. It was the fourth year in a row we've attended; the first year I described it as better than Disneyland, Halloween, and a candy store combined. But I've got to say, as much as I am a firm believer in the importance of books in Juliette's life, the book festival is just not a great place for toddlers. While we were sort of seeing and almost hearing Eric Carle amidst the teeming masses of humanity, Juliette was in her stroller with nothing to look at but the rear ends of the teeming masses of humanity. There was no way we could let her roam. We ended up leaving not too long after we'd arrived. I think until Juliette is at least four or five, she may have to stay home with a babysitter. And in the interlude, we'll leave the live performance of Yo Gabba Gabba off our list and repopulate it with all the nerdy panel discussions we love.6. Juliette, what does a lion (covered in lasagna sauce) say?
(roar.)
7. My photo of some board books at Elliott Bay Bookstore was selected for the Schmap guide to Seattle. Too bad my name isn't spelled correctly.
8. I am so excited that my friend Rebecca is coming to visit next week. She came to see us in Claremont before she started grad school, and now that she's graduated (CONGRATULATIONS, BEC!!!), she's coming again! Rebecca and I have been friends since we were fourteen or so, and have gone through a lot together. She is dear to my heart.
9. I just bought a new pair of jogging shoes for the first time in years, to go along with our new jogging stroller. For the last six weeks or so, I've kept up a pretty regular exercise schedule, pushing our incredibly cumbersome Peg Perego around the neighborhood wearing worn out sneakers. The difference is amazing; I walked and jogged on the beach path for an hour and a half on Saturday morning with the new gear, and then took to the trails at Will Rogers State Park on Sunday afternoon. The primary inspiration for my new fitness routine, other than just not wanting to be out of shape anymore, is the sermon podcast revolution. I've discovered that I LOVE listening to sermons while exercising - if the sermons are excellent, that is. I burned through pretty much everything Debbie Blue has on iTunes, nabbed a few random Anna Carter Florence and Barbara Brown Taylor tracks, and have moved on to listening to Eugene Peterson's Tell it Slant. I'm open to suggestions for great sermon podcasts, as I'm thinking it's time start training for another 5k.
10. On Friday night, my friend Sara and I went to go hear Allison play at the House of Blues. Oh my goodness, was it a fun night. Allison came on while we were in the bathroom, and we stampeded back to the stage like it was 1991 and New Kids on the Block was in town. I fully expected Allison to be amazing live, but the combination of the great energy of her band and the impeccable sound system at House of Blues was exquisite. If you live near Pocatello, Minneapolis, Holmen, Columbus, Pittsburgh, or Tuscon, do not miss her May tour beginning soon! Details here.
Nighty night, y'all.
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