Games Fun

Remember the days before tv?

Whoops ... not many folks that would read this would remember that!

In fact ... remember the days before sit coms?

The days before law and order?

The days before 100 channels?

Those were the days we read at night

The days we played games

The days we hung out in the evenings

This has clearly been an interesting week

One night without lights (earth hour) ... that was Saturday

Sunday friends came over and we just hung out, laughed and talked

Last night ... well that was the night that work stayed center stage

Tonight ... it was game night

We laughed and talked

We played games .... 

Apples to Apples

The Last Word

Time with friends

What games do you like to play?

Gifts of Spring

As spring comes 

Children scatter

Doors swing open

Out they run

Balls, ropes, bikes

The streets are filled

With laughter and joy

Running quickly 

Scurrying about

Self absorbed 

Exploration

Lovely Emma

Gathers flowers

A gift for papa

Straight from her heart.

Spring is knocking

Open the door

Look all around

Joy the fun!!

Tears for the dead and Prayers for Peace

I was reminded twice today about the death of the police officers in Oakland, CA this past week.  I was born and raised in Oakland and am familiar with the area where the deaths occurred. 

So these tears are for all who are touched by these deaths, slain officers (Mark, Erv, Dan and John), their families, their coworkers, and for the community.  And yes, the tears are for Lovelle,  and his family, who was at the center of these deaths.  These tears are for the many people that die daily in our communities.   For the children who die of starvation around the world. For the women who die from domestic violence.  All are children of God.  

Please join me in this prayer

God of life,
Every act of violence in our world, in our communities, 

between myself and others, destroys a part of your creation.
Stir in my heart a renewed sense of reverence for all life.
Give me the vision to recognise your spirit in every human being, 

however they behave towards me.
Make possible the impossible by cultivating in me 

the fertile seed of healing love.
May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence 

by realising that peace begins with me.

St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace

London 7 July 2005

Peace really does begin with us.
As you lay your head down this evening ... know tomorrow is another day to work for peace.

Earth Hour

Lights went out at tourism landmarks and homes across the globe on Saturday for Earth Hour 2009, a global event designed to highlight the threat from climate change.

For me ... it was very quiet in the house ... I let some candles which still flicker ... enjoyed a glass of wine .. and took a few pictures. The calm is amazing.

If you didn't take the hour tonight

Can you do it tomorrow night?

Comings and Goings

It's Saturday afternoon and I am sitting in an airport.  The good news is there are no winter storms here ... or spring thunderstorms.  It is the word "storm" that wrecks havoc for travelers such as myself.  Fly early in the day to avoid these words and hope for the best.  

These are signs you travel too much:

• You can text message friends using airport codes (i.e. today it is SCE 2 PHL 2 ROC)
• You get to board via "the breezeway"
  
• You don't know what Zone 9 is!
  
• Middle seats?  No way!
• You know who has the power to make changes (it usually isn't the folks on the phone)
• The gate agent at your small airport knows you by name!
  
• You can fill a frequent buyer card at "Auntie Anne's Pretzels"
• You don't need to look for free wifi because you finally bought a wifi card
  
• Biscoff cookies are your favorite
  
• Your laptop is out of the bag before get to the x-ray machine
• You know that it really doesn't save you time to print the boarding pass at home when you have to check luggage
• You don't have to pay to check luggage
• When you pick your seats you can choose fro the "P" option ... and that has nothing to do with bathrooms.
• You hold elite status on more than one airline
• You know the rules:  Being nasty won't help ... but sometimes it will get you airport security!
• You avoid flying out Monday morning
• You notice a difference between passengers in boarding areas based on destination (i.e. Maine or Alaska vs. SFO and NYC)
• You really don't want to use all those Frequent Flyer miles when you have tie off

You know ....

• Nice always works better
• A Saturday night stay over usually costs more
• Booking three weeks out doesn't guarantee a cheaper flight
• The airline is not out to get you personally when there is a delay
• #27 will probably take off ... but they may need to resubmit their flight plan
• You know what concourse your favorite restaurant is on
  
• You know how to find free wifi (by sitting on the floor by the "club" rooms)
• If there are delays at JFK there are probably delays at LGA, PHL and EWR
• Just because the sun is shining in SMF doesn't mean it is shining in FAT
• There are still more businessMEN in first class than businessWOMEN
• There is often "healing" on flights that land in PBI
• Luggage can still be lost on a direct flight
• You are not covered for lost jewelry, camera or electronic equipment when your luggage is lost

Well folks, the gate agent has just arrived ... I want my early board!

How do you know you fly too much?

Today's blog was originally about comings and goings in life ... but somehow I turned it into an airport story. I'll have to muse a bit on the comings and goings in life ... check back!

Spring is Coming

even if it is dark and dreary
or wet and snowy where you are
God for a walk
Find a florist
Spring will be there!

Let me know what you find!

Friday Evening

As the sun sets on this Friday evening 

Flickers of light fill the room 

The setting sun reflects this quiet

Cottage of the valley

Inside glasses are filled

Merlot for friends

Brie and baguettes 

Candles for calm

Comfort together

Good friends

Lovers 

Sharing stories of the week

Private time for talk

Connecting 

Confirming

Communicating

Gentle notes fill the air

Toasting the day

Toasting the future

Just the two 

Sharing the valley 

What will you do to mark the end of the work week?

To mark the beginning of the sabbath?

Shed a Tear

Tears are natural parts of life ... 

God washes the skies on a regular basis

We were given tear ducts ...

Tears of joy

Tears of sorrow

Tears of laughter

Even Jesus wept

Genesis 21:17
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying.

Psalm 40: 1
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

We do not cry alone

We cry and the Lord hears our tears.

Our tears of joy

Our tears of loneliness

Our tears of fear.

Yet in the tears we see the world

As the drop falls from the leaf 

For whom do you cry this evening?

Seeking Courage

Every day 

Every moment of every day

Is an opportunity to come together

To pray together

To sing together

Good and gracious God

I give you thanks for this day

A day full of grace and forgiveness

A day of health 

A day of plenty

For food

For friendship

For a warm place to lay my head.

Give me the courage to go out

To go out in the world and give to others

To utilize the health

To share my plenty 

To give food to others

To extend a hand a friendship

To support homes for all

Light a candle 

Listen to the sounds of Taize

For what do you seek courage?

Dinner Laughter!

A sure sign of spring for me is ASPARAGUS.   In the old days the first time each year that we would have asparagus was on Easter Sunday.  For some reason when I think of Easter Sunday and asparagus I remember Auntie Margaret.  She would have ham and asparagus.  Usually a salad and if I recall jello!  ahhhh ... Easter Dinner ... the first sign of spring!

Anyway back to dinner ... laughter and families.  I popped in on friends last evening ... mom was out to dinner with the "girls" so I showed up with some steak, potatoes and asparagus.  There was too much for just me ... so I showed with a bag of food and a camera.  

Dad did the cooking ... and when we sat to eat ... said prayers ... dad said we could use our fingers to eat the asparagus!   How fun ... too bad we didn't have olives ... then we could have put them on our fingers and have a real laugh!

Family fun!  

Do you remember these nights at home?

What is your favorite "play food?"

Think I need to get a pictures of olives on fingers!  

Maybe next week ... 

Stay tuned!

somedays I just need a smile

Somethings just make me smile :)

Enjoy the day

Thanks to these special girls who always give me

a reason to smile ... and always have a hug to give!

Tonight's Sunset

Hush my darling, don't fear, my darling

The lion sleeps tonight.

Tonight for the third time I saw a wonderful sunset driving home

The one pictured here was taken driving to the airport on Maui

Tonight it was driving along the thruway toward Rochester 

In September it was driving west toward Manteca from Yosemite.

One of these times ... I need to just stop the car 

Set up the tripod 

And capture it.

The beauties of the colors

The contrast with trees.

Very simple

Very intense

God shining his love on us. 

Working through the pain

Omaha Beach, Normandy, France

The journey is never simple ... no matter how we want to fantasize that it will be.  There are bumps in the road, fences to climb, barriers to slow us down.    

We don't have to do it alone

There are others 

Who have walked before us

Who walk beside us

Who will carry us 

Who will push us

What we have to do though

Is continue the journey

One step at a time.

Right foot 

Left foot

Grab my hand ... 

Let's go

Underneath the surface

Painting discovered under wall in Renne, France

We go about our lives day by day

Our external selves

Our internal selves

The challenge is merging the two 

Creating a single individual

Our confidence

Our insecurity

Being an extrovert

Being an introvert

Our joys

Our fears

Our reaching out

Our curling in

A butterfly

A cocoon

A pit bull

A puppy

Merging ourselves

Becoming genuine

Scratching the surface

Becoming real

Thanks for taking the journey with me.

Thanks Ed, Thanks Dad

A while back I wrote about my father and December 7, 1941

Today I was at a funeral for a gentleman only six weeks older than Dad.  

They talked about the three most important things in his life:  

     Faith, 

     Family, 

     Country.

So ... I got on the phone and called home.  Just to chat, to say hi, let him know I was thinking of him.  We had the normal laughter ... the typical comments "I hear just fine!"   

I asked him a question ... he chose not to answer it ... 

To which I responded no answer is an answer.

He laughed.

Relationships.  We can't take them for granted.

I'm glad I called. 

Who do you need to call tonight?

If you can't call, then drop them a note.

They are singing again

Its early

They are singing again

Even Teddy wakes and looks around

Ahhh but I won't get too excited

I see snow / rain mix

For tonight's forecast

I think I will sit and enjoy the now.

Stop what you are doing.

Enjoy the now.

Morning Sounds

Yippee!  

It was 6:30 am ... 

a strange sound  ... 

Could it be, 

Yes it could.

The birds and talking ... 

and getting ready!

Look closely

Bulbs are breaking ground

Ferns finding cracks

SPRING IS ON THE WAY

What is a sign of spring for you?

Patience

We are the warp.

It has been fully attached to the loom.

Patiently the weft is woven to make the the design.

The warp and weft together becomes beauty.

Speed is not the goal

Patience is central.

These past two days patience has been essential

When I have lost it .. the pattern is uneven ... the result messy.

Patience.

What is your patience pattern?  

Consistent?  Varied?  Sloppy?  Neat?

Patience ... Take time ... 

Sometimes it's necessary to go back, 

start again.

Patience ... with patience comes depth.

Sunday in the city

I'm in NYC today .... 

There are way too many yellow cars

Way too many horns honking

Way too many people

Way too much excess

Way too many stores

I have a meeting here tomorrow and thought it would be great to come down a day early to take some photos.  After a short night of sleep, I made it to the airport and we actually landed early.  Unfortunately my luggage didn't land with me ... and 12 hours later they still don't have a clue where it might be.  

So ... today I post another picture of the labyrinth at Holden.  A week ago I was walking the labyrinth.   I was walking the sabbath. 

I think I forgot to take the sabbath today ... 

When I made this reservations I forgot it was the sabbath ... 

So here I am pulling on the memories of the labyrinth walk.

What did you do today to honor the sabbath?

I hope it was more than just an hour?

In the Old Testament ... "remember the sabbath day to keep it holy"

Saturday Sun

We are being teased today.

The sun is out.

Parties along Park Ave

Folks wearing green t-shirts

Drinking beer 

Walking to the parade.

Kids playing catch

Dogs are begin walked

Naps in the hammock 

I see how dirty my windows are

And open up the house and let fresh air in!

So the tease of the sun today ... 

Soak it in!

Lent XV: Friday Prayers

ahhhh there is something special about Friday evening prayers in a community.

On Friday evening at Holden Village we gather around the cross for silence and prayer.

I was there last week ... and back in Rochester this week

At 10 PM EST .... 7PM PST I enjoyed some quiet.

May you find time each week to turn off the tv, light a candle, maybe a bit Taize, and spend time in prayer.  

Pray for peace and justice

Pray for end to domestic violence

Pray for lives that are beginning

Pray for lives as they are ending

Pray for neighbors known and unknown

Pray for love

What are you praying for this evening?

Story XV : Shadows

I love living where there are four seasons.  The winter holds something special in its chill and starkness.  The snow falls and coats the ground leaving life reaching out.  In the bright sun of the day ... the shadows remind me of what happens when we allow the light to penetrate our souls.  Our soul bounces out for the world to see ... the external is but one aspect of what we have. 

In the deep of the winter ... 

In the deep of lent ...

We are called to dig deep inside ... 

to let the light cast its shadow ...

It is at this point that we can respond ... 

We reflect on what has been ... 

And in our dormancy we wait 

We wait for the ice to thaw

The snow to melt

The sun to warm us

In our dormancy and reflection

We ready ourselves to spring forth

To begin again.

In these forty days 

These forty days of lent

We are like the barren bush

Rooted deep within the ground

Soaking in the sun ... 

Casting  a shadow across the snow

Awaiting .... 

What about you?  

What is your reflection this season?

Lent XIV: Walk the Labyrinth

It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the snow fresh, the path untrodden.

The walk to the labyrinth is really a solitary experience.  

The labyrinth walk begins before one "enters" the space ... 

It began as I left the village and headed up the road.  

It ended as I stepped back onto the road at the ranger's station.

Walking the labyrinth ... 

A lenten journey ... to the center and back

A quiet time ... meant to be solitary.

At the center I left a bit of myself 

As I left I took the quiet.

What is a labyrinth you ask?
"A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The Labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools.

A labyrinth has only one path. It is unicursal. The way in is the way out. There are no blind alleys. The path leads you on a circuitous path to the center and out again.

At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of who you are."

North to Stehekin

Today I left the mountain.  

Waiting for the Lady

Wandering Lucerne

Warming in the A frame

Railroad Creek meets Lake Chelan

Water

Ice

Snow 

Clouds

Posts from the past week are on their way

Written in word

To be posted here.

Story IX: Travel to the Mountain

I left Rochester Thursday on the 6AM flight to Washington State. After arriving in Seattle and making it to the rental car agency, I was ready to hit the road about 2:00 with knowledge of a snow storm over Snoqualime. As I got closer word hit that the pass was closed. There was no way I was going to miss the Friday boat. I went north to Hwy 2 and Steven Pass and slowly made my way over the summit. Arrived in Leavenworth found a place to lay my head, had my first meal of the day, settled in and fell asleep 8PM PST having been up 20 hours.

Friday early with body on EST I ventured out with the camera to see how the sun would great the new day. It was splendid. The sun it hit the eastern slope of the mountain as it said good morning. Cold and crisp was the air and majestic the skies.

Trees wearing a coat of ice
While the sun wakes the mountain
Feathers of clouds float the skies

Trees bending in the wind
Firmly held with their roots
All the while fragile against the force of nature
These barren limbs
Reach for the skies
And frame the peak
The photographer awakes

Fast forward … and I’ve made it to the mountain

Story VIII: Bees

I really hadn't paid much attention to bees over the years until I got into this photography thing.  Now I am fascinated ... watching the go from flower to flower ... their intensity ... their focus .. their delicacy.  If you wander through my flickr site you will find many bee shots.

Then this fall I went to see the movie "secret life of bees" 

I loved it.  Definitely a chick flick .. there were maybe three guys in the theatre!

the following is from the book:

"The world was really one big bee yard, and the same rules worked fine both places: 

Don’t be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. 

Still, don’t be an idiot; wear long sleeves and long pants. 

Don’t swat. Don’t even think about swatting. 

If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates, while whistling melts a bee’s temper. 

Act like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t. 

Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved."

Some great ideas for living life ... 

Don't be afraid ... 

     It can paralyze you.

Still, don't be an idiot ... 

     Like the night I walked home alone from the ballet in Mexico City

Don't swat ... 

     Verbally or physically

If you feel angry, whistle ... 

     Acknowledge it ... but don't let it paralyze you either

     And heck, whistling can result in laughter

Act like you know what you are doing ... 

     With humility, and seeking input

      Be confident

Send bees love ... yup ... send others love

Which of these is hardest for you to embrace?

Story VII: Running way too fast

I keep saying I am going to slow down and take things a bit more easy. But here it is the night before a 6AM flight to the west coast. It is Wednesday evening and I feel as though seven days of work have been collapsed into three. my story.

I grew up on Jordan Road in Oakland (for the most part). It was there that I remember playing in the street ... walking to and from school (which I thought was easily a mile ... but when I drove it a few years back was only .4 mile!) ... sitting down to dinner ... 

playing under the dining room table.  I remember my bedroom. I had one of those dressers with a round mirror, drawers on either side and a chair that fit under the center. The window of my room overlooked the garage. Life was pretty simple then: A black and white TV, a yellow and black station wagon, dinner when dad got home, and prayers before we ate. I rode the bus to Berkeley to go ice skating and made pot holders! 

On Tuesday nights we went to Le Petite with my grandparents because mom had gone back to school to get her teaching

 credential and that helped us out. Sunday dinners would sometimes be at my grandparents house ... Lawrence Welk was on. Some evenings we would drive way out to Lafayette for dinner with the Andersons. Coming home we would easily climb over the car seats from the way way back (yes, we called it the way way back) to the front.

Looking back ... thinking of those times ... a way to slow down.

Tomorrow I head out to "the mountain" ... what I call Holden Village when I talk about it with friends and colleagues. There I will slow down, walk the labyrinth, climb the avalanche, pray around the cross, and weave (not pot holders this time!). There will be quiet ...

To where do you retreat?

Story VI: Sail Away

What is it about water and sails?

The fantasy to sail away to new venture

The fantasy to sail away from painful moments

The fantasy to float on the lakes and soak in the sun

The fantasies continue

to sail into the sunset

to put anchor in a peaceful cove

to swim with the dolphins

to find romance under the stars

Someday I will learn to sail ... 

enjoy fresh air, spend time with those I love, 

and feel the warmth of the sun on my face.  

For peace I dream of sailing along

the ocean blue

the breeze gentle.

A glass of good wine

A disconnect from the storm of the day 

There is no sea for me to sail on

But there is Christ who calmed the seas 

Peace be still

Water and sails .... where are you headed?

Know that there is peace ... 

Lent V: Worries ... Let them go

I don't think I worry much.

But when I toss and turn at night ...

then I know I've been worrying

and I need to figure what is under the surface.

How do I handle it?

Well somedays I face the worries head on and walk through them

Other days I ignore and withdraw

Somedays I get snappy and am rude

Please join me ...

Let's put our worries in the basket

and let them float away!

Sunday Celebration

As the sun rose

On that Sunday

So did the son