Friday Reflections

Canon Beach, Oregon

As the week comes to a close it is time to look back ....
Or perhaps it is time to look forward to what can be ... in the context of what was

Why do we measure a week by work week, rather than the full seven days, or even the weekend? So here it is Friday night ... and the plans for Saturday and Sunday are forming. I look to fresh vegetables at the market, a new phone (remember I washed mine a few weeks ago), a clean house, a long walk, reading and writing.

Ahh yes .. the weekend is the bookends of the week ... giving strength and support.

Nine Decades Earlier

10th and Grove, Oakland, CA 1920

Amy, Carl, Ken, C. Arthur

Yup ... same porch only nine decades earlier! Dad is one of the twins here .... I'll let you guess. Observe the gentleness of a mother ... there is something special speical in her look and touch. Ensuring that her son stays seated. And the gentle touch of the father almost looking like he is blessing his son. Then in his hand he holds the camera, wanting to get a picture of the boys, Carl and Ken.

God too looks at us kindly ... whether God is male or female is irrelevant rather ... it is God's gentle care for us whatever our age. God desires that we care for one another and implores that we do the same in our daily walk.

Today ... care for someone ... extend your comfort zone to "that person" ... your care will be like the sun on a sunflower. The sunflower seeks the light. Just as people follow the love.

Build on Solid Foundation

Église Saint Melaine, Rennes France

Imagine the foundation that this beauty lies on!  

With a cornerstone set ... from there comes strength and love.  

Isaiah 28;16

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 

"Behold, I am laying in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tested stone, 

a precious cornerstone, 

of a sure foundation: 'He who believes will not be in haste.'"

Foundations

10th and Grove, Oakland CA 2009

Carl (aka Papa, Dad)

Where have I been these past days? Another wedding in Chico! A beautiful one at that ... this time it was Rachael and Brandon! From the rehearsal dinner to the Sunday brunch all was wonderful especially watching the families interact and having the opportunity to talk with friends from the "old days". Monday (yesterday) mom, dad, and I did the Oakland tour to old places where they (and I had lived!).

These many stops reminded me of some of what has served as a foundation to my life. This is the parsonage where my dad's parents lived when he and Uncle Kenny were born ... small little twins in the 1920s! We drove by the barber shop where dad got his first hair cut, the church where I used to take piano lessons, where I Magnin stood, fairyland (the kids park), my first and second house, mom's house, and so it went.

We could trace our moves to where we are now and some of what made us who we are. I can't wait to go back ... next time we are going to visit schools!

Think back to your foundations ... and where you are tonight ... ????

sleep my child

Centerville, CA

at the end of the day ...

the end of the evening ...

blessings continue with a nights sleep.

My days have been full

Friends family love

Blessings abound

Thanks be to God

Summer Sun

Summer Bouquet, Chico Farmer's Market, CA

What a glorious day
Rejoice and be glad in it!

Its Still Raining

Enough of it God ....

Remembering the storm

Thunder rolls through after it has been called forth by the lightning. Soon there will be the downpour. The front is coming through and the temperature will soon drop. Teddy paces and insists on laying down right under my feet. I hope it will pass soon so he can relax and I can sleep. The radar map looks encouraging. It should clear up in a couple of hours and there will be quiet nights rest and a time to walk.

The moon called but I could not see it
So I waited and it called again.
Out in search to learn of the message
Yet I couldn’t seem to find it
Instead there was the rush of water
The freshness of the grass
The shower from trees as the wind blows

The thunder and lightning has passed
We are taking the evening walk
The storm residues refreshing

Sleep comes easily
And morning responds

My front yard, Rochester NY

A Walk in the Night

With the moon in darkness
And runoff fills the creek
The night invites walkers
To experience the magic

In the darkness is life
Refreshment and openness
Saying come to me
Feel my gifts

No need to rush
Walk slowly
Feel the cool air
The gentle drops of rain

A light breeze
Refreshing the skin
Trees swaying
A sprinkling waters.

"during a night
the blessed prophet
broke all the idols and
God remained alone
to give equally to all
an endless love"

                         Rumi

This is God's night ...
Rejoice and be glad

I took time

Yup ... I took time
I changed my perspective ... while I didn't go the back porch to read. I cooked as a way to slow down. Didn't rush ... didn't have the tv on ...

Blanched fresh green bean, added them to fresh cooked red potatoes, mixed with pesto, a few chopped walnuts ... and presto: Potato salad!

Follow up with chopped greens: iceberg (don't grown), romaine, and cilantro. Presto: the beginning of the salad bar for work today!

Night is now upon us

Moon is 0% full.

Darkness fills the sky

Lit only by an occasional lightning strike

And the rumble of thunder!

And the rain falls.

Your night?

Full moon, Rochester NY

Taking Time

Point Reyes, CA

It is late. The colors of the sky have deepened so now it almost seems black. It is difficult to see except for the occasional house light. The moon is 28 days old and only 1.6% lit. Ah but contrast this with the sounds of the night, the cars on the road (maybe time to move back to the back bedroom), the neighbors air conditioner clicks on, the gentle whrrr of the fan overhead, Teddy breathing (how can that dog sleep so much?).


There is too much stimulation in the world.
Time to close the windows, turn off the lights, return to the quiet silence.


Bring me back to the hillsides of the Pacific Ocean.
The beauty of Pt. Reyes.
Time to sit.


These days of living there is too much keeping our minds going in many different directions. Even as I finish reading I think I should check email one more time. Maybe so and so got my message. Where did I put that credit card? Tomorrow I need to stop by the phone store. Back to the need to withdraw ...


Returning to the place of quiet .. slowing down the mind, feeling the connection with the creation that God has given. The water as is rolls down the creek, the grass green from a recent rain.


Tomorrow I'll take the time.
What about you?

Out of Control?

Morning Traffic on the sands of Doran beach.

What is out of control? Doing to much? Not doing enough?

Is it running in circles? My guess is being out of control is not from having too much ... rather is is not having focus. Focus on the present, focus on what can be done. It is not being rigid and only task oriented, rather it is attending to what is happening in the moment. It is reading and just reading (not making a list at the same time). It is focusing on worship (not making sure someone is covering the nursery or making a list on what to do after worship). It is focusing on the walk and the neighborhood and the music (not just making sure Teddy does his business and then heading back home). It means writing in the blog (without the tv in the background). It is breathing slowing and deeply.

The absence of "out of control" might just be "focused".

And in slowing down, I wonder if more is "accomplished"

But is it doing what I am doing with depth ... not with short cuts.

So this morning as I wake I return to the porch.

The book is open to the final chapter

My pen and journal are present.

Maybe I am learning to fall ... and finding the sacred in the moment!

Blueberries and Sacredness

Blueberries in Chardonnay

I am reading Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life (2000) by Phillip Simmons dying from complications from ALS in 2002.

It is wonderful. Reading a chapter a day is a sacred experience with each chapter provocative and full of life and death, smiles and tears, hope and despair. In the chapter "choosing the world" he talks about building a relationship with God is not and "out there" experience but rather "being in relationship with a sacred reality 'right here'"

God is in the world, of the world, and is the world.

The good, the bad, the sweet, the sour.

He writes of berries and blueberries.

The sacredness of the world.

The sacredness of blueberries.

God is good.

Live with sacredness.

Sacred Places IV

Buckskin, Holden Village

One doesn't always have to go to a sacred place to feel the sacred.  Just the memory ... the thought brings the response.  

Think about it ... and then feel it in your gut.  

Think about it ... feel your shoulders relax. 

This morning I managed to spill almost half a cup of coffee (not very hot) while running an errand.  I consider that as a sign of things being a bit out of control ... chaotic.   I came home knowing I needed a moment of calm .. a sacred time.  I immediately thought of Buckskin.  So now I'll go to my quiet place and feel the sacred.

Remember, your sacred place is as close as your mind. 

What did you learn today?

Every day we learn something new, we just don't realize it. Sometimes it is learning information (like that someone is Mr. not Dr.).  Sometimes it is learning / realizing that you can do something that you didn't think possible.  Sometimes it is learning how to make things happen.  Shelby here, is learning that she can grab onto things (she's still pretty young).  She is learning that when she cries someone will care for her.  I am learning how to take pictures differently.  Sometimes we don't realize what we have learned until we step away. 

What did you learn today?

Sacred Places III

Sometimes sacred places are found when one least expects it.  Floating along Irondequoit Creek there were times when the sun broke through the clouds, when drops of rain made circles following impact, the cat tails grow on the east side, lily pads float alongside.  While we laugh and paddle along, I seek quiet and peace. 

I will return for the sacred journey

Foot In Mouth

When was the last time you put your foot in your mouth?

Every moment is new

The morning light

Rises above the horizon

To start each day

Popping out

A standing ovation

In constant motion

The wind

Gravity

Tilting

Reaching

Every moment is new

Seeking the light

Hues abound

Stretching

Falling

Every moment is new

A breath

A glance

A sound

A tap

Every moment is new

"Every moment is new in nature"

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Gentleness

The gentleness of the Spirit

in the softness of the rose petal

The fuzziness of a baby's hair

The whisper of I love you 

Watching a lover sleep

Kitten play

With rustling of leaves.

Shhhh

The gentleness of the Spirit

Is found in the quieting of the mind

The opening of the heart

The looking with the eyes

Step forward

The gentleness of the Spirit 

Is found with the reaching of the hands

The touch of the fingers

A tear down the cheek

The listening closely

Open 

The gentleness of the Spirit 

Comes with the savory taste of flavor

The connection between you and the world.

Connection

The gentleness of the Spirit

Comes with friendship

Comes with love

Comes with God.

Teamwork

Teamwork.  Ahhh they (am not sure who they is) say how important teamwork is ... that we need to work as a team to make progress.  But ... might I be so bold as to suggest that working in unison does not always mean doing the same thing ... rather it means being aware of others, gathering input from others, then reading what is needed.  Not always does everything have to be talked out, rather trusting that we each bring something valuable to the table (or is it the kayak).  Today our "team" went out for our "monthly" play activity ... kayaking!   

One team paddled in silence, one in unison, one learned how to avoid banks, and the fourth in conversation and photography (guess which one I was on!)

So each "team" learning together ... on Thursday we might even "process" what we learned.  

How did Jesus and his 12 disciples build their team?

He Looks so Innocent or Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

He looks so cute and innocent doesn't he.  In fact right now he is laying on the floor next to me. But since 6PM today when friends arrived for a spur of the moment dinner .... Teddy

1) helped himself to the dill dip (thank goodness he skipped the fresh snap peas!)

2) thought it would be a good idea to grab the plate of cooked chicken off the BBQ

3) enjoyed a grooming by a 6 and 9 year old (not growling once)

4) grabbed a sea otter stuff toy 

5) had a fresh cookie (snicker doodle) off the cooling rack

6) stepped my toe that hurts (ouch)

.... 

all of this resulted in a hungry (how could he have been any more hungry) and thirsty (drank a whole bowl of water) dog.

So no ... that isn't a dumb stare .... that is a dog who is hoping that he could hypnotize you and then eat all the food in your house!

Light and Dark

There is something magical about the interplay of light and dark, day and night, sun and shade.  The interchange between what seems to be polar opposites gives design, depth, patterns, and movement.  Give 10 second and it may be different.  

It is here that we live.  With uncertainty, with wonder, with variations, with unknown and known.  Outside my window it is ever changing and within my being I am ever changing.  The two together are a life of joy, sorrow, laughter, pain, anger, acceptance, rejection, love, uncertainty.  

But most of all it is a life full of grace. 

May today you feel the wholeness of grace.

It's there .... 

The Storm Rolls Through

I had my list of errands today.  Ordered to make the best use of time and energy (including gas!). I was at stop #6 and in the back corner of Target (getting dog food for Teddy and using a coupon) and the sound started.  Rain on the roof ... and not the pitter patter kind of rain ... but pouring rain ... I mean POURING RAIN.  It got louder and heavier and by the time I checked out there were puddles in the parking lot and thunder and lightning.  There I stood with several others at the front door wondering how long it would last and whether or not to make the dash for the car. (Note, this Target had no Starbucks to sit and wait it out!).  Suddenly it got worse (I have no idea how it could have gotten any heavier) and I wondered again how long it would last.  A mother and son made a dash for it (he was carrying pool toys ... hope they weren't planning a swimming party today!).  If they can do it, so can I.  Grabbing my bags I made a dash for it leaving the cart and dog food behind.  Hopping in the car looking as if I had just gotten out of the shower.  There on the back seat was my umbrella.  I pulled out and made my way to the front ... jumped out again and grabbed the BIG HEAVY BAG of dog food.  Off I went to stop #7 ... the library.  You should have seen their expression when I walked in!  

So here it is ... three hours later. 

The storm has passed

Some sun has peaked through the clouds

There is new beauty.

Isn't this what life is about?

Sacred Places II

Holden Labyrinth, Fall

The sacred place is where you find it ... create it ... walk it .... 

Whether alone or with others there is still a call to silence

A deep connection with the creator

We go to the place one person we leave another

Perhaps what we leave is some of ourself 

To make room for our new self.

Now turn off the computer

Go to the sacred place.

Sacred Places

What makes a place sacred?  I'm not sure. It is one of those things that I'll know it when I see it ... or when I feel it ... or experience it.  Mont Saint Michele in Normandy, France, one of the wonders of the world is often referred to as a sacred place, yet when I was there it didn't feel very sacred.  Rather it was an amazing wonder of architecture built on a rock separated from the mainland by a strip of sand and one needs to be cautious of being stranded by tides as they come in and isolate the abbey in a short period of time.  That man could build this centuries ago without the technology that we have today.  A great edifice such as this stir something within that says there is more to this life than flesh and blood.  

Yet, as I reviewed pictures from my trip last fall to France, my breath was taken away and inside a deep feeling of awe.  It took my breath away and I knew again so clearly that I am part of a wonderful story of creation, of life, of relationship, of being with one so much greater than I.   

S0 back to the original question?  What is a sacred place?

For me, a sacred place is calls me back.  

A sacred time is a centering time.

A sacred place may not even be a place rather it is a connection with the sacred.

Music takes me to a sacred place.

Candles take me to the sacred place.

Water brings me closer.

Many have written about sacred places.

Here is one that I found particularly helpful

http://witcombe.sbc.edu/sacredplaces/sacredplacesintro.html

Where is your sacred space/place?

In the Quiet of the Morning

In the quiet of the morning move toward and absorb the light. 

That's where I'm heading right now .... 

A notebook and pen in hand (no laptop for the quiet time) ... 

Will stop to pour my cup of coffee first ...

Find the light

Welcome the day.

 

The Trinity

Nature really does provide clues to us.  Sometimes it is in the shape of hearts ... sometimes it is in the appearance of the trinity in nature. These sandpipers were busy looking for dinner at the beach.  I was looking for a quiet walk and there waiting for me down the beach was the trinity.  

In your journey today ... find the trinity ... 

Three in one ... 

Where did you find it?

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you" (2 Corinthians 13:13)

Tied up in knots?

Cattle ... the word cattle appears 85 times in 83 verses in the Bible (NIV), only 4 of which are in the new testament.  I'm not really sure why that is relevant or significant ... but the difference between the number of references in old vs. new testaments makes anyone take notice.  Cattle clearly were central to the lives and essential to life to people of long ago.  God has entrusted us to care for the earth and all that life herein. 

It is in the New Testament that God calls us forth through Christ to love one another as God has loved us.  Each new day we are given a gift to love again.  Even those mornings when we wake up and feel the knot in our stomach.  Thank God we have only one stomach.  Imagine if the cow woke up one day and had all four stomachs tied in knots!

So if your stomach is in a knot this morning.

Breathe deeply

Stretch out

Walk around the block

Love one another

Stay Alert

Point Reyes Lighthouse Lens, CA

1,000 handcut prisms make up the lens of this lighthouse.  It could be seen 24 nautical miles keeping ships safe. Those in the boats needed to pay attention to stay safe.   

There are easily 10,000 prisms guiding us ... 

God has given us more than we can count

we just need to stay alert ... 

for then ... 

good things will happen.

"You have to stay alert because good things happen"

Anne Lamott

What Lies Ahead?

Doran Beach, Bodega Bay, CA

Every day is a new adventure.  

Adventure maybe sounds a bit too enticing ... 

Every day is a step into the unknown.  

Unknown maybe sounds a bit too scary ... 

Every day we are drawn to walk a path.  

Our days have a certain rhythm and parameters moving forward. 

There that feels a bit more comfortable.  

A bit of predictability ... with some adventure ... and some unknown.

The good news ... we aren't alone.  

Go forth ... 

Step through the opening ... 

You might even be amazed at what awaits!

In Unexpected Places

Wandering along the shore

Crashing waves

Laughing children

Sprinting dogs

 Salt in the air

The midst of fog

Protruding rocks

The tide comes in

A message left

Perhaps for me?

Colors

What color is your skin? Take this lemon for example ... or is it a lime?  I thought my parents had a lemon tree in the backyard but there hanging from the limb was this limon.  It was almost as if someone had intentionally painted it two colors.  But I bet if i were to take it from the tree and cut it in half ... I would taste lemon.   The people of the world ... we too are many different colors ... in fact, our colors change!  Inside?  why we are pretty much alike!  

So as we move forward in our journey we are called to love one another ... 

Its a simple commandment

One with no conditions or stipulations

Just love one another ... 

Why's it so hard somedays?

Might it be that somedays it is hard to love ourselves?

I don't know ... what do you think?

Generations

Y'all are probably a bit tired of hearing of family ... but this is the family week after all.  Here is my dad (again) and his younger sister (Marie).  We did the trek up to where Marie lives and had lunch with cousin Mark and his family.  A good day.  

Today's lesson.  Each day is a gift.  

We are given it freely without asking.

It seems to come with the rising sun.

So here are the siblings which remain.

89 and 86.  

One who could tell stories of the beach at Normandy

The other who remembers us with a laugh 

Yet isn't sure where her purse is.

Each day is a gift

Regardless of where life takes us ... 

We go back to our roots

The good memories ... the not so good

Thankfulness that we don't remember everything

Sit together and laugh

Share the same stories 

The days of no seat belts

When drive in movies still existed.

Crawling from the back to the front of the station wagon (while it was moving of course)

Heading to Giant's games

Being scared of the basement

These memories created who we are ... 

The good, the bad, the memorable, the forgetable.

Close your eyes

Remember the laughter

Remember the joy

Imprint the memories 

Imprint the mind

Feel the smile grow on your face

And tomorrow 

With the gift of a new day

Start with the smile

Imagine what can be 

Become it

The Real Thing

Castroville, CA

Okay, folks, this is perhaps a bit more light-hearted than normal for me ... but it reminds me that there is nothing like the real thing ... the real FRESH thing. An artichoked picked in the morning, steamed in the evening. mmmm mmmm good. There are two, no three food items, that just don't cut it with me in New York: Artichokes, Avocados, Sourdough French Bread. Try as one might, ship them as quickly as one might, nothing beats the freshness and flavor that one experiences locally (in the SF Bay Area). To top it off, this afternoon I will swing by my brother's house and grab some fresh rosemary from the garden and use it for marinating lamb. Should have stopped in Gilroy for fresh garlic, what was I thinking? We did remember to stop for a pound of fresh See's Chocolate, then my mother said she "needed" and In and Out Burger! You know they make milk shakes there with real ice cream.

Guess this trip has been a culinary delight.
Today we drive to Sebastopol ... wonder what we will find there? We're too early for apples (but then I can get great fresh apples in New York).

Did I tell you I had a seafood salad with Crab, Bay Shrimp and Scallops on Sunday?!

p.s. did I tell you about the lemon meringue pie made with lemons from the backyard?

did I tell you I got some fresh rosemary from my cousin's garden ... and mom got fresh rhubarb.  Oh and what about a salad at lunch with greens, onions, and carrots from the garden.  

All this freshness!