tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45616353434234804362024-03-04T22:18:01.606-06:00"Earth's crammed with heaven..."Notes from the quirky life of a practicing contemplative (emphasis on "practicing"), teacher, learner, auntie, weirdo, and dog mama.
Title quote from "Aurora Leigh" by Elizabeth Barrett BrowningKerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.comBlogger348125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-28942369877031710342013-05-08T11:36:00.001-05:002013-05-08T11:39:51.173-05:00stopping by woods on a rainy evening<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I enjoyed another wonderful retreat at </span><a href="http://www.tallgrassretreats.com/"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tallgrass Spiritual Retreat Center</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in the Flint Hills last weekend. If you haven't yet visited this place, I highly recommend you do so before Billie leaves this summer! The countryside is gorgeous:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Okay, you have to like lots of sky and cows and fields. And yes, this is the Flint Hills. I just can't take pictures and drive at the same time on the windy, hilly parts, but they honestly are beautiful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Technically, this isn't a hill; I was just holding my camera crooked. Those are cows on the horizon, not ants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Anyway, I learned a bit of <a href="http://www.soulcollage.com/">SoulCollage</a>. I'll just let you explore their website. It may seem voodooey or New Agey to some of my readers, and it can be used that way, but it doesn't have to be. I appreciated reflecting on various aspects of my personality, or my inner selves, and learning from and about them. For example:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This card represents my goofy side. Obviously I'm going to have to make more cards to adequately express this part of myself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This represents what I call my shaman. By "shaman" I don't mean one who uses magic, but simply one who hopes she is used by God to facilitate others' communion with him. I broke a rule there with the sign's words - it's supposed to be pictures only - but "wine" made me think of "whine" which made me laugh and of the blood of Christ. I realize in the top left that it looks like I think God is an ape. What I mean to communicate with that photo is the connection humans have with animals and all of creation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This one represents me as a member of a large family. I saw the pic of the boy with the cow first, and it reminded me of Grandpa and Dad. Then I saw the photo in the upper left and was reminded of my mom. I grumbled to myself that I hadn't meant to bring my family with me on this retreat, but when I saw the rainbow-colored parrots, I gave up. It reminded me of a cousin who loves rainbows, then all my cousins. So here you have a portrayal of various and all family members. (Dang it. I just remembered there was a small picture of a turkey in the stack of pictures. I could have used it for my brother. Oh well, live and learn.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This one started out as a portrayal of the dark, or, in Jungian terms, the shadow side of me. I started with the picture of the forest and the words (oops) from his poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." I added the snakes, then I found the picture of the Jewish boy with wording (oops oops) similar to Frost's, so I put that on there, then I put on the other pics and decided this represents a combination of my shadow self and the part of myself that is interested in learning about other religions. The dark schizophrenic, if you will.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">My stay was short and squeezed in between two sessions of working with kids. I thought I was being an idiot; I usually can't handle a schedule that loaded, but of course I was instead refreshed and renewed by the time and by Billie's hospitality. Thank you again, Billie, for the physical and spiritual space and the teaching that you give!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-13020267597079690672013-05-01T22:20:00.000-05:002013-05-01T22:20:22.165-05:00happy may day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I took a bouquet of flowers to work today and gave everybody one, wishing them a happy May Day. It was almost as fun as when I was 4 or 5 and left the flowers, knocked on the door, then ran away, but not quite. I'm going to have to add that step back next year.</span><br />
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Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-53604906881611437112013-04-30T17:29:00.001-05:002013-04-30T17:30:10.364-05:00"contemplatives in action"<a href="http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/16166/contemplatives-in-action/">http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/16166/contemplatives-in-action/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like a lot of what Ignatian Spirituality has to say. This morning, the computer tech guy at work was helping me with a problem. When I logged on, a blank, black window popped up. He's been trying to get that to go away for several days. I told him not to bother, because I used it as a reminder to slow down, stay aware, and not get bogged down in my work. I actually enjoy seeing that window now.</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-23041304264277954212013-04-29T00:03:00.002-05:002013-04-29T00:24:10.382-05:00little boys are crammed with energy...and greatness<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other day I took my group boys (ages 6-8) to a play place at a fast-food restaurant; these places are their favorite places to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, whether due to spring or the fact that they were tired from an extra group session the day before or who knows what, they were very hyper and could only follow my directions for a few seconds before they broke our group rules for the use of that space. After several minutes and numerous prompts, I told the boys that I would have to take them somewhere else because they were not respecting the rules, the site, and the other children playing. "Let's go to a park!" one boy said. My first thought was, "There's no way I'm taking you to a park right now; it will seem like a reward for your bad behavior."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Fortunately, I reflected on my decision. The boys were not acting hyper or breaking the rules in order to be defiant; they simply were too wound up for an enclosed space. At a park, they could run and yell and, hopefully, use up some energy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So we went to the park. The boys asked if they could visit the lake first and throw stones in it as they had done before. I said yes, just don't go IN the lake. I prepared myself for wet boys, or, at the very least, sopping wet shoes. But they followed my direction. They worked with each other to lift and throw the biggest rocks they could find to make ever-bigger splashes. As I learned in my special education training, heavy work is a great way to help excited kids calm down. When I said it was time to go to the playground area, the boys ran the 50+ yards to the equipment, joined a few other kids in their games, and played their hearts out. They were fine. When I said it was time to go home, they ran to the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">I was reminded of something God taught me with these boys a few weeks earlier. I'd taken them to a labyrinth at a local convent. I thought the boys would enjoy walking the winding path.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But the boys did not want to walk the path, they wanted to run it and race each other to the center and out again. At first I tried to stop them and make them walk without racing. Then I sensed God's response: "They're 6-year-old boys, not octogenarian nuns. Let them experience the path in their own way." I feared at least one of those nuns would come out and yell at us to stop, but that fear was as unfounded as my fear of having to deal with sopping wet boys.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">We had a bit of extra time when we left the park the other day, and one of the boys asked if we could go to "that place that winds around and around and you have to stay on the path and not step in the hot lava (outside the path)." Once I figured out what he meant, we went. As we were approaching the site, the boy called out excitedly, "I see it! There it is!" This time I gave the boys no directions and watched to see what they would do. I was amazed. The boys ran, but they ran <em>silently</em>, without speaking or racing. For several minutes all I heard was the thump, thump, thump of their shoes hitting the bricks. Their approach to the labyrinth had changed, without me ever telling them that I use it as a time for reflection and communion with God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">When we let others be who they are, rather than who we want to mold them to be, true life bursts forth and wonderful things can happen. I am so thankful God shut me up that day.</span></div>
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Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-70354177929195877182011-12-30T15:02:00.000-06:002011-12-30T15:02:35.730-06:00the in-between timeI am enjoying these last few days of 2011; I've found a liminal space inside them, a place of waiting, reflecting, anticipating, being. A place between the completed/fulfilled anticipation of Advent and Christmas and the expectancy of a new year and season. My mind fills with thoughts and evaluations of events in the past year as well as plans for the one to come, but I push these thoughts aside for now and go deeper into the liminal space itself. Does anything lie here, waiting to be discovered? Or perhaps it is simply a time to be without doing, to sit and look without planning or analyzing. I walk, I read, I ponder God and what he teaches me. The past year or so has been difficult; I have lived with great fear and resentment. I thank God for the grace to be able to see this and, in this liminal time, to be able to separate myself from the fear and resentment somewhat so that I may understand them more fully, if understanding comes. What do I fear? Why? I am resentful because I have expectations that aren't being met, and I am losing patience and hope. Perhaps it is time to let these expectations go. I am beginning to discover that the emptying of a life can bring a greater capacity for grace.<br />
<br />
Blessings to you; I wish you well in this in-between time and in the year to come. May the Peace of God be with us.Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-20336414271685150172011-11-20T18:35:00.000-06:002011-11-20T18:35:31.815-06:00giving thanks<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A prayer by Johann Kepler, 1571-1630, as printed in <em>The Oxford Book of Prayer,</em> George Appleton, Editor:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">O Thou who through the light of nature hast aroused in us a longing for the light of grace, so that we may be raised in the light of Thy majesty, to Thee, I give thanks, Creator and Lord, that Thou allowest me to rejoice in Thy works. Praise the Lord ye heavenly harmonies, and ye who know the revealed harmonies. For from Him, through Him and in Him, all is, which is perceptible as well as spiritual; that which we know and that which we do not know, for there is still much to learn.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today the following phrases grabbed my attention and drew me into further contemplation:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"hast aroused in us a longing..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"that Thou allowest me (gave me the capacity and ability) to rejoice in Thy works"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"the revealed harmonies"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"from Him, through Him and in Him, all is..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"for there is still much to learn"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Thank You for reminding me of gratitude; I had forgotten.</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-2625948248081812402011-10-18T07:32:00.000-05:002011-10-18T07:32:34.646-05:00A Credo for Support<span style="font-family: Georgia;"></span><br />
<div align="center"><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The videos to the left of this column have a very powerful message written by a man with cerebral palsy and his wife. When you view humanity in this way, the whole world changes.</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">A Credo for Support</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">c. 1995 by Norman Kunc and Emma Van der Klift</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Throughout history,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">people with physical and mental disabilities</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">have been abandoned at birth,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">banished by society,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">used as court jesters,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">drowned and burned during the Inquisition,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">gassed in Nazi Germany,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">and still continue to be segregated, institutionalized,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">tortured in the name of behavior management,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">abused, raped, euthanized, and murdered.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Now, for the first time, people with disabilities are taking their rightful place as fully contributing citizens. The danger is that we will respond with remediation and benevolence rather than equity and respect. And so, we offer you</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;"><em>A Credo for Support</em></span><br />
<br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not see my disability as the problem.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Recognize that my disability is an attribute.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not see my disability as a deficit.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">It is you who see me as deviant and helpless.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not try to fix me, because I am not broken.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Support me. I can make my contribution to the community in my way.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not see me as your client. I am your fellow citizen.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">See me as your neighbor. Remember, none of us can be self-sufficient.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not try to modify my behavior.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Be still and listen.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">What you define as inappropriate may be my attempt to communicate with you in the only way I can.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not try to change me, you have no right.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Help me learn what I want to know.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not hide your uncertainty behind "professional" distance.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Be a person who listens, and does not take my struggle away from me </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">by trying to make it all better.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not use theories and strategies on me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Be with me. And when we struggle with each other, let that give rise to self-reflection.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not try to control me. I have a right</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">to my power as a person.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">What you call non-compliance or manipulation may actually be the only way I can exert some control over my life.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not teach me to be obedient, submissive, and polite.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">I need to feel entitled to say No if I am to protect myself.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not be charitable towards me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">The last thing the world needs is another Jerry Lewis.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Be my ally against those who exploit me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">for their own gratification.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not try to be my friend. I deserve more than that.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Get to know me. We may become friends.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not help me, even if it does make you feel good.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Ask me if I need your help. Let me show you how you can best assist me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not admire me. A desire to live a full life does not warrant adoration.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Respect me, for respect presumes equity.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not tell, correct, and lead.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Listen, Support, and Follow.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Do Not work on me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large;">Work with me.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-57501801830966516942011-09-26T00:00:00.000-05:002011-09-26T00:00:16.361-05:00compline<span style="font-family: Arial;">Compline is a prayer for the end of the day. This one comes from </span><a href="http://northumbriacommunity.org/pray-the-daily-office/complines"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Northumbria Community</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"> :</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="article_separator"><span style="font-size: large;">The Sacred Three<br />
to save<br />
to shield<br />
to surround<br />
the hearth<br />
the home<br />
this night<br />
and every night....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="article_separator"><em><span style="font-size: large;">O God who is one,<br />
O God who is true,<br />
O God who is first....</span></em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="article_separator"><em><span style="font-size: large;">O God of life, this night,<br />
O darken not to me Thy light.</span></em><span style="font-size: large;"><em>O God of life, this night,<br />
close not Thy gladness to my sight.</em></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="article_separator"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><br />
</em>Keep Your people, Lord,<br />
in the arms of Your embrace.<br />
Shelter them under Your wings.</span></span></div><span class="article_separator"><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">* Be their light in darkness.<br />
Be their hope in distress.<br />
Be their calm in anxiety.<br />
<br />
* Be strength in their weakness.<br />
<br />
* Be their comfort in pain.<br />
<br />
* Be their song in the night.</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></em><span style="font-size: large;">In peace will I lie down, for it is You, O Lord,<br />
You alone who makes me to rest secure.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Be it on Your own beloved arm,<br />
O God of grace, that I in peace shall awake.</span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="article_separator"><br />
<em><span style="font-size: large;">Be the peace of the Spirit<br />
mine this night.<br />
Be the peace of the Son<br />
mine this night.<br />
Be the peace of the Father<br />
mine this night.<br />
The peace of all peace<br />
be mine this night<br />
+ in the name of the Father,<br />
and of the Son,<br />
and of the Holy Spirit.<br />
Amen.</span></em></span></div>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-24767084081056088732011-09-09T09:35:00.000-05:002011-09-09T09:35:24.727-05:00and I received...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Several minutes after writing the last post I found this in a book of collected prayers*:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I don't know who - or what - put the question, I don't know when it was put. I don't even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone - or Something - and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life in self-surrender had a goal. From that moment I have known what it means 'not to look back,' and 'to take no thought for the morrow.'"</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dag Hammarskjold</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>The Oxford Book of Prayer</em>, George Appleton, Ed., 1985</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-59632552857240147322011-09-09T09:10:00.000-05:002011-09-09T09:10:26.652-05:00are we there yet?<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">My friend Pam at </span><a href="http://pleemiller.blogspot.com/2011/09/surrendercan-i-do-it.html"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">radical ramblings and thoughts of a southern girl</span></a> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">wrote a post today on surrender. As I envisioned myself walking beside her on that particular path, giving and receiving encouragement, I suddenly burst out, "Are we there <em>yet</em>?!" I mean, my God, how much more can you ask? My job, my home, my dogs, my ability to think clearly, my relationships, my very sanity sometimes...what next? Oh, I know, I prayed with St. Ignatius that you take everything, even my memory, understanding, and liberty, if you see fit, and I meant it, but I didn't realize those things ran so deep. Now I'm tempted to say, "Just try to take anything more. I dare you." And yet I do pray it. I'm a mess, a bitter, proud, resentful mess. I offer up my very life, but when you take it I fight to get it back. Teach me what all this loss is for, what it really means. Or don't. But please teach me to love.</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-22543923228345573932011-09-09T08:45:00.000-05:002011-09-09T08:45:59.877-05:00genealogy with grandpa<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This morning Grandpa greeted me with: "I'm rich."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Oh yeah?" I said. "How so?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"I have a new niece and nephew."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"You mean great-grandkids? You have two new great-grandchildren." <em>Congrats, cousin, on the twins!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Oh yeah. That's right. I'm waiting on you for a niece."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Huh?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"I'm waiting on you for a niece."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Well, you're going to be waiting a while." (For more reasons than one...)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Wait, what are you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"I'm your granddaughter!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Oh yeah. Never mind."</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-30611315235422646612011-09-05T02:25:00.000-05:002011-09-05T02:25:22.038-05:00indie ink<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This week's Indie Ink challenge came from </span><a href="http://thegraceofpirates.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grace</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> and was a link: </span><a href="http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/post/9660178280/ambedo"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://www.dictionaryofobscuresorrows.com/post/9660178280/ambedo</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">. Check out the dictionary; it's fascinating! For the challenge, I added to the final paragraph of my antagonist description.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I looked at Grandpa sitting silently across the small table from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you want some more eggs?” I asked him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“No.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“More juice?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“No. I’m fine.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I considered him for a few moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa’s eyes were hidden under his large, bushy, gray eyebrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wiry gray hair stuck out here and there; it was time for another haircut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His old brown sweater consumed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa looked at me and smiled faintly, but I could tell this was one of his more difficult days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa was still adjusting to the changes the past year had brought him: a physical decline which necessitated the use of a wheelchair and kept him from going out of the house as often as he liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving had been especially hard for him to give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understood completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I treasured my independence as much as Grandpa valued his, and the thought of losing so much of it horrified me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Grandpa and I were thankful that he had not declined much mentally, it sometimes seemed like a cruel joke of fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew exactly how much he was missing out on, and on his bad days this knowledge seemed to mock him just as his thick head of hair did in the mirror, sitting atop that thin, wasted body.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Grandpa caught me staring and jerked into action, picking up his plate and rolling himself to the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After putting his plate in the sink he went into the living room and switched on the television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he moved I watched the wheels of his chair spinning…spinning…in my mind’s eye the wheels continued to turn, like custom rims...flashing sunlight…abruptly reflecting, turning the light away…gathering shadows…going nowhere…circling…was this really the best situation for Grandpa?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would he be better off in a place with more people and activities to interact with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fights adamantly against the idea of moving out of his home, the home he shared with Grandma for 37 years and in which she passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure he wants to die here, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what if he’s already dead?</span><br />
Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-26812247938226179912011-09-02T15:58:00.000-05:002011-09-02T15:58:02.951-05:00Day 2: antagonist description <span style="font-family: Arial;">I looked at Grandpa sitting silently across the small table from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you want some more eggs?” I asked him.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“No.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“More juice?”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">“No. I’m fine.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I considered him for a few moments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa’s eyes were hidden under his large, bushy, gray eyebrows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wiry gray hair stuck out here and there; it was time for another haircut. His old brown sweater consumed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa looked at me and smiled faintly, but I could tell this was one of his more difficult days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grandpa was still adjusting to the changes the past year had brought him: a physical decline which necessitated the use of a wheelchair and kept him from going out of the house as often as he liked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Driving had been especially hard for him to give up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understood completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I treasured my independence as much as Grandpa valued his, and the thought of losing so much of it horrified me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Grandpa and I were thankful that he had not declined much mentally, it sometimes seemed like a cruel joke of fate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew exactly how much he was missing out on, and on his bad days this knowledge seemed to mock him just as his thick head of hair did in the mirror, sitting atop that thin, wasted body.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Grandpa caught me staring and jerked into action, picking up his plate and rolling himself to the sink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After putting his plate in the sink he went into the living room and switched on the television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Love Lucy</i> was on; his favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Grandpa lost himself in Lucy’s comic genius, I continued to watch him and wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was this really the best situation for him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would he be better off in a place with more people and activities to interact with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He fights adamantly against the idea of moving out of his home, the home he shared with Grandma for 37 years and in which she passed away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure he wants to die here, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what if he was already dead?</span><br />
Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-12078497014026857152011-09-01T22:17:00.000-05:002011-09-01T22:17:55.453-05:0030-day short story challenge - Day 1<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nearly 20 years ago (!) I took a creative writing class at our local university. One of our assignments was to write a scene in a short story which included: an old man, a wheelchair, a hamster, a pair of pants (I think), and a newspaper. I wrote, somewhat prophetically I guess, about a woman who cares for her ailing grandfather full-time. I was able to write the scene, but I never figured out where I was going with it. Now I'm curious to find out.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I decided to participate in the 30-day writing challenge at </span><a href="http://30daysofwriting.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">http://30daysofwriting.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> . This site provides daily assignments and an opportunity to post your work and receive feedback from others. Each assignment draws you further into your story, and by the end of the month (hopefully) your story will be written.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today's assignment was to write a 300-word description of our protagonist. I wrote about 200 words before I realized the description was supposed to be <em>physical. </em>When I realized my mistake it was like pulling teeth to get myself to sit down and think about what Kate looks like. This will be an interesting month.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">The similarities between me and Kate are obvious, but there are differences, too. If you know me personally, please don't assume I feel like Kate is feeling and flood me with phone calls. I appreciate it. :)</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kate is a single woman in her early thirties who has moved in with her grandfather in order to provide full-time care for him, including meal preparation and assistance with personal tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate has always been close to her grandfather and she is glad to do this, but after one year she is beginning to feel as if her life will never return to its former routine, which included teaching <em>(something...) </em>and owning her own home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate is ready for a change of some sort, but she isn’t sure what that change could be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no other options for her grandfather except a nursing home, and Kate is not willing to move her grandfather yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate knows she enjoys working with children and dogs, reading and writing, but she is bored with her life and herself and needs to remember what makes life worthwhile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kate is an intelligent woman with a dry, sarcastic wit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She prefers to be alone or in a small group of people she knows well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she is not working with her grandfather Kate…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">does stuff which I hope to flesh out as the story grows.</i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Kate’s appearance has dulled over the past year; the browns and grays she usually wears reflect her graying brown hair and pale, freckled skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She feels that she herself, her personality, has paled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She stoops slightly, and traces of the old woman she will someday be have begun to push through to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is sloughing off her former, vibrant self and she mourns its loss but does not know how to regain it.</span></div>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-41118627571671884182011-09-01T13:31:00.000-05:002011-09-01T13:31:36.277-05:0013 items in my welcome basket from heaven<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I saw this picture on another blog today and had to <strike>steal</strike> share it with you:</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF1khSoRBDcbDIzx0sKxRaWHBgt6MrcD2KChojJdO2LyxlW4Dd0N4b_dbCVCqpbOeHpFSwCXXwQmAeO6a5ePOJC2XSOBSEiysSoBLNYQ064oG_Hl-YPDJE_TzQ4PceGnsblqfb_wgwRM/s1600/heaven+welcome+basket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkF1khSoRBDcbDIzx0sKxRaWHBgt6MrcD2KChojJdO2LyxlW4Dd0N4b_dbCVCqpbOeHpFSwCXXwQmAeO6a5ePOJC2XSOBSEiysSoBLNYQ064oG_Hl-YPDJE_TzQ4PceGnsblqfb_wgwRM/s640/heaven+welcome+basket.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What would you like in your heaven welcome basket, assuming you get there, hee hee? My dream basket would have:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 1. Johnny Depp</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 2. chocolate</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 3. I'll take a bottle o' water-to-wine!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 4. Johnny Depp</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 5. more seasons of <em>Firefly</em>! Yes!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 6. camera and space suit for space exploration - (would I need a space suit?)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 7. underwater camera and diving gear for deep-sea exploration</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 8. a miracle for learning all world languages in a day</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 9. tickets for a tour of the world<em>s</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">10. Johnny Depp</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">11. puppies!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">12. all-access pass to visits with Henri Nouwen, Abraham Lincoln, Annie Dillard (I don't think she's dead yet but I have dibs on first in line), Spock, and many others.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">13. journal and pen</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This picture and idea came from <a href="http://wtfweeklymeme.blogspot.com/">W.T.F.</a> - a hilarious site! (W.T.F. stands for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday you potty heads.) Thank you, W.T.F!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wtfweeklymeme.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1CfKbX5AulpxTyCyPjLJ1lAGgg1oz6psbv3Gwg6V14rOHvOWUZco9wGCs2vN301ORE4uIR40QQTO5mLSeFcFvrdGKEofdR4Rf2eqIbocW_7T-7x4p6QcnP92Q4HyrlwlbykjHqc1scs/s200/wtf1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And thank you, </span><a href="http://thursday-13.com/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thursday 13</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for another fun meme!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thursday-13.com/"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbKhTaSZ0cC7A3RWA2PAFWvZZ-BP2a1M5_vIo-6otC1eqV-3ENZg472BPTlJft-pSAfywvnQ_pv1HMCjeZ31_VadcjnrTap79BgfodFModaIti462PmP7jh7iE9rdEmBXKlXAkXlMoqg/s320/thursday+13.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-1855419895952164512011-08-29T09:36:00.001-05:002011-08-29T09:37:22.990-05:00best local newspaper headline of the day<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>County: Dead aren't voting</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, at least they can say they checked.</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-80219005661102479622011-08-29T05:41:00.000-05:002011-08-29T05:41:51.683-05:00project 52 remix<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcRIdm9TmKwJ7yj_HPaEvi44aPSjz0fn41N6nhyr-mf7OiakdL-PgDKWJXJZydYcMMKnP4ZYVbqDmLMB8zI_JdiUJtUDj8duOK7Y2DmIM1jumzGnlKATaM-JFo8j_KHNX-xkEwebPlbU/s1600/Project52WeeklyUpdate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcRIdm9TmKwJ7yj_HPaEvi44aPSjz0fn41N6nhyr-mf7OiakdL-PgDKWJXJZydYcMMKnP4ZYVbqDmLMB8zI_JdiUJtUDj8duOK7Y2DmIM1jumzGnlKATaM-JFo8j_KHNX-xkEwebPlbU/s1600/Project52WeeklyUpdate.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's past time for me to review and update my Project 52 goals for the year...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia;">1. Finish what I start, including <strike>the A to Z Challenge</strike> and Project 52</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>2.</strike> <strike>Jump off a diving board for the first time (once there's water in the pool)</strike> <em>I'm going to have to change this one to:</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">2. Finish a short story I started for a creative writing class nearly 20 years ago (!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>3. Eat lunch regularly with my cousin</strike> - <em>Ongoing - yeah!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>4. Learn more about the blogging world and writing a good blog</strike> - <em>Ongoing</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>5. Balance blogging with the rest of life (!)</strike> - <em>Going well</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>6. Replace diet pop with water (no set amount - I'm not <em>that </em>dumb)</strike> - <em>did great in May and June! :}</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">7. Lose any number of pounds - this goal-setting is easy! <em>I have GOT to get serious about this!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">8. Okay, okay - swim 3 times a week at least 4 times this year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">9. Read a book with my eyes (I <em>love</em> books, but I've gotten hooked on audio books and haven't actually read one in a while.) - <em>reading "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss, courtesy of my brother</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">10. <strike>Make a list</strike> - ta da!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">11. See/hear my cousin Matt play in his band Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy <a href="http://www.carrienationandthespeakeasy.com/">http://www.carrienationandthespeakeasy.com/</a> - I've already done the "hear" part because they were on the radio the other night. Matt plays the banjo <em>really</em> fast. And he's self-taught. I'm still in awe.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>12. Write a handwritten letter to R. and send it by snail mail</strike> - <em>Done!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">13. Cook for myself and my housemates (now Mom & Dad) at the same time at least once - that's all they'll let me do</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">14. Begin (again) a "regular" habit of doing yoga's Sun Salutation in the morning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">15. Explore the new walking trails they're making in town</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>16. Spend "quality" (you can define that for yourself) time reading the blogs I've bookmarked to spend more time with later</strike> - <em>Ongoing</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>17. Play hard with my niece and nephew every time they're in town</strike> - <em>They live IN town now! Woo hoo!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>18. Get rid of more stuff</strike> - <em>I've reduced my junk from enough for a two-bedroom house to enough for 1-2 rooms - I should reward myself with a shopping trip.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>19. Finish making my Anglican prayer beads</strike> - and use them - <em>Done, ongoing</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">20. Support a family for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas to the best of my ability</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">21. Learn something about gardening</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">22. Keep eating well and avoid fast food more - <em>Ongoing in fits and starts</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strike>23. Improve natural sleep patterns</strike> - <em>Hallelujah - done!</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">24. Learn to do the front crawl with my face <em>in</em> the water and swim 50 yards without stopping</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">25. Check my progress on these goals regularly - <em>whoops</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">26. Be thankful always</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">27. Love others</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">28. Learn to count</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-1416700909674539922011-08-28T23:08:00.001-05:002011-08-28T23:29:12.111-05:00monday mayhem<a href="http://mondaymahem.blogspot.com/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Join Us for Monday Mayhem" border="0" src="http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/oo22/iamharriet/monday/th_button.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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<strong>It's time for <a href="http://mondaymahem.blogspot.com/">Monday Mahem</a>...</strong><br />
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<strong>"Today we are focusing on crummy weather. Answer each question as you feel and don't forget...h</strong><strong>ave fun!"</strong><br />
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<strong>1. What city, in your opinion, has the crummiest weather?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the weekend, those in the path of Hurricane Irene.</span><br />
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<strong>2. What kind of weather is the crummiest weather that your current home experiences?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">NON-STOP 100-SOMETHING-DEGREE DAYS ALL SUMMER!!! Whew, I feel better now.</span><br />
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<strong>3. When the weather alerts and alarms go off, what do you do?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our alerts usually come in the spring and warn of tornadoes. I turn on the news, look outside, and go outside, if there's nothing too close by, to see what I can see. If there is something close by, I gather flashlight, radio, and loved ones in the bathroom with me.</span><br />
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<strong>4. What is the crummiest weather event that you have personally ever experienced?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 1971 earthquake in the San Fernando Valley area of CA. I was only 2 years old at the time and I don't remember it, but I do remember a recurring dream I had afterwards of all the pots and pans in the kitchen flying in a circle in the room.</span><br />
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<strong>5. Where would you rather be stuck for a month- somewhere where there is 20 inches of snow and below freezing temps or somewhere where it is painfully hot and humid?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Snow! I hate being hot and sweaty!</span><br />
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<strong>6. What kind of weather keeps you indoors?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite - thunderstorms.</span><br />
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<strong>7. Tell us the name of one famous person and the kind of weather you would wish upon them.</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Abraham Lincoln - I'm guessing he enjoyed rain as much as I do.</span><br />
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<strong>8. If you were the official ruler of all weather, what kind of weather would you make happen?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Definitely a variety, but I'd make fall last at least 6 months.</span><br />
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<strong>9. What kinds of weather do you dread?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One more minute of 100+ degree heat with humidity.</span><br />
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<strong>10. What's your weather like today?</strong><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See multiple whinings above.</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-37382295043446436582011-08-28T14:09:00.003-05:002011-08-28T14:16:07.895-05:00Sunday Scribblings: Muse<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With one simple question my friend at </span><a href="http://pleemiller.blogspot.com/2011/08/standing-barefootisnt-it-all-holy.html"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">radical ramblings and thoughts of a southern girl</span></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">has inspired me today. "Isn't it <em>all</em> holy ground?" she asks.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Earth's crammed with heaven</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and every common bush afire with God.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">But only he who sees takes off his shoes.</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The rest sit 'round it and pluck blackberries.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Elizabeth Barrett Browning</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yes, I remember, it is. Or it can be, when I look for it, see it, participate in it. I've been more focused on the tasks lately: pluck the blackberries, fix the pudding, change the channel, fix the mashed potatoes and gravy, help Grandpa walk, fix the car, tutor, etc. etc. I did remember once to see, when a grasshopper got stuck inside the window well and allowed me to observe him closely with awe as he crawed up the glass and back into the yard. But I forgot to pay attention to Grandpa's smile, to my student's need for a variety of activities, to the rain (hallelujah!). I've been so focused on my own little world that I haven't been able to see or be moved by the miracles of the worlds around me. But here I will take off my shoes, be still, watch, and listen. I hope to see God. What do you see? What is your muse?</span><br />
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See what others have to say at <a href="http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/">http://sundayscribblings.blogspot.com/</a> and share your own thoughts!<br />
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Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-64396941617495942722011-08-28T13:36:00.004-05:002011-08-28T13:40:42.799-05:00a little quirkiness<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It's been a low-key couple of months as I adjust to my new living situation. There haven't been a whole lot of funny moments to share. There have been several good thinking moments. I'm not sure they'd be interesting to anyone else, though, so I haven't written much. But when you get bogged down in the editing process before you've even written, you're dead. And I miss writing. I hope you'll find some sort of hospitality and a kind of welcome, recognition, and love here.</span><br />
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Grandpa's made me laugh this week by:<br />
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Asking how much Dad was going to charge him for his regular haircut and "manicure", then when Dad said "$600," saying, "I'll have Kerri pay for it." Later when I fake-scolded him about spending my money, he gave me a kiss on the cheek. Oh sure, Grandpa, pull out the big guns.</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Asking me to "fix" three items on a small nearby table so that they were all the same distance from the front edge of the table. "I've got a ruler in the desk so you can measure them," Grandpa said helpfully. I gave him a look.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Laughing and covering up his watch and moving his arms around when I'm trying to remove his watch and apply a medicine in lotion form to the inside of his forearms. He cracks himself up.</span><br />
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</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-10303266340123657982011-08-28T12:43:00.004-05:002011-08-28T14:26:49.132-05:00Sunday Stealing meme<a href="http://sundaystealing.blogspot.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240707426999565698" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IMCsoHEmcok/SLq7o24PfYI/AAAAAAAAePs/h2LvahE5h7E/s200/SundayStealing.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Judd Corizan at <a href="http://sundaystealing.blogspot.com/">Sunday Stealing</a> hosts a weekly event in which he "steals" memes from other websites (and credits them). It's a fun and easy way to find a variety of things to write about and people to meet. I'm doing this today because I have writer's block; I want to write about anything and hopefully get the words flowing again. Is this kind of question-and-answer thing below intereting to you? Be honest - I really want to know!</span><br />
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<strong>1. What's for breakfast? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cinnamon roll and diet coke. I know.</span><br />
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<strong>2. Do you read a newspaper daily?</strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Used to - now I read online.</span><br />
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<strong>3. What do you do when you can't sleep? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Drink milk - I was surprised by how much it helps.</span><br />
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<strong>4. Say a word that sums up your mood. </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rollercoastery!</span><br />
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<strong>5. Do you remember your dreams? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial;">Usually - last night I dreamed of my favorite dog Chester, who died about a year ago. The night before I dreamed I was pulled over by the cops - can't remember why.</span><br />
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<strong>6. Name something from your dream last night.</strong> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can't remember - I just know I dreamed of him - you ever have that feeling, like someone is very close to you when you wake up and you know you dreamt of them but can't remember the dream? I just remembered - I dreamed of my former students last night, too - I've been thinking of them lately with the kick-off of a new school year.</span><br />
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<strong>7. Name a food that describes you. </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chocolate - all ranges of sweetness, bitterness and nuttiness!</span><br />
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<strong>8. Today you are wearing: </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clothes. Maybe tomorrow I'll try the drapes.</span><br />
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<strong>9. What's in your pockets? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Only lint. :(</span><br />
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<strong>10. Did you sing in the shower today?</strong> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I haven't showered today!</span><br />
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<strong>11. What's the last song you heard?</strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Theme song/whistle from Andy Griffith - Grandpa's watching him now. No, I don't know what episode and I'm not going to ask!</span><br />
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<strong>12. Looking forward to the holidays? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always! I've even started thinking of what to get people for Christmas.</span><br />
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<strong>13. Where do you want to be this instant? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ooh...somewhere foreign, quiet, and peaceful.</span><br />
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<strong>14. What's for lunch? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cereal. Maybe. I'll throw some fruit in it.</span><br />
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<strong>15. What's something you would like to do soon? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pay off my student loans and credit cards and travel around the world.</span><br />
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<strong>16. Reading anything now? What is it? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Name of the Wind</em> by Patrick Rothfuss - highly recommended by my brother. So far so good!</span><br />
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<strong>17. What's for dinner? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why are you so obsessed with my meal plans?!</span><br />
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<strong>18. A favorite part of the day is:</strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Waking up and greeting Grandpa</span><br />
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<strong>19. Are you happy? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't been much lately, but it's getting better.</span><br />
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<strong>20. Guess how many people will do Sunday Stealing this weekend? </strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">37-ish</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-63426426656686317762011-08-22T09:07:00.000-05:002011-08-22T09:07:25.026-05:00best sight of the day:<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an adolescent boy standing next to his bicycle and peering in the window of a motorcycle dealership, his hands and face pressed close to the glass, dreaming of someday</span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-9063446361609567972011-08-19T14:51:00.000-05:002011-08-19T14:51:25.304-05:00friday four fill-in<strong>1. My favorite piece of advice my mom ever gave me was</strong> "tell your father I said it was okay."<br />
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<strong>2. I overcame my fear of </strong>spiders through sheer exposure, fear, and willpower. Would have REALLY preferred the more common form of extermination: yelling for a man.<br />
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<strong>3. </strong>Currently, Subway<strong> is my favorite fast food restaurant.</strong> I'm on a meatball sub jag.<br />
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<strong>4. The last time I was sick I had </strong>hypochondria.<br />
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Thanks, Beachie!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://feelingbeachie.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPRz-Icd6WZkGF7JZy4Zh_bbt3A6zTUp7GnWWOGKK8Cq2Yzr_mFb2cyiO2qQP393Cg9-iVV89uluCfZxc9qvSTHtWDCw6BEYvSJG0SCs0QD_wn4KZeuC30eoeTT0POVrnE61AHQ5Wmvs/s1600/feeling+beachie+fri.+fill-in.jpg" /></a></div>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-52580757290034928212011-08-19T14:26:00.000-05:002011-08-19T14:26:20.421-05:00birthday bash and roommates<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Grandpa turned 94 last week - woo-hoo! He had a great day complete with a John Deere cake, lots of cards, and visits with family. (That's my mom and dad to Grandpa's right).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTwMPv1Od1Qwt7b6ZP4h7ES5UBkS7lo1vbewQFzimKWHCkbMOFfzNu5YD4trHYa8YTSLBtUArcA4yxe4qG4AV0TB2hz3bXda5yVvWHaCD6IrDZ8wVI6KWMZMXrIEVOG6rOIIQ_JL27vo/s1600/gpa+94+bday+cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiTwMPv1Od1Qwt7b6ZP4h7ES5UBkS7lo1vbewQFzimKWHCkbMOFfzNu5YD4trHYa8YTSLBtUArcA4yxe4qG4AV0TB2hz3bXda5yVvWHaCD6IrDZ8wVI6KWMZMXrIEVOG6rOIIQ_JL27vo/s400/gpa+94+bday+cake.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7ZbYSrSFNyoGIEqzsNIVRSCr2XpexwHggD3t7fYNpZH2WZ-VkBFDKT3ya0RnTFCz4IHY_qO1msjwfBjcfQPZ9AN9gQ96Fqq_vIktnWp9mw5LcSbeqLJ1RzcRdxyh2pfkEKbwaSoQr4o/s1600/gpa+kennedy+balloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN7ZbYSrSFNyoGIEqzsNIVRSCr2XpexwHggD3t7fYNpZH2WZ-VkBFDKT3ya0RnTFCz4IHY_qO1msjwfBjcfQPZ9AN9gQ96Fqq_vIktnWp9mw5LcSbeqLJ1RzcRdxyh2pfkEKbwaSoQr4o/s400/gpa+kennedy+balloon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Last month I moved in with Mom & Dad to care full-time for Grandpa, who also lives with them. Grandpa and I share the finished basement which includes a full kitchen which I assume works, although I haven't actually turned the stove on yet. It's a good set-up, though it requires quite a mental adjustment - more so than I expected. Living with my parents, still grieving for my loss of my dogs and teaching job, and uncertainty re: how long this new stage in life will last have all caused me to feel as if I've dived into a deep lake. I am enveloped, and my attention has focused down to the narrowest of points. I am only now beginning to bob to the surface.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">So I haven't had a lot of funny times with Grandpa to share, although I have noticed something interesting. Now that I'm living here and not sitting next to Grandpa all day, he's had to come up with new ways to get or maintain my attention. Grandpa is very reliant on a consistent schedule, and if I am late to change the channel or begin preparing meal, or even if he thinks I might be late, he will turn the TV up loud, clap, holler, bang things on his tray, etc. I try to watch the clock because after a while that stuff just isn't cute anymore (!). But it's interesting to observe our behavior and our attempts to modify each others'. I think we deserve each other.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">The other day I overheard Grandpa mumbling to himself. Uh-oh, I thought, was he beginning to go senile? I thought I'd better check. "Grandpa?" </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Huh?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Are you okay?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Yeah, why?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"You were talking to yourself. Or were you talking to me?"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">"Oh - no. I was repeating what the two Andy Griffith shows were this morning so I could remember them."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And we're back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4561635343423480436.post-3540575393781714952011-07-08T07:24:00.001-05:002011-07-08T07:45:13.921-05:00i'm cute! seriously!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawccSTSJ5eEvgu3oyV7JWCDYIB50vDNsT_WA2y9yhnlzhVeoQfJcNkvNeSIPwa23HmKyVsXlc0nwqHgBFE1Fa8YZEKivXRedp064vFKzhOSu9nl-gA4hI7R_kLBMl67-yHFSdn6wLQps/s1600/cute+blogger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawccSTSJ5eEvgu3oyV7JWCDYIB50vDNsT_WA2y9yhnlzhVeoQfJcNkvNeSIPwa23HmKyVsXlc0nwqHgBFE1Fa8YZEKivXRedp064vFKzhOSu9nl-gA4hI7R_kLBMl67-yHFSdn6wLQps/s1600/cute+blogger.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well it's about time; someone has finally recognized my cuteness. Su at </span><a href="http://cheekyness.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cheekyness</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> gave me the honor. I love Su's witty sense of humor and her reflections on various topics. Her post re: this award is hilarious and definitely worth your time. Thank you, Su!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">This award asks you to list (yeah!) five books, movies, or TV shows you've enjoyed in past 12 months and to pass the award on to other bloggers. I can't even remember what I did last week, much less 12-ish months ago, but I'm pretty sure I've seen/read:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>Harry Potter and the...</em>next-to-last one. My brother and I have seen all of these movies together - I love this tradition of ours. Would someone please make <em>Ender's Game</em>? And don't screw it up!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I'm racking my brain...all my stuff's packed up and I'm coming up with nothing here. Hang on...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>Modern Family </em>- the funniest, smartest show on television. Period.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>So You Think You Can Dance </em>- I came late to this party. I thought it was yet another amateur night talent show with diamonds in the rough revealed 10 weeks or so into the season. Dummy. These dancers are <em>good</em>, as are the choreographers. I love watching this show.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>The Mysterious Benedict Society</em> by Trenton Lee Stewart. Technically this is a children's novel. I'm reading it to see if any of my students would enjoy it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. This is the book with the line I quoted a couple of posts down about the girl wearing "her own personal fog bank." (A very poufy dress, as seen by an eleven-year-old boy.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><em>ASVAB for Dummies</em> by Rod Powers. I don't know what "ASVAB" stands for. I could look it up, but I'm too lazy. It's the military entrance exam; I'm helping my cousin prepare for it. Don't worry - he doesn't need my help with the spatial/mechanical part of the test.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I've chosen five blogs to pass this award to:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://lettersfromthepast-jennifer.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Letters from the Past</span></a> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">- my friend Jennifer's grandmother passed away recently. When Jennifer and her family cleaned out her grandmother's house, they discovered an old scrapbook hidden behind the dresser. In the scrapbook were 365 letters that Jennifer's grandfather had written to her grandmother over the course of a year. Jennifer will be posting these letters on this blog. How can you resist?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Danielle at </span><a href="http://www.yeahisaiditblog.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yeah, I said it.</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> has a witty, funny, insightful blog that I love to read. When I discovered I found even her comments on mundane issues riveting (okay, interesting), I knew I was hooked!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Ada at <a href="http://www.ofwoodsandwords.com/">Of Woods and Words</a> writes of living in rural - real rural - Minnesota with compassion and insight. I have to pace myself when reading her blog; otherwise I'd be packing up my stuff all over again and heading north.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://itsoktobeweird.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's OK to be WEIRD!</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> - I liked this blog as soon as I read the title. Raylene celebrates life and weirdness in a way that makes me glad to be weird, too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://mythotfulspot-karen.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Karen's Thotful Spot</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> - Karen also writes with perception and love and always makes me think. And she likes Pooh, too!</span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">Thank you again, Su, for this award!</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> </span>Kerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15542527887286777350noreply@blogger.com7