Your Silence

Your silence is full, irresistible;
your presence is joy unspeakable.
People drifting into mind
we lift to you and pray they find
health in sickness,
life in deadness,
strength in weakness,
light in darkness.
Their loss you bear, mysteriously;
Your peace you share, eternally.

~Anglican Church of Kenya, Our Modern Services (Nairobi: Uzima Press, 2002), p15

Nothing Is Lost

"Everything in this life is visited by its tides and seasons. This world is in a state of constant flux; all is flowing, changing. The more alive and alert the creature is, the more likely it is to be changing regularly. All of us are caught up in the pull of the ebb and flow of the whole of creation. In each of us there are many strong currents at work. We are a very small and frail craft in a mighty ocean. Yet we may be privileged to discover, in the ebb and flow, that nothing is lost, only changed."

Border Lands: The Best of David Adam's Celtic Vision

Yellow Highlights

I have the habit of highlighting parts of books that I particularly like. You should see my copy of Immortal Diamond by Richard Rohr! My daughter AE criticized me for this practice, which I understand--but haven't stopped doing.

No Going Back

No, no, there is no going back.
Less and less you are
that possibility you were.
More and more you have become
those lives and deaths
that have belonged to you.
You have become a sort of grave
containing much that was
and is no more in time, beloved
then, now, and always.
And so you have become a sort of tree
standing over the grave.
Now more than ever you can be
generous toward each day
that comes, young, to disappear
forever, and yet remain
unaging in the mind.
Every day you have less reason
not to give yourself away.
 ~ Wendell Berry ~

Stray Books

First Piano Recital

By Stephen Addiss

I am back from my first piano recital in my entire life. It is very funny that I found the image to the left, because the artist was 62 years old for his first recital, just like me! How appropriate.

There were nine players of the piano, ranging in age from 8 years old to 72, so I was not the oldest one after all. The atmosphere was more relaxed than I expected, because Cindy, our teacher, had us go alphabetically playing one piece at a time. It was especially casual, because her 72 year old friend playing joked about which reading glasses to use, among other things. She helped us all to relax!

What helped me the most was walking into the church and finding my little next door neighbor, Lily, in the audience with her parents. Neither of us knew that the other was taking piano lessons from Cindy. I was calmed by sitting next to Lily and near her parents (and my husband Chuck).

Most people played three pieces, but I played two. I was more nervous with the first piece, which was "On Wings of Song" by Mendelssohn, arranged by James Bastien. Not being familiar with much classical music, I never quite knew how it should sound. I was more practiced and comfortable with playing the second piece, "Song of Spring" by David Karp, a modern composer.

My piano teacher said she was surprised at how calm I seemed. I think I was greatly helped by practicing on the church piano a few days beforehand. My nervousness was also counteracted with Lily being there. I'd recently become aware of my perfectionism haunting me and was trying to let go of that. Praying and breathing slowly helped, too.

First times are always difficult. I am glad that it is over. It was not as bad as I expected. I hope I re-learned that doing the best I can is enough in each moment.

Piano Recital Tomorrow!

Chuck recently took this picture of me practicing the piano. I have been practicing frequently because I am worried about playing in my first ever piano recital on Sunday afternoon. It seems silly feel afraid when I am 62 years old, but any new experience is difficult. I am feeling silly as I look like a grandmother with white hair and am just a beginner, compared to the children playing in the recital.

The recital will be held at our church, All Saints Episcopal Church. Fortunately, I played on the piano there on two different days last week. That helped, because I was frozen in anticipation the first time I sat down there on Thursday. I hope that reaction will not recur tomorrow.

Today

Mother's Day Picture

Steve, AA's dad, took this picture of the moms on Mother's Day, including Avery's two grandmothers. We were in Austin together.

AA's mother (Mimi), Avery, AA, and Jan (Nana)

Royal Typewriter

I never got rid of my dad's old Royal typewriter. It looked much like this, and I have fond memories of pecking at the keys when I was a child. I learned to type on it, which seems archaic nowadays with computers and I-pads, etc.

I remember my dad sitting at the kitchen table and typing a letter to his mother every week.

Years ago I also typed letters, first with the electric typewriter that I received for my high school graduation gift in 1968 and later with computers.

I rarely do that anymore. . . .Just like I don't seem to be blogging lately. 

I thought of these manual typewriters because I have some thank you notes with one drawn on them. I bought them in Seattle and used these for my thank you notes for Mother's Day gifts.

Feast Day of Julian of Norwich

"The place which God takes in our soul he will never vacate, for in us is his home of homes, and it is the greatest delight for him to dwell there. . . . The soul who contemplates this is made like the one who is contemplated."

~Julian of Norwich

(Quote found in Immortal Diamond by Richard Rohr on page 95)

Serenity Prayer for CLUTTER

I used to pray the Serenity Prayer every day. Today Sue Fitzmaurice posted this clutter version on Facebook. I need to start saying this more than once a day. It seems meant for me, especially because my favorite color is green--AND I have too much junk in my house!

Avery and her good friend Luke

Part Time Vegetarianism?

As I ponder better health, I have been urged by my daughters to try Meatless Mondays. That is a serious consideration. And here's a talk about "part time" vegetarianism:

Friday Five: Play!

Rev. Pat Raube brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

It's May! And it smells so good outside. I can close my eyes and remember the golden hours after dinner as the days grew later and later, and we got to play outside until called home. It makes me want to go outside right now and play!

Of course, not all of us are in the northern hemisphere... plenty of RevGals and Pals are experiencing a season that is turning cold and blustery.

So to all of you, wherever you may be, how will you (or would you like to) play this month?

1. Tell about your favorite outdoor play
I have fond memories of being a child and playing hide and seek with the neighborhood kids, living on the Marine base at Quantico, VA.

It gets so hot in Texas that I don't think of being outside in the 6-8 months of summer. However, whenever I am ever around granddaughter Avery, it is fun to be outside with her!

Avery and her mommy AA playing at a play park by a restaurant in Austin.

  2. Tell about your favorite indoor play
Reading! Playing games on my Kindle Fire, especially Words With Friends!

3. Tell about a game you (or your friends) created
The only game I remember inventing was with my first child DC and his best friend Chris where they would pretend they were doggies and I was their mama.

4. Tell about a game that is new to you
My adult children point me to new online games, but I've only had a passing interest in Angry Birds and Draw Something.


I would like to learn how to play Mexican Train dominoes, but I've never seen it played. I've just heard from various friends how much fun it is. Today I've learned that Terri and Deb like it already.

5. Tell how you would like to incorporate play into your workday
I am re-committing to physical exercise, so I am going to the YWCA to swim or walking outside or at the mall almost every day.