Friday Five: Images via Lectio Divina

Martha brought today's Friday Five to RevGalBlogPals:

For today's Friday Five, let's have a mini-BE 5.0 workshop. Take a look at these five portions from the gospel lections for this Sunday and next, and share with us the images that come to mind for you. Feel free to use words or pictures. (Just remember David Cassidy is taken.)

Since I didn't go on the RevGals cruise, I didn't encounter their way of looking at these scriptures. So I am going to use a mini-Lectio Divina approach and try to get some images. However, this will take longer than usual for a FF; I'll come back and do different pieces throughout the day.

1. As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them. (Mark 1:29-31)

With the inspiration of David Cassidy, I thought of the last episode of "The Middle," where the middle daughter Sue is embarrassing her older brother in high school with her enthusiastic dorky-ness. In this scene, she is trying to get to her next class but is always late--the funniest scene is when she decides to take all her books in her backpack and ends up falling backwards in the hall--like a turtle upside down. Her brother would not help her get up and walked away.

Eden Sher of "The Middle" tv show

How we need to help each other--and that will bring us to serve others.

2. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. (Mark 1:32-34)

Yesterday our weekly Lectio Divina group meditated upon Mark 1:32-37. In our discussion after the prayer time, we talked of why Jesus told the demons not to speak of his identity. We decided it was because in Mark, the divine identity of Jesus was a secret throughout the story.

3. In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, "Everyone is searching for you." (Mark 1:35-37)

Even though I choose the Lectio Divina selection each week (from the lectionary) for our group, I am always surprised at the insight that comes to me in the silence. This week's selection had me concentrate on the phrase "Everyone is searching for you." I realized that every person in the world is seeking the Divine/Love, and I need to be more aware of that commonality in large groups, where I can often feel alone. Instead, we are each seeking the Desire of our Hearts and are doing the best we can in that endeavor.

4. He answered, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do." And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons. (Mark 1:38-39)

I loved the image Julie brought to this in her FF, because she envisioned a DE-cluttering, which makes me think of my need to get rid of stuff. Jesus cast out devils right and left. He is a model to follow--so what do I need to get rid of??

5. A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, "If you choose, you can make me clean." Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. After sternly warning him he sent him away at once, saying to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the word, so that Jesus could no longer go into a town openly, but stayed out in the country; and people came to him from every quarter. (Mark 1:40-45)

Sometimes it seems like there are too many choices to choose from. Other times, I am not even aware of a choice--there was one, but I just react. Someone once told me that her therapist advised her to remember to "Choose Health." Choosing health could be interchanged with "Choosing Love" and/or "Choosing God."

I Believe This

from Naked Pastor David Hayward

We've Got Mail!

Today is the first day of February and the first day of my letter-writing challenge.
That challenge is:

In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.

Bonnie of Bonnie's Books is also participating in this effort. In fact, she and I have exchanged addresses and are going to send something to each other!

This will be fun! And if you want me to write to you, please email me your address by writing to me at hiltjan (at) gmail (dot) com.

s l o w i n g down

I am getting sick of my computer. I've been avoiding it with my arm in the sling, partly because it is more difficult to access with my arm in the sling AND partly because the computer is SO slow. Ever since Norton updated its security system, my computer gets slower and slower. Norton always seems to be doing a complete scan, even though we have unchecked those boxes on the Norton program.

It is frustrating, because I am used to quicker responses. Sometimes I sit for prolonged periods for actions to occur, even at times trying to delete one email! My Ipod Touch reacts more promptly than this pc.

I guess it is good for me to spend less time on the computer. With February approaching, I will be writing a note or postcard--with more (free) time to do so!

Counting Down!

Only two more weeks until I can stop wearing the sling that has been my constant companion since Jan. 4. Counting down from two weeks feels so much more positive than from 6, 5, and 4 weeks!

Soon this black accessory will not be part of my wardrobe. Yay!

My Sling and Me

I am living with this shoulder immobilizing sling almost 24 hours a day for six weeks, ever since my shoulder surgery on Jan. 4. This weekend we got the bill for the sling, and it cost $190!! So it costs about $4.50 per day of wearing it. (Thankfully, our insurance paid for most of it.)

My friend Nancy wondered what it was like, so tonight husband CB took pictures:




The whole point is to keep my elbow close to my body, which that does. On Valentine's Day, I'll be able to stop wearing it!

Hafiz: Tripping Over Joy

What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?

The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God

And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move

That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, "I Surrender!"

Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think

You have a thousand serious moves.

Ladinsky, Daniel. I Heard God Laughing: Renderings of Hafiz. Point Richmond, CA: Paris Printing, 1996. 127.

Newt

From two years ago, but just as true today. . . .

Friday Five: Odds and Ends

Sally brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

I have had a ridiculously busy week so apologies for the fact that this is rushed and even a bit late, but here goes, even in the busyness of the week what has

1. Inspired you
In our Lectio Divina group, a member shared about teaching a yoga class for disabled adults. One man can rarely do the poses and so lies flat on his back. At her last yoga class, the teacher said she looked at this man and felt overwhelming love for him, the same love that God has for each of us.

2. Challenged you
I was challenged this past Sunday to attend a meeting of Christ Centered Prayer facilitators at my church and admit to them that I do not believe that the books that go along with this way of prayer are the highest authority. I am not very good at confrontations and usually avoid them at all costs. By only talking about my own feelings, the meeting went well and I left early with the agreement that I would no longer lead a Christ Centered Prayer Group. I feel very peaceful about this and know that it was the right thing to do at this time.

3. Made you smile
Pictures of my granddaughter looking at dogs at PetSmart:


4. Made you cross/ made you want to weep
A few days ago I started having an RA flare, with the joints of both hands swelling and reddening, plus exhaustion returning. This was three weeks after my shoulder surgery, when I had to stop taking the RA medicine for several weeks. I had not had a flare since I started the combination of Humira shots and methotextrate pills in October, so it was both painful and disappointing to have RA symptoms return. It is understandable though, after the stress of surgery and the disruption in my meds. My rheumatologist advised me to take prednisone (a steroid) until the pain subsides, which is starting to happen.

5.Kept you going?
Friends and family and seeing my physical therapist three times a week. Yesterday I saw the orthopedic surgeon, who told me that on Valentine's Day I can stop wearing the sling!! I am definitely encouraged and am on the downhill count to that day (with less than three weeks to go).

Letter Writing Challenge!

My daughter AE in Seattle sent me a link to the "A Month of Letters Challenge."

I have actually signed up to do this for the month of February! I've always loved snail mail, and since my shoulder surgery I have gotten much more in my mailbox. So I am encouraged to do the same for my friends.

Here is the challenge:Last September, I took a month off from the internet. During my vacation, I told people that they could correspond with me by paper letter. Some people did. Some people still are. Every letter delights me.

When I write back, I find that I slow down and write differently than I do with an email. Email is all about the now. Letters are different, because whatever I write needs to be something that will be relevant a week later to the person to whom I am writing. In some ways it forces me to think about time more because postal mail is slower. “By the time you get this…” It is relaxing. It is intimate. It is both lasting and ephemeral.

How so? I find that I will often read the letters that I receive twice. Once when I get them and again as I write back. So, that makes it more lasting. It is more ephemeral because I don’t have copies of the letters that I write and I am the only one who has copies of the letters that my correspondents write. So, more ephemeral.

When was the last time you got a letter in the mail? December sees a lot of mail and you remember that sense of delight when the first card arrives. You can have that more often.

I have a simple challenge for you.

1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

All you are committing to is to mail 24 items. Why 24? There are four Sundays and one US holiday. In fact, you might send more than 24 items. You might develop a correspondence that extends beyond the month. You might enjoy going to the mail box again.

Feeling intimidated? It’s fewer words than NaNoWriMo and I know how many of you do that. Join me in The Month of Letters Challenge.

Sincerely yours,

Mary Robinette Kowal

How about you? Even a postcard or a picture will count!

In Beauty May I Walk

Today in the Wisdom Class, long-time member Dora told us about an Indian prayer for beauty that she says every day as she rides her bike. She said that this prayer helps her to pay more attention to what is around her.

I found this in a Google search, and it sounds something like Dora told us today:

In beauty may I walk.
All day long may I walk.
Through the returning seasons may I walk.

Beautifully will I possess again.
Beautifully birds . . .
Beautifully joyful birds

On the trail marked with pollen may I walk.
With grasshoppers about my feet may I walk.
With dew about my feet may I walk.

With beauty may I walk.
With beauty before me, may I walk.
With beauty behind me, may I walk.
With beauty above me, may I walk.
With beauty below me, may I walk.
With beauty all around me, may I walk.

In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, lively, may I walk.
In old age wandering on a trail of beauty, living again, may I walk.

It is finished in beauty.
It is finished in beauty.

A Navajo Indian Prayer of the Second Day of the Night Chant (anonymous)

Found here.

New book!

Mudhouse Sabbath: An Invitation to a Life of Spiritual Discipline by Lauren F. Winner is going to be the next book we are reading in the weekly Wisdom Class book study at my church. It is an easy and enjoyable book to read, which will probably be a relief to the class members after the studious book by Crossan and Borg that we are just finishing up: The First Christmas.

The author was brought up as an Orthodox Jew and converted to Christianity while she was in college. In this book she writes about practices she misses from Judaism and how she could possibly fit them into her Christian life. It raises good questions for all of us, but in a surprisingly deep way. I am pleased that questions for a book study be found here.

In the introduction, Winner writes:

"It (this book) is, to be blunt, about spiritual practices that Jews do better. It is, to be blunter, about Christian practices that would be enriched, that would be thicker and more vibrant, if we took a few lessons from Judaism. It is ultimately about places where Christians have some things to learn.


"Jews do these things with more attention and wisdom not because they are more righteous nor become God likes them better, but rather because doing, because action, sits at the center of Judaism. Practice is to Judaism what belief is to Christianity. That is not to say that Judaism doesn't have dogma or doctrine. It is rather to say that for Jews, the essence of the thing is a doing, an action. Your faith might come and go, but your practice ought not waver. (Indeed, Judaism suggests that the repeating of the practice is the best way to ensure that doubter's faith will return.)" (ix)

Dear Friends

Fan and Joe, dear friends who now live in Colorado, sent me these beautiful tulips this week. They arrived on Wednesday, the second day of my "pitiful me" time, a perfect gift at the time I needed it most. They still look bright and cheery on our kitchen table.

I am lucky to have such dear friends like Joe and Fan, who continue to send me cards and emails, give me rides, and even bring me food. Just today my longest-enduring-friend of Corpus Christi, Lisa, brought us dinner and stayed and visited awhile. Bringing along memories with her, she made us a pasta casserole from the old La Leche League cookbook that was published in 1982.

Another friend stopped by my house on her way to get her hair cut. Since she comes a long distance, I appreciate her taking the time so that we could sit together outside for a short chat.

And always on call is my dear husband, without whom I would not get dressed every day!

I am rich in friends and loved ones. How can I feel sorry for myself when I am so fortunate? (Plus, I am feeling better!)

Moving Slowly, even with Friday Five

Since the shoulder surgery, I've felt sluggish (snail-ish?) as I am not moving quickly while keeping my right arm and shoulder still. This continues even with the TRIUMPH of driving again--it is a slow process, especially getting in and out of the car, starting and stopping, etc.

This is a lesson in attentiveness: Having the sling always on to keep my right elbow next to my body, I must reach over with my left hand to put the key in the ignition and turn it on, then put my seat belt on, and finally move the center gear shift. This is a seemingly long process, as well as driving without making left turns (if possible)! Yesterday I drove to the library and today I drove to physical therapy. Yay! It is more stressful than I'd anticipated, but a good step forward.

Just like typing on the computer, my arm is in the sling. It is helpful that the keyboard is on a ledge below the desktop or it would be more difficult to type with both hands. But my computer has been exceedingly slow since the installation of the latest update of Norton, which keeps scanning my computer throughout the day, no matter how its controls are set.

Thus I was late setting up the RevGalBlogPals Friday Five today--it was a hurried job, because I always forget how long it takes me to get dressed and showered these days--with my husband's help, which I greatly appreciate but the time is surely doubled. Then I only had ten minutes to write the Friday Five for day, which extended into the Renovare Meeting that meets every Friday at my house at 8 am. . . .because the computer kept going so s l o w l y.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So here's my belated FRIDAY FIVE, which is about MOVIES:

Thinking of movie-watching, what do you prefer?

1. At home or at a theater?
I see more movies at home, because my husband would rather not go out to the theater. I love to see movies at a theater, which happens more frequently when one of my kids are home and they'll go with me.

2. With whom?
In recent years, I've gone to movies more often with my youngest daughter MJ, but this year she will graduate from college and won't be home for as many vacations as previously. A few days before my shoulder surgery, my husband surprised me by taking me to see "The Descendents."

3. Movie you look forward to seeing?
Over Christmas (when I was sick with the flu), the kids went to see the second Sherlock Holmes movie, which I would still like to see. I would like to see "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo", and maybe "Haywire." The previews for "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" make me want to see it, but I haven't read any reviews of it and Rotten Tomatoes only rates it at 50%, which isn't so good.

4. Movie you like to see repeatedly?
Husband CB likes to watch movies that are recurring on the various cable channels, so it seems like some are seen frequently, like the Bourne movies. Last night I watched the last half of "The King's Speech," which I enjoyed. Some movies I don't want to see a second time, such as "The Descendents." Oddly, I like watching the "Kill Bill" movies, which is probably why I want to see "Haywire."

5. Food with a movie?
Popcorn with no butter.

Bonus: Recommendations for home/theater viewing.
If you haven't seen "Kinky Boots," you should rent it! It's a funny British comedy.

Gratitude

"Gratitude is a quality similar to electricity;
it must be produced and discharged and used up
in order to exist at all."

~~William Faulkner

With thanks to my friend Pam who gave the Sunday School class on "gratitude." This is where she also recommended looking at your least-favorite event in your life and trying to turn it around to discern what in it brings forth gratitude.

Trying to remember

Synchronicity

Last night I visited Catherine's blog from Oregon and found a beautiful poem by someone who goes to my church in Texas! In fact, Chuck Shamel sings in the choir with my husband, and his wife sits right behind me every Sunday in church. It turns out that Catherine (the Oregon blogger) does not know him, but she and I are friends (through blogging and some letter-writing) and so we are the connection with him (and the poem) in this odd, synchronistic way. Thank you, Catherine!

Lightbearer

Jesus, I call upon the power in Your name
to see the way my path must surely lead,
to heal the sick, to tend and feed your flock.
Christ, you are the Lord who calls us to make peace,
to strive for justice daily in your world,
to use your gifts of wisdom, patience, hope,
to be the servant-bearer of the Light.
Spirit, we worship you in truth and holiness.
We seek new ways to make the message clear,
to praise, confess, forgive and show your love
in breaking bread and sharing of our cup.

~~Chuck Shamel

My Pity Party

Today a friend presented the word "gratefulness" in our Sunday School class time. She recommended looking at your least-favorite event in your life and trying to turn it around to discern what in it brings forth gratitude.

Instead, I am going to list all the things that are bothering me right now, most of which pertain to my shoulder surgery. Maybe this will get it out of my system. So skip my whining, if you'd like.

• I am right-handed, so it is hard to do almost everything with my left hand.
• I cannot dress myself, so I am lucky that I have a husband around to help.
• I cannot even put on my bra by myself. In fact, it is often painful to get it on and off with my right arm being manipulated.
• I cannot drive the car yet, but I have a willing husband and friends who offer to help.
• The only pair of pants I have to wear is a pair of black pull-ons. I tried to wear jeans yesterday, but couldn't zip and button them on my own.
• It is difficult to be dressed for cold weather, because my arm in a jacket does not fit comfortably in the sling. So I have my left arm in the sweater/jacket, with it draped over my right shoulder. It is a good thing I live in TX, so it is not as cold as elsewhere.
• I have to wear the sling to bed and all day long--ALL THE TIME and will have to wear it for SIX weeks! (1 1/2 weeks down. . . .)
• I cannot raise my arm and let it hang down. In fact, I am supposed to support it all the time it is not in the sling, which is seldom.
  
• It is very difficult and slow to brush and floss my teeth, and it doesn't seem like I am doing it well enough.
  
• I cannot blow dry my hair, so my husband partially dries it and then we let it air dry.
• It is really hard to put mascara on with my left hand, especially onto my right eye!
• I cannot hang clothes on the clothesline.
• Going to bed is the worst time of the day, because it is hard to get comfortable, especially because the incision is on the back of my shoulder, which is also where the torn muscle is.
• I cannot go to my aerobic swimming classes.
• Being so much stiller than usual gets me wanting to eat and munch. I'm better when husband CB cuts an apple up for me to eat.
  

Surgery to repair the infraspinatus muscle was done on Jan. 4 by an excellent orthopedic surgeon, who removed the staples from the three incisions three days ago. He and the physical therapist have both stressed that I must keep my right elbow close to my body and not raise my arm or let it hang down. Pam, the physical therapist, told me to think of the injury as a fracture, because when the muscle was ripped from the bone, it took some of the bone with it. I guess I can understand the importance of keeping the shoulder still if I think of it as a fractured bone.

I am fortunate to have a good surgeon and that I already had the surgery. The pain is lessening. I know I am getting better; it just seems SLOW!

Friday Five: Recommendations

Revkjarla brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

1. Recommend a favorite worship resource or devotional book.
Just today a friend reminded me of Thomas Keating's Daily Reader for Contemplative Living.
I really like the various email subscriptions I have, especially the quotes I get from:

• Gratefulness.org
• Inward/Outward
• also look under my label of email subscriptions
  

2. Recommend a blog that you like to read that you think others might find enjoyable.
For book recommendations (for all ages and interests) I like to read Bonnie's Books.
Blue Eyed Ennis is a prolific blogger of inspirational quotes, videos, songs and more.

3. Recommend a fiction book that you think people might like.
Since my shoulder surgery last week, all I am doing is reading Charlie Moon mysteries by James D. Doss from the library. IF you enjoyed the Hunger Games, you'll probably like the novel Divergent by Veronica Roth.

4. Recommend a favorite recipe website. O.k., if you aren't into cooking or food, then just recommend a random website that you find useful, hilarious, mind numbing or thought provoking.
Recipes at Cookin Canuck. For vegetarian recipes Rainy Day Veggies--by my two daughters in Seattle!

5. And for the last recommendation--it's bloggers' choice! Make a recommendation for anything!
Handbound books Watermark Bindery.

The Joy of Books!

I was overjoyed to find the video with dancing and moving books (please click below!) and then my son posted this darling picture of Avery with all her books scattered around--I'm glad the love of books continues to grow in our family!

Breathtaking Presence

With more awareness we may discover
that small gaps in our daily round
can be places of silence. These are the found times
or rather the moments in which we ourselves are found.

Mostly they come when we are waiting:
in the doctor's office, on the telephone,
in traffic jams and the checkout line.

In just those moments we have an opportunity
to turn our attention to our physical being,
to the rhythm of our breath,
to the texture and feel of things around us.

By noticing particulars we can also begin
to notice the space in which they are held. . .
the vastness that holds everything--
the great lap of silence.

These waiting moments in our daily round
can turn out to be treasures. We can allow them
to support us instead of distracting us
or blocking us.

Here in each day is a wealth of time
we can take advantage of. They are breath breaks.
If we learn to rest and renew in them
our lives will go from disconnection and haste
to breathtaking presence.

~~Gunilla Norris

Norris, Gunila. Inviting Silence: Universal Principles of Meditation. Blue Bridge: NY, 2004. 21-22.

My Bridesmaids December 21, 1971

I sent this picture to all four of my bridesmaids last month. I used to think this was a silly, posed picture, but now I am surprised to see how young and pretty we all looked so long ago.

These women are still my good friends. They are Nance, Nancy, Terry, and Jennifer. Three still live in Washington State and one lives in California. I'm the only one who moved away from the west coast and have now lived in Texas longer than anywhere else I ever lived.

Checking In

I tried to post on the Kindle Fire I received for Christmas, but found typing on a new post impossible for an unknown reason. I tentatively tried to type just now on my computer, mainly because my orthopedic surgeon told me it would be possible--and it's easier than I had anticipated. Still, I am glad I pre-posted until Jan. 10 and kind of wished I'd done more planning ahead!

Surgery was Wednesday. Thursday was a very difficult day as I was in a lot of pain, which is what the anesthesiologist warned me would happen once the nerve block wore off. Whew--did I plummet into pain! Friday was a little better, and today I felt even less pain.

My husband removed the bandage dressings to reveal a longer incision (about 5 inches) than I had expected, though probably was previously instructed. I am glad I did not know about that earlier than today! CB then applied waterproof bandaids and helped me to take a shower. Yay!

Monday I go to my first physical therapy session, which I guess will be passive exercise. And Thursday I will see Dr. D. again.

During this recuperative time, I am mostly reading. I've read two more Charlie Moon mysteries (Grandmother Spider and White Shell Woman) by James D. Doss and a mystery in an ancient secret sext in Turkey entitled Sanctus by Simon Toyne. Not being able to sleep much the first two nights helped me to read more of these reserved library books I had stored up.

Living Gratefully

There are many things to be grateful "for" but,
as I ripen with the seasons of life,
the many reasons blend into a sacred mystery.
And, most deeply, I realize that living gratefully is its own blessing.

Michael Mahoney

To receive such quotations every day, subscribe to Word for the Day at Gratefulness.org.

Mother and Child

Statue at The Hermitage
Saint Petersburg, Russia

Jesus' Message

My friend Paige (whose husband did my shoulder surgery) gave me a book for Christmas that I will soon be reading: The Emergent Christ: Exploring the Meaning of Catholic in an Evolutionary Universe by Ilia Delio (only $9.99 in the Kindle edition). When I had first expressed interest in this book, I had not noticed its subtitle relating to Catholicism.

Thus, when I glanced through it, I was struck by a heading--"Was Jesus Catholic?" Since Jesus was not even a "Christian," I was interested in this section. And here is a short part that hit me (where I agreed!):

". . .If we are to draw a connection between the word catholic and the mission of Jesus, we would have to rely on its root meaning, 'according to the whole,' for what Jesus preached was not a church defending itself in the face of opposition but the in-breaking reign of God. Based on what we know from the Gospels we can make several inferences: Jesus was not a 'catholic" but a Jew, and the reign of God preached by Jesus was not a universal concept to be mandated but a change in lifestyle and direction. The central message of Jesus, the reign of God is a subtle and powerful reality far more dynamic than any kind of realm we can conceive. Mark Hathaway and Leonardo Boff write that the actual word Jesus used in Aramaic to speak of God's reign--malkuta--is 'much more similar to the concept of the Tao or to the Buddhist Dharma than to any kind of kingdom we might imagine.' 'The word's roots,' they write, 'elicit the image of a fruitful arm poised to create, or a coiled spring that is ready to unwind with all the verdant potential of the earth.' Malkuta connotes an 'empowering vision based on the divine presence in the cosmos, liberating and empowering a process toward communion, differentiation and interiority.' What broke through in the person of Jesus was a new consciousness and relatedness to God that ushered in the world a new way of being God-centered, earth-centered, and in communion with one another." (62)

(The book quoted in what I quoted is The Tao of Liberation: Exploring the Ecology of Transformation by Mark Hathaway and Leonardo Boffo.)

There are too many books I want/need to read!!

Today's shoulder surgery

This afternoon I am having surgery to repair the infraspinatus muscle of the rotator cuff of my right shoulder. This is from the inept descending/falling from the top bunk on the Russian train to Saint Petersburg on Nov. 8. Since I am so right-dominant, I may not be posting much in the near future, but we'll see how proficient the hunt-and-peck mode is with my left hand!

I never knew that the rotator cuff was made up of different muscles. If you are interested, you can see that the hot pink muscle (infraspinatus) is the one I tore.


This is day surgery, so I will be home tonight.

God's Image

Yixing Tea Pot

Every time we visit Seattle, we walk through Pike Place Market. When MJ and I did this last summer, I fell in love with a lovely tea shop called The Perennial Tea Room. Besides a fine stock of teas, they displayed lovely tea pots. I fell in love with the Yixing ones and bought a red one for my good friend Nancy and a green one for me. (We both opened them on Christmas.)

These teapots are unglazed and thus need to be "seasoned" before use. The Perennial Tea Room enclosed a copy of the seasoning method they prefer, which I am doing right now. First, it is boiled in water for an hour and later in a pot of the tea to be used in it. I am going to use English Breakfast black tea, so my green pot will be dedicated to this type of tea. Nancy has already seasoned hers.

first boiling of my tea pot

"Yixing teapots absorb a tiny amount of tea into the pot during brewing. After prolonged use, the pot will develop a coating that retains the flavor and color of the tea. It is for this reason that soap should not be used to clean Yixing teapots. Instead, it should be rinsed with fresh water and allowed to air-dry. A studious tea connoisseur will only steep one type of tea in a particular pot, so as not to corrupt the flavor that has been absorbed.

"Traditionally, some Chinese would pour the tea from the spout directly into their mouths."

Happy New Year!

"Divergent" book to read!

Divergent by Veronica Roth is a book I gave to my youngest daughter MJ for Christmas, just because it came up as a recommendation on Amazon. She read it within 24 hours, as I did after she gave it to me to read. It is intended to be the first in a trilogy of books taking place in a dystopian world. It is a debut novel for the author and is targeted for the young adult audience.

It is easy and riveting to read. If you enjoyed the Hunger Games trilogy, you will like this one. Amazingly, the second one entitled Insurgent will be published in May 2012.

Friday Five: Last Year and Next Year

Sally brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

A simple Friday Five for a busy part of the year; indulge me by sharing two fives:
As you look back over 2011 share 5 blessings, they can be as grand or as simple as you like,if you year has been like mine they are probably a mixture!

<--2011 Blessings (without counting family):
Three fabulous trips:
1. Spain with my youngest daughter MJ

2. U.S. National Parks on road trip with husband CB

3. Russia with friends in the Methodist Russian Initiative

4. Finally, the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, with eventual relief of symptoms through the combination of methotextrate and Humira.

5. Reconnection with two seemingly "lost" people: my cousin Karen through cards and letters and former blogging friend Christina through the online game Words With Friends.

-->Looking to 2012:
1. More frequent visits to Austin to be with our granddaughter Avery, as she grows in both movement and learning. (She is walking a lot now.) Plus, see her parents there!

2. Visits to Houston to see son BJ.

3. I also hope to make visits to WA to see AE and KA plus to Calgary to see my elderly cousin Margaret.

4. Finally commit to and accomplish cleaning out excess in my house, which is too overwhelming to list. I hope to consistently work at this, and not start and stop--as I tend to do.

5. Spend one morning every other week at the church library, cleaning and organizing it.

My Christmas and Afterwards

One week ago, I felt sicker than this snowman looks. Last Thursday, after appointments with two different doctors, I surprisingly came home and vomited. Sadly, this was only hours after my grandbaby Avery and her parents had arrived.

I kept getting sicker, so that on Christmas Eve (Saturday) evening, our family doctor met us at his office and gave me a shot to stop the vomiting. Later my husband told me that Dr. S advised him to take me to the hospital if I kept throwing up. Luckily, the shot worked and by Sunday I could drink water (and keep it down).

Christmas was a blur for me, but seemed happy for everyone else. I am still grateful that husband CB, daughter-in-law AA, and youngest daughter MJ did all the cooking for breakfast and the big Christmas dinner. The girls made cinnamon rolls, apple and pecan pies, plus side dishes for dinner. CB cooked the turkey. I hear it all was lovely and delicious.

I finally started to feel better on Tuesday, so this stomach flu lasted for five days. So far, no one else has caught it from me. And today, one week since the onset, I feel really WELL. All's well that ends well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Other health news is related to that first doctor's visit last Thursday, which was with my orthopedic surgeon, who happens to be married to a good friend of mine. This was about my shoulder that continues to hurt since I partially fell from a top bunk on a train in Russia. X-rays showed that I had torn my rotator cuff, with a bone chip floating around.

Yesterday I had an MRI on my shoulder, which showed more fully the damage done when I torqued my shoulder. Dr. D kindly explained it all in a phone call last night--that I tore the infraspinatus part of the rotator cuff, which he said is consistent with the description of how I fell on the Russian train. There are bone fragments loose, which will cause nerve pinching unless removed. So surgery is indicated.

Today I learned that I can have the surgery next Wednesday afternoon. I spent almost three hours at the hospital this afternoon pre-registering. I am glad it can be done so soon and by such an excellent surgeon, who is also a kind and good man.

Merry Christmas!

Church of the Resurrection and Spilled Blood
Saint Petersburg, Russia

40 Years Together

December 21, 1971
Jan and CB after wedding with
CB's brother Tom looking on

Christmas Wishes

Within Our Reach: Joy

— by Fra Giovanni Giocondo

Fra Giovanni Giocondo (c.1435–1515) was a Renaissance pioneer, accomplished as an architect, engineer, antiquary, archaeologist, classical scholar, and Franciscan friar. Today we remember him most for his reassuring letter to Countess Allagia Aldobrandeschi on Christmas Eve, 1513.

---

I salute you. I am your friend, and my love for you goes deep. There is nothing I can give you which you have not. But there is much, very much, that, while I cannot give it, you can take. No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.

Take peace! The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within our reach, is joy. There is radiance and glory in darkness, could we but see. And to see, we have only to look. I beseech you to look!

Life is so generous a giver. But we, judging its gifts by their covering, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering, and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love by wisdom, with power. Welcome it, grasp it, and you touch the angel's hand that brings it to you.

Everything we call a trial, a sorrow or a duty, believe me, that angel's hand is there. The gift is there and the wonder of an overshadowing presence. Your joys, too, be not content with them as joys. They, too, conceal diviner gifts.

Life is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its covering, that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage then to claim it; that is all! But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are pilgrims together, wending through unknown country home.

---

Mary

At Cathedral of the Resurrection and Spilled Blood
Saint Petersburg, Russia

All the pictures in this cathedral are mosaics, but to my untrained eye, they looked like paintings.

More Mysteries!!

I have recently discovered two new mystery writers I like, who have multiple books in their series. In fact I went to the library today and checked out eight books! (They are not due until Jan. 3, so I should have time after Christmas to read them more diligently.)

The first was a book loaned to two other people, one of whom passed it on to me--the first Charlie Moon mystery. I had not heard of these until now, and the author has been writing them since 1994 (one a year). the first one is The Shaman Sings by James D. Doss. I had six of these books in my Amazon shopping cart immediately after finishing that book last night, but I checked at the public library first today, which was the financially responsible thing to do. Now I have deleted them all from the cart. By using the library, I got copies much more quickly, though I must admit I was lucky that so many were on the shelves ready to be checked out. I'm also glad I did not succumb to the temptation of downloading them to my Kindle!

Even though this is a "Charlie Moon" mystery, he did not appear until the end, though his Aunt Daisy, an Indian shaman, was in the beginning of the book. There is also a small town Colorado sheriff who eventually meets both of them in solving the mystery. Charlie Moon is a (Ute) Tribal Police officer. Mystery, Indian mysticism and humor are all mixed in to make a good read.

It was a happy surprise that I found the other author, because I was first attracted by the cover drawn by Edward Gorey (1925-2000) at the independent Book People store in Austin. Then I read the employee's blurb about The Sybil in Her Grave, which got me to buy the book. This is the last mystery written by Sarah Caudwell (1939-2000) and was published posthumously. I am only 1/3 through the book but want to read the three others written by her. The hero of these books is Hilary Tamar, a professor Oxford, whose sex is never revealed. The elegance of language is beautiful, with humor and wonderful plots.

Shoveling Snow With Buddha

Daughter AE printed this poem, putting each letter (typesetting) in place beforehand in the printer. She and KA had this framed and gave it to CB and me during their visit to Austin this past weekend. This was our Christmas present from them.

I took the picture with my Ipod, on which eldest son DC demonstrated how to do that and email the photo to my blog. I love doing this now, which is how the last few pictures have been posted to the blog.

The poem is entitled "Shoveling Snow With Buddha" by Billy Collins. The framed poem is hanging on the wall I am looking at right now--above this computer screen. I'll re-read it often this way.

Shoveling Snow With Buddha

In the usual iconography of the temple or the local Wok
you would never see him doing such a thing,
tossing the dry snow over a mountain
of his bare, round shoulder,
his hair tied in a knot,
a model of concentration.

Sitting is more his speed, if that is the word
for what he does, or does not do.

Even the season is wrong for him.
In all his manifestations, is it not warm or slightly humid?
Is this not implied by his serene expression,
that smile so wide it wraps itself around the waist of the universe?

But here we are, working our way down the driveway,
one shovelful at a time.
We toss the light powder into the clear air.
We feel the cold mist on our faces.
And with every heave we disappear
and become lost to each other
in these sudden clouds of our own making,
these fountain-bursts of snow.

This is so much better than a sermon in church,
I say out loud, but Buddha keeps on shoveling.
This is the true religion, the religion of snow,
and sunlight and winter geese barking in the sky,
I say, but he is too busy to hear me.

He has thrown himself into shoveling snow
as if it were the purpose of existence,
as if the sign of a perfect life were a clear driveway
you could back the car down easily
and drive off into the vanities of the world
with a broken heater fan and a song on the radio.

All morning long we work side by side,
me with my commentary
and he inside his generous pocket of silence,
until the hour is nearly noon
and the snow is piled high all around us;
then, I hear him speak.

After this, he asks,
can we go inside and play cards?

Certainly, I reply, and I will heat some milk
and bring cups of hot chocolate to the table
while you shuffle the deck.
and our boots stand dripping by the door.

Aaah, says the Buddha, lifting his eyes
and leaning for a moment on his shovel
before he drives the thin blade again
deep into the glittering white snow.

-Billy Collins,

Picnic, Lightning

Friday Five: To Do List

Ever since I was little, I heard that Santa is making a list and checking it twice. I can see why he has to keep checking it, because there is so much to do before Christmas! Only nine days left, and I don't have church services to plan, but there is much left to be done. My daughter-in-law tells me that she feels behind, which is how I have been feeling.

No matter how organized you are, there must be some things you still need to do. For this Friday Five, tell us five things on your Christmas "To Do" List. Include anything you have decided to skip doing this year. As a bonus, give us something that helps you remember why this season even exists.

1. Decorations out--I'm not sure how much will get out. We finally put up a Christmas tree last night. The lights are on it and an angel on top, but still no other decorations. I am thinking that it looks very nice as it is.

2. Baking cookies--I've only baked the only family favorite "Holiday Sparklers," which are butter cookies with three chocolate chips rolled in the middle of each ball. Each ball is topped with green or red sprinkles. I am not sure how many other ones I will try; usually I bake way too many.

3. Decide on our Christmas meal--Over my entire life, we've always had about the same menu for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. This last Thanksgiving had me wondering if I really wanted the same old, same old. I know I am stuck with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, but I need to plan what the accompanying items will be.

4. Find out when and if third child (and second son) BJ is coming home for Christmas.

5. Clean out the big drawer under the wall ovens to be devoted to Avery's books and toys--before she and her parents arrive next Thursday.

Bonus: Centering Prayer at least once a day--twice would be better, but that is not always managed, to my chagrin.

Another picture of Avery

CB holding Avery, while she and I look at each other.

Daughter AE used up her entire memory card taking pictures during her visit to Austin to see us (and especially Avery) this past weekend. It was wonderful to have all our children together for a short while. Thank you, AE and KA, for flying to Austin from Seattle!!

Christmas Reindeer

Near the gingerbread village of TX buildings at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin is this funny reindeer.

Santa's Little Helper

Avery has taken one or two steps!

Avery's Elephant

Aunt KA knitted this cute elephant for Avery

I am so excited!

At 7:30 this morning we are driving to Austin from Corpus Christi! We'll be seeing ALL our children, plus our one grandchild. Daughters AE and KA flew to Austin from Seattle yesterday.

I am so excited!!

Christmas Shopping

I have done almost all my Christmas shopping on the internet this year. I find that easier, especially when people have Amazon Wish Lists.

Friday Five: Random

Revkjarla brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:

I don't know about you, but my life seems to have a lot of random surprises lately. Just little things,like the doggy in the picture, who was rescued by a Good Samaritan from running into traffic, who then brought him to the police, who brought him to my neighbor's house. I took the doggy, now named Scout, to the vet on Monday, and the woman behind the desk said, "This dog looks so familiar. Were you here last week?" I told her no, that this particular dog is a stray, and she looked at me, and said (use your best Boston accent here), "Oh my GAWD! I rescued that dog on Satuhday! I took him to the police!" and then she proceeded to tell me the story. She was Scout's angel.

Random, right?

So, for our Friday Five, I invite you share five random things about you, or five random thoughts, or five random surprises in your life.

Just be random!

This goes along with something my friend Katherine said to me today about her husband--he will ask "Tell me something interesting." That could be random but interesting!

1. I've been hating my hair recently, as it has been so flyaway and weird. When I got my hair cut recently, I asked Dee, who has cut my hair for the past 18 years, about it. She said it is because I have varied lengths of little hairs coming up on top of my head--I have been losing hair over the past few months so slowly that I did not notice. I had thought I had escaped side effects of taking methotextrate for my RA, even though my rheumatologist asks me at every appointment if I am losing hair. . . .and I had not thought so until now! So I am in the in-between stage of growing out my bangs, so the weight will cover up the little hairs. So I am encouraged.

2. Daughters AE and KA are flying from Seattle to Austin on Saturday! They are not going to spend Christmas with us, but will visit KA's family in Ohio instead. So we are having a mini-family gathering this weekend in Austin. Yay!

3. AE and KA gave me the newly published book 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami for my birthday, which was also its publication date. I plan to read this thick book after Christmas when I have more time to dedicate myself to it. I had never heard of it before they gave it to me, even though many people were awaiting its publication.

4. I love playing Words with Friends on my Ipod, even though I usually lose.

5.I had to go to three different supermarkets to find red sprinkles (sugar) to buy. I cannot find red currant jelly anywhere in Corpus Christi, but may get it in Austin. At least, I am getting ready to bake Christmas cookies! (The only Christmas item I've brought out is our Christmas wreath on the door. Husband CB put lights on the house outside, too.)

Personal Mail 1963-2011

The U. S. Post Office continues to lose money. They are planning to close processing centers so that first class mail will take longer to reach recipients. The only complaints seem to be from companies about bills and payments taking longer to get to the proper addresses.

Unlike the above commercial for zip codes from 1963, regular citizens of the USA do not seem to be affected by the projected change in mail delivery--or the media assumes we do not care. I object to it, because I like to write notes and cards to friends and family and dislike the way such mail will take longer for them to receive.

In 1963 the Post Office visibly encouraged people to use zip codes, because back then there was no internet and little long-distance phone service. Living in Japan 1961-64, we came back to direct dialing on the phone and zip codes for mail!

I feel sad that letter writing is a dying art. In fact, a dear friend died in October at the age of 94 years and she was my most consistent correspondent. Her demise and also her age illustrate that the era of handwritten correspondence is disappearing.

Now I feel like the Postal Service is contributing to the idea that handwritten correspondence is outdated and slow. Snail mail will be even slower in the future.

Sad. . . .maybe my age (61) also shows why I still like to write with a pen, though I must admit I don't do it as frequently or prolifically as I did in the past.

Don't you like to get a "real" note (not a bill or advertisement) in the mail? At least, we'll get a few more in this holiday season, but after that I don't know.

12 Gifts of Christmas

I just came across "The 12 Gifts of Christmas," a list of kind things to do for strangers for the 12 days leading up to Christmas. It would be most appropriate to post this 12 days before Christmas, but I'll probably forget, so here it is:

12 Gifts of Christmas by Trista Wilson and here is her list:

THE 12 GIFTS OF CHRISTMAS:

DAY 12: (DECEMBER 13)-- Buy food for a homeless person (or someone in need). This does not have to be expensive. $5 should cover lunch.

DAY 11: (DECEMBER 14)-- Write a kind, hand-written letter to someone that changed your life for the better. And no, I'm not talking about an email or a text...I'm talking about snail mail people. ;) (This can be to a childhood friend, a teacher from the past, or even an old baby-sitter that impacted your life for the better.)

DAY 10: (DECEMBER 15)-- Pay for the person's order in line behind you in either the coffee drive-thru, fast food, a tollbooth, train ticket, etc. (There are a LOT of options here...)

DAY 9: (DECEMBER 16)-- Put grocery carts away in a random parking lot for other shoppers or find carts that others have left behind. It will help the employees out by bringing them indoors where they belong.

DAY 8: (DECEMBER 17)-- Write a letter of thanks to the armed forces. (Yes, even if you don't support the war. Remember that these people are risking their lives daily in order to ensure our safety and Freedom).

Here is the address:

A Million Thanks
17853 Santiago Blvd. #107-355
Villa Park, CA 92861

DAY 7: (DECEMBER 18)-- Buy or bake something for a neighbor. You may know them well, you may have never even introduced yourself. So here's your chance;)

DAY 6: (DECEMBER 19)-- Buy a $5 or $10 gift card for a grocery store, gas station, coffee place, etc. Leave the gift card on a random park bench or windshield of someone's car.

DAY 5: (DECEMBER 20)-- Do something kind for the elderly. This can be anything from helping them to their car with heavy groceries, holding the door open for them, volunteering at a retirement home, or even raking their leaves.

DAY 4: (DECEMBER 21)-- Tape quarters to a vending machine. So simple, yet so convenient! I honestly cannot count how many times I have wanted a snack or a soda, but could not dig up that last quarter to satisfy my craving.

DAY 3: (DECEMBER 22)-- Leave a generous tip for a server, barista, or bartender--along with a nice note. This will most likely make their night. Having been in all three of these positions, I know how easy it is to get discouraged when guests are difficult and do not tip. This could turn their entire day around!

DAY 2: (DECEMBER 23)-- Purchase a gift card at a local grocery store (of any amount). Turn around in line, and hand it to the first person you see. Then walk away. No explanation is needed. I'm sure their expression will say it all.

Day 1: (DECEMBER 24)-- YOUR turn to choose a random act of kindness. I thought it would be fun to see the different ideas everybody comes up with for this last day before Christmas. Be creative. The sky is the limit. =)

Trista like you to document this and if you do so, please email your blog address and the account of your experience to CHAINLINKS08@GMAIL.COM.

If you'd like to get involved online on Facebook, go to
https://www.facebook.com/events/315454065150001/

Or just try one or all twelve activities now or on the dates indicated. Show you care!

We offer to the Lord

Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart –

a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water – I accept with joy.

– Bhagavad Gita

"We can look upon everything we do as a gift to the Lord. If we hoe the garden carefully so that our family – or a neighbor’s family, or someone in need – can have fresh vegetables for dinner, that is an offering to the Lord. If we work a little more than is expected of us at something that benefits others, that too is an offering to the Lord. Everywhere, in every detail of daily living, it is not a question of quantity or expense that makes our offering acceptable; it is cheerfulness, enthusiasm, and the capacity to forget ourselves in helping others."

~~Eknath Easwaran

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By. (Copyright 1999 and 2005 by The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.)