I don't often read books and usually when I do it is because they speak to me. Most of what I read is for knowledge and not for fictional pleasure although I certainly enjoy Nicholas Sparks' books because they are somewhat based on true stories and I connect with them. When I was younger I spent a lot of time engrossed in books, and books that were strictly fictional in nature. I used books to get where I couldn't go. They were my escape, my fantasy land.
Now that I am older, I really could care less about living in fantasy land, although an occasional journey there never hurt anyone :). I am more about living in reality. I do daydream, but my daydreams are usually more goal oriented and about things that could, in theory, be achieved. I don't have much of an attention span for books anymore, although arguably I should be more well read, but when I do read, I usually really, really enjoy the book because it offers me something.
What I want to share is something I read in a book I am currently reading---I'll likely finish the book tonight and then I'll consider reading another (shocker).
First, a little background. The book is by an Episcopal priest. I've known of her for years as she was formerly on the staff that I was now formerly on...just not during the same time frame. I'd just never read any of her books, or any other books by Episcopal priests for that matter.
It's actually a great book.
For context, the following was a description of what warms the authors soul, where she met God...
"I am floating in this field, held up toward the sun by the black dirt under my back. I am this earth's child, and I know it. When I am done lying here, I will visit the small crystal stream that runs through this field to see what is moving in it today. The Presence will be there too, lighting up everything that moves. I have met salamanders there, tadpoles, crayfish, and water bugs. I have watched the moss on the bottom ripple as the water runs over it. Years later, I will discover that this was no crystal stream but a drainage ditch. The difference between the two descriptions of the same place will screw with my sense of reality for a long time. Is the Divine Presence in the world, or in my eye?"
I find this particularly insightful and humorous because I learned long ago that I most often do not see the world as others do. There have been many times that I have gotten my feelings hurt over that because I felt that meant my perception was incorrect and wrong.
Now, as I grow older, I am becoming aware of how much of a blessing uniqueness can be and how others sometimes wish for it in themselves.
It really doesn't matter whether the crystal stream is a drainage ditch, or even whether the Divine Presence is in the world or in my eye...either way, there is a Divine Presence and either way, the stream is a gift to my soul.
The book, by the way is "Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith" by Barbara Brown Taylor.
What got me reading this book was a suggestion made by a parishioner at the church where I work. The parishioner suggested doing some type of study, seminar, etc. on the topic of "what next in my life" and I started looking for books or people that might speak to this. The priest I work for said he believed that hundreds of folks could identify with that question, and I agree. I ask myself that regularly and I don't always know the answer. The basis of Barbara's book is answering that question in her life, and in a way she didn't expect.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Synopsis of the weekend...travelin' stories
Well, Friday night we just hung out waiting for Christy and Ricky and Stuart to arrive from VA. We watched a little of the weather channel and heard the horror stories about gas shortages and prices. I went over to do a little shopping for a gift for Nicholas and Morgan for their reception on the following day.
On my way back from shopping I found a gas station, with gas, that was 3.72 a gallon. I went ahead and filled my car up so I'd have gas for the coming week to get to work in case the hurricane made things even worse. Christy and Ricky arrived right before 11 p.m. and I sent Richard and Ricky to go see if they could still fill up for 3.72 since we were going to have to travel to GA and back. We were fortunate and they were able to get gas for that price.
My Saturday began with me waking to the sneezes of Ricky in the living room. You just have to know Ricky to understand. He isn't a little "achoo" guy. They are big and scary----"AAAAHHHHH-CHIT". I got up and made my way out of mine and Richard's bedroom and to the bathroom and then to change clothes and get ready for the trip to GA. After we got Richard and Stuart up and ready we went through Shelby to one of our fave places for b'fast---Ken and Mary's. It was YUMMMY as usual...and very crowded.
Then it was off to GA. We laughed and joked along the way. We joked about how folks want to meet famous singers, bands, presidents, and one on my list is Jim Cantore (yes, the meteorologist). We lived in Atlanta for years and I never realized that the weather channel headquarters was right there in town. OK, so I never claimed to be normal (hee hee). It would've been so cool to go take a tour of the weather channel offices. Anyway, Christy joked that she'll set that up for my bd (meeting Jim and weather channel tour)---lol! By the way Christy, I looked it up---he's 44.
About 4 hours and 10 phone calls from Nicholas and Morgan later, we made it to Hiram. It was about 3 PM by then and we'd had breakfast about 8, 8:30, so we decided we'd stop and get something. Christy and Ricky had never been to a Krystal, so we introduced them to Krystal's---the square burgers!
After munching a bit, we made it to the house.
A couple of hours later, the reception "began". There were about 60+ people there, and I swear half of them were children. Not having children myself, I don't mind someone else's children, but by midnight that evening, I was ready to not see any children for a while. I'd heard enough running and squealing and little popcorn roller thingy for the evening.
The reception went well and I think Nicholas and Morgan got quite a bit of monetary gifts. Maybe they'll get to go get them a Wii now. The reception was fun...especially for being outdoors. I actually didn't get eaten alive by mosquitoes, which is a true miracle.
Sunday morning came quickly and we had breakfast with daddy and Kim and gave daddy his birthday card, complete with a gag gift of a Lowe's gift card (Ricky helped me come up with that one---lol), a sweet card that Richard picked out for daddy and a gift certificate to daddy's fave bbq restaurant. You have to understand that daddy owns Home Depot stock and he has a fit it any of us shop at Lowe's!
Then it was "on the road again" and off to find some gasoline. Our theme song became (can you name the tune???):
"Looking for gas(oline) at all the local stations,
The prices were giving us heart palpitations,
Looking for gas, Looking for gas,
oo-ooo, Looking for gas.
Finally we found tanks with unleaded
Prices ok, we filled an amount that we dreaded,
We set on our way, oo-oo, with us some gas"
The trip back was fun. Christy and I had fun with the windows down, letting the wind blow our hair into knots and our face into odd contortions. Once we were back in NC, we went to Murphy's (irsih Pub in Charlotte---home of my fave quesadilla) to grab something quickly before sending Ricky, Christy and Stuart on back to VA.
Richard and I went home and took a little nap. Christy and Ricky got stuck in some traffic and sat there for an hour...making them arrive home about 9:30 last night. All in all, it was a good trip.
It'll be fun to read what she writes about the highlights of the trip.
P.S.---for those in TX that were affected by Ike....my thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray blessings upon you and restoration among the destruction and tragedy.
On my way back from shopping I found a gas station, with gas, that was 3.72 a gallon. I went ahead and filled my car up so I'd have gas for the coming week to get to work in case the hurricane made things even worse. Christy and Ricky arrived right before 11 p.m. and I sent Richard and Ricky to go see if they could still fill up for 3.72 since we were going to have to travel to GA and back. We were fortunate and they were able to get gas for that price.
My Saturday began with me waking to the sneezes of Ricky in the living room. You just have to know Ricky to understand. He isn't a little "achoo" guy. They are big and scary----"AAAAHHHHH-CHIT". I got up and made my way out of mine and Richard's bedroom and to the bathroom and then to change clothes and get ready for the trip to GA. After we got Richard and Stuart up and ready we went through Shelby to one of our fave places for b'fast---Ken and Mary's. It was YUMMMY as usual...and very crowded.
Then it was off to GA. We laughed and joked along the way. We joked about how folks want to meet famous singers, bands, presidents, and one on my list is Jim Cantore (yes, the meteorologist). We lived in Atlanta for years and I never realized that the weather channel headquarters was right there in town. OK, so I never claimed to be normal (hee hee). It would've been so cool to go take a tour of the weather channel offices. Anyway, Christy joked that she'll set that up for my bd (meeting Jim and weather channel tour)---lol! By the way Christy, I looked it up---he's 44.
About 4 hours and 10 phone calls from Nicholas and Morgan later, we made it to Hiram. It was about 3 PM by then and we'd had breakfast about 8, 8:30, so we decided we'd stop and get something. Christy and Ricky had never been to a Krystal, so we introduced them to Krystal's---the square burgers!
After munching a bit, we made it to the house.
A couple of hours later, the reception "began". There were about 60+ people there, and I swear half of them were children. Not having children myself, I don't mind someone else's children, but by midnight that evening, I was ready to not see any children for a while. I'd heard enough running and squealing and little popcorn roller thingy for the evening.
The reception went well and I think Nicholas and Morgan got quite a bit of monetary gifts. Maybe they'll get to go get them a Wii now. The reception was fun...especially for being outdoors. I actually didn't get eaten alive by mosquitoes, which is a true miracle.
Sunday morning came quickly and we had breakfast with daddy and Kim and gave daddy his birthday card, complete with a gag gift of a Lowe's gift card (Ricky helped me come up with that one---lol), a sweet card that Richard picked out for daddy and a gift certificate to daddy's fave bbq restaurant. You have to understand that daddy owns Home Depot stock and he has a fit it any of us shop at Lowe's!
Then it was "on the road again" and off to find some gasoline. Our theme song became (can you name the tune???):
"Looking for gas(oline) at all the local stations,
The prices were giving us heart palpitations,
Looking for gas, Looking for gas,
oo-ooo, Looking for gas.
Finally we found tanks with unleaded
Prices ok, we filled an amount that we dreaded,
We set on our way, oo-oo, with us some gas"
The trip back was fun. Christy and I had fun with the windows down, letting the wind blow our hair into knots and our face into odd contortions. Once we were back in NC, we went to Murphy's (irsih Pub in Charlotte---home of my fave quesadilla) to grab something quickly before sending Ricky, Christy and Stuart on back to VA.
Richard and I went home and took a little nap. Christy and Ricky got stuck in some traffic and sat there for an hour...making them arrive home about 9:30 last night. All in all, it was a good trip.
It'll be fun to read what she writes about the highlights of the trip.
P.S.---for those in TX that were affected by Ike....my thoughts and prayers are with you. I pray blessings upon you and restoration among the destruction and tragedy.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
A Song for Serenity
I was browsing this evening to look up a specific LeAnn Rimes tour date and I ran across her new single---"What I Cannot Change". I liked it SO much that I have posted the video that tells the background of the song and also has her singing the song. You can see the video closer to the bottom of the blog. Hey, and at 3:38, there is a great close up of Will!!!!!
The song talks about accepting life....accepting the things we cannot change.
If you like the song, check out her new album that will be released in October.
I'd have to say that seeing LeAnn in concert has really made me like her more. She is very charismatic on stage and seems to truly enjoy the fans and what she's doing.
The song talks about accepting life....accepting the things we cannot change.
If you like the song, check out her new album that will be released in October.
I'd have to say that seeing LeAnn in concert has really made me like her more. She is very charismatic on stage and seems to truly enjoy the fans and what she's doing.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A weekend in the mountains
Richard grew up partially in the mountains of KY. I mean, you would'nt find it if you weren't trying to get there...that kind of rural, and in the mountains. So we had been promising his dad for a while now that we'd come up, so this weekend, we did.
Now Lynch, a former bustling coal mining town...is just a mountain town now. When Richard was gowing up there were at least 3 high schools in the county. One shut down while he was in high school and then another had their last graduating class in 2007-2008. Now there's just one county high school. Where I grew up is just the opposite. There was only one high school in the county when I was growing up and now there are 5 or 6.
At any rate, we got to see Richard's dad and step-mom and his nieces/sisters (his dad actually adopted them but by birth they are his nieces), and we saw the little baby of one of the nieces. I was going to take pictures but they said they'd come back later and never did...so I can't show ya baby pics. He's a cute little guy though. His skin looks american indian to me and he had a head full of dark hair. (no, I didnt hold him---y'all that know me know how I am about babies).
We did go up on the mountain and take pics and take pics on the way back home, so I am sharing some of those...what beauty!
Also, I have to mention...if you ever go to Unicoi, TN...go to Maple Farms Family Dining! There's a pic of the place that I'm including and their food is absolutely awesome!
Enjoy the photos!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Going, Going, Gone
I love to travel! I think it is because growing up I didn't get to go much of anywhere. In fact, I think I'd only been out of the state of Georgia 3 times until I started looking at colleges that were out of state. My relatives (that we saw) lived in state and my parents were very overprotective and really never let me go many places. So, once I hit college, I changed all that.
Since I left "home", I've been to 25 or so states, Brazil, on the border to Mexico (I could've walked across), Canada, Germany, France and Italy. I want to go so many more places. I love to see what's out there.
In the last few years, I've really wanted to get groups together that also want to do things. It doesn't have to be major events (like leaving the country), but just go on little excursions. However, I am apparently not really good at orchestrating these events. I guess I should just plan them, invite whomever will to attend, and if they show up, they do, and if they don't...well, I'll go do whatever was planned anyway. Maybe eventually it will catch on. I guess I just lack patience.
But...I think I might just get to the point of doing this...planning things to do...some in NC, some in GA, some other places and invite people to join in.
I wanna ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. I want to go to Fairy Stone Park on the NC/VA border. I want to go to God's acre in SC. I'd like to just go cosmic bowling with some friends. I like going to find little out of the way diners like they do on the Food Network Shows (Road Tasted and Feasting on Asphalt/Waves). I want to go to Natural Bridge, VA. I love covered bridges. I love waterfalls and mountains. I like going to the beach---just when it is cool. I want to go to Key West, FL and Nova Scotia Canada and I'd LOVE to return to Niagara Falls--it has to be the most beautiful place I've seen. I want to drive cross country. I want to go to Vegas. I occasionally get a wild hair to want to go on a little gambling trip (I'm not a big spender). I'd like to go back to New England...maybe to ME and to Martha's Vineyard. I love going to fall festivals and fall and Christmas events...like McAdenville or other light shows. Christmas is my fave and I love things associated with it. Maybe this year I'll do more of those things. I want to attend some college football and basketball games.
I also like events such as Nascar races, concerts, etc.
So, I guess I just need to plan them. Maybe it is like the movie "Field of Dreams"...plan them and they will attend.
Anyone else interested in this stuff????
Since I left "home", I've been to 25 or so states, Brazil, on the border to Mexico (I could've walked across), Canada, Germany, France and Italy. I want to go so many more places. I love to see what's out there.
In the last few years, I've really wanted to get groups together that also want to do things. It doesn't have to be major events (like leaving the country), but just go on little excursions. However, I am apparently not really good at orchestrating these events. I guess I should just plan them, invite whomever will to attend, and if they show up, they do, and if they don't...well, I'll go do whatever was planned anyway. Maybe eventually it will catch on. I guess I just lack patience.
But...I think I might just get to the point of doing this...planning things to do...some in NC, some in GA, some other places and invite people to join in.
I wanna ride the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. I want to go to Fairy Stone Park on the NC/VA border. I want to go to God's acre in SC. I'd like to just go cosmic bowling with some friends. I like going to find little out of the way diners like they do on the Food Network Shows (Road Tasted and Feasting on Asphalt/Waves). I want to go to Natural Bridge, VA. I love covered bridges. I love waterfalls and mountains. I like going to the beach---just when it is cool. I want to go to Key West, FL and Nova Scotia Canada and I'd LOVE to return to Niagara Falls--it has to be the most beautiful place I've seen. I want to drive cross country. I want to go to Vegas. I occasionally get a wild hair to want to go on a little gambling trip (I'm not a big spender). I'd like to go back to New England...maybe to ME and to Martha's Vineyard. I love going to fall festivals and fall and Christmas events...like McAdenville or other light shows. Christmas is my fave and I love things associated with it. Maybe this year I'll do more of those things. I want to attend some college football and basketball games.
I also like events such as Nascar races, concerts, etc.
So, I guess I just need to plan them. Maybe it is like the movie "Field of Dreams"...plan them and they will attend.
Anyone else interested in this stuff????
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
My train of thought...Snoopy's animator to country roads
What a sad day. I love Peanuts, almost as much as I love the Muppets. Losing Bill Melendez is like losing Jim Henson.
Thinking of the Peanuts, led me to thinking of the Muppets which led me to thinking about John Denver (you just never know where my trains of thought are going to end up!).
Strangely enough, to this day, I still love John Denver. Probably a very strange thing for someone my age range to say, but I loved his music. It was the first "country" (and I guess it was folk?) music that I liked. I have included a video to one of his songs that I have always loved. It just always gives me a "homey" feeling to listen to it. If I lived in the middle of NYC I think this song would be the one that could most effectively take me back to my roots. Take a little trip back to the 70's with me if you choose.
Thinking of the Peanuts, led me to thinking of the Muppets which led me to thinking about John Denver (you just never know where my trains of thought are going to end up!).
Strangely enough, to this day, I still love John Denver. Probably a very strange thing for someone my age range to say, but I loved his music. It was the first "country" (and I guess it was folk?) music that I liked. I have included a video to one of his songs that I have always loved. It just always gives me a "homey" feeling to listen to it. If I lived in the middle of NYC I think this song would be the one that could most effectively take me back to my roots. Take a little trip back to the 70's with me if you choose.
Monday, September 1, 2008
It's only 3 months and 24 days til Christmas
This year will be a little different since I have a new SIL (see photo above) and technically a new BIL (I don't even know where to begin with that, so I'll refrain)...and I'll have a new niece (my first on my side of the family since Joel's children are both boys---photo of Christina and baby with Richard, also above).
As our family expands and changes, it changes Christmas, which was celebrated the same for many years and it is hard to change traditions and make everyone happy
I wish my family could find a tradition that would work and be fulfilling for everyone. The good thing is that my family has always celebrated Christmas on Christmas eve, so it usually doesn't conflict with when other sides of the family desire to celebrate. The issues are that now Richard and I live in NC...the family is bigger and bigger (do we still buy for everyone or draw names?), etc. Basically since I have no children, I'm not the voice that counts. Last year it was decided that we'd draw names, but today I received a call indicating that maybe that decision was being re-thought. I think it really doesn't matter if we DO draw names for adults and buy for the little kids. Draw two names if you want---it still makes for a lot less presents to haul back and forth for everyone and a lot less worrying about shopping for everyone. Still, everyone would get 2 gifts and I don't think that is bad. Or, heck, I'd be for everyone pooling the money we'd normally spend and putting it toward a vacation or something...but I doubt that would happen. Too many different schedules to try to satisfy.
Oh well. I just hope we can get together and be glad to be together! Half our family has bds in December--we should just have a big bd party and then draw names for the Christmas gifts.
Because I was tired of writing about hurricanes...
I thought I'd write about Nascar.
I wasn't formerly a Nascar fan. I considered it a redneck sport, and redneck I did not consider myself...although as I am getting older I don't really care. Country girl, rural female, redneck...whatever...I am what I am.
My first real Nascar race was watched the day Dale Earnhardt Sr. died. Not a good way to begin watching a sport. Amazing I ever watched another one. I didn't have any idea what the rules were, who the people were, etc. 7.5 years later, I probably know more about the sport than Richard does and I watch it frequently. We even attended the last race that was held at the Rockingham Speedway.
At any rate, there's one more race before the "chase" begins. For those who are reading who are not familiar with Nascar, the chase is this: At 10 races before the end of the season the top 12 drivers are entered into the chase. This means that their point systems are set back to zero and all 12 chase drivers all start on even playing ground. Now the interesting part is that there are still 43 drivers in each of the 10 chase races, but only the drivers in the "chase" earn points toward the 2008 championship.
Any driver can win a chase race, but if the driver is not in the chase he wins the "purse", not points toward the championship. It wouldn't matter if the same guy (not a chase driver) won all 10 races of the chase....then he cannot win the championship. Right now 8 drivers have earned enough points to be in the chase just by starting their car next Saturday at Richmond. 4 other spots are kind of up for grabs...depending on the outcome of the Richmond race. Jeff Gordon is one of our (mine and Richard's) fave drivers. If the chase drivers had been decided after yesterday's race, he'd be in the chase...but he isn't guaranteed a spot since there is one more race and he didn't have enough points spread between he and several other drivers to be guaranteed a spot as of yesterday. I hope he makes it.
Richard and I were talking about Jeff at dinner today. We believe him becoming a father has hurt his racing career. We believe that suddenly his mortality is real to him. He is a father and has to think about the fact that his career could cause his baby girl to grow up without her father. It makes complete sense, but I am sad that it is that way.
Richard and I wrote out who we'd want to be in the chase if we could just vote them in. Here are the choices we made:
R's: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr., Carl Edwards, Kyle Petty, David Ragan, Kasey Kahne, Casey Mears, Michael Waltrip, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton
Mine(I only came up with 10--other two I don't care as long as it wouldn't be Kyle Bush): Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr., Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle.
So, Saturday night at Richmond will decide the chase drivers and then there are 10 races to decide the championship. Jimmie Johnson was 2006 and 2007 Nascar Champion.
I wasn't formerly a Nascar fan. I considered it a redneck sport, and redneck I did not consider myself...although as I am getting older I don't really care. Country girl, rural female, redneck...whatever...I am what I am.
My first real Nascar race was watched the day Dale Earnhardt Sr. died. Not a good way to begin watching a sport. Amazing I ever watched another one. I didn't have any idea what the rules were, who the people were, etc. 7.5 years later, I probably know more about the sport than Richard does and I watch it frequently. We even attended the last race that was held at the Rockingham Speedway.
At any rate, there's one more race before the "chase" begins. For those who are reading who are not familiar with Nascar, the chase is this: At 10 races before the end of the season the top 12 drivers are entered into the chase. This means that their point systems are set back to zero and all 12 chase drivers all start on even playing ground. Now the interesting part is that there are still 43 drivers in each of the 10 chase races, but only the drivers in the "chase" earn points toward the 2008 championship.
Any driver can win a chase race, but if the driver is not in the chase he wins the "purse", not points toward the championship. It wouldn't matter if the same guy (not a chase driver) won all 10 races of the chase....then he cannot win the championship. Right now 8 drivers have earned enough points to be in the chase just by starting their car next Saturday at Richmond. 4 other spots are kind of up for grabs...depending on the outcome of the Richmond race. Jeff Gordon is one of our (mine and Richard's) fave drivers. If the chase drivers had been decided after yesterday's race, he'd be in the chase...but he isn't guaranteed a spot since there is one more race and he didn't have enough points spread between he and several other drivers to be guaranteed a spot as of yesterday. I hope he makes it.
Richard and I were talking about Jeff at dinner today. We believe him becoming a father has hurt his racing career. We believe that suddenly his mortality is real to him. He is a father and has to think about the fact that his career could cause his baby girl to grow up without her father. It makes complete sense, but I am sad that it is that way.
Richard and I wrote out who we'd want to be in the chase if we could just vote them in. Here are the choices we made:
R's: Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr., Carl Edwards, Kyle Petty, David Ragan, Kasey Kahne, Casey Mears, Michael Waltrip, Ryan Newman, Bill Elliott, Jeff Burton
Mine(I only came up with 10--other two I don't care as long as it wouldn't be Kyle Bush): Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Jr., Kasey Kahne, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, Jamie McMurray, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle.
So, Saturday night at Richmond will decide the chase drivers and then there are 10 races to decide the championship. Jimmie Johnson was 2006 and 2007 Nascar Champion.
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