Finally passed health care reform!
Of course, it's not the reform we'd really hoped for. It's not the reform we really need--not all of it, anyway. There's no public option. Far too many compromises. But it's a start. A much needed, very overdue start.
And as relieved as I am that it passed, I am almost more grateful that the Democrats in Congress finally got a spine and acted. Come on, people! Stand up for what you believe in!
Finally, message to the mass media: Many of us are GRATEFUL for this health care reform. We welcome having health care reform "rammed down our throats,"(ugh, I am so sick of hearing that!), or more delicately phrased, passed, so pay attention to us, too, not just the naysayers.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Monday, March 01, 2010
Housecleaning
I'm totally bored with the way my blog looks, hence the new template. I'm not completely happy with this one, but blogger doesn't give you many choices. And I need a new picture in my header; the current one captured perfectly where I used to live, but it doesn't fit where I am now.
The other thing I need to do is edit my blog roll. So many of the bloggers on it aren't writing any more, but I hate to get rid of the links. Silly, but I don't like breaking connections literally or figuratively. But life does go on, and people move on, and that's that.
Meanwhile, the sun is trying to peak out here, and it's windy and cold. Very much like March--and how did it get to be March already?
I am so glad it's not this time last year.
The other thing I need to do is edit my blog roll. So many of the bloggers on it aren't writing any more, but I hate to get rid of the links. Silly, but I don't like breaking connections literally or figuratively. But life does go on, and people move on, and that's that.
Meanwhile, the sun is trying to peak out here, and it's windy and cold. Very much like March--and how did it get to be March already?
I am so glad it's not this time last year.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Lenten Discipline
Taking on a Lenten discipline is something I preach about every year. I write about it in the newsletter and in our special mailing for Lent. I provide materials meant to support such disciplines. Yet I am terrible at maintaining such a discipline myself. Oh, from time to time I manage something; in 2003, along with several of my seminary classmates I gave up sweets, especially chocolate. In 2007 I finished my transition to becoming a vegetarian by giving up eating chicken (and didn't resume at the end of Lent), and in 2008 I gave up Diet Coke. But last year my Lenten discipline--which I actually spent more time thinking through than usual--was a spectacular FAIL. Half way through Lent I publicly acknowledged that it just wasn't going to happen. And given my stress level last year, that may have been the healthiest choice.
Nonetheless, I feel a little hypocritical about the whole thing, and so this year I resolved to do better. Only then Ash Wednesday came and I was still dithering about what to do. SO when my seminary friend Caffeinated Priest listed a set of spiritual exercises, one for each day of Lent, it seemed like a wonderful idea to take them on myself.
I like these exercises because they are thoughtful and intentional, and they cover a whole gamut of behaviors and practices. Many of them would make excellent practices to adopt regularly. Each of them requires thought. And mostly they don't focus on giving up things.
Intellectually I know that Lenten disiciplines aren't just about giving up something. And if you give up something it should be because it's a healthy choice to make, or because doing so makes your life better or allows you time to spend on other things more important. Not to prove that you can--to yourself or to others--which is how it often ends up feeling, at least to me, and that is just not the point. So this year, I'm not giving anything up for the entirety of Lent. But even though I've gotten a late start (and I won't make lame excuses for that), beginning today I'm going to follow these spiritual practices, and I'm going to try to blog each day on home I'm doing.
Today's exercise is: Read the beatitudes, Matthew 4:25-5:10.
Matthew is my favorite gospel, and the Sermon on the Mount is one of my favorite parts of that gospel, but funnily enough, the beatitudes, which are the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount are NOT favorites--partly because people are sometimes too glib about them. So I've read today, but I think some rereading and reflection is in order.
Nonetheless, I feel a little hypocritical about the whole thing, and so this year I resolved to do better. Only then Ash Wednesday came and I was still dithering about what to do. SO when my seminary friend Caffeinated Priest listed a set of spiritual exercises, one for each day of Lent, it seemed like a wonderful idea to take them on myself.
I like these exercises because they are thoughtful and intentional, and they cover a whole gamut of behaviors and practices. Many of them would make excellent practices to adopt regularly. Each of them requires thought. And mostly they don't focus on giving up things.
Intellectually I know that Lenten disiciplines aren't just about giving up something. And if you give up something it should be because it's a healthy choice to make, or because doing so makes your life better or allows you time to spend on other things more important. Not to prove that you can--to yourself or to others--which is how it often ends up feeling, at least to me, and that is just not the point. So this year, I'm not giving anything up for the entirety of Lent. But even though I've gotten a late start (and I won't make lame excuses for that), beginning today I'm going to follow these spiritual practices, and I'm going to try to blog each day on home I'm doing.
Today's exercise is: Read the beatitudes, Matthew 4:25-5:10.
Matthew is my favorite gospel, and the Sermon on the Mount is one of my favorite parts of that gospel, but funnily enough, the beatitudes, which are the opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount are NOT favorites--partly because people are sometimes too glib about them. So I've read today, but I think some rereading and reflection is in order.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Friday Five~~FAB February
1. When February comes along, how do you feel about the coming month?
~It's a meh month for me. Not my favorite, but not my least fave either. When I lived down south, in February I would start to anticipate spring in February, but it is WAY too early for that in New England!
2. What memories do you have about Valentine's Day? Are you doing anything to observe it this year?
~Valentine's Day was fun when I was young enough to decorate my "mailbox" and make valentines for my friends, but as an adult I find it highly overrated, and no, I'm not observing. It used to make me kind of sad, highlighting as it did my singleness, but I'm mostly over that now
3. It is interesting that Monday's "Presidents Day" is not officially called that in every state. It is a U.S. federal holiday entitled "Washington's Birthday." Which is your favorite president and why?
~I remember when Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday were observed on Feb. 12 and 22. Guess I'm officially old.
~It's easier to say my least favorite Presidents (GW Bush, Nixon, Reagan) than my favorite (Obama, I guess,because he comes closer to sharing my liberal ideals than anyone in recent memory, although I think highly of Jimmy Carter, more as a person than as a president).
4. Will you be celebrating Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras? How?
~Yes, I will, with a Pancake Supper and Mardi Gras celebration at church. And we'll burn palms to make ashes for the next day, play games, and put away the "alleluias" until Easter. Lots of fun.
5. Any other ways to celebrate in February?
~Not so much. Except for Shrove Tuesday and the beginning of Lent, it's a pretty quiet month.
~It's a meh month for me. Not my favorite, but not my least fave either. When I lived down south, in February I would start to anticipate spring in February, but it is WAY too early for that in New England!
2. What memories do you have about Valentine's Day? Are you doing anything to observe it this year?
~Valentine's Day was fun when I was young enough to decorate my "mailbox" and make valentines for my friends, but as an adult I find it highly overrated, and no, I'm not observing. It used to make me kind of sad, highlighting as it did my singleness, but I'm mostly over that now
3. It is interesting that Monday's "Presidents Day" is not officially called that in every state. It is a U.S. federal holiday entitled "Washington's Birthday." Which is your favorite president and why?
~I remember when Washington's Birthday and Lincoln's Birthday were observed on Feb. 12 and 22. Guess I'm officially old.
~It's easier to say my least favorite Presidents (GW Bush, Nixon, Reagan) than my favorite (Obama, I guess,because he comes closer to sharing my liberal ideals than anyone in recent memory, although I think highly of Jimmy Carter, more as a person than as a president).
4. Will you be celebrating Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras? How?
~Yes, I will, with a Pancake Supper and Mardi Gras celebration at church. And we'll burn palms to make ashes for the next day, play games, and put away the "alleluias" until Easter. Lots of fun.
5. Any other ways to celebrate in February?
~Not so much. Except for Shrove Tuesday and the beginning of Lent, it's a pretty quiet month.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Okay, about that submarine...
Mibi asked me about the submarine I mentioned in my last post--honestly, it's not nearly as exciting as it could be.
As it happens, TFoMC was in the Navy, and served in submarines--Fleet Ballistic Missile submaines (FBMs or "boomers")to be exact. Which meant, among other things, that he was gone for a stretch of three months at a time, and then on land for three months--on and off, on and off, for a three year sea rotation. Although we were stationed in Rhett Butler's City, his boat tied up farther south in the peach state. So when the boat came in, families would often travel down to meet it and we were invited to come aboard.
Submarines are not spacious quarters by any means. And they smell funky--especially after they've been submerged for close to three months full of sailors who have to take "navy showers." And you have to climb up and down skinny ladders, and go through narrow doors. Frankly, they'd make me quite claustrophobic if I had to be on one for very long. But it was definitely interesting to see how the guys lived, and to imagine what it would be like to be sealed up inside, deep beneath the sea.
At one point the boat (and subs are "boats", not "ships" -- don't ask me why, but submariners are quite explicit about that) came into the base at Rhett Butler's City, and families were invited on for a "dependent's cruise." I was nervous but willing to go, but the weather turned stormy, and the event was cancelled and never rescheduled. Stormy weather doesn't normally phase a sub--they are below it literally--but you have to get out far enough offshore to submerge, and I guess they didn't want a bunch of seasick civilians before they got that far. Honestly I think I was both relieved and disappointed to miss it!
As it happens, TFoMC was in the Navy, and served in submarines--Fleet Ballistic Missile submaines (FBMs or "boomers")to be exact. Which meant, among other things, that he was gone for a stretch of three months at a time, and then on land for three months--on and off, on and off, for a three year sea rotation. Although we were stationed in Rhett Butler's City, his boat tied up farther south in the peach state. So when the boat came in, families would often travel down to meet it and we were invited to come aboard.
Submarines are not spacious quarters by any means. And they smell funky--especially after they've been submerged for close to three months full of sailors who have to take "navy showers." And you have to climb up and down skinny ladders, and go through narrow doors. Frankly, they'd make me quite claustrophobic if I had to be on one for very long. But it was definitely interesting to see how the guys lived, and to imagine what it would be like to be sealed up inside, deep beneath the sea.
At one point the boat (and subs are "boats", not "ships" -- don't ask me why, but submariners are quite explicit about that) came into the base at Rhett Butler's City, and families were invited on for a "dependent's cruise." I was nervous but willing to go, but the weather turned stormy, and the event was cancelled and never rescheduled. Stormy weather doesn't normally phase a sub--they are below it literally--but you have to get out far enough offshore to submerge, and I guess they didn't want a bunch of seasick civilians before they got that far. Honestly I think I was both relieved and disappointed to miss it!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Friday Five~Planes, trains, and automobiles
1) What was the mode of transit for your last trip?
Car--to Vermont at Christmas
2) Have you ever traveled by train?
Yes, often. Trains are my very favorite way to travel, and I take them whenever I can. The longest train trip I've taken was from NYC to Greenville SC, but I'd love to take a cross country train trip someday.
3) Do you live in a place with public transit, and if so, do you use it?
Not in my town, but there is public transit in the region. You can take the bus to nearby Ivy League City (although I'm not sure how convenient it is). And you can get the commuter rail from here to several destinations. You can take the long distance bus from two nearby towns,and you can get Amtrak from Ivy League City. So not bad at all.
I'm pleasantly surprised that the Kid can get to his college from here by public transit (bus) and from there to Beantown by bus or train, given that his college is out in the boonies. And he does travel that way frequently.
4) What's the most unusual vehicle in which you've ever traveled?
Ummmm.....not sure I've ever traveled in anything that unusual. But I have been on a submarine. Didn't get to go out to sea on it because the weather turned bad.
5) What's the next trip you're planning to take?
To NYC for the day, soon. And by train. :)
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
I don't live there anymore, but...
I am incredibly sad and disappointed in the outcome of the Massachusetts senate election. For a blue state (some would claim the bluest state) to elect a Republican to take Ted Kennedy's senate seat is a travesty. I just don't understand how it could happen.
Oh, I know...Coakley didn't campaign well, the independents came out in favor of the Republican ...and so on. But I still don't understand it, on many levels. I don't understand people being against health care reform. I find the quote that I hear so often that it's being "crammed down our throats" ludicrous.
And you can't live where I did in Massachusetts without being infected by the Kennedy mystique--for better or for worse. I may just be an old lefty liberal, but as I've probably said here before, it delighted me to have Ted Kenndy for my senator for the time I lived in MA. I know some people think it's ridiculous to say it was 'his' seat, but still, after all he did for health care reform, for it to turn out this way....well, it's sad and depressing.
Oh, I know...Coakley didn't campaign well, the independents came out in favor of the Republican ...and so on. But I still don't understand it, on many levels. I don't understand people being against health care reform. I find the quote that I hear so often that it's being "crammed down our throats" ludicrous.
And you can't live where I did in Massachusetts without being infected by the Kennedy mystique--for better or for worse. I may just be an old lefty liberal, but as I've probably said here before, it delighted me to have Ted Kenndy for my senator for the time I lived in MA. I know some people think it's ridiculous to say it was 'his' seat, but still, after all he did for health care reform, for it to turn out this way....well, it's sad and depressing.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Brrrrrr.....
~It is cold outside, and I'm learning that means it's cold inside, too. My house is drafty, at least in some places! Especially the "sunporch" which won't stay warm no matter what I do. Doesn't matter too much now, because I have very little furniture there now, but it does mean the heat runs all the time TRYING to get it warm.
~I've never understood why, if the thermostat is always set at the same temperature, say 67, it feels colder inside when it is colder outside....I mean, it's still 67 inside....but it definitely feels colder. Weird.
~It has snowed off and on for the last couple of days. And I am amazed at how many times the snowplow went up and down my street today. I live in a residential area, but at the corner of two streets that seem to be used as short cuts to get to a major road. And I'm at the top of a steep hill. So I am glad they plow a lot, but it is still surprising.
~I'm glad I have new boots and a new down coat...I promised myself last year that if I stayed in New England I would get a new down coat this winter and I found one when I was Christmas shopping. It is very cozy. And I got these boots last week when I was in Vermont. Just in time, apparently.
~I've never understood why, if the thermostat is always set at the same temperature, say 67, it feels colder inside when it is colder outside....I mean, it's still 67 inside....but it definitely feels colder. Weird.
~It has snowed off and on for the last couple of days. And I am amazed at how many times the snowplow went up and down my street today. I live in a residential area, but at the corner of two streets that seem to be used as short cuts to get to a major road. And I'm at the top of a steep hill. So I am glad they plow a lot, but it is still surprising.
~I'm glad I have new boots and a new down coat...I promised myself last year that if I stayed in New England I would get a new down coat this winter and I found one when I was Christmas shopping. It is very cozy. And I got these boots last week when I was in Vermont. Just in time, apparently.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Moving on
No, I'm not going anywhere. Not geographically, anyway; I've already done that. But in reflecting on the new year, and the hopes that I have for it, and inspired once again by profgrrrrl I have chosen "moving on" as my theme for 2010.
That might seem like a strange choice, given that I just went through the upheaval of accepting a new position and moving to a new place, and I'm beginning to feel at home here. But the thing is, the longer I'm here, the more I realize that I didn't just move geographically, I didn't just start a new position--my whole life has changed (see last year's theme!) and it's affected me in all sorts of ways, some I anticipated and some I didn't. Some of the changes came off just as I thought they would, but others --well, they took twists and turns I never expected; I went down a dark hole before I came back out in the light.
Now I am in a good place--literally and figuratively. But I have to figure out how to BE in this place. The job part, as challenging as it is to become a rector for the first time, will work itself out, and I am grateful to have a good support system in place to help me with that. It's all the rest I have to work on. For years I defined myself as a mother--and as a single mother at that. It wasn't my whole identity, but it was a large part of it. Now my kids have all flown the nest. They are still around of course, and they still need me (I'm relieved to know) but in very different ways. I have space now to "do my own thing"-- I just have to figure out what that thing is!
So I'll be moving on--in part I hope that means I'll get my body moving more. I've NEVER liked exercise. As a kid I wanted nothing more than a good book and a quiet place to read it, and that still holds true. The one time in my life when I was actually fit (and trim) was 20 years ago when I took up running. And found out I actually liked it. But after the Kid was born, I never went back to it, for lots of (mostly bad) reasons. I'm not sure my knees and back would take to running these days, so I tell myself I'll walk. I walked a lot when I lived in the city, but I'm less motivated elsewhere. Beyond walking, what? Yoga? Pilates? Weights? Theoretically, I'd like to try all of those, but the thought of going into a gym and exposing my ineptitude (and my body) gives me chills. That is something I need to overcome.
Moving on might mean trying out something new. I've wanted to learn to throw pots for a long time; maybe now is the time to find a place to do it. Moving on might mean rediscovering things I used to enjoy. I've let my photography go in the last year; it was something I really took pleasure in for a while, and I've been toying with the idea of resurrecting my photoblog. I used to do a lot of handwork--mostly counted cross stitch. Or there's knitting, which I've said for the last few years I'd like to do.
Moving on means continuing to figure out how to parent adult children, and how to grandparent We all have demanding jobs and tricky schedules, but I want to find ways to stay in touch and involved. Moving on means finding ways to develop new friendships, too. I have lots of friends, but most of them aren't around here. Boundary issues with my congregation makes developing friendships difficult, too--how do I cultivate friendships outside of church?
Moving on definitely will include learning to use my time better. I've never been one to strictly structure my time; I'm much too much of a "P" (as in INFP, mbti) for that. But the rhythms of the workday and work week are much different here--staff schedules are different, work demands are different, home demands are different--and I've struggled to figure out how best to take advantage of the time I have. I've already thought about planning to set side one day for reading and study, a day without scheduled appointments, and I need to figure out how best to use that day productively. And as "head of staff" I have to learn to think and plan farther ahead than I ever have. I'm a "big picture" person, so that appeals to me in some ways, but as a "P" it's also difficult to make too many concrete plans far into the future, so that will be a challenge.
And moving on might mean finding ways to indulge in my nerdy passion for taking classes, being involved in educational pursuits. Geographically I'm situated 20 minutes from one seminary and a doable train ride from another. I need to take advantage of that, not just dream about it.
There are more ways I can be moving on, I'm sure. But this is a good start. Now I just have to follow through.
That might seem like a strange choice, given that I just went through the upheaval of accepting a new position and moving to a new place, and I'm beginning to feel at home here. But the thing is, the longer I'm here, the more I realize that I didn't just move geographically, I didn't just start a new position--my whole life has changed (see last year's theme!) and it's affected me in all sorts of ways, some I anticipated and some I didn't. Some of the changes came off just as I thought they would, but others --well, they took twists and turns I never expected; I went down a dark hole before I came back out in the light.
Now I am in a good place--literally and figuratively. But I have to figure out how to BE in this place. The job part, as challenging as it is to become a rector for the first time, will work itself out, and I am grateful to have a good support system in place to help me with that. It's all the rest I have to work on. For years I defined myself as a mother--and as a single mother at that. It wasn't my whole identity, but it was a large part of it. Now my kids have all flown the nest. They are still around of course, and they still need me (I'm relieved to know) but in very different ways. I have space now to "do my own thing"-- I just have to figure out what that thing is!
So I'll be moving on--in part I hope that means I'll get my body moving more. I've NEVER liked exercise. As a kid I wanted nothing more than a good book and a quiet place to read it, and that still holds true. The one time in my life when I was actually fit (and trim) was 20 years ago when I took up running. And found out I actually liked it. But after the Kid was born, I never went back to it, for lots of (mostly bad) reasons. I'm not sure my knees and back would take to running these days, so I tell myself I'll walk. I walked a lot when I lived in the city, but I'm less motivated elsewhere. Beyond walking, what? Yoga? Pilates? Weights? Theoretically, I'd like to try all of those, but the thought of going into a gym and exposing my ineptitude (and my body) gives me chills. That is something I need to overcome.
Moving on might mean trying out something new. I've wanted to learn to throw pots for a long time; maybe now is the time to find a place to do it. Moving on might mean rediscovering things I used to enjoy. I've let my photography go in the last year; it was something I really took pleasure in for a while, and I've been toying with the idea of resurrecting my photoblog. I used to do a lot of handwork--mostly counted cross stitch. Or there's knitting, which I've said for the last few years I'd like to do.
Moving on means continuing to figure out how to parent adult children, and how to grandparent We all have demanding jobs and tricky schedules, but I want to find ways to stay in touch and involved. Moving on means finding ways to develop new friendships, too. I have lots of friends, but most of them aren't around here. Boundary issues with my congregation makes developing friendships difficult, too--how do I cultivate friendships outside of church?
Moving on definitely will include learning to use my time better. I've never been one to strictly structure my time; I'm much too much of a "P" (as in INFP, mbti) for that. But the rhythms of the workday and work week are much different here--staff schedules are different, work demands are different, home demands are different--and I've struggled to figure out how best to take advantage of the time I have. I've already thought about planning to set side one day for reading and study, a day without scheduled appointments, and I need to figure out how best to use that day productively. And as "head of staff" I have to learn to think and plan farther ahead than I ever have. I'm a "big picture" person, so that appeals to me in some ways, but as a "P" it's also difficult to make too many concrete plans far into the future, so that will be a challenge.
And moving on might mean finding ways to indulge in my nerdy passion for taking classes, being involved in educational pursuits. Geographically I'm situated 20 minutes from one seminary and a doable train ride from another. I need to take advantage of that, not just dream about it.
There are more ways I can be moving on, I'm sure. But this is a good start. Now I just have to follow through.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Friday Five~A fresh start
From the RGBPs:
1. What will you gladly leave behind in 2009?
All of the angst...so much stress related to my job, finding a new position amidst all that. And all the negativity that went along with it. Nor will I let myself be defined by that experience....letting it all go.
2. What is the biggest challenge of 2010 for you?
Adjusting to my new life here. I love my new position, and I'm (mostly) getting used to living alone. But I still need to work out a good rhythm for using my time well, and develop some out-of-work activities. I have lots of friends--but none of them are HERE and I'm not so good at having a social life all on my own.
3. Is there anything that you simply need to hand to God and say "all will be well, for you are with me"?
Everything. Really. The biggest lesson I learned from last year is that I am not in control. I can make decisions on how to act, and I must do that thoughtfully and responsibly, but beyond that I am not in control.
4. If you could only achieve one thing in 2010 what would it be?
World peace.
Or short of that, a sense of peace and contentment in my life, and well-being in my congregation.
Or more specific yet, see some growth in my congregation.
5. Post a picture, poem or song that sums up your prayer for the year ahead....
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
~Thomas Merton
1. What will you gladly leave behind in 2009?
All of the angst...so much stress related to my job, finding a new position amidst all that. And all the negativity that went along with it. Nor will I let myself be defined by that experience....letting it all go.
2. What is the biggest challenge of 2010 for you?
Adjusting to my new life here. I love my new position, and I'm (mostly) getting used to living alone. But I still need to work out a good rhythm for using my time well, and develop some out-of-work activities. I have lots of friends--but none of them are HERE and I'm not so good at having a social life all on my own.
3. Is there anything that you simply need to hand to God and say "all will be well, for you are with me"?
Everything. Really. The biggest lesson I learned from last year is that I am not in control. I can make decisions on how to act, and I must do that thoughtfully and responsibly, but beyond that I am not in control.
4. If you could only achieve one thing in 2010 what would it be?
World peace.
Or short of that, a sense of peace and contentment in my life, and well-being in my congregation.
Or more specific yet, see some growth in my congregation.
5. Post a picture, poem or song that sums up your prayer for the year ahead....
MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me.
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.
And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.
I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.
~Thomas Merton
Thursday, December 31, 2009
2010!
It's hard to believe that we're marking the beginning of the second decade of this century! I remember clearly where I was and what I was doing 10 years ago as we awaited the dawn of 2000. It was the time of Y2k....seems so silly now, but some people took it so seriously. The Kid and I were the only ones home for new year's eve (I don't remember where the girls were), and we played games on the computer to pass the time until midnight--no blogs or Facebook then to keep us occupied. At midnight we watched the time turn over (correctly) on our computer, and had some sparkling cider to toast the new year.
This year it's the two of us again. The Kid was supposed to be away visiting his high school friends, but he woke up sick this morning and had to delay his departure. So we're sitting here with our laptops, awaiting 2010, and we'll have sparkling cider again. Maybe I'll try out my new popcorn maker, too.
So much has happened in the last ten years. At the beginning of 2000 I was going up for tenure, and discerning my call to the priesthood. My three older kids were all in college, and the Kid was in 3rd grade. Now the girls are both married and mothers, the Kid is in college and Elder Son is in grad school. My father, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all died of cancer, and my mother has moved into assisted living. 9/11 happened, and I went off to seminary and was ordained. I've moved three times. I've made new friends and reconnected with old ones. And all that just barely conveys how my life has changed. I wonder what the next 10 years will bring?
Happy New Year everyone. May 2010 be filled with good things for all.
This year it's the two of us again. The Kid was supposed to be away visiting his high school friends, but he woke up sick this morning and had to delay his departure. So we're sitting here with our laptops, awaiting 2010, and we'll have sparkling cider again. Maybe I'll try out my new popcorn maker, too.
So much has happened in the last ten years. At the beginning of 2000 I was going up for tenure, and discerning my call to the priesthood. My three older kids were all in college, and the Kid was in 3rd grade. Now the girls are both married and mothers, the Kid is in college and Elder Son is in grad school. My father, mother-in-law, and father-in-law all died of cancer, and my mother has moved into assisted living. 9/11 happened, and I went off to seminary and was ordained. I've moved three times. I've made new friends and reconnected with old ones. And all that just barely conveys how my life has changed. I wonder what the next 10 years will bring?
Happy New Year everyone. May 2010 be filled with good things for all.
2009--the good, the bad, and the ugly
Where to start? I think I'll go in reverse order:
The Ugly:
~I will remember 2009 in large part by the truly abominable behavior I experienced from some colleagues, primarily my former boss. As I've reflected over it the last few months, I still find myself not quite believing how reprehensible some of it was, and how completely unnecessary. But if nothing else, I learned a lot about how NOT to interact with people, how NOT to manage staff, and about how I react under stress--both positively and negatively.
The Bad:
~Job stress. Lots of it, much remaining unbloggable. Really, it's remarkable how much that defined my life for the first two-thirds of the year (and see the Ugly, above). While things had been stressful for much of my tenure there, I couldn't have foreseen how hard the last year there would turn out to be.
~Moving stress--no matter if the move is positive, packing and moving is HARD physically and psychologically. I've done it many times, and I know how to get it done efficiently, but it never gets easier.
The Good:
~Family--Baby J thrives, and I was privileged to baptize her at the Easter Vigil. WW got married, and Mr. WW arrived from Nepal in time for Baby M's birth. The Kid graduated from high school, and survived his first semester of college. I got used to living alone.We had a wonderful Thanksgiving together in my great new house, and celebrated Christmas together in VT.
~Friends--took care of me in so many ways when I was totally stressed out, and rejoiced with me when things turned around. I discovered deep wells of caring and concern and generosity of spirit, sometimes from completely unexpected places. And I reconnected with some old friends via FB.
~Colleagues--rallied around me when I needed them. My clergy coach and his wife went above and beyond the call of duty to support and encourage me. I don't know where I'd be without them.
~A wonderful new parish--my new church has been warm and welcoming and seems truly happy to have me here. There are many challenges to face here, and I know the honeymoon will not last forever, but it is so nice to start out positively. I am so happy to be here, and I feel really lucky and blessed that I ended up in a good place.
And that's 2009 in a nutshell.
The Ugly:
~I will remember 2009 in large part by the truly abominable behavior I experienced from some colleagues, primarily my former boss. As I've reflected over it the last few months, I still find myself not quite believing how reprehensible some of it was, and how completely unnecessary. But if nothing else, I learned a lot about how NOT to interact with people, how NOT to manage staff, and about how I react under stress--both positively and negatively.
The Bad:
~Job stress. Lots of it, much remaining unbloggable. Really, it's remarkable how much that defined my life for the first two-thirds of the year (and see the Ugly, above). While things had been stressful for much of my tenure there, I couldn't have foreseen how hard the last year there would turn out to be.
~Moving stress--no matter if the move is positive, packing and moving is HARD physically and psychologically. I've done it many times, and I know how to get it done efficiently, but it never gets easier.
The Good:
~Family--Baby J thrives, and I was privileged to baptize her at the Easter Vigil. WW got married, and Mr. WW arrived from Nepal in time for Baby M's birth. The Kid graduated from high school, and survived his first semester of college. I got used to living alone.We had a wonderful Thanksgiving together in my great new house, and celebrated Christmas together in VT.
~Friends--took care of me in so many ways when I was totally stressed out, and rejoiced with me when things turned around. I discovered deep wells of caring and concern and generosity of spirit, sometimes from completely unexpected places. And I reconnected with some old friends via FB.
~Colleagues--rallied around me when I needed them. My clergy coach and his wife went above and beyond the call of duty to support and encourage me. I don't know where I'd be without them.
~A wonderful new parish--my new church has been warm and welcoming and seems truly happy to have me here. There are many challenges to face here, and I know the honeymoon will not last forever, but it is so nice to start out positively. I am so happy to be here, and I feel really lucky and blessed that I ended up in a good place.
And that's 2009 in a nutshell.
December!
Where did the month go?
After NaBloPoMo, I had every intention of continuing to blog, and I found myself thinking occassionally, "That'll blog!" but somehow, the posts never got written. So here's the month in random bits:
~The month started with a wonderful liturgy installing me as rector and celebrating our new ministry together as a parish. Some of my favorite people from my former parish traveled up to attend, and my clergy coach preached. It was a truly fantastic evening. And the next day was my birthday.
~I managed NOT to have the Christmas blues--I can't remember the last time that happened. Really. I can't remember.
~But I have to say that when Christmas Eve came, it took me a bit to feel the magic. Church on Christmas Eve is different here. Not bad, necessarily, but different.
~No Christmas pageant this year, and I'm surprised how much I missed it. But I did invite all the kids at the 5:00 service to come up front, and I read them the Christmas story from a Tomie DePaola book--and I saved the magi part for our Epiphany celebration on January 6.
~Another priest on FB who is in a new church remarked how much easier things would be when she wasn't doing everything for the first time. I think that is a wise observation. Just figuring out how things are "customarily" done is exhausting sometimes. And balancing the whole "of course you can do whatever you want" v. "we can't change anything!" scenario requires a lot of ....tact, to say the least.
~I had presents bought earlier than ever (but not that early by some standards, I suppose) and got the tree up in a timely manner, but I still found myself with too much to do on Christmas Eve. Which makes no sense, because I had so much less to do this year at work than last.
~The Kid and I went to Vermont on Christmas day as soon as I finished church to have Christmas with the NSLS and WW families. Baby J has a new kitchen and loves to cook. "Sit, Amma!" she says, and "Cook!" Then she gives me an ice cream cone. And Baby M is growing fast!
~Unbelievably, my camera never came out of my camera bag while I was away. Don't know how that happened. I did take a few pix with my phone but it's not the same.
~Too many deaths around Christmas....a good friend's father died on the 23rd, a priest colleague from my former diocese dies on December 24th, as did someone from my former parish in VT. I went to her funeral on Tuesday. It was the first time I'd been back to that parish since the week I was ordained as a deacon, and it was good to reconnect as we celebrated P's long and full life.
~We made it home yesterday between snow storms--here and there. I seem to have lost my driving-in-the-snow mojo, and I need to get it back. I live at the top of a hill, and I worry about getting up (and down!) when the roads are messy, although I did okay when I went to get groceries this morning.
~I won't be sorry to see 2009 out. What a year--the good, the bad, and the ugly. At least it ended on an upbeat. That should be a separate post, actually.
~What will 2010 bring in the blogosphere? When I click through my blogroll, I see so many abandoned or taken down blogs. There are voices I miss. But people move on....that's life. It will be interesting to see how blogging/fb/twitter play out in the next year.
After NaBloPoMo, I had every intention of continuing to blog, and I found myself thinking occassionally, "That'll blog!" but somehow, the posts never got written. So here's the month in random bits:
~The month started with a wonderful liturgy installing me as rector and celebrating our new ministry together as a parish. Some of my favorite people from my former parish traveled up to attend, and my clergy coach preached. It was a truly fantastic evening. And the next day was my birthday.
~I managed NOT to have the Christmas blues--I can't remember the last time that happened. Really. I can't remember.
~But I have to say that when Christmas Eve came, it took me a bit to feel the magic. Church on Christmas Eve is different here. Not bad, necessarily, but different.
~No Christmas pageant this year, and I'm surprised how much I missed it. But I did invite all the kids at the 5:00 service to come up front, and I read them the Christmas story from a Tomie DePaola book--and I saved the magi part for our Epiphany celebration on January 6.
~Another priest on FB who is in a new church remarked how much easier things would be when she wasn't doing everything for the first time. I think that is a wise observation. Just figuring out how things are "customarily" done is exhausting sometimes. And balancing the whole "of course you can do whatever you want" v. "we can't change anything!" scenario requires a lot of ....tact, to say the least.
~I had presents bought earlier than ever (but not that early by some standards, I suppose) and got the tree up in a timely manner, but I still found myself with too much to do on Christmas Eve. Which makes no sense, because I had so much less to do this year at work than last.
~The Kid and I went to Vermont on Christmas day as soon as I finished church to have Christmas with the NSLS and WW families. Baby J has a new kitchen and loves to cook. "Sit, Amma!" she says, and "Cook!" Then she gives me an ice cream cone. And Baby M is growing fast!
~Unbelievably, my camera never came out of my camera bag while I was away. Don't know how that happened. I did take a few pix with my phone but it's not the same.
~Too many deaths around Christmas....a good friend's father died on the 23rd, a priest colleague from my former diocese dies on December 24th, as did someone from my former parish in VT. I went to her funeral on Tuesday. It was the first time I'd been back to that parish since the week I was ordained as a deacon, and it was good to reconnect as we celebrated P's long and full life.
~We made it home yesterday between snow storms--here and there. I seem to have lost my driving-in-the-snow mojo, and I need to get it back. I live at the top of a hill, and I worry about getting up (and down!) when the roads are messy, although I did okay when I went to get groceries this morning.
~I won't be sorry to see 2009 out. What a year--the good, the bad, and the ugly. At least it ended on an upbeat. That should be a separate post, actually.
~What will 2010 bring in the blogosphere? When I click through my blogroll, I see so many abandoned or taken down blogs. There are voices I miss. But people move on....that's life. It will be interesting to see how blogging/fb/twitter play out in the next year.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Ding dong, the witch is dead
I spent the whole day today out shopping--I went to a very large mall in one direction because the Apple store is there, and I needed my computer worked on. And when I finished up there (some four hours later!) I went to Whole Foods in the opposite direction. Driving home it hit me--it's December 14, most of my shopping is done, and I don't have the Christmas grumpies yet! How did THAT happen?
Seriously, it's the first time that I can remember that the whole Christmas to-do hasn't depressed me to some extent--whether it was the shopping or work or what. Of course, there are still 11 days to go. And I have tons of work to do--sermons, bulletins, buying and decorating the tree, wrapping the gifts. I could still succumb. But something feels different this year--it feels lighter somehow. And I'm not complaining!
Seriously, it's the first time that I can remember that the whole Christmas to-do hasn't depressed me to some extent--whether it was the shopping or work or what. Of course, there are still 11 days to go. And I have tons of work to do--sermons, bulletins, buying and decorating the tree, wrapping the gifts. I could still succumb. But something feels different this year--it feels lighter somehow. And I'm not complaining!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
NaBloPoMo NoMo
It's November 30, and I made it--I posted every day, although there was a lot of filler. (I am reminded of my friend D's blog title On Not Being a Sausage, which comes from the teachings of Silvanus: "Do not be a sausage which is full of useless things," and feeling very sausagey myself!) It was a discipline if nothing else.
They say that the older you are, the faster time goes by, and I must say that I am finding that to be true. It seems impossible that the whole month of November has passed already. December will be even faster, I know, with the rush to Christmas. I bought my first Christmas present today, which puts me (for the moment) ahead of where I usually am this time of the year. And I got the Advent calendars out of the attic (I have several reusable ones.) Liturgically, Advent began yesterday, but Advent calendars usually run for the 24 days in December, so tomorrow will be Day 1. My concession to Christmas decorating is to hang one of the Advent calendars on the back door. I need to find something Adventy for the front door, too.
Even though NaBloPoMo is no mo, I am going to keep writing. Maybe I'll even have something to say :)
They say that the older you are, the faster time goes by, and I must say that I am finding that to be true. It seems impossible that the whole month of November has passed already. December will be even faster, I know, with the rush to Christmas. I bought my first Christmas present today, which puts me (for the moment) ahead of where I usually am this time of the year. And I got the Advent calendars out of the attic (I have several reusable ones.) Liturgically, Advent began yesterday, but Advent calendars usually run for the 24 days in December, so tomorrow will be Day 1. My concession to Christmas decorating is to hang one of the Advent calendars on the back door. I need to find something Adventy for the front door, too.
Even though NaBloPoMo is no mo, I am going to keep writing. Maybe I'll even have something to say :)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Fall pictures
I took these about a month ago...decided to quit futzing around with Photoshop for now and just used iPhoto to edit these. Not as sophisticated, but good enough for now.
This one is much better if you click on it to enlarge it.
This one is much better if you click on it to enlarge it.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Lame NaBloPoMo post
It's been a great Thanksgiving weekend, but mow I'm waaaaaay behind on writing my sermon. However, it's also almost the end of the month, and I'll be darned if I'm going to let NaBloPoMo go at this point, so here it is, my lame, last minute, placeholder post.
Not like my last few posts have been much either. I think I was half asleep when I wrote a couple of them. But I shall endeavor to finish the month with a flourish if I can!
Not like my last few posts have been much either. I think I was half asleep when I wrote a couple of them. But I shall endeavor to finish the month with a flourish if I can!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Christmas is coming
Last night I looked out the front windows to see Christmas lights in all directions--'candles' in the windows directly across the street, lights outlining the roof line at another, light-adorned shrubbery at at third--everwhere I looked were Christmas decorations. Apparently all my neighbor used Thanksgiving Day as an opportune time to get ready for Christmas.
Actually these weren't the first decorations I'd seen; last week while driving to get a haircut I passed a yard adorned on the one side with a huge inflatable turkey, and on the other with an equally large (and obnoxious) Santa.
I guess I'm old-fashioned; certainly my outlook is affected by my occupation, but it's also shaped by tradition, and that tradition holds that Christmas BEGINS on December 24, and culminates on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. Clearly I am out of step with 'popular culture.' But oh, how I wshed morre people observed Advent. I wish we could celebrate Thanksgiving without being caught up in the materialism and hoopla of the season to comes--things that really have very little to do with the real reason for Christmas.
Actually these weren't the first decorations I'd seen; last week while driving to get a haircut I passed a yard adorned on the one side with a huge inflatable turkey, and on the other with an equally large (and obnoxious) Santa.
I guess I'm old-fashioned; certainly my outlook is affected by my occupation, but it's also shaped by tradition, and that tradition holds that Christmas BEGINS on December 24, and culminates on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6. Clearly I am out of step with 'popular culture.' But oh, how I wshed morre people observed Advent. I wish we could celebrate Thanksgiving without being caught up in the materialism and hoopla of the season to comes--things that really have very little to do with the real reason for Christmas.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
What's for dinner?
Thanksgiving at chez Rev. Dr Mom:
Roasted turkey
Cornbread dressing
Homemade cranberry sauce
Mashed potatoes
Sauteed green-beans
Roasted sweet potatoes and onions
Pumpkin cheesecake
Pecan pie
All delicious!
How about you?
Roasted turkey
Cornbread dressing
Homemade cranberry sauce
Mashed potatoes
Sauteed green-beans
Roasted sweet potatoes and onions
Pumpkin cheesecake
Pecan pie
All delicious!
How about you?
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