The food was delicious, which inevitably transforms a meal into a celebration. I like oatmeal; I can eat it plain, with brown sugar, with salt, with yogurt, with mashed bananas, with raisins, etc. My affinity is probably linked to my Scottish ancestry; porridge is in my DNA. I've even eaten oatmeal for all three meals in a day; it's almost as versatile as eggs.
However, this weekend was a first. A. put out about ten bowls of toppings for the oatmeal; she called it "oatmeal sundays". It was delightful! It was the first time I had crushed mint chocolate chips in my oatmeal. Wow. I highly recommend it. I was unsure of the combination, but couldn't think of another opportunity to try it.
I dare you to mix something funky into your porridge. Ha. Oatmeal gone wild!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
the retreat
My weekend was rich. Thursday started in Yadkinville, chatting with winemakers. It's energizing to be around people so passionate. The weekend ended in Lexington, VA with The Foam Henge, a replica of The Stone Henge... which was apropos considering it was a retreat for creativity. The biggest impression I have of the retreat is the people: wow. I spent my days in a pleasant awe.
I've decided to write about it in snip-its. "Communion Wine" was my first installment. It's the first poem I've written in about 9 years. I'm no poet. Hence, the brevity. Less room to make a fool of myself.
But, it's an excellent summation of the retreat. I felt free and comfortable enough to do things that I don't normally enjoy: writing poetry and singing. I was in the company of fabulous poets and singers, but I felt unashamed of my paltry offerings. I was the fat kid happy to finish the 100-yard dash oblivious to the ambition of winning. It's relaxing to be outclassed.
I've decided to write about it in snip-its. "Communion Wine" was my first installment. It's the first poem I've written in about 9 years. I'm no poet. Hence, the brevity. Less room to make a fool of myself.
But, it's an excellent summation of the retreat. I felt free and comfortable enough to do things that I don't normally enjoy: writing poetry and singing. I was in the company of fabulous poets and singers, but I felt unashamed of my paltry offerings. I was the fat kid happy to finish the 100-yard dash oblivious to the ambition of winning. It's relaxing to be outclassed.
Why I don't write poetry:
Communion Wine
Among rows of baby grapes,
In an old white farm house
We relax at the kitchen table.
It's a hot one o'clock:
We pet the spoiled dog
And enjoy cold lemonade.
Between sips, we discover
Winemakers are farmers,
And farmers are philosophers.
Among rows of baby grapes,
In an old white farm house
We relax at the kitchen table.
It's a hot one o'clock:
We pet the spoiled dog
And enjoy cold lemonade.
Between sips, we discover
Winemakers are farmers,
And farmers are philosophers.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
retreat (v)
I'm retreating starting 6pm tonight through Sunday evening. I just need a ride home on Sunday night-- oops. It'll work out... right? Just like finding a job... right? On our way up, we're stopping at some vineyards to investigate possibilities for October's retreat.
I need some quiet time. My soul's wallowing in a stinky place.
I need some quiet time. My soul's wallowing in a stinky place.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
donations to the cause
Today I dropped by my spiritual advisor's monastery because I was in town. He asked me if I had a moment, so I chatted with the office manager while he went and got something. He came back with two books on prayer, several pamphlets and pages on prayer (St Joseph and the Divine Mercy, etc), and a real rosary. It was the rosary given to him to mark his fifth anniversary with the Benedictines. I was glad to have it with me as I found out several rounds of bad news; squeezing the handful of beads reminded me that I wasn't alone.
(And three non-monks wowed me with gracious gestures of their time. I had a good interview today with a principal even though I was in jeans. He asked if I could come in tomorrow, and I told him no that I'd be out of town. He asked if I could be there in twenty minutes: I said yes. A newspaper man talked himself into helping me as I sat silently on the phone. And, a grad school friend agreed to meet with me and my pastor boss to chat vineyards on our way to Virginia.)
Sunday, M gave me Anglican prayer beads with Anglican prayers. I like the Anglican prayers the best, but it has 33 beads. I prefer the 5 decades of the rosary. So, I think I'm going to incorporate the anglican prayers into my rosary. This is such flexidoxy! But, when I figure out what works, I'll share. I'm finding beads helpful-- they're tangible without being intrusive.
And, a friend gave me a Virgin of Guadalupe candle. I burn it every now and then. Three people have contributed to my faux Catholicism. It's nice to know people care enough to give!
(And three non-monks wowed me with gracious gestures of their time. I had a good interview today with a principal even though I was in jeans. He asked if I could come in tomorrow, and I told him no that I'd be out of town. He asked if I could be there in twenty minutes: I said yes. A newspaper man talked himself into helping me as I sat silently on the phone. And, a grad school friend agreed to meet with me and my pastor boss to chat vineyards on our way to Virginia.)
Sunday, M gave me Anglican prayer beads with Anglican prayers. I like the Anglican prayers the best, but it has 33 beads. I prefer the 5 decades of the rosary. So, I think I'm going to incorporate the anglican prayers into my rosary. This is such flexidoxy! But, when I figure out what works, I'll share. I'm finding beads helpful-- they're tangible without being intrusive.
And, a friend gave me a Virgin of Guadalupe candle. I burn it every now and then. Three people have contributed to my faux Catholicism. It's nice to know people care enough to give!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
fabulous quotation
‘Men go to gape at mountain peaks, at the boundless tides of the sea, the broad sweep of rivers, the encircling ocean and the motions of the stars: and yet they leave themselves unnoticed; they do not marvel at themselves.” Augustine's Confessions. X, viii. 15
Augustine was a bit of genius who had a bit of impact on all of Western civilization. With little ditties like this, you can see why.
Augustine was a bit of genius who had a bit of impact on all of Western civilization. With little ditties like this, you can see why.
Friday, June 20, 2008
survey
Next week I'm going to meet with a head-hunter of sorts; she's doing it as a favor to my aunt, I gather-- or sheer altruism. Last night and today I filled out a survey of questions she asks her clients. The process of answering was clarifying and exhausting; I relearned the power of a good question*. It revealed how cloudy my thinking is and ways I've gone off course. It is good timing after taking the Meyers Briggs and getting the JOTC. I'm preparing as much as possible so that I can glean as much as possible out of it!
Instead of focusing on everything that's wrong with me and things I lack (hey, who doesn't want to be beautiful?), perhaps I should consider my strengths as strengths even I have no idea how to market them or myself**. For instance, I have no business looking for a job in public schools or even Christian schools in this area, I didn't fit in when I was a student and I don't fit now. And, the survey helped me define my need to believe in what I do. This week, several people (my uncle and a sales lady) have mentioned particular subjects that make me light up. Also, interning at my church, I'm getting insight into the way I tick. I'm not the efficiency model that my sister is.
Also, I need to differentiate between things I like (writing) and things I'm good at (exegesis). Furthermore, I need to figure out the components of situations that I like and loathe. I need to dissect all my interviews into their different components. Generally, I think in terms of emotion (how I felt during and after) and the person (do I like, do I connect). It's caveman logic. I'm more evolved than that; I have the mental facilities to take a step or two further.
* Both Plato and John Calvin are fans of self-examination and self-knowledge. They fail to mention that it is exhausting and humbling. DeSales suggests looking into yourself only in view of the cross. Otherwise it's too dark.
**Hope is hard (and sometimes laughable) right now. But, I found this prayer of confession, based on the ten commandments. One of the first questions is "Have you despaired of God's mercy?" Hmm.
Instead of focusing on everything that's wrong with me and things I lack (hey, who doesn't want to be beautiful?), perhaps I should consider my strengths as strengths even I have no idea how to market them or myself**. For instance, I have no business looking for a job in public schools or even Christian schools in this area, I didn't fit in when I was a student and I don't fit now. And, the survey helped me define my need to believe in what I do. This week, several people (my uncle and a sales lady) have mentioned particular subjects that make me light up. Also, interning at my church, I'm getting insight into the way I tick. I'm not the efficiency model that my sister is.
Also, I need to differentiate between things I like (writing) and things I'm good at (exegesis). Furthermore, I need to figure out the components of situations that I like and loathe. I need to dissect all my interviews into their different components. Generally, I think in terms of emotion (how I felt during and after) and the person (do I like, do I connect). It's caveman logic. I'm more evolved than that; I have the mental facilities to take a step or two further.
* Both Plato and John Calvin are fans of self-examination and self-knowledge. They fail to mention that it is exhausting and humbling. DeSales suggests looking into yourself only in view of the cross. Otherwise it's too dark.
**Hope is hard (and sometimes laughable) right now. But, I found this prayer of confession, based on the ten commandments. One of the first questions is "Have you despaired of God's mercy?" Hmm.
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