Saw This on Postsecret

Saw this on PostSecret.

hiatus

I finished my Chinese class.

Am going on vacation for a week.

All About Me

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

My maternal great-great aunt, Sara Virginia

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?

At my older daughter’s ballet recital, with my younger daughter squirming on my lap the whole time.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

It’s ok.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?

Roasted chicken

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?

2

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?

yes

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?

Not a lot

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS

yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

nope

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?

This is tough, I don’t love cereal. I’d have to say muesli

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

sometimes

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

somewhat

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?

This is hard. I guess I gotta say “Bananas on the Rum” by Ben & Jerry’s

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?

Their eyes – windows to the soul, of course

15. RED OR PINK?

maroon

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?

Anxiety

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST

My dear friends who I used to live close to (either in college or growing up) and now are all scattered all over the place

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?

Sure, why not?

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Chartreuse (flip flops)

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

It’s the morning, so, muesli

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

The vent fan at work, it’s right over my desk and is an amazing white-noise machine.

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

“cornflower”

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?

Rain, the ocean, the woods in the Wissahickon park (pretty much any woods, actually), Dreft, garlic cooking slowly in oil, pumpkin pie (pretty much all baked goods around the holidays), Chanel 19, Wright’s Coal Tar Soap, really fresh fruit salad, a good cuppa tea, my husband’s shirts, old fashioned garden variety bearded iris, fresh tar on the street, farms (“good, healthy smells”), citrus and herb combinations (like lime-basil soap) this list can go on and on….

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My sister

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?

She’s the best.

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?

any track and field and/or running event - especially cross-country, Tour de France, Men’s Soccer, esp. the World Cup, Swimming, Water Polo, Biathlon (skis and target practice)

27. Hair Color?

brown

28. EYE COLOR?

hazel

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?

nope

30. FAVORITE FOOD?

This is too hard.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?

Happy Endings. Don’t do scary movies, except by accident.

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?

Hulk

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?

Multi-colored

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?

Summer (though I’ve gained an appreciation for winter and don’t loathe it the way I used to)

35. HUGS OR KISSES?

Hugs and kisses

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?

These are sooooooo hard, I’d say pudding, but then there’s pies and cakes and ice cream too……

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?

Hmmmmmm no idea

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND

My sister

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?

David Sedaris' new book When You Are Engulfed In Flames (for my book group)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?

Daybreak, by Maxfield Parrish

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?

Nothing much, a teensy bit of the horrendously over-hyped and emotionally-twisted US Women’s gymnastics team trials. [women’s gymnastics in the US HAS to be the most dysfunctional sport/mind-feel EVER!]

2. FAVORITE SOUND?

Chocolate chips being poured into cookie dough

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?

Beatles

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME???

China

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?

I can read Tarot cards

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

Hartford, CT

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?

Anybody’s

Bikes, etc.

I read about the new Montreal bike system. I already loved Montreal (Josiah and I went there on our honeymoon) but this is excellent news.

And of course, we all know that the Tour de France is coming up. I can't wait!! Maia got me all hooked on it, and now I can't stop thinking about it. This year the course goes through lots of Brittany. Which is awesome. I wish I could go watch......

In non-bike related news, this comic at Identity Check is speaking to me loud and clear right now. I thing Angie is feeling it too. Hang in there, chica.

Happy Mid Summer!

Happy Midsummer, All!

As you might have guessed by now, I am trying to revive celebration of St John the Baptist's Day in our household. I've hung the Finnish Flag. I'm planning to have friends over for (vaguely) Scandinavian meal of fish, cucumber salad (and probably some other cold salads), with home made strawberry ice cream for dessert. I'll let you know how it turns out.

In other news, there's a great review of Jesus for President at Emerging Pensees. I think I'll add it to my wish list.

There are some amazing "issue" posters done by people all over the world here. Go check them out. Powerful stuff. These are about global warming, but there other themes include water scarcity, human rights, child mortality, STD's and more.

And another "green" item I have to share is: I just watched Hulk last night, by Ang Lee. And I was blown away. I had no idea I would like it. Granted there were commercials, and so it went on forever (which I've read was a criticism of the movie when it came out in the theaters too), and the whole Nick Nolte thing was annoying. BUT, the underlying message about the green monster in all of us was right on. Specifically, what I imagine it must be like for men to feel rage (I'm not a man.) Bruce Banner's description of how he felt as the Hulk was amazing. I don't know that much about testosterone, but it seemed like the movie described how it feels to be a guy, both enraged, and calm - gave me some insight. I thought Eric Bana did a fantastic job (though I pretty much dig Eric Bana in whatever he does!)

P.S. Hungry For Change Bake Sale for Obama at the Clark Park Farmers' Market tomorrow.

What a Way to Start the Day!

La Segunda took one look at my Dollywood coffee mug this morning and asked if that was my picture on the mug. Isn't my girl awesome!? I wish all mornings started out like that!

Later in the day I had a test in Chinese (taking a beginning Chinese language class). It was hard.

Quick Round-Up of Religious Art

There was a good crop of postings today about Religious Art chez my favorite religious art bloggers.

First, a photo from Time, posted on Iconia, of the contents of Barack Obama's pockets. I'd read something about this, but the image is great. Too bad Time doesn't know who Hanuman is. Great photo (by Time photographer). (Great hands too!)

Religious Imagery in Culture posted this photo. No note about where it is, but fantastic.

And last, Terry, at Idle Speculations (IS), posted a recommendation to check out Daniel Mitsui's original pen and ink artwork. I am blown away - check it out! I am even considering commissioning something.

Which reminds me that I need to re-commend (and recommend) Idle Speculations to anyone who has an interest in religious art. Terry (and possible others) posts v. well-researched descriptions of the artists and works profiled. I have learned so much through this site. It is exactly the kind of blog about religious art I had hoped would be out there when I started my blog. And had I the time, resources, fervor and/or eloquence, I might approach how IS' awesomeness, but not likely. Keep up the great work, Terry.

Hope When All is Gone

The New Testament reading yesterday was from Paul's letter to the Romans, (Romans 5). It reminded me immediately of the Lord of the Rings (LotR), by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4.

I don't know about you, but LotR to me is all about hope and WWI. As I read it, or see the movies, all I can think about are the men in the Trenches. I envision what the men in Tolkien's unit must have been like to be the inspirations for the LotR characters. Like, Boromir who is abrasive, and secretive, and weak, and proud (in the bad sense) and in the end, honorable, asking for forgiveness.

Seeing the books translated to film brought the characters even more to life for me. In fact, I had no interest in the books as a kid (so few women characters) until I saw the movies and realized that these were stories I could really get into. Then I read them in a continuous loop for two years picking up new things with each reading.

The Lord of the Rings is all about hope. And I think it can be capitalized: Hope, as in Christian Hope. Hope is what gets everybody through the trials and tribulations of the Lord of the Rings books. When things look grim, someone admonishes the Hobbits, or the Humans or the Dwarves, "Do not to give in to despair." It's something to keep in mind in Mordor, as well as Verdun, as well as in Philadelphia. "...As a light to use in dark places - when all other hope is gone".

I think in order to get through trench warfare, and the general horror of World War I, Tolkien and his friends must have had to figure out some way to cope. Would this passage from Romans have been a comfort?

The LotR books drove home for me the plight, both emotional and physical of veterans. The Hobbits' return to the Shire play out the saying "there's no going home." Nothing is the same for them after their adventures, and their return home. I think of our veterans - from the Great War through to our current Iraq and Afghan wars - and how they fare. Do they have hope? Did they have it before going to war? What will their return be like for them?

This is where Rev. Jim's exhortation, from yesterday's sermon, to be welcoming - to greet strangers with openness and warmth comes in. The stranger you meet could be God at your doorstep. We need to be ready, and welcoming. So that after the suffering, hope might emerge. With God's help.


The text from Paul's letter to the Romans, chapter 5:

1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a]have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we[c] also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

I Heart Obama

"I had an internal debate," Obama admitted, when a supporter thanked him for wearing a helmet. "Because I knew that the AP was going to take a picture, and they were trying to portray it like Dukakis wearing that tank helmet.

"But I wanted to make sure that the children who saw that picture knew that even the Democratic nominee for president wears a helmet when he goes biking,'' he said to applause. "Now, obviously the rest of my apparel was apparently not up to snuff, because I got a hard time from all sorts of blogs... who said I looked like Urkel."

From the Chicago Tribune

WOW! a combination of two things I fantasize about frequently: a house boats (well, sort of a barge) and gardens! When I was a kid I dreamed about having a houseboat and sailing (slowly) around the world (in calm waters, to be sure). And I always pictured the houseboat with it's own garden. Full of flowers, and even vegetables - so we could eat while we traveled, of course!

As an adult, with my own family, I have been fantasizing about renting a houseboat in France and doing a tour of the canals. Truly, how awesome would that be??? I've canoed along the canal in Agen. And it fueled my desire. Seeing the movie, My Mother's Castle (the film version of Marcel Pagnol's book), gives a sense of the canal, and what vacationing near/on them might be like. That's a fantastic movie. The ending always leaves me wracked with sobs, though.

Go to TreeHugger for the full article with more excellent photos.

Two Images of Jesus w/the Crown of Thorns

I saw this on Hasta los Gatos... on the anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's death.

And this on Rebel God which I found through a meme on Abandon Image. It's the same as the Jesus as Che campaign of the Churches Advertising Network.

The interwebs work that way, I guess, with those tubes and all.

Moon Image

wow.

Thanks to the Bad Astronomy guy for the link.

News and Weird News

This news reminds me of one of my favorite movies: Map of the Human Heart with Jason Scott Lee (no relation to Bruce Lee). [He's so hot!] Anyway, great news. Great movie.

Other great news from the BBC is that Burundi, the world's poorest country, is clearing away ALL the gazillions of mines in their country. A mammoth undertaking, apparently. This way, at least, the people will be able to farm again. And maybe the sweepers (sappers?) will be able to go to other countries to help them rid themselves of mines.

Which brings me to what I'd call, "news of the weird" from my home state. Boing Boing reports on an chicken bomb in Simsbury, CT. Simsbury?? Whatevs. Living on the the other side of Talcott Mountain may not be so bad after all.

La Segunda's friends

Well, it's official, La Segunda has imaginary friends. She told us about them at dinner the other night. Their names are "Shackie" and "Curly". I just about fell off my chair when she told me. All I can picture is Shecky Greene and Curly Howard when she says it.

Josiah immediately asked: " Is it normal that my toddler has an imaginary friend?"

I told her I had imaginary friends when I was a kid: Corleats and Plumedine. They went on adventures with me all the time. I miss them. When I grew out of playing with them, they took an extended vacation to Alaska.

Round up

Thanks to Americablog for that. They've found a few of these desperate national anthem moments and are sharing them. I love Mo Cheeks anyways, but this seals the deal.

Look to the right, and today Carnac is featured as a "sacred destination". I went to visit Carnac when I lived in France. My friend Helen and I missed the bus from the train station in Auray, so we walked from the station to the stones, and (luckily!) caught the bus back. The standing stones were the main reason that I chose to live in Nantes for a year. That and Breton (but that's another story). I had been to Brittany for vacation when I was little, when I lived in Wales (see here, here, here, and here). The standing stones in both places fascinated me, and still do.

So those are two pretty awesome finds for one day, and then there's my horoscope, which, as usual, is perfect!

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):

It's Blame All Your Problems on God Week. You have license to shun responsibility for the pain you feel and the messes you've made, and instead ascribe it all to the Divine Mischief Maker. The secret of achieving success in this enterprise is to act as if your dilemmas really do have nothing to do with anything you've done, but have been entirely caused by God's mistakes, his intentional cruelty, or his wicked sense of humor. By the way, Accept Total Responsibility for Your Problems Week is coming up next, and to observe that holiday correctly you will have to be thoroughly sincere about this week's. P.S. It's crucial that you really do blame everything on God, and not on actual human beings. P.P.S. If you're an atheist, it's Blame All Your Problems on Your

So Bummed I Missed It!

I am so intrigued by this. A World Science Festival! I had no idea. I definitely want to try to take the girls to this next year. We spend hours, and I mean HOURS at science museums. But this sounds even cooler. I wish people were doing this kind of thing back in the 70's.

I thought the OpEd in the New York Times that was linked to the festival site made some great points. I wish he had made some concrete suggestions for improving science education. Taking it away from the "technical mastery" to more of the "let's think about the big questions".

Thanks to Hasta los Gatos Quieren Zapatos for the link. Turns out I learn a lot from those ladies - thanks chicas.

Guerrilla Gardening in the News

Boing Boing quotes an LA Times article. Apparently Guerrilla Gardening is catching on! Not just MY friends are doing it.

Which made me think of re-working La Marseillaise just a tad, enjoy:

Aux graines, citoyens !
Formez vos bataillons !
Bêchons, bêchons !
Qu'un soude impure
Abreuve nos sillons !

To seeds, citizens!
Form your battalions!
Let us dig, let us dig!
May tainted soda
Water our fields!

With apologies to Delicatessen.

Seen and Overheard in Philly

Seen on a t-shirt today:

"Midwives help people out"

LOVE it!

Overheard in Philly, outside HUP:

"Yeah, she was from Roxborough. She had big hair and bad grammar."