15 Minutes Well Spent

While the media is glued to the Beer Summit this week- our family focus was intrigued and captived by something more interesing- caterpillars. While playing in the backyard after lunch we discovered a furry caterpillar on his way to a grove of trees in the corner of our lot.

We watched him for the entirety of his 5 minute trip to the tree line. He was so cute and the world seemed so big to his little eyes. But he took an unexpected turn (and no, the dog didn't eat him) towards the fence. He decided to leave the paradise of our yard for the open pastures of our southern neighbors.

Sticks and leaves stuck through the fence to coax him back were no good. He left us. Sigh.

But the world brightened as we turn back towards the trees- another little fellow was there waiting for us to follow him around for another 15 minutes.

Mother Nature is so interesting! How have you spent your time today?

Grumpies

Grumpies are now living amongst us. They have taken over my precious, sweet kid and turned her into a permanent frowning, stomping, whinning, & wimpering mess with two legs and a great suntan.

Is it time for school to start? Is she bored? Is she growing and tired? Is she an alein?

Whatever the reason- make it stop.

Top Ten Reasons to Keep Duke Pup a little longer or until he dies of something he ate

10. Because every Blue Devil fan needs a light blue colored poop bucket with a University of North Carolina sticker on it.

9. Because he annoys our daughter like a younger sibling would and that brings cheap entertainment to her parents.

8. Because we're greeted with a tail wagging, happy, wet nose, drippy mouth'd friend when we come home.

7. Because watching the infamous "poop dance" is so funny!

6. Because yelling "Duke, Duke, Duke" all the time in the direction of our UNC fan neighbor's house is too fun.

5. Because my husband is assured that this big brute of a pooch will protect us while he is traveling with work.

4. Because I want more work to do; cleaning, washing, feeding, walking: I just do NOT have enough to do.

3. Because he is a great excuse for family exercise together!

2. Because well- he is too cute and I cannot help myself- I'm a sucker for the cuteness.

1. Because you wouldn't be reading my blogs- they would be way too boring.

So, thanks Dukie buddy for all that you offer in our lives. Keep it coming, man, cause I need the material.

Why Keep Him?

Last Saturday night lying in bed, darkness covering us, my husband gently whispers-
"So, tell me again, why do we keep him?"

This not so romantic conversation centered on the pooch of our house- Duke. The rock-eating, drippy drinker, and all around annoying furry companion.

My hubbie asked me this question to validate why it is that we tolerate this dog. THIS dog, who while we were at church innocently getting our family photo taken and worshipping, threw up one-fifteenth of a ton of mulch in his kennel. (Yah think- he was put out that he was not included in the family photo op?!)

Nope- his vomiting expedition came from a much dumber reason than that. He ate the mulch because it had all the remains of our grease tray from the grill. (We had cleaned the grill that afternoon) Yes- Duke dog confused mulch with real food. My husband questions the dog's intelligence.

I never said Duke had intelligence. So I am not dissappointed.

Oh- here's the rest of the story. We cleaned it up. We then went out to dinner. (2nd bad family decision of the night.) And Duke threw up again... and laid in it by the time we got home. With my husband swearing, my daughter yelling "Lordy, look what Dukie did!" and me trying to get the dog into the shower without getting vomit on my carpet- made me re-think why it is that we have a pet when a stuffed varmit, or a fish, or another Beanie Baby would suffice.

I am still thinking...

Spinning World

Now, I know how the Planet Earth feels- spinning always spinning. After two of days with severe vertigo- I am ready for all the spinning to stop. No, do not invite me on the merry-go-round. And please don't ask for me to ride any of the 4H Fairground rides. I want to stop moving. Being still and stationary (in my head that is) sounds like bliss to me!

Every day chores have taken on a new level of difficulty. Our dog has not been on a walk for two days (he is in trouble for his Saturday night double feature vomiting routine.) Making the bed is impossible because I want to lay still in it all day. Bending down to load the dishwasher causes the world to turn in on itself. Shoot- don't ask how it was to wash my hair or to shower. I about fell over twice.

And the worse part about vertigo- you cannot go anywhere... people think you're drunk at 9am in the morning when you wish something you could drink would make the spinning stop. No driving. I've had my wings clipped.

I guess this is the Spirit's way of slowing me down for a bit. Helping me to honor my health and begging me to stop my part of the spinning- earth's rotation is enough, thank you very much!

Summer Literature

My daughter and I have completed reading 108 books for her summer reading program at the local library. We need to beat last year's best fo 152 books read. I think we can surpass that before August 7th.

I've only read around 734 pages thus far and am way behind on my reading. Also, I am way behind on my writing, but two closest in the house are organized again!

This week my reading will be Bible commentaries and articles to prepare my sermon for the weekend. Not much exciting there.

I did read the back of the Special K cereal box and have six new recipes to read through this week. I wonder if those can count towards something?!

What have you been reading?

It is difficult...

...to grow corn when your dog decides to pluck stalks out of the ground, drag the remains around the yard, and leave shreds of corn stalks between the flower beds.

sigh.

Anyone want a dog?!

Home Alone: What to do about it?!

Here on this Saturday post thunder showers and worship, I find myself home alone eating leftover pizza. Yum.

Well, not completely alone, there is the large yellow Kleenex eating, bottom sniffing pooch by my side as I type this blog entry. He keeps trying to take advantage of the lack of humans to distract me by laying at my feet a pile of his toys. (He thinks I will want to throw or toss one of these with him.) Pathetic really. (Don't worry when I am done here I shall put on my walking shoes and take him for his other favorite activity- a walk around the neighborhood.) Don't take the sad look on his face as truth- he does receive attention.

But what else shall I do now that I am home alone? This happens so rarely in my house anymore I am in a quandary. I made a tentative list of items to accomplish but, cleaning out a closet, reading more books on leadership, brainstorming chapter details of a book, organizing the weekly grocery list, working on my children's stories, vacuuming and folding laundry seem, so, shall I say - lame?

If my preschooler were here we would be knee deep in baby doll clothes, Candyland, and watching Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. If my husband were here we would be puttering in the garage or the yard, discussing grass growth (or lack thereof in certain parts of the lawn), trimming trees, and examining the garden.

Ha ha! They're not here. Feels like I'm playing hokey from my busy, hectic life.

But I am such a goose I am not sure what to do with myself. How odd to be at loose ends....perhaps something exciting, daring, exhilarating, meaningful or profound, will come to mind after ol' slobber drinker gets his walk. Or maybe I'll just go to bed and get some sleep.

Commentary on the Jackson Memorial Service

I, like most of the zillions of inhabitants on this planet, watched the 1.4 million dollar Memorial Service for Michael Jackson. I couldn't help it. Like all my classmates in school, I bought his albums, attempted to dance like him, and followed his musical career. It was the 80's afterall.

But throughout the 3 hour service I felt a disconnect, did you? Sure, we all have our comments about the gold coffin, the pallbearers coordinated outfits, the folks who spoke, who was there and who wasn't, what was sung and what was left unsaid. But that is not the disconnect I am making reference to.

Because of my vocation I have a lot of professional experience providing leadership, direction and assistance in the presentation of memorial services and funerals. Also, I have been a granddaughter, niece, and a friend attending many services of remembrance for my loved ones who have died. Been there and done that- you could say.

My familiarity with the subject has highlighted this incongruity before, but the large scale of Jackson's event made it even more noticable.

And here it is- Memorial Services really are for the living. Elements of the Jackson service and choices that were made obviously reflected what the family wanted, needed, or desired and I am not sure that if Michael himself were around the service would have included the same choices.

Now there is nothing wrong with that- families need to grieve and the rituals around a memorial service and funeral assist with that important process.

What Tuesday's big event made me realize again- is the variety of expressions and means we all have to grieve. For me- it is my faith in Jesus that makes meaning and purpose out of life and death. The important question for you- is what assists you in letting go, saying goodbye, and moving forward?

First Fruits or Veggies for that matter

Sunday was the day for our first ripe cherry tomato. Our daughter preciously cupped her hands together, kissed the blessed veggie er fruit (what is a tomato anyway?) and proceeded to parade it around the yard! "The first tomato, Momma! The first tomato everybody!" was her cry!

Next she carried the first pick carefully into the house, washed it in her sink (without soap Momma!) and then sat at the kitchen bar staring at it. Finally, I encouraged, "You know you can eat it!" A giant 'O' formed on her face and immediately it was popped into her mouth. The oohhs and the aahhs were dramatic!

Yesterday 5 more ripe ones were placed in her favorite Princess bowl. Again, with all the pomp and circumstance that ripe food requires- kisses, washing, parading etc.

We have been gently sqeezing our pea pods (yes, we have peas in July- who knew?!) every day to see which ones are plump enough for picking. Ten lucky fellows made it into our bowl yesterday. We counted the pods in both English and Spainish for good measure.

Then, I showed Diana how Mother Nature with God's blessing put zippers on pea pods for the little peas to come out. Oh- the delight at that discovery. "Do it again, Momma!" Of our ten pods we had about 35 little green peas.

Let's just say dinner last night was a preschooler's feast (with the exception she refused to share any of her tomatoes... and that is another story entirely.)

Lights in the Dark

I am weary and angry about the violent domestice homicides that have occurred where I live especially to people I care about. I am tired of children being hungry in the US and elsewhere. I am frustrated with all the emotional and physical suffering that folks endure day after day. It is enough. My eyes are heavy with tears. When is Jesus coming again to fix all this?!!

And then a few nights ago, in the quiet of soft summer evening, my husband and daughter stole a jar from the cupboard (actually one of my favorite glass vases) and proceeded to go fire fly hunting. As dusk settled between our pine trees eight precious lights were captured and carefully stored (along with a lunch of leaves our preschooler provided).

Later, after brushing her teeth and requesting no stories that night, the three of us snuggled in her bed watching the intermitent glow of lights from the jar on her bedside table. Little lights in the darkness... too precious.

Early in the morning we practiced "the catch and release program" by letting all (but one unlucky fellow) go free. We sent light back out into the world.

Maybe that's all we need while we wait on Jesus to finish things- a little light in the darkness.