I need a haircut, I really need a haircut...

completing work without interruption, actually helping someone, durango chicken salad, post office lines that move quickly, alaskan snow crab legs, FRIENDS!, b's shoulder rubs, leah's voice saying, "yeah, i'm ok", open windows, watermelon

You are so lucky

an unexpected day off, sharing grief, clean towels, Lena Webster's 106 years of life

One ringy dingy

a good night's sleep followed by a clear head in the morning, little kids walking past my office window all in a row like little ducks following mama, salad, sunshine on my back porch, for some reason...the sound of the school bus in the morning, Leah's voice, B's hugs, new possibilities

From the top

completion of tasks, no injections, finding out it is ok that sermon hasn't come to be, talking to neighbors, roast beef, iced french vanilla latte, seeing old friends and hearing that other old friends are doing well

Today's song

When I was young, it seemed that life
was so wonderful,a miracle,
oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees,
well they'd be singing so happily,
oh, joyfully, oh, playfully watching me.

But then they sent me away,
to teach me how to be sensible,
logical oh, responsible practical.
And they showed me a world
where I could be so dependable,
oh, clinical, oh, intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the world's asleep,
the questions run too deep for such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?
I know it sounds absurd. Please tell me who I am

I said, now watch what you say or
they'll be calling you a radical,
a liberal, oh fanatical, criminal.
Oh, won't you sign up your name,
we'd like to feel you're acceptable,
respectable, oh, presentable, a vegetable!

At night, when all the world's asleep
the questions run too deep for such a simple man
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned?

Please tell me who I am who I am who I am who I am

(At Vance, Logical Song)

Black coffee?

For Wednesday:

Susan cooking Ecuadorian, Leah sharing Ecuador, Sara's bright happy face, knowing I am loved and cared about

You don't need drugs to be loopy

enthusiastic Ashley and Lynsey, alligators at dinner, hushpuppies, Susan parasailing

Save the children

When we don't know things, we can feel vulnerable. Those who know are in a position to control our lives with that knowledge - even if it is but a small portion. Some have a tendency to hide or even lie to keep others from knowing things. They too feel vulnerable, not because they don't know but because others do. Feeling vulnerable for any reason can inhibit our relationships.

Parents pass more on to their children than they know. It is a shame that we can't recognize our foibles for what they are and at least try to explain them to our children before they become hinderances in their relationships.

When we put our relationships with those we love at risk because of our own unadmitted, unexamined inadequencies,
Lord have mercy.

Vacation

the smile i feel not only on my face but throughout my entire being when i am at the beach, small children, the taste of homemade ice cream, feeling my bones being warmed by the sun, phone calls from Michael Ranson, spaghetti towers and the excitement and concentration of Lynsey and B, wondering about the deserted homes along the road

When we can't let each other be...

Lord have mercy.

Break down the walls

egg sandwiches, a clean desk, both my girls at home, good tomatoes, possibilities

Question...

what is the role of the "pastor" in the church? (this question encompasses the historical, the present and the ideal)

The church or pre-school?

"Do this because I said so," "Don't take time to think about it, just do it," not listening, not understanding but not asking questions then complaining, "I", "Me", stomping feet, talking to hear yourself talk, asking questions and not listening for the answers, whispering, "Yeah, we know it hasn't been used in 25 years, and it is made out of cardboard and doesn't work, but we couldn't throw it away. Oh, yeah, we did throw away that thing, though, even though it was used every Sunday, has been here for several years and is in great condition."

Saturday

pecan waffles, the market, internationally known musicians performing at Salem Farmer's Market solo, bbq, a quiet house

TGIF

Fridays, friends, chocolate sauce/berry sauce/brownie/vanilla ice cream/hot fudge sauce/whipped cream - in that order, relief, talking, agreeing, knowing that the beach is only a week away

Talking about my girl...

morning devos that make me think, water, Harley ride offers, Leah's smile, iced mocha latte, IM's with Ash