What I've Been Reading

Somebody on a message board asked, "What are you currently reading?"

I am doing the Bible in a year plan that I linked to in a previous post. I am currently in the books of Acts, Joshua and Job. I am delighted and amazed how the chapters I’m reading seem to be so apropos to something that is going on in my day or week, or somehow relate to some question I’ve had.

I just finished Heart To Heart with Pastors’ Wives by Lynne Dugan, and added A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce to my bag. Those are two books I’ve had around my home for years and years now. I have even picked them up a time or two, but never finished them. My plan is to finally read through the books I’ve collected before I borrow or buy another!

I have also begun (again and in earnest!) the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. I have been doing my journaling as part of that book’s exercises, and in addition I have been sketching regularly in my sketchbook. This is a HUGE step for me personally, in overcoming the artist’s block I have been in for so long. I am so hopeful and pleased about this. Someone recently blessed and surprised me with a set of art pencils and other various supplies. God bless them! I have been putting them to productive use.

You might think it’s odd that I am reading two or three books at a time, in addition to a few Bible chapters. I never used to operate that way. I used to read one book until it was finished, often quickly if it was of interest to me, and then begin another. This new way of reading a couple at a time is helpful for my current condition. I like to read a ministry related or Christian theology type of book, and then a fiction or non-fiction book. I read a chapter or two at a time in each book. When I find myself a little bored, distracted, perplexed or even needing to ponder something in one book, it’s helpful to switch gears to another book. I keep a big tote bag with me, with my books, including the journal and sketchbook, and when something I read gives me an idea or an inspiration I can jot it down or draw it out. I am ready to make a note so I can study something I have a question about more in depth later.

I am trying to surrender myself more fully to the Lord in the areas of art, study, prayer and discipline. It is only by God’s grace I can do any of this. I was (and am) so sick of the procrastination and disorganization that plagued me for so long, I have been yielding to the Lord and trying to do better. I have been blessed with some quiet time on my job where I am able to read a little, and been making baby steps toward this end. So that is what I have been reading. What have you been reading?

Funny Commercial

This is a lot like me:

Easter Sunday

CHRIST is RISEN!
He is Risen, Indeed!

When Doves Coo, When Roosters Crow

Having joined FaceBook recently, I became the recipient of one of the questionnaires that get passed around there. It’s a pleasant enough exercise to fill out for oneself. I enjoy reading the ones my friends have filled out, it helps one to know and understand them a little better, particularly friends that are distant and I have been out of touch with. The question that provoked my thoughts on this post was, “What is your favorite sound?”

I couldn’t just pick one. There are many I enjoy. This is not exhaustive and today is not the day to wax poetically about rain on a tin roof, the laughter of children or the sounds of the sea shore. I'm thinking about bird sounds today, as you probably guessed from the title.

When we first moved to Central Florida my parents chose a home in a subdivision that was quite wooded, this in itself was in contrast to most of the newer neighborhoods that they looked at. There were pine trees and old oaks in abundance. I remember falling asleep to the sounds of a Mourning dove cooing, though I had no idea at the time what kind of bird was soothing me. Which is ironic when I consider how many times I rocked out to a certain song, the lyrics saying, “Just like a white-winged dove, sings a song, sounds like…oooh, baby, oooh, said oooh.” How pleasant it was to fall asleep, or wake up with fresh air and the sounds of the doves wafting in on the breeze.

There are many doves around here. However, until recently I was not able to hear their gentle song because of the sounds of another bird: The noble rooster. Roosters seem to polarize, they are either loved or hated. They are most abundant in Key West, and less so here in the middle Keys, but their presence has been steady since we moved here about 10 months ago. (You can read more about Keys Roosters here, if you like.) I personally enjoy their crowing, though I will admit to threatening one particular fellow who begins his “sunrise” at 2:30 am, if he‘s in our yard while crowing! Most nights this doesn’t even bother me, but on sleepless nights, when I’m sick, or restless or grouchy, I have threatened to ring his neck and put him in my pot! The sound of a faraway rooster crowing is comforting; the sound of him right under your window is “alarming”. For now though, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about it since I have not heard the rooster for a solid week. Wonder what happened to him? I can guess…

So Fresh, So Clean (so green)

Well, you know I am hanging my clothes out to dry (I blogged about it last summer here), as the weather permits. Which is quite often here in the Keys. I believe we get an average of only 40” of rain a year, which isn't very much, and we have very fair weather, no ice or snow ever. I began making my own laundry detergent again, and rather than rinsing with fabric softener, I put a little plain white vinegar in the rinse cycle. I have been doing the vinegar rinse for a couple of years now. I find it especially effective with my husband's dirty clothes when he does construction work. Our clothes are sun and wind dried, clean an fragrance free(except when I use a little Doc Bronner’s lavender castille soap rather than my own concoction).

Nobody in my home is hyper-allergic, and I actually like the smell of some detergents and fabric softeners. It’s just that I also like things to be natural, simple and clean whenever possible, and think it’s important to cut down on strong or harsh chemicals.

This lack of fragrance really hit home last week when we were preparing for the church rummage sale. A lady generously gave us all of the items she didn’t sell at her own yard sale, and there was an abundance of good stuff. Since the Lord takes such good care of us, wouldn’t you just know there were some nice, gently used clothes in our daughter’s size, and right when we need them! The clothes and other items from this kind lady were so clean and in such good condition they didn’t even need to be washed before we used them. However, because we are not used to all of the fragrances that commercial laundry products have anymore - the scent was so powerful! I dare say it bothered me a little bit!

So my lesson in this:
Once you get used to going a little greener, you don't even miss the old way you did things, and even get to preferring your new habits.
Here are the detergent recipes, if you're interested. I use recipe #6 with Fels-Naptha soap.

March 2, 2009...Already?!?! Notes

I am still having small residual effects from that nasty bout of the flu. I feel better but have a bit of a cough left.

Several co-workers have been sick, so I have been working more than my slated hours to help fill in. I enjoy my new job, it’s a blessing and a ministry to the children. Some days are a challenge with troubled children. Two of my three after school students (siblings) lost their father last December. My other student’s Mom does not speak English fluently, so the primary responsibility for helping with homework is upon me.

We are having several visitors this month, and are looking forward to our time with them all. Big Daddy loathes going to go to Key West, but I think it will be fun to see and do some of the touristy things. Frankly I’m glad we’ll have the opportunity (excuse!) to do so while showing our visitors the sights.

Last night we had an unusual but good service. I feel the Lord gave me some words regarding the church and the ministry. The first was regarding where our church was at now, and the words He gave me were: sweet, rebellious and scattered. Regarding where the Lord would like us to go, I felt He said: faithful, “till the ground” and strident. Interesting, so I am thinking and praying on those things. I’m thinking that the second definition of strident is more apropos to the church ministry, although Big Daddy is a loud and demonstrative preacher.

I continue to read my yearly Bible plan, Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and Blue Highways by William Least Heat Moon. I am enjoying all of them. I went into Velvet Elvis being skeptical, and not liking it much at first, but currently I think it’s not too bad. There are good things and things that make me uncomfortable. I’m going to think on it for awhile.

Our church had a fabulous rummage sale on Saturday. I know we felt busy and stressed getting it all together, but it turned out swell! It was a fun day of fellowship for the workers, and a success that will put nice dent in the church's bills.

Notes From The Beginning Of February

In January Big Daddy, my esteemed pastor and faithful husband encouraged and exhorted his flock to get on a yearly Bible reading plan, and I must say I am not only blessed by it, but enjoying it thoroughly. I have even been keeping up with it, for the most part. You can find it here if you're interested. In times past I just kept reading through the NT, over and over. Periodically taking time to do a specific reading of say the Major Prophets, or some other theme like that; and just continually working my way through he OT. This particular plan is working well for me now in that it has a couple of chapters from the NT, a couple from the OT and a Psalm. It skips around a little too. I find that whatever I'm reading has a timely purpose for what I'm facing on a given day or week. That's not surprising, given the wonderful ways our Lord works, but it is amazing!

I begin a new job tomorrow. I am grateful for that.

Baseball season is coming soon.

Oh yeah, and I forgot to add that I finally began reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. I don't know how it will work into my already full reading plate, but someone loaned it to Big Daddy and I may as well try it. I will say that I am skeptical though, and unimpressed so far.