Thinking about stuff

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.~Proverbs 22:6

Had a bit of a parental brainstorm last night.  At least I'm going to call it that.  Gary and I were talking about the kids, how we've raised them, the mistakes we've made, the successes....you get where I'm going.  As we talked and shared, something hit me and I'm not sure why this hasn't happened before.  Most likely the opportunity hasn't arisen in the past.  I realized that while we've done our best, and not-so our best in raising these kids, the end result is up to them.  I've got to stop thinking I can control where they go after we release them to the world.

And let me tell you, as I let that sink in, a peace came over me that was such a relief.  I can't say as that peace of mind has lingered solidly through today, but I can grasp it to myself from time to time.  It's coming clearer to me.

While I'd love to say that they all want to follow the Lord as clearly as some of them do, I can't.  There is rebellion.  One is reluctant to go to church anymore, and has allowed work to interfere with that schedule.  He's been given the ultimatum of  'if you live here, you go to church.'  New rule with this latest fiasco from his brother.  It's easy to be sloppy about church attendance sometimes.  And with one son fancying rebellion,  it's funny but that son seems to enjoy church, yet isn't consistent with it.  That's probably been part of his downfall into waywardness.  The rest will gladly attend, though with varying amounts of enthusiasm.

Must remember to live my own life, guard theirs when I can with prayer and availability to listen, but have to keep hands off more.  The youngest still get managed, but as they grow away from me, I've got to learn to let go.  Not easy, but necessary.

Guess parenting is about the mother and father growing as well.  Growing pains aren't called 'pains' for nothing.

A joyous Easter

Easter Eve

All the kids are home just now, and it's nice (yet very distracting) to have them milling about.  Am waiting for the dust to settle so I can tidy up in the living room.  Way too many tall boys walking to and fro (yet I'm not complaining). Two of the boys have to work later on at the restaurant, but thankfully (and joyfully) everyone's off from work tomorrow.  We'll have sweet Indian boyfriend over tomorrow night as well.  Easy company.

As you can see, the little girls have been up to egg decorating.  Middle daughter was trying to be careful not get too much dye on her fingers since she's serving as an acolyte tomorrow.  Might be amusing, though, to see her carrying a torch with colorful hands.  Would match the hot pink on the tips of her hair.  She's so silly.

Now as of this very minute, a carrot cake is baking for youngest son's birthday dinner, and the dryer and washer are going to town.  Just plain living.  No drama, and that's perfect.

Wishing you a quiet day.  Enjoy your families.

Spring Break {day five}

Kids went to my mom's house for lunch for the first time since before Christmas.  A bit strange, that.  I think it was good for my mom, but really, she's aged so much in that brief time. I've seen her a couple of times in the meantime, but it's hard to see her look so much more frail.  Wish she was a bit more open to visits, but as they say, 'it is what it is.'  Personally I think the kids are good for her.  She doesn't have to work so hard in her house with them helping, and their zest for life is contagious.

And birthday shopped for youngest son, who's extremely easy to please. It'll be a nice, low-key birthday tomorrow.  He deserves attention since we've been so wrapped up in one of his brother's lives.  Hard to distribute care and affection to so many, but it must be done.  Juggling.  It's all juggling.

And then there's Easter, which should be a fine day.  Second son (the one who's partially moved out) wants to grill for us.  We'll see how that plays out.  As to the partially moved out comment...he bought himself a new bed for his apartment, but his bed here still lives. He spends the occasional night here, and fourth son wants third son to move out of their bedroom (also shared with fifth son...are you lost yet?) and in with first-born son so that they can all spread out.  Part-time apartment dweller son #2 is ignoring him.  Works for me. I enjoy the odd night when all my chickens are home.  Is happening less often, but I still like it.

If that last paragraph messed you up, I find it works better if you make little stick figures and place them in small, crowded bedrooms.

Must go now.  Tuckered.  And didn't do anything incredibly fun.  Well, maybe I can count some crafting supplies I got at Michael's today to make something for the kids with some teensy little pink chicks.  This post just serves as information to those who love me. Doesn't have to be exciting for those who care.

Spring Break {day four}

I feel in a zone of some sort.  Took the girls to Maundy Thursday services at church and while awesome isn't a word that's in my everyday-ordinary vocabulary, it certainly fits what happened tonight.  We went into a service that was a bit low key as expected being Maundy Thursday, but by the end, we were plain cold sober. The altar was stripped and in front of it was moved a plain wooden cross that our priest then draped with a black cloth.

Startling to see the altar stripped piece by piece.  The altar cloths, candles, decorative pieces, prayer books, and when the Bible went, I could feel tears in my eyes.  It all represented Christ's crucifixion and with Him gone (and all the pieces on the altar removed), you could in a teeny tiny way imagine how it felt so many years ago.

Afterward, I stayed an hour for the prayer vigil, and was glad I signed up after dark, because the church is so beautiful in the evening.  For the next 20+ hours, someone will be in the church to pray until the service tomorrow night.  Again, it was awesome.  To be in the nave all alone with only dim lighting and delicately scented candles was an experience all its own.  So lovely.

Spring Break {day three}

~daisy understands

I remember a couple of times when I'd be in the thick of labor with one of our children and the thought would pass through my head---okay, never mind, I didn't want a baby anyhow.

That same thought has passed through my head as we're coping with our son's mis-steps of late, if you want to call it that.  Never mind, I didn't want the responsibility of being a parent anyhow.

But that'd be too easy.  Life sometimes stinks, and mine sure does, at least a tiny bit.  Or I can say our son's life stinks, but that'd be ugly, even though I sort of mean it. He's dealing with it and that's a plus, especially considering sometimes kids are so rebellious that facing up to indiscretions isn't always attended to.

That said, I spent the day a bit frazzled, cleaning and throwing away things that had sticky emotions attached to it.  You know how you hear that when items in your house make you uncomfortable, no matter what they are, need to be tossed or given away.  I think that's just plain good sense.  So I washed more curtains, the girls hung them out and I hung up some different ones to give a bit of pizazz to different spots.  I got rid of broken and torn things that'll never get repaired, and just junk that's been passed on to us.  Felt good. More tomorrow, I'm hoping.  Rain's coming on Friday, I heard, and will get more things hung out tomorrow.

Not the way I intended my Spring Break to flow.  I was going to be creative and silly. Unfortunately, I'm subdued and hurt.  Raising kids when they're small and under your roof 24 hours a day is a tough job, but when they begin to grow their wings and you can't watch them all the time, it's downright mind blowing.

Spring break {day two}

Had an excellent quiet time this morning.  Got up before the younger ones, and with the pugs in my lap had my pot of tea and a bit of the coffee cake one son bought me.  Read the morning Psalms and for about an hour, it was peaceful.  Gradually I got my head ready for the day and began a load of wash.  Tidied the kitchen, took down the curtains to wash, wiped out the oven and under the burners.  Wiped off the fronts of the cabinets with Mrs. Meyer's lavender spray (which is so delicious) and waited for everyone else to get up.

By then it was almost time for a nap.  After the drama here, seems I get tired quicker.  Rested with Daisy the pug in bed.

You might be saying---well, what was the jolly today?  Well, maybe it was the stillness this evening when I pulled out the embroidery that's been languishing on the side table for way too long---months for sure.  Grounding.  Normal and non-threatening.  I just want to feel safe.

Spring Break {day one}

Diane, one of my favorite people, and I have a thing going on this week where we'll post our fun Spring Break dailies.  Well, since life has been off-center since Friday morning (when certain information was leaked to me), I'm at a bit of a loss as to what fun actually is anymore.  Let's say that one of our boys lost his way, though we weren't aware of its extent, and that he's making his way back to us. Let's also suppose that he got involved in things that quite literally terrify me to think on. And let's pretend that he fooled all of us and has been living a double life, yes, under our noses. Let's try to not cry at least once each hour as the horror of what's happened sinks in.

And at the same time I'll give an awesome thank you to the good Lord for His Grace.  For watching our son while we slept.  For protecting him when he was surrounding himself with darkness, and with people who thrive in that environment.

He's in lock-down now, and isn't out of our sight for the foreseeable future.  And you know, he's okay with that.  I think he got scared, not realizing where he was sinking.  He wasn't ready to leave that darkness, quite yet, but God put people on guard who saw things that we weren't able to see.  They let us know.

So back to fun.  What I did after dinner qualifies as something that fits into that category, at least right now.  I puttered in the kitchen with the lights out except for a candle and the twinkle lights around the window over the sink.  I wiped, washed and put the kitchen to rights.  There's something folks say about how when life is unsettled, that people automatically, without even realizing it, try to put some part of their lives in order.  We'll try to control what's ours to control--especially when safety seems out of our reach.

And, yes, I'm crying as I type.  We've just begun a new, and unexpected journey with this child, and I warned him today about how the evil one doesn't let go easily.  But, with God's help, we'll win.

Sunday after church

by john george brown---'waiting for wm'

Crying hard when it's necessary, sitting in church and absorbing all that goes on there, having my husband go to three church services in the past 7 days----all good things, actually excellent things.  I feel a bit drained like the woman in the painting.  She's just sitting, but in my case, I'm lying in bed.  We'll have no company for dinner, though seeing sweet Indian boyfriend is always a delight.  But sometimes having just us home is what's best.

Taking it easy.  Bliss.

'All shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.'~Julian of Norwich

Saturday evening

Sometimes when we plan a restful week, as I did a few days ago, instead life gets in the way.  Two children's dental appointments totalling 5 hours in 2 days, my mom falling again yet thankfully not breaking any bones, and one son in major hot water for much unacceptable behavior.  Oh, and second son is almost completely moved into his apartment.

Might be absent here for a bit more.  I'd like to post daily Spring Break jollies starting Monday if I can work up a jolly mood.  As of this very minute, doubtful, but I'll try.  It might help.

In a bit of a perk, though, went with oldest daughter to a local art gallery today and had a wonderful time.  Good to turn off our brains from life itself and absorb beautiful things.  We certainly needed that change of scenery.  My favorite part of the museum was one tiny room, about 5' square which was to the side of a larger room full of religious icons and other religious paintings circa about 1500 or thereabouts.  Anyway, in this small room, there was a rough tile floor and dark walls with lighting in a dome-like ceiling.  There was a Spanish processional cross, some stained glass and other church bits.  The clincher was very quiet background music of Gregorian chant.  The only thing missing was a bench or kneeler.  It would've definitely gotten some use by me.

Must go.  Take care.

Rest

Taking a bit of a blogging break, and announcing it here since I have sweet friends who wonder when I'm away.  I like that.  But I find that I write blog posts lately and save them, not publishing because they're a bit too personal. That doesn't need to always be the case.

I think I just need a vacation of sorts.  Next week we'll have our Spring Break, but this week I'm going to focus on getting my Still Room set up and will tackle making tinctures.  Lots to think about.

Will get back to you soon.

( i have no idea where i got this photo, but want to have that sort of enthusiasm after i chill awhile....)

Neighbors

To the boys who live across the street, I'm sorry that:

• life appears to be quite a bit harder for you two than for our children
• you don't live with your parents, but with your aunt by marriage
• her husband was arrested for shooting a police officer last year and is in jail for the duration
• life is incredibly hard for her, and she has to raise two children who aren't her own, in addition to her daughter(s)
• your own mother has been in prison, but is visiting you this weekend (supposedly the last part is a plus, but not sure who's benefiting considering the actions of the adults the past couple of days)
• having the police come to your house isn't a strange event
• the example your elders set is one of foul language and loud music laced with additional swearing
• you have to look to the neighbors to supply you with mother/father figures
• you're possibly destined to a life akin to your parents/aunt/uncle
• it's hard to be caring to you since you need so very much from other people
• i find you draining

And to myself I'm sorry that:

• we have to close the windows here on a pretty day because your voices are so extremely loud
• i can't sit out on the front porch because of the music and your shouting/swearing
• you make me so angry
• i have to reach into such deep reserves of compassion that often just aren't there
• you dislike me because of my race
• and that i often feel the same way about you
• there have been misunderstandings between our families based, pretty much, on the previous two points

I pray for:

• the ability to wave at your aunt and to have her wave back
• the love to take you flowers when they bloom, like i did last summer
• a desire to pray for you even when it's hard, and it's always hard
• life to be generous to you both
• your aunt to find joy
• your family to possibly be a bit more sensitive to your neighbor's needs, and not just your own
• for a heart that doesn't always find fault with your activities
• and finally, yet foremost, for the Lord to cover your home with blessings

And I think that about covers it.

Friday before dinner

Have really gotten weary of not having time to myself, especially in the house. With the kids' trips to my mom's for a weekly/bi-weekly visit being a thing of the past, I've had to re-examine my moods lately.  I get ruffled and snippy, and know that mostly it's for feeling too surrounded by humans and their noise.

I do love quiet.  And my own company. And not having to answer questions.  I really dislike being on guard for that.

Went to the health food store last night.  Got some Tea Tree oil on sale and one of those bottles of Dr. Bach's flower remedies.  Not sure if they work, but it was an indulgence I've been curious about.  I got Olive and the saying about it is:  "For those who have suffered much mentally or physically, and are so exhausted and weary that they have no more strength to make any effort.  Daily life is hard work for them, without pleasure."

Sounds sadder than I feel, but there is some truth to it.  Call me a sucker, but I've always been intrigued by the flower remedies, so we'll just take a chance with it.  And have a jug of distilled water sitting with quartz in it.  The minerals are supposed to infuse the water.  Take an herbology class and see what pops up in your radar. :)

Planning on a quiet weekend.  The weather is perfect, and the temperatures are in the 70s.  Windows are open and there's hope in the air.  Enjoy your weekend.

(painting fetched by pinterest)

Dibs and dabs

• having a bit of a lie down
• it's been a busy morning
• after last week being VERY busy and with much if it spent away from home, lovely to be here
• trying to clean up the mess--3 weeks of illness makes for a true sickhouse
• and attempting to decorate around the treadmill
• challenging job
• but do-able
• after losing weight with sickness, have lost a bit more 
• yay me
• loving my herbology class
• enjoying that the books/info. instills a bit of magic into it
• reminds me of the book thornyhold by mary stewart
• magical
• sweet Indian boyfriend goes to italy with his culinary class tomorrow
• asked him to bring me a rock---a small one
• figured that was affordable (aka free) and cool
• don't think i have one darn thing from italy in this house
• it's time
• he's going to florence, by the way
• swoon
• spring has sprung here but has come very slowly
• the forsythia has bloomed for a few weeks now
• that never happens
• usually it's here, then gone with a whoosh
• the funeral on saturday for SIB's aunt was beautiful
• gary and i got to meet some of the indian relatives, which was a first
• oldest daughter has met LOTS of his relatives, so it was nice to prove she's not an orphan
• SIB comes from a line of strong believers
• two of his cousins/uncles are ministers (maybe more)
• they are ON FIRE
• curious after the funeral to go to the reception and see numerous indians standing together
• more than i've ever seen at one function
• i'm sort of a hermit, i guess, or just don't know many indians
• folks tend to segregate without anyone's help
• like follows like
• it's just what happens
• must go now
• enjoy the rest of your day

Friday's recap

Everything went well with middle daughter at the dental school yesterday.  Sweet student doctor.  Such a good experience for all of us.  Same goes for 4th son's visit there today---same student, and everything is so well-done.  Thinking that we won't have any appointments next week, though, and that'd be sweet.

I feel disjointed from the kids and the house after this week of being away on lengthy errands.  The least one doesn't wear my absence very well.  She copes alright, but I can tell when I get home that she's uncomfortable with it.   Maybe this weekend I can putter, straighten and place my stamp on the house again.  Just need to do my mothering stint.

Funeral tomorrow afternoon.  Thinking it'll be well-populated with the Christian Indian community, which is alive and well at the church sweet Indian boyfriend's family goes to.  Curiously enough, it's the same church (not the building, but the congregation) where I met Gary.  We think that's funny considering oldest daughter and SIB.  No, they're not engaged, but probably will be one day.

And enjoyed the hippie store so much today.  Came home with a bag of fun---more herbs than I can shake a stick at. :) And had to order one online this evening, along with some other things.  So thankful for the financial means to do this now.  Praying this flush situation we're in now can last.  It's such a blessing.

Lastly looking forward to church on Sunday.  We've missed 3 weeks with sickness.  Enough already.

Take care.

(a photo by woodboy of one of his wooden scoops)

Husband stuff

john singer sargent painting with no treadmill

My husband went out and bought a treadmill today.  He and fourth son are putting it together as I type.  And, no, we don't have room for it, but seems the only least innocuous place is in the dining room against the wall.  Decorative?  No.  Useful?  Probably so.

I figured Gary'd gotten that bee out of his bonnet.  We'd talked about putting one in the room that's the former breakfast room, but is turning into my still room with the herb classes I'm taking.  Seems I figured wrong about him buying it, but he was determined.

In the sweetest way he told me he'd gotten scared with a couple of folks we know having unexpected health issues.  One being the granddaughter of our recently deceased elderly neighbor (the man who'd been a substitute grandfather type to a couple of our boys).  She's only in her early forties, and already has MS, but had a serious stroke a few weeks ago, just 2 months after her grandfather's death.  She's now blind in her left eye, paralyzed on that side, and her sight is also compromised in her right eye. Wasn't life complicated enough for her anyway?  I feel so much for her mom, who is a sweet friend of ours as well.  Her dad passing away and now her daughter with this struggle.  Life is so weighty.

With my recurring migraine headaches, Gary's for years worried that I'd have a stroke.

Gulp.

Secretly hoping I get the same rush eventually from the treadmill as I used to get from dance class.  Endorphins, you know.  That'd be an added perk.

I think Gary's made some sort of New Year's resolution to help me.  The herb classes, his renewed attention to the smallest detail regarding me.  Makes me tear up just to think on it.  He's always been a sweetheart, but hearing him say it is a bit overwhelming.  Love can be too much to think about sometimes.

Great song here, by the way.  Speaking of tears.  It's so beautiful.

More of the same...

So tomorrow I take middle daughter to the dental school to have a broken tooth looked at.  She's nervous.  I'm nervous, mainly because I'd rather it be me than her, since she's never been to this place.  A bit overwhelming, but the dental students are all so sweet.  Courtesy must be something they're taught in their first classes.  They really couldn't be any nicer.

And as I've said, will take fourth son back down there on Friday. Mercy.  Must rustle up a good attitude, though.  And plan on going to the hippie store to pick up some herbs I need for my class.  Some I'll have to order online, I'm thinking, but can pick up some here in town.  I'm supposed to be able to identify them by smell, taste, etc.  Sort of excited about it.  Figure I'll drop off our son, whip over to the hippie store---waste some time, and then go back to get him.  The other option is to sit in the waiting room for 3 hours.  I think it's an easy call to make, eh?

Oh, and last night online I found a mugshot of our next door neighbor, who I talked about yesterday.  All I was doing online was logging in his name to a search engine, wondering if the house next door is in his name again, after going to auction back in September.  Coc@aine possession/with intent to manufacture/distribute.  Again I say mercy.  Court date on Monday.  Yes, Gary and I are beside ourselves wondering what'll happen.  Would like to sit in on his court appearance, but figure it's safer to not be there.  Better that he not know that we DO know, you know?

Life is just plain full, ain't it?

But God is in control.  The knowledge of what's going on is so important.  Doesn't pay to be ignorant, and now we know how to pray.  I'm thankful for that.  And we're not going to let our neighborhood be run over by careless renters (used to rent and know how it's done....they don't have to be uncaring) and even homeowners who don't have any pride.  After the initial reaction to a disappointment being fear, it's pretty critical to put on your big boy pants and take the neighborhood back.  We've lived here 23 years, and don't intend to allow crime to get a foothold.  Hear me?

Prayer.  The strongest weapon against evil.

(a photo of a honey bee, since there's no clearer proof of what faith can do, right diane?!)

Life

It's windy outside and very chilly.  Cold even.  Just drank a hot cup of decaf. English breakfast with the last of the raisin bread.  The least one joined me.  We shared the bread.  Seems a cup of tea at night simply cries out for a sweet to go with it.

Heard this morning that sweet Indian boyfriend's aunt, who lived here in town, had passed away this morning.  She'd battled cancer off/on for a couple of years, and it turned into a mutant meningitis monster the last couple of months. Thankfully she was a believer, but that doesn't soften the pain for those who are left.  You know how it is.

And our neighborhood seems sort of sick lately.  Our mentally challenged (schizophrenic) young neighbor next door (who lives alone) has stepped off the curb again.  Another neighbor had to go into his house (neighbor out of town) with the guy's mom yesterday and said the condition of the house was atrocious.  Apparently he's taken his fists and hammers to his walls and ceiling, and has torn up his sofa.  Oh, and two windows are broken, plus the wooden front door has been kicked in (a new feature).  And in stark contrast, he's been raking up leaves and cleaning up outside the last few days.  Huh.  Indicative of his own life.  He looks normal on the outside, yet is suffering from mental illness that doesn't show.  I hope he leaves soon.  Very soon.  Not that there's any indication that he will leave, just wishful thinking on my part.  It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop, and you just don't want anyone to get hit with the shoes in the meantime.  Sadly I can't let the kids play out back when he's in his backyard.  I think it's too risky.  Live with that stress for awhile.

If anyone needs a place to stay for the next few days while he's away, you won't need a key to get into his house. Not sure there's a bed to sleep in, though.  The sofa might be a bit lumpy.

Life is a bit confusing now.  I see vacant houses around town and wonder what's up.  Parts of the city have a 3rd world look, that was unheard of 10 years ago.  Folks are hurting and trying to make ends meet.  And what's odd is that some people don't appear to be affected at all.  I find that amazing.

Not sure what I'm getting at.  Guess just scratching my head, wondering where this is going to end up.  Have got to just take what's slap dab in front of me and go with that.  Be thankful for the continuous work Gary's had in the shop. Makes me hold my breath.  I was praying about it last night, thanking the Lord for His generosity, and knowing that we do nothing to deserve it.  Grace is so wild.

Monday afternoon

• wonderful weather outside today
• we even have cracked open some windows and turned off the heat
• we were all able to get some sun on our heads before the clouds began to roll in
• showers expected tonight
• but still spring-time-ish
• husband fixed dryer yesterday
• it's so smooth-sounding now----hummmmmmmm
• had to replace the felt ring that goes at the back of the drum
• took that whole sucker apart, but the online videos were choice
• it had been shedding into the dryer for weeks and weeks...little bits of fabric from the belt
• kerwhump---kerwhump---kerwhump
• that's the sound of the dryer before the repair
• feeling a bit stronger today
• thankfully my pulse is faster now
• was reading over the weekend, glanced at my wrist and timed my heartbeat
• S. L. O. W.
• figure that virus whupped up on me but good
• dreading having to take middle daughter THEN fourth son to the dental school on thursday AND friday
• talk about time-consuming
• it'll take at least 3 hours per child/day
• ick
• can think of way better things to do with my time
• but that's not an option
• grumble...grumble...grumble
• now i sound like the dryer

'Teeny Tiny Gardening' by Emma Hardy

Fresh new ways to do something extraordinary with what can be a very mundane task.  This is accomplished in such a delightful way in Emma Hardy's new book called Teeny Tiny Gardening.  As you can see on the cover, she uses eggshells for a small garden of violets and other small plants.  I never would've thought of doing that.  And inside the book she gives detailed instructions about finding unusual containers for displaying and planting.  My favorite by far was the plastic shopping bags she lined with black plastic and filled with potting mixture and seasonal flowers.  Set by the front entrance they would make a wonder flash of scent and color, and would be so unexpected.  And while it's not a complicated method of planting, again, it's not one that would've come to mind.

I get in a rut of thinking of using only the standard pots and wooden boxes for spring and summer flowers.  Hardy, though, uses old trunks, enamel pans, and even a suitcase.  She lines up pots on a stepladder and uses a variety of plants in all sorts of unusual ways.  Teacups for small flowers and tiny clear glass tumblers for succulents are some of what she grows.  Our youngest daughter was struck by the fairy garden, and even made one of her own in a bright green plastic pot.  The book is full of ideas that get you excited about looking for your own unusual pots and containers.

Teeny Tiny Gardening would be a wonderful addition to any cozy-style gardener.

(i received this book free to review from CICO books)

Webber on the Anglican church

"Anglicanism preserves in its worship and sacraments the sense of mystery that rationalistic Christianity of either the liberal or evangelical sort seems to deny." ~pg. 15

I got Robert E. Webber's Evangelicals on the Canterbury Trail (Why Evangelicals are Attracted to the Liturgical Church) in the mail today.  I've only scratched into the Introduction, but am already smitten.

He begins the book by talking about a speech he was to give at Wheaton College (the school of choice for many of my husband's first cousins/children) where he was on the faculty.  Keep in mind he was raised Evangelical, yet was leaning toward Anglicanism when he tells this particular story.  He was introduced to the crowd by the president of the college to give a speech on the glories of the Reformation.  And apparently the president was unaware of Webber's creep into more liturgical worship.  I found this point of view interesting, especially with my own Anglican journey.  As a former reformed Presbyterian, we were taught with enthusiasm the wonders of the Reformation, with heavy emphasis on the abolishment of anything leaning toward Catholicism.  Since joining the reformed Episcopal church (not to be confused with the mainstream Episcopal church today which is filled with liberalism), which our priest says is the Catholic church in the English-speaking world, I can see that the Reformation had its worrying aspects as well.  While it brought good, it also brought about destruction that was very unnecessary.  I guess from what I've learned in the past 2 years of my slide into Anglicanism is that the Reformation so sanitized the church that while the distinction between Protestants and Catholics is there, maybe it's not necessary that the gulf be so enormous.  To make changes doesn't give permission for total annihilation, or at least not in this situation.

That's about as far as I've gotten.  Keep in mind that the church I attend now is very high church, with many Catholic sorts of embellishments in the service.  But some Anglicans are more modern in their worship services, and there are huge variations in what's practiced and what's acceptable.  For any curious about the more Catholic-minded Anglicans (this doesn't include the belief in transubstantiation, extreme veneration of Mary and the saints, or the following of the Pope), you can research the Oxford Movement and find lots of information.  At present, with my still-sick body, too much intellectual thought makes my head spin.  Mustn't make it spin on the tail-end of my dizziness last night. There's a migraine lurking out there with my name on it and I'm not going to let it find me!

Now off to read a bit and embroider.  Quiet past-times for my weary head.  Take care. :)

And so it goes...

• appliance parts were delivered today for our dryer and washer
• i got a bee in my bonnet to do the washer repair myself
• found the right tools, watched a repair video
• took off faulty water pump and put in the new one
• i was so proud of myself
• the only problem was that i overdid it
• not well enough to do home repairs by myself right now
• had a dizzy spell after dinner
• dang this virus
• gary said he'd beat my butt if i didn't stop doing stuff
• but he didn't say *butt*
• considering i'm in bed once again, guess i'll listen to him
• he is proud of me, though
• one less thing for him to do, but he doesn't look at it like that
• he doesn't grumble about repairs unless it involves endless trips to the hardware store
• i will likely be very slow this weekend
• will miss church for the third week in a row
• sad face
• but thinking this-coming week will be more healthy
• 'bout time, eh?