I don’t have room on top of the pile of books I’m currently reading, but once I’ve knocked a few off I’d like to try Fight the Fire. The chapter headings indicate this will be an invaluable review of the complexities of our local and international market and how it helps or hurts efforts to change for the sake of our planet and children.
It’s been one stress event after the next for the last twelve hours!
First, Amie and I had a two-hour discussion last night about a Congressional Oversight Committee’s published findings on toxic metals in baby food.
Then, ambiguous results about the mold content of our bathroom came in this morning.
Then, a board member asked for an update and further action with a repeatedly broken common dryer.
Then, I started on a customer ticket at work and forgot a morning meeting. In the meeting there was heated discussion about the project deadline and content which needed swift attention.
Then, I was asked to offer an estimate on another work project.
I’ve systematically worked my way through most of this, with priority on work, but it’s taken me from 7:00 - 13:00! The bulk of that time has been spent carefully communicating with those involved to reconcile and set expectations. It’s invigorating to do the work; only it’s a rubber-band-snap swing from the quiet coding days of the last week and a half. Yeehaw!
We just purchased 80's Mall Murder Madness! I’m stoked to play this with my Neighborhood friends, especially with Jeremy Elston hosting!
It’s another Sabbath day! While there are always ways to improve, I’m happy that our family has found a rhythm that often leads to rest. This is how the day usually goes:
Sabbath starts the night before, at supper. We may squeeze in a few chores after dinner to ensure the next day’s rest. Then we enjoy a special dessert or drink, recently a slice of pie. We may have Kati Ray over for conversation or games, or we might watch a movie. Last night we watched Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Graham and Royal have sporadic nights of good sleep, but rarely on Sabbath night. So Amie may catch a short nap if I get up to feed and clothe our kids. Sometimes Amie will get up early and I’ll sleep in.
When all are fed and dressed, Graham and I head outside. We have an established process: 1) walk or ride a bike to the coffee shop. 2) pick out special juice and maybe a snack and get coffee for Amie and I. 3) walk to the train station and wait for the train to pass. 4) walk to the fire station. 5) walk home. 6) drag feet at the last block.
I’m ready to rest when we get back, so I’ll sit down while the kids play (like I’m doing now as I write this). The we wait for lunch and naptime. Graham will watch a show, usually Stinky and Dirty, while Amie and I veg out. When Royal is awake from his nap, we may all go outside or do something special together. This is usually spontaneous, like jumping in the car to walk along the beachfront.
If we didn’t have dinner plans, we may pick up food on the way home. If Kati Ray hasn’t joined us earlier, we may share dinner together. Or she may drop by for an hour or two to play and snuggle with Royal. For Graham, Sabbath means outdoors, special snacks, and cartoons - for Royal, it’s Kati-time.
Another artist I’ve been enjoying lately, Taylor Leonhardt. If you’re near the border of Nebraska and Ohio, see her live March 25, 2021!
Support her next albumThough it’s not my norm, I may have walked enough to gain no more fat. Today. Now I just need to rinse and repeat every day for the rest of my life (and eat better too, alas). How Many Steps to Health?.
My experience of God, the Bible, and the world seems to be in motion, like a mudslide down a steep hill. What’s at the bottom I wonder?
Of God, I am struggling to connect. My confidence that He is near at hand and communicative has taken a hit as I’ve pondered the immensity of space and the billions of years of time vs the miniscule blips of dust that we humans are. You might say that my awe at His majesty is, for the time being, making approach more challenging. To counteract this (not my idea - it seems to be God’s) I’ve been reading a book about self-discovery, “The Gift of Being Yourself” by David G. Benner. But it’s hard to pick up a happy book when I’m most nihilistic. “The Arm of the Starfish” by Madeleine L’Engle has also helped me frame my experience.
Of the Bible, I am finding myself thinking of its stories and reading larger chunks than I have in some time. Inspired in part by The Bible Project, the beauty and intricacy of books-truly Jewish meditation literature-has stoked a renewed desire to immerse myself in it. A stylized version of the Psalms has helped, as has The Infographic Bible. I read Song of Songs two days ago, 1 Peter last week, and most of Abram’s story last night. Although my time is and will continue to be limited, the hunger to immerse myself in this limitless work; to learn the original languages, to memorize large portions, and to discuss it with others regularly still resides under layers of parental responsibilities.
Of the world, a mixture of despair and universality. On the one hand, the piling up of human evil in the past year is a monument of horrors that weighs on me many hours of most days. On the other, I am spell-bound by Jesus' universal love for both oppressor and oppressed, by those inside his family and outside, for the Roman centurion, the Samaritan, and the neighbor. Before such corruption of humanity, differences don’t matter, and I think this season may be shaping me towards Jesus' universal love even as it threatens to plummet me into hopelessness.
What is this? An album about the Big Bang, humanity, and the Creator? Check it out!
Finally publishing a new post after nearly two months! I have a half-dozen posts written, but nothing in a state I’d be happy to share. As you might imagine, the holidays have been a little busy…
On another note, we’re starting potty training part deux! Here’s hoping it goes better than last time.