Steele (the Day)

Sara (Tea)sdale

// May 29th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

This morning the little tag on my tea bag reads:

Rising from Destruction

// May 29th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

My heart and prayers go out to the hundreds, no thousands, of people whose lives were torn apart, turned upside down, and tossed as many as 150 miles away by an F-5 tornado on Sunday, just 20 miles away from us. The pictures and stories of survival that are emerging are simply amazing. I’m sure many of these people are wondering WHY?, while many of them just forge ahead and do what needs to be done. Homes and trees that flourshed for decades were stripped from the land, leaving piles of matchsticks and sheer destruction. To those who have lost everything, I say, have faith in God who has given you the strength to rebuild, to carry on. May 25, 2008 was planned by Him long before you were on this earth. He will be there with you as you forge ahead – more resilient and hopefully more faithful than ever.
Matthew 6:25-34

Tea tonight: Imperial Dragonwell Lung Ching

Broken

// May 25th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

They look harmless enough – thin blades of grass, wispy weeds, compact single dandelions, gangly spearmint – wandering far from it’s original home. Who knew (certainly I never considered) that these once-welcomed signs of spring could undo months of faithful stretching, strengthening, and coddling to an allegedly healing back? Blades of grass, thin, but seemingly stronger than the nerves that cause the knee-buckling pain that shoots and numbs and throws one’s gait off balance enough to cruelly remind me that I am not the same person who once attacked these misguided sprouts with reckless abandon and put them into submission. They used to fear me. Now they mock me into feeling as broken and useless and beaten as I must have once made them feel. It’s as if every time another birdseed fell to take up residence in a once pristine bed of river rock, an osteophyte grew on those vertebrae. Jagged edges of bone, refusing to give way to the bending, twisting, squatting that in years past left behind only gentle reminders of forgotten muscles. It’s time. I’ve heard the message loud and clear – “Move on to simpler and less, while there’s still time.” Quickly now, don’t “dilly-dally,” as Dad used to say. Be ready for the unexpected. I’m intent on viewing this not as a punishment or a burden, but an opportunity to stay faithful. I must. For in faith is our only hope. And not everything that is broken must remain that way.
Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:3.

Tea today: Genmaicha

Cinderella in her Prince’s arms

// May 24th, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

As Steven Curtis Chapman and his family celebrate the life of Maria Sue and her return to God today, I’m sure this song plays over and over in his head. I am reminded of the special gifts we are given, and how they don’t belong to us, but to Him.

Tea today: Bigelow green

Hi Dad, Me again – Slough foot :)

// May 24th, 2008 // 1 Comment » // Uncategorized

I spent some time with my dad tonight. I deeply felt his presence, or more than likely it was my Father’s presence. Whatever, we were all there together. The night was chilly, and as my aching knees fell on the cold wet grass, I couldn’t deny the comfort in the fact that after 11 years, the sod and seed have finally blended in nicely with Dad’s neighbors. That pleases him, I’m sure. He was always so picky like that, and I’m sure the crab grass that had been there the past couple of years drove him crazy. As do the flowers that now adorn his headstone – “Weeds!” he always called them, no matter how beautiful. It’s a surreal experience that never changes – reading your dad’s name on the granite stone, with Mom’s name right next to his, no date of her death. I love and miss you, Dad. Say hi to Buddy for me. I really hope you two are friends by now.

We Plan, God Laughs (great book!)

// May 23rd, 2008 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

~Jeremiah 29:11

Tonight, just a simple prayer.

Tea tonight: Tazo Zen

Back in His arms (again)

// May 21st, 2008 // No Comments » // Faith

My friend Judy’s funeral was today. Typically I don’t like funerals, but this one put me in a whole different place. I think this is “the place” one is supposed to be at a funeral. Peaceful. Uplifting. Forgiving. (Can’t omit tearful). Perhaps it was the way she died and how she lingered. Perhaps it was how she lived, always basking in Christ’s love. On Mother’s Day they took her off the vent and it was week before she landed safely in God’s arms. Back to where she belongs. As I looked around the church and visited with so many people I hadn’t seen in a very long time, I was reminded me of how disconnected I’ve become in the last couple of years with so many people I enjoy and who bring joy. Old friends, really old friends, and old “forever” friends. When I took my salad to the kitchen, I thought to myself “This is where I want to be…in the church kitchen, communing and cooking with some of the most delightful, selfless, and giving women I know.” There is so much therapy in a church kitchen. Something sacred and promising about stirring a roaster full of scalloped potatoes and ham.
John Lennon knew:

Life is what happens
When you’re busy making other plans.

My favorite ‘room in the house…

// May 20th, 2008 // No Comments » // Family, My Fabulous Life

…but it won’t be here long It’s morel mushroom time and the crop is beautiful! Mom brought me two big bags from her hunting expedition. We did the traditional “fry ‘em up” this weekend, but tonight I had a wonderful morel cream sauce with wine over my tilapia. Yes, it’s possible to make a healthy “cream” sauce with skim milk. You just have to be creative, patient, and know when to stop (eating). It was tough tonight, but since I was dining alone I only made enough for me.

Hannah – and I don’t mean Montana…

// May 17th, 2008 // No Comments » // Faith

I listened to a great podcast sermon tonight as I exercised (or if I’m honest with myself – rehabbed) – Pastor Caroline on Mother’s Day. She told of Hannah in a clear, poignant way that I was able to really embrace. And it simply reflected life – how everything and everyone belongs to God. It was a great “mom” talk, but also for daughters, beloved Gmas, and really anyone. It ended with a beautiful prayer as only Caroline can do, and a funny, uplifting song. Good thing, or I’d have been in tears all the way home from the gym. Some people just inspire the tears right out of me. It was the only way to end a week that was far from normal, far from fulfilling, and far from pleasant. But listening to God’s word is the only way to end (or begin,… or sustain) any week.
Tea tonight: Earl Grey Green

i am not a "rock scientist"

// May 15th, 2008 // No Comments » // My Fabulous Life

Nor am I a brain surgeon, a computer programmer, a plumber, or a forklift driver. Therefore, I would never be so arrogant to tell these people how to do their jobs or what they need to do their jobs effectively. So after 9 years of college, 35 years of experience, thousands of patients, and the hard-earned accumulation of alphabet soup after my name, am I really an idiot? Or just the garden-variety idiot savant? Happy Hump Day. It’s apparently my day for the pity pot. Hey job, have I told you lately that I love you? I think not.