After watching/listening/overhearing parts of the inauguaration and pomp today, I was struck. I suppose I expected to feel and see what we've always seen and felt. Big words, Big hats, big parades and the sense that expectations would not be met. The sense that we'd feel the other wingtip fall tomorrow.
Unexpectedly, in the midst of everything - I felt a stream of simplicity and dare I say it...spirituality. The lack of a need to bluster. The pullback into quietness of soul with Yo-Yo Ma and the gang. In the past, it has felt embarassing to hope in our nation, or justice. There is the lurking cynic, the dark mocker and even my own apprehension that has said no to the element most basic in our human creation - HOPE. But today, it came unbidden, burbling up - melting elements of fear. What truly could happen if even most of our nation just began to try? To try harder? Bush's choices often often made our nation look like one large ass. Who wants to maintain that image?
This morning, who could not be moved to tears? Something real is happening here. Our nation desires it, the younger generations are demanding it - I pray to God that Barack and his buddies can stand under the weight of a nations hopes. WHat works for me is that Barack calls each American into responsibility and accountability. To step out from the shadows and not wilt with laziness. He's calling out to the best part of ourselves.
The sheer breadth of body movement down the length of the lawn was spectacular. I Have been there when it was 1/3 - 1/2 full and it seemed endless. Did you see that glorious mass?
Well, my girl Afton is sick so gotta go motha-love her bitty biscuits. What did you all think?
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Long fatty post
Winter purity
Tonight I drove through magic. The kind of quiet, late-night sparkling beauty that speaks to the luxury of being alone. I like the quiet danger of being out in a snow storm when things are a bit out of control. Its the same feeling I get on a motorcycle - powerful, vulnerable, and somehow a feeling a great stillness and rest.
Being a personality chameleon, I like being around people that draw out my vital streams. Always, in times of snowy unknown, I think of an unusual old friend. Have you ever met a young person that felt so seasoned from their life’s twists, that they seemed ageless, almost iconic? Trubert Flowers (yes, his real name) was (and I assume is) like that. In the height of America’s grunge period, I met this no holds barred American cowboy. Quiet, prepared and mischevious, I had never seen anything like him. Full on six-shooters, chaps, Wranglers and snapfront shirt. I rudely gaped in amazement the first time I met him. I was sure he was joking. Or a circus clown.
I traveled through Amarillo, his landing spot, several times. I’d join friends in sledding behind his horses and watching him break a horse. I even learned how to crack one hell of a long bullwhip – poorly, I might add. But my favorite experiences were getting caught with my girlfriends in his truck on the highway in snowstorms. I remember being pretty scared coming home with a few of my teammates from a church service in his truck. Winter storms blow up fast and nasty around the panhandle. It becomes quickly apparent who is prepared and who’s going to be waiting for a tow.
I watched Trubert, a man at ease in his element, comfortable with the unexpected and even enjoying it. He pulled car after car out of the ditches while we girls sat like idiots. I barely drove a stick shift –let alone that behemoth of a truck he tooled around in.
Observing him made me want to be stronger, less oblivious, and more prepared. So in the snow tonight, I embraced the strength of knowing more of who I am and liking it. When the wheels spun and the snow was thick, I remembered that I could be at rest; I could enjoy the purity of winter.
Tonight I drove through magic. The kind of quiet, late-night sparkling beauty that speaks to the luxury of being alone. I like the quiet danger of being out in a snow storm when things are a bit out of control. Its the same feeling I get on a motorcycle - powerful, vulnerable, and somehow a feeling a great stillness and rest.
Being a personality chameleon, I like being around people that draw out my vital streams. Always, in times of snowy unknown, I think of an unusual old friend. Have you ever met a young person that felt so seasoned from their life’s twists, that they seemed ageless, almost iconic? Trubert Flowers (yes, his real name) was (and I assume is) like that. In the height of America’s grunge period, I met this no holds barred American cowboy. Quiet, prepared and mischevious, I had never seen anything like him. Full on six-shooters, chaps, Wranglers and snapfront shirt. I rudely gaped in amazement the first time I met him. I was sure he was joking. Or a circus clown.
I traveled through Amarillo, his landing spot, several times. I’d join friends in sledding behind his horses and watching him break a horse. I even learned how to crack one hell of a long bullwhip – poorly, I might add. But my favorite experiences were getting caught with my girlfriends in his truck on the highway in snowstorms. I remember being pretty scared coming home with a few of my teammates from a church service in his truck. Winter storms blow up fast and nasty around the panhandle. It becomes quickly apparent who is prepared and who’s going to be waiting for a tow.
I watched Trubert, a man at ease in his element, comfortable with the unexpected and even enjoying it. He pulled car after car out of the ditches while we girls sat like idiots. I barely drove a stick shift –let alone that behemoth of a truck he tooled around in.
Observing him made me want to be stronger, less oblivious, and more prepared. So in the snow tonight, I embraced the strength of knowing more of who I am and liking it. When the wheels spun and the snow was thick, I remembered that I could be at rest; I could enjoy the purity of winter.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Yah, I did it.
Just voted early.
Feeling pretty happy that although I was directed to several false locations, had to wait behind 35 non-english speaking individuals, had a sleeping baby laying on top of me and was holding A's french fries and my 13 lb purse in my voting pen hand - I did it. And we live in a country where I can - my looks, my gender, my mental status :) cannot keep me from selecting whomever I so choose.
I am excited about this election and encourage procrastinators like me to get in the absentee vote window - let's go people!
Feeling pretty happy that although I was directed to several false locations, had to wait behind 35 non-english speaking individuals, had a sleeping baby laying on top of me and was holding A's french fries and my 13 lb purse in my voting pen hand - I did it. And we live in a country where I can - my looks, my gender, my mental status :) cannot keep me from selecting whomever I so choose.
I am excited about this election and encourage procrastinators like me to get in the absentee vote window - let's go people!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Obama-drama
Jen, thank you for the reminder. Did I not lovingly suggest ever so long ago that Barack was one to watch? I swear this is the only election in all my voting years that feels like I don't have to choose between two big fat liars.
By the way, if I hear "Maverick" one more time, I'll never be able to watch that cheeseball movie again. Talk about verbal burnout. And for all you pro-lifers - I am still as hard-core as ever in believing in both the life of the mom and the babies - but if you are gullible enough to vote on one topic only for the leader of our nation...all I have to say is please use both lobes of your God-given brain. There are many ways to fight abortion and blindly choosing a candidate because of one topic is like blindly choosing a candidate because they are supposedly christian. C'mon people - whether at the local, national or international level we must look at the FULL picture.
Frankly, I don't dislike a person for voting their party. What I hate is uneducated voting, or even worse - getting the "list" from a pastor telling you that real christians only vote republican. Just peels my skin, that one.
By the way, if I hear "Maverick" one more time, I'll never be able to watch that cheeseball movie again. Talk about verbal burnout. And for all you pro-lifers - I am still as hard-core as ever in believing in both the life of the mom and the babies - but if you are gullible enough to vote on one topic only for the leader of our nation...all I have to say is please use both lobes of your God-given brain. There are many ways to fight abortion and blindly choosing a candidate because of one topic is like blindly choosing a candidate because they are supposedly christian. C'mon people - whether at the local, national or international level we must look at the FULL picture.
Frankly, I don't dislike a person for voting their party. What I hate is uneducated voting, or even worse - getting the "list" from a pastor telling you that real christians only vote republican. Just peels my skin, that one.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Sunday, September 21, 2008
One more Cedar
Today I took only Cedar to church. As we drove, I pointed out the geese flying overhead and shared how the point goose will lead and then fall back when tired and another goose will replace him and how they repeat this process for their entire migration. They "share leadership". (My not-so-subtle attempts at parenting the kids power struggle).
Cedar says, "Like worship". I didn't get the connection so her repeated it. I realized he was talking about what he sees modeled at the church. Levi and Theresa have "shared leadership" during worship. So I probed a bit and asked him, "what does it mean to be a leader to you?"
He remarked that "a leader protects and helps."
How simple and precious out of the mouth of a 6 yr old.
Cedar says, "Like worship". I didn't get the connection so her repeated it. I realized he was talking about what he sees modeled at the church. Levi and Theresa have "shared leadership" during worship. So I probed a bit and asked him, "what does it mean to be a leader to you?"
He remarked that "a leader protects and helps."
How simple and precious out of the mouth of a 6 yr old.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
Not just a ladle...
While doing dishes, Cedar picked up the large soup ladle and commented under he breath, "is this for soup or for poop?"
I kid you not. He is scarred from Aftons turdlet floaties from 1 yr ago. Angie Ladd is scarred from Afton filling her kiddie pool with...well, y'know...and then making a beeline for the big kids' pool.
I kid you not. He is scarred from Aftons turdlet floaties from 1 yr ago. Angie Ladd is scarred from Afton filling her kiddie pool with...well, y'know...and then making a beeline for the big kids' pool.
Blogged with the Flock Browser
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