Archive | January, 2010
I have a confession … a few actually …
I fear I’m a bit of a book snob. True, I love a good foo-foo book; I love to plop down in a big comfy chair, curl up with an easy read, and what-not. But the other night I dreamt people were sending me book lists that included – GASP! – Christian romances. I was mortified! Mortified! {profuse apologies to those who are offended … perhaps the next confession will help you consider the source and ease your mind}
I cannot, for the life of me, utter “I’m well.” I can’t do it. When someone asks how I am, I reply with the ever-unaccepted “I’m good.” My mind registers the proper response; but I simply cannot speak the words. They refuse to escape my mouth. I don’t know what it is … I know that I feel too high and mighty. Perhaps I was traumatized as a kid with some exceedingly proper and rude person? I don’t know. But there you have it.
Technology is not my friend. I have a tight deadline and, true to form, technology has decided to rebell. It started yesterday morning. First, my wireless mouse was acting weird. Changed the batteries, nothing. Then my wireless keyboard died. Batteries were good – the clock was still working - I just couldn’t type. Then – horror of horrors – my big, lovely second monitor went black. So here I am, typing away at the kitchen table. My eyeballs will be crying by the end of the day, just so you know. And I feel an ugly disposition creeping in …
I think intelligence is hot. I’ve always had a certain soft spot for nerdly types. One of my first crushes should be arriving in the mail today – Young Sherlock Holmes. I still remember the first time I watched that movie; I was positively smitten with that smart, young detective – brown plaid deerstalker, matching cloak and all. Yeah, there may be a reason I’m still single …
{why yes, we were coming out of the 80's; however did you know?}
I’m not an Australian, mind you, but I did visit once. Many moons ago, I visited Australia with an outreach group. We stayed in a red light district (who knew they really had red lights?), fed kangaroos, and held koala bears. While other groups were suffering for the Lord in Africa, we were lounging about on white sand beaches – amazed that women could be okay being nekked … IN PUBLIC.
I also dated an Australian once. Okay, I went on one date. And that hour before the movie started was one of the longest of my life. Long story short, the fact that I had been to Australia and he was from Australia was the only thing we had in common.
So yeah … me and Australia … we’re tight like that.
*If it was still the 26th in Australia. Which, chances are, it isn’t. But if it was.
I hope this finds you returning from a wonderfully relaxing weekend, and on to a week that is just the right amount of busy. Here are a few tidbits from my side:
- For those of you close to Boise, The Grocery Outlet has cleaned up their act AND they have cheese! Creamy, moldy, spicey, gloriously tasting fromage. And at prices you can actually afford. Considering I am the one who will go to a wine tasting for the cheese, it was a little slice of heaven.
- While we are on the topic of my nerdiness, I met friends for coffee on Saturday. We spent a couple hours talking books, reading lists, authors and other bookish delights. You could give me a million dollars and I doubt I would have more fun. Okay, that might be a slight exageration … because if I had a million dollars I could actually buy all the books we talked about.
- Lucky for me, I know a magician. You can be a total geek, but knowing a magician gives you an air of mystery … just enough to hint of cool. I may look like a writer, books may make me giddy, I may be on the board of the Medieval Society, but by George, I KNOW A MAGICIAN. So. There.
- Speaking of magicians – Boise recently opened the Mystique dinner theatre. I heard from said magician friend that the five course meal and magic show is awesome. He also assured me that the show in Boise is more fun, less frightful, which is good to know for us chicken livers. That said, if you live in/near/around Boise – or you plan to visit – you must put the Mystique on your list of things-to-do.
- Thank you to those who jumped at the chance to help Addie and her art for Africa. I received a slew of bottle caps yesterday from a friend (thanks John!) and they are bea-u-tiful. So handy that they came through me first … now I can put my name on the one I want to buy back. I will keep you posted as to when the rest are available.
- Lastly, but certainly not least, one great way to remember Haiti is by reading the blog of someone who is there. I stumbled across this one today – The Livesay Weblog. The Livesays are a missionary family living in Haiti. They aren’t a typical news outlet, they aren’t a large organization, they’re a family – they could be our family. And they are simply doing the work God has called them to do. If you read their blog, I can almost guarantee you’ll remember Haiti in your prayers …
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for spring – a nice calm spring, with blue skies and sunshine – warmth, and no wind! I mean really, there you are, all snuggled in with a good (albeit depressing) book, when the wind whips up and nearly takes your roof along with it. Unnerving, I say.
Although, I must admit, I’ve quite taken to the beauty of bare branches. It’s true! I use to believe there was nothing at all to look at in the dead of winter. This year, however, I’ve realized hibernating trees possess a certain grace. They are works of art, really.
It reminds me of being young. People who were positively ancient would point to something positively boring and exclaim, “Look at that; isn’t it amazing?!” Being I was taught manners, I would smile sweetly and nod my head. Age, I was certain, affected the brain.
So congratulations to me – I am now as officially old as the dirt I’ve come to admire.
In keeping with my apparent theme …
As you may recall, last year – around this time – I decided to join an exercise group. For however-many months I lumbered through pilates, nearly broke my neck attempting yoga poses, and was otherwise every degree of pitiful. Caycee was one of the regulars. We would finish a particularly grueling something-or-other and I’d be cursing the wretched fates that would cause such pain and misery, while Caycee exclaimed something along the lines of, “That was awesome!” In other words, where I was the rain cloud, Caycee was the ray of sunshine.
For this reason alone, Caycee is deserving of a little something. But there’s more …
I recently found out Caycee and her family have started the adoption process for a little girl in Ethiopia. Now I have many friends who have adopted – and each journey to a little someone is nothing short of a miracle. But this story especially touched my heart…
Addie is working to bring her little sister home and, once that’s done, continue to bless Africa. There are several ways you can help: 1) donate bottle caps; 2) donate your own bottle cap magnets; 3) purchase a bottle cap magnet (when available).
I think you’ll find Addie’s Art for Africa is an exciting opportunity for us all. After all, little hands have a miraculous way of doing great things …
{Click pic to learn more about Addie's Art for Africa}
