... bread. Of course. And our local ShopRite makes the most wonderful rosemary and ripe olive bread. Lent is my opportunity to make soup and indulge in this delicious bread -- and butter. Real butter.
This week chicken soup with sweet potatoes, celery, mushrooms and a fair amount of poached chicken breast. Nothing that should be on anyones 'dislike' list. Next time though I may make pumpkin-white bean. Many people don't do beans. I love beans. And another time maybe tomato something. We have a few people who don't do tomatoes. But chicken is pretty safe.
Safe is good. Some of the time. But taking chances and trying out new things is also good. Taking a chance means the possibility of failing. Or in the case of soup, disaster. I've had my share of those. I keep trying new combinations though. I put the failures on the 'let's not do this again' list. The successes are usually the basis for further experimentation. Sort of like life. I just keep trying to get it to be the best that I can. I guess when I finally succeed, I'll be done.
Yup, a glass of wine before dishing up dinner sounds like a really good idea. I think I'm pushing myself a little too much. Planning too much for the available time. This morning I did a day's work BEFORE I went to work. I need to pace myself better. Take more rests. Be more judicious with my planning. I get a list of projects in my head and then can't let it go. At the end of the day I'm disappointed because I didn't get everything accomplished.
So, time out. Slow down. Have a glass of wine. Take some deep breaths. AND it might even be a good idea to let God into the day.
This is just about the best I can do for now. Just hang in and cope. The phone keeps ringing. The sump pump stumbled and there is water all over the cellar floor. The oil burner smells -- the service guy will come when he can. My Spanish essay isn't even started. I'm behind on my Lent discipline. Laundry needs folding. I am feeling pressured by all these silly aggravations of my life. God doesn't care about any of this, so I think I'll just take a few deep breaths, pray for a little calmness, and get busy.
Jeff has been leading us through some different ways of understanding our own stories. We know one another through the sharing of our stories. First we need to know and remember our own past before we can understand and appreciate the stories of others. And we have to learn to be comfortable telling our stories and making others comfortable when they tell theirs.
This morning after our service we were given yet another exercise to awaken memories and record them for ourselves. There are just so many ways that we can do this. Today we were given a standard sheet of copy paper and the choice of writing/drawing implement. I had my purple gel pen with me so I was all set. We were instructed to choose an 'elder' or some person in our life that had been a significant influence. Hmmmm.... I am nearly seventy-four. A LOT of people have influenced who I am. I chose my dad.
The next part of the instruction was to write that persons name in the center of the paper, circle it if we wanted, and t h e n whatever popped into our mind, draw a line, write it down -- words or pictures. And if that thought sparked another, draw a line, identify the thought -- an so on. We were given ten/fifteen minutes. My mind works quickly so I drew lines and circles and words and simple pictures. And then I stopped and looked at all of it and was surprised.
Jeff asked: "What did that feel like for you?" Most said that it brought back forgotten memories. For me it was a surprise. It seems that I am much like my dad and hadn't realized the similarities. It made me feel good. And sad. Notice the heart with the hole that he left in my life when he died. Also notice that he was so connected to my sister and she to me with a love that is so binding, and the love of God, who holds me in God's hands.
Sunshine and blue sky. After all of the nasty dreary weather we have had this is a welcome relief. A lift of the spirits. Plus today is our Mission Outreach gathering at Grace. We are talking about and learning how each one of us can make a difference in the community around us. Not a throw money at an established group kind of thing -- a real hands on face to face offering. We are still in the discussion stage and beginnings are slow and sometimes cumbersome. We are, however, exploring opportunities and open to challenge.
The Week In Review
The washer was repaired on Monday for $25 in parts and not too many hours of Bill's labor. Sure beats the $850 we were thinking. Accolades for Bill!! Then, of course, the sump switch got turned off and when I arrived home from church Tuesday evening the cellar had a layer of water. Oh, well. You win some you lose some.
We held a bilingual service on Wednesday with our resident congregation, Iglesia Betania. Ashes and Eucharist and hymns in Spanish and English and RevLois preached alternating Spanish and English, as did Padre Jose when he celebrated the Eucharist. Slowly we are growing together.
My eight thirty AM dentist appointment yesterday wiped me out for the rest of the day. That and the rain are just a lot to handle together. And the rain continues into today. I am hoping the weekend will give us a little relief. That would be really nice since Saturday night we will have to set the clocks ahead and, once more, give our internal body clocks a jolt.
I am dressed in shades of blue today because the softness of pastel blue is comforting for me. I have spent two hours in the dentist chair and I am wiped. No pain. Just the pressure on my teeth and 'stuff' in my mouth, and the sound of the drill, and the smells of everything. The dentist is a love and we have marvelous conversations. This crown that just went in is as close to perfect as it could be. It just slipped right, was seated comfortably, the bite is right, and all is well.
Then the drill. Novocaine because it was getting too deep. And then the decay had gone past filling and into the inlay stage. That took more time and another x-ray and another impression. It was a lot. I am not thirty any more and it has taken a LOT out of me. BUT, put on the comforting colors; get a comforting can of tomato basil soup; and off to work I go.
