Reading

Way back in April I requested some reading recommendations and many of you jumped at the chance to share some of your favorite reads. I compiled them here and have remembered on occasion to bring the list to the library with me and work my way through the delights!

I was reminded of this today when I finished my most recent discovery from the library. It was a library stop during which I had a very limited amount of time, no books currently at home, nothing specific in mind, and full New Book shelves from which to pull. Among the ones that I grabbed was House of Many Gods by Kiana Davenport. I highly recommend it as a book about discovery, about Hawai'i, Russia, the environment, the role of the military on the islands, family, the power of women and relationships. I never wanted to put it down, but not in the guzzle-read that I discover with a lot of grocery-store reading. It took me a couple of days of intensive evening reading to finish and I found myself captivated and immersed with the story.

What are you reading these days?

Friday Five

Per the RevGalBlogPals... So this is a "Black Friday" Five (aka Buy Nothing Day) in honor of the busiest shopping day of the year:

1. Would you ever/have you ever stood in line for something--tickets, good deals on electronics, Tickle Me Elmo?
While in seminary, a major retailer opened a flagship store in the midst of one of the greatest shopping miles world. On the morning they were giving away a free pair of jeans to the first 50 or 100 people in line.... I didn't have class that morning (or anything else to do!), and I figured that if I waited two hours and got a pair of jeans out of the deal I had made over $25/hour. It was worth it to me!

2. Do you enjoy shopping as a recreational activity?
Sometimes. More than I like to admit, actually.

3. Your favorite place to browse without necessarily buying anything.
Any of the great discount retailers: Target, TJMaxx, Marshalls
I also love to browse at a nice high-end department store that has a cafe in it.

4. Gift cards: handy gifts for the loved one who has everything, or cold impersonal symbol of all that is wrong in our culture?
I don't really have an opinion -- though living hundreds of miles away from family, they make an easy gift to ship that allows young nieces to choose what they want instead of having to suffer the wrongly-chosen gift.

5. Discuss the spiritual and theological issues inherent in people coming to blows over a Playstation 3.
*sigh* It's sad, pathetic, and no different from the outrage that I felt at watching the news and seeing people fight over the first round of Lettuce-patch Kids. Yes, I wanted one, but even as a child I couldn't imagine going to that length to get it.

De-Lurkey-Turkey!

Happy De-Lurk(ey)ing week. Thanks to the RevGalBlogPals for this fabulous idea -- you don't have to say much, just "Hello!" Simply let me know that you're here and that you're reading, and I'll do the same in return. It'll be a grand week, and I might even post more, in honor of it!
Gobble, gobble!

It doesn't get much better

Really -- After about two weeks of having something in the evening, ranging from the fun (BNL in concert) to the ridiculous (a care meeting in which I felt attacked) to the beneficially necessary (a benefit dinner for a local school that really does amazing things, and the dinner allowed me to wear my really, really fabulous animal print heels the flair to a very otherwise understated brown and cream ensemble), I'm home tonight.

The baby is sleeping, the dog is enjoying a rawhide at my feet, the husband is at work, and in front of me is a glass of red wine and some lovely dark chocolate. The wine wasn't expensive at my favorite warehouse store (C*stc*), but it made me think of my friend K, and that was enough to warm my soul. The chocolate is dark and smooth and reminds me of a great weekend away when four good friends sampled chocolates and wine and beer what felt like the whole weekend long.

There was a joyful spirit in worship this morning and I had fun in my sermon and it feels good to know that I'm about to settle in to serving these folks for a good long while. There is promise in the certainty of longevity, and this morning it came in the hug of a delightfully curmudgeon who I sometimes think doesn't see the glass as being wet, let alone half-full. "I'm happy for you," he said. And when I responded that I was, too, he laughed, and his eyes crinkled at the corners in a way I hadn't seen before. It doesn't get much better.

Tired, time

I haven't been blogging much lately. Some folks have noted a decline in comments, if not visits, and I know my own reading/commenting trends have changed, too. It's not that I don't appreciate what I read. Usually I read it in such a hurry that either I don't have time to comment (or at least that's how it feels) or I'm days past in reading it.

So, the possibility of sitting down to write something that resembles a post, or even just a string of coherent thoughts, most days feels beyond me. I've missed a couple of deadlines recently -- a letter for a mailing, a small writing project -- both of which will be easily remedied this week, probably at the expense of something else. Little things keep telling me that I'm tired, and I'm trying to listen. Really, I am.

Hi

It was early, earlier than he usually gets up, and so I attempted to rock him. I knew he probably wouldn't fall back to sleep -- that's not really his style -- once he's up, he's up. But I hoped that perhaps he would nestle back into a quiet place and I could join him there, as I had many times when he would wake to nurse in the middle of the night. We're long past that point, and past much snuggling unless he's really tired. But this particular morning he appeased me if only for awhile.

We rocked and I leaned back, closed my eyes and rested. I could feel him lift his head off my chest occasionally and I imagined him peeking to see if I was sleeping, as I peek on him at night.

That morning he finally caught me with my eyes open, smiled and whispered, "Hi."

Hi.

10 Things

I was at a conference today that was supposed to make me feel rested and well. It made me feel crabby and tired. At one point the afternoon presenter asked us to share with our table when we'd seen something that reminded us of the breath of God, or a request equally inspiring. I couldn't think of anything. However, now that I can't sleep, I'm being thankful for some little things... at least ten of them.

New jammies from T-a-r-g-e-t. They were part of my costume this past weekend and they are super, super comfy.

Long-sleeved t-shirts

Having friends who are stylish and hip. I figure if nothing else they'll rub off on me or I'll be included by association.

A pedicure from a week ago that still looks amazing.

Taking my little lion out last night and hearing him whisper, "roar."

Thick hair that's growing, under the direction of my stylist who owns my hair far more than I do.

Being able to be in the office almost all day tomorrow. It's true that I'm looking forward to that.

Having a paycheck, something that I often take for granted.

Fall colors and warm jackets.

Phone calls from friends and hearing laughter across the miles.