Celebrating the Mundane
Friday, November 18, 2011. Cooking has never been a very exciting activity to me. I suspect that this is mainly because I live alone. It can be difficult to cook for one, invariably you end up wasting food or eating the same thing for 5 days. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to cook for a family who had a newborn baby in the NICU. Since I was cooking for people I cared about and who were experiencing a time of high anxiety and stress, I prayed for them through each step of the meal preparation process. At the grocery store I prayed that the food I selected would bring them strength and comfort. As I chose snacks to include for the 2 other children, I prayed that God would help these young boys understand why their parents had to give so much of their time and attention to their new brother so that they would not feel lost or neglected. When I got home and began combining ingredients, I prayed for the day that the entire family would be together under one roof. THAT cooking experience was enjoyably, exciting and spiritual.
I'm not sure why it took me 42 years to learn that cooking can be a spiritual practice. Each week when I go to the grocery store I now pray for those who grew and harvested the food, those who work in the factories and bakeries who make my cereal, bread and other products, those who stock the shelves, clean the store and check out my purchases. At home while preparing my meals, I pray that God will help me make healthy eating choices more often than not so that I will be healthy enough to be a meaningful member of my community; that the food I have chosen to prepare this day will strengthen me to lead the life that God is calling me to lead.
Since I've started thinking about my food in this way, I find that I'm making better choices, I don't dread the time I spend creating my meals, I spend more time in conscious communication with God and my life is generally fuller.
Life Simplified
Simplify Life Challenge: The Pantry
Happy New Year!
My Bucket List-Not things I want to do before I die, but things I want to do before 2011 is over.
On Your Mark...Get Set...Go!
The Llamas (Dolly, Tony and Baracko) in my new office at CCPC:
A spunky pink centerpiece at my first Junior League of Plano event since I returned to the metroplex:
"Always Give More than You Take"
I've been thinking a lot lately about my Dad and the last really long conversation we had before he died. Given all that I've forgotten in life, I'm so thankful for my memories of that afternoon.
"Legacy" by Nichole Nordeman
I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much
I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides the temporary trappings of this world
I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love?
Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed your name apologetically
And leave that kind of legacy
I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthy list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy
Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...
Dang Momma!
Deep Thoughts from a Shallow Well Part 3
So, be careful on December 24 in case the guy decides to come to your house this year-and enjoy the spoils on Christmas morning!
Deep Thoughts from a Shallow Well Part 2
As soon as she got home she took me and my brother Fred for a long walk. I was very careful not to make poopy while we were out. When we got home she went to change clothes. While she was changing, I went into the kitchen a laid a stinker. Worked like a charm! It took her mind completely off of her bad day. Maybe it was too much poopy. Maybe it was too stinky. Something went terribly wrong with my plan. Sure she wasn't thinking about her bad day anymore but...she was REALLY mad at me.
After she picked up the poopy and cleaned the floor she went in the living room and sat down on the couch. I jumped up beside her, made a pathetic face and barfed.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Who could stay angry with a sick puppy? The Momma forgot about her bad day AND the fact that she was ever angry with me.
Good work, Therapist Leroy. That will be $150 please.
Deep Thoughts from a Shallow Well
Name: Leroy Earl Brown
Age: Three and a half
Breed: Redneck Poodle
Hail From: The Great State of Texas
Sibling: Fred Dog
Momma: The Momma
Job: Snuggling and being cute
Hobbies: Wresting, squeekin' toys, flushin' the potty just to watch the water and suckin' the bathroom wall
Turn ons: Cheese cookies and long walks
Turn offs: Short leashes and fireworks
Love Interest: Kami (she lives down the block)
Philosophy of Life: It's all good!
Now don't you be a stranger! I've got a lot to say this year.
Thoughts on the Ending Decade
Thursday, December 31, 2009 Since this is the last time I'll blog during this decade I thought I'd share ten of the most important lessons I've learned in the last ten years.
1. God's love and grace are given to us with the same abandon we are to share them with others.
2. My capacity to love is greater than I ever imagined.
3. Friends are the greatest treasures of life.
4. Nothing in life is so bad that a warm puppy can't make it better
5. Life is better when lived in the company of a very old dog.
6. Trying new things is more fun when you are with the "old things" at the end of the day.
7. If you aren't giving you aren't living.
8. Find something you love and make your living at it.
9. Find something you love just as much and make a life of it.
10. The world is full of cactus but you don't have to sit on it.
Jerry Self-Some people you always remember
Until we meet again,
Good Times
Charles Isaac Brown
With the scars on his body he taught her that even though you treat them with love and loyalty some people will lash out at you. With his soft breath as he slept cuddled up tight to her he taught her that even though some people will hurt you-you should always give the next person a chance. Love is out there if you are willing to keep looking for it. By tearing a piece off of every toy he ever got and giving it to his younger brother Fred he taught her that the best thing about having good 'stuff' is sharing it. With his peculiar little bark in the middle of the night he taught her that it's OK to ask for what you need in life. With his less than intimidating growl when Leroy would become annoying he taught her that you have to set your own boundaries in life or people will take advantage of you.
Charlie died peacefully Thursday, February 21st at his Auntie Tricia's office. He had a full tummy, a new toy, and died while being petted by two of his favorite up-right walkers.
He is survived by The Momma and his brothers Fred and Leroy.