The 3 above pictures are all part of the same memorial.
In the above arbor there are peas, grapes and kiwi to pick from the vines overhanging the pathway.
Notice the insects in the above 2 stain glass windows. An entomologist from All Souls donated the windows and had little images of insects hidden within the larger picture.
This past weekend All Souls Parish had their annual parish retreat at the Bishop's Ranch tucked away in wine country. After a nasty bout of hiving on Friday night I spent Saturday morning with a group of 6th graders. We made a movie to show at our upcoming annual stewardship meeting. We talked about Paul's conversion and I then took them on a blindfolded trust walk. We played freeze tag and the "fainting game". We took turns checking in with our Roses, Thorns and Buds for the previous and coming weeks. The afternoon was spent in free time. I walked the outdoor labyrinth in the warm sun and gentle breeze. I took lots of pictures (see above). I finished my first David Sedaris book "Dress your Family in Corduroy and Denim", laughing out loud at much of it, and took a much needed nap. After a lovely hymn sing and Taize service Saturday evening a group of us went star gazing. We could see a portion of the Milky Way and Jupiter with the naked eye. With a very fancy telescope we were able to see Jupiter up close, bands and moons and all. We were also able to see the Andromeda Galaxy. I felt very small and insignificant and precious and deeply loved all at once standing under the vast expanse of interstellar space. It was such a wonderful weekend. I am refreshed and relaxed and so glad to be here!
I ought to be busy putting my belongings in one of three piles: to keep, to give away, to get rid of. I should be putting things in boxes and bags and drawers. Instead, I have decided to start a blog.
At 11:45 PM my apartment is a disaster and I just can't seem to muster the will to care. So why not start a blog? I have thought about starting a blog many times and each time, until now, decided against it. As far as I can figure there are two reasons for this change of mind. The first is that it's almost midnight and I really don't feel like doing anymore packing, so I am avoiding. The second is that I am about to move across the country to California. It seems that all my wildest dreams are coming true and yet my heart is breaking. I will be working as a Youth Minister in Berkeley! I am so excited I can hardly think about it without grinning like a fool. And yet, my life has been here, in Chicago, for the past several years. When fantasizing about moving I somehow forgot about how much it would hurt to say goodbye to this place and these people. This blog, for what it is worth, is one way to try to keep in touch in a mass and impersonal way from the "Granola State".
I will try to be good and post pictures and updates somewhat regularly. I have also toyed with posting some of my writing. We'll see.
A thing of nightmares!
