An Historic Day

No matter what your preference was in the voting booth, the decision has been made about our next leader and our country now moves forward. Some are fearful and some hopeful; all feelings are valid.

I know that I cannot fully appreciate the euphoria of the African American community in the election of a black president. I was moved by the reflections of the elderly black senators and news commentators, who have gone from participation in the civil rights movement as young men to seeing a biracial man be elected president of the United States in their senior years. I’ll never be able to totally feel what they feel because I am a white person, but I want to value the reality as much as possible. I know we have just entered an unprecedented era… may I take it all in as much as I can.

Quilter 101

I took up quilting a year ago. The interest started a year before that through witnessing massive creativity at a quilt show. Then I observed artisans in action at a quilt retreat and decided I wanted to give it a whirl. I've been slowly working on a project that is taking forever, so I took a break from it and tried something different. What a trill to go from this...

... to THIS! I'm so excited. Still need a border and backing, but I'm on my way.

Back To It

My blogging goes in fits and starts. Here's another start. I've been inspired to get back to it because I have friends with such nice blogs, especiall Sarah. I want to keep sharing, so here you go!

Book Review: “Pay Dirt” by Rita Mae Brown

Plot
Mary Minor Haristeen (Harry) is the small-town postmistress of Crozet, VA. She, along with her cat, Mrs. Murphy, and corgi, Tucker, find themselves at the center of frequent mysterious activities that have been the subjects of a long series of books. Her animals, and others in the town, talk to each other outside the understanding of the humans, which gives readers access to hilarious, and often sage, dialogue.

In this story, the appearance of a black leather-clad biker in their small Southern town marks the beginning of a series of unfortunate events. He claims to be looking for his long-lost girlfriend but ends up being murdered. His untimely death added more fodder to the town’s rumor mill, already ripe with the implications of a computer virus that would reportedly target the local businesses on a future date. When a bank audit reveals missing money, and a local love triangle involves one of the bank’s officials, tongues wag about whether the events are all connected. After several more murders, the town is reeling and would never guess who is the cause of it all.

My Thoughts
This series is good light reading. Predictably entertaining but not a real mind stretcher. Probably wouldn’t be pleasing to lovers of literary classics. It falls into the category of “animal mysteries,” not unlike the books of Lillian Jackson Braun.

Favorite Lines
1. Dog to cat when seeing the male subject of the love triangle after a particularly ugly spat: “He looks like Death eating a cracker.”

2. Dog and cat discussing Harry, who is being taken out to dinner by two likable suitors:
Dog: “How do you like that?” He watched the red taillights disappear.
Cat: “I like it a lot… I want someone in mom’s life who makes her life easier. Love shouldn’t feel like a job.”

Automation Nation

I would like to know who decided that humans are completely lazy and don't need human contact. I recently returned from some traveling and am stunned at the automation that is now forced upon us everywhere we turn. As you drive to your destination, you can zoom through toll booths if you have the EZ Pass or something similar. When you arrive at the airport, you swipe your credit card to receive your boarding pass. An agent only helps if you are too dumb to know how to do this. If you have personal needs to attend to, you head for the airport bathroom. Of course, you don't have to exert any energy because you can take a moving walkway right up to the door. After you lock your stall, you can push a button and the "sani-seal" will encircle your toilet seat. If you flinch, or stand to pull up your britches, the toilet will automatically flush. (Very startling indeed if it happens while you are still seated.) When you go to wash your hands, you wave your hand under a spout for soap. Then you wave your hand under another spout for water, which is exactly the right temperature and runs for the appropriate amount of time. Then you wave your hand under a paper towel dispenser and the proper amount of absorbent material pops out. You do have to throw it away on your own. (Hotels also have these fully automated bathrooms available to the public.) If you are lucky, you won't have to open many doors on your own because the good old electronic eye anticipates you coming and wallah! The door slides open. If you need any items at a big-box store, you can go through the self-checkout aisles and avoid the bag boys. There are vending machines now for everything imaginable -- even IPods! Be careful, people, or we're going to turn into a species of idiots.

PS -- For those of you in my era, you'll recognize the picture of Rosie from the Jetsons.

Book Review: “Gravity” by Tess Gerritsen

Plot

Emma Watson is a doctor an astronaut-in-training for one of the next Space Shuttle Discovery flights to the International Space Station. Her mission is moved up when one of the space station residents needs to vacate due to the death of his wife. Emma is horrified to discover that one of the science experiments aboard the space station has gone horribly awry, becoming a fast-moving fatal virus that is picking off the crew one-by-one. Did the virus infect earth when the previous Discovery shuttle crashed upon reentry? Will the current space station residents survive and come home?


My Thoughts

I’m not much of a sci-fi fan, but this book was a rip-roaring page-turner. I stayed up until 2 am one night because I couldn’t put it down. I was totally into it until the Disneyesque rescue at the end. It totally fell apart for me after that. I would still recommend it, but it gets ratcheted down several pegs due to an ending that was particularly unbelievable.

Book Review: “44 Scotland Street” by Alexander McCall Smith

Plot
Pat moves into an apartment at the address in the book’s title and gets a job at a small art gallery. This is a character-development story of the people in her building, her job, and other folks connected to them. The setting is Edinburgh and the story plods along like a typical British novel (can you say, “Pride & Prejudice?”). The characters each have an interesting personality trait or two, and more connections develop between them along the way, leading to several different story lines. You’ve got an underachiever, a narcissist, a portrait painter, an archeologist, a controlling mother, and a genius youngster, among others. The book ends without much being resolved in any of the story lines.

My Thoughts
Interesting fact: this was originally a 110-episode serial in a Scottish newspaper. At first I wasn’t sure I would stick with this book because it was so slow, but I don’t like giving up on books unless they are terrible, which this wasn’t. There are some humorous scenes that help redeem the story. However, I was hoping for more at the end and I was a bit disappointed. McCall Smith is also the author of the excellent No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, which is much better in my opinion. (The art connection between these two reviews is just a coincidence – I’m not on an art bender.)

Book Review: “False Impression” by Jeffrey Archer

Plot

Anna Petrescu is an art expert. She works for Bryce Fenston, a scurrilous character/art collector/banker whom she discovers is cheating his customers. Acting as a modern-day Robin Hood, Anna decides to take matters into her own hands by stealing a priceless Van Gogh, one of Fenston’s targeted purchases, but the events of 9/11 temporarily foil her plans. (Interesting side plot of reliving the fateful day’s events through the eyes of a survivor, even if fictional.) The story takes Anna to Bucharest, London, and Tokyo with a knife-wielding assassin and a handsome FBI agent both in hot pursuit. Through forgeries, severed ears, multi-million dollar deals, and great plot twists, you’ll enjoy your wild ride through the world of sophisticated art collectors.

My Thoughts

The cover of this book features a quote from the New York Post that says, “A worthy successor to The DaVinci Code,” but I don’t see it except that both books are about art and crime. While I really enjoyed this book, I wouldn’t put it on the caliber of DaVinci, which I thought was exceptional. (It was fiction, people, so don’t start thinking I’m some heathen whacko.) Nevertheless, it was a good read and I recommend it.

PS – Holy cow! I just saw this very painting on a commercial for eye drops. What a small world.

New Category

I’m a fiction reader much of the time and plan to start offering book reviews to all of my loyal readers (both of you, and you know who you are). Most of the blogs I read regularly offer reviews of good scholarly works, and I enjoy them very much. But for those of us who dabble in the world of the imaginary, I’ll offer up whatever has its place on my bedside stand. Enjoy!

"Driving Miss Daisy" While Driving

I have discovered a new phenomenon occurring in vehicles driving down the highway -- the practice of people watching DVDs in the car. Technology sure has taken us a long way. But as one who is always the driver, and most often the sole occupant of the car, I find myself a bit jealous. I certainly would like to be able to watch movies, too. It would beat books on tape by a long shot. When I pass, or am passed by, a vehicle with a DVD player, I'm instantly curious about what they are watching. In fact, on my most recent road trip, I pulled up next to a vehicle in just the right position so that I could try to see exactly what was on their screen. This was not a good practice for a couple of reasons. One: I was driving 70 mph. Two: the other car didn't like it much, judging by the way they stepped on the gas and pulled away from me rather quicky.

Would it actually be possible for me to watch movies while driving, as it appears in the above picture? My heart tells me it would be fun to try, but my head tells me it probably isn't a very good idea. What do you think?

Amazing Race Finale

It's my favorite show... and the finale is next Sunday night at 8 pm. Root for the 'Bama Girls -- they are the best!

Natural Unity

I witnessed one of nature’s miracles the other morning on my way to work. I was stopped at a long stoplight and I got to watch a flock of birds doing an avian dance. They were flying in a tightly bound unit that resembled a swarm of bees. They flew back and forth, up and down, in fast fits and starts while staying in complete unison. It seemed to defy reality that so many birds could operate as one. There had to be one lead bird, but because of all the different directions they flew, it was impossible to tell who was the lead bird. It was amazing that nobody made a wrong turn and crashed into the group. And somehow they all knew where to go because they landed in a nearby tree all together.

Why can’t the body of Christ be like this? When we have a leader who has been chosen by God and is leading the way, we decide we would rather go in a different direction. Unlike the birds, we bump into each other a lot and we hurt each other, too. We decide we’d rather land in a different tree than the rest of the group. Why can’t we share the shame vision, and follow the leader, like the birds?

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity
among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.
-- Romans 15:5

Back At It

I seem to take longer breaks from this blog than the time I spend writing in it. But I’m back at it again. Figured I’d give a brief update on what’s been happening…

… The conflicted situation I’ve mentioned in the junco posting is improving. Hearts seem to be softening somewhat and a great bit of attention is being paid to the whole thing in order to work through it. God is good and is at work.

… I had the privilege to travel to the French Riviera this summer with family to met new family members (by marriage). It was a great experience. There was a definite language barrier and many new things to experience, but it was all good. I try and compare my trip to my friends here who are spending four months in Nairobi. I would like to think that what I did might be similar, but I know they are experiencing much more culture shock than I did. It is strange how you can be in a completely foreign place, and after about a week, everything around you starts to seem normal. I wish all the bread, cheese and pastries really could be normal for my life. More on the France trip later.

… My county was the focus of national attention recently: we were chasing the most recent fugitive to be named to the America’s Most Wanted List. Ralph “Bucky” Phillips had been on the run since April 2006 and after several months, he became somewhat of a cult hero. One local restaurant created the “Bucky Burger” and some folk painted “Run Bucky Run” on the back windows of their cars. A variety of his friends and family members were harboring him and helping him. And then he shot a state trooper who later died. And then the reward money went from $25,000 to $250,000. What was once a kind of joke all of a sudden became very serious. It was a bizarre situation to have happening around you. Glad it’s over.

… This summer I had the pleasure of working as an usher in the Amphitheater at Chautauqua Institution. I got paid to listen to music – how cool is that? My favorite concerts were Peter, Paul & Mary, and Lyle Lovett. Also heard numerous symphonies, saw several ballets, and listened to opera highlights. Of course, I spent all the money I made on the gas to drive back and forth five nights a week, but who is counting? I met some great people who I believe will be my friends for a good long time. Isn’t that what life is all about?

Oh, To Be A Junco

This morning on my walk, I stopped to observe a flock of juncos playing in a small wooded area. They were flitting from branch to branch, chasing each other, and chattering happily amongst themselves. I enjoyed a moment of clarity from God.

I am currently in the midst of a situation filled with great conflict. Parties on both sides seem entrenched and unwilling to move. As I ponder my role in it all, I am intimidated by what I may have to do. I am trying to trust God in it all, but I often return to, “How in the world would I ever be able to do what is asked of me?”

This morning as I watched the juncos, I thought of the verses in Matthew 6 where Jesus says, “Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down … careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.” (from The Message) I felt God’s comfort and care for me. He does know what is going on in my life, what concerns me, what challenges me, and He is with me every step of the way. He will provide the way and the strength to do what he calls me to do. Thanks to God and the birds for bringing home that familiar verse to me today.

Visual Imagery

I really love photography. I'm amazed at people's eye for a moment in time, at composition, at color (or lack thereof), and just being able to see things I've never seen before through another's lens. So I'm adding some beef to my blog. Flickr is a great website to see the creativity of your fellow man -- and woman. I don't know if it is illegal to use a Flickr photo or two in my blog... I will never claim that all of these images are mine.

By the way, this is the way the outdoors looks these days in Western NY.

To Be Is To Do

"The work is more important than the talking and the writing about the work." - Dorothy Day

"There have been enough words, enough sermons and books. What matters now is deeds." - Emmy Arnold

My Prayer Today

As we approach the holidays, let's remember the following:

Lord Jesus, open my eyes to the vacant space inside of someone's life today.

Rude Awakening

This morning started out poorly. As I dragged myself out of bed, eyes half open, and stumbled to the bathroom to do my business, I stepped squarely on a deposit of cat yack on the bathroom floor. Not being a morning person only added to the distress and confusion over what had just squished between my toes. And I’m sure the cat did not understand anything I was saying about what she had done. Note to self: even though it is distressing, it might be helpful to turn on the lights before getting under way in the morning.

Movie Review: “Capote”

I saw “Capote” over Thanksgiving weekend and I give it four bells out of four.

I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t know much about him and wasn’t sure what the angle would be: would it delve into the crime that prompted his book, “In Cold Blood,” or would it focus on a flamboyant and eccentric character? It was neither.

“Capote” is a fascinating study of Truman himself and gets into the psychology of why, and how, he wrote the first true-crime novel. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the lead and is outstanding. I’ll never be able to look at him again and think of anything but Truman (just like I can’t look at Ralph Fiennes and think of anything but Nazi). The film adeptly draws you into Truman’s personality and leaves you wondering throughout whether he really cares about the crime’s victims and the perpetrators, or is he just there for the story. Along the way, there are some nice surprises about his social circle (including the fact that he was a childhood friend of Harper Lee, of “To Kill A Mockingbird” fame). Other than a flashback to the crime that prompted the book, the movie was pretty tame.

I think we have a “Best Actor” nominee here, so see it if you can. It’s a good one.

Still Fed Up

It seems to get worse, which is so disappointing. See my previous post on being Fed Up.