wayward dog walking
music making with my kids
reading posts like this
thinking in haiku
Passion comes from pathos--ours
balmed at Golgotha
psalmed in waters still
without which life cannot live:
Passion is this flow
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Psalm 23
Josh, you have hit on the beauty of this being a Symposia - we can have more than one symposium going at the same time. I was just thinking on the way to work this morning that I wanted to share something related to our Stillwater namesake, but I was hesitant because it felt off topic. But your post reminds me that there is no off topic here.
My something is a mini-bible study that I have been preparing for our confirmation students. This year, they are memorizing the 23rd Psalm, and I came up with a quick and easy way to help them along. And anyone can join the class! Just remember seven P words, and you too can memorize with the best of them.
1. PERSON. This is a Psalm about God as a person, and not just any person but one with whom we will never be in need: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2. PLACE. And not just any place, but a place to rest, to be refreshed, with green pastures and still waters: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
3. PATH. We already heard how he leads us by the still waters, but there is more. We will be on the right path as long as we are following the shepherd. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. (There is a tie to one of our new testament lessons here. The kids had just read Acts 17:11, about how we can ask for anything in Jesus's name and he will answer. Same thing with our paths: they will be right if we walk them in his name.)
4. PRESENCE. And on those paths, even if it sometimes gets dark and scary, God is with us, Emmanuel! Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
5. PRAYER. Up until now we were talking about God as a third person, but suddenly we are talking to him directly, as our shepherd. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (There is a tie to the kids' other lessons here, too. Through their old testament studies they had been learning about the continual U-turns of God's people. And this is the perfect U-Turn, bringing our attentions back to God.)
6. PREPARE. In turning, we find the shepherd preparing a table for us, and not just any table. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
7. PROMISE. Most translations use the word "Surely." We not only get a hint of heaven here, we get it emphatically, as a promise. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
And that's it. And I don't even care if the kids remember the exact words anymore, as long as they can talk about the person of God, the place of rest, the path that's right, the presence of Emmanuel, the prayer of U-turns, the table being prepared and the promise of forever. Amen?
My something is a mini-bible study that I have been preparing for our confirmation students. This year, they are memorizing the 23rd Psalm, and I came up with a quick and easy way to help them along. And anyone can join the class! Just remember seven P words, and you too can memorize with the best of them.
1. PERSON. This is a Psalm about God as a person, and not just any person but one with whom we will never be in need: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
2. PLACE. And not just any place, but a place to rest, to be refreshed, with green pastures and still waters: He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul.
3. PATH. We already heard how he leads us by the still waters, but there is more. We will be on the right path as long as we are following the shepherd. He leads me in right paths for his name's sake. (There is a tie to one of our new testament lessons here. The kids had just read Acts 17:11, about how we can ask for anything in Jesus's name and he will answer. Same thing with our paths: they will be right if we walk them in his name.)
4. PRESENCE. And on those paths, even if it sometimes gets dark and scary, God is with us, Emmanuel! Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil, for you are with me.
5. PRAYER. Up until now we were talking about God as a third person, but suddenly we are talking to him directly, as our shepherd. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (There is a tie to the kids' other lessons here, too. Through their old testament studies they had been learning about the continual U-turns of God's people. And this is the perfect U-Turn, bringing our attentions back to God.)
6. PREPARE. In turning, we find the shepherd preparing a table for us, and not just any table. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
7. PROMISE. Most translations use the word "Surely." We not only get a hint of heaven here, we get it emphatically, as a promise. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
And that's it. And I don't even care if the kids remember the exact words anymore, as long as they can talk about the person of God, the place of rest, the path that's right, the presence of Emmanuel, the prayer of U-turns, the table being prepared and the promise of forever. Amen?
The Symposia's 200th post...
--a stone approached and passed with neither pomp nor circumstance, but at the very least a nod acknowledging where we've been and what lies ahead, yet most importantly, the once-again captivating realization that the present moment is something of divine beauty we ought never to ignore.
EMMANUEL!!! Thank God for all blessings! SHALOM!
EMMANUEL!!! Thank God for all blessings! SHALOM!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Keep the comments comin'
Indeed, that is where my list is--back about eight posts ago, when Josh launched this project. As you journey there, stop in to poems by Jon and KC, passions and a poem ensconced in a comment there. I could post my list anew--you'd see "Sweet Chil' of Mine" an uncanny 4th time (I think for quite different reasons!)--but I'd rather promote the comment function on this blog.
But since everyone is adding an eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, I'll add this newest latest masterpiece by Beats & Rice -- their message to 'stand for something' is, well,... worth watching!
But since everyone is adding an eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, I'll add this newest latest masterpiece by Beats & Rice -- their message to 'stand for something' is, well,... worth watching!
The lists are building...
Hey, Joe! (which, incidentally, is a possible Hendrix addition to my own list o' favorites!)
Great list, Joe! Your tastes in music are really well-rounded...I'm sure a lot moreso than mine were when I was your age (musical styles and genres were not as diverse back then during the paleolithic age). Excellent comment on your Beatles selection! And with RHCP, I've been debating which of theirs to include on my own list, and 'By The Way' is a fine choice!
And, we've got the first shared song--GnR's 'Sweet Child o' Mine,' also on Annie's list! Along with that one, 'Patience' is another I might include on my own list... I'm diggin' this project!
One thing I'll say since the issue's already come up in two list submissions--our lists are not meant for everyone else's critique or approval... Allow these lists to have primary value for yourselves--if a song consistently hits you a certain way, great! You know more and more the ones that endure for you and why--so for those songs you choose to share with the rest of us, share them unabashedly! And, Joe, perhaps like your dad, I know there are songs I will choose not to share with everyone else for whatever reason, even if they consistently inspire me, and that's fine...they just go on a different list.
And, again, the list I put together in response to Jon's and Annie's submissions--I already know the list I come up with by the reunion will be substantially, maybe even completely different... Let your lists simmer 'til summer...
Enjoy the process, evrabody!
Josh
Great list, Joe! Your tastes in music are really well-rounded...I'm sure a lot moreso than mine were when I was your age (musical styles and genres were not as diverse back then during the paleolithic age). Excellent comment on your Beatles selection! And with RHCP, I've been debating which of theirs to include on my own list, and 'By The Way' is a fine choice!
And, we've got the first shared song--GnR's 'Sweet Child o' Mine,' also on Annie's list! Along with that one, 'Patience' is another I might include on my own list... I'm diggin' this project!
One thing I'll say since the issue's already come up in two list submissions--our lists are not meant for everyone else's critique or approval... Allow these lists to have primary value for yourselves--if a song consistently hits you a certain way, great! You know more and more the ones that endure for you and why--so for those songs you choose to share with the rest of us, share them unabashedly! And, Joe, perhaps like your dad, I know there are songs I will choose not to share with everyone else for whatever reason, even if they consistently inspire me, and that's fine...they just go on a different list.
And, again, the list I put together in response to Jon's and Annie's submissions--I already know the list I come up with by the reunion will be substantially, maybe even completely different... Let your lists simmer 'til summer...
Enjoy the process, evrabody!
Josh
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Joe's top 12
Hello, this is Joe, I had a discussion with my dad about whether I should write this as a comment or post it. Since everyone else except my dad is posting their top 10 songs and I want my favorite songs to be seen, I decided to post it. I'm afraid most of you won't like this list, but this is just my list of the songs that I can't get enough of no matter how many times I listen to them. My big problem is, that I am never faithful to any music genre, I listen to pop, rock, metal, and even classical music. The only music I don't like is Dubstep, I don't consider most of it music.
My list is a little weird, because some bands or artists have many great songs that didn't make my top 12, but I put them in brackets, to show that it is hard for me to decide the best song from that artist. By the way, Sweet Child O' Mine wouldn't be in there if I wouldn't learn it on guitar. By learning it on the guitar and bass I got to know the song better and realized how great of a composition it is. Some of the songs are not a very good composition, but I love them so much that I had to put them in my list. I am sorry for my bad grammar and word use, but I haven't written anything very meaningful in English for two years. I am also writing this for practice.
1. Aerosmith - Jaded (Sweet Emotion, Walk This Way)
2. Guns n Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
3. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - By The Way (Scar Tissue, The Adventures Of Raindance Maggie, Californiacation, Can't stop)
4. Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me (I Cry, Whistle, Wild Ones ft. Sia)
5. Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly (The Story Of Us, Red)
6. Calvin Harris - We'll Be Coming Back ft. Example (Feel so close)
7. The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (No way am I going to write out all of the great Beatles songs)
8. Boston - More Than A Feeling
9. Foo Fighters - Walk
10. The Knack - My Sharona
11. David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes (The Man Who Sold The World)
12. Maroon 5 - Payphone (Moves Like Jagger)
Well, that's my top 12, please feel free to comment and let me know what you think about my top 12 (although I know that from song four you probably hate my list). Thanks a lot Josh, because I have been wanting to do something like this for quite a while.
My list is a little weird, because some bands or artists have many great songs that didn't make my top 12, but I put them in brackets, to show that it is hard for me to decide the best song from that artist. By the way, Sweet Child O' Mine wouldn't be in there if I wouldn't learn it on guitar. By learning it on the guitar and bass I got to know the song better and realized how great of a composition it is. Some of the songs are not a very good composition, but I love them so much that I had to put them in my list. I am sorry for my bad grammar and word use, but I haven't written anything very meaningful in English for two years. I am also writing this for practice.
1. Aerosmith - Jaded (Sweet Emotion, Walk This Way)
2. Guns n Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine
3. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - By The Way (Scar Tissue, The Adventures Of Raindance Maggie, Californiacation, Can't stop)
4. Flo Rida - Club Can't Handle Me (I Cry, Whistle, Wild Ones ft. Sia)
5. Taylor Swift - Sparks Fly (The Story Of Us, Red)
6. Calvin Harris - We'll Be Coming Back ft. Example (Feel so close)
7. The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (No way am I going to write out all of the great Beatles songs)
8. Boston - More Than A Feeling
9. Foo Fighters - Walk
10. The Knack - My Sharona
11. David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes (The Man Who Sold The World)
12. Maroon 5 - Payphone (Moves Like Jagger)
Well, that's my top 12, please feel free to comment and let me know what you think about my top 12 (although I know that from song four you probably hate my list). Thanks a lot Josh, because I have been wanting to do something like this for quite a while.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Josh's Juke Box 2013
(posted by Jon, at Josh's request - you guys can post these directly you know)
WOW... I'm not even close to ready on this...I've got at least 5 CDs worth of music from which my 2013 list will evolve... I'm still letting this simmer 'til the reunion, when I'll have my official list (actually burned to CD)... Alright, then, this'll be interesting, and I'd invite both of you, Annie and Jon, to see if your list changes by the reunion.
So, if pressed today, my list would have to include the following:
1. Pink Floyd - Great Gig in the Sky
2. Smashmouth - Walkin' on the Sun
3. Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun
4. Miles Davis - All Blues
5. Radiohead - Optimistic
6. Prince - Purple Rain
7. Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic
8. Stevie Wonder - Big Brother
(8.5... Rufus - Tell Me Something Good)
9. Pretenders - My City Was Gone (and no, Jon, since I don't listen to Rush Limbaugh, the fact that he uses this as his theme song hasn't ruined it for me...it's a great song!)
10. Ravel - Daphnis et Chloe, Suite No. 2
11. Fiddler on the Roof soundtrack - Sabbath Prayer
12. Black Sabbath - Planet Caravan
13. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Jammin'...
...see, I had to even add a song after my list was compiled, and I know I'm well over a CD's worth...(the Ravel song alone will take up about a fifth of a CD). But all of these are songs I've consistently re-started at least once or twice whenever I've intentionally listened to it...
I know that whatever of these I don't include on this year's disc will inevitably go into another year's compilation.
And btw, credit to Dan for this idea by first inspiring me to choose between two Aerosmith songs as a favorite--'Walk This Way' and 'Sweet Emotion,' both fine additions to my own compilation--from which, I overrode the choices and opted for 'Last Child'...
Jon, I thought your list would include ZZ Top's/Leon Redbone's 'La Grange'...another I'll be adding to mine...
Lovin' this project--again, let's see how these lists change by the reunion, and invite the kids to join in as well!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Josh
Anne's Juke Box 2013
OK, I'm in, too. Here's my working list for 2013.
1. Serenade No. 10 for winds in B flat major- Mozart (I liked your idea, Jon)
2. Sweet Child O Mine- Guns N Roses
3. Suspicious Minds - Elvis
4. When You Say Nothing At All - Alison Krauss with Union Station
5. Since You Been Gone - Rainbow
6. No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley and the Wailers
7. Old Apartment - Barenaked Ladies
8. Crash - Dave Matthew Band
9. Crazy Train - Ozzy Osbourne
10. I'm the One Who Wants to Be With You - Mr. Big
Great idea, Josh :)
(and you guys can't make fun of my choices even if a lot of them do lack pedigree).
Annie
New Kid in Town
Hey everybody! So here's my first contribution:
Sonnet LXXXII
She used to hold me closely in her wings,
And tell me that she’d keep me safe from harm.
O, Meadowlark, I long to hear you sing,
To feel your feathers brush against my arms.
But as the days have turned to months and years
,I find myself forgetting how she sounds.
That spiteful voice- I somehow long to hear
Is buried in my thoughts, but can’t be found.
I’ve tried, so long, to put her out of mind,
To make the pain release me from its grips.
Do I move on and leave her voice behind,
Or do I wait to hear it from her lips?
That cold goodbye that I have never heard,
When Meadowlark did leave her baby bird.
Sonnet LXXXII
She used to hold me closely in her wings,
And tell me that she’d keep me safe from harm.
O, Meadowlark, I long to hear you sing,
To feel your feathers brush against my arms.
But as the days have turned to months and years
,I find myself forgetting how she sounds.
That spiteful voice- I somehow long to hear
Is buried in my thoughts, but can’t be found.
I’ve tried, so long, to put her out of mind,
To make the pain release me from its grips.
Do I move on and leave her voice behind,
Or do I wait to hear it from her lips?
That cold goodbye that I have never heard,
When Meadowlark did leave her baby bird.
Jon's Juke Box, 2013
Hey Josh, I’ll step up. But first, I vote for something other than the “agin and agin” project. I like reaching back and getting nostalgic, but I’m hoping my list won’t sound too much like “aging and aging.”
I also like the thought of redoing this from year to year, and I’ll add the “2013" label to this year’s list even though the closest I get to current is from the last century. Half of the songs are from my high school days, which was, after all, the best four years of music ever. For some balance I’ve also thrown in something from 1813.
For the record, I could easily come up with a good list of TuneYards, Frank Ocean, Jack White, Ray LaMontagne, Janelle Monae, Arcade Fire, Muse, The Black Keys, ... then again, it will be good to see how well some of these can endure. Stay tuned for my 2026 list.
Anyway, this was a fun challenge. Here’s what I’ve got for now:
Jon’s Jukebox, 2013:
1. Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No 7 in A major, Allegretto
2. Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here
3. Radiohead, Paranoid Android
4. Eagles, Hotel California
5. The Clash, Should I Stay or Should I Go
6. Talking Heads, Psycho Killer
7. Bob Dylan, I Shall Be Released
8. Tom Waits, Picture in a Frame
9. Randy Newman, Rider in the Rain
10. Bob Marley & the Wailers, Could You Be Loved
11. Police, Invisible Sun
12. Stevie Wonder, Love’s In Need of Love Today
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The Music Project
So, now that several of us have gotten fully immersed in this 'Songs To Listen To Agin 'n' Agin' project (name subject to change, of course), I see more clearly: a)how difficult it will be to try to pare my 5+ CD list into one CD, and have been plenty tempted in defining my own 'rules' to allow more than one CD's worth of such songs; but also, b)how much less meaningful it would be, for me and for any/all of us participating in this endeavour, if any one of us would submit more than one CD's worth of music. The challenge, then, that I submit, is to keep it narrowed down to 1 CD of those songs, and across all genres...
Hold on,...I'm pausing for one of the songs on my list, now playing, that I can't help but move to...(I'm lovin' this project!...and this particular song will definitely make this year's list!)
This year's list, you ask?
Yes, so the caveat on this project that I'm recommending is as follows... Keep your list pared down to one CD for this year, but for those willing to continue in the inspiration of this project, there is value in sharing annual additional lists like this in subsequent years.
-This way, whatever you decide not to include on this year's compilation can be held over for consideration for next year's...
-This way, if I'm considering several songs from any one artist or group, I know that I can choose one of them this year, and save the others for later compilations...
-This way, if I choose to put on a 10-minute song on this year's list, I know that what I'm giving up to allow that this year can be included on next year's list...
-This way, if, after this year's submission, you decided you'd rather have included something else in place of one song, you can make sure it's added to next year's list.
Our tastes do change along with our interests and motivations--this should be an ongoing project. I would suggest not repeating songs from one year to the next, but if any one song so drives you, why the heck not? The key is that this project is for each of us individually, and in hopes that our input may inspire each other in some way.
An idea on the table... What say all of you?
Hold on,...I'm pausing for one of the songs on my list, now playing, that I can't help but move to...(I'm lovin' this project!...and this particular song will definitely make this year's list!)
This year's list, you ask?
Yes, so the caveat on this project that I'm recommending is as follows... Keep your list pared down to one CD for this year, but for those willing to continue in the inspiration of this project, there is value in sharing annual additional lists like this in subsequent years.
-This way, whatever you decide not to include on this year's compilation can be held over for consideration for next year's...
-This way, if I'm considering several songs from any one artist or group, I know that I can choose one of them this year, and save the others for later compilations...
-This way, if I choose to put on a 10-minute song on this year's list, I know that what I'm giving up to allow that this year can be included on next year's list...
-This way, if, after this year's submission, you decided you'd rather have included something else in place of one song, you can make sure it's added to next year's list.
Our tastes do change along with our interests and motivations--this should be an ongoing project. I would suggest not repeating songs from one year to the next, but if any one song so drives you, why the heck not? The key is that this project is for each of us individually, and in hopes that our input may inspire each other in some way.
An idea on the table... What say all of you?
Monday, February 18, 2013
Mom's Passions
So the mother of all (who read the Symposium, anyway) has passions too -
really! Jesus, Dick, children, grandchildren, music, writing, making a home,
rural life, biking, scrapbooking, reading.....
Jesus: Ever since I met Jesus face to face between some trees on St. Olaf College campus one evening in 1955 - I was there for a leadership training school getting prepared to be Luther League president - my committment has stayed with Him. What is amazing is that He stays with me, and there have been real awful lows - sins - that could have abolished that relationship. But Jesus does not let go, and I can't count the times he has rescued me, sometimes from myself. He simply makes life purposeful and I love to be able to talk to him anytime, whether in language I ken or those words and songs of the Spirit. Ah, I love you, Lord!
Dick: and I love my husband dearly. I look at him, and ponder the miracle of God bringing us together. Why on earth did He allow me to have a man like Dick, fun, smart, faithful, to name just a few attributes. I think of Dick as my "redeemer-kinsman" like Ruth regarded Boaz in the Old Testament - Dick redeemed me from a life I did not enjoy where I felt empty and certainly lonely. And what a treasure I received instead.
Children: It really is true that "happy is the (wo)man whose quiver is full of offspring". I am so extra-blessed by each of these four children who are raising their own children with love and sacrifice and integrity. My heart swells over a daughter who creates lovely art - and sells it, while guiding five ebullient kids; over sons who write poetry and give sermons and manage the law in a servant capacity and teach and bring the family together for nightly prayers and songs and play games like Scrabble and basketball and make music and laugh.
Grandchildren: Why should I be surprised? Grandchildren are an unmitigated delight. Each so unique, each with separate interests and abilities. They are like petals unfolding to the light of the world, already making their mark in this Earth-garden. I just love them!
Music: Making music is my passion. I'd rather make music at the piano or organ or autoharp or with my voice than listen to others make music. And plain old practicing is fun too - always has been, trying to make beautiful what starts deplorable. I am so thankful for mentors: my dad, my daughter, my friend Marlys with her incredible sense of rhythm, all the teachers, the great composers, the musicians of today. I love it that when you sing (or play) you pray twice!
Writing: Word-crafting is a gift, I know, and I delight in it, and that all my children also have that gift.
Making a home: Since early days I have loved to organize. I remember creating "homes" in the bushes in front of our Hallock-house, or along the ditch in Wadena. I'm still at it, and frequently changing things around to improve traffic flow or make comfortable the eye. It's fun to do that as we come to a new (for us) condo in Mesa, trying to make it our own for a few months. In our beloved Wisconsin log cabin, I am passionate about getting rid of stuff, simplifying the look and the life, letting more of the beautiful logs show - and living out the Biblical injunction to "not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, but rather store up treasures in heaven - wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Jesus, be our true and lasting home.
Rural life: In 1998, Dick and I started looking for a place to retire. We traveled to Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and considered the Great Smokies. Then I got thrown from a horse in Wisconsin, and the doctor and nurses started selling us on moving to this state. Our search was over when we found "Windmill Creak", a farmsite with a windmill, a creek, 22 acres, woods, barns, pastures. Only one thing was lacking, one thing only: we could not bike out of that lovely hillside home. No problem; the truck hauls bikes to trails nicely. Meanwhile we love to work on the land, and the resulting pile of logs will last for years feeding into our stone fireplace and basement woodstove. And then - ah! - the hot tub overlooking the valley at the sunset end of the day. What could be more perfect!
Biking: I am convinced there is no better way to see the country (USA, France, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria to date) than from a bike. With my peripheral neuropathy and Dick's knees, biking turns out to be the ideal aerobic exercise too. We do love it. At the moment we are looking forward to a bike/barge trip on the Seine and canals out of Paris, in May.
Scrapbooking: How could I have forgotten that one? I don't do great charming designs for scrapbooks, but I am diligent in getting mainly photos into "the book" in a timely manner, and take great joy in the family seeking them out. Okay, so they are really just looking for their own pictures; who wouldn't? We have the record; that's the important thing. Where these many scrapbooks will go after my demise is not my concern, but I hope they will be used somehow. Since Brian turned 12 in 2007, it has been a special delight to make a book for each new grandchild who turns 12. And the books on my parents were works of love.
Jesus: Ever since I met Jesus face to face between some trees on St. Olaf College campus one evening in 1955 - I was there for a leadership training school getting prepared to be Luther League president - my committment has stayed with Him. What is amazing is that He stays with me, and there have been real awful lows - sins - that could have abolished that relationship. But Jesus does not let go, and I can't count the times he has rescued me, sometimes from myself. He simply makes life purposeful and I love to be able to talk to him anytime, whether in language I ken or those words and songs of the Spirit. Ah, I love you, Lord!
Dick: and I love my husband dearly. I look at him, and ponder the miracle of God bringing us together. Why on earth did He allow me to have a man like Dick, fun, smart, faithful, to name just a few attributes. I think of Dick as my "redeemer-kinsman" like Ruth regarded Boaz in the Old Testament - Dick redeemed me from a life I did not enjoy where I felt empty and certainly lonely. And what a treasure I received instead.
Children: It really is true that "happy is the (wo)man whose quiver is full of offspring". I am so extra-blessed by each of these four children who are raising their own children with love and sacrifice and integrity. My heart swells over a daughter who creates lovely art - and sells it, while guiding five ebullient kids; over sons who write poetry and give sermons and manage the law in a servant capacity and teach and bring the family together for nightly prayers and songs and play games like Scrabble and basketball and make music and laugh.
Grandchildren: Why should I be surprised? Grandchildren are an unmitigated delight. Each so unique, each with separate interests and abilities. They are like petals unfolding to the light of the world, already making their mark in this Earth-garden. I just love them!
Music: Making music is my passion. I'd rather make music at the piano or organ or autoharp or with my voice than listen to others make music. And plain old practicing is fun too - always has been, trying to make beautiful what starts deplorable. I am so thankful for mentors: my dad, my daughter, my friend Marlys with her incredible sense of rhythm, all the teachers, the great composers, the musicians of today. I love it that when you sing (or play) you pray twice!
Writing: Word-crafting is a gift, I know, and I delight in it, and that all my children also have that gift.
Making a home: Since early days I have loved to organize. I remember creating "homes" in the bushes in front of our Hallock-house, or along the ditch in Wadena. I'm still at it, and frequently changing things around to improve traffic flow or make comfortable the eye. It's fun to do that as we come to a new (for us) condo in Mesa, trying to make it our own for a few months. In our beloved Wisconsin log cabin, I am passionate about getting rid of stuff, simplifying the look and the life, letting more of the beautiful logs show - and living out the Biblical injunction to "not store up treasures on earth, where moth and rust corrupt, but rather store up treasures in heaven - wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." Jesus, be our true and lasting home.
Rural life: In 1998, Dick and I started looking for a place to retire. We traveled to Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and considered the Great Smokies. Then I got thrown from a horse in Wisconsin, and the doctor and nurses started selling us on moving to this state. Our search was over when we found "Windmill Creak", a farmsite with a windmill, a creek, 22 acres, woods, barns, pastures. Only one thing was lacking, one thing only: we could not bike out of that lovely hillside home. No problem; the truck hauls bikes to trails nicely. Meanwhile we love to work on the land, and the resulting pile of logs will last for years feeding into our stone fireplace and basement woodstove. And then - ah! - the hot tub overlooking the valley at the sunset end of the day. What could be more perfect!
Biking: I am convinced there is no better way to see the country (USA, France, Holland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria to date) than from a bike. With my peripheral neuropathy and Dick's knees, biking turns out to be the ideal aerobic exercise too. We do love it. At the moment we are looking forward to a bike/barge trip on the Seine and canals out of Paris, in May.
Scrapbooking: How could I have forgotten that one? I don't do great charming designs for scrapbooks, but I am diligent in getting mainly photos into "the book" in a timely manner, and take great joy in the family seeking them out. Okay, so they are really just looking for their own pictures; who wouldn't? We have the record; that's the important thing. Where these many scrapbooks will go after my demise is not my concern, but I hope they will be used somehow. Since Brian turned 12 in 2007, it has been a special delight to make a book for each new grandchild who turns 12. And the books on my parents were works of love.
Reading: Have to have something to read, all the time. I
particularly enjoy novels based upon historical periods, and Christian novels.
My new Kindle - and "Inspired Reads" from which I can daily download new novels
for FREE (thanks, Jan Pelzer!) have been enhancements to my reading passion that
began in the sixth grade with Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre.
These are my passions, and like Jon says, my life is not over yet. Who
knows what is ahead?
Sunday, February 17, 2013
“Kind Words,” for the people of FMSC
This is what I wrote
and what I need to say.
The blank page seems to
stare at me and dare me
to put the pen down
and the blank faces
make me want to walk away,
but this is what I felt
and what stirred inside of me:
that a landscape wasn’t
what I made of it,
but that I could be a part of it,
that a sunrise was not
glorious by my
declaration or explanation,
but by my exclamation,
and this is what I wrote,
what I need to say,
what you should read
and receive, hear and
take. And I give you
what you deserve, no less,
and it would be wrong of me
to leave these pages blank
or simply turn away, failing
to notice the spirit in your faces,
the stories in your eyes,
the ministry that humbles me,
so this is what I wrote,
and what I need to say:
that the strength of community
is not in its complexity
or composition, complexion
or composure, but in its
unity, coming together as one,
and that the needs of society
are what each one of us
needs to survive. When I was
hungry, you fed me. You,
society, are more than blank faces,
you have color in your cheeks
and muscles at the corners of
your mouths, and words to move me,
and this is what I wrote, what I need to say.
"Your ministry," I wrote,
"inspires me, and
thank you," I need to say,
"for letting me be a part of it."
Which is all that I was,
and all that one might ever write
or say, but all, I want to add,
that a ministry should ever be,
inviting me of all nations
to be made a disciple,
showing me what it takes
to feed my world. Amen?
Anyway, this is what I heard
and what I need to pray.
Community. Come. Unity.
Society. Our common needs.
And Ministry. Inviting me.
Amen and amen:
Kind words were what they
asked of me, and I
did not make these words up,
they were given me
like a landscape or a
sunrise, stirring
and glorious and
calling for exclamation!
So be it, truly, truly, this
is most certainly true,
And that is what I wrote
and what I need to say.
Friday, February 15, 2013
A Passion for Words
(Mom’s other email, in response to my January post. I asked if I could post this for her, and she said yes, but I am obviously running behind here. (And yes, Josh, I will get to answering your call for all time favorite songs - which does goes right along with the passion theme, by the way.))
This is terrific, Jon. All of us readers of Stillwater should now step to the bat and add our passions - a good exercise indeed.
Why do I think the following fits? It was a devotional from Luther Seminary a few days ago; love the use of Dickinson's poem to expand on WORDS. Certainly a passion of yours, and of all of us in the Symposium! I'll try to write my own in the next days as we journey southward.
Luke 4:14-21 (NRSV): 14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 "to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21Then he began to say to them, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.
I say it just
Begins to live
That day.
Emily Dickinson's little poem expresses the Biblical understanding of the Word. The Word is a lively, active reality that enters the world and accomplishes its work. When Jesus finished reading the words of the prophet Isaiah in his hometown synagogue and sat down, I imagine everyone expected him to expound on the text, or say a few words about the prophet. Instead, Jesus says, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Can you imagine the audacity of that claim? Jesus declares, "Today, right now, in your ears, in front of your eyes, this word has become flesh. Not in some abstract, generic, ethereal way, but in a concrete, fleshly, specific way. I am the One, I am the good news you have been waiting for." Such audacity was too much for the hometown crowd and they tried to throw him over a cliff to shut him up. But it was too late. The word was out and about, already doing its work.
Think of the words you have spoken (both good and bad) that have shaped your relationships and your reality. Think of the Good News words we hear Sunday after Sunday: "In the name of Christ and by his authority, I declare to you the entire forgiveness of all your sins." And "the body of Christ, broken for you; the blood of Christ, shed for you." Those are powerful, active words that accomplish God's will in our lives. Words are powerful. When you receive them, expect to be changed. When you speak them, handle with care!
Almighty God, we thank you for your life-giving and life-changing Word. May we use our words in ways that allow life and love flourish in our midst. Amen.
Ron Baesler
Messiah Lutheran Church, Yorba Linda, Calif.
Master of Divinity, 1976; Doctor of Theology, 1995
Yes, it is a special day
(Mom’s email, posted with her permission. She also gave me the go ahead to post an earlier email, which will follow.)
Dear children,
I see the date on the laptop and say, "Yes, it is a special day anyway." For I had convinced Dick yesterday that Valentine's Day was a much more important day than my birthday, because V-day is a day of love (and I wanted to take my beloved out to dinner). What a con-man, (girl), right? But we did have a nice dinner at the Thai restaurant that you also became acquainted with this week, Pete.
Anyway, on this day of love, I give thanks TO and FOR each one of you my children. How blest I feel with
you six and your accouturements! I do pray for each one of you daily by name, so with Jeanne and Laura and all the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, and Gesa and Parul, plus Peter Haakenson and those for whom I am godother - that becomes a long prayer! And a precious one - each day praying for a different Biblical virtue for you.
During this good week with Peter here, we touched on the religions of the world and their similar aims. Then it hit me anew today. Read the Jesus story again. And again. There is nothing, no one, like him. Get reacquainted through one of his gospels or all. No other prophet, no other "god" in all history can touch that life. Why us? Well, I just read today about him not wanting any of the sheep he has created to be lost. Still many unanswered questions, but when isn't there?
So - to end this good week, we go to Tucson for the weekend with Pelzers. Lunch this noon, a hoedown tonight, and some kind of exploring tomorrow. We got back on our bikes yesterday and pedalled to Red Mountain, which is considerably farther north than it looks from our place! And hills, leading to the Salt River. We're glad to have it a little warmer again - wasn't fair that Pete came in cold and rain! That's not the Mesa we know!
So thank you - bless you - might this day for you be full and touched with etermity! Love, Mom
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Rare post, but I'd like to get into that goal of a post a month... Hey everyone! Josh here...
This is not so much a post as it is an invitation to participate in a project thus far discussed between Jon, Kirsten, and me relevant to (go figure) MUSIC!
The invitation is to compile a list of songs you can listen to agin 'n' agin--songs that, for whatever reason, consistently inspire you enough to repeat it several times over. So, for instance, my compilation will inevitably include Led Zeppelin's 'Misty Mountain Hop' as a song that always inspires me to crank up the volume, play air guitar a la Jimmy Page (at least when not driving), and belt out the lyrics a la Robert Plant (or to attempt it, anyway)...
We had discussed parameters on this, including: time limits on songs included, compiling only enough songs to fill up one CD, limiting it to rock 'n' roll, allowing only one song per artist/group... The conclusion we arrived at, tho, in discussion about this once again last night, is that any such parameters would be too restrictive, and may not allow us to provide a true reflection of that which so inspires us. (So if I include 3 songs by Steely Dan or a particular favorite by Charles Mingus or a Prokofiev work, it's because these are artists/composers that have inspired me for years!)
So the only parameters I feel are worth putting on the table are to be true to yourself--don't feel compelled to include something because you feel something of a particular artist/group ought to be on that list... For instance, I've got several CDs worth of songs that fit the category, but none of them are from the Rolling Stones, even though there are plenty of songs by them that I love listening to.
Secondly, once compiled, whether it's one CD worth or several, recommendation is to let it simmer. Play the list back "agin 'n' agin" to see which ones continue to hold your appeal.
And at the very least, let's set a date by which those of us interested in accepting this invite should have their compilation defined (again, whether on one CD or several). I propose the family reunion (at the farm, not in ND).
Have fun with this! This is something for you to do for yourself, and if/when you choose to share your compilation with the rest of us, it's not meant to be subject to everyone else's criticism. It's altogether likely that some songs will wind up on several of our compilations, and that's fine (and fun!)
Lastly, some thoughts based on the list I have compiled thus far (without sharing any more of what I may/may not include). I'm finding that the motivation to include certain songs will often vary from one song to the next--once I let my list simmer and listen through it "agin 'n' agin" I'm going to note the various reasons that certain songs made the cut, not for justification purposes, but for my own self-reflection.
It's an interesting exercise, and I hope that as many of you as possible will accept the invite, and further that you would have no reservations about sharing your list...and inspiration!
Enjoy! And any further ideas suggestions in this regard, please share!
Josh
This is not so much a post as it is an invitation to participate in a project thus far discussed between Jon, Kirsten, and me relevant to (go figure) MUSIC!
The invitation is to compile a list of songs you can listen to agin 'n' agin--songs that, for whatever reason, consistently inspire you enough to repeat it several times over. So, for instance, my compilation will inevitably include Led Zeppelin's 'Misty Mountain Hop' as a song that always inspires me to crank up the volume, play air guitar a la Jimmy Page (at least when not driving), and belt out the lyrics a la Robert Plant (or to attempt it, anyway)...
We had discussed parameters on this, including: time limits on songs included, compiling only enough songs to fill up one CD, limiting it to rock 'n' roll, allowing only one song per artist/group... The conclusion we arrived at, tho, in discussion about this once again last night, is that any such parameters would be too restrictive, and may not allow us to provide a true reflection of that which so inspires us. (So if I include 3 songs by Steely Dan or a particular favorite by Charles Mingus or a Prokofiev work, it's because these are artists/composers that have inspired me for years!)
So the only parameters I feel are worth putting on the table are to be true to yourself--don't feel compelled to include something because you feel something of a particular artist/group ought to be on that list... For instance, I've got several CDs worth of songs that fit the category, but none of them are from the Rolling Stones, even though there are plenty of songs by them that I love listening to.
Secondly, once compiled, whether it's one CD worth or several, recommendation is to let it simmer. Play the list back "agin 'n' agin" to see which ones continue to hold your appeal.
And at the very least, let's set a date by which those of us interested in accepting this invite should have their compilation defined (again, whether on one CD or several). I propose the family reunion (at the farm, not in ND).
Have fun with this! This is something for you to do for yourself, and if/when you choose to share your compilation with the rest of us, it's not meant to be subject to everyone else's criticism. It's altogether likely that some songs will wind up on several of our compilations, and that's fine (and fun!)
Lastly, some thoughts based on the list I have compiled thus far (without sharing any more of what I may/may not include). I'm finding that the motivation to include certain songs will often vary from one song to the next--once I let my list simmer and listen through it "agin 'n' agin" I'm going to note the various reasons that certain songs made the cut, not for justification purposes, but for my own self-reflection.
It's an interesting exercise, and I hope that as many of you as possible will accept the invite, and further that you would have no reservations about sharing your list...and inspiration!
Enjoy! And any further ideas suggestions in this regard, please share!
Josh
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