Possible Water

Closing up shop

2010-12-15T10:04:00.000-08:00

A couple days ago, I was looking back in the archives to find something. Reading those posts from made me realize that the desperate loneliness, desire for connection and search for purpose that got me started does not apply anymore. Possible Water is all about searching, and whatever I was looking for back then, I seem to have found it. So, I'm shutting down here. Might start something

Thursday Eight

2010-08-12T23:46:00.000-07:00

1. Just saw one shooting star. I guess suburban America is not the best place to catch the meteor shower. Made plans with DH, as we do every year, that NEXT year we will be in the desert for SURE for the shower. We'll see.2. Speaking of making plans: Heard Pete Seeger on TOTN today - did you catch it? He's still busy changing the world even though he's like ninetygazillion years old. Also

Friday Five I can Actually Do...

2010-07-23T07:19:00.000-07:00

...given my short attention span.SONGBIRD WRITES: Since I've been in the midst of a discernment process, I've done a lot of reflecting on how we make decisions. But don't worry, I'm not going to ask you to reveal a dark story about a poor decision, or a self-flagellating story about an embarrassing one. Let's keep it simple and go with five word pairs. Tell us which word in the pair appeals to

Message in a bottle

2010-07-18T16:34:00.001-07:00

"It was nice to have you in church today," he says, "There you were, just grinning away...""Oh, well," I respond lamely, "I really enjoyed your sermon, so thanks." I do not out myself as a pastor, but I am not lying. I did enjoy the sermon. There is a slight chance that I went to church on vacation (visiting J's side of our Minnesota family) in order to take notes and make comparisons. But,

Should have behaved better

2010-07-14T21:52:00.000-07:00

We have noticed that our kindly and congenial next door neighbor hasn't been around much. Saw his wife tonight, and learned that he's moved out. After 42 years of marriage.And turns out, as sometimes is revealed in the suburbs, that more was happening over there than met the eye.Remember when I asked a writer I know about writing about other people? And she said "If grown ups are ashamed of

Tarrying

2010-07-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've noticed several times acquaintances or friends of a more evangelical frame of mind than I use the phrase "if the Lord tarries..." and then describing a future goal or activity. Meaning, I am to suppose (although my tradition doesn't really linger over this kind of theology) that if the end time is not imminent, then we can get down to making some plans.Tarry....Where does this word

Statistics

2010-07-08T23:09:00.001-07:00

I'm not much of a numbers rememberer. Ask my husband, for example, how after nearly 10 (see I DID remember that one!) years of marriage, I still have to pause for a moment to think when someone asks me his birth date.But every now and then I hear a statistic or number that sticks. For example, when the statue of liberty turned 200, they had 200 Elvis impersonators at the celebration, I remember

Sticking With It

2010-05-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

I used to be a quitter. When things get too boring or hard or frustrating or notwhatIhadplanned, I used to bail. I've moved quite a few dozen times, had more than a few dozen jobs, and dont even get me started on exercise plans I've stopped and started.However.On October 21, I will have been married 10 years. On May 26, I will have been a mom for 8 years.On September 1, I will have been

A Virtual Birthday Card and a Real Live I Love You

2010-04-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday, sweetie! by juniper68 on Polyvore.com

I was only gone for a week, but it seems like a lot longer

2010-04-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Most of my blog posts these days are lists or random dots of things, a symptom, I think of the synapses in my brain that are firing out 25 word status updates all the time. I wanted to write something usefully coherent, but I dont have it in me tonight. So here's another list of randomness.*The dog is moping around the house, wishing she could be with her dear friend, Uncle Bob, at whose

Unconscious Mutterings for today

2010-04-06T16:12:00.000-07:00

Philanthropy :: Bill Gates (you can take the girl out of Seattle, but not Seattle out of the girl, I guess)Said :: he said, she saidBlanks :: Fire!Tapas :: Oooo! The first time I had tapas was with with Rachel at a very cool little dark place in Portland. That was years ago now, I wonder if that place is still here. Anyway, we were living in Seattle then, and we were eating Tapas to kill

Today's Sermon

2010-04-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

RisenEaster Sunday Sermon 2010 For the last month or so, every Wednesday night, a group of us have gathered here to hear a member of another faith talk about their belief system. And from each one, we’ve taken a little something – like going with the flow (Taoism), taking a day each week to rest and renew (Judaism), appreciating the many aspects of God (Hinduism), looking

Unconscious Mutterings

2010-03-28T19:17:00.001-07:00

Bow out :: Really, what comes to mind is that picture at the end of that Frog and Toad, when Toad is on stage all by himself in a hat with a giant floppy feather in it at the end. Remember, the creepy one with the strange voice? I always thought, "Toad, you should just bow out now."Relationships :: Some good ones come to mind. Today I'm grateful for a boy who wants to snuggle while I'm typing

Today's Sermon

2010-03-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Always With YouSermon Preached on John 12:1-8 and Isaiah 43 March 21, 2010 One of the things we asked the speakers of many faiths who have visited us during this years Lenten series was “what is the most important story of your faith?” In this scripture from Isaiah, we hear one of the most important story of the Israelite people – the story of freedom from slavery. Slaves

Wednesday Night Random

2010-03-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

Started to write a long, rambly post, bored myself, decided not to bore you, too. Deleted it. But really, there's a lot going on and my heart is sort of bursting with gratitude, so let's just try it as a list, shall we?A Very Partial List of Things I'm Grateful For (in no particular order)Muslim Educational Trust, and the good folks from there who I heard speak at HCCUCC (also on my list of

Sunday Night Random

2010-02-14T23:05:00.000-08:00

-Just back from seeing Rob Bell. Which was great. Here's a link from a previous tour, which doesnt capture his charisma at all. It's just so inspiring to be in the presence of someone so obviously in control of their craft. -He did great, even with a creeping bronchitis and the funny sort of crowd - not sure what they expected, but I think some of the folk around me, at least, were not

Today's Sermon

2010-01-31T13:39:00.000-08:00

The Greatest of TheseSermon on 1 Corin 13 and Luke 4:21-30 Recently, I passed a billboard I had never seen before, I think it was for an insurance company: “Family is always there for you” it said. Instantly, I finished it in my head, “except when it’s not…” And I thought about how all of us -- no matter how happy or contented our family circumstances -- have had

Surprise...

2010-01-21T18:02:00.000-08:00

...this is actually deliciousSnap Pea Frittata Recipe by CascadianFarm(0)This recipe has not been ratedPrep Time5minTotal Time22minIngredients1 tablespoon olive oil1/2 cup sliced onion1 teaspoon dried tarragon1 package (8 ounces) Cascadian farm® frozen organic sugar snap peas, thawed1 cup shredded lettuce6 eggs1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper1/8 cup grated Parmesan cheese (1/2 ounce)

Why we're cracking up over here.

2010-01-18T21:46:00.001-08:00

Warf: (briskly entering the room) You wanted to see me, doctor?Dr Crusher: (thoughtfully) Yes, concerning your memory blockout.Warf: (irritated, as usual) I still dont remember having one!

Today's Sermon

2010-01-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, we celebrate and we remember Martin Luther King Jr., who just a few months before his death spoke these words:Every now and then I guess we all think realistically about that day when we will be victimized with what is life's final common denominator—that something that we call death. We all think about it. And every now and then I think about my own death and I think about my own

Sunday Night Random

2010-01-02T11:32:00.000-08:00

1. Somewhere out in the blogosphere, I read something about choosing a word for the year instead of making resolutions. Wanna try that? I have been thinking of the right word and have settled on NOURISHED.Yes that is in the past tense. So that I'll remember that I have ALREADY been fed (physical, spiritual, psycholgical) and I dont have to worry about gettingenoughbeforeotherpeoplegetit.2.

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things: End of 2009 List

2009-12-31T18:22:00.001-08:00

1. Ibot. Ibot. Ibot.2. Being Gleeful.3. Saturdays4. Schooled5. January 20, 2009 6. Abundance.7. Working! Class! Acupuncture!8. Don't know when the Oregon Coast will drop of the top ten list, but it's not this year.9. Not sucking. And having lots of help with that.10. Still so much wonder.

Snow Day Quotations

2009-12-30T09:15:00.000-08:00

Monopoly is AWESOME.________________Can I go outside? Can I go outside? Can I go outside? Can I come inside? Can I come inside? Can I come inside?________________How did you see me eating the chocolate Santa if I was under my bed the whole time?

By the way, this is this blog's 600th Post

2009-12-27T14:11:00.001-08:00

Now that it's December 27, I'm thinking about things pretty much exclusively in Top 10 lists, how about you?Here's one possible top 10. Stay tuned - who knows? More might follow.Top Ten Favorite Books Read This Year (in no particular order)An Altar in the WorldOunce, Dice, TriceBorn Standing UpPrayer: Does It Make Any Difference?BlanketsMaisie DobbsTale of DespereauxBlue Like JazzWest With the

Wednesday Night Gleeless Random

2009-12-16T21:51:00.000-08:00

I keep starting things and then erasing them. I seem to be a little out of sorts or something. Let's keep it simple and say it's because there's no Glee on tonight.I want to tell you about the kitchen, I guess. It's mostly remodeled except for the dishwasher which doesnt fit - oops. It's a matter of eighths of inches, so just a little modification is needed. Luckily, the modification that is

Right Answer: An Elijahlogue

2009-12-16T19:44:00.001-08:00

Child: I'm the boss of this place.Mother: Hmm, what does that make me?Child: The SUPER-boss.

Flying: An Elijahlogue

2009-12-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

7 year old: How would you like to FLY?2 year old: (pondering)7 year old: You know, fly?2 year old: (still considering)7 year old: How does it sound to FLY like a BIRD?2 year old: Dangerous.

The one good thing about Barack Obama's Speech...

2009-12-01T23:13:00.000-08:00

...is that now I have lots of fodder for Second Sunday In Advent Peace Theme sermon. But that seems like a pretty high price to pay for sermon fodder.

And Easy Way to Pray? Sign me up!

2009-11-30T21:28:00.000-08:00

This in my inbox from Barbara Crafton.Would you like some encouragement for your own daily prayer practice? Every Advent, I offer readers a chance to receive the greeting "Let us bless the Lord!" from me every morning. As you may know, it is the way in which many worship services end, a signal to venture forth from prayer back into the world, refreshed. When you receive my greeting, you answer

Advent Retreat - Right On Time

2009-11-30T07:13:00.000-08:00

"A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to." GandalfIt's 7:15 in the morning, and I'm already feeling late. With the RevGals, I'm co-facilitating an advent retreat today and it's already been going on for hours and hours - Mompriest and Songbird have already posted their thoughts on Advent, mine will come up in a few more hours.So I'm beginning the day by

Today's Sermon

2009-11-29T23:09:00.001-08:00

I'm never sure if these really translate, you know, as written documents. But for those of you interested in these kinds of things, here's today's sermon. Many years ago, in an art history lecture, I heard something that has stayed with me for all the years since: “The way you can tell the difference between classical art and postmodern art” the lecturer said, “is that classical art is a window

Lifting Rocks

2009-11-16T22:05:00.001-08:00

Over at her place, KJ is writing about time management, and that rock and pebble thing where you have to put the big stones in the bowl first, because if you only put the little ones in, the big ones will never fit.So, the problem as it see it is figuring out which are the big stones. Because some things look real big and heavy, but when you get right up to em and heft em, you find out they're

Wednesday Night Random

2009-11-11T19:49:00.000-08:00

- I just got out of last step of bedtime routine ("hang out time" - which E usually does with his dad who uses this time to answer any question he can think of. Last week's question "how does time work?") by asking the boy if he would rather "talk about feelings with me, or machines and space and stuff with your dad?" Answer: "Um, can you go get dad?"- Really, though, he does need to talk

Things To Do

2009-11-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

E is gone for a couple of days, on vacation with his awesome Godfamily.Things I dont want to do while he is gone:Space out on the internet all day.Raid his Halloween candy (the non-chocolate ones, natch).Mope.Things I want to do while he is gone:Way more than is possible, including working in the yard, which I better get to now because the sun is unexpectedly shining.

Language: An Elijahlogue

2009-11-04T17:59:00.000-08:00

Boy: I know a bad word. I know what the F word is.Girl: What is it?Boy: I think it's foopy.Girl: FOOpy?!?!?Boy: YOU said it!

Monday, Monday: An Elijahlogue

2009-11-02T21:38:00.000-08:00

It's 7:37 am. First day of Fall Back.E is saying: My body really doesn't feel like going to school today.E is thinking: Hmm, wonder if I can get away with it again this week.Mommy is saying: Well, you're just gonna hafta man up.Mommy is thinking: Hmm, wonder if I've been watching just a little too much Glee lately.

Captain, Oh Captain

2009-10-28T13:38:00.001-07:00

Things that make it better

2009-10-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

-a vase of yellow roses-"Process is more important than outcome."-Mediteranian Pizza for dinner (spinach, olives, pinenuts,feta, garlic, zukes and romas)-and then baklava for dessert-red leaves, yellow leaves, orange leaves-good friend on the phone-ok hair day-sunshine through rain because SOMEWHERE there's a rainbow-Ferron-a boy who puts "pottery wheel" on the top of his October Christmas Wish

Friday Five

2009-10-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

Havent done one of these for awhile, but this has actually been on my mind for a while, so here goes: Shoe Friday Five from Jan.Too often the Friday Fives I offer up seem extremely introspective, so here's something that could be fun. I notice as I finish my sixth decade that my taste in footwear is much different than when I was younger, as comfort wins out over fashion. So look at your feet

Bonus Elijahlogue or Uh-Oh, Mommy Better Get a Hobby

2009-10-15T16:18:00.001-07:00

E: I watched this show about how things work and they took apart this exercise machine, what do you call it? (moves arms and legs as if skiing)Mommy: Oh, the elliptical machine.E: Yeah! Maybe you could watch that show with me sometime, when they call it How to Make A Church.Mommy: Wait a minute, I'm interested in other things, besides church.E: (thoughtfully) Hm. I did not know that.And scene.

What's Your Elevator Speech?

2009-10-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'm taking this rather awesome class at PSU with the uninspired title "Introduction to NonProfit Management" during which those of us who are actually working in nonprofits spend about 85% of the time nodding in vigorous agreement. The prof, who is a non profit director himself, is just so very practical and has a way of breaking things into paradigms that you KNOW, but you've never had language

Cruising dog postings...

2009-10-12T23:45:00.000-07:00

on kijiji.com, and really I'm amazed that no one has written a novel based on these. I mean, the posts have everything - love, despair, grief, joy, as well as all of life's changes: divorce, death, birth, moving. Everyones has their own method for getting rid of a dog, and it's fascinating to read the different approaches. For example, there's the well-organized:There has definately been some

Evidently it's some kind of holiday, but I'm at work, how about you?

2009-10-12T16:11:00.001-07:00

Full Moon Week Review

2009-10-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

Wondering why I was feeling a wee bit edgy this Sunday night, then looked back over the week. Which began, let us say, last Sunday when I celebrated Sunday afternoon by hurting a dear one's feelings. Partly becuase I was cranky because I was too busy. Too busy to cook. Ordered pizza for dinner. But they couldnt send the one we wanted because they were out of tomatoes. At the pizza joint.Then

Shall We Gather?

2009-09-29T22:36:00.001-07:00

In the first meeting of "Introduction To Nonprofit Management" this evening at Portland State University (which was AWESOME, btw, and PACKED - 45 students), the prof, at the request of the school handed each of us our syllabus individually, rather than just handing someone in the front row a big stack. This, so we dont "die from flu germs passed on paper when it is handed around the room from

Perks

2009-09-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

Thing I Love About My Job #476A cheery note was left on my car windshield. Found it again today when I was vacuuming out the front seat and got cheered all over again.

A Baby With Teeth

2009-09-25T12:51:00.000-07:00

In my dream, I am giving birth. When the baby is born (not in the hospital room where I started up the dream, but on the sidewalk for some reason) he is a real ugly one, with sharp pointy teeth. Suddenly, he is a man and I ask him, "What do YOU want your name to be?" and he opens his mouth - maybe to say - and I see he still has an extra row of teeth.This dream woke me up in the middle of night

Ten on Tuesday

2009-09-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

1. The visits to this blog (according to site-meter) have now reached an all-time nadir of 6 per week. ::waves to the 6 of you, whoever you are:: Hi there! I love you, you optimists!2. I walked by a house today that had 2 apple trees and a pear with fruit just falling off of them. And I thought, I could come back and pick those and spend Saturday canning apple butter. But I'm not going to do

Sweet boy at 8:27 pm: An Elijahlogue

2009-08-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

Mom: I think you need to go to bed.E: I think YOU need some more snuggles.

The perfect sermon...

2009-08-02T15:05:00.000-07:00

...according to my church's music director, by which he means "short." But thought it might of interest to some of the Saturday Sermon Party Rev Gals, who were there for the creation. Also, Rachel, who provided the quotation.Grow Up!Sermon on Ephesians 4:4-16In case you have been completely insulated from all American media for the last 2 weeks, let me catch you up.On July 16, African American

"Summer is like winter. Only hot."

2009-07-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

The weather - or really the lack of weather - is one of the things I treasure most about living in the Pacific Northwest. But this year is kind of testing that love. Last winter it was all putting chains on, taking chains off and shoveling for pretty much the whole month of December. Everyone talked about the weather all the time. And every foray out into the weather required special

Dog Days - Monday Night Randomness

2009-07-20T20:50:00.000-07:00

-Boy, it's hot.-This is the most awesome summer I can remember in recent years. So far no one has pneumonia or a broken leg (coujeffgh), we are not moving, no one has a constant migraine (yeah, that'd be me), we dont have a newborn baby (I'm mean, I'm all for babies, but they do kind of cramp your maxin' and relaxin' summer style...) and we're not planning any big trips. We're going to the

Never heard that one before

2009-07-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

(After a short negotiation at the church door which ends in the Pastor presenting the Guy with a bag of groceries, and a can opener.)Guy: And can I get three bucks?Pastor: I cant give you cash, I'm sorry.Guy: I just need three bucks. I'm a smoker.Pastor: (repeat above)Guy: I would hate to go to jail for stealing a pack of cigarettes. It's just three bucks.Pastor: (repeat again)Guy: Well, are

In which Juniper discovers podcasting

2009-07-11T20:47:00.001-07:00

You know how certain technologies are easy to use and work like they're supposed to nearly every single time (the toaster oven, say, or the dvd player) whereas others work only when the proper shamanic formulas are chanted over them (the fax machine comes to mind, as does the sewing machine).Well, anything to do with podcasting has always fallen firmly into the second category for me. I've had

Once a month, whether you need it or not, blog post. On finding home.

2009-07-05T21:04:00.000-07:00

I went for a walk tonight to the Plaid Pantry (the scariest corner store ever, even in our benign neighborhood) to get some Tums. I dont want to get too into it, but let's just say that eating half your weight in Kettle Korn is never going to go well, no matter what other manner of fun (parade! brats for lunch! pool time! baseball game! fireworks!) goes on.I havent had the need for this

Unexpected things happening before 8:37 am on Monday morning

2009-06-08T11:52:00.000-07:00

-Hearing a little boy wake up crying because it is the last week of school and "I love school and I hate summer."-Snuggling with the boy on the couch, instead of rushing around like usual.-While snuggling, noticing the longest lostest library book ever, sitting sideways in the shelf. Rejoicing therefore.-While showering, getting interrupted by facts from the newly found book. Which is Ghost

cusp of summer thoughts

2009-05-28T20:18:00.001-07:00

Of course, there is so much to do.And when I havent actually been doing it,I've been worrying about doing it. Or worrying about not doing it. Or worrying about when am I gonna do it.Or worrying are the people who said they would do some of it going to really do it.Or worrying am I going to have to do it all anyway? Like always? (Let's all heave a big sigh for this one, fellow martyrs.)So this

Same Planet, Different Worlds

2009-05-27T15:38:00.001-07:00

Overheard while tiptoeing through my husband's home office, while he was on the phone with his workplace (where this, incidently, is currently the number one seller in apparel. See what snarkiness will get you?)."...so then he realized that wouldn't be such a great idea since only like 10,000 people would see it, as opposed to the other idea which would be seen by like, millions..."

God Talk

2009-05-19T18:22:00.000-07:00

Here's what I've been hearing/reading about God today:We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify:You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image, and set before each one the ways of life and death.You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.You judge people and nations by your righteous

What to eat when you get home late and need something fast, hot and filling.

2009-05-14T22:38:00.000-07:00

Because Mark Bittman says somewhere not to worry about the pasta snobs who tell you not to reheat your pasta. He claims that they do it too.Heat a fair amount of olive oil (maybe a T or so) on medium-high heat.Throw in a little crushed garlicand a smattering of red pepper flakes.Throw in a handful of cooked rotini pasta anda half handful of walnuts.Cook a minute or so until it's heated

Things I Want To Do

2009-05-13T23:09:00.000-07:00

I started a little controversy recently by referring to myself as middle aged. I always thought that "middle aged" was the middle of life, and if I live until 80, I'll feel like that's a pretty good run. So, now I'm 40 and hence middle aged, the logic goes. But evidently, for other people, middle aged stretches way into the distant future, to the age at which I'm planning to just ahead and

Books I'm Part Way Through

2009-05-07T22:25:00.001-07:00

I was responding to a month-old post over at Facebook about kids books, when I realized that I havent updated about books that I'VE been reading lately, and then I realized that's because I havent actually finished a book for a while. But I've started a bunch. Here, in no particular order:Wickett's Remedy by Myla Goldberg. Listening to this on tape in my car. Although this books is

Holy Week Prayer for Pastors and Others Who Tend To Run Around Like Chickens (and not the cute fuzzy baby ones either) At This Time of Year

2009-04-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

cross posted at RevGalPrayerPalsOK.Do this now.Breathe in...Breathe out...Breath in...Breathe out...Breathe in...Breathe out...You are alive.And though you cannot yet sayAlleluiaYou can still give thanks for each breath.

Life in space - An Elijahlogue

2009-03-14T22:41:00.000-07:00

When E saw me crying, he sat on lap, put his arms tenderly around my neck, leaned gently into my chest and said with great understanding:"It's like Apollo 1 blew up in your heart."Precisely.

On my mind

2009-03-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

There's been a lot on my mind lately.From the mundane (Such as "Whoever invented the idea of packing school lunch the night before is GENIUS. Turns out, organized people arent just being smug jerks - they really are happier than you." and "Got a new pair of boots with some unexpected money that came my way - those Frye's I've had my eye on for about 12 years now.")To the sublime (Such as "

A few short scenes from today

2009-02-09T23:07:00.001-08:00

After a restless night in which none of us slept much (E came into our room at 3:30 am asking so sweetly if he could "just play quietly for a little while" that I couldnt say no. J and I kept waking each other up, talking in our sleep), we got out of town an hour later than we'd hoped to.Somehow arrived in Eugene though, only half an hour late, and after wandering the hospital for a while (it's

Dreaming

2009-02-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

We are counting down to the Ibot. Monday the 9th is testing day and (if we pass the test as driver and assistant) pick up day - an all-day project. There has been a lot of drama in the ordering process (including! the company that makes the ibot is going out of business! but we will still be able to buy one! and they will keep servicing them for a while!) but it seems like we really are going

help

2009-01-22T08:52:00.001-08:00

Today I helped E tie his shoes. He tied the first tie. I tied the bow. He tied the double knot.He grinned at me. "That feels so much better!""Better than your old shoes?""No - better when you help me."I've been thinking lately that now that he's big there are certain things he needs to do on his own - and tying his shoes has been a major power struggle for us. The conversation continued."Yeah,

A note from my brother alerted me to this...

2009-01-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

...from the Huffington Post. Thanks bro!Sunday's big Lincoln Memorial show was billed as the "We Are One" concert, intended to celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama with a spirit of unity. But for those of us watching at home, one participant was excluded -- Gene Robinson, the "first openly gay, non-celibate priest to be ordained a bishop in a major Christian denomination."For those of us

Same Diff: An Elijalogue

2009-01-15T19:35:00.000-08:00

When asked what instrument his god-sister will play in the rock band they are going to have (he will be on drums, natch):"Oh, flute or trumpet or banjo or something like that."

Many are called

2009-01-15T06:49:00.000-08:00

I'm loving this conversation over at Reflectionary. I started to comment, but it got A Little Out of Hand, so I am just going ahead and making it just a post.I was raised, Songbird, in the tradition you are in now. So there was no expectation of a moment of conversion, more an expectation of a lifetime of questioning, seeking, wonder. Now I wonder, at this time in my life, still in that same

Looking back over the past three weeks.

2009-01-03T16:30:00.001-08:00

At this time of year, we usually look back over the year that has passed, perhaps mentioning high and low points as we anticipate the year to come. How about we keep it simple and take a nostalgic look back over the last three weeks instead? Here are some extremely random bullets of what's been going on at Casa Juniper.Although we know it is not The True Meaning of Christmas, E totally scored

Just sent this email.....

2008-12-23T19:15:00.000-08:00

Dear Ones,After spending a couple of hours on the road today, and experiencing first hand the VERY SNOWY church parking lot, I called The President of the Congregation and we agreed that for the safety of everyone, it would be best to cancel the Christmas Eve worship service tomorrow night at 8:00. Please get the word out to your friends who dont have email.Although we wont be worshipping in

Snowy Day

2008-12-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

On our way home from sledding hill visit #2....ETA: Many more great snow pix with grumpy captions over at Jeff's Flickr account.

Snow

2008-12-20T22:00:00.000-08:00

When I tell someone here in Portland that I am from Northern Minnesota, about 1 out of 3 times, they chuckle like this, "Well, I bet you don't miss those snowy winters, ho ho ho..." I usually deflect this conversation by saying something like "You know, the winters never bothered me, but I really don't miss those big mosquitoes we used to get in the spring..." Then we can be off and running on

A First Time for Everything

2008-12-19T07:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I can cross "present for the first grade teacher" off my list. School is out today - for a dusting of snow and ice - for the FIFTH day in a row. I cant ever remember 5 snow days before. Can you?

Friday Five

2008-12-18T23:03:00.000-08:00

Songbird, over at RevGals invites us to think of 5 things we need to do before Christmas. Ok, here goes.....1. Send the Christmas letter to the other half of the list, the one that I didn't have enough stamps for. Which means I need to go get stamps somewhere. (isn't that really 2 things?) 2. Lots of worship odds and ends. Call around to recruit the rest of the readers for Christmas Eve. Make

Preachers Kid

2008-12-18T07:57:00.001-08:00

Mom: (upon seeing him holding a copy of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever) Oh, would you like to read that book? It's a good one to read at Christmas time.E: You mean ADVENT.

It's Advent, time for a post about Santa.....

2008-12-17T16:48:00.001-08:00

Janell and Peacebang both are writing good stuff about Santa. Which reminds me that I accidentally fired a shot in the so-called War On Christmas when I picked up my copy of Run Shepherds Run and the clerk said "Happy Holidays," and I joked "Oh, hey, it's a Christmas book, you can just say Merry Christmas." I thought I was being so funny, until I remembered that this is actually an Extremely

Maybe this could be the Cute Things My Son Says Blog

2008-12-15T22:17:00.000-08:00

Still trying to figure out what to do with this space, now that there's so much more action over at Facebook these days. But, maybe it can jsut be cute things E says. Like today, after ONE snow day, upon hearing that tomorrow there is no school either:"Well I sure hope that there's school on Wednesday. I'm getting bored from not learning anything."See, that was totally worth clicking over here

Oregon Boy Snow Day Haiku

2008-12-14T14:17:00.000-08:00

Look! An icicle!I have seen a picture butnever a real one.I will take it home.and put it in a glass ofwater. Then, I willalways rememberthis day. What? Even in somevery cold water?Okay, well, I will showit to dad. And then I willfreeze it. It's shrinking.

Not sure what this blog is about these days....

2008-12-02T22:55:00.000-08:00

but while the editorial staff at Juniper Inc considers format and content questions, feel free to check out my column in the neighborhood newspaper.

Advent Retreat Today

2008-12-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

The RevGals blogring is sponsoring an advent retreat today.I'll be posting over there later in the day, but in the meantime I'm thinking about Kathryn's post from England. "God is speaking," she says, "in the situation of your greatest anxiety." For goodness sake. Talk about the mountains being knocked down...What IS my greatest anxiety, anyway? My pat answer for many years has been "that

Shhhhh, it's the Advent Conspiracy

2008-11-12T09:08:00.000-08:00

last Sunday's sermon

2008-11-11T21:25:00.001-08:00

This sort of seems like one of those "you had to be there" type sermons. I'm not sure it comes out at all well in print. But since Otis the public was casually asking clamoring, here it is:When Eli was first learning to talk, he asked me, in one of those lucid moments little kids get some time, “Mommy, what makes sumpfin funny?” Well, I answered slowly, I think things that are funny are

Finally a picture of Ms. Rainy Day Dog that does her justice

2008-10-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

We've taken quite a few snaps of the dog we adopted in August,but none quite capture her dear spirit like this one.

MDA Lockup

2008-10-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

Some of you got this by email already.....Dear Family and Friends,I'm proud to tell you that I'm being locked up...that's right, one week from today on Thursday, November 6, I'm going behind bars to help the MDA. To be released on good behavior I have to raise bail and I need your help!As you know, our family is directly affected by muscular dystrophy every day. We are blessed to have

NAPing

2008-10-28T20:16:00.000-07:00

All the Literature tells pastors that we are to be A Non-Anxious Presence, a designation I tend to disparage because I wonder if it really means to be a boring and passive presence. (Is it any wonder, I snicker to myself, that the acronym is NAP? Yes, that's me,the 4th grader, cracking myself up by giving things funny nicknames.) We had a good conversation about it today in an ecumenical

Tuesday Prayer

2008-10-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

crossposted (incredibly late) at the Rev Gals Prayer Pals site:God of Grace,of unexpected openings in the afternoon,of green lights,of kindness from strangers,of home-created gifts in wrinkled wrapping paper,of sunshine in autumn,of soft words over telephone wires,of reassurance typed on a keyboard somewhere out thereand received on a screen just right here,of the laughter of old people,of a yes

Here's the sermon I was procrastinating from the other night.

2008-10-25T23:40:00.000-07:00

This Is The Bodya sermon on Matthew 22:34-40 and 1 Cor 12:12-26Preached at Corvallis Congregational United Church of ChristCentral Pacific Conference Fall GatheringOn the occasion of theInstallation of the Rev. Dr. Walter John Boris as Conference MinisterWalter John, you are a collector of children’s books, so I had this great plan to write a sermon in the style of Dr. Seuss:Jesus says to love

Hey, watcha been doin, Junie?

2008-10-23T20:03:00.000-07:00

I've been on vacation for a week, and my brother Noah stayed with us for awhile. Dude, you know it's a great house guest who you are SORRY to see go at the end of ten days! We miss you, man, and your sweet family too. Come back any old time.So besides walking on the beach, soaking at the spa, and basking the coolness of my bro, I've also been catching up on my reading and watching.At the

Juniper Recommends

2008-10-06T21:32:00.001-07:00

The economy is tanking, but consumption at the Juniper household continues apace. Here is a short list of where the money in our little micro-economy is going.1. The Power Protein Plate from Starbucks. Ok, I know we're supposed to hate Starbucks because they're all corporate and evil and stuff, but this little snack (mini bagel, pb, cheese, apples, hardboiled egg, grapes) has pulled me out of

Ego Surfing

2008-10-03T22:22:00.000-07:00

Juniper: Hey, Susan B Anthony's middle name is the same as our last name. Did you know that?Mr J: Yep. Juniper: Do you think she's related to us?Mr. J: Yes, she is. It's in that book about how the family goes back to the Mayflower or whatever.Juniper: I cant believe we've been married all this time and I never knew that! Susan B Anthony is one of my heroes! That is so cool!Mr. J: Everytime

Open Letter to Bill Maher

2008-10-01T16:08:00.000-07:00

Dear Bill,I've never seen your show (in this respect we are kind of even, since I'm guessing you've never caught my gig either) but I did see you last night on the Daily Show. Your interview just made me so sad. I mean, I get that you're a comedian. So you are, of course, funny. And smart, so smart.Again, I really dont know anything about you, but I'm a progressive, as you say you are, so we

September is evidently the month Juniper blogs about gender

2008-09-30T23:27:00.001-07:00

Lately, I cant read books about boys.Or men.I've really tried.Remember that Leif Enger book we all loved so much, what was it called? Oh yeah, Peace Like a River. Loved it years ago, because the preacher turned out to be one of the good guys (THAT never happens). So, I waited and waited to get his new one at the library, which I suddenly cant remember the name of now either, and I just could

Women Are from Venus, Men are From a Different Universe: An Elijahlogue

2008-09-25T16:50:00.000-07:00

Godsister: Hey, let's go play in MY universe.E: No, because I'm from a whole different universe, and there's a pretended wall between my universe and your universe, and when I try to go to your universe, I hit that wall and go bonk! right back to my universe.

dreaming about the blogosphere

2008-09-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

In my dream, I find new rooms in my house - a whole wing, really, with two bedrooms and a sort of solarium. It is crammed with stuff from the previous owners - musty couches, golf clubs, and a tea pot with animals painted on it among other things. Ladies from the church are helping me clean it out and I say to Christine, "Look! I'm dreaming about new rooms in my house. I LOVE it when this

Things that make you go "hmmm" OR "Oh, so it's NOT that simple."

2008-09-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

En route to other things, I found a button for a site called "just be nice dot com." And I'm, you know, from Minnesota, so I clicked it. And got this message:Our site is currently down for maintenance.We are very sorry for any inconvenience.Please try again soon.

Studying for his very first ever spelling test: an Elijahlogue

2008-09-11T21:57:00.000-07:00

First Mommy quizzes E, then E quizzes Mommy. Let's peek in on them, as the child gives his mother a sentence to go with the word "man."E: "Man. The man walked across the valley to, um, um, hug a sheep. Man."

Have you noticed.....

2008-09-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

....a certain grumpiness around your place? I'm thinking the combined vitriol and uncertainty of the election season are a pretty potent cocktail for some of our dear ones.Or else, it's just that I've been here a year and the honeymoon is over, honey.