Sola Christus

A ticket that is more than a ticket

My friend, Anne Pecaro, an amazing writer, has a play that will be showing in Greenville, SC. If you are anywhere near Greenville between August 6-21, then you should go to the performance of her play, in connection to The Few Lillies Project.

Besides being a thought-provoking play, you will also be supporting Safe Harbor, a non-profit group that helps women in situations of domestic violence throughout the Upstate of South Carolina.

So, buy a ticket and go!! You won't regret it.

Thank you just isn't enough

This is my thank you to the friends who helped me put my socks on, brought me lattes and flowers, sang to me when I couldn't sleep, measured out my pills, sent encouraging e-mails, helped me to breathe through the minutes of the dark night, brought happy tea times, and talked me through all of my fights with pain. Thank you for standing by me.

Paper

Paper is one of my favorite things. Pink post-its. Torn scraps found in pockets. electronic receipts with that waxiness that disintegrates the marks on itself. My pad of notepaper with a polka-dot border. Crisp paper with a watermark. I love them all. I wander into any paper shop I find not because I have money, but because I like to look, feel, and smell the paper. My friend Sarah shares my love for paper. When you find someone who loves something you do, there is a little moment of joy. So, I wanted to share some things with you that I love. Maybe you will like them to.

1. White Chocolate Mochas  

I love these. The first sip is always ecstasy. I don't get them very often because they are expensive, maybe just once or twice a month. People may rail against the "big company mindedness" of Starbucks, and I don't prefer their coffee, but one thing they do right, is keep things the same. So when I do have that blissful cup in Edinburgh in site of the castle or Greenville at a Barnes and Nobles, it will always taste the same. It is always a moment of comfort for me.

2. Bookmarks Magazine I admit it. I am addicted to reading. That has been one of the most frustrating things about this whole two-weeks-flat-on-my-back thing. The medication and the weariness have made it hard for me to read. And it has been frustrating. A part of me has been missing. Finally I rigged up a book rest that I could prop up on my stomach so that I could continue to read. Even after reading for seven or eight hours while working on my PhD, I will still com home and read something, even if it is just a friend's blog post or a New Times book review. I love the feel of books and the smell of books. And that is why I love, love, love this magazine.Every issue is a treasure trove of information for the book lover. And (this is the best part my friends) they NEVER give away the ending in reviews. Ever. The next time you are in a bookstore or library see if you can find a copy. It is worth every penny of the $27.95 for a year long subscription. Even being in Scotland, I still subscribe, my Mom ships them to me, and they give hours of delight.

3. Story Corps is project about stories. People's stories. The type of people like you and me, not just the Paris Hiltons and Britney Spears of our world. Story Corps has two mobile recording studios that travel America letting people record their stories. Stories that make me laugh out loud, cry, or get mad, but they are stories about people across America. Stories that should be heard. They only last about five minutes, but they are worth it. You can sign up on itunes or listen through the website. Listen to Seymore and Marcia's story; it is one of my favorites. It will be worth your time.

4. Writer's Almanac, another podcast. Always under five minutes, so it is easy to listen to on your way to the car or while you are shopping. Garrison Keillor's wonderful reading voice makes poetry glimmer. A daily podcast, he will give a bit of history, literary or otherwise, and read a poem. Sometimes you might like the poem, sometimes you might not, but give it a try.

As the days get shorter, and the nights get longer, I think I will be curling up with my new copy of Bookmarks and maybe even spring for a White Chocolate Mocha.

 

  

Six words are all you get

Podcasts are a wonderful thing. My flat is about a mile and a half outside of town, so in my three mile daily commute, I listen to podcasts. One of them is the Story of the Day from NPR; they had a special podcast last week for Valentine's featuring Six-Word Memoirs. These small clips were started by Ernest Hemingway who wrote a six word story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn."

So here are two of my Valentine memoirs:

Beano Brothers, car talks, lost friends.

Crepes and tulips; love is big.

Married life and home

Nope, not me. :)
My friend Jenn, a friend from college, has posted some beautiful pictures of her wedding. I had the wonderful opportunity to be a participant in the festivities.

A sunny day in the park

A beautiful Sunday afternoon with Garf's new little dog, Hugo.

Another Yes!

Congratulations to my other friend and collegue from grad school, Andrea. God's blessings to you both!

A Blessing

Congrats to my long time friend Jen in Boston who just said yes!

In the blogosphere

I have seen others do this type of post and thought I would give it a go. Here are some of my favorite blogs and some recent posts. I think you will enjoy reading them.

Andrea has been filling us in on some great information about Anne Bradstreet and the importance of history.

Will has some great posts on Christ-figures and a review on the new Superman movie.

Stephen walks through 31 days of Film Noir.

Ellen watches the World Cup.

Jonathon keeps us up to date on European politics.

Joy enjoys her family (spiritual and physical).

Jan explains why women are talkative and why men would want to be "Avon ladies."

Stephanie has placed an order.

And the guys over at The Protestant Pub are kicking up some controversy about women and church practice.

The Highland Games

Ellen, Matt, and I went to the Highland Games in Hendersonville, NC this past weekend. I have uploaded the photos on the right.