Renewed by cow bones and jack-o-lanterns

A weekend at the farm always does the trick when I've been working hard, thinking too hard and just need to re-focus. We returned last night from a three day weekend at Blackacre. We did all the things we do in October: pick up pecans, sit by the fire, sit in the sun by the river and usually a hike up the hill. I decided my friend Katy needed to experience the hill. In years past it was a much friendlier place but lately it's really grown up and become quite wild. There used to be a cave where we'd fine fox cubs and we used to try to transplant the flowering cactus. I knew we'd be in for an adventure but it was quite an amazing hike. Katy learned how to whistle with an acorn cap, we saw little horned spiders and then the icing!!!....we found the remains of a cow just as we began to decend. The bones were completely bleached so we could really inspect. Just as we thought we'd picked the ones she wanted to keep we spoted the pelvic bone. It is about two and a half feet high and two and half feet wide. Of course she couldn't live without it and she lugged that thing down the hill and then all the way back to the cabin. (We made into a pumpkin display rack for Katy's creation)

I always discover something new when I go to the farm but this time I was blessed with a rediscovery. I watched someone discover the place for the first time and relived my own joy of loving it for the first time. I've always had a special feeling for the people who taught me to whistle with an acorn cap, skip a rock on the river and find doodle bugs in the sand. This time I got to show someone those treasures. I think we should all be thinking of the things that are important to us and do what we can to pass those things on whether it be your traditions, your faith, your love of nature or music...anything. Just don't keep it to yourself.

eeeeek! A Mouse!

While enjoying my coffee this morning, I saw something I don't like to see...well, maybe it was kind of cute. A mouse was nibbling his way along the edge of fence acting like I wasn't even there. ewwww. or maybe...awwwww. I can't decide. Growing up I spent lots of time at my Nana and Papaw's house in the country. There were always mice in the field, mice in the peanut hay in the barn and yes, mice in the house. So it follows that there were mouse traps. The kind that go 'snap' and you immediately know someone's going to have to go take the deceased to the trash pit. My papaw was elated to hear that sound. I always cried. After all mice are kinda of cute with their little wiggly nose and quick way of darting here and there and I hated the thought that a living thing had just ceased living.

So what do I do about the mouse in my back yard? I have some poison in the garage. I could put a little square on the path he's taking. But then he'll eat it, get thirsty and go into the alley to die and then my neighbor's will call me and laughingly accuse me of murder. I'm an animal lover and am amazed by all life forms but I still have this equation of mice=filth. I don't think I was born with the innate knowledge that 'girls don't like mice' but it's there...that need to jump on the patio furniture and scream. I was trained to possess the eeeeek factor. Last fall I alone killed at least 4 mice and I think I feel remorse. I'm going to let this mouse live his little mouse life in my back yard...I can't bring myself to hurt him. Yes, I'm a tree hugger and I'd probably make a great Buddist in regard to living things but it all boils down to that fact that that mouse is just so darn cute.

As I went back outside after the first sighting this morning, I found that I was actually looking for him and hoping to see him again. Oh well, probably a neighborhood cat will get into the back yard and end the issue altogether. In the meantime, I will embrace the idea of 'mouse' and make that decision that girls don't have to hate mice. Ahhhh...freedom :)

Blessing of the Animals

I've been working with our new associate minister, Rev. Kathryn Ransdell on a launch event for our newest ministry here at FUMC Dallas...It's called UrbanLife. Soon the website will be up and full of exciting information...When it's ready I will add it to my favorites so you'll have easy access...

In the meantine, Kathryn has been working diligently to build this new ministry that focuses on young professionals living in Downtown and Uptown Dallas...our immediate parish. The launch event for UrbanLife is the Blessing of the Animals which will happen on Sunday, October 7th at 5:30 p.m. in Reverchon Park on the Katy Trail. Members and non members of the church will bring their pets to the park and there will be a mass blessing of the ones that are a blessing to so many humans. The ministers will be in their robes, the SPCA will be there with opportunities for us to adopt animals and of course plastic pools for splashing (the pets, not the humans...unless you want us to point and laugh.) Just a good and meaningful time for all.

Some may say, "How can the church feel good about spending money on a ceremony that focuses on muts, cats and whatever else people put on the end of a leash?!" I've actually heard that a lot. But let's think about this. In introducing people to a church congregation...what SHOULD be our focus? Do we need the event to be "churchy"? Should our T-shirts have John 3:16 glowing in neon green with a WWJD just below that?? (hmmm...looks this is a continuation of yesterday blog entry) Or can we simply have an event where we can serve and love and meet new people.

I think people are just people and we all should relate to each as just....people...People who have pets (or not), enjoy the outdoors and might also enjoy experiencing a church family who is made up of normal people of all kinds. As I said yesterday, we 'churchies' (ha, a new word) need to be particularly in tune with how we present Christ. Will Christ be introduced as judging and unapproachable or as loving and accepting. We get to choose that in our words and actions. So whether you believe all pets go to heaven or not (shame if you don't ha!) come to the Blessing of the Animals for an amazing moment of fellowship, fun and blessings!

San Francisco - Day 3

Okay...so now I'm getting the hang of being on vacation. slept till 7:00, was at the Starbucks by 8:30 and on a trolley going to the Aquarium on the Bay by 9:00. I was a little disappointed in the aquarium. I was totally expecting to see and learn everything about sea otters (which are one of the most adorable creatures God could have some up with). However, it wasn't a total bust since I got to touch a ray and a leopard shark...After that we took a nice long time at Fisherman's Wharf where we saw some great seafood (which we'll eat later), the sourdough factory and then it was off to the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory. Now we are resting a bit before our 6:00 p.m. ferry trip and tour of Alcatraz. That is what I have been looking forward to the most. The trip should take about two hours after which I'm sure we are going to be STARVING...Conveniently we have another walk planned to Little Italy where we will eat at The Stinking Rose...in the 'garlic room' of course. We've walked to Little Italy both nights and I completely expect Tony Soprano to pass me on the street. In my mind he would remove the cigar from his lips, give me the Latin head tip/chin point and the grin and then just keep on walking his cool walk right on down the street...probably to get a canoli (Oooo! I know a great place for those). Being on vacation is an unusual feeling. I'm tempted many times to think that it would be wonderful to have nothing to do but discover, eat new things, wait around in an airport (wait, not that part). But then what would be my actual place among society? Would I actually lose my sense of being a part of God's world? Would I become so self absorbed in what will entertain me next that I could no longer be a servant? To be honest, that sounds kinda good. I know it wouldn't work though and I'd start to take the state of 'being on vacation' for granted. Okay, that's all for now. I'll write again in the morning some time...whenever I decide to get up.