Yes, the glaciers are melting, and those sad little polar bears on the commercials are trying to remind us. But this is not that. This is a note about living in the desert, where all things green are about as elusive, magical and mysterious as Santa.Last week it rained. I mean ALOT. Alot for the desert, alot for not being monsoon season, alot for anywhere, really. Desert people are not used to this. They can't drive in it, they think that school and social functions should be cancelled as if for … [Read more...]
Who Comes This Night, Take 2!
December 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
As promised earlier today ("To Welcome in the Stranger") here's another take of "Who Comes this Night," performed by my brother Chris. Under the video is a link to check out his blog for the music business he shares with his wife. Happy listening. Mockingbird Musicians, Nashville … [Read more...]
To Welcome in the Stranger
December 21, 2011 By 4 Comments
Oh, the lovely and wonderful things that they don't play on the radio. In the endless loop of holly jolly reindeer rock--and Celine Dion, of course--we miss out on alot of really beautiful and even prophetic music. James Taylor's "Who Comes This Night" has become a seasonal fave of mine, and i've never once heard it on the radio. Probably because it has little to do with creating a warm, fuzzy, insular Christmas feeling for ones own, and everything to do with welcoming the stranger and … [Read more...]
Week 4: Welcome
December 20, 2011 By 1 Comment
It was dark. Rainy. Cold. I'd been in the car for about 12 hours. Alone. Intermittent radio signal through the West Virginia Mountains, nothing but wheezing preachers and country (not the good kind) for much of Virginia, over an HOUR sitting still on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge because i lacked the foresight to plan around rush hour. Now I was within a mile of my friend's house, i just knew that i had to be--but i'd been in circles for about 20 minutes, unable to read road signs through the dark … [Read more...]
Ready: Week 3, Day 3
December 17, 2011 By 4 Comments
I took a self-care day today. That means, took the kids to a baby sitter, got a massage, got my hair done, had lunch, did some light shopping, generally piddled about. In the course of this day, i encountered stylists, receptionists, check-out personnel, waitresses...you know the scene. So let's say in the course of this day, no less than 5 people asked me if i was ready for the holidays. The drill is supposed to go something like this: "Are you ready for the holidays?" "Are you kidding me?? I … [Read more...]
Abundance: Week 3, day 2
December 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Me, to the 3-year-old, as I toss some things in a box: "We are going to get rid of some of your toys, before you get new stuff for Christmas." The kid: "And we'll give it to some other children?" me: "Exactly! Who taught you about that, somebody at church?" Kid: "No, you did!" The joy for the day: that sometimes they listen. That sometimes, the good stuff sinks in. That "home" and "church" are not utterly separate places. And that we have more than enough to share. … [Read more...]
Week 3, Day 1: Dance it Out
December 13, 2011 By 3 Comments
Back to my rant on Celine Dion--if you like her, it's fine. Not judging. Nor do i mean to single out a single performer as "Everything that's Contrived and Cheesy about Christmas." Really, there is a whole gaggle of artists contributing to that cause. I hear Clay Aiken's "O Holy Night," and i want to barf more than i want to sing. He literally almost chokes on that low note trying to croon it just right. Thing is, there are only so many Christmas/holiday songs in the world, and many artists … [Read more...]
Week 3: The Beginnings of Joy
December 12, 2011 By 2 Comments
There's just something about a good beginning... If we are honest, any good preacher or speaker will tell you that with a good beginning (and a strong ending) you can get away with some not-so-impressive stuff in the middle. Not that one should make a habit of getting by with great intros and crummy content, but there's some grace to be found in a punchy beginning, and some weeks, that's a comfort. This is where Luke takes centerstage in the pageantry and high drama that we bring into late … [Read more...]
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