Merry Christmas!

I'm out of the office until Monday starting now for the Christmas holiday! Merry Christmas to all!

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" Acts 17: 24-28

Christmas Miracle

My cousin's son, Caleb (age 4) was born with some sort of heart defect. He had to have open heart surgery when he was just a few days old. It had recently been determined that he still had heart issues - something called Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection (TAPVC). His heart wasn't growing the way it was supposed to; I think in layman's terms, his ventricles were squeezing his heart into an hour-glass shape. At least, that was what was determined when they took the ultrasound on him a month ago.

He was scheduled for surgery today and tomorrow at A. I. Dupont Children's Hospital, but when the doctors went in to put a catheter in, they couldn't find anything wrong with heart.

And I believe in miracles. And that prayer changes things.

The doctors determined that he has some type of athsma, and will of course be continuing to watch him, especially since he was born with a heart condition. But I guess God's ways are higher than ours.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."

Proud Sister!

My youngest brother was accepted into Liberty University last night!

National Cookie Day

In case you didn't know it, today is National Cookie Day. Here are some of my favorite cookies to make during the holiday season!

Holly Cookies

1 (10 oz.) package marshmallows
1/2 c. butter
4 1/2 c. corn flakes
1 tbsp. green food coloring
cinnamon candies, or red-colored sugar

1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows, and melt. Add food coloring. Mix in the cornflakes cereal.
2. Drop either by spoonful or by clumps (depending on how big you like them) onto wax paper. Add cinnamon candies or sugar.

Kris Krinkles (or Snow-Topped Chocolate Mint Cookies)

2 cups mint semisweet chocolate chips, divided
6 tablespoons butter (no substitutes), softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
confectioners' sugar

1. In a microwave, melt 1 cup chocolate chips; set aside to cool. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the melted chocolate chips and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in the remaining chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until easy to handle.
2. Roll into 1-in. balls, then roll in confectioners' sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes or until edges are set and centers are almost set. Cool for 10 minutes before removing to wire racks.

Note: When I made these last week, I didn't have mint chocolate chips, but instead used half semisweet chocolate chips and half white chocolate chips and 1/2 tsp. of mint extract. The semisweet chips I melted, not in the microwave, but in a pan over hot water because the microwave I was using has a tendency to burn melting chocolate. The white chips I stirred into the dough.

Butter Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well.
2. Place the dough in a cookie press; form cookies on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 degrees F for 6-8 minutes or until set but not brown. Cool on wire racks.

Note: When I made these last week, what I did was cut out two different sets of cookies, one round-shaped for the bottom cookie, and then a thin circle with a hole in the middle for the top cookie. After they were finished baking, we spread strawberry jam on the bottom cookies and placed the thin circle on top. So it was twice the amount of work for one cookie, but it was well worth it in the end. And it wasn't exactly this recipe, but it was close enough.

Enjoy!

The Christmas Story: Deleted Scenes

I saw this video in church yesterday.



I think the best part of this video is the Dalek.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 100
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!

Ode to Mashed Potatoes

*sung to the tune of Edelweiss from "Sound of Music"*

We love 'taters
Lovely 'taters
Mashed up all in a bowl
With some gravy and some butter
'Taters are good for your soul
And their fun to put your fork in and carve
Irritating your dad forever
'Taters, 'taters
We love 'taters
Hope mom makes a big bowl - of them!

To Do When I Get to Heaven #2

Sit down with my great-grandmother, have a good long talk and enjoy a good cup of tea.

Esther Louise Dempsey
February 14, 1916 - November 15, 2008

We'll miss you, but we know where you are. You are at peace, you are finally in your right mind and no longer sick, and you are much happier than we are. Pop and Poppa were probably wondering what took you so long to get there.

Love you, Rammy.

May the Force Be With You

I don't know which is more hilarious - the fact that I know all the soundtracks that this song is composed of, or the fact that I was laughing hysterically through the entire thing. Enjoy!

Videos

A couple of videos/songs that have meant a lot to me these last few days.


Brandon Heath - Give Me Your Eyes from Brandon Heath on Vimeo.

To Do When I Get to Heaven #1

Play the violin solo at the beginning of Fiddler on the Roof.

It's like Heaven.

Choose or Lose

A video that MTV.com came into Delaware take that features my very good friend Steve. About Senator Biden's bid in the upcoming election.

Steve and I went to Morocco this past summer.

And go Steve for not being afraid to voice your own opinion!

Polka will never die!

Gotta love Dresden--

*****

"Calm down?" He waved a shaking hand at the door. "They're going to kill us. Just like Phil. They're going to kill us and we're going to die. You, me, Thomas. We're all going to die."

I forgot my bad leg for a second, crossed the room to Butters, and seized him by the front of the shirt. I hauled up until his heels lifted off of the floor. "Listen to me," I snarled. "We are not going to die."

Butters stared at me, pale, his eyes terrified. "We're not?"

"No. And do you know why?"

He shook his head.

"Because Thomas is too pretty to die. And because I'm too stubborn to die." I hauled on his shirt even harder. "And most of all because tomorrow is Oktoberfest, Butters, and polka will never die."

He blinked.

"Polka will never die!" I shouted at him. "Say it!"

He swallowed. "Polka will never die?"

"Again!"

"P-p-polka will never die," he stammered.

I shook him a little. "Louder!"

"Polka will never die!" he shrieked.

"We're going to make it!" I shouted.

"Polka will never die!" Butters screamed.

"I can't believe I'm hearing this," Thomas muttered.

Vacation!

I took a vacation to Virginia Beach September 10-13. Here are pictures!

Spent all day Thursday at the beach. It was windy and warm, once the sun finally decided to show itself!


The statue of Neptune at the beach.


Becky and I at the Naval Base in Norfolk.


Me and my awesome cousins, Danny and Karissa, who let us stay at their house for the weekend!


The nuclear submarine U.S.S. North Carolina. Danny used to be in the Navy (is now in the Reserves) and we were allowed in and on board and given a tour. Now I can say I've been on a nuclear sub. Danny's current job? Building these things (and also the carriers too).


Bet you didn't know that swearing is illegal in Virginia Beach!


Becky and I at the Music Builds Concert.



Jars of Clay.


Switchfoot. I think this is when they were playing "This is Home." Which was one of my favorite performances of theirs. Especially because of the Narnia (and Heaven) references.


Third Day.

And the encore had to be the best ever. All three of the groups came up on stage together (along with a guy from the fourth group who had been playing) and they all did a cover of U2's "When Love Comes to Town." Absolutely amazing.

Without a doubt, it goes down as one of the best vacations I've ever had. (The concert goes down for best ever. Hands down.)

Lay Down Softly in Our Sorrow

But the God that sometimes can't be found
Will wrap Himself around you
So lay down, sister, lay down

Slower passing are the hours
To tell this tale that takes its time
The finest moment, no man can measure
Is to look your Savior in the eyes

-'Rita' by Bebo Norman

Accomplishment

I stepped on the scale this morning, and weighed 20 pounds less than I did a year ago at this time!

Change

Today, the walls and structure of the sanctuary here at the church came crashing down.

Wedding Highlights!

Julie and Tim are officially married now! Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Singer!

Highlights:
-Being a part of the bridal party.
-Ball and chain.
-Getting myself a manicure and pedicure (never had a pedicure before).
-Brunch with the bridesmaids and bride at Bob Evans.
-The groomsmen. They were hysterical!
-Talking with Bethany and getting to know Susannah and Lydia better (three of the other bridesmaids)
-Seeing Keith in action (the photographer, who was a good friend of mine and Julie's from marching band in college).
-Climbing a rockwall in my bridesmaid's dress! (No lie - Keith made Julie get up on it in her wedding gown!)
-Having Chad for a groomsman. He was a good friend in my college days; we both went to IV together. Lucky me, I was only one of the bridesmaids who actually knew her groomsman.
-Watching Tim & Julie say their vows.
-Mama Z's wedding cake! It's the best ever!
-Talking with Papa Z about some things that had happened in the past and clearing the air.
-Fondue!
-Dancing.
-All of the compliments, both in regards to the wedding program and our dresses, hair, etc.

And way too many others.

Pictures will be forthcoming, when I can find time to get mine off my camera. And when others begin to post them.

In the meantime, here is a sincere apology at the lack of posts of late. Between helping to plan a wedding, the church's building project swinging into action and getting things ready for Morocco, I have found it really hard getting half-decent posts up. I still can't promise much before Morocco, but hopefully after, things will settle down somewhat.

care for a cup of coffee?

Hebrews 11:13-16

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country -- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Concealing any bodies?

Yesterday morning, I turned out of my development to head to work, and was greeted with traffic on my road. There's usually not much traffic on my road - only the occasional back-up when there are lots of cars coming out of the Catholic church. This time, there was dead-stopped traffic. And a cop car in the entrance way to the church, with a cop in the middle of the road. He had stopped traffic from completely getting down our road and into the two developments off of the road, and was intermittantly letting traffic out, after first stopping each one, speaking with the driver for a few brief moments, and then checking their license plate/tag.

I automatically assumed that it was one of those 'license/seat belt/registration' stops that I've seen every now and then around the state. So I grabbed my license/registration/insurance cards and waited paitently for my turn in line.

When it came my turn, I was greeted, not with a request for identification, but with an apology.

Police Officer: Good morning, ma'am. Sorry to inconvience you this morning, but we're investigating an incident that happened early this morning in Scottfield [i.e., the development directly across from mine]. We just want to make sure you're not concealing any stowaways in the backseat or trunk of your car.

Me: *shock* Oh. Um. Okay.

PO: I can see by looking in the window to your backseat that there's no body in the back seat. Would you mind popping your trunk so I can make sure there are no bodies in the trunk?

Me: *quirks eyebrow* *briefly nods* *pushes button to pop trunk*

PO: *quickly glances in* Okay, ma'am, I can see you're not hiding someone in your trunk. *closes trunk* Is this your car?

Me: *nods*

PO: Alright then, I'll just get your license/tag numbers and you have a good day, okay?

Me: *nods* *drives off*

I was so surprised by the conversation that I didn't think to ask what sort of incident they were investigating, but had made up my mind to ask my News Journal friend if she knew of anything going on.

She didn't, but said that she would do a little digging, and got back to me with the news around three o'clock yesterday afternoon. Apparently, there had been a break-in, followed by a rape, in Scottfield yesterday morning around 7:30. He had been seen fleeing the scene on foot, but hadn't been apprehended. And so consequently, the police had stopped all traffic flow going into and out of (pending checking) the developments, in the off-chance he might have snuck in a car, or someone was trying to sneak him out.

Yes, I was quite shocked, especially because of the close proximity to my house. But I'm not scared or worried or anything (I do hope they catch whoever did that awful crime). I am just planning on staying safe and using extra procaution until further notice.

Late yesterday afternoon, my News Journal friend called me to ask me if I'd give an interview to another one of her reporter friends who was doing an article for it, and then she ended up calling me later yesterday evening. She told me that she'd been able to speak to several people living the neighborhood directly near where it happened, but hadn't been able to locate anyone in a car that had gotten stopped. So I got to be the lucky one.

I just told her everything that happened, and you can it in today's edition of The News Journal (section B, page 2, if you've actually got a hard copy of it).

Flying Squirrel

One of the highlights from my Sunday:



Getting to hold and pet a flying squirrel.

Doesn't matter that he's part of the squirrel mafia. He was still the cutest (and softest) thing ever.

What Can $1 Really Do?

Here's your chance to do something that may seem to be insignificant, but has a huge impact! Terry has the opportunity to do a creative little experiment to help a local Wilmington homeless man named Herman.

He's attempting to raise some funds for Herman (for which he has a matching donor), but there's a catch: anyone who wants to give can only give $1. Yup - only $1. You might think it's a silly idea, but if Terry can get 500 other people to give just $1, then his donor will match it dollar for dollar for a total of $1000.

He isn't going to be giving Herman the cash. He has been taking time over the past year to develop a relationship with him, and knows what sort of needs he has, and so he plans on using the monies collected to help Herman in a much more significant way. You can read about it in his post for more details, but the gist of it is this:

1. Comment here on his blog.
2. Leave your first name and your city/state and tell him, "I'm in."
3. Follow through by sending $1 to:

Herman's Bridge
PO Box 363
Montchanin, DE 19710-0363

I'm in! Spread the word to your friends and help share the love of Christ in this way!

"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor." 1 Samuel 2:8

Loser's Music

I'm sure that this store didn't intentionally mean to bring the word 'loser' to mind whenever someone thinks of their store, but with a name like that, you just can't help it. Looking at their logo, you can clearly see they mean for you to say 'loser' with a long 'O', but that's just not really possible.

So I'm sorry. No winning music allowed. The only music allowed is for losers. XD

"Measure for Measure - How to Write a Song and Other Mysteries"

The actual link to the NY Times blog.

March 26, 2008, 2:38 pm
Words Will Tell
By Andrew Bird

In about a week I will load up my car with amplifiers and guitars and drive to Nashville to begin recording my next record. I don’t drive much anymore and I’m glad for that except that I used to write a lot while on the road. Solitude, boredom, and the desperate need to entertain oneself are ideal stimuli for songwriting.

I’ve spent most of the last year inside a tour bus. I’ve spoken more words to journalists than I have to my friends and family. All of this has kept me from what I realize now is my job, and that’s to daydream. Now I bring my bike on tour and ride every day. Wandering in an unfamiliar town, the rhythm of walking or riding and a few hours to kill is nearly the perfect recipe for a new idea.

I’ve got 11 songs mostly written and several dozen distinct melodies. I never worry about the melodies drying up. Since I can remember, I’ve had melodies in my head. I chew my food to them.

Almost every breath contains some fragments of an escaping melody. If I shape my lips so as to whistle, my breath will take on a musical shape like sonic vapor. Words are much trickier. I would forgo words altogether if I didn’t love singing them so much. My choice of words and my voice betray so much and that’s what’s so terrifying and attractive about it.

I’m not the most forthcoming person — I only speak when I have something to say. What is becoming more challenging of late is dealing with so many fully formed melodies that are unwilling to change their shape for any word. So writing lyrics becomes like running multiple code-breaking programs in your head until just the right word with just the right number of syllables, tone of vowel and finally some semblance of meaning all snap into place.

I’m kind of the opposite of the confessional singer-songwriter who fills notebooks full of poetry and intones them over a bed of chords. Meaning or “the truth what’s in my heart” usually reveals itself well after the record is released. I’m often surprised that the things I care about actually end up in my songs. Until then I’m mostly concerned with shape, tone and texture. I’m really an instrumentalist who sings words and if you care to pay attention you might enjoy them. So in this post, I will begin reporting on the progress of an as of yet unfinished song, with all my doubts and insecurities laid bare.

The song in question is called (for now) “Oh No.” It began, as do most of my songs, with a sound. It could be a creaking door or a delivery truck or the sound of multiple stereos wafting out of bedroom windows. For the last four years the same dancehall beat has been has been rattling the foundation of my Chicago apartment. When I stay at my farm, sparrows, coyotes, chickens and frogs find their way into my songs as well.

In the instance of this song I was on a flight from New York back to Chicago and a young mother and her 3-year-old son sat in front of me and it was looking to be the classic scenario of the child screaming bloody murder. However, I was struck by the mournfulness of this kid’s wail. He just kept crying “oh no” in a way that only someone who is certain of their demise could. Pure terror. Completely inconsolable. It was more moving than annoying.

So when I got home I picked up my guitar and tried to capture the slowly descending arc of that kid’s cry. It fit nicely over a violin loop that I had been toying with which moves from C-major to A-major.

I’ll spend days at my farm creating loops with my violin where I record a phrase and layer on top of it, often starting with pizzicato followed by multiple string lines. This is a handy compositional tool I also use in performance. I can follow any whim and instantly hear how it works in counterpoint with other ideas. It’s perfect for someone who plays by ear and improvises as I do and who is too impatient for notation. This helps keep ideas fluid and ephemeral but with an instant gratification playback option. I’ve found that I can be completely satisfied for weeks by the simplest four-bar phrase repeating over and over again. It’s a fragile thing where your perception of it can change it completely. You can reconstruct all the elements the following day, note for note and go by physical memory but the feel can be elusive.

Back to “Oh No.” All this child knows is that he needs to get off this plane and I can empathize. I often find myself in a crowded room and all I know is “I need to get out of here.” So begins the song with a child’s half-dream of climbing out a window and venturing into the ravines around Lake Bluff, where I grew up.

let’s get out of here
past the atmosphere
squint your eyes and no one dies or goes to jail
past the silver bridge
oh the silver bridge wearing nothing but a one-sie and a veil.

When I was little the “silver bridge” spanned the ravine and marked the boundary of my known world.

Words get under my skin the same way melodies do. Something catches my attention and I file it subconsciously. It often begins with an archaic or obscure word I have not defined. I just like the sound of it and its elusive meaning gives it a mysterious shine. On the menu of a local cafe is an item called “salsify.” Before I reach for the dictionary I let my imagination run wild and decide that salsify is a burrowing bronchial root like a rickety old mine that burrows deep into something. It turns out that’s mostly correct which encourages me further. All I know is “salsify mains” sounds good to me.

Then I might think of what I want to say, what have I been fixated on of late? I have been thinking about how as adults we bury our emotions and I almost envied that kid on the plane who had license to express what we all were probably feeling. And how I have felt frozen and numb of late. (The process may seem more deliberate than it actually is — it’s only because I’m breaking it down for this article and have hindsight that it appears that I know what I’m doing).

In the salsify mains of what was thought but unsaid
the calcified charismatists were doing the math
It would take a calculated blow to the head
to light the eyes of all the harmless sociopaths

What does it take to wake us up, we who feel so little? Aren’t we almost like sociopaths, only the kind that don’t kill people?

The only thing I don’t care for in this lyric is the “calcified charismatist” — it just feels too clever. I’m known to make up words but this is too heavy-handed. So I’m still searching for the right words. For a while it was “unemployed ex-physicists,” but that’s too typical of something I would write. Lately I’m considering “calcified arhythmitist” or just “arithmatist” — something that conveys a physicist’s sketch or formula for what will revive our harmless sociopath. Then the cheerful refrain of “arm in arm we are the harmless sociopaths/in the calcium mines buried deep in our chests.” Followed by the chorus which has only taken shape in the last day, which is “Oh no, we’re deep in a mine/Oh no, a calcium mine.” Sounds a bit bleak as I break it down, but it should be a rousing little number.

Recordings of Andrew Bird’s music can be heard online at his Web site’s A/V page and his MySpace page.

May the road rise to meet you

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Have a Cow

I walked over to Karen's office as I was posting next week's schedule, and one of the regular stops on that trek is through her office. I took my animal crackers with me, for I was hungry and needed that last minute sugar rush to get me through the last hour of the day.

I knew immediately upon entrance to her office that she was frustrated about something. Offered to help if she needed it, though there really wasn't much she said I could do. She did start to vent because of her frustrations and in an effort to cheer her up, I set my crackers down, pulled the first one out to hand to her, and immediately put it right back because I'd noticed it's head had been broken off. So I grabbed the next one, which I only recognized because of the udders.

"Here, have a cow."

It was only then did I realize what I had said.

We then spent about 5 minutes going back and forth, amidst bouts of hysterical laughter --

"You planned that, didn't you? You really do want me to have a cow over this!"

"No, honestly, I swear, that didn't even cross my mind."

Maybe you had to be there. It was really funny none-the-less.

New Soul

I'm a new soul
I came to this strange world hoping
I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
But since I came here
Felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

I'm a young soul
In this very strange world hoping
I could learn a bit 'bout what is true and fake
But why all this hate?
Try to communicate
Finding trust and love is not always easy to make

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

This is a happy end
'Cause you don't understand
Everything you have done
Why's everything so wrong

This is a happy end
Come and give me your hand
I'll take you fare away

I'm a new soul
I came to this strange world hoping
I could learn a bit 'bout how to give and take
But since I came here
Felt the joy and the fear
Finding myself making every possible mistake

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la...

-By Yael Naim

Take Your Squirrel Into Work Day

I arrived home late last night to see that my father'd left his truck at work. Which automatically clued me in to the fact that he'd need a ride into work the next day. No problem.

I walked in to the house, after scaring away (not intentionally) the two cats that were outside our front door howling like the world was about to end. Commence general discussion of the day, which included guesses as to what in the world could the cats be doing.

My mom casually adds, "Oh, by the way, you're going to have two passengers to work tomorrow."

I raise my eyebrow, or at least attempt to, since I can't do that very well, and manage to look sufficiently confused. I ask, "Well, Daddy, I figured, but...?"

She smiled as she said, "And the Eastern Grey Squirrel we trapped that's outside on the back porch. Didn't you know tomorrow is Annual Take Your Squirrel to Work Day?"

Um, no, I failed to get that memo.

Apparently we've had a squirrel in our attic who has been trying to make his home up there amongst all our boxes and possessions, and my father would have none of it.

At this point, many thoughts of the network of Newark squirrels attempting to take over the world one house at a time came rushing through my head, but to try and explain NUSA would just take too long, and you'd probably all look at me like I was weird or something anyway if I told you, so I'm not even going to try. Or at least, not at this point. That might be some other day's post.

So instead, I laughed hysterically at the prospect of celebrating such a day, then proceeded to visit the back porch in an attempt to try and see him (which proved unsuccessful as he was being quite uncooperative), and then took him for a ride this morning in the trunk of my car.

After we got to work, I tried again to look at him, and was rewarded with a great hiss of fury from the little furball who was running about like mad underneath the sheet that was covering the trap.

So get on out there, find a squirrel and take it with you to work today!

(As an aside, he was captured humanely and as this is typed up is being let go in the wilds that is Brandywine Creek State Park. Meaning, we're trying to make sure he stays as far away as possible from our house.)

The Dark Tower Dream

It was cold. Bone-chillingly cold. Absolutely freezing cold. It was night. We had to survive the night.

I was in some sort of circular room. There was no way out of this room that I could see. From what I could tell, there were tapestries on the walls, and a dais at the front end of the room.

There was another man there with me who was alive. I don't remember his face. There were also other people in the room with us. They looked like they could have been automated, if they weren't practically frozen already because of how very cold it was in that room. Their faces had a bloated sort of look, and they were turning slightly blue. All of these other bodies were strewn all around the room on the floor, some of the bodies on top of one another.

The man I was with I understood to be someone I cared for. I believe he was a 'significant other', though if it was a fiancé, or a husband, or just someone I had strong feelings for and who in turn had strong feelings for me, I do not know.

The only way we knew how to survive was to huddle close together under the thinnest of thin blankets. Somehow, our body heat would be enough to sustain us, despite the shabby blanket.

****

I woke up at approximately 1 a.m after having dreamt that, frozen solid, despite sleeping under 9 blankets on my bed. After I went back to sleep, I dreamed the same thing again. I woke up one other time during the night, and when I finally fell back asleep after that, I dreamt it a third time. I was still in the process of dreaming it when my alarm went off this morning.

When I woke up this morning, I was frozen solid. It's now bed time, and I'm still chilled to the bone.

Now, if I buy into the theory of The Dark Tower, then what I dreamt was either a past event or a future event, or else something that belongs to a parallel universe of sorts, a universe in which I have a double, since dreams allow us to look into parallel universes (or at least, this is my understanding of what I read).

I've also had the theory as I contemplated over this dream that it could possibly be another 'unknown' scene from the book, a scene in which a horn-less Scudamour (he having somehow managed to get of the filthy thing) and I (as Camilla) had been found out as we were trying to escape back to Normal Time and were thrown into a room in the Dark Tower to await a fate worse than death, if we could survive.

Obviously, I much prefer this second idea to my dream, instead of one in which I'm forced to sleep in and around frozen dead bodies and freeze to death myself. That, and not to have nightmares over any more C. S. Lewis fiction.

And to somehow manage to warm up.

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Extreme Makeover Home Edition came to Wilmington, Delaware this past week! This show is definitely one of my all-time favorites! My brother's place of business helped sponsor the project! For information on the family they helped, check out Anderson Extreme.

Highlights from Florida

Highlights from my trip to Florida:

- Spending a majority of my time with all those people in that picture. I love them all very much. - Dinner at Stacey's Buffet with 70+ people (all of the above and then some)
- Meeting and getting to know Janet (who is now like another Aunt)
- Spending time with my grandmother
- Meeting my great-great-great grandparents for the first time via pictures
- Beach volleyball with almost all of those people in that picture
- Teasing Rochelle
- Reading
- Relaxing
- 80 degree weather with little humidity
- Remembering my great-grandfather
- Picnic at Uncle Bill's, with all 50+ of us crowded in there
- Playing several rousing rounds of Catch Phrase with 30 people
- Sunday dinner at Uncle Bill's
- A possessed toilet
- Walks with Abigail (my absolutely adorable second cousin, who is sitting on the lap of my Uncle Bill, who is the second from the right in the row of people sitting in the picture)
- No problems with any flights both ways, with either the flights or acquiring luggage
- Finding a good bunch of them on Facebook in the last week so I can continue to stay in touch with them
- Stephen's crazy dancing on the beach

Walks with Abigail were definitely a highlight. She's 2, and latched on to me almost immediately. She would pull me outside and wanted to walk with me up and down the street where we would sit and watch the cars and count them as they drove by.

I had so much fun with all of those beautiful people, most of whom are either, aunts, uncles, first-cousins-once-removed or second cousins. It was so cool to be a part of something that felt so much larger than myself, and it's all thanks to my great-grandmother and great-grandfather. I love you both and will miss you here on earth, but I know I'll see you later!

A Valentine's Day Syllogism

Major Premise:
Chocolate is made of cocoa beans.

Minor Premise:
Beans are legumes, and are therefore very good for you.

Conclusion:
Therefore, chocolate is very good for you.

The end.

If I ever take another day for granted, someone please slap me.

There was quite the ice storm around here late this afternoon, of course in time for the 5 o'clock rush hour traffic (why does it always happen at that exact moment?) that reminded me of last year's storm at about this time.

I told my dad that I didn't need to ride home from work with him, that I would be fine and would take it slow and be safe and careful driving.

I didn't know that even that doesn't stop potential accidents from happening.

It happened when I was at the corner of 4 and Gender Road, which just happens to be the last turn before I get to my development. Up ahead of me, I noticed that the light was turning red and I needed to slow down because of it; the cars at the intersection were getting a little too near, and I was going a little faster than I probably should have been, considering the conditions.

I put my brakes on, and on any given day, things would have been fine. With a coating of ice on the road, however, that all changed.

As soon as I put the brakes on, my wheels started to spin out and I was starting to slide out to the right.

My gut reaction was to compensate by turning my wheel to the left, but then years of drivers ed./defensive driving/common sense kicked in, and I realized I needed to do exactly the opposite of what my gut told me to do, which was to let go, and let my car turn to the right while slowly applying my brake. It was also in that second when I realized that this could be the end to a lot of things, for my car was spinning out on Route 4 and could have ended up like one of any number of the cars I passed on my way home, which had either their front end smashed into the midian, or their back end smashed into the curb facing the opposite way in traffic. I had never experienced that sort of thing before, and while I won't say my life flashed before my eyes, I will say that I was very scared, both for myself and for anyone else who might have been in the way.

Thankfully, there was no one in the right hand land.
Thankfully, I was far enough behind the cars at the light that I hit no one in front of me.
Thankfully, the cars behind me were far enough behind that no one hit me.

Thankfully, my car stopped with my front end in basically the direction I needed to go. The cars that were stopped let me go in front of them and make my way slowly into my turn lane.

I was home within five minutes (having gone even slower than previously, for by that time, the built-up tension was at the point of releasing itself, and I wanted to make sure it didn't get in the way of my driving abilities).

I can't tell you how thankful I am that there is nothing worse than some high-strung nerves to deal with at the moment. I learned the value of leaving an inordinate amount of space between vehicles the last time I was in an accident, and I am so very thankful for that now. I am also thankful that my life and the lives of those driving around me were spared from something awful.

We all must have something bigger planned for us that we still need to do in this world, and I for one am grateful.

And so, if any of you should ever catch me whining or complaining about how supposedly unfair life ever is, or if you catch me taking life and/or other people for granted, you have my permission to slap me. Or at least, remind me very strongly in the way of your own choosing that there are just some things shouldn't ever be taken for granted. M'kay?

Leaving on a Jet Plane

My great-grandfather passed away last weekend. I am just about ready to leave here to fly down to Florida with my family to attend his funeral services.

He will be missed.

Any prayers would be appreciated.

Do you feel...

...as if you are aboard a rickety trolley, racing furiously in the wrong direction?

February is often like that.

The Letter That Never Came

Dearest Children,

Since we have been abroad, we have missed you all so very much. Certain events have compelled us to extend our travels. One day, when you are older, you will learn about the people we've befriended, and the dangers we have faced. At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in-fact be the first steps of a journey. We hope to have you back in our arms soon, but in case this letter arrives before our return, know that we love you. It fills us with pride to know that no matter what happens in this life, that you will take care of each other with kindness, and bravery, and selflessness as you always have. And remember one thing and never forget it - that no matter where you are, know that as long as you have each other, you have your family, and you are home.

Your loving parents

Quiet

I've been rather quiet lately. I think I have good reason to.

Within the last three weeks, the following has happened here at the church:

-- Jollie announced her retirement.
-- Bill and Alene announced that they were leaving to start another church.
-- Jean passed away.
-- Karen had an MRI done that revealed a herniated disc she'd had for the past two+ months.
-- Michelle's dad passed away.
-- Bill P. fell and broke his nose, hand and busted up several fingers.
-- Brenda's brother-in-law, who has been ill for quite some time, took a turn for the worse and is on the verge of passing away.

Death, loss and pain sometimes seem to swallow up everything around them. And I remain quiet.

It's at times like these when I really don't feel like talking about what's going on because there really is nothing to be said.

So, I'll just continue to be quiet.

Hopefully, I will feel like talking more soon.

Give Me Jesus

In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Give me Jesus

And when I am alone
Oh, when I am alone
And when I am alone
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
Give me Jesus

And when I come to die
Oh, when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jesus

Give me Jesus
Give me Jesus
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus