The Journey Continues... April 18 - 24

Sunday, April 18

I am back to a church routine, but still no Sunday School.  I sent a reflection to the group before leaving this morning.  We had a new couple, recent retirees who moved here from Lake Charles, Louisiana.  It will be fun to get to know them.

I had a mostly quiet afternoon, but managed to spend some more time in the garden to finish clearing the long tomato bed.  If we ever get any rain, I'll start planting.

Ruby T did not publish their usual Sunday BoGo special, so I fixed salmon filets, served with comeback sauce and leftover vegetables.

 

Monday, April 19

The first task today was to make Banana Bread for Laura's bake sale benefitting Graduation Promise activities.  I made 3 loaves - one for us, one for Laura's family and one for the sale.  

I began a new online course today, "Hope for Justice and Creation." It looks like it will be interesting, inspiring and will provide ample material for my Mother's Day sermon on Creation Care.  The problem will be pairing down to a short message!

After lunch, I went to the garden with green bean seeds.  I had enough of blue lake pole bean seeds to plant one row under the fence.  I usually plant a double row, so I'll have to find more seeds this week.  I had to water because we have had almost no rain this month.

Amanda had a softball game.  After delivering her to the field, I came home to finish prepping supper.  Earlier I had started spaghetti sauce made from my home-canned tomatoes and herbs.  I prepared the asparagus and set up the pasta so everything would be ready for a quick finish when we got home. Amanda's team lost badly.  

We watched a very interesting episode of Reel South about Bobby Kennedy's visit to Ole Miss in 1966 to speak to the Law School.  It was a piece of Mississippi history with which I was not familiar.  Excellent educational program. (PBS - Reel South S6, E3)

Tuesday, April 20

Busy Day! I worked on my course first thing this morning - reading, thinking and responding.  Today's topic was "Three Temptations," with  a relevant connection to current environmental issues.

Later in the morning, I picked up a couple of $5 sandwiches specials at RT and went to Bonnie's house for lunch.  We haven't had lunch together in months and we enjoyed the time.  At 1:30 I met Walter and Beverly S at church to help find the projector and and set up a projection screen for the Loudon County Historical Society Meeting which will be Sunday afternoon in our sanctuary.  We didn't find a screen mount but found a clothes rack that could make a suitable stand.  I was glad I could help.  

Then home in time to take Amanda to the softball field then back home.  Bill and I went back in to her game at 6.  Fortunately, with all the running around, I had leftover spaghetti for our supper.

Wednesday,  April 21 - Happy Birthday, Laura!

The day again started with course work, this time related to renewable energy. The reading referenced a book by Dr. Katherine Hayhoe that I had just read about in a Sojourner's Post.  I also listened to her TED talk as she discussed how to open the conversation around climate change. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BvcToPZCLI)

After lunch, Kathy and I made the rounds for seeds and plants (and wine), but I had only mixed success.  I did find a small succulent garden for Laura for her office.  We will celebrate her birthday on Sunday.

Since we went as far afield as Turkey Creek we stopped at Little Bangkok for Thai takeout for our respective suppers.

Thursday, April 22 - Earth Day

I am accumulating lots of material and ideas for my sermon on Mother Earth.  Today's study topic was "What would Jesus Drive?" continuing the theme of energy production and use, particularly in the arena of transportation.  I have been challenged each day to reflect on my own practice and those of our church.  I must acknowledge that transportation represents my heaviest carbon footprint.

Today continued damp and chilly. This seemed a good day for sewing, so I started work on a cell phone purse for Amanda.  She had chosen a gray pinstripe with a "Car's" theme print and orange solid for accents.  I got all the pieces cut. At 6, I went to Amanda's game without Bill. It was surprisingly pleasant, not as cool as some have been. 

That spaghetti keeps on giving, but this will be the last day.

Friday, April 23

The weather continues to be cool and breezy and not inviting to be outside.  We had a little frost this morning and it is predicted again for tomorrow, so gardening is on hold.  The plants already in the garden are hardy. I have not put out the tender ones yet.  I fear for Nannie's wisteria. 

With another indoor day, I continued working on Amanda's cell phone bag, I got to the point of attaching the strap, but I need to get some grosgrain ribbon for the strap to continue.

Amanda's practice was called off because of rainy weather.  We had a very relaxed evening - dinner and a movie. We've eaten leftovers all week it seems, so I cooked a new dinner from scratch tonight.  I used frozen cod fillets, prepared like chicken Florentine.  The dish turned out to be delicious, served over spinach with 'smashed' new potatoes on the side.

Fish Florentine

Saturday, April 24 - Happy Birthday Evangeline!

Evangeline is five years old today.  We hope to include her by Zoom in our birthday celebration later in the afternoon.

Another cool rainy morning was good for sleeping in and having a leisurely brunch with ham & cheese omelette. We did a little house cleaning to get ready for Laura's 4 pm birthday party.  She is bringing the cake so I don't have much to do.  

The Brock's and Matzek's arrived promptly at 4 and we connected with the Missouri Whitakers to include Evangeline in the celebration.  I was able to project the Zoom session on to the TV which made it fun and inclusive of everybody.  After cake came presents, of course!  This was not a dinner party, so everyone was gone by 6.  I was so busy serving and celebrating that I forgot to take pictures.

We still had to have supper, so we made easy tacos.

Reflection - April 18 - Friendship

“What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!  What a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer!”

Fr. Rohr’s theme for daily meditation this week past was friendship.  We have been taught to focus on our relationship with Jesus as a friendship.  Indeed, a relationship with Jesus brings us the benefits of friendship - companionship, comfort, pleasure, strength, encouragement, hope.  

The only problems with this metaphor is that friendship implies a relationship of mutuality.  In friendship, there is give and take.  We cannot have a friend without being a friend. We understand clearly what we gain in our friendship with Jesus.  What we sometimes fail to consider is what we give.

How can we give something to Jesus, who, in perfection, has no need.  Jesus told us very clearly how we give back to him in our mutual relationship.  In Matthew 25:14-46, Jesus says that familiar line we love to quote, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and give you clothes to wear?  When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you? Then the king will reply to them, ‘I assure you that when you have done it for one of the least of these brothers and sister of mine, you have done it for me.’” (vs 37-40).

Jesus tells us clearly that to be his friend, we must be the friend of the friendless, to the ‘least of these.’   My challenge to myself this week is to find a way to offer friendship to Jesus.

In closing, I offer this Blessing of Friendship from Fr. Rohr.

A Friendship Blessing May you be blessed with good friends. May you learn to be a good friend to yourself. May you be able to journey to that place in your soul where      there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness. May this change you. May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold      in you. May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and      affinity of belonging. May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them and may you be there for them;      may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth,      and light that you need for your journey. May you never be isolated. May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your      anam ċara. (Celtic for soul friend)

The Journey Continues... April 14-17

 Wednesday, April 14

Baking and picture sorting today, along with laundry.  Tomorrow friends Connie, Marilyn and Kathy are coming for lunch.  All of us are vaccinated and ready to resume our monthly lunch and conversation.  In addition to the sourdough, I made focaccia.  I baked the focaccia first, then tried baking two sourdough boules at the same time.  The logistics were a little complicated, but it worked out and cut the total cooking time in half.  Unfortunately, my loaves didn't have much "oven spring." The dough was softer and it spread more than it rose.  Maybe I miscalculated my water/flour ratio. 

Leftover chicken simmered in a bottled Korma sauce and served over rice with fresh asparagus for and easy supper.

Thursday, April 15

Big day! Lunch party at our house!  Bill was so helpful in getting the house ready without me asking for anything.  Kathy, Connie and Marilyn came at noon, each bringing her own sandwich.  I had goat cheese, cheddar cheese, crackers, chips, sliced apple & orange and focaccia - a simple menu.   I didn't even make a home-made dessert as usual, but served 'Edwards' Key Lime Pie.  We enjoyed in-person conversation around the table until almost 3.  I believe everyone enjoyed our time as much as I did.

I used the pink depression glass plates that I bought at the church sale a couple of years ago and have never used.  The pink depression glass glasses that cam from Mammaw and her matching cake plate and serving bowl completed the theme.  Not much silverware was needed, but I used a few pieces of Mozelle's silver.  

Pink depression glass

Amanda had a softball game, so I got her to the field and was back home by 4.  A little while later, Kathy picked me up to go to the funeral home for a visitation with the Thomas family who lost Shirley this week. From there, I went to the softball field.  We lost, but Amanda did her part, getting on base 2 of 3 times at bat. 

More leftovers from the leftovers for supper.  We really stretched that roasted chicken and still have chicken salad for a few lunches.

Friday, April 16

The graveside service for Shirley Thomas started at 11 am.  I ended up going by myself.  There was a good crown, lots of church members and teaching colleagues there.  She was well known and well loved.  

After lunch, I spent time in the garden clearing winter weeds.  I have spent a lot of time doing that and have a lot left to do.  The fence row for pole beans is ready.  The asparagus shot up while I wasn't looking.  I picked more than enough for supper.

Asparagus springing up.  Weedy bed in the background

Sugar snap peas have sprouted

My new fish cookbook arrived this week and I bough some frozen fish at Aldi.  For tonight I made flounder filets stuffed with crabmeat, served with roasted new potatoes and fresh asparagus. I was so eager to dig in that I forgot to take a picture.  Take my word, it was pretty and delicious!

Saturday, April 17

Saturday sleep-in.  We were pretty late getting started on this damp and chilly spring morning.  We had a call from David before lunch. He was calling from the hospital in Cape Girardeau where he had spent the night.  He went with abdominal pain that turned out to be a large kidney stone.  When he called, he was waiting to see the urologist and was expecting to have a surgical procedure before the end of the day.  Later in the afternoon, the stone was removed and he was home before supper time.  We are thankful for a positive outcome.

Throughout the afternoon, Laura kept us posted on Amanda's golf match.  She was playing in a tournament in Middle Tennessee and the family is spending the weekend in Murphreesboro to spend time with Claire.  Amanda got to spend the night in the dorm.  She had a good game, shooting a personal best of 87 for the day. In their absence we have LeRoy for the weekend.

This one is almost cleared

Pork chops, sweet potatoes and green  beans were on tonight's menu.

Journey to Cape Girardeau, Apr 9-13

 Friday, April 9

At 10:50 am we departed in the RV en-route to Cape Girardeau. Bill had an early doc appointment that delayed our leaving.  We haven't seen the Missouri Whitakers in person since September, more than 6 months of hug deprivation. 

We drove our familiar route, I-40 to Nashville, Briley Parkway to I-24 which took us to Paducah. At Paducah we left the interstate and drove through northwestern Kentucky farmland to Wickliffe, KY. Between there and Cairo, IL, we crossed the Ohio River.  As we cross, we see where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers come together.  Today, they are running high from spring rains and snowmelt.  When the waters are calmer and lower, we can actually see a clear color difference between the muddy Mississippi and the Ohio.  

The little town of Cairo, once a great river port and center of commerce, has devolved to a broken collection of old, once-grand buildings, many abandoned.   Over the years we have seen the deterioration and destruction of many buildings. We have toured the old custom house and the public library.  We drive through with sad fascination, like disaster tourists.  For more pictures of the same street in Cairo, 2009 until present, link here.

Cairo Street, 2009

Cairo Street, 2021

Cairo Street Corner showing old streetcar tracks, 2021

Between Cairo and Cape Girardeau where we cross the great Mississippi, we have many views of the river.  

Long barge rounding the bend

Slow-going upstream

Railroad bridge at Thebes

What a joyful reception we got when we pulled into the Whitaker driveway, with lots of good hugs.  We had time before supper to catch up on news and see what was new about the house.  David has converted a basement storage area into a very nice home office for himself and has created a new storage room from part of the large "den" area. There is still a generous sitting area for TV and games and a sleeping area of us.  In the dozen years that they've owned this house, they have made significant improvements.

John has become a little boy since we were together last, but he warmed to us quickly.  Evangeline will soon turn 5. Owen and Allison are growing up fast, too.  They were all excited that the supper menu was tacos!

Saturday, April 10

We were cool but comfortable overnight in our basement room.  As is customary, not long after we had our coffee we heard the patter of little feet coming down the stairs.  I always enjoy the morning cuddle and conversation.  We had my scones for breakfast with some of the ham I had brought.  Before lunch, we had birthday presents for Owen and Evangeline. 

Evangeline with a twirley dress and new doll clothes

Owen anticipating

Owen was excited about the basketball goal

John David in his favorite boots, riding his bike

After lunch we (minus Trisha and John) went on a bicycle quest for Owen's and Evangeline's birthdays.  Academy Sports had no 24" bikes, Walmart had one that was not suitable.  At Target, we found one 24" model and Owen liked it.  Evangeline was not interested in getting a bicycle.

When we got back, David & Bill got busy putting together the Basketball goal.  It was quite a project and definitely not a one-man job.  They worked on it until suppertime.  

In the meantime, Owen helped my label and edit my wildflower pictures while Allison and Evangeline played with their dolls and new doll clothes.  Trisha and I fixed hamburgers and fried for supper.

They don't watch much TV, so we had stories and play time before an early bedtime.  Owen is into robotics and we all enjoyed watching the Boston Dynamics robotic videos.  He has been putting together a small solar robot kit with David's help.  He was also drawing his own robotic designs.

Sunday, April 11

The morning routine of coffee and kids continued. Scones, toast and eggs for breakfast, then David, Allison & Evangeline got away for Sunday School. Trisha and Owen joined them for morning worship. John David stayed home with us. We played outside the whole time that they were gone.  He is independent and resourceful at 27+ months. He loves to swing and climb and push-ride his bike around. He wanders around following and playing with whatever catches his attention. He is easy and fun!

After lunch, kids enjoyed bubbles on the deck and quiet time downstairs while the men watched the Master's Golf tournament.  We all had plenty of outside play time, especially with the new BBall goal.  David wanted to take advantage of free baby sitters to take Trisha out to dinner.  We planned pizza & movie night for grandparents and grandkids.

The Whole Family
Owen, Allison, David, John David, Trisha & Allison

Beautiful Evangeline

The kids have good friends who live across the back fence.  The two dads have even installed a gate between the yards so they don't have to climb the fence.  They came over in the late afternoon and the gang was having so much fun that our pizza got cold! We finally had to shoo them home at 7. After pizza, the chosen movie was "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, 2"  They loved it and we loved that David & Trisha got home just before bedtime.

Monday, April 12

Everyone except David and John slept in this morning.  David was out very early to lead a men's breakfast bible study. He was back before we were up.  David was busy in his office all morning.   We played outside with the kids all morning.   

After lunch, while John napping, we took the three 'big kids' to the park.  First we had to go downtown to the riverfront to throw a few rocks in the river.  It is a tradition and ritual whenever we visit.  Then we went on to their favorite playground.  There were plenty of kids there. Owen met up with a gang he knew and ran with them the whole time.  Allison and Evangeline played together, although Evangeline require of lot of my attention.  We were there for more than an hour and it got pretty warm.  At 3, we decided it was snack time, so they were willing to leave for home.

Bill and I made a grocery run to get some BBG and extras for our baked potato bar for supper. Before supper, Bill and David took Owen's new bike back to Target to have the rear tire fixed.  It wouldn't hold air. Fortunately, it was fixed with a new tube.  Owen was glad to try it out in the yard.  It is almost but not quite too big for him so maybe it will last a few years.

After supper, David decided to cut a limb or two from the big mulberry tree in their back yard. Bill had brought his chainsaw for that purpose.  It turned out to be quite a big/hazardous job.  David climbed up into the tree to make the cuts.  I couldn't watch.  We were very glad when he was back safely on the ground! 

After a busy day, we had no trouble sleeping this night!

Tuesday, April 13

We planned a 9:30 departure.  Bill had requested sausage for breakfast, so I made sausage, eggs and toast for everyone.  We left pretty close to our designated time and retraced our route.  We made a few extras stops for pictures of the river and of Cairo.

A little kickball before leaving

Beautiful Allison

The drive home always feels long and tiring because there is not the anticipation of a new adventure.  Nevertheless, we were glad to be home and back to our familiar creature comforts.  A few days away always give us new appreciation for our home place, humble though it may be.

Crossing the Mississippi River, heading home. 
The river is over its banks here.

Not much is left of Cairo

Crossing the Ohio at Cairo
the confluence of the Mississippi & Ohio,
with the Mississippi River in the distance

We are always thankful for an uneventful trip. Stopped in Kingston to pick up a roasted chicken for an easy supper.

The Journey Continues...April 4 - April 8

Easter Sunday, April 4 - Happy Birthday, Owen!

As I sit down to write it is 6 pm of a busy glorious day.  I realize that I haven't written a word all week - on paper, that is.  Every day, I think throughout the day about what I might have to say about the day.  It is a process of on-going reflection.  But this week I haven't picked up my pen except to write the Saturday reflection which I send to my Sunday School class and a few others.  So before I get to today's writing, I'll go back and reconstruct the week.

---------------------------------------------

It is now 7:30 pm.  I've caught up on last week.  Today will have to wait until tomorrow!

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Back to Easter morning:

I woke up with a joyful heart to what I expected to be a busy daya.  After a cup of coffee, I took the turkey out of the refrigerator to begin warming while I showered. I assembled the dressing and started the green beans and tea. Soon it was time to put the turkey in the oven.  Bill will put the dressing in the oven at 11:30 and check the turkey while I'm at church. With any luck, all will be ready by 12:30.

I dressed in my new Easter dress, complete with matching mask.  Easter service at church was delightful.  Best of all, we got out early!  Our flower cross was more beautiful than ever.

New Easter dress

Trinity at Easter

Flower Cross

Back home, there wasn't a lot of work left to be ready for the feast.  And what a feast it was!  Kathy brought carrot coins, a favorite of Mozelle's, and steamed asparagus with hollandaise sauce.  She also treated us to a bottle of chilled prosecco. Laura brought the family favorite sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows, rolls and a scrumptuous carrot cake.

We toasted Owen's birthday and other birthdays we have missed celebrating.  We shared memories of Jake.  And we ate too much and laughed a lot.

Later in the afternoon, after dished were done and our table back to normal, we enjoyed a birthday Zoom with Owen.  They had been to an Easter egg hunt part after church.  Owen is ten and so grown up!

Back to normal, except neater

Monday, April 5

Quote from this morning's "Disciplines" reading: "One problem with Christian faith is our tendency to over-spiritualize.  We speak of diving things and holy things and things of heaven, but too often we disconnect them from things of the earth.  Jesus taught parables to make the infinite finite. ... Christianity that promises only 'pie in the sky when you die by and by' robs resurrections of its power in the world in which we live." (emphasis mine)

Amanda had 10:30 softball practice since there was no school.  I had 10:30 UMW meeting.  That worked out perfectly.  After we were both done, we went to the lake to feed the ducks.  I didn't get home until 2 and I was hungry.

Amanda and the ducks

I still had time after lunch of leftover turkey to work in the garden. This week's worship video was ready in late afternoon, so I got that posted on our website.  When all was done, Bill and I sat on the deck for a while (until 7) to enjoy a pleasant end to a very good day.

One of our "new" apple trees

Dogwood are popping everywhere, joining the beautiful redbuds

Of course, we had turkey dinner leftovers for supper.

Tuesday, April 6

A sunny morning and a day trip planned. We pulled out at 9:38 am to begin our day to Norris Dam State Park for a wildflower hike.  We will go by way of Oak Ridge, a 40 mile trip, each way.  We took a bit of time located Bill's doctor's office where he has an appointment Friday morning.  At 10:30 we were finally leaving Oak Ridge for Norris Dam.

At 4:45 pm we stopped at the Clinton Food City for gas and beer.  In between, we found Norris Dam and after a brief stop at the Park Office we made our way to the River Bluff trailhead. We had been advised that the lower trail was "about a mile to some benches" where the trail turned up a steep climb to the top of the bluff.  We would turn around there and hike back as we went in.  So at noon, before lunch, we began walking the trail along tailwaters of the Clinch River coming through the dam.  We saw a great variety of spring wildflowers.  The sparse spring vegetation permitted good views of the river all along the way.  We walked and walked and walked, with many stops along the way for picture.  The further we walked, the more wildflowers we found.  We walked and walked, much more than a mile. After almost 2 hours we finally came to the benches.  We were glad for a rest and to have have the snack and water that we had brought along.

Of course, it took us much less time to walk back because I didn't have to stop so often for pictures.  The was almost 3 by the time we got back to the RV. We drove across the dam and through the campground before stopping for our picnic lunch.  Turkey sandwiches, of course.  We drove back through the charming little town of Norris.  We made it home at 6 after a stop in Oak Ridge to pick up fired rice take-out.  

I'll share a few pictures below and more on this link: Norris River Bluff Wildflower Hike.

Red Trillium - Wake Robin

Celandine Poppy

Wednesday, April 7

What did I do to consume the morning? Not laundry, nor cleaning, nor cooking.Yet by the time I ventured to the garden it was already 11:30.  I did spend some time transferring pictures from our hike to the new laptop.

In the garden, my goal was to prepare the row for snow peas and I accomplished that, turning about 8 ft under the bean fence and clearing it of the remains of weeds and roots.  I seeded the peas and planted swiss chard, kale and radishes in front of the double row of peas. I sowed a bit of lettuce, also.  Altogether, I worked no more than an hour.  After, I enjoyed my shady spot watching blue birds on my right going to and from their nest and to my left, tree swallows building a nest in the so-called martin house.

Before

After - This looks like HOPE to me

My restful place

After lunch and quiet time, I started worked on the wildflower pictures.  I only have 72 photos to sort, select, edit and label in order to make a slideshow.

Soon it was time to get Amanda to softball and make a grocery run.  I didn't make much headway with the pictures.  For supper, I made maple-soy glazed salmon with southern fried eggplant and steamed broccoli.

Thursday, April 8

The rain came overnight as promised to nurture my newly planted seeds and it continued off and on all day.  In the morning I made gluten-free blueberry scones to take to Missouri.  They are pretty good despite the gluten-free flour.

Baking and laundry took all morning.   After lunch I finally focused on catching up on my blog post.  I had written the entries, but had not matched the pictures. I got caught up through March 31, with just a short interruption to drive Amanda.  I made a Charleston gravy to go with leftover salmon and served it with left-over grits with steamed spinach on the side.  

After supper, I participated in the Loudon County Democratic Executive Committee Zoom meeting.  In the off-election year, the focus will be on noter registration with our target demographic being young people, single mothers and working families.  I can get on board with that.  We had an interesting discussion about how to bring more diversity to our local party.

Friday, April 9

The Journey continues to Cape Girardeau...

In-Between, A Saturday Reflection

April 3

Saturday - the day in-between - between death and life, between despair and hope, between sorrow and joy. 

Saturday - the Sabbath, the Jewish Holy day.  What were Jesus closest friends , doing?  Luke tells us that the women, after having prepared fragrant spices and fragrant oils on Friday, resting on the Sabbath, in keeping with the commandment. (Luke 23:56).  No mention is made in any gospel of what the men were doing. We imagine them holed up in the “upper room,” confused, fearful, wondering if they would be next.  

Don’t we sometimes  find ourselves in between death and life, in between the end of one thing and the beginning of another.

My brother-in-law died yesterday morning.  He was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, more than four years ago.  He defied the odds by living so long, and relatively well until a few weeks ago.  Anna, and his children and grandchildren are at that in between place, between the shock of death and the figuring out how to live without their beloved in the world. 

The rituals around death are meant to help move us through that in between time. So the women had made their preparations for preparing the body for final burial. Perhaps the men were discussing where they go next. Would they return to their homes and families, take up their previous occupations?

Perhaps they were remembering the long conversations of the week leading to this moment in time. Jesus’s discourse with them during the last supper is recounted in John’s gospel, chapters 13-15.  Perhaps they were speculating about why Jesus had allowed himself to be taken and to be killed. He surely could have avoided it. If he was the Son of God, then why?  

Even on the morning of the first day, when the women came with amazing news, they weren’t sure what to think. I find myself in that place all too often - not sure what to make of this incredible news. But today, as I write, it is still Saturday.  Confusion and sorrow reign. I still cry Why, O God?  

I will leave you with words from Fr. Rohr’s Good Friday message and celebrate with you tomorrow. 

Copied from the Center for Action and Contemplation

The Saving Power of the Cross

Friday, April 2, 2021

Good Friday

Today the primary human problem is both revealed and resolved. It is indeed a “good” Friday. What is revealed is our human inclination to kill others, in any multitude of ways, instead of dying to ourselves—to our own illusions, pretenses, narcissism, and self-defeating behaviors. Jesus dies “for” us not in the sense of “a substitute for us” but “in solidarity with” the suffering of all humanity since the beginning of time! The first is merely a heavenly transaction of sorts; the second is a transformation of our very soul and the trajectory of history. My dear friend James Alison is a brilliant theologian and a primary teacher of the work of René Girard. [1] Here he writes about the true power of the cross:

[Jesus] went to death as a victim. . . .  And the reason that this is important is that it catches us at our worst, as it were. The space of the victim is the kind of place none of us at all ever wants to occupy, and if we find ourselves occupying it, it is kicking and screaming. More to the point, we spend a great deal of time pointing fingers and making sure that other people get to occupy that space, not us.

Now by Jesus going into, and occupying that space [of the victim], deliberately, without any attraction to it, he is not only proving that we needn’t be afraid of death, but also we needn’t be afraid of shame, disgrace, or of the fact that we have treated others to shame and disgrace. It is as if he were saying “Yes, you did this to me, as you do it to each other, and here I am undergoing this, occupying the space of it happening, but I’m doing so without being embittered or resentful. In fact, I was keen to occupy this space so as to try to get across to you that I am not only utterly alive, but that I am utterly loving. There is nothing you can do, no amount of evil that you can do to each other, that will be able to stop my loving you, nothing you can do to separate yourselves from me. The moment you perceive me, just here, on the cross, occupying this space for you and detoxifying it, the moment you perceive that, then you know that I am determined to show you that I love you, and am in your midst as your forgiving victim. This is how I prove my love to you: by taking you at your very lowest and worst point and saying “Yes, you do this to me, but I’m not concerned about that, let’s see whether we can’t learn a new way of being together.” [2]

On the cross, the veil between the Holy and the unholy is torn and the “curtain of his body” becomes a “living opening” (Hebrews 10:20). We all can enter the Holy of Holies, which is the very heart of God. Nothing changed in heaven on Good Friday, but everything potentially changed on earth!

References:
[1] I highly recommend James Alison’s exploration of René Girard’s work, particularly Alison’s four-part study series Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice (DOERS Publishing: 2013).

[2] James Alison, Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice, book 3, The Difference Jesus Makes (DOERS Publishing: 2013), essay 5, part 7 

The Journey Continues... March 28 - April 3

Sunday, March 28 - Palm Sunday

So the journey continues even as the pandemic wanes.  Although in some parts of the country, cases are rising again, despite continued restrictions. The sense of relief after being vaccinated is still palpable.  Combined with the spring weather I feel a lightness of spirit where I didn't realize a weight was living in me.

I have been hoping/planning for a few weeks to go to church for real and in person today.  I enjoyed the experience of live music and of greeting people.  I did that safely with no hugs or handshakes but still it was good to look people in the eye for conversation.  I stationed myself at the side camera and that will be my place, operating that camera. I felt good to be dressed up in a dress, accessories, even pantyhose.  I wore the dress that I made for Easter a couple of years ago.

I spent some of the afternoon catching up on this blog, although I didn't publish last week's work.  Of course, basketball.  A balmy day produced a beautiful sunset.  Clouds are moving up from the gulf, so we'll enjoy a couple of warm days before the rain gets here.

RT Salmon for supper.

Monday, March 29

I took advantage of the warm day to work in the garden for a couple of hours. That's about all I'm good for anymore.  I didn't plant more, just cleared weeds.  I spent some afternoon time working on interview questions for our prospective church employee.

Leftover salmon for supper.

Tuesday, March 30

Garden work today was mowing.  The garden always looks neat after the paths are mowed.  I enjoyed this time outside observing the spring blooms and breathing the sweet air.  I remembered a little haiku (is there another kind) from years ago. This one goes back to March, 2008, before I started this blog. It serves to remind me that nature and nature's beauty exist for its own sake, not for my pleasure. That awareness makes me feel one with the natural world, not set apart from it.

Little violets
among the grass unaware
My admiration!

Redbuds are in full flower

Wisteria is just opening

Little violets

It is beginning to look like a garden, at least on this corner.

Amanda has a softball game away today, but we won't go.  We're ready for a restful evening after a busy day.  However, I had an interview meeting at church at 5 pm.  I used the time between dropping Amanda at school at 3:30 and getting to church to go to the grocery.  Supper was leftover tuna, made into tuna salad. After supper I prepared a levain for bread-making tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 31

Rain as predicted.  I made bread as planned and between steps I worked on hemming several sweat pants for Wayne.  It doesn't sound like much but together the two projects took up all my day until it was time to take Amanda to practice.

On the way home, I detoured by the dam to see the effects of last night's heavy rain.  The spillway gates are full open as they are at many TVA dams, the river is running high and the lake is up as well.  We still have a lot of tun-off to come through this watershed.  Brother Park reminded me in a recent conversation that all our water affects spring floods in Mississippi.  We are part of the Mississippi River watershed.  Some of the waters may be diverted down the Tenn-Tom waterway, but most the the Tennessee River system empties into the Ohio which flows into the Mississippi.  We pass that confluence every time we go to Cape Girardeau.  We are always fascinated to see the mighty waters come together.

A cool rainy day seemed to call for the warm comfort of red beans and rice - New Orleans Camilla red beans cooked with a meaty ham bone and andouille sausage. Served with bread fresh from the oven.

Thursday, April 1 - Maundy Thursday - April Fool's Day

No pranks by anyone, not even many on Facebook.  After the year we've all experienced, playing practical jokes just doesn't seem funny or right.  Life has played enough tricks on us all since this time last year.

This was the first frosty morning we've had in several weeks, but not out of the norm.  Our average frost-free date falls in mid-April and we can have frost into late April.  I finished the sewing projects today.  Amanda had a home game so I was determined to brave the chill and go to the game.  

I had an awkward amount of time between delivering her to the field and game time.  I decided to drive to Ft. Loudon dam to see the water spilling there. Water roaring over all 14 gates produces a powerful, turbulent current for a ways downstream.  I enjoyed watching the osprey, gulls and cormorants soaring and diving over the froth.  Just after 5, I went to church for Maundy Thursday communion and a time of quiet meditation.   My true meditation, though, was watching the water and the birds.

I got to the softball field before the game started.  It was every bit as cold as I thought it might be.  I managed 4 long innings.  Amanda's team lost but it was close.  She got on base with a nice bunt on one of her at-bats.  She is pretty good at making contact with the ball.

Amanda at bat

Leftover red beans & rice made a late supper when I got home.  Bill had wisely decided NOT to suffer the cold.

Friday, April 2 - Good Friday

Laura, Claire and Amanda have a holiday today.  Every day is a holiday for Bill and me.  After consulting with Laura & Kathy, I am choosing to host Easter dinner here on Sunday.  Bill is not 100% on board, but he always pitches in and does his part.  Often he ends up enjoying himself.  While he was on an errand to Knoxville, I mopped the wood floors - a job that I've put off for months.  I have spot cleaned but not done a thorough cleaning.  I also managed some dusting.  Bill and I worked together to clean the dining room windows and he mowed.  All these jobs needed to be done and company is always a good reason to actually get them done. Trouble is, we haven't had company in far too long!  I was tired at the end of the day, but it was a good tired. Easy Friday taco night.

The real news of the day is sad.  Jake, Jasper Keith Smith III, died at about 4 am.  He had heroically battled brain cancer (glioblastoma) for four years.  He was diagnosed soon after our last visit to New Mexico in 2017. 

Jake and Anna's move to Tennessee and purchase of a 60-acre farm in Loudon County in 1974 changed the trajectory of our life.  We moved from New Orleans to Shalom Farm, Lenoir City, Loudon County in the summer of 1974 and here we have been.  Jake was a force of life for his family and all who knew him.  His influence lives on in the lives of all those he touched.  We grieve for Heather, Jeff and Anna.

Jake, Anna and Bill - our last visit to New Mexico, 2017

Jake, Anna, Bill - Manassas, VA, 2019

Saturday, April 3

I woke up early and had some time for readying and reflection.  I am sharing my reflection is a separate post - In-Between.

I spent most of the day cooking.  I enjoyed being able to take my time and to know that I don't have to do everything.  Laura and Kathy will contribute.  After breakfast, I made cornbread and baked the 3 Mary B frozen biscuits I had on hand. Next, I made a dry brine rub for the turkey using a Rachel Ray recipe - brown sugar, kosher salt, sage, rosemary and black pepper.  Rubbing the aromatic home-dried herbs was a pleasing sensory act.  The mixture was rubbed onto the fresh turkey and it will sit in the refrigerator overnight.  Then I chopped onion and celery for the dressing - 2 cups onion and 3 cups celery.  I cleaned and coarse chopped celery tops and carrots to bake with the turkey as additional seasoning. Last, I made a big roux for the gravy.  I divided it to make both vegetarian gravy and turkey broth gravy.  I cooked the cranberries for tomorrow's sauce.  

Bill helped get the widest leaf in the table. I set the table for 8, with white table cloth, china and silver and even fresh flowers.  I am ready!

The late afternoon was just warm enough for Bill to clean up the grill and grill hamburgers for our supper.  Oven-fried sweet potatoes were the accompaniment.