No monkeying around . . . it's NaNoWriMo

Is it possible to write a novel in a month? We’ll see. Although in 2009, I signed up for the National Novel Writing Month challenge to write a novel during (and only during) the month of November, I did not, in fact write a novel in November 2009. I had this little thing going on: moving to a new town, new job, new house to purchase and a second pregnancy. But those are just excuses for the faint of heart, I believe.

The question is, can it be done while caring a toddler and infant, holding down a part-time job while looking for an additional job and trying to get a handle on the Advent/Christmas season (in my line of work, it’s the busiest time of year).

However, I AM going to try. I am . . . really. I have no idea what I’m going to write about (you aren’t supposed to show up on November 1st with anything written down), but it should prove interesting.

The Tunnel

Tell me what are priorities in your life: family, health, God, morals, education, freedom. Then let me see what makes you upset. We’ll see if what you say is important, really is. We all know the “right answers” (see also, “Sunday School answer” as in “Jesus”). However, many of us fail to really know the “right answers.” I don’t remember a lot from my high school German class (enough to politely introduce myself and many order French Fries, while singing Christmas songs), however, I do recall an important difference in the German understanding of the verb “to know.”  In German, two words exist to convey the concept of “knowing.” The first expressing knowledge of a thing or object–a sort of academic knowledge: “I know that 2 + 2 = 4.” This is wissen. Beyond the mental knowledge we have, we can also know someone, “I know my friend Carol.” How many of us wissen Christianity, but don’t kennen God? And what does that do to our ability (or lack) to be pleased with life?

At times, in the life of the church, I can simply shake my head and wonder to myself, Is this really what we’re upset about, really? I hear the rumblings, see the dramatic explanations, and think, this is what we are upset about when there are people dying, children starving, hatred is being shouted, love is being denied . . .

Can we take a moment be still and put on a perspective besides our own? Don’t be scared, you won’t stop being a Christian. You won’t find yourself trapped in some tolerant-drench, New Age pyscho-babble. Actually, you might see Jesus.

And everyone might be happy . . .  

Throughout the rest of our dinner, whenever that poor waitress walked by, Nico was quick to point out the obvious (and most likely what she wanted to forget): “mulk.” It didn’t fail. She walked by, he piped up, “mulk.”

I felt bad for her–who wants to be reminded of messing up, even if it’s an accident?

I have to admit, though, it got to be pretty funny (snicker). Nico was so insistent that someone notice the tragedy of it all–the perfectly good “mulk” on the floor!

So you could imagine the trauma we can experience if we don’t have milk available for dinner. Despite having just returned from the local grocery store (we live about a block away), DH promptly returned–we were out of milk. While Nico and I puttered around the kitchen I let him know, “Daddy went to buy you milk.” Throughout our playtime he’d stop and say, “Daddy . . . mulk.” Needless to say, we were a little excited when we heard daddy coming home. I looked at Nico with a bright surprised expression on my face, “Do you hear that?”  Then we hear the door start to open . . . more bright expressions on our faces as I ask, “Who is that?”

“MULK!”

Leave it to Nico to keep his priorities straight.

photo credit: stock.xchng–Ale Paive

What do you know, my cruising stopped at the Facebook page of said friend, and sure enough–that was him in the picture! Odd the connections our lives can make.

His Facebook page, however, got me to thinking about more than simply connecting the dots between the 6 degrees of separation. I noticed how often he posts a new status that has to do with his job–a lot! He’s in the business of fixing things, restoring them to former beauty, or creating something from scratch. Funny thing is, he didn’t go to school for that. Rather, he studied theology and ministry practices. I can’t help but think that his current job is much more fitting. Not that he would not make a good minister, but that somehow, you can see the peace, joy and satisfaction his work gives him. It’s like he was born to do what he is doing.

The other thing I noticed was how often he takes time from his busy work to spend in nature. It seems there are a lot of camping trips, canoe trips, moments spent in a park reading. Of course, he’s located in a beautiful part of the country, which makes it seem easier to do than for others. And although he’s married, they have no children yet (and now I know just how much that changes the rules of the game of life!).

Still, this peek into his life–the pride and pleasure he takes in his work and the time that he takes to relax and enjoy his friends and family–made me a bit, envious I suppose. Truly a bit sad that I don’t feel that way about my current life. It didn’t start out that way. I loved editing and working with words. Ministry and theology are truly a passion of mind. Somewhere, however, it has become getting through the days. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve got too much on my plate–too many responsibilities and too many concerns. But I don’t know how to set down all those course without disrupting the meal for others.

It’s the ideal to be passionately at peace with what you do day in and day out? Doesn’t God ask us to take time to slow down and reflect, rest, revive?

It gets me thinking about my need to have everything in its place, when really my little life seems to be disorganized most of the time. I realize some of this is simply being a strong “J” personality type (check out Myers-Briggs personality test–I’m an INFJ), and I am and will continue to learn to relax that some. But disorder seems to reign  . . . perhaps chaos can be calmed.

photo credit: stock.xchng.com “helenej”

The next morning, after the first screening, N woke up saying, “Mornin’! Duck . . . funny. . . pig.” Needless to say we’ve seen Babe multiple times–or at least parts of the movie multiple times.

I’m glad that it’s mostly a animal cast. (N yells out “baaa” when the sheep are in an uproar). It’s not animated–it’s live-action. And it has a wonderful story–of a precious heart. I’ve even used the scene where Farmer Hogget sings to Babe in order to comfort him as an illustration for a sermon (see Isaiah 50:4–The Lord gave me the tongue of a teacher to speak words of comfort to sustain the weary.).

It could be worse, I tell DH. It could be a movie with a big purple dinosaur in it.

Libby's famous pumpkin pie

I didn’t intend to make a pumpkin pie yesterday evening when I opened up the can of pumpkin puree. I had plans for a yummy loaf of pumpkin bread–harmless enough. After I opened the can, however, I discovered my grocery store blunder: I bought the can of pumpkin ready for pumpkin pie (you know, it’s got everything in it but the eggs and evaporated milk). I don’t prefer to make my pumpkin pie this way. I’m a bit of a purist: pumpkin, spices, eggs, evaporated milk–all measured by my own hand. Of course, I’m not so much of a purist that I cook my own pumpkin–please. Although, I am a pumpkin snob. (Yes, another confession). Many items I purchase are store-brand. Canned pumpkin is not one of them. It has to be Libby’s. It’s just not pumpkin pie without Libby’s. Also, pumpkin pie should homemade, not store bought (another pumpkin pie snob characteristic). I am not, however, so much of a snob that I make my own pie crust. Never. I’m almost as resolute about this as those who swear by handmade pie crust. Oh, well. I suppose I’ll live (and spend less time trying to make pie crusts).

 All of this started because my co-worker and I want to have a tea party at work. with real teapots. She will make scones. I want to make lemon curd and fresh whipping cream. I also discovered a pumpkin bread recipe that has a layer of cream cheese-goodness in the bread. So I bought canned pumpkin. Apparently the pie-ready version. And I had an extra pie crust (thanks Pillsbury), from my peach tart/apple tart phase. And I had the ignorance of mind to think that I could make some bread last night . . . perhaps I could have. But really, pie-ready? an extra crust? Who am I kidding–bring on the pumpkin pie!

 Now, I will note that DH was happy to heard about the bread-pie blunder. But I had to break the news to him: no whipped cream for the pie (can you really, truly eat pumpkin pie without it? I think not!). The dear stopped at the store on the way home from a long meeting, bringing home a Stewart’s Diet Root Beer and lite whipped cream. YUM!

 (Oh, I just found a delightful recipe: Pumpkin bread pudding–YUM!) Visit the Libby’s website for more recipe goodness.

See why I’m ready for fall–I need the contemplative ambiance of crisp air, amber sunshine, pumpkin pie (!), and beautiful leaves.

Seriously, in a world of uncertainty, it’s nice to see signs of change that indicate certainty–the circular rhythms of life (particularly in the county) reveal the changes of uncertainty in a sure fashion.

Take time to remembertoday, all of those who suffer at the hands of oppressors, tyrants, and violent people.

Take this moment to remember those whose life is cut short by violence, poverty, abuse, neglect.

Take this moment to remember and revive grace in your community.

September 11, 2001