Day Ninety- 3/31/11 Moses Bath Time

Day Ninety: 3/31/11
New Thing: Moses Bath Time        
Inspiration: Moses, Church, Delia      
Cost: $0
Time: About 30 mins.              
Bottom Line: Delia loves giving those Israelites water from the rock.

Delia strikes the rock

Reflection: At church on Sunday, we heard many stories from the scriptures about how God has quenched the thirst of his people throughout all time. One of those stories was Moses being led by God to strike a rock in the desert with his rod to bring forth gushing water for the thirsty Israelites in Exodus 17. In her nursery Sunday School class, Delia studied this story and brought home a little parent's guide from the "Living the Good News" curriculum. One one side, it had an illustration of the story and on the other was a little activity suggestion called, "Moses Bath Time" which I used tonight with Delia during her bath time.

We started by looking at the picture and I asked her to tell me what was happening in it. She answered right away; "That's Moses and there are some people with water." I was pretty thrilled that she knew it was Moses without any prompt at all (props to Ellyn!).  So, I read her the story from Exodus and then told her that she was going to be Moses for the night. She was thrilled. She put on her towel like Moses' rob, placed a washcloth on her face for a beard, used a long handled bath brush as her rod and stood by the edge of the empty tub. I pretended to be the Israelites and yelled for some water. Delia/Moses raised her hand in the air with her staff and cried, "God, we need water!" And God replied, "Strike the rock with your staff!"  Then Delia/Moses hit the faucet and the water gushed forth filling up the tub. She loved it! She kept wanting to rehearse the scene over and over again taking all of the parts. I also taught her the Spiritual, "Go Down Moses" which she also enjoyed. I am looking forward to next week's Sunday School idea. 

Lenten Meditation-  
Prayed for: KAR & DER 

Prayer Walk/Yoga- Light stretches after spin class.

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "My Father's Heart."

Music- Piano.  

Fast-Better today.

Daily Office- NP had another discernment exercise from "Living into the Questions." It was a very helpful little section about identifying our core values and choosing which ones would be the best to hold as an guide throughout the journey.

Day Eight-Nine-3/30/11 Write a Letter to a Childhood Hero

Day Eighty-Nine: 3/30/11
New Thing: Write a Letter to a Childhood Hero.        
Inspiration: Isabel Wilner      
Cost: $0.48
Time: About 20 mins.              
Bottom Line: She was an inspiration to all and will truly be missed.

Reflection: When I was growing up, I was blessed to attend St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Tunkhannock, PA. The congregation had may wonderful people there who all helped me develop a relationship with God and a love of the church. One of the most inspiring member was a woman named Isabel Wilner. As a little girl, she seemed to me to know wisdom from far off places and tales of rich metaphor that could have been told for all time. When Isabel told a story, you knew you were in for a treat. She was also an author and wrote one of my favorite children's books, "B Is for Bethlehem."I still cherish my autographed copy and read it to Delia often.

A little over a month ago, I received an e-mail forwarded by my mother from St. Peter's telling us that Isabel was turning 91 and this was likely to be her last birthday. I kept putting off writing her until today when I sat down and put pen to paper to tell her what an inspiration she was to me and how much my own daughter loves her work. It was with a sincere heart that I thanked her for all that she had done.  I mailed the letter hoping that my belated birthday greetings would still make her smile.

Sadly, when I began looking for her biography online for this post, I found out that she had passed away a few weeks ago. I was crestfallen and disappointed in myself for waiting so long to write to her. Yet, I was very happy to read that she had died peacefully in her sleep and am comforted knowing that she will have eternal rest. She was a light to all who were lucky enough to know her and I feel blessed to be one of them.

As a tribute to her, here is her obituary taken from the Time Leader:

Isabel Wilner died Wednesday at home in Tunkhannock.

Born Feb. 17, 1920, she was the daughter of the late Robert Franklin and Alpharetta Wilner. Isabel spent her childhood in China and in the Philippines, where her father was an Episcopal bishop. In the Philippines, she attended the Brent International School in Baguio. She came to America to attend college and graduated from William Smith College and Carnegie Library School. The job she loved most was at Lida Lee Tall School, the laboratory school for Towson University in Towson, Md., where she was a librarian for more than 30 years. It was there that she formed a poetry troupe to go from class to class to recite poems. For many years, she traveled back and forth from Maryland to Tunkhannock, a place of strong family roots, where she eventually made her home. Isabel was an author and a storyteller. At Towson University, she taught a course on storytelling. An acclaimed author, she wrote four books for children that received rave reviews: "The Poetry Troupe", "The Garden Alphabet", "B is for Bethlehem" and "The Baby's Game Book". She also published assorted poems in various magazines, including the Horn Book, Cricket, the Christian Science Monitor and the Nation. After retiring, she continued to volunteer in schools to bring poetry to children. She also joined writers groups, including the Dietrich Theater's Writers Group.

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: LH 

Prayer Walk/Yoga-Walk with Ellyn in Bethlehem.

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "Where to Go?".

Music- Piano.  

Fast- OK-not awesome-but OK. I did have another "first" at diner time. I tried caramelized goat cheeses which was very unique.

Daily Office- EP with the "Know Chocolate" Lenten Family Group.

Day Eight-Eight- 3/29/11 Origami

Day Eighty-Eight: 3/29/11
New Thing: Origami       
Inspiration: Ali      
Cost: $0
Time: About 10 mins.              
Bottom Line: Who knew folding paper could be this much fun?

The Penguin modeling the Helmet

Reflection: My sister and brother-in-law had the most amazing wedding I have ever been to. To truly glean how visionary and artistic this event was, you need look no further then the very theme itself: It was an "Asian-Blue Grass-Fusion" extravaganza. Now, one might read that theme and cry, "NO! Such a wedding is far to ambitious- it simply cannot be done by mere mortals!" To which I would say, "Perhaps you are right. But you forget one very important thing, my friend; Ali and Doug are no mere mortals." It was beautiful. The whole room looked like an art exhibit of the Ming Dynasty that you could still kick off your shoes and dance in. One of the elements that made it so enchanting were the 1,000 (you read that correctly) origami paper cranes that Ali handmade by herself and hung from the ceiling. Feast your eyes on this:

To make this, she hung wine glasses and paper cranes from an old picture frame.

 

By the way, Doug made that archway. Don't you just hate these two?!

I could not actually wear this into battle.

So, I knew that at some point in this experiment, I would try my hand at some origami since she is she a pro at it. I tried two classic models: "The Penguin" and "The Helmet". I found the helmet to be the easier of the two. Drop down to the bottom to see what happened when we tried to put the helmet on one of the cat. (Spoiler: hilarity ensued)

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: AK, JP, SK-P, LK-P, LM 

Prayer Walk/Yoga-Walk in the sun listening again to the church bells of the Moravian Church in Nazareth.

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "My Mother's Heart".

Music- Piano.  

Fast- OK today.

Daily Office- MP was done in my office today due to a meeting, but the quiet was actually very invigorating and I felt very rooted for the rest of the day.  

Day Eight-Seven- 3/28/11 Listen to a Hip-Hop Lenten Meditation

Day Eighty-Seven: 3/28/11
New Thing: Listen to a Hip-Hop Lenten Meditation       
Inspiration: DJARM 18, Lent      
Cost: $0
Time: About 18 mins.              
Bottom Line: Really made me think about how hard it can be to leave some choices behind.

 

Reflection: As you may remember, I am blessed to have a DJ as a friend. (I know-- it instantly brings up my "cool-factor" by 100 points). Andrew (also know as DJARM 18) has his own blog called "Spins of the Father" where he writes about hip-hop and posts some of his own mixes. A few weeks ago, he posted a new mix called "ARM 18 Minutes of Funk-Lenten Sacrifice." I was instantly intrigued, but wanted to save it for a blog post (although, I must admit I did listen to a few minuets before I realized I wanted to save the rest of it.) I will warn you that this mix is rated NC-17 for language and adult content. But I used it today as part of my Noonday Prayers and was really struck by the way this mix highlights the struggles that we can have in giving up things that truly have holds over us, like addictions. Yet, when those choices are made, they are the ones which can transform a life forever. They can be places of new birth, new growth. I am also very curious about the what happens when the "profane" intersects with the "sacred" and this exercise certainly has feet in both worlds. I think that the season of Lent helps us to look at those places in our life which need to be changed, and gives us the time and space to do it--not over night--but 40 days. As we see in scripture, the number forty is used by God to represent a period change, testing, refining. This mix speaks to the truth of how hard that kind of change really is, and yet how worth it is to take God's lead and enter into that time of regeneration and reconciliation. Thanks, Andrew!

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: DAC & MC 

Prayer Walk/Yoga- Bike ride home from church & a wonderful evening walk with Delia and Ken to the park. There we played tag and watched a kite which was trapped in a tree flying happily in the wind. 

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "Eye-to-Eye".

Music- Piano--I am really hoping I make it to this tonight. I have a feeling my meeting tonight will be a long one.  

Fast- Off to a good start. I am realizing how much more achievable this during the week when things have a predictable flow to them.  

Daily Office- NP included this Lenten Jam. 

Day Eighty-Six- 3/27/11 Learn a Poem by Heart

Day Eighty-Six: 3/27/11
New Thing: Learn a Poem by Heart      
Inspiration: Emily Dickinson, This Book Will Change Your Life         
Cost: $0
Time: About 30 mins.              
Bottom Line: Hope is indeed a thing with feathers. 

   
Reflection: Today, thanks to a recommendation from the book, This Book Will Change Your Life, (thanks again Paige!) I memorized "Hope is a Thing With Feathers" by Emily Dickinson. I have put a video of myself up here as well as a blooper reel and an attempt to recite it on a roller-coaster.

   

Hope is a Thing With Feathers

by Emily Dickinson

Hope is a thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings a tune without words,

And never stops at all,

And sweetest, in the gale, is heard;

And sore must be the storm

That could abash the little bird

That keeps so may warm. 

I've heard it in the chilliest land,

And on the strangest sea;

Yet, never, in extremity,

It ask a crumb of me.

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: MT 

Prayer Walk/Yoga- Bike ride to church

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "Here we go".

Music- Piano- Mostly Bach.    

Fast- Not super moderate today. 

Daily Office- EP was held at the dinner table with Delia (for the first part).  

Day Eight-Five- 3/26/11 Snack Shopping for Delia and a Sweet Sixteen Party

Day Eighty-Five: 3/26/11
New Thing: Snack Shopping for Delia and a Sweet Sixteen Party      
Inspiration: Delia, Anna         
Cost: a little over $20
Time: Several hours             
Bottom Line:Food and fun!

Reflection: Today was a lot of fun! Delia and I went shopping for snacks for her class because it is her turn to bring them in for this week. Although we had a list, it was really fun to go to the store with Delia and ask her what things she would like to get for her classmates. She had a blast finding everything and wondering which of her friends would like certain foods the most.   

We also had the honor of being invited to Anna's Sweet Sixteen birthday party which was a wonderful gathering of friends and family. I honestly think that this may have been the first Sweet Sixteen that I have ever been to! She and her father (DJ-ARM) even made an awesome music mix for us all. Happy Birthday, Anna!!  
 
Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: SH 

Prayer Walk/Yoga- 5k run in the sun

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "Remember When."

Music- Sadly, did not get to this today.    

Fast- Moderation was blown today when Ken came home with pizza and desert. 

Daily Office- EP was held in the chapel with the 5:00 Eucharist. I had a really great conversation about reconciliation with a parishioner afterward.   

Day Eighty-Four- 3/25/11 Sowing Seeds in Celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation

Day Eighty-Four: 3/25/11
New Thing: Prayer Day- Sowing Seeds in Celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation      
Inspiration: The Annunciation, My Garden, Delia, Randall         
Cost: $0 (Thanks to the generosity of Randall)
Time: About an hour             
Bottom Line: "In the bulb, there is a flower..."
 

Reflection: Today is another"new type of prayer day" and I will be spending it in celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation. According to Wikipedia's definition: "The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus Christ the Son of God. Despite being a virgin, Mary would miraculously conceive a child who would be called the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her son Jesus, meaning "YHWH delivers". Most of Christianity observes this event with the Feast of the Annunciation on 25 March, nine full months before Christmas."

By happy coincidence, we are also about 6-8 weeks away from our last frost date (about May 15th-ish) which is the correct time to start certain types of seeds. So, as soon as Delia gets up from her nap (assuming she ever actually falls asleep), we will be starting our seeds (peppers, eggplant, lettuce, morning glories, carrots, and lots more) in the new planters and things that Randal so generously bought for us on our gardening school day. I have a lot of new things I am going to try thanks to the school! To make this more meditative, we will say a prayer for someone or thing in our lives as we plant each seed and ask God to help both the seed and the prayer intention grow. We will even mark them by their plant and prayer so we can help God cultivate these seeds as they grow. Just as God planted the Messiah in Mary, we will be asking God to be planted in us.

A prayer for the Feast of the Annunciation

Pour your grace into our hearts, O Lord, that we who have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ, announced by an angel to the Virgin Mary, may by his cross and passion be brought to the glory of his resurrection; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: AT

Prayer Walk/Yoga-I will be going for a walk with Delia after her nap.   

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "Eye to Eye"

Music- Piano   

Fast- Moderation is going well so far today. 

Daily Office-  NP included reading Delia the story of the the Annunciation and signing "The Angel Gabriel from Heaven Came" which is one of Delia's favorites.  

Day Eight-Three- 3/24/11 Learn a Coin Trick for Houdini's Birthday

Day Eighty-Three: 3/24/11
New Thing: Learn a Coin Trick for Houdini's Birthday      
Inspiration: Houdini, Fr. Howe        
Cost: $0 
Time: A few minutes             
Bottom Line: Fantastic feats of prestidigitation.

Reflection: Today is the 137th anniversary of the birth of Harry Houdini, and to celebrate, I learned how to do a classic act of slight-of-hand called "The French Drop." This is the one that your grandfather always did to pull a coin from behind your ear. Oh, Grandpa--he gets us every time! Where-ever did that come from?! I can now join the Magician's Alliance--so do not expect me to reveal my secret. That one is between me and Grandpa. However, I will have you know that this is not my first magic trick (excuses me; I mean "illusion"). I was taught a card "illusion" called "The Escaping Jacks" by my childhood priest, Fr. Ray Howe who's father was a magician. He taught that trick to my sister and me when we were really young and I still know how to pull this one off. How cool is that? Thanks, Fr. Howe!   

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: BY

Prayer Walk/Yoga-I forgot the walk today! I'll do extra yoga tomorrow.   

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "A Touching Story"

Music- Piano with Delia   

Fast- Moderation continues- although I really wanted some ice cream.

Daily Office-  NP have turned into a very good time for discernment journaling. 

 

And here is a little something from my all time favorite magician- G.O.B.

Day Eighty-Two- 3/23/11 Use a Fountain Pen

Day Eighty-Two: 3/23/11
New Thing: Use a Fountain Pen     
Inspiration: Laura        
Cost: $0 
Time: All Day            
Bottom Line: Everything that I write seems somehow more elegant and refined.

Reflection:  Hard as it may be to believe, I have actually never used a fountain pen. So for today's new thing, Laura let me have one of hers and I will be writing everything with an air of grace and sophistication that I believe comes with using such a tool. It is actually really wonderful, and I love the way the ink lays on the page. However, there is also a lot on my hands. Clearly I am not use as refined as the pen itself.

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: AT

Prayer Walk/Yoga-Will walk around the block town town in the--I can't believe I am writing this--snow.  

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "Endearing Traits"

Music- Violin  

Fast- Moderation achieved yesterday, lets see if that can stay the same today. 

Daily Office-  NP-I will be doing more discernment exercises. EP- Will be done with the "Know Chocolate" family Lenten service. 

Day Eight-One- 3/22/11 Celebrating World Water Day

Day Eighty-One: 3/22/11
New Thing: Celebrating World Water Day       
Inspiration: water        
Cost: $0 
Time: A Few Minuets            
Bottom Line: Just one small way to help conserve this precious resource.

Reflection: Today is World Water Day and to celebrate, I am going to be doing one small thing to help cut back our water consumption. When I go home tonight, I will be putting a plastic bottle filled with water into the cistern to reduce the volume per flush. This can save gallons and gallons of water ever year.

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: The VB family

Prayer Walk/Yoga-Walk around the block down-town. 

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "How was your Day?"

Music- Violin  

Fast- Again, a little better. 

Daily Office-  NP- Gave thanks for the gift of water and prayed for those who have no access to clean water using this prayer: 

Holy God, our Living Water and our merciful Guide, together with the rivers and seas, wells and springs, we bless and magnify you. You led your people by the pillar of cloud and fire through the sea, and provided them water from the rock. We thank you for the gift of water. The Holy Spirit moved over water in the beginning of creation. In water, your Son Jesus received the gift of baptism and was anointed by the Holy Spirit to lead us into the way of everlasting life through his life, death, and resurrection. Gracious God, you have called us into a community of faith. We are called to life by you and to sustain life with you, the source of life and creator of every being. We pray for those who struggle every day for their daily supply of water: in the slums of Brazilian cities, in the deserts of Africa, in the townships where clean water does not flow. We pray for those who experience floods and for others in desperate need of water. We pray that those who are fortunate to have an abundance of water do not take your gift for granted, or fail to heed and understand the cries of people who need water for life. Amen

Used by permission of the Lutheran World Federation.

Day Eighty- 3/21/11 Cleaning Out My Closet

Day Eighty: 3/21/11
New Thing: Cleaning Out My Closet       
Inspiration: Spring Cleaning        
Cost: $0 
Time: A Few Hours            
Bottom Line: Much Better.

Reflection-  OK- So, this is not the first time I have done this, but it certainly is the first time it has happened this year and it really needed it. I am happily making a large donation tomorrow and am able to move my hangers around again.

Lenten Meditation-

Prayed for: RH

Prayer Walk/Yoga-Yoga with Delia again. Even better than last time.

Journal Topic with Ken-World's Best Person Award

Music- Piano  

Fast- Again, a little better. 

Daily Office-  EP with my confirmation class. 

Day Seventy-Nine-3/20/11 Sing New Hymn at Church

Day Seventy-Nine: 3/20/11
New Thing: Sing New Hymn at Church      
Inspiration: Full Communion, Lent, Wren        
Cost: $0 
Time: A Few Minuets           
Bottom Line: Wonderful!

Reflection: Today we had the Trinity debut of one of the hymns that Brian Wren wrote in Celebration of Full Communion.  You may remember that I wrote about this here. It was transformed by hearing the congregation sing this lovely hymn and Mo. Laura preached an inspiring sermon on the lyrics. 


Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: SB & KB

Prayer Walk/Yoga-Yoga with Delia. This was very sweet.

Journal Topic with Ken-Mix Tape

Music- Sang alot in church. 

Fast- A little better.

Daily Office-  EP with Delia.

Day Seventy-Eight- 3/19/11 MOMA & Street Crepes

Day Seventy-Eight: 3/19/11
New Thing: MOMA & Street Crepes       
Inspiration: Kara & NYC        
Cost: about $5 
Time: Several Hours          
Bottom Line: A little culture to end the trip.

Reflection: After sleeping in late, Kara took me over to the Museum of Modern Art which I had never been to. It was awe inspiring to see so many fine pieces of art that I had only ever seen in books. They are so much more alive than a book could ever translate. Thanks to Kara and her membership, I was able to appreciate all of this culture for only $5! I was very moved.

Before I hit the bus, we had a savory crepe from a street vendor--my first ever street food. I had such a great time. Thank you so much Kara!

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: DFD

Prayer Walk/Yoga- Yoga at Kara's & Walking all over NYC

Journal Topic with Ken-Still on hiatus

Music- Did not have access to my instruments

Fast- Moderation still not achieved, but better today. 

Daily Office- EP with Delia

Day Seventy-Seven- 3/18/11 NYC Extravaganza!

Day Seventy-Seven: 3/18/11
New Thing: NYC Extravaganza!          
Inspiration: Kara, NYC       
Cost: $??? 

Time: All day.          
Bottom Line: NYC is for ME! 

The sign and my attitude tell you it's Brooklyn.

Reflection:  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE WORLD'S BEST LITTLE SISTER, ALI!! After my last post, I kissed my darling family goodbye and hoped a bus to NYC to visit one of my best friends, Kara, who is now a New York native. I have to say that I was incredibly excited about visiting her for two reasons: (1.) I really miss her and needed a good dose of Kara time. (2.) I knew that she would be the perfect person to help me have a city adventure because she has a balance between an amazing working knowledge of the city and an understanding of the spirit of this project. So, I think that the best way to document this trip is to simple make a list:

And she takes great pictures.

1. Took the subway across the Manhattan Bridge to Kara's to see the amazing view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Stature of Liberty with the sun setting in the background. Wow! 
2. Had my first truly vegan meal on Thursday night with Angelia (our mutual friend from college) at Kara's favorite restaurant "Wild Ginger." I had pumpkin and yam fritters as an appetizer and some kind of delicious protein stew as a main course. Delicious! 
3. We started our Friday by walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was the perfect way to start the most beautiful weather day of the year. 
4. Headed over to China town for a little eating challenge. "Kara," I said while I was still young and naive. "Kara, let's find the weirdest thing that we can find that is edible and I'll eat that." Stupid, stupid, Hillary. I should have realized that in Chinatown, all bets are off. At first we had a hard time trying to find something that wasn't a full meal (like a duck with all of its parts still in-tact), but then we found a little innocent-looking candy shop. In the back, they had an entire section of jerky that kept getting more and more bizarre as we walked down the line. Finally, we knew that we had found our mark when Kara almost got sick. The "food" of choice? Spiced, Dried, Cuttie Fish. It. Was. Awful. I have never had anything so terrible in my life. The texture was all wrong--crunchy when it should have been soft; gelatinous when it should have been firm. And the taste not only lingered, but increased in potency as the moments wore on. We had to run across the street where I had my first ever mango smoothie to help rid myself of the taste.  I also got my little sis a birthday present!
5. Headed over to Union Square and sang some hymns in front of people. This is way harder then it looks. Also, I am not sure that they were hymn people. The skateboarders seemed to hold more of the crowd's attention. 
6. We picked up some awesome vegan sandwiches to have a picnic at Strawberry Fields (which I had never been to). As we were there, we saw a couple getting married on the "Imagine" dial! 
7. From there we took a walk in Central Park and rented a row boat that we took out onto the lake for an hour. (Both firsts--this may have been my favorite thing that we did the whole time).  
8. Went to Annie's Groceries to watch our college friend Vince's band play (they were great).
9. Had noodles with Lindsay at mid-night!!
10. Sang Karaoke for the first time (Madonna's "Material Girl") and witness the best karaoke-ers ever when Kara and Lindsay took the stage. Wow. They know how to turn this into an art-form. 
11. When home very, very late. 

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: AWW (The Birthday Girl!)

Prayer Walk/Yoga- I walked all over the city including the Brooklyn Bridge.

Journal Topic with Ken- I have to say this area did not happen during the trip. 

Music- Sang in Union Station Square and at Karaoke, but you could not really call it meditative.  

Fast-Blew it-not so much in what I ate (since I was eating all vegan) but more in how much of it I ate. Also, I did try a canolli at my first ever trip to an authentic Italian bakery. So, yeah...blew it. By it was really good. 

Daily Office- Noon Day Prayers were done while watching a couple get married at Strawberry Fields.   

Day Seventy-Six- 3/17/11- Celebrating St. Patrick with a Pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick

Day Seventy-Six: 3/17/11
New Thing: Celebrating St. Patrick with a Pilgrimage up Croagh Patrick         
Inspiration: St. Patrick, Dad       
Cost: $0

Time: A little over a half an hour         
Bottom Line: I felt like I had had a meditative labyrinth prayer walk. Erin Go Bragh!!

Reflections: I LOVE St. Patrick's Day! It has always is a big deal in my Irish family. Every year, my father would wake us up at like 5 in the morning with Irish music and then insist that we would watch "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" (staring a very young Sean Connery). My mother would make sure that we wear green as well as a little Irish pin which we kept in our extra special junk draw (you know the draw that is not for every day junk, but special—normally holiday—junk) and she would make corn-beef and cabbage and go to the bakery (a treat in it's own right) to get the traditional soda bread. If she happened to be dropping us off at school that day, she would always roll down the window and yell, "Erin Go Bra-less" at the top of her lungs in front of our friends. Classic. Last, but not least, my little sister Ali was almost an St. Patty’s day baby being born in the wee hours of March 18^th. So we would always make sure that any of her birthday festivities were green themed. I also come from an area which is VERY pro-St. Patrick’s day. In fact Scranton has the second largest St. Patty’s day parade in America! But mostly, I love St. Patrick and his legends and Trinintarian theology, I love Ireland and her people, and I love Celtic spirituality. So, today I am happily wearing my favorite green skirt and all of the Celtic jewelry I can without looking like tacky.  

St. Patrick holding a clover with Croagh Patrick in the background.

 

Today's new thing was recommended me to by my father. I asked him of all the cool things that I could do to honor this Saint, what would he recommend, and he told me to try the stations of meditations that pilgrims who are climbing Croagh Patrick use. Saint Patrick reputedly fasted on the summit of Croagh Patrick for forty days and built a church there. Legend has it that at the end of Patrick's 40-day fast, he threw a silver bell down the side of the mountain, knocking the she-demon Corra from the sky and banishing all the snakes from Ireland. Here is a good description of the pilgrimage from this site:

Mt. Croagh Patrick is the most important Catholic pilgrimage destination in Ireland. Nearly one million visitors, most of them pilgrims, climb to the top every year. For most Catholics who visit Mt. Croagh Patrick, especially on Reek Sunday, the pilgrimage to the top of the sacred mountain is an act of penance. Accordingly, some uptake the journey barefoot or even on their knees. The summit has a small chapel where Mass is held each day. There are three pilgrimage stations on the way to the summit of Croagh Patrick, each of which has a sign with instructions for the proper rituals and prayers. The stations are as follows:

 

First Station (Leacht Benáin): Base of the Mountain

1. Walk 7 times around the mound of stones while saying: 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Marys, 1 Creed

Second Station: The Summit

1. Kneel and say: 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Marys, 1 Creed
2. Pray near the chapel for the Pope's intentions.
3. Walk 15 times around the chapel while saying: 15 Our Fathers, 15 Hail Marys
4. Walk 7 times around Leaba Phádraig (Patrick's Bed) saying: 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Marys, 1 Creed

Third Station: Roilig Mhuire

1. Walk 7 times around each mound of stones saying: 7 Our Fathers, 7 Hail Marys, 1 Creed
2. Walk 7 times around the whole enclosure of Roilig Mhuire praying. 

Obviously, I could not make it to Ireland today, so I made my processions around the altar of our chapel using Anglican prayer beads since they have beads in seven sets rather then the decades of the Catholic style Rosaries. I also took off my shoes to be barefooted like some of the pilgrims. At the summit I prayed for my father and for Japan, and my 7 walking prayers at the end were for Dad, Japan, St. Patrick, Ken, Delia, myself, and the final one was in silence. It was very meditative and I felt like I was in a labyrinth.I was also aware how rarely I have ever said a "Hail Mary" during my prayers. I grew up in a more Protestant Episcopal Church than an Anglo-Catholic one and Marian prayers were almost never used. The argument there being that we can take our prayer directly to God without an intermediary. While that is true, praying these "Hail Mary's" really reminded me how wonderful it is to have others pray for you and how asking others for prayer and help is a healthy thing. By the end of this half hour, I was surprisingly hungry as though I had been on a physical pilgrimage as well as a spiritual one. Climbing Croagh Patrick is now on my bucket list!

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: DTD (of course!)

Prayer Walk/Yoga- I am planning on doing a lot of walking in NYC!

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "How did we Get Here?"

Music-30 mins. with the piano- hopefully with Delia.

Fast- Moderation continues. Again, I am trying to be very mindful about not mindless overeating, and this will be tested I am sure by going to NYC.

Daily Office- I have not been listing the Office because I just kind of take it as a given that you pray this fully during Lent. However, there have been moments that are celebrations of living in the moment that I just feel need to be captured here. For example, I said Evening Prayer with Delia the other day with her on my lap the whole time. It was very sweet. Today, MP was done with this Croagh Patrick meditation and I am planning no doing Noonday prayers with Delia and doing EP on the bus to NY.  

 

Day Seventy-Five- 3/16/11 Make a Homemade Healthy Shamrock Shake

Day Seventy-Five: 3/16/11
New Thing: Making a Homemade Healthy Shamrock Shake        
Inspiration: The Shamrock Shake, St. Patrick, Krista and Matt       
Cost: about $3? 
Time: A few minuets         
Bottom Line: It is not exactly a shamrock shake, but it was still minty fresh.

Reflection: If you would ask me if I eat fast food I would tell you that I have only had salads at those places since I was in high school and that it is toxin--delicious, tasty, toxin. (ok- maybe a fry when ever I can sneak one from Ken.) HOWEVER, there is one very notable exception to this rule. Once every year, after somehow managing to slog through the 11 other non-notable shake months (they are only available to us mortals in March), humanity gets blessed with the wonderful concoction knows only as the McDonald Shamrock Shake. Never has there been a treat so green, so refreshingly minty, so upright and just as the Shamrock Shake. Legend has it that St. Patrick himself use this very nectar of the gods to lure the snakes out of Ireland. In my youth, I would have at least one a week during March, lest I let the holy season pass me by. In college, my RA's and I used to have our staff meetings gathered around a round of the shakes since we all shared a mutual joy and affection for the comforts found only in those wax covered fast-food cups. March indeed brought green bliss.

And then--disaster. One year, I foolishly read the nutritional information about the shake and just could not enjoy it as much knowing that it had something like 600 calories and tons of sugar. Especially since these come around in Lent and are the exact antithesis of a fast. Life somehow sparkled a little less brightly after that.

Yet, like a phoenix rising from the flames, there may still be hope for lovers of this drink! My friend from college, Krista, who also loves these (I think we used her freezer once to by two at the same time and save one for the next day without making another trip) had a recipe for a healthy version of these created by her husband. So, today I tried it out and had it as a recovery drink after my workout, sharing it Ken and Delia. I used non-fat yogurt, skim-milk, ice, a little bit of powdered protein, green food coloring, and mint-extract. It was a little to minty, and was not really a Shamrock Shake in truth. But it was pretty yummy.

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: SL-M, ML-G, DCM (my Godson)

Prayer Walk/Yoga- Today after my weight training, I felt like I needed more stretching. So, I lived in the moment and did some extra yoga. I also plan to walk around the historic section of Bethlehem. 

Journal Topic with Ken- An exercise called, "The Peas"

Music-30 mins. with the violin--this week I am dedicating the music to Irish music- All jigs and reels!

Fast- Moderation continue, however, I am finding that it is not really the moderate eating I mind, but it is the portion control that will often go unnoticed unless I engage in non-mindless eating. 

Day Seventy-Four- 3/15/11 Beware the Ides of March!

Day Seventy-Four: 3/15/11
New Thing: Being Wareful of the Ides, I will follow my horoscope to the letter.        
Inspiration: Cesar, The soothsayer, the Ides       
Cost: $0 
Time: All day.        
Bottom Line: "Well, the Ides have come!" said Cesar. "Ay, they have come, but they are not gone." replied the soothsayer. 

Just so you know.

Reflection: Today is indeed the Ides of March--that faithful day when Cesar was stabbed to death in the Roman Senate. Here is Wikipedia's description of the day:

The Ides of March (Latin: Idus Martii) is the name of 15 March in the Roman calendar, probably referring to the day of the full moon. The term ides was used for the 15th day of the months of March, May, July, and October, and the 13th day of the other months...In modern times, the term Ides of March is best known as the date that Julius Caesar was killed in 44 B.C. Julius Caesar was stabbed (23 times) to death in the Roman Senate led by Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus and 60 other conspirators. On his way to the Theatre of Pompey (where he would be assassinated), Caesar saw a seer who had foretold that harm would come to him not later than the Ides of March. Caesar joked, "Well, the Ides of March have come", to which the seer replied "Ay, they have come, but they are not gone." This meeting is famously dramatized in William Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, when Caesar is warned to "beware the Ides of March"

Originally, I thought that wearing a toga all day might be the best way to honor the Ides, but instead, I decided that I might should listen to a little soothsaying instead. Call it an attempt to avoid Caesars' folly. Now, I have never been a believer in astrology, so taking the advice of a horoscope is completely new to me. Here is what astrology.com advises me to do today: 

"Tune in to the big picture today — you really need to focus on long-term strategy and planning. Today’s little details are harmless and shouldn’t have much of an impact on your life."

"You really need to focus on long-term strategy and planning..."? Tell me something I don't know, oh soothsayer web-site! OK- so, I will take this advice and spend some extra time today in prayer for discerment as well as fill out some vocational materials I have. Hopeful that will keep people from trying to get me today.

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: KR & ACR (I created a water color double mandala today for these two in celebration of good things in their life.)

Prayer Walk/Yoga- I plan to walk around the historic section of Bethlehem to the bank. 

Journal with Ken- An exercise called, "If they only knew..."

Music-30 mins. with the piano--this week I am dedicating the music to Irish music especially trying to learn St. Patrick's Breastplate. 

Fast- Moderation continues.

Day Seventy-Three- 3/14/11 Listen to Pi on Pi Day

Day Seventy-Three: 3/14/11
New Thing: Listen to Pi on Pi Day      
Inspiration: Pi Day and Ken      
Cost: $0 
Time: About 3 minuets.       
Bottom Line: Cool--but in a dorky way.

Reflection: Today is Pi Day--the day commemorating the mathematical constant π (pi). Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 (or 3/14 in month/day date format), since 3, 1 and 4 are the three most significant digits of π in the decimal form. I was at a loss at how to commemorate this day since I am trying to stay away from sweets for Lent and making a pie is one of the best ways to celebrate this holiday. However, Ken heard an interesting interview on NPR about a person putting pi into musical format by assigning notes to different numbers and suggested it to me for today. Perfect!

Larry Shaw, the founder of Pi Day. The so called "Prince of Pi." Seriously, is this not exactly what you might have imagined the founder of "Pi Day" would look like?

This web-site takes it even a step further and lets you decided which key to build your pi scale, or lets you assign random notes to numbers. I found that the random notes actually sounds the most melodic. Give it a try!

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: DL (I am really liking the drawing meditation for each person. It helps me focus and gives me something tangible to send the ones I love).

Prayer Walk/Yoga- I plan to walk around the historic section of Bethlehem. 

Journal with Ken- Fill in Blanks

Music-30 mins. with the piano--today I am trying out hymns. 

Fast- Moderation continues. Fortunately, the devious animal crackers are gone which should make it easier. Unfortunately, they are gone becuase I helped to eat them :(

Day Seventy-Two- 3/13/11 Played a Board Game with Baby D for the First Time

Day Seventy-Two: 3/13/11
New Thing: Played a Board Game with Delia for the First Time      
Inspiration: Delia and Ken      
Cost: $0 (Thanks to Connie) 
Time: About 30 minuets.       
Bottom Line: I don't like the princess--but playing board games with Delia is really fun.

The Princess dressed as their villains. Somehow appropriate.

Reflection: Despite being a tom-boy growing up, and despite knowing that Disney is perhaps the most diabolical company in the world (after all, they have found a way to package wonder, whimsy, and magic and then charge a fortune for that which is rightfully the property of childhood)--despite all this, Delia has come to love the Disney princesses. She knew all their names LONG before we ever let her see any of the movies. She really enjoys their stories and uses them in a lot of her imaginary play. So, I guess they are here to stay--with-in limits.

Because of this fondness of Delia's, she was naturally very excited about her first board game given to her yesterday by her Nana: "Disney Princess Enchantment Board-game". We set it up and taught her the rules and then we all gather around the board for her first game. It might not surprise you to know that she won the first round without any problems. It was really great to see her play this like a big-girl. She really got into and was laughing the whole time. Despite the princess, we really did have a wonderful, whimsical and, dare I say it, magical time. 

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for: AK & CK & Chanted the Great Litany

Prayer Walk/Yoga- Biked to work and took a few minutes to just enjoy the outdoors. 

Journal with Ken- Mysteries

Music-30 mins. with the piano. 

Day Seventy-One- 3/12/11 Attend the Penn State Berks' 16th Annual Home Gardener's School

Day Seventy-One: 3/12/11
New Thing: Attend the Penn State Berks' 16th Annual Home Gardeners' School      
Inspiration: Randall, Connie, a Love of Gardening      
Cost: $0 (Thanks to my very generous in-laws) 
Time: About 8 hours.       
Bottom Line: My backyard = all possibility.

Reflection: As some of you may know, I grew up in a very pretty little town in rural PA--true farm country. Right outside the treeline that surrounded my backyard grew the corn and wheat fields of my farming neighbor, as well as the adjoining farms of his sons. For years, they also raised cows, chickens, and other livestock. My sister and I and our best friends (the granddaughters of said farmer) would spend hours out in those fields and woods planning forts, trails, and exploring. On top of all that agriculture on the borders of our property, my parents had a spectacular garden in our own yard. We raised vegetables, fruit (including several fruiting trees), flowers, and even honey. (We kept bees and my Dad called the honey we harvested "Hilly Honey".) Thanks to this upbringing, I am a true believe in home farming and gardening. When we moved into our house a few years ago, I put in two gardens which I have been loving! However, there is still a lot about gardening that I don't yet know.

Thankfully, I have wonderful in-laws who are also gardeners. In fact, they have what looks like a small plantation in their backyard! Since he knows how much I share his passion for gardening, Randall, my father-in-law who is a teacher at Penn State Berks, signed me up for their 16th Annual Home Gardener's School.

This was such a great day! There were hundreds of people there--several of them master gardeners. The Keynote Address was given by Bill Cullina, Director of Horticulture and Plant Curator for the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The catchy title was: "Sugar, Sex & Poison: Shocking Plant Secrets Caught on Camera". Through his wonderful pictures and his vast knowledge of plants, he taught us how the world of pollen, poisons, pigments, pheromones, sugars and sex in plants translates to sound organic practices we all can benefit from. It is fascinating to see the way plants use the simple proteins that they produce.

After the Keynote, I attended equally interesting and helpful classes including: "Understanding Perennials: A User's Guide", "Seed Starting", "Beginner Vegetables", and "Edible Landscapes". It was not easy choosing which classes to attend since there were over 15 to chose from, but I walked away with wonderful ideas and such an appreciation for the science behind gardening. And I had a lovely box-lunch, which I always like!

Randall and I had such a great time that we immediately mad a trip to the garden center to pick up a few things. ;)

Lenten Meditation- 

Prayed for LL the birthday girl!

Prayer Walk- All over the Penn State Berk's campus and had prayers in the sun.

Journal with Ken- Favorite Memories

Music-30 mins. with the piano.