Day 242: 8/31/11-Break My Fast with Scripture Cake

Day 242: 8/31/11
New Thing: Break My Fast with Scripture Cake   

Inspiration: Eid ul-Fitr    
Cost: $5ish
Time: About 2 hours                                       
Bottom Line: Yeah for cake and ice cream!

Reflection: Today is the last day of my fast! As you may remember, I originally intended to fast from Aug. 2-Aug. 22 but decided to go through the entire month of Ramadan instead. I had abstained from all foods from 7am-7pm for the first week and then went on a "Daniel Style" fast (no breads, no meats, no sugar and very limited dairy) for the following weeks. Well, today at sunset, I broke my fast as you normally would on the evening of Eid ul-Fitr (the official end of Ramadan).

I stared by having some chicken on my salad (Oh, how I have missed chicken!) and then followed it up with ice cream and Scripture Cake. I thought it would be especially fitting to dine on cake that was filled with the Word of God since that was the only thing I feasted on during the fast (well, that and almonds). This was the first time making a scripture cake for me and it was pretty fun. I will include the recipes at the end of the post. 

I am so glad that I did this fast! I absolutely recommend it for anyone who is looking to go deeper in their spiritual life as well as cleansing the body. Even when I had cravings for certain things, I was never sorry that I was doing it. Here are some of my impressions:

•  My prayer life took on a whole new dimension. It felt like when you are able to stretch a little further in a yoga pose- I just felt more exhilarated by prayer and craved it more.I established some new daily prayer routines.
• I spent more time praying and thinking about other people. In fact, I really felt that part of the fast was dedicated to lifting up those I prayed for in a more intentional way.
• We also started a new family prayer routine which was has already become a beloved time of the day and tradition for us.
• I have more energy and fell better physically. 
• I made greater strides in my exercising and yoga practices. 
• I have become way more in tune with the food choices I make and how they effect my body. 
• All-in-all I just felt more at peace and connected to the Holy Spirit. It is an incredibly grateful feeling and I thank God for this time.

SCRIPTURE CAKE

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Genesis 18:8
• 1 1/2 cup Jeremiah 6:20
• 5 Isaiah 10:14 (separated)
• 3 cups sifted Leviticus 24:5
• 3 teaspoons 2 Kings 2:20
• 3 teaspoons Amos 4:5
• 1 teaspoon Exodus 3:23
• 1/4 teaspoon each 2 Chronicles 9:9
• 1/2 cup Judges 4:19
• 3/4 chopped Genesis 43:11
• 3/4 cup finely cut Jeremiah 24:5
• 3/4 cup 2 Samuel 16:1
• Whole Genesis 43:11
  

Directions:

• Cream Genesis 18 with Jeremiah 6. Beat in yolks of Isaiah 10, one at a time. Sift together Leviticus 24; 2 Kings 2; Amos 4; Exodus 30; and 2 Chronicles 9.
• Blend into creamed mixture alternately with Judges 4. Beat whites of Isaiah 10 till stiff; fold in. Fold in chopped Genesis 43; Jeremiah 24; and 2 Samuel 16. Turn into 10-inch tube pan that has been greased and dusted with Leviticus 24.
• Bake at 325 degrees F until it is golden brown or Gabriel blows his trumpet, whichever happens first. Bake for an hour and ten minutes. Remove from oven. After fifteen minutes, remove it from the pan. Cool completely. Drizzle over it some Burnt Jeremiah Syrup.

************************************
BURNT JEREMIAH SYRUP

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Jeremiah 6:20
• 1/2 cup Genesis 24:45
• 1/4 cup Genesis 18:8

Directions:

• Melt Jeremiah 6 in a heavy skillet over low heat. Keep cooking it till it is a deep gold, then add Genesis 24. Cook till smooth and remove from the heat. Add Genesis 18 and stir till it melts, then cool.
• After drizzling this on the Scripture Cake, you can decorate it with whole Genesis.

Day 241: 8/30/11- Take Part in National Water Quality Month

Day 241: 8/30/11
New Thing: Take Part in National Water Quality Month  

Inspiration: The Susquehanna River    
Cost: $0
Time: About 5 minuets                                      
Bottom Line: Doing my part in trying to save this wonderful river.

Me on the Mighty Susquehanna

Reflection: You may remember that I went kayaking on the Susquehanna River with my sister, Ali, earlier in the month. That huge, beautiful river was where I grew up and so it is very dear to my heart. You may also remember that one of the goals I have set for myself this year is to do something related to Eco-stewardship each month. So, today I was able to combine both passions to take part in National Water Quality Month.


Sadly, the Susquehanna has become the #1 most endangered river in America due to natural gas fracking (this is a real word, I promise) which is putting millions of people's water source at risk. Here is what the American Rivers Group has to say:

One of the longest rivers in America, the Susquehanna River provides over half of the freshwater to the Chesapeake Bay and drinking water to millions of people. Communities and businesses depend on the river for drinking water, commerce, hydropower generation, and recreational boating. Now this resource is at risk of contamination.

The Susquehanna River and its tributaries flow over the Marcellus Shale region, a rock formation underlying much of New York and Pennsylvania, containing reserves of natural gas. The rush to develop natural gas has come without consideration of the impacts to clean water, rivers, and the health of these communities.

The threat of contamination is high. As part of the hydraulic fracturing or “fracking” process to extract natural gas, massive amounts of water are withdrawn from rivers and streams. The water is then mixed with sand and toxic chemicals and pumped underground to fracture the shale under extreme pressure. A portion of that highly toxic, highly saline, and potentially radioactive wastewater will return to the surface, and requires specialized treatment, but at this time, only a limited number of wastewater treatment facilities have the capacity to handle it.

Already, spills from trucks hauling wastewater, leaks from lined fluid holding pits, and cracked well casings have contaminated private water wells. The potential for future environmental and public health catastrophes along the Susquehanna will only increase, considering the number of new wells projected and the amount of toxic wastewater produced.

Today, I took one small step in helping to conserve this river by signing a petition which can also be found at the website here. It is my prayer that we will be able to stop more damage being done to this important and beautiful river.

Day 240: 8/29/11- Shoot a Gun

Day 240: 8/29/11
New Thing: Shoot a Gun   

Inspiration: Bill   
Cost: $0
Time: About 15 minuets                                      
Bottom Line: I am not exactly Annie Oakley

Reflection: One of the things that I have enjoyed most about this blog has been the way people I know and love have volunteered to share their hobbies and passions with me. Today was one such "new thing" since my father-in-law, Bill, was kind enough to share his hobby with me--target shooting. Now, I am not really a gun person and I am a believer in gun control. However, I can appreciate the skill and precision it takes to truly handle a gun responsibly, which is how Bill practices. He gave me a very good lesson on how to hold the gun and fire it (a .22 I believe) as well as let me take several shots at a water-filled milk jug which I actually hit once I stood closely enough. It is definitely something new to me! Thanks, Bill!

Taking Aim.

 

I always get my milk-jug.

Day 239: 8/28/11- Try Almond Milk

Day 239: 8/28/11
New Thing: Try Almond Milk   

Inspiration: The Hurricane   
Cost: $2.95
Time: About 10 seconds                                     
Bottom Line: Not great.

Why call it "almond milk"? Why not "almond juice"?

Reflection: Since we were facing some power-outage possibilities with Hurricane Irene, I decided while I was stocking up on non-perishables to try almond milk since it was shelf safe. I gave it a try today and did not like it. I love milk. I love almonds. I do not love the milk of almonds. The kind I chose had no sugar in it, but perhaps with some flavoring this could have been improved. Bleck.

Day 238: 8/27/11- Family Circle Prayer Time

Day 238: 8/27/11
New Thing: Family Circle Prayer Time   

Inspiration: My Family  
Cost: $0
Time: About 10 minuets                                    
Bottom Line: I already love this tradition.

We had this sketch drawn of us to commemorate the event.  This is exactly how we look first thing in the morning. And Ken shaved his beard.

Reflection: Today we started what I hope will be a new daily routine for us: Family Circle Prayer Time. This idea came to me a few days ago when we went to Delia's Montessori Orientation and they spoke about the need for consistent routines for the child of 3-6 years of age. One of the many ways that this style of education incorporates that value is to have "circle time" at the beginning of every day. In this time, they greet one another, talk about what they will do today, check in with everyone and set an intention for the rest of the day.

So, I decided that it would be great to apply this model to our own family routine. We already have a well established prayer time at our meals and when Delia goes to bed, so this felt like a great way to continue that pattern. 

We start by creating the space and setting up a circle that we all sit in on the floor of our prayer room. The we light a candle and start our prayer time using the "Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families" form in the Book of Common Prayer. For the scripture reading we read a story from Delia's Children's Everyday Bible" which has a different one-page story for every day of the year. Then we add our own prayers for the day, our loved ones, and ourselves before we sit for a little silent prayer. We conclude with the Lord's Prayer and a collect also from the BCP. I already love this tradition and found it really helped us to set the right tone for our day.

Day 237: 8/26/11-Celebrate American Artiest Appreciation Month

Day 237: 8/26/11
New Thing: Celebrate American Artiest Appreciation Month by Making an Artist Trading Card   

Inspiration: Ali, American Artiest Appreciation Month  
Cost: $0
Time: About a half hour                                   
Bottom Line: Celebrating my Favorite Artiest: Ali!!

This is one of my favorite pieces of Ali's.

Reflection: August is also American Artiest Appreciation Month. So, I decided to make an Artist Trading Card which was something that my little sister, and coincidentally, my favorite American Artiest, told me about. Theses are handmade cards celebrating the work of an artiest and their work.

As I mentioned above, Ali is my favorite artiest and so I dedicated my art card to her. I used the beautiful piece above as the front (with a little art work of my own added) and made up a piece of word art (below) on the back using this cool website. I love you Ali, and you work!

Here is the text:

• Ali Woods Wilson was born in Tunkhannock, PA. 
• She found her passions for art in high school when she took her first official art class. 
• Ali is now the middle school art teacher at TAMS where she inspires students to think creatively about how art can change not only their lives, but also the world.
• Her works uses all kinds of artistic mediums including print making, painting and collage. 
• Ali finds inspiration for her work from her personal vision, her faith and nature. 
• She lives in Lake Winola with her husband Doug and their two dogs, Winnie and April. 
• Ali Woods Wilson is the favorite artist of her big sister, Hillary, who is very, very proud of her. 

Day 236: 8/25/11- Celebrate National Win with Civility Month

Day 236: 8/25/11
New Thing: Celebrate National Win with Civility Month   

Inspiration: National Win with Civility Month   
Cost: $0
Time: All Day                                    
Bottom Line: Be nice and keep you elbows off the table!

Reflection: August is National Win with Civility Month. I decided to dedicate today to being especially civil to everyone I came in contact remembering that true civility goes beyond fine manners into the realm of ethics, citizenship, and honoring one's fellow man. I was a proper lady all day and would have even worn white gloves if I had had them. This attitude was tested, however, when Ken, Deila and I ventured into a new-to-us part of Allentown for her Montessori Orientation (another new first of the day) and promptly got lost. There where times when I wanted to be really uncivil to the other drivers, to the other members of my family, and even to myself. And, indeed, I did fail at times to maintain that proper lady like quality (Ken can certainly attest to that, I am afraid). But, then I was able to come back to the good graces of being civil things went much smoother.

I also used today as an opportunity to help Delia learn how to properly set a table (unlike our normal style of just putting random things at people's places. I used this place mat found here to help her lean the proper placement of the dinner things. Good day to you!

Day 235: 8/24/11- Celebrate Strange Music Day

Day 235: 8/24/11
New Thing: Celebrate Strange Music Day    

Inspiration: Strange Music Day  
Cost: $0
Time: About 30 minuets surfing the web looking for music                                      
Bottom Line: There is some strange, yet cool, stuff out there.

Reflection: Today is Strange Music Day. Here is the description:

Strange Music Day was started by Patrick Grant, a Julliard graduate and professional musician.  Patrick is also the founder and artistic director of Strange Music Inc., an organization dedicated to releasing recordings and presenting compelling new work.The purpose of Strange Music Day is to listen to music you have never heard before, just for the heck of it.  This is especially fun with children, since it gives you the opportunity to introduce new music to them.

To celebrate, I spent more time then I should have on the interwebs looking for new kinds of music. Here are some of my favorites from oddmusic.com: 

I kind of want one of these now. 

The musical Sea Organ (morske orgulje) is located on the shores of Zadar, Croatia, and is the world’s first musical pipe organs that is played by the sea. Simple and elegant steps, carved in white stone, were built on the quayside. Underneath, there are 35 musically tuned tubes with whistle openings on the sidewalk. The movement of the sea pushes air through, and – depending on the size and velocity of the wave – musical chords are played. The waves create random harmonic sounds.

Fast Update: As you may remember, I had set a goal for this fast of 21 days which would have ended on Monday. However, I have decided to continue until the end of Ramadan on the 31st since this has been such a great experience. I have really found a daily rhythm of prayer that has felt very organic and I am so much more aware of my eating habits.

Day 234: 8/23/11- Makeovers with Connie, Kim, and Little D.

Day 234: 8/23/11
New Thing: Makeovers with Connie, Kim, and Little D.     

Inspiration: Connie  
Cost: $? (Thank you, generous Connie!)
Time: Several Hours                                      
Bottom Line: Lookin' Good.

Before!

Reflection: Today, Connie, Kim and Delia and I all set out to have makeovers. Kim was having her wedding makeup test-drive and my goal was to learn which colors and techniques would be good for everyday office wear. The pictures below will give you the rundown of the day. We had a great time and I am really thankful for the instruction that I received since I have never really been a makeup wearer. It was a real confidence booster to learn the correct way to achieve a polished and professional work look. Kim's wedding look was very beautiful. I am very grateful to Connie who is generous in spirit and heart! Thanks, Connie!!!

PS- We never event felt the earthquake! 

Kim and Delia crushing a bowl of spaghetti. These girls knew what they were doing. 

Ladies who lunch

Kim before

Yeah Nana!

Getting some tips

Pucker up

Putting my new knowledge into practice

Getting the profession help I needed!

Middle of the make over wink

After!

Here comes the bride!

Sealed with a kiss

Day 233: 8/22/11- Make Fresh Mint Extract

Day 233: 8/22/11
New Thing: Make Fresh Mint Extract    

Inspiration: Marcie 
Cost: $0
Time: About 10 minuets                                     
Bottom Line: Smells great!

Reflection: Fresh mint has always been a summer time staple in my family. I can remember being sent out to the garden on balmy summer mornings to pick some mint for my mother's famous sun tea. So, when my friend and co-worker Marcie brought me in some of her own homemade mint extract, I knew that I had finally found a way to bottle that summer time taste. She was kind enough to give me the recipe the other day and I went right out to my garden this morning to pick a ton of mint. Her directions worked like a charm and I now have a nice jar of this concoction sitting in my fridge just waiting for a new batch of tea! Thanks, Marcie!

Day 232: 8/21/11- Bath Bomb

Day 232: 8/21/11
New Thing: Bath Bomb    

Inspiration: Relaxation
Cost: $5
Time: About a minuet of fizz and longer for the bath.                                    
Bottom Line: Very nice.

Reflection: Today I tried out a Bath Bomb which is a hard-packed little ball of oils, salts and effervescent magic which you throw into your bath and watch it explode. I had a lavender one and was pleased to find it was not to perfumed. It was very relaxing. 

Day 231: 8/20/11- Toddler Sling and Visit from the Millers

Day 231: 8/20/11
New Thing: Toddler Sling and Visit from the Millers    

Inspiration: Lesley and Calder
Cost: $0
Time: 15 minuets for the walk and several hours for the visit.                                   
Bottom Line: Yeah, Miller Family!

Babies on Board. 

Reflection: Today we had the distinct pleasure of entertaining Dave, Lesley and Calder Miller! We love these guys and never get to see them enough. On top of the great time we had with them, Lesley also showed me how to turn my baby wrap into a toddler sling. Delia loved it and did not want to get out. I think I need to play with it a little more to make sure her seat is really secure, but it was fun. We love you, Millers!!

Update: The wonderful Lesley has come through again by sending me these videos which help to demonstrate how to achieve this. 

Step One: 

Step Two: 

Day 230: 8/19/11-Try Mysore Ashtanga Yoga

Day 230: 8/19/11
New Thing: Try Mysore Ashtanga Yoga    

Inspiration: Winning Free Classes
Cost: $0
Time: 70 minuets                                  
Bottom Line: I saw some of the most flexible people in my life today.

Reflection: You may remember from my Sunday post that I won 5 free yoga classes at the Lehigh Valley Yoga studio. This morning I tried their 6:00am Mysore Ashtanga Yoga class (also known as "Power Yoga"). It. Was. Hard. Essentially, this is that crazy kind of yoga that has people twisting into pretzels. The three main components are the special kind of breathing, the gaze, and the binding of the stomach muscles.The Mysore model of this practice is student led with the instructor making adjustments. Normally, yoga does not feel like a workout to me, but this was definitely a strength builder. I really liked it and want to make is a regular practice. This maybe the type of yoga that I have been looking for without knowing it.

If it seems like I have been doing a lot of yoga as of late, it is because it has really dovetailed nicely with this summer fast. Since a fast is such a bodily discipline, it has been really fruitful to combined a bodily prayer time into this season. I think that I will continue doing some kind of yoga every day (even for just 10 minuets) even after the fast is over.

Day 229: 8/18/11- Watch, "The Boys: The Sherman Brothers" Documentary

Day 229: 8/18/11
New Thing: Watch The Boys: The Sherman Brothers Documentary    

Inspiration: Randomly Turning on the TV
Cost: $0
Time: 101 minuets                                  
Bottom Line: This really had me musing about creation and reconciliation.

Reflection: I did something today that I never do--randomly turn on the TV. This is very rare for me since we didn't even have TV until the service turned it back on unbenounced to us a few weeks ago. I ended up falling right into a fascinating documentary about the Disney musical duo: The Sherman Brothers. Here is the trailer and the description: 

Songwriting brothers Robert and Richard Sherman -- who penned scores for Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and many other hit musicals -- may have specialized in family-friendly entertainment, but they did not share a friendly family relationship. Despite their professional partnership, their personal bond was so strained that their sons grew up never knowing each other. This intriguing documentary explores the peculiar story behind the musical duo.

This was a really fascinating movie of contrasts. One brother was all sunshine and jokes, another seemed to be harboring demons from his time in WWII. One was a sentimentalist and one was a romantic. They could not even stand to socialize with each other outside of the studio, and yet they produced so many of the best loved songs from Disney movies.

Two of the themes that I continued to think about was reconciliation and creation. Their best work seemed to be born out of the tensions and friction of their relationship. Like everything else in this world, true creation has to come from some brokenness- like plowing a field. The brothers never seemed to find reconciliation, but their sons, who were not allowed to see each other, found it through making this film together.

All in all, this film was very captivating and I recommend it.

Day 228: 8/17/11- Breakfast with Seminary Friend, Jessica!

Day 228: 8/17/11
New Thing: Breakfast with Seminary Friend, Jessica!   

Inspiration: Jessica's Vacation
Cost: $8ish
Time: 45 great minuets                                  
Bottom Line: A perfect way to start the day.

Jess and her 2 sweet dogs at the best Waffle House stop ever.

Reflection: Today I had the distinct pleasure of having breakfast with my dear friend from YDS, Jessica A. She was passing through town on her way south and I was just so pleased to see her. She is my "sermon partner" which means that we exchange our sermons to critique and support. I cannot tell you how many sermons she has helped me through! We started this tradition way back in our first homiletic class and vowed to continue it when we were in CPE together. I love you, Jess and hope you have the best time!!

Fast Update: Still making my way through the Daniel fast and am starting to miss ice cream in a big way. But, on the whole, I have found a very deep prayer season through all this and am so grateful.

Day 227: 8/16/11- New Book and Running in the Rain

Day 227: 8/16/11
New Thing: New Book and Running in the Rain   

Inspiration: Ken
Cost: $? (Ken bought it)
Time: 40 minuets for the run and 30 minuets for the book.                                   
Bottom Line: Wet from head to toe.

Reflection: Way back in January, I went running in the snow. Today I did the summer version by running in the rain. This was unintentional since I actually got caught in the storm rather than seeking out this opportunity. The run started out being pleasant, especially since I love being in the rain. However, but the end of the run, it was pouring and I had to head back since I could no longer see.  I may have also broken my I-pod miles counter sensory thingy which bums me out.

I also read one of Rick Geary's new graphic novels; The Terrible Axe-Man of New Orleans. If you are not familiar with his work, here is a good review:

Geary continues his portrayals of historical murder cases with this depiction of a series of slayings that occurred in New Orleans in 1918–19, when a half-dozen victims, mostly Italian grocers and their families, were killed in their homes with their own axes. After setting the scene with a brief history of the Crescent City, Geary chronicles the murder spree in a straightforward, documentary-style fashion—almost entirely eschewing dialogue in word balloons in favor of lengthy captions—that desensationalizes the potentially lurid material. His painstaking research comes into play not only with his meticulous re-creation of the individual crimes and the city’s panicked reaction but in the visual depiction of the period’s cultural trappings, from clothing styles to architectural details. Geary’s archly antiquated drawing style is ideally suited for bringing bygone eras to vivid, convincing life. The murder spree was never solved, although a coda posits a possible culprit. Geary’s exacting, historically accurate approach makes this—as well as his other nonfiction works—a natural for true-crime fans as well as comics lovers. --Gordon Flagg

It really isn't all gore and the macabre. It is actually like reading a really well researched look at that time period. It reads like a history book.

Day 226: 8/15/11- Make a Marian Lady Chapel with Delia

Day 226: 8/15/11
New Thing: Make a Marian Lady Chapel with Delia  

Inspiration: St. Mary the Virgin's Feast Day, My 3rd Anniversary to the Priesthood, Our 3rd Anniversary of our House Blessing
Cost: $0
Time: 15 Minuets                                  
Bottom Line: Homemade Hyperdulia!

Our Lady of Bethlehem

Reflection:  Today is the Feast of St. Mary the Blessed Virgin (also know as the Feast of the Assumption to the R.C. and Anglo-Catholic amongst us.) It is also the lesser known Feast of the Ordination of Hillary to the Priesthood. This marks the third anniversary of the start of this ministry and I have felt blessed every day. Tomorrow also marks the third anniversary of our house blessing and my first Celebration of the Eucharist. So, to give thanks for all of these wonderful events, Delia and I decided to make a Marian Lady Chapel in our back room.

Here is the first one I made three years ago at our house blessing:

The Icon was an Ordination gift from the amazing Gaby W. I will always treasure it.

Family shot from the Ordination

And here are our shots from tonight. I have never made an altar with Delia and it was really wonderful. She helped me chose where things should go and was very insistent that certain things go in particular places. Then she wanted to do an interpretive dance for Mary (video below). When we were done we said a pray and gave thanksgiving to God for the gift of Mary, mothers and children, and ministry. 

Here is her prayer:

O God, who chose the blessed Virgin Mary to be the mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.

We used blues since that is Mary's color.

Delia explaining Jesus on the cross. Mary is at the foot.

Silly face time.

Delia's final touches.

She wanted to put Mimi her stuffed lamb to play the part of Joseph. "Mary needs her Joseph."

Day 225: 8/14/11-Take a Belly Dancing Class

Day 225: 8/14/11
New Thing: Take a Belly Dancing Class 

Inspiration: Lehigh Valley Yoga
Cost: $0
Time: 2.5 hours                                 
Bottom Line: Very fun!

Reflection: Remember a few days ago when I took a Hot Yoga class at Lehigh Yoga? Sure you do! Well, when I was there I noticed that they were having an open house today with lots of free classes. Since one of the Dowling motto's is and always shall be; "If it's free, it's for me," I decided to give the belly dancing class a try. It was alot of fun and very informative. Belly dancing has a long and rich history and it was inspirational to take part in dance moves that women have been doing for generations. 

After that I took a free Zumba class and another free hot yoga class. (Did I mention that I love free stuff?) I have to say that the Zumba class was the surprise highlight for me. You may remember that I took a Zumba class earlier in the year and I have taken several since. I have enjoyed each one, but this one was the best dance/workout class I have ever taken. They had two instructors going at the same time which really kept the energy up. It was great!

The best part? I won 5 free yoga classes in their give away!! More free classes!! I was thrilled. All-in-all, a great post-Sunday-Service workout. Free. 

Day 224: 8/13/11- Celebrate Left Handers Day

Day 224: 8/13/11
New Thing: Celebrate Left Handers Day 

Inspiration: International Left Handers Day
Cost: $0
Time: All day                                
Bottom Line: Sinister.

Reflection: Today is International Left Handers Day! Here is the website devoted to this celebration. Since I am right handed, I decided today to use my left hand for all the things I would normally use my dominant hand for. There were lots of difficult things about this experiment but the hardest part was remembering to use my other hand! So much of what we do every day is just muscle memory and it was incredibly difficult to try and break myself of life-long habits. I hope I never do anything detrimental to my right hand because I was completely hopeless using my left hand for writing and eating was only slightly better. Even drying my hair was much harder.  It was eyeopening and I can really see how the world is designed to unfairly favor the right handed. I hope that all of my left handed friends enjoy today!

Day 223: 8/12/11- Ringing Rocks Park

Day 223: 8/12/11
New Thing: Ringing Rocks Park 

Inspiration: My Confirmation Class
Cost: $0
Time: Two Hours                                
Bottom Line: An eerily beautiful place.

Reflection: Today, I took my Confirmation Class out to Ringing Rocks Park. Here is a great description of this strange place by Michael T. Cianchetta:

Located in the same county where General George Washington embarked on his famed Delaware River crossing, this geologic formation appears to defy science and reason. Seekers of the eerie and mysterious travel to this location to experience a peculiar quality that these rocks possess – they “ring” like bells when struck with a hammer. It is this phenomenon that has scientists baffled...

Ringing Rocks Park, situated near the small Delaware River community of Upper Black Eddy, contains the largest boulder field in Pennsylvania that possesses this “ringing” quality. Although the park is approximately 128 acres in size and densely covered in woods, the seven-acre section of boulders piled ten feet high is the primary attraction for visitors who arrive at the park armed with hammers. The park also boasts Bucks County’s largest waterfall, various picnic facilities, and endless displays of wildflowers...

Beyond the visual, however, resides the true mystique surrounding the boulder field. Native American stories passed through the generations to the first White settlers in the mid-1700s suggest that the field possesses an eerie aura. Animals were said to have steered clear of the rocks, and plant life was described as being completely absent from the surface. The seemingly cursed nature of the boulder field was only further supported by claims of the rocks’ “ringing” properties. 

Today, these descriptions bear a close resemblance to reality. According to authors and explorers Matt Lake, Mark Moran, and Mark Sceurman, not only do the rocks “resound with a clear tone, like that of a blacksmith’s anvil,” they also appear to lack any evidence of substantial plant and animal life. Furthermore, while some rocks emit a hollow bell-like sound when struck with a hammer or rock, the other two-thirds of the rocks make no such sound at all, simply emitting a dull thud. This inconsistency perplexes scientists, especially since the “live” rocks are virtually indistinguishable from the “dead” ones. Additionally, although most boulder fields are the product of a mountainside collapse and reside at the bottom of a hill, this boulder field rests at the top of a hill. Without any indicators that a glacier could have formed the field, Ringing Rocks Park’s formation is another topic shrouded in mystery. 

We were all very intrigued by this mysterious place.  The rocks that "sung" were beautiful to listen to and the were all different. We ran around the whole place with our hammers trying to find the perfect rock. Although this place seems devoid of all life, we decided to hold our prayer session right on the rocks.

The whole session was devoted to praying with the body. We used the book "Praying with the Body" by Roy DeLeon which takes different Psalms and adds yoga-like movements to each line. The group seemed to like it and it was great to do this in such an amazing place.

I highly recommend checking this place out! It is unlike anywhere else I have been.

Day 222: 8/11/11- Learn How To Say My Name in Gaelic

Day 222: 8/11/11
New Thing: Learn How To Say My Name in Gaelic 

Inspiration: My Aunt Robin who is fluent in Gaelic (so cool!)
Cost: $0
Time: A few minuets (thank you Internet!)                                
Bottom Line: Know I'll know how to introduce myself in Gaelic speaking Ireland.

Reflection: As you may know, I am part Irish. So, today I decided to honor my heritage and learn how to say my name in the native language of Ireland, Gaelic. Here it is thanks to this website:

Eláir  Fearthainn

(basically- Hillary Rain)

Hillary, Hilary, Ilario, Ilaria, Hilario
Hillary et. al. all come from the Latin name Hilarius, which means "cheerful." In Irish, this name was rendered Eláir /el AHR/.

Fast Update: It is still going really well. I found myself desiring more prayer time today in a way that I haven't in a very long time. It was so refreshing. 

Day 221: 8/10/11- Visit the Reading Fair

Day 221: 8/10/11
New Thing: Visit the Reading Fair 

Inspiration: Bill
Cost: $20 (Delia was free!)
Time: Several Hours                                
Bottom Line: We took home the blue ribbon in fun!

1st Fair for Delia

Reflection: Today we took Delia to the Reading Fair which was her first fair ever and my first time at this particular one. We had a blast with Bill and Jean and loved watching Delia digging the rides.  Her favorites were the moon-bounce, the inflatable slide and the marry-go-round. She was also very impressed by the sheep. I have always loved fairs and this was no exception.  I am planning on taking Delia to the Wyoming County Fair (the fair of my childhood) later in the summer, so get ready for more fair fun to come.