I recently bought Sara a new Steve Green CD, "The Mission," which is one of my favorite albums of his. It was an album that Evan and I owned when we were in high school, and there is a song on there that I have loved for years.
It's called "Symphony of Praise." When I told Sara as we were listening, "This is my favorite song on the CD," her response was, "No kidding." I tend to be fairly predictable in my delight of what I call "cosmic praise" songs and psalms.
From "Symphony of Praise:"
The composer and conductor of the universe
Steps before the orchestra of God
Creation lifts their finely crafted instruments
As all in heaven wildly applaudThe seasons well rehearsed begin with His downbeat
And on his cue the sun trumpets the dawn
The whirling winds swell in a mighty crescendo
With each commanding sweep of His baton
The oceans pound the shore in march to His cadence
The galaxies all revolve in cosmic rhyme
The fall of raindrops all in wild syncopation
As lightning strikes and thunder claps in time.
Chorus: The symphony of praise
Conducted by the Ancient of Days
May each creation great or small
Lift their voices one and all
In the symphony of praise
Heaven waits in hushed anticipation
The great I AM then turns to mortal men
A massive chorus robed in spotless garments
Offer up their song of praise to Him
The glories of God explode in full orchestration
As all creation joins the thunderous refrain
"Worthy, Worthy, WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN."
For similar reasons, my favorite Psalm is 148:
Alleluia! Praise Yahweh from the heavens, praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all shining stars,
praise him, highest heavens, praise him, waters above the heavens.
Let them praise the name of Yahweh at whose command they were made;
he established them for ever and ever by an unchanging decree.
Praise Yahweh from the earth, sea monsters and all the depths,
fire and hail, snow and mist, storm winds that obey his word,
mountains and every hill, orchards and every cedar,
wild animals and all cattle, reptiles and winged birds,
kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all judges on earth,
young men and girls, old people and children together.
Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for his name alone is sublime, his splendour transcends earth and heaven.
For he heightens the strength of his people, to the praise of all his faithful, the children of Israel, the people close to him.
I like Madeleine L'Engle's book "A Swiftly Tilting Planet," the third in the Time Quartet, for the same reason. The poem that runs through the whole book recognizes that creation has a part to play in the cosmic battle:
In this fateful hour
All Heaven with its power
The sun with its brightness
The snow with its whiteness
The fire with all the strength it hath
The lightning with its rapid wrath
The winds with their swiftness
The sea with its deepness
The rocks with their steepness
The earth with its starkness
All these I place
By God's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of darkness.
If this inspires you the same way it does me, let me also suggest Job 38-41, where God demonstrates His mastery over all of nature, from the frost to the ostrich to the Chaos Monster Leviathan itself.
Let all creation praise Him!
--DJ
Friday, September 30, 2005
30 Things We Love About Marriage
I have a friend whose view of marriage is (somewhat justifiably) jaded. She doesn't credit any "happily married" advice from anyone who has been married less than five years. Five years, she figures, puts a couple beyond the newlywed stage into real life. If you're still goopy and blissful after five years (and, even better, with a few kids), then maybe you have something to say.
So I'm proud to cross that threshold: today is our fifth anniversary. Of course, as golden as this accomplishment is, it pales in comparison to Darren's parents, who have been married for 32 years and still play games with each other in the evenings. And even that fades away in the face of Darren's grandparents, who have been married for 62 years and still tug over the blanket at night. Still, we can say with enthusiasm, "Married five years and still as happy as newlyweds!"
In honor of our anniversary, we've listed thirty things we love about marriage. A list of five is no fun (a disadvantage of younger marriages), and since our anniversary is on the thirtieth, so we'll do thirty. See the logic? See? See? And I will point out that it's obvious we aren't newlyweds anymore: we aren't doing "300 Things We Love About Marriage."
As follows, in no particular order:
1. A warm body on cold nights (life according to Darren and Herriot)
2. Someone to listen to rants.
3. Someone not to get bored listening to rants.
4. Someone to kiss goodbye every morning.
5. Someone to kiss hello every evening.
6. An interesting companion who is always interested in being with you.
7. Someone to take over kid duties.
8. Sex, of course.
9. Someone to tell you when you're being unkind, whiney, or irrational.
10. Someone to understand why you're being any of the above, and refrain from using it as a teaching moment.
11. Someone to go driving with, for the fun of it.
12. Someone to laugh at your jokes, wit, and quips.
13. Someone to smile at the same joke, wit, or quip the twelfth time you tell it.
14. Someone who likes hearing about your childhood reminiscences.
15. Someone to discuss theology with, usually in bed before you fall asleep, using terms you can understand.
16. Someone who thinks your opinions are important, interesting, and occasionally brilliant.
17. Someone to brighten your day when you're discouraged.
18. Someone whose day you can brighten.
19. Someone who is as goofy over your kids as you are.
20. Someone who waits patiently for you to add up all the dots on your dice in Yahtzee.
21. Someone to tell you, "You're tired. Do you need to go out by yourself tonight?"
22. Someone to pray for you intimately, and someone to pray for the same way.
23. Getting to know someone even better than you know your family, when a few years ago you didn't know he/she existed!
24. Someone to (lovingly) pry open your turtle shell and dig out issues that need to be discussed.
25. Someone to discuss new and interesting books with. At length.
26. Someone to share your quirky hobbies and interests, or at least think they're endearing.
27. Someone to help with cooking, house, budget, kids, life in general.
28. Someone to take care of you, especially when you're sick.
29. Someone who worries about the same thing you do, instead of giving you a blank stare.
30. Someone to love, and who loves you just as much.
-- SJ and DJ
So I'm proud to cross that threshold: today is our fifth anniversary. Of course, as golden as this accomplishment is, it pales in comparison to Darren's parents, who have been married for 32 years and still play games with each other in the evenings. And even that fades away in the face of Darren's grandparents, who have been married for 62 years and still tug over the blanket at night. Still, we can say with enthusiasm, "Married five years and still as happy as newlyweds!"
In honor of our anniversary, we've listed thirty things we love about marriage. A list of five is no fun (a disadvantage of younger marriages), and since our anniversary is on the thirtieth, so we'll do thirty. See the logic? See? See? And I will point out that it's obvious we aren't newlyweds anymore: we aren't doing "300 Things We Love About Marriage."
As follows, in no particular order:
1. A warm body on cold nights (life according to Darren and Herriot)
2. Someone to listen to rants.
3. Someone not to get bored listening to rants.
4. Someone to kiss goodbye every morning.
5. Someone to kiss hello every evening.
6. An interesting companion who is always interested in being with you.
7. Someone to take over kid duties.
8. Sex, of course.
9. Someone to tell you when you're being unkind, whiney, or irrational.
10. Someone to understand why you're being any of the above, and refrain from using it as a teaching moment.
11. Someone to go driving with, for the fun of it.
12. Someone to laugh at your jokes, wit, and quips.
13. Someone to smile at the same joke, wit, or quip the twelfth time you tell it.
14. Someone who likes hearing about your childhood reminiscences.
15. Someone to discuss theology with, usually in bed before you fall asleep, using terms you can understand.
16. Someone who thinks your opinions are important, interesting, and occasionally brilliant.
17. Someone to brighten your day when you're discouraged.
18. Someone whose day you can brighten.
19. Someone who is as goofy over your kids as you are.
20. Someone who waits patiently for you to add up all the dots on your dice in Yahtzee.
21. Someone to tell you, "You're tired. Do you need to go out by yourself tonight?"
22. Someone to pray for you intimately, and someone to pray for the same way.
23. Getting to know someone even better than you know your family, when a few years ago you didn't know he/she existed!
24. Someone to (lovingly) pry open your turtle shell and dig out issues that need to be discussed.
25. Someone to discuss new and interesting books with. At length.
26. Someone to share your quirky hobbies and interests, or at least think they're endearing.
27. Someone to help with cooking, house, budget, kids, life in general.
28. Someone to take care of you, especially when you're sick.
29. Someone who worries about the same thing you do, instead of giving you a blank stare.
30. Someone to love, and who loves you just as much.
-- SJ and DJ
Thursday, September 29, 2005
What Churches Should Do
This article from our local paper is a good example of Christ's love in action.
For about a year, I've frequently passed a church (Baptist) on the way home that is a perfect poster child for Luke 14:28-30. Apparently, the church decided it had more money than it actually did and began a major expansion, but then ran out. It's been sitting half-finished, with window holes left open, no doors, and not even any siding on the addition.
Now a new church (Pentecostal) is moving in, with partial funding from yet a third church (Bible). They've invited the old congregation to feel free to worship with them.
I like this. Churches working together, an eyesore getting fixed up...it's good.
--DJ
For about a year, I've frequently passed a church (Baptist) on the way home that is a perfect poster child for Luke 14:28-30. Apparently, the church decided it had more money than it actually did and began a major expansion, but then ran out. It's been sitting half-finished, with window holes left open, no doors, and not even any siding on the addition.
Now a new church (Pentecostal) is moving in, with partial funding from yet a third church (Bible). They've invited the old congregation to feel free to worship with them.
I like this. Churches working together, an eyesore getting fixed up...it's good.
--DJ
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Prayers for Felicity
My sister Rosemary is pregnant with her second child, a girl they're calling Felicity Marie. Recent ultrasounds found something wrong with Felicity's lungs: it isn't a tumor or cyst, but actual lung tissue that seems to be growing beyond what it should. Along with affecting the lungs, the growth puts a strain on the baby's heart. Rose isn't sure what the prognosis is. Right now they just want to see that mass shrink. Please pray for little Felicity, for Rose and Matt, and the doctors.
This news came in the same week that I, bizarrely enough, suffered a miscarriage without knowing I was pregnant in the first place. I'm recovering just fine. In fact, except for one truly miserable night and morning, I hardly feel as if anything happened, which makes it all a bit surreal. And I look back on the experience feeling encouraged: first of all, that I was able to bear it with just God for company, as Darren was gone that night; and secondly, that I at least did get pregnant, a possibility that's been in doubt for two and a half years now.
I'll post updates about Felicity as I hear them. Rose is amazing -- she's distressed by the news, but she never wastes extra energy on fretting, just keeps going cheerfully with nineteen-month-old Camie. She (and all the family) appreciates your prayers.
-- SJ
This news came in the same week that I, bizarrely enough, suffered a miscarriage without knowing I was pregnant in the first place. I'm recovering just fine. In fact, except for one truly miserable night and morning, I hardly feel as if anything happened, which makes it all a bit surreal. And I look back on the experience feeling encouraged: first of all, that I was able to bear it with just God for company, as Darren was gone that night; and secondly, that I at least did get pregnant, a possibility that's been in doubt for two and a half years now.
I'll post updates about Felicity as I hear them. Rose is amazing -- she's distressed by the news, but she never wastes extra energy on fretting, just keeps going cheerfully with nineteen-month-old Camie. She (and all the family) appreciates your prayers.
-- SJ
Friday, September 23, 2005
Randomness
S: I'm trying to think of something to post.
D: 'The Joys of Scrapbooking.'
S (well aware of D's interest in this hobby): The joys of scrapbooking?
D: Well, it would be a short one.
Blogblock persists. I've written four separate beginnings, all dealing with four separate subjects, and erased them all. But it doesn't bother me much: Darren stayed home today for our anniversary (which isn't till next week, but this weekend was the only free weekend for a month in both directions), and tonight we're getting a babysitter and heading out to dinner. We're eating at an historical inn nearby. They offer Colonial-type foods. At least, I think that's what the ad meant when it proclaimed, "Authentic food!"
Our babysitter's name is Kahri (so spelled to ensure that it is pronounced "car-ee"). Apparently I'm the only one who thinks it's funny that we have a babysitter named Kahri. Remember "The Incredibles"? Remember the eager junior-high babysitter who gets stuck with Jack-Jack? Her name is Kari (car-ee). I think it's hilarious. Nobody else remembers the babysitter's name. That's not typical or anything.
My neighbor passes on her Reader's Digest to us when she's done. This month their feature article is all about how Men Are Emotional. How men really do have complex feelings. I gave up halfway through: it's the flip side of the worn-out tune "Women Like Sex As Much As Men Do." I wonder, is it really this revolutionary to discover that we're all human?
My Bible is a four-translation parallel text -- KJV, NIV, New Living, and NASV. I usually read the New American, but I like New Living because of its readability. It failed me yesterday, however. I was reading Proverbs 31 (which I try valiantly not to react to, thanks to my younger Virtuous Woman days), and got to the verse about how she "makes coverings for herself." NLT translated it, "She quilts her own bedspreads." Okay. Right. Off to get my quilting frame, presto.
I need to wrap all this up into a conclusion so I can call it a coherent blog post. Ahem: I intend to enjoy my day with my husband and children, and eat authentic food while Kahri (giggle) keeps my kids. And also, as we celebrate our anniversary, we'll probably discover how Darren is emotional and how I... well, never mind. But I do know that factory-quilted bedspreads don't hinder my excellent wifehood in any way.
-- SJ
D: 'The Joys of Scrapbooking.'
S (well aware of D's interest in this hobby): The joys of scrapbooking?
D: Well, it would be a short one.
Blogblock persists. I've written four separate beginnings, all dealing with four separate subjects, and erased them all. But it doesn't bother me much: Darren stayed home today for our anniversary (which isn't till next week, but this weekend was the only free weekend for a month in both directions), and tonight we're getting a babysitter and heading out to dinner. We're eating at an historical inn nearby. They offer Colonial-type foods. At least, I think that's what the ad meant when it proclaimed, "Authentic food!"
Our babysitter's name is Kahri (so spelled to ensure that it is pronounced "car-ee"). Apparently I'm the only one who thinks it's funny that we have a babysitter named Kahri. Remember "The Incredibles"? Remember the eager junior-high babysitter who gets stuck with Jack-Jack? Her name is Kari (car-ee). I think it's hilarious. Nobody else remembers the babysitter's name. That's not typical or anything.
My neighbor passes on her Reader's Digest to us when she's done. This month their feature article is all about how Men Are Emotional. How men really do have complex feelings. I gave up halfway through: it's the flip side of the worn-out tune "Women Like Sex As Much As Men Do." I wonder, is it really this revolutionary to discover that we're all human?
My Bible is a four-translation parallel text -- KJV, NIV, New Living, and NASV. I usually read the New American, but I like New Living because of its readability. It failed me yesterday, however. I was reading Proverbs 31 (which I try valiantly not to react to, thanks to my younger Virtuous Woman days), and got to the verse about how she "makes coverings for herself." NLT translated it, "She quilts her own bedspreads." Okay. Right. Off to get my quilting frame, presto.
I need to wrap all this up into a conclusion so I can call it a coherent blog post. Ahem: I intend to enjoy my day with my husband and children, and eat authentic food while Kahri (giggle) keeps my kids. And also, as we celebrate our anniversary, we'll probably discover how Darren is emotional and how I... well, never mind. But I do know that factory-quilted bedspreads don't hinder my excellent wifehood in any way.
-- SJ
Monday, September 19, 2005
A sad article
Touchstone Magazine's blog, Mere Comments, has a good post about a strange facet of the ecumenical movement at the abortion clinic. Rather sad. May God have mercy on those who are oppressed and heavy laden.
--DJ
--DJ
Friday, September 16, 2005
Miscellany
If Sara can do "Mundania," I think I'll call mine "Miscellany."
* I've been reading Daniel the last few days. As usual, the first 6 chapters are fascinating, but the second half of the book just confuses me. A question for you all: it appears clear to me that the four kingdoms referenced in ch. 2 and ch. 7 are the same four. It also seems clear that the "little horn" in ch. 7 and ch. 8 are the same person - Antiochus Epiphanes. Problem: this means that the four kingdoms are Babylon, Media, Persia, Greece. I grew up with a good standard dispensational viewpoint that the kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Anyone have any insight on this?
* A new author named Brian Sanderson has just put out a book called "Elantris." I got it on the strength of Orson Scott Card's high recommendation, but when I picked up the book at the library and read the author bio (yes, I'm weird, I usually do that before reading the book. I also read any dedication, preliminary notes, etc. Sara laughs at me, as she gaily dives into chapter 1 (if not chapter 2, having decided that chapter 1 is useless.)) I saw that the author was a professor at Brigham Young University, and knowing that Card is a Mormon, I groaned. I thought Card was just doing a fellow religionist a favor. I was wrong. The book was excellent - a great mystery/fantasy, with lots of action, well-developed characters, a major focus on the importance of religion, and very clean (which is how I usually describe books and movies that don't have sex in them - all too few nowadays, especially in the fantasy genre). I'd highly recommend it, especially since it's a stand-alone, rather than the first in a trilogy (which nowadays have a way of stretching out past 3 books - see, e.g., Robert Jordan).
* Google has a new feature in beta testing that allows you to search blogs. If you go to their homepage and click on "More," then click on the "Blogs" button, you can type in any search term and blogs that fit that description will appear. I've mixed feelings - it will make blogging much more addictive, I think, since now they're searchable. But I'm really not sure that I want my blog to be visited by random spammers. We'll see how it works.
Off to wake up wife and kids now.
--DJ
* I've been reading Daniel the last few days. As usual, the first 6 chapters are fascinating, but the second half of the book just confuses me. A question for you all: it appears clear to me that the four kingdoms referenced in ch. 2 and ch. 7 are the same four. It also seems clear that the "little horn" in ch. 7 and ch. 8 are the same person - Antiochus Epiphanes. Problem: this means that the four kingdoms are Babylon, Media, Persia, Greece. I grew up with a good standard dispensational viewpoint that the kingdoms were Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Anyone have any insight on this?
* A new author named Brian Sanderson has just put out a book called "Elantris." I got it on the strength of Orson Scott Card's high recommendation, but when I picked up the book at the library and read the author bio (yes, I'm weird, I usually do that before reading the book. I also read any dedication, preliminary notes, etc. Sara laughs at me, as she gaily dives into chapter 1 (if not chapter 2, having decided that chapter 1 is useless.)) I saw that the author was a professor at Brigham Young University, and knowing that Card is a Mormon, I groaned. I thought Card was just doing a fellow religionist a favor. I was wrong. The book was excellent - a great mystery/fantasy, with lots of action, well-developed characters, a major focus on the importance of religion, and very clean (which is how I usually describe books and movies that don't have sex in them - all too few nowadays, especially in the fantasy genre). I'd highly recommend it, especially since it's a stand-alone, rather than the first in a trilogy (which nowadays have a way of stretching out past 3 books - see, e.g., Robert Jordan).
* Google has a new feature in beta testing that allows you to search blogs. If you go to their homepage and click on "More," then click on the "Blogs" button, you can type in any search term and blogs that fit that description will appear. I've mixed feelings - it will make blogging much more addictive, I think, since now they're searchable. But I'm really not sure that I want my blog to be visited by random spammers. We'll see how it works.
Off to wake up wife and kids now.
--DJ
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Mundania IV
I haven't had anything to blog about for the past several days, but in the interests of keeping reader interest, here is a post to tide you over until my blogblock is gone.
* Honey and peanut-butter sandwiches are great pick-me-ups in the middle of the afternoon.
* We got new neighbors, only it's taken them forever to actually move into their house. I and my friend across the street refer to them as "the Phantom Neighbors." But we think they have young kids, so we're eager to make their acquaintance.
* I split an infinitive in the previous paragraph.
* Darren arranged with a neighbor to attend a monthly men's gathering. I said, "So this is like a support group for men, right? You sit and share your struggles, give encouragement, cry and laugh?" Pause. "Where are the affirmative mm-hmms?" He replied, "I'm waiting for you to suggest something interesting." I think they just sit around and talk.
* As Lindsay blogged, she was nice to a car rental guy and got upgraded from an $18/day economy car to a brand new Sebring convertible, at no extra charge. Nothing like having blond hair, a dazzling smile, and (in Lindsay's own words) psycho-blue eyes. In case there are any other ordinary, brown-haired, hazel-eyed girls wondering... no, life isn't fair.
* I am a night person, and I do all right in late morning. But I hate afternoons. About two years ago, I detected a pattern: every day around 3:30 when I was changing yet another diaper, I'd wail that I wanted a new job and didn't like this one anymore. Eventually I figured out that life got better if I held on till evening. Also I ate honey and peanut butter.
-- SJ
* Honey and peanut-butter sandwiches are great pick-me-ups in the middle of the afternoon.
* We got new neighbors, only it's taken them forever to actually move into their house. I and my friend across the street refer to them as "the Phantom Neighbors." But we think they have young kids, so we're eager to make their acquaintance.
* I split an infinitive in the previous paragraph.
* Darren arranged with a neighbor to attend a monthly men's gathering. I said, "So this is like a support group for men, right? You sit and share your struggles, give encouragement, cry and laugh?" Pause. "Where are the affirmative mm-hmms?" He replied, "I'm waiting for you to suggest something interesting." I think they just sit around and talk.
* As Lindsay blogged, she was nice to a car rental guy and got upgraded from an $18/day economy car to a brand new Sebring convertible, at no extra charge. Nothing like having blond hair, a dazzling smile, and (in Lindsay's own words) psycho-blue eyes. In case there are any other ordinary, brown-haired, hazel-eyed girls wondering... no, life isn't fair.
* I am a night person, and I do all right in late morning. But I hate afternoons. About two years ago, I detected a pattern: every day around 3:30 when I was changing yet another diaper, I'd wail that I wanted a new job and didn't like this one anymore. Eventually I figured out that life got better if I held on till evening. Also I ate honey and peanut butter.
-- SJ
Monday, September 05, 2005
A Retro Teen Treasury
Nothing like a glut of Jones posts to brighten your day. (Side note: Did you know that if you try to say "slew" and "glut" at the same time, you come out with "slut," which doesn't communicate the right message at all?)
I just finished a book I purloined from my sister-in-law's bookshelf when we were up in Nova Scotia. It's a collection of teen magazine stories. Since the copyright date is 1960, the stories serve up lots of retro culture -- which, in a lot of cases, is more interesting that the story itself.
The names, for starters. Hal, Betty, Dick, Fran, Ed. With all due apology to the older generation, I kept thinking, "Shouldn't you be more concerned with your house mortgage and retirement than who is going to the Senior Prom?" Of course, our names -- Christy, Melissa, Jennifer, Jason, Brian, Brandon -- are going to sound just as stale to Addie's generation. I guess it will serve me right, but the fact remains that it's not easy to get involved in the teen romance troubles of Nancy and Larry.
The prices, for seconds. Henrietta, a spoiled rich girl, is trying to wheedle a fancy new dress out of her mother. "It's only about twelve dollars." Her mother replied frostily, "It's fourteen ninety-eight." And the twenty-first-century reader is screaming, "Fourteen ninety-eight for a new dress! Go get it NOW, for heaven's sake!" Later, Henrietta mentions casually to her good-looking boyfriend that they'll have to walk because Mother's car is in the shop; her voice left no doubt that they were a "two-car family." Wow, two cars. They probably had a T.V., too.
In a soda shop -- in 1960s teen land, there's always a soda shop to gather at -- a girl orders "just a Coke" because all she has is four cents. A sympathetic friend tosses in another penny for her. I mentioned this to my friend Nina, who remarked that she could get out her loose change and buy a whole pack of Cokes at that price. Speaking of Cokes, that's all these people order. "Just a Coke." "Coke with lemon." "Cherry Coke." "Pineapple Coke." (I actually don't remember if there was a pineapple Coke, but I wouldn't be surprised.
This is a world, obviously idealized, where a popular girl goes out with a different guy every week, although of course never to do anything more than kiss, and I guess that's only if they're "steady." Everyone has two parents, usually an annoying kid brother or sister, and lives close enough to school to walk.
But despite the vast difference in their world and mine, the stories are the same. All teenage girls think they're hopelessly plain, and always hope that they can catch the eye of the "dreamboat." (Even if you're a courtship girl... admiration is still nice, right?) We always wished our lives turned out like the stories do: that just by being ourselves, the guys realize what gems we are, and in the last two lines asks haltingly for a date next Saturday.
It didn't happen to me until I was twenty-two, and he didn't exactly stumble over his words. Which is remarkable, because he wasn't exactly asking for a date next Saturday. But when I read these stories, I get caught up in my teenage-hood again despite myself. I find myself cheering on the plain girl at the end (even if her name is Nancy). And also wish I could buy that fancy dress for under fifteen dollars.
-- SJ
I just finished a book I purloined from my sister-in-law's bookshelf when we were up in Nova Scotia. It's a collection of teen magazine stories. Since the copyright date is 1960, the stories serve up lots of retro culture -- which, in a lot of cases, is more interesting that the story itself.
The names, for starters. Hal, Betty, Dick, Fran, Ed. With all due apology to the older generation, I kept thinking, "Shouldn't you be more concerned with your house mortgage and retirement than who is going to the Senior Prom?" Of course, our names -- Christy, Melissa, Jennifer, Jason, Brian, Brandon -- are going to sound just as stale to Addie's generation. I guess it will serve me right, but the fact remains that it's not easy to get involved in the teen romance troubles of Nancy and Larry.
The prices, for seconds. Henrietta, a spoiled rich girl, is trying to wheedle a fancy new dress out of her mother. "It's only about twelve dollars." Her mother replied frostily, "It's fourteen ninety-eight." And the twenty-first-century reader is screaming, "Fourteen ninety-eight for a new dress! Go get it NOW, for heaven's sake!" Later, Henrietta mentions casually to her good-looking boyfriend that they'll have to walk because Mother's car is in the shop; her voice left no doubt that they were a "two-car family." Wow, two cars. They probably had a T.V., too.
In a soda shop -- in 1960s teen land, there's always a soda shop to gather at -- a girl orders "just a Coke" because all she has is four cents. A sympathetic friend tosses in another penny for her. I mentioned this to my friend Nina, who remarked that she could get out her loose change and buy a whole pack of Cokes at that price. Speaking of Cokes, that's all these people order. "Just a Coke." "Coke with lemon." "Cherry Coke." "Pineapple Coke." (I actually don't remember if there was a pineapple Coke, but I wouldn't be surprised.
This is a world, obviously idealized, where a popular girl goes out with a different guy every week, although of course never to do anything more than kiss, and I guess that's only if they're "steady." Everyone has two parents, usually an annoying kid brother or sister, and lives close enough to school to walk.
But despite the vast difference in their world and mine, the stories are the same. All teenage girls think they're hopelessly plain, and always hope that they can catch the eye of the "dreamboat." (Even if you're a courtship girl... admiration is still nice, right?) We always wished our lives turned out like the stories do: that just by being ourselves, the guys realize what gems we are, and in the last two lines asks haltingly for a date next Saturday.
It didn't happen to me until I was twenty-two, and he didn't exactly stumble over his words. Which is remarkable, because he wasn't exactly asking for a date next Saturday. But when I read these stories, I get caught up in my teenage-hood again despite myself. I find myself cheering on the plain girl at the end (even if her name is Nancy). And also wish I could buy that fancy dress for under fifteen dollars.
-- SJ
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Sharper than a two-edged sword
Although I love the Bible, there are some parts of it that I am less fond of. For example, Psalm 119. It reminds me of the efforts of a teenage boy who has just been taught about the acrostic form and, in typical exuberant youth, decides to make an acrostic to beat all acrostics. I tend to think that many of the verses are forced, rather than free-flowing and creative. I am far more fond of Job or the latter parts of Isaiah.
And then God, in His usual manner of pricking my stuck up balloon of intellect, uses His Word to meet me exactly where I need Him. And He uses Psalm 119. Twice in the last two weeks, a verse from that Psalm has been God's clear direction and comfort in my life.
It is a good reminder that not one of His words falls to the ground - although I must confess, I'm still skeptical about the spiritual value of Numbers 7.
--DJ
And then God, in His usual manner of pricking my stuck up balloon of intellect, uses His Word to meet me exactly where I need Him. And He uses Psalm 119. Twice in the last two weeks, a verse from that Psalm has been God's clear direction and comfort in my life.
It is a good reminder that not one of His words falls to the ground - although I must confess, I'm still skeptical about the spiritual value of Numbers 7.
--DJ
The Randomizer
We don't always know what Addie is talking about.
Her mind makes strange connections, and she in turn makes strange statements. When we ask to her clarify herself, she just repeats what she already said. It sounds very Oracle-like: "It is too close to drive there!" "What is too close to drive there?" "It is too close to drive there!" You can almost hear a resonant, disembodied voice adding, "I have spoken. You must seek the answer for yourself." We call her The Randomizer.
Today she was playing in Black Boar (thanks again, Derrick), and crawled out announcing, "The circus is here!"
Darren asked, "Are you a clown?"
"No."
"Are you an elephant?"
"No."
"Are you a trapeze artist?"
"No."
"Then what are you?"
She threw her hands wide. "I'm the King of Israel!"
The Randomizer has spoken. Seek the answer for yourself.
Her mind makes strange connections, and she in turn makes strange statements. When we ask to her clarify herself, she just repeats what she already said. It sounds very Oracle-like: "It is too close to drive there!" "What is too close to drive there?" "It is too close to drive there!" You can almost hear a resonant, disembodied voice adding, "I have spoken. You must seek the answer for yourself." We call her The Randomizer.
Today she was playing in Black Boar (thanks again, Derrick), and crawled out announcing, "The circus is here!"
Darren asked, "Are you a clown?"
"No."
"Are you an elephant?"
"No."
"Are you a trapeze artist?"
"No."
"Then what are you?"
She threw her hands wide. "I'm the King of Israel!"
The Randomizer has spoken. Seek the answer for yourself.
Friday, September 02, 2005
The Best of the South
My brother Neil -- whose computer is up and running thanks to a generator and far-above-rubies gasoline -- sent me this link about our town. Neil himself is a volunteer fire-fighter (said he sort of felt he should join, out of gratitude, after he set his grass on fire a couple of times). As soon as the winds died down Monday he was out with the department, clearing trees off the roads. Lots of neighbors grabbed their chainsaws and pitched in, too.
That's what this articleis about: how the town can't wait for FEMA to get aid to them, what with the devastation on the Coast, so they're turning out and starting cleanup themselves.
Lucedale is a small Southern town but it's not Mitford. It's a little run-down and the people aren't always gracious and mannerly. Or even very loveable. But you'll find all the best of Southern stereotype there, and I'm glad to say it comes through during times like this.
That's what this articleis about: how the town can't wait for FEMA to get aid to them, what with the devastation on the Coast, so they're turning out and starting cleanup themselves.
Lucedale is a small Southern town but it's not Mitford. It's a little run-down and the people aren't always gracious and mannerly. Or even very loveable. But you'll find all the best of Southern stereotype there, and I'm glad to say it comes through during times like this.
Thursday, September 01, 2005
News At Last
My sister called this morning. Her family, and my mom, are staying with relatives for now. Not because they have nowhere to live, but because Mississippi might not have power for another month and pregnant Rosemary wasn't up to braving August without air conditioning. :)
Trees down, a barn damaged, half a sign blown away, and some tin off a roof: that's basically the damage to my family's holdings, including my mom's restaurant. Even the town itself escaped most of the storm. Considering what the counties directly south and east of George County suffered (think: Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport... all those towns that aren't really there anymore), I think prayers were pretty powerful this week.
Thanks so much for all your concern: I've lost count of the inquiries after my family. And thank you for all your prayers.
-- SJ
Trees down, a barn damaged, half a sign blown away, and some tin off a roof: that's basically the damage to my family's holdings, including my mom's restaurant. Even the town itself escaped most of the storm. Considering what the counties directly south and east of George County suffered (think: Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport... all those towns that aren't really there anymore), I think prayers were pretty powerful this week.
Thanks so much for all your concern: I've lost count of the inquiries after my family. And thank you for all your prayers.
-- SJ
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