Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Knitting into the mystery of Lent

I had this nutty idea that I'd learn how to knit socks as a Lenten discipline. And I'm not giving up on this nutty idea. Yet. I still have 5 days to decide...
See, at the Lut-Episc retreat, there were all these knitting clergy chicks. I know lots of clergy chicks knit. I, myself, have knit a number of prayer shawls. (And they were all holey, holey shawls. I'm just sayin'..) But I've never undertaken a really difficult project like knitting socks. My dear friend, Julie, knits like a fiend and she's convinced I can do it. She offered to accompany me to the yarn store and get me started.
One of my many problems is that I get excited in yarn stores and start to think that I should buy lots of yarn. $67 later, I am the proud owner of 5 skinny bamboo double pointed sticks and three skeins of yarn that are supposed to make 2 socks each. Upon further reflection, I now realize that good stewardship wasn't part of this Lenten discipline decision. Darn.
Julie cast on the 64 stitches to begin the first sock. I'm supposed to knit-purl-knit-purl 10 rows and then continue to just knit for 7 inches.
But I'm running into major problems when it is time to begin with a purl stitch on the next needle.
So I've put it down for tonight. I will find someone tomorrow to give me some one on one help because the knitting books I looked at weren't helpful.
I'll keep y'all informed.
Peace,
RevMutha

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Lut-Episcs

January is a good time to retreat.
I guess.
Because today begins the Lutheran-Episcopal Pre-Lenten retreat for the pastors-priests in our area of upstate, NY.
I nicknamed it "Lut-episcs" which I thought was really clever.
We're only together for 2 days but it is time well spent because we are joined by a professor from a seminary or divinity school who basically outlines the Lenten readings and gives us ideas for sermons (or homilies, depending on who's describing it.)
I'll let y'all know how it goes.

Here's a random fact from "Thinning the Herd"
"In any given year, fifteen times as many people are killed by falling coconuts than by sharks."

I don't plan on encountering sharks or coconuts on the retreat, so I should be okay.

Peace,
RevMutha

Monday, January 28, 2008

Beyond my threshold of fear

Special thanks to my GBF, Kyle, for sharing this in his blog.
And most special thanks to him for teaching me how to add links in my blog.
Wow. I'm learning!
And if you don't like the f-word, don't go to this link.
But I thought it was f-ing hysterical!
Love y'all,
RevMutha

THE FIVE MOST HORRIFYING BUGS IN THE WORLD

Bibliotherapy

So, after a trip to the world's greatest bookstore (The Northshire Bookstore in Manchester, VT) and a brief stop at the New Skete Monastery, I have a bag full of books to read. Oh the joy! Here are my purchases:
"The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs
"Lost" by Gregory Maguire
"Broken for You" by Stephanie Kallos
"The Unredeemed Captive" by John Demos
"Lost and Found" by Jacqueline Sheehan
"A Short History of a Small Place" by T.R. Pearson
"Thinning the Herd-Tales of the Weirdly Departed" by Cynthia Ceilan
and "Divine Canine--The Monks Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog" by the Monks of New Skete.
Whatchall readin'?
Peace,
RevMutha

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Retreat/Advance

I'm on retreat!
Kind of. I'm still choosing to check my e-mail and blog. But I want to make clear that it's my choice--it's not out of any sort of obligation. I'm just sayin'.
5 Episcopal Clergy chicks have gathered at Pompanuck (check it out when you're surfing the net--www.pompanuck.org) to hang out and rest and cook and spend time talking and reflecting and laughing and eating and drinking.
It's a good thing.
No kids, no spouses, no pets.
Ahhhhh.
This afternoon, we'll be taking a trip to one of the world's greatest bookstores, The Northshire Bookstore, in Manchester, Vermont. Bibliotherapy. Can't be beat.
And this afternoon I'll be gettin' a massage.
That's what I'm talkin' bout.
Life is Good!
Thank you, Jesus.

Friday, January 18, 2008

She's Back!

Yep--didn't blog for a while.
Well, I did, but it was on the e4gr blog 'cause I'm a guest blogger.
Oppositional disorder--the more I told myself in December I needed to get back to blogging, the more resistant I was!
Ridiculous.
And I couldn't make it a New Year's Resolution because that's predictable.
I'd much rather make resolutions that are extraordinary--like resolving to lose weight, exercise more, or clean out the basement! Cause nobody does that, ever.
Right.
The Hannah Montana concert was great, at least for one of my daughters. My older one was a little freaked out by the loud volume and crazed energy level of 8,000 screaming young girls. My younger one had a complete and total blast and was ready to storm the stage. Go figure.
I spent last week emceeing at a Comedy Club. I think Jesus gets a kick out of me doing stand-up.
More about that later.
Peace and Happy New Year!
RevMutha