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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Category: Notes Anthology

View from the Front Porch

George

It is Saturday morning and a beautiful morning it is. I’m sitting on our front porch which has become my favorite spot to read and enjoy the mornings. I have found the front porch provides a wonderful view of the world around me and gives regular opportunity to engage people. I wouldn’t suggest that front porches are THE answer to building community but I think if everyone had a porch and used it our world would be a very different and better place.

I have recovered from our drive from Burlington. It was a great visit with Clark and Vanessa and Lacey. We are expecting grandchildren (Tyler and Madison) from Louisville this morning. They will will be staying with us while Byron and Melissa take a short motorcycle trip to celebrate their wedding anniversary which was August 4th. Next week I plan to continue painting the exterior of the house.

Last evening I went fishing with Daniel and Jerod at lock #7 on the Kentucky River. Tanya, Meredith, and Blake joined us until it got dark. We were planning to catch some catfish but were fortunate to catch several white striped bass. No monster catfish. Maybe next time.

I’m reading Dissident Discipleship. The current chapter is about authentic witness. The following quotation challenges my thinking:

Authentic witness is not pretentious perfectionism, but transparent vulnerability. It seeks not to change others, but to offer the story of its own need for change and discovery in a way that opens dialogue. John Drane offers pungent commentary on this point:

Christians love to correct other people. But an appropriate attitude for a renewed and faithful church will begin with the recognition that we can only challenge others to follow the way of Christ if we are continually hearing God’s voice for ourselves, and allowing our own understandings  to be changed in the process. We have something to share with others not because we are different, but because we are no different, and can become credible witnesses, not as we condemn others and dismiss what we regard as their inadequate spiritualities, but as we constantly listen to the gospel and appropriate its challenge in our own lives.

Nauvoo

George

Today we visited Nauvoo, Illinois. It seems to be Mecca for Mormons. The city was settled by the LDS in early 1800’s as they fled from persecution. During the LDS occupancy it became the second largest city in Illinois. They constructed a temple similar to the one pictured which is currently the center piece for Nauvoo today. The original temple was destroyed by a tornado and a later fire after the forced exodus of the Mormons from Nauvoo following the death of Joseph Smith, Jr and his brother at the hands of a violent mob. In its prime, it was an idyllic place. Today many Mormons make pilgrimages to Nauvoo. We saw a lot of families visiting. There are lots of exhibits and activities that tell the LDS story.

Burlington, Iowa

George

We traveled to Burlington, Iowa today to visit Clark and his family. It is an 8 hr.+ drive. We arrived safely and are enjoying our visit. We had great gumbo for dinner. We will be here until Thursday morning.

THE Birthday Party

Today was an exciting and special occasion. Meredith had a birthday party for her dog Sugar (3 years). She invited some friends and their dogs. It was a grand affair complete with a dog talent contest ( the boys were the judges). Sugar came in third place and Pal took first followed by Teddie. There was a doggie fashion show and a special dog birthday cake and treats for the dogs. You can see a slide show from the party HERE. What would you expect when your favorite TV channel is Animal Planet?