From the movie The Informant (so-so movie with a few great lines)~
“Paranoid is what people who are trying to take advantage of you call you. I read that in an in-flight magazine.”
Emo Phillips on the old Dr. Katz show, one of the funniest programs that ever aired in all of the existance of television!~
“I used to think the human brain was the most fascinating part of the human body. Then I realized, well,look what’s telling me that.”
“One afternoon when I’m walking home from school – I’m watching some man building a new house. And the guy hammering on the roof calls me a paranoid little weirdo… in morse code.”
From a great Michael Keaton movie The Paper~
“When did you start to get so paranoid?
“When they started plotting against me.”
Being paranoid makes a lot of sense when your enemies have become organized against you.
It’s 3 days until his 5th birthday. It’s been 1 week since his Uncle Rocky turned 25 (and Rocky is 5 times older than Hunter). It is 2 days until my birthday and it has now been determined I am 10. times. older. than Hunter. “Do you know why?” he asked me. “Because you were born before me.” Yes. it is true. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay before you, Hunter.
{sigh} Simon Cowell turns 50 this week, too.
My “adopted-love-that-girl-like-a-daughter” Stef (2nd from the left) just had a birthday last week. We did a girly night at The Lonestar “Don’t Mess with Texas” Steakhouse in honor of her Texas roots. Her birthday number did not include a “5,” unless you take 2 away from 7 (she’s 27 now). That does equal 5. Hmmm….something is in the air and the background tune is from The Twilight Zone: do-do-do-do do-do-do-do…
I would like to submit this suggestion to people everywhere: walk the 12 feet to place your shopping cart in the cart-corral when you are finished with it, pul-eeeeeze. Seriously? The corrals are everywhere. It isn’t hard.
Cart Corrals-Here is what they look like:
Be polite. Be moral. Be thoughtful. And especially if you have that plastic stick-on fish-thing on the back of your vehicle? Be an example since you are advertising that you are, indeed, a Jesus-representative.
Because…
If Jesus and the 12 Disciples came out of WalMart with 3-days worth of groceries and living supplies, sure. Peter would be too zoned in on his stuff to think about placing the cart in the right place and Judas would probably just give it a shove and let it hit your car. But Jesus?…
“Tea! thou soft, thou sober, sage, and venerable liquid…thou female tongue-running, smile-smoothing, heart-opening, wind-tippling cordial, to whose glorious insipidity I owe the happiest moment of my life, let me fall prostrate.” ~Colley Cibber, Lady’s Last Stake (I first read it on the invitation my daughters, Stephanie and Stormie, extended inviting me to tea.)
“Bread and water can so easily be toast and tea.” ~Author Unknown
The Tea, as I understand its’ purpose to be, was merely the opportunity for Stephanie and Stormie to try out as many rapturous recipes on us as possible. Things such as Blackberry Napoleans on shortbread and scones with raspberry preserves or fresh Devonshire Cream, finger sandwiches, and fancy tea cakes were among the wondrous offerings. Then there were the perfectly-brewed teas: Earl Grey, Peach and Chai Spice, to choose from. Luscious chocolate truffles and handcrafted candies awaited us as well. They just cooked and baked and created and delighted us all.
Stormie and Stephanie also took the opportunity to use the mix-and-match dishes and serving pieces they both collect. There was China as old as the 1930’s and pieces from the 40’s and 50’s as well as “vintage” linens from the 70’s mixed with things from Anthropologie’s vintage modern and oh-so-hip wares.
“If you are cold, tea will warm you. If you are too heated, it will cool you. If you are depressed, it will cheer you. If you are excited, it will calm you.” ~Gladstone, 1865
Pennants and garlands were sewn from papier and sprinkled about for color and fun. The effect was timeless and frolicsome and playful ~ grown women enjoying a tea party like little girls.
“Another novelty is the tea-party, an extraordinary meal in that, being offered to persons that have already dined well, it supposes neither appetite nor thirst, and has no object but distraction, no basis but delicate enjoyment.” ~Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, The Physiology of Taste
All true tea lovers not only like their tea strong, but like it a little stronger with each year that passes. ~George Orwell, “A Nice Cup of Tea”
“Tea. Earl Grey. Hot. And whoever this ‘Earl Grey’ fellow is, I’d like to have a word with him… ” -Jean-Luc Picard, Star Trek, The Next Generation
The Earl Grey was smooth and sweet (without sugar, thank-you very much) and I have enjoyed the Earl on several occasions since the tea. Yes, he was that good.
“Tea with lemon please” ~Jerry Seinfeld
Sandy-the-Dog takes her Tea with two lumps of sugar, if you please.
They just did a great job and we all felt so polite and honored and classy and well-fed.
Thank-you Stephanie and Stormie. I am available for recipe-testing anytime. It was magnificent!…Mom
Guinivere and Gemma show up on a crisp autumn morn to hang out with Nonna. Gemma runs to me, squealing with joy, “It’s Nonna! I found Nonna!” I pick her up and twirl her around and she squeezes her face to mine. Guini sneaks by to head straight for the toys and snacks.
Outside there is a fairly strong wind, and though the sun is the brightest bright, we determine quickly that something warm to drink will be in order. I supply my sweet-petites with hot chocolate. They add a crystally sugar cube (because Nonna is out of marshamallows and you must add something) and begin happily stirring and sipping. I join them on the patio with my piping hot coffee.
We discuss all manner of fun topics as we watch Sandy-the-Dog chase birds, and bees are drawn to the pink, sparkly shoes they are wearing. Our steamy hot beverage party moves from under the canopy on cushioned chairs to the stairs to the antique bed/couch (temporarily not in its’ rightful patio space due to a social function held here recently). At some point Gemma divines that if she has a blanket, she can just sprawl on the patio concrete and be quite content.
Suddenly the grandbebes are hungry. I grab a bag of tortilla chips and, for myself, some homemade salsa (the hot stuff). Grown men were unable to eat it the other night, yet Guini devours salsa’d chip after chip saying, “It isn’t too bad. It’s not too spicy.” That’s my girl!
“Nonna, can we watch Sprout?” Yes.
5 minutes later, “Nonna, can we have lunch?” Seriously? Well, maybe a snack, I decide, and as we go through the list of everything we have in the house, they settle on hot dogs. They each have 2. With mustard AND ketchup (ick). Did I not train their mother correctly on acceptable hot dog condiments??!?
Energized by food, they make quick work of the family room, grabbing every pillow and couch cushion, making a circle around the coffee table. Now it is time to run like banchees and scream at the top of our lungs. Round and round the table we go, running on top of the pillows, which, is actually pretty dangerous, let me tell you.
After they tire of it (and I am nearly dead), they pull out the play cell phones and it seems that everyone who calls them wants also to talk to me. I do my best to have believeable conversations into dead phones, as Guini and Gemma follow the chatter quite closely, nodding their heads as if they knew exactly what the phantom-person on the other end wanted to discuss with me. Tara and Tredessa “called” a lot. That is all I am saying.
“Nonna, I have to go pottie,” Gemma would excitedly exclaim. This happened at least 17 un-event-filled times (and did not happen twice when it should have), but we did have quite the chatter-filled bonding time. Guini-the-Flower girl informed me that cameras were not welcomed. And even though I tried to tell her it would warm my heart to have memories of this beautiful, crisp, fine, fall morning together, she was resolute. Softly, yet without apology she said, “I told you no pictures today.”
But it is captured in my heart and my mind’s eye. And I did sneak a couple of shots. Think she’ll forgive me?
Rocky was bemoaning turning 25 (or a quarter-of-a-centuryold) a few days ago and the fact that he would never experience having a “surprise party” because Jovan cannot keep anything from him. In her defense, I have to tell you, Rocky is the worst! He can make you think he knows things he doesn’t and then your facial expression gives things away. He has done this to Jovan and I plenty of times. He is a booger. I made a quick mental note of the conversation and emailed his sisters. In about 4 or 5 days flat, we threw together a little surprise for him (and about 80 other people) at a local school/park where we could play baseball with him, something he wants way more of in his life.
Could the secret be kept? Well, we put on the invitation that no one should even let Jovan know. Why risk it? So it was a surprise for both of them. We worried about church on Sunday. Some one might give it away But, yaaaay. No one did.
We did it! We actually surprised Rocky! He showed up at our house 2 blocks away and there was a sign which said, “Happy Birthday, Rocky. Meet us up at the ball field.” The shelter is right at the intersection, so we could all see them coming and were waving and cheering them in.
Friends and family. Food and cake. Baseball. And the wind.
Old friends, new friends, brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, parents and in-laws and church family and neighbors joined us to celebrate Rocky. There was even a dog or two. His dad read a blessing over him and we found out who the really competitive baseball players are.
There were 2 big cakes: a 12″ white with cherries on top and a pumpkin spice cake, which was really nothing more than a socially acceptable vehicle for eating the ultra-thick, unbelievably-amazing cream cheese icing (made with real butter and heavy whipping cream – the BEST I have ever made). It was to die for, I must say.
When Rocky was born in 1984
Can you imagine what a thrill it was, late on a Saturday night, to finally get a son? I had three adorable little girls in flouncy dresses, barrettes and lacy ankle socks. Then the doctor said, “You have a boy!” I actually laughed and cried simultaneously. I was sure I was having another girl, which would have been delightful, but wow! A boy? What a thrill! I couldn’t sleep all night. I just wanted to look at him and smell his sweet head. He still smells good.
Rocky, as a son, has been the sweetest and the orneriest boy in the world. He has been the most polite and the most exasperating young man. He has gone at everything with full vigor. He has picked up the annoying traits of one of his parents (I won’t name which of us) who thinks that everything you do should be done bigger, better, faster, louder, and to perfection. He pushes us, drives us, encourages us and chides us. He never settles. He never lowers his standards. And he likes being right.
But he is so loveable and tender, too. He is an adoring husband and such an attentive daddy. He cares about all of us deeply and is protective and opinionated, always wanting the best for us. He has never been harder on anyone else than he is on himself. He is my boy, and he is beloved. Happy birthday, Rock-man. I love you so much.
25 wishes for my son on his 25th birthday.
Hey, Bo-Bear? You’re not the kid brother anymore. You’re a man. You have put away childish things. I wish for you to trust yourself and value your own thoughts and opinions and gifts the way the rest of us do.
I wish so much happiness and romance and love for you and Jovan. You’re in this tricky part of young marriage. So much love and time go to the babies right now. But love the wife of your youth. Tend to her. Listen and watch and pursue her like you did to get her to marry you. The rewards will come back to you.
I am loving watching Averi be such a little daddy’s girl. The tenderness she has brought out in you is a sight to behold. And I love the way she has picked up your very unique traits, especially the silly faces and crazy noises. I pray you will hold these daddy-daughter moments as life’s most precious treasure, because that is what they are!
Keep singing, Rock-man. Sing to the Lord. I sense His smile on your song. It isn’t a job. It is a call. It is an honor to have been appointed to the Holy Place.
I wish for you the time to do all that crazy guitar-perfecting you want to do so badly. Get going, kiddo. 10 years from now, you could be the best in the world!
I hope you’ll win many X-Box games over the next year. I also hope there will be worthy and challenging opponents.
I am praying for God to place the right people in your path, the ones who can give you something God wants you to have, and ideas you can build on. I am praying for God-planned connections, and deep friendships with people who love you, but who will also aggravate you into growing.
I wish for you a band of strong brothers-in-theLord: men who have your heart and your passion to fight the battles with you, like-hearted warriors you can trust.
Strengthened family relationships. You’re a hero to all your sisters and even though some of them are older than you? They really love to have your protection and guidance and love in their lives. They want you to butt in (and you like to, too). So, get in there and get messy with your sisters. And your baby sister still needs you so much!
I wish for you a strong friendship and bond with your dad, who loves you so much-just like he read to you at the party. Do you know how many young men will never get a father’s blessing spoken over them like that?
I want you to keep making me laugh. That sounds more like a wish for me than you, but you like to make me laugh. You know you do.
I wish for you to quit tickling me and scaring me. Really. Stop that, you ornery little booger.
Happy birthday, Rocky ~ may this be a year of many, many wonderful surprises!
Joy! Just a great big, heaping pile of joy on you. For you. In you! May the great joy of the Lord be your strength and your might.
Songs! Write more songs! I can’t wait to hear the songs pour out!
I am asking God to send you mentors who will recognize the deep treasure in you.
Financial blessing and steps towards the dreams you and Jovan share. May wealth and riches be in your house. (Ps. 112.3)
I pray that you will enjoy the blessings of a man who fears the Lord and keep His commandments. (Ps. 112.1)
I pray your children, Averi and the baby due in March and all the ones after that, will be blessed and mighty in the land (Ps. 112.2).
Because you are a gracious and compassionate and righteous man conducting your affairs with justice, I know the Lord will see to it that even in dark times, a light will dawn for you and good will never be far behind (Ps. 112.4-5).
I wish for your heart to be steadfast and secure. You trust in the Lord, Rock-Man and you’ll have no fear of bad news. You’ll always know you’ll win over the enemy. (Ps. 112.7-8)
Keep the generosity going, son. You have a giving heart. God will honor you for that and raise your authority level. (Ps. 112.9)
I thank the Lord that you decided at the age of 12 or 13 that you wanted to be a Psalm 112 man. It is happening. As you have become that kind of man, God is blessing you in that way. So cool!
Sabbath rest. Oh, how I wish that for you – the really good, God-blessed, restorative, one-day-a-week, joy-filled rest. Make every effort to get it. It’ll keep you! Hebrews 4
I wish for you to know how many people love you, respect you and admire you. There are many. But my wish is that you’ll see it, know it, and most importantly: RECEIVE it!
I love my son!…Jeanie-the-mama
NOTE TO SELF: Me and Rocky and the guitar. More of it!
One gorgeous daughter + One very talented photographer = A big bunch of great photos. Ellie really captured Tara’s luminosity, her incandescence . You may hire Ellie (www.lilacphotography.com) to capture your heart and radiance, too.
Two of my sweet, wildly-creative daughters have invited me to tea. The above invitation was mounted on deep purple cardstock and tucked into an envelope and hand-delivered when I returned from Puerto Rico. They’d been devising their festivities. So polite and formal.
Lisa Bierer and I, when we had a little shop in a small city in Nebraska, used to be called upon to lecture on the Victorian custom of Tea and were a resource for those seeking the “finer things.” It may have had some impact upon my young and impressionable daughters for they have been at work collecting vintage linens and old China and planning a lovely tea for a few of us.
I love my girls. I love tea. With great pleasure I accept this invitation. A delightful time is in store, I think.
The question really isn’t “What would Jesus do,” as much as it is,
What is He doing – through you? Today? Right now, right where you are?
Because He isn’t living our lives for us. We are. And the way we live is His expression in the earth. In the store. At the restaurant. In the parking lot and on the interstate. It’s His expression where we work and in our homes. So what is Jesus up to right where we stand?
Friends. Food. Warm fire. Funny stories. Burden-sharing. Honesty. Love. Receiving advice. Coffee at midnight. Marshmallows and chocolate. Stars in a clear sky. Chill in the air. Staying up really, really late. Uncommonly amazing women of all ages with common hearts (I’m the only one of this group regularly receiving AARP-pooey mail, though, so maybe my heart isn’t in as good of shape?).
Everyone should find some life-giving friendships.
