Ruminations from the Temple

Does this happen to you, too? You follow the link to register for this fabulous web-group-forum-whatever only to have the inevitable happen - you get stuck in a vicious circle of errors, an infinite loop, if you will, of email confirmations, re-registering, re-login, duplicate registrations, the giving of your first-born, bloodletting, yada-yada, infinitum ad nauseum. All you were trying to do was become a member of Train Whistle Lovers.org. Really? Ugh. Can't remember your password?  No worries, just request it, and prove you are not the serial-killer-hacker lurking to get into your audio book club.  Just can't manage to pull out that cutesy username that you made up that one night while laughing on the phone with your girlfriend?  No sweat, just request it to be emailed to you...except that they can't email it to you because that email address is registered to another user.  Oh yeah, that other user is YOU!   Oy! Now, I can't believe that I'm the o...

hand-scribed parchment - what a gift! Hear O Israel, Adonai is our G-d, Adonai is one! Blessed is the Name! The glory of His kingdom is for ever and ever. And you shall love Adonai Your G-d with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might. These words which I command you today shall be on your heart. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you travel on the road, when you lie down and rise up. Bind them for a sign upon your hand and they shall be  tefillin  between your eyes; and write them on the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.

There seems to be two kind of people; those who read, enjoy and write blogs (as well as other print media such as newspapers and magazines), and those who don't.  I, obviously, am in the first camp, but am a little confused about the other. I have always staunchly asserted that a good way to learn about someone is through their online presence, if they have one, that is. But, there is more than just learning about some one ; I have found you can actually learn some thing from reading blogs.  Well-constructed blogs which feature good writing, interesting photos and solid information or opinions that cause the reader to think are a goldmine of brain activity in whatever subject trips your trigger. Being a rather active blogger myself, I've taken my share of heat.  Not only have I been labeled a 'master wordsmith' (not in a nice way, by the way), but I have been called not-so-nice names due to my blog activities.  And not a week goes by that someone doesn't, in...

Oh yes, I am grateful! I'm grateful for erev Shabbat with the Chaverim. I'm grateful that Laura is home from the hospital. I'm grateful for St. Joe's hospital and all the staff there. I'm grateful for a day to be home. I'm grateful for busy days. I'm grateful for good conversation shared over a yummy potato pizza. I'm grateful for Sharon, Elizabeth, Joelle & Jonathan. I'm grateful for new friendships. I'm grateful that I can get caught up. I'm grateful for sleep. I'm grateful that the battery in the van wasn't dead after all. I'm grateful that I didn't have to buy a new one. I'm grateful that the AAA guy that showed up remembered me and was very nice! I'm grateful that Morgan got to spend the afternoon with good friends she hasn't seen for a while. I'm grateful for happy, sweet, loving messages on my FB wall. I'm grateful for good writers, smart teachers and youtube vi...

I typically don't make a practice of simply posting links to other blogs, however, this one really spoke to me. I hope it speaks to you, as well. Look Before You Leap, on Heggthought

The unthinkable happens and emotions run high. The unwanted diagnosis. The unexpected tragic phone call.  The betrayal. Suddenly pushed out of our comfort zone, challenged beyond our perceived limits, we revert into self-preservation mode...survival.  In situations such as these, it is easy and natural to slip into behaviors that focus on our hurts. Why do we naturally default back to self-focused thoughts? We all know that children are very self-focused from the time they enter the world.  Having three younglings of my own, I have experienced this natural self-centeredness and have sought to teach, redirect and model selfless behavior to the best of my ability. It is true, the mark of maturity is a consistent and disciplined attention to the needs of others. Unfortunately, this goes contrary to our natural tendencies. Quite a number of years ago, I had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of a dear believer at a women's retreat.  For the life of me I cann...

I'm grateful for a wonderful weekend filled with good friends, festival memories and campfires. I'm grateful and honored to know the Emery family. I'm grateful that there was leftover chili from our sukkah party. I'm grateful that Alex got a deer so quickly - more meat in the freezer! I'm grateful to have the motivation to do some more de-cluttering. I'm grateful for the opportunity, once again, to help feed the homeless of Tacoma. What a privilege. I'm grateful that I'm not a teenager. I'm grateful for good conversations and mature believers. I'm grateful for my bestie that helps me stay on track with my schedule. I'm grateful for visitors to my sukkah. I'm grateful to be able to visit my friend in the hospital. I'm grateful for hospital staff and medical professionals. I'm grateful for medical technology like scans, x-rays, MRI, etc. I'm grateful for yummy food in the cafeteria, I'm grateful...

I thanked G-d for you this morning.  Yes, YOU. I thanked Him for your honesty. I thanked Him for your standing by my side through some of the most painful, tragic things. I thanked Him for your presence at some of the most joyous times of my life. I thanked Him for your smile, your laugh and for your looks that speak volumes. I thanked Him for the phone calls, texts and messages that have come from you at the most amazing times. I thanked Him for your wisdom, teaching and understanding that have had way more impact than you could have ever known. I thanked Him for you holding my hand, your loving hugs and for the times that you let me cry on your shoulder. I thanked Him for your care and protection when I couldn't protect myself. I thanked Him for your hospitality, your willingness in friendship and for your fellowship which I needed so desperately. I thanked Him for all the times you wanted to spend time with me regardless of my mood. I thanked Him for the ti...

Mucinous Cystadenoma of the Ovary Mucinous cystadenoma is a type of tumor in the cystadenoma grouping. There are four major categories of ovarian tumors: 1. Epithelial tumors (65-75%) - serous or mucinous cystadenoma/carcinoma, clear cell carcinoma, Brenner tumor 2. Germ cell tumors (15%) - dysgerminoma, embryonal cell cancer, choriocarcinoma, teratoma 3. Sex-chord-stromal tumors (5-10%) - granulosa cell tumor, thecoma, fibroma 4. Metastatic tumors (10%) - uterine, stomach, colon, breast, lymphoma. Mucinous cystadenomas make up 15-20% of all ovarian tumors. They often become very large and can extend up into the abdomen. Pseudomyxoma peritonei can result if the tumor ruptures and spills its contents into the abdomen. These tumors are usually evaluated using ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. Findings on imaging studies are nonspecific. These ovanian tumors are usually multi-septated, cystic masses with thin walls. They also contain varying amounts of solid tissue which consists of...

Building history.  Yes, history happens on it's own, it's true.  But we build history, too.  Relational history. When I first entered a small congregation, I figured out pretty quick that in order to be a part of things, I actually had to be a part of things .  I know, that may sound trite, but it's true.  If you want to be considered part of a congregation, a community of souls that are knit together, then you have to spend time with those people.  You have to be there for both the pleasant and the unpleasant parts of being a community.  The rejoicing and the cleanup...and everything in between.  You have to be completely willing to give your all to the community - if you want to be considered a valued part, that is. At least, that's my experience. As I continue to work through the emotions involved with leaving a tight-knit community where I actively sought to build relationship and history, and as I attempt to enter another, I am ponderin...

I'm grateful for the opportunity and privilege to celebrate the festival of Sukkot with good friends and family - rejoice! I'm grateful for thoughtful comments on my blog. I'm grateful for clipboards, time to organize and a clean desk to sit at. I'm grateful for Costco photo. I'm grateful for my daughter - she turned 18 on Monday! I'm grateful for quiet time to think. I'm grateful for my new Hebrew book. I'm grateful that my friend is able to travel to another state to help a friend. I'm grateful for LipSmacker...especially Dr. Pepper lip gloss. I'm grateful to be able to use my son's iPod. I'm grateful for cat litter that actually works. I'm grateful for young people who are willing to help out. I'm grateful for recipes from friends. I'm grateful for my laundry room. I'm grateful to be part of a believing community. I'm grateful that I don't have to use my inhaler right now. I'...

Rejoice, art Monica Stewart re·joice , verb , 1. to be glad; take delight: to rejoice in the happiness of another; 2. to make joyful; gladden: a song to rejoice the heart. "You shall keep the Feast of Booths (Sukkot) seven days, when you have gathered in the produce from your threshing floor and your winepress. You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns. For seven days you shall keep the feast to the LORD your G-d at the place that the LORD will choose, because the LORD your G-d will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful ." ~Deuteronomy 16:13-15 So, since tonight is the first night of Sukkot , let us fulfill the command of rejoicing before our LORD!  What, you don't have much to rejoice about?  In this modern day, life can be hard.  Really hard. ...

This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is a flash of lightning in the sky. Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain... Change. No one likes it.  Everyone has to face it. I can see Mt. Rainier from my kitchen window.  I am ever-aware of the constant presence of this monster of a mountain just as everyone is around these parts. However, it wasn't until moving into our present home that I realized how the mountain changed daily. I can honestly say that I have never seen the mountain look exactly the same two days in a row. Ever. The beach is the same.  As I spent so much of my childhood with sand between my toes and wind in my hair, I quickly learned of the constant change that is the seashore.  Powerful, constant and persistent.  You can't stop it, for it comes in with the tide.  It takes...and it leaves. Change. I've been t...

Yom Kippur, 2011 (photo credit - Morgan Henderson ) The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand,  nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship;  it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one  when you discover that someone else believes in you  and is willing to trust you with a friendship. ~the famous Mr. Emerson

"All vows, prohibitions, oaths, consecrations, vows of korbon, or equivalent terms that we may vow. swear, consecrate, or prohibit upon ourselves, from the last Yom Kippur until this Yom Kippur , may it come upon us for good - regarding them all, we regret them henceforth .  They will be permitted, abandoned, cancelled, null and void, without power and without standing.  Our vows were not valid vows; our prohibitions were not valid prohibitions; and our oaths were not valid oaths." "Kol Nidrei is to be understood as seeking G-d's mercy for vows taken upon oneself which relate only to personal vows and oaths. Commitments and vows taken as obligations to others out to be kept even if the cost of such commitment is high." ~Kol Nidrei Service Siddur

OK, I'm shakin' things up a bit this week.  Posting Grateful Friday today instead of tomorrow due to preparations for Yom Kippur , the highest holy day of the festival cycle.  Tomorrow night is Kol Nidrei and I want to spend some of the day tomorrow getting my mind in the right place. I'm so very thankful for Yom Kippur , all the festivals and the opportunity to keep Torah - what a privilege. I'm grateful for my friend Barb! I am very grateful... I'm oh-so-grateful for a wonderful weekend at Quinault Lodge - what a treat! I'm grateful for new wine we discovered at Quinault - Ste. Michelle Horse Heaven Cab-Sav - yummy! I'm grateful for the fireplace we enjoyed in our room (don't you love those gas fireplaces?? So easy!) I'm grateful for our 'homeshul'...what a place of refuge. I'm grateful for the fact that we have a guest room so Padawan can stay if she needs to. I'm grateful for times of debriefing. I'm grat...

Yamim Noraim , or the Days of Repentance are the days between Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).  It is traditionally a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent and seek reconciliation before the Almighty, as well as from those whom you have sinned against in the last year. The Talmud suggests that Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d; to atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. In keeping with the famous erev Yom Kippur synagogue service called Kol Nidrei ("all the vows"), the Days of Repentance (or more commonly known as the Days of Awe) is a time of taking inventory of all vows and promises we have made, and to seek forgiveness for any that have been broken or dishonored, either purposely or accidentally. Three central themes are emphasized during this import...

A beautiful example of G-d's creation, and two of my bestest friends; what a wonderful way to spend Shabbat. ***