Ruminations from the Temple

Margaret 'Maggie' Anne Dexter Jones and her young daughter Elizabeth Jean How can I describe my mother? She was loving, tender, sensitive, caring, compassionate, smart, intuitive, witty and sarcastic... she was a willing listener, an avid wisdom giver, and a champion for the underdog... she was a beautiful woman, an endearing mother and a faithful wife... she was a smile to strangers, a friend to many, and invaluable to those that knew her. She was, and always will be, my hero. The phone call telling me that she is gone leaves me in as much of a fog as the gray, misty fall morning.  And a piece of me died with her. What am I going to do without my Mom? Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning... breathe in and out all day long. Then, after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed every morning and breathe in and out... I miss her already.  More than I could ever say.

fallacious , adj. , a)  containing or based on a fallacy, b)  deceitful: intended to deceive, c)  based on an incorrect or misleading notion or information. That's just not true.  No really...we do get a lot of rain here in the Pacific Northwest! But, I do not want to be fallacious, after all.  I found this article by Andrea Thompson that will dry up any falsehood about the rainiest cities in the United States.  And while Ms. Thompson's findings may measure actual inches of rain, that somehow doesn't account for all the gray, overcast, drizzly days here in the PNW.  That drenching drizzle really doesn't add up to much in comparison to the famous cow-peein'-on-a-flat-rock Louisiana rain, now does it? Do you think Seattle is the rainiest city in the United States?  Well, think again. Mobile, Ala., actually topped a new list of soggiest cities in the contiguous 48 states, with more than 5 feet of rainfall annually, according to a stud...

The first time I heard Hebrew being canted in the synagogue I cried.  "I'm home," I thought to myself, discreetly wiping the tears crawling down my face.  I certainly wasn't expecting that response, but there it was.  Home. Not too many years earlier, I had a similar experience.  I was standing in the choir loft in a large assembly giving my whole heart and soul to worship and fellowship.  I remember thinking happily to myself, "If I were to die right this moment, I will have fully lived."  The feeling of belonging and the complete contentment it brings might define home. Recently, I heard another speaking in the same tone, expressing their experience in finding their community 'home'.  It made me stop and ponder; what is home and what prompts, what I call, the 'I'm home" response? “Home is not where you live, but where they understand you.” ~Christian Morganstern The feeling of being "home" is not speaking about a plac...

I'm having a bit of a time thinking of something to be grateful for this morning, actually.  It's not that I'm not appreciative for all that the LORD has provided for me, it's just that I'm a little down.  We are in the middle of festival season, and well, I wish I could feel a little bit more...celebratory.  Instead, it feels like a swan song.  All things change, people let you down, and the Master moves us along our path.  For His purposes, I'm sure; I am thankful for His guiding hand in my life. I will be eternally grateful for the tender souls that He has placed in my life that build up; the cheerleaders that not only encourage me, but any they meet in need.  Those special people that are tasked with loving and caring for the hurting.  Compassion is a sweet thing, and I'm thankful for all those that have ministered to me by showing love and concern during difficult times.  (They most certainly know who they are!) I'm grateful that I have m...

I love my hobbies.  Star Wars, letterboxing, photography...travel.  But there is one of my favorite pastimes that I don't know that I would categorize as a hobby, but I do find myself thinking about it often, and that is the search for the perfect boot. I appreciate all types of boots, believe me.  I have many pairs of boots for all occasions in my closet, to be sure.  But I'm not just looking for any boot, mind you...I'm on the hunt for The Perfect Jedi Boots. The burning question is this:  does The Perfect Jedi Boots exist? Please, someone tell me they do. Annie's tall boots The Perfect Jedi Boots would first and foremost be tall boots.  And not those mediocre, two inches shy of the knee that the fashion boots try to pass off as tall.  I mean all the way to the knee tall .  No pullin' them up to pretend tall.  And, not over the knee, either.  That would be too tall. Obi-Wan's Ep III version replica Next, they need t...

Defamed, characterized as undesirable and tainted, our poor Word of the Week is one of those negative words that no one wants to claim. STIGMATIZED , v., (past tense) , to accuse or condemn openly or formally; brand as disgraceful. Ouch!   You certainly don't want to be ostracized from your peers by attaining that label, that's for sure.  The houseboats of Seattle had earned that reputation early on, but have since regained quite a reputation.  Seattle's Lake Washington and Lake Union are lined with these pricey residences.  The houseboat used in the sweet and popular movie Sleepless in Seattle only confirmed their fame and put the high-end houseboats on many a lake-cruise tour itinerary. Sleepless in Seattle houseboat, yours for only $2.5 million...

I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with some really fun-loving people, some of my favorites, at the Fair yesterday.  We had so many laughs - I really needed that! I'm grateful for all my wonderful hobbies and the interesting, intelligent and witty people I have met through them. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  (Phil. 4:8) I am thankful that the LORD made me who I am. As I get older, I think I am finally growing into the 'features' he gave to me. I will always be grateful to Him that I can give comfort, real comfort, to a hurting friend when it is needed. Yesterday, I had that opportunity.  (I pray the LORD gives me a whole lot more of these opportunities to be His hands, feet and heart to those that are hurting.) The leaves are starting to turn. I'...