observations from a gravestone in bowness

brother and sister run around the graveyard,
playing chase – mom and dad encourage them
their melodious laughter fills the air

a young man, shirtless, with a rope tied on his back
proceeds to light a cigarette, put on his shirt,
retie the rope to his back, and walk on carrying a jug of cider

tourists walk by – sunglasses, backpacks, and cameras
all shapes and sizes – young and old –
Asian and European – a boy carries oars,
a big tourist bus momentarily obstructs the view
of the old house built of oak and mortar

a baby crow squawks – quite still in the grass,
it sits for so long – finally it hops away to find food,
still not used to its wings

I go unnoticed sitting on the gravestone

The Moor

Walked on the moor today - Fabulous.
The WIND - so powerful.
The heather and the brush
Swaying in the wind.
So free,
So wild.
ROCKS jutting out.
Small pools filled with swamp.
The expanse of rugged
GREEN goes on and on.
I could get lost wandering,
This I know,
But the moor calls me,
Beckoning me to explore -
"Come,
     Dance in the wind,
         Sway with the heather,
             Walk on,
                   Walk on,
                        Walk on..."

Sometimes What Worked in the "Olden Days" Still Works Today

As I was baking brownies this evening for my calculus students in celebration of completing their AP exam, I realized I only had half of the sugar I needed for my recipe. I decided I would run out to the store to get more sugar. As I turned on my car I thought, "In the olden days they used to walk over to their neighbor's to borrow a cup of sugar." Then I thought, "Why not try!"

So, I turned off my car, got my measuring cup and walked over to my neighbor's house. I knocked on the door, giddy with the thought of trying this out. When my neighbor answered, I told him I had a unique request, "Could I please borrow a cup of sugar?" After a second he said yes, led me to his kitchen and poured a cup of sugar into my container as I profusely thanked him for his generosity.

In less than five minutes from when I discovered the sugar shortage, I was back in my kitchen, whipping up the rest of the brownies. I am thankful that sometimes what worked in the "olden days" still works today.

Here and Now

Challenged to move into our neighborhoods
And dwell among our neighbors as Jesus did.
He came and dwelt among us.

Look around at the people
Here and now,
Not ahead to what might be
Or is to come.
Be faithful in the little things
Here and now.
Then you will be entrusted with more
Later.

So it was that I was challenged
To follow my call
Here and now.
Dwell among my neighbors,
Love them as Jesus loved,
And share with them how He is working
Here and now.

Lord, give me strength for what is ahead.
May I prove your faithful servant
Here and Now.

A Taste of Heaven

what a glorious experience

to bring in the new year

with brothers and sisters

from around the world

worshiping with one heart

and one voice

in many different languages

unified in Christ

it was a taste of heaven