kick start

I'm having a hard time getting back into the habit of blogging. RevGalBlogPals is a blog I read frequently, a group of clergy women supporting and challenging each other through their blogs. Every Friday they post questions to answer on your own blog. It's Monday, but I thought I'd give it a shot. Might kick start my blogging again, who knows?

Here goes - it's a "calendar related Friday Five"

1) Datebooks--how do you keep track of your appointments? Electronically? On paper? Month at a glance? Week at a glance?
This is a mess for me. I keep a United Methodist planning calendar nearby - it has all the lectionary readings for Sundays, all church dates, major holidays, etc. I like to look at a month at a time. My brother Neal gave me a Franklin Covey planner a few years ago, and I use that one too (mostly). James gave me a Palm Pilot, which I tried to use, but never got the hang of seeing a day at a time on the little screen. When I had an office, I tried putting appointments into my Outlook, so my computer beeped at me along with my Palm Pilot. I'm confused!

2) When was the last time you forgot an important date?
I tend to forget to pay the rent when I'm near the end of a term. My landlords are very kind about it. During that time, I'm completely focused on reading and writing rather than anything else.

3) When was the last time you went OUT on a date?
August 8th - James and I went out for Japanese food to celebrate dear friends' 15th anniversary.

4) Name one accessory or item of clothing you love even though it is dated.
I'm sure my teenagers could tell you several items, but I can't think of one.

5) Dates--the fruit--can't live with 'em? Or can't live without 'em?
My grandmother made a delicious date bread. Love it. But just dates? Not so much.

another good quote

As I go through all my stacks of papers, I'm finding quotes I've scribbled on envelopes and scraps of paper. Here's another good one.

Bishop Ivan Holt: "It is not the function of religion to answer every question. It is the function of religion to help men and women carry on."

One of the presenters at Ministers Week, Perkins School of Theology, included this in his presentation this past January. I recall that much, but not who said it, and it's not included in my notes.

Off the Blogger Bandwagon

Well, I've fallen completely off the Blogger Bandwagon. Have been having a relaxing summer, taking care of the million little details of life I'd let slide in the craziness of end of term papers and then the rush of summer vacation. By end of week, I should be organized and ready to begin preparations for the fall term.

There will be pictures to post, as soon as I can figure out how to put a slideshow feature on this blog. My brother Glen has been up to Boston for a visit, and there are heaps of travel photos to put together.

In the meantime, two quotes have caught my eye and have me pondering. A Chinese proverb in honor of the Olympics: A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man without trials. And from Simone Weil: Life does not need to mutilate itself in order to be pure.

Strike a balance between the two - some trials for personal improvement, but no need to go overboard. I like that philosophy.