And the winner is ........

Extraordinary Measures!

Birthday!

Today's my birthday! I had a long, hard day at work, but hopefully all my patients are better off for it, and I enjoyed a very nice Thai dinner with John and Daniel. Tomorrow I'll play, and add to this post; wanted to get it in with today's date on it. Goodnight, and may we all have a great new year! Love, Ann.

Okay, now it's really January 28, but I consider it still part of my birthday. Today is my fun day. Yesterday morning I was stretched beyond my stress and frustration coping capacity, but made it through, and after staying late with hours of documentation, finally got out to John, picking me up (literally and figuratively), always instantaneously healing.

We picked up Daniel, went to a Thai place he likes in Oakland (as do we now!) - Saysetha, and had a great dinner. I had a nice phone conversation with Mary, studying hard for midterms, and a brief one with Amber, which we'll continue this evening. I heard via John from Twitter that she was hungry yesterday afternoon because she gave her lunch to hungry immigrant children while waiting with them at Social Services. That was a great act of love, Amber.

Yesterday was a break with tradition in that I was not off work (missed the schedule request deadline), wasn't with my whole family, and didn't want/have a birthday cake because I had a box of special pecan cookies made by John's Mom. I'd made some cupcakes the night before and took to work for my coworkers. They were simple but yummy!

This morning I've been reading: National Geographic and a book from my sister, Baking Cakes in Kigali. I'd like to go to a movie, but also want to hang out with John when he gets home, and he doesn't usually like to go to movies. My choice picks are: Creation, Extraordinary Measures, and The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus. Which will it be?

These flowers came to me from my Mom. Thanks, Mom, and thanks again for giving me life!

And thank you, God.
For you created me and shaped me,
gave me life within my mother's womb.
For the wonder of who I am I praise you; safe in your hands all creation is made new.
(Bernadette Farrell, based on Psalm 139)

I look forward to a great year, determined that this last year of my 50's will be full of life, in both work and play; even thinking of venturing out into some new experiences!

Love to you all, and thank you for being a part of my life!

Robbie Burns Night

I had fun last night playing for my third year with Chris Yamate at the Pelican Inn Robbie Burns Night on the coast of Muir Woods. http://www.pelicaninn.com

Robert Burns was the famous "ploughman poet" of Scotland (1759-1796). Burns Nights are traditional celebrations of his birthday (January 25, close to mine!) with drink, haggis with mashed potatoes and turnips (MMMmmm), and poetry readings. My first-time falling down strapped into my piano accordion (fortunately not while playing) was not due to drink, nor did I eat the haggis! (I had my feast and drink before going in: peanut butter sandwich and tea.)

Burns' poetry can be read at:

 http://www.robertburns.org

Fun, as always, was watching Joshua Haiman dance; having know him since he was born, one of our kids' peers in their home school group. He's become a top-notch Scottish dancer, teacher, entertainer, a joy to watch, better each time I see him.

I'd hoped to get a photo of Chris and me, but forgot. The host took some photos; if I get one, I'll add it later. Something new this year was the number of people taking photos and recording on their smart phones, a sign of the times.

A Bard's Epitaph, Robert Burns, 1786.

Is there a whim-inspired fool,
Owre fast for thought, owre hot for rule,
Owre blate to seek, owre proud to snool,
Let him draw near;
And owre this grassy heap sing dool,
And drap a tear.

Is there a bard of rustic song,
Who, noteless, steals the crowds among,
That weekly this area throng,
O, pass not by!
But, with a frater-feeling strong,
Here, heave a sigh.

Is there a man, whose judgment clear
Can others teach the course to steer,
Yet runs, himself, life's mad career,
Wild as the wave,
Here pause-and, thro' the starting tear,
Survey this grave.

The poor inhabitant below
Was quick to learn the wise to know,
And keenly felt the friendly glow,
And softer flame;
But thoughtless follies laid him low,
And stain'd his name!

Reader, attend! whether thy soul
Soars fancy's flights beyond the pole,
Or darkling grubs this earthly hole,
In low pursuit:
Know, prudent, cautious, self-control
Is wisdom's root.

---

Chris is here!

One of my (our) greatest joys is having Chris Yamate over. We're brushing up our Robbie Burns Night tunes, many of which I've learned from Chris's large Scottish repertoire. For Chris, it's brushing up on fiddle, since she's mostly been playing bagpipes and harp for awhile.

I'd saved Rick Steve's Cities of Italy DVD that I'd gotten from Netflix to watch with Chris, since she loves Italy and has been there several times. So after practice, I cooked us a fettuccine dinner to segue from Scottish to Italian. While I cooked, Chris played her harp. It was a most wonderful experience! The joy of cooking with this beautiful harp concert right next to me, and the joy of a good friend! My cup overflows. Thank you.

Let me be your servant

Last evening we shared dinner and discussion with Amber's community, Casa Pedro Arrupe, a household of 8 Jesuit Volunteers, recent college grads working on poverty level stipend in social services among the poor and disadvantaged. Prison psych ward and anti-discrimination advocacy, domestic abuse prevention, children in schools, counseling, housing advocacy, and Amber's work: refugee resettlement. https://www.jesuitvolunteers.org/default.cfm/PID=1.25

We'd been invited to share some of our experience living in intentional community, as they are now. We told them the story of our historical community, the Ark, and how that experience influenced our marriage and family. We enjoyed revisiting our past, and hope some of it was meaningful for them.

This song, which we sang in our community, in our wedding, and still sing, sums up our spiritual direction in marriage, family, and intentional community. By Richard Gillard, The Servant Song:

Beloved, let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

We are pilgrims on a journey,
we are travelers on the road;
we are here to help each other walk the mile and bear the load.

I will hold the Christ light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you, speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
when you laugh I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow 'til we've seen this journey through.

When we sing to God in heaven
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we've known together of Christ's love and agony.

Beloved, let me be your servant,
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I might have the grace to let you be my servant, too.

Thanks for Good Friends

A couple of weeks ago, Facebook reminded me of my friend Sue Miller's birthday, so we invited Sue and Steve over for a birthday eve dinner. Sue and Steve are among our closest friends, though we haven't seen them often over the last few years. But, getting together with them always feels like no time has passed. Our families really connected when they moved here from Boston and joined our home school group, back in the early '90's. Daniel and Danny, Amber, Mary and Rachel became best friends, sharing many of their life activities and adventures together. We love them all. We had a great evening together, finishing it off with John's fantastic chocolate torte.

I've held this unfinished for so long, because I could write a whole book about this family. But that will have to wait for another time. Thank you, dear Millers, for who you are and the wonderful paths we've shared.

Check out Sue's fun blog: A New Thread, http://anewthread.blogspot.com

People, Look Up!

What I actually mean is leave your computer screen (I know you're there), take your body outside, and look up. It may not be there right now, but it will come again. This morning on my way to the gym, there was the most gorgeous array of clouds, the most beautiful wisps of white on blue. I stood looking up for a long time, admiring the art.

Likewise, I love the sparkling stars and the pearly moon at night. Even though I know the science of clouds, stars and moon, I see them as God's art work, here for all to enjoy. Sadly, the stars are often masked by our artificial light and other pollution. Hmmm, perhaps a metaphor here?

I was thinking about this before I realized that today is the celebration of Epiphany; very fitting. A people in darkness have seen a great light!

God Bless the Broken Road

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with friends Barbara and John Milligan last evening. They visited us in our home when Daniel was a toddler, then we lost track of each other until Barbara found me on Facebook a few months ago. She came over for a visit with John, Mary, and me last month, and helped me piece together some memories buried in my brain.

Barbara and I first knew each other as fellow accordion students at Palermo's accordion school in Santa Ana, CA; played in "band" together (happy memory for me, but not for her). Then we went separate ways, and years later were roommates in a little motel off the beach in Santa Barbara, which Westmont College had contracted as a dorm extension. Barbara was both my roommate and RA. That was not a great time in my life; I didn't do well at Westmont. I've buried those memories fairly deeply, but Barbara's memory is crystal clear. I would expect that she has terrible memories of me as roommate but, thankfully, not so.

It's been amazing learning about Barbara's life since then, getting to know her and her husband, sharing stories. Barbara is a published writer, editor, and spiritual director. She asks questions that draw forth your stories, and I learned things about (my) John and Mary that I hadn't known; John in both visits.

After our first visit, I wrote to Barbara, "I was thinking about your question to me: What did I think would have helped me at Westmont? That question, and my analysis that I should have spent more time studying, have rumbled around in my brain since we talked. Looking back, 'not studying enough' or hard enough wasn't the problem, only a symptom. I think I lacked maturity, life experience, and purpose/goal. In my high school yearbook, I wrote that I wanted to go to UCLA and study ethnomusicology. Why didn't I? I don't know. I think because Jane went to Westmont, it seemed the place to go.

It could be seen as a mistake, years misdirected or wasted, along with my involvement with the Isla Vista Christian Center and my subsequent trek from that group to Resurrection City in Berkeley. Did God guide me to take these steps? I don't know. But, I know that God has blessed this road and guided me along the way. Without the 'mistakes', I wouldn't be who I am, I wouldn't be a nurse, wouldn't have married John, wouldn't have borne and raised Daniel, Amber, and Mary. So, I am truly thankful for that broken road!"

We've looked at the broken roads in our lives that have led us to our beloved husbands, to each other as re-met and deeper friends, to our growing understanding of God and our spiritual journeys.

From the Rascal Flatts songs, which I thank Mary for adding to my musical exposure, I say, "God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you!"

Happy New Year!

With neither New Year's eve nor day work holidays for me, John and I enjoyed a cozy, yummy dinner together at home on the eve. I can't go out for pizza, since there are various foods with which my digestive system argues. But, we can make it! And how! (We just need to get Daniel to teach us how to throw the crust.)

John made the crust (rolled), ~3/4 whole wheat, with crushed rosemary, oregano, black pepper, honey and olive oil. I added the toppings after brushing the crust with a little olive oil and artichoke heart marinade: grated Parmesan cheese, sauteed sliced mushrooms, fresh basil and walnut coarsely ground pesto, chopped grilled artichoke hearts, grated aged cheddar cheese, finished with a light sprinkle of smoked paprika. We enjoyed it (understatement) with a bottle of chilled sparkling Cava from the Spanish Table near our home.

I love the new year, new beginnings, and have my list of resolutions in hand (actually, in my head).

Best wishes to you for a wonderful new year!