Since I got a new computer with Microsoft's Vista installed as the operating system posting to livejournal has become almost impossible.  Meanwhile the Beta version of BlogSpot has calmed down and become easier to manage ( Read more... )

 Even Southern California has seasons.  It is definitely Fall: cooler in the mornings and often cloudy and damp, windy in the evening and actually chilly at night.  But then the sun warms up the afternoons, and you have to take your sweater off.  I love this change of seasons, and find myself longing for real Fall and some real weather.  It has ( Read more... )

It all came together so suddenly.  I had been thinking of taking a week to visit St Andrew’s Abbey, my favorite spiritual hangout, but wanted to look into a workshop rather than just going to for a week of silence and wandering.    As this thinking was developing in the back of my mind, I called an LA friend for a long-overdue lunch date.  Her ( Read more... )

All the ash in the air has been a boon to the local high school band.  They had a carwash fundraiser today at the big gas station across the street from their school.  My car was layered with white and grey, and the windshield had greasy black scum where the window washers scrape it off every day.  I stopped for a quick wash-up on the way to meet ( Read more... )

It's so late it feels wicked to still be up.  And I was up early today, too.  I am not sure where this energy comes from because it has been a lazy day.  No sermon or Bible Study to prepare, nothing required of me.  I watched assorted movies and finished knitting a shawl and started a new scarf while M and I watched "Dreamgirls."  Wow, it was very ( Read more... )

It was actually possible to see the sun today.  There were ripples of clouds across the sky, but tonight the stars are clearly visible.  M and I took the night off and went to see Harry Potter (finally ( Read more... )

The air is like pea  soup and the sunrise offered a pink disk barely resembling the sun.  The fire in the valley to the north continues to rage, virturally unchecked since the 4th of July.  On alternate days the sky in the distance is filled with towers of billowing smoke or, like today, sends a pall over us that leaves throats sore, eyes irritated ( Read more... )

Just a quick trip to Oregon for a classmate's installation in her first parish.  I was unable to attend her ordination in April, so a drive to Oregon to visit her and my brother and sister-in-law seemed like a wonderful way to spend some time.  I will have a chance to lunch with a Portland friend as well.  It is fun to be on the road again ( Read more... )

Contrary to the expectations of those in other parts of the US - or the universe, Spring in Southern California is gloomy and chilly.  Every now and then there is a glorious week of sunshine that reminds us that Summer will finally come.  Last week was one of those glorious weeks, and it was filled with art-making, singing a duet in church with a ( Read more... )

Between art classes and Hebrew and a challenging class called "Finding Lasting Love"," things have been pretty busy these days.  I love my art classes.  It is wonderful to have to shop in art stores again, but it makes the storage problem more intense, but I think I am up to it.  The printmaking class is especially juicy.  I come home completely ( Read more... )