Pumpkin or Pecan?

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

What is your favorite movie?

Favorite college football team?

How about your favorite kind of pie?

At this time of year sometimes we worry about the different opinions that will be around the dinner table over the holidays.

We could try to stifle all opinions. Avoid conflict. No talk about politics or religion or movies or football.

I think that would be a shame, though.

Respectful conversation with people whose opinions are different from our own is an important life skill. It can be a spiritual practice.

And sometimes, different opinions means there is both pumpkin and pecan pie for dessert.

Jeanette

It’s Snowing

My dog Carly loves snow.

She doesn’t worry about shoveling. She doesn’t worry about driving. She doesn’t worry about changed schedules and plans.

Before we worry about all those things, let’s just take a moment to enjoy the snow.

It’s here!

Jeanette

 

When Google Doesn’t Have The Answers

The other day I was talking with some folks about the glories of Google.

With Google there is instant gratification to answer any question that may pop into my head:

• How many widows were there after World War I?
• How do you make turkey the day before Thanksgiving?
• Is the movie “Overlord” scary?

Or almost any question. There are some questions that Google cannot answer:

• How do some people who have lost everything still have hope?
• Where do feelings of love and compassion for people we’ve never met come from?
• Why would anyone give away their time for the sake of others?

For the questions which don’t make sense, which go beyond the rational, which go beyond Google, we have faith.

Jeanette

Stories Amid The Stones

All four of my grandparents are buried in Forest Dale Cemetery in Malden, MA. Although both of my grandfathers served in World War I, my paternal grandfather’s stone is in a section of the cemetery reserved for that war’s veterans.

Nearly 2000 men and women from Malden served in uniform during World War I and nearly 80 of them died.

As far as I know, neither of my grandfathers talked about the war. They came home and went about their lives. My maternal grandfather became a pastor. My paternal grandfather worked on the railroad until he died as a result of alcoholism at the age of 43.

This weekend I am wondering about these stories I don’t know. I’m wondering about the stories that are buried in Forest Dale Cemetery. Especially the ones that are buried in Section 13, Lot 2.

This weekend I am giving thanks for veterans and their families. And I am praying for peace.

Jeanette

 

“Alexa, What Is 4 Plus 6?”

A friend’s six year old son recently learned that “Alexa” can cut down on his homework time. At first it was funny….not so much any more.

Technology can sometimes hinder learning.

However, technology can also expand learning in extraordinary ways. It can open our eyes and ears to people, places, and voices we might never encounter on our own.

I was reminded of that this morning when I turned on my laptop to “Google” the question I had in mind.

There on the Google home page – the ‘Google Doodle’ was a video about Amanda Crowe, an Eastern Band Cherokee woodworker. Crowe was so gifted that she began selling her work when she was only 8 years old.

Giving thanks for Amanda Crowe today.

Jeanette

Voting Is An Act of Hope

The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Advocacy Office has been running a social media campaign called, “Remember the first time you voted?”

I don’t.

My favorite memory of Election Day in general is of my dad’s delight in sharing the words attributed to Al Capone: ‘Vote early — and often!’

He did this every Election Day – every Election Day.

I love to vote.

Voting is many things: it is an act of responsibility; it is an act of gratitude; it is an act of joy.

But for me, most importantly, voting is an act of hope in the future. Please vote.

Jeanette

(If you do remember the first time you voted, add your story to their page here: ELCA Advocacy )

 

 

5 Ways Zumba Is NOT Like Church

In my last post I wrote about 5 Ways Zumba is like church.

Today some thoughts about ways Zumba is NOT like church:

1. At Zumba we clap at the end of the class. At church that doesn’t usually happen.
2. At Zumba we listen to recorded music. At church we are the music.
3. At Zumba we are encouraged to drink water. At church we are encouraged to drink wine (or grape juice).
4. I don’t know the name of anyone in my Zumba class. I know most of the people around me at church.
5. The point of Zumba is to make myself healthier. The point of church is to make the world healthier.

 

Jeanette

5 Ways Zumba is Like Church

photo by Danielle Cerullo

1. I have to get there early to be in the back row.
2. I don’t always like the music.
3. It’s an hour. Sometimes that hour seems long. Sometimes it seems short.
4. Often I have no idea what I’m supposed to be doing or what the leader is saying.
5. When I don’t get there, I usually wish I had.

Next up: 5 Ways Zumba is Not Like Church 

Jeanette

Just Show Up

In the midst of grief the most meaningful thing we can do is to show up. Those who are grieving likely won’t remember what we say or don’t say – they will remember we were there.

Tonight is an opportunity to show up. #ShowUpForShabbat

In the wake of the anti-Semitic violence at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh which led to the killing of eleven people at worship, synagogues across the country are encouraging Jews and non-Jews alike to Show Up For Shabbat this weekend.

Maybe you’ve never been to a Jewish synagogue. Maybe you’ve never been to a shabbat service. Maybe you aren’t sure what you would say or what you would wear or where you would sit. That’s okay. Today we will just show up anyway. Those who are grieving will remember we were there.

Shabbat will be held at 7:30pm at Beth El Hebrew Congregation, 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria.

(I don’t know which door to go in either.)

Jeanette

 

Getting to 2

photo by Pricilla Du Preez

Marketing guru Seth Godin extols the power of blogging.

For years he’s blogged every single day. (Check out his blog here: Seth’s blog )

In a recent post he noted that blogging every day isn’t all that difficult. After about the 200’th post, it almost comes naturally! (Key word here: almost.)

This morning I’m not looking at getting to 200 – I’m just trying to get to 2. My second post. That’s it.

Alcoholics Anonymous uses the phrase, “One day at a time.”  Jesus phrased it, “Today’s trouble is enough for today.” (Matthew 6:34)

Today. Just today I will write a blog post.

And it’s done!

Onward,

Jeanette