Out of the Frying Pan

Use it or lose it

We've unloaded lots of stuff in the past year. But it's far from all gone. In particular, years ago I collected Quimper pottery. The trouble with a collection is that, even when you're done collecting (as I have been for many years), you still have the collection.

I'd love not to have it anymore, so from time to time I'll mention aspects of it that might be of interest to folks who sail through here via search engines. Paul Fouillen (see a beautiful table where dessert plates of his design are used) was a particular interest, mostly for his Celtic designs. Worthpoint has some recent examples of his things; some are similar to mine. If you're interested, let me know. I'll get around to posting some photos.

Nieces and nephews and other young friends, I have a number of Franciscan Ware sets. Yours for the asking. Tons of vases, too, some with family stories attached.

These are lovely things, but I don't use them. It's either this, or a trip to Chaco Canyon, where for one thing the ancients made magnificent pottery for the purpose of smashing it as an offering. Like I said, it's either this or...

Year end

For many Christians, today -- the Solemnity of Christ the King -- marks the end of the liturgical year. The Gospel for today (John 18:33-37) reports Pilate raising the question: "Are you the king of the Jews?" What did he make of a "kingdom not of this world"?

Some might interpret Jesus' answer to mean that there is no kingdom; they are that certain that there is nothing beyond this world. Others believe, hope, or imagine that there is. Surely the Gospel begs consideration. right: Rublev's Saviour - early 15th c.

Next Sunday, the first of Advent, marks a new year. But today the second reading (Revelation 1:5-8) looks ahead to a time beyond all years: Behold, he is coming amid the clouds...

Today also marks the 46th anniversary of the assassination of President John Kennedy. I think I am among the younger of those who remember exactly where they were when they heard. Our teacher had been called into the hall and returned to our classroom, crying. Coming so soon after the Cuban missile crisis, the world seemed at least as frightening as it did 38 years later on September 12.

An old anthem of mine, back in the day

These days it's more like "I'll sleep when it's 10 pm" but, you know, that just doesn't scan ;)

Everybody dance!

Ramping up for US Thanksgiving, get on your feet: The Original Gratitude Dance. And when you're done, check out gratefulness.org, where they're "building a worldwide Network for Grateful Living". HT Polly Smith for the video

Various things

• It's, er, piling on to mention this, but as much as Jay Cutler dissed the Bronco defense last year (he and everyone else), he has to be missing the Denver offensive line. Last year: one sack per 56 attempts; this year, one per 16 attempts (according to the Bear site last week. After today's "performance", the number is surely worse). Ouch.
• Some seriously foul soup was made in the kitchen today and I doubt that use of the passive will do much to conceal the perpetrator's identity. Let's leave it that the search continues for a good corn chowder recipe. The Mimi's wannabe recipes on the Web are wanting. Seriously.
• For the over-25 set, only, We Don't Need No (Formal) Education: Social Media and the Edupunk Initiative. See what you think.

Usually homemade soup works for dinner and supper. Thank you, Good Times, for rescuing supper.

The ninth floor, a diner, and the kitchen table

It was quite a good week for seeing different things in various places.

As the last photo shows, I'm having a lot of trouble with lighting, especially white balance. On a 30 second exposure, things are quite grim at the moment.

Quick stop at the Cathedral of Christ the Light

For months I've been interested in seeing the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland. Tuesday in the late afternoon I was able to do so. Things are somewhat in disarray because of organ construction. To me, that made it a unique opportunity to see the Cathedral as a work in progress.

Probably I'll change out these images, but I wanted to blog something right away about this beautiful space. Weekdays there are docent tours at 1 pm, according to a very nice woman at the information desk. That she and the man at the door, whom I assume is a security guard, were so gracious to someone wandering in late in the day is something I shall remember, at least as much as space.

9th floor at dusk, Tuesday

Warm temps, pure blue sky: perfect for touching down in Oakland for a day.

Musing: in my view, but not through a lens

Often it's not very hard to know the right thing to do; the hard thing is to do it.

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen articulates a critical metric in intimate relationships. The other's quirks are not annoying to the lover; the other's quirks annoy infinitely the one who does not truly love. Watch for that, kids.

Janzen stayed fifteen years in a marriage that I can only describe as horrific and was, in the end, left by her husband, who seemed to be an abusive and controlling fellow who blamed the worst of his bad behavior on "bipolarity".

You already know what I think about that, but I'll reiterate that if any medical condition causes a person to act out, that person needs to seek out and follow an appropriate regime to get herself under control. Diabetes, high blood pressure, bipolar, OCD -- I've heard 'em all used by people who do not want to follow the rules for staying in bounds.

Janzen's husband thought that effective treatment for bipolar blunted his "edge" of creativity and energy. Damn right it did, I hope! He was evaluating his "edge" with a broken brain, a brain that wasn't taking in his impact on the world.

This woman's case was extreme and she wasn't willing to hear anything that might have been a criticism of her beloved. But you, you standing on the precipice of decision, do the right thing, whatever you know it to be. Go to school, change jobs (before you quit the one you have), have the baby, stay in the house or move, drop the girl and move on or move out, marry or leave, stay in touch or break cleanly, read the book or pass it along: commit.

Commitment begins with my knowing my values and then holding myself rigorously accountable: my diet, my doctor's appointments, my assignments, my housework, my doing what I can to add to the joy and safe intimate space for the ones I love.

This morning, sitting in this bleak and supposedly luxurious lounge, that is what I say to myself and, with tremendous compassion, to you. Have things right in your life. It isn't easy, but it's simple and you already know that.

I cannot say it better than William Stafford in The Little Ways That Encourage Good Fortune.

Encourage good fortune in your life, my friend. I am living to do the same.