Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
Goodbye to the Holidays
On December 28, we had 22 people for dinner. Both of our families came for the holidays, and that was our "overlap" night. So we brought in food from On the Border (thanks to Heather Heck and Dad Glahn) and headed to Highland Park for a horse-drawn hayride through the Christmas lights. What a sight! One family reportedly spent $25,000 getting their tree decorated.The wagon was probably the only vehicle in town that would fit all of us. Homemade cookies were provided by the McLaughlins; hot drinks, by Starbucks.
The next morning we went to the Dallas World Aquarium with the Glahns. Someday perhaps we will download those photos. In the meantime, goodbye 2009 holidays! It was fun while it lasted. Back to school tomorrow...
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Back to Reading
So now that most of my house guests are gone, I’m back to reading. I ran all over town today seeking the next three books (by William Fenimore Cooper). Apparently The Prairie was not such a huge hit, but I did eventually locate it at a used-book store. BTW, if you wonder how far along I am in my reading list, consider that I am reading alphabetically by author. Uh…yeah. I have a ways to go.
Anyway, today I completed The Awakening by Kate Chopin and Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and other Short Stories by Stephen Crane. Here are some of my thoughts on those.
Warning: Ending Spoiler
The Awakening, a classic novella by Kate Chopin (pronounced SHOW-pan), hit book stores in 1899. Among the first Southern works, Chopin’s story is set in New Orleans and Louisiana’s southern coast. Her protagonist, Edna Pontellier, faces timeless moral decisions as she struggles to find a voice of her own amidst prevailing social attitudes.
The Awakening is one of the earliest American fictions to explore women's issues without condemnation or patronization. The story is full of sensuality that, though tame compared with contemporary stories, drew heavy criticism at the time of the book’s debut.
Its contribution is in raising the issues that drive Edna ultimately to kill herself. If we ask whether she was right to do so, we waste energy. The greatest value of the story is not in the rightness or wrongness of Edna’s decisions but in helping the reader explore the contemplations that lead to them.
Chopin’s realistic narrative reveals her talent for revealing psychological complexity and providing subtle social commentary.
Released six years earlier, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is a Stephen Crane novella. It’s the first and longest of several Crane works in this compilation. No one gets redeemed or has positive character arcs or offers hope in these stories. Crane seems uninterested in redemption, opting instead for realism.
For example, Maggie’s story takes place in Lower Manhattan’s Bowery neighborhood. She grows up in an abusive home and becomes a prostitute when her mother kicks her out. Yet the mother wonders why her daughter “went to the devil.” In another story, “The Monster,” a doctor’s black servant saves the doctor’s son from a burning house, but in the process this servant loses his face. The story explores an externally upright neighborhood’s hideous responses to the (heroic) human they can hardly bear to look at.
These stories do not leave the reader feeling uplifted. But they do provide interesting explorations of life’s injustices and the warped reasonings that often accompany them.
Anyway, today I completed The Awakening by Kate Chopin and Maggie: A Girl of the Streets and other Short Stories by Stephen Crane. Here are some of my thoughts on those.
Warning: Ending Spoiler
The Awakening, a classic novella by Kate Chopin (pronounced SHOW-pan), hit book stores in 1899. Among the first Southern works, Chopin’s story is set in New Orleans and Louisiana’s southern coast. Her protagonist, Edna Pontellier, faces timeless moral decisions as she struggles to find a voice of her own amidst prevailing social attitudes.
The Awakening is one of the earliest American fictions to explore women's issues without condemnation or patronization. The story is full of sensuality that, though tame compared with contemporary stories, drew heavy criticism at the time of the book’s debut.
Its contribution is in raising the issues that drive Edna ultimately to kill herself. If we ask whether she was right to do so, we waste energy. The greatest value of the story is not in the rightness or wrongness of Edna’s decisions but in helping the reader explore the contemplations that lead to them.
Chopin’s realistic narrative reveals her talent for revealing psychological complexity and providing subtle social commentary.
Released six years earlier, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets is a Stephen Crane novella. It’s the first and longest of several Crane works in this compilation. No one gets redeemed or has positive character arcs or offers hope in these stories. Crane seems uninterested in redemption, opting instead for realism.
For example, Maggie’s story takes place in Lower Manhattan’s Bowery neighborhood. She grows up in an abusive home and becomes a prostitute when her mother kicks her out. Yet the mother wonders why her daughter “went to the devil.” In another story, “The Monster,” a doctor’s black servant saves the doctor’s son from a burning house, but in the process this servant loses his face. The story explores an externally upright neighborhood’s hideous responses to the (heroic) human they can hardly bear to look at.
These stories do not leave the reader feeling uplifted. But they do provide interesting explorations of life’s injustices and the warped reasonings that often accompany them.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Sisters!
After two weeks of constant family coming in and out, the house is super quiet. But we have lots of great memories of the 2009 holiday season. One of the best for me is extended time with both of my sisters. For my birthday, Mary (red sweats) treated us to lunch. Two days later, we took the kids to Six Flags.
I hope that, like me, you had a great Christmas and holiday season. Happy New Decade, everybody!
Monday, December 28, 2009
2,000-year-old Residence Discovered in Nazareth
The remains of a 2,000-year-old residential building from the time of Jesus were discovered this week during an archaeological excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority near the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth, according to the Israel Board of Tourism.
The ancient structure, consisting of two rooms and a courtyard, includes a rock-hewn cistern in its center which was used to collect rainwater. The structure was found underneath a 600-year-old wall dating to the Mamluke period. Fragments of Roman-era clay and chalk vessels were found inside the building and are believed to have been used by the ancient Hebrews approximately 2,000 years ago.
"The discovery is of the utmost importance since it reveals for the very first time a house from the Jewish village of Nazareth and thereby sheds light on the way of life at the time of Jesus," says Yardenna Alexander, Excavation Director, Israel Antiquities Authority. "No other settlement remains have been discovered that are attributed to this period."
The ancient structure, consisting of two rooms and a courtyard, includes a rock-hewn cistern in its center which was used to collect rainwater. The structure was found underneath a 600-year-old wall dating to the Mamluke period. Fragments of Roman-era clay and chalk vessels were found inside the building and are believed to have been used by the ancient Hebrews approximately 2,000 years ago.
"The discovery is of the utmost importance since it reveals for the very first time a house from the Jewish village of Nazareth and thereby sheds light on the way of life at the time of Jesus," says Yardenna Alexander, Excavation Director, Israel Antiquities Authority. "No other settlement remains have been discovered that are attributed to this period."
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Christmas Memories
On Christmas Eve we had make-your-own-pizza night, supervised by my sister, Mary. Then we braved the treacherous roads to catch the 11 PM service at Watermark, where my brother-in-law is on staff.On Christmas morning my niece and nephew cooked. Yum! Around the table with my sister Carrie's family we shared something about Christmas for which we're thankful. We acknowledged the loss of their husband and father. Then we watched a couple of videos with him in them.
My sister Mary's family joined us for a huge meal with 14 around the tables. Food, glorious food!
Afterward people hung out, played Wii down the street at Mary's, or worked a puzzle. We ended the day watching A Christmas Story (the one about the red BB gun). After Mary's family left, we watched and discussed The Star of Bethlehem.
Today the three sisters got our nails done, and Mary took us to lunch for my birthday. Tonight we went to the Manheim Steamroller concert with Carrie's family. It was a dress-up affair, and we took photos. Those will have to follow later.
What a blessing to have family together. We feel so blessed!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Christmas Preferences
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, but prefer wrapping with self-tied sparkly bows.
2. Real tree or artificial? I grew up on a Christmas tree farm, but my husband and I finally went with artificial because of allergies. Once we found out it didn’t help, it was too late. It’d already been purchased.
3. When do you put up the tree? This year, Thanksgiving weekend. Usually later. I like earlier.
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime around mid-June.
5. Do you like eggnog? Bleaach. My husband drinks mine.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? The family gift someone gave us of a “hot fudge sundae kit.” Picture seven people building their sundaes with caramel and strawberries and whipped cream and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.
7. Hardest person to buy for? The dads.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter. She gives us her list around Halloween.
9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Equipment for the bar we don’t have, complete with martini coasters.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail with a newsletter including family photo inside.
2. Real tree or artificial? I grew up on a Christmas tree farm, but my husband and I finally went with artificial because of allergies. Once we found out it didn’t help, it was too late. It’d already been purchased.
3. When do you put up the tree? This year, Thanksgiving weekend. Usually later. I like earlier.
4. When do you take the tree down? Sometime around mid-June.
5. Do you like eggnog? Bleaach. My husband drinks mine.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? The family gift someone gave us of a “hot fudge sundae kit.” Picture seven people building their sundaes with caramel and strawberries and whipped cream and chocolate, chocolate, chocolate.
7. Hardest person to buy for? The dads.
8. Easiest person to buy for? My daughter. She gives us her list around Halloween.
9. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Equipment for the bar we don’t have, complete with martini coasters.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail with a newsletter including family photo inside.
11. Favorite Christmas Movie? Unedited Holiday Inn.
12. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually around Thanksgiving.
13. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yup.
14. Favorite thing to eat and drink at Christmas? To eat: Grammy’s cheese ball. The kind with nuts and parsley. To drink: Hot chocolate with marshmallows. Or rather, eat marshmallows with hot chocolate on top. To make: Decorating sugar cookies.
15. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored.
16. Favorite Christmas song? Tie between the entire Handel’s Messiah and O Holy Night.
17. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Usually travel to see family in cooler climes. There’s something wrong with sunbathing weather while Bing Crosby’s crooning. This year for the first time in decades we’re staying in Texas and everyone is coming to us.
18. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? There are…Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Dixon; Donder and Cupid and Comet and Blitzen. But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph. It feels off a bit, but I think I’m close.
19 Angel on the tree top or a star? Star.
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? One on December 24—sometimes jammies for our girl. It’s easier to get kids ready for bed if the bedclothes are a present. On "the day" we have a big breakfast and the kids go nuts while we wait to get dishes done.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Highway traffic backed up at the mall.
22. Favorite thing about the Christmas Holidays? Lyrics about Christ the Lord playing everywhere I go—a friend’s house, the department store, even the grocery store.
Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Life Since Saturday
Sunday - Worshiped with our sister church in Mexico; Gary preached; we all distributed Christmas boxes to kids and adults; crossed the border back into the U.S.; found out my mother-in-law lost her husband of three years while we were gone; went to San Antonio for the night; saw the Alamo and beautiful Christmas lights on the Riverwalk.
Monday - Drove home; collapsed; enjoyed an authentic Chinese meal made by the family of my sister, who used to live in China.
Tuesday - Visitation at the funeral home.
Wednesday - Funeral; enjoyed the hospitality of my friend Linda, who cooked us great tortilla soup and took us caroling in her neighborhood.
Thursday - Up most of the night with my husband, who had a migraine that three shots wouldn't lick. Took my brother-in-law to the airport. Watched the weather that says we expect up to a foot of snow on Christmas. Plan for tonight: fifteen for dinner--make-your-own pizza night--before heading to the 11 PM service.
Christmas is not just about good times. It's that God came down to enter our world. Immanuel = God with us. We are not alone!
(P.S. It's now snowing!)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Mexico: Special Delivery
Saturday night we delivered our church's gift boxes to everybody (kids and grown-ups) at the mission church of Iglesia Kerigma, our "sister" church in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. But first the mission kids put on a Christmas program, and Pastor Chuy and I, along with my daughter and her guitar-playing friend, sang "Feliz Navidad." The crowd stood and sang with us and clapped along, rocking the house. When we finished, they yelled for an encore! So we quieted down and ended with "Silent Night." They sang in Spanish and we sang in English, just like I imagine heaven will sound, with voices raised from every tribe and nation.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Headed to Mexico
Last night my sister, Carrie, and my two nephews arrived--with niece Julia to follow after finals in a few days. Our friend Jon Simkins, who drives the limo for Interstate Batteries, picked up my family and my younger sis and drove us out to meet their flight.
Spending their first Christmas without husband/dad is tough, so we wanted to surprise them, spread a little joy, add a celebration to this time.
When we walked out of the airport with bags in tow, there was this big, green machine parked on the curb in front of us. And Carrie said, "Wow! Look at that!"
I said, "That is cool, huh? Let's see what it's like inside." And I walked right over to the back door and opened it. My nephew told me later he was thinking the people inside might not like that very much!
A few minutes later, we were rolling down the highway holding sparkling grape juice and toasting their arrival. And Carrie said, "This is pretty fun!" :)
Today Carrie and the boys and I went to the live Christmas caroling event at Dallas's exquisitely decorated Adolphus Hotel. The Plano Civic Choir closed with Handel's "For Unto Us a Child is Born" and the grand finale, "The Hallelujah Chorus." Glorious!
Tomorrow Gary and our girl and I leave for a few days in Mexico. We're driving Christmas boxes down to our sister church in Nuevo Laredo, leaving my sis and her kids to have the run of the house--and time with my other sis, who lives six blocks away.
Would you partner with us by asking the Almighty to open doors of opportunity? For safety? Team unity? Comfort for my family? For all of our peace and joy? We'd be grateful!
Spending their first Christmas without husband/dad is tough, so we wanted to surprise them, spread a little joy, add a celebration to this time.
When we walked out of the airport with bags in tow, there was this big, green machine parked on the curb in front of us. And Carrie said, "Wow! Look at that!"
I said, "That is cool, huh? Let's see what it's like inside." And I walked right over to the back door and opened it. My nephew told me later he was thinking the people inside might not like that very much!
A few minutes later, we were rolling down the highway holding sparkling grape juice and toasting their arrival. And Carrie said, "This is pretty fun!" :)
Today Carrie and the boys and I went to the live Christmas caroling event at Dallas's exquisitely decorated Adolphus Hotel. The Plano Civic Choir closed with Handel's "For Unto Us a Child is Born" and the grand finale, "The Hallelujah Chorus." Glorious!
Tomorrow Gary and our girl and I leave for a few days in Mexico. We're driving Christmas boxes down to our sister church in Nuevo Laredo, leaving my sis and her kids to have the run of the house--and time with my other sis, who lives six blocks away.
Would you partner with us by asking the Almighty to open doors of opportunity? For safety? Team unity? Comfort for my family? For all of our peace and joy? We'd be grateful!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
