Happy Palindromic Birthday

Noah turned 22 today. Last night his Away message read, "soon I shall be palindromic." Happy birthday, N!

Just Plain Silly

I spent Reading Week on campus for the first time. In part I did so because we had a makeup class, but also I was sure I'd get more work done here. How could I have known that I'd be wandering the buildings looking for a heated space, and in that wandering, most everyone wanted to have long conversations? Even the student librarians wanted to talk -- and I heard an entire life story! Kinda funny. I'm not complaining, exactly. But the work needed to happen, and didn't. I'm just surprised.

Praying with T.S. Eliot

Ash Wednesday

VI
Although I do not hope to turn again
Although I do not hope
Although I do not hope to turn

Wavering between the profit and the loss
In this brief transit where the dreams cross
The dreamcrossed twilight between birth and dying
(Bless me father) though I do not wish to wish these things
From the wide window towards the granite shore
The white sails still fly seaward, seaward flying
Unbroken wings

And the lost heart stiffens and rejoices
In the lost lilac and the lost sea voices
And the weak spirit quickens to rebel
For the bent golden-rod and the lost sea smell
Quickens to recover
The cry of quail and the whirling plover
And the blind eye creates
The empty forms between the ivory gates
And smell renews the salt savour of the sandy earth

This is the time of tension between dying and birth
The place of solitude where three dreams cross
Between blue rocks
But when the voices shaken from the yew-tree drift away
Let the other yew be shaken and reply.

Blessed sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the garden,
Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood
Teach us to care and not to care
Teach us to sit still
Even among these rocks,
Our peace in His will
And even among these rocks
Sister, mother
And spirit of the river, spirit of the sea,
Suffer me not to be separated

And let my cry come unto Thee.

--Thomas Stearns Eliot

I Don't Get It

The seminary apartments have been without heat now for almost 24 hours. Even though the temperature rose to 40 degrees today, it's terribly uncomfortable inside. In some individual apartments, this has happened several times recently. I don't know why the problem doesn't get resolved. It's quirky, but no longer amusing. Grump, grump.

Origami

Today at the ATR office:

Raisin: This project's done. What would you like me to do next?
Jackie: How about some origami?
R: Origami? Hmm?
J: With lovely green paper.
R: (suspicious) Sure. What are we doing?
J: They're on the table. See all those green sheets?
R: Oh. The renewal notices. I'm folding renewal notices. Hah.

So much for folding paper into birds. But, I did try to fold elegantly.

Iris

What's the plural form of iris? Our dictionary says "irises," and yet a goodly number of knowledgable people swear that the plural simply is "iris." In any case, I am the lucky recipient of gorgeous purple iris(es) from my valentine. The flowers serve as a reminder to be happy today because this was the first Valentine's Day in three years that we were together -- even if it meant eating frozen dinners in less than 15 minutes and then sitting in a 3-hour class. How easy, some days, I can forget to be grateful.

Smart Start

Yesterday, a fun fellow seminarian called me a new name: Nature's Candy. No, I hadn't heard that before. Maybe it comes from a TV ad? In any case, while watching the news last night, I saw an ad for Kellogg's Smart Start cereal; the opening line shown on the screen was:

Do raisins have brains?

This was great timing for a laugh, as I was pretty sure I didn't have a brain in my skull. My test scores on recent exams disappointed me, and I am struggling hard to accept myself despite them. Another two seminarians and I have chosen not to discuss number scores with anyone, as that feels as though it leads to unhealthy comparisons, so I won't reveal them if asked -- but the raisin jokes seem like a timely message coming from...somewhere.....

not to mention being referred to as Dried Fruit on another blog! Thanks for the humor -- keep it coming.

And Another New Blogger

Check out this one, too. Good color scheme, Court! Welcome! But no blog entry about coffee? I don't get that!

Welcome to a New Blogger

I'm especially delighted to welcome Heidi to Bloggerland. Her blog features some really cool photos. (There's even one of her chapel stall!) Just when I was almost ready to discontinue my blog (lack of time for entries of real substance makes me wonder what's the point?), two of my readers convinced me today...the blog must go on! How else will we all keep track of one another when we're scattered about, away from this peculiar and wonderful place we call home?

Message for the Middlers

Courage! Press on for the Prize!
You've officially passed the halfway mark. Yesterday was the middle day of the middle week of the middle term of your middler year.

Bravo to you all!