Love Lived On Death Row

In March of this year, I was lovingly inspired by The Spirit to attend a screening of a film called Love Lived On Death Row. The death penalty isn't something I paid much attention to previously, but any movie about real life forgiveness is worth seeing. I drove out to Greensboro after work and watched the film, wondering why I was there. The film was riveting, an excellently executed documentary, but why did God call me there?

It has taken a few months to discover why in more detail, but this last weekend sealed the deal. I am now co-marketing the film with the director, Linda Booker. The ideas for venues and strategies are quite varied, but we've got our 3-6 month plan outlined & are moving forward with enthusiasm.

Check out the website for more info & no doubt I will continue to blog about this experience.

http://www.lovelivedondeathrow.com

The Cleaning Virus

It's shocking, but, I've contracted The Cleaning Virus.

How do I know? What are the symptoms? Sneezing, occasional difficulty breathing, organizing, sweeping, and walking to the trash and recycling bins. This weekend was particularly troublesome - I organized my clothes again, checking sizes, styles, and combinations. Well, once that started, then I had to evict the many dustbunnies from under the bed. My goodness they can get big!!

But that's not all. No, I also dealt with my living room. It still has some work ahead, but the clutter has seriously lessened. I hung some fabric on the curtain rod, thereby finishing the look of the room, and rearranged some furniture. It's not completely dealt with, but closer than before. Frightening if you ask me.

But last night's rampage isn't what has me worried. These events aren't what is bringing about this terrifying diagnosis. No, it's much more severe than all that.

My car is still clean and free of trash.

I know. It's hard to believe, but obviously this is much more serious than anyone could've ever imagined. I wouldn't be worried, except that I have no plans for guests or passengers. Entertaining has habitually been my impetus for a cleaning spree, but I have nothing on the books. No, apparently I'm cleaning for me. I've even kept my bathroom swept. (Since I can shed like a longhaired cat in an equator tiki-bar, that's pretty impressive.)

Is there an antidote for all this? Is it contagious? I don't know. I suppose I should just keep taking my vitamins, and see how the remaining organizing needs come about. The kitchen and office are still in need of attention, so it's possible that my immune system will combat these foreign contaminants, these outlandish motives of being an adult. Again, is it a miracle? A new habit? A passing fancy?

Only time will tell...

She's Beautiful!!!

Yea!!! I just picked up my sewing machine, and she looks radiant. I can't wait to get sewing!! I am visiting my friend Chandra this weekend, and since she shares my love of sewing, I'm taking My Beauty with me. The plan is to make two skirts that I've had on the project docket since Spring. Yea!!

It was wonderful to visit the ladies at Sewingly Yours. Teresa, Wannita, and Sue never cease to amaze me. Their current fabric selection is incredible, and they continue to break out wonderful classes. This week they have Youth Camp, a 5-day sewing camp for teens. I am so impressed with them. They have this shop not to sell fabric or machines but to encourage people of all ages through their love of sewing and creating. Way to go, Ladies!!

I still don't know how old My Beauty is, but once I write down the serial number, I should be able to look it up online or with Sue at the store. Stay tuned & I'll be sure to post a picture as soon as I get one taken.

39 and Beyond

Lots of changes at fundamental levels, and my starting a new blog is one of the fruits of my hidden labors.

Please check out my new blog, 39 and Beyond. The address is http://www.39andbeyond.blogspot.com or you can click on the link posted to the left.

Strange things are afoot...

If any of you have noticed a significant shift in The Force, I can tell you why. It's not nuclear armament in North Korea, the First African-American president visiting Africa (Thank you CNN for stating the obvious as if it means something), or Paul Zindel having written about the Effects of Gamma-Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. No, it is greater than all these things.

I cleaned out my car.

I know, sit down if you need to, because this is quite groundbreaking. I have owned my Space-Pod Honda for 16+ years, so don't think that I found things from 1993 under the driver's seat. I didn't. However, I did find a thing or two from when I worked at River Birch Lodge and Jason's Deli. That carbon dates my last serious clean-out sometime in Spring 2008.

I'm not sure what has taken over me. I not only removed the trash, recyclables, and clothing destined for the cleaners, but I also spent the whopping $1.50 on vacuuming the seats and floorboards. Crazy. A buck-fifty and my car looks nearly new. Even with the oxidizing paint on the roof and hood.

I don't know what this means, if this is a sign of the things to come. It could be just another cosmic sign of the Age of Aquarius, the New Age dawning on this planet we call Earth. Or, it could be another of God's miracles, thankfully interceded by my beloved St. Anthony. Or, maybe, just maybe, I got tired of it being a mess.

I suppose only time will tell.

Sewing

Earlier this year, I took a sewing class & thoroughly enjoyed it. I have wanted to sew for a long time, and over the past couple of years, the desire grew steadily. Finally, I gave in, and kept it in prayer and meditation. I refused, however, to put myself in economic danger, so I was waiting for a miracle, even if it was only $60. Christmas came and one of my gifts was 3 $20 bills. Oh yeah - it went straight to the cost of the class. I took the class, making pajama pants and a pillowcase, and I fell in love. The experience of sewing centered me in a way I didn't expect, and I love the bragging rights that come from finishing a project.

A couple of months ago, my dear friends Dick and Betty gave me a sewing machine quite unexpectedly. I love it. It is older and fully manual (but electric). When I say fully manual, I mean I have to change the discs in order to change stitches! Isn't that great?! It is also heavier than a paper weight so I know that I won't easily break it. Dick and Betty - Thank you again for such a beautiful and kind gift.

I know my "new" Singer had been sitting dormant for a while, and I know so little about machines, I decided to have it tuned up before I began messing with it just in case something needed to be adjusted. The Quiet Voice prodded me to visit my favorite local sewing shop, Sewingly Yours in Lewisville, this past Saturday. I hadn't visited in a while, and it was nice to be remembered. I took care of the immediate question - when can I come in for a Sit-N-Sew session? - then as what seemed to be an afterthought, I asked about machine tune-up pricing. To my surprise and delight, they are running a special in July, $20 off. Again, God's got my back on my desire for sewing.

I should be able to pick it up this week, just in time to take it with me when I visit my friend Chandra in Virginia Beach, VA. I hope to make a skirt or two this weekend, then start on the baby quilt kit my Aunt Janet gave me in June. Yea!!

The Beauty of Summer

Life is good, and so is God.

This year, I'm particularly amazed by this season called summer. Perhaps it's that I took my vacation at the beginning rather than the end, and so I'm able to be at home and experience summer post-vacation planning rather than pre-vacation planning. I must say, I like it.

I'm energized by the subtle changes in my spirit and world. For the first time that I can recall, I am not living under copious amounts of stress. Work has moved to the summer pace as has the traffic patterns in town. One of the things I love about Winston Salem is that it is still a college town so the summers show a marked drain of people, cars, and activity. Additionally, since we are an East Coast town and many of our inhabitants are Northerners (I didn't say Yankees on purpose!!), families retreat to the beaches, mountains, and lakes in significant numbers, leaving us "city dwellers" to fend for ourselves. This isn't to say that the town folds up, but rather everything is just more relaxed. The vibe of the cookout extends past weekend afternoons and seeps into the overall attitude of the week. On a semi-related note, my legs are still terribly pasty white, but that's just life, isn't it. Won't get skin cancer on my knees, I suppose. =:)

Yet the best part of this summer is that I'm happy it's only half over. I still have most of July and all of August before summer turns to September, the gateway to Fall. Last winter was particularly harsh, even if not weather-wise, so I am thankful for the heat to warm my bones all the way through to the marrow. Even as I sweat to the point of dehydration.

Thank God for four seasons.

Dude... What's with the new format?

Greetings all!!

When I returned to this page for my last blogging episode, I realized I didn't like the look of it anymore. It was too dark. It doesn't fit where I'm at, so, out with the old & in with the new. I don't know if I'll like this one, but it's better & I don't have the patience today to fiddle too much with this. So, let me know what you think & keep checking because who knows what I'll do next!!

What's with the Title Change?

Yes, the Butterfly Report is nice, but this moth has flown the coup. The truth is I relish in my identity as Everybody's Cousin, so why not title this blog as such!!

Enjoy the name change & may it signal a change not just in the title but my frequency of blogging!!

Until next time...

Featured Links

Hey there!!

My best friend has started her own business doing affiliate marketing, so I am featuring her articles here. Check them out & if you need these products, be sure to order them through these links. It would be much appreciated!!

I do notice, though, that the link opens in the same window as my blog. If anyone knows how to program this differently, comments are welcome!!

Until next time...

I'm alive

Hello all. No, this isn't a mirage. It's a miracle. = : ]

I finally remembered my user name & password - the e-mail prompts from google weren't as helpful as one would expect. That combined with my frustration were enough to make me throw in the towel. I guess I'm picking up the place? You know, prayer is powerful...

I'll try to be brief, but this summer has already been full & it's only July 8!!

I popped out to the Entertainment Capital of the World & paid my respects. Literally & figuratively. Yes, I went to old sites of personal importance such as Carneys & San Fernando, but I also visited dead people. Yep. To be honest, that was a serious highlight of the trip. Visiting old friends, living and dead, was really good for my soul. Living - my friends Erin, Dave & their two children in Santa Barbara, Jason post-brain surgery in Woodland Hills, Sharon in Valencia, Chandra at Bob's Big Boy on the border of Burbank & Toluca Lake, and my old parish/choir in Encino. I even got to have lunch with my priest friend Father Jim!! That was an unplanned highlight that sent my spirit soaring. Dead people included Grandfather Platz, Bob Hope, Truman Capote, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Carroll O'Conner, Billy Wilder, Dean Martin, Liberace, Merv Griffin (who won't be back after this message! I didn't make that up. It's his epitaph!!), Rodney Dangerfield, Stan Laurel, Sandra Dee, and Bette Davis. My favorites? Bob Hope at the San Fernando Mission & Truman Capote. My affection for them is boundless.

I guess the value of that trip, besides seeing family, celebrating my cousin Mike's marriage to Teri, & sharing in my dad's birthday celebration, was the realization that all that past stuff really is past. The people who are with me now are in my present & the stuff that has fallen away has fallen away. Pretty great stuff.

It should also be stated that I popped over to see the family in Arizona as well. As always, it was a delightful time. I got to spend great one-on-one time with my cousin Ruth, get to know my cousin's wife Esther better, and played Prep Cook in the kitchen with my cousins Ruth, Esther, Grace, and Anna in preparation for my cousin Wendy's baby shower the next day. Wendy sweetly scheduled the shower for the weekend I would be in town & it was a real treat to share that with everyone.

I'm amazed at how wonderful (and huge!!) my family is. I'm blessed with not only great cousins I like, but their spouses are equally as wonderful. My life is rich with the blessing of cousins, spouses, and children. I will not list names here - you know who you are. = :]

In other news, I called a local funeral home last week and added my name to their vocalists list. I had the pleasure and honor to be the psalmist for a previous pastor of my current parish. He was celebrating 25 years of ordained priesthood ministry, & I was asked to be the psalmist. I also sang Schubert's Ave Maria, and did so in a manner that knocked the socks of everyone in attendance, including me!! I must give God the credit, though, because the voice that came out of me wasn't solely my own. As such, however, I gained major confidence & am looking to increase my client base for singing special events. I really enjoy singing for funerals because it is such an intimate & sacred time. I guess this is my Dead phase. (Workingman's Dead, of course!!)

The job is going well, especially now that volume has returned to significantly lower intensity levels. We had swelled to the point of adding 4 temps, which made the office too active for my taste. Now, I'm the only one left in the cubicle cemetary & I'm loving it. We'll see how long it lasts, eh?

Re: Church stuff. I continue to cantor at St. Leo's regularly, and sing funerals when needed. Lay Ministry class is on hiatus for the summer, and will resume this fall. It's hard to believe I'm already through my first academic year of the program, but I am!! I really enjoyed this past year & am looking forward to this coming one. My summer reading requirement is the 16 documents from Vatican II, and I've started on those. It's good stuff if you're ever interested!!

That's really all I can think of right now. I'm sure there's more, but I'll do my best to be more diligent in updating this site. I am re-embracing technology again, and I'm realizing the importance of the Net so I have a good feeling about it. Doesn't mean I'm getting a personal Facebook page so don't get your hopes up...

Until next time...