So good to me
Sunday mornin'
It was all I hoped it would be
Of course, I'm riffing on The Mamas & The Papas. At least the first verse of the song. The rest of it goes sideways, and my day did not. Go sideways. It was a good day. First Sunday back in worship after some time off. We had a baptism and a guest speaker for a short generosity talk. There was laughter, enthusiasm, and joy. Our guest in worship said he loves our congregation, it's vibe, how I lead.
I'll be back, he said.
So will I. I loved the spirit of the day. I'd be happy to dwell in that spirit again and again.
Fall-ing In Love: 40 Days of Noticing is a daily writing practice that opens a landscape of discovery into my own human experience.
Katherine Cartwright has been blogging since 2012, and each year brings new wonders. She asks big questions of the small things in life.
Pictured: Jacob Wrestling with the Angel, 1963, Marc Chagall
I don't get to Chicago very often, but when I do it's always so much fun. I love my daughter's new neighborhood; we're staying nearby in an AirBnB in fabulous Wicker Park. I'm looking forward to exploring the area tomorrow and Tuesday. I fly home on Wednesday.
It's been a long day. Began three states over in northern Ohio where I spent the night in a surprising little town on lake Erie. The day began with sparkling waters and a rosy sunrise. A shorter, more frustrating drive than yesterday's on a one-lane turnpike through northern Indiana. Arriving in Chicago was sudden, and before I knew it I was on the Skyway, the city's stunning skyline rising before me.
We unloaded the car and drove it to the airport to return it. Took the train back to the city and stopped at the store. Made surf 'n' turf with Caesar salad and ended the meal with Ben & Jerry's, a new flavor, Dirt Cake. It's my new obsession.
And now we're hanging out, watching a few episodes of True Blood and chit chatting. I'd really like to go to bed, but how can I when we're having so much fun?
Fall-ing in Love: 40 Days of Noticing is a daily writing practice that opens a landscape of discovery into my own human landscape.
Katherine Cartwright has been blogging since 2012 and each year brings new wonders. She asks big questions of the small things in life.
Yesterday it was flowers, and a trip to the store to buy ingredients for a nice meal I'll share with my son today.
I am finding that with grief the landscape changes moment to moment. Distraction does not work with me. I need space to feel my feelings, to map the changing topography. What does work, is creating space for life-giving things, even small ones, like three beautiful stems of lily or three vibrant sunflowers or taking apart a sweet onion with a nearly perfect dice and concentration on my knife work.
Releasing the fragrance of fresh dill or a juicy lemon. Seeing the beauty of a savory pilaf come together and then adding just a bit of dried apricot to tease out some sweetness.
To tease out some sweetness.
I'm thinking about the sweet things in life today. And about balance. I'll work some today and play some. Spend some time with my son, making and savoring a beautiful meal and a nice glass of wine. It's a chardonnay. I didn't think I liked them, but while I was away a few months ago, researching California Central Coast organic and biodynamic wines I discovered this bottled sunshine.
I hope it tastes as good at home as it did under the pergola at the vineyard.
Creating Space: Three Months of Showing Up for What's Showing Up is a daily writing practice.
Katherine Cartwright has been blogging since 2012 and each day brings new wonders. She asks big questions of the small things in life.
I'm back to fulltime work with a church and by the time it's Friday morning, a day off for me, I'm spent and ready for some deep rest. So, I'm giving it to myself. You don't even want to know what time I got up today or how little I accomplished.
I did have a great dinner with friends - definitely a joy buzzer. The evening was cool. The insects were singing. The fireflies rose up from their resting places in the grass. The food was great. The wine was lovely. The conversation was wonderful.
So I'm back home and thinking about the fortune cookie I broke open today.
Now is a good time to finish up old tasks.
Fortunately, there's plenty of time tomorrow for chores.
A Hundred Days of Happiness is a daily writing practice that opens a landscape of discovery into my own human experience.
Katherine Cartwright has been blogging since 2012, and each year brings new wonders. She asks big questions of the small things in life.
A third day of night writing.
But it was a great day. Beautiful blue skies, temperatures in the 70's, low humidity. Spent time with a friend on her back porch and in the pool. Drove ten minutes from there to the beach to watch the ocean for awhile. A nice ride home in the cooling evening. Watched the sun sink into the river as I came into town.
A Hundred Days of Happiness is a daily writing practice that opens a landscape of discovery into my own human experience.
Katherine Cartwright has been blogging since 2012, and each year brings new wonders. She asks big questions of the small things in life..
