What's Wrong with Chong?

One of my sons is currently interning with NPR's Talk of the Nation. We are as pleased as can be about this blessing and the opportunity it affords him. I wish I could say that I follow Neil Conan's program dedicatedly, but about the best I can say is that his was my favorite program (alongside The Splendid Table and Shamrock and Thistle) that I enjoyed listening to before D ever got this break.

There are some times, however.....

I mean, NPR does have a reputation for being rather liberal. And there are often times in the World of the News, which is some version of a reflection of the world, when this blessing fills this Mama with at least a moment of lip-biting. Such was the case when I got in my car this past Thursday in time to hear the last bit of Mr. Conan's interview with Cheech and Chong.

As I came in mid-interview, I recognized the distinct Hispanic stoned-out voices of the duo before a name was mentioned. My response of distaste was not the reformed view of being a Mom for going on 25 years now, who felt differently when I "didn't know any better". I felt the same dis-connect and offense towards their flavor of humor back when I was a kid and watched others laugh themselves silly over their antics. I can give Cheech the benefit of being able to carry on an intelligent conversation, but Chong sounded dumber than ever. I know this sounds so judgmental of me, but you'd have to have heard him, really! I actually exhaled a "Thank goodness!" when Neil Conan thanked the two for speaking with him from their sister studio out in California, I have to admit. Dom would not have to actually walk them downstairs and be impressed by dingleberries cloaked in celebrity.

Dom laughed at me as I confessed all of this in a phone call a few nights later. "C'mon Mom, he's a simple guy who likes to smoke pot," he said in that 'loosen up, Mama' voice. And I let it go with a shaking of my head over the phone, because I'd already used up all my serious conversation for the evening. I had plenty of laughter to spare though, so we veered into those conversational waters that release and join us in shared humor.

Later on I thought over his words, though. To my knowledge, my son doesn't know what it's like to watch someone he cares about lose his footing in life because of pot. He hasn't helplessly stood by as a friend slips through that back door of marijuana use to become trapped by stronger drugs. He simply doesn't know, and for that I am thankful.

Chong, simple? No. That's a description for him and others like him that is far too effortless and untroublesome. Perhaps at one time years and years ago, his life was one of the innocence that simplicity springs from. I truly hope so. But today he is a 65 year old Poster Child for the legalization of marijuana, leading others down this weed-filled path. He's a Pied Piper of Pot. That's a story you might not have even heard before, old nursery stories often being neglected today. If you do recall it perhaps you might only remember, like me, the fact that the Piper led the town's rats out to the outskirts of the town to be drowned. But I looked it up online as the association was made in my mind. The tragic end of the story is that the Piper takes the town's children. Chong's call echoes that of a similar temptress we read of in the book of Proverbs 9,
She sits at the door of her house,
on a seat at the highest point of the city,
and calling out to those who pass by,
who go straight on their way.
"Let all who are simple come in here!"
she says to those who lack judgment.

I love Simplicity. Simple things like creamy Amish butter, the bloom in children's cheeks, how my feet feel on a clean kitchen floor, a really firm and solid hug, the color of spring green, candlelight flickering over my walls in the early morning hours, the light of recognition that sparks between two babies, the smell of a fresh-peeled orange, how unique and individual each person's laugh is - like a fingerprint, the glow of moonlight on snow, the love of God.
There was another who issued a call in the book of Luke. He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. As was written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, he calls us still today:
"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.

The Glass is Half Full

This past week contained a two and a half day Migraine bender. One converse-blessing about getting migraines, it makes me SO appreciative of when I feel good, and what that feels like. It accentuates what if feels like to be me.

You all know the proverbial question, "Do you see the glass as half full, or half empty?" I've always been more of a half full kind of girl. Lately, that has exhibited itself in my feeling drawn to all kinds of projects. (Unfortunately, cooking has not been among them, but I trust that the lulls will eventually rebound, so I am patient with myself in this regard - and ask the patience of my family as well.) ;p Sometimes there just seems to be so much that I want to do, to grab onto, to incorporate into the remaining days I have in my time here. They're probably small potatoes compared to other's dreams and aspirations. I don't desire to become a body-builder, or begin an orphanage in a third world country, or in any way make my mark on this life for all the world to see. But I yearn.... I yearn to fill and be filled.

What has topped my list have been things of a more intangible nature. My parents will be coming for a visit, for one. I have had ideas tumbling around in my head that I need to put on paper for what I want to do while they are here, new places we have found that I want to show my Mom. I just heard of a French Bakery near our church where they serve pastries and creme brulee 24 hours a day - we simply must investigate! Light frivolities, perhaps, but these moments will remain after the visit, sweet in our minds like sugar on our lips. We will savor them long after their time here has passed, and I so my anticipation is two-fold.

Reading has been another priority of indulgence lately. A self-professed bookworm since as far back as I can remember... side track memories - my mother reading fairy tales to me; my favorites were Babushka and the story of Snow White and Rose Red. My first BIG WORD was mystery, and my first grade teacher was always telling me to slow down during read-aloud time. I consumed Gone With the Wind during the summer just before I turned ten, and learned the following summer that books are always better than movies, no offense to Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable.... ok, back to the now. I have been compulsively gratifying my reading desire these days. The Bible, cookbooks, fiction, non-fiction, devotionals, blogs, scholarships, travel suggestions, e-mails. Reading has so monopolized my time that the American Constant, television, has had very little space in my waking hours. Radio has actually been it's second. Partnered with reading, and rearranging my daughters' schedules so that it's presence is ensured in their days as well, has been re-tackling the craft of writing with them. A year ago or so, I stumbled across a delightful writing curriculum titled, Jump In! Utilizing the workbook and coupling it with my enthusiasm for the art, provides a real zest to my energies. I love the written word!

The Nutritional Education category of my blog contains some of what I have been processing and adding to my life on this front. For those of you who have not listened to Cheeseslaves' podcast from the past week - there is much to digest there. I'm still working on it. And I am quite excited about the upcoming online classes I've signed up for with Wardeh at GNOWFLINS.

On the spiritual front, I have been praying over an opportunity presented at Girltalk. February 1st marks the beginning of a 28 day challenge, and although I am a devout non-overachiever dedicated to striving for simplicity amid the commotion of life, I have felt led to participate in both. The first is the 5 O'Clock Club. I have long adhered to the belief that among those earthly delights that give us a foretaste of heaven, lie bubble baths and sleep. However, the Lord has been impressing upon me for a time now (you know how He does that), that my day needs to begin sooner than I've been rising. So, my hand had to go up... eventually... to this one. Those words the Lord gave us, "the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" were penned for just such times as these.

The other was actually easier to step up to. It's the FAM Club, and is intended to be a one-meal-a-week fast for the salvation of family members. My daughters' salvation is my greatest hope for them, so Thursday's lunch will be given in prayer and fasting for my address before the King of Heaven.
'Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.' *
For this hope, I will fast and pray.

For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.**

Whether I feel me or not, my cup truly is more than half filled. It overflows.

* John 3:3-6
**II Cor 1:5

True Beauty

This is one of the best postings on Beauty I have ever read:

Millions of photographs have been taken of women, many to exploit her beauty, some to show her needs, few to show her strength and dignity. The outward beauty of a woman is alluring and often draws the flashes of cameras wherever she appears. Cameras follow celebrities in hopes of capturing a momentary glimpse of this beauty. Once the beauty is captured, it quickly appears on the covers of magazines or flashes across the television screen. Photography is quick to celebrate the outward beauty of a woman and show her face at her most glamorous moment. Often the celebrity will know that the camera will be waiting on her, and she prepares herself to accentuate her most flattering features. There is beauty in these photographs, but what happens when there is no anticipation of a camera to inspire this preparation?

In developing countries beauty often appears without warning, without preparation, without an audience in mind, and without a camera to capture it. When a young woman gets up at sunrise to walk five miles to gather water for her family and pauses to smile and chat with friends at the water hole, her beauty appears. When a mother waits in line all day to have a doctor diagnose her sick child, her beauty appears. When a woman’s husband is slaughtered in a tribal war, and she walks for miles with her baby on her back to find refuge, her beauty appears. When she pauses to rest under the shade of a tree and turns to kiss her baby on the nose, her beauty appears. When a young girl tries on her bright yellow dress that she and her mom spent all day sewing, and her eyes glance at her father for approval, her beauty appears. When a woman labors all day in a field under the scorching African sun with her son on her back, her beauty appears.

From http://www.silentimages.org