Seeker

This poem by Brenda Marshall made me laugh last night. It's published in 'Nubs', The Dappled House 2004. The Sting Two queue. She said, "We'll wear our best: The stripy vest That's gold and dark With pointed pin. We must get in This ark." Oh, Noah, Victim of a con, If you'd been smart Wasps could be gone. Would the world be better without wasps? For people like me who have severe reactions to their sting, a wasp-free world sounds good. But would it be? According to entomologists, even wasps have a useful place in the ecosystem of which we are all a part. The many species of wasps control many other insect species including those that may devastate forests and food crops. Like their bee relatives some wasps are pollinators. OK - they have their place, but I still don't like them and would prefer them to stay away from my place. Image Credit: Flickr, CC License

Wanting to think about celebrating Ascension Day, I did a Google search. Glancing over the first few results, I was startled to read that,  "Ascension Day is like a narcotic, laced with danger, and totally addictive." This was a million miles from my experience today or any other Ascension Day that I remember. Was this why some of my stricter Scottish Presbyterian ancestors refused to celebrate this or any other holy day apart from the weekly 'sabbath'? Was this 'danger' associated with those places that used to mark parish boundaries on this day by ritual beating of young boys? I went to the website with the quote. It was Amazon advertising 'Ascension Day' - a novel by John Matthews and quoting a review by John Jordan in Crime Spree Mazazine. The review continued,  "Impossible to put down. This is what thrillers are meant to be."  2000 years ago, religious and political leaders thought they could put Jesus down permanently. The...

What is it about a dental appointment that makes me so anxious? After the event, nothing at all.  I had a check-up today. No treatment needed. Next check-up in 6 months, so I can relax till November. The problem is in the anticipation, especially in the waiting room. My fear started in childhood with a dentist who told me that my tongue was too big for my mouth and told my mother that I had "abnormal tongue behaviour" which in his opinion was incurable beyond the age of 12. I was 12 then. I am now very far beyond the age of 12. I still don't know what he meant, but then he never explained anything. That was part of my problem with him, along with that dreadful noisy drill. My current dentist is kind, efficient, swift and explains what he is planning to do before he does it. So I really don't need to be scared, even though my teeth are far from perfect and don't merit this description: " Your teeth are like a flock of ewes, that have come up from t...

"Will you...?" "I will..." Church weddings are in this season. Also fashionable are very high heeled shoes for female wedding guests. I can only admire the determination of some as they encounter the reality of a rural churchyard path, often cobbled, sometimes steep. " I will make it to the church without tripping/falling over/getting stuck between the cobbles. I will not take off these expensive shoes. I bought them especially for today. I WILL. I WILL. I WILL ." Oh well, as my French exchange student told me long ago, "Il faut suffrir pour etre belle." Not that I ever observed her suffering as she presented herself with apparently effortless chic. But that was in Paris. Rural England has different challenges. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In the Church of England calendar, today commemorates Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer,. She died about 1417 and is said to be the first woman to write a book in English. Her book 'Revelations of Divine Love' are meditations on her visions of Christ's passion that she experienced during her severe illness. They acknowledge the reality of suffering and express deep trust in the power of God's love to transform. The Julian Centre website  has a photo of the 'Julian Door'. I think it is the entrance to her hermitage cell which was destroyed at the Reformation but later rebuilt. The door is half open, giving a glimpse into the cell. I've always been attracted to pictures of doors or gates half-open, especially when looking from darkness to light. I think they evoke a sense of possibilities beyond where I now stand. Half-open doors also represent choice. Should I step through this entrance or not? What might happen if I do? Will I step aside from...

Having a quiet chuckle, remembering the baby I baptized this morning. He is a sociable 6-month old boy, who when carried to the font, decided to entertain the congregation by demonstrating his new skill of putting his lips together and 'blowing raspberries'. For him, it was an expression of pure joy, enhanced by the delighted reaction of his siblings and cousins. I managed to complete the 'Prayer over the Water' with due reverence while the infant candidate continued to make his loud and 'joyful noise to the Lord'. It's best for me to avoid catching anyone's eye at such moments. A priest who giggles while administering a sacrament may cause offence. I'm laughing now at the way that baby reminded me of the joy of new life in Christ. That joy sometimes seems to well up when I'm least expecting it, like today. The youngest 'raspberry blower' can teach us not to take ourselves too seriously and remind us to delight in God. I...

I've just created my first blog - not sure why, perhaps it will become clear as I practice blogging. It may only be useful for organizing random thoughts from time to time. The reason for starting today is that I'm recovering from flu so haven't the energy to get on with the gardening on this sunny day. When I feel better I'll probably have something more interesting to write. Any advice out there about blogging for beginners?