Greenblade - creation - faith - justice

Women's Work

 So this link was just forwarded to a list that I am on and after watching, I'm not sure if it was sent as a joke or to spark heated debate.  I was curious what the Greenblade reaction would be to Nicholas Kristof's "The Congo Exercise Plan".  Maybe I'll check my own ire until I get a few responses.  (And for the record, I spent several weeks in the DRC working with Catholic Relief Services, so I don't doubt at all the verity of what Kristof witnessed or reported on.  My problem more is with his methods and lack of depth - this was supposed to be a report for International Women's Day!) MORE

Snow days

Yesterday I was ready to post something about how wonderful shoveling snow can be.  With a grandmother in the house, I was able to spend a blissful hour in the snow clearing our long, long driveway.  There was something very meditative about being outside, hearing the crunch of the shovel, the twitter of the birds at the feeder, the wind blowing through the stand of tall pines across the street.  It was invigorating to be expending energy on a task that needed to be done and could be accomplished in tangible time frame (unlike, say, my dissertation).  There was a lot of snow that needed to be moved and I did it!

Then I woke up this morning.  Yesterday's efforts completely eclipsed by the new foot of snow on the ground.  Drifts made the crisp line of driveway snow bank indistinguishable.  The snow was up to the hood of the car, as if it was slowly sinking ... MORE

Lenten Observations

As Ash Wednesday approached, I started talking to Sabina about Lent and some of the things that people do in observing the season before Easter.  We talked about how some people sacrifice something they like to do or eat.  She was very enthusiastic about the idea of giving up ice cream, an example I used when telling her something Grandma has given up in the past.  Of course, before stating this, she wanted reassurance that it was still winter during Lent.  "Why do you want to know if it will still be winter?"  "Because we don't really eat ice cream during winter."  Hmmm.  It is amazing how quickly that little mind works.  We talked about it and decided that it might be better to do something that will bring us closer to God during Lent - spending some time each day praying together and chanting one of the daily offices.

So far, so ... MORE