The Center for Progressive Christianity
This website gives me hope… makes me feel better about my own religious quest and spiritual journey.

Well, today was glorious — sunny, a bit cool but not bad for November — and I spent most of it inside. Working on my websites, clearing out the office a little more, doing some art. Did a bit of laundry which still needs folding, and took the dogs for a short walk. Tomorrow it should start to rain again, but it might hold off long enough to take the lame dog for another short walk. I am reluctant to let him out because he tends to race around too much and re-injure the sprain.

Too soggy to dig in the garden, but I did set the thyme plant upright, it had been overturned by the dogs — the wooden box it was in had rotted out, so will need replacing, but no hurry. This thyme is in with the heathers in the cedar garden, and looks so pretty there. I may move the other four thyme plants in there as well, to the front of the heathers to make a nice groundcover-border. The foliage and flowers complement the heathers and cedar so well, blooming just slightly out of sync to keep a spot of lavender-pink visible nearly year-round.

The peach tree that toppled in the wind storm last Thursday will need to be dug completely and re-set, but although Tom and I propped it up a bit the other day, there’s really no hurry on that, either. It’s going to be fine, the soil just sogged up too much to hold it against the wind. I suspect it will be set back a bit in bearing, though. Bummer. It has lovely peaches.

Today’s conundrum: what to do with the accumulated stuff that seems to exist in every corner of the house? The things that seem important but really are no use to anyone and aren’t likely to ever be used again… The artwork, the letters, the toys, the photos… What to keep, what to toss, what might be given away? I am starting to use the “fire and water” test: if it were destroyed in a fire or flood, would I feel remorse or relief?

This was originally published on my webpage in October, but I have moved it here so that there is continuity in the various blogs and the website doesn’t need updating so often…
Summer has come and gone, with visits and visitors in great numbers. The garden has a few more days of bloom, then it will go dormant, under the gold and brown leaves until the first shoots appear in mid-february. Figs are ready to harvest again…
The children are back in school, having adjusted fairly quickly to routine. M continues with his music, now playing a keyboard in the Jazz Lab as well as trumpet in Band, Jazz Band and SOGO. G is improving in horseback riding, and now canters reliably and readily. He has also picked up playing the fiddle (at home) and the violin (at school).
I am busy working on the house and yard, having made good progress over the summer. I am also working on building the business of my dreams. Those of you of old acquaintance will remember the name “Happy Messages”, and wll be pleased to know I have my website up with the beginnings of a store. Please visit it at www.qualitywordworks.com and let me know what you think!

After several months of anticipation, T’s office moved into a new building in Tumwater. Not really as convenient for most purposes, we are still pleased that there is finally parking for all the employees, and easier access to and from the freeway.
And after buying a used minivan in June, doing a bit of work on it in August (timing belt replacement) we had two good vehicles for a full month! Now it’s the Sentra’s turn for timing work, but at over 200,000 miles, we are still trying to come up with alternatives.
Finally, our new family member, Lucky, is well and happy, and Buffy has established her boundaries. Anything that was hers is off limits, anything that is Lucky’s is fair game, and she reserves the right to disapprove of him totally. for his part, he has taken to putting his items in temptation’s way and waiting for Buffy to go for them. Then, he steals them back! Makes her furious… Quite a sense of humor which totally escapes her. On the other hand, I have caught them playing together in the yard a couple of times, so there is hope.