50 Fascinating Factoids About Me

After rambling on for the past two days about the importance of knowing one's self, I decided to sit down and pop out fifty fascinating factoids about Jerri.

I would encourage each of you to give this a try. It's an interesting exercise!

Jerri's 50 Factoid's

1) I don't go to church every Sunday.
2) I despise mean people.
3) I sometimes think that God has a wicked sense of humor.
4) I actually do love my parents.
5) I don't have many friends; but the ones I do have are loyal and true.
6) My favorite food isn't chocolate; it's homemade pizza.
7) I really do like tofu.
8) I haven't been on a vacation since I was a child.
9) Sometimes, I don't wear underwear.
10) I pray a Psalm every day.
11) I have a soft spot for recovering addicts and alcoholics.
12) I like to write haiku's (albeit badly written haikus)!
13) I think Jack Black is sexy.
14) I am deathly afraid of earwigs.
15) I fly in my dreams and I have nightmares about giants, death, and home invasion robberies.
16) I am partially deaf in one ear and completely tone deaf in both.
17) I don't enjoy watching the same movie twice.
18) The last movie I saw in the theaters was Shrek 2.
19) Deep down, I don't believe I am an artist.
20) I worry a lot that I might have bad breath.
21) I hate the heat with a passion.
22) I actually own and have listened to William Hung's CD--sad, I know.....
23) My favorite tv shows for 2005, were Lost and House. Hugh Laurie rocks!
24) I love sour patch kids candy.
25) When I was little I wanted to be a nun, a hermitess or a writer.
26) I sleep naked. (Unless we have company or I am staying in someone else's
home.)
27) I am a liberal Democrat.
28) I believe that Christ is the way, the truth and the light.
29) My oldest daughter is one of my hero's!
30) I like it when our dog licks my feet.
31) I hate to shop for clothing, footwear and fashion accessories.
32) Currently, my favorite coffee drink is an iced vanilla soy latte.
33) I still watch re-runs of Little House on the Prairie.
34) I hate gossip.
35) My children think I'm beautiful.
36) I don't like to gamble.
37) I think spiders are cool.
38) I don't think it's important to have matching bed linens or towel sets.
39) Every fiber of my being is against violence in any form.
40) I love to burn smelly candles...my favorite is spiced pear.
41) I would like to learn to kayak.
42) I don't like mystery or true crime books.
43) I would like to meet the Dali Lama.
44) My favorite number is three.
45) I like to play spider solitaire on the computer with all four suits.
46) I can still hula hoop!
47) I love to watch the sun rise.
48) I am socially inept.
49) I am in awe of the ocean.
50) I love my life.

Who are you? Part 2

I have a friend who has recently retired. She's a bit older than I, and she has worked for the last 40 plus years of her life.

Since her retirement, she has grown a little depressed.

As I watch my friend navigate this new part of her life's journey, I cannot help but wonder if some of the depression we experience upon retirement is related to no longer being able to define ourselves by what we do and how well we do it.

Generally speaking, too many of us rely on external events and experiences to define who we are, to dictate how we respond to life, and to mold our very way of living.

What will happen to me when my own children are grown, and living independently? Will I feel useless and unloved without my children's presence in my day-to-day life? Will I become depressed, lonely and isolated? Will I feel as if I no longer know who I am?

I wonder.....

Once again, it becomes paramount to ask myself, "Who am I?"

More importantly, I must risk the adventure of living into my own answers!

All of life is one grand adventure! Sweet, irresistable and all ours!

Who are you?

I was at a social function the other day and I noticed something interesting.

After casual introductions were made, the first thing various individuals asked one another was, "What do you do?"

This eventually was asked of me and when I answered, "Well, I'm a devoted wife and mother." there was an ever so subtle rolling of the eyes that announced my not so subtle dismissal as a person of importance.

I think it is very interesting that we value one another based upon what we do and not upon who we are. It's an important distinction.

50% of America thinks President Bush is a groovy fellow. Any one of those individuals would probably love to have the President in their home for dinner this very evening; but it would be because of the office he fills, not because of the person he is.

Children are an even better example. Children do nothing. They consume everything; but contribute little. I would argue that because children don't actually "do" anything, they hold very little value in our society. The fact that our society refuses to educate every child, feed every child, clothe and house every child, love and nurture every child, serve and protect every child, is proof enough for me that this society does not value its children.

I think that the next time I attend a social gathering I won't ask individuals what it is that they do. Instead, I will say, "So, tell me. Who are you?"

Do you suppose anyone will be present enough to hear what it is that I am asking? Will they be self-aware enough to answer?

Why is it that we are so afraid to know ourselves?

Have YOU ever asked yourself, "Who am I?" Don't be afraid. Ask, ponder and listen for the answers.

Why not take a walk on the wild side and discover the real you?

Blog plugs!

I enjoy reading blogs.

I suppose you could say, that I'm a blog addict.

My only lament is that it is very hard to find good blogs to feed my addiction. There are a whole lot of blogs out there; but very few that are worth reading.

Recently I happened across this blog.
http://www.aeryn.org/

I don't think I've ever given a blog plug before (dang, that sounds obscene, doesn't it?); but I am doing so now!

Check Aeryn's blog out! It's one of the most hilarious, honestly written blogs I've seen in a long while!

If you knew that you would die today....

On July 12, Tracy Chapman released a new single called "Change".

Here are the lyrics.

Perhaps they will touch you, as they did me.

Change
Tracy Chapman

If you knew that you would die today,
If you saw the face of God and Love,
Would you change? Would you change?

If you knew that love can break your heart,
If you're down so low you cannot fall,
Would you change? Would you change?

How bad, how good does it need to get?
How many losses, how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around, makes you try to explain,
Makes you forgive and forget, makes you change?

If you knew that you would be alone,
Knowing right and being wrong,
Would you change? Would you change?

If you knew that you had found a truth,
That brings up pain that can't be soothed,
Would you change? Would you change?

How bad, how good does it need to get?
How many losses, how much regret?
What chain reaction would cause an effect?
Makes you turn around, makes you try to explain,
Makes you forgive and forget, makes you change?

Are you so upright you can't be bent?
If it comes to blows are you sure you won't be crawling?
If it's not for the good, why risk falling?

If everything you think you know,
Makes your life unbearable,
Would you change? Would you change?

If you've broken every rule and vow
And hard times come to bring you down,
Would you change? Would you change?

If you knew that you would die today,
If you saw the face of God and Love,
Would you change? Would you change?

What flavor are you?

If you were a scoop of ice cream, what flavor might you be?

I had myself pegged as a chocolate peanut butter flavor...but alas, after taking the super scientific ice cream profile test, it looks as though I am a simple scoop of strawberry!

Oh, go ahead! Click the link and see what flavor you are!

It's just a little harmless scoop of summer fun!

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core. You often find yourself on the outside looking in. Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works. You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

My half hearted pick for book of the week!

The quality of writing has diminished in JK Rowling's recent book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

It wasn't well written or particularly compelling....until the last 20 pages that is.

Even so, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is my pick for book of the week.

While it is true that part six of the Potter chronicle is poorly written and even though the characters languish and the plot stumbles along, this novel is still better than most books being published for younger readers.

Sadly, the most interesting aspect of this book may be the evangelical community's assertion that JK Rowling is the devil's spawn.

I'm not going to re-hash that whole drama out here however. Suffice it to say, I won't be burning my Harry Potter book today or any other day.

I just wish that all those individuals intent on staging Harry Potter book burnings, would send me the $15.00 they paid for each and every book they are setting afire.

I could certainly put their money to better use.

Praying with eyes wide shut!

The other day we were in church and my four year old asked, "Mommy, why are all these people praying with their eyes wide shut?"

At first I laughed, but then realized that in doing so, I was disturbing all the folks around us who were praying with their eyes wide shut. So, we left the sanctuary as quietly as we were able and we took a short walk outside in the bright summer sun.

As we were walking I began to explain all the various and sundry ways people like to pray.

Some people pray with bowed heads. Some people pray with up raised arms. Some people kneel. Some people are known to whoop with joy and dance in prayer; and some like those in our church, like to "pray with their eyes wide shut".

"But Mommy, you don't pray that way."

No honey, I don't generally pray with my eyes wide shut. I pray with them wide open. Sometimes I bow my head and sometimes I don't. Sometimes I whoop and shout. Sometimes I lie prostrate on the floor; but only rarely do I pray with my eyes wide shut. Everyone prays in their own way.

"I think people pray with their eyes wide shut because they are afraid to see Jesus."

"Really? Why would people be afraid to see Jesus?" I asked.

"Because then they would know that Jesus is alive."

Perhaps the majority of us do bow our heads and pray with our eyes wide shut out of reverence; but maybe, just maybe we also do this because on some level we fear seeing the light and the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Embracing the life of Christ requires so much of us.

I think far too many Christians prefer to live their lives as they pray their prayers....with their eyes wide shut.

I'm feeling squirrely.

This squirrel is just looking for trouble.

I can see it in his eyes.

To the average passer by, this may be just another potbellied, peanut munching squirrel; but I know better. He along with the rest of his kind, is quietly plotting to overthrow the human race. The gray squirrels, the red squirrels, the ground squirrels and even those cheeky little chipmunks have all united under the common goal of ridding the world of humankind.

Does this sound too far fetched? If it does, just ask yourself, "What kind of species are we?"

After all, we cook our own babies to death in over heated automobiles. We whip our children with electrical cords until blood runs down their legs for spilling their milk. We routinely and deliberately starve our children. We deny them access to medical and dental care.

If you don't think these things are happening, than I challenge you to open your eyes and your heart. It won't take you long to see the devastating need too many of our children suffer. Visit a USDA summer lunch program. Watch and listen. Some of these children won't eat any other meal than the one you see before them. Some will ask to take food home to eat later; but they can't because all food must be consumed on site.

Pick up a newspaper. Read. You won't have to read too far past the front page to see the stories about meth babies and children saved from their meth addicted parents that are now languishing in an over burdened foster care system.

It's horrifying to see the way we treat our children; and I say we, because to some extent I believe we are all culpable. The squirrels would be right to plot a revolution to end mankinds' reign of terror.

Sign me up! I'm ready for a good revolution!

The solution to self-hatred?

Of all our infirmities, the most savage is to despise our being.
~Michel de Montaigne

I woke up earlier this morning than I usually do. Yesterday was a rough day for me. I did some things that I now wish I hadn't and I failed to do some things that I now wish I had. In so doing (or not doing), I let myself down and I let a few others down as well.

So, around 4:25 am I found myself awake, self absorbed, and lamenting my own inadequacy.

Trust me when I say, that it is not a fruitful endeavor to think unkind things about one's self and I don't recommend it to anyone. It certainly doesn't do much for one's ability to get a good night's sleep....

I don't know why I still struggle so ferociously with my own self-esteem and self-worth. Most of the time, I'm pretty well grounded and centered; but every now and then, the understanding that I am a complete and worthless nincompoop hits me like a ton of bricks right between my eyes!

This morning, instead of wallowing in my own self-hate I chose to consult with a Higher Power, and I decided to give the ugly thoughts to God. I've learned over the years that I don't have the power within myself to turn off my own self-condemnation; but He does. So, for the past few hours I've dialogued with God. Yes, I spoke to Him. I even sang to Him. And then I waited and I listened for His reply.

Gently and firmly, God has reminded me of His love. I am His beloved. My mistakes and my failings are vaporized in the light of His love and compassion.

In the stillness of the morning, God has also reminded me of my family. For a few brief moments, God has granted me the privilege of seeing myself through the eyes of the man and the children who love me so deeply; and then quite unexpectedly, God whispered into my soul, "As much as these precious ones love you, I love you more."

People often ask me if I really think God is talking to me. I always respond, "I don't think, I know God speaks to me." It's a heart knowledge that can't be fully explained to others, unless they themselves have experienced the mystery.

The sun has now risen and my hope is renewed. God has done for me what I could not do for myself. He has restored me to sound thinking and He has renewed my joy.

Thank you Heavenly Father for this new day!

Get naked and celebrate!

Did you know that today is National Nude Day?

It also happens to be Bastille Day; but I doubt that too many Americans really give a rip about Bastille Day. Come to think of it, most Americans probably don't get too excited about National Nude Day either...and maybe that's a good thing.

I don't think I'm going to flounce about naked today; but here's a July holiday that I could get squarely behind! How about National Ice Cream Day? Who wouldn't want to ring in July 18th with a quart of freshly made peach ice cream? Yum!

Then again, why wait until the 18th?

Strung on a wire, stuck in a rut

The other day I was taking my morning walk. It was early. The sky was gray and the air was heavy with the threat of rain. I looked up, and what do you suppose that I saw?

Sneakers! That's right, I saw sneakers hanging from a telephone wire.

I just happened to have my camera, so I snapped a quick photo.

For me, these sneakers are symbolic.

You see, people are like sneakers, (and passion flowers and other things too if you read my blog). Our bodies, our very lives were made to journey through this place in space, and time. I think we often forget this life is a journey; and like those sneakers above, we find ourselves alone, and sometimes stuck in tough places from which there seems to be no possibility of rescue. So we hang....our lives stall and we live in the rut, stuck in our own life's journey.

Am I writing too obliquely? Consider how simple grief can box us inside ourselves. It robs us of our ability to see the sunshine, to experience joy, to lean into all the possibility that life itself has to offer. Grief can create a huge rut in one's life journey...especially if we refuse to move through it and become mired in the muck.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to be like those sneakers strung up high on a telephone wire. I want to be well worn, grounded, and walking the road.

That's the goal anyway and it seems to be serving me well.

"Sharts" and "Manpons"?

Did you know that a "portmanteau" is a word that is formed by combining both sounds and meanings from two or more words?

For example, "shart" is a portmanteau of the words "shit" and "fart". A "shart" is one of those annoying little squirty farts that often results in the soiling of one's drawers/underpants. It is my understanding that this particular portmanteau was first mentioned by this name in the movie, Along Came Polly. It is also my understanding that men seem peculiarly afflicted by sharts, whereas women somehow escape the humiliation.

The funny thing is, that this hilarious word play doesn't stop there!

If a person (usually male) desires to protect themselves from "sharts", they may employ the use of a device otherwise known as a "manpon". A manpon usually consists of a bunch of toilet paper that is placed within a man's underwear in order to form a protective barrier and thus maintain cleanliness. Manpon is another portmanteau which combines the words, "man" and "tampon".

This is one of those times when I wish that my Uncle-in-Law were still alive! He was a linguist whose job it was to serve on one of those intellectual kind of committees endowed with the power to decide which new words were to be included in the new dictionaries. We would have chuckled together over these silly portmanteau's....

Shart's and manpons?

Too funny!

Passion!

Passion is universal humanity. Without it religion, history, romance and art would be useless.
~Honoré de Balzac

I love passion flowers.

These flowers amaze me. They inspire me.

I like to think that I am like a passion flower. I may not be as wonderfully symmetrical; but I have the same gorgeous layering of color, texture and depth.

I suppose some people would rather compare themselves to roses, or sunflowers.

Me? I want all the sizzle and awe life has to offer!

I'm the passion flower!

Lily D. Dog

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.
~Gilda Radner

Dogs lead such simple lives.

At least my dog does.

She eats, sleeps, plays, and ferociously guards our home against the nefarious plotting of the neighborhood squirrels. (Those darn squirrels must be up to something...why else would Lily D. Dog be so overly concerned with their constant chattering and tail fluffing?)

Lily loves her people.

It doesn't matter how smelly we are. It doesn't matter how grumpy we are. It doesn't matter how insensitive we are are. It doesn't matter how good we look or how well we behave ourselves. Lily D. Dog is there to love, and to lick, and to wag her tail.

When I think about this dog, I am humbled.

She models the love of Christ better than most people I know.

I have much to learn from her.

Nonspecified viral induced balloon head syndrome

Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Last week, my four year old ran a high fever and broke out in dark red polka dots.

Being the disease savvy mother that I am, I of course feared meningococcal disease and rushed my ailing child to the ER. The good news is that she wasn't suffering with meningoccocal at all. The bad news is that the nonspecified viral infection she did have is making its way through our entire family.

I'm sorry to say, that I'm probably it's third victim.

I ache, I have a fever and I have balloon head syndrome. Yeah, that's right, I have balloon head syndrome. Imagine for a moment that your head is disconnected and floating a good three feet above your body, tenuously connected by a wobbly, thin string. That's balloon head syndrome.

Within a few days I'm guessing that we will be a family of balloon heads....

It's probably a good thing that I don't drive a convertible, right?

Freedom

This evening, all across this great land of ours, people will lift up their eyes towards the heavens. The sky will explode into bright bursts of color. With sweet innocence and awe, children will sigh and women will gently reach for the hands of their partners. A hush will then hang between the smoke, and the spark, and the smell of gunpowder....

When that moment of quiet descends, pause and remember our countrymen and women who are fighting and dieing this very day on foreign soil. Pray for their safe return and for the end of this insane violence and bloodshed.

A great American forefather once said:
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
--Abraham Lincoln

Oh, I know that Lincoln's words hail from another time and another place in American history; but they are no less true today than they were then.

Set aside the whole Iraqi war travesty if you must, and consider the recent Supreme Court decision regarding eminent domain made on June 24, 2005. This decision, made by the highest Court in our land, says that it is perfectly fine under the U.S. Constitution to take your home or your business, and to give it to a politically connected private developer.

Talk about the erosion of personal freedom.....

Oh Abe, where is your voice when this country so needs your wisdom?

Earthworm brigades

When I was a child I would organize neighborhood earthworm brigades to save the worms that were drowing in the heavy spring rains. Something in me couldn't bear the thought that hundreds of little pink wigglies would die such a horrible and ignoble death. Of course, I was only five or so at the time...

The other day I was telling a friend about my childhood earthworm brigades and when I had finished she said, "Jerri, you are still organizing earthworm brigades; only now, your earthworms have gotten a little bigger."

She was referring to my adult propensity to work with broken people. I can't help but reach out to the throw-a-way people in our world. Our world is sadly littered with throw-a-ways.

Who are these throw-a-way people?

They are ordinary people like you and me. They are people who have been taught to believe the lies they've been told about themselves. They are the people who have been told over and over, that they are too useless, ugly, stupid, crazy, lazy, (you name it) to ever make it in this world of ours.

In the name of all that is holy, how dare we use our words to wound one another this way? Words have enormous power. They can shape us. They do shape us.

One of my favorite scriptures goes like this: Set a guard over my mouth Oh Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141: 3)

Some days, that one sentence becomes a mantra for me. I know the deep wounding power of words, and I never wish to speak them in a harsh, unkind way to anyone, friend or foe.

I also know the deep healing and redemptive power of words. I choose to speak the power of love and grace into life, all life!

Whether we are an earthworm, or human we all need a little rescuing now and then. Sometimes a kind word is all that is needed to pull anyone of us out of our own drowning pools.