Reflections

1. It's good to take a few days off.

2. I took the time to read a number of blogs which I seldom reach. I rediscovered a few that I've overlooked for a long time. I'm going to continue updating my link list, which I use to make the rounds. (I subscribed to bloglines months ago, but I never could figure out how it works.)

3. I read a number of conservative Presbyterian blogs. There is so much anger and vituperation out there. I guess I'll keep reading them, because they open the window to a world I seldom encounter in my real life Presbyterian church, but I'm going to cut back considerably on the time I allot to them.

4. I read Chaim Potok's The Promise. I had no idea that there was a sequel to The Chosen until I found it lying around at school the other day. I first read The Chosen when it came out in 1967; I would have been 13 or 14 and I recall the hardback, new from the library, lying on the hall table. As a girl from the rural midwest, I read it for the the story of Danny and Reuven growing up; the Hasidic and Orthodox worlds it portrays and the complexities of Zionist politics it debates went right over my head. Today, as a teacher in an orthodox Jewish school, I read Potok's books differently (and I pronouce the names of the characters correctly). Ironically, it has been my reading of The Promise over the past few days that has cracked open my understanding of the rage expressed by so many of the conservative branch of my own church.

5. I started reading The Brothers Karamazov. I am embarrassed to admit that this is my first time through. Not a book that any Christian, or any person at all of any belief or no belief should pass through life without at least encountering. And, preferably, embracing.

6. And I started reading a book on the spirituality of John Calvin. Didn't know he had any, did you? That's why it helps to have Jesuit friends; they've read everything. The slender volume cost me some effort and a pretty penny to obtain, and it's tough going, but I figure that after three or four times through, I should have a beginner's undertsanding.

7. The Lovely Daughter and I went out yesterday and used up her gift cards (and then some) and went to see The History Boys. Great movie. Great play.

8. And I discovered a new form of online entertainment: the 365 Project. In its original form, you post a picture a day and ~ voila'! ~ at the end of the year, you have a mini record of what you've paid attention to. More importantly, you do pay attention. Some people are posting short reflections instead. I suppose that I will make my usual muddle of things by starting nearly two weeks late and posting an amalgamation of photos and words. I debated for a few moments about whether to start a new 365 blog, but I have restrained myself. I'll just toss the entries in here. And as I update my links, I'll point you to other 365s as I find them.

9. P.S. (after the mail arrived): I've been admitted to both the Presby seminaries to which I applied. The Lovely Daughter returns to College Far, Far Away tonight so I have her on my mind right now, which means that I can circle around my own decision process from a distance and on tiptoes.