Kyrie

Kyrie Eleison
Kyrie Eleison

The wind blows hard against this mountain side
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road

My heart is old, it holds my memories
My body burns, a gem-like flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again

Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I’m going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the light

When I was young I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be

Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I’m going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the light

Around the same time this song became popular, I was attending a weekly Compline service at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle. The Kyrie was hauntingly beautiful to me when sung as a Gregorian chant:

Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord have mercy upon us

Random Dozen, belated Saturday edition

It seemed appropriate to make you wait for the Random Dozen this week.  😛

Read on, compliments of Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. How good are you at delaying gratification?
Judging from the struggle I’m having with weight loss, I’d have to say I’m not very good at this at all!
2. Maybe a marshmallow wouldn’t be too difficult a temptation for you. What food (or anything else) would be most tempting?
Cheesecake, chocolate, a cool drink on a hot day, a cup of coffee on a cold morning

3. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being saintly) how patient are you?
Maybe a 4 on a really good day but I’m often closer to a 2 on this scale.

4. Have you ever waited for something in life only to be disappointed upon realization of the goal/object/etc.?
Yes

5. Are you a person who takes shortcuts?
Yes

6. Which line is hardest to wait in?
The line to the ladies restroom, no doubt about it!  (PLEASE let me go first… I’ve had 4 babies and I’m middle aged!)

7. Did you wait to discover the gender of your unborn child until its birth?
I  did not want to know the gender of our first baby because I wanted that surprise at birth. As a matter of protocol, I had an ultrasound early in the 2nd trimester with each of my pregnancies, but we couldn’t tell anything just by looking… until baby #4.  Even our Kindergartner knew — without a doubt — that was a boy in the picture! LOL

8. Are you more patient with children or the elderly?
I think it depends on the situation.

9. Did you ever sneak a peek at a present?
Never on purpose! I’ve always preferred a surprise.

10. What is the longest you’ve ever waited for anything?
I waited 15 years to visit Germany before being blessed with the opportunity to live there for 3 years.
My time of waiting to be a grandmother began after we were no longer able to have more children, but perhaps I shouldn’t begin counting until my kids marry?

11. Who has more patience, you or your significant other?
Oh, my husband most definitely exhibits much more patience than me.

12. Which of the following songs about waiting is your pick for the best? (OK, you may substitute another, if you like.)

A) Anticipation by Carly Simon
B) The Waiting by Tom Petty
C) Right Here Waiting for You by Richard Marx
D) Wait for Me by Rebecca St. James

I rather like this one:

Singing about it makes it better

Five on Friday

1.  It’s been exam week (midterms) here for my 3 oldest boys, which means they have no homework and they get home early each day. I’m enjoying the change of pace and I know they are, too.

2.  I wasn’t feeling up to snuff on Tuesday, but since the boys were home early, I asked the oldest to accompany me to Costco. Score! Someone besides me had to lift those cases of water, juice, and Gatorade.  😀  This also meant that I had enough energy to cook dinner.

3. I’m teaching a class on Thursdays based on the book A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George. If you are a Christian and you are asked to teach a Bible study class, be forewarned: God is going to be working on something in your life! Guess what the current & next few chapters deal with? Procrastination. Taking care of your home (not just cleaning, but also attitudes, etc.).  I’m glad God has a sense of humor (proven by the fact that I was asked to teach this class).

4. Thursday night was a reception at SnakeMaster’s school for the students who had participated in a program offered by the state PTA. This initial level of competition was at individual elementary schools and was judged by folks from the nearby Arts Center.  Well, guess what?!?  SnakeMaster’s photograph won the photography category for his school!

"Sherbet Sky" by SnakeMaster, age 10

The actual entry was an 8″x10″ photograph which we matted in black (the inner edge of the matte was thin line of gold).  His artwork is now moving on to the district-level competition.
Yes, I am a proud mama!  We might need to buy him his own camera.

5.   I wish I had known about this song “back in the day” — you know, back when I was “stranded all alone in the gas station of love.”  It would have been useful to be able to sing along, because singing about it does indeed make it better, especially if you can sing in 1950’s style.
Al Yankovic tells sings it like no other. 😀

**Sorry about the disabled embedding. Just click through, it’s safe.**

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All in all, a busy week here in Kcinnova’s World.
How was your week?  Any plans for the weekend?

The faster I go, the behinder I get

I’ve been using scheduled posts a lot lately, which is prime reason for anything being up here at all. Airborne and I are battling illness, with extra sleep being my secondary weapon.

Today I’m off to volunteer at the school and then a group of us fold, label, and mail the newsletter. Luckily, my job this month was proofreader, so it didn’t eat my life for 3 days straight. And tonight is a Pack meeting for Scouts.

Tomorrow I teach a class in the morning and attend a WW meeting band boosters meeting awards program at SnakeMaster’s school.

I’ll be making the rounds when I get more than a few moments free.

You know you’re getting old when…

You know you’re getting old when you put boots ON at bedtime!

And then you put on your mask:

These photos are from Google images…. because if I took a picture of me at bedtime, you might get nightmares!

Normally I can’t find a comfortable sleeping position when there are boots on my feet; I toss and turn and get tangled up in the covers. So I hadn’t worn the boots in a long time, but my fascia muscles were so tight and painful last night (despite stretching exercises before bed) that I could only relax and go to sleep after I put on the boots!  I have a consult to go to a podiatrist, but my husband pointed out that I would just be told to wear the boots regularly.

*sigh*

If anyone finds a magic wand, let me know, OK?

Who are you?

This is the good news: you are God’s delight; you are God’s joy; you are God’s beloved. God will not remain silent but will call you by name forever.

~Thom M. Shuman

I needed something light-hearted today

Just checking to see if you are at your  computer

Yep,  you are! So, keep scrolling for Bits of  Wisdom

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Love is grand!!

Divorce is a hundred grand.
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I  am in shape.
(Round is a shape.)
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Time may be a great healer,

but it’s a lousy beautician.

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Conscience is what hurts
when everything else feels good.

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Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.

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Even if you are on the right track,
You’ll get run over if you just sit there.
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An optimist thinks this is the best possible world.
A pessimist fears this is  true.

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There will always be death and taxes;
However, death doesn’t get worse every year.

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In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.

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I am Not over weight

I am a nutritional overachiever.

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I plan on living forever. So far, So good.

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Practice safe eating — always use condiments.

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A day without sunshine is like night.

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It’s frustrating when you know all the answers,

But nobody bothers to ask you  the questions.

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The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time,  but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

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Brain  cells come and brain cells go,
But fat cells live  forever.

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Age doesn’t always bring wisdom.
Sometimes it comes alone.

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Life not only begins at forty,
It also begins to show.

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I smile because you couldn’t resist reading this all the way through,

and I laugh because I read it through, too.

Do have a great day!

😀     😛     😀      😛     😀     😛     😀

Thanks to my lurker friend Carol who e-mailed this to me!

Dr. Seuss knew what he was talking about

While answering question #10 yesterday, I mentioned feeling blue about something and promised to post about it today.

I live in an area that might be called the exurbs. We are about 50 miles away from A Big City, and we live on the outskirts of 2 small towns. It’s not country living; we don’t have a large piece of property –just under one acre– and we do have neighbors. Our neighborhood doesn’t have street lights or sidewalks, and everyone has our size of lot or larger. The house to the east of us is actually quite close, which is a little odd considering the expanse of property, but whatever.  An older couple lives there, semi-retired. We don’t see them very often but we are friendly with one another. When we sit on our deck in the summer, we can’t see anyone’s house and no one can see us.  It’s the illusion of being alone and private.

About 6 months ago, the husband was diagnosed with lung cancer. His wife had already nursed 2 relatives as they died of cancer, so she knew what was coming. -D- had been a smoker for nearly all his life, and despite his illness and chemo, he didn’t quit his habit. After the first round of chemo, he was looking pretty good and his hair was growing back, but certain symptoms sent him back to the doctor by late fall. The cancer had spread. They returned to chemo treatment for alleviation of painful symptoms, but it was just to keep him comfortable.

SuperDad saw -D- about a month ago and thought he’d be with us until Spring. I went over to visit a few days after Christmas and I also thought he had a few months left. We chatted with extended family over the past 2 months, asking how -D- was doing and if there was anything we could do to help. But mostly, a family member would drop by in the morning or early evening and even if I was outside, I didn’t move quickly enough to flag him or her down to ask.  And, I admit, constantly asking seemed kind of morbid.  We knew that -D- was terminally ill.

Tuesday night I was putting out the recycling when their son-in-law pulled up in his truck. I moved quickly and was able to call his name loudly enough to halt his quick steps.
KC: “How is -D- doing?”
him: “How is -D- doing?!?! ……. We buried him 2 weeks ago!”
KC: [awkward silence accompanied by shocked facial expression]
him: “Didn’t you know?”

Um, no, I didn’t. And I felt awkward and insensitive. I know it wasn’t the family’s duty to inform the neighbors; that was probably the last thing on anyone’s mind.  I do try to pay attention to what goes on around me, but I don’t spend my days watching out the windows.
There had been a lot of family and friends visiting over the Christmas and New Year holiday (and yes, we figured some were there to say their goodbyes). When I saw a number of cars there again a 2 weeks ago, I assumed it was for a birthday party (for -P- or -D- or perhaps one of the grandkids) … because it was my birthday and I selfishly had birthday on the brain.

On my part, it was a failure to truly live in community.

Now I’ve been given another chance: I found out yesterday that a friend of mine has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Random Dozen

It’s Wednesday! Time for this week’s Random Dozen, compliments of Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

1. So I was thinking about how Jon Bon Jovi never seems to age much. His hair is smaller nowadays, but he still manages to look like a boy somehow. And then that made me think of the story of Dorian Gray. Question: If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why?
For a youthful look and good health, I would choose to be between 28 and 29 years old. I was running back then, happily signing up for 12Ks and 5Ks. (Plantar fasciitis had not yet reared it’s stubborn head… er, feet, and osteoarthritis had not yet invaded my knee.) I could knock out the sit-ups and was working on the push-ups so that I might –just for fun!– pass the Army physical fitness test for my 30th birthday.  My husband is Active Duty, but for me it was a personal challenge.

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?)
My neighbor might say it is my taco soup, but I think it is the Triple Chocolate Cake.

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal?
Music is magic!

4. When was the last time you danced in public?
The last time I can recall was October 2008! My dh & I did a little swing dancing, square dancing, and the Virginia Reel.

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer?
I’m a realist, no doubt about it!

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well?
I have loved and honored the father of my children.  And if that doesn’t count (and why not?! because I think it is hugely important!), then I will declare the love of books & reading. We’ve modeled this ourselves and read to the boys from the very beginning of their lives (the 10yo still loves his bedtime chapter of our current read-aloud book, The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis).

7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show?
I’m going to confess here and now that I’ve only watched the show twice in my life!  Therefore, I plead ignorance.

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Wow, that is  kind of vague, no? Maybe a 7 or an 8?

9. Have you never been mellow? Have you never tried … to find a comfort from inside you? (Sorry, Jorge was singing that song just now, and it just seemed to be perfect timing as I was creating this week’s questions.) REAL question: What is your #1 driving pet peeve?
I only get to choose one?!  😉
Okay, then… erratic & unpredictable behavior.  If I am on the highway and the pavement is dry, I prefer to use cruise control, and I can’t use it if the driver in front of me is doing the slow-slow-fast-fast-fast driving polka!  (It’s also a sign of not paying attention to the job at hand… which is, after all, driving!)

10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate?
My colors are marbled today: blue and yellow.
Yellow is for JOY: I have a precious new grand-niece in Colorado (she was born on Monday).
Blue is my favorite color, but today it stands for sadness. I’ll post about it tomorrow.

11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?
Hmmmm…. I think I will conjure him up as a panther.

12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day?
Hands down, it’s time spent on the computer. Not that I’m proud of  it, but there ya go.

WWC: food and drink

This week’s words were FOOD and DRINK:

You could probably eat this gingerbread house. Colorful rock climbing wall, anyone?

But I would probably steer clear of the lean-to style of outhouse. Just sayin’.  I mean, who eats an outhouse for FOOD?!?

Mmmmmm…. chocolate bar roof! 😛

Well, maybe you might after one of these!

The Weekly Words Challenge is a photo meme, hosted by Janet at Fond of Snape.  You can also find the group page on flickr and on facebook.  Come play with us!

Next week’s words are FRIENDS and FAMILY.