tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63488622011-06-26T10:36:21.274-05:00being read into poetry and proseby His wounds I am healedKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.comBlogger2391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-19595666725463289182008-01-29T17:15:00.000-06:002008-01-29T17:17:00.553-06:00Moving DayYes, I've moved - but not far away; just to a WordPress site with the same domain name. Please follow me there, if you'd like. And enjoy!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-47863785019135991882008-01-27T11:11:00.000-06:002008-01-27T11:15:34.459-06:00Saviour KingA song (from Hillsong United) that we sang in one December carol service, which has suddenly come back into my head...Let now the weak say I have strengthBy the Spirit of power that raised Christ from the deadLet now the poor stand and confessThat my portion is Him - and I'm more than blessedLet now our hearts burn with a flameA fire consuming all for Your Son's holy NameAnd with the Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-69962571010832751172008-01-23T16:35:00.000-06:002008-01-23T16:46:07.080-06:00Book quote #3 in a series - prompted because I have just eaten a portion of apple crumble, and am about to go make cocoa:"By the time Inigo and I had finished our cheese sandwiches at lunchtime, I was starting to panic about keeping the house warm and giving our guests such terminally dull food. We would be considered one of those ghastly families that invited people to stay then watched them Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-43951124406851283902008-01-22T18:25:00.000-06:002008-01-22T18:27:58.549-06:00"It is the very nature of language to form rather than inform. When language is personal, which it is at its best, it reveals and revelation is always formative - we don't know more, we become more. Our best users of language, poets and lovers and children and saints, use words to make - make intimacies, make character, make beauty, make goodness, make truth."~Eugene Peterson, Eat This BookKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-28534988842236487152008-01-18T18:08:00.000-06:002008-01-18T18:11:56.564-06:00"[Alice] listens to the rain hammering on the roof of the tent. Chucking down; raining stair-rods. Presumably the Celts had their own colloquialisms for bad weather. She thinks about all the language that should hang in the air up here, centuries of it, the reverberations of a million exchanges about love and war, birth and death, and what to have for supper."~Penelope Lively, Making It UpKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-90775577539459505042008-01-11T18:13:00.000-06:002008-01-11T18:22:54.144-06:00The small thingsCrimson peppermint candle, new Over the Rhine CD playing softly, music from Lizzie's TV upstairs, cozy slippers (also red), desk lamp glowing brightly, stacks of half-finished and yet-to-be-started books on the desk. (I'm trying not to buy any more books until I've read at least a couple of these.) Peppermint hot chocolate in my stomach. Hours of talk tonight with Lizzie, about Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-37150661487425645912007-12-24T12:46:00.000-06:002007-12-24T12:59:58.837-06:00Christmas MusicI arrived in Midland on Friday afternoon to find, to my surprise, that my family's collection of Christmas music has suddenly doubled. Perhaps tripled. For so many years we have listened to the same three cassettes - Elvis Presley's Blue Christmas, Kenny G's Miracles: The Holiday Album and George Strait's Merry Christmas Strait to You - during the whole Christmas season. We start Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-29310629995159125592007-12-17T14:37:00.001-06:002007-12-17T14:43:40.443-06:00Almost ThereI have finished my Christmas shopping. (It's amazing how motivating an international flight on 18 Dec. can be.)I have finished my 4000-word essay and turned it in. (Still working on the 3500-word one, but it's not due until January.)I have caught up on sleep (finally) from Wednesday's emotional and physical roller coaster. (And am still missing my dungeon boys...but I'll see them in Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-2648948378565481802007-12-12T17:10:00.000-06:002007-12-12T17:40:39.275-06:00Dungeon FarewellsThis morning at approximately 5:30 a.m., I hugged Bryce and Nick good-bye - for now, anyway. They're headed to Frankfurt on one last crazy trip, while the rest of the group flew home today. Several hours later, I hugged Nathan, Jordan and Moose (and a few of the others) good-bye at Gatwick Airport. And while I'm so grateful for the semester we've just had, my heart is Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-65393501066070042822007-12-05T18:19:00.000-06:002007-12-05T18:26:01.734-06:00Recipe for a Cowley Christmas Party+1 strand icicle lights, festooned around the lounge with Sellotape (courtesy of Lizzie & Dave)+1 fragrant 4-foot spruce tree, decked with blue and silver ornaments and topped with an angel+3 dozen chocolate chip cookies (homemade by Katie)+Several dozen mince pies (homemade by Jo)+Jam tarts, Pringles and assorted other goodies+1 big pot of cider+16 Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-8223161870889649042007-12-02T09:30:00.001-06:002007-12-02T09:42:28.047-06:00O Come O Come EmmanuelIt is officially Advent, the time when the church turns its thoughts and collective longing toward Christmas. From the decorations and plethora of shop-window adverts in City Centre, it's obvious the marketplace has already turned its longing toward the spending season - but I'm talking about a much deeper yearning."O Come O Come Emmanuel" is one of my favourite Christmas Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-86489242251768104392007-11-28T12:30:00.000-06:002007-11-28T12:32:28.431-06:00Crunch Time and CarolsFour major assignments due before school ends in two weeks' time (I go back to the States for Christmas in just under three weeks). An annotated reading list, a thesis proposal and two essays. And I just finished the first one - the reading list. It feels good. And Jo has made cupcakes. And there's a carol service at the Sheldonian Theatre tonight. A quintessentially Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-13565222165233463672007-11-23T15:28:00.000-06:002007-11-23T15:46:07.254-06:00I Love Paris in the Fall*Here, dear readers, is a belated (two-weeks-later) post about our trip to Paris. Due to the fact that I danced the night away at the St Aldates Thanksgiving Ball last night, I am fairly knackered, but just thought I'd share with you a few photos of our trip to the City of Lights. Here's a shot from the boat cruise we took on Thursday night: We went under all the bridges Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-71208185702632127422007-11-18T20:39:00.000-06:002007-11-18T20:41:10.661-06:00Reasons I Love Dungeon Life, #172Twinkling Christmas lights strung across the ceiling in Bryce, Moose and Nick's room. And Christmas jazz organ music blasting from Bryce's iPod.Yes.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-82298139949078190902007-11-13T06:24:00.000-06:002007-11-13T06:49:22.296-06:00Tagged: Favourite Place in My NeighbourhoodsAnne and May's Monday meme this week asked about your favourite place in your neighbourhood. Since I have two neighbourhoods in Oxford, I'm doing two. And May has all but ordered me to post a picture, so here goes:This is the little street near the ACU houses - North Parade Avenue, home to two pubs, a couple of art galleries, a garden shop, a salon, a Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-84485848729500284782007-11-07T07:04:00.000-06:002007-11-07T07:07:40.785-06:00Paris holds the key to your heart...*It's already been proven that Oxford holds the key to my heart, but I couldn't resist the reference. :) A mere week after landing back in Oxford exhausted but exhilarated from four days in Austria, I'm off again - to Paris, this time with the whole ACU group, plus Jacque. It's a quick trip - just three and a half days in la ville de la lumiere - but it should Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-45207480971482719102007-10-25T20:10:00.000-05:002007-10-25T20:21:20.520-05:00Off AgainThe ACU students are off to Italy, to Austria, to Turkey. My laundry is off the drying rack in Grace's room. Jo is off to Cardiff to see her family for a few days. My classes are off until 6 November (I have to give a presentation on the night we reconvene, but we're not thinking about that yet). And tomorrow noonish, I'm off to Austria.I've been a bit freaked out about leaving as I haveKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-57991831916168819942007-10-20T15:32:00.001-05:002007-10-20T15:39:14.723-05:00Milk or Sugar?Yesterday I worked my first shift at the Oxfam shop on Cowley Road. Ben, the manager, gave me a tour of the shop, then ran through the long list of health and safety procedues, and then he let me work the till (cash register) with Anne, the assistant manager, for the rest of the afternoon. I quite enjoyed ringing up purchases, asking "Would you like a bag?," and smiling at people asKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-35543320209155067242007-10-17T12:20:00.000-05:002007-10-17T12:36:21.693-05:00Midweek MusingsOne would think I'd know every corner and cranny of Oxford, the way I'm obsessed with poking around it. I do know lots of them by now, but I've spent loads of time since I've been back discovering new ones. A few recent delights:~Hong Kong House on South Parade in Summertown (actually several miles north of our beloved North Parade), which the guys have dubbed the "Oxford Little Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-4762351803923410312007-10-13T07:48:00.000-05:002007-10-13T07:59:01.701-05:00Saturday GratitudesToday I'm thankful for...~Stubborn streaks of sunshine, which are peering through despite threatening rain clouds.~Bath and Body Works' delicious scents of Mango Mandarin and Cherry Blossom, among others.~Whoever left their half-full bottles of John Frieda Brilliantly Brunette shampoo and conditioner in the ACU houses' community cabinets. :) ~Long, delicious emails from my Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-68408132755024859132007-10-08T17:56:00.000-05:002007-10-08T18:05:33.595-05:00Thoughts from the basement tonight...+Jordan: "I need some hot chocolate in my life."+Jordan, after Ashley and Erin left: "Now we can all get drunk!"Moose: "Wait, Katie's still here!"[They're just kidding, by the way. These boys love coffee and tea better than any alcoholic beverage.]+Bryce: "As a tax for using her French press [in the morning], I told Holly she could have a cookie."+Nick: "KatieKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-36760418922169035862007-10-07T14:43:00.000-05:002007-10-07T14:55:58.212-05:00A Meditation: On KitchensSometimes I get frustrated with the state of both kitchens I inhabit. How they're never sparkling clean; how there are always spice jars and loaves of bread and the day's mail and "bits and bobs" (Lizzie's expression) littering their counters. The counter was almost invisible under junk when I walked into the dungeon kitchen tonight. The dish rack was full of sparkling Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-60784677175898044502007-10-04T16:42:00.000-05:002007-10-04T16:43:56.481-05:00My newest post is up on the Radiant "Sacred Spaces" blog. Check it out.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-10394323222130221532007-10-01T06:54:00.000-05:002007-10-01T06:58:39.608-05:00Recipe for the Perfect LunchIngredients:1 rainy Oxford day1 BLT sandwich from On the Hoof (for Jacque)1 Brie-and-salsa sandwich from On the Hoof (for Katie)1 cup hot cocoa (for Katie)1 current issue of The Economist (for Jacque)1 fun book about ethical fashion (for Katie)Mix together and serve in a warm, cozy sitting room, with the window slightly open.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-57776922854594523812007-09-29T17:07:00.000-05:002007-09-29T17:10:38.739-05:00I am newly in love with the garden shop on North Parade, Town Garden. In the middle of preparing breakfast this morning, I had to run to the 9-to-9 to get milk, and the Town Garden man was setting out his stock and whistling. He bade me a cheery "G'morning" as I perused his stock of herbs, pots, gardening tools, herb-scented candles, and potted pansies (a pound each!). I was sorely tempted to buyKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-12855418008384481962007-09-27T15:23:00.000-05:002007-09-27T15:33:37.473-05:00This class will make your brain hurtSo said Bill Rankin, our jolly, red-bearded medievalist professor, to a class full of literary theory students four years ago. (Has it really been THAT long since I first cracked open the Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism - which, by the way, I'm using again this semester?) His declaration was, I think, partially intended to scare us, but also to prepareKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-29663665783126471412007-09-24T17:02:00.000-05:002007-09-24T17:07:40.641-05:00Back from Ireland...and RadiantThe two halves of the post title don't actually connect in the way you'd think they would. Yes, I am glowing inside (and outside, as I am a little sunburned) from an absolutely fantastic four days in Ireland with Colton. (Though I am slightly knackered, especially after travelling all day today.) But I think the title is fun, so I'm leaving it up.The real purpose ofKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-53158300685310842472007-09-19T16:31:00.000-05:002007-09-19T16:34:48.771-05:00Off to the Emerald IsleDrinking a cup of strawberry tea from a polka-dotted mug, with my birthday flowers (still perky) on the table, and Jo typing on her laptop nearby. Just wanted to say that I'm off to Ireland tomorrow! Colton Mailes, my dear friend since childhood (our dads grew up together and our grandparents are great friends), is studying abroad in Galway this semester. I've never been toKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-528070412349569552007-09-18T18:30:00.000-05:002007-09-18T18:40:31.399-05:00Roommate RundownSeveral people have asked about my little house in Cowley, and my roommates - what they're like, if I'm enjoying them so far. Let me say unequivocally that they are three dear, precious girls. Here's the scoop on my sweet roomies:Lizzie is the reason I found the house in the first place, as she goes to my beloved St Aldates Church and posted the house ad on the church's Facebook Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-52310716065025662442007-09-16T11:19:00.001-05:002007-09-16T11:27:37.541-05:00Getting Around OxfordSo much to say from this weekend...my birthday yesterday was fantastic, and it's been a lovely Sunday. But for now, just two pictures of the two main ways I get around in this city:Cheesy, I know, but I do walk miles every day. And I love my red shoes.And this is the new bike. I'm half tempted to name her Jade, after Julie's illustrious car. Isn't she pretty?Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-53417960194163025882007-09-12T18:25:00.001-05:002007-09-12T18:30:42.377-05:00Cycling and cookiesAs of yesterday, I have joined the ranks of Oxford cyclists. That's right. I have a BIKE. A funky used green one, bought at Cycle King on the Cowley Road. I have a lock and two lights and everything. Not a basket yet, though that will soon be forthcoming, I think.I cycled over to Canterbury Road to show off my new toy, and wound up joining some of the crew for a mad game of Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-11951011960746953742007-09-10T16:48:00.000-05:002007-09-10T17:13:52.276-05:00Wales, Day 1 (and pictures...finally)I'm finally back at my little house in Cowley, after two nights at the ACU houses that turned into five. I spent Wed. night over there as we were leaving early on Thursday, and crashed there on Friday night after we returned from Wales. And the weekend was just so chill, and so fun, that I couldn't leave. I absolutely adore living in the basement with the boysKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-66730815030718691062007-09-03T18:48:00.000-05:002007-09-03T18:59:33.526-05:00Boys in the Basement...and MeOfficially, I've moved into my house in Cowley (southeast Oxford). Unofficially, I'm still quasi-in residence at the ACU houses. My office/bedroom is in the basement of House 9, a place that has always struck a little fear into me. When I lived here in 2004, it always smelled like not-so-clean boys, and the guys who lived down here were the slightly sketchy ones. Oh, Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-3140366492299746602007-08-31T17:13:00.000-05:002007-08-31T17:25:27.879-05:00Life on Canterbury Road, Plus 32The students are here! The students are here!They arrived yesterday around 11 a.m., jet-lagged and bleary-eyed but excited. We have 29 students, plus Dan and Brenda McVey and their daughter, Tessa. Quite a mix among the students - we have some backpacker/adventure-type guys, some sweet quiet girls, some louder, funnier types of both genders, seven guitar players, Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-39612265847939029912007-08-28T16:41:00.000-05:002007-08-28T17:11:58.477-05:00Simple SatisfactionMuch of the last two days have been spent cleaning, inventorying, organising and just generally taking stock of the contents of #9 and #10 Canterbury Road. The students arrive Thursday (the day after tomorrow!), and we've got to make sure everything is spick-and-span. This has included washing lots of towels and bath mats, checking to make sure all the rooms have fans and lampsKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-75410689331866002362007-08-26T16:10:00.000-05:002007-08-26T16:21:31.092-05:00Oxford bitsYesterday, after clearing out a basement closet in House 10:Janine: Jacque! We found a whole box of kisses!Jacque:You found Hershey's Kisses in the closet?Janine: No, we found a box of pictures of black-and-white people kissing!Jacque: ???[Eventually Janine explained that we found several black-and-white photos of people kissing, including Rhett and Scarlett, and the famous Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-74470440367152789752007-08-24T16:53:00.000-05:002007-08-24T16:57:51.760-05:00I'm here!I arrived at London Gatwick at 10 a.m. local time this morning, to cloudy skies and cigarette smoke and heavy luggage. I arrived in Oxford around 1:30 p.m., to sunshine and blue skies and Jacque! My dear friend, who was waiting for me at the bus station, flung her arms around me and exclaimed, "Welcome home!" I am home, indeed.We took a taxi to Canterbury Road, lugged my stuff into the Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-80538900219469744982007-08-22T22:44:00.000-05:002007-08-22T22:53:34.338-05:00Counting Down the HoursI have spent my last night in the little flat, sung my heart out at Highland for the last time (for a while), hugged every member of my beloved Lifeteam, squeezed all of my stuff into Jeremiah's storage unit (thank you, honey - and everyone who helped!) and all of my clothes into my suitcases and my parents' closets. I have bought a new camera, as my beloved old one has Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-21750861125267513202007-08-18T00:49:00.000-05:002007-08-18T00:54:44.050-05:00My WishHere's a song that's been drifting around in my head for the last couple of weeks (it was part of the slideshow at Brittany and Tyler's wedding). For all of you...I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slowAnd each road leads you where you wanna goAnd if you're faced with a choice, and you have to chooseI hope you choose the one that means the most to youAnd if one door opens to Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-150408555627458772007-08-11T19:58:00.001-05:002007-08-11T20:21:23.233-05:00If the DBMM were HogwartsA few days ago at the office, we had an inspired discussion based off a list put on Facebook by two of our majors: What if the DBMM were Hogwarts? Which professor would be which? Emails flew back and forth, and it has been decided to add a Harry Potter category to our annual DBMM Jeopardy at Passport. I won't be there, of course, but I find this hilarious anyway, so I'm Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-69840961313812700712007-08-09T10:49:00.000-05:002007-08-09T11:25:11.056-05:00Tim Sensing on preaching, at Highland last night:"Why does [preaching] matter? It matters because we're the church, and preaching takes place here, among us."Sounds like a simplistic statement, perhaps, but I think there's something here about identity. Preaching matters to us because of who we are. It matters how the words of God are spoken and interpreted among the people of God. If we base ourKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-5208148006949740262007-07-31T16:14:00.001-05:002007-07-31T16:23:08.563-05:00We are the body of Christ*On Sunday morning, I got to do something that I've never gotten to do before at Highland: serve communion at the front. Every couple of months, we deviate from our usual ritual of passing the trays, and instead stack the trays of matzo crackers and grape juice on half a dozen tables at the front of the auditorium. The praise team sings while the congregation files up, inKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-85220372159895192832007-07-27T10:20:00.000-05:002007-07-27T10:24:04.870-05:00More Engagement PhotosThe album is ready! Go here to look at quite a few of the shots from last Thursday's time with Debbie. I think she did a great job! :) The password to the album is "Highland." Enjoy!Mom comes into town today for a whirlwind weekend of wedding planning - cakes, flowers, pictures, dress appointments and all kinds of fun. (Not to mention fulfilling my bridesmaid duties - Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-34298694487723734212007-07-20T13:18:00.000-05:002007-07-20T13:25:50.454-05:00Engagement PhotosLast night I got to flirt with Jeremiah for an hour and a half...and there wasn't anyone rolling their eyes or telling us to stop being mushy! :) Our sweet friend Debbie Riggs did our engagement photos, which happened in two stages. First we dressed up in snazzy black and went downtown to the street and alley by the Grace Museum; Debbie's husband, Mark, came along to assist and Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-10809689829140914942007-07-19T16:34:00.000-05:002007-07-19T16:38:23.892-05:00bits of me – poetry thursdayI make grocery listsin pencil on green Post-Its.I eat large bars of dark chocolatewrapped in gold foil, halfa square at a time.I knit a new scarf every couple of months,but I usually give them awayand wrap myself in rustling pashminasmade of silk and woven light.I feel devious when I wear black eyeliner,sneaky when I dip into magazinesin the checkout line,standing Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-89452191220599388592007-07-11T16:45:00.000-05:002007-07-11T16:52:41.963-05:00On the road again*Having finished one and a half more books (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and If Today Be Sweet by Thrity Umrigar), co-hosted a garage sale, done copious amounts of laundry (thanks to Jodi's generosity), attended a dinner hosted by Scott at Cole's house (which was ever so much fun), sent tons of emails, and put in several days at work - all since I last posted - I'm Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-23601427455659930462007-07-05T16:11:00.000-05:002007-07-05T16:28:39.078-05:00Summer Reading ListOne thing I've always appreciated about summer is the extra chance to read. Even in high school, when I was going to camp and helping with VBS at church and playing games with my family and hanging out with friends, there were still far more lazy afternoons than there were during the school year, and loads more chances to stay awake far into the night, reading a book I just Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-55195694319387937452007-07-02T16:14:00.000-05:002007-07-02T16:21:00.103-05:00Abilene appears to be drowning, or at the very least, it's soggy and wet under yet another grey blanket of rain clouds. I know it's near blasphemy for a West Texan to complain about rain, but we've had weeks of it. For heaven's sake, we are literally an inch or two away from our average rainfall for the year!However, I've been distracting myself for the past week by burying my nose in the Harry Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-24474714463578406972007-06-27T13:29:00.001-05:002007-06-27T14:04:50.128-05:00Mug ShotsI think I should make it a policy never to have more than twelve mugs at a time. When Bethany and I lived together, we collected them like Julie collects stray cats, or Cole collects Hawaii kitsch. Seriously, though, we had three shelves above the fridge in our cobalt-blue kitchen, and at least one and a half of them were neatly lined with mugs.Now there are a round dozen sitting in my Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-31798233829417342252007-06-26T15:56:00.000-05:002007-06-26T16:00:09.268-05:00Special summery moments this week:-a looooonnnnnggg walk in the rain with J around the ACU track on Sunday night-Running into the Montgomerys, part of our beloved Lifeteam, on last night's walk and strolling with them to Jacob's Dream-Luscious bottled fruit smoothies. Mmmmm.-Fresh strawberries with French bread for lunch.-Magazines - thanks to Julie for the issues of InStyle and Real Simple. I Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-87497881010134177302007-06-21T15:38:00.000-05:002007-06-21T15:43:52.751-05:00poetry thursdayI've been a lurker on Poetry Thursday for a long time, enjoying the several columns that appear on the site every month and some of the participants' poetry. But I've never been brave enough to actually participate. So here for the first time, is a Thursday snippet of original Katie poetry - written several weeks ago after seeing a photograph of buildings lit from the inside.[Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-64781186250450164922007-06-18T16:19:00.000-05:002007-06-18T16:32:29.839-05:00Since both Julies have tagged me recently (Julie S tagged me in bold letters today), here are seven random facts about me:1. I am a two-time participant in the National Spelling Bee, having won five school spelling bees and two "regional" (city-wide) bees to make it there. At one of these bees, I won a dictionary that weighs more than my dog.2. I abhor most stupid-humor movies, but Tommy Boy Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-74342390647018354722007-06-14T16:36:00.000-05:002007-06-14T16:49:25.273-05:00I have a ticket to OXFORD in August! Well, technically to London, but that's not the point. The point is...I am GOING! Going to Oxford Brookes to earn a master's degree and discuss books with people who love them as much as I do. Going to work with the Morgans at the ACU houses as the admin assistant/keeper of Ron's sanity. Going to walk down Cornmarket and through Port Meadow and up and down Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-54108791445669518442007-06-13T16:36:00.000-05:002007-06-13T16:45:52.667-05:00Just back from an exhilarating run in the rain to roll up my car windows (I drove, for once, to work today) before the seats/CDs/miscellaneous stuff inside gets soaked. I am damp and chilly, and my hair is stringy, but, a la Marie Howe, "I am living."I am also reading like a madwoman - Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking, Darryl Tippens' Pilgrim Heart (subject of our current study in BibleKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-31112204439052442022007-06-08T15:13:00.001-05:002007-06-08T15:28:13.111-05:00After Julie D and Kelly Rae linked to Jen Lemen on their blogs this week, I had to go visit her site. I love her whimsical, life-affirming art, and John O'Donohue is one of my treasured authors. Six and a half years ago, I received a book of his called Anam Cara from my dear Walker, and I have read certain sections of it again and again.New things begun this week: a charming ocean-blue journal Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-42036351922936561312007-06-04T16:46:00.001-05:002007-06-04T16:53:03.760-05:00Small but important acts of self-care:~Stocking up on groceries, including eight different items, in at least four bright colors, from the produce section (yummm)~Bandaging my feet when my cute new shoes raise blisters~Bringing granola and half a peach to work for an afternoon snack~Recognizing my limits (and believe me, there is a limit to the amount of time one can spend staring at a computer Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-25475125664436199682007-06-01T15:43:00.001-05:002007-06-04T09:05:05.047-05:00Fun Friday LinkageI am deeply absorbed in the Time Quintet by Madeleine L'Engle, having read three of them in the last week. I love her fantastic imagination and gentle sensibility, and her firm belief in a time and space larger than we can understand.Check out Cole's blog and Julie's blog for stories about Espana...how I wish I'd gotten to go with them! I am definitely going back when I'm in Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-884587824701754182007-05-29T18:45:00.000-05:002007-05-29T21:14:13.468-05:00A few items of interest:I love early summer because early evening feels SO much like late afternoon. With all the windows open in the flat and light pouring in, it's heavenly.I just witnessed a sunshiny shower on my deck. Went and stood out in it, in fact. Only in West Texas...Anne Lamott is right. Pretty lipstick, or lip gloss in my case, "gives me a face I am happier to bring into the world."Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-72185947049305954252007-05-23T10:50:00.001-05:002007-05-23T11:34:40.046-05:00Two of my very favourite people married one another this weekend! 'Tis the season for weddings, I know, and one can get jaded easily, but this one was special. David and Stephanie were both with me in Oxford in '04, though they were not dating at the time - Stephanie was actually dating one of our other guys then. David later dated one of my roommates, but once he realized he was in love with Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-46166565951240106252007-05-16T16:30:00.000-05:002007-05-16T16:47:39.842-05:00It's been an exciting week and a half...proposal, birthday, finals week, awards ceremonies, senior dinners, graduation, and LOTS of pictures snapped along the way. Here are a few shots from this past weekend, in which Betsy gave a speech, Jeremiah received an award, they both graduated, and J and I attended a lovely wedding at the Williams Performing Arts Center on the ACU campus (ohhhhh, I want Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-40966418922935785682007-05-10T16:47:00.000-05:002007-05-11T09:45:29.864-05:00Have you heard what they're saying on the street?*Some of my favorite reactions to the engagement...My mom (crying): "Ohhhhhh, Katie, I'm so excited for you!"Jacque (via email): "AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"Steven Moore (stunned look): "He finally did it! Jeremiah finally proposed!"Calvin (hands raised above head): "Whoo-Hoo!"Ron Morgan: "Wow! Hurrah!"Janine Morgan: "Whooo-hoo, calloo, callay!"Mimi Barnard: Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-47397112023905678132007-05-10T16:32:00.000-05:002007-05-10T16:44:33.537-05:00I have another article up in this week's Radiant newsletter. For the record, I would like to say that I sent this in BEFORE I got engaged...and it's not a declaration of how life is all the time; simply a snapshot of how it was recently. It does still feel a bit like we're stuck in neutral in the department, waiting for the school year to end (tomorrow!) and summer to begin. But having this Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-40795122743272068192007-05-07T16:05:00.000-05:002007-05-11T16:50:47.490-05:00Love and marriage*As many of you have heard by now, I am engaged! Jeremiah asked me to marry him on Friday night after work, at Erinshire Gardens here in Abilene (one of our favorite places). It was impeccably planned and beautifully executed - I am so impressed by him (again) and so wonderfully, incredibly, deliriously happy.He picked me up after work and took me home, and we hung out at my flatKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-60857009723519232922007-05-02T16:46:00.000-05:002007-05-02T16:48:49.706-05:00I have learned that I can't always guarantee the response I want from any of the people in my life. In fact, I can't guarantee any response at all. But I have to keep on giving, keep on loving, keep on reaching out to people no matter how silent it is on the other end. Otherwise we're both missing out. And I'd rather be an unquenchable, unstoppable giver than be someone who is so easily stopped Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-52858796487372756982007-05-01T16:22:00.000-05:002007-05-01T16:40:49.992-05:00Inspired by some way fun scrapbooking stickers, here are the UN-things I want to be:~unexpected~uncommon~unusual~unprecedented~unique (yeah, yeah, I know, but I had to slip it in) :)~unforgettable~uncritical of other people~unquenchable~unstoppable~unpredictableAnd pretty soon I want to be un-working, because it's almost 5:00 and it is now gorgeous outside. Happy Tuesday, friends!Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-17662954630610896092007-04-30T15:37:00.000-05:002007-04-30T16:14:35.842-05:00The Well of GriefThose who will not slip beneath the still surface on the well of griefturning downward through its black water to the place we cannot breathewill never know the source from which we drink, the secret water, cold and clear,nor find in the darkness glimmering the small round coins thrown by those who wished for Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-25871822089893354472007-04-27T14:12:00.000-05:002007-04-27T15:33:07.103-05:00Friday at last!~Jeans with impossibly high-heeled sandals are everywhere today. Come on, girls! Wear some flip-flops! Don't you know it's Friday?~This week I'm reading Betsy Lerner's The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers, from which the following passage comes:I would like to believe that there are brilliant poems and novels tucked away in drawers and closets across the country.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-39746444136028910722007-04-23T16:59:00.000-05:002007-04-23T20:27:59.515-05:00I have been there in the summerIn the southern Rocky rangeWith the evergreen and the aspenA quiet voice that doesn't changeYou know it's almost like a dreamIt's a rock in the streamOld coyote sings a love songTo a lonely yellow moonWhere the old one wants and wanders...Breathes life into his foodYou know it's almost like a dreamBut it's a rock in the streamLife gives you everything, everything itKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-51868528246727820152007-04-19T15:11:00.000-05:002007-04-19T15:14:33.467-05:00Nouns I Love That Are Also Verbs~hope~dance~love~nest~gift~cry~ring~spy~secret~glow~spirit~touch~shadow~lightCan you think of any others?Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-47712052974429081262007-04-17T16:41:00.000-05:002007-04-17T16:56:34.956-05:00Notes from a haphazard TuesdayI have realized that I'm going to a show and a shower for the same person in the month of April. For some reason, that makes me happy.I need quality dark chocolate. M&M's do not satisfy. Even in copious quantities.Only in Abilene is it sprinkling at 8 a.m., cloudy at noon, sunny at 1 p.m. and raining fiercely by 4 p.m. When I walk home in 10 minutes, who knows what Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-91780814875201237252007-04-13T16:29:00.000-05:002007-04-13T16:38:31.175-05:00Scattered lovely, funny or astounding moments from yesterday's Bible department Senior Blessing, which was truly a blessing to all involved - students, faculty and staff:-Seven cases of water bottles, at least six cases of sodas, 16 bags of chips and half a dozen bags of grapes. And three six-foot Subway sandwiches! Mitch Halstead (one of the seniors), 10 minutes after walking in: "The feeding Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-7045935659221065732007-04-06T14:25:00.000-05:002007-04-06T14:37:31.444-05:00Today I'm thinking about Good Friday three years ago, a day on which (you may have guessed) I was in Oxford, stretched out on a blanket in University Parks, underneath a golden spring sun. We spent most of the afternoon playing and relaxing, after attending a packed service at St. Aldates which was somehow sobering and joyful at once.I've never lived a Good Friday so fully as I did that year. ForKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-39687914092383000432007-03-30T10:17:00.000-05:002007-03-30T10:52:31.716-05:00Things I'm loving lately...Daily Thought wallpaper from Real Simple magazine. I devour this magazine every month, and I get their Daily Thought newsletter every day...but now I can have it on my desktop all the time! Charming, sweet simplicity. Guess which one is on my desktop right now? (Hint: I just finished reading Austen's Persuasion.)Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman, lent to meKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-60512603807388748262007-03-25T21:40:00.000-05:002007-03-25T22:22:06.153-05:00I've been promising Oxford highlights and pictures so here's the first installment. See Jeremiah's blog for a marathon post about his experience of Oxford, coming soon. I will break mine into more bite-size chunks, but here we go:After arriving at London Gatwick at 8 a.m. Saturday, we took a bus to Oxford and ran into my friend Katie at the bus station. She was waiting for her sister Kara, who Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-18561454628989360462007-03-22T16:57:00.000-05:002007-03-22T17:01:45.233-05:00Now that we're back in Abilene, we seem to be getting the weather we expected but didn't have in Oxford (cloudy, windy, possibly rainy and quite changeable). Oxford, by contrast, was windy, but unexpectedly warm and sunny. It was putting on a pretty face for my Jeremiah, of course, who quite enjoyed meeting and getting to know my favourite city. :) We walked around nearly the whole perimeter of Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1411854852117705262007-03-08T16:55:00.000-06:002007-03-09T00:21:03.841-06:00We leave in a DAY! Eeeeeeeeeee!Today so far: tying up loose ends at work, sending reminder emails, piles of paperwork, CAYA chapel, leftover lasagna lunch with Heather, blossoming trees outside my office window. This is the week to have an office window in Abilene, for sure. These trees are covered with delicate white star-shaped blossoms, and the bees, living up to legend, are busy. According toKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1321045370131372402007-03-07T16:41:00.000-06:002007-03-07T16:44:19.205-06:00Running down the to-do list this week....Visiting Committee (two days of meetings and meals)? Check.Faculty meeting? Check.Various and sundry email reminders sent out to faculty? Check.Bus tickets for England bought? Check.Lodging arrangements confirmed? Check.Dinner with friends, lunch with a friend, and a campus tour (all for Oxford) scheduled? Check.Laundry? Check.Still to come: CAYA practice Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-44538789978075957632007-03-02T14:41:00.000-06:002007-03-02T14:51:27.025-06:00Manifold and effusive congratulations are in order to my Jeremiah, who was accepted yesterday into the marriage and family therapy program at ACU. He's so jazzed, and I'm so proud!Today: quiet morning, gospel-praise chapel, a lovely lunch with the fabulous Julie S. at Hickory Street Cafe. (Yesterday: lunch with the fabulous Julie D. and Jeremiah at Alley Cats. My lunch company is the cream of theKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-52302987688199112522007-02-27T15:32:00.000-06:002007-02-27T16:25:54.080-06:00The Alphabetics of Writing, Katie-styleI lifted this exercise from Take Joy, a quirky, no-nonsense book about writing by Jane Yolen, who has written literally dozens of books. Since I spent most of yesterday at the Taylor County Courthouse, waiting around to eventually be excused from jury duty (whew!), I had ample time to brainstorm. And this isn't the only version of the ABC's of writing, but IKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-25192213036325218372007-02-21T16:24:00.000-06:002007-02-21T16:33:02.324-06:00"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."A sobering thought, especially on a sunny, bright blue, spring-warm Ash Wednesday. Nothing somber at all about the weather. But the noon service at the Church of the Heavenly Rest here in town was quiet and moving. I love that little nave, with its cool marble columns and gorgeous stained-glass windows, and its old, peaceful soul. Other Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-76704089727442322432007-02-19T16:52:00.000-06:002007-02-19T17:02:53.580-06:00A random list of Monday loveliness...Half a cinnamon scone for breakfast. The absence of socks. Jeremiah in my office, not once but twice. Dreaming of Europe with Sandy, Stephanie and Val. Yummy leftover brisket and potato casserole, and the March issue of Real Simple, at lunchtime. Blue skies and sunshine, and a touch of spring in the air. Planning to cook dinner, and plan this week's CAYA, withKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-86291898877186732402007-02-15T11:13:00.000-06:002007-02-23T10:33:48.558-06:00Scattered lyrics from this year's host & hostess numbers, which, after 14+ hours at Moody this week, WILL NOT leave my head:Left a good job in the cityWorkin' for the man every night and dayAnd I never lost one minute of sleepin'Worried 'bout the way things might have beenBig wheels keep on turnin'Oh, the proud Mary keep on burnin'And we're rollin' (rollin'), rollin' (rollin'), rollin' on the Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-44374034112283596182007-02-14T16:40:00.000-06:002007-02-14T16:58:43.349-06:00Bits of Valentininess today:-A dozen red roses from Jeremiah, hand-delivered before his 10 a.m. class...after he left Moody at close to 1 a.m. last night! All together now..."Awwwww..."-Bags of Hershey's Kisses - double chocolate and caramel - from Carlene and me, to everyone. We've dumped them into candy dishes galore and told everyone to help themselves.-A bar of dark chocolate from Carlene...Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-16624360958426855732007-02-13T16:51:00.000-06:002007-02-12T16:53:10.376-06:00My day in rhyme, though not particularly in order or rhythm:Trouser pinstripesProfessor gripesA bowl of minestroneNot wanting to leave home-yCracklin' Oat Bran snackRepaired camera to unpackWind tangling my hairJ dropping by to say he caresUnexpected afternoon lightPlans to go watch practice tonightNew recipes in a fun French bookA maple banana bread recipe to cookVisiting Nuria with Cole -the Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-51235663834621447832007-02-12T16:29:00.000-06:002007-02-12T16:52:41.449-06:00Day-makers today:-Sunshine and BLUE SKIES after days and days of gray-Pretty periwinkle Post-Its-A surprise visit from J this morning-Babies in the DBMM! Jack and Jeanene Reese brought their first granddaughter, Simone, up to see everyone (decked out all in pink, of course), and Derran Reese's daughter Brynn also put in an appearance. Too cute!-The flowers Glenn sent me after last week's FreshmanKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-55477758475628642802007-02-07T22:03:00.000-06:002007-02-07T07:39:42.001-06:00Workin' too hard can give you a heart attack-ack-ack-ack-ack...*What a week so far. Monday: staff meeting, getting the week off the ground, turning in my latest article, prepping for Freshman Blessing. Yesterday: Freshman Blessing, all day (well, 9-11 a.m., 1-7 p.m....yeah, pretty much all day). Today: Faculty meeting, tons of leftover lasagne, recovering from Freshman Blessing, and getting aboutKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-67207482742571035712007-01-31T21:53:00.000-06:002007-01-31T22:09:43.910-06:00What Time Is It?*Four years ago this month, for a period of six solid weeks, there was one answer to nearly every question you could ask me. The questions ranged from "Why isn't your homework done?" and "Why are you so tired?" to "Where on earth did you learn those strange lyrics to popular songs?," "Why are you spray-painting bow ties with silver glitter on the Gardner dorm lawn?" and "Can you Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-68794322936611753522007-01-29T16:44:00.000-06:002007-01-29T16:59:05.478-06:00This is one of the most beautiful things I've come across in a while.Weekend: hours spent writing in the flat, Saturday morning scone, snatched time with my J between rehearsals, parents in town, pretty new sweaterdress, delicious dinner at Copper Creek, singing my heart out on praise team, thoughtful discussion in Sojourners class, nap under my furry blanket, children running around at Lifeteam,Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-63517301573725865972007-01-19T16:45:00.000-06:002007-01-19T20:46:02.357-06:00It's FRIDAY, and I love Fridays. Especially after funky first weeks, such as this one has been. But there are lots of things I love today...Today I love my cute polka-dotted rain boots, my cozy purple sweater, a bowl of leftover chicken carbonara pasta (Jacque's famous recipe) at lunch, topped off by two oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. And lots of laughter with Olivia and Karissa, my two preciousKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-87649474288107938702007-01-11T15:01:00.000-06:002007-01-11T15:12:32.412-06:00New Year's Resolutions I am trying to keep:1. Writing at least 3 pages a day - journal, articles, whatever2. Cutting down my excessive chocolate intake3. Becoming less critical of other people4. Exercising 3 times a weekReading goals I'm trying to meet in 2007:1. Read at least 24 books (2 a month) of the 30+ I own but haven't read2. Read at least 6 new authors (I've already read one - Maeve Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-34594398258925868932007-01-04T00:03:00.000-06:002007-01-04T00:10:40.266-06:00"As for God, I frankly admit that I find it easier to live with the age-old questions about suffering than with many of the easy or pious explanations offered from time to time. Some of which seem to verge on blasphemy.""Life is sweet. Beyond the pain, life continues to be sweet. The basics are still there. Beauty, food, and friendship, reservoirs of love and understanding. Later, possibly not Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-77902284917717033062006-12-23T23:40:00.000-06:002006-12-23T23:43:04.851-06:00"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, and lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city ofKatiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-71807686099827810492006-12-21T16:53:00.000-06:002006-12-22T08:29:20.598-06:00Musings on Muses Last night, after dinner with Happy (a lovely and completely unexpected gift), I spent hours alone in my flat...reading, writing and just soaking in solitude. As has often been the case this semester, the evening included a Julia Cameron exercise. In her chapter titled "Catalysts," she pays tribute to the people who have inspired her writing over the years:Another word for "muse"Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1166047279816158432006-12-13T15:37:00.000-06:002006-12-13T16:02:39.090-06:00Inspired by Advent, one of my favourite seasons, and also by some recent events in my life, I wrote an article on Advent that was published in this week's Radiant e-mail newsletter. You can find it here. The Christmas party/event whirlwind has begun. Highland children's musical on Sunday (soooo cute), a party Monday night (Highland staff and families), one last night (Come As You Are), my work Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1165848386605803622006-12-11T08:45:00.000-06:002006-12-11T08:46:26.626-06:00Last Thursday's blog inspired another article that Radiant has put up on their site. You've read the bulk of it already if you've read the post, but please go here to read it.Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1165813301568458602006-12-10T22:57:00.000-06:002006-12-10T23:01:41.590-06:00I came across these greeting cards recently, with a charming blue and silver snowflake pattern, that read "chilly nights are best for making" on the outside. The inside is blank. I decided to define what chilly nights are best for making, and here's the list I came up with:-Hot drinks (tea, cocoa, cider, coffee)-Scarves or other knitted projects-Cookies-Bread (pumpkin, banana, etc.)-Christmas Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1165539200670752032006-12-07T18:36:00.000-06:002006-12-07T18:54:26.453-06:00On an early Sunday morning long ago*Sixty-five years ago today, Japanese forces attacked a sleepy airbase on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. About 16 months ago, I made a trip out there myself, to see what has become a name that looms large in the American consciousness. Pearl Harbor: everyone knows about it, and everyone instantly grows quiet and somber when it gets mentioned.Cole and I got up at Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1165444031576306942006-12-06T16:01:00.000-06:002006-12-06T16:30:40.563-06:00Odds 'n' endsNaturalized French writer Kristin Espinasse begins her blog today with the plea, "Write it down while it is fresh in your mind, fresh as the hand grated parmesan that falls over scalding hot risotto." The rest of the entry is a tour de force for the senses and an inspiring urge to write. I'm completely addicted to her blog already, but after this, I shall be even more. Go here to Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1165273007530741562006-12-04T16:53:00.000-06:002006-12-04T16:56:47.550-06:00From a daily quote email I get from Real Simple magazine (to which, by the way, I am becoming completely addicted):Cookies are love, the love of making them and the love of sharing them. — Maida HeatterMmmmm...cookies. :) I think pumpkin bread might also be love. Or scones. To that end, I think I may whip one of those up tonight. But if I can't, I think Kandy Kisses candles (red and white, Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6348862.post-1165003473608060202006-12-01T13:46:00.000-06:002006-12-01T14:04:33.640-06:00Snow DayScoff all you want, Blondie, but our bit of snow in Abilene yesterday was quite an exciting event. Here's what I saw out my window when I awoke:I checked my email and saw that campus would wake up at 9:30, so I went back to bed for a while, then got up, dressed, showered, made myself a chocolate mint steamer sprinkled with cinnamon, and wrote. Ahhhh. What a lovely way to start a morning. Katiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12748473529270606574noreply@blogger.com10