Major League Baseball has manufactured a rivalry between our Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres (it is so we have someone to play when the LA and Bay Area teams are playing each other during interleague play). Therefore, we’ve gotten to see San Diego’s shortstop, Khalil Greene (although, checking this out, I see he’s been traded to the Cardinals, so I guess we wont’ be seeing him so often), Every time we see him on screen, Dh and I say “hippie parents”

I’ve just read the most recent The Prophet, William Paul Young’s The Shack. The fabulous Victoria posted her priest, Father Lawrence Farley’s excellent theological review, so I won’t get into those thoughts. What struck me about it, other than agreeing with Father Lawrence that it is mostly quite readable (it dragged a bit in the last third), was that it is the textbook for those who are “spiritual but not religious” as Young’s Jesus is quite critical of the church as an institution. The one thing that I do think that came through well was Young’s clear struggle with how the Trinity interacts, and his attempts to explain it. While I have to admit it has never been something that I particularly struggle with, I do know that I get quite tongue tied when the kids push some of those difficult questions, as for me, the Trinity just is. I also heartily agree with Father Lawrence that what Young misses, and where I feel we get into pretty dangerous territory forgetting, is the awesomeness (in the truest sense of the word) of God, and our encounters with him.

I don’t think it is a harmful read nor do I think it is a theological read. But, I also think that it is going to be a flash in the plan, just as the (and I admit fully that I enjoy it, I have hippie parents too) Prophet was.

I’d be interested in others who have read the book to share their thoughts, especially as it relates to Orthodox (big or little “o”) Christianity.

This is so cool, I totally love Katharine Hepburn.

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Katharine!

You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"

Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.


• * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.


• * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.


• * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.


• * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.


• * Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Katharine

• * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down


• * being spontaneous and free-spirited


• * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.


• * being generous and trying to make the world a better place


• * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures


• * having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Katharine

• * not having enough time to do all the things I want


• * not completing things I start


• * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career


• * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies


• * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Katharines as Children Often

• * are action oriented and adventuresome


• * drum up excitement


• * prefer being with other children to being alone


• * finesse their way around adults


• * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Katharines as Parents

• * are often enthusiastic and generous


• * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life


• * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Quiz yanked from Ora et Labora

How I spend Thanksgiving Weekend. Friday (ETA: and this morning), the Xman played in a Thanskgiving Tournament to end the season, and being true to the team form, they lost both the first and second game. But, they did have some good plays.

I enjoy seeing the kids play, and as they grow, finding their strengths and weaknesses. Some people, apparently, don't have the time to take the long view though. Rolls eyes.


We thought we were going to miss the family Thanksgiving Dinner, annually held on Friday, but the bus carrying the team to play against the High School team that the Oldest attends (and who mentor the Xman's team) was involved in a freeway accident (thankfully everyone was ok) that snarled traffic enough so that we arrived before the dinner was served. Yum.

And, on Thursday, we had our annual tofurky meal, amazingly made by my hubby (my three jobs are the rolls, pie crust, and opening the cranberry sauce can) and saw a movie.

As Father Alexander preached at his final Liturgy:

Everyone capable of thanksgiving is capable of salvation and eternal joy.

Thank You, O Lord, for having accepted this Eucharist, which we offered to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and which filled our hearts with the joy, peace and righteousness of the Holy Spirit.

Thank You, O Lord, for having revealed Yourself unto us and given us the foretaste of Your Kingdom.

Thank You, O Lord, for having united us to one another in serving You and Your Holy Church.

Thank You, O Lord, for having helped us to overcome all difficulties, tensions, passions, temptations and restored peace, mutual love and joy in sharing the communion of the Holy Spirit.

Thank You, O Lord, for the sufferings You bestowed upon us, for they are purifying us from selfishness and reminding us of the "one thing needed;" Your eternal Kingdom.

Thank You, O Lord, for having given us this country where we are free to Worship You.

Thank You, O Lord, for this school, where the name of God is proclaimed.

Thank You, O Lord, for our families: husbands, wives and, especially, children who teach us how to celebrate Your holy Name in joy, movement and holy noise.

Thank You, O Lord, for everyone and everything.

Great are You, O Lord, and marvelous are Your deeds, and no word is sufficient to celebrate Your miracles.

Lord, it is good to be here! Amen. (ETA: h/t to Matt)

I am blessed. Thank you.