tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1394030909120038212024-03-13T22:27:45.177-04:00Musings of an altomomMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-34053046978510678202013-07-16T11:03:00.000-04:002013-07-16T11:15:04.501-04:00Righteous GentilesMany people have heard of Oskar Schindler thanks to the movie about him. He is one of The Righteous of the Nations, or Righteous Gentiles. But he is only one of at least 23,000 people who took the risk of hiding Jews during World War II. I have spent a good part of this morning reading the stories of these people on various web pages (Google "Righteous Gentiles" for those).<br />
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For the most part, people took in one or two Jews, many of them children. In one instance, two sewer workers in Warsaw managed to hide twenty-one people in the sewers, ten of whom survived the war. These two men not only took care of the living but also buried those who died. They and their wives made sure that the people in the sewer had food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZUWNXkf5EnqUxtvYQd24RhDokd-CB7zC7fYznxEZrjyabLP4gvfckGi704x26jBphdSqYnPj-p_pr0S_oPNOR0GFYq5A58QytFMwEVRPGDKN-SMux0DZE3VLLGwIt3_8KyExeY5Cuig/s1600/RG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZUWNXkf5EnqUxtvYQd24RhDokd-CB7zC7fYznxEZrjyabLP4gvfckGi704x26jBphdSqYnPj-p_pr0S_oPNOR0GFYq5A58QytFMwEVRPGDKN-SMux0DZE3VLLGwIt3_8KyExeY5Cuig/s1600/RG.jpg" /></a>Maria Althoff and her husband, Adolf, hid a family of Jews in their circus. (Picture from Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Israel)</div>
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The Episcopal Church has provisionally included the Righteous Gentiles on the calendar of lesser feasts and fasts (now called Holy Women, Holy Men). The first reading for this day is the story of Joshua sending spies into Jericho where Rahab hides them from the men of the town who wish to kill them. The gospel is John's account of Jesus standing before Pilate and the chief priests crying out for his death. Two stories of people whose lives are threatened by the existence of others, the responses are polar opposites. Rahab saves lives, the chief priests were willing to give up Jesus' life to save - they hoped - their own.<br />
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What would we do? Fortunately, we are not in the same situation as the people under Nazi rule were so we don't need to make sure we have secure hiding places in our homes. But we live at a time when many of the laws passed by our state and federal governments are oppressive, particularly for those who are already in distress: the poor, the elderly, children, illegal aliens (many of whom came to this country because businesses were glad to get cheap labor). We often respond to these laws with a "there's nothing I can do about it" attitude. I believe many citizens of Nazi-occupied countries said the same thing.<br />
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So what can we do? First, we need to be more aware of what's happening at state and federal levels. Second, we need to talk with friends about what's happening. And, finally, we need to write letters and make phone calls. If we are not in agreement with our legislators, they will never know unless we tell them.<br />
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The Righteous Gentiles were activists, rebels, unwilling to do nothing. They have set us a good example. Are we willing to follow it?<br />
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-29715919014218383532013-07-01T09:03:00.000-04:002013-07-16T10:18:39.187-04:00This little light of mine...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh4Ms2hkrmei1end675G2WJqpbmPTKfWNUqR8AbOckzrCblR__yGmxYFmKIEZ9xpawdVL7K2ltRbNbyNJbhJL_zIAQ8GvG-TsWf4azM3DcNSdIYw5BMY3f64Cw11h8N5lagoq1OzOB3k/s1600/P4230231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqh4Ms2hkrmei1end675G2WJqpbmPTKfWNUqR8AbOckzrCblR__yGmxYFmKIEZ9xpawdVL7K2ltRbNbyNJbhJL_zIAQ8GvG-TsWf4azM3DcNSdIYw5BMY3f64Cw11h8N5lagoq1OzOB3k/s320/P4230231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
About every two years, my sister, brother-in-law and I travel to Europe, mostly Italy and France. Part of our ritual is lighting candles in all the churches we visit. There, we say prayers for those back home, give thanks for our journey and for those we have met on that journey. There is something peaceful about this kind of prayer.<br />
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As you can see, lighting candles is very popular in Europe even though you are expected to purchase your candle (about $1.35 usually). This particular candle stand is in the cathedral of Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille. I watched a young man bring his daughter to this stand, help her light her candle and kneel down next to her to say prayers together. This in a country where religion is supposed to be dead.</div>
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In most of our churches, we have no place to light candles other than those we use in our liturgies. Often, people see it as a Roman Catholic practice only and don't want to be too "popish" to introduce the tradition to their own parish church. But I think we would do better to promote lighting candles. It is a tremendous outward and visible sign of our belief that God hears our prayers and even answers them.</div>
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On this last trip, I included a prayer for myself every day. I have been struggling for the last nine months with a question of vocation. Is God calling me to stay in my parish or should I move on? Upon returning home, I walked into St. Christopher's and was overwhelmed with the knowledge that I was home, that this is where I belong.</div>
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We all pray. Some have times of day set aside for spending time in prayer. Others are less disciplined but no less serious about speaking with God. Like many priests, my prayers go on most of the day as I encounter people and situations that require conversation with God right that minute. Every day ends in prayer, too.</div>
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But I have discovered - or perhaps finally noticed - that there is something about lighting a candle and taking a few moments to stand in its light while offering up thanksgivings, petitions and intercessions. I can't really describe it; I can only suggest that you try it.</div>
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I have found a place in my house and the perfect table upon which to set up my candle. I'm thinking of adding an icon - most candle stands in European churches are in front of an altar or statue - and maybe a picture or two of my family. Then, once a day, I plan to spend a few minutes lighting my candle, saying my prayers and watching the flame.</div>
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-69790723314980868262013-06-25T09:51:00.002-04:002013-06-25T09:51:39.420-04:00Whose fault??<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Isaiah 59:1-4</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See, the Lord's hand is not too short to save,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> nor his ear too dull to hear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rather, your iniquities have been barriers</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> between you and your God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and your sins have hidden his face from you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For your hands are defiled with blood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and your fingers with iniquity;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> your lips have spoken lies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> your tongue mutters wickedness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No one brings suit justly,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> no one goes to law honestly;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> they rely on empty pleas,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the speak lies,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> conceiving mischief and begetting iniquity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Do you remember Flip Wilson's famous line: "The Devil made me do it!" We always want to blame someone else, don't we? Frankly, I am weary of it. How much better it would be if we admitted our errors/sins. Just imagine if honesty was the "go to" position rather than the "fall back" plan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have told my share of whoppers in order to cover up what I have done or not done. Alas, I do not have a poker face so it has rarely worked. Admitting my mistakes certainly isn't always easy but it usually leads to reconciliation. It mostly depends on how quickly I admit the fault. The longer I wait, the angrier the person has time to become and anger seldom fades quickly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There's a reason Jesus included "forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us" in the Lord's Prayer. We need to ask for the barriers to come down daily. God does not hide God's self from us but, if we are not willing to admit to the barriers, God won't help us take them down.</span>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-49992021677184257142013-06-18T11:12:00.000-04:002013-06-18T11:12:26.954-04:00Sin<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Psalm 103:10-12</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> The Lord does not deal with us</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> according to our sins,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> nor repay us according to our iniquities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For as the heavens are high above the earth,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">as far as the east is from the west,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> so far he removes our transgressions from us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an incredibly comforting passage expressing a deep faith in the love for forgiveness of the Lord. The description of that love and forgiveness is as high and as wide as the psalmist can imagine. God is that passionate about us!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">But even as I read this incredible statement, I am struck by two things. The first is that we don't always want to be separated from our sins. Sometimes we have rationalized ways to hang on to them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I tried not being catty but my mind still thinks catty thoughts so I guess I'll just always be catty. Nothing I can do about that." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I would love to lose weight but I just love to eat too much." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I know best; everyone else will have to come around."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">"I'm a real sinner. I've done things not even God could forgive."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Do you suppose we hang onto these things because we think they don't really hurt us or perhaps because we aren't sure we can handle God's unconditional love and forgiveness? To be willing to open ourselves up to God in a way that allows that unconditional love to bathe every corner of our lives is scary. But don't we crave that very thing? Aren't we desperate for someone to love us, warts and all? I wonder.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">The other thing is that the psalmist seems to be saying that the Lord has judged us and found no compelling evidence to cast us out. Why, then, do we insist on casting out others, particularly on the Lord's behalf? Why do we turn to the same Bible that tells us of unconditional love to justify denying love entirely?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I believe God forgives us our sins if we are willing to let them go. God may forgive them even if we aren't willing! If I can believe that my sins are forgiven, why should I have a problem with God forgiving the sins of anyone/everyone else? I really can't go there. I hope you can't, either.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-78257242263427181482013-04-21T15:01:00.000-04:002013-04-21T15:10:18.511-04:00Coming down to the wire<br />
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April 20 and 21</div>
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Saturday was our big rain day. So what do you do when it’s raining
outside? You go to a museum. Granted, most people look for one nearby but
Kathy, Bev and I headed for the Fondation Maeght just north of Nice. This a private collection opened to the
public. There was an exhibit of artist
Gloria Friedmann’s work. We agreed that
her paintings (a whole series named LSD1, LSD 2, etc.) were more than a little
dark, combining animals and humans in odd ways.
But her sculptures were interesting.
My favorite was a man all in white.
In his outstretched hands, there was a long “necklace” of keys and in
the middle of his forehead was the lock.
I loved that one.</div>
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Other artists were Joan Miro, Giacometti, Fernand Leger,
Chagall, Calder and some others I have never heard of. It was a very interesting hour and a
half. Then we tried to find a place to
eat, missed the turn to the closest village, stopped for gas at the bottom of
the hill, missed the turn for the interstate and went to Nice! Everything you have ever heard about the
color of the water on the <st1:country-region w:st="on">Cote
d’Azur</st1:country-region> is absolutely true! Gorgeous blues and greens with scattered
white caps. The wind had blown all the
clouds away and the sun was out. We ate
a ridiculously expensive lunch in a hotel facing the water. The view was well worth it.</div>
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And then we drove home.
Finding the right way to go with a GPS that asks questions in French was
harder for some reason this time.
Needless to say, we spent about 45 minutes going in wild circles until I
conquered the GPS. We saw some areas of
Nice and St. Laurent du Var that the guide books don’t mention (although not
scary). We did manage to bypass the
really narrow “shortcuts” the GPS is fond of – we’re talking two-way roads that
aren’t really one way in width – and we finally figured out how to tell it we
were happy to pay tolls if it meant we could get home in 2.5 hours rather than
5 hours. Also by going west rather than
east and north. Yes, it was the craziest
the GPS has ever tried to make us. Kathy
was an absolute brick through the whole thing, driving wherever I sent her even
when we both knew it didn’t seem right.</div>
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And home we came. Lee
spent the day resting and catching up on his documentary. We brought home the goodies to make another
frittata, this time with mushrooms, ham, cheese and red peppers. As usual, there was good wine and nice
chocolate to finish off the meal.</div>
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This morning, Sunday, we got up leisurely and wandered down
to the market in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue again.
We all went and we all had a good time buying fun things for ourselves
and others. Eventually, we sat down for
lunch and had a delightful young waitress who is headed to the States in two
weeks and wanted to practice her English on us.
And the food was fabulous, right down to dessert! </div>
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I had read about the church in Isle and suggested we head
that direction and give it a look. The
church was finished in 1222 but the inside was redone inside in the 17<sup>th</sup>
century. So there’s this rather plain
edifice. Then you open the door and walk
straight into the baroque! And it was
beautifully done. We will go back
tomorrow afternoon. There was a statue
of a saint that I cannot identify – I know, there are way too many for anyone
to keep straight but this one looked like someone we should know. The man was wearing a short military cape
over a Roman-style toga. His hat was
round and hanging by a cord around his neck.
The really strange part of the statue was the dog sitting up at his
feet, offering him a loaf of bread! I’m
stumped. He also had scallop shells on
each shoulder like epaulets. Some
research will be required.</div>
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Among our purchases today were another chicken, provencal
potatoes, spinach pizza (more quiche) and a lemon meringue pie. How balanced a dinner is that?!</div>
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And now the discussion has turned to retirement and
insurance policies and healthcare. It is
friendly, thanks be to God, but I decided it was time to retire to a neutral
corner. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Soon, we will all retire to our various books
and go to sleep. But first, I am going
to do the dishes.</div>
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Every time we make a meal here, I remember what our Untours
host told us at our orientation meeting:
“Your hosts love you because American tourists clean up after themselves
and eat out.” Well, we do clean up after
ourselves but we haven’t eaten but about three dinners out and we eat breakfast
in every morning. So we have done a lot
of dishes, broken a few glasses and replaced them all. </div>
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A bientôt and sleep well.<br />
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PS I didn't tell you about our dinner in Chateauneuf du Papes. First, when we left our gite, it was very windy and threatening rain still. The GPS took us uphill and down dale and around at least one Robin Hood's barn and gave up giving directions before we got to the restaurant. Fortunately, we began to see signs for the chateau and then for the restaurant - Les Vergers de Chateauneuf. We were the first diners to arrive and had the staff of four waiting on us with grace and pleasure - two spoke some English so we had conversations as well as service. Bev told our headwaiter that it was my birthday and it turns out his birthday was the next day. So we exchanged birthday wishes - bonne anniversaire - before sitting down. The wine was very good and reasonably priced (hard to come by in Chateauneuf). All of the food was excellent. For dessert, which none of us really had room for, the three ladies ordered a meringue filled with lemon sorbet and covered in whipped cream. We did ask if we could skip the whipped cream and the young lady said, "I couldn't ask him to leave off the whipped cream." So we had the whipped cream. And the headwaiter placed an amazing sparkler in mine that went on forever - okay, only two minutes. After all that, we took a different, less twisty route home, one that wouldn't shake anyone's dinner too much. ;-)<br />
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-82236554129241104062013-04-19T10:49:00.002-04:002013-04-19T10:49:28.472-04:00Two grand days<br />
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April 18 and 19</div>
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Yesterday, Bev took the day off, being still worn out from
driving the long trip to and from – not to mention around – the Gorges du
Verdon. So Kathy, Lee and I set off for
Les Baux without her.</div>
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Les Baux was once an impressive fortress/town essentially
carved out of the mountain. It dates to
the 800’s and some of the stonework has been dated to 60 B.C.E. Les Baux is still a soaring monument to man’s
ingenuity and creativity. It is
obviously an ideal class trip site – there were at least three there yesterday
– so they have demonstrations of old weapons and old games available. Less interested in the weapons, Kathy and I
watched some kids playing the games. I
could identify precursors of skittles, pinball (really!), ring toss and cornhole
– this last had overtones of skee ball, too.
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The way to the castle is the village. While the construction is quite authentic,
the village’s sole purpose is to part people from their money. Aside from restaurants and sandwich shops,
there are all the wooden swords and shields anyone will ever need along with
the usual Provencal mementos – soap, sachets of lavender, magnets, postcards
and funny round towels with a loop in the middle for hanging it up. There was a sweet shop and Kathy and I both
bought cookies. I’m still longing for a
good ginger snap or oatmeal raising one. ;-)</div>
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After lunch, we drove home and spend the rest of the day
there. Bev and Kathy went to the grocery
store to get asparagus and risotto for dinner so we had another good feast. They bought ice cream, too, to go with the
cookies but we haven’t delved into that yet.
We did wipe out the brioche at breakfast this morning, though.</div>
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The destination du jour was Roussillon, one of my very
favorite towns in <st1:state w:st="on">Provence</st1:state>. In fact, we think it is the one we would live
in if we were to live in <st1:state w:st="on">Provence</st1:state>
which is, of course, not very likely.
This village is the site of ochre production on a large scale until
World War II when, apparently, the color went out of style. I rubbed my fingers in some sand lying on a
wall and they came away orange so there’s still a lot of ochre to be had here.</div>
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While most of <st1:state w:st="on">Provence</st1:state>’s
buildings are cream to a dark tan, <st1:place w:st="on">Roussillon</st1:place>
is anything but. The varying shades
available from the ochre range from a dark orange, almost red, to pale
yellow. And always the Provencal blue
shutters are present. We saw a wonderful
dark green door today that really set off the ochre. Houses built of stone have reddish hues in
the rock and, of course, the mortar is also orange/red. Only the church is out of character in this
respect, tending more to the dark tan.</div>
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But this is one of my favorite churches. The building is Romanesque and the altar is
Rococo! While it is dedicated to St.
Michael the <st1:place w:st="on">Archangel</st1:place>, the painting over the altar
is the annunciation. There is a
wonderful modern painting of the Nativity that I had a terrible time
photographing the last time we were here.
I did a little better this time but the yellow in the picture tends to
blow the flash of the camera. </div>
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We had a really terrific meal at the same restaurant we ate
at last time. So far, it is the best
meal out. </div>
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The last thing I expected to do today was shop. But shop we did! There was a store across from our restaurant
that had these really great scarves and purses and, for me, lightweight cotton
blouses that will be stunning with a clergy shirt underneath. I bought three, pig that I am. Then, as we left the church, we turned uphill
to see the view except we found a ceramic store we hadn’t remembered. Yes, we all bought ceramics and would have
shipped them home but the cost was about half of what each piece we bought
cost. So they are carefully wrapped and
I now have to look for a larger bag than the one I bought in <st1:country-region w:st="on">Arles</st1:country-region> to bring
home breakable stuff. What a hardship!
:_)</div>
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It is afternoon here and we have all had a refreshing cup of
tea with a cookie or two. I have also
had a nap, equally refreshing. We cut
short our plans for the afternoon – Gordes and Les Bories – because it began
raining and turned very chilly. This
evening, we are still planning to return to Chateauneuf du Pape for
dinner. I do hope it will be inside!</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-66744510789634131102013-04-17T12:31:00.001-04:002013-04-17T12:31:36.634-04:00Picture time!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F9ODanFG6FjVUTRlS0fUtB6AasQxhrHwFvIPFK0es-RfUv3Oisamu6k5Us1KwHibL0oQHXq-_02U_FCUzk6wR200ysohO8J2cRt2PMhlx8wel2hSaeLkT-Twj6e5SYqiuvQWwFThogA/s1600/P4110015c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F9ODanFG6FjVUTRlS0fUtB6AasQxhrHwFvIPFK0es-RfUv3Oisamu6k5Us1KwHibL0oQHXq-_02U_FCUzk6wR200ysohO8J2cRt2PMhlx8wel2hSaeLkT-Twj6e5SYqiuvQWwFThogA/s320/P4110015c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the river Sorgue as seen from our lunch spot. The Fontaine du Vaucluse is way up this gorge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsSx3fCPsT_L1GvXxBl9MkvLr5DEIKC-R1ZOYgr9coKA-_ZoghOb4ewCTd33FmO-vtm4R05paFc4wJwkkxiMLLtyshUhmhjyyBY0wCbcKCAaCk5A9P5XYaMsEtTOvkz_3RxsKAf8DkXw/s1600/P4110021c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSsSx3fCPsT_L1GvXxBl9MkvLr5DEIKC-R1ZOYgr9coKA-_ZoghOb4ewCTd33FmO-vtm4R05paFc4wJwkkxiMLLtyshUhmhjyyBY0wCbcKCAaCk5A9P5XYaMsEtTOvkz_3RxsKAf8DkXw/s320/P4110021c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water is rushing downstream. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf3Go2j0lHLwK3LiQduo0vfnGWAFac7HTQIOgx3l0xSeWdnDrhf4BFan79YxhU8Tg08XgeWEd1Ccx3QMgJJKmaAAq0l1ZnbJW5fE3dQVGdhFB9BqD5tIVsxyURUyawPm4PU3m8RsxxvA/s1600/P4110024c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwf3Go2j0lHLwK3LiQduo0vfnGWAFac7HTQIOgx3l0xSeWdnDrhf4BFan79YxhU8Tg08XgeWEd1Ccx3QMgJJKmaAAq0l1ZnbJW5fE3dQVGdhFB9BqD5tIVsxyURUyawPm4PU3m8RsxxvA/s320/P4110024c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And here is the Fontaine. No one knows how deep that hole is. The last time we were here, Lee hiked down into that hole about 30 feet. No so this time!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCkPUvF4PbpJMiolzQZB2HhlKbvfOAzafsxrxtZdQiGby8chNdYyAtTWsZ41pMCB-CDOWWUPcoPQA8qqQJh4MCXRfqKH-RKAKGQfWwMXsQA4ofGggnjyyvcIb9URnmLturmRQe-vPvdY/s1600/P4120035c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJCkPUvF4PbpJMiolzQZB2HhlKbvfOAzafsxrxtZdQiGby8chNdYyAtTWsZ41pMCB-CDOWWUPcoPQA8qqQJh4MCXRfqKH-RKAKGQfWwMXsQA4ofGggnjyyvcIb9URnmLturmRQe-vPvdY/s320/P4120035c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got these pictures a little out of order. This is the Alps as seen from Mont Ventoux. If we had been able to go all the way to the top, we would have been able to see the Pyrenees, too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gLwFHu6jgsnzCodV94Eq46sL2rSEkJEFgqB_7CDS5GYuEtnuSDLipyczaxhsfm8HMkQbaN8qXekBK8BZz_fgq8g_X4cN5fmrPkoWXPgV_kdXLmATuzOHJ4xkN15bLkyKIhwsfBhYltM/s1600/P4120030c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gLwFHu6jgsnzCodV94Eq46sL2rSEkJEFgqB_7CDS5GYuEtnuSDLipyczaxhsfm8HMkQbaN8qXekBK8BZz_fgq8g_X4cN5fmrPkoWXPgV_kdXLmATuzOHJ4xkN15bLkyKIhwsfBhYltM/s320/P4120030c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is typical of the country where we are. I took this on the way up Mont Ventoux.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMTWRdPxnXHSPd3ZymlSdiVknbCYi-uNw3YI_O7wiIyEOKDejw5MOtkY5zvXUYm7mGeLaDdPHG3XOywlCGIvBX31hCGDKu6HyPKHnrXRt4UF1EeNr4RLh-Udr1mV9f8jk2c8fMGQOg6E/s1600/P4120037c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMTWRdPxnXHSPd3ZymlSdiVknbCYi-uNw3YI_O7wiIyEOKDejw5MOtkY5zvXUYm7mGeLaDdPHG3XOywlCGIvBX31hCGDKu6HyPKHnrXRt4UF1EeNr4RLh-Udr1mV9f8jk2c8fMGQOg6E/s320/P4120037c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the top of of Mont Ventoux.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6zC-X7rCZgLGSgvpMGZIwcxbnk9PGNW53kL-8hnKEWfT9ufuUNgDZUrBdxaUblxYikxDExslUyiCnXtSVBi1ZWmIrl070Y8hYJ6a7rQo9H8wYHOaTuUa-5C1zVZbGporkEeyIyV9DFM/s1600/P4120042c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU6zC-X7rCZgLGSgvpMGZIwcxbnk9PGNW53kL-8hnKEWfT9ufuUNgDZUrBdxaUblxYikxDExslUyiCnXtSVBi1ZWmIrl070Y8hYJ6a7rQo9H8wYHOaTuUa-5C1zVZbGporkEeyIyV9DFM/s320/P4120042c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in the cathedral in Malaucen. Of all the religious art we have seen, this is my favorite. It really speaks to me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wwDaudXfoUAqorFYRPr40-T96L0107ey9Cjx1bo40wY-28-6MmzjWPldu7FZpC4aaM_1qSvD5GoN8ipK4VuJzotvcQtogfStg8gCZurx8vGXcctqQ9mzrcUbwF8PQG-mYBRJFacaUmw/s1600/P4130055c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wwDaudXfoUAqorFYRPr40-T96L0107ey9Cjx1bo40wY-28-6MmzjWPldu7FZpC4aaM_1qSvD5GoN8ipK4VuJzotvcQtogfStg8gCZurx8vGXcctqQ9mzrcUbwF8PQG-mYBRJFacaUmw/s320/P4130055c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Pont d'Avignon as seen from the Popes' gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham6kkuSuGXEyJkoBRSSdbMcuUIlPVz9Q9Q_WlhPPLaNghMs027Eh3224WRwfCXyQp3aBCDdkAd7lJqhFbTMUDc07NxbiX2QOePHHYHuNis6S_KorbysIGz9cKZys_bEbYvzGAYJfeg_8/s1600/P4130059c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEham6kkuSuGXEyJkoBRSSdbMcuUIlPVz9Q9Q_WlhPPLaNghMs027Eh3224WRwfCXyQp3aBCDdkAd7lJqhFbTMUDc07NxbiX2QOePHHYHuNis6S_KorbysIGz9cKZys_bEbYvzGAYJfeg_8/s320/P4130059c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't said much about the flowers and gardens. This is just one of many we have seen and oohed about.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvwTbawWF21SD1IS2mzdv0Jk3GVpNZ_MbOXHByqR-NhIB9SZrMnLbATSF2MYg3HsGBwx2gD-7TQVDsEpveE2vBgQY9eJxYmUKUBC4Ge8rYhKPDzJeX12YtGzufHHVrdR6MHZAHZ4fRPA/s1600/P4130063c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvwTbawWF21SD1IS2mzdv0Jk3GVpNZ_MbOXHByqR-NhIB9SZrMnLbATSF2MYg3HsGBwx2gD-7TQVDsEpveE2vBgQY9eJxYmUKUBC4Ge8rYhKPDzJeX12YtGzufHHVrdR6MHZAHZ4fRPA/s320/P4130063c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ligustrum is in full bloom. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW_Mb-LXrGSln6IojCzmUURVUeeO1FSHWi_69x0XfqO4HGBgHr5tknmG-kIac_X_6ZFTkVguKp0n2m_L0e57HkgzTqvIr_XBcb75hwigCH_vT8BaJAS70ply05WHsAiYAKAxfeFwD8Q8/s1600/P4150069c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpW_Mb-LXrGSln6IojCzmUURVUeeO1FSHWi_69x0XfqO4HGBgHr5tknmG-kIac_X_6ZFTkVguKp0n2m_L0e57HkgzTqvIr_XBcb75hwigCH_vT8BaJAS70ply05WHsAiYAKAxfeFwD8Q8/s320/P4150069c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More interesting that the Roman theater in Orange - at least to me - are the pieces of fresco they have managed to find.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjJK94KspBvHjLuzVCeqjedTTGZO9YX9fCEyJMWX7ZnVZ01Z3GXP3mrSTxydgvHetmYevLYSVqxzmgMRSbo7WCX3LDjiD2VsGkM5LkM9o5AGlPjaOFL7AnpzZYFgbt5DYF2vknsV21XQ/s1600/P4150070c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjJK94KspBvHjLuzVCeqjedTTGZO9YX9fCEyJMWX7ZnVZ01Z3GXP3mrSTxydgvHetmYevLYSVqxzmgMRSbo7WCX3LDjiD2VsGkM5LkM9o5AGlPjaOFL7AnpzZYFgbt5DYF2vknsV21XQ/s320/P4150070c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wall mosaic from the theater.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7HeyPTwBZjLD9DJwhSODtDdOYuK1I6KH8uE7Ig1qbnRFgT2Slw-tMprqRIN95T-izkF3lrbC4l_LHTjyDTLp-iJaB-PWshrSDl-IpVGhFuFxRqTSu8aus9_gxyuj3S4mqRjYvO7Uxx8/s1600/P4150072c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7HeyPTwBZjLD9DJwhSODtDdOYuK1I6KH8uE7Ig1qbnRFgT2Slw-tMprqRIN95T-izkF3lrbC4l_LHTjyDTLp-iJaB-PWshrSDl-IpVGhFuFxRqTSu8aus9_gxyuj3S4mqRjYvO7Uxx8/s320/P4150072c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone loves griffons, right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhcH8unPUV7D3Xp_JrKW69OMjy98S7lNTkGMrJU2Wl4H9RU_m6x_YxVnBl39SzCbAwtXN723hRTJqRYW79JvvoqVVdZ2B-qUvYZgqjvkdv9G_u6jgMbRdrN5C10Ds3RzOVHq5_tUenKg/s1600/P4150077c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhcH8unPUV7D3Xp_JrKW69OMjy98S7lNTkGMrJU2Wl4H9RU_m6x_YxVnBl39SzCbAwtXN723hRTJqRYW79JvvoqVVdZ2B-qUvYZgqjvkdv9G_u6jgMbRdrN5C10Ds3RzOVHq5_tUenKg/s320/P4150077c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite altar so far. It's in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Nazareth and all Saints in Orange. I am hoping Lee got a better picture of it. The altar is a striking shade of aqua.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglddhyvFxbR7jl2Cc_fokQjaTWf6jEjJJz-XeRMdPuwtWwjw3PhUtfUXSbACoOi9W8c9oPfr3q7vaABXcgTzAVKNHtKzi93sIevA73u-9yXyRbxhUT4OSkrAbyybdNZIVTJ1f9ZNrAvKo/s1600/P4150082c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglddhyvFxbR7jl2Cc_fokQjaTWf6jEjJJz-XeRMdPuwtWwjw3PhUtfUXSbACoOi9W8c9oPfr3q7vaABXcgTzAVKNHtKzi93sIevA73u-9yXyRbxhUT4OSkrAbyybdNZIVTJ1f9ZNrAvKo/s320/P4150082c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've always wondered how Mary can look so serene while stomping on a snake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_kJtjNuPoqifaiPEZ2L7jai8T7hyphenhyphenQUQtmpB1mX5Q0FhJXOsRDhiohZ24Rq_ocVqSgfm-QuMN4-CZr5XtqvgaQme7yjBbwTDgl6kP3pokAiWz5DgKCZJij89NCcvNPEHFwIDo0n9xneo/s1600/P4150078c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_kJtjNuPoqifaiPEZ2L7jai8T7hyphenhyphenQUQtmpB1mX5Q0FhJXOsRDhiohZ24Rq_ocVqSgfm-QuMN4-CZr5XtqvgaQme7yjBbwTDgl6kP3pokAiWz5DgKCZJij89NCcvNPEHFwIDo0n9xneo/s320/P4150078c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Floor mosaic in the Cathedral.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3Rx4lteqbD-upsNyZ26L7d21G0OLdg8nH55cSJJAaOdsnqmzhsv76dPb5vL-Zqid7LE39cCknpznNRAa_qQwmSJ2zDu1cq71eg5dqFIw5wyR4lJ4uxTWP-o8nUQac8bmm6UBnHfyKGk/s1600/P4150089c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3Rx4lteqbD-upsNyZ26L7d21G0OLdg8nH55cSJJAaOdsnqmzhsv76dPb5vL-Zqid7LE39cCknpznNRAa_qQwmSJ2zDu1cq71eg5dqFIw5wyR4lJ4uxTWP-o8nUQac8bmm6UBnHfyKGk/s320/P4150089c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An icon of St. Eutrope, an early bishop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncCtjsAaYl2M2GT-LtmxoBdokZI-OH1iYUZGLjUxPK8SypngWEwFoBpuhYq_JHWi8F9EStfELDqo8aSK2NA0d5tHptStm1P4Xmuv41FYDsJ1fTQEKKWJ9TPCuLDPIuIOjvjwOqF-qJKk/s1600/P4160094c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjncCtjsAaYl2M2GT-LtmxoBdokZI-OH1iYUZGLjUxPK8SypngWEwFoBpuhYq_JHWi8F9EStfELDqo8aSK2NA0d5tHptStm1P4Xmuv41FYDsJ1fTQEKKWJ9TPCuLDPIuIOjvjwOqF-qJKk/s320/P4160094c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is at the end of a building in Arles. Art is everywhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivynvpT1RpfhvNaQECNPtttJRm3ewPKJn14ZeZT0ziYuK1d4HOQYnbmkutyZy7GBi6Gt4CH3wPlUOwvqBJH-UeVdv4V3MnvAfZ0cvBSWg690DVAOSj15vw6_bTCMuItsO1dGh88TxxQPY/s1600/P4160092c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivynvpT1RpfhvNaQECNPtttJRm3ewPKJn14ZeZT0ziYuK1d4HOQYnbmkutyZy7GBi6Gt4CH3wPlUOwvqBJH-UeVdv4V3MnvAfZ0cvBSWg690DVAOSj15vw6_bTCMuItsO1dGh88TxxQPY/s320/P4160092c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is the Roman amphitheater in Arles. They have bullfights here and have added lots of seating inside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi250CKy4TkbnBBR0KJsxYWTwxmsvNSIYgfj_MxBU6mnViC4XSA-TSuvkQLEGDUDzLvDhLhUu1LDOdtjSvuq85l-wfcOT45Dk5NxyE_wZGlvaXfF6ma77G3gwkR7JKMN-U2uNpwcJI_qhU/s1600/P4160096c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi250CKy4TkbnBBR0KJsxYWTwxmsvNSIYgfj_MxBU6mnViC4XSA-TSuvkQLEGDUDzLvDhLhUu1LDOdtjSvuq85l-wfcOT45Dk5NxyE_wZGlvaXfF6ma77G3gwkR7JKMN-U2uNpwcJI_qhU/s320/P4160096c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her name is Mang and the people she allows to run her cafe make wonderful food and ice creams.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6CHfS8V2iHbIGhaSQ_jkSp63ZikjOnFK-VaEbid5-BA2G-7124018UKgCURr4fufcqGlUQiD-ota_zxissFq7-7Fr4LfD7cybykZdLijOxB6DCOWdHbbCAhX2gKZ2nrTwG6o8MW-Ebs/s1600/P4160099c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc6CHfS8V2iHbIGhaSQ_jkSp63ZikjOnFK-VaEbid5-BA2G-7124018UKgCURr4fufcqGlUQiD-ota_zxissFq7-7Fr4LfD7cybykZdLijOxB6DCOWdHbbCAhX2gKZ2nrTwG6o8MW-Ebs/s320/P4160099c.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wouldn't matter how close I had gotten to this piece, you still would have had a hard time distinguishing the contents as the skull of St. Antony of the Desert, probably the best known of the Desert Fathers. I have no idea what he is/was doing in Arles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLIohGAQa2DqM5f9dCUEczc0MRbFdnOZy-1QYl4Y3tsX1RHq5lUdNNrlw4jYF2ZJepdfRepUYXBRM9rHioFOMRU-UHw-YqRRgtxMeWkx9itb8jGmIMeXwlPbtQUTpEUs2rjxgKpu8zoA/s1600/P4160105c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRLIohGAQa2DqM5f9dCUEczc0MRbFdnOZy-1QYl4Y3tsX1RHq5lUdNNrlw4jYF2ZJepdfRepUYXBRM9rHioFOMRU-UHw-YqRRgtxMeWkx9itb8jGmIMeXwlPbtQUTpEUs2rjxgKpu8zoA/s320/P4160105c.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plane trees lining the road. It reminds me of Oak Alley in Louisiana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-28161291122655449322013-04-17T06:06:00.002-04:002013-04-17T06:06:48.743-04:00Arles - just pretend you are gargling and leave off the S<br />
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April 16</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today we made the longer trip to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Arles</st1:country-region>. We drove some lovely roads through the
country side, past many of those strange apple groves – we’ve begun to feel
sorry for apple trees that aren’t allowed to grow naturally – and then down a
long stretch of road lined with plane trees.
These trees look a lot like sycamores unless they are pollarded. This is a pruning process that creates great
big knots at the end of a branch. We
have seen pollarded plane trees mostly in towns – apparently, the young branches
were originally used for fodder or for fuel.
In any case, they are a feature in most towns around this area. Kathy says they make her think of Tolkien’s
ents and they do look like they could reach down and clobber you. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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<st1:country-region w:st="on">Arles</st1:country-region> is
a lovely city located just below where the <st1:placename w:st="on">Durance</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype> rejoins the Rhone, having split
off somewhere around <st1:city w:st="on">Avignon</st1:city>. The Roman amphitheater is in very good
condition and is used for French bullfights.
These are not at all like Spanish ones, more like teasing the bull and
running away. Our host tells us that it
is the bulls that become the star athletes with famous names and posters
announcing when they will be fighting. I
wonder who negotiates their contracts?
And what does a famous bull do with all the money he makes?</div>
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<br /></div>
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We couldn’t decide what to see first so we sat down for a
cup of coffee. Lee went to use the WC
and met a man from near <st1:city w:st="on">Orleans</st1:city>. We had a lovely chat before taking off down
Rue du Voltaire in search of the Van Gogh “easels” which are located at points
around town where he painted. Sigh, we
found two only. But we did some great
shopping! Even Lee shopped; he bought a
hat to keep the sun off his head and, naturally, made friends with the shop
owners. Another delightful chat ensued
and we all made friends with Corteau, the labrador who looks after the shop.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We walked some more, discovered a visiting circus and the <st1:place w:st="on">Rhone</st1:place>. Then we
headed back into town to find lunch. The
first place we tried, recommended by the Rick Steves book, was not open on Tuesdays. So we went around the corner to a sidewalk
café and had another fabulous meal! Each
of us had a different quiche with salad (all salads here are dressed just with
olive oil and maybe a little salt) and then we had ice cream or sorbet. Apparently, it is now warm enough to make
it. We had been told several times
before now that it was not time. I
suppose when you make your own, you wait until the demand is greater. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The wine we had at lunch was so good, we crossed the <st1:place w:st="on">Rhone</st1:place> to find a shop that sold it. While our café owner knew about them, they
had never heard of the café. We got a
few reds, too, one of which wasn’t all that good. And then Kathy drove us home with a few stops
to take pictures of the tree-lined road, the sandstone wall-lined road and
something else I have forgotten. We are
always on the lookout for a good picture.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We have been here a week and the snow on top of Mont Ventoux
decreases by the hour. We might see if
the mountain is open and go back before we leave; that is, if there is time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today, the 17<sup>th</sup>, Bev, Lee and Kathy have gone of
to the Gorges du Verdon, the Grand Canyon of Europe. It is 2300 feet deep and many miles
long. And the road along the gorge is
said to be one of the most treacherous in <st1:state w:st="on">Provence</st1:state>; hence, I am not with them –
heights and narrow, windy roads not being on my list of fun things to do.</div>
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<br /></div>
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So this is my day off.
Laundry, reading and a nap are in the offing. The weather is once again simply beautiful
with cloud-free blue skies and a nice breeze coming in the windows. Someone is operating a jackhammer not too far
away so it is not completely quiet but I have heard many birds calling back and
forth. We have cuckoos and magpies and
really mournful mourning doves. There is
also a cat who wanders by occasionally but is not the least bit interested in
greeting the strangers. Must be a
female….</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-28436060014631923622013-04-15T15:47:00.001-04:002013-04-15T15:47:36.427-04:00Orange is not just a color<br />
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April 15</div>
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<br /></div>
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Today we were off to <st1:city w:st="on">Orange</st1:city>
and Chateauneuf du Pape. We trusted the
GPS once again. As I set it, it said
something and then asked a question that needed a yes or no answer. Naturally, we chose the wrong answer and now
know to say no when it asks if you want to “peages” which means something about
toll roads. Live and learn; it was a
cheap lesson. ;-)</div>
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<br /></div>
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<st1:city w:st="on">Orange</st1:city>
is a nice city and relatively quiet – the occasional school field trip, of
course, but we managed to move around them nicely. We went to the Roman theater first. It is an impressive sight! I suppose there is one somewhere else that is
more complete and grand but this one was pretty magnificent. It is also still being used for at least one
production a year. The front wall is
intact – three stories tall – but the pillars and statues and frescoes are not
there or are only pieces of what was originally there. The acoustics are very good – both opera and
rock concerts have been held there – and the seats are solid stone so they
would require some padding brought from home.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Theaters were part of the Pax Romana, a way to keep the
people happy. It was always free and
usually lasted at least a day if not three or four. Naturally, food was available as were many
kinds of beverages. The audioguide kept
gently mentioning the vomitoria but never bothered to explain what those
were. Alas, some of us know a little
Latin and some Roman history. Gross!!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Across the street is a museum with some of the frescoes and
pieces of statuary from the theater, also an art exhibit by Belleroche, an
artist I am not familiar with. His pen
and ink drawings of <st1:city w:st="on">Orange</st1:city>
were exquisite and some of his paintings of nudes reminded me of Degas. Kathy, Bev and I stopped for a café between
theater and museum but Lee missed the cue so he did the museum first and went
out for a pastis while we went there.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As we wandered down the streets to the Cathedral (Notre Dame
du Nazareth and all the Saints) and the Arc du Triomphe, we passed through a square full of
restaurants and bantered with one of the waiters. He was a lot of fun – yes, we got his picture
– and had been to <st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state>
once. I suppose everyone but me has been
there and I really ought to make the trip. ;-)</div>
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<br /></div>
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The Cathedral was magnificent. Built in the 12<sup>th</sup> century, it was
sacked by the Calvinists in 1561-2. They
wrecked everything inside and stole the organ before furnishing it to their
taste. And then the Catholics took it
all back twenty years later (1584), reconsecrating it in 1599. It has been beautifully restored. There are six chapels in addition to the main
altar. Of course we took pictures! We also lit candles and said our prayers.</div>
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<br /></div>
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As we made our way to the Arc du Triomphe, we passed a
little restaurant called La Dinette. Who
could resist? Kathy and I ordered
chicken pie and wondered if it came with soggy undercrust and canned peas. Well!
Imagine having a crab cake-type interior except with chicken. Then wrap the whole thing in a kind of phylo
dough. Heavenly! We asked for the recipe but the chef said it
was the one thing she hadn’t made – her mother sent it over and was not
inclined to share her recipes with the daughter let alone strangers from the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> Sigh….</div>
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<br /></div>
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Not much to say about the Arc. It is in bad shape but is definitely the
model for the grand one in <st1:city w:st="on">Paris</st1:city>. It was a nice walk on a nice day.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then we headed for Chateauneuf du Pape. The only reason for going here was to taste
wines. The Rick Steves guide to the area
suggested a particular cave (wine store, not underground room) where the owner
is very knowledgeable and speaks English.
We spent a good hour with Daniele and bought five wines, none of which
are exported to the States. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Then we came home, stopping at the grocery store for
essentials – wine, veggies, fruit, cereal, yogurt, tea bags. We also stopped at a boulangerie for more
bread and dessert things.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Now after our spectacular lunch, you would think we would
just have cheese, bread and wine for dinner.
But no! We had eggs, cheese,
tomatoes, ham, potatoes and asparagus in the fridge so Kathy whipped up a
simply amazing frittata. It was
fabulous!! The first one she has ever
made and it was perfect. Alas, Kathy has
already announced that two meals is all she plans to cook on this trip. So we will be back to cheese and bread
tomorrow.</div>
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<br /></div>
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The washing machine is running, Lee and Bev have already gone to bed
and Kathy and I are settling down with our various ebook machines. I think we are off to <st1:country-region w:st="on">Arles</st1:country-region>
tomorrow. Bon nuit!</div>
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<br /></div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-85006816009331000432013-04-15T01:52:00.000-04:002013-04-15T01:52:30.109-04:00A radically different Sunday for me<br />
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April 14</div>
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<br /></div>
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What a wonderful day this was! The weather couldn't have been better. There was no need for a sweater, the sun was
shining and it was Market Day in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Isle is a delightful town surrounded by the river Sorgue –
that which begins at Fontaine de Vaucluse.
This was where the pope’s fresh fish came from 700 years ago. Then the waterwheels were put in and tanners,
paper and fabric makers took over.
Today, some of the waterwheels are still there and turning but only so
tourists can take pictures of them. The
town is the “go to” place for villages in the area, being the largest
commercial center east of <st1:city w:st="on">Avignon</st1:city>. That said, large is not on an American scale
at all. There is one large grocery
store, a Macdonalds (all over <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>)
and several banks. Other than that, Isle
is simply a larger village than most.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kathy, Lee and I went in for the market and had a grand
time. We bought cheeses, asparagus
(great big thick ones), spices, tomatoes, carrots, bread, a rotisserie chicken
and potatoes. We also bought fun things
like a man purse for Lee and a skirt and jacket for me. Kathy got some things to take home and
flowers for the house. Next week, she
will shop for herself and I will get the sweater I saw but didn’t
purchase. We think we saw about a
quarter of the market. It pretty much
covers the town.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Then we came home to have a leisurely afternoon. I had taken a Zyrtec in the morning hoping to
stop my nose, so I took a very long nap.
Kathy prepared all that good food we bought for our dinner and it was
the best meal we have had in <st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place>! </div>
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<br /></div>
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So this was a good Sabbath for all of us.</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-85950621246067901002013-04-13T11:37:00.004-04:002013-04-13T11:37:46.435-04:00Avignon<br />
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April 13, 2013</div>
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<br /></div>
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The first challenge of the day was to see if all four of us
could really be up and out by 8:15. And
so we were! We headed to <st1:city w:st="on">Avignon</st1:city> where today was a
market day. I’m not sure if we found the
“real” market but the one we did discover had fruits, vegetables, all kinds of
meat, and clothing catering primarily to Muslim women. Lee and Cathy both bought strawberries. All of this was outside the city walls.</div>
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<br /></div>
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We managed to work our way into the center of the city
without too much difficulty and no map.
First stop was a store to buy Bev a jacket. Then we had tea and coffee while sitting in
the sun. Finally, we got ourselves up to
the Palace of the Popes, the Church of Notre Dame and the Pont d’Avignon. Along the way, we did a little shopping. Bev and I both got mugs that we will bring
home with us so we now have four working mugs (there is a non-working mug in
the cupboard).</div>
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<br /></div>
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And then, of course, we stopped for lunch – salads for Cathy
and me, albeit different ones; steak, potatoes and zucchini for Bev and a pizza
for Lee. Wine to go with. ;-) </div>
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<br /></div>
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We were pretty sure we knew the direction out but I stopped
and asked a nice police woman if we were right.
I think her exact directions were:
“Ça, et toujours, toujours, toujours” or “just keep going that direction
until you get to the gate.” She was
right and so were we.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not many people bother to go across the river to
Villeneuve-les-Avignon. There’s a castle
and abbey there. The abbey is well known
for its gardens and we went to see them.
Cathy is a big fan of gardens.
This one was lovely even though we are a little early for many things to
be blooming, like the roses. Still, it
was a nice end to our day.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The GPS and Lee got us home with a stop in Pernes les
Fontaine for bread, dinner and breakfast, all from the same boulangerie. And now Lee has gone off to take a picture of
La Roque sur Pernes because the light is just right. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On our first day here, we drove past a field that had what
looked like dwarf apple trees growing in it.
It turned out they were apple trees and they cut them back so that it is
easier to machine pick the apples. There
is also another method of growing them that we didn’t see until today. The “tree” is a just a straight trunk with a
few flowering branches hanging down sort of like willow branches. The top of the tree is anchored in a pole
that runs the length of the row. There
are nets attached to the poles that cover the trees once the fruit begins. It all looks very strange but does, we
understand, produce very good apples. So
that’</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-88157800926516863412013-04-12T13:42:00.001-04:002013-04-12T13:42:39.224-04:00I really do know what day it is<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Friday?
Saturday? No, it’s really Friday…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you can see, I was confused about half the day. I swear my computer said it was 4/13 this
morning but it really didn’t. Cathy
believed me so the two of us wandered around in Saturday half the day. Bev straightened us out. ;-)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our destination today was Mont Ventoux, 6,000 ft. high and
still covered with snow on the very top.
We passed through St. Didier on the way and discovered a
boulangerie/patisserie! We did not buy
them out but I think Cathy was tempted.
The lemon tart was divine as is the brioche. I also bought an interesting pastry called a
sacristain – almonds, crunchy like a napoleon crust; in other words, thoroughly
yummy!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back on the road, we wandered through beautiful countryside
as we wound our way to the top. Several
stops for pictures, of course, along the way.
And when we got to the turn for the top of the mountain, we discovered
that the mountain is closed! Just like
that, closed! Still, lovely views as far
as the Alps but we were not able to see the <st1:place w:st="on">Pyrenees</st1:place>
since we weren’t anywhere near the top.
We agreed it was still worth the trip.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then down we came, stopping in Malaucene for lunch – not
the best meal I’ve had in <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>
but Cathy loved her mussels and Bev’s pasta with Roquefort was also quite
tasty. Lee had fishy prawns. Meh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We went on to Vaison-la-Romaine, a place with Roman ruins
and a Romanesque cathedral. Our thought
was to have dessert here but none of us were really hungry. So we went on to Gigondas, one of the wine
towns we have visited before. We did
have tea and cake before tasting four wines and buying three – all to be drunk
before we leave as we are not planning to bring any back.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The trip home through Carpentras should have been uneventful
but I decided to thwart the GPS and follow a road sign instead. It went downhill from there. Poor Cathy is very good at finding places to
turn around now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so home by 7:00 for a glass of wine, some cheese and
bread. Lee is taking a nap as he doesn’t
feel real great. Bev has a load of
laundry in and she, Cathy and I are reading our respective book devices.</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-70044687791555558362013-04-12T03:56:00.001-04:002013-04-12T03:56:12.460-04:00Day two<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 12 </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good Morning!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday was a grand, leisurely day. Bev got up very early – 5:00! – and then
crashed again about nine. The rest of us
slept later and managed to stay up.
Still, we had tea and toast and showers before waking Bev up again to head
out.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our first adventure was to </div>
Fontaine de Vaucluse. This is an incredibly deep – no one knows
exactly how deep – spring from which the River Sorgue flows. When we were here several years ago, the
spring was so dry that Lee could hike down about thirty feet. Not so yesterday! The pool was deep and the river was quite
wild. Lots of rushing water bouncing off
huge rocks in the river. We took
pictures, of course. We had our lunch by
the river in the sunshine, crepes and salad with white wine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9nWVmnWc3PWRcou9C3Jl3KDxLlnGCjjhx9HPafIXLY8tTOZP7G01ceHwY3xoivEm4APVDF-Qu-M1pHNLx4Ao0ozlPclnDA3qG27Ki8rb0EgucDunHHoBcSW7LnGnY9Ol2gXdR4RyKyw/s1600/DSC_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj9nWVmnWc3PWRcou9C3Jl3KDxLlnGCjjhx9HPafIXLY8tTOZP7G01ceHwY3xoivEm4APVDF-Qu-M1pHNLx4Ao0ozlPclnDA3qG27Ki8rb0EgucDunHHoBcSW7LnGnY9Ol2gXdR4RyKyw/s320/DSC_0507.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lee and I figured out how to work the GPS, we all went to
the bank (<st1:country-region w:st="on">Italy</st1:country-region>’s Bancomat
is <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>’s
Cash Pointe is our ATM) and came home to take naps and/or read.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 5:00, we had our Untours orientation at Max and Regine’s
house. There are fourteen of us here
this week. Some will stay two weeks like
us but others are only here for the week.
Sue Baker from the home office in Media PA has been here for a few days
and is heading to <st1:state w:st="on">Alsace</st1:state>
today. It was very nice to meet one of
the folks we have been talking to for ten years.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the orientation, Regine laid out an incredible buffet
for us: Provencal pizza, three kinds of
quiche (cold), several cheeses, olives and a marvelous vegetable
casserole. This last was layers of
veggies – eggplant, onion, tomato, red peppers, zucchini – standing on their
sides then drizzled with olive oil and some garlic and cooked slowly for an
hour and a half. Oh my, it was
good! And yes, Mother, I did eat the
eggplant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Home by about 8:30, we stayed up until ten or later. And now we are all awake and thinking about
planning our day. Cathy has already
ordered trips to a boulangerie and a pattissier. We need to get Kleenex and more mugs, too. Stay
tuned….</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-43173743000134662792013-04-10T14:12:00.002-04:002013-04-10T14:12:45.333-04:00Vive la France!!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
April 10, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bonjour mes amis et ma famille!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bev, Lee, Cathy and I arrived in <st1:city w:st="on">Marseilles</st1:city> shortly before noon today. Lee was packed before noon yesterday, a full
five hours before the flight! The four
of us had a late breakfast at the Midnight Diner around the corner from the
condo and then strolled back to await the time for leaving there. We had no trouble at the airport. All lines were either nonexistent or
relatively short. Cathy forgot and put a
can of hairspray in her carry on bag, a big no no, so we had a short stop/chat
with TSA before heading to the gate. We
had a little lunch – I still wasn’t hungry – and took our various sleep
aides. Right, none of them worked. Bev did manage to sleep for three hours
straight but the rest of us were wide awake, making sure that plane stayed in
the air. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tried watching The Hobbit but just couldn’t get into
it. Cathy watched the whole thing and
then said, “I thought that movie would never end!” I also tried watching The Return of the
Guardians – about Santa, tooth fairy, etc. and it had Arabic subtitles; I loved the irony but couldn’t get into that
movie, either. So we all napped some,
read some and sat there quietly some.
This plane had the restrooms downstairs.
I’ve never been on an airplane with a downstairs! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Max, one of our hosts, met us at the airport and led us back
to Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (east, slightly north of <st1:city w:st="on">Avignon</st1:city> if you’re looking at a map). We met a few other Untourists and Sue Baker
from the home office in Media (her sister and many friends went to UD). Then our landlord arrived and showed us the
windy way to our gite, the French word for apartment rental. We unpacked and walked around the property
before having some cheese and wine while writing our grocery list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now we have been to the grocery store, had a very nice
dinner at entirely too early for the French. Our waiter asked where we were from. He didn’t seem to sure about <st1:state w:st="on">North
Carolina</st1:state> but he knew <st1:state w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:state>
for sure. I didn’t bother to ask him why
in case I didn’t like the reason. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The scenery today has been really wonderful. We began looking at the Mediterranean in <st1:city w:st="on">Marseilles</st1:city>, realizing
that this is no sandy shoreline but at very rocky one with some pretty high
cliffs. The drive to Ile-sur-Sorgue was
lovely, surrounded by apple trees and grape fines. Soon we could see snow-topped Mont Ventoux at
the same time we were surrounded by very Mediterranean landscape. We have discovered a stone beehive hut very
close by. This area was settled by the
Celts before the Greeks so it is not all that startling to see similar
dwellings here and in Columba.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our apartment is really nice if a little chillier than we
had expected. It is supposed to be in
the 60’s the rest of the week. We shall
hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now I am fading at an alarming rate. Time for bed!
Sleep well everyone!</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-36258301668468433412012-12-15T18:25:00.001-05:002012-12-15T18:25:02.308-05:00The Third Sunday of Advent<br />
The Second Day after the shootings in Newtown, CT<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Several years ago, my daughter Heather was a student at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Tulane</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>. She emailed me one Monday about her
weekend. She had been in the French
Quarter with friends until the wee hours of Sunday morning and had taken the
streetcar back uptown to the campus. Now
the only problem with that statement is that the streetcar doesn’t go anywhere
near the dorms on the Tulane campus.
There is a long stretch of unoccupied classroom buildings to walk
through first and it is not all that well lit.
So you can imagine my reaction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“What do you think you are doing walking across campus at
3:00 a.m.?? It’s not at all safe!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not long after that, another coed did exactly what Heather
had done and was raped and murdered. The
morning after the news broke, I emailed Heather and told her I hoped she was
proud of me for not coming uptown and snatching her home to stay. It was the first thing I thought to do when I
heard the awful news.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I suspect many people wanted to rush to schools and snatch
their children home last Friday. Or got
on the phone just to talk to grown children and see how the grandchildren,
nieces and nephews were. Our first
response to such a tragedy as occurred at <st1:place w:st="on">Sandy Hook</st1:place>
is to make sure our own are safe. We are
horrified that something like this could happen at all. But, as our president said on Friday, “As a
country, we have been through this too many times.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So it seems almost obscene to hear words of rejoicing and
safety in the Lord in our first three readings this morning. We want to jump over them all and get to,
“You brood of vipers! Even now the axe
is lying at the root of the trees.” We
want words of vengeance and anger. We
want to interpret the collect –Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might
come among us – as meaning that God will swoop in and devour the evil ones
while we stand by and applaud.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Alas, that is not what the collect is imploring. It is calling on God to instill in us,
despite our sins which sorely hinder us, the strength to be God’s hands. We are asking God’s grace and mercy to help
us and to deliver us from our sins so that we can do the work we have been
given. It is not a prayer for militant
response but one that, when answered, brings joy.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And here’s the interesting thing about John the Baptist’s
diatribe about vipers and raising up sons of Abraham from stones and cutting
down trees that do not produce good fruit.
The people to whom he is speaking do not seem to cower in fear of jeer
this crazy man dressed in ragged furs.
Instead, they ask John, “what, then, should we do?” And John does not tell them that they need to
set out on a great journey, visiting many holy places, slaying dragons and
seeking hidden symbols of power. He
doesn’t tell them to dress in sackcloth and ashes and deprive themselves of
food and drink.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, John tells them to do things that can be done right that
very minute. “If you have two coats,
give one to someone with none. Share
your food with those who haven’t enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
John doesn’t tell tax collectors to quit their jobs but says
they should only collect that which is prescribed. Soldiers, too, were told to be satisfied with
their wages and not to intimidate and bully people into giving them extra cash.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If this world were a more equitable place, where we didn’t
talk about the 2% or the 47% but considered how we can make it possible for
everyone to have a chance to have enough, then we will have done what John
asked. As a community, we began that
journey when many of you started cooking and delivering meals for Meals on
Wheels. Feeding the hungry and clothing
the naked continues to be a significant part of our ministry here. And we know that we are called to continue
until there is no longer any need.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We do not have to travel to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Newtown</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">CT</st1:state></st1:place>
to grieve with the town that lost 27 people to senseless violence last
Friday. There is nothing we can do to
turn back the clock and restore life to those who died and, while some of us
may have the experience to understand what it is like to lose a child, we
really don’t have any words to offer that will ease their hearts. They need only know that we are praying for
them, today and for many months to come.
A letter to the Newtown Bee or to the local Episcopal Church expressing
our love will let them know our continued support in prayer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But then we must pay attention to the rejoicing in the first
three lessons. Do not think that
rejoicing and sorrow are on different planets.
We cannot have one without the other.
If we never suffered pain and sorrow, we would not know what rejoicing
felt like and the converse is also true – a world of only rejoicing is
meaningless and dull unless we have something to contrast it with. I don’t know why that it is or should be but
I know it to be true. The joy I will
feel at seeing my son out of prison on January 3 is greatly increased by the
fact that he was there in the first place.
It will be a resurrection moment for my family.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will be resurrection moments for the people of <st1:city w:st="on">Newtown</st1:city>. I don’t know when or how but I am confident
that God has those people held close and, just as we have been delivered to the
other side of grief and sorrow on many an occasion, so will they. One day, they will again say, “Rejoice in the
Lord always; and again, I say, rejoice.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-20541653606738420452012-08-23T10:13:00.000-04:002012-08-23T10:13:00.603-04:00God and politicsJesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbors as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.<br />
--Mark 12:29-31<br />
<br />
I think I have preached some form of this passage in almost every sermon. I suspect almost all of my fellow clergy have, too. It is at the root of everything Jesus teaches us. A follower of Christ is to exemplify the love of God wherever he or she is. All the time. Of course, none of us manages to love God, self and neighbor all the time. But we know that is our goal.<br />
<br />
It seems to me that pretty much all politicians have forgotten this foundational teaching - a teaching that is not limited to Christianity. Rather than speaking on policy or social justice, those running for office spend almost all of their time slamming their opponent. Where is the love in that? How does this reflect one's own self love? Hasn't winning at all costs become like a god to these people?<br />
<br />
Then there is the money spent to run these angry campaigns. In a country that is still fighting its way out of a recession, imagine how many ways all of the money raised for campaigns could benefit the jobless, the homeless and the hungry! Isn't our mandate to care for these people first?<br />
<br />
Yesterday, I heard a media pundit say that regardless of whether we pay attention to them or not, political ads affect the way we think. Frankly, I don't want to be exposed to the negativity and fear I hear in these ads. I may have to turn off the television until after the elections in November. I have already stopped listening to the news except for NPR occasionally.<br />
<br />
What do you suppose would happen if every candidate for office was only allowed to speak in one debate and send one letter to constituents describing what legislation he or she would work to pass if elected? What would happen if we only had a campaign season that lasted six weeks instead of two to six years? What if Congress were to spend more time being legislators and less time being campaigners? And what would happen if no one was allowed to speak about their opponent at all?<br />
<br />
I don't have answers to those questions but I would like to see us try a new system. I would love to be excited about elections again. I would look forward to knowing exactly where the people I vote for stand on all issues and where they would like to help take this country.<br />
<br />
And wouldn't it be really exciting if other nations could look at our nation and see something different: a nation that really does love one another and takes care of those who need our help.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-74862146500541667722012-07-14T09:42:00.001-04:002012-07-14T09:42:33.670-04:00It is over for another three yearsDear Ones, I do apologize for not blogging earlier about the last few days of General Convention. The combination of no computer and a raging sinus infection had me heading for bed right after dinner both nights.<br />
<br />
Wednesday was Budget Day. We heard the presentation on Tuesday in a joint session of the two Houses. The budget is structured to support the Five Marks of Mission (I'll get to those in a minute). Dioceses are being asked to give 19% of each year's budget for the next three years. That is what the current level is. There was talk of reducing the asking to 15% but it was not possible this year. New to the budget are block grants in each of the five mission areas and an increased rate of debt reduction - debt incurred by the renovation of the Church Center - and a development office. All funding for Formation and Vocation were restored. <br />
<br />
We spent some time talking about the budget within our deputation and then comments, amendments and points of inquiry began to fly. The Program, Budget and Finance chair and her committee answered questions for at least 30 minutes. All amendments were turned down and we passed the budget as presented.<br />
<br />
Thursday was Crunch Day. We spent the morning passing resolutions we wanted the House of Bishops to concur on and the afternoon doing our own concurring as well as passing resolutions the House of Bishops probably didn't get to before they recessed. I would say that these resolutions fall primarily into two categories: care for ourselves or statements on national/international issues. <br />
<br />
Among the resolutions in the first category was a resolution allowing bishops to give permission to those congregations who wish to use the lectionary originally printed in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. We are all supposed to be using the Revised Common Lectionary as of 2010; however, there are many clergy and parishes who prefer the BCP lectionary - mostly conservative congregations but probably not all. Allowing them to return to the BCP lectionary is a pastoral response. <br />
<br />
Another was to make available liturgical materials that were prepared by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for Care of Beloved Animals. There are many who have asked that we, being a liturgical church, create prayers and rites for use with our pets. The decision was to make them available but not to authorize them so they are not official liturgical resources. We also agreed to make available the Daily Prayer for All Seasons. This is a series of hours to be prayed individually and in groups during each season of the church year. Again, these are not official.<br />
<br />
Perhaps an odd resolution to find in the "care for ourselves" category is one to study the possibility of creating an Episcopal credit union. I'll be interested to see what happens with this one. We also created a task force for the study of marriage - there have been a few changes in our theology of marriage since Abraham's time - and passed several resolutions supporting indigenous ministries within The Episcopal Church.<br />
<br />
Statements on national/international interests have been a bugaboo for me since my first General Convention in 1985 when anything like this had a resolve attached stating that we would send copies of the resolution to any and every leader of the countries involved. I began to think of these as "motherhood and apple pie" resolutions, those that made the proposer and a few others feel good about raising their pet issue in the forum of General Convention. But before I left almost two weeks ago, Jim Wilson sent me an email convincing me that General Convention is the right place to raise issues of moral conscience and that only General Convention can commend these issues to parishes and dioceses. So, while I understood the folks who stood to argue that we do not need to be telling Congress how to do their business, I now think we do need to give the Episcopal Public Policy Network, our lobbyists in Washington, direction and we do need to lend our voices to those who may well be voiceless.<br />
<br />
Therefore, we join with others who also speak to these issues and for these peoples: <br />
- ending the embargo against Cuba,<br />
- advocating reform for credit reporting and mortgage lending practices,<br />
- supporting and celebrating the Sudanese communities in our Church,<br />
- encouraging every diocese to establish a camp for the children of those in prison,<br />
- seeking reform within the prison system, particularly those owned privately (East Tennessee resolution),<br />
- standing with indigenous peoples everywhere to protect their rights,<br />
- raising awareness of and working against human trafficking,<br />
- advocating for maternal and infant health,<br />
- establishing the Church as the moral voice of health care,<br />
- continuing to address Christian Anti-Judaism,<br />
- supporting the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.<br />
<br />
And now it is time to return to the real world of Kingsport and St. Christopher's. Lest you think that all we did was attend meetings and vote on all manner of things, I assure you that East Tennessee had a lot of fun together at lunch and dinner most every day. Most of us connected with old friends and made new ones. We shopped in the exhibit hall and learned about new programs for our churches there. We laughed a lot and shared some sadness, too. We snacked between huge meals, tossed crayons at each other and made lists of silly things that were said - or that we thought we heard. And we decided that the ratty coonskin hat that has been our "mascot" for the last hundred years needs to be retired for a more suitable East Tennessee representation. Perhaps a nice black bear with a fish in his paw?Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-49116708398051832472012-07-10T22:35:00.001-04:002012-07-10T22:35:26.410-04:00The Most Amazing Day!This day began with a Prayer Book etc. meeting at 7:30. The topics for discussion were the prayers for companion animals and the Daily Offices for All Seasons. Subcommittees had taken these two sets of prayers and reworked them, considerably in one case and some in the other. Both reports were welcomed by the Committee and will be voted on soon by the House of Bishops.<br />
<br />
I went to my Dispatch meeting at 9:15 with the news that the Deputies on the Prayer Book committee were in favor of concurring with the House of Bishops on same sex blessings and we scheduled a special order of business for this afternoon. Then I confess I went to breakfast rather than church - Father Cutie was preaching (google him for the headlines he created three years ago) for a reason I cannot fathom.<br />
<br />
The morning session began with routine business (minutes, certification of deputies, messages from the House of Bishops). We adopted some changes in our Rules of Order and changed the Canons to reflect the change we made in the Constitution yesterday. That change is that bishop elections will no longer be consented to by General Conventions. Each election will go through the same process of gathering consents from sitting bishops and Standing Committees - my, isn't that a funny image! <br />
We passed a resolution affirming our desire to remain in the Anglican Communion and another that said we are not yet ready to sign onto the Covenant but will continue to study it. This is, in part, a response to liberal Anglican bishops in Africa who are signing on and our need to support them - and they us!<br />
<br />
My favorite resolution - Engage in Conflict Resolution on the Korean Peninsula - was on the consent calendar this afternoon as were many other resolutions that don't need debate/discussion. The amended resolution turned out pretty well, commending the Anglican Church of Korea for its leadership toward the goal of Korean reconciliation and ultimate reunification, urging all governments with troops in the area to minimize exercises that escalate tensions and to uphold human rights. That is good work by the National and International Affairs Committee. Likewise, the resolution to end the embargo against Cuba turned into a resolution commending the work of our Presiding Bishop and the U.S. government in easing tensions between the two countries. Churches and individuals are encouraged to engage in mission work with the Episcopal Church of Cuba.<br />
<br />
A resolution that I don't think I had seen before calls on Executive Council to study the possibility of establishing an Episcopal Credit Union.<br />
<br />
And then came this afternoon. We heard the substitute resolution from the Structure Committee about how we are going to go about restructuring The Episcopal Church. The crux of the resolution is that we establish a task force with 24 members appointed jointly by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies. This group is to reflect the diversity of TEC and will be completely autonomous - not under any other committee, commission or Council's thumb. They will report from time to time to the entire church and come back in three years with their report.<br />
<br />
There was debate, there were amendments, there were points of order and points of information. We had to interrupt the proceedings to vote for Executive Council members (set for a particular time). When we came back to the resolution, we ended debate, approved no amendments and then voted on the resolution. This is the fifth General Convention I have been a part of and I have never seen this happen before. When Bonnie Anderson, President, called for the vote, she said "all those in favor, say aye." And everyone, I mean every single deputy on the flor votes yes!! There wasn't a single nay vote and the House erupted into applause. Bonnie jumped out of her chair and we all followed suit. Then we sang a wonderful hymn - new words but old tune (Come thou fount) and cheered some more.<br />
<br />
After a 15 minutes recess, we came back for the next special order of business. We took up A049, Same Gender Blessings. Side Bar: here's something I learned at this Convention. Sex means what we are born as - check M or F in the box on the form. Gender means how we identify ourselves. So you can actually have same-gender couples of opposite sexes. As much as possible, the Prayer Book committee changed same-gender language to same-sex. There were very specific rules for 30 minutes of debate, amendments were made and defeated and we finally voted by orders about 75 minutes into the discussion. Sharon Lewis from the Diocese of SW Florida asked that we not react on the floor out of respect for those who would not wish a celebration. I am glad she said that. While most of us would be sensitive to the feelings of others, there are 40% of the deputies who have never experienced a vote like this at Convention and might not think about that. 78% of lay deputies and 76% of clergy voted in favor of the resolution. I understand that we will have a statement from Bishop Young before Sunday morning for church.<br />
<br />
I have told my congregation before that this is a difficult pastoral moment for liberal clergy in parishes that are not very liberal. I hope that we can engage in discussion and study - there are some fine materials available in the Blue Book, for instance - this fall. The goal is not to change anyone's mind but to listen to other points of view and begin working on how we are going to live together regardless of how we feel about blessing couples of the same sex. It will be a challenge and I hope we will not shy away from it.<br />
<br />
All right, good people. I am going to go to bed after making a phone call. Tomorrow is the last day I have a meeting at 7:30!<br />
<br />
Peace and blessings upon all of you!Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-4220358529713938792012-07-10T14:01:00.001-04:002012-07-10T14:01:29.202-04:00Monday, July 9<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yesterday was so exciting, I didn’t even blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of you already know that the House of
Bishops approved A049, Provisional Use of a Rite for Same Sex Blessings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and
Church Music rewrote the original resolution and amended it in its session
yesterday morning, adding language that makes it clear that clergy and bishops
who cannot, in good conscience agree to these blessings, cannot be punished
under canon law for refusing to officiate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would urge all of you to see this as a measure of
inclusion and equality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have not
approved a marriage rite but we are saying to our gay and lesbian parishioners
– and those who have turned away from the Church, feeling that the Church has turned
them away – that we acknowledge the faithful love of two people of the same
sex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the same time, there is no
attempt here to exclude those in the Church who do not approve of same sex
blessing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that all of you will
plan to attend the post-Convention meeting at St. Christopher’s on August 15 to
hear from deputies and Bishop Young on this and many other matters approved by
this Convention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In other news of the day, we passed two resolutions about supporting our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Christ and added language to the Canons that disallows discrimination against transgendered persons. A transgendered priest from Oregon spoke eloquently to these two resolutions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The big snafu yesterday had to do with the translation of resolutions into Spanish. Several resolutions have been heavily amended/completely changed in committee. There is often not enough time to get the translations out quickly. Lest you think this affects only a few people, you would be surprised at the numbers of Spanish speakers in the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In fact, I have to say this is perhaps the most diverse group of Deputies I have served with. I believe about 40% of the House is women and there are a good number of African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans represented as well. Many dioceses, including ours, have deputies and alternates who are under 40. Remembering my first General Convention in 1985 where almost all of the Deputies were white men - most all of them retired - I am quite pleased to see the change.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
And now I must head back to the floor for our afternoon session. I am sorry I didn't get this out last night; however, I was under the weather (sinuses) and went to bed very early. You are always in my prayers as I trust I am in yours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
May God continue to bless us all and show us the way.</div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-48663509107515805962012-07-08T23:10:00.000-04:002012-07-08T23:10:10.336-04:00I know why God rested on SundaySaturday was so busy that I didn't even have time to blog. We started at 7:30 and ended about 8:30. Lunch was the only real meal of the day. Breakfast was a cup of tea and a Zone bar in the room before the first meeting. Dinner was cheese sandwich crackers and a glass of water. But lunch was Jambalaya spaghetti at California Pizza Kitchen. I think we will be going back there again. We did end the day in the bar for drinks, food, sharing of information and a lot of laughter.<br />
<br />
While it seemed to many who were sitting in the House of Deputies yesterday that we did very little other than nitpick one or two resolutions, the Journal of actions taken indicates we were ripping right through the legislation before us. We dealt with aid to the Horn of Africa where there is terrible drought, committed the Church to continue interreligious talks, funded covenantal relationships of longstanding with dioceses in other parts of the world, increased funding for mission in general and missionaries specifically. We voted to financiallly support the Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza, restored some funding to Christian formation for youth and children, passed a resolution raising awareness of the ubiquity of human trafficking throughout our geographical area and, finally, elected twelve trustees to the Board of the Church Pension Fund. There were many other resolutions dealing with changes in both canons and the rules of the House.<br />
<br />
You can find all of these reports and the full texts of the resolutions on the General Convention website: <a href="http://www.generalconvention.org/">http://www.generalconvention.org</a>. <br />
<br />
This morning was a no-meeting morning for most of us so we got to sleep a bit later, eat a more leisurely breakfast and then go upstairs in our hotel for the UTO Ingathering Eucharist. This service is often the highlight of our daily services. There was a combined choir from three Indianapolis churches - including a children's choir from the Cathedral - brass, organ and tympani. Oh my! The music, needless to say, was sublime and marvelously sung/played! Bishop Katharine preached and celebrated - in English and Spanish alternating. Her sermon was a call to action based on Ezekiel 2:1-5 - Stand up! Stand up (and we all did!). Get out there and go to those impudent and stubborn people. Let them know there has been a prophet among them.<br />
<br />
After church - a congregation of about 2,000 - most everyone went across the street to the baseball field again where the Diocese of Indianapolis set up ballpark food and fun and games for everyone. There was a chance to be part of an Indy pit crew - I think all one could do is change a tire but I'm sure that was enough! - or play a game and win a prize. It was still sufficiently hot - a mere 97 degrees - that I returned to the hotel after about an hour. I do think a good time was had by all and Indianapolis really did put on a fun party.<br />
<br />
Suzanne Smitherman and I traded off this afternoon and I spent my time in the exhibit hall. The first stop was the Church Publishing/Cokesbury store. The good news is that I got $100 off on my book purchases. I'll just say that everything was 37% off and let you all figure out the bad news. :-) I did some Christmas shopping, looked at wonderful stoles and decided I didn't need to spend that kind of money when I already have more than I need - want being another matter. There are some beautiful crosses and icons, too. I may go back for an icon but I think I won't add to my cross collection, particularly since I wear the same one every day.<br />
<br />
This evening, our Bishop took all the East Tennessee folks out for dinner. Now, you are thinking that this would just be the 8 deputies and three alternates. But there are three young adults here for the Young Adult Festival and two ladies here for the Triennial meeting of ECW. Gordon Brewer is here for Episcopal Appalachian Ministries, Stephen Askew and Vikki Myers are here from Diocesan staff and Claire Keene and Ben King - along with year-old Fred - are here with their spouses. So we were a room full of people. And now we are people with no room left! It was a wonderful dinner - other dioceses kept stopping in to visit and see what all the hilarity was about, I guess - with good food and fabulous company. We did laugh a bit, I confess.<br />
<br />
So it's off to bed at a reasonable time - 11:00. Tomorrow begins with switching seats with Cal Calhoun at 7:15 (we take turns having a day off) before both of us head for committee meetings. At the moment, it is only a four meeting day for me, ending with the Integrity Eucharist, another highlight of every General Convention.<br />
<br />
Peace to you all. Please know that we in the East Tennessee deputation are dedicated to the cause of re-imagining General Convention; new ways to do what needs doing with a fresh emphasis on The Great Commission to go forth and spread the Good News to all the world. What will that look like? None of us knows but many of us here are determined to step out in faith and see where the Spirit will lead us, letting go of everything so that we can discover what is really necessary and what has just become "what we have always done before."<br />
<br />
Good night!<br />
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-32659122451676256872012-07-06T20:59:00.000-04:002012-07-06T21:27:21.527-04:00Session, Commitees and DispatchHere's today's schedule:<br />
7:30-9:00 - Prayer Book Liturgy and Music<br />
9:30-10:30 - Dispatch of Business<br />
9:30 - 10:40 - Eucharist<br />
11:15-12:45 - Legislative Session<br />
1:00-2:00 Diocesan caucus over lunch<br />
2:00-4:00 - Prayer Book Liturgy and Music<br />
4:14-6:30 - Legislative Session<br />
7:00 - Dinner with friends<br />
Very soon now - going to bed!<br />
<br />
From my room to the first meeting is about three blocks. Dispatch is at the far end of the Convention Center, the House of Deputies is at the near end, Lunch is close to the room for Prayer Book stuff and dinner is right by the elevator to the room. Even still, it is safe to say that most of us walked at least a mile and a half today if not two. Part of my Dispatch job is making sure papers get picked up and/or taken to the House of Deputies Secretariat. It takes me 20 minutes to walk from Prayer Book's meeting room to the Secretariat office and back. If it werMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-26362900940530233872012-07-05T21:31:00.002-04:002012-07-05T21:31:38.760-04:00The Real Day One of General ConventionYou might think that being here for two days prior to this one would make this Day Three but you would be wrong. Lots of legislation was proposed before we ever got to General Convention, mostly by Committees, Commissions, Agencies and Boards in the Blue Book. But the Houses of Convention cannot consider legislation until it has been vetted by legislative committees. The good news about that process is that committees that have an equivalent in each House meet together as one so that each resolution assigned doesn't have to go through <strong>two</strong> legislative committees.<br />
<br />
The committee I serve as a liaison from Dispatch of Business is a good example. Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music meets as one great big committee with two chairs, one from each House (in other words a Deputy and a Bishop). Most of these first meetings have involved a hearing on a set of resolutions. For instance, anyone wanting to speak about resolutions dealing with Holy Women Holy Men and related calendar commemorations came to the meeting this morning to speak their piece about the resolution that most interests them. Once the hearings have been held, the committee begins to debate each resolution - all very Roberts Rules of Order with a few rules that are unique to Convention. When the committee have said all they need to, each committee votes - and here they "separate" into two committees - on whether to recommend adoption or rejection (there are other options but it gets confusing even for us). <strong>All resolutions have to be reported out of committee.</strong> <br />
<br />
Prayer Book resolutions begin their trip through the voting process in the House of Bishops. So Bishop Smith, chair from that House, signs each resolution's message report. It gets filed in the Secretariat Office and placed on the Calendar by the Bishops' Dispatch Committee. Once the Bishops vote on the matter, a report comes to the Deputies. If the Bishops haven't made any changes in the resolution and have passed it, the Deputies' Dispatch of Business puts it on our Calendar for debate and action.<br />
<br />
That is probably more than any of you want to know but the truth is that this is a critical part of what we do here. Is it the best way to handle all the business of the Church? I suspect most of us would say that it is not. It is very hard to turn pastoral or missional issues into legislation. As much as I fussed about the resolution to "engage in conflict resolution on the Korean Peninsula," there is someone in the Church who is passionate about that and may well be working in that area. If we turn down the legislation, we may be saying that we don't care about their ministry or their relatives who remain in Korea. If there were some way we could, perhaps, issue a pastoral letter speaking to the need for peace and resolution of the conflict in Korea, we might find ourselves speaking pastorally to an issue of justice. Is this what Jesus would do? Well, it's probably closer than passing a resolution.<br />
<br />
I won't keep you any longer tonight except to say that we have been doing all this committee work for two days so that, when the Houses did finally begin meeting officially this morning, they would have more to do that say hello to their neighbors and twiddle their thumbs.<br />
<br />
Also a hats off to my friends who willingly offered me computers with which to communicate on this blog. Two days of blogging on my phone's email was about to send me around the bend!Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-62828983223824606552011-09-10T15:19:00.000-04:002011-09-10T15:19:09.468-04:00Forgive us our sinsOver twenty years ago, someone hurt me very much. There’s no need to recount the details; the reason I bring it up is because I have forgiven this man many times. Sometimes, I remember the incident, think it over,<br />
nd tell myself I’ve forgiven him. Then I put it away again, determined not to give it any more thought.<br />
<br />
But I do think about it. It hasn’t been more than a few months since I told someone the story! I can’t tell you how many times I have “forgiven” him. In truth, I understand he didn’t intend to hurt me. I don’t hold it against him. And I don’t bear him a grudge. But somehow, the incident has remained alive for me all these years.<br />
<br />
When I began thinking about what to say today, this story popped into my head. This time, I realized <br />
that I have forgiven him but until now I hadn’t been able to see my own involvement as being other than victim. In truth, I had a lot to do with my own hurt. There were several places in the conversation where I could have stopped it, where I should have stopped it, and yet I didn’t.<br />
<br />
How many times must I forgive my brother, Lord? As many times as it takes, replies Jesus.<br />
<br />
I think I’ve finally forgiven this person for the last time. It won’t make a difference to our relationship. He’s dead now; yet, even if he wasn’t, we would be living far apart and traveling in different circles. But I still need to forgive him for my own sake, for my own spiritual health.<br />
<br />
An important part of forgiveness is deciding to release ourselves from the unhealthy baggage not forgiving piles on us. As usual, I did not come to understand this on my own. I was reading an article called, “Is forgiveness possible at Ground Zero?”<br />
<br />
Today is 9/11. Ten years ago today, we stopped whatever we were doing and watched the horrors of that day over and over again. Almost immediately, Americans began looking at Middle Easterners differently<br />
and many began casting blame for the tragedy on the nearest Arab-looking person. Then there were all those officials that might have stopped it if only…. <br />
<br />
We are very good at placing political blame in this country. We are doing it again at all levels of government<br />
over the jobs and debt crises. Perhaps blaming someone helps at first. But in the long run, it is an impossible game to win. Because, you see, it doesn’t help anyone heal, it doesn’t help rebuild cities and towns, it won’t feed the hungry or clothe the poor.<br />
<br />
And it really doesn’t make us feel better, either. Forgiving those who chose to attack this country, forgiving those who seem to put politics ahead of what’s good for the country, has to be the Christian response.<br />
<br />
Now here’s what we need to remember about forgiveness. It in no way releases the wrongdoers from the sin of their actions. Saying, I forgive you, does not wipe the slate clean. What it does, is allow us to heal<br />
and to learn trust once more. Forgiving someone does not mean they can continue doing the same old thing,<br />
causing the same hurt. It means that by our act of forgiveness, we are working to turn them around.<br />
<br />
Do you remember in the epistle two weeks ago, Paul said if our enemies are hungry, we should feed them;<br />
if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads?<br />
What a strange thing to say, but Paul means that we are to treat those who have wronged us, who are our enemies, with the same kindness we treat each other. In so doing, we embarrass them into changing their ways. Changing their heart is the part of forgiveness that is about them.<br />
<br />
And that’s what the parable is about today. An oriental potentate calls for an audit of all his accounts and discovers that one of his officials has mismanaged a great deal of money. The sum in the parable is so huge<br />
that no one could ever pay it back which makes you wonder where the potentate got it in the first place!<br />
<br />
In any case, the official begs for mercy, assuring the potentate that he will indeed pay it back if given enough time – perhaps three lifetimes would be enough. He is greatly surprised, as is everyone within earshot, to hear the potentate forgive him the entire debt.<br />
<br />
And yet, the official then sees someone who owes him a trifling amount of money – easily paid off in a matter of months or years – and he orders him thrown into jail until the debt is paid. When the potentate hears this,<br />
he has the official treated the same way. <br />
<br />
How can we be forgiven if we are not willing to forgive? It is not a simple matter of asking our own sins to be forgiven and then going about business as usual. If that was the case, forgiveness would be cheap, <br />
not worth asking for.<br />
<br />
Remember that forgiveness requires a response from the one being forgiven, some kind of restitution or admission that leads to a changed life. By refusing to accord his own debtor the same magnanimous treatment given to him, the official has cancelled out the forgiveness given to him. It does not take the act of the potentate to do this. No, he merely makes it official. The sinner, by refusing to learn anything from the potentate’s act of forgiveness, condemns himself to living in the torment of his sin.<br />
<br />
In reading this parable, we need to be careful not to allegorize it. The potentate does forgive just as God forgives – limitlessly – but that is the only way in which he is like God. God does not sell families into slavery. God does not renege on promises made. The parable is strictly about forgiveness and how we are not to set limits on the forgiveness we offer those who sin against us.<br />
<br />
Jesus taught us to pray Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. If I am not willing to forgive, how can I be forgiven? Just as we work at not causing others harm, so we must work at forgiving<br />
those who harm us. <br />
<br />
One of the lessons to come out of 9/11 is that we do not understand the mind of our Islamic brothers and sisters. We are working to correct that but we may never fully understand. St. Paul warns us not to pass judgment on another, that our Lord has welcomed them even though they may not know it. The one who is faithful to his or her lord is upheld by our Lord. That was a radical teaching for Christians then and it is still one for us now.<br />
<br />
God’s mercy and forgiveness are unlimited. It is not ours to build in limits.<br />
<br />
The images of the World Trade Center being hit, burning and collapsing are part of our memory now. The plane slamming into the Pentagon is not an image we can forget. The courage of the people on board the plane that went down in Pennsylvania, as well as the courage of those who tried to put out the fires at all three sites and lost their lives, is part of who we are now.<br />
<br />
But, while we can’t forget, we certainly can and must forgive even if we don’t really know who we are forgiving. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live<br />
or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. <br />
<br />
The Lord has forgiven. So must we.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-12752427979068894262011-09-06T11:31:00.000-04:002011-09-06T11:31:08.191-04:00Psalm 103:8-13You are full of compassion and mercy,<br />
slow to anger and of great kindness.<br />
You will not always accuse us,<br />
nor will you keep your anger for ever.<br />
You have not dealt with us according to our sins,<br />
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.<br />
For as the heavens are high above the earth,<br />
so far have you removed our sins from us.<br />
As a parent cares for a child,<br />
so do you care for those who fear you.<br />
--St. Helena Breviary<br />
<br />
Being slow to anger and of great kindness are two things I strive for. I don't like to be angry but I don't understand people who rarely are. I am getting better, though, at not reacting out of anger quite so quickly. The kindness part has slowed that down and often give me time to think of why I am angry and how it happened. <br />
<br />
But it is a great comfort to me to know that God is slow to anger and of great kindness. That God does not count our sins and then decide how to care for us is astounding. The call to hate the sin and love the sinner is one we don't manage very well and usually find not the least bit helpful. But that seems to be one description of how God loves us.<br />
<br />
I suspect every parent and an awful lot of children read that last verse with fear and trepidation. Have we treated our children the way we want God to treat us? When we are called to punish - and all parents are so called at times - do we take the other four verses into consideration? By our actions, what are we teaching our children about God? I know there are times I should have done better, should have been slow to anger, should have somehow managed to remember mercy and kindness.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-139403090912003821.post-55559272864180058072011-09-03T15:40:00.000-04:002011-09-03T15:40:54.542-04:00Shall we shun one another or dine together?This is the sermon on MT.18:15-20 that I will likely preach at St. Christopher's tomorrow morning.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, in preparing sermons, I will go back and see what I wrote in the past – something that is hard to do since I often don’t use a text. In any case, the sermon from six years ago, before I got here, actually used the word shunning. Somehow – I confess I stopped reading at about that point – I went on to suggest that shunning can be a good thing. I’ll bet a lot of people were confused that day!<br />
No one likes confrontation. It happens and, if we do it well, it clears the air. Most of the time we don’t do it well, though, so we avoid it and hope we will eventually forget whatever is causing the conflict. That rarely happens, either.<br />
<br />
In her sermon on this gospel text, Barbara Brown Taylor creates this fanciful story*:<br />
<br />
Fred, a fellow parishioner, asks you one Sunday if he can borrow your lawn mower after church. His is in the shop. You’ve known Fred for a number of years and worked with him on several projects so you agree. Well, a week goes by and then another and Fred hasn’t returned the lawn mower. So you go over to his house and ask to have it back. “Oh,” says Fred. “My neighbor borrowed it from me and left it in his driveway. He forgot it was there and backed out over it and there’s no lawn mower left. Sorry about that.”<br />
<br />
Well, you are really steamed. So you tell Fred that it was his responsibility to take care of the mower and get it back to you in one piece and you suggest that he give you a check for half the cost of a new one. Fred tells you it’s not his responsibility and too bad for you!<br />
<br />
So you go get a few other members of the church who know Fred and go back to ask for the check. Fred won’t even open the door but shouts some unkind remarks through the door.<br />
<br />
Then you call the parish together and tell them what happened. They get busy making signs encouraging Fred to help pay for the mower and you all head back to Fred’s house. No one answers the door when you ring the bell and all the blinds are closed. But everyone waves their signs and smiles, waving any time the curtains flicker.<br />
<br />
Finally, Fred comes out, looking quite sheepish, and hands you a check for half the cost of a new mower.<br />
<br />
And I suppose this is where someone says, “They all lived happily ever after.” Except I don’t think we would. Fred will likely leave the parish because he is embarrassed. Others will wonder why they went along with this crazy scheme and will probably not speak to you for a few weeks at least. And, while you have gotten the check, I would imagine you don’t feel too good about this, either. This just doesn’t work.<br />
<br />
Let’s put the gospel passage in context. The disciples have come to Jesus to ask, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And Jesus says that unless we become like children, we will never enter the kingdom. He’s talking about humility and probably curiosity and trust. Jesus goes on to say that the one who causes a child to stumble would be better off tossed in the sea with a great huge millstone around her neck. And then comes that awful part about cutting off an offending hand or foot and tearing out an eye that has caused you to stumble.<br />
<br />
Just before our reading, Jesus talks about the lost sheep, how the shepherd leaves the 99 to go and find it, what rejoicing there is over that one sheep. “So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost,” says Jesus.<br />
<br />
With that last line in particular in mind, hear again what Jesus says today.<br />
<br />
If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses – why? Well, not so you can be vindicated or the other be castigated, but rather so rumors have no chance of being spread about what was said. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax-collector.<br />
<br />
And, once again, that last line is the kicker. It sounds exactly like we should shun the greatest sinners – recognizing, of course, that we are all sinners of one sort or another, I’m sure. But who is writing this gospel? A tax-collector! And who did Jesus eat with more than the righteous? You have it. Gentiles, tax-collectors and all the heinous sinners those two words represent.<br />
<br />
I have to admit it never occurred to me that Jesus goes through that long instruction about how to deal with conflict and then tells us to have dinner together. Jesus always seemed to be enjoying himself at those dinners, too.<br />
<br />
This entire chapter of Matthew is about how we treat each other. And how we treat each other says a lot about how we are a community.<br />
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What kind of community do we want to be? I asked this question yesterday on Facebook. David Lose, a professor at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, asked it first. He says there are all sorts of communities all over the place and we are probably part of several – work-related ones, social-media ones, communities based on specific activities like running or watching our kids play soccer. But, asks Lose, “What kind of community do we want from our congregation – largely social, somewhat superficial (which is, of course, safe)? Do we want something more meaningful or intimate (which is riskier and harder)? Do we want a place that can both encourage us and hold us accountable? Are we looking for a place we can be honest about our hopes and fears, dreams and anxieties? Do we want somewhere we can just blend in or are we looking for a place we can really make a difference?”<br />
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That is a huge question. It is the foundation for the work I hope we will do at our parish retreat in a few weeks. Think about it. Write down some answers and share them with someone else, maybe two or three someones. And then come share those answers with the church at the retreat. I, for one, am hungry for your answers. I am dying to listen. I guarantee you that the Holy Spirit will be there to help us take all of our answers and forge a vision for our future together. This is Kingdom work and it will take every single one of us sinners to do it.<br />
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*story is paraphrased<br />
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04722745745959393813noreply@blogger.com1