tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-156954872024-03-12T20:07:50.744-06:00Mother-LodePractical Christianity, kitchen-table-culture, subversive hospitality, storytelling...Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-32620780812810770962011-11-16T14:50:00.003-07:002011-11-16T15:02:57.936-07:00Pocketful of Hope - ACFW Colorado Flash Fiction Entry<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><span class="Apple-style-span" >The</span> <a href="(www.hiswriters.afcwcolorado.com/flashfiction.php)">flash fiction contest at ACFW Colorado</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" >begins with three prompts:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Opening Sentence: There she was, Amy Gerstein, over by the pool, kissing my father.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Non-Sequitor: She found the diamond bracelet in the back seat of the car.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Last Word: the tear in her dress.</span></i></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" ></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >And one month later, it ends with no more than 1,000 words weaving them into a story. Better leisure mental gymnastics than the New York Times crossword!</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" >Here's what I made of them.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;line-height: 200%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>POCKETFUL OF HOPE</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">There she was, Amy Gerstein, over by the pool, kissing my father. Instead of killing him. Or herself. I expected after her prison years, she’d shove him in – wheelchair and all. I’ve often replayed the accident with the ending I’ve longed for – Dad rolling over the lip of the deep pool, sliding into the hungry river beyond. Last time I saw Miss Gerstein, dear old Dad was coolly tipping <i>her</i> in the deep end, figuratively of course. The police called it a suicide attempt. They never did figure out what really happened, but I knew. Still, what could I have said? I the ten-year-old son of the chauffer, and she the governess.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%">*****</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Miss Gerstein had left Lord Albert and me wrestling with fractions, while she went on an errand for Lady Carlisle, but we had shadowed her like T.E. Lawrence’s Arab scouts. As she burst into the estate’s garage, we heard a slam, then a cascade of little pops like a ratchet wrench twirling. A man’s muffled oath. A single pearl rolled into view. The door closed swiftly. We crouched below the window.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“So sorry! I’ll just …”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“No!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Whaaat? This is Lady Carlisle’s! Martin!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">We had to see. Through the grimy glass, a diamond earring winked as it swung from the lip of the workbench drawer my father tried to block from view. Rising like an avenging angel from a hail of grounded pearls, our beautiful Miss Gerstein displayed the distinctive diamond clasp. My father turned, crowbar upraised. Miss Gerstein flung out a prohibiting hand. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">I remember it like a flashbulb still, frozen colorless against the dusty sunshaft. My memory shatters on that image, fragmenting to flashes of motion, echoes of conversation. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Wait, Martin!.....blood, too?” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">…”never blackmail…” My father hunched, tense.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Take them back. I’ll never tell…my word…Otherwise…” Miss Gerstein’s hand gentling, pitying. My father slowly nodding, an odd, calculating look in his eye. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Two bent backs, harvesting the pearls. A flash in my father’s hand by her pocket as he opens her car door. A miniature comet arcing through her back window. Rumble of the garage door. Oily smoke from Miss Gerstein’s shabby Mini. Two boys running for the safety of arithmetic.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Later that afternoon, Lord Carlisle leaned into the school room. “A word, Miss Gerstein,” he held the door open.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Surprise and sorrow washed across her face as she glimpsed my father flanked by two police officers in the hallway. I glanced out the window. A policewoman searched Miss Gerstein’s car. She found a diamond bracelet in the back seat.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“No, Miss Gerstein! Please…” I lunged for her hand. Missed, but tore open her pocket. The diamond earrings from my father’s drawer shimmered to the floor, sparkling like tears. As my hand spun her toward me, her heel came down hard on one earring. The ‘diamond’ splintered. All the air, all the color drained out of the room. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">From a far country I heard Lord Carlisle, “A thief – <i>and</i> a forger! Get her away from my son!” </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">It took a hundred years for the cruel curve of my father’s smile to register as understanding, then fear on Miss Gerstein’s face. They were leading her away in handcuffs. I looked from my hand to her torn dress, overcome with dread and shame. She looked back at us as long as she could, trying to smile, trying to signal something. We couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, couldn’t hear.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">We watched the brief interrogation from the schoolroom window. Miss Gerstein shook her head decisively. We strained to hear.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Where’s the money, Miss Gerstein?”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">The stream was a diamond bracelet beyond the car, filling the languid pool before pouring over the cement rim into the river that bounded the estate.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“I don’t know! I don’t know anything! You’ve got to believe me! Have I ever lied or mislead you before?” Her voice broke on the question.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Apparently, your whole life is a lie, Miss Gerstein. If that <i>is</i> your real name!” That from my father.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“I would not have believed it, but I saw it. Lady Carlisle and I have <i>trusted</i> you …our son.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Now you’ve stolen his son’s heart and his inheritance, too,” my father snarled.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“And you!” Miss Gerstein faced him squarely, “You have stolen all I had - my good name.” She broke from the police escort and flung herself into the pool, rolling over and over toward the river spillway.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">We were screaming, “Handcuffs! She’ll drown!” but no one heard us over the pandemonium in the courtyard. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Can’t let her escape!” my father dove after her. We saw him arc deep, then go absolutely still.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;line-height:200%">*****</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Broke his neck. After that day, we all parted to our separate prisons. Lord Carlisle sank to relative poverty, caring for the fraud he thought had tried to save his fortune. Dad, banished to a paralyzed body, extended his own little hell to anyone who came close. Lord Albert & I were sent to boarding school. Even graduating to adult life did nothing to lance the diamond-hard pocket of darkness where I perpetually tear Miss Gerstein’s dress. Miss Gerstein. I never did learn where they sent her. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Now here she was, a miracle. Silvering around the edges. Bestowing the kiss of peace on her traitor, as if his treachery never had defined her like it did the rest of us. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">She turned to me, “There’s something I’ve wanted to say to you ever since that last day.” She reached for my wretched hand. I couldn’t meet her eye.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Thank you. You were the only one who tried to help me.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“I tore your dress! I let them all see! I...like I was his accomplice!”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“Never! I knew you.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">“But if only I had kept still, you never…”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">She ripped my darkness like a searchlight. “…never would have known how much you loved me! That memory sustained me through all these years.”</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:200%">Color. Breath. Freedom! Stony guilt spilling out like false diamonds. I laughed. Laughed! She forgave the tear in her dress.</p>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-73192064106271052762010-09-18T13:51:00.004-06:002010-09-18T14:18:33.288-06:00Readers' Choice Winner(s)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrm0OstnnDtfFXthomkydp5kuG1IlQw1mJw-lGBZQOrJXFFC0Tya5IdyNAcEZGwtFEmed9g-pM6FTGPJRAD261lnrGy54gaV33d2tJFMo9Es_soG3EI49HQ9tsrxNDUigUgwK3A/s1600/Misty+forest.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrm0OstnnDtfFXthomkydp5kuG1IlQw1mJw-lGBZQOrJXFFC0Tya5IdyNAcEZGwtFEmed9g-pM6FTGPJRAD261lnrGy54gaV33d2tJFMo9Es_soG3EI49HQ9tsrxNDUigUgwK3A/s320/Misty+forest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518350050981341426" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well the votes are in - from all over the place. I'm sorry to report that you were no help at all! ;D Out of four choices, you voted in a three-way tie for first place. *Sigh* So I will just rely on your helpful comments to make these better.<br /><br />Today's installment is Episode 1 of the web-series thriller, <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Favorite Haunts.</span></span><br /><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> 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mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >Favorite Haunts</span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >By</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Kim Anderson</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >All rights reserved to the author. 2010.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Mother-Lode Media</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >EPISODE 1 SCENE 1</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Seventeen-year-old LEXI stands on her front porch, checking her wayfinding gear. She looks up, noting the surveillance cameras at the corner of the house and on the light pole down the street. There is absolutely no one on the street. She scrolls through various screens on her cell phone, showing the nanny-cam views of the interior and exterior of her house. LEXI sees herself in the porch shot. She takes a step casually and disappears from the nanny-cam screen.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(Nodding with satisfaction)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >I’m in the zone!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >She frowns, scrolling through the screens again.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Where is he?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(grinning from the bush beside the porch)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >I’m in the zone, too!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Twelve-year-old TROY is loaded with hiking gear, all ready to go.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >You weren’t thinking of leaving without me?!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >No, just worried about being off the grid too long.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(nodding sympathetically)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Yeah. Dad will go all renegade on us. Do you think we should wait til after the evening sweep?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >No, we’ll lose the light. We’d better hurry.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >They begin to walk away from the house, under a tree that screens them from the cameras. They flip their cell phones to screens that show maps of camera angles along their street, and navigate a course that leaves them out of camera sight. As they walk they converse.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Don’t worry. I’ve been working on a project that will allow us to be gone as long as we want without tipping Dad off.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Yeah?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Look!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI thumbs off the camera-plot map on her cell phone to play a nanny-cam recording of herself studying, then one of herself making dinner.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >That only works for you!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI snaps down to a recording of TROY playing a video game. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >If Dad sees that for hours, I’ll still get killed! Maybe we should just file for a hiking permit like everybody else.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Relax! I’ve got lots more. I just need a few more cuts and I’ll be able to patch it into the security cams on a loop I can control from here. Besides, you know we’d never get one without a "responsible adult" on the request.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >She taps her cell phone. They have arrived at the end of the street. Pavement is locked off at the entrance to a hiking trailhead. The sibs hesitate, peering into the trees. TROY still has the camera-plot map up. The display shows a solid barrier of camera-coverage lighting up the edge of the forest for as far as the display shows.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(wistfully)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Remember when Mom used to bring us here and we thought it was a <i>game </i>walking single file in her footsteps?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(nods, trying to be brave)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >I miss Mom....It’s like all the air went out with her.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Yeah, the accident changed everything....(she gathers herself) I hope it didn’t change the song.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >They stand in the last camera-free zone and whistle a 3 or 4 note signal. They look at their cell phone maps. Nothing changes.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Maybe we weren’t loud enough to trip the jammer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >They try again. This time the camera coverage blinks off their cell phone maps. They sigh with relief and start running.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >SCENE 2</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >A law-enforcement office bristling with computer monitors. It is lit only by the many computer screens. One monitor has a blinking light and and irritating claxton sounds in time to the blink. The officer manning the monitor swings around in her chair to call her supervisor.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >SAM</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Sir! Surveillance perimeter breach: sector 5!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >COL. RUGER</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(Leaning in to look at SAM’s display, reaches down to adjust the view.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >That’s right down the street from my house!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >We see the same display the kids were seeing on their cell phones.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >SAM</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Shall I arm the perimeter lasers?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Cut to LEXI and TROY slamming a button on an electrical device in a plastic bucket buried under a fallen log. They collapse in relief.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >The blinking light on the police monitor goes off. The display is back to normal. We see the two officers’ faces peering at the screen.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >COL. RUGER</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Probably just a wildlife bogey. Curfew is in 30 minutes. No lasers. Post Sector 5 sweep officers early, and make sure they go door to door tonight.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >SCENE 3</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY and LEXI are circling a huge, live tree, searching for something that isn’t there. A dead tree has fallen against the tree, lodging solidly with the upper part of the dead tree resting in the crook of a large branch of the living. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >The web entry said it was gone...</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Maybe some fool left food inside and a coon got to it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI leans against the living tree, her shoulder just under an arrow pointing up crudely scratched into the trunk.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(pointing at the arrow)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Things might be looking up!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >They look up and see a squirrel’s nest just about where the dead tree connects with the living. TROY scrambles up the dead tree, using its branches as ladder-rungs.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Whoa! Amazing!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >What! What is it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >A new improved cache - but it isn’t our placer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >He lowers an ammo box down by a pulley which has been anchored to the tree in the squirrel’s nest.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Hey! This nest is big enough for me! Kinda pointy, though...Waaaiit! This isn’t a squirrel’s nest. Just looks like it. There’s a platform. A man-made platform!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Get back down here! This is weird!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY comes to look into the box with LEXI. They start to unload it.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Our old logbook. Two self-charging flashlights. Two MREs. Two space blankets (she pauses significantly) non-reflective.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Are you thinking it?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Resistance...But why here? Our placer coordinates are still out there.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Yeah? Someone reported that cache missing or damaged. Check the logbook.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >They open the book to the last page. A string tied to the spine of the book swings free.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Our signature stamp is gone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(pointing to the last page)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >It was here just two weeks ago. Look! And....</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >It’s...<b><i>Mom’s</i></b>...signature stamp and a rubbing of her forest geo-coin.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(troubled)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Mom!...We saw her...</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >We see in memory, a small plane taking off. Then close-ups of flames, emergency vehicles, flashing lights. We hear sirens, screams.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Suddenly we realize the sirens are in the present. The sibs are frantically re-packing the ammo box. LEXI tears the last page of the logbook out, stuffing it into her shirt.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >LEXI</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(gasping)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Early sweeps!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >TROY</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >(climbing the tree)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >Hurry! Tie it on! Hurry!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" > </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" >They hoist the box to the squirrel’s nest. And race for home.</span><span style=";font-family:";" ></span></p>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-30713608713810866122010-07-12T22:25:00.005-06:002010-07-13T00:16:27.956-06:00Becoming Bardic<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/bards/RiftBard/Bards.jpg?o=6" target="_blank"><img style="width: 429px; height: 343px;" src="http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj78/RiftBard/Bards.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span id="profile_status"><span id="status_text">Cancer has given me the opportunity to re-invent life. I've always wanted to write fiction. It used to be that people understood when an argument was well-made and would be persuaded by reason. Not any more. Now people need a story. They are persuaded by personal connection and emotion. They need a bard, not a lawyer.<br /><br />I've had fun this spring and summer working on the lyrics for my second daughter's musical tribute to American service men and women. See the progress on the project at <a href="http://twentyonegunsalute.webs.com/">21 Gun Salute</a>. In the course of researching for the lyrics, I've been able to interview some wonderful vets, read some fascinating military bios and even some heart-stopping poetry penned by our warriors and their families. Now I'm ready to tell other sorts of stories.<br /><br />Trying to decide which to write first.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The mystery:</span> A Levite detective in an ancient city of refuge must find the real human trafficking culprits before they dissolve King David's precarious reign into civil war.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The fantasy:</span> Renowned inventor Daedelus discovers that his inventions for sinister King Minos have destabilized both the foundations of Atlantis and his own son's sanity.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">The action-thriller:</span> In an America groaning under an oppressive regime, a young man is drawn into a web of intrigue when he begins to find in his geo-caches messages from his dead mother.<br /><br />What would you most like to read?<br /><br /></span></span></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-41605888120129878892010-06-15T20:52:00.002-06:002010-06-15T21:06:01.208-06:00Frankenstein and the Illustrated Woman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3qxDsUE2XrluX0KhC86gbH2O_Gp-BUBToEErRq29bXC6hP2_XRCVtVfLBAGLzlef2AST8wWvA6_DCOQzNVryFxjeddW9_UhPwVJYF89xaSA2RbAI-CQONqg-s4rutn0zjGbaUA/s1600/frankenstein_lab.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3qxDsUE2XrluX0KhC86gbH2O_Gp-BUBToEErRq29bXC6hP2_XRCVtVfLBAGLzlef2AST8wWvA6_DCOQzNVryFxjeddW9_UhPwVJYF89xaSA2RbAI-CQONqg-s4rutn0zjGbaUA/s320/frankenstein_lab.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483202290886958098" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, radiation has been a funny thing. It has changed my perspective on a couple of deeply-held prejudices. Take tattoos. I always swore I'd never have a tattoo. But I'm coming out of radiation with not one but <span style="font-style: italic;">FOUR</span>. OK, they are in places that never see the sun and the radiation techs use them to line me up in the laser grid so that I get blasted in the right place every time. So I'm not exactly the Illustrated Woman. Still, the tech who gave me my first tattoo swears it is a butterfly. I can't see it myself - really - I'll have to take his word for it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">And then there is the idea that modern science has done away with the old Frankenstein lab model. Every day, I climb onto a completely flat, completely rigid table which lifts me up through a laser grid somewhere near the ceiling into the mechanical embrace of this slowly spinnable robot armed with every kind and speed of lightning. Stacked all around the edges of the lab are weird impressions of life-sized body parts. Some pressed into distressed plastic molds. Others just suggested by Lucite curves: put your elbow here, grab this post and drape your neck over this roll. The creepiest ones are mesh busts that fit over the head like the Man in the Iron Mask.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Instead of crowing, "It's aliiiive!" every morning, the techs chirpily tell you to lie absolutely still. One day I had a cough, so I was sucking on a cough lozenge. My tech asked if I could stop moving so much. Not the coughing - the sucking. Catch 22! Luckily, they have a high-tech device to help prevent you from feeling like you're going to fall right off their little bench: the toe rubber band. I am not kidding! Before your head locks down into its mold, the techs have your toes tucked into this industrial strength rubber band. Actually, that's the most comfortable part of radiation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">I am happy to report that I have taken my last trip on that Frankensteinian elevator! I have had only minor blistering, which is already beginning to heal. The much-feared fatigue is just now rolling in. Sort of a delayed reaction. I have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, and trouble staying awake when I do. My physical therapist tells me that I should expect some relief on that front in about two weeks - maybe a month. Resuming my exercise regimen next week should help.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Meanwhile, our Lord and my children are making sure that I have plenty of reasons to get up in the morning. I am directing the dramatization of Mendelsohnn's Elijah at church next week. (Check it out <a href="http://www.cherrycreekpres.org/events/details/25-mendelssohns-elijah">here</a>! ) Petra has been back and forth between here and Stockton, working with me on the libretto for her musical tribute to American servicemen and women, 21 Gun Salute. Chloe graduated from DU with great fanfare, and is moving to LA next week to pursue a post-graduate program out of Pepperdine University in film producing. Robert will soon finish his Eagle Scout rank, and is working on his lines (sometimes with me) for Petruccio in Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">It's good to remember that when our capacity for enduring pain is expanded, so is our capacity for entering into joy.</span></p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-3724822762160129782010-05-12T18:59:00.002-06:002010-05-12T19:37:00.771-06:00Inventory<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Acq9j9XWP8PWOEBK3icF2ZRUO7OWLMpWbx0GBYOlhNrPqMyXrCzsdMBpgfmLKT3LOlwguj29P6v3NWO6PxfVHYdTz0V0fPL37W4oB81qzAfcdPkGJOWnL8VabKPu0wfvHZ7XBw/s1600/Bald+Mona+Lisa.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Acq9j9XWP8PWOEBK3icF2ZRUO7OWLMpWbx0GBYOlhNrPqMyXrCzsdMBpgfmLKT3LOlwguj29P6v3NWO6PxfVHYdTz0V0fPL37W4oB81qzAfcdPkGJOWnL8VabKPu0wfvHZ7XBw/s320/Bald+Mona+Lisa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470562556019739826" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">These days when people ask me how I feel, I have to stop and take inventory. It's that already-but-not-yet thing. Already better, but not yet well. I am glad to report that the chemo toxins are noticeably decreasing, although not in a straight line. I no longer have to steam my eyes open every morning, even though my eyes still sting and water. My hands and face only burn in the evenings, and they never peel. And there is a sort of peach fuzz on top of my head. On the other hand, my fingernails </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >are</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> falling off.<br /><br />Radiation has begun, and is much easier to tolerate than chemo. I have only had a couple of days when I felt so exhausted that I thought I couldn't move – and that didn't last all day. Though it was kinda spectacular when I fell asleep at work – during a phone call. Luckily my boss laughed.<br /><br />Those episodes have been a merciful indicator of things to come. At church, I am working on a production of Mendelssohn's Elijah, which is going up in mid-June near the end of the radiation treatment. Now I understand what it means that I will experience a debilitating level of weariness most of the time. So I'm able to view my work on Elijah as more of an exercise in equipping others and less of an opportunity to direct.<br /><br />This weekend, the Lord surprised me with a scholarship to the Christian Writers’ Conference in Estes Park. Respite, fellowship and hope for future usefulness! His kindness and your continued prayer strengthen me for this last nasty phase of treatment.<br /><br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-47664877374315529742010-04-19T15:24:00.002-06:002010-04-19T17:39:03.506-06:00Unity of the Body<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoMgUdfZKx69T1oYBlVt2RBL52hE63SIIlk0mOgjA7MlF_v9uXKtDBsv5BTGpp-aJhPPJwH-IE0XywockzfbF7Hut-8TIoThLaR2oBGiITf3L2XGxqhCiaDsSNBLZxRp9bPG0HQ/s1600/liturgical+calendar.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoMgUdfZKx69T1oYBlVt2RBL52hE63SIIlk0mOgjA7MlF_v9uXKtDBsv5BTGpp-aJhPPJwH-IE0XywockzfbF7Hut-8TIoThLaR2oBGiITf3L2XGxqhCiaDsSNBLZxRp9bPG0HQ/s320/liturgical+calendar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461996924322605122" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Zac Hicks has an <a href="http://www.zachicks.com/blog/2010/4/13/the-lectionary-and-the-holy-spirits-subversive-unification-o.html">intriguing analysis</a> of the value of using the Common Lectionary as an aid to Bible study and worship. He rightly points out that this is one tool of the Holy Spirit to knit the scattered bones of the church back together as so many read, study, pray and worship around the same texts week by week.
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<br />It is also a way to be joined together in ordering our time, all of us dancing to the same delight in the same celebrations throughout the year; all of us pacing to the measure of <span style="font-style: italic;">His</span> work rather than to the commemorations of our various States or to purely personal memorials and agendas.
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<br />I have been working on a cycle of daily Bible studies based on the daily readings from the Lectionary. The set for Lent is complete, and will soon be available for personal or group study. Below is a sample lesson. I'd love to hear your comments. Is it clear? Easy to use? Does it draw out the themes that echo among the Old and New Testament readings for the day?
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style="line-height: 112%; font-variant: normal ! important;font-size:16pt;" >Thursday: Beloved Enemies</span></span></a><span class="MsoSubtleReference"><span style="line-height: 112%; font-variant: normal ! important;font-size:16pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="">Readings<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Ps. 35, 148; Romans 11:25-36; Deuteronomy 30:11-20 </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="">Discussion & Study<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""><span style="">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>What point does Moses emphasize about the Law in Deut. 30:11 – 14?</span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""><span style="">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Where does David turn for justice when he is oppressed, according to Ps. 35?</span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""><span style="">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Who were David’s most painful enemies according to Ps 35:12 - 17?</span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""><span style="">4.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>On what basis does he make his plea?<span style=""> </span>Why can he expect God to take up his case?</span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""><span style="">5.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Who had become the enemies of God’s people in Paul’s day (Rom 11:28)?</span><!--[endif]--></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style="">Comments<o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Our worst enemies are the ones we helped and trusted.<span style=""> </span>The ones we counted as friends or family. David’s anguish is increased by the nearness of his enemies. But in his pain, he does not take matters into his own hands.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>David pictures himself in the Court of Heaven. He asks for the Judge to plead his cause on the basis of His covenant, and proceeds to give evidence of his oppressors’ abuse of that covenant. He lays before God, his complaint and trusts in God’s justice and mercy.<span style=""> </span>He calls for God’s punishment on the wicked and His defense of the righteous, but David understands that, particularly in the case of once-friend enemies, he himself might not know who the wicked are. “Judge <i style="">me</i>,” he says.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">God knows not only the outward violations, but the inward ones as well. He knows the particular wounds and rottenness in the oppressor’s heart. He is the only one who can truly mete out justice. But God’s purposes in His justice go far beyond simple retribution. His justice not only gives the wicked his just desserts and the oppressed relief, but it produces restoration of the offender.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Israel in Paul’s day had become the enemy in God’s bosom and the God-fearing Gentiles had taken David’s place. Paul exhorts these Gentile converts to take up David’s wisdom. For God is not merely shaming and confounding covenant-breakers, but He is preparing an unprecedented union as well. Because of God’s rejection of Israel, both Israel and non-Israel know the wrath of God, so that those physical descendants of Abraham and those spiritual descendants of Abraham who fear God will be unified by their experience of God’s grace. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">They will all be Israel together, beyond all pettiness, beyond all betrayal, beyond all pain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Does one near you oppress you?<span style=""> </span>Do not seek revenge.<span style=""> </span>Lay your complaint before God, who is just beyond Justice. His grace will not gloss over wickedness; will not merely excuse the destroyer. But His justice will produce real healing and real unity.</span></p> <span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-4333799141143595942010-04-18T12:38:00.002-06:002010-04-18T12:42:01.380-06:00Burning Questions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R2NO87f2Ra5Z0ikyY-O3f8QF9nwRyr_OcPQevNYV6-8V-NLc_FI3eTjdbVcWeeK7OnmDshj34e2glGollOOgZ0GQfT3NcHUyDMW__FnqJdl5iIPLD64OQjk2P4Y_bM2yw7mfZg/s1600/firey+question.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R2NO87f2Ra5Z0ikyY-O3f8QF9nwRyr_OcPQevNYV6-8V-NLc_FI3eTjdbVcWeeK7OnmDshj34e2glGollOOgZ0GQfT3NcHUyDMW__FnqJdl5iIPLD64OQjk2P4Y_bM2yw7mfZg/s320/firey+question.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461549572074415218" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p>So I've just completed the last cycle of the bad-boy chemo drugs. I'm looking forward now to a week of getting ahead of the damage they have done to healthy tissues as well as cancerous ones. My naturopath said this week that it's the patients who feel the effects of chemo the most who seem to have the lowest recurrence rates. I certainly hope he's right in my case!</p> <p>Tomorrow, I'll begin the Herceptin and Avastin infusions alone. They aren't the ones causing all the awful side effects. And I don't have to prepare for them with a several-day fast. The Monday after that, I'll begin radiation - every day for 6 - 7 weeks.</p> <p>So the burning questions are: How will that hit me - will I tan, burn or glow in the dark? Will I lose ALL my fingernails in the wake of chemo? How soon will there be life after naptime? and...(cheesy organ chord)did all this work?</p> <p>Really, only time will tell.</p> <p>So today, I'm celebrating the no-fasting zone by having dinner at the Olive Garden.</p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-78437505982924570962010-03-31T07:41:00.003-06:002010-03-31T07:48:59.868-06:00The Joy of Eyebrows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MfVNRi_-o7IpLysFpzR_VhQPDsSKAWK2j2x_DmOkPMizFzEVwUgYMqpbXsRhFXlBSUSm7bLBAj9hHHL7hJEd_ji-8sn7SfD3PgCHxte0sdYCkIUBjHlhUJcJmWxFlnzVwUvWTA/s1600/eyebrow.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MfVNRi_-o7IpLysFpzR_VhQPDsSKAWK2j2x_DmOkPMizFzEVwUgYMqpbXsRhFXlBSUSm7bLBAj9hHHL7hJEd_ji-8sn7SfD3PgCHxte0sdYCkIUBjHlhUJcJmWxFlnzVwUvWTA/s200/eyebrow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454794569614356786" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I never really appreciated eyebrows properly til now. They let you know where your face begins and they punctuate your expressions. I'm glad I've still got mine - mostly.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">On Monday, I had my last really toxic chemo! Like eyebrows, it marks the place where I can expect healing to begin. I will continue to have infusions every three weeks of herceptin and the experimental drug avastin, but they don't carry the toxic wallop of the full chemo treatment I've been getting.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thank you for your prayers. I had no emergencies at this treatment. And while my face is burning, most people think I've just been out in the beautiful spring sunshine. It reminds me not to celebrate quite yet. I will still need to expect the full round of difficulties for the next three weeks. Then I can begin to make real headway against the damage done to my healthy systems by the chemo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">I will see the radiation oncologist in mid-April and find out what that regimen will entail.</span></p> </div> <script> jQuery(document).ready(function(){ }) </script>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-65286498910790576262010-03-11T22:30:00.002-07:002010-03-11T22:36:44.832-07:00Tantrums<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGXnVK7iIujS43BQFsH13cnT0m00lsVPMALoLc5YNTnx_czHcPg7ubXr8fUDKnW7con6xoI_m7VnUOV9U-2z6mXg7pGxhpPrtJmyVrOTAXr4DpPUw4kMYm85PYhTQQKplGgd9DA/s1600-h/tantrum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGXnVK7iIujS43BQFsH13cnT0m00lsVPMALoLc5YNTnx_czHcPg7ubXr8fUDKnW7con6xoI_m7VnUOV9U-2z6mXg7pGxhpPrtJmyVrOTAXr4DpPUw4kMYm85PYhTQQKplGgd9DA/s320/tantrum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447617005901841122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm so grateful for a bit of a respite in last chemo cycle! This time my body has figured out new and sinister ways to demonstrate its total rejection of these toxins.<br /><br />I had been looking forward to a full day of conversation and writing with Petra during the infusions, but while I was soaking in the ice water, the rest of my body broke out in a rash. The doctor responded with a massive dose of Benadryl. So much for conversation – though I think I remember saying some Mad Hatter-ish things as I dozed off. I was especially glad that Petra was with me, though, I would have had to call someone to drive me home.<br /><br />Yesterday, my face went up like a torch and I spent most of the day wearing ice packs. Today, I'm able to get along with aloes alone, though I look like Godzilla. And then there is the amazing nausea. I have great nausea meds, but they all make me sleepy.<br /><br />None of this has happened before in this way, so it's clear that it's a whole new world this cycle. I have no real idea what to expect. But there are a number of things that won't change: the loving support of all of you, my determination to find new opportunities in my situation, and the mysterious purposes of God.<br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-43968242336738391512010-03-03T21:10:00.002-07:002010-03-03T21:33:46.395-07:00Laughing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6RnImXvkRFbS8QDsfxaiafM-wx4m8XacL_liTSkmfZxJJx_btMsadkNO2LniBZ7j1-PYQLXN79QMNoonPYUpWi_TYppANZnvBNwfeMACg4o9m8LXmVnLytKeSta0qzdefx8dLw/s1600-h/God+laughs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6RnImXvkRFbS8QDsfxaiafM-wx4m8XacL_liTSkmfZxJJx_btMsadkNO2LniBZ7j1-PYQLXN79QMNoonPYUpWi_TYppANZnvBNwfeMACg4o9m8LXmVnLytKeSta0qzdefx8dLw/s320/God+laughs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444631729409011698" border="0" /></a>
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} @font-face {font-family:"Arial Unicode MS"; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-134238209 -371195905 63 0 4129279 0;} @font-face {font-family:"\@Arial Unicode MS"; panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4; mso-font-charset:128; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-134238209 -371195905 63 0 4129279 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:none; 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mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Closing in on the next to last chemo (cheers!).</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">I will begin the pre-chemo fast on Saturday, and will have the infusion on Monday.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">My energy level is sustained much better during the fast now that I am drinking Kangen water.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In fact everything has been so much more bearable this cycle since they reduced the dosage of the most toxic drug. Sure, my eyes still water & sting and my hands and feet feel sandpapered...and I often feel after eating that I'd rather return dinner than digest it. But everything has ratcheted down a notch.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">It's been suffering more on the level of having a bad case of the flu – so ordinary that I have been unable to find anything to mock. (Or maybe it's that chemo-brain has finally set in and prevents me from seeing things creatively...Ack!)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">So instead, I thank God for a bit of respite, and for the end being in sight. Petra will be home on Spring Break for this chemo treatment, and we are planning to spend the time writing the libretto for her musical tribute to America's soldiers. Friends and relations have not forgotten to encourage me with cards, meals, flowers and kindness through this long, long distress. Every day something more to thank God for.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Robert reminded me the other day that God's laughter scatters and destroys His enemies.</span><span style=";font-size:130%;" > </span><span style="font-size:130%;">He is not laughing because they are destroyed, but they cannot stand before His mighty mirth. So it is not so much my laughter that matters, though it may dimly reflect His in its power to quell my nausea. May God enjoy the deep comedy in my situation and may His laughter scatter all His enemies here. May none of my dear ones be among them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">_____________________________________________________________</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks to </span><a href="http://mrldust.wordpress.com/2009/02/">mrldust.wordpress.com/<wbr>2009/02/</a> for the funny photo.
<br /></p> Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-81069467413490328792010-02-18T16:09:00.002-07:002010-02-18T16:33:23.585-07:00Chemo #4 Saved by the Belles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05zgF0KPvQgCM4hvJKrhiMBNwWWkEb8KApY7LcSR3QKghh8Hl2DpgUhEXerxUQJRHjoQYg8vTfeupkDkBy65zDCPTiubXZha_jWYpwgkmkHWfqcxAPD3vsoL9JwPtHWANjLHjuQ/s1600-h/scolding+mom.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05zgF0KPvQgCM4hvJKrhiMBNwWWkEb8KApY7LcSR3QKghh8Hl2DpgUhEXerxUQJRHjoQYg8vTfeupkDkBy65zDCPTiubXZha_jWYpwgkmkHWfqcxAPD3vsoL9JwPtHWANjLHjuQ/s320/scolding+mom.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439730617608739858" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">I hadn't realized how discouraged I have been over the last chemo cycle until I tried to get ready to go to chemo this time. It was like getting a squalling 4 year old to settle down for the dentist. Finally, I had to call in the big guns: my mom AND my sister. They came to take me in and stayed to distract me with a scrapbooking project. Good thing, too, I really don't know if I could have frog-marched myself in for another round of dreadful.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">My doctor was sympathetic, looking over all the difficulties of the past three cycles. She agreed to reduce the dosage of the worst chemo drug. And I soaked again in the icy water during that infusion. I'm also trying a regimen of drinking ionized, alkaline water that is a standard of care in Japan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">So far the worst symptom I've suffered this cycle is a short visual migraine. We are only two days into the cycle, so I'm still on alert for the next version of ick, but I'm grateful for no burning in the hands and feet and no infections elsewhere.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Did you ever notice how often David says in the Psalms, "I will sing", "I will give praise"? It's not "Isn't life grand? I feel like singing!" Looking at David's life, I notice that he had sad, hard times more often than not. His marvelous praises were more an act of will than a bubbly high-five. I'm there. I will give praise, even though I can't manage the sparkle.</span></p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-12883621043773617032010-02-06T21:51:00.002-07:002010-02-06T22:03:20.792-07:00Revenge of the Toxins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNppUQLoz3CcnG-2fNr8Y_E170I6a_yn0d3taWdeP67ihDrMK2u2ToEVSbRjd-qF3fYNqfBJ5-WE4eer0jeVK4Rj0TGDG_fcL50W_QBfdk4EyfRuiAP03cjHo1HNKYzHUZUt2Xg/s1600-h/Thats+my+mummy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNppUQLoz3CcnG-2fNr8Y_E170I6a_yn0d3taWdeP67ihDrMK2u2ToEVSbRjd-qF3fYNqfBJ5-WE4eer0jeVK4Rj0TGDG_fcL50W_QBfdk4EyfRuiAP03cjHo1HNKYzHUZUt2Xg/s320/Thats+my+mummy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435362611066754370" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">While I continue to be daily grateful for almost pain-free hands and feet, the chemo toxins are having their revenge in new mischief. This round,they have hammered my mucus membranes, burning eyes, sinus, and digestive tract. I have contracted infections in sinus and urinary tracts. I am stumbling around like the Mummy, shedding the seared remnants of skin cooked in the last round, honking inarticulately, eyes too filled with rheumy tears to see where I'm going. Plus, I always look embarrassed; the burning is happening on my face.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">I think I really scared the guy standing behind me in the grocery line. He happened to catch sight of my face under my hat brim as I turned to collect bags. He jumped back like a guilty three-year-old. Robert, who had very prudently driven, brazened it out, grinning at the guy as he took my load and escorted me to the car. Gotta love that boy!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">To console myself, I am holing up (as much as possible)to draft that Great American Novel I've always wanted to write, as well as assisting Petra with the libretto for her musical tribute to the American soldier. Good times. The spirit is not fettered; it will take its own revenge.</span></p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-18291889491671450592010-02-03T20:55:00.003-07:002010-02-03T21:34:53.387-07:00Humble Orthodoxy<span style="font-size:130%;">So often we falsely contrast truth and grace. I like this little film riff on Josh Harris' new book, <a href="http://www.joshharris.com/bookblog/">Dug Down Deep</a>. Words & visuals beautifully woven.</span><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8789756&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=8789756&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/8789756">DugDownDeep_Shook.mov</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/covlife">Covenant Life Church</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-51821214727964561202010-02-01T11:21:00.007-07:002010-02-01T16:33:02.718-07:00Seeking True North<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMgn3BgwBM00RdpJZtWNQDIK19cnQAEm1BVCIG9PwJxOmBpXrTMHgZa4ePhMcNDLsNgMX1s9QgmlzuRtYiuGLKIZs4ddyYPrbUTQkpZ0ZS9Ux4UIp3iJmXFUyaoda_XNfV7XMLA/s1600-h/True+North.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMgn3BgwBM00RdpJZtWNQDIK19cnQAEm1BVCIG9PwJxOmBpXrTMHgZa4ePhMcNDLsNgMX1s9QgmlzuRtYiuGLKIZs4ddyYPrbUTQkpZ0ZS9Ux4UIp3iJmXFUyaoda_XNfV7XMLA/s400/True+North.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433421491399190770" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">When I started chemo, several friends who have survived cancer advised, "When you begin to lose your hair, just take charge and shave it all off. You need to have some way to take control." I liked that idea. Me over cancer. Me wryly living that dream all of us women have embraced on some dark bad-hair day of simply shaving it off and starting over. I'm a take-charge kinda gal.<br /><br />But when the hair began to fall in sheets and clumps, I knew there was something else I needed to affirm. I have cancer because God is in charge, not me. All the things I have taken charge of have been taken from me - at least for a time - because I need to remember that truly I am NOT in charge. And however it looks from here and now, that is a good thing. So I needed something to remind me that I will seek God's direction and be still under His guidance.<br /><br />No, I didn't shave. I tried to enjoy the emotional satisfaction of actually being able to tear my hair out when things got intense. But it wasn't fun enough. I knew I was just waiting in a trackless darkness for God to...do something.<br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size:130%;">Then Richard Fudge's <a href="http://2sendaprayer.blogspot.com/">Visual Prayer Journal project</a> came across my radar through the<a href="http://www.thegrovecenter.org/"> Creative Edge Artist's Network</a>. He and God arranged for the Journal to reach me during my most discouraged cancer time so far. Designing a page that reflects my determination to wait on God's direction helped me come to terms with the feelings of helplessness, and to frame my prayer for His will to be done in and through me.<br /><br /></span><p><span style="font-size:130%;">The background is a map of the Arctic Ocean sea floor, the darkest, most trackless place on Earth, a place where even a compass is useless. As the tsunami of troubles obliterates all known landmarks, God's Will is the only true north my heart will seek.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><em><span style="color:#33ffff;">Photo is True North by Kim Anderson, 2010. Click on photo for a larger view.</span></em></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-24946130601128409292010-01-26T23:40:00.003-07:002010-01-28T13:49:18.000-07:00Cold Comfort & Warm Hearts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDJdkSUD02t6mk85jd9G1r7NhvD15UIXgV1vDWQRg0ilZyFdg3v88DHNiA2WgbqwNny35L8ijtKF2QpZK_YZFWcZVZLc7SyoSPFhjsmYI5w_Gy6mHSRG5bm-XKCwJA9d5SXqgWg/s1600-h/footwashing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 314px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDJdkSUD02t6mk85jd9G1r7NhvD15UIXgV1vDWQRg0ilZyFdg3v88DHNiA2WgbqwNny35L8ijtKF2QpZK_YZFWcZVZLc7SyoSPFhjsmYI5w_Gy6mHSRG5bm-XKCwJA9d5SXqgWg/s320/footwashing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431306994462474482" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">As you know, I particularly dreaded this chemo round. So God's comfort began before treatment on Sunday. Our church had a special <a href="http://www.zachicks.com/blog/2010/1/26/ascent-denver-recap-january-24-2010.html?lastPage=true#comment7090137">Ascent service</a>, a modern hymns movement concert and worship service that included communion, foot-washing, healing anointing and prayer. The music was beautifully done and encouraged vocal improvisation that I really enjoy. Then the music took a more contemplative turn as worshipers were invited to the ministries at the sides of the sanctuary. It is distressing to me when I am too sick to come to communion, so this was His gracious banquet to strengthen me. The prayer warrior I spoke with for prayer knew my general illness, but not the details. Unusually, she anointed my hands with oil, not my head. Coincidence? I thought it was all over, but an old friend pulled me aside and wanted to wash my feet, "because she loves me". It was an astonishing revelation of the Body of Christ. Some fed the spirit, some the heart and some...comforted the poor broken places they didn't even know they touched.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Chemo #3 yesterday began rather discouragingly, when the nurses had trouble accessing my port. The port is a surgically-implanted catheter into a major artery, giving access with minimum damage to veins to all the infusions I'll need plus allowing all the blood samples to be collected easily and with a minimum number of stabs. The tubing inside had gotten both kinked and clogged at the end. The nurses were creative and patient, but they still had to draw blood at another site. The good news is that they got it working for the chemo infusions - so no damage to peripheral veins. This could become a real problem, since this port should serve me for a whole year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">This time, I tried my naturopath's latest suggestion for minimizing the debilitating burning in my hands & feet. While I was taking the bad-boy chemo infusion, I immersed my hands and feet in icy water. This constricts the blood flow, limiting the amount of taxotere that is delivered to the afflicted areas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">I had a bit of swelling & burning in my hands last night, so I thought it hadn't worked. But I took some Apis (made from bee venom - go figure), and by morning, all the swelling & burning was gone. So maybe we have this under control. I will know for sure some time around Wednesday.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Meanwhile the "Merry Maids" from church came to make my house feel like home again. Not only did they clean it top to bottom, changing sheets and towels, but they left a fragrant soup in the crock pot, and my favorite flowers smiling out of surprising nooks throughout the house. Best of all, they left the benediction of their special prayers in all the living areas.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Mom & Dad completely rearranged their lives to schlep me around town in case I should be too dizzy after chemo to be a safe driver, and then to be with me overnight as well. My cup runneth over.</span></p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-64727471035531279722010-01-22T18:55:00.002-07:002010-01-22T19:03:25.255-07:00Wigging Out<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR4oy0mAU996PPtmbEAFCCD8Yy9RsN2qR0GdqRA5Ve20KrSy-C5el4w72z9Q6xn4VZbG7h-PpHsF8Phdf_dYrwe9MhTDHvx1VOfyBTek1pZvb3QVIJC217bQZVNX43gotHKTo5A/s1600-h/wigged+out.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoR4oy0mAU996PPtmbEAFCCD8Yy9RsN2qR0GdqRA5Ve20KrSy-C5el4w72z9Q6xn4VZbG7h-PpHsF8Phdf_dYrwe9MhTDHvx1VOfyBTek1pZvb3QVIJC217bQZVNX43gotHKTo5A/s320/wigged+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429749997448575762" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">So last weekend, my wallet fell out of my pocket on a walk. Naturally it had disappeared when I retraced my path a few minutes later. I was closing bank accounts when it hit me. I'll need a new drivers' license...with a new OFFICIAL photo...of me! I ran through my options. I could go bald (aackk!), a scary proposition for everyone concerned. I could wear a hat...which they'd ask me to remove (see option 1). I could wear a scarf, be mistaken for a Muslim, and be profiled every time I go through airport security for the next 3 years. I had to go lie down.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Finally, a friend offered me a loaner wig in pretty much my hair color and a very different style than I am used to. All I had to do was put it on to feel like someone else. Would the DMV think I was someone else, too? I'd have to risk it. Luckily no one in officialdom suspected, and I will see the resultant photo next week. Will I have to mutilate or 'lose' it? Time will tell.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">My next chemo is Monday. I dread this one than I expected. I can see that each treatment hits me harder than the one before. All my dear family will be out of town for most of next week.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">But I'm not deserted. A group of ladies from church will be cleaning my house while I'm taking the treatment - I'll come home to a sparkling house. I will be leaning hard on my Mom & Dad for driving & emergencies - bless them! And our deacons are bringing over meals several times during the week.</span></p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-24242934493782061442010-01-13T16:08:00.002-07:002010-01-13T16:11:58.190-07:00CarePages echo #2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDay_WHTmosS7d4SuV4T18ay9eeRFAJjijkfKIyWbv7jMWyO9i6aMatkSEQnLUgsV-ADHQaIozj8MT6OzExMBTZTQOLxSbK9vEhgTF-8xnERxNRO4Ik1mWrKYaRIsbSwjm78vSQ/s1600-h/caduceus+gold.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHDay_WHTmosS7d4SuV4T18ay9eeRFAJjijkfKIyWbv7jMWyO9i6aMatkSEQnLUgsV-ADHQaIozj8MT6OzExMBTZTQOLxSbK9vEhgTF-8xnERxNRO4Ik1mWrKYaRIsbSwjm78vSQ/s320/caduceus+gold.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426366035493052034" border="0" /></a><br /><div class="update_body"><p style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Becoming</span></p><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Thanks for your prayers this weekend. Monday I took a turn for the better and today, I'm beginning to feel human again.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">My Doc chirpily told me on Monday that all of my difficulties were within the bounds of normal expectations for this type of chemo. Well, the burning hands & feet concerned her enough to consider reducing my taxotere dose in the next round. While I'm glad to know that I won't be having to spend my most miserable days in the ER, I'm a little daunted by the prospect of anticipating this stuff in the ordinary course of affairs.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">At this rate, I'm useless for a good ten days following chemo. I find being a virtual invalid as difficult as the actual symptoms. My good friend, Sandy, a breast cancer survivor, put things into perspective for me over coffee last week. "Asking for help is one of the things God wants you to be able to do."</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">It was an Aha! moment. These disabilities are practice for expanded ability. Ps 104 reminded me today that the waters that drowned and shrouded the mountains as they rose as scars on a broken earth, are the same waters that nourish man and nature today. All wine-gladdened feasts, all forested wonders, all mysteries of the seas flow from springs that frolic down the craigged remnants of that terrible judgment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">So once again, it's not about what we have been. It's about who we must become.</span></p> </div>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-32837459243343539312010-01-12T10:08:00.003-07:002010-01-12T10:27:19.058-07:00CarePages posts now here, too<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJw7iUfiNAfEWbQH7kgBPb9tLqXs3kGdQt-3Tu1dqBkwkF5Ck44wLfXDHkRNDtW8a69aoH4U1z0N5S3mcvarhsI3dp4XVBGDdcPqOaMFjh7qcKtFlVe9jdxlvR4mWa1KJgGLBBg/s1600-h/caduceus_new.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJw7iUfiNAfEWbQH7kgBPb9tLqXs3kGdQt-3Tu1dqBkwkF5Ck44wLfXDHkRNDtW8a69aoH4U1z0N5S3mcvarhsI3dp4XVBGDdcPqOaMFjh7qcKtFlVe9jdxlvR4mWa1KJgGLBBg/s320/caduceus_new.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425903701767008818" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">After receiving several distressed messages from friends whose computers don't want to be friends with CarePages, I agreed to post the CarePages notes here as well. If you want to subscribe here, you can set your preferences to email you when I post, just like on care pages. See the sidebar. Sorry to all of you who are seeing this for the second time. Here are the last two CarePages posts.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Chemo #2: Natural Therapies Pay Off</span><br /></span><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">This second round of chemo started with 2 hours worth of labs and tests. (They took more blood than sparkly Edward.) But the results showed that the fasting across the chemo toxicity, and the naturopathic supplements (not to mention the prayers) have been having a significant protective effect. Most of my blood counts were still in the normal range, only two dropped just below the line. And my kidney function, which is expected to be impaired by the Avastin trial, actually increased!</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">I am very encouraged because the first round of chemo is an especially heavy dose the Doc calls the loading dose. The rest of the treatments are smaller maintenance doses.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Today I will start a few new supplements to combat the Hand & Foot syndrome reaction, which is already showing itself again. I am hoping to upload a music video of a setting for Ps 123, which I wrote, before my fingers get too burned to play. Ps 123 has become my theme song for cancer. I'm not in charge; I'm not in control, but I'll take my cues from the Master whose hand I watch intently.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Watch for it on my blog: www.mother-lode.blogspot.com If you subscribe, you can set your preferences to email you a note when I update there. You can also follow me on Twitter <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">@KimAMotherLode</span>. When I tweet about cancer observations I use the hashtag <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">#kcancer</span></span></p> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">As the Stomach Turns</span><br /></span><div class="update_body"><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, this morning (Sunday) I woke to find the world spinning at a different rate than my insides. It must have been a riot watching me try to walk to the bathroom or even to sit up. Of course, none of my gentlemen watched (the girls are back at school). They leaned in to brace me to the straight path.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Against my better judgement, but in obedience to Dr's orders, I spent most of the day in the ER trying to run down the cause of my extreme dizziness & vomiting. The ER did its best to find out: CAT scans, x-rays, blood tests - the whole nine yards. In the end, they sent me home full of Benadryl and nausea meds with a big shrug of their collective shoulders. Jack says the good news is that they ruled out brain tumors and other shadowy horrors. I just feel sheepish - and slightly green.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">I think the good news is that the dizziness has mostly passed. I have kept my dinner down, and had a good nap into the bargain. I was well enough this evening to go to a gathering of church musicians, in celebration of God's power not to let this disease have the last word in my life.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Tomorrow, I have a follow-up appointment with my oncologist. Please pray that she will have some insight into the dizzy episode, as it doesn't seem actually to be over. My hands & feet continue to blister, making basic chores mostly beyond me. Grr!</span></p> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-74580826353365541842010-01-08T22:07:00.005-07:002010-01-09T01:00:38.940-07:00Things You Can't Do Without Cancer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwuoTh_nBrpf9msW2w4SX_qf8NZx8pdJBb4MyjLazdy2TkTVoheGhDTOmpgG7U6vF75r6vUNj0FeIYiiih4b2_M2JAX4bzMYDDFKtDOOHpui9wv5WEQJkZN6blJEk7_4t7KOMgQ/s1600-h/Headwraps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwuoTh_nBrpf9msW2w4SX_qf8NZx8pdJBb4MyjLazdy2TkTVoheGhDTOmpgG7U6vF75r6vUNj0FeIYiiih4b2_M2JAX4bzMYDDFKtDOOHpui9wv5WEQJkZN6blJEk7_4t7KOMgQ/s320/Headwraps.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424645901200752274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Faithful followers will recall that God served me up this little Short Term Project (STP) this fall: breast cancer. And that I resolved (not merely) to beat it. So I've been looking for the things I couldn't have done without it. Thought you might like to have a preliminary look at my current list.<br /><br />Without cancer you can't:<br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Participate in clinical trials for new cancer drugs or natural therapies.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Tear out your hair in clumps for emotional release or personal revenge (ask me later).</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Justify ordering people to fetch, carry, scrub, cook, open jars, or be your hands and feet without feeling guilty.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Dress like a pirate queen in a business setting and keep your job.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Inspire half a dozen co-workers to stick with the South Beach Diet through the Christmas holiday.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Find a moral imperative in a hair-do or lack thereof (story for another day).</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">See sunsets, snowstorms, Christmas trees or children's faces clearly enough.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Catch a glimpse of the Bride in all her compassionate splendor as she dispenses gifts from Christ's bounty.</span></li></ul>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-81692223477369007092009-12-31T09:57:00.006-07:002009-12-31T10:48:15.907-07:00New Year's Eve - the Backward Glance<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjHHtq64Pxr-0ikT1nIy6_o5OrLee2EinZg7NETe21tx9kePGYy1bFuox-8ZQmWsDVzCyp75V2N7bC6cRMUBsuvjPSFcjY_2b3NFz7kkF8CIWfcezl-Rs5aSAR1418j3LlG0Y_Q/s1600-h/sonia+king+mosaic+detail+spinoff.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjHHtq64Pxr-0ikT1nIy6_o5OrLee2EinZg7NETe21tx9kePGYy1bFuox-8ZQmWsDVzCyp75V2N7bC6cRMUBsuvjPSFcjY_2b3NFz7kkF8CIWfcezl-Rs5aSAR1418j3LlG0Y_Q/s320/sonia+king+mosaic+detail+spinoff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421448376954149490" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Something old seems new in present circumstances. Do you look back on brokenness? What comes next?
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} @font-face {font-family:Papyrus; panose-1:3 7 5 2 6 5 2 3 2 5; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:script; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Oxford; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Oxford; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; 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mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style=""><span style="font-size:14pt;">Mary's Ointment<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Have I been broken…nothing works.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>exposed I try to be good</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">That was lovely once upon a time</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>I thought you loved me....it wouldn't</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Be safe, but glorious. I never </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>spitting blood dragging limbs </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Dreamed true.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">He was</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >smell the myhrr</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">shattered</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>alabaster. Fool. Spent too much</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">To tell a dead man</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >scent-gilded hair</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span><span style="font-family:arial;">she'd mourn.</span> <span style="font-family:Papyrus;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >All one: feet or floor, </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Puddled perfume mortar</span> <span style="font-family:arial;">won't she</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" > </span><span style="font-family:Papyrus;">Artist!</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" > </span><span style="font-family:arial;">clean up this</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" >Perfect mosaic of Redemption!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Let me bring the shining shards of ruined<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Hopes, of half-made glories<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">To You whose broken body is my health.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>Make me, like You, to show<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">In glittering tesserae God's grace as I could<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style=""> </span>Never know or tell <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">While whole.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Copyright 1996. Kim Anderson. All rights reserved.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:Papyrus;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255);font-size:78%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Photo of Sonia King's mosaic, "Spinoff". http://mosaicartsource.wordpress.com/2008/07/24/mosaic-art-source-summer-news-update-mosaic-art-source-gallery-featured-mosaic-artist-sonia-king-dallas-texas/</span></span>
<br /></span></span></p> <span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-21468893336092187852009-12-31T09:31:00.001-07:002009-12-31T10:35:53.033-07:00Seedlings in Stone: Giving Away a Beginning<a href="http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/2009/12/giving-away-beginning.html#links">Seedlings in Stone: Giving Away a Beginning</a>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-73335054637819796562009-12-30T17:27:00.005-07:002009-12-30T17:47:08.891-07:00Lizard Woman<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwgbnyBscK_Db-kIvemRHRV3VogP8lwmZFs7WFZ1oHyDE0ZHjBo2lP48sK1PBNxUvcEiUGxrxVlfvD35OdaYZywqnhXnlUvJ3IMUh1qoohy58NcLicJ52MNgnXumruwQQlEg15g/s1600-h/gtotem_lizard.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwgbnyBscK_Db-kIvemRHRV3VogP8lwmZFs7WFZ1oHyDE0ZHjBo2lP48sK1PBNxUvcEiUGxrxVlfvD35OdaYZywqnhXnlUvJ3IMUh1qoohy58NcLicJ52MNgnXumruwQQlEg15g/s320/gtotem_lizard.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421193510866739714" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Well, I'm officially ready for the freak show. The steroids finally got ahead of the burning hands, but now everything that burned is peeling. Aaand the hair is going.<br /><br />To tell the truth, it does feel like I'm half dead. Nothing tastes right. I'm touching life through a stiff film that flakes off as I bend. Even my eyes fog over like some snake shedding its skin.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);">"Wilt thou show wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Shall thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or thy faithfulness in destruction?"</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">Ps 88:10,11.<br /></span><br />David thought the answer was "of course not"; he was asking for deliverance. I think that since Jesus' resurrection the answer is actually, "Exactly! Yes." The dead rise to praise Him every day. So will I.</span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-85623621589434257262009-12-22T10:37:00.002-07:002009-12-22T14:47:13.650-07:00Christmas Stories<span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9zsLTQvcGdLoPhPafA6LtPDg6gsjKiup6VmSZDmbcQLeOkoAUW2VYKXqn7qIo7yE7E4d4yraev5i6qqyfLt4HC-A5gAvcaWlM6euiOq4SeQavSIJxasOL9kQW3BOFquKbEFxqA/s1600-h/burning_angel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE9zsLTQvcGdLoPhPafA6LtPDg6gsjKiup6VmSZDmbcQLeOkoAUW2VYKXqn7qIo7yE7E4d4yraev5i6qqyfLt4HC-A5gAvcaWlM6euiOq4SeQavSIJxasOL9kQW3BOFquKbEFxqA/s320/burning_angel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418173255209349874" border="0" /></a>
<br />One of our traditions at Christmas is to tell each other stories, sometimes in person, sometimes in print, sometimes in music or video. We want to savor new aspects of that richest story we enter at Advent. Won't you join us?
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margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Oxford; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family:"CG Times"; mso-hansi-font-family:"CG Times";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:";" >An Epiphany<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>We've never been rich, but we thank God.<span style=""> </span>There really is something about scarcity that sharpens the sensibilities.<span style=""> </span>When it comes to gift-giving times, the desire to be able to gift the ones you love with something of real value is almost a physical ache.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>And it brings into clearer focus some of the reasons why Jesus came to us in poverty and lowliness - not only to feel our weaknesses, our miseries, but also to feel that sharp longing to have something to give...<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>On my birthday near Christmas, three little packages shone bravely from the festive table.<span style=""> </span>The first, urged upon me eagerly by Elizabeth, our eldest, was wrapped in an origami envelope of Byzantine complexity.<span style=""> </span>The shining contents cascaded and clicked sensuously into my hand: <span style=""> </span>a necklace gathered of all the lost and secret bits of the jewelry our sometime princesses have worn in their day.<span style=""> </span>She had even sacrificed a couple of real Venetian glass beads that had been handsome vases in her dollhouse.<span style=""> </span>Together they were a talisman of childhood's delights.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>Then Winston, with ingenuous grin and self-deprecating wag of the head, thrust two carefully folded sheets of paper into my hand. "I love you, Mommy!" he breathed. The papers showed a four-year-old's pen and ink jungle inhabited by an ark-full of dinosaur stickers. Just days before, feeling wealthy with the proceeds of her first babysitting job, <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Elizabeth</st1:place></st1:city> had bought each of her siblings a small present.<span style=""> </span>These dinosaurs had been Winston's.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>With a miserable sigh, Anne pushed her offering closer and handed me another origami envelope.<span style=""> </span>She plopped down next to me, studying my face as I read the careful second grade script, "I didn't have much to work with.<span style=""> </span>Love, Anne".<span style=""> </span>I blinked and swallowed hard. Inside her<span style=""> </span>box was a bird, soaring wings outstretched. It was too large to make a convenient ornament, but its curves whispered, "touch me".<span style=""> </span>Anne alone had seen hidden possibilities in it as it lay in a jumbled garage sale box last summer and had rescued it with her last nickel. Now it wore fairy tale colors and sparkled with a crusting of make-believe gems that would have done credit to the Emperor's nightingale. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>Anne glowed like a star next to me, urgent with the hope that I, too, could now see the fabulous beauty in this homely bit of plastic. And those wings arched with a burning radiance, thundering accompaniment to the heartbreaking "Gloria!" blazing from otherwordly throats, the love song of the Bridegroom, argent with the hope that we, His beloved could see our ransom, our resurrection, our Redeemer in a pauper's newborn.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>With such gifts, we shall never be poor.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>December 1996<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span>Kim Anderson<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-size:130%;">
<br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-59430993403746286892009-12-20T17:49:00.006-07:002009-12-20T18:39:06.302-07:00Advent: Crushed Head, Bruised Heel<span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mow0LIDPeZOy17fjzep6TdB2687MdV3j5j61EgGH3z_V-HqB_mM1vqeDiurZPcdbqzzxulCgb0lzJFtdEGjPmsE_fMjbQZ4J2XHMnHQscZi66kLq-ACB53zxUdIMBZBSMVH52w/s1600-h/Advent+-+Crushed+Head+Bruised+Heel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Mow0LIDPeZOy17fjzep6TdB2687MdV3j5j61EgGH3z_V-HqB_mM1vqeDiurZPcdbqzzxulCgb0lzJFtdEGjPmsE_fMjbQZ4J2XHMnHQscZi66kLq-ACB53zxUdIMBZBSMVH52w/s400/Advent+-+Crushed+Head+Bruised+Heel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417497123402827730" border="0" /></a><br />Advent invites us to consider - no, to dance - the measure of memory and of longing. Christ has come; Christ is coming. It is not enough merely to think. It might be enough to journey, to wait, to bear the shame to shudder under the angels' song, to labor, to cradle, to wonder. It might be enough to live His coming. Every year He comes into a new place in each of us personally. And He uses the wildest media. The things we discard, disregard, dread.<br /><br />This year, for me it is illness and humbling. I have cancer. I am not in control. My cells have forgotten their duties. I have forgotten what it means to be human. Judah had forgotten what it meant to be God's people. Surgery at the end of the old Church calendar carved out the deadly flesh that spread still more death. The chemotherapy coincides with the beginning of Advent, the new year of our Lord.<br /><br />I am looking for Him. Will He "reconcile the violence in my heart"? Will He purge the demons of my past and read, somehow, the longings I have buried under the limping drive to make some kind of a difference to His Kingdom? What kind of new birth can I expect in the stabled darkness?<br /><br />Surely He will come. Even Time serves Him. I expect to hear the Gloria, to rock the limp weight of new life...something. But I will not settle for a substitute.<br /><br />Come quickly, Lord Jesus!<br />-----------------------------------------------------<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 255);font-size:85%;" >Artwork by Kim Anderson. Crushed Head, Bruised Heel. Ink on glass, 1978.</span><br /></span>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15695487.post-1383193281821379772009-11-16T18:23:00.004-07:002009-11-16T19:14:45.764-07:00How NOT to (merely) survive cancer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHyJsQTvxykKYGBPJ7Pm1b8AMHQ1Yh-fVUtm7db5mThtoW9PdiBiGKDj4EtqIQ9Zu3tCqhcy6CPhi7hbVu5d2RDXllkLmD_WRdMuYjwToBqedTHNEa9a8vETmJtswfwvPAu30Ww/s1600/simple+antique+clock+twirl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHyJsQTvxykKYGBPJ7Pm1b8AMHQ1Yh-fVUtm7db5mThtoW9PdiBiGKDj4EtqIQ9Zu3tCqhcy6CPhi7hbVu5d2RDXllkLmD_WRdMuYjwToBqedTHNEa9a8vETmJtswfwvPAu30Ww/s320/simple+antique+clock+twirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404885745621431650" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Did you catch Kyle McDonald's <a href="http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/">One Red Paperclip</a>? In which, an enterprising guy traded for a year for a house, starting with one red paperclip? Maybe you saw <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390521/plotsummary">SuperSize Me!</a> in which a brave guy with questionable intelligence ate only McDonalds fast food for one month and proved that it will make you sick - and fat. These short term projects or STPs are the thinking man's reality TV.<br /><br />Well, some are born to STPs, some achieve STPs and some have STPs thrust upon 'em. A few days after my last post God thrust upon me a one-year STP: breast cancer. One year to lose hold of all the projects I’ve chosen. One year to be the needy one, the un-able, the circumscribed. One year on the <a href="http://vimeo.com/5600197">Tilt-a-Whirl</a> of chemo, radiation and clinical trials. One year to focus on saving my own life (something about that just seems wrong to a lifetime, frontline Christian :p). </span> <p><span style="font-size:130%;">Nevertheless I still have choices, in the grace of God. So the STP that I chose is: <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">How </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">NOT </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">to (merely) survive cancer.</span> I will be looking for opportunities that come to me uniquely because I have cancer. Hands in the air, screaming my lungs out, I will be hoping to step off the ride next Thanksgiving</span><span style="font-size:130%;">, wobbly with triumph,</span><span style="font-size:130%;"> with something more than (merely) my life in my hands.<br /></span></p>Kim Andersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14821817787450687811noreply@blogger.com4