Time Away

I flew into BWI last night for a visit w/ friends in the Baltimore area. It's a great place to unwind and be refreshed. Looking forward to a long weekend - weather is to be beautiful, I understand. We might be headed to the MD State Fair on Friday. It will be fun to do comparisons w/ IN. Can't wait to see what delicacies they like to deep fry and put on a stick!

Used to be, Labor Day was the traditional "end" of summer. Now, with school starting so early in a lot of places, I am not sure that is the case. I do have to say, since I have left teaching, I miss the long vacation, but I don't miss the end-of-summer pressure. Now, it feels like summer to me as soon as I can wear shorts (sometimes March!) and ends whenever I need to stop wearing shorts (October??). Even then, I like to try to wear sandals until the snow comes. :-) That's fun!

May your Labor Day weekend be renewing!

Jake

Sunday evening, we heard Jake Brothers' first album.
It was an incredible evening with some fabulous music.

If you missed it - check out
http://www.jakebrothermusic.com/
or
http://www.myspace.com/jakebrothersmusic
for some tunes.

Cheesecake on a stick

Tonight, I took 2 1/2 hours to stroll around the State Fair. Some things never change. Got to see the clown band (some of those folks have played with them since I was in HS) in the tractor parade and passed up the new IN map (have the roads changed that much?) in the Exhibition Hall. I had $1 worth of South Bend dark chocolate malted milk balls (that would be 4 of them) and assorted other goodies I eat once a year at the fair.

It's always fun to watch little kids pet piglets and calves and chicks and see Belgians so huge that it is unbelievable. I don't get opportunity to see ducks hatching very often, either. (Stayed up all night once to do that. Wait, that's a story for another day!)

I think I like to go because... it's just one of those traditions that is fun to keep. It reminds me that I "get" Indiana. After all, it's not a bad place to call home!

Summit 2007

I just finished 2 1/2 days of listening to some of the most brilliant, gifted, and disciplined folks on the planet give principles for life and work and ministry that have helped them be most effective within their spheres of influence. I will not attempt to summarize what I heard - glimpses can be found at www.willowcreek.com/leaders

My heart and mind are overflowing with images and thoughts and feelings that will need to be sorted and implemented as appropriate. I am thankful for the opportunity to be exposed to such an intense infusion of energy and inspiration for life.

Summer

One thing that is different about this chapter in my life is my perspective on summer. I will admit - what I miss most about teaching is the 10 weeks off in the summer. [And, I always used to tell folks - yes, one day I will grow up and get a real job :-)]

I mean no slam on teachers - with the hours they work during the school year, if they didn't have the summer off, many wouldn't make it through the next year. I just have had to figure out a different pace for life.

Summer used to be my recovery time. I would get back into good habits of sleep and exercise and eating better and practicing horn lots and doing home projects. I also would enjoy spending lots of social time and catching up with people and... Now those things need to fit into regular life, or I won't get to them at all. Some days I think I am close to figuring out how it all needs to fit, and other days I am miles away from it.

As I reflect on things today, I am thankful for those who come alongside and continue to help me make the ongoing adjustments - those who regularly encourage me to make room for the things that fill me up in the midst of the things that are necessary. And special thanks for those who have helped the necessary and discipline things be filler-uppers!