Wild Goose Festival

     I got a ticket to the Wild Goose Festival, which will be held at Hot Springs, North Carolina.  There's a full schedule of speakers and events.  The question is -- transportation...hoping I might ride with someone but haven't heard yet.

      I just found out about this festival on Monday.  It's a 5 hour drive -- will need to get the car looked at and get some tick repellant if I go.  It all sounds very lively and stimulating.   The other issue is where am I going to sleep?  There are going to be about 2,000 people at this event.

     Frank Schaeffer will be one of the speakers.  His father was Francis Schaeffer the conservative theologian.  Frank, or Franky as he was called as a young man, was a bit of a wild child apparently.  Spoiled rotten but also neglected by his busy parents.  Frank has written a book about his father,
Crazy for God, in which he exposes some family secrets like abuse and Frank's break with the right.

     I stayed at Dutch l'abri in the Netherlands in my late 20's.  L'abri is part part of the world wide network of retreat centers founded by Francis Schaeffer.  I see that the big white house still stands after all these years.  Wow.

     So, I didn't go.  Too much to do here in Durham, but I've got this show on my schedule for next year.  Whoopee!  I can volunteer!

Life of a Saint

Life of a Saint

“Give me a song of hope, and a world where I can sing it.” – Pauli Murray

Independent thinker

Daughter of an educator and a nurse

Granddaughter of a slave

Raised to be proud of her identity --

Orphened at three.

Whisperings of lynchings

            The KKK

                     Segregation

Tempered by teachers from Wilberforce and Howard

Proud shoes led to a law degree

But not from UNC

(Because of her race)

Or from Harvard

(because of her gender)

But from Howard University   

                First in her class

                          Accolades from Ginsberg and Kennedy

From academia to seminary

Ordained as the first black priest

At the Chapel of the Cross
Her grandmother was baptized there

Following in the footsteps of Jesus,

Advocating human rights of all.

Pauli was ordained a saint in the Episcopal Church on July 1, 2012 because of her tireless work as a lawyer and advocate for civil and labor rights.

Welcome to the Guest House

This business of being human is a guest house,
every morning, a new visitor.
I welcome all in.
Sadness?
I welcome you.  I turn no one away.
Anger?  Welcome.  For a while, you can stay.
Every loss.  Every injustice, every betrayal,
I accept you, I love you.
Come into my heart now.
It is over.  It is safe now.
Rest and be at peace.

And now the hardest,
shame.  I see arrogance, jealousy,
resentment, self pity, denial.

Welcome and entertain them all.
Treat each as a guest and treat 
them honorably.

Each dark thought I meet at the door,
laughing, delighted.
Grateful for whatever it is to become.

Three Blessings

Today I had an opportunity to observe a dance class at the American Dance Festival.  So inspiring.  Jesse Zaritt was the teacher.

I practiced mindfulness all day.

I've decided to get a kitten.   Would love another Maine Coon.  Yes!

Take Heart

Matthew 11 25-30:   "and Jesus said:  "If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.  Take the yoke I give you.  Put it on your shoulders  and learn from me.  I am gentle and humble and you will find rest.  This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.'"

Durham, YES!

One of the things I like best about Durham, North Carolina is that it's a big city with a small town feeling.  This morning I attended a Pilates class, then went to the grocer next door.  Awesome!

In the Gardens

Lord have mercy!  Blues performances tonight at the Sarah Duke Gardens!

Cool John Ferguson and Ironing Board Sam really thrilled an enthusiastic crowd here.