Ellia September

My cousin's baby! She hid from the camera...

peas climbing fences

Turns out taking out the garbage is a better tactic for making friends with your neighbors than giving them fresh baked vegan cookies (which actually yielded a really friendly card...but still little interaction has been had...)

However, just an hour ago I was taking out the garbage, strolling past our lovely tulips and (hopefully) our mint, when I encountered before me a big ol' garden with two neighbors tending to it. Adam and Janelle have had some experience with gardening/farming... so I got some more advice on farming in pots. Can't wait to watch their peas climb their hand-made bamboo/string fences!

new week

some
salvation in a monday
tangible 5am new
not like the tail end
of a disaster
or a subtle suffix

in my own soul

"So instead of loving what you think is peace, love other men and love God above all. And instead of hating the people you think are warmakers, hate the appetites and the disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed--but hate these things in yourself, not in another."

[merton- new seeds of contemplation]

this woolen cloak won't fit

"how can i hold this cup you gave me
half empty of full
how you have restored
and how you have drained me"

to dream of Spring

At the library, checking in serials. The English Journal came today, and a poem of E.E. Cummings' was on the front:

Now i lay(with everywhere around)
me(the great dim deep sound
of rain; and of always and of nowhere)and

what a gently welcoming darkestness--

now i lay me down(in a most steep
more than music)feeling that sunlight is
(life and day are)only loaned:whereas
night is given(night and death and the rain

are given;and given is how beautifully snow)

now i lay me down to dream of (nothing
i or any somebody or you
can begin to begin to imagine)

something which nobody may keep.
now i lay me down to dream of Spring

Pentecost Project

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35, NIV)

Taking a look at Revolution in Jesusland this morning, I saw this:

"The Pentecost Project is an experiment towards a more true and loving economy. Recently, the U.S. Congress passed an economic stimulus package that the President then signed. Beginning in May, most Americans will receive a rebate check that they are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to stimulate America’s sagging economy.

What if, instead of becoming greater consumers, we encouraged people to move towards an even better economy, an economy of abundance? What if, instead of accumulating more stuff, we encouraged people to give things away? What if, instead of the possibility of making a down payment and opening new credit, we encouraged people to pay down their debt?"

Check it out: Pentecost Project

Additionally, just read that Dorothy's Tamar reached the new life. Interesting article linked from Catholic Anarchy.

I'm looking at a Russian periodical right now, and it contains some of the most beautiful stills of daily rural life...I'm going to imagine I'm in a field right now.