an engineer’s guide to cats
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Category Archives: creativity
thoughts
I have a lot of thoughts running through my mind from the past week in Austin. I am still processing through them. I need to reread my notes and explore what I wrote during the week. The speakers were fascinating: the pastor and writer Eugene Peterson, the musician and writer Jeremy Begbie, the poet Luci Shaw, the writer and ex-nun Barbara Nicolosi among others–I actually was able to get Peterson and Begbie to sign my books.
I met so many interesting people, I went to interesting places…I got to know Stephanie better…
I was surprised to have my ideas and notions regarding church challenged, especially since that isn’t really what anyone was talking about–I’ll say it was like smurfs never really talking about the fact that they are smurfs. (Credit to the pastor of Mosaic in Austin.)
And to change the subject, here is one of my latest portraits. This man’s name is Craig, and he tells stories that always make me wonder:
nice. seriously watch this it’s funny and short.
austin
Tonight Stephanie and I leave for a week for Austin, Texas. I am thrilled to go to a place that I’ve wanted to visit for years. The art culture, the food, the music…the river…Iwould wag my tail if I had one.
Tuesday through Thursday we will attend an arts symposium. The questions of the conference will center around the role of an artist within the context of faith–in what way is art a gift, a calling, an obedience? What are the dangers of artistic activity? I myself see an artist as a prophet of sorts–one who challenges a sleeping populace.
I am looking for answers, more questions, inspiration, and challenges.
The rest of the trip will be spent in a combination of exploring Austin and hanging out with Stephanie’s best friend Melanie who is also kind enough to put us up for a week.
knitting class
I was lucky enough to be invited on a vacation with my mother-in-law and her friends. (Okay, I invited myself along.) I never would have been able to make it had I been working at my old job. It feels great to have that freedom for the first time in years.
I taught all three of my fellow vactioners how to knit. I must tell you, they were very competitive. They kept holding their knitting up to one another’s knitting just to see who was the fastest knitter. Lynn kept ripping out her entire piece everytime she made a mistake.
I had a wonderful time. It was so beautiful near the beach.
the calgary herald
David’s brother’s family was featured in The Calgary Herald regarding their Compact year-long commitment. The full article is online here. They’ve really been able to spread their message about the experiment they are doing through different venues none of which they’ve set out to pursue. You’d think that they wouldn’t be exposed to that many people, but they’ve been an example at Thomas’s work, another large church in Calgary, and now the city paper. I’m really excited to hear about how the year continues to play out.
They both have been blogging at a specific site in order to share their story, and Malora recently posted about some cute zipper bags she sewed in order to pack snacks for Noah instead of plastic bags. They are really clever.
i am in love…
David isn’t really keen on the idea of me selling my vehicle. Nor are the Schultz’s. They all have good points…emergencies, borrowing others’ transportation, and isolation. Nevertheless, I am determined to change my transportation. I’ve begun to ride my bicycle more often. I still haven’t taken the bus anywhere though. (I feel intimidated by deciphering the schedule, but I haven’t written that off completely.)
David did agree to the idea of a Vespa. I think he may have been in a moment of weakness, but I am not above taking advantage of that. A Vespa appeals to me in so many ways. And seeing one in person today…well, my heart simply melted by its design. I love it. I covet one. And the one I drooled over the most happened to be on sale. ((drool))
downtown phoenix
I have been googling names I found on strange ads in Willo House.
Sloane McFarland was a name that came up, and it led me to this interesting article about the people and projects going on in the gentrification and arts-ing up of downtown.
work day for front garden
The planning…
Tilling by hand…weren’t sure if we would have access to the roto-tiller. But those guys really tore it up–great job Adams and Jacob!
Thank you, Sonny. He also tilled the side of the yard where we plan on placing the tomatoes.
Winter lettuce
Chalk drawings
Our forewoman, Layla
I think this was leftover from New Year’s Eve…
Chico, Verdi, Avacado…what is your name?
Baby Shea never fails to provide a beautiful photo.
(All photos with the exception of the bird courtesy of Stephanie. All editing by Jamie)
happy birthday noah!
David made this short for his nephew’s birthday.