Saturday, October 31, 2009

I'm not sure why...

but Joyce Carol Oates gets me every time. I love the way she writes. I was introduced to her in a college literature class through some of her short stories (which I loved) and I later read "Them" (also good). I've encountered her again twice recently. I listened to "We Were the Mulvaneys" on my commute to work and I almost couldn't wait to be in my car so I could listen to it. It is an incredibly heartbreaking story, but I found the writing to be very compelling and the language simple, but in a way beautiful. I also recently read her novella "I Lock My Door Upon Myself" over a few lunch breaks. It was unlike anything I have ever read and was written in a unique voice and from quite an interesting perspective. It had a very tragic feel to it. Come to think of it, everything I've read of hers has a sort of a tragic/heartbreaking element... maybe that's why I like them. Her characters always seem like very real people. I hope to read many more of her books, as she has quite a vast body of work. Any Joyce Carol Oates recommendations?

Friday, October 30, 2009

a few weeks ago i bought a flannel shirt...

and then I realized that this particular item of clothing somehow kind of describes me. I don't know if that's a good thing or not... nevertheless I think it's true.:) Think about it.
I like to think that because this particular flannel shirt has a nice more fitted cut to it, that it's not so farmer-ish.:) Either way, I'm happy with it and it's ridiculously comfortable.
I love fall.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

don't forget to check out the new link on my blog roll!

My sister and our friend Heather launched a new blog recently that you should definitely check out. The Cooks Next Door is a very cool blog that has lots of great recipes and kitchen tips etc. Plus there will be much more awesome-ness to come!:) They are both excellent cooks (I can testify to that) and they both have a passion for good food and quality ingredients.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

some collected thoughts on marriage...

Recently a customer at work used our phone to call her husband (she apparently needed picked up or something). After getting off the phone (which she had ended with a cute little french farewell) she turned to my co-worker and me and said: "25 years we've been together and I'm still crazy about that man. He's so sweet and He does just about anything for me. He's going all out of his way for me...":) It was adorable. She went on to share an anecdote about how recently they had just climbed into the car to go somewhere and he looked at her and said: "Is it possible that I could love you more right now than I ever have?"I don't know anything about their history, but I loved hearing her talk about the two of them.

Marriage gets such a bad rap in society these days. People rarely share the happy or positive sides of love and marriage; they typically focus on the difficulties and complain about their spouses. Many even openly mock marriage. When Luke and I got engaged I remember people congratulating me, but also getting that vibe that people were thinking: "hope it works out". How is marriage supposed to be successful when that is the pervasive cultural attitude? It's a truly sad state of affairs. Marriage can be such an awesome thing if those involved can learn to be selfless and to be honest and open with each other. We live in such a selfish and self absorbed society. Luke and I are blessed to be surrounded by many people with healthy, happy marriages and I am so thankful for their examples. My Grandpa and Grandma Cummings are going on 65 years or something. How cool is that?!

I don't know if anyone else happened to be watching tv when they aired parts of Patrick Swayze's audio diary, but hearing him talk about his wife of 34 years or so and how much he loved her was very touching. He said marrying her was the best decision he ever made. Once again, I don't know much about their life together, but I do know that they stuck it out and hung in it together and that when he died, they still loved each other.

I'm going this weekend to participate in and celebrate with my friend of 20 or so years as she marries her best friend and I am so excited. Although marriage definitely has challenges and difficulties, it is an amazing journey. The coolest thing is that you are in it together and that you have committed to one other to help each other along the journey of life. Having your best friend by your side is awesome. I have understood that more this past year than ever before.

I am quite certain that 25 and 50 and 60 and 100 (yes, we secretly plan to be married this long:) years into our marriage, I will still be crazy about Luke. I know things will have changed and that we will have been through alot by then, but having him there and having God in our midst will make it ok and worthwhile.

Monday, October 5, 2009

always a good reminder and an awesome promise...

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:25-34