Memory Lane

I went on a trip down memory lane this weekend. And it only took an hour to get there!


I spent the weekend at Camp Epworth, the place where we lived from '91-'95 when I was is elementary school. 15 years later, I wasn't expecting things to look exactly like when we'd left, especially since the program offerings have changed significantly -- but I was suprised at how many things had not changed! In fact, the pot-holed road and most of the buildings were in the same or worse condition than I remember -- a sign that the thing that has changed the least is the financial situation of the camp. The grounds and the river are still as beautiful and picturesque as ever - but I did mourn the loss of the swing, on which I used to spend hours and hours looking over the river and across to Mohonk and watching the light sift through the leaves and branches of the sugar maple from which it hung (and playing "milkshake" and "tie-dye"), which is no longer hanging at the top of the hill by the gazeebo.I got to explore the town of High Falls, wander through my old elementary school, visit with my third grade teacher (the best teacher ever!), and eat pizza in Stone Ridge. It was pretty amazing to walk into church on Sunday (Rondout Valley and Shady) and see so many faces that I hadn't remembered but instantly recognized! And it was also incredible to drive to Kingston and see the [Hudson River Sloop] Clearwater, just after I had decided to apply to volunteer on it... [that's where I'll be next week! -9/23]

The only thing that would have made it more perfect is if my sister could have been there to reminisce with me...

sorry, folks!

apologies for not posting anything this summer! i'll try to catch up and give you an idea of what this summer has been like with back-dated posts over the next few weeks...

Freedom Farm goes to the Bronx

It was rainy this morning as we packed the van and harvested produce for YMPJ. It was kind of nice actually – misty and heavy and fresh. I gathered squash, zucchini, cucumbers, tomatoes and tomatillos, while the others harvested green beans, potatoes, corn, and flowers. We also offered potted oregano and cilantro plants.

We got to the Bronx at 11:15am. People were showing up asking about produce while we were still unloading the van and setting up the table! We asked them to wait, but still we could barely put it out fast enough once they started coming. 20 minutes later, you barely would have known anything had happened. It would have been gone sooner if we hadn’t asked people not to take so much and intentionally saved some back for the second wave of people who came (most of them seniors from the apartment complex across the street)! It basically turned into a grab-fest – get as much as you can while it lasts! – and we only garnered $8 in donations…I guess that’s what happens when you “sell” produce by donation to economically marginalized people...

The experience really tested the limits of my generosity. It wasn’t that I didn’t want people to take the food or that I was hoping there would be leftovers. No, I guess I just wanted to see more awareness and appreciation for the hard work that went into growing the food, and for the fact that it was organic and local. The cynical mind in me says that the only reason the folks who came were interested in the food is because it was free; they couldn’t have cared less about where it came from or whether or not it was organic. They were just happy to have good fresh food that they could afford for once! For one day in August in the Bronx, the Freedom Farm crew was able to provide access to lovingly grown, healthy organic vegetables to those who normally wouldn't have it, and I am so glad for that! I just hope they noticed how delicioius those potatoes were and savored them...

thoughts on church

I went to North UCC, the Open & Affirming one, in Middletown for the 2nd time today - and the pastor wasn't there this week either! I had multiple reactions to the service:
1) they're fairly progressive, but i'm sick of traditional male-centered theological language.
2) The service was led by lay leaders, and there was some deep story-sharing which reminded me of Sweet Home UMC. :)
3) they watched a video about worship that said "worship is supposed to be about God, not about how it makes you feel" and "Jesus calls us to worship his name, not argue about it." I see the truth in both of those statements, but...it's not worship unless it connects with me and speaks to my soul, is it? and, Jesus doesn't ask us to worship him, but to worship God. yeah, I have a problem with worshipping Jesus.
4) For special music, a woman played guitar and sang Gather Us In and Be Not Afraid - the kind of music I love and miss - it was wonderful and moving!
5) For the benediction, the same woman called everyone to join hands in a circle and said a prayer about diversity and loving our uniqueness and then we sang a song. :)
6) after experiencing number (1), it was reassuring to witness the struggle of the congregation to deal with the changing world around them and how to be God's presence; their passions around the need for action and trying to find answers for what they can do in their community.

summer snapshots

helping load the hay loft at Freedom Hill Dairy


julia on bear mountain


ann, cary, edgar and julia tying up tomatoes


adventures of the A-team: lake minnewaska and mini-golf


the A-team! (A is for Astro)
Amanda, Cary, Me, Julia

Bear foot prayer

i prayed today with my bare feet pressed
against the sun-warmed stone at the top of Bear Mountain
overlooking the Hudson River Valley
and the steep deep green of the Appalachians

beautiful view, beautiful feeling, beautiful day.

Ratatouille

Wow.

Cary just made one of the most delicious meals I've had in a long time.

It all started with the fried sage: crispy, salty, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth amazing. tasted kind of like artichoke! sensational.

Next came dinner: spicy ratatouille made with fresh vegetables from the garden including yellow summer squash, zucchini, and the most delicious potatoes ever, honest. served with spaghetti and french baguette with sage butter. So-o-o savory. simply splendid.

That was followed up by a viewing of the movie Ratatouille, which was interrupted halfway through by a plate magically appearing over my shoulder containing a wedge of baked apple pastry goodness with a dollop of ice cream.

mm-m-m delicious!

journeying

a morning writing exercise:

i am journeying to a full life in God, with God. with questions all over the place! with an unknown destination. aimlessly? i hope not. my journey has had its bumps and lumps, has not always been fun, has had its fair share of tears. my soul's journey has been to try to find God, always seeking that connection. in the words of julian of norwich, how do i "one myself to God"? it is not an easy or self-explanatory road. it has required community. my journey has been uncomfortable often. it's been hard to find the right people. i am journeying through cornfields and tomato plants and kale and collards and silence and snow and woodstoves and sweat and little boys and crayfish ponds and memories and trees and retreats and conflict and misunderstandings and new friendships and laughter and pain and joy and journals and impatience and growth. i am journeying.