Liminality: a rite of passage

Some new work. They look better at 11×14.

Shelter work, Walmart, Gardening, Middle East and Orthodoxy

Where to begin… slacking a bit on posting… I know. This week has been quit busy. First off, I now am working as a relief manager at a women’s shelter. I finished my training this week. I admire the shelter’s approach to clients and staff, setting and attaining goals, and daily procedures. Of course the pay is very low, so I can only do it part time, but I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Other news… I now refuse to support Walmart– yes I watched that documentary on Walmart. I’ll never forget the Chinese Walmart factory workers saying, “I would tell American shoppers why that toy costs so little… because I work for $3 a day.” Shame on you Walmart CEOs and the Walton family. You have the power and resources to pay fair wages to ALL your workers. Until you do, I’ll be shopping elsewhere.

And Spring is here! We have seeds and pots to begin our garden of tomatoes, squash, sprouts, green-beans, and lettuce. We’ll just have keep them safe from the goats. One of our goats, Bam Bam, is famous for escaping and loves to eat our lawn grass. I’m sure she’ll love our garden veggies…

We are also trying to plan another trip to the Middle East for the purpose of setting up grants for Christian Palestinian Organizations. I am so excited about this chance to go again and for Nate to meet a place and people that are so dear to me. I’ll keep you posted on the happenings as they pan out.

And last, but definitly not least, I hope to share soon about our journey toward the big O. Lent has been such a gift – fasting, liturgy, and looking toward Holy Pascha. I have so much to learn, but I’m grateful for these baby steps.

Shut-up and Sing

I wasn’t a Dixie Chicks fan before I watched this documentary. I respect a woman who speaks her mind.

Barbados Blackbelly Sheep

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Barbados Blackbelly Sheep is a unique breed that was developed in the Caribbean. Although it is likely the Barbados Blackbelly has African ancestry, there seems to be clear evidence that the breed, as seen today, was developed by the people on the Island from sheep brought to port by ships fairly early in the period after Europeans first colonized the Island.

In 1904, the USDA imported a small flock and transported them for study to Bethesda, Maryland. From that original flock, at least two distinct breeds have emerged in the U.S., and there is a great deal of confusion in the breed names. There are fewer than 200 purebred Barbados Blackbelly sheep in the U.S., in contrast to a large and growing population of a popular crossbreed, commonly referred to as “Barbado.” Whereas purebred Barbados Blackbelly rams and ewes are polled (without horns), the Barbado is most noted for the regal rack of horns on the rams, and some ewes may also have small horns. The horns were gained by crossbreeding Barbados Blackbelly with Mouflon and Rambouillet early after they were imported by the USDA.

Recognizing that the term “Barbado” didn’t adequately define the characteristics that breeders sought, the Barbados Blackbelly Sheep Association International (BBSAI) adopted a breed standard in 2004 and defined animals meeting this standard as “American Blackbelly.” These striking, attractive sheep have become common in children’s zoos and petting farms in the U.S. In addition to their exotic appearance, they are very easy to keep and breed.

Blackbelly sheep of both breeds are able to tolerate heat and have more stamina than most breeds of sheep. They are fleet of foot and in many ways resemble deer. They are “hair sheep,” which means they do not grow wool but have coarse hair instead. If raised in cooler climates, they often develop a wool undercoat that they shed in the spring.

Blackbelly sheep will breed all year round unlike most domestic sheep. Because they are smaller and slower growing than most wooled sheep, they are not a good choice for commercial production. However, there is a strong market for their lean and mild-flavored meat, and they are popular with herding dog trainers. They are very disease resistant and parasite tolerant, and these genetic traits have created a demand for Blackbelly sheep in crossbreeding operations. They are a perfect choice as a homesteader’s sheep because they do relatively well on poorer forage, can be raised with very little grain, and do not require intensive management. Blackbelly sheep range in color from light tan to a dark mahogany red, with black stripes on the face and black legs, belly, inguinal region, chin, and chest. Despite being goat-like in appearance, they are true sheep. Goats and sheep cannot cross-breed.

Gifts from strangers

Today I was talking on the phone with an old friend. He called to give his condolences for the passing of my mother a few weeks back. I was giving him all the details, how everything happened and how our family has been. I also told him about the many memorial services we had, since my mom knew SO many people. The services were really beautiful and full of many different types of folks. The last service we had was this past sunday. It was neat to see so many people who knew my mom for many years or barely knew her at all.

One particular woman made the service less sad for me. It was right after the time for open sharing, and the services was moving on for the family members to share, which meant I was up next. Well right before I was about to go up, this woman stands up and yells, can I still share? Everyone was a bit surprised, but of course, uh, yes please share. So this sweet pentecostal lady stands up, and says: I didn’t know Penny that well, and she wouldn’t know me from the man in the moon, but I just have to share with you this song I need to sing for Penny. We all kind of sat a little stunned but, again, like uh, sure, of course, please. And off she sang, WITH hand actions. I’m not kidding, she had a hand action for every word. Nate and I just gave each other that look of, “Is this really happening?”  I am SO happy she was there.

Responsibility

Nate and I are learning all about the R word. We adopted a lab named Jasmine on Tuesday from our local animal shelter. Poor Jasmine has been through a real hard time. She was shot and hit by a car, then abandoned with her puppies. She is the sweetest, which is amazing to me, because if I were her, I would have some serious issues with people. Anyway, she is our first big step toward being responsible citizens and living with a schedule. I was surprised with how much work is required. I can’t imagine what it takes to have kids. Example: I am sitting know in a robe with dog hair and peanut butter on the sleeves, both from Jasmine, who is now sleeping and I finally feel like I can have some time to myself. (If you are a parent reading this and getting angry b/c raising a dog is NO comparison to raising kids, well please forgive me, I am so new to taking care of living things… 1 out of every 2 plants in our house dies from my under or abundant affection.) I suppose I should post a photo of sweet Jasmine, but see I have fears of becoming a pet photograher or one of those owners who always takes photos of their pets and sends them out in mass emails. I will try to avoid that urge.

Adapting to Change

I am back at my desk today. It’s been over a week since my mom passed away.  It has been difficult for me to openly share about her death. I know it has happened and definitly FEEL her loss in my life and our family’s life, but when it comes to talking about it, I can’t seem to create sentences, especially when people ask me, “how are you doing?” I respond with “well… okay considering.” Whatever that means.

I received an email from a friend (who has also experienced loss).  I found these words and sentences worth sharing:

Dear Jen (and Nate),
I am writing to express my sorrow
for your loss. And to say you are in our hearts and conversations and
prayers here in the ‘Couve.

I’m glad that your mother is resting in the fullness of what all of us
have been trying to know and understand. That she is experiencing
shalom, while we pray for it. That she is as we shall be. Knowing
death will come never makes it easy. But somehow knowing it is the
necessary gateway to Life makes it all the while worth it I think. I
pray for you often. And miss you dearly.