Uphill idealist

Image found at University of Bristol Sarah Louise tagged me yesterday for a new 20 random things meme so here's my go at interesting randomness. 1. When I was a kid, classmates used to tease me by trying to come up with some nice and nasty nicknames for my somewhat unique name - Tara. Unique for growing up in western Pa anyhow. I was called "A rat" ( my name backwards), Tigger (by my Dad for my 24- 7 energy) and "Tara the terrible" (can't remember who started that one). It's weird that recently at my new office, my co-workers have started calling me "Tara the terrible"too. At first I thought of telling them of the not so great association, but I had a second thought. They call me "T the terrible" out of liking me, not for anything else. So with no connection to the origin, I am again "Tara the terrible." :) 2. Sometimes buying a new eyeshadow or lip gloss is all I need to cheer up. 3. I am a sucker for babies and dogs and t...

I stumbled across this video for Mars Hill Graduate School and I don't have words to express the myriad of feelings that washed over me. The few student stories that I heard seemed so familiar - like part of what they are expressing are bits of my story as well. How can a school so geographically far away seem so much like home? That is the mystery. Let me know if you have any suggestions in solving this mystery.

Indeed it is! I've had a great day with family and friends remembering my special day. My daughter and friends came over after school today with a cupcake and ice cream for a surprise, many friends sent well wishes via email or facebook, later we met up with my husband and son and went out for half-price munchies birthday dinner complete with the waitstaff singing... " I don't know, but I've been told...someone here is getting old.' Mostly though, I don't feel older on my birthday. I just feel loved! Thanks everyone, I had a great time!

Image from Amazon.com of the book cover, 'Sleeping with bread: holding what gives you life.' This poem by Robert Louis Stevenson is one that I remember from my childhood. My Mom used to almost recite it to my sister and I if we were home and sick in bed. I make a stronger connection to this poem and my sister as she struggled with a heart problem all of her life. This poem holds a balance of the comfort of quilts, over-stuffed pillows, and covers filled with favorite toys without shying from the fact that the child is in the bed because she is ill. I mention this poem on Sleeping with bread Monday as I think it holds in beautiful balance the comfort and discomfort that are present in life. It is an example of the bitter-sweetness of life. The Land of Counterpane When I was sick and lay a-bed, I had two pillows at my head, And all my toys beside me lay, To keep me happy all the day. And sometimes for an hour or so I watched my leaden soldiers go, With different uniforms and ...

Picture from Photography and Transformation I came across a quote today in Tamara Dull's blog that really captured some of what I've been feeling 2009 holds. It is a quote by the well known writer Ralph Waldo Emerson - "This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we know what to do with it." The question in change or challenge is greatly what to do in the face of it. Earlier in 2008 I came to a sudden cease of employment and was pushed to made some changes and work to adapt to my circumstances. I made new discoveries in my own abilities and learned of new career opportunities, that on the other side of the crisis, I'm now very thankful for. As I think of this new year and some the goals I'd like to accomplish in it, I may have to better learn how to ask for help in order to reach some of those goals. For me, knowing the value of a moment and attaining its full worth, it's sometimes necessary for the wise counsel of others perspective to get full pe...

Picture by jmhook @ igougo Matthew 6:20-22 (New International Version) 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. On New Year’s Day I had some time to take a long walk outside in the snow and wind. The sun was out so I took it as an incentive to get outdoors. As I bundled up to head outside, my great nephew Eli came up to me and said, “I want to go walk with u Auntie Tara.” I was somewhat surprised by his desire to go out in the cold, but I got his snow pants and gear and bundled him up to prepare for the winter chill. He commented on how he walked funny in his snow pants, he pointed out all the Christmas decorations on the houses we passed, he said “Appy New Ear ady” to a woman shoveling her walk and when we returned to Grandma’s ya...

On Sunday January 11th, I will be formally installed as the youth minister at First Lutheran Church in Jamestown NY. There will be as casual reception in the parlors following the worship service. The installment will mostly be a series of questions asked before the church as a whole. Thankfully, I already know my answer - "With God's help, I will....". It would be wonderful for friends and family to attend this event. If you would like to come, please visit the link at Facebook for the event and sign in. If you are not on Facebook, you can check the info below and leave your note here in the comments. It's peculiar how something like this makes a person consider the road it took to arrive at one place or another and all I can say is, it would not have been possible without the faith, love and support of my family, friends, students and mentors and God who gave of themselves and gave me the opportunity of serving in ministry. Thank you for your support and may this c...

The word “Beloved” was one that I kept bumping into in books, music and other sources. The most impacting source for the word came after waking from a nightmare and looking to my Bible for some comfort. In Deuteronomy 33:11, I found this verse: “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him (her) all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” A few days after this experience, I had the word tattooed on the inside of my wrist as a reminder that I’m loved and cared for. On doing some further research on the word, “Beloved’, I found that at one point it also meant to be able to “see love” as well as be a recipient of it. Seeing love, receiving love and giving love are so important to all of us, I thought what better a reminder to myself and those around me. For all the change in life it is important to remember that you are beloved! May this new year be filled with many opportunities to see, receive and give love. For more info on the shop wher...