Uphill idealist

I've always loved the season of Autumn. Maybe it's the sweater weather after the hazy and humid days of August. Maybe it's the time for new notebooks, pencils and back to school clothes. Or maybe it's the explosion of color the completely enfolds my community in the northeast. Any or every reason expressed, I love Autumn. This season brings with its falling leaves a few new vocational opportunities in my life. I've been filling the role as a teaching artist in several after school programs since September and on this coming Monday, I will begin my new full-time work in a church ministry with 1st Lutheran here in Jamestown. The teaching work has challenged me to stretch and grow by working with various ages of students, in different locations from week to week by creating interesting, fun and educational art lesson plans for them to participate and learn with. Here are just a few lessons I've learned as a teaching artist: 1.There are always surprises (some diffic...

Good news! I'll be starting as the Director of Family and Youth Ministry this coming Monday at 1st Lutheran Church of Jamestown, NY. Some folks in town call it the "Pink Church". Here's a photo of the building sent to me by Pastor Billy. This is what autumn looks like where I live! Please keep me in your prayers as I begin a new ministry adventure.

Go give the song "Lost" by Coldplay a listen. Great song - kinda captures some of what I think an uphill idealist is... also there is a video contest for this song. Think of the possibilities! Just because I'm losing Doesn't mean I'm lost Doesn't mean I'll stop Doesn't mean I'm in a cross Just because I'm hurting Doesn't mean I'm hurt Doesn't mean I didn't get what I deserve No better and no worse I just got lost Every river that I've tried to cross And every door I ever tried was locked Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off... You might be a big fish In a little pond Doesn't mean you've won 'Cause along may come A bigger one And you'll be lost Every river that you try to cross Every gun you ever held went off Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the firing stops Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off Ooh-Oh, An...

Pic Heather took of me October 2008. Least grateful for: The mouse that has taken up residence in my kitchen since the nights have turned cold. Discussions that only run in circles because one or both parties in the discussion aren't listening and only want to be "right". Leaves that fall in my yard the day after I thought they were all raked and chopped up in my reel mower. Seeing things glass half empty. Home and appliance repairs that need to be done. Learning how to re-balance everything in my life. Being late with Sleeping with Bread. Pic Heather took of me Oct. 2008 Prime Minister Crew 1990 or so. Most grateful for: The way and means of relocating Mr. Mouse. Discussions that run all over the place, where everyone is heard as well as listened too and great discoveries are made in all the conversational meandering over coffee and tea. Canopies of yellow, orange and red that fall and cover the neighborhood like a cozy blanket. Knowing that things are really glass half ...

This video skit was a project that my husband Ian and son Nigel worked on last week as an entry for an upcoming contest - Please stop by Youtube and show your support if you like it! "This is my 11 year old son's entry for the Ghoulardifest 2008 Skit Contest. His grandma and I helped him Nigel & I are heading out to Ghoulardifest in Ohio next weekend. It's an event that celebrates cheesy old sci-fi movies from the 50s and 60s, old TV personalities, and pop culture. They're having a skit contest in the "style of Big Chuck and Lil John." This is our entry. We were assisted by my mom, making her acting debut, when it became obvious that all other family members were deliberately avoiding us."

Where are the things that make me want to care, for something more than stuff to get and stuff to wear. The model of better life does not mean designer life, designer cars and designer jeans. Cars they rust and jeans wear thin - when they are gone what will I begin with again. Wonder and beauty are all around us you see, under our noses and feet and not what they try to sell you on TV. Think of the days before you had all you have, are you amazed by the contentment in hand? Stuff in itself can be shiny new and pretty, but what happens when its no longer on display as something you'd fancy. How much is enough? Can we every really tell? When tripping through the hallway on something you really ought to sell. Sell for the space and the room to breathe. Sell for some food for someone in need. Sell for the sake if breaking free, from the things we think are important - and in the end they aren't. Only then can we see.

In light of much of the inappropriate commentary on the racial background, the manipulation of facts and other frustrating and nasty elements of the presidential campaign - take a moment and consider that there may be another point of view: a well thought out, educated and ethically sound reason for voting or at least considering the option of voting for Barack Obama on November 4th. Visit the Matthew 25 network's website to get some logical perspective on this upcoming election. Peace, Tara