a link to sanity

I usually avoid politics on this blog, because: a) I usually have nothing substantive to add to the subject; and b) I think political blogs are boring. But I can't help boasting of this article authored by a friend of ours which is really relevant right now in light of what's going on with Israel and Lebanon. I'm always speechless when I try to respond to evangelical apocalyptic theology as it tries to interpret events in the Middle East. I feel that there is so much wrong in it, I don't know where to begin. So, when I read this article by our pal Mike Azar, I wanted to cheer.

Here's a link to the article.

summer vacation '06

Last week Jeff's parents treated us to a really nice week's vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We had a lovely view of the ocean from the 12th floor balcony of a very pink condominium, decorated generously with beach themed paraphanalia, like tropical fish wall hangings and ceramic seagulls. Jeff's brother Jim and his wife April were also there. We ate lots of fried seafood, hush puppies (Amber can do a google search if she still doesn't know what those are) and iced tea by the bucket load. We all walked around in flip flops and--with the exception of April, who I liken unto a tanning goddess-- each took turns getting zapped into lobster-like redness, despite the responsible use of sunscreen. At one point I decided that the sun was cryptonite-- a radiating, inescapable ball of burning toxicity. However, once the sting left my skin I changed my mind and went out for more exposure, and to take advantage of the lovely weightlessness that all pregnant women desire, and which the ocean afforded. I haven't seen my freckles this dark since before age thirteen when I decided that I looked absolutely unacceptable in a bathing suit, drew the blinds of my bedroom, and began my wallflower's journey into guitar playing instead of being a Florida resident.

I took a lot of photos of the colorful beach houses that lined the shore, including this one here (see my flickr page). Only one house I saw bore evidence of hurricane Katrina, but looked as if a leviathan (per the Old Testament book of Job) had reared its head from the sea and taken a large, tasty bite out of its backside (again, see my flickr page). The colors, against the stark blue, beachy sky, reminded me of sugary candy, like nerds, sweet tarts, or starburst. ...Mmmmm...neeeeerrrrds.

the pregnant version of me

I've never posted a me picture on my blog, but I thought that I'd allow all my long distance friends to see what I look like pregnant. I'm 31 weeks along here...still able to play a highly uncompetitive game of tennis but very whiney when trying to find a comfortable position in which to fall asleep at night.