fits of creative thought

sometimes ideas for blog posts come to me as i lay in bed... around 10:30... 11... 2am. Ususally i pass out as soon as i meet the pillow; but occassionally i have fits of creativity.

last night was like that.

i dont remember any of it now.

I have been slowly working my way into and through the woods behind out house. Slowly because if it mostly unraked leaves, aggressive poplars and poison oak- ugh. But each time i go out I rake my path a little farther, uncover neat plants and trim back branches. I also discovered skunk cabbage... massive amounts of skunk cabbage. This plant literally has the ability to melt through snow, will cause a burning sensation to anyone who eats it without proper preparation, and emits an alarmingly potent odor if the leaves are damaged. ( I learned the first two from the internet) Any recommendations on lessing the crop that is my skunk cabbage?

In other news, my daffodils are blooming along with my puminaria. The almost dead bleeding heart i bought from Walmart last fall is making a comeback, forsithia bloomed over the weekend, tulips are sprouting with paper white(hopefully) irises.... I am sooooooooo excited to have a yard.

oh, and my wonderful husband brought home a gift i have been eyeing for a while-

THE EasyBloom! google it! this wonderful contraption is meant to sit in your garden for 24 hours at a time and monitor plant life, soil chemistry, water levels etc. I am so excited to try it out... although i'm not sure if i can put it out in the rain... hm

more to come from this my small part of the journey.

the art of Blog following and Dixie cups... and a bit about 8th graders

Lately I have realized that technology will pass me by... or has
already. I like reading several blogs... and have followers on my own
blog, yet the advanced skill of blog following has completely alluded
me... is alluded the right word? I can't find the button... seriously,
where do I click.

Tonight I'm in Wisconsin... getting ready for bed, attempting to
prevent further tooth decay (my mouth is madeup mostly of enamel and
metal types) and there on the sink table is a holder containing
abundant amounts of Dixie cups. In case you left earth in the 7os and
just returned, these minuscule paper cups are for disposable use and
have hundreds of designs (designer has wasted time as cups are
DISPOSABLE) anyway, after scrubbing down my dental wonders I grab a
small paper cup covered in pastel sea shells . I fill it with cold
water and down the entire amount in one gulp... I feel so ...
impressive! I fill the cup again three times and amaze my mirror
audience with my ability to chug. The best part comes though when I
complete my water mission and am able to crush the cup with only one
hand... I'm so powerful.

Dixie cups make me feel good... i will not comment at this time on the environmental irresponsibility here.

On Thursday I allowed my 8th grade students to google search information about various religions. I encouraged them to look for accredited...legitimate looking sites in order to learn about the faith of Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims and Buddhists. We talked about sacred writings and their creation and the practices of each religion.

It was great... the kids seemed to enjoy learning about what others believed and as we wrapped up on boy called out... "How do we know its true? Really! How do we know Christianity is right and we shouldn't just jump on some other faith too just in case."  I was so excited! 'Yay' I think as i say, "that is an excellent question and one every Christian has to think about. How do any of you know this is true?" A wonderful conversation followed about history, feelings, experiences... defenses of Christianity and I was thankful to have the opportunity to probe the students to think more deeply about their faith.  I prayed hard as I prepared to conclude and then explained, "If we look at the world we cannot not deny a creator, I have yet to hear a convincing argument that defends evolution and the fact that morality is not dead. If we have a creator which religion is His? One stands apart because of it's preposterous hope." (kids look at me as if to say 'you're really weird Mrs. Ripp) "No Really", I say, "all other religions contain lists of practices  and commands for how a human can work their way towards heaven. Those religions have faiths as well but do none have the ridiculous hope that we are saved by grace alone. This is why I believe."

There was more... I don't know how clear I was, but as I prayed I was thankful to be there for that moment. 

May hearts be opened.