thank you henry fonda

My ticket is up. I have been selected for jury duty.

It starts on my birthday, which I had had off from work. Bummer.

I am visualizing something like 12 angry men/the Veronica Mars re-make version. Humid. Controversial. Frustrating.

Or maybe just calling in twice a day and listening to an automated voice message?

In other news... My hair is 4 concrete inches shorter. In curly hair, that equals like 6 inches or something! Feels fun and summery.

rather be reading

the ever-present nerd in me enjoyed this link. thanks ben!

just a Steward of the Mysteries of God here, what do you do?

Still getting the hang of this blogging contraption, but this will be one of those thoughts-type entries. This morning in my reading I came across these verses:

This is how you should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2

It hit me like a very compact and convicting mini-sermon. (Funny how the Bible can do that.)

We could title it: Beki's Identity and Purpose on Earth

Point 1: You are a Servant of Christ

...all the stuff on earth is not about you, it's about Christ, who is awesome.

Point 2: You are a Steward of the Mysteries of God

...you've been given everything you can touch and see and think, and it's all used for God's purposes. Not yours. Not catered towards your feelings or agenda or pride or plans. Those things have no glory. But the Mysteries of God have GREAT GLORY. And real joy for you.

Application:

"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy."

That pretty much sums it up. (Thanks Paul.) This day matters to God. This moment too. He is calling you to be faithful to the tasks of the day. His tasks; he has entrusted to you. Be trustworthy.

And suffice to say, it was exactly what my heart needed to hear.

Thank you Lord.

By your grace, help me be found trustworthy.

soggy saturday

Last Saturday was scheduled to be a work-day for building a fence in our back yard.

Bummer that it rained, but we still made some great progress!

This was my job. Drilling holes in the cleats and then drilling the extra long screws into them to be fence-construction-ready.

This is right before we had to take a break due to a particularly big downpour.

This is as far as we got. We ran out of lumber and had to pick up more on Sunday.

To be finished at a later date...

In the tradition of whoever these people were, and just about any human being...

We marked our territory with initials and a heart!

recent events

1. Wahoo! Done Waiting!

2. Something I Call Personality

3. Root, Root, Root for the Home Team!

3. Go BERT! Stillwater Half Marathon? Check.

4. Blossoming Meal Creativity

so sew

I have been dabbling in uncharted sewing waters.

This is a skill I would love to develop more, so this project has definitely whet my appetite.

My gracious mother-in-law helped me buy the non-see-through fabric and told me which seams to sew first. She even folded a little curtain diagram for me. So I could visually understand how to sew the edges, hem, and rod pocket. So helpful!

I also received Bert's help on drilling into the window frame.

And then again, when it turned out the finished curtain was shorter than expected. :)

It's much friendlier than the dusty blinds that I always meant to, but never actually did, clean. I am excited to have more natural light in our new space!

veggie tales

This is my first year of a real attempt to grow veggies.

I've tried keeping a potted tomato plant on our patio the past two summers and for various reasons (hungry squirrels, lazy watering, too much sun?) haven't had any success.

But this year I have hopes for a variety of veggies actually growing in my new garden. I definitely beefed up the security system and we have established pretty reasonable watering routines (Bert helps too). So there is some hope for fresh produce when July rolls around...

the 'before' picture

the 'after-planting' look

The right side has cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes (thanks to Maggie + family!), sweet peppers, green onions, chives, and potted herbs (basil, oregano & rosemary).

The left side has compost, green beans, romaine, buttercrunch lettuce and zucchini.

This is a nearby border area that Bert is using for his own experimental garden. He's got tomatoes, cukes, and some interesting stuff like strawberries and raspberries. However, this pic was taken when he was in the sod-removal and brick-edging process.