This is my first run at a monthly check-in. I’ve added a button at the end where you can make a donation and buy me a cup of tea. Enjoy.
books
Between the Listening and the Telling, by Mark Yaconelli. Yaconelli demonstrates how discovering and sharing our stories can help us live and connect more fully. The book offers compelling examples of real life stories and practical guidance. Thanks, Mark Nelson.
This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley is a game-changer. With hard earned insights and gifted writing she challenges readers, at times destroying cliché beliefs and practices of american christianity. Riley confronts our hidden, yet, harmful attitudes and actions, while holding a spark of hope, a liberating spirituality. Thanks, Janae Brewer.
Riley shares these words from Lucille Clifton:
come celebrate with me that everyday something has tried to kill me and has failed
music
Playing For Change - Queen Bee! I keep listening over and over. Taj Mahal, Rosanne Cash, Ben Harper & Paula Fuga. Beautiful music to change lives and the world.
Portland Cello Project - Portland comes to Bellingham (check), we saw them at the Mt. Baker Theater (check), an unpredictable, erratic and emotionally compelling evening (check).
Todd Rundgren - The Individualist, A True Star Live, This brings back high school memories of the perfect pop songs from a quirky genius. I remember blaring We Gotta Get You a Woman, with my high school friend, Jeff Arndt, on his “cool” bedroom stereo.
Billy Joe Shaver and Eddy Shaver, Live at the Texas Music Cafe. Near 20 years ago in Dallas for a conference I convinced co-workers to see Billy Joe at some local roadhouse. It was all I love about music, raw, raucous, unpredictably sensitive and hilarious. This album recreates the spirit of that evening and I’m loving it. Thanks Graham and Marty for putting up with me that night, so long ago.
viewing (film and television)
Succession (HBO). It’s cliché, but I too geeked out on Episode 3. To paraphrase Sam Sanders on Into It, We all love watching the rich and powerful flail, living unfulfilling lives.
Perry Mason (HBO). I am hooked on the pre WWII setting, the street scenes, cars, interior sets and costumes are great. And, the twist on the roles of characters I remember from the 60’s TV add greatly. A compelling ending, and did I mention the cars?
I confess I still haven’t seen any of Ted Lasso. There I admitted. At least Mark hasn’t disowned me, yet.
pods
Bellinghistory with the Good Time Girls Because you can never have too much history, especially when it is about Bellingham.
The Run-up We are, once again, headed toward a crucial election, 2024. The new season of the Run-up can be a critical source clarity in the storm. Here is a link to a complimentary post from Diana Butler Bass.
Broken Record - Roger McGuinn An interview, with “the driving force behind the Byrds.” Rock and Roll, drugs, the 60’s folk scene, Jesus, mystical experiences and much more to appreciate and learn in this one.
The Axe Files with David Axelrod #528 Theo Epstein. Will the new changes to Major League Baseball work? Will fans buy in? And why does it matter?
random (f)acts:
my attempt at writing a Beatitude:
Woe to me, when I know, that I have life figured out (yet again) … for just down the road awaits a surprise, that I have neither considered, nor in any way prepared for
April in photos
top - Neveah & Atticus - riverside walk - visiting Wenatchee family mid - backyard sunset - father & sons - front porch rainbow bottom - Caleb & Kyle Easter - Ebey’s Landing hike – w/ our clergy, Lindsay & Jani
Poetry Month
My contributions for 2023: 2 poems from Jimmy.
sports - championships that I hope (dream) to live to see (in priority order):
NBA - Trailblazers win it all, again (bonus points if Dame is still on the team).
MLB 1 - Portland wins the World Series, (which means Portland finally gets a MLB team, National League, so they can play the Mariners in the Series).
MLB 2 - Mariners win the Series.
NCAA Football - U of O Ducks win it all.
NFL - Hawks win another Super Bowl (bonus points if Pete, John & Gino are still around, and bonus, bonus points if they beat Denver with a certain QB).
MLS - Timbers win (another) MLS Cup.
NCAA Basketball - U of O, Ducks win it all, again (Remember the Tall Firs!)
NHL - Kraken win the Cup (unless Portland can get an NHL team, named the Buckaroo’s, of course…).