The Orchid Journal

In case anyone is wondering, I am in the midst of packing and cleaning at my current location (which has no internet) and moving into and painting my new place. Also, I had relatives visiting for the holidays. The next two weeks are the CRUNCH time, so this is the reason for the sudden cessation of the week-daily posts. I plan to resume full force once I get more settled into my new neighborhood. Thanks for your patience!

(coloring in the grass at the Botanical garden, summer 2011) My 16 year old younger brother and I were texting the other day, agreeing that the life of as an Aunt or Uncle is indeed blessed. We have three other siblings, a 36 year old brother with 4 kids, a 35 year old sister with 2 kids, and a 25 year old sister with one child and a baby on the way. Brendan and I discussed the fact that the role of aunt or uncle is unique. Like our nieces and nephews' parents, we are adults and have similar traits and backgrounds as their parents. Like their parents, we can teach, sometimes correct, play and be an example for them as (hopefully) well adjusted human beings. Unlike their parents, we are not their parents! We can spoil them, act like kids with them more often, and speak into their lives in a way that is simply...different...than their parents can for the mere fact that we are the aunt or uncle and completely unique people of our own. Sometimes as aunts and uncles, we...

This is Vladimir. Or I should say, was, Vladimir. I've had pets my whole life, mostly dogs, with the occassional rescued lizard, bird, giant grasshopper or other injured animal that crossed my path thrown in the mix. Part of my degree is in Equine Studies where I learned to train, ride and care for horses, not so much because I wanted a career in the horse world, but more because I loved horses and wanted to learn how to "communicate" with them. When I moved here two years ago, the only pet I had available were the pantry mice which we had to (heartbreakingly) eradicate via traps covered in peanut butter and cheese. My nurturing nature which adored animals more than most things in life could not bear the long separation from pet-keeping, but I had little money to buy a pet, let along pay for its upkeep. Then, one day in April, I saw Vladimir. I was wandering around PetSmart which I sometimes do for fun because I like to look at the animals, when I saw the Be...

My younger sister sent me the following video this week. She and her husband are preparing to be missionaries in Kenya and they were shown this video during the training. The video struck a chord with both of us deeply and now I share it with you. I encourage you to take the time to listen: Summit Sunday - Jeff Manion: The Land Between from Chris Drummond on Vimeo .

(friend's child lounging in front of an ironic poster, 2009) When I was growing up, I often heard the following cliches: "Your childhood is the best time of your life" "Youth is wasted on the young." "High school are the best years of your life." "College years are the best years of your life." Even as a kid, I was highly skeptical of those phrases. I remember feeling idignant that the adults assumed I was frittering away my days in blissful ignorance, unappreciative of my youth. For as long as I can remember, I have been happy at whichever age I succeeded in reaching, rarely wanting to be older, never wishing I could go back in time. While I had a loving family and many pleasant experiences, in general looking back on my childhood, it sucked. I will not divulge the reasons why at the moment, but be content with the knowledge that I am much happier being an adult even in my underemployed, poverty-striken, unmarried state of exis...

(Downtown St. Louis, 2011) Normally I have gobs of photos to show the world in "Tour of...Tuesday," but today is a special day, one that only comes around every four years and is preceded by at least a year of incessant noise. Presidential Voting Day! Despite having had a busy day, missing a key bus, walking frantically through a dark industrial park to barely make it to the polls in time, miraculously I was only fourth in line at 6:25pm! For the first time since I started voting, I was sent to an electronic ballot which was speedy. I liked the sound of the ticker tape printing all of my answers as I tapped the screen. The voting officials were friendly, albeit weary from sitting at their long table since 5am that morning. One man said, "I haven't seen the light of day. Not even through a window." I replied that he hadn't missed much since it had been cloudy and dreary all day. Another man asked me if it was raining, but it was only a he...

(stock photo from online) What a day! Once again I am car-less after seven glorious and miraculous months of having cars to borrow from friends and relatives. Thankfully, Mondays I start work at my latest hour: 11am. With a car, on Mondays I can go to the gym in the morning, sleep in, make a hearty breakfast, make lunch or go food shopping, and leave for work around 10:35 to be there on time. Without a car, in a different story. I woke up at 8am (still a nice leisurely time for a Monday, I admit), got ready, ate a bowl of cereal, made a speedy lunch, packed my bag for the gym later, and left the house. Normally it only takes me 45 minutes to do all that without a morning shower, but I wasn't feeling well this morning so I was slower and so left the house at 9:30. It was raining. Without a car and depending on the bus schedule, I can either walk 22 minutes to the train station or catch the 59 Dogtown bus which stops near my house to get to the station. I couldn't...

This is an after the fact Friday post, but there is still time for you, dear reader, to find a frolic-filled endeavor this weekend! My suggestion for this weekend is to support a local educational facility (primary or secondary school, community college, university, art school, or in my case today, a seminary) by attending one of their events. Schools are constantly holding some fundraising event, sports tournaments, concerts, plays, dance performances, guest speaker or student presentations which are open to the public. This evening, I attended Covenant Theological Seminary's FIRST annual Talent Show! Since I attend a Presbyterian Church (PCA) and work in a place where many seminary students end up working, I have a plethora of seminary student friends. Being in the environment that these friends are immersed daily was a pleasure because I am able to see them in their element, meet first hand the "famous" professors on campus, and learn the inside jokes that all...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 The earth is not always in a state of spring fever with sun shining, birds twittering and flowers blooming. In winter it is dark, cold, the trees are bare and ice covers the streams. Summer, there are raging thunderstorms, intense heat, and fall earth is settling down, preparing for a ...