Back from Kalamazoo...

...though we didn't want to leave.

Of course, it's my last day there before I learn of the Kal-Haven trail, a fantastic paved 35 mile bike road that takes you through the forest to the beaches of Lake Michigan. This just means we'll have to go back!

We ate more peaches, blueberries, and sweet corn than is healthy for anybody.

Brother Roger

Well, we made it to Michigan, it's beautiful here.

Last night we were out with some friends, one of which is a jewlery pro. I asked her if there was something she could do with my Taize necklace that I've worn since my visit there last summer with Katie.

As I was removing it for her inspection, the string broke. The first time that had happened since I bought it in France over a year ago.

This morning we wake up to the news that a deranged woman stabbed and killed the founder of Taize, Brother Roger, last night in front of a crowd of 2500. In the very chapel we loved and knew. This is deeply shocking on both a worldly and personal level. Katie and I found such a welcoming community there last year, and Brother Roger was such a peaceful and loving presence.

It's a beautiful day of rememberance for us today.

Interminable Terminal

Oh my GOD!!! We haven't even left the ground in LaGuardia and we've been here for over 24 hours.

Being stuck in the airport is quite a sociological experiment. Everyone is in transition. You're not actually anywhere real. Nowheresville USA. Lots, all kinds of people. The universal melting pot. All the while there's a United agent at the gate trying to get folks to sign up for a credit card and get started on other airport adventures.

I soooooo want to leave NYC right now. It's hotter than Louisiana asphalt outside, and the humidity hangs like FOG. Of course, so does the cloud cover and, yesterday HUGE THUNDERSTORMS.

I have this problem with having LOW EXPECTATIONS. So right now, even though it looks like we're going to board in like 10 minutes... I'm not holding my breath.

More soon.

Ordinationriffic!

Had a blast this past weekend, playing music (even a new original song) for Amy Gopp's ordination service out in Kent, Ohio.

I was really nervous about playing those hymns, and leading the congregation. As it turns out, I only messed up a few times, but the folks there didn't seem to mind. I think they were concentrating more on what they had to do then what I was doing.

Anyhow. Kent is a lot like Kalamazoo. Filtered sunlight, little pink houses, and old glory. We even played a little wiffleball (pictured.) The folks there are really nice. At least the ones I met, and there's a little music shop in town called Woodsy's that's the best little music shop I've been in, in quite some time. Oh, and I saw a ton of bowling alleys. All in all, it seemed like a quiet, and calm, and peaceful little community.

So, Katie and I are starting the move today. We should be in Harlem by Saturday. I hate moving, but this one might not be so bad. We'll see...