Enough

With a 'bun in the oven,' it is even easier to wax philosophical, it seems. To what kind of life will we welcome Project Little Luecke (PLL, or just P for short)?

My nephew, who turns 2 in about week, already seems to have a great attitude, at least as implied by his musical preferences. He often asks for, and instantly recognizes, Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life." Even strapped into a car seat, Iggy Pop gets his head bouncing and legs kicking!

I don't know much about Iggy Pop, but I think that Jesus might have hung out with him. After all, Jesus summed up his purpose as coming so that we may have life, and life abundant. I hope that we will welcome P into a family that has a tangible 'lust for life'...and 'life abundant.'

But I worry sometimes that a healthy lust for life can turn into a lust for more. 'More' is just so enticing. If something is good, more of it must be better, right? If things aren't so good now, more of something would certainly make it better, right?

I ran into a poem this morning that had a ring of truth to it. Though the title seems like a downer, somehow in the context of thinking about new beginnings, it seems oddly appropriate:

As Death Approaches
by Susan Deborah King

I can't believe I'm laughing!
I'd have sworn I'd be
shaking or sniveling.
And I sure didn't expect
a limousine.
I've never been in a limousine.
No biggy.
I've had better than fame.
Who needs the pressure?
As for fortune, I'm filthy.
That's why I'm laughing.
I've had so much love:
the giving, the getting.
It's shameful.
It's embarrassing.
And it's too late.
No one can take it away!
And I've had the pain
to help me appreciate it.
Thank God for the pain!
Easy for me to say
now that I'm going!
But no, seriously,
the kicks in the teeth,
the gut, the rugs
pulled out, slammed doors,
setbacks, snubs.
Without them, I'd
never have recognized
Love, bedraggled,
plain eyes shining,
happy to see me.
Do I want more?
Of course I want more!
I always want more
of everything: money, hugs,
lovemaking, art, butter,
woods, flowers, the sea,
M&Ms, chips, tops, bottoms,
trips - I did give up drinking -
time, sure, and yes,
I'd like to see
my grandchildren,
if there are any.
I'd like to see my books
but more has never
been good for me anyway.
Enough - that's what I've
always needed to learn,
and is there a better way?
So this laughter
I had to work up to
through so many tears,
it just keeps coming
like a fountain, a spray.
Let it light on you
refreshment, benediction,
as I'm driven away.

Coming Soon to a Living Room Near You (or at least very near us!)

Project Little Luecke is Underway!

Expected Completion: May 26, 2008.

Project 37

Phase 1 of Project 37 kicked off last Friday at 12:30 PM when the Mrs. whisked me off to an undisclosed location...which turned out to be the Columbian Bed and Breakfast just outside of Lancaster, PA. While we are not necessarily philosophical fans of robber-baron railroad tycoons, staying in the a beautifully-restored house of one was fantastic! We took a trip into Lancaster and had a great German Oktoberfest meal of brats, pork ribs, and pork loin...and some good beer. And it turns out that railroad tycoons have nice big cushy and elegant beds that make for a really good night's sleep. For breakfast we were joined by four other guests who were certainly well under 37. I decided it is good to be older and wiser!

Phase Two of Project 37 was to return to 207 and get ready for 37 relatives (ok, more like 17) to drop by for dinner. That's the Mrs. in the picture to left slaving away in the kitchen while I loafed around taking pictures (I did manage to work up a sweat in the kitchen too!). It was actually a lot of fun to set up for the feast...207 was renovated for exactly occasions such as these. We had to pick up a few extra pieces of tableware and borrow a few chairs, but otherwise we were good to go. Thanks to a Home Depot sale a few days later, we are actually stocked up with chairs now...hm...who else could we invite next time? You can see the window propped open...it was pushing 80 degrees on October 20!


Phase three was to enjoy the roof deck, 4 munchkins, and a beautiful evening...followed by dinner. The whole crew managed to make it down from the roof deck without mishap. After we polished off two chickens, six bottles of wine, and two ovens full of potatoes and roasted vegetables, we went to work on a peach pie and a carrot bithday cake. Following a generous allotment of presents (for me and the Mrs.), the kids finally tuckered out and the party wound down. It was quite the blessing to be joined by so many relatives on one day. Usually we have to wait for Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a funeral for such a great crowd!

Project Progress

Sometimes we get a little overwhelmed here at 207 with PROJECTS! There is constantly something that needs to be done at the house, a new project, an old one that hasn't been finished, a wall that has to be painted over because some crazy old roommate picked a nasty shade of blue. Small projects that mount to lots of time being devoted to our old house. We have made progress, and today as the Mr. is painting the basement and finishing the drywall (more projects) I have been trying to clean and do laundry. But I was struck by the progress....

There is new bedding in the newly painted room. I finally found exactly what I was looking for!

The new 'dresser' is in use. Mr. worked so diligently on this piece of furniture only to find that the baskets scraped the wood when we pulled them out. I lined the bottom with brown felt and the insides with a nice floral pattern for a little extra protection for the clothes.

And we also got a headboard. Our bedroom is coming together! (we also got a bed skirt)

This is for those days when I feel like the projects will never end....some have ended and they have turned out well..so far!