tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86643719837772179602024-03-14T13:35:56.555-03:00~ Light is sweet ~Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16409809253034776917noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-76506488929705278542015-12-31T15:06:00.003-04:002016-01-04T16:49:15.247-04:00Testing of new layoutI've changed my layout completely. Mostly because I messed up the old layout and it just seemed easier to pick a new template! haha
I've (re)discovered a downside of Blogger - my photos were linked to a picasa web album that I deleted, not realizing that would affect past entries. And so, there are now many old entries with missing photos. Oops. I don't know why the photos weren't embedded as permanent fixtures in the blog...it's a mystery to me.
I was going to resurrect my old SlowTrav blog but I'm unable to access it (a report's been filed...apparently it's not a priority.) So I'm in blog limbo...still trying to decide which platform to use if ever I'm able to migrate my ST blog elsewhere. Maybe I'll try wordpress...Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-38326126521219762572014-11-28T20:34:00.002-04:002014-12-08T21:17:45.898-04:00Breathtaking<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>O beautiful earth and sky, you take my breath away...
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Then you breathe it back into my being
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>filling me with love and light.
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>And I am renewed.
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-58792576268668871202014-04-25T16:06:00.002-03:002014-04-29T09:10:23.063-03:00A resurrection story<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was browsing through one of my books, <i>Soul Weavings: A Gathering of Women's Prayers</i>, edited by Lyn Klug, and came across this poem:</span><br />
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O God,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">through the image of a woman crucified on the cross</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I understand at last. </span><br />
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For over half my life I have been ashamed of the scars I bear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">These scars tell an ugly story, a common story,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">about a girl who is the victim of sexual abuse. </span><br />
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In the warmth, peace, and sunlight of your presence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I was able to uncurl the tightly clenched fists.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the first time I felt your suffering presence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> with me in that event. </span><br />
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I have known you as a vulnerable baby,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">as a brother, and as a father.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now I know you as a woman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You were there with me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">as the violated girl caught in helpless suffering. </span><br />
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The chains of fear no longer bind my heart and body.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A slow fire of compassion and forgiveness is kindled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My tears now fall for man as well as woman. </span><br />
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You were not ashamed of your wounds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">You showed them to Thomas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> as marks of your ordeal and death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will no longer hide these wounds of mine.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I will bear them gracefully.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">They will tell a resurrection story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Anonymous, inspired by the figure of a woman, arms outstretched as if crucified, hung below the cross in a chapel in Toronto, Canada.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">The poem struck me deeply on so many levels...anguish for how this woman suffered, deep grief for the reality that it IS an all too common story. But her resilience also fills me with such joy and hope...God's amazing grace birthing new life in all its scarred glory. A powerful story of resurrection.</span></span></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-67712605593532139682014-01-31T14:43:00.000-04:002014-01-31T14:47:32.236-04:00Fallow time...After all the mandatory reading and writing I have to do for school - books and articles and commentaries...research papers and essays and reflections - I must confess I'm not feeling much desire to write in my spare time. But I will be graduating in May (if all goes well) and I hope my love of writing will come back to me once I'm finished school. In the meantime...here is a poem by a favourite poet (William Carlos Williams) and an image by a favourite photographer (me!)<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Winter Trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">All the complicated details<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">of the attiring and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the disattiring are completed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A liquid moon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">moves gently among<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the long branches.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thus having prepared their buds<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">against a sure winter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">the wise trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">stand sleeping in the cold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">~ William Carlos Williams</span></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-91844682136763133812013-11-06T11:36:00.004-04:002013-11-08T10:32:09.226-04:00Fulfilment<div style="text-align: center;">
Fulfilment By Bernard Thorogood</div>
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The leaf was made for dancing</div>
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And the cloud for shade at noon</div>
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The breeze was made for freshness</div>
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When the sea gleams in the moon</div>
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The waves were made for stirring</div>
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And the mountains to be still</div>
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The daisies made for sunlight</div>
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And great trees to clothe the hill</div>
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And everything that you have made</div>
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Was good in your sight Lord</div>
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For all things have a part to play</div>
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And nothing is ignored</div>
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You lead the way from seed to fruit</div>
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From womb to birth to youth</div>
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You trust all to be mature</div>
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To handle love and truth</div>
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Now help us Lord to give a place</div>
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To every living thing</div>
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To know the good that you have made</div>
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That every voice may sing</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A friend just shared that poem and my response was:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh My God I love this poem!!! It resonates so deeply with my belief that we are all Good. Enough. Just as we are. Who tells a burbling brook or a crashing ocean wave or a dancing leaf to be "better", "faster", "straighter", "more than..." than the amazing creation it already is? If only we could learn to accept each other in the same way. "And everything that you have made was good in your sight Lord." What if, instead of insisting on the dominant culture's paradigm of continuous improvement, constantly seeking to excel and striving for perfection, we decided to fully embrace and celebrate ourselves and each other just as God made us? How subversive and wonderful that would be. That is my prayer for today and always :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me add that I DO still believe we need to grow and change in order to thrive as we move through this journey of life. It's just that I think we expand and become our true amazing selves through positive reinforcement and affirmation, rather than through seeing ourselves as "not quite there yet", always feeling slightly short of the mark. Our creativity explodes exponentially when we feel loved and accepted for who we are. When we celebrate our gifts, when we share them for the sheer joy of being in relationship, and bring all that we are to the circle...that's where the growth and transformation is possible. Be free from the</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> burden getting it "right" and from thinking that we must be ALL things for ALL people ALL the time (which, of course, isn't even within the realm of possibility for anyone!) Let go of thinking in terms of being "better" than who we are, and fully live into being the amazing people we already are.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I'm not always great at this myself...but I keep trying!</span><br />
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-71265379627579991162013-10-14T18:43:00.002-03:002013-10-14T18:43:18.046-03:00Happy Thanksgiving!So much to be thankful for...far too many things to list.<br />
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And I confess, the true purpose of this post has nothing to do with Thanksgiving Day, it is just to get the photo of sideways Anne's head off the top of my blog!<br />
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I picked a random photo from my folders...here's the story:<br />
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A couple months ago, Dave and I celebrated our 26th anniversary by going out for supper (to the local tavern...ooo, fancy!) I had a draught beer with my liver and onions (yes, I actually LIKE liver and onions).<br />
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The foam in my glass of my 26th anniversary beer formed into a heart. How amazing is that?!Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-53074384690773668112013-03-25T01:12:00.000-03:002013-03-25T01:13:16.879-03:00Happy ME Day!!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating me in 2011</td></tr>
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<span style="color: purple;">♫ ♪ ♫ </span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy 18th Anniversary of the 29th Anniversary of the Day of My Birth to me,</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple;">♫ ♪ ♫ </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating me in 2012</td></tr>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Happy 19th Anniversary of the 29th Anniversary of the Day of My Birth, to me,</span><br />
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<span style="color: red;">♫ ♪ ♫</span> </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: blue;">♫ ♪ ♫ </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;">Happy 20th Anniversary of the 29th Anniversary of the Day of My Birth, dear Me-eee...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="color: blue;">Happy 20th Anniversary of the 29th Anniversary of the Day of My Birth to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: blue;">♫ ♪ ♫ </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wonder how I will celebrate me in 2013?? :)</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-12192777366915125022013-03-13T22:55:00.001-03:002013-08-23T11:17:54.947-03:00Our next great adventure: France and beyond!!<span style="color: #cc0000;">The time draws near for our trip. This time Mom and I are spending almost three weeks in France, plus a couple days in London and ending with five nights in Barcelona. So exciting!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">We'll be flying direct from Halifax to London, and spending our first three nights at the <a href="http://www.arosfalondon.com/" target="_blank">Arosfa</a> Hotel. Not enough time to do more than get a taste of London, but the things we have on our wish list include: <a href="http://www.stcyprians.org.uk/" target="_blank">St. Cyprian's</a> (described as "the most joyful church interior in London"), Westminster Abbey, The British Museum, and The National Gallery. We have tickets to <a href="http://www.lesmis.com/uk/" target="_blank">Les Miserables</a>, so that is a definite - woot! We plan to end our London leg by going to the choral matins at St. Paul's on Sunday morning, before catching the Eurostar to Paris. (I'm a tad anxious at the thought of being on a train travelling under the Channel, but I'm sure I'll be fine...I just won't focus on the fact that I'm in an underground tunnel with tons and tons of water bearing down on me! lol)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">In Paris, we will base ourselves in this <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/337347" target="_blank">apartment</a> for six nights. It's on Quai de la Tournelle, with the Seine right across the street and Notre Dame just a short walk away (be still our hearts!) Even with six days, we will barely scratch the surface of Paris, but our list of "want to see's" includes: the Louvre, Notre Dame, daytrip to Chartres, Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower, the <a href="http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/ang/homes/home_id20393_u1l2.htm" target="_blank">tapestries </a>at the Medieval Museum (I have a beautiful bone china mug with a scene from The Lady and the Unicorn tapestry, that my sister Lynn got for me when she was in England a couple years ago.) We also want to spend time just wandering around, maybe ride the tourist boat along the river, sit in cafes and people watch, and enjoy some great food!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">I scored cheap 1st class upper deck seats on the TGV to Avignon, where we'll pick up a rental car and head to Vaison-la-Romaine for the next week. We're renting this <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/387624" target="_blank">apartment</a>, overlooking the Roman ruins in the lower town. I cannot wait to explore this area of Provence, the Vaucluse. We hope to visit some of these places: Avignon, Arles, Orange, the Pont du Gard, Mont Ventoux, the Cotes du Rhone "wine trail". And, of course, we want to spend time exploring Vaison-la-Romaine itself, and just relax and enjoy the good life in Provence!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">Our next week will be spent in Nice, on the Cote d'Azur. (I bet you are getting green with envy by now, right?! I know I would be if this wasn't MY trip! lol) We're going to drive from Vaison-la-Romaine to Nice and drop the rental car there (AutoEurope advised that there is no drop fee for that route.) I read that the drive along the coast from Frejus to Nice is particularly spectacular, so we are anxious to find out for ourselves! We've rented this <a href="http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/rentals/nice/81019" target="_blank">apartment</a> in the middle of Nice, close to the tram line, the waterfront and the Old City. Hard to know even where to begin with the list of things to see and do along the Riviera!! Will spend time exploring Nice, there are several museums and churches (hoping the Russian Orthodox church is open again when we are there) as well as strolling along the beach, wandering through the Old City, and taking the elevator up to the park atop Mt. Boron. I really hope to take a daytrip to Monaco, perhaps Menton, Cannes and St. Tropez. I hear good things about Saint-Paul-de-Vence, but we won't have a car so I think it is out of our range. From what I have read, we will have no shortage of possibilities by public transportation though!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">And to end off this great adventure, we're flying (Easyjet) from Nice to Barcelona, where we'll spend five nights in this <a href="http://www.urban-flats.com/apartment/description_02b.php?id_apart=3&idioma=english" target="_blank">apartment</a>. I haven't had a lot of time to investigate Barcelona sights, but the ones we hope to see include: the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, La Sagrada Familia, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, Montserrat. And, as always, we'll ramble around soaking up the atmosphere, sampling the food and drink and enjoying whatever we happen to come across!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;">The nice thing about being able to travel for a month is that it is long enough</span><span style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">to fill our senses with another culture, and then turn our hearts back toward the comforts of home</span><span style="color: #cc0000;">. </span><span style="color: #cc0000;">By the end of this fabulous trip, I imagine we'll feel ready to fly back to Nova Scotia. Not that we will be tired of travelling but we will be missing our beloveds, and wanting to share our experiences with them. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">But of course I'm not looking to the end of our trip just yet! Right now, I can't wait for our excellent adventure to begin!!!</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-22312614907095172082013-03-11T22:26:00.001-03:002013-03-11T22:28:16.296-03:00The Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-46594633203263034022013-02-13T21:59:00.000-04:002013-02-16T19:14:22.342-04:00Ash Wednesday prayer<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wrote the following prayer for the Ash Wednesday service at the church where I am doing my supervised field education. I incorporated a hymn called "Don't Be Afraid" from the hymnal <i>More Voices</i>, which I sang <i>a capella</i>. The Spirit moved in our midst as we prayed...</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Compassionate God, lover of us all,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">From scattered lives, we come to be reconnected…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"> With bruised or
broken hearts, we come to be healed…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Feeling isolated
and alone, we come to be loved…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">We long to be reawakened to the melody of your presence that sings
through our lives…<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger; my love is stronger than your fear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">In our times of distress,
when the pressures of life overwhelm us <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We
sometimes worry others will not understand…and we become afraid to share our
burdens for fear of judgement…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">When
we feel disconnected from our shared human experience…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">When we no longer look into the faces of loved
one’s to see our own beauty mirrored there…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">We can
lose sight of how wonderful we are as embodied expressions of your divine love,
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">We are numb to your Spirit moving in us and in the
spaces between us. Our relationships begin to unravel…</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">O God, draw us back into community when we </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">wander too far alone in the wilderness
of life…</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger; my love is stronger than your fear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">In the shadows of a lingering winter…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">When cold temperatures and slippery roads
often mean we are housebound and cut off from the incredible glory of the earth
that sustains and shapes our being…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Our relationship
with Creation can become weakened and distorted…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri;">Life-giving God, breather
of life and energy into every particle of the cosmos…knit us back together, as
one body, on Spirit, one strand in the great cosmic web of the universe…</span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger; my love is stronger than your fear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">God, your healing touch renews our souls…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">You enliven our
life, our being, our relationships with one another…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Thankful for your eternal presence binding us together, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">we tenderly offer the silent prayers of our hearts...</span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger; my love is stronger than your fear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;">Don’t be afraid. My
love is stronger and I have promised, promised to be always near.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Gungsuh;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-13996264935674082622012-12-24T12:07:00.000-04:002012-12-24T12:07:05.754-04:00Merry Christmas!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;">PS - You might find tumbleweeds
rolling through my sorely neglected blog during the early part of 2013,
but…stay tuned for travel stories and photos in April and May, as my Mom and I
head off on a month long exploration of London, Paris, Provence and Barcelona!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-45511530084900308052012-12-15T14:00:00.001-04:002012-12-15T20:46:21.221-04:00A Time to Act...A Time to Lament<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the news unfolded yesterday about the elementary school shootings in Connecticut, my heart was swollen with grief...how can this happen? </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Expressions of shock and pain rolled across the pages of my facebook newsfeed...every media outlet carried the story...it was inescapable. As it should have been...inescapable. Change doesn't come in those moments when we are able to turn a blind eye. Maybe this horrific event will be a catalyst for change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One friend posted this: "</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm sorry, people, but posting on FB about how sad we are, raging at the "machine" and having some breakfast, will not make the children any safer. It's time for action. Anyone up for it????</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I pray people answer the growing call to action. Positive, fruitful action, that is. I am starting to see a lot of polarization around tangents and side issues that serve only to deflect our attention and prevent real change from happening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But as important as it is to bring about change in the coming weeks, months, years...we also must be mindful of our very human need to grieve. Time to come together in community and lament. To weep in the darkness, waiting for the light to shine again in our hearts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I read the Book of Lamentations yesterday and my eyes kept stopping at verse 16:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';"><i>For these things I weep;<br />
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>my eyes flow with
tears;<br />
for a comforter is far from me,<br />
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>one to revive my
courage;<br />
my children are desolate,<br />
<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>for the enemy has
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I thought, yes, sometimes that is how we feel. Discouraged, desolate...as if the enemy has prevailed. Almost. But not quite. I also recalled the words of the Psalmist. Psalm 147, which President Obama quoted: </span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua";">"</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';"><i>God heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds</i><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">" </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And Psalm 23, that source of great comfort in our times of grief: </span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">"</span><span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';"><i>Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me</i><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And I saw my facebook newsfeed fill with an outpouring of prayers for all those affected, even from those who are normally (and often vehemently) non-religious. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We wrap each other in the arms of comfort, setting aside our differences. And in the face of such love, the enemy cannot prevail. Now I pray that the anger and pain in our hearts gives way to justice seeking, and not vengeance or apathy.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style';">"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it</i><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">." (John 1:5)</span></div>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-82678584400376293242012-11-24T10:12:00.000-04:002012-11-24T10:13:40.606-04:00Grateful for Living Waters<br />
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;">I'm sitting here feeling
so incredibly grateful for the amazingly beautiful and wondrous world that
surrounds me...for the loves of my life...for the path I am walking (leaping,
crawling) toward ordered ministry...for the movement of the Spirit and the mystery
of life. The following words by David Steindl-Rast, shared in a video by Louie
Schwartzberg called <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Gratitude</a>, really resonate in my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><i>“It's not 'just another
day', it's the one day that was given to you today. It's given to you...it's a
gift. It's the only day that you have right now, and the only appropriate
response is gratefulness.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YN1lCPCFkZM/ULDNNLriQKI/AAAAAAAACUs/3wuJMlAF-Ss/s1600/DSCF5089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YN1lCPCFkZM/ULDNNLriQKI/AAAAAAAACUs/3wuJMlAF-Ss/s400/DSCF5089.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><i>“If you do nothing else
but to cultivate that response to the great gift that this unique day is…if you
learn to respond as if it were the first day in your life and the very last
day, then you will have spent this day very well.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><i>“And on this day all the
people you meet, all that life from generations and from so many places all
over the world flows together and meets you here, like a life-giving water if
you only open your heart and drink.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3Fe6UBPuVA/ULDNLg7wodI/AAAAAAAACUc/IHrq18Rj1Ck/s1600/2012-11-23%2525252008.57.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L3Fe6UBPuVA/ULDNLg7wodI/AAAAAAAACUc/IHrq18Rj1Ck/s400/2012-11-23%2525252008.57.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><i>“And so I wish you will
open your heart to all these blessings and let them flow through you...that
everyone you will meet on this day will be blessed by you...just by your eyes,
by your smile, by your touch...just by your presence.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;"><i>“Let the gratefulness
overflow into blessing all around you. Then it will really be a good day.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Papyrus;">Amen, brother. Amen.</span></div>
Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-1399201068061104802012-11-02T10:10:00.002-03:002012-11-02T10:40:43.676-03:00Saturday Photohunt: Seasonal<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been a long while since I've posted an entry...but I was meandering around my yard the other day taking pictures in the rain and thought I would share a glimpse of what the season looks like in Nova Scotia right now...what a blessing to be surrounded by such beauty!</span><br />
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Check out Sandi's <a href="http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Photohunt </a>page to enjoy more seasonal offerings!</div>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-73673433295948652452012-08-03T16:52:00.000-03:002012-08-03T16:52:38.814-03:00Saturday Photohunt: OoooooI say "Oooooo" when I stumble upon quirky corners of the world...like this street in Citta' della Pieve, Umbria:<br />
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<em>Vicolo Baciadonne</em>, which is Italian for (I believe) <em>Kiss the Woman Street</em>. I have heard a couple explanations for this name:<br />
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<li>It is so narrow a person can lean out a window on one side and kiss a woman in the window on the opposite side.</li>
<li>It is so narrow two people have to kiss in order to squeeze past each other.</li>
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Either way, it was fun wandering through, if a shade disconcerting because you cannot see the other end when you start, and the street is longer than you'd think! Plus when you turn the corner, it seems to get reaaaaaaally narrow and you wonder if you are going to fit! Sadly, I did not meet George Clooney coming through from the other side...<br />
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Check out more "Oooooo"-y posts at Sandi's <a href="http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Saturday Photohunt</a> !!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYE3Y4KrSh4/UBwnzH2Pr_I/AAAAAAAABk4/TKZL_APyeAY/s1600/photohunter7iq.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYE3Y4KrSh4/UBwnzH2Pr_I/AAAAAAAABk4/TKZL_APyeAY/s1600/photohunter7iq.png" /></a></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-52464258303783972562012-07-10T17:35:00.001-03:002012-07-10T17:35:24.977-03:00ABC Wednesday: Z is for...Zattere<br />
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From <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/venice/zattere.htm" target="_blank">A View on Cities</a>: "<em>The Zattere was built in 1519 and first used as a landing dock for the delivery of timber used to construct ships and buildings, which gave the quay the name Zattere, Italian for raft.<br />The timber gone, the Zattere today is a spacious promenade that runs along the entire southern shore of Venice's Dorsoduro District, from the Marittima and San Basilio all the way to the Punta della Dogana</em>."<br />
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My mother and I spent two nights in Venice in 2008...it was our first visit to Venice, to Italy, to Europe! We both fell under the spell of La Serenissima. We were there in March, when there were (relatively) few tourists. The mornings and evenings were misty and mysterious...strolling through the hushed calles, it really felt like we'd been cast way back to a distant time past. One afternoon we wandered around the Dorsoduro sestiere and came to the Zattere. The buildings glowed in the sun and we couldn't resist sitting on this bench by Ponte Longo and gaze across to the island of Giudecca. Here is Mom on the Zattere, basking in the wonder of being in Venice...<br />
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And that's all for Round 10!</div>
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Zip over to <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">ABCW</a> for the last word in Zzzzz...and an update on what Round 11 might bring!</div>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-13850655844012328282012-07-07T11:10:00.000-03:002012-07-07T11:10:33.475-03:00Saturday Photohunt: Zany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sandy on the Photohunt <a href="http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">page</a> posted a pic of a zany display outside a shop in Montepulciano...I can't resist posting my own photo of that very shop! Mine is from last summer, when their theme was yellow shoe planters...<br />
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But my own zany choice is a photo of a big painted egg Mom and I stumbled across while wandering around Ferrara. The egg was displayed in the courtyard of the Centro Cinema E Audiovisivi building on via Gaetano Previata. The place was closed that day so we were not able to find out what the egg display was all about, but we found it fascinating and...<em><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;">Z</span><span style="color: yellow;">A</span><span style="color: lime;">N</span><span style="color: blue;">Y</span></span></span></strong></em>!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rq-2jUlMlE/T_hBkkYbyuI/AAAAAAAABKQ/KkFDKqbl0A8/s1600/DSCF7674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Rq-2jUlMlE/T_hBkkYbyuI/AAAAAAAABKQ/KkFDKqbl0A8/s400/DSCF7674.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here is the egg from a couple of different angles...<br />
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Here is a close up of one of the scenes...the detail was amazing!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo28TEMEynw/T_hBnE8JGGI/AAAAAAAABKo/_MJJSK9uPx8/s1600/DSCF7670.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yo28TEMEynw/T_hBnE8JGGI/AAAAAAAABKo/_MJJSK9uPx8/s400/DSCF7670.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-75609341037157293902012-07-04T15:05:00.000-03:002012-07-07T10:22:26.029-03:00ABC Wednesday: Y is for...<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Yummy in my tummy!!</em></strong></span><br />
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Like this yum-elicious pizza... <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzp0njcfEu4/T_SEotv_gMI/AAAAAAAABJc/RPxXZx1-cRk/s1600/DSCF8266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uzp0njcfEu4/T_SEotv_gMI/AAAAAAAABJc/RPxXZx1-cRk/s400/DSCF8266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mom and I had lunch in the funky little Bar Brera after our visit to the amazing Brera Art Gallery in Milan. (No clue who the dude in the pic is...he just happened to be sitting at the table next to us and it was impossible to get a photo of the place without getting him in the shot!)<br />
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Yahoo, I've nearly made it through Round 10 (my 1st round) of <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">ABCW</a>!!!</div>
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<br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-72466228935634045292012-06-26T20:44:00.000-03:002012-06-27T20:40:15.569-03:00ABC Wednesday: X is for...<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Χριστός</i></span><br />
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The Greek <i>Christos</i>, the annointed...which is a translation of the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ, the Messiah.<br />
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I'm taking an intensive course in liberation and post colonial theology, taught by a passionate and brilliant scholar/theologian from Guatamala. The past couple days we've been talking about queer theology, and how the theology expressed in many churches and denominations can be deeply damaging and oppressive for those in the LGBTQ community. Far too often, hate and rejection is preached and practiced by those who name themselves "Christian", instead of living out Jesus' Gospel message of love. Jesus was present with the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized. Jesus did not walk among the wealthy and powerful saying "<i>By jove, you've got it, well done, give yourselves a pat on the back</i>!" No...it was more like "<i>Oh My God people! 'Love God, love each other.' It's so simple, why can't you get it?? Sigh...let me try to get it through your thick heads and hard hearts one more time...</i>"<br />
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Granted we humans, including those of us who walk a path with Jesus, are far from perfect! But we must keep trying to love one another, to speak out for those who have no voice, to actively seek justice, to risk standing up for what is right. We have a loooong, long way to go before the light of the risen Christ shines fully in our hearts and in our world. June is, of course, Pride Month and so, as always, I stand in loving solidarity with my LGBTQ brothers and sisters...and I plan to join or at least cheer from the sidelines of Halifax's upcoming Pride parade. In the meantime, I will continue exploring the theology of the Queer Christ...and hoping homophobia will soon be but a distant memory in the dust of our earth...<br />
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I have no photos of the risen Christ depicted in art, but here are a couple pics of Jesus, living and crucified.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwqsJGxH1qQ/T-o_uitCtBI/AAAAAAAABEQ/NPSPLUM_-tQ/s1600/DSCF6746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XwqsJGxH1qQ/T-o_uitCtBI/AAAAAAAABEQ/NPSPLUM_-tQ/s320/DSCF6746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I encountered this piece of art in the Church of<i> </i>Santa Maria Maddalena in Castiglione del Lago, Umbria (Italy) It is a stone carving of a scene from the Gospel named for Luke (Lk 7:26-50), the woman anointing Jesus' feet with oil.<br />
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The Baptism of Christ by <span class="st">Pietro Vannucci, known as Il Perugino in the cathedral in Citta della Pieve, Umbria</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh3u49X-voU/T-o_zsY2GyI/AAAAAAAABEg/_q9usq0xHlA/s1600/352_36735716855_7664_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yh3u49X-voU/T-o_zsY2GyI/AAAAAAAABEg/_q9usq0xHlA/s320/352_36735716855_7664_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span class="hasCaption">Glazed terra cotta crucificion by Andrea della
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<span class="hasCaption"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">X </span></i>marks the spot over on the ABCW <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">website </a>this week...check it out and see what treasures you uncover on the other participants' blogs!</span><br />
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<span class="hasCaption"><br /></span>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-52661821858659765852012-06-20T23:49:00.003-03:002012-06-20T23:49:48.606-03:00ABC Wednesday: W is for...<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Well</strong></em></span>...source of potable Water, which is itself source of life. All over Italy one encounters courtyards with a well in the middle...or the equivalent of a village square (piazza, campo, corte) with a communal well. Here are a few I encountered last summer...<br />
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A well in the courtyard of Abbazia di Spineto, a former abbey, now private retreat centre in Southern Tuscany...<br />
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A well on the ground of an old home (Casa Romei, I think), now a museum, in Ferrara<br />
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Well in a beautiful cloister just off Piazzetta Sant'Anna, Ferrara.<br />
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Well in the cloister of what is now Museo della Cattedrale, in Ferrara<br />
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<br />A well that appears to have been moved from its original location and used here for decorative purposes. This is beside the castle walls in the little Umbrian town of Parrano.<br />
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And finally, a well with a very ornate hook! I came across this in the inner courtyard of the castle in Sarteano, Southern Tuscany.<br />
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Enjoy the rest of the Wonderful entries this week on the <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">ABCW website</a>!!</div>
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<br /></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-84586579060718767362012-06-17T22:51:00.001-03:002012-06-17T22:51:51.328-03:00Saturday Photohunt: RipplesFor this week's theme <strong><em><span style="color: blue; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">RIPPLE</span></em></strong>, I decided to share a couple of photos of the Exploits River in Newfoundland. I took these a couple years ago when we visited our friends in Newfoundland. Valerie's house is right on the river bank...a real slice of heaven on earth. I was so amazed at the size of the Exploits...I think it is bigger than all the rivers in Nova Scotia put together! Some days the water was rough and churned up, but others it was so calm and peaceful...with barely a ripple on its surface. The first pic is from Norris Arm, a bit upriver from Val's...the second pic was taken standing on the bank right in front of her house. I can't wait to go back again one of these summers...what a wonderful time we all had together!<br />
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Thanks to Sandi for hosting the weekly Saturday Photohunt...check it out <a href="http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-67731197833069212482012-06-13T18:04:00.000-03:002012-06-14T16:18:45.365-03:00ABC Wednesday: V is for...<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 36pt;">V</span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16pt;">otive candle...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: large;">Votive candles are often lit to symbolize a prayer being offered for someone. This particular one was lit by me as I prayed for a fellow student. At the start of our school year last September,we had a retreat day and during one of the spiritual practices, we each took a rock and wrote our name on it. Then we put our rock back in the basket and withdrew a different rock (i.e. a rock with someone else's name on it.) The intention being that we would hold that particular person in our prayers all the following week. I personally continued holding "my" person in my prayers throughout the year. The candle itself, the prayer cloth and the other rock in the photo were given to me by someone else during an entirely separate spiritual practice...and remind me of my connection to my wider faith family...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt;">There is a </span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 20pt;">V</span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt;">eritable treasure trove of </span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 20pt;">V</span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt;">ery creative </span><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 12pt;">posts on the ABCW
website this week - check it out <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">here</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VEvk3cYBs0/T9UAeiJTygI/AAAAAAAABAY/OLqr44ezgf0/s1600/ABC10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8VEvk3cYBs0/T9UAeiJTygI/AAAAAAAABAY/OLqr44ezgf0/s200/ABC10.png" width="200" /></a></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-72414961760648656242012-06-09T22:37:00.000-03:002012-06-10T00:33:46.496-03:00Saturday Photohunt: CleanThis week's photohunt theme is CLEAN...but I have missed the past month, so will do a catch up post to get back on track! :)<br />
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There is something very magical about fire...I am enthralled and enchanted by it. My daughter jokes that I am a pyromaniac! But I don't love destructive fires, I just love watching the flames in our firepit at the camper. It provides hours of entertainment...doesn't take much to amuse me!<br />
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One of my favourite bands is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/hearthemessage" target="_blank">The Message</a>, who create the most gorgeous contemporary Christian music. Here they are sharing one of their songs during worship time at the United Church of Canada Maritime Conference's annual general meeting last weekend. Love, love them!!<br />
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When in Cetona (Southern Tuscany)...do stop by <em><a href="http://www.winetrecase.it/eng/benvenuti.html" target="_blank">Cantina La Frasca</a></em> for a taste of the many delicious products from their farm. Wine, cheese, cured meats, bread, honey, other condiments. Sample to your heart's content and then buy whatever suits your fancy! The shop is just up the hill from Piazza Garibaldi.<br />
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Does anything beat the fresh clean scent of the air just after it rains? This was our view every day when we spent two weeks in Cetona. And every day was a wonderful new surprise. We didn't get much rain, but this one day it rained briefly and I loved the smell of the air, and the look of the wet stone and the misty landscape beyond...sheer bliss!!<br />
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As a bonus photo for this week's theme...the streets of Cetona were so clean!! I loved it there! I want to be there right now! Did I mention I loved it there?!? lol<br />
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Check out Sandi's <a href="http://whistlestopphotohunt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Saturday Photohunt page</a> for more good <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><strong><em>CLEAN</em></strong></span> fun!!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AuRfAtB6kUs/T9QTFz-cEJI/AAAAAAAABAE/KLHjYFSwYEk/s1600/photohunter7iq.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AuRfAtB6kUs/T9QTFz-cEJI/AAAAAAAABAE/KLHjYFSwYEk/s1600/photohunter7iq.png" /></a></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-13766622938226063152012-06-06T23:30:00.000-03:002012-06-07T08:50:36.278-03:00ABC Wednesday: U is for...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em><strong>Under <span style="font-size: small;">the</span> Umbrian Sun...</strong></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Umbria</strong></em></span>...beautiful neighbour of Tuscany. If (hopefully <em>when</em>) I return to Italy, I could happily spend my entire time exploring the nooks and crannies and hilltowns of <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Umbria</strong></em></span>. Mom and I spent a couple days driving around the western edge of <em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Umbria</strong> </span></em>when we stayed in Cetona (S. Tuscany) last summer. We stopped in the tiny hilltop town of Montegiove, a frazione (sp?) of the commune of Montegabbione in Terni province of <em><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong>Umbria</strong></span></em>. What a delightful place. In my dreams, I think I will live here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the drive to Montegiove, you will pass by an enchanted forest...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Marvel at the stunning views of other surrounding hilltowns...I think this might be Montegabbione, but don't quote me! It might be Monteleone d'Orvieto instead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In Montegiove itself, there are gorgeous courtyards like this one...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A church...a must in my books. I certainly meet God in creation and under the open sky, but I also love and appreciate the deepening of faith that comes with intentional worship in community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Montegiove also has a most wonderful wine bar! Mom and I enjoyed a very delicious lunch here during our travels. a dish of melted cheese with black truffle on top - my first time tasting truffle. It was very good, but I suspect truffle is an acquired taste to truly appreciate its flavour.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">La Bottega Menno e Gilda has a fabulous selection of wines from all over Italy, as well as a few other countries. (<strong><em>U</em></strong> also stands for <em><strong>U</strong></em>nder the influence! The downside of being the designated driver was that I couldn't partake in much wine sampling...but driving in Italy was worth it, for me!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you choose to relax on the terrace while enjoying your refreshments, there is also a feast for your eyes...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After lunch, you can wander around and admire the charming remains of arched walkways... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and intriguing old buildings that appear to be in the process of being reclaimed by mother earth...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...and get carried away with dreams of buying a piece of abandoned land and creating your very own room with a view...sigh. Yes...I really could see myself living <strong><em>U</em></strong>nder the <span style="font-family: Georgia;"><strong><em>Umbrian </em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">sun</span>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I wonder what others make of the letter <em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>U</strong></span></em>...let's find out over on the ABCW <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">website</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gKeaQ2VhVA/T9ALDNM9XdI/AAAAAAAAA-0/wRNUNbdHW-k/s1600/ABC10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gKeaQ2VhVA/T9ALDNM9XdI/AAAAAAAAA-0/wRNUNbdHW-k/s200/ABC10.png" width="200" /></a></div>Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8664371983777217960.post-40655287452071328282012-05-31T15:55:00.003-03:002012-06-03T19:33:22.910-03:00ABC Wednesday: T is for...<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i>Theology</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"<i>Of all disciples <b>theology</b> is the fairest, the one that moves the head and heart most fully, the one that comes closest to human reality, the one that gives the clearest perspective on the truth which every disciple seeks. It is a landscape like those of Umbria and Tuscany with views which are distant and yet clear, a work of art which is as well planned and as bizarre as the cathedrals of Cologne or Milan…But of all disciplines <b>theology</b> is also the most difficult and the most dangerous, the one in which a man is most likely to end in despair, or–and this is almost worse–in arrogance. <b>Theology</b> can float off into thin air or turn to stone, and worst of all it can become a caricature of itself</i>.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: xx-small;">(<span style="font-size: x-small;">Karl Barth</span>: His Life from Letters and Autobiographical Texts by Eberhard Busch)</span></div>
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I love theology!! I got an A- in my Theological Foundations course this past year!! I'm such a geek!! Here are some of the theology books I have in my possession...some were texts for courses, others just for "light" reading! haha<br />
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This last one is one of the texts for an upcoming summer course called Liberation and Post-colonial Theology. Looking forward to it, have heard good things about the sessional professor!<br />
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Take a tour of more T entries on the ABCW <a href="http://abcwednesday-mrsnesbitt.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">website</a>!!</div>
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<br />Annehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16895228781070287366noreply@blogger.com1