WORLDS ARE FORMING

Blog Vulnerability: Weakness.

I have come to realize that in this, my 28th year, I am a horrible returner of phone calls. Yes, I'm "that" guy. So, to all of you out there to whom I owe a returned call, my apologies. I am sure that I like you. We'll be in touch sometime soon.

I Know I'm Eager to Get Back to Seminary When...

...I pull out my copy of Migliore's Faith Seeking Understanding and devour the sections on Theodicy, Evil, and Sacraments. (So good!) That's not my typical pleasure reading. Is this a sign that Old Man Cleve is still growing up?

Homegrown Tomatoes! Lycopene Galore!

This summer, I have enjoyed getting my hands dirty by helping my parents tend the garden. For the first time, we planted tomatoes, and as August has come and gone, it has been sweet to reap the harvest.  Homegrown tomatoes...nothin' like 'em.  (And we men need our lycopene...so I figure, why not eat 'em up?) 

The words of Guy Clark's Homegrown Tomatoes have been sung throughout the Cleveland home  and garden for the past few weeks, and rightly so...

Ain't nothin' in the world that I like better
Than bacon & lettuce & homegrown tomatoes
Up in the mornin' out in the garden
Get you a ripe one don't get a hard one

Plant `em in the spring eat `em in the summer
All winter with out `em's a culinary bummer
I forget all about the sweatin' & diggin'
Everytime I go out & pick me a big one

Homegrown tomatoes homegrown tomatoes
What'd life be without homegrown tomatoes
Only two things that money can't buy
That's true love & homegrown tomatoes

Hard Times for Adam Walker-Cleaveland-Cleaker.

Poor guy got a *great* haircut from his new (and might I say, generally wonderful and talented) bride.  Life is hard sometimes.  Instead of 3/4 of a head of hair, maybe he should just bic it.  You are right, Adam... "you shouldn't see that much neck on anyone." I mean...really.  Sad, isn't it?  Bic it, bro.  Bic it.  Adam, I support you in this time of trial.  Anyone else with me?

Oh ya, I forgot.

This past spring, I worked out alot, shed a few lb's, yadda yadda. Felt good, loved doing it.  So, at the beginning of the summer, I made it one of my goals to exercise 3 times a week and 1 time on the weekend.  You know, for self care. 

Life happened, CPE happened, and I decided to give that goal up, knowing that I would most certainly return to my exercise routine when I returned to Princeton in mid-September.

Well, I ran today.  And yesterday.  I had forgotten how good that stuff feels.  I think I'll keep it up...for sanity's sake.

...These Dancing Tears...

Initial

Out of infinite longings rise
finite deeds like weak fountains,
falling back just in time and trembling.
And yet, what otherwise remains silent,
our happy energies—show themselves
in these dancing tears.

          ::Rilke

Josie: The Newest Cleveland.

Josie entered our lives one week ago.  She's an 11 month old purebred German Shepherd.  As the pictures show, she is a contemplative...loves to stop and smell the flowers, and gaze into the sky.  On the other hand, she also loves to roughhouse with my sister's chihuahua (also known as William, the miniature German Shepherd)...

                                                       Josie.  She's a cool dog.

A River Runs Through It.

One of my favorite movies just may become my new favorite book.  I have been looking for a post-CPE / pre-Princeton read.  After my recent trip to Montana, I decided that I had to read the book by Norman MacLean.  I am sure I will post a nugget or two of wisdom on here at some point.  There are quotes and nuggets aplenty in this piece of work.

Anyone else out there reading something good?

Attentiveness.

"O Lord, all you ask of me is a simple "yes," a simple act of trust, so that your choices for me can bear fruit in my life. 

I do not want you to pass me by.  I do not want to be so busy with my way of living, my plans and projects, my relatives, friends and acquaintances, that I do not even notice that you are with me, closer to me than anyone else. 

I do not want to be blind to the loving gestures that come from your hands, nor deaf to the caring words that come from your mouth. 

I want to see you as you walk with me and hear you as you speak to me..."

:: Henri Nouwen, Heart Speaks to Heart

It's Over.

Eleven weeks of CPE (hospital chaplaincy internship)...done today.  It was an experience like none other.  I had a love/hate relationnship with CPE.  Glad to have done it.  Glad it's over, too.  I'll offer some further reflections in the days ahead.  For now, I will enjoy being done.  And tonight, I will have a celebratory sleepover with my niece and nephew as host.  Perfect.