Yo estoy una incendiaria.

Hello Hello!  I stayed in CT for Memorial Day.  Kevin and Cheryl Ryan had a firing. Saturday they had filled their wood-burning kiln with 114 pieces of Kevin's pottery and bricked up the door ready to go for Monday.  This was their 15th firing, and my 1st!!!!  The usual group of helpers were not all in CT, due to the holiday, so I got to be much more useful than I was expecting (a.k.a I got zero studying done). But truthfully, I was a-okay with that.  I had much more fun playing with fire all day long.  Kevin started the propane at 7:30 pm Sunday evening.  And then started the campfire at 1:45 am Monday finally turning the propane off at around 5:00 am.  I was out at the kiln by 6.

 Backyard of the Ryan's 6:00 am.  Wood-burning kiln on left.  Red building is Kevin's workshop.

Using clay mixed with sawdust to close the cracks in the opening.

 All the water from the wet clay becoming steam when against the door to the kiln.

 Before we've started actually stoking the fire. Still building up the campfire.  This is looking through one of the two stoking holes.  Notice all the black soot.

 Wally Carlson feeding the campfire through the mouse holes.

 Replacing Wally at the mouse holes.  The first log was thrown through the stoking holes at about 7:45 am.  Temperature wasn't quite 1000 degrees F yet.

The day wasn't simply playing with fire all day long.  More chemistry was discussed than I'd had to remember in a long time.  I am glad to say I didn't get lost amongst all the reduction and oxidation, endothermic and exothermic.  I couldn't write out the chemical equations for you of all these reactions that were going on like I could 7-8 years ago, but I at least could recall the principles and understood what was happening. 

 For example, at one point after we'd started stoking Kevin put the kiln into pure reduction for about 40 minutes. Closed the dampers and mouse holes basically starving the fire of oxygen.  For those 40 minutes black smoke billowed out of the kiln.

 And inside the fire roared.  Well, the fire was always roaring, but it seems that much more intimidating when it's producing thick black smoke.

 There are a few places in the kiln from which you can remove a brick and look inside.  At this point looking in the kiln you can see the fire flowing just like water.  I understand you can't really see "flowing just like water" in a single picture, but at the bottom you can see those brighter licks of fire.  It's really quite something!

 Stoking the fire.

 Stoking from the other side.  I pointed out the black soot on the stoking hole previously.  The temperature has now risen past the point where the soot has been burned off.

 This was probably my favorite point of the firing.  There is no thermometer telling you what the temperature is inside the kiln, but at four spots in the kiln cones are placed (two top, two bottom).  Specific cones bend and then melt at specific temperatures.  That way when cone 6 bends you know it is at least 1629 degree F, etc.).  This picture was taken approx 7:00-7:30 pm.  If you squint you can make out the cones bending at the forefront of the view into the kiln.  You can't see cone 12 clearly here (just up to cone ll), but it was also starting to bend, meaning that temperature was roughly 2350 degree F.  I say this was my favorite point for probably the same reason that you can't distinguish anything within the kiln in this picture.  At this temperature you no longer saw fire flowing like water. The entire contents of the kiln was glowing.  But not glowing like the embers of a fire glow merely red hot.  It was a glow mesmerizing, brings me to a loss of words.  It makes me use an adjective, I save for only situations worthy.  It was a glow awesome.

Revelation 1:13-15

¹³ And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
¹⁴ His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;
¹⁵ And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.

The mental picture I know have from this description has been given a make-over.  When you don't think Jesus can get more awesome, you're blown away unexpectedly.

 Kevin normally throws salt on the fire around the time cone 8 starts to bend.  It was thrown on later than that this time, so we kept stoking a little bit longer than necessary.  Here's one last look in through the stoking hole.

Little Harvey Zahner cheesed for a picture for me.

Hasta!

Yo estoy conociendo a mis vecinos.

I'm enjoying meeting the characters that live here at the Deerhaunt.  Just yesterday apt 1 knocked on my door to introduce himself.  Himself, and his cat, you know......so I don't shoot him.

Say whaaaaat?!?!

Yo estoy segura, puessssss.

As with moving to any new location, certain adjustments are a given.  Most obvious for me with this particular move is the lack of light and noise at night.  I’ve been in some sort of urban area for years, and now I’m in the woods.  I’m used to having my windows open 24/7 and being able to see out 24/7.  I look towards my windows now, and if the sun isn’t out all I see is blackness.  Unsettling to say the least.  Going along with that adjustment is the fact that I’ve come back to earth from the 6^th floor.  On the 6^th floor, it doesn’t matter if your windows are open or not.  No one sees in anyways.  People passing by whether driving, biking, walking, etc…they’re each in their own little worlds.  No one looks up.  I was sitting on my bed one night and looked up in time to catch the tail end of a plaid shirt that had just passed by.  Final straw.  So this morning I took hammer, nail and bedsheet to my window.  It’s holding for now.  I’m anxious for tonight, to see if it actually works!!

Hasta!

Yo estoy quemada.

Yesterday my Dove chocolate wrapper told me to sleep in today.  So I did.  Granted I woke up on my own same time as always, but rolled my eyes and stayed below the covers.   I only made it about an hour longer and Proverbs 6:9 was going through my mind like ticker tape “How long wilt thou sleep, o sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?”   Fine! Fine!   I’m up already! 

Zechariah 13:9  And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.

He doesn’t say he “might” try “some” of them “if” they actually “need” refining.  But, he “will try them” and he “will refine them.”  Just as the potter molds the clay as he sees fit to perfect the vessel he chooses to create, so must we be molded and refined.  This is nothing new to the believer.  Any babe in Christ encounters the growing pains of walking the straight and narrow.  The fire comes later. 

Another log was thrown on the fire last Friday.  Although I probably should have been ready for it, the heightened blaze kind of caught me off guard.  I was thankful to be in CT for the weekend.  It’s much easier to distract oneself from your own fire surrounded by hundreds of others each with their own trials and struggles.  I know this fire is long from going out, but the recent blaze has at least died down to embers for the time being.  I can only pray that as I go through this fire, as I am hollowed out and brought to my knees as nothing before the throne of Christ; when He rises me up again I will be even less of myself and more of Him.

1 Peter 1:7-9  ⁷That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: ⁸Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: ⁹Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Happy Monday!! :)

Hasta!

Yo estoy trasladada.

Another day.  Another move.  Another place to call my current address as I pass through this life, a pilgrim just passing through.  I moved Monday with the help of Cheryl Ryan and Ashley Luginbuhl.  We scooped up my old apartment. Loaded it into the Ryan's van and my car.  Left New Rochelle heading North for Croton-on-Hudson.  Upon arrival, proceeded to drop everything into my new apartment.  By the time we finished it wasn't even noon yet.  So we celebrated a productive morning by breaking for lunch after which Cheryl and Ashley headed to their homes respectively and I returned to face the task of putting my apartment away.  Kind of like a load of laundry after it's finished drying, you reach in removing the entire contents of the dryer in one armload carrying it to it's next destination and then phwuop! you drop it.  That's all great you got it there, but now it needs to be folded and put away.  I think it would do the American population good to schedule regular moves into their lives.  Moving brings one face to face with just how much STUFF he/she has.  I am incredibly undeservedly blessed!  Getting situated was a bit tougher than I had expected, and a bit slower.  My new apartment is approximately half the size of my old place. (It was advertised as an "efficiency apartment")  So I really had to dive into the right side of my brain to find a place for everything.  It was a slow process, and in the end took me about 4 hours, but I was well satisfied with the results.  And best news!!!! There is totally room that the air mattress could fit (I'd just have to take the table down!)  So visitors won't have to sleep on the floor.  Although..... recently the air mattress has developed a slow leak, so by morning there's a good chance you'd be on the floor anyways :/.  Croton-on-Hudson is in a beautiful area of the Hudson Valley right on the river.  If any visitors came there's a couple of parks I'd want to explore.  Plus, I'm still within walking distance of the train...NYC is still just a short train ride away!!!! (perhaps not quite as short as from New Rochelle, but just a ride nonetheless!)

Hasta!

Happy Mother's Day

I want to wish all the lovely ladies out there a 

Happy Mother's Day!!

God has blessed me with a number of different "mothers" over the years.  

I love them all and am extremely grateful for each and every one.

But He gave me just one "mommy"

and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I Love You Mommy!

Thank you!

Yo estoy apoyando a mi amiga.

CONGRATULATIONS to my friend and sister-in-faith Rebekah Viens on your graduation, 

Masters of Educational Psychology, focus in Special Education.

 And then just because we crack ourselves up...

"Christian Friendship"

There are friendships that we cherish

In our daily walk of life

Friends with whom we meet and labor 

In our earthly toil and strife

 

Friends among the aged and youthful

Friends that live from us apart

Friends of higher rank and station

Find a place within my heart.

 

But I prize the friendship highest 

Of the one whose heart is true

Friends who live by truth and goodness

And who live in Him anew

Friends whose hearts are up in heaven

Though their feet traverse this sod

Find a place of highest merit

In our fellowship with God

There's a tie of noble kinship

In a soul who loves the Lord,

There's a friendship warm and lasting

If he heeds the Master's Word

 

There is mutual understanding

And a sympathy so kind

In the tie of Christian friendship

As on earth we ofttimes find

 

 When at last these ties are riven

When we're called to go on high

Oh, how sweet to meet in heaven

Friends forever, you and I

Hasta!

Ya estamos niños?

The following true story is about a handful of years old, but I've heard it being told a couple of times recently and wanted to share it.

A Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousand of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?

Another reality about this story that strikes me is the children.  It was the children who recognized what was before them.  Children that aren't so wrapped up in their own business that they stop and marvel.  Children that look at this world through glasses of youth and innocence.

Matthew 19:14  But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Matthew 18:2-4

² And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
³ And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Hasta!

 

Yo estoy preocupada.

Even though I had left early for CT on Sunday, before I'd even gotten out of New Rochelle I'd realized I'd forgotten my Bible and turned back.  So early turned into 'just on time.'  Merritt Parkway is finally turning green again making my drive on a clear sunny Sunday morning a perfect start to the day!

Ashley returned with me from CT Sunday night and we enjoyed to beautiful Spring day in the city on Monday.  One stop of the day was Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn.  It has been said that the "ambition of the New Yorker to live upon the Fifth Avenue, to take his airings in the (Central) Park, and to sleep with his fathers in Green-Wood."

 The Main Entrance to Greenwood Cemetery

 Amber Miller!!! We saw your relatives all over the place!!

 No clue what made that go so special

 Many famous people are among those sleeping in Greenwood. Of them all we only had time to visit one and so choose Leonard Bernstein.  Pleasantly surprised to find his stone as such.

 Christened the Leaning Tower of Cemetery Gravestone by Ashley.

 Many of the tombs were built into the sides of all the hills.

One of the small lakes in the cemetery.

Today I'm at the Mid-Manhattan Public Library to study.  This building is pretty amazing.  Would have liked to study in the map room, but choose the periodicals room as it was less busy.

Hasta!

Yo estoy soñando.

I made it all day yesterday without saying 'May the Fourth be with you' to anyone.  Well except for maybe to myself a couple of times just for kicks and giggles.

I woke up yesterday not quite sure what I'd be doing that day.  Stay and study all day, or perhaps go to CT for a singing. Things kind of got decided for me when I suddenly woke up mid-afternoon head down on my computer.  Looking at the clock, the last time I remembered was over an hour previous to that.  I'd lost almost an hour and half without even a dream to show for it.  So I stayed and studied.  Now I'm trying to waste a little time before leaving for church.  There's early and then there's too early.

Hasta!

Yo estoy moviendo.

I play games.  Games on my computer.  Solitaire.  Spider Solitaire.  Free Cell.  Mahjong. I don't waste time playing them, but more use them as filler time.  I need a short break so I play a few games and then go back to studying.  I've done this for years.  I can remember first learning Free Cell on my big ol' desktop way back in undergrad.  Anyways, over the years I've changed computers a couple of times since that desktop.  And each time I get to start over on the games.  Make a new high score, or on my current computer, maintaining a 100% success rate.  More than once in the past I've had the same Mahjong game open on my computer for days, my own stubbornness keeping me from closing it down, unwilling to give up on it.  And you know what?  It always gets figured out in the end.  It was just another puzzle waiting to be solved.  Then to change things up once in awhile I focus on trying to beat my high score.  On one particular Mahjong arrangement, the Dragon, the existing high score was well over a year old, but try as I might I couldn't beat it.  Then one day I was playing while not even paying attention, and upon finishing had to catch my breath because not only had a new high score been made but it blew the last one out of the water by over 100 points!!  I was upset.  Here I had been trying to do that for a long time, and then all of a sudden without even trying it just happens!  And since I wasn't paying attention I have no clue how it happened.  I can't try to repeat it, because I don't know what was done in the first place.  This new high score just rendered all my past efforts worthless.  I felt almost as if that new high score was undeserved, because I hadn't earned it.  And then because I think too much, I likened that game to life.  How sometimes we have to work, and work, and work.  And then sometimes, it's just given to us.  No explanation, just cause. 

As today was the first day of May, I figured it was probably time I looked into where I'll be staying come June.  Have the 31 days of May to find a place and then move there.  I almost talked myself into waiting until tomorrow, but in the end mentally slapped myself and punched Craigslist into the url.  A few short clicks later a list of apartment listings in Westchester scrolled the screen before my eyes.  I picked a few and sent out inquiry emails.  I got a few responses.  I set up a time to go see one, which I was completely shocked was still available.  And upon talking with the landlord, she basically thrust the keys at me saying it's yours if you want it!  She was even willing to meet me halfway.  Halfway through May, so I don't have to pay rent at two places for the same month.  I am so completely shocked by the events of today.  I had started apartment searching today thinking it would take the whole month to find the kind of place I need.  But just like that, it was handed to me.  No explanation, just cause.  Perhaps, God was feeling sorry for me and decided to throw me a freebee for some reason.  Or perhaps, He did it just cause He wanted to.  Because he likes to surprise us like that.  Whatever His reason, I am humbled by and sincerely thankful for His goodness and kindness.

In his own way it's almost like He told me, "See Christy! I got you! I got this! It's gonna be just fine!"
 Praising Jesus!

Hasta!