Dispatches

(Hey, it’s me! Over here. . . yeah, I know it’s a little later than you’re used to getting “Dispatches.” I feel a little bad about it. But not all that much. . . just a little. I had work things to do. Plus, I’m eating a cookie. And cookie-eating is an important task. Just. . .deal with it!)

So, um, yeah. “Disaptches.” I know you’re clamoring for my weekly update on all the silly things I think about and or see in the news. I know it. Just because you haven’t said anything doesn’t mean you haven’t been wishing I’d get this week’s “Dispatches” up on the blog, right?

Well, wait no more! It’s here!

• I finished reading Frederick Buechner’s The Sacred Journey last night. I’d read some Buechner before, but not much. But some of my favorite quotes and thoughts come from him and this book was on a reading list for an event I’m attending early next month. While Buechner was a favorite among some of my professors in divinity school, he isn’t talked about all that much in most of the Baptist circles I run in. And I loved this book. I love his style of writing, his way of thinking, and the way suddenly when reading this book, I’d find myself crying. Not because what he was saying was necessarily sad, but that it brought me to a place of realization or I understood what he was feeling, thinking, or where he was coming from. It’s basically a spiritual autobiography and Buechner is of another generation, but the words still ring true. And the truth is, God is writing all of our stories, and we, like Buechner, need to be intentional of looking for Him in all it—the past, the present, the good, and the bad.

• I have lived in Nashville for 9 years now. And I’ve never been to Las Paletas, the Mexican popsicle place. Well, I still haven’t been there, but I did have a popsicle from there yesterday. I stopped in at Whole Foods after my dermatologist appointment and got a popsicle as a snack on the drive home. It was blueberry lime, which sounds disgusting, but is actually FANTASTIC!

• Speaking of popsicles, let’s just say this: eating a popsicle while driving on the interstate (or at all) is not a good idea. I mean, really? Did I not think this through? Apparently my brain was not clicking on all cylinders at that point. . . but that popsicle was GOOD!

• I watched part of the Ken Burns’ documentary “Baseball” on PBS Wednesday night. Now I want to see it all. Is that weird?

• I believe I may make blackberry cobbler this weekend. I’ve never made blackberry cobbler, so I’m hoping it doesn’t turn out to be a disaster!

• Irish butter is yummy.

• American Idol auditions and the national leadership convention for FBLA are all happening in downtown Nashville this week/weekend. It explains so much. . .

• The vice president is coming to Nashville around 4 p.m. today. Can we not plan these visits to happen at times OTHER than rush hour? I’m hoping to leave work about that time and crossing my fingers that I don’t get caught in terrible traffic because of the motorcade.

• Motorcade is a weird word.

• Last night, I didn’t sleep especially well because my dog decided to sleep on my side of the bed. Yes, my dog and I have sides of the bed. Well, I kind of try to sleep in the middle, but do naturally tend toward one side, the one nearest my alarm clock. And I like to sleep on my side/stomach on that side of the bed, but I couldn’t because someone—someone small, red, furry, and sans most of her teeth—decided to sleep right there. I have no idea what spurred her decision to do so, but I plan on finding out and convincing her otherwise tonight.

Well, I’ve got work to do and so do you. Let’s rock this Friday!