Weekend IX :: all hail Spring!

Redlands Spring Festival :: 06.09.08, originally uploaded by everyday, joy.

Thoughts abound, but so does the flu. In place of coherency, I present some pictures of our weekend fun at the Redlands Spring Festival. More at my flickr photostream.

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conversations:

Bethany -- I can well understand why you never said that again!

Everyone else -- thanks for your thoughts and suggestions at this post. It'll be fun working through the list. New posts suggestions and ideas and questions are always welcome. This blog is a dialogue, not a monologue.

Kleenex and JJ Heller and me

Last night, I told my mother that we are both awesome for having got through the whole of winter without catching any of the insidious bugs that everyone else seems to have and wants to share around.

This morning, in glorious proof of that old proverb about pride and falls and going before, I woke up to a raw throat, eyes that will attempt to close in spite of my best efforts, and a nose that's confusing itself with a dripping tap. Hmm. And I was going to achieve so very much today.

However, there were several cheering things about today, and one of those I can share with you is news of a beautiful new album by JJ Heller, which she is giving away for free -- or a donation, if you are not a poverty-stricken writer.

I had read her blog at the recommendation of a friend, and though several people raved about her music, I hadn't had a chance to listen to any for serious until today. And though I'm only two songs into the album, I am completely enchanted. This is just the sort of music I love, produced for reasons I love, about a God I love. And I think it is amazing and super and neat that JJ Heller is giving it away. Go and check it out yourself. Bravo, JJ!



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conversations:

Beth -- you and Don: blog peeps together forever! (do you think it's a sign?) Ooh, I am so happy you brought up early Christmas shopping because I was looking at Christmas pictures and totally getting into a festive mood. You can expect a post with my thoughts soon :).

Yo.

Ahoy, blogbuds!

You may or may not have noticed the slow posting habits hereabouts over the last two weeks. The days have been busy, I can't believe it's September, and the guest minister at church today mentioned Christmas stuff already up in David Jones stores. Boy. Anyway, I'd like to be more here over the next few weeks, but I need your help. To me, a blog isn't a voice going out into a silent universe; it's a dialogue among a bunch of us. So what should we discuss? What are your favourite types of posts? What hot-button issues have got you all excited? Let's talk.

(Bethany, I have not forgotten your tag of long ago!)

A letter to my novel

Dear Novel,

Hello, old friend! Sorry I haven't been in touch for a while. I kind of feel as though I have been neglecting you and, well, I guess I have. Don't take offence. Please. It's just that, when you've spent eight months almost non-stop with someone, sometimes you need some personal space. And you know that when we were working towards the deadline in May, we were locked at the computer together, you and I, for many hours of every day. Once that deadline was past, I needed to get away for a while. Breathe my own air. Think my own thoughts. Not wonder how they fitted into your plot.

But that's over now. I've had my fill of fresh air, and I'm returning. I need to spend some time with you again. I feel a little like you've turned from my friend to my acquaintance, and I never wanted that to happen. Is it my fault or yours? I'm not really sure. All I know is that I think we need to spend some more time together. Are you cool with that?

Will you take me back, sweet Novel?

Ever yours,

Danielle

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conversations:

Abbie -- isn't it crazy how we can all be living in this one country and yet experience such a diversity of weather? I hope Spring floats your way soon!

Beth -- enjoy Autumn! (it's my favourite season, too) And as you don those hats and scarves, think of the wonderful Don and his gift to the world of faith and words and quirky humour. *salute*

1st of September

Goodbye, Winter.

Hello, Spring!

(to see pictures from Sunday, the last day of Winter, go here and keep clicking the left arrow)

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conversations:

Random spammer -- please refrain from using my blog for free advertising. It makes life more difficult for everyone else.

Staish -- Ooh, they might be special edition Moleskines. That is super!

Beth -- welcome to the Society, oh fellow fan of the Miller!

The List of Thoughtful and/or Fascinating

I am unwell today, glued to the couch with a rug over my knees and a DVD of people with very wonderful Scottish accents playing in the background. So I have nothing remarkable of my own to say. But I've had time to skim at least a few of the over 400 posts clogging up my feed-reader. And it means I can share a little of the goods with you.

i. I didn't know that the ESV Bible had a Twitter! Each day, a fresh verse of Scripture is posted. This is a super idea.

ii. I love Batman. I've been a fan since I first heard Robin's cries of "Holy mashed banana, Batman!" on afternoon television when I was still in primary school. So when I heard there would be a sequel to Batman Begins, I was excited. But as news and reviews started to filter in nearing the film's release, I began to have my doubts. The movie sounded dark. Very dark. Did I really want to step into a theatre and soak myself in that darkness for more than two hours? Matt Kaufman talks about it better than I could.

iii. I am kind of in love with these journals and notebooks.

iv. And as if I don't already have enough, these Don't Waste Your Life journals at DesiringGod look very cool, too. Sort of Moleskine-like. And I like what DG says about journal-keeping:

"These field journals are a place to write out your thoughts as you journey toward that end. We designed them with Truth Content to be a reminder that every day of your life has great significance in Christ. Use these journals for everything, big or small, heavy or light. Meditate on the Scripture. Reflect on your day. Write a poem. Pen a song. Sketch an idea. Jot down an observation or experience that you don’t want to forget. Use these journals when you're traveling, in the office, at church, at school, in a coffee shop, at home...anywhere. Make much of Christ with your thoughts and dreams and plans, and they will not be wasted."

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conversations:

Caitlin -- amen to bringing on Spring and Summer! Well, maybe not a Queensland summer... but spring, for sure!

Suzanne -- It's a big country, that's for sure :).

The List of Great

i. I cannot tell you how good it is to have a camera again. Even though it is an interim little point-and-shoot that cost less than a hundred dollars, has very limited function, and frequently takes bad pictures, I feel like someone has found an amputated limb of mine and reattached it.

ii. Yesterday the postman not only brought me a parcel from Western Australia, but he also delivered a beautifully-written letter from Kansas. With pictures.

iii. On top of that, a very talented friend drew a picture of a character from a story I'm writing and she totally nailed him, right down to his mannerisms.

iv. On top of even that, the sunset last night was quite ethereal. No one can really do sunsets justice by describing them, so I won't try.

v. My littlest brother has decided to call me Dan or Dani and while in the past I resisted such attempts from other acquaintances, somehow it sounds perfectly alright coming from his little mouth.

vi. Some deadlines are beginning to be Quite Beaten, which makes me feel relieved.

vii. There are new books on my desk to read.

viii. Bible study is on tonight with a very awesome group of people and so that makes me eager.

ix. Spring is sniffing around the fringes of Winter. Hurrah!

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conversations:

Staish -- Moleskineaholics Anonymous.

Tegan -- did you find some secondhand books to use in cards and collages? It's such fun cutting into them!

Melody -- welcome to the Moleskine Appreciation Society!

Abbie -- you'll have to let me know if you try a Moleskine, and then tell me what you think of it :). I could talk about journals all day long and I get so inspired hearing what others do with theirs! xox