Monday Countdown? Who's Counting! Today is Moving Day.

Twas the night before M'day and all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring 'cept the dryer and louse.

The dust bunnies snuggled 'hind sofas and chairs,

Just waiting for movers whose brawn is laid bare.

And what? to surprise there arose such a clatter,

the tape on the boxes unraveled and shattered.

"Oh no we won't go", screamed the sheets and the towels

"Shut up" said the dishes, done deal so don't howl.

Your whining and crying, they really don't matter,

Her mind is made up and it will not shatter.

You think I have nothing else worthy to do,
then blogedy blog at this moment to you?

Geez, will someone help, I can't get out of rhyme land.

Four Down and NONE to Go

Monday Countdown

What does any self respecting mad woman do only thirteen days before her departure to Israel for a year? Why not venture a guess....

a) Go out for the day in the beautiful autumnal weather?

b) Shop her brains out?

c) Pack, worry and fret as the house is becoming dismantled before her very eyes?

d) Drive to the Boston area to visit some friends for the day?

Let's see. If you choose (a) you are only partially right. It is a gorgeous day filled with the promise of renewal. If you happened to choose (b) you are totally off base, go back to go and DO NOT collect. If you chose (c) well, we'll see, perhaps I'll pack a box or two this evening. If you chose (d)...ding, ding, ding, ding. You are correct!

I spent the day in Newton, MA which is right outside of Boston. Andover Newton Theological School is in Newton Centre and I took a drive up to see my old stompin' grounds, have lunch with a friend and then coffee with another. This was the first time that I had gone back since graduation in 2002 and it was great to drive up on the hill - used to be called Institution Hill, and to see the campus with different, wiser eyes. Not a whole lot has changed but in many respects a lot has changed. There is a new chapel, Wilson Chapel, that has been opened now for only a few months. It's bigger, more light, and very serene. Hopefully it will be a sacred place for generations of seminarians to come.

The condo's that were so hotly contested by the envirofreaks back in the day have been built on the backside of the hill. I wasn't one of them, hey progress is progress, but, admittedly, I did miss seeing the mysterious wooded area that always seemed a little unkempt except for a rusting barbecue pit or two. I felt as if the "build it bigger, build it better" mantra of modernity had invaded my haven of theological bliss.

But there is good, no great, news.

After so many, almost 200 to be exact, years of being the only educational institution on the hill, ANTS now shares the hill with Hebrew College. HC had just opened it's door when I graduated. It sounds like there is some very good interfaith dialogue happening. Who knows, maybe they will be the first two religious institutions that will produce reverends and rabbis respectively, as a model for healthy understanding of tradition and theology, and for non threatening and respectful dialogue between Jews and Christians. Mazel Tov. Blessings.

So, what did you do today?

Three down, One to Go

Monday Countdown

Here it is, another Monday. The reality of my move is beginning to set in. You see it's just not my calendar and glasses any more, it's my calendar, glasses and paperwork. There are half packed boxes, and a food cabinet that I'm slowly depleting. To live amidst chaos and remain at peace is a Zen thing. Om, Om, can 'ya hear me now?? OOOMMMMM.

Everything is falling into place nicely though. I had a thanksgiving dinner for the family over the weekend, turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie - the works. I broke my vegetarian regimen for a spiritually and physically nurturing feast. The thanksgiving meal is good for the heart and for the soul. It brings up the past year's not-so-great moments so you can be thankful that you have arrived to a new a different place in your life. The thanksgiving meal helps you to stop, come to a halt amidst the craziness of life itself and take account of the goodness of creation. Because God is present in every breath we take, every bit we chew, every box we pack.

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk and author says in his book, "Peace is Every Step", "...we can realize peace right in the present moment with our look, or smile, our words, and our actions." Peace is in every step. The thanksgiving meal brings inner contentedness and peace. There is something very visceral about this delicious soul food. So, in the 80 degree, humid day Saturday, I made thanksgiving and enjoyed watching every one devour and savor the moment.

Here are a couple of weekly/monthly items to watch for on my blog in addition to my general musings. 52 Shabbatot: a weekly theological reflection from the Holy Land. Israel Blooms: a photo of what's blooming in Israel for the month.

What's that? I can hear the wrestle of packing paper. I think it's calling my name. Suzanne, Shoshannah (in Hebrew), you've got work to do. Blog later, pack now and for the sake of peace take a break for leftovers.

Two down, two to go.

Monday Countdown

There are only four Mondays left now until my departure date for Israel. It's Labor Day and I'm torn between doing nothing, panicking, or packing. Blogging is always a good distracter so I guess blogging it is.

I spent the weekend in Rhode Island getting Tina and her fiance moved into their new little home. Quite sweet. So, it's official, I am now an empty nester and damn proud of it. I think I did my job well and they are all off on their own. (for now I'm told). I don't know why this empty nest ever got a bad rap. You've just gotta prepare for the day. Me? I'm fleeing the nest too. Israel, yikes, ISRAEL.

How does one pack for a year in Israel. What do I do with all this #*!!? Those mommy robins and cardinals never seem to have a problem. They just fly off and leave a feather or two. I've got 28 years of junk to get rid of, donate, burn, whatever. Lord, help me, really, I'm not kidding this time.

The curious thing to me is deciding what to actually bring to Israel for a year. I'll pick up a vase and think I can't live without it and then put it down and realize that I can. I pick out 15 books that I'd like to take and read and then realize that wouldn't leave much more room, weight wise, in my luggage. So my clothing and a special photo album that I have prepared is what I'm going to take.

Other than that, Salvation Army will be delighted, I'll have some very spiritual experiences at the dump heaving my life's clutter over the big wall, and the rest of the contents of my life will be stored in a 150 square foot storage unity at Westy. Now that is either scarry or sad, still deciding on that one. I'll let you know as the Monday Countdown progresses.

One Down, Three to Go