Through Things.

The day is overcast.

I've been spending this week at my grandparents house. They live right next to the shore of Table Rock lake in Shell Knob, Missouri. The house is deep in the trees and is lost by cell phone service.

My grandfather is out working on a deck for a friend and my grandmother is quilting at the senior center. She and her friends work together to make quilts for people who need to be warm.

Being alone in the house is quite relaxing on a day like today. Although, there was a phone call. I just let the answering machine take care of it and now it beeps every five seconds (this is not an exaggeration,I timed it) letting everyone know that it has something to share. Fearful of the importance of the message I am reluctant to touch the machine.

I've been reading today; a book about a kid who leaves home for the summer to be a counselor at a Christian camp. It's good so far. I found it at the Shell Knob Public Library which consists of about three bookshelves. With it I found a book by Clark Strand entitled Seeds from a Birch Tree. In the book, Strand explains the art of Haiku. It's quite fascinating how he relates back to nature. But he starts bringing in the concept of Zen Buddhism. To be honest, the way he brings nature into the religion is quite appealing, and the description of meditation seems relaxing and freeing. I am not sure, however, how I feel about taking aspects of this different religion and applying them to my spiritual walk.

At the house, my grandparents have random, unorganized, yet perfectly placed yard art:

Ever since I turned my computer on today I've been listening to Nathan Phillips (www.myspace.com/nathanphillipssongs) His songs are very contemplative and are very easy to write to; and think to.

The sun is beginning to overcome the clouds. I must go finish my day.

I pray for work...

I pray for rest...