There and Back Again

We witnessed over two feet of snowfall before Christmas while back in Wisconsin. It was lovely. Shown above is Racine's famous Wind Point lighthouse. Always lovely.

Monkey-Girl is now a deacon. I guess that means she'll need a new handle on this blog. Please post suggestions. The ordination service was wonderful. She was invited to serve at St. Michael's Church for the midnight mass on Christmas Eve. That was beautiful. All of my disappointments with All Saints' service were satisfied in that event. I'll never forget holding a sleeping Phoebe while singing "Silent Night" by candlelight in my home parish while my wife served in her first full service.

All in all it was a terrific trip and I have a ton of stories to tell. We're still unpacking, but I'll tell you more tomorrow.

On the Road Again

. . . and we're off!

Three Day Weekend!

Actually, it's more of an Ice Day. In case you're wondering, ice and mountain roads make for a dangerous mix.

I get to stay home with Phoebe!

Coke Can Driving

When it's really foggy here on the moutain some of us refer to this legendary driving method. I thought about it tonight as I was coming home.

Monkey-Girl had it explained to her this way.

1. Take a coke can. (Notice the lower case c on coke. We are in the South after all. If you order a Coke here, you'd better be prepared to explain what kind.)
2. Pull your car over to the side of the road.
3. Walk with your coke can until you can barely make out your car's headlights.
4. Put the coke can down.
5. Walk back to your car.
6. Drive toward your coke can.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 until you arrive at your destination.
8. Enjoy your coke. (Hopefully it's an actual Coke.)

I'm sure this is only joke. Then again this IS the South.

Lessons and Carols 2008

Sunday evening I was able to attend the 49th annual Service of Lessons and Carols held at All Saints' Chapel. I have been told since before we even moved here that this was the be-all/end-all event of the Advent season.

I'm going to go ahead and give this a thumbs down.

Now, Monkey-Girl and a good friend of ours read as part of the service and my appraisal has NOTHING to do with their contribution. The music selection was beautiful. The readings were spot on. The chapel was gorgeous. The greenery was festive. I especially loved the program cover art, but I'm a sucker for art deco.

The "mega-event" nature of this thing is what turned me off. I was told that Lessons and Carols started off as a community event. It featured nearly all of the choirs on the Domain including the Otey Parrish Children's Choir. It was attended by people in the community as a lead-in to Christmas.

Now it's an overcrowded, over-hyped presentation for the donors. As Monkey-Girl was a participant in the program, I got a "reserved" seat. This meant that I didn't have to stand in line for two hours before the doors opened. The "reserved" section boasted row upon row of flimsy folding chairs spaced an un-exaggerated ten inches apart.

I seemed to be surrounded by University alumni and there underwhelmed teen-aged children. This was not the fault of the All Saints', mind you, but it did contribute to the atmosphere of let down.

Finally, the University Choir has to be called to task. I've been hearing since we first came to interview here over three years ago how wonderfully amazing this choir is. Let me tell you: the emperor is naked. I have been able to listen to the choir fairly regularly for almost a year as I attend Sunday services at All Saints'. My ear is untrained, but even I can tell that the soprano section is consistently sharp.

I know that this is incredibly biased, but I'll take Lessons and Carols followed by Midnight Mass at Saint Michael's of Racine over last night's event any time.

I Feel Like Cocoa Tonight

A new mug (thanks 'Bergers!), a blustery evening, frazzled nerves, and the hope of early morning ice storms call for a special beverage. May I introduce Creamy Hot Cocoa?

• 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6-1/2 cups water

1. Mix first four ingredients in large saucepan over medium heat until well combined.
2. Slowly add water and heat through. DO NOT BOIL.

Let the Holiday Specials Begin

Last night I watched Shrek the Halls and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Commercials for A Charlie Brown Christmas were heavily featured.

Wow!

I love Christmas. I mean real Christmas; christian Christmas. I do a daily Bible reading leading up to the event each year. I love midnight mass with lessons and carols.

I also love secular Christmas. If you don't believe me check out my DVD collection. Rankin and Bass are far too heavily featured.

Thanksgiving Break: Extended!

Thanks to Tennessee's unwillingness to prepare for seasonable weather I have the day off. Being able to see leaves through the snow and not having to go to school would scandalize some people back home in Wisconsin. As it is I'll have one less day to get my students ready for the end-of-semester exam.

Oh, well. I guess I'll just have to enjoy the day with Phoebe.